(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, June 27, 2017

Former rebels receive cash, livelihood assistance in AgSur

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, June 27 (PIA) – Three former rebels in Agusan del Sur received cash and livelihood assistance from the government thru the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga on June 23, 2017 in Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

According to 2Lt. Romel Arnado, Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Officer of 26th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, of the three former rebels, two surrendered to 26IB while the other one surrendered to 3rd Special Forces Battalion.

Arnado added that the three received from DILG and DSWD the P50,000.00 livelihood assistance and P15,000.00 cash assistance. The names of the beneficiaries under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) were not disclosed for their safety/security especially when they go back to the mainstream society.

“The government wanted to help them cope with the normal life in their respective community and with the livelihood assistance given to them will be a good start. They can also avail of the other programs of the government when they need to,” expressed Arnado.

Also, 26IB commanding officer LTC Rommel Pagayon encouraged other members of the New People's Army (NPA) in the province to surrender and be part of the mainstream society. “The 26IB and 401st Brigade, Philippine Army with the guidance of Col. Andres Centino is very willing to accept the former rebels who would want to surrender. You are safe with us, and the government has programs and services intended for you,” he underlined.

During the turn-over ceremony, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other government agencies also witnessed said activity. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


DSWD reminds 4Ps beneficiaries on implications of pawning cashcards in Cagwait town

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

CAGWAIT, Surigao del Sur, June 27 (PIA) – Department of Social Welfare and Development  (DSWD) Surigao del Sur Provincial Satellite Office recently conducted a special Family Development Sessions (FDS) to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in Barangay Mat-e, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur.

In a press statement, Jimbo Jamoner, Provincial Grievance Officer, elaborated some implications of pawning the cash cards owned by the 4Ps beneficiaries.

Jamoner emphasized to the partner-beneficiaries that pawning of cash card means disempowering them from their own responsibilities as the guardian/holder of the Pantawid Pamilya cash card.

The cash card being granted to a holder or beneficiary is purposely for the health and education of children aged 0-18, Jamoner added.

Meanwhiile, Ryan Malbas Tapayan of DSWD Field Office Caraga said that the implementation of 4Ps in Caraga Region is now almost nine years. The partner-beneficiaries continue to comply with the institutionalized set of conditions asked by the program, he said. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)


LGU Dinagat Islands inks MOA with DBP for ATM payroll system

By Susil D. Ragas

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, June 27 (PIA) - The provincial government of Dinagat Islands and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the ATM Payroll System for provincial employees on June 21, 2017 held at the Office of the Provincial Governor here.

The agreement aims to implement the ATM (Automated Teller Machine) Payroll that will provide good service to the employees thus releasing of salary on time and to avoid delays on claiming of salaries.

During the MOA signing, the DBP has also launched the salary loan accreditation facility for the province to provide financial assistance in the form of salary loans to qualified officers and employees.

The signing of the said MOA was led by Governor Glenda B. Ecleo and DBP branch head Jonathan G. Mundo and was witnessed by vice governor Benglen B. Ecleo, Provincial Treasurer Annabelle S. Naluan, Provincial Administrator Gwendolyn Ecleo-Pols, Provincial HRMO Elvis Dela Merced and DBP Branch Operations Officer Ma. Florencia S. Sarono. (Provincial Information Office-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)


DAR Surigao Norte conducts bookkeeping seminar to agrarian orgs

By Daryll M. Tumbaga

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, June 27  - In its continuing effort to capacitate the assisted agrarian reform beneficiaries' organizations (ARBOs), the provincial office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Surigao del Note conducted a training-workshop on Simple Bookkeeping and Recording on June 22, 2017 at Mabini Multi-purpose Hall, Brgy. Mabini, Placer, this province.

ARBOs who participated were the Cabugao First Farmers Agra Consumers Cooperative of Brgy. Cabugao, Bacuag; Kababayen-an sa Panatao Producers Cooperative of Brgy. Panatao, Claver; Cabugo Multi-purpose Cooperative of Brgy. Cabugo, Claver; and Mabini United Farmers Cooperative of Brgy. Mabini, Placer.

The participants were trained on recording an accounting simple transactions like preparing cash books, sales book, cash receipts book, cash disbursement book and creditor’s subsidiary ledger.

According to Angeline M. Najial, Bookkeeper of Cabugo Multi-purpose Cooperative, she was very grateful for the opportunity to have attended the training.

“Makatabang gyud og dako ang ako nahibaw-an sa kuman na training kay mahibayo na ako unhon pagplastar ang amo mga libro sa coop (The knowledge I gained from this training is really of great help in preparing the books of transactions in our cooperative)," said Najial in her native dialect. (DAR-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


ATI, PIA Caraga empower IOs through basic journalism training

By Cristina C. Calang

BUTUAN CITY, June 27 – Some 30 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), who at the same time are the information officers from different local government units and government agencies in Caraga region, underwent the four-day basic journalism training on June 20-23, 2017 at San Lorenzo Ruiz Pastoral Center here.

The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) has partnered with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga for this training.

Samuel Calonzo, Training Center Superintendent I of ATI Caraga said the training was conceptualized to enhance the communication and writing skills of the AEWs and information officers.

“Through this training, we are optimistic that our AEWs, information officers will be able to increase the quantity with quality of the their reports from the field,” expressed Calonzo.

Also, during her lecture, Jennifer Gaitano, information officer II of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga bared that journalism, which is conveyed through mass media, is a powerful tool that should be channeled to positively change a person’s way of live.

“Remember, always be objective and accurate in your write-ups to prevent yourself from committing libel case and other violations,” stressed Gaitano.

Meanwhile, Fryan Abkilan, deputy regional director of PIA Caraga also reiterated the importance of disseminating timely, accurate and relevant news stories to the general public.

“A well-informed Filipino is an empowered Filipino,” Abkilan highlighted. (PIA-Caraga)


US Embassy, UP-IIS host ‘iftars’ in honor of Ramadan

BUTUAN CITY, June 27 (PIA) - In culmination of the holy month of Ramadan, the United States (U.S.) Embassy in the Philippines has partnered with the University of the Philippines (UP) Institute of Islamic Studies (IIS) in hosting two simultaneous iftar activities on Wednesday.

One at IIS in Quezon City and the other at the Santa Elena Evacuation Center in Iligan City serving 1,140 Marawi evacuees.  The two communities shared food and fellowship, and strengthened their resolve in solidarity with victims of the Marawi siege. 

Following Maghrib, the sunset prayer, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Michael Klecheski joined UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan, Dean of the IIS Macrina Morados, students, professors, government officials and civil society members to break the fast.  

Klecheski conveyed his sympathies to Marawi residents who are still affected by the conflict, noting the charity and generosity of the Muslim community during the siege. “Muslim communities sacrificed their own safety to protect fellow Muslims and non-Muslims alike, giving free food, water, and shelter to those in need,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tan thanked the U.S. Embassy for its support and highlighted its upcoming joint endeavors.                      

In Santa Elena, Iligan City, U.S. government exchange alumni and UP-IIS alumni organized an iftar for about 1,140 Marawi evacuees.  The volunteers in charge of the event included alumni of U.S. government-sponsored programs such as Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) and Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (K-L YES).  Launched in 2013, YSEALI is the U.S. government’s signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia.    

Through a variety of programs and engagements, YSEALI focuses on critical topics identified by youth in the region and seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and nurture an ASEAN community.  The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, provides scholarships for secondary school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend one academic year in the United States.     

The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines collaborates with universities across the country to empower communities through cultural and educational outreach programs. (U.S. Embassy)


Tagalog News: 4CMO Battalion may bago ng commander

Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Hunyo 27 (PIA) - Pormal ng umupo bilang bagong Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer ng 4th CMO Kasaligan Battalion si Lieutenant Colonel Rico Amaro na nakabase dito sa lungsod.

Sa ginanap na Change of Command Ceremony kamakailan, pormal ng tinanggap ni Lt. Col Amaro ang kanyang bagong tungkulin at responsibilidad bilang commanding officer ng Kasaligan Battalion.

Si Lt. Col. Amaro ay dating battalion commander ng 30th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army na nakadestino sa Surigao del Norte.

Ayon kay Lt. Col. Amaro, ipagpapatuloy niya umano ang nasimulang mga makabuluhang proyekto at inisyatibo ng dating CMO officer na si Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Valdez IV, na ngayon ay madedestino na rin sa 4th Infantry Division headquarters sa Cagayan de Oro City.

Anya, mas paghuhusayan pa niya ang kanyang tungkulin sa bagong posisyon, at kasama ng kanyang mga tauhan sa CMO battalion ay mas lalo pa nilang patatatagin ang magandang relasyon sa komunidad na kanilang sinasakupan maging sa mga ahensiya ng gobyerno.

Binigyang-diin din ni Lt. Col. Amaro na palagi siyang tutugon sa mga issues and concerns na maaaring maibahagi rin sa kanya ng mga media partners upang umano ay agaran ding matugunan ang mga concerns ng mga tao sa ibat-ibang barangays na sikop nila at maipagpatuloy ang mga peace and development efforts ng 4th CMO Battalion.

Ipinahayag naman ni Lt. Col. Valdez ang kanyang lubos na pasasalamat sa suporta at dedikasyon ng kanyang mga tauhan sa CMO Battalion sa kanilang mga naging operasyon.

Samantala, binati rin ni 4ID asst. division commander Brigadier General Cristobal Zaragoza ang bagong CMO officer at sinabing kampante siya na magagampanan ng mabuti ni Lt. Col. Amaro ang mga serbisyo na inaasahan sa kanya. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)