OPAPP Sec, Marawi Crisis Management Committee work
on mechanism to ensure on time delivery of relief to civilians
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
ILIGAN CITY, June 7 (PIA) – The Crisis Management
Committee claimed that they have put in place mechanisms that will ensure on
time delivery of relief goods to the civilians affected by the armed conflict
in Marawi City.
This was confirmed by Secretary Jesus Dureza of the
Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) during a press briefing held on
Monday at the provincial capitol of Lanao del Sur in Marawi City.
With all the work needed as the government does its
best to rescue trapped civilians from the areas covered by the Maute local
terrorist group, Sec. Dureza also gives priority to the internally displaced
persons (IDPs) who are now at the evacuation centers and those staying in their
relatives’ houses.
The secretary also emphasized that with the peace
corridor, the government is optimistic that it will ensure the safety of
civilians and the delivery of the needed humanitarian aid for the IDPs.
“The government and the Crisis Management Committee
here have already put in place mechanisms that will ensure all these processes
done. Necessary collaboration with all concerned agencies is constant,”
stressed Dureza.
Also, Irene Santiago, chairperson of the
implementing panel tasked to oversee humanitarian efforts in Marawi underlined
that with the peace corridor, humanitarian groups could use a secure space to
evacuate wounded and trapped civilians, as well as retrieve bodies for burial.
“We have already discussed necessary things to make
everything possible as we will continue to rescue civilians and at the same
time safeguard the IDPs needs,” said Santiago. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
AFP: No Intel failure in Marawi siege
By Venus L. Garcia
ILIGAN CITY, June 7 (PIA) – The clash that erupted
in Marawi City which started with a raid on Muslim extremist leader Isnilon
Hapilon hideout was never a failure of intelligence, claimed Lt. Col. Joar
Herrer, spokesperson of 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, in an interview
at Lanao del Sur Provincial Capitol in Marawi City.
“For the AFP, it’s not a failure of intelligence
because first of all we have already uncovered the activities of Maute. There
were reports that they would seal and shape Marawi because this is the only
Islamic city in the country. So, our troops launched a deliberate raid,”
Herrera said.
According to him, the militant group had the grand
plan to totally burn down Marawi. They were conducting law enforcement operation
afternoon of that day, together with police forces in the province, but upon
reaching Basak Malulut gunfire greeted the government forces forcing them to
fire back.
“So, there was a sporadic firefight and
diversionary attack. Just imagine if the military didn’t do it, Marawi crisis
could have been worse. However, we cannot discount the perception of others
about the incident,” said Herrera.
The siege has prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to
declare Martial Law for 60 days over Mindanao. It has also led to cutting his
visit short in Russia. “The Martial Law is a political decision of the
president and the AFP is very capable to finish the job,” remarked Herrera.
He also said that the Army troops have risked their
lives in the battleground and even in the conduct of house to house clearing
operation. “Up to this time, rescue operations are being done ensuring minimal
civilian casualties. No amount of combat victory if these innocent civilians
will just be killed,” underscored Herrera.
“What are we afraid of? Martial Law or violence and
terrorism? It is more fearful if we allow chaos and warfare to succeed,” said
Herrera. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Diocese of Iligan, MSU extend relief assistance to
Marawi evacuees
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
ILIGAN CITY, June 7 (PIA) – The Diocese of Iligan
City, together with Mindanao State University (MSU) - Institute for Peace and
Development in Mindanao (IPDM) has joined hands for a common cause to help the
internally displaced persons (IDPs) who suffered the effect of the armed
conflict in Marawi City and are now in the evacuation centers here.
Sr. Fe Socorro Salimbangon, Diocesan Caritas
Coordinator of the Diocese of Iligan City said that they have partnered with
National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) under the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and Catholic Relief Services for the
relief distribution to more or less 2,000 IDPs in the barangays of this city.
“The food packs contain salted dried fish, rice,
sardines, mongo, and other food items,” enumerated Salimbangon. She also called
on those interested donors who want to donate to have it thru cash instead so
evacuees could also buy other needs.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mark Anthony Torres,
officer-in-charge of MSU-IPDM, also disclosed that they have student-volunteers
and friends from MSU and other schools in Iligan City who help them in the
whole duration of the relief operation of their organization in partnership
with other sectors.
“Food packs, hygiene kits, household kits will be
given to evacuees. The 1st batch of relief distribution is composed of 650
hygiene kits and 1,250 household kits. We prioritized those who are not in the
main evacuation centers and also need special care,” elaborated Torres.
Torres added that more donations from their partners
are coming to accommodate some 1,600 home based families/evacuees in the
affected barangays. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
RSC Caraga prepares search for outstanding
volunteer; accepts nominations for 2017
By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, June 7 (PIA) – This year’s Search for
Outstanding Volunteer (SOV) is now open.
This annual activity serves as highlight of the
celebration of the National Volunteers’ Month every month of December. It
highlights and recognizes the exemplary performance and dedication to service
of Filipino volunteers in building strong communities across the country
through volunteerism.
This is open to all individuals of Filipino
citizenship and Filipino volunteer organizations or local chapter organizations
of foreign volunteer organizations that currently provide volunteer assistance
in the Philippines.
The SOV has two award categories – the National
Outstanding Volunteer Award (NOVA) and the Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award
(VLAA). The NOVA is a recognition
conferred to outstanding volunteer individuals and organizations, including
corporate volunteering initiatives that are chosen from among the regional
qualifiers. The VLAA is conferred to a Filipino volunteer or a Filipino
volunteer organization or a local chapter of a foreign volunteer organization
serving in the Philippines.
During the SOV regional search committee’s (RSC)
meeting held recently at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
Caraga regional office here, the RSC reviewed the guidelines of the SOV and set
activities to promote and even intensify its campaign on the said search.
The RSC in Caraga has set July 14, 2017 for the
deadline in accepting nominations in order for the committee to have enough
time in evaluating the regional entries. The RSC has also scheduled the site
validations from July 21 to 24, 2017. The meetings, deliberation, and
documentation of entries before its submission to the National Selection
Committee were also agreed by the members of the RSC.
The conferment of awards is in Manila during the
NVM celebration on December 2017.
For inquiries, please contact NEDA Caraga at (085)
342-5774; 815-0306 or email caraga.neda@gmail.com. Nomination forms are
available online at www.pnvsca.gov.ph. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
Tandag City revives nutrition council
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, June 7 (PIA) – In
response to the nutrition challenges of the city, the local government unit of
Tandag City reorganized and revitalized the city nutrition committee (CNC)
through the conduct of a 2-day Re-organization and Reactivation Meeting held
recently here.
According to City Nutrition Office chief Ermalinda
Donasco, the reactivation of the CNC is aimed to reduce, if not eradicate the
malnutrition problem of the city. The revitalized council is now being chaired
by Mayor Alexander Pimentel.
Donasco said the malnutrition problem of the city
is still a public issue with an average of 12.0 percent or 850 pre-school
children aged 0-7 years old prevalence for a period of three years from
calendar year 2013 to 2015. This magnitude ranks number one and the highest
prevalence rate of malnutrition problem among six cities in Caraga Region.
On 2016, the city ranked as third from the highest
prevalence rate of malnutrition problem in Caraga. As of January to March 2017,
the prevalence rate is 9.52 percent. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
PDRRMO Dinagat holds DRR-CCA youth camp 2017
By Susil D. Ragas
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, June 7 (PIA) - The
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Office (PDRRMO) conducted a Listong
Kabataan: Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change (DRR-CCA) Camp 2017 held
recently at the Provincial Guest Center, Capitol Compound, Cuarinta, this
province.
The one-day camp, which was intended for the 100
children and youths from the different barangays of the province, is anchored
on the theme, “Listong Kabataang Diagatnon: Tulay Tungo sa Ligtas at Maunlad na
Kumunidad.”
According to PDRRMO officer Rosario
"Inday" Roxas Jra, the activity aims to equip the youths with basic
knowledge, be alert in all aspects, and identify ways to ensure protection and
promotion for students’ rights.
Topics and concerns discussed during the said camp
include environmental protection and preservation program of the province,
protecting the rights of the child, child labor prevention and elimination
program, operation listo program cum listong pamilyang Pilipino, and
orientation on local council for the protection of children. (PIO-Dinagat
Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
DOLE SurSur-assisted projects win in regional level
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, June 7 (PIA) - Two
projects assisted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Surigao
del Sur won as Best DOLE-assisted project in the regional level under group and
individual categories held recently at the Waterfront Pavilion Hotel in Manila.
The Pure Ever Purified Drinking Water, a group
project in Bislig City, bagged the 2nd place under the group category in the
Search for Best DOLE-assisted livelihood project at the National Level. The plaque of recognition and cash award of
P50,000 were received by Joselito S. Soriano, chairman of Pure Ever Drinking
Water-Multi Purpose Association.
For the individual category, Anabelle CabaΓ±a was
awarded as the Regional Best DOLE-Assisted Project and she received a plaque of
recognition and cash award of P30,000.
According to DOLE Surigao del Sur provincial
office, CabaΓ±a was one of the 25 beneficiaries provided with livelihood
assistance from DOLE last December 2015. She qualified the program being a
mother of a 16-year old child laborer in Aras-asan, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur.
The said livelihood program, according to DOLE,
aimed to augment their income and to prevent their children from engaging in
any forms of child labor. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
News Feature: AgSur town bags rice achievers hall
of fame
By Rhea C. Abao
BUTUAN CITY, June 7 - Prosperidad is a Spanish word
which means prosperity. True to its name, the municipality prospers to be one
of the outstanding rice producer in Caraga Region.
The municipality of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur
bagged for the third time the Outstanding Municipality for the 2016 Rice
Achievers Award in the national level.
Rice Achievers Awards (RAA) is an annual event
organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to recognize the outstanding
province, municipalities/cities, irrigators associations (IAs), small water
impounding systems associations (SWISAs), agricultural extension workers (AEW),
and the local farmer technicians (LFT) for their significant contributions to
the rice industry. This is to encourage commitment and ensure excellent
performance of our LGU stakeholders of their respective functions and
responsibilities.
The success of the municipality being an awardee
for three consecutive years (2014, 2015 and 2016) is attributed to the
collaborative efforts of the national, provincial and municipal government in
implementing program and projects for rice farming. The municipality maintained
an average yield of 5 metric tons per hectare for irrigated areas and 4 metric
tons per hectare for rainfed in the last three years.
"There are various contributing factors for
the success that we gained. One of these is the increase in area planted to
hybrid rice and certified seeds through High Yielding Technology Adoption
(HYTA) and High-Quality Seeds Assistance Program from the DA. Another factor is
the input production support to farmers or irrigators association for crop
protection and production especially in identified low yielding areas,"
said Municipal Agriculturist Marlita Cortez.
The continuous training and support to agricultural
extension services, provision of pre and post production facilities and the
support of the local officials also paved the way for the success of the municipality.
For 2016, The municipality has an allocation of
1.67 percent internal revenue allotment (IRA) for rice or an equivalent of ₱3.14
million. The budget allocated reveals the strong support of the LGU to develop
the rice production of the municipality.
Aside from the recognition brought by the
municipality, ten outstanding AEWs were also recognized. Four of them came from
Butuan City, namely: Nestor J. Fuentes, Thelma A. Burgos, Segundina O. Ayag,
Agnes C. Alcazar.
For the municipality of Buenavista, Agusan del
Norte four AEWs stood out. These are Basilisa C. Huera, Concepcion P. Suma-oy,
Gertrulyn T. Natonton and Cecilia G. Abdulmajid.
Marion G. Martin III from Prosperidad, Agusan del
Sur and Victoria A. Roda from Jabonga, Agusan del Norte are also recognized as
outstanding agricultural extension workers in the region.
Connie A. Erigan from Butuan City, Josephine D.
Alutaya, Bislig City and Raul V. Cambarihan from Basilisa, Province of Dinagat
Islands also join the roster of awardees as outstanding Local Farmer
Technicians.
A total of 13 individuals and one municipality
brought a significant contribution to the development of the rice sector in the
region. Each individual will receive ₱20,000 cash prize and a plaque of appreciation.
While the municipality of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur will receive ₱1
million worth of agriculture-related projects as an incentive for their
efforts.
The awarding was held recently at the Philippine
International Convention Center (PICC), Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
(DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DAR AgSur spearheads customer service training
By Hazel Hope V. Bautista
BUTUAN CITY, June 7 - In its aim to improve the
delivery of service to different clientele groups, the Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR) Provincial Office of Agusan del Sur in partnership with the Civil
Service Commission (CSC) conducted recently the four-day training on Basic
Customer Service Skills to 57 employees at VCDU Prince Hotel, this city.
The training, which was conducted in two batches
specifically, intends to address both rational and experimental aspect of
public service.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II
Leoncio C. Bautista Jr., in his message, stressed the importance of upgrading
the department’s delivery of service in order to give satisfaction to the
customers.
“By providing quality and efficient service to our
direct, indirect, internal and external customers, we will be able to identify
and understand the expectations of our various customers for us to deliver
appropriate measures that would answer their individual needs,” said Renante
Sangre, one of the participants of the said training. (DAR-Agusan del
Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
DAR AgNor holds records management seminar for
agrarian orgs
By Gil E. Miranda
BUTUAN CITY, June 7 - The Provincial Agrarian
Reform of Agusan del Norte recently conducted a series of seminars on Records
Management to five Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) in Agusan
del Norte here.
Participants are coop officers and staffs from
different ARBOs that comprised of 91 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries.
Chief Judith M. Domingo of Program Beneficiaries
Development Division, in her message, that the seminar is part of the mandate
of DAR under the organizational capability building program to improve and
empower the agrarian reform beneficiary organizations.
APCP Point Person Luningning B. Ycoy said that the
seminar is to provide systematic approach in records keeping and managing files
to improve their operations.
Liberato U. Pulido, one of the trainers of
Propegemus Foundation Inc., discussed about the importance of keeping the
records and managing the files.
Participants expressed their gratitude to DAR
management in providing seminar that can
be used to improve their organization. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del
Norte)
DAR conducts orientation on Climate Resilient Farm
Productivity to AgSur coop
By Dimple Joy B. Suarez
BAYUGAN CITY, June 7 - The Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR) Provincial Office of Agusan del Sur through the Program
Beneficiaries Development Division has recently conducted the orientation on
Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Orientation to 35 Agrarian Reform
Beneficiary (ARB) members of Gamao Multipurpose Cooperative (GAMPC) held
recently at Barangay Gamao, this city.
Engr. Randy Dapar and ARPO II Jemmielho Azares of
the Sustainable Agribusiness and Rural Enterprise Development section together
with the staff of DAR municipal office of Bayugan facilitated the said
activity.
“Climate resilient farm productivity is a
sustainable approach to uplift the farmer’s way of living through DAR support
services projects that might also help the association recover from the
devastation caused by a possible typhoon,” Azares said during his message.
“It is derived in conducting participatory
appraisals to identify local potentials and challenges of the cooperative to
minimize its effect,” added Azares.
“Isip usa ka mag uuma, kini may usa ka importanteng
tulun-an arun makapangandam sa dili matagna nga panahon o klima, salamat kay
kini makatabang pag ayo sa amo, labi na usa ako ug sa akong mga kaubanan sa
kooperatiba arun among masayran ang maayo namo nga pagabuhaton sa panahon nga
adunay bagyo nga moabot (As a farmer, this is very important for us to know the
possible impacts of typhoon to the farm productivity and income. Thank you
because this will definitely help me and all other member of the cooperative so
that we will know how we will respond during typhoon),” expressed Amalia
Cebuano, member of GAMPC.
Climate resilient farm productivity represents an
effort to incorporate in our work the new challenges posed by climate change
and its impacts to the farmers. It also promotes sustainability through
appropriate agricultural research and extension services based on the
technologies that reduce dependence on external inputs and help adapt to
climate change and reinforce local knowledge. (DAR-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan
del Sur)
U.S. Military Presents New Weapons and Equipment to
Philippine Marine Corps Commandant for Counterterror Fight
MANILA, June 7 - Commandant of the Philippine
Marine Corps (PMC) Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat accepted new counterterrorism
weapons and equipment from United States Embassy military representatives
during a transfer ceremony at PMC Headquarters in Taguig, June 5.
Officials from the Joint United States Military
Assistance Group (JUSMAG) turned over weapons and equipment delivered recently
under the U.S. government’s Counterterrorism Train and Equip Program at a
ceremony at PMC Headquarters. This
equipment will enhance the PMC’s counterterrorism capabilities, and help
protect Philippine Marines actively engaged in counterterrorism operations in
the southern Philippines.
The weapons and equipment include 300 M4 carbines,
200 Glock 21 pistols, 4 M134D Gatling-style machine guns, and 100 M203 grenade
launchers delivered May 18-22 to Clark Air Base. JUSMAG also delivered 25 new Combat Rubber
Raiding Craft (CRRC) with outboard motors May 30 to PMC Headquarters. The PMC’s Inshore Boat Battalion and Marine
Special Operations Group have already employed previous U.S. Counterterrorism
Train and Equip gear in ongoing combat operations in the southern Philippines.
Since 2007, representatives from JUSMAG have
delivered and programmed Php7.3 billion of military equipment to the Philippine
Marine Corps and other branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to
enhance counterterrorism capabilities. In
addition, the AFP has procured small-arms weapons, water craft, unmanned aerial
vehicles, and personal protective equipment as part of the U.S. government’s
Foreign Military Sales system and other programs.
Over the last five years, the U.S. government has
allocated Php15 billion of grant funding to provide the AFP with equipment,
including corresponding upgrades and training.
The equipment transfers and continued bilateral training and exercises
demonstrate the commitment of the United States to work with the Philippines
towards building safer communities and eradicating global terror networks. (US
Embassy Manila Information Office/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: Religious sector at NGO nagtulungan
sa pagsasagawa ng relief operations sa Marawi City
Ni Venus L. Garcia
LUNGSOD NG ILIGAN, Hunyo 7 (PIA) - Nakahanda na ang
kinakasang relief operation ng Catholic Service Center (CSC) ng Diocese of
Iligan, sa pakikipagtulongan ng Catholic Relief Service (CRS), isang
non-government organization, at ng Mindanao State University – Institute for
Peace and Development in Mindanao (MSU-IPDM) para mamahagi ng household at
hygiene kits sa mga kababayan na nangangailangan ng suporta matapos makaligtas
sa terrorismong dulot ng militanteng grupo ng Maute sa Marawi City.
Ayon kay Dr. Mark Anthony Torres, officer-in-charge
ng MSU-IPDM, hangad nilang bigyan ng humanitarian assistance ang mga internally
displaced persons o evacuees na namamalagi pa hanggang ngayon sa mga temporary
shelters na hindi pa masyadong nabigyan ng kanilang pangunahing
pangangailangan.
Ang first batch ng relief goods na kanilang
ipamamahagi ay aabot sa 1,250 household kits na naglalaman ng kumot, plastic
mat, dining utensils, cooking pot, mosquito net, flashlight at drawstring bag.
Nasa 650 hygiene kits naman ang inihandang ipamimigay, kasali na ang chamber
pot at jerry cans.
Samantala, sinabi naman ni Sr. Fe Socorro
Salimbangon, caritas coordinator ng Diocese of Iligan na may humigit kumulang
isang daang sako ng bigas galing sa national secretariat for social action o
NASSA ng Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), salted dried
fish, mongo at sardines ang itinalaga para sa 2,000 recipients.
Sabay-sabay ring nagpaabot ng serbisyo ang mga
muslim at christian volunteers na siyang boluntaryong mag-rerepack ng mga
relief goods. Ayon kay Jeffrey Lugo, kusang loob niyang itinalaga ang kanyang
oras upang sa ganitong paraan ay magampanan ang shared responsibility sa
pagsaklolo sa mga kababayang apektado upang maibsan ang kapighatiang dinaranas
nila.
Dagdag pa ni Torres, magbibigay din sila ng
psychosocial support sa mga evacuees. Maliban nito ay may 1,600 home-based
families ang balak din nilang babahagian ng nasabing kits sa 2nd batch na
relief operation. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: OPAPP Sec, Marawi Crisis Management
Committee nagtatag ng mekanismong makakasigurong umaabot ang humanitarian
assistance sa mga IDPs
Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG ILIGAN, Hunyo 7 (PIA) – Nakatatag na
nang mga mekanismo ang Crisis Management Committee sa Marawi City kasama ang
lokal na pamahalaan upang masigurong umaabot sa mga apektadong sibilyan at
internally displaced persons o IDPs ang mga humanitarian assistance na
pinapaabot ng ibat-ibang organisasyon at ahensya ng gobyerno bagamat patuloy pa
rin ang bakbakan sa panig ng Maute group at Philippine Army.
Ito ay kinumpirma rin ni Secretary Jesus Dureza ng
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) sa isang press
briefing kamakailan na ginanap sa provincial capitol ng Lanao del Sur.
Ayon kay Dureza, patuloy na ginagawan ng paraan ng
pamahalaan kung papaano matutulungan ang mga naipit na sibilyan sa ilang
barangay na hawak pa ng Maute group. Sinisigurado din umano ng pamahalaan at ng
Crisis Management Committee sa Marawi City na nakakatanggap ng relief
assistance ang mga evacuees.
Napag-alaman din na sa pamamagitan ng peace
corridor na pinagkasunduan at tinatag ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kasama ang
Moro Islamic Liberation Front, naisisiguro rin umano nito na napapanahon and
paghatid o pagbahagi ng mga humanitarian assistance sa mga apektadong sibilyan.
Sinabi naman ni Irene Santiago, ang chairperson ng
implementing panel na natahasan ni Pangulong Duterte sa pag-oversee ng mga
puamapasok na humanitarian efforts sa Marawi City, na mayroon ding magagamit na
espasyo ang mga humanitarian groups kung sakaling may mga sugatan at narescue
silang mga sibilyan sa apektadong lugar ng nasabing lungsod. Kasali na rin
umano ang pagretrieve sa mga bangkay upang mabigyan ng disenteng libing.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
