AgSur town joins 2017 Nutrition Month celeb
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, July 3 (PIA) - In line with the 2017
National Nutrition Month celebration, the local government of Talacogon in
Agusan del Sur, along with other government agencies conducted a motorcade on
Monday to increase awareness on healthy diet, prevent and reduce malnutrition,
as well as non-communicable diseases among adults and children.
Mayor Jesryl Masendo graced the opening program
held at the new gymnasium of Talacogon. He emphasized the importance of eating
nutritional food to avoid having different kinds of diseases, as well as reduce
overweight and obesity.
“Let us be conscious on the food that we eat, that
aside from ensuring its cleanliness, it should also have proper nutrition to
keep us healthy and strong,” expressed Masendo.
Right after the program, feeding activity followed
benefiting some 300 individuals.
Also, 26IB commander LTC Rommel Pagayon, one of its
partners said the unit will remain a partner of local government units and
national government agencies and ensure a peaceful and order conduct of all the
activities set by the government as they deliver the programs and services to
the indigent populace in the area of operations.
For 2017, the selected focus of the Nutrition Month
campaign is on the promotion of healthy diets with the theme “Healthy diet,
gawing habit – FOR LIFE!”
Nutrition Month is an annual campaign held every
July to create greater awareness on the importance of nutrition among
Filipinos. Presidential Decree 491 (1974) mandates the National Nutrition
Council (NNC) to lead and coordinate the nationwide campaign. Throughout the
years, schools and local government units as well as other stakeholders have
institutionalized the Nutrition Month celebration. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Miners’ social dev’t funds benefit more than 10K
scholars in Caraga region
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, July 3 (PIA) – The strict
implementation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Administrative Order 2010-13 which requires the operating mines to increase its
allocation from one percent direct mining and milling cost (DMMC) to 1.5
percent operating costs to include the exploration companies to implement
community development program (CDP) has catered 10,259 individuals for its
scholarship grant in Caraga region alone.
Of the 10,259 scholars, the grant was distributed
to 98 nursery pupils; 1,219 elementary students; 2,979 secondary students; 607
for tertiary; and 5,356 for other recipients of the educational assistance.
The fund is taken from the 10 percent of the
company’s exploration work program (EWP).
“To ensure availability of funds and to facilitate
timely implementation of the Social Development Management Program (SDMP), the
companies were advised to deposit at least 75 percent of the SDMP fund to any
depository banks under an account name ‘SDMP fund’ (1.5 percent operating costs) of the mining company,” said Engr.
Roger de Dios, Mines and Geosciences Bureau - Regional Office No. 13 (MGB-13)
regional director.
In 2016, the SDMP budget among five provinces in
Caraga region totals to P610,992,854.73 (Surigao del Norte-P360,602,315.92;
Surigao del Sur-P98,365,550.13; Agusan del Norte-P35,965,926.43; Agusan del
Sur-P29,617,324.31; Dinagat Islands-P86,441,737.94).
The SDMP is formulated for the general welfare of
the host and neighboring communities to specifically improve the quality of
life of the marginalized and disadvantage families even after the mining
company ceases its operation. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Bislig launches operation 911 command center
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur, July 3, 2017 (PIA) –
The city government here recently launched its Operation 911 Command Center
aimed to save lives and properties situated at the former Philippine National
Police (PNP) Building in Mangagoy.
The implementation of its operation is pursuant to
the Executive Order No. 10 signed last May 16, 2017 by City Mayor Librado
Navarro. The official hotline contact numbers are 853-2579
and 853-2726.
The Bislig City Operation 911 Command Center is
partly patterned from Davao City 911 operation, which is proven effective to
cater the needs for public safety and security, public emergency assistance,
including emergency medical services brought about by both man made or natural
disasters or calamities, it was learned.
City Information Officer Laine S. Elechicon said
the city’s emergency hotline will provide medical, fire, rescue and police
assistance in the fastest possible way.
The Bislig City Operation 911 Command Center was
realized through the effort of Mayor Navarro with the support of the city and
barangay officials.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management unit
headed by Orbelle Carmen will be the frontliner to manage the operation within
the territorial jurisdiction of the city.
The implementation of its operation, according to
Elechicon, is in collaboration with the partner national government agency
heads, namely: Bureau of Fire Protection Chief Gene Mandap, 75th Infantry
Battalion Commander Lt Col. Wilfredo Amoma, PNP-City Police Station chief PCI
Ephraim MegreΓ±o, Philippine Coastguard Station Commander Lt. Gary Laynesa,
DILG-CLGOO Ms. Olivia Bagasbas, Traffic Management Group headed by Daniel
Mejores and other national and non-government agencies who support the same
cause. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
OWWA opens scholarship for OFW dependents
BUTUAN CITY, July 3 - The Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA) calls for direct dependents of active Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFWs) who shall enroll or currently enrolled in any four or five year
baccalaureate course. The agency is now accepting applications for the
degree-granting scholarship programs for school year 2017-2018.
The Overseas Filipino Workers Dependent Scholarship
Program (OFWDSP) offers financial assistance to qualified dependents of OFWs
receiving a monthly salary of not more than USD 600.
Aspiring scholars need only pass the qualifying or
entrance examination from their preferred state college or university. They
will be provided assistance of P10,000 per semester of P20,000 per academic
year.
To qualify as a dependent, the applicant must be a
child of a married or unmarried OFW and/or brother or sister of an unmarried
OFW and must be single. Incoming freshmen applicants must be below 21 years-old
and below 30 years-old for those already enrolled or currently enrolled in
college.
This year a total of 125 slots are available for
Caraga Region; 65 for freshmen and 60 for those who have enrolled and/or are
currently enrolled.
The scholar will continue until the completion of
the course regardless of subsequent status of OFW membership provided that the
terms of the scholarship agreement are complied upon.
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as
possible because the acceptance and approval is on a “first come, first served”
basis.
Deadline for filing of applications will be on July
15, 2017. Application forms are available at the OWWA Regional Welfare Office
Caraga; their School Principal or Guidance Counselor (if available); PESO
Office in the Local Government Units (Municipal and Provincial); and Active OFW
Family Circle/ Organizations (OFCs). Filing and submission will be at the
Regional Office only.
Interested applicants may contact or visit the
regional office for any inquiry regarding the program. OWWA Regional Office is
located at Nimfa Tiu Bldg., II J.P. Rosales Ave., Butuan City. They may also
call the contact numbers (085) 815-1894/342-6178 or hotline numbers 09399259895
for smart and 09173150590 for globe. (JPIM, OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DILG 13 reminds LGUs to prepare for the rainy
season
By Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa
BUTUAN CITY, July 3 - As Vice Chair for Disaster
Preparedness, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
Regional Office 13 enjoins all local government units (LGUs) through their
local chief executives (LCEs) to perform preparedness actions for the rainy
season this year.
The DILG Central Office issued Memorandum Circular
No. 2017-75 dated June 9, 2017 Re: 2017 La NiΓ±a Advisory and the DILG Regional
Office issued a corresponding Memorandum bearing the same subject to remind
LGUs to start making preparatory acts and corresponding set of initiatives to
mitigate the impacts of flooding, landslides and other resulting hazards.
In view thereto, all LGUs are directed to prepare
or update their respective La NiΓ±a Action Plan / Oplan Tag-ulan for CY 2017 and
submit it to the DILG Regional Office for the La NiΓ±a Regional Action Plan. As
such, LGUs are directed to convene their respective Local Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Councils (LDRRMCs) and conduct Pre-Disaster Risk
Assessments (PDRA), especially for flood-prone and landslide high-risk areas.
Further, LGUs are advised to closely coordinate
with PAG-ASA for timely weather updates and with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau
(MGB) for adequate information on the threat of flooding and rainfall-induced
landslides within their respective areas of responsibility.
As always, the DILG takes the lead in ensuring that
LGUs are fully equipped with the necessary skills and capability to face and
survive hazards, as well as cope with the impact of disasters. With the
significance of such undertaking, the matter was discussed during the 2nd
Disaster Preparedness Committee Meeting last June 23, 2017. (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)
OWWA Caraga joins DOLE clinic in PDI
BUTUAN CITY, July 3 - In connection with the desire
to bring the programs and services of the agency to all its members around the
region, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Caraga, led by Regional
Director Samuel S. Madrid, participated in the DOLE Clinic spearheaded by the
Department of Labor and Employment along with the different attached agencies
in Loreto, Province of Dinagat Islands on June 15-16, 2017.
According to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III,
“DOLE Clinic is a mechanism to bring the DOLE closer to the community by
providing pre-employment facilitation, labor standards enforcement, dispute
resolution and livelihood assistance.”
Meanwhile, Family Welfare Officer Ronilo C. Maningo
facilitated the consultation with the OFW returnees and their families in the
municipality. A program advocacy campaign was also given to provide information
on how to renew membership as well as avail themselves of the programs and
services of the agency. Information drive on the agency’s scholarship programs
was also made.
Furthermore, the agency established its linkage
with the local government of Loreto for the organization of an OFW Family Circe
in the municipality. Subsequently, a formed organization shall be provided with
Financial Literacy, Values Formation and Skills Trainings which could awaken
the members’ potential productivity and self-reliance.
Members of the DOLE Regional Coordinating Committee
(RCC) also attended the clinic. The DOLE also conducted a PESO meeting,
Livelihood Proposal Writeshop with MASICAP, and orientation of Department Order
174 to the officials of the local government unit of Loreto. (JPIM/
OWWACaraga/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: Info caravan sa pagsulong ng
responsableng pagmimina isinagawa sa Caraga
Ni Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Hulyo 3 (PIA) - Bilang bahagi ng
pakikilahok sa 2017 Environment Month Celebration, isinagawa ang “Information,
Education at Communication Caravan on Mining” sa apat na magkasunod na araw sa
iba’t ibang probinsya at lungsod sa Caraga region.
Ito ay pinangunahan ng Mines and Geosciences Bureau
- Regional Office 13 o MGB-13, sa pakikipagtulongan ng Caraga Mine
Environmental Management Council at Community Relations, Education and
Development Officers o CREDO, Inc.
Una nang ginanap ang IEC Caravan sa Loreto, Dinagat
Islands at sinundan sa Surigao City, Surigao del Sur at Caraga State University
dito sa lungsod. Ito ay dinaluhan ng people’s organizations, non-government
organizations, mga studyante at faculty members.
Binigyang diin ni MGB-13 regional director Roger de
Dios na layunin ng nasabing IEC Caravan na tuwirang maipaliwanag lalung-lalo na
ang misconception sa pagmimina. Kasabay din nito ang paglalahad sa kasalukuyang
kalagayan ng Caraga minerals industry at mga polisiya na pumapatnubay ng mining
operations.
Sa pagtatapos ng caravan, dinaluhan din ng mga
stakeholders ng mining industries sa rehiyon ang ginanap na press conference.
Iginiit din ng MGB-13 ang adhikain ng pamahalaan na maipagpatuloy ang mahigpit
na pagpapatupad ng responsible mining, ecological sustainability at social
development.
“Ang mining industry sa rehiyon ng Caraga ay
nakapag-generate ng 30,829 jobs sa taong 2016. Ang IP share collection naman sa
nasabing taon ay umabot ng humigit P244 million,” sabi ni De Dios.
Ayon pa kay De Dios, sa calendar year 2016, ang
approved budget para sa Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program sa
rehiyon ng Caraga ay mahigit P2.7 billion na ginamit base sa proyektong
pamproteksiyon at rehabilitasyon ng kapaligiran.
Sinabi naman ni Engr. Robert Francisco, presidente
ng Caraga Mine Environmental Management Council na hindi nila hahayaang
isantabi ang negative impacts bagkus pahahalagahan nito ang best practices at
responsableng pagmimina.
Sa kasalukuyan, mayroong 180,070.14 hectares ng
total approved mining permit area o siyam na porsyento ng 1,913,842 hectares ng
total land area sa rehiyon ng Caraga at dalawang porsyento lamang nito ang
sinasabing active mining permit area. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
