PNP AgSur bags awards during 116th Police Service
Anniv
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Aug. 25 (PIA) – In
time with the 116th Police Service Anniversary celebration of the Philippine
National Police (PNP) Caraga held at Camp Rafael Rodriguez in this city, Agusan
del Sur Police Provincial Office and some city and municipal police stations in
the province bagged awards witnessed by Police Deputy Director General Ramon
Apolinario.
The following were awarded by PDDG Apolinario,
together with PNP-13 regional director PCSupt Rolando Felix and other PNP
officials: 1) Best Component City Police Station - Bayugan City Police Station,
Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO); 2) Best Municipal Police Station
- Talacogon MPS, Agusan del Sur PPO; and 3) Best Provincial Public Safety
Company - Agusan del Sur PPSC.
Also, the unit with the Most Number of Surrenders
in the Implementation of Project Double Barrel (PDB) was given to Agusan del
Sur PPO.
Guest of honor and speaker PDDG Apolinario encouraged
his fellow police officers to make the citizens feel they are safe from the
threats of criminal elements. He said that PNP's higher authority is in full
support to the aspirations of PNP Caraga.
PCSupt Felix recounted how their office has effectively
and efficiently performed their mandates including the sensible utilization of
government funds such as acquisition of seven drone aircrafts and Special
Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) vehicles, among others, to improve their
capabilities.
In his message, PCSupt Carlos Lozano, deputy
regional director for administration of PNP Caraga also emphasized that the
PNP, in unity with the various sectors in the community can do so much in
fighting against criminality and illegal activities. He also stressed that there
is more to do with the implementation of its campaign to maintain peace and
order in the region.
The 116th Police Service Anniversary is anchored on
the theme, "Buhay ng Pulis Handang Ibuwis para sa Katahimikan at Kaayusan
ng Bayan." (JPG/VLG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Surigao del Sur remains Bird Flu-free province:
Quarantine Office
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Aug. 25 (PIA) - The
entire province of Surigao del Sur remains free from Bird Flu, said Romy
Ronquillo, Quarantine Office chief in an interview aired over Radyo Pilipinas.
Accordingly, with the alarming issues raised recently
in Luzon, they have doubled there efforts to prevent the alarming issue by
closely monitoring all the entry points in the province in coordination with
the Philippine National Police and the Department of Health, here.
The Quarantine Office in this province is
continuously monitoring all entry points of all the poultry products coming in
and out the area despite the temporary ban on the movement in all poultry
products was already revoked by the Department of Agriculture.
Ronquillo explained that with or without Bird Flu
outbreak or issues raised, their office will remain active with the monitoring.
It can be recalled that the Department of
Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) issued a memorandum on the
“Temporary Ban on the Movement of Live Domestic and Wild Birds and their
Products Including Poultry Meat, Day Old Chicks, Eggs, Semen, Manure from Luzon
to Visayas and Mindanao”, dated August 11, 2017 due to the Avian Influenza
outbreak reported in Pampanga, and was lifted later. (NGPB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
U.S. Pacific Command chief visits PH, affirms
support for Marawi crisis
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 25 (PIA) -
The Commander of the United States Pacific Command Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr.
visited the Philippines on August 23-24, 2017 and met with Philippine President
Rodrigo Duterte at the MalacaΓ±ang to discuss U.S. support to the Philippine
government for ongoing efforts to end the conflict in Marawi, interoperability
between the two militaries, and regional threats.
Admiral Harris participated in a wreath laying
ceremony on August 23 at the Heroes’ Cemetery, or Libingan ng mga Bayani, in
Taguig to honor the sacrifice of the brave Filipino military heroes buried
there.
He also met with Secretary of National Defense
Delfin N. Lorenzana, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen.
Eduardo AΓ±o, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano, and traveled to
Zamboanga to meet Commander of Western Mindanao Command Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez
Jr.
The Admiral’s meetings focused on upcoming
bi-lateral engagements, recent aid and military assistance that the U.S.
government has provided to the Philippines, as well as opportunities for
additional U.S. support in Marawi. (U.S. Embassy/PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: Spreading Moringa Miracles
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 25 (PIA) - “Seven times the
vitamin C of oranges, four times the vitamin A of carrots, four times the
calcium of milk, thrice the potassium of bananas, twice the protein of yogurt,
25 times the iron of spinach, three times more vitamin E than almonds, four
times more fiber than oats, with as much
protein in eggs and with better protein than soy,” are among the ways used to
describe the countless health-enhancing benefits of what is known in the
Philippines as malunggay or Moringa Oleifera, oftentimes called the Miracle
Tree.
In 2005, residents of Cuyago in Jabonga, Agusan del
Norte were mainly fishermen who, together with the women, planted malunggay,
kamote (sweet potato), banana and balanghoy (cassava) on the side.
The Cuyago Women’s Association, through the
Department of Agriculture, was granted a livestock project that enjoined their
men to tend to cattle and other animals, and so in December 6, 2010 (although
organized on June 10, 2005), the United Farmers of Cuyago Incorporated, or
UFCI, came to be.
The UFCI, an organization composed of 35 farmers,
focused on the production of fresh moringa leaves with 133 moringa
farmer-planters in the area. The moringa leaves would then be processed into
moringa flakes and powder by their 13 processors.
With the help of the Agri-Aqua Development
Coalition Mindanao (AADC), a non-government organization based in Tagum City,
Davao del Norte, the UFCI was given seeds and other materials needed to plant
malunggay. By then, malunggay had been
proven to thrive in Jabonga’s dry, stony soil. Organic herbal nutrient
(OHN), indigenous microorganisms (IMO) and Fish Amino Acid (FAA) were also
given through funds from the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief (Oxfam), also
through the AADC.
“Taking care of children is a lot easier,” says
UFCI President Virginia D. Montilla, recalling how one needed to be enduring
and uncomplaining, as weeds needed to be pulled out individually from around
each malunggay tree every single day, and then strategically placed around them
to serve as fertilizer.
From the years 2005 to 2007, the UFCI made use of
tissue culture, where growers painstakingly bagged and transported seedlings
from the nursery at the Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and
Technology (NORMISIST, now the Caraga State University or CSU) to plant in the
one-hectare San Pablo School Site.
“The women in charge of bagging would get ten pesos
for each seedling that thrived. The
process would start once the seeds were transported from the nursery to their
homes. They had to be very careful in handling the seedlings, as even a tiny
bruise caused by road bumps or injuries such as a torn branch would mean that
the plants could die,” Montilla shares.
In 2014, realizing that the sales of fresh malunggay
leaves in the locality was experiencing a lull,
the UFCI consulted with the Department of Trade and Industry- Agusan del
Norte (DTI-AdN), which addressed their concerns through a series of
consultative meetings and the evaluation of the project’s viability. Seeing
that the UFCI needed their intervention,
the DTI made it a cooperator in their Shared Service Facility Program
(SSF) for moringa powder processing.
The support came in the form of P645,000 worth of
equipment: a leaf dryer, a leaf pulverizer, a computing weighing scale, an
impulse foot sealer and two stainless steel tables. The local government of
Jabonga also extended help by giving P367,000 for building renovations.
On October 1, 2014, the UFCI’s moringa farms were
certified and declared as organic farms by the Ecoland Organic Certification
Services’ Second Party Certification. Such classification, totalling 100
hectares, is enjoyed by its farmers
until the present.
Gone are the hours of tambay or loitering around
sari-sari stores for chitchats, as moringa processors have their days full
gathering fresh malunggay branches from farmers and processing these into
sun-dried flakes or moringa powder. The mere stripping of leaves off of 100
kilos worth of branches require at least seven to eight people, while a minimum
of two persons tend to the flaking of the sun-dried leaves. Two pugoneros or
dryer operators are needed in the Monday to Saturday processing of the
malunggay leaves.
Today, the community’s productivity extends even to
their elders as they even have an 85-year old member who enjoys tending the
malunggay trees and intercrop these with luy-a (ginger), atsal (pepper), sili
(chili), okra (lady's fingers) and balanghoy. The balanghoy also serves as a
clever hedge of sorts, indicating ownership
or responsibility of a farmer to his or her own parcel of land.
Currently, the UFCI produces four tons of fresh
malunggay leaves per month. These are then processed, packaged and marketed
into sun-dried flakes and powdered malunggay. The sun-dried flakes sell for
P350 per kilo, while a kilo of powder sells at a higher price of P500.
Sales in 2014 was tagged at P10,000 and increased
to P260,760 in 2015. From January to June of 2016 alone, sales have reached
P165,820 with collectibles from a regular buyer.
Their fresh moringa leaves enjoy sales ranging from
P16,000to P20,000 per month, while their flaked and powdered moringa sales
range between P30,000 to P35,000 per month.
The UFCI is now able to give back to their
community through the daily malunggay harvests of different farmers, where a ten percent (roughly P3,000) added income
is given to San Pablo School every two
weeks.
Interestingly, what used to be a “sideline” has now
become the main source of income for the
farmers and processors of the UFCI. In their words, they are now, “80 percent moringa and 20 percent fishing.”
To date, the DTI has provided assistance through
trainings on moringa powder processing and entrepreneurial and financial
management, marketing assistance through a market linkage with Fruit Gems, and
between 2015 to 2016, participation in Butuan, Davao and Bohol Trade Fairs from
which the UFCI gets repeat orders from establishments such as the Altluras
Super Market, Island City Mall-SM Selling Area, Plaza Marcela in Bohol and in
local resorts and individual buyers from Cebu and Manila.
Soon, with the professionalization of transactions
and the granting of a license to operate (LTO) by the Food and Drug
Administration, the UFCI will finally be able to sell their products at a price
proportionate to the effort and patience that they put into production.
Jab and Kitch Wonderm Moringa products can be
bought from any of the One Town One Product (OTOP) Pasalubong Centers and
Negosyo Centers in Butuan City and Agusan del Norte. (DTI-Agusan del
Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Voluntary safety recall of certain Honda Accord
models
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 25 (PIA) -
Honda Cars Philippine, Inc. (HCPI) in a letter addressed to Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI) Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Teodoro C. Pascua
have informed the Voluntary Safety Recall of Honda Accord models sold in the
Philippines from January 2014 to March 2017 due to possible battery sensor
short circuit.
The voluntary safety recall aims to replace the
battery sensors of 474 units of Honda Accord models sold in the Philippines
which could possibly corrode overtime and cause short circuit due to
inappropriate seal which creates a gap in the boundary surface of the battery
sensor.
HCPI Administrative Division Head Atty. Louie C.
Soriano explained in his letter that while there have been no known or reported
case specifically due to this, the HCPI would like to replace the battery
sensors through the 40 authorized Honda dealers and service outlets nationwide.
“This will be free of charge for the vehicle owners
and will take about thirty minutes to complete,” said Soriano.
Owners of affected vehicle units can inquire in any
of the Honda dealers or HCPI hotline numbers 1-800-1000-46632 and (02)
857-7240. (DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Energy chief lauds PH solar energy development
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 25 (PIA) -
The inauguration of the first Filipino-owned solar panel facility in Batangas
held on Wednesday is a testament to the government's progress in revitalizing
the local renewable energy (RE) industry for the benefit of consumers and the
economy, according to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi.
“Investments in RE facilities and technologies can
create more jobs," Cusi said at the event graced by President Rodrigo
Duterte. "We can also take pride in trading Filipino-made energy
technologies, while also developing Filipino expertise in RE technologies. The
RE investment also empowers consumers through more affordable and sustainable
energy use,” Cusi added.
“The solar panel facility and similar investments
on solar energy will support the implementation of vital renewable energy
policies. This includes the net-metering program, which encourages consumers to
become 'prosumers'. This is done by the installation of solar rooftop systems
in their properties and enable consumers to produce their own energy. In the
end, it results to energy efficiency and savings on power cost,” Cusi
underscored.
Cusi said that with more energy options available,
consumers are expected to gear towards finding the right balance and ‘diskarte’
in satisfying their energy needs.
“Having more energy choices would also support the
implementation of Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) under the Electric
Power Industry,” Cusi pointed out.
Cusi also said the these investments would support
the total electrification goal by 2022, accelerate delivery of energy services,
and drive the development of RE particularly solar for baseload through a 24/7
battery storage.
He further emphasized that the DOE remains
aggressive in providing a level playing field for the investors in the various
energy technologies for the benefit of the Filipino consumers. (DOE/PIA-Surigao
del Norte)
DAR trains farm business school mentors
By Joie L. Ceballos
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 25 (PIA) - The Caraga Regional
Office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-13) conducted a Training for
Trainers of the Farm Business School (FBS) held in this city last August 14-18,
2017.
The 5-day course was attended by 24 select field
personnel from the four provinces in the region.
DAR-13 regional director Felix B. Aguhob said that
the activity aimed to orient field implementers on the concepts and mechanics
of the implementation of the FBS.
“This is to ensure that the project will be managed
smoothly and in a manner that our beneficiaries will get the best benefits
possible,” Aguhob said.
In Caraga region, four FBS sites were already
established as of reporting time.
“But we are targeting six more, two of which will
be implemented this year and four more next year,” Aguhob added.
The training was facilitated by Delia Gabales and
Agnes Rojas of the Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development of the
DAR central office.
Gabales explained that the 5-day activity is only
part of the Phase 1 of the training. “There are 11 sessions in the Phase 1,
while sessions 12-25 will be practical applications,” she said. (DAR-13/PIA-Caraga)
US delivers new aerostat radar system to Philippine
Navy
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 25 (PIA) - Col. Ernest C. Lee,
chief of the Joint United States (US) Military Assistance Group in the
Philippines, formally transferred a new 28M Class Tethered Aerostat Radar
System (TARS) to Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy Vice Admiral
Joseph Ronald S. Mercado in a turn-over ceremony at the Naval Education and
Training Command (NETC) in Zambales on August 22, 2017.
Vice Admiral Mercado was the guest of honor and
keynote speaker, and U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Michael
Klecheski also graced the event.
The 28M Class TARS is a self-sustained, rapidly
deployable, unmanned lighter-than-air platform which can rise to an altitude of
5,000 feet while tethered by a single cable.
Sixteen Philippine Naval Information and
Communication Technology Center personnel are engaged in a rigorous six-week
training program at the NETC in Zambales to learn assembly, handling,
operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting for the TARS. These sixteen students will become
instructors for the next class of operators.
Through this donation, the Philippine Navy is
poised to enhance its capability in Maritime Intelligence Surveillance and
Reconnaissance by effectively detecting maritime and air traffic within the
country’s coastal waters using sensors.
Moreover, it will also be utilized in humanitarian assistance and
disaster response operations.
The TARS includes a weather station that provides
telemetry data for the monitoring of ambient temperature, pressure, wind speed
and other pertinent parameters to successfully operate the system.
The NETC in Zambales is the staging point for the
TARS as it is the largest Philippine Navy base with flat terrain, and fits the
minimum requirement of 300 square feet for the launching of the system.
This donation is part of the U.S. maritime security
initiative, a capacity-building assistance program for Southeast Asian
countries including the Philippines that aims to improve their ability to
address a range of maritime challenges. (U.S. Embassy/PIA-Caraga)
Feature: Giving back compassionate service to SLP
beneficiaries
By Mary Carmelle C. Jumawan
Success is no accident. It is perseverance,
sacrifice and most of all love – loving what you are doing or learning to do.
And this perfectly embodies the story of success of
Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) San Vicente Association in Butuan City.
A story of a group’s dream which was realized and
made possible by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
through the SLP.
This is a story which proves that goals and
persistence can turn dreams into reality.
Humble Beginning
Established in October 2015 through the Seed
Capital Fund from SLP, the 136 members agreed to merge their funds to start a
credit facility that will alleviate the economic condition of the people within
the community from unscrupulous money lenders or loan sharks and that will
uplift their quality of life.
“Wala mi nagdahom na makatukod mi ani na proyekto
(We didn’t expect that we can put up a project like this),” association
president Elizabeth Tandoy happily shared.
“Mao nang amumahon namu ni pag-ayo aron molambo
kini ug makatabang pud mi sa mga lain
taong nanginahanglan ug tabang (We will take good care of this project
to prosper so that we could also extend help to others)," she added.
Operating like a bank, their association project is
a socialized Micro-Lending and Social Insurance that is Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered. Its
Social Insurance is registered to Insurance Commission.
Partnership Towards Efficiency
Apart from the assistance from SLP, its success has
been reached through the strong collaboration with the barangay local
government unit (BLGU), city LGU of Butuan, Cantilan Bank, and Landbank of the
Philippines (LBP).
The BLGU donated a building and created a barangay
ordinance that aids the effectual operations of the project. The association
enjoys tax holiday as a support of the CLGU. Furthermore, one of the Sanggunian Members of the city,
Atty Glenn Carampatana, acts as the legal counsel of the group with free of
charge.
The association has forged partnership with
Landbank for rediscounting notes.
Serving the Community
For almost two years of service, it has touched the
lives of its members and has responded to the emerging needs of its community
and even the nearby communities in its service area.
“Kay natabangan mi sa programa, galantaw pud mi na
makatabang mi sa among isigkatawo (Because the program has helped us, we also
aim to extend help to others),” Elizabeth narrated.
“Gahandom mi na tungod ani na proyekto, makalingkawas pud ang laing tao sa kalisod (We wish that
this project will help others to be alleviated from poverty),” she added.
In an attempt to be a competitive and credible
credit facility, it is geared towards uplifting the socio-economic conditions
of the members through its various financial product and services.
It offers various types of loans such as chattel,
salary and ATM and micro-enterprise. Apart from its loan services, it also
provides insurance services.
Three of the many people who benefitted with the
association’s services are Alicia Guiral, Fortunata A. Duque and Ceverino L.
Guindulam.
After availing the micro enterprise loan, Alicia
and Fortunata both have their own business.
“Naa nakoy kaugalingong carenderia tungod sa
na-avail nako na loan (I now have my own food eatery business because of the
loan that I’ve availed),” Alicia shared.
“Nabalik nako ako negosyo sa humay mao nangg dako
akong pasalamat sa SLP San Vicente (I got back in my business in rice
production that’s why I’m greatly grateful to SLP San Vicente),” Fortunata
expressed.
Due to the association’s insurance, one of the
deceased family member of the principal insured, Ceverino, has been aided by
the insurance.
In terms of social responsibility, it has five
college scholars and they have an annual “Adopt-a-Barangay” and tree planting
activities.
Headed to Empowerment
At present, the association remains steadfast to
its goal in helping poor families and those who wanted to engage into business
by implementing micro-enterprise activities through its multiple credit
services.
And as part of its business expansion, it ventures
in food eatery and catering services.
“Sa nahitabo karon sa amoa, maingon nako nga na met
ang goal (For what’s happening now, I can say that it has met its goal),”
Elizabeth proudly shared. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office
Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
25 agri workers train on cacao production
By Ginalyn V. Arbutante
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 26 - A total of 25 Agricultural
Extension Workers (AEWs) from the five provinces in the region participated in
the Season-Long Training of Trainers (TOT) on cacao production. It aims at
enhancing the AEWs’ knowledge, attitude, and skills in producing and processing
cacao as trainers in their respective localities.
Said training was conducted by the Agricultural
Training Institute (ATI) - Regional Training Center 13. Spearheaded by the
focal persons of the High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) under the
Partnership and Accreditation Services Section (PASS) of the institute.
On the other hand, 150 cacao farmers will be
involved in five affiliated Farmers’ Field School (FFS) that will be conducted
by the trainees in the middle of the training.
The season-long TOT started on August 8, 2017, and
is expected to culminate on December in the same year within the four months
duration. It also involves processing and utilization of cacao with the
application of the good agricultural practices that are suitable in the region.
This training on cacao production addresses the
Department of Agriculture’s goal to lead farmers towards generating high income
from cacao through processing and packaging of technologies without
jeopardizing the environment. It is also substantial for the AEWs as well as
farmers in strengthening their capability of producing quality cocoa beans,
thus enhancing food security and safety. (with reports from JLaure,
ATI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: Advocacy campaign ukol sa ASEAN
naging kapaki-pakinabang sa mga estudyante at guro sa rehiyon Caraga
Ni Venus L. Garcia
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Agosto 25 (PIA) - Ang malawakang
pagpapaigting sa kampanya patungkol sa Association of Southeast Asian Nations o
ASEAN ay nakakatulong ng malaki lalung-lalo na sa mga mag-aaral at guro mapa
pribado man o pampublikong paaralan dito sa rehiyon ng Caraga.
Kabilang nito ang pakikilahok ng Agusan PequeΓ±o
National High School dito sa lungsod ng Butuan kung saan inilunsad ang ASEAN
Information Caravan na dinaluhan ng mahigit limandaang estudyante, faculty
members at general PTA officers.
Sa pakikipagtulungan ng Philippine Information
Agency Caraga, sabay ding binuksan ang PIA Info Kiosk sa loob ng campus at ang
pamamahagi ng IEC materials gaya ng leaflets, handouts at newsletters na
naglalaman ng mga mahahalagang impormasyon na may kinalaman sa programa,
proyekto at serbisyo ng pamahalaan.
Naging sentro ng aktibidad ang entrance of flags ng
bawat bansang kabilang sa ASEAN. Isa-isang iwinawagayway ang watawat habang
suot naman ng mga guro ang national costumes ng asean member countries.
Ayon kay Jean Ramirez, punong-guro ng paaralan, iniintegrate
umano nila sa mga asignatura ang talakaying ASEAN upang mas maintindihan pa ng
mga mag-aaral ang kahalagahan at benepisyo bilang kasapi ng ASEAN communities.
Ikinagalak naman ni Edy-Ann Arorong, isang grade
eleven student na malaman ang impact ng ASEAN integration sa paglago ng
ekonomiya ng Pilipinas gayon na rin ang mga oportunidad na dala nito para sa
mga kabataang katulad niya na nangangarap ng matiwasay, progresibo at
masaganang pamumuhay.
Samantala, nakatulong din na mapahusay ang
kamalayan tungkol sa ASEAN sa pakikilahok ng mga mag-aaral sa isinagawang
friendly kumpetisyon sa pamamagitan ng essay writing at poster making.
-->
Dagdag pa ni Ramirez, adhikain ng Agusan PequeΓ±o
National High School administration na mamulat ang mga kabataan sa usaping
ASEAN upang maging kaisa sila ng bawat sambayanang pilipino sa pagkamit ng mga
mithiin ng ASEAN. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
