(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.


Monday, July 31, 2017

NEDA 13 launches RDP 2017-2022 in Dinagat

By Susil D. Ragas

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, July 31 (PIA) – The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga recently unveiled the Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017-2022  through its provincial launching held in the municipality of Dinagat, this province.

The RDP is anchored on the 10-point Socioeconomic Agenda of the Duterte administration, which is geared towards realizing AmBisyon Natin 2040 of a “Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Buhay," that at the short-term, the RDP will lay down the foundation for inclusive growth, a high trust society, and a globally competitive knowledge economy at the regional level by 2022.

During the launching, NEDA Caraga regional director Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño stressed that by 2022, Caraga aims to become the “Fishery, Agro-Forestry, Mineral, and Eco-tourism Center of the Country” by developing the region’s abundant resources in fishery, agriculture, forestry, mining, and eco-tourism.

She said that NEDA chose Dinagat Islands as its first venue for the RDP 2017-2022 provincial launching since it is the newly-created province among the five provinces in Caraga.

"We want to send a message that the whole Caraga will not succeed if there is one province left behind. We encourage Dinagatnons to support your local government units and work together to achieve the mission and vision of the province," said Cariño.

On behalf of the provincial government of Dinagat Islands, provincial administrator Gwendolyn Ecleo-Pols expressed her heartfelt thanks to NEDA for its successful launching. She also vowed to support all the undertakings of the national government

Ecleo-Pols said the launching of RDP in the island truly manifested the sincere commitment of the national government towards the development of Dinagat Islands. (NEDA-13/PIA-Dinagat Islands)


NPA member surrenders in Agusan Sur; yields 4 firearms

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, July 31 – A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 401st Brigade in Barangay Awa, Prosperidad, this province at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 28, 2017, bringing with him four high-powered firearms.

Rey Betos Valiente aka Carding, 39 years old, a member of Squad 1, Pulang Bagani Command (PBC) - 4, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA, turned himself in after sending surrender feelers through a relative. He turned-over an AR18, an M1 Carbine, and two US M1 Garand rifles to the 401st Brigade.

The negotiation of his surrender was made successful through the joint efforts of 23rd Infantry Battalion, Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office and 401st Brigade.

Valiente’s decision to abandon the armed struggle was due to the hardship he experienced. “Dili na nako makaya ang kalisod sa bukid, nagsige lang mi dagan ug walay pagkaon aron makalikay sa walay undang nga operasyon sa kasundalohan (I can no longer withstand the hardship in the mountains. We are always kept on the run, out of food evading the relentless operations of the military),” he said.

“Dako akong pasalamat sa higayon nga gihatag sa kasundalohan aron makauban nako ang akong pamilya sa hapsay nga pamuyo ug malipayon ko nga gitrato ko nila isip usa ka igsuon (I am very thankful to the Army for giving me a chance to live with my family peacefully, and I’m happy they treated me as a brother),” added Valiente.

Col. Andres Centino, 401st Brigade Commander, has directed the facilitation of the release of benefits due to Valiente.

“We are now facilitating the immediate release of his benefits under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP). It is best for him to live in peace with his family and be counted as a productive citizen so that he can also inspire remaining NPA members to abandon the revolutionary movement and avail of the integration program,” he underscored. (401st Brigade, Phil. Army/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Butuan cops ready for Adlaw Hong Butuan 2017

BUTUAN CITY, July 31 - Security measures are in place to ensure peaceful and secured Adlaw Hong Butuan 2017 July 29 to August 2, 2017, Caraga Police director Chief Supt Rolando Felix said.

A total of 90 cops will be deployed to the Adlaw Hong Butuan celebration aside from the troops from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and force multipliers to support the security operations.

The Philippine National Police, AFP, Local Government Units, other government agencies, and private sectors will collaborate to make this event successful.

“Making this Adlaw Hong Butuan celebration peaceful and orderly is our contribution to boost the tourism in Butuan City and attract more investors from different parts of the country and the world,” Felix affirmed.


He also appealed to the citizens to immediately report to the police suspicious activities in the area and to approach the nearest police assistance desks for any peace and order concern. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)