Caraga stakeholders participate in Kilos SAMBAYANAN
Forum in Butuan City
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 27 (PIA) – The stakeholders from
various sectors in Caraga region have gathered on October 20 and actively
participated in the simultaneous telecast of ‘Kilos Sambayanan’ conducted by
government agencies led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) held at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.
The program for the Kilos Sambayanan included the
conduct of forum, performances, audio-visual presentations of government
services for the poor, and information kiosks.
During the program, Butuan City Councilor Ferdinand
Nalcot said that the local government unit, along with the government agencies,
has a big role in the implementation of various programs and services for the
marginalized sector in the region.
DENR Caraga Regional Director Charlie Fabre
underlined that the government has to act decisively in promoting an
anti-poverty project where it reaches down to the grassroots level.
“This activity is a convergence and commitment of
stakeholders aimed at addressing poverty by providing the basic needs of every
Filipino such as food, agrarian reform, water, health care, social protection,
healthy environment, and peace, among others,” underscored Fabre.
At the open forum proper, participants were able to
address their questions and clarifications to the concerned heads of agencies.
Uriel Eugene Correos of the local government of
Surigao City inquired about the available programs for those living in the
danger zone, as well as for the Lumads.
Engineer Erasme Madlos, project manager of the
National Housing Authority (NHA) clarified that the main requirement of NHA in
their housing program is a copy of land title. “Without this, we could not give
security of tenure for the beneficiaries. However, we will talk to other
agencies on how we could better address this concern,” she said.
Meanwhile, Jerver Batchinetcha of the Philippine
Coconut Authority (PCA) Caraga also asked Atty. Jose Dumagan Jr., Regional
Director of the National Commission on the Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Caraga of
why there is a need to get a Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) before a
public or any private entity could start implementing its programs within the
Lumad community.
Dumagan stressed in his response that this is to
ensure that the rights of the tribal community are protected, and to ensure
that Indigenous Peoples will benefit from any program, projects or activities
that will be put in place within their ancestral domain in terms of economic,
social and cultural aspects that would sustain until the next generation.
In time with the conduct of the said forum, the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga also installed an ASEAN Information
Kiosk at the same venue. The Smart Telecommunications, Inc. provided internet
connectivity during the live telecast of the Kilos Sambayanan.
Kilos Sambayanan is a call for convergence and a
commitment among all sectors of society to address poverty across its many
dimensions and represents the ultimate measuring stick of the impact of
government programs on the lives of the poor.
It is a campaign in collaboration of the National
Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) along with the Presidential Communications
Operations Office (PCOO), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and member
agencies under the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster such as the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture
(DA) , Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), DENR, Department of Education
(DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),
Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC),
and Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (JPG/VLG/PIA-Caraga)
No inability from her disability
By Joana Rica P. Millama & Marko Davey D. Reyes

Kriselda Cutara, a 40-year old single mother of
three, gently lays down one concrete hollow block as she gets to work as a
laborer for the construction of the multi-purpose building sub-project funded
by the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD’s) Kapit-Bisig
Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services
(Kalahi-CIDDS) in Barangay Baculin, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
Having kyphosis, a condition which causes the
curvature of the spine (round back), never hindered Manang Kriselda to strive
hard for her children’s future. “Ako nadasig na bisan paman ing-ani ako, aduna
pa diay sama ninyo na ahensya ang mudawat sama nako na makatrabaho. Salamat
kaayo Kalahi-CIDSS na karon akong nabatunan na dili nako ikaulaw akongsitwasyon
(I am motivated that even if I am like this, there is an agency that is willing
to accept me to work. Thank you Kalahi-CIDSS because I learned not to be
ashamed of my situation),” she heartily shared.
The Department, being an agency mandated to ensure
protection and promotion of the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors,
values partnership with its beneficiaries by providing them with limitless
opportunities in accordance to their skills and capabilities.
“Dako kini na tabang sa amo [labi na] sa akong mga
anak sailang pagskwela, kay ako raman ang nangita [ug panginabuhian] sa amoa.
Sa among kalisod, wala ko’y lain na ikabilin sa ilahakondili ang edukasyon
(This is a great help to us especially to my children’s schooling, because I am
the only one who’s earning. With our difficulty, I have nothing to leave them
but education),” added Manang Kriselda who is also an active
partner-beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. (Social
Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DTI-AgSur celebrates National Standards Week with
an on air/on TV briefing
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 27 - In
celebration of the National Standards Week this October, the Department of
Trade and Industry-Agusan del Sur (DTI-AdS) Provincial Office talked about the
products under mandatory certification during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters
ng Pilipinas (KBP) Hour Tele-Radyo program at Aselco, San Isidro, San
Francisco, this province.
The discussion focused on household appliances,
electronic and electrical products, lamps, wiring devices, wires, cables,
mechanical and building materials, chemicals and other consumer products and on
how to check the product standards markings.
DTI-AdS Consumer Protection Unit Head Cheri Inson
reminded the public that they must check the Product Standard (PS) marking
which is represented by a globe and a check sign when buying locally produced
products. Imported products on the other hand, must be affixed with an Import
Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker.
The KBP Hour was anchored by Maximo Tutor of
DXSF-FM, Alfredo Plaza of DXDA, Alfredo Lobog of DXAK, Jordan Udtujan of One
Radio with the new crew Mike and Noel Tortor.
Joining Inson in the panel were LGU-San Francisco
staff Estela Paman and Imelda Mandin. Also present were Jardynne Narvasa,
Yoraidyl Tutor, Caren Unson of DTI AdS. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
NC-AgSur partners with LGU-Prosperidad SWDO on
financial wellness

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 27 – The Negosyo
Center (NC) Provincial Hub based at Faustino A. Asis Building at the Government
Center of this municipality has conducted a three-day Capability Building on
Financial Wellness to 15 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program (4Ps) from Barangay San Joaquin, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Two local project development officers of the
municipal Social Welfare Development Office (SWDO) have joined the trainees.
The training was aimed to equip the participants
with techniques and systems in managing their business. These were the
following modules during the training: Financial Literacy, Marketing, and
Business Model Canvass.
The participants were required under the
Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to undergo the said training to better
prepare them for the establishment and operation of their general merchandise
business in their respective barangay. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
LPCC-Prosperidad holds Q3 meeting; agrees to reactivate
‘tabo’, producer-trader-consumer encounter
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 27 – The Local
Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) in Agusan del Sur had its 3rd quarter meeting
at the Municipal Mayor’s Conference Room, Prosperidad, this province with Mayor
Albin Magdamit as the presiding officer.
The Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Sur
(DTI-AdS) provincial office and the Municipal Agriculture Office reported the
prices of the products under their respective jurisdiction. Supply and prices of
DTI monitored products were reported reasonable and adequate. Both reports
showed that prices of some products increased after the July monitoring, but
said prices were still within the suggested retail price (SRP). Prices of some
agricultural products also fluctuated.
The meeting ended with the following agreements:
•To reactivate “Tabo” as venue for the local
farmers to sell their products and to allow consumers to have access to
agricultural products at a lower price; and
• Producer-Trader-Consumer encounter to level off
and understand better the issue on prices, pricing and compliance of other
business laws.
The LPCC Prosperidad regularly meets every 2nd
Wednesday of the first month of the quarter. Next meeting is scheduled on
January 10, 2018. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
POPCOM, DepEd establish more teen centers in school
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 27 - More school-based teen
centers will soon be fully functional in selected municipalities of Agusan del
Norte. These will become the focal point for providing appropriate information
and services on sexuality and reproductive health for young people through
workshops, counselling and trainings among others.
The creation of the teen centers is an offshoot of
the partnership between the Department of Education (DepEd)-Agusan del Norte
and the Commission on Population-Caraga, and other relevant partner agencies,
in its newest initiative dubbed as Youth Optimizing Life Opportunities (YOLO)
Program. This program is now implemented in 3 pilot areas of Agusan del Norte –
Buenavista, Nasipit and Carmen.
POPCOM Caraga Regional Director Alexander A.
Makinano revealed that the YOLO Program components –Guidance Counseling/
Coaching Services; Health and Nutrition Services; Capacity Building;
Classroom-Based Guidance and Coaching; and Behavior Change Communication ¬– are
related to POPCOM’s Information and Service Delivery Network or ISDN
initiative’s objectives which are to fully serve the young people and provide
them with appropriate information and services they need.
Following the program launching, POPCOM Caraga
facilitated an enhancement workshop on YOLO through Adolescent Health and
Development Program among guidance counselors, teachers and student leaders
from the different schools in Agusan del Norte, together with some program
stakeholders, in preparation for the full implementation of YOLO and its
various interventions.
To ensure effective implementation and
sustainability of the initiative, DepEd Agusan del Norte Division also
partnered with the Department of Health (DOH)-Caraga, Agusan del Norte
Provincial Population and Health Offices, civil society organizations (CSOs),
DEPED district offices and schools in Agusan del Norte, Provincial and
Municipal Social Welfare and Development, hospitals with adolescent-youth
friendly centers, rural health units (RHUs) and private clinics.
In its continuing advocacy and campaign to address
the prevalent youth-related sexuality issues that the young people of today are
facing, POPCOM through its Adolescent Health and Development (AHD) Program is
one with DepEd and other local program partners in promoting and providing the
adolescents better quality health services responsive to the needs and
protection of their rights. (POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
POPCOM introduces films against teen pregnancy, HIV
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 27 - The Commission on Population
(POPCOM) came out with new way to reach more young people in its continuing
campaign against pregnancy and HIV/AIDS.
A total of 200 junior high school students from the
cities of Surigao, Cabadbaran, Butuan and the province of Agusan del Norte
joined the Adolescent Health and Development (AHD) Film Dissemination conducted
in said areas, respectively.
The short films disseminated were national winners
of the 2015 and 2016 AHD Film Festival, produced by the youth and for the
youth. These films can also be shown to policy makers, civil society
organizations, and community members, aside from schools and tertiary school
institutions.
Students had deepened their understanding on
adolescent health and development issues as they actively involved themselves
during the facilitated screening, which was based on the Learning Cycle and
followed by a discussion. The process helped the audience to watch, reflect,
engage with the bigger picture, and ultimately, take action.
Director Alexander A. Makinano of POPCOM Caraga,
echoed that the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law is
mandated to provide age and development-appropriate reproductive health
education to young people in the country.
Makinano said that the rise of teenage pregnancy
has been one of the biggest challenges of the country, in conjunction with
HIV/AIDS, early marriage and maternal deaths, and it has also demographic
implications to the growing population.
“POPCOM recognizes the need to address such issues
through the Adolescent Health and Development (AHD) Program that aims to
provide young people with appropriate information and life skills to enable
them to cope with problems related to the attainment of their full development
into adulthood,” Makinano said. (POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
POPCOM trains local planners, stakeholders in
Dinagat Islands
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 27 - The Commission on Population
(POPCOM) Caraga worked closely with the local planners, program stakeholders,
and decision-makers of the Province of Dinagat Islands in ensuring that its
policies and plans are responsive to the existing concerns of the people and
its community. Concerned participants of the three-day workshop were provided
technical skills and inputs during the actual process of crafting
people-centered development plans and programs.
Regional Director Alexander A. Makinano of POPCOM
Caraga explained the relevance of the mentoring approach as it enables the
participants to understand the basic concepts of population development
integration and fully integrate its linkages in their respective areas of work.
Such approach also emphasized a long term partnership and engagement with the
stakeholders in each step of integration to ensure integrated results.
Participants of the workshop were officials from
various provincial offices of population, planning and development, social
welfare and development, education and agriculture.
The POPCOM official further said that the mentoring
and partnership approach is a strategy of ensuring the provision of sustainable
and long-term guidance to stakeholders at the local level in actually
integrating population development (PopDev) dimensions in planning and program
formulation.
With proper mentoring and technical assistance to
LGUs using the PopDev mentoring approach, POPCOM hopes that development
planning could result to more effective interventions, greater efficiency in
resource allocation, and greater equity impact of programs and projects.
(POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
