CCPD to conduct countering violent extremism forum
in Butuan City
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) – Underscoring the need
for increased awareness on countering the spread of terrorism and violent
extremism, the Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD), in
cooperation with the Eastern Mindanao Command Armed Forces of the Philippines
(EMC-AFP) and different stakeholders, will hold a forum on preventing and
countering violent extremism at 9:00 A.M. on October 6, 2017, this city.
The activity aims to provide relevant information,
to consult the stakeholders in the region on possible actions and solutions,
and to generate support and commitment through a manifesto.
According to Rev. Fr. Carlito Clase, CCPD Executive
Director, they are strongly pursuing its commitment to the attainment of
lasting peace in Mindanao for sustainable development. (FEA/VLG/PIA-Caraga)
SurSur town hosts 3rd quarter NSED in Caraga
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 2 (PIA) - The
municipality of Bayabas, the smallest town in the province of Surigao del Sur,
in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga hosted the 3rd
Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on September 27, 2017
held at the town proper, as its regional ceremonial venue.
Based on the record from the Department of
Education (DepEd), a total of 1,409 students (both elementary and secondary
schools) and teachers participated in the event.
The communities from seven barangays, five of which
are coastal areas, which are prone to tsunami, joined the said drill. They were
observed by the regional team evaluators composed of different agencies, headed
by OCD Caraga Regional Director Rosauro Arnel Gonzales.
According to Surigao del Sur Provincial Disaster
Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) Chief Abel de Guzman, the challenge
to host this quarter’s NSED was accepted by Bayabas Mayor Clarita Limbaro.
Mayor Limbaro was overwhelmed with the result after
the activity was concluded.
Limbaro also expressed her gratitude to her
constituents especially those who participated, including government employees,
NGOs, and volunteers.
The conduct of the activity was led by OCD and
member agencies of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(RDRRMC) such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire
Protection, DepEd, Philippine Army, Philippine Red Cross and PDRRMO.
(NGPB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Talacogon PNP holds BPATs training
TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 2 – Talacogon
Municipal Police Station led by Police Senior Inspector Guillermo Ibale Jr,
officer-in-charge, conducted the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs)
Training at the Talacogon old gym, Brgy. Isidro.
Said training was participated by the barangay
captains of San Agustin, San Nicolas, Buena Gracia, Culiram, La Flora,
Maharlika, Sabang Gibong and Zillova. Representatives from the five BPATs
components – Law Enforcement/Community Policing, People’s Organization, Search
and Rescue, Environmental Protection, and Barangay Justice System also
attended.
The activity aimed to further enhance the roles of
the participants in their respective barangays.
Topics such as BAPTs’ roles, duties and
responsibilities, the First Responders duties and responsibilities, basic hand
cuffing techniques, basic human rights of a person and the Republic Act 9262 or
the Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004, were discussed
during the training. (JPG/Talacogon MPS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
AASSA-NAST PHL calls for synergy among researchers,
scientists and stakeholders
BUTUAN CITY, Oct 2 (PIA) – The international
symposium organized by the Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences
in Asia (AASSA) and the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines
(NAST PHL), supported by the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) and the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST) Philippines held in Tagaytay City, has called
for collaboration among scientists, researchers, private and public sectors to
produce tangible results from the different scientific researches through
translational research.
Dr. Michael Barber, a member of the expert panel of
the IAP, emphasized the importance of cognitive diversity, collaboration, and
engagement of researchers with policy makers for the success of translational
research. According to him, science in the academies can affect the achievement
of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He challenged the science community to
think about how science advice can be translated to mechanisms, framework, and
tools for the attainment of the SDGs.
AASSA President, Dr. Yoo Hang Kim, said that the
disconnection between and among basic science researchers, implementers, and
end users must be addressed through translational research. He encouraged the
researchers to put prime consideration to the end users of the study. Relevance
of research is important in integrating translational research to societal
policies.
During the two-day activity, topics related to
translational research were tackled, such as metrics for success,
communications strategy, financing mechanism, agriculture and biological
sciences, translational research through science and engineering education,
translational research in health, social sciences, and policy.
Experts from different parts of Asia, including the
Philippines, and Australia presented the results of their studies, including
the challenges they faced in making their projects successful. They emphasized
the importance of synergy and collaboration in the process. Different
strategies were also presented on how to best communicate science.
Resolutions summarizing the recommendations of the
AASSA-NAST PHL International Symposium were presented to DOST Secretary
Fortunato T. De La PeΓ±a by the AASSA President Dr. Yoo Hang Kim and NAST
Philippines Academician William G. Padolina during the closing ceremonies of
the international symposium.
In response, Secretary de la PeΓ±a elaborated that a
scientist alone cannot do the full translation of research. The support of
other stakeholders, in public and private sector, is very important. The
communication of research results in an appropriate and timely manner will make
its utilization possible.
AASSA-NAST PHL International Workshop recommended 6
action points for science academies and their networks that include (1)
formulating and developing strategies on how member academies can share and
learn from best practices in research translation; (2) promoting and supporting
multi- and trans-disciplinary research to realize real and holistic impacts on
the community; (3) advocating and supporting ethics and scientific robustness
in the conduct of research; (4) communicating in an appropriate and timely
manner to all key stakeholders the available knowledge or technologies from
researches for their utilization; (5) training and mentoring young talents on
research translation by providing innovative platforms for learning and
development, including mobility among academies; and (6) promoting
collaborative initiatives among academies to help in the attainment of the
SDGs.
For higher educational institutions, it was
recommended that the teaching of research translation in science and technology
be imbedded in STEM degree programs, as a critical link to the supply chain of
new concepts, devices and systems.
On the other hand, funding agencies should
recognize and support technology transfer as a critical step in the process of
research and development, either through adoption and commercialization by the
private sector or deployment by mandated government agencies as part of
national and local programs.
Lastly, all R&D Stakeholders are encouraged to
collaborate in the formulation of the Research and Development Agenda, in order
to focus resources on priority issues. The national government is urged to
provide an enabling and conducive environment to realize the full cycle of
research and development in relation to the sustainable development goals
adopted by the United Nations.
The Academy expressed its hope that the results of
the international symposium will be favorably considered by the concerned
sectors of the society in the different AASSA-member countries. (PIA-Caraga)
Infra projects underway in Surigao del Norte
By John Glenn A. Platil
SURIGAO CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) – Surigao del Norte 1st
district representative Francisco Jose ‘Bingo’ Matugas II announced that he is
working on the construction of Siargao Nautical Highway by 2019, which means
putting up of a bridge connecting Hayangabon to Socorro and Socorro to
Consolacion, Dapa in Surigao del Norte.
“I am coordinating with Department of Transportation
(DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade for the opening of a full-blown Siargao
International Airport. That is why we are expanding the roads leading to the
Sayak air terminal,” said Matugas.
He also said that all is set for Siargao Materials
Recovery Facility in collaboration with Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu.
“We seek to control the production and segregation
of waste materials because we do not want to become just another polluted area
in this part of the globe. Siargao is well-known in the field of tourism. We
have a lot of domestic and foreign visitors, that is why we are doing
everything to enrich and improve it,” he added.
He also said that there is a big possibility that
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) will soon visit Cloud Nine. “There are
four cabinet secretaries who confirmed their attendance in the World Surfing
Cup which we will be hosting. House Speaker Sonny Alvarez has a beach house in
Malinao, Gen. Luna. We are very optimistic that the president is coming, and
most likely, it will be a surprise visit,” he said.
Matugas also attended the blessing and inauguration
of the Municipal Public Market, level 3 water system, community fish landing
center and Brgy. Talisay Seawall, in line with the Araw ng San Benito.
“Warmest congratulations to all for the infra
projects that we are championing. Thanks to former Governor Lalo Matugas for
his wholehearted support, for planting the seed which now blossoms and produces
fruits. Next will be the rehabilitation of the San Benito Municipal Gymnasium,”
he remarked. (FEA/VLG/PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Surigao solon to revive golden days of sports
By John Glenn A. Platil
SURIGAO CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) – Recalling the golden
days of Philippine sports when Atty. Jose Sering was still a governor, Surigao
del Norte 1st district representative Francisco Jose ‘Bingo’ Matugas II
promised to revitalize sports tourism in Siargao.
“We belonged in the top three circles in Southeast
Asia before. I remember this vividly because I was part of the SEA Games
Organizing Committee in the 1990s. It’s about time that we go back to the
drawing board,” said Matugas as he expressed his confidence that Siargao can
make it the assistance from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Coaches were comprehensively trained by PSC, which
had initial sessions in Dapa, General Luna and Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte.
Pursuant to the marching orders of Pres. Rodrigo
Duterte to PSC Chair William Martinez, a consultative meeting with Matugas was
put in order.
Sport Mapping Action Research Talent (SMART) ID
Train was also operationalized to train Music, Arts, Physical Education and
Health (MAPEH) teachers and identify potential athletes from 50 students,
through anthropometric and performance tests.
Anthropometric data involves arm/wing span, height
when standing and sitting, and weight. Performance covers endurance, agility,
speed and power.
Internationally-licensed trainers and officiating
officials from the National Sports Association (NSAs) will coach and officiate
the course for the grassroots level.
In addition, lectures are also organized and
initiated by sports nutritionists, sports psychologists, sports physiologists,
strength and conditioning specialists, sports medicine, first aid doctors and
physical therapists.
There are also non-competitive children’s games to
generate awareness, fun and excitement. (FEA/VLG/PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
DOE E-Power Mo to visit Mindanaoans
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 2 - After empowering Luzon and
Visayas, the Department of Energy (DOE) will bring the E-Power Mo Campaign to
Mindanao on October 3, 2017 at the Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City as part of its
continuing effort to invest knowledge and sound information to energy consumers
and stakeholders.
Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said, "The
E-Power Mo Mindanao is visiting President Duterte’s home town to empower
Mindanaoans. It’s about energy and how people can have better energy options
for their daily living.”
“We’ve done this in Luzon and Visayas, and this
time we will provide this avenue for Mindanaoans to learn and grasp essential
information and energy concepts, such as existing policies, programs and
plans,” Cusi said.
The E-Power Mo Energy Investment Forum and
Stakeholders Conference will highlight energy programs, opportunities,
development plans and policies, financing and best practices, as well as the
energy supply and demand outlook for Mindanao.
Like in the previous E-Power Mo, there are six (6)
sectoral breakout sessions:
Breakout Session 1: Downstream Oil and Natural Gas
Sector, which will focus on the Philippine National Standards for petroleum,
consumer safety and protection protocols in the industry, and the development
plans in the emerging natural gas industry;
Breakout Session 2: Upstream Sector, which will
include presentations and thorough discussions on the proposed “Philippine
Conventional Energy Contracting Round” for coal at petroleum resources;
Breakout Session 3: Renewable Energy (RE) Sector,
which will include the latest RE development in the sector (i.e., policies and
programs), administrative procedures on RE service contracting, and the
challenges and way forward;
Breakout Session 4: Power Sector, which will cover
Local Government Units’ benefits and participation under the Energy Regulations
1-94 (ER 1-94) as well as the proposed amendments to include Indigenous Peoples
in the policy. ER 1-94 entitles host communities of a power generating facility
to have a share of P0.01/kWh of electricity sales to be used for projects that
will uplift the living conditions within the locality;
Breakout Session 5: Alternative Fuels and Energy
Efficiency Sector, which will give an overview of the energy efficiency and
alternative fuels and technology programs of the DOE, which will highlight the
Government Energy Management Program, new and emerging energy technologies; and
Breakout Session 6: Consumer Sector, which will
mainstream gender and development in the sector, provide understanding on the
energy supply chain, energy safety practices and labeling program, gender and
development in the energy sector, RE as energy of the future, and lastly, make
the attendees an energy smart consumer.
The DOE E-Power Mo campaign is in partnership with
the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and Philippine
Information Agency (PIA).
The campaign has four guiding principles that
summarize the president’s energy policy agenda:
Develop and utilize the energy resources available
to Filipinos for wealth creation and global competition (E-POWER MO);
Undertake safety and savings measures through
energy efficiency (E-SAFETY MO);
Secure the delivery of quality, reliable and
affordable energy services (E-SECURE MO); and
Empower consumers through a wide range of options
in utilizing conventional, renewable and alternative energy sources.
(E-DISKARTE MO). (DOE/PIA-Caraga)
