‘Tiangge, Tiangge sa
Siargao’ signals abundance of harvest
By John Glenn A. Platil
SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 25 –
“We deeply regard the agriculture sector as a major economic driver because our
lives depend on the food that we eat. That is why we consider rice, vegetable
and fruit production as crucial factors in stirring growth and propelling a
productive economy to great heights.”
This was the very
optimistic statement of Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas as relayed by
provincial agriculturist Rebecca Bagnol during the successful launch of the
Tiangge, Tiangge sa Siargao which ran from September 20 to 24.
“2017 is the year of
abundant and plentiful harvest, as we continuously gather and relentlessly reap
the fruits of ‘Ang Bag-ong Surigao (The Modern Surigao),’” she said.
To intensify the
value-adding on the end products of the province’s coconut, jackfruit and
cassava productions, Team Capitol initiated a three-day immersion at the
Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay, Leyte in mid-October of last year.
“Bastante nga suplay sa
bugas ug lagutmon (sufficient supply of rice and root crops) is the rock layer
principle astern the ‘Pagkaon nan Surigaonon (Food for Surigaonons)’ program,”
Bagnol said.
“We are working on
processing the root crops into nutritious products. Part of the knowledge
learned from the exposure includes cooking, baking, preparation and packaging
to make the end products cost-effective. Siargao prides itself with a trading
center, which can help farmers in marketing value added products,” Bagnol
added.
Affordability and
sufficiency of food in the table are the rallying points which the provincial
government considers crucial and very important.
“Our beloved
constituents, to whom we honestly dedicate our love and service, above self and
beyond the call of duty, consistently and continually inspire us to uphold
excellence and hard work. We are forever thankful for the unwavering faith and
overwhelming support of the people whose loyalty and allegiance have always
been our strength from day one. Our destination towards greatness is clear,
definite and certain. We are convinced that the values that we instill, blossom
into sustainable growth. We are confident that the reforms that we sustain are
etched as everlasting legacies in the hearts and minds of our faithful
supporters and determined followers,” she affirmed.
Matugas further
congratulated the pro-active members of the peasants and fisherfolks sector,
regional stakeholders, rank-and-file personnel from the different offices of
the national and local government units, sectoral representatives, barangay
officials, and members of Team Capitol, for their cooperation and involvement.
She also recognized the
efforts of Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose ‘Bingo’ Matugas
II, Vice Gov. Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr., provincial board members, Department of
Agriculture-Caraga Regional Director Abel James Monteagudo, Bureau of Fisheries
and Aquatic Resources-Caraga Regional Director Juan de Alba, officials from the
Sangguniang Bayan of General Luna, headed by Mayor Jaime Rusillon and Vice
Mayor Veronico Solloso, and everyone who participated and made their presence
felt. (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
2017 Regional Skills
Competition winners honored
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 25 -
After the presentation of skills in different trade areas, winners in the 2017
Regional Skills Competition were presented and honored in a fitting ceremony
held at the Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trades (ASSAT) in Prosperidad,
Agusan del Sur.
Alvin S. Fernando of AMA
Computer Learning Center, Agusan del Sur was declared champion and received a
gold medal in the IT Software Solutions for Business while Demrick A. Phully of
Saint Michael College of Caraga, Inc. was declared runner-up receiving silver
medal.
In welding, Jason G.
Pujeda from Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trades (ASSAT) won the gold
medal. He is followed closely by silver medalist Mitchel I. Ginimilo of Gaspar
Rodriguez Educational and Training (GREAT) Center, Inc. Sharing the bronze
medal are Jhemar S. Generale of the Agusan del Norte Provincial Training Center
and Meljun D. Bayang of the Surigao del Norte Provincial Training Center.
Meanwhile, ASSAT’s Rolly
T. Alte, Jr. tops the Electrical Installation winning gold medal followed by
PTC-Agusan del Norte’s Emmanuel M. Perihan, Jr. (Silver), and Joseph Anthony F.
Savandal (Bronze) of PTC-Surigao del Norte.
For Restaurant Service,
two competitors have qualified in the medal ranking. Dwight N. Arana of Saint
Michael College of Caraga, Inc. won the gold medal and Janice T. Merin of
Agusan del Sur College, Inc. was declared silver medalist.
In a related
development, Shiera Faith S. Balabat of Agusan del Sur College, Inc. captured
the hearts of the judges and was declared gold medalist in Cooking. Shane Rose
E. Penaflor of Andres Soriano Colleges of Bislig, Inc. won the silver medal,
and Janlyn C. Lacorda of Surigao del Norte College of Agriculture and
Technology (SNCAT) grabbed the bronze medal.
The last trade area that
has been showcased in this year’s skills competition is the Graphic Design
Technology. Here, Benedict Q. Hornido of Father Urios Institute of Technology
of Ampayon, Inc. edged the other competitors winning gold medal. Bryan Sam D.
Abrao of Andres Soriano Colleges of Bislig, Inc. was declared runner-up and won
silver, while Ahmil G. Penaso of AMA Computer Learning Center of Agusan del Sur
won the bronze medal.
In the overall medal
tally, the province of Agusan del Sur was declared overall champion with four
(4) golds, 1 silver, and 1 bronze. Agusan del Norte closely followed with two
(2) golds, 2 silvers, and 1 bronze medals. Surigao del Sur was the second
runner-up winning three (3) silver medals, and the province of Surigao del
Norte went home with three (3) bronze medals. (TESDA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
World surfing cup to
open in Siargao
By John Glenn A. Platil
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao
del Norte, Sept. 25 - A total of almost 4 million pesos is in store as prize
money for this year’s Siargao International Surfing Tournament, which started on September 24 at Cloud 9 in General Luna, Siargao Island.
Big names in the
professional surfing industry around the globe are expected to vie in the
universally-acclaimed fray, which was dubbed as the biggest in recent history,
having been upgraded to a QS3,000 event.
Event director Gerry
Degan said that they are expecting to have trained surfers from Australia,
Japan, Mexico, United States, Hawaii, New Zealand, Indonesia, South Africa,
Spain, France, United Kingdom, and Tahiti, among others.
Department of Tourism
(DOT) Caraga officer-in-charge Mary Jean Camarin disclosed that the national
government has allocated 10 million pesos for the entire year, covering several
events in Siargao.
These events also
comprised of the recently concluded 1st Siargao International Marathon last
July, the 10th Siargao International Women’s Surfing Cup and Beach Volleyball
in May, and the 10th Siargao International Game Fishing in April.
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Registration for the
Siargao International Surfing Tournament started Saturday, September 23. The
local government unit has been very supportive in seeking for assistance from
promoters, both here and abroad, to make this year’s event better and brighter.
(PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
