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Monday, November 20, 2017

DICT launches GovNet Project in Butuan City

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 20 (PIA) – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) launched the Regional Government Network (GovNet) Project here, the first in Mindanao.

According to DICT Mindanao Cluster 2 Director Evamay Dela Rosa, the Regional GovNet Project in Butuan City has already catered some 80 government agencies in the regional center of Caraga region.

“The GovNet Project in Butuan City is the first in Mindanao benefitting some 80 government agencies,” noted Dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa added that there is enough fiber optic cable to provide the government agencies not only in Butuan City, but also in other parts of Mindanao. The internet connection is also stable and secure.

Also, DICT Assistant Secretary Alan Silor said that as of November 2017, the country has successfully connected seven regional centers in Tuguegarao, Iloilo, Pampanga, Baguio, Legazpi, Palo in Leyte, and Butuan City. "Five or ten years ago, Butuan was not exactly a 'hub' comparable to that of Metropolitan Manila and highly urbanized cities in the country. However, we now have the means to change this for the better," he said.

Silor further underlined that this was the call made by President Rodrigo Duterte in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA): to “make use of the computers, and that no one should line up under the heat of the sun or under the rain.”

Several testimonies from different government agencies in Butuan City were presented. Jessica Clarito, officer-in-charge (OIC) of Butuan City Library, said their office already has 100 mbps speed internet connection provided by DICT, which assured users and clients of faster and efficient services.

Meanwhile, a ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of iGov Philippines project and unveiling and lights up of the Regional GovNet-Butuan Network were led by DICT Assistant Secretary Alan Silor, Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada, DICT Cluster Director Evamay Dela Rosa, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga Regional Director Mylah Faye Cariño, together with the heads and representatives from beneficiary government agencies.

The Regional Government Network (GovNet) Project of DICT allows a faster, more efficient and integrated fiber optic internet connectivity, resulting in effective governance and provision of better services to the people. (JPG/VLG/PIA-Caraga)


DILG conducts capacity enhancement program for PLEBs

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 20 – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga Region conducted the People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) orientation for law school students of Butuan City and Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) members of Agusan del Norte Chapter on November 14, 2017; and to all city/municipal mayors and chiefs of Police in Caraga Region on November 15, 2017 at the Grand Palace Hotel, this city.

Most of the invited participants were in full attendance to the activity.

According to Republic Act (RA) No. 6975, DILG Act of 1990 and RA No. 8551, Philippine National Police Reform Act of 1998, PLEB is a check and balance mechanism. It is part of the Rule of Law under which an ordinary citizen can have redress of his grievance against law enforcers who abuse their authority. PLEB involves the active participation of the community and empowers the individual citizen and the community as a whole in instilling discipline in the ranks of our law enforcers, or providing rewards and incentives for exceptional performance.

There is a current push to strengthen PLEBs to empower citizens in consideration of recent events and relevant developments in the country. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte emphasized that while he supports the police, he will not tolerate graft and corruption and abuses. In other words, there is no place for rogue policemen in the Philippine National Police (PNP). Thus, PLEB plays a crucial role in weeding out police scalawags and helping good cops remain good; DILG deemed it is necessary to enhance their capacity in order to address such present needs.

Moreover, all 73 PLEBs in the region have undergone the Capacity Enhancement Orientations in their respective provinces. (JRRL, DILG-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


84 individuals join consumer, biz education in AgNor

NASIPIT, Agusan del Norte, Nov. 20 – The Appending Local Consumers Advocacy in Negosyo Centers in Agusan del Norte (ALCANCiA) held a Consumer Education Seminar for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), women’s group and the out-of-school youth of the municipality, back-to-back with a Business Education Seminar for the Nasipit business establishments.

Twenty-eight participants from different business establishments attended the Business Education Seminar. The importance of a customer welfare desk and how it can contribute to customer satisfaction was discussed by Wyn Palma of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Fair Trade laws, including topics on the compliance of the product safety, quality and awareness were also discussed.

Meanwhile, 56 participants attended the Consumer Education Seminar.

Myra Luz A. Gavero of DTI emphasized to the participants that they need to take full advantage of said seminar, as it was a rare opportunity for consumers, particularly in rural areas, to have direct access to consumer related information.


The eight consumer rights, five consumer responsibilities, the discounts that should be given to senior citizens and PWDs, and the requisites to avail them, such as an identification card (ID) and purchase booklet, were discussed during the seminar. (DTI-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)