(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 11 December 2024) Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting the western section of Mindanao and Palawan. Shear Line affecting the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern Luzon and the rest of Central Luzon. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: 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 Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Moderate to Strong winds coming from East to Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Tuesday, November 14, 2017

RGADC-13 gears up prep for 18-day campaign to end VAW

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 14 (PIA) – The Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) under the Regional Development Council (RDC) Caraga has geared up preparations for the various activities lined up for the 18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women (VAW) to be held on November 25 to December 12, 2017.

Atty. Jerefe Tubigon-Bacang, Regional Director of the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) and RGADC chair announced that this year's 18-Day Campaign to End VAW will kick-off on Nov. 24, 2017 with the conduct of a fun walk activity from Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol going to Butuan City Hall grounds, where the short program will be held. The Zumba dance exercise will then follow at the same venue.

“All participants are encouraged to wear orange shirts during the kick-off activity and bring advocacy materials during the fun walk, which will start at 5:00 in the morning,” said Tubigon-Bacang.

She also said that the RGADC, together with the Regional Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking-Violence Against Women & their Children (RIACAT-VAWC) Caraga will be holding the Digital Logo Making Contest and Song Writing Contest within the duration campaign.

Gender and Development (GAD) focal persons from different barangays of the city will also participate in various lined-up activities. Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada is also expected to deliver his welcome message during the kick-off program on Nov. 24.

A back-to-back activity is set on Nov. 29, where government workers will participate in the Buntis Congress to be held in Bayugan City, and visit at the Shelter for Girls in Butuan City.

“A lecture series on Republic Act 9262, also known as the “Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004,” and other related laws is scheduled on Nov. 28 to 29,” said Tubigon-Bacang.

As part of the 18-Day Campaign to VAW, the RGADC will also hold a soft launching of the Caraga's Most Gender Responsive Local Government Unit (LGU) on Dec. 1, 2017 at Oazis Hotel, this city.

The grand launching is on Dec. 12, 2017, during the culmination program of said campaign. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


DepEd enhances leadership capability of school heads in Caraga region

In keeping with one of its thrusts to promote capability building of educators, the Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga, through the Caraga Regional Association of Secondary School Administrators (CARASSA), convened some 600 secondary school principals, district and division supervisors from the 12 divisions for a three-day 18th CARASSA Congress held on November 7-9, 2017 at the Gateway Hotel and Convention Center, Surigao City.

Dr. Teodoro Plaza, President of CARASSA underscored that the annual activity aims to help improve the schools' operations with the new knowledge that the participants acquired from the plenary sessions conducted during the congress.

“By joining this gathering, participants will be able to get updates on the teaching strategies, competency standards, and be reminded of the values in the workplace and stewardship in the school setting. We are hoping for a more productive event in our quest for quality leadership,” said Plaza.

Also, the congress aims to provide updates on the implementation of K-12 basic education curriculum and to coach the pool of school heads on how to maximize media relations.

In behalf of Dr. Gilda Berte, Schools Division Superintendent of Surigao City, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Florence Almaden, noted that said congress signified that CARASSA remains firm and faithful in upholding quality education for all school learners.

“I do believe this congress is a testimony to the fact that CARASSA as an association remains united and steadfast in its pursuit to high standards of school leadership, a larger perspective as a driving force in effecting quality education to our children,” Almaden said in her welcome message.

Almaden further said that educators should continue to be an embodiment for a range of creative and inspiring approaches to support student learning. She likewise encouraged the educators to know one's self-worth, to lead and educate learners with a heart and mind.

“In its truest sense, our theme is indeed timeless as leaders should serve as exemplars not only for the intellect but also for the passionate heart. True enough, quality learners are the by-product of school leaders who put education of the heart as the heart of education. These are leaders who maintain the gist of translating intention to execution, and vision into action. Learning to appreciate the beauty of others. Let us make this event not only a journey, but a dive to a deeper ocean of leadership,” enunciated Almaden.

Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte Schools Division Superintendent Nelia Lomocso expressed her heartfelt gratitude to CARASSA for bringing together the school leaders representing different generations of the Caraga region.

“It does not take one to be financially rich to be generous, but a heart and mind that openly share ideas and knowledge for everyone's learning and improvement is a true manifestation of generosity. Thus, I encourage you all to grab the opportunity to raise queries and share your opinions as we go along with our plenary sessions,” said Lomocso.

As the representative of the local government of Surigao City where the congress was hosted, city legal officer Atty. Manuel Delani also expressed that the conduct of the congress was definitely an advantage for school heads as they manage the operations of their respective schools. “With that, it will also keep Filipino students gain better opportunities to develop their full potential and obtain employment in the future. Our endeavors lie in the hands of the school managers in pursuing quality education for all our learners," he said.

An educator as the communicator

Communication is what educators do to their students and colleagues. Effective school administrators communicate in more than one way. Hence, DepEd Caraga Regional Director Beatriz Torno emphasized during the congress to learn from the inputs of the guest speaker on how these school leaders will become sources of valuable information reaching the grassroots as communicators.

“We can have fresh knowledge on how we can integrate the concepts of other media in educating and relaying appropriate information, and not just merely transmitting content the traditional way,” said Torno.

As the guest speaker, Dr. Emelyn Libunao, staff director of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) thoroughly discussed the topic on ‘Maximizing Media and How to be an Effective Spokesperson.’

Libunao said that in developing a message that a person wants to convey, it is important to focus on the three key areas – audience, influence and message. "Get prepared if you want to be an effective communicator. Know your audience and make the message very convincing and truthful," she said.

She also said that as a citizen reporter, the credibility lies on the person who did the reporting. "The removal of a traditional media filter calls for a new approach for credibility. People of today usually look for authenticity, honesty, personality and candor in a news story,” she emphasized.

Libunao further said that a storytelling format is the best approach to help connect people to the written stories. “Effective messaging is having a more concise response or through sound bites,” she added.

Moreover, Libunao expounded on how to deliver the key messages during an interview, how to respond to difficult questions such as assumption, cast-iron guarantee, and hypothetical types of questions being raised by an interviewer.

In the course of her discussion, Libunao also highlighted the role of PIA as the communication arm of the government. “We are tasked to continuously communicate the government programs, projects and services to the general public, down to the grassroots level. It is imperative to disseminate timely, accurate and relevant information to help citizens come up with right and sound decisions. So, I urged all of you to be responsible sharers of information,” she said.

Capacitating educators of ASEAN community

Meanwhile, Torno said that they intend to align their undertakings with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) goals by producing learners ready to take a step ahead for higher learning and equipped with the necessary skills to compete, with the demand for work globally as a core of K-12 curriculum.

“We want to gather these education leaders so that they too will have the heart and mind, willingness to hone and produce best graduates,” Torno mentioned, relating to the 18th CARASSA Congress theme, “Leadership with the Heart and Mind: Key for Quality Learners.

Surigao del Norte Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr. also emphasized on the establishment of a culture of excellence among the school managers and teachers anchored with sound leadership, a heart to serve and a mind to succeed.

“Toward this end, we must endeavor to get the total support of the community, our ASEAN community. Thus, educators as communicators should aim to teach the students not only the mastery of the basic skills and the skills requirement of jobs but also to encourage them to develop their full potentials.  This is a challenge to face as education leaders. I fully believe in the power of education and in the power of educators to lead in attaining development. The bright future of secondary education lies in the hands and hearts of CARASSA,” Egay stressed.

At the core of the CARASSA Congress objectives were the school improvement plan which included the action research and competency standards for school heads, school supervisors and education program specialists; the school management (senior high school immersion program and school-based management); school achievement (outcomes); maximizing media relations; and stewardship.

“Through this annual congress, we can enrich, update and improve the performance of our schools by cascading information about the trends and issues of education today. Thanks also to PIA Caraga for being our partner in this endeavour, especially in the aspect of information dissemination,” said Plaza.

The school head participants of the congress represented 1,020 secondary schools, including the senior high schools. To date, DepEd has recorded 178,122 learners in the secondary level and 462,846 pupils in the elementary level, totaling to around 640,000 learners in the entire region.

Torno also revealed that in their latest data, there were already 25,809 public school teachers serving in the entire region and 3,790 non-teaching personnel.

“We can develop these learners through you, because it is through your management, leadership skills, and your governance that we achieve and sustain quality education,” concluded Torno. (VLG/JPG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Army holds youth leadership summit in AgSur town
 
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Nov. 14 – The 26th Infantry Battalion (26IB), Philippine Army opened the 3-day First Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) at the Talacogon National High School, Talacogon, this province.  

According to Lt. Col. Rommel Pagayon, commanding officer of 26IB, said activity was a collaborative effort of the 401st Infantry Brigade under Col. Andres Centino, local government unit (LGU) of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur headed by the municipal mayor Jesryl Masendo, Talacogon National High School and POINTY Incorporated – a youth organization, among others.

During the opening of the summit, some 70 youths and student-leaders from different high schools of Talacogon were oriented on the programs and services of the government and how these help address the issues and concerns that affect the community.

Also, the knowledge and skills of the participants were enhanced so they can contribute to community-building and at the same time serve as advocates of peaceful change.

Meanwhile, Centino expressed his appreciation to Mayor Masendo for the active involvement and for the realization of said endeavor. 

Talacogon Sangguniang Bayan Member Melch Marion Demegillo and Algerico Quitoriano, SST-1 of Talacogon National High School also attended the event.    

The first YLS in Talacogon carries the theme: “Re-live and Unite, Peace We Make Wide and Environment We Protect.” (26IB Phil. Army/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


New Dinagat Islands police office soon to rise

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Nov. 14 (PIA) – A police provincial headquarters will soon rise in a five-hectare land located at Sitio Iring-Iring, Barangay Wilson in San Jose.

Police Provincial Director PSSupt. Ramir Perlito Perlas, together with Police Regional Office 13 Regional Director PCSupt. Rolando Felix and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Public Safety and Peace and Order chairperson Board Member Jess Paul D. Ecleo, led the posting of landmark with the picture of the proposed headquarter.

According to Ecleo, the project is a joint undertaking between the provincial government of Dinagat Islands and the national government to provide basic services and support to different government agencies in establishing and fulfilling its mandates to the people of Dinagat.

“As one of my legislative agenda, the headquarters will be named after our local hero Divine Master Ruben E. Ecleo, Sr,” said Ecleo.

Representatives from the different provincial offices and national government agencies and other stakeholders attended the activity and give their utmost support for the realization of the said project. (SDR/PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)


Tagalog News: Regional GovNet Project inilunsad ng DICT sa lungsod ng Butuan

Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Nob. 14 (PIA) – May 80 ahensya ng gobyerno ang nakabenepisyo sa pinakaunang Regional Government Network (GovNet) Project sa buong Mindanao na inilunsad ng Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Caraga dito sa lungsod. Isa itong proyekto ng DICT gamit ang Integrated Fiber Optic Internet Connectivity na nagreresulta sa epektibo at mabilis na pagbigay serbisyo sa publiko.

Ayon kay DICT Assistant Secretary Alan Silor, sa ngayon ay may pitong regional centers na ng bansa ang nakinabang sa nasabing proyekto, kabilang dito ang lungsod ng Tuguegarao, Iloilo, probinsya ng Pampanga, Baguio, Legaspi, Palo-Leyte, at lungsod ng Butuan, Mindanao.

Dagdag pa ni Silor, ang lungsod ng Butuan ang may pinakamaraming bilang ng ahensiya ng gobyerno na nakabenepisyo sa GovNet Project ng DICT.

Ibinahagi naman ni Evamay Dela Rosa, ang cluster director ng DICT Mindanao Cluster 2, na ang kanilang departamento ay may sapat na supply ng fiber optic cable na nakahanda at nagagamit na rin ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno. Ayon sa kanya, may ilan pang ahensiya na hindi nag-avail hanggang sa ngayon, bagama’t layon ng DICT na mapalawak pa ang coverage ng nasabing proyekto at madagdagan pa ang mga makakabenepisyo nito.

Sinigurado naman ni Dela Rosa na secure at stable ang koneksyon ng internet. Isa raw ito sa mga mandato ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte na magbigay ng mabilis na internet connection, na magagamit ng mga kawani ng gobyerno sa kanilang mabilis na pagbibigay serbisyo sa kanilang mga kliyente.

Samantala, ayon naman kay Jessica Clarito, ang officer-in-charge ng Butuan City library, malaking tulong sa mga mag-aaral at iba pang sektor na pumupunta sa kanilang opisina para mag-research ang mabilis na internet connection ng DICT.


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Napag-alaman na ilulunsad din ang ganitong proyekto sa ibang parte ng Mindanao tulad ng Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Zamboanga, at maging sa Marawi City. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)