(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. 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 Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.


Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Bayugan City ranks overall champion on PopDev contests

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 27 – Among the 12 schools division  who competed for the Population and Development (PopDev) skills exhibition during the Regional Festival of Talents, the School Division of Bayugan City emerged as the cream of the crop in five different competitions this 2017.

The Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office released the consolidated results based on the rank of each participating division in the Population Quiz, and On-the-Spot Competition, such as the poster making, jingle writing and singing, essay writing and argumentation & debate.

Ranked second was the Division of Surigao City and third place was the Division of Surigao del Sur.

The regional champion of the said five skills exhibition will represent Caraga Region in the National Festival of Talents come February 2018 in Dumaguete City.

The Population Quiz and On-the-Spot Contests were a collaborative effort of the Commission on Population (POPCOM) and the DepEd to increase awareness and appreciation on population issues and concerns among the young people.

POPCOM and DepEd  also designed the contest to provide wholesome alternative for young people to stay away  from the chances of getting into early sex.

Other schools division ranking: Butuan City (4th place),  Bislig City (5th place), Agusan del Norte (6th place), Tandag City (7th place), Cabadbaran City (8th place), Siargao (9th place), Dinagat Islands (10th place), Agusan del Sur (11th place) and Surigao del Norte (12th place).

The theme of this year’s festival was “Pagkilala sa Kulturang Filipino Tungo sa Kapayapaan, Pagkakaisa at Pagbabago.” (POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


POPCOM, DOH partner on FP outreach mission
  
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 27 – Gearing towards assisting couples achieve their desired number and timing of births, the Commission on Population (POPCOM) Caraga partnered with the Department of Health (DOH) for the outreach mission on the distribution and implementation on the use of the sub-dermal implants for the family planning program.

The massive campaign on the use of sub-dermal implant in the different areas of the region had garnered a total of 1,346  family planning acceptors, from July to December of 2017.

According to POPCOM Caraga Regional Director Alexander A. Makinano, the provision of Implanon and Implanon NXT abides with the principle of Informed Choice and Voluntarism. 

Makinano further mentioned that during the said outreach mission, wide range of family planning services were equally promoted and were made available, not only the sub-dermal implants. 

Another extensive  communication strategies initiated by POPCOM to generate demand on modern family planning was the partnership with the Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) and First Community Cooperative, based in this city, for a seminar on Responsible Parenting-Family Planning (RP-FP) among their employees, in a separate date and venue.

Not only employees of the private sectors were educated on RP-FP, but also couples from the various indigenous groups (IPs) in the region, in coordination with the local population offices.

Makinano is hoping that with the intensified demand generation efforts in assisting couples achieve their desired number and spacing of children, it will contribute to the attainment of zero unmet need for modern family planning. (POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


AgSur weavers review group business model, learn financial literacy

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, Dec. 27 – Seventeen (17) women weavers of Barangay Caimpugan of ths municipality participated in a seminar-workshop on Business Model Canvass and Financial Literacy at the San Francisco Women Center.

The activity was conducted to allow the weavers to review their business set-up and equip them on how to manage their finances, aside from honing their entrepreneurial skills.

Spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Sur (DTI-AdS), through the Negosyo Center-San Francisco and in partnership with the municipal government through the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO), the activity was under the 2016 Bottom Up Budgeting (BuB) Yaman Pinoy Project of the municipality.  

The project, once completed is expected to improve the beneficiaries' handicraft production and develop more weavers in the area.

Representing Mayor Jenny De Asis, Jocelyn Juen, Municipal Administrator, recognized the presence and eagerness of the participants to know more especially the basics of financial management. She told participants "Padayon aron mahaw-as sa kalisod (continue to improve quality of life)." (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Bayugan City youth train on beauty care
 
BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur, Dec. 27 – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Sur (AdS), through the Negosyo Center-Bayugan City and in partnership with the Bayugan City Social Welfare Development (CSWD) Office conducted a skills training on beauty care: manicure, pedicure and foot spa to the Pag-asa Youth Organization (PYO) held at the CSWD Training Hall, City Hall Compound, this city.

The activity was part of the implementation package under the 2016 Bottom Up Budgeting (BuB) of the LGU, which named the PYO as one of its beneficiaries.

Julibee Gorne, an accredited Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) trainer, assured that the participants will learn the required skills and can actually make this as source of income.

After the training, an assessment will be conducted by TESDA, and once the participants pass, a certificate of completion will be given to them or they will be officially certified.

The training covers lectures and hands-on session with starter kits for the trainees. (DTI-Agusand el Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Agusan del Sur holds 1st freelancers meet-up

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, Dec. 27 – The Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Sur (DTI-AdS), through the Negosyo Center (NC)-San Francisco, organized the First Freelancers Meet-up held at the Mabe's Savory Place, this municipality.

The session was aimed to advocate the maximum use of internet through online jobs, orient the participants on the advantages it offers, understand the need to align with the trends, and know the opportunities. 

Lawrence Salang, provincial team lead of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur, presented the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) programs and services.

Also, giving a virtual talk and discussing Rural Impact Sourcing (RIS) through Skype is RIS Philippines (RISPh) mover John Paul Lagura. He told participants that everyone should learn continually about information technology. 

"To the freelancers – doing job online as they are already skilled, they still need to re-skill and up-skill the knowledge and skills that they have; learn more, know more," Lagura said. 

Lagura added that "aside from the hard skills that should be taught and be learned, the most important thing to develop are the soft skills like flexibility, creativity and complex problem solving."

Physically representing RISPh and also a freelancer, was Angelito Cagulada, an Information System student of Caraga State University (CSU) who gave a testimony on his being a freelancer. He shared the importance of building a portfolio and keeping a complete record or file of one's work as this will form part of the "resume" when pitching for other jobs.

DTI pushes the program region-wide and coining it RISE or 'Rural Impact Sourcing Everywhere' to provide other options or sources of jobs and income even to students, graduates still to find work, the unemployed and even workers or professionals who still have spare time in their hands.

The participants are composed of students from South Way College of Technology, Agusan del Sur College, Patin-ay National high school, business owners, freelancers and the media.

Corazon de la Pena, DTI-Ads Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist informed the participants that by January 2018, an ICT stakeholders forum/orientation will be organized to ensure convergence in the province's ICT agenda.

A General Virtual Assistant Training (GVAT) is also being arranged within the year 2017. (DTI-Agusand el Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


AgSur joins Regional Forum on MSME development, disaster resilience

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Dec. 27 – Business entrepreneurs, together with the officials and staff from the Provincial Economic Enterprise Development Office (PEEDO), Agusan del Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., and Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Sur (DTI-AdS) Provincial Office joined in the Regional Forum on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development and Disaster Resilience held at the Grand Palace Hotel, Butuan City.

It sought to strengthen the commitment of each partner agency and other stakeholders to advocate economic disaster resilience of the region and institutionalize the mechanisms that will help MSMEs prepare for and recover quickly from disaster.

The province's industry cluster players, producers and other members of the business sector also attended.

Together with attendees from the other provinces, they participated in prioritizing roadmap and action plan strategies and lay down specific initiatives or tasks to pursue the regional plan.

The province expressed hopes to localize the same activity and put on board more MSMEs, as well as partner civil society organizations, partner institutions and the local government units (LGUs).

This initiative will be part of the follow through activities after the earlier conduct of an orientation-workshop on business continuity management held for some members of the provincial disaster risk reduction management council. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


AgSur food producers, KMME graduates join Regional FDA writeshop

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, Dec. 27 – Four food producers of Agusan del Sur participated in the Regional Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Writeshop cum Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) briefing organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Caraga's Business Development Division.

The five-day activity aimed to ready food producers in the region to tap and enter more and bigger markets.

The Agusan del Sur contingent was composed of Cleotilde Potencioso of Cleo's Food Products, Madelyn Alvizo of Calabash "The Miracle" Fruit Juice, Ervian Sotis of ERMIX Mangosteen TEA, and Bernadette Auxillian of Pidol Miki.

The first three were pioneer mentee-graduates of the province's Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) program and members of the Integrated Producers Association of Prosperidad Agusan del Sur, Inc. (IPAPADSI). Auxillian, who graduated under Batch 2 KMME, was cited as one of the best business improvement plans (BIP).

Two other IPAPADSI members and KMME mentees are awating FDA action/inspection on their LTO applications – RADIN FOOD Products (special guinamos), and Hillsview Trento Food Products (mangosteen tea). They are also working on their Halal Certification.

Another KMME mentee, Magkiangkang Multipurpose Cooperative, maker of tableya is working on LTO renewal and its Certificate of Product Registration (CPR).

Facilitating the workshop and briefing session was Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE)-accredited KMME Mentor of Agusan del Norte Jason Balacuit of JCB Express Solutions. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Food tips for the home during disaster

By Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, Ph. D.

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 27 – Some hazards are naturally occurring physical phenomena caused either by rapid or slow onset events which can be geophysical such as earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis and volcanic activity. Others are hydrological such as avalanches and floods; some climatological such as extreme temperatures, drought and wildfires, meteorological like storms and wave surges, or biological such as disease epidemics and insect or animal plagues.

Technological or man-made hazards are complex emergencies or conflicts, famine, displaced populations, industrial accidents and transport accidents. These are events that are caused by humans and occur in or close to human settlements. These can include environmental degradation, pollution and accidents.

A natural or man-made disaster can cause loss of lives or damages to properties. Our country is not spared from the havoc of natural disasters, as it is surrounded by bodies of water and is located along the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire," from where typhoons, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and earthquake emanate.

Emergency reserve food and water in the home are essential in the event of a natural disaster. Ensuring the safety and quality of food and water supply is very important because consumption of contaminated food or water may result in illness or death. Careful planning and readiness help ensure safe food and water supply for the family.

Here are some practical food tips that you can follow when disaster occurs:

Store food that are non-perishable or with long storage life;
Store food that need no refrigeration;
Store food that are easy to prepare to prepare and cook;
Store food that require a minimal amount of water if preparation is needed;
Food should be compact and lightweight;
Store clean water in safe sealed containers;
Wash hands with soap and water when handling foods to prevent illnesses; and
Include hand sanitizer
Examples of foods to store are ready-to-eat canned goods like sardines, dried fruits, juices, staples (sugar, salt, pepper), instant low-salt noodles, high energy foods (peanut butter, jelly, nuts, energy bars), cookies, candies and other snack foods. Also, avoid storing foods that are salty, spicy and caffeinated because these will increase thirst.

We must also consider the special nutritional needs of infants and young children, pregnant and lactating and older persons in the home because they are the most vulnerable persons. Like for infants and young children, breastmilk is still the best food for them. Practice and maintain exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months.

For pregnant and lactating women, micronutrient-rich foods must be considered, like fortified foods such as instant low-salt noodles and cereals. For older persons, store easy to chew and digest foods like soft biscuits, bread, oats and easy to prepare soups.

Also, water is the most essential life-sustaining resource. Keeping water in a clean plastic bottle will keep you hydrated.

Have a bag of foods ready to carry when disaster strikes. Every household should assemble a disaster supplies kit and keep it up to date. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items a family would probably need to stay safe and be more comfortable during and after a disaster. Disaster supplies kit items should be stored in a portable container near or as close as possible to exit door.

Review the contents of your kit at least once every quarter or as your family needs change. Major food shortages can be a major feature during emergency situation. Planning ahead and preparing the disaster kits before calamities strike would to prevent us from additional stress when disaster strikes.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact:  Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; telephone/ fax nos: 837-2934 or 837-3164; direct line:839-1839; DOST trunk line: 837-2071-82 local 2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.


You may also like their Facebook page at facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow their Twitter account at twitter.com/FNRI_DOST. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)