Caraga hosts Philippine National Remote Sensing
Conference 2017
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 29 (PIA) – The Caraga Center for
Geo-Informatics, Caraga State University (CSU), and the Philippine Geosciences
and Remote Sensing Society (PhilGRSS) jointly organized the conduct of the
Philippine National Remote Sensing Conference 2017 (NRSC 2017) in the Caraga region on Nov.
28-29, 2017.
According to Engr. Meriam Makinano-Santillan,
chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee, NRSC 2017 became the best venue
of bringing the science of remote sensing closer to the people; giving them the
unique experience on how it works for people to have a better life.
It aimed to showcase the country’s best in remote
sensing and geosciences research and services, and to recognize their
contributions in the development of the country.
NRSC 2017 is held more than a year after the
launching of Diwata 1, the Philippines’ first micro-satellite, in space. The
conference is therefore an important occasion to update the remote sensing
community on the status and latest progress.
A fellowship night highlighted different cultural
performances, where the delegates were recognized and got the chance to be
acquainted with each other.
There was also a presentation for the potential and
practical uses of remote sensing and related geosciences in reducing economic
inequality, creating more opportunities, and expanding the growth potential as
a country.
Distinguished speakers from the academe,
government, and the remote sensing, geosciences and geospatial industries
discussed on a variety of topics revolving around the conference theme. The
participants were also given the opportunity to give their insights on the
presented topics.
The conference featured the oral and poster presentations
of papers discussing the practical and scientific applications of remote
sensing and geosciences on the following thematic areas: environment; natural
resources and commodities; urban and infrastructure; disaster
management/climate change impacts and adaptation.
Moreover, the exhibit provided excellent
opportunities to promote and expose products, technologies and services to
professional delegates.
NRSC 2017’s theme, “Remote Sensing Science for the
People,” echoes the “Science for the People” campaign of the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST).
The NRSC 2017 was attended by international
scientists, engineers, researchers, decision-makers, users and interested
individuals, groups from the academe, government, industrial and non-government
organizations. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Fortified juice drinks help reduce anemia
prevalence in schoolchildren

Did you know that giving your child juice fortified
with micronutrients can increase hemoglobin levels in the blood? Low levels of
blood hemoglobin can result to anemia, which is a common problem among
children.
According to the Department of Science and
Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the (DOST-FNRI), 11% of
children have anemia.
A study by DOST-FNRI showed that either high doses
(one juice daily) or medium doses (five times a week) produced the best
results. Hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in children given high or
medium doses of fortified juice.
Giving your children fortified juice for lunch is
an easy way to help increase their hemoglobin levels in a way they will enjoy!
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 numbers:
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 check their Facebook page at
facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow their Twitter account at
twitter.com/FNRI_DOST. (RHettinger, FNRI-DOST S & T Media
Service/PIA-Caraga)
Butuan City bags National Quality Corn Achievers
award
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 29 – The city government of
Butuan is the only local government unit (LGU) in the Caraga region that bagged
the National Quality Corn Achievers Award (NQCAA) during the 13th National Corn
Congress held recently at the Philippine International Convention Center
(PICC), Pasay City.
City Agriculturist Office-in-Charge (OIC) Engr.
Pierre Anthony D. Joven said this award was realized through the strong support
of Mayor Ronnie Vicente C. Lagnada’s administration, with the collaboration of
the Department of Agriculture (DA) and coupled with the commendable performance
of Butuan City farmers.
Joven stressed that the city was granted the award
again because of its more than 1,700 hectares of high quality corn yields,
increased aflatoxin-free corn production, organized corn farmers and good
agricultural practices, and the significant support of the local government
programs to the corn sector.
Butuan City, through Councilor Omar Andaya, Chairman
of the Committee on Agriculture and Engr. Joven, received a plaque of
recognition and P1-million cash prize worth of relevant corn projects,
respectively.
Meanwhile, several city corn coordinators namely;
Erlinda E. Plaza, Ma. Luz C. Bangalisan, Eduardo S. Vecina, and Reggie T.
Manliguez were recognized as Outstanding Corn Agricultural Extension Workers.
They each received a plaque of recognition and cash incentives. (K. Decamotan,
LGU Butuan City/PIA-Caraga)
30 AgSur ALS learners join candle-making training
TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, Nov. 29 - Thirty (30)
alternative learning system (ALS) learners or enrollees in this municipality
participated in a candle-making training organized by Negosyo Center
(NC)-Talacogon Counselor Louida Legaspi, together with the ALS coordinators, Marvin Ostos of the
West District, Renato Ade of West/Zillovia and Bernardino Jagonos of the East
District.
The ALS is an active stakeholder of NC-Talacogon.
Antonio Baldiconza, a candle manufacter from San Francisco, served as the
trainer.
Ade noted that "the training will be a
lifetime learning to the ALS learners."
Manilyn Goloran an ALS learner from Barangay San
Agustin echoed the sentiment of the other participants saying:
"Nagpasalamat gyod ko ani na training kay nakabalo nako sa proseso
sapagbuhat ug kandila, dali ra man diay (I’m thankful for this training because
I learned the process of making candles, and it was easy)."
The ALS coordinators agreed that the learners
should be encouraged to put up a collective or an association and consider the
possibility of starting a candle-making business in Talacogon.
The Department of Education (DepEd) defines ALS as
"a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides a practical
option to the existing formal instruction. When one does not have or cannot
access formal education in schools, ALS is an alternate or substitute. ALS
includes both the non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and
skills." (DTI-Agusan delSur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
US turns over prosecutor training materials to DOJ
in PH
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 29 – United States (US) ambassador
Sung Kim presented more than two thousand copies of a revised prosecutor’s
manual and other training materials to Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary
Vitaliano Napenas Aguirre on November 27, in Manila.
The materials are the product of an effort by the
Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement
Affairs (INL) to help enhance the capacity of Philippine prosecutors. The
revised manuals and other training materials will be distributed to prosecutors
nationwide.
This endeavor represents the shared US-Philippines
commitment to the rule of law and the foundation of a partnership designed to
support the development of a comprehensive curriculum for the National
Prosecution Service.
This project builds on the national priorities of
the Philippine government to better equip prosecutors with the skills needed to
handle increasingly complex cases, such as cybercrime and transnational
criminal cases. (U.S. Embassy/PIA-Caraga)
DILG Dinagat holds 1st Anti-drug Abuse Summit
By Ellen C. Silagan
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Nov. 29 - The Department
of Interior Local Government (DILG) led the conduct of the Provincial Anti-drug
Abuse Summit 2017 on November 20, 2017 held at the Provincial Guest Center,
Cuarinta, San Jose town.
The activity aims to prepare the barangay officials
on the upcoming barangay drug-clearing operation per Dangerous Drugs Board
Regulation No. 3, series of 2017 and make Dinagat Islands a drug-free province.
“Para maging pioneer ang ating province sa buong
Pilipinas as drug-free province, kailangang makipagtulungan ang mga taong bayan
at kung may nalaman tayo o napansin na kakaiba, ipagbigay alam kaagad ito sa
kinauukulan o reinforcement agency para magawan ng aksyon,” said Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Provincial Officer Mark P. Damaso.
During the summit, the annual Lupong Tagapamayapa
Incentive Award (LTIA) activity was also integrated. Eight deserving barangay
officials received the 2017 LTIA awarde for their active participation in their
respective barangay.
The summit was attended by Acting Governor Board
Member Nilo P. Demerey, Jr., board member Marilou Mejos, barangay captains and
secretaries from the seven municipalities of the province. (PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
Dinagat POPCOM joins the International Men’s Day
celebration
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Nov. 29 - The Provincial
Population Office joined the celebration of International Men’s Day with the
conduct of various activities on Nov. 20, 2017 held at Dinagat Municipal Gym,
this province.
One of the highlights of the said activity was the
declaration of Modelong Pamilya 2017, wherein the Lawangon family of San Jose
town was pronounced as the winner.
The Modelong Pamilya was designed to recognize
those families who have best practices in family planning, economically wise,
and proactive in community activities.
Municipal Mayor Craig Ecleo, Vice Mayor Pitnel
Sombrado, board member Reggivi Amor Alcaria, and ex-officio board member
Annabelle Pelismino attended the said activity.
Members of Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at
Obligasyon sa Pamilya (KATROPA) and Empowerment and Re-affirmation of Paternal
Abilities (ERPAT) from the six municipalities of the province actively
participated in the celebration.
This year’s celebration was anchored on the theme,
"Focus on Men's and Boy's health. Improving Gender Relations, Promoting
Gender Equality, and Highlighting Positive Male Role Models." (PIO-Dinagat
Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
