News Feature: Lumads delight over OPAPP’s response
on IP ancestral domain issues
By Venus L. Garcia
SURIGAO DEL NORTE, April 2 (PIA) - Hundreds of
indigenous peoples (IPs) from all over Caraga region rejoiced as they witnessed
the outright response of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary
Jesus Dureza over the plight of lumads by urging the heads of government
agencies concerned to look into and focus in taking actions on issues related
to the Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs) within the region.
Upon hearing the pressing concerns of the IPs
particularly in the identification and official delineation of their ancestral
domains and lands and through submission of the resolutions crafted by the
delegates of the IP Leaders Summit held in Butuan City on March 25-26, 2018,
Sec. Dureza made certain that he won’t be leaving the plenary hall without
winning the commitment of representatives from the Land Registration
Administration (LRA), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP),
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) to pursue in providing technical assistance along the
process of resolving CADT-related concerns.
During the summit, the IP leaders cheered as Agusan
del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza immediately pledged to provide funds intended
for IP programs and projects in the amount of P5 million apart from the P2
million fund offer of Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada, and P15 million
from NCIP.
It was a time filled with joy when Dureza further
announced that 200 slots are allotted for 2018 scholarships to be granted to
indigenous peoples in Caraga region.
Also, Caraga Regional Peace and Order Council
chairperson and Agusan del Norte governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba
committed to support whatever undertakings that would surely benefit the IPs.
Sec. Dureza underscored that President Rodrigo Roa
Duterte wanted to ensure the welfare of the IPs through the programs of the
government that would directly address their concerns.
“The President also aspires to preserve the
indigenous peoples’ culture and individual identity and to protect IP rights.
With the creation of Mindanao-wide task force, greater convergence of
government line agencies will help in addressing IP-related issues and act
appropriately on these as good governance practice,” the peace adviser said.
Dureza also advised the Lumads to keep a careful
watch from deceptive promises of the rebel groups and be active agents of peace
and development.
The Lumad participants were also urged by Dureza to
be more action-driven and participative in realizing the proposed programs and
projects to achieve lasting peace and sustainable development.
He told them that the administration is really
keeping a friendly atmosphere among all IP communities in the country to come
and work together in improving their way of living.
Meanwhile, Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada
mentioned that the said IP Summit is one way of recognizing the presence of the
IP communities in the region and he likewise expressed his respect to the Lumad
brethrens who took their time to attend the event.
“We take note of all your issues and concerns and
we will see to it that through our concerted efforts, we would be able to address
these," he said.
Lagnada further said that the city government of
Butuan is in constant support to the IPs in Caraga region. "It's high time
that we do our concerted efforts for the progress of all tribes, resolve issues
in the process, and help them in utilizing the resources for a more
competitive, eco-smart and sustainable region," he stressed.
In her message, Asec. Isabelita Moncano-Somozo of
the Office of the Cabinet Secretary said that this IP Summit needs to be
replicated in other regions to hear the voices of the Lumads. She also
emphasized how the government has given them much priority and this is one
important undertaking that serves as a venue to address IP issues for them to
enjoy the same development that the country is working into.
"President Duterte really wants to provide
what is due for all IPs. The dream for a better and progressive Philippines is
for all Filipinos and Lumads," she added.
Expressing his appreciation, Rico Maca, a Manobo
and IPMR in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur said that it was a good avenue where
the government agencies could present/discuss resolutions to the pressing
issues and concerns of the IPs in their respective communities. He also
commended the efforts of the government for continuously reaching out to them
and for providing their needs.
As to the request of the IPs in Caraga region on
the increase of quota of IP soldiers and CAFGU, the AFP responded that in 2017,
a special program led to the recruitment of a total of 300 members of the IP
communities within the area of the 4th Infantry Division. Also, a number of IP
members from the Banwaon and Higa-onon tribes are now enlisted in the Army,
specifically with the 26IB.
Concerns on health services were also raised. One
of which is the request for IP hospitals near their respective communities.
With this, the Department of Health (DOH) was asked to encourage existing
hospitals to expand their services to IPs either through satellite centers or
allocation of hospital wings that will prioritize IP patients. As a long term
plan, the DOH has to refer this matter to its Regulatory and Licensing, Health
Facility Enhancement Program (regional office) and to its Health Facility
Development Bureau for further assessment. For short term plan, through the JMC
2013-01 and Regional Inter-Agency Committee for IP Health, the DOH will put up
IP Help desk in Health Facilities that are strategically located in IP areas
and to be manned by an IP personnel.
Atty. Jose Dumagan Jr., NCIP-Caraga regional
director relayed that prior to the 2-day IP Leaders Summit there were already
series of consultations with the IPs from different provinces through the
coordination and efforts of various local government units and the Philippine
Army that served as an avenue for concerned parties to bring up issues and
concerns that need to be addressed by the government.
On the protection of IPs, the AFP, PNP, and NCIP
have various options and strategies in ensuring their protection. Accordingly,
the AFP has deployed their men in IP areas in Caraga establishing Patrol Bases
in the vicinity of Ancestral Domains and employing regular soldiers and CAA
personnel who are members of the IP tribes in the area. The protection of the
IP leaders and their members are done through the security operations being undertaken
by the 401st and 402nd Brigades, Phil. Army. The PNP has also been coordinating
with the other law enforcement agencies to share their counterparts in
addressing this concern.
Atty. Dumagan recalled that it was through the
Philippine Army's initiative and proposal to the Regional Peace and Order
Council (RPOC) to conduct an IP Leaders Summit in the region to tackle various
issues and concerns of the IPs and allow the concerned government agencies to
respond accordingly. He also stressed that RPOC chair and Agusan del Norte Gov.
Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba, together with the member agencies then
immediately acted upon the proposal and planned for the said activity
Also, the TESDA Caraga headed by regional director
Florencio Sunico, together with Gov. Matba, Agusan del Sur acting Governor
Samuel Tortor, 401st Brigade commander Col. Andres Centino, 402nd Brigade
commander Col. Franco Nemesio Gacal, and some heads of government agencies led
the ceremonial awarding of TESDA scholarship to the IPs.
A Prayer for Peace concluded the IP Leaders Summit
held at the Agusan del Norte Provincial Covered Court, where IPs from various
provinces, representatives from the government agencies, academe, private
sector and media partners attended to promote peace and development, condemn
the violence and struggle brought by violent extremist groups such as the
communist NPA terrorists, and to stop
the killings of Lumads and innocent civilians.
The peace rally was a joint effort by the 401st and
402nd Brigades, Phil. Army, NCIP, and Caraga Conference for Peace and
Development (CCPD).
Caraga region is composed of six Indigenous Peoples
(IP) Tribes/Communities to include: Manobo, Mamanwa, Mandaya, Talaandig,
Banwaon, and Higaonon. (VLG/JPG/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
Police official condemns inhumane act of lawless
armed group who shot a pilot in Tagbina town
Ni Nida Grace P. Barcena
TAGBINA, Surigao del Sur, April 2 (PIA) - Municipal
police station chief of Tagbina Police Senior Inspector Armando Bebanco has
condemned the inhumane act of the alleged lawless armed group who shot a pilot
while conducting the “aerial spray” at the area of SUMIFRU-Philippines Banana
Plantation based in Barangay Malixi, Tagbina town on March 18, 2018.
In a police report, Lynbert Laguda, a resident of
Arujuville Subdivision in Butuan City operated the Agricultural Aircraft of
DASNA FARMS Aviation Incorporation with body number RP-R8865 AG-CATG164A1300
when several gunshots fired against him. One of the bullets hit the victim’s
abdomen, it was learned.
The pilot was still able to contact his co-workers
and managed to maneuver his plane back to its hangar in Barangay Sta. Fe of the
said town.
The pilot was immediately rushed to Butuan City for
medical treatment but died while on their way to the hospital.
Based on the intelligence report, the said area
where the private aircraft was fired with several gunshots was identified as
secluded and a New People’s Army Terrorist-influenced area, with a distance of
around 12 kilometers away from the Municipal Police Station.
“We urged the public specially in Tagbina to be
extra vigilant at all times and report to the authorities immediately any
suspicious personalities, activities of the lawless armed group to preempt them
in doing unlawful acts so that this incident won’t happen again,” PSI Bebanco
said. (NGPB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
PSA to conduct 2017 ASPBI, SICT
BUTUAN CITY, April 2 - The Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA) gears up to conduct the 2017 Annual Survey on Philippine
Business and Industry (ASPBI) and the 2017 Survey on Information and
Communication Technology (SICT) in the different provinces of Caraga Region.
A simultaneous training will be conducted on April
3 to 5, 2018 in all the provincial offices for all staffs who will be involved
in the project.
A Respondents' Forum will also be arranged in the
provinces within the months of April and May 2018.
According to PSA Caraga regional director Dr.
Rosalinda Apura, the 2017 ASPBI is a forerunner of the 2016 ASPBI, which aims
to collect and generate information on the performance, levels, structure and
trends of economic activities of the formal sector in the entire country for
the year 2017.
Meanwhile, 2017 SICT is a rider survey to the 2017
ASPBI, which aims to collect and generate information on the availability,
distribution and access/utilization of ICT among establishments in the country.
It will also generate core, ICT indicators important for measuring the progress
in information and communication technology.
The distribution of questionnaires to sample
establishment will start on April 16, 2018 to May 11, 2018 and collection will
begin on May 2, 2018 to July 13, 2018. All information collected from sample
establishment shall be kept strictly confidential and shall not be used for
purposes of taxation, investigation or regulation as provided under Article 55
of RA 10625. (PSA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
NCIP Caraga orders 'personnel movement'
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 2 (PIA) - The
Regional Director of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in
Caraga region has ordered the reshuffle of its provincial officers and other
concerned personnel effective March 16, 2018.
Citing the exigency of public service, Atty. Jose
Dumagan, Jr. issued Memorandum Order No. 039 s. of 2018 to this effect.
Engr. Charlyn Binghoy, outgoing NCIP provincial
officer of Surigao del Sur, told media that she had to go to her new station as
directed on March 16, 2018.
Her case would just be a “swap seats” with the outgoing
NCIP provincial officer of Surigao del Norte, Vicente Baldoza, Jr., meaning
that the latter would assume office in Surigao del Sur.
The other NCIP provincial chiefs covered by the
memo were Rosemarie Mordeno of Agusan Del Norte who would take over the top
post in Agusan del Sur; Dr. Randy Rosas,
NCIP Acting Chief of Technical Management Services Division, would be the one
to take Mordeno’s job.
Also, Atty. Leslie Mae Plaza, acting Provincial
Officer of Agusan del Sur, was designated as the acting chief of the Technical
Management Services Division, the post that would be vacated by Dr. Rosas.
RD Dumagan told all concerned that prior to
assumption to their respective new official stations, they had to turnover
first their function and clear themselves of any accountabilities.
The NCIP Caraga top chief likewise advised that
five days after compliance, a report in this regard had to be submitted to his
office. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag City/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Plane shot in SurSur, pilot died
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 2 (PIA) - A
65-year old pilot who sustained a gunshot wound while conducting an aerial
spray over a banana plantation in Purok 7, Gruto, Barangay Maliksi, Tagbina,
Surigao del Sur owned by SUMIFRO Philippines Corporation was still able to land
safe and bring the plane to its hangar in Barangay Sta. Fe in the same town,
but died along the way in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur while being rushed to a
hospital in Butuan City on Sunday, March 18, 2018.
The victim, who was identified as Lynbert Guiloreza
Laguda, a resident of Arujuville Subdivision, Butuan City, was likewise able to
contact a co-worker right after the incident, according to a report from
PSInsp. Armando Bebanco, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Tagbina Municipal Police
Station (MPS).
The “Spot Report on Plane Shooting Incident” sent
to Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO) under Provincial Director
(PD) PSSupt. Francisco Dungo, Jr., said that the shooting incident took place
at around 8:40 a.m.
Based on initial investigation, the “Agricultural
Aircraft” with body number RP-R8865 AG-CATG164A 1300 from DASNA FARMS aviation,
Inc. also bore several bullet holes.
The intelligence operatives of the PNP immediately
coordinated with army counterpart “to monitor the movements of the said armed
group.”
Reports on the presence of armed group in the area
nearby believed to be members of Guerilla Front Committee (GFC) 14 under the
North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) under a certain Jorlan,
particularly in Sitio Dagsa, Barangay Malixi had been received on March 15,
2018.
A similar incident had already occurred on March
26, 2017, causing damage to a Cessna plane of SUMIFRO. Fortunately, the plane pilot was not hit,”
Bebanco said in his report. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag City/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
PSA conducts quarterly survey on PBI 2018
BUTUAN CITY, April 2 (PIA) - For 2018, the
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) had started the distribution of
questionnaires for the Quarterly Survey on Philippine Business and Industry
(QSPBI) – 1st Quarter for a total of 105 sample establishments in all provinces
of Caraga Region.
Collection will commence this coming April 2-27,
2018.
QSPBI is one of the designated statistical
activities of PIA. It is one of the main sources of data in the compilation of
the Quarterly Economic Indicators (QEI).
The survey provides quarterly data on employment,
compensation, revenue/sales and inventories and capacity utilization are also
collected for Mining and Quarrying, Manufacturing, Electricity, Gas Steam and
Air Conditioning Supply, Water Supply, Sewerage, Waste Management and
Remediation Activities Sector.
The 2nd Quarter will be conducted starting June 18
to July 27, 2018; 3rd Quarter on September 17-October 26, 2018 and 4th Quarter
on December 17, 2018-January 26, 2019.
All information collected from sample
establishments shall be kept strictly confidential and shall not be used for
purposes of taxation, investigation or regulation as provided under Article 55
of RA 10625. (PSA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
NC Las Nieves conducts financial literacy, simple
bookkeeping for IPs
LAS NIEVES, Agusan del Norte, April 2 (PIA) - The
Negosyo Center (NC) in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte conducted a financial
management cum simple bookkeeping seminar for Nagkahiusang Tribong Higaonon
Mag-uuma sa Lawan-lawan (NTHML).
The session was attended by 30 members of the two
organizations in the area - the Higaonon Pugpalaw Nauyonan (HPN) and
Lawan-lawan Sustainable Livelihood Program Beneficiaries (LSLPB) and
participants from the both indigenous peoples (IP) organizations.
Las Nieves Agricultural Technician Rosie Monta, who
facilitated the group’s request with NC Las Nieves, said the event is a
preparatory intervention for better management of present and future funding
assistance from government and/or other organizations.
“The activity is important so that the IPs will
know how to handle money and to better understand the importance of recording
so there will be no questions among members of the group,” Monta said.
It will likewise prepare them should they be
handling an income generating project, she added.
The participants welcomed the activity and during
the reflection session, they appreciated the process of learning because it was
fun and light and this allowed them to understand the big lessons.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Agusan del
Norte (AdN) NC Provincial Coordinator Myra Luz Gavero has partnered with DTI
and Senior T and I Specialist Gemma Clarin to facilitate the seminar using the
Business-Expenses-Savings-Training or BEST Game tool. This tool used simulation
and experiential learning methods.
Aside from financial literacy and recording, Gavero
and Clarin also taught them that timely business planning/financial planning is
essential for the business to achieve what it wants.
Clarin and Gavero were joined by over-all activity
coordinator Niel John Dapat, NC Las Nieves Project Staff.
The activity was recently held in Barangay
Lawan-lawan, Casiklan. (DTI-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
DTI Dinagat Islands intensifies campaign on the
Expanded Senior Citizens Act

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, April 2 (PIA) - The
Department of Trade Industry (DTI), in cooperation with the Department of
Agriculture (DA), has intensified its campaign on the consumers' rights of
Senior Citizens through the conduct of re-orientation seminar on Senior
Citizens Discount on March 20, 2018 held at San Jose Negosyo Center, San Jose,
this province.
According to DTI Dinagat Islands Consumer
Protection Division chief Lorijane D. Sacote, the re-orientation seminar aimed
to empower the rights and privileges of Senior Citizens to avail the 5%
discount for the basic commodities and necessities.
Sacote said the Senior Citizens needs to be enlightened
about the guidelines on granting special discounts to Senior Citizens on the
Purchase of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities pursuant to Section 4,
paragraphs (j) of R.A. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 by DTI
and DA.
DTI OIC- Provincial Director Arnold D. Faelnar,
Consumer Protection Division Officer Ma. Nunila L. Estareja, Consumer
Protection Unit Officer Elmer A. General attended the said seminar participated
in by Senior Citizen representatives coming from seven municipalities, Office
of Senior Citizen’s Affairs (OSCA) members, and business establishment owners.
(DTI-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
44th BCWD anniversary set
BUTUAN CITY, April 2 - This year 2018 marks the
44th Anniversary of the Butuan City Water District (BCWD) and is set to be
celebrated together with the 17th Water Consciousness Week on April 2 - 7,
2018, adopting the theme of the World Water Day 2018 commemoration, “Nature for
Water”.
In line with this, series of activities are set by
the BCWD Anniversary committees. Some of these activities were already
conducted especially those for the students.
Students from elementary and junior high schools
coming from different institutions within Butuan City were given the chance to
showcase their talents through BCWD’s Photo Contest last March 15, 2018,
On-the-Spot Poster Making Contest last March 20, and Water Quiz Show last March
21. Announcing and awarding of winners followed right after each contest except
for the Photo Contest, which was awarded together with the Water Quiz Show.
BCWD, in partnership with the Philippine National
Red Cross (PNRC) Agusan Chapter, will also conduct a Bloodletting activity on
April 5, 2018, 8:00am to 5:00pm at the BCWD Conference Room. Bloodletting
t-shirts will be given to the first 50 blood donors.
Also, concessionaires are invited to join the
bloodletting activity. Other social outreach programs will also be conducted
such as Mass Feeding and Gift Giving in Barangay Babag on April 5, Visit to Por
Cristo on April 3, and visit to the Balay Silonganan on April 4 in Barangay
Pinamanculan.
As part of giving back to its concessionaries, BCWD
will be giving away variety of grocery items on April 2-4, 2018.
Concessionaires who will pay their water bills in full on the mentioned dates
will receive the anniversary giveaways. Apart from the groceries, 44
anniversary t-shirts will also be given for the first 44 concessionaires who
will be paying early on April 6, 2018. Grocery items and anniversary t-shirts
will be claimed through BCWD’s Community Relations and External Affairs
Division located at the 2nd floor of the BCWD Administration Building.
All the activities scheduled for the weeklong
celebration is BCWD’s way of thanking the community of Butuan for the
continuous support to BCWD.
Activities lined-up include: April 2, 2018 -
Orientation for Bloodletting (9:30AM, After Prayer Fellowship; BCWD Training
Hall); Distribution of Snacks for Concessionaires (8:00 AM- 5:00 PM, BCWD
Lobby); and Anniversary Giveaways for concessionaires (8:00 AM- 5:00 PM, 2nd
floor Lobby). On April 3, 2018 - Visit to Por Cristo (8:00AM; Abilan; and
Anniversary Giveaways for concessionaires (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, 2nd floor Lobby).
April 4 activities include the visit to Balay
Silonganan (8:00AM; Brgy. Pinamanculan); and Anniversary Giveaways for
concessionaires (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, 2nd floor Lobby). On April 5 - Mass
Feeding/Gift Giving in Brgy. Baba (9:00 AM, Brgy. Babag); and Bloodletting
(8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; BCWD Conference Room). On April , activities also include
Tree Planting (9:00 AM, Brgy. Anticala);
Giving of Anniversary t-shirt for the 1st 44 concessionaires (8:00 AM - 5:00
PM, CREAD); and the 17th Tap and Drill Olympics (9:00 AM, BCWD Admin. Bldg.)
On April 7, a Mass will be held at 7:00 AM. at the
BCWD Training Hall and the Employees Awards Program at 6:00 PM at LJ Mega
Convention Center. (BCWD/PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano news: Rebeldeng NPA nga namatay sa
engkwentro sa Agusan Norte, usa ka Tandaganon
Ni Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Abril 2 (PIA) - Usa
ka patay’ng lawas sa rebeldeng New People’s Army (NPA) nga namatay sa usa ka
engkwentro tali sa pwersa sa mga kasundalohan sa 29 Infantry Battalion (29IB)
niadtong Marso 26, 2018 didto sa Barangay Tagbongabong sakop sa lungsod sa RTR,
Agusan del Norte ang nailhan na, sumala pa sa militar.
Sumala pa ni Captain Al Anthony Pueblas, ang Civil
Military Operation Officer sa 402nd Brigade, nailhan ang patay’ng lawas sa
ngalan nga Dominador Catape Jr., usa ka lumulupyo sa Sitio Poog, Barangay
Maitom sakop sa dakbayan sa Tandag, Surigao del Sur.
Sa gipagawas nga taho sa military, si Catape naigo
sa buhing bala diin maoy hinungdan sa iyahang hinanaling kamatayon nga gibiyaan
ra usab sa iyahang mga kaubang rebeldeng NPA atol sa maong panagbayloay sa
buhing bala sa nasangpit nga lugar.
Si Catape, sumala pa, ang team lider sa sentro de
grabidad sa guerilla front 21 nga naglihok sa Agusan del Norte.
Nahibaloan nga human ang maong engkwentro,
nakarekober ang pwersa sa mga kasundaluhan og usa ka AK47 rifle nga aduna pay
sulod nga mga bala.
Kalabot niini, usa ka sibilyan ang nailhan nga si
Rosalinda Latunan nga taga Barangay Mahaba, Cabadbaran City ang sumala pa nga
nagpaluyo sa sekretong pagkuha sa patay nga lawas ni Catape niadtong Marso 28.
Matud pa nga si Latunan maoy nagbayad sa kantidad nga P20,000.00 arun makuha
ang patayng lawas sa NPA sa usa ka punerarya disto sa Cabadbaran City.
Tungod niini, ang mga otoridad nag imbestiga na
kung unsa ang kalambigitan o koneksyon sa nahisgutan nga sibilyan ngadto sa mga
teroristang NPA.
Sa gipagawas nga pamahayag, si BGen Franco Nemesio
M. Gacal ang Brigade Commander sa 402nd Brigade nagkanayon nga ang maong
engwentro nga miresulta sa kamatayun sa usa ka rebelde ug ang pagkailog sa usa
ka AK47 rifle nagbatyag sa pagkamatinud-anon sa gobyerno sa pagpuo sa mga
rebeldeng NPA.
Dugang pa ni BGen. Gacal, nga magpadayon ang
kasundaluhan sa pagpatigayun ug mas hugtanon pa nga mga operasyong pang
sekuridad arun sa paghipos sa mga teroristang NPA nga diin maoy dakong babag sa padayong
pag-uswag sa atong rehiyon sa Caraga.
(PIA-Surigao del Sur)
