(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Sunday, 01 December 2024) Northeast Monsoon affecting Eastern section of Northern Luzon. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Mindanao. 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 cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains. 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—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Thursday, April 12, 2018


SurSur Provincial IPMR assumes office

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

SURIGAO DEL SUR, April 12 (PIA) - The Provincial Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR), known as “Pangyuyo Tu Tribu” in Manobo, has formally assumed office as Ex-Officio Member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Surigao del Sur.

This undertaking is considered a milestone in the entire region of Caraga composed of five provinces.

Hailing from the interior municipality of San Miguel here, Hawudon Jimmy Guinsod who was also a former municipal IPMR of the said town officially attended the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session on April 10, 2018 held at the Provincial Capitol of the South, Bislig City.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Pedrito Alacaba said, his assumption was pursuant to Republic Act 8371, otherwise known as “Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1991” which was approved and signed into law on October 29, 1997.

The said law provides that the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICC/IP) have the right to participate fully, if they choose, at all levels of decision making in matters which may affect their rights, lives and destinies through procedures determined by them as well as to maintain and develop their own indigenous political structures.

During the session, 1st District Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Henrich Pimentel, in his privilege speech, stressed that the assumption of Hawudon Guinsod was historic and that it is the first in the history of Caraga Region.

Accordingly, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has already adopted a resolution authored by Pimentel commending the offices of the NCIP Surigao del Sur as represented by Engr. Charlene Binghoy, DILG Provincial Dir. Pedrito Alacaba and the Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur headed by Governor Vicente T. Pimentel, Jr.

On one hand, Provincial Vice Governor Manuel O. Alameda, Sr., presiding officer, has commended the assumption of Hawudon Guinsod as Provincial IPMR and it was long overdue.

Meanwhile, NCIP Regional Director Atty. Jose Dumagan, Jr. issued the Certification of Affirmation (COA) on December 5, 2017. By the authority of the DILG Regional Director Lilibeth A. Famacion, and based on the Certificate of Affirmation, Dir. Pedrito P. Alacaba, DILG Provincial Director issued a Certification of Recognition to Hawudon Guinsod as the Provincial IPMR on December 22, 2017, it was learned. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Army commemorates Araw ng Kagitingan through 'Masigasig Kids on Tour' activity

By 1Lt. Kevin B Gordolan

BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, Apr. 12 - Sixty youngsters aged six to 12 years old, coming from the conflict-affected barangays of the municipalities of Buenavista, Carmen and Nasipit, all of Agusan del Norte visited the Headquarters of the 23rd Infantry Battalion at Jamboree Site, Purok 6, Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

Their visit was part of the 76th Araw ng Kagitingan anniversary commemoration dubbed as “Masigasig Kids on Tour”.

The commemoration was fittingly celebrated through the conduct of the 1st “Masigasig Kids on Tour 2018” with the theme: "Kalinga sa Kabataan Para sa Kapayapaan".

The Kids on Tour activity was spearheaded by 23IB in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Buenavista, Rotary Club of Midtown Butuan and YLS Leaders of Buenavista.

The activity was conceptualized and realized with the aim to honor the heroism of Filipino soldiers and other men and women who fought for our freedom. It also served as the 23IB’s way of educating the children- the hope of our fatherland about our nation’s history and their important role in nation building, encouraging them to become responsible individuals and molding them to become law-abiding citizen that appreciates the sacrifices of our National Heroes.

The highlights of the activity included the Flag Raising Ceremony, distribution of free T-shirts and slippers, film showing, armaments static display, unit advocacies photo display, experiential ride with KM 450 and SIMBA vehicles facilitated by the 4th Light Armor Cavalry Troop (Separate Company), capability demonstration rendered by one  Infantry Team from the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion, and Treasure Hunting facilitated by the YLS Leaders of Buenavista.

Free ice cream and snacks were also distributed and a simple boodle fight culminated the celebration.

Lieutenant Colonel Emil J Cruz, Commanding Officer of 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion, stated that, “We will do our best to spare the children, the future of our nation, from becoming victims of abuses by the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs).

It is very alarming that the CNT has been consistently recruiting children and youth to join their ranks, putting poison in their young minds and using them to join mass actions, violent rallies and armed conflict.

Moreover, to further ensure the protection of children from exploitation, we are giving them opportunities to explore the military world by engaging them in different activities and we implement programs that will channel the children’s idealism and vigor into productive endeavors that will contribute to peace and nation-building”. Cruz added. (CMO Officer, 23IB, 4ID, PA/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


115 SurSur barangays declared drug-free

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 12 (PIA) - As the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Surigao del Sur continues to go after drug personalities, some 115 out of 309 barangays comprising the province have already been “declared drug-free.”

PNP Provincial Director (PD) PSSupt. Francisco Dungo, Jr., said that the additional 100 plus barangays were awaiting the same action from the Regional Oversight Committee following their submission for “review” recently.

Early on, the police director admitted to have been struggling to finish off the job of sweeping up all pushers and users citing the rarity of transactions.

However, on April 9, 2018, police operatives here together with agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Surigao del Sur Provincial Intelligence Branch Drug Enforcement Unit (SDSPIB-DEU) had nabbed four more suspected “drug peddlers” identified as Melvin Salon, 32, Rene Cabrales, 18, Louie Dormitorio, 24, and Michael Catipay, 21, in a buy-bust operation conducted in Barobo town.

In a separate interview, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Caraga confirmed to have already declared the 115 barangays here as drug-cleared.  PDEA Regional Director (RD) Aileen Lovitos, who also heads the Regional Oversight Committee of the Barangay Drug Clearing Program, agreed that the over 100 barangays in Surigao del Sur submitted for review were next to follow.

The regional PDEA chief was also glad to report about the arrest on Saturday of a Briton identified as Liam Cox together with three Filipino cohorts suspected of running a drug den in Siargao, Surigao del Norte.

Lovitos vowed that even then that illegal drugs seemed to be so scarce now but their drive “will never falter.” (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)