(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, April 18, 2018


NIA to hold Stakeholders Forum for AgSur & SurSur

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, April 18 (PIA) - The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Caraga is set to hold a Stakeholders Forum for Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur Irrigation Management Offices (IMO) on April 25, 2018 at Dotties Place Hotel, this city.

“Our new mandate effective last year, 2017, is to explicitly commit the engagement of all prospective project beneficiaries and other stakeholders to promote transparency in the delivery of key public services,” revealed acting regional manager Madante Ganotisi of NIA Caraga.

Ganotisi said that this effort will also ensure faster and better implementation of its various irrigation projects all over the region, thus conducting massive information dissemination to all sectors of the society, particularly on the farmer beneficiaries as its recipients, is deemed necessary.

Medel Mawili, Agusan del Sur acting IMO manager and Dexter Sablaon, Surigao del Sur IMO manager will discuss the status of irrigation development and status of implementation of projects of the two provinces.

Also, during the Stakeholders Forum, Col. Andres Centino, 401st Brigade Commander will lead the Internal Security Briefing.

NIA administrator Gen. Ricardo Visaya will also attend and share his message to all participants.

Meanwhile, the following officials are expected to grace the said event: Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza; 1st Dist. Agusan del Sur Rep. Valentina Plaza; 2nd Dist. Agusan del Sur Rep. Evelyn Mellana; Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel; 1st Dist. Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay; and 2nd Dist. Surigao del Sur Rep. Vicente Pimentel, Jr.

As the highlight of the event, all stakeholders will be signing a covenant in support for faster and better implementation of irrigation projects.

Break-out sessions for NIA management staff, farmers’ groups, and rank-and-file employees will also be conducted right after the open forum.

The said activity is anchored on the theme "NIA 2018: Transforming Challenges into Infinite Opportunities." (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Authorities nab barangay official for violating election gun ban

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, April 18 (PIA) -  Amid the implementation of the election gun ban in the region of the Commission on Election (COMELEC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), a barangay chief in Trento, Agusan del Sur is facing charges on violation of Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition following his arrest on Sunday, April 15, 2018.

William D. Martinez, 30 years old, resident and incumbent Barangay Chairman of Santa Maria yielded a Les Baer Custom caliber 45 pistol, a gun’s silencer, holster and several ammunition of caliber 45.

According to a report, at around 4:50 AM on the said date, the personnel from Trento Municipal Police Station, Agusan del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Philippine Army’s 25th Infantry Battalion swooped down on the suspect’s residence and arrested him.

The said operation was based on search warrant issued by Judge Lou A. Nueva of RTC Branch 7 in Bayugan City.

Suspect and the confiscated items are placed under the custody of Trento Police. (JPG/PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)


Surigao del Norte stakeholders support DTI’s CMCI roadshow

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Apr. 18 (PIA) The Department of Trade and Industry’s Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Roadshow got 99 percent attendance of Local Government Units (LGUs) in Surigao del Norte. 

Of the 20 municipalities and one component city, 99 percent of LGUs attended the Roadshow on CMCI held recently at Parkway Hotel, this city.

The roadshow aimed to assist the LGUs in complying with the data requirements of CMCI, as well as understand the strategic significance of the CMCI data as a whole.

The roadshow also aimed to provide insights to the participants that a globally competitive LGU has a big niche to consistently attract regional and foreign investors. Being global means putting in place enabling conditions to improve the global competitiveness of the LGUs’ territory (city/municipality).

The CMCI is one of the global tools in monitoring the LGU’s global competitiveness edge over other territories.  The index provides a holistic and coherent picture of how local government units are performing in terms of economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency. 

The data can serve as tools for the LGU to assess the competitiveness level of its territory and make informed decisions and take steps to improve performance and territorial attractiveness for private investors.

In her welcome message during the said activity, Surigao del Norte Board Member Melva P. Garcia informed the participants that she endorsed a resolution creating the Surigao del Norte CMCI Committee that will be tasked to undertake measures to improve the competitiveness of the province. 

Meanwhile, DTI Surigao del Norte Senior Trade and Industry Specialist (STIDS) Rodrigo R. Matabaran presented the 2017 CMCI results, while Marson Jan Dolendo, STIDS of DTI Regional Office presented the 2018 CMCI criteria.

A total of 90 participants attended the CMCI Roadshow composed of LGU frontline personnel namely, the provincial/city/municipal planning officers, Business Permits and Licensing Officers (BPLOs), and CMCI Focal Persons.

Also in attendance were SDN Board Member Melba P. Garcia, LGU Sison Municipal Mayor Karissa R. Fetalvero-Paronia, Regional Competitiveness Council Co-Chair and SCCI President Concepcion R. Paqueo, Line Agencies, Non-government Organizations and DTI Negosyo Center (NC) Counselors. (DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Filipinos prevail in Siargao International game fishing tournament

By John Glenn T. Platil

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Apr. 18 (PIA) - Except for two categories, Filipino anglers and boatmen triumphed during the 11th Siargao International Game Fishing Tournament held in Pilar town from April 12 to 15, this year.

Surigao del Norte 1st district Congressman Francisco Jose 'Bingo' Matugas II spearheaded the colorful and vibrant ocean sports event, in close partnership with Governor Sol Matugas and Pilar Mayor Ma. Liza Resurreccion.

Angler Mar Lonzon emerged as first placer with 44.1 kilos of liplipan catch in tandem with boatman Celmar Tesiorna in the biggest “sailfish/billfish” category. They brought home P60,000 and P30,000, each, respectively.

Ricardo Soler (angler) earned P40,000 pesos and Abet Castillo (boatman) gained P20,000 after they ranked second with a 32.55 kilos of catch.

Following them in the third spot were Franklin Ching (angler) who bagged P20,000 for his 32.25-kilo catch, assisted by boatman Tagoy Gonzales. All six were Filipinos.

For the category on biggest giant trevally (talakitok), Korean angler Tony Jung emerged as the over-all champion with his 5.8-kilo catch, bagging P40,000. He was supported by boatman Vicente Ortojan who received a prize of P20,000.

Filipino angler Rob Perez placed second with his 5.75-kilo catch, winning a prize of P30,000, duly assisted by boatman Rene EspaƱola who won P15,000.

In third place was Filipino angler Jovy Ancheta who secured P20,000 as prize money for his 20-kilo catch with the help of boatman Jose Dotillos who acquired P10,000 as his reward.

Japanese angler Michel Kawai came first in the biggest “tanguige” category, gaining P40,000 after catching 14.5 kilos of wahoo. Kawai was aided by boatman Graysan Gonzales who got P20,000.

Filipino angler Joseph Lee ranked second with his 9.3-kilo catch, earning P30,000 of reward money with the help of boatman Joecan Elimanco who got P15,000.

Placing third was Filipino angler Manny Joaquin who received P20,000 for his 6.35-kilo catch, backed by Sotenes Aparante who received P10,000.

Meanwhile, Edgardo Delantar (angler) and Juvic Elimanco (boatman) emerged as first prize winners with their 10.8-kilo catch in the biggest “Dorado” category. Delantar took P40,000, while Elimanco had P20,000. All were Filipinos, including the ones that ensued.

Japanese American Michael Kawai was adjudged as the over-all champion with total over-all catch of 97.75 kilos. He received a P30,000 cash prize. (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Dapa town local producers play BEST game

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Apr. 18 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Surigao del Norte provincial office conducted recently the “Business Expenses and Savings Training (BEST) Game” held at the Islanders Ville Pension Hauz, Dapa, Siargao Islands.

Around 20 micro entrepreneurs composed of producers and manufacturers of locally-made food and non-food products benefited in the said game. These entrepreneurs utilize raw materials that are abundantly available in the locality of Dapa town such as coconut, seashells, fishes and others.

The BEST Game is a simulation activity that is a very useful tool for the participants to become financially literate.

The game teaches proper business values and strategies for the micro-enterprises sector. It is played competitively in a simulated environment and has definite outcomes in terms of profit and savings.

The learning comes from the real life content of the game and interactions among the participants and the facilitators during and after playing the game.

The conduct of the said training is under the implementation of the 2016 BuB Project dubbed as “Small and Micro Enterprise Program” in Dapa town.

The said training was facilitated by DTI-CARP Trade and Industry Development Specialist Mrs. Malen Catamora and Dapa Negosyo Center Business Counselor Mr. Olimar Sulapas. (DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


DTI conducts CASSY, organizes student consumer organization

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, April 18 (PIA) - A total of 39 second year students, taking Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), of the Southway College of Technology (SOCOTECH) were recently organized as a student consumer organization.

The establishment of the organization took place after the conduct of Consumer Advocacy Seminar to Students and Youth (CASSY) with Module 1 which tackled the rights and responsibilities as consumer, as their first learning session.

The advocacy activity was aimed to equip the students on the eight consumer rights: 1) the right to basic needs, 2) the right to safety, 3) the right to information, 4) the right to choose, 5) the right to consumer education, 6) the right to representation, 7) the right to redress, and 8) the right to a healthy environment.

This will help them understand the rights the consumer should enjoy.

The five responsibilities of a consumer were also tackled which were as follows: 1) critical awareness, 2) social concern, 3) action, 4) environmental awareness, and 5) solidarity.

The activity also emphasized that understanding the rights and the responsibilities of a consumer will help protect the person.

Likewise, the activity also put forward that "a well-informed and vigilant consumer is the best protected consumer". The elected officers of the student consumer organization (SCO) are as follows; President: Stephanie Embodo, Vice President: Melissa Sesante, Secretary: Ana Mae Padilla and P.I.O: Jephte Enaldo.

Every quarter, the SCO shall meet to plan their advocacy initiatives. They shall also be continually equipped with other consumer advocacy modules.

In the 2nd quarter, CASSY will discuss Module 2 which will tackle product standards. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


AgSur starts roll-out of 2018 CMCI

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, April 18 - The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) has started the 7th run of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) for 2018.

The CMCI is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities based on their competitiveness on the four major pillars: economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency.

In Agusan del Sur, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga Regional and Provincial Office, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS) thru the Provincial Economic and Enterprise Development Office (PEEDO) conducted the CMCI 2018 roll-out last March 20, 2018 at the Provincial Learning Center, Gov. D. O. Plaza Government Center, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

For this year, CMCI has additional data requirements, which shall be complied and completed by the participating local government units (LGUs). These include: a) the Cost of Freight from local starting point to Manila, b) the number of Public Transport Terminals, c) Frequency of Routes and Trips per Day, and d) the Presence of Retail Companies.

Marson Jan Dolendo,  DTI-Caraga-CMCI Focal person presented the 2018 CMCI.

Jose T. Baron, Jr., OIC-Provincial Director of DTI- Agusan del Sur also presented the result and analysis of the 2017 CMCI.

In the meeting, Rodel C. Maglunsod, Department Head of PEEDO, encouraged all the LGUs to provide the data needed as these are basis in identifying the standing of the LGUs.

He also expressed to collaborate with DTI to come up with a business profile analysis of the province using the CMCI data.

The roll-out was participated in by the CMCI Focal person, Business Permit and Licensing Officers in the municipalities and the Provincial and Municipal Planning and Development Officers in the province. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


NC-San Francisco trains more SLP beneficiaries on financial literacy

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, April 18 - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, recently conducted the seminar on “Financial Literacy” to equip the latter's beneficiaries in starting up their respective businesses.

About 18 Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) beneficiaries joined in the said seminar held at the Negosyo Center (NC) San Francisco. It helped them understand the basic processes in handling and managing business.

The SLP of the DSWD is one of the agency's initiatives to increase the economic opportunities of the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Resource person Rene Villagantol, coordinator of Small Business Corporation (SBC) in Caraga assigned in Agusan del Sur, shared ways in managing cash flows, understanding the consequences when there is failure in managing cash and some tips on cash flow management.

Within this year, they will start their businesses: a) rice trading - Alegria and Hubang, b) agricultural farm inputs and agrivet supply retailing – Lapinigan, and c) general merchandise - Ormaca. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Young researcher in Surigao City gears up for ‘UN Sustainable Development Challenge’

SURIGAO CITY, April 18 (PIA) - Young researcher Euclid Joy Ibarra Soringa, Grade 10 student of St. Paul University Surigao, is making a mark in the international scene.

Soringa qualified as one of the top ten undergraduate finalists for this year’s Seton Hall University United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Challenge at Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey on April 20, 2018 where a $10,000 scholarship and a $2,500 cash prize await.

The young Paulinian scientist will be presenting his study under the category of the 14th Global Goal, which is to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

He will be presenting his ideas to the distinguished members of the judging panel that includes people from the United Nations Association of the United States of America (USA) and faculty members of the Seton Hall University School of Diplomacy and International Relations.

The said research study was selected after a stiff screening process was made involving young researchers all over the United States and the world.

Soringa, together with his coach, Ricky Boy Limlingan, is bound to fly to New Jersey, USA in the coming days to officially represent St. Paul University Surigao and the Philippines.

Seton Hall University is hosting a Sustainable Development Challenge designed to engage high school students in thinking about the needs of society and the planet, encouraging them to be an agent of change and embrace the UN Sustainable Development Goals. (St. Paul University Surigao/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


DSWD-Caraga wins national best crisis intervention unit, 2nd best operations office

By Eunice Montaos Plaza

BUTUAN CITY, April 18 (PIA) - The Field Office in Caraga of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was recognized as the National Best Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) and 2nd Best Operations Office (Capacity Building Unit) in the recently concluded Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) activity held on March 21, 2018 in Metro Manila.

The Best CIU Award recognized the delivery of timely and appropriate direct financial benefits to indigent Filipinos, including medical assistance, burial assistance, education, and transportation assistance.

Being one of the office’s frontline services, the DSWD-Caraga CIU was awarded as it excellently performed its mandate of providing package of interventions for individuals, families in crisis or difficult situation and vulnerable communities.

The unit follows a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), inspired by the Operation Manual guidelines of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), which has contributed to the prompt and organized processing of request of assistance from clients.

Furthermore, the office also institutionalized a feedback mechanism through a Client Satisfaction Survey which is an avenue for clients to give their comments and rating to the unit’s service delivery. Majority of feedbacks gathered were positive while some were negative comments and considerable suggestions that were directly acted upon.

The Field Office (FO) has also networked with various service providers comprised of hospitals, pharmacies, funeral homes, and dialysis center throughout the region for clients to immediately avail assistance and ensure that assistance is utilized as purposed.

The FO Caraga CIU is currently headed by Administrative Officer Hazel Vete as officer-in-charge while unit heads were Vilma Bare and Harvey Manto. The CIU staff are the following: Flora Minda Lintao, Nova Dagooc, Yerave Vasquez, Josefina Aligado, Don Cedrick Pujadas, Loraine Cagula, Josua Disucatan, Chris Marie Manatad, Jules Barry Intino, and Sarah May Galido.

Other winners for the category are the CIUs of the FO National Capital Region (NCR) as second and Region XI (Davao) as third placer.

Meanwhile, the Best Operations Office award is given to units/sections that have exemplary contribution to the achievement of DSWD’s organizational outcomes through team work in delivering excellent results through the overall display of technical/managerial competence of the members of the team.

Likewise, the awardee office is expected to set exemplary practices of Functional Unit based on the AO 5 series of 2016 or the Good Practice Documentation guidelines set by the Capacity Building Bureau.

The FO Caraga CBU was hailed as second place at the national level as it delivered excellent results based on the Department’s thrusts and priorities and in response to customer requirements.

Spearheading the Education Committee of the International Organization for Standardization-Quality Management System (ISO-QMS) Core Team, the unit played significant role in cascading to all staff and hosting of benchmarking activities along ISO-QMS.

The team also developed SOPs of its four main services, namely, Knowledge Management, Institutional Development and Capacity Building, Training, and Student Training Program.

Headed by Regional Training Specialist Glezza Ty, the CBU staff include Eval Makinano, Theresa Barsobia, Anafe Lecciones, Maria Teresa Ole, Steffan Skye Reyes, Gelmar Faith Montillado, Jen-eric Dominggo, Mary Grace Bendijo, and Kristine April Bunao.

Sixteen DSWD employees, including Social Welfare Officer Jessie Catherine Aranas of FO Caraga, also received awards for the Gawad HUWARAN (MaHUsay, WAsto at Responsableng Lingkod BayANi).

The said accolade is given to DSWD employees who have rendered extraordinary work on service and showed exemplary application of DSWD’s core values in his/her work execution, thereby significantly contributing to the achievement of the strategic goals of DSWD.

OIC Regional Director Mita Chuchi Gupana-Lim congratulated the awardees and thanked them for their outstanding service to the public.

“You are the Field Office’s pride and living proofs of the organization’s commitment towards quality public service that is prompt and compassionate. May these accolades inspire us more to dedicatedly serve the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sectors in Caraga,” Lim added.

The PRAISE is given to honor men and women of DSWD who have devoted their lives to our beneficiaries, and who continue to use all their strength, skills, intelligence, and compassion to uphold a standard of professionalism that fully benefits the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sector.

This year, the PRAISE Awards ceremony was the DSWD’s culminating activity for its 67th anniversary that has become a venue for the entire DSWD workforce to affirm its commitment to social work and inclusive development.

This year’s DSWD anniversary bears the theme, “DSWD@67:Walang Puwang sa Katiwalian ang Paglilingkod nang Tapat sa Bayan”. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


NIA Caraga to hold Stakeholders Forum

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 18 (PIA) - In its desire to ensure faster and better implementation of various irrigation projects all over the region, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Regional Office in Caraga is set to hold a Stakeholders Forum at Dotties Place Hotel and Restaurant in Butuan City on April 25, 2018.

The said activity would serve as a platform for the 'conduct of massive information dissemination to all sectors of society' particularly for farmer-beneficiaries, according to Madante Ganotisi, NIA Caraga Acting Regional Director.

Such undertaking had something to do with the “new mandate” of their agency effective 2017 “to explicitly commit the engagement of all prospective project beneficiaries and other stakeholders to promote transparency in the delivery of key public services,” he bared.

The occasion would be highlighted with the signing of a “Covenant in Support for Faster and Better Implementation of Irrigation Project and Sustainable and Reliable Irrigation System."

Ganotisi had already sent a letter to Surigao del Sur Gov. Vicente “BB” Pimentel, Jr. on April 11, 2018, inviting the latter to give a message.

Attached to the said communication was the “Lists of CY 2018 Projects” amounting to a total of P453.139 million for Surigao del Sur. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DTI Dinagat Islands holds CMCI roll-out
  
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Apr. 18 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently commenced its 2018 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) roll-out in Dinagat Islands spearheaded by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC). The activity was held at San Jose Negosyo Center, Sta. Cruz, San Jose town.

The annual ranking of provinces, cities and municipalities through CMCI focuses on the LGU’s status and level of competitiveness in four major pillars namely economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency.

During the activity, DTI-Caraga CMCI focal person Marson Jan S. Dolendo presented the LGU’s ranking and level of competitiveness.

Dolendo also proudly announced that out of five provinces in Caraga region, the province of Dinagat Islands is ranked fourth on the annual ranking level of competitiveness, though it composed only of seven municipalities.

The said activity was attended by the Business Permit Processing Licensing Office (BPLO) officer, CMCI focal person, representatives of Municipal Planning and Development Officer, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Cooperative and Development Office, Banks and the business sector from the seven municipalities of the province. (DTI-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)