(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Monday, 04 November 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern sections of Luzon and Visayas. 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 partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 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 to North will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.1 meters).


Wednesday, March 28, 2018


Feature: Agusan del Norte’s youth code contributes to community’s development

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Mar. 28 (PIA) - With the enactment of the Provincial Ordinance No. 459-2017 of the province of Agusan del Norte, programs and institutionalization of its youth programs are now expanded and will surely contribute to the development of the community.

The ordinance known as “The Agusan del Norte Youth Welfare, Development and Protection Code” which aims to enable the youth to attain the highest standard of health and well-being and to realize their full potential was enacted by the 17th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte during their 48th regular session.

The Code gives way to the involvement of the youth to nation-building that will benefit the community they belong.

Some of the Code’s mandates include the implementation of services and programs on youth development, and to ensure the full development of the youth under the law, Provincial Board Member Elizabeth Marie Calo, author of the said ordinance said.

Calo is with high hopes that through the Code, the youth in the province will not only be given the opportunity to be involved in the provincial activities but will also be encouraged to participate in the development of projects that will also benefit them in the future.

Calo also believed that the youth contribute the biggest chunk of the country’s population and that they play a very significant role in the nation’s development.

“The Code serves as the guiding principles in developing, enhancing, and promoting the welfare and protection of the youth,” said Calo.

The Purpose

It will create a concrete and viable avenue for the youth in the province to fully enjoy their rights, and attain their full development and protection in line with the national and international laws.

Also, the Code will benchmark any other youth development services and programs by institutions and parties within the jurisdiction of the province; and to avert many future problems such as school drop-outs, juvenile delinquency, high rate of teen-age pregnancy, drug abuse and crime, and social ills.

Priority Programs

The Code focuses on the province’s youth development, to include the following:

Education – It ensures a complete, proper, affordable, non-discriminating and accessible education programs for the youth from primary, elementary, secondary, tertiary, post-tertiary education and skills development;

Employment –  Decent and appropriate employment opportunities are ensured creating wide employment prospects to fit the individuals’ capacity and qualification;

Health – A complete, proper, affordable and accessible health care program will be available;

Environment – This ensures a sustainable, safe, secured, peaceful, enduring and habitable environment;

Drugs and Substance Abuse Prevention – A drug-free zone and drug-free youth are ensured. The Code also mandates comprehensive programs on anti-drug and anti-crime prevention in the province;

Juvenile Justice – A fair treatment of all youth in conflict with the law is ensured. Full legal assistance will be provided to those in need;

Leisure and Recreation – It ensures available, safe, accessible and worthwhile channels of leisure and recreation;

Women – A full and balance participation and protection of women in any development program including planning, reviewing and decision-making;

Teenage Pregnancy - This will adopt measures to reduce half the adolescent birth rate specifically from births among aged 15-19 years and achieve zero repeated pregnancies among minors;

Marriage and Family – This ensures the sanctity of marriage and promotes the foundation of a family as the source of values among the youth;

Participation – The provincial government ensures an active, open and harm-free participation in the public and civic activities including policy-making and freedom of expression;

Globalization – It ensures services and programs to prepare the youth for competitiveness and globalization brought by the demands of time and technology;

Peace and Human Rights – The rights of the youth are respected, preserved, honored and heard. The Code mandates for a genuine and enduring peace in the community; and

Moral and Intergenerational Issues – All youth in the province are morally upright and concerned with intergenerational issues to attain development.

The code provides every youth of the province the entitlement on their rights without distinction as to legitimacy, sex, gender preference, social status, religion, political antecedents, beliefs, ideologies, and other factors.

Other Programs and Services

Because of the Code, appropriations and full support to the youth activities and even making them involved in the different activities that make them develop personally are now being supported by the province through the creation of the Agusan del Norte Youth Welfare, Development, and Protection Council or the ADNYWDPC. The Council focuses on the formulation of plan, programs and activities for the youth.

Another program for the youth that is being included in the Code is the formulation and establishment of the Agusan del Norte Comprehensive and Coordinated Action Plan on Youth Development (ADNCCAPYD) or the “The Youth Plan” – the blueprint of all development programs, activities and services within the provincial government.

The institutionalization of the Moral Recovery Program and the provision of legal assistance and protection program for youth-related activities and transactions are also part of the Code.

Part of the Code is the annual conduct of convention dubbed as the Agusan del Norte Youth Policy and Program Development and Advocacy Congress or ADNPPDADCO to focus and involve research policy advisory formulation, provincial and local consultations, policy dialogue, constituency building and policy monitoring.

The Code also mandates the establishment and operation of the Agusan del Norte Youth Development Center or ADNYDC. The center is temporarily located at the Community Affairs Division of the provincial governor’s office.

Another program is the Foreign Internship and Exchange Development Program where access to institutionalized partners and linkages in the promotion and advocacy of the intercultural learning opportunities to help the youth develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to create a just and peaceful world.

The Recreational and Cultural Facilities Program paves way for full and complete recreational and cultural facilities and programs at the barangay to the provincial level that help keep the youth away from illegal vices is also mandated in the Code.

Also, Program for Youth with Special Needs and Person with Disability; Responsible Parenting, Drug and Crime Education Program; Skills and Education Assistance and Enrichment Program; Youth Environmental Program; Good Citizenship Program; Entrepreneurship, Employment, Social and Sports; Qualified Youth Engagement Cash Assistance; Student Services, Facilities and Programs; Youth Organization Registration and Accreditation Program or YORAP; Trafficking in Person; Provision of Protection Services Program; Unwanted Participation to Any Organization; Anti-discrimination; Bilateral Relation are among the other programs and services included in the Code.

The Code also specifies the integral participation of the youth to disaster and risk reduction and management of the province, creation of the Agusan del Norte Youth Disaster and Risk Reduction Response Team that enables the youth to respond appropriately to any risk or disaster. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


AFP, PNP remain on alert for 49th NPA anniversary

By Greg Tataro, Jr. 

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, March 28 (PIA) - Both the army (PA) and police in Surigao del Sur have voiced readiness for any eventuality with regard to possible atrocities that the New People’s Army (NPA) may have planned to highlight their 49th anniversary celebration on March 29.

Cpt. Francisco Garello, Jr., civil military operations (CMO) officer of the 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion (36IB) under LTC Xerxes Trinidad, made the assurance that security measures had already been put in place.  The battalion CMO had even stressed about carrying out a tactical offensive

Earlier, the battalion headquarters issued a statement on getting reports of continued threat, hence “Martial law efforts” had been intensified, citing the conduct of a joint AFP-PNP checkpoints.

However, when asked whether an intelligence report had been received on rebels planning to hold an anniversary celebration, the CMO refused to comment.  He replied instead that doing so might undermine their action.

Prior to this, PNP Provincial Director (PD) PSSupt. Francisco Dungo, Jr. said that his command had already issued order to all lower units to implement security measures.  He pointed out that the same was already covered under the Operation Plan Summer Vacation (Oplan SumVac). (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Surigao del Norte solon to initialize giant facility on waste management

By John Glenn A. Platil

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, March 28 (PIA) - Siargao District Congressman Francisco Jose ‘Bingo’ Matugas II revealed that he is going to open a centralized solid waste management facility worth P300 million.

During the February 24 episode of the radio program “Governor’s Weekend Report” that aired over three radio stations, the lawmaker said that ‘he is also planning to provide one dump truck per municipality for the effective collection of garbage and scrap.’

Cong. Matugas said the provincial government of Gyeongsangbuk-do in the Republic of Korea intends to install high-powered technology for the waste to energy conversion.

He said that the state-of-the-art equipment will accelerate proper segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste items.

“In this respect, the Integrated Sanitary Landfill and Materials Recovery Facility will make sure that there is zero paper, zero plastic left-over, and clean environment,”Matugas said.

In terms of the full implementation of programs aligned with communication awareness mapped toward taking action, the congressman also disclosed the ecobreak development initiative wherein synthetic and plastic are used to make hollow blocks.

This means that plastic junks can be transformed into concrete blocks which are used in building school-buildings, public toilets, huge buildings and other structures to boost tourism arrivals.

“We endeavor to regulate the use of cellophanes as per local ordinance and resolution crafted in every LGU concerned. We will initialize it in tranches, once a week, twice until such time that the people are amenable to make it daily,” said Cong. Matugas.

Matugas added that there is a need to be extra careful and sensitive to the feelings of the people, in order to avoid disruption and trouble respecting the daily operations of official business, as well as to avoid any unnecessary blow. (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


DTI Dinagat Islands conducts CMCI roll-out
  
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, March 28 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) commenced its 2018 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Roll-out in Dinagat Islands spearheaded by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) on March 22, 2018 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: 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 business sector from seven municipalities of the province. (DTI-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)


MGB-13, CREDO, CMCRI and CMSHC hold 1st quarterly Press Conference

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Mar. 28 (PIA) - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office No. 13, in cooperation with the Community Relations, Education and Development Officers Organization (CREDO Caraga), Inc., Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region Incorporated (CMCRI) and Caraga Mine Safety and Health Council (CMSHC), held a press conference on March 16, 2018 at the Philippine Gateway Hotel, this city.           

The activity aimed to heighten public awareness of the assistance and rescue efforts of the Caraga minerals industry after the onslaught of Tropical Storm Basyang that inflicted loss of life and property damage.

It also aimed to inform the public of the state of small-scale mining activities in Caraga Region. In addition, the activity sought to strengthen the participation of and dialogue between the media and the mining stakeholders in achieving their common goals of ethical mining, ecological sustainability and authentic development.

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Surigao del Norte Information Center, media reporters from different media outfits and Northern Mindanao Broadcasting System (NMBS) participated in the press conference.

Resident Mine Managers, Community Relations Officers and a good number of personnel from Caraga mining companies attended the activity.

Before the press conference proper, MGB Division chief Romeo M. Dalodado gave a comprehensive presentation on the assessment on the effects of Tropical Storm Basyang in the region; Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division chief Engr. Francis Glenn N. Suante presented the effects of Tropical Storm Basyang on Caraga Mining Companies while Engr. Lilibeth P. Gimoto, MGB Mine Management Division, gave a presentation on Small-Scale Mining Updates in Caraga Region.

Likewise, the Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region Incorporated (CMCRI) presented the Rescue and Relief Operations including the photo-documentation of the rescue and relief operations of Caraga Mining Companies after the onslaught of Tropical Storm Basyang. (MGB-13/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Caraga army general cites gains in CSP implementation

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Mar. 28 (PIA) – The fall of two top New Peoples’ Army (NPA) leaders in a matter of month coupled with the rising number of rebels coming down to heed the state call to return to the fold of the law has led the top AFP official in Caraga region to say that the Community Support Program (CSP) here has continued to yield good results.

Brigadier General Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA), whose area of responsibility (AOR) covers the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands and the northern part of Surigao del Sur, said that a quantum leap in achievement had been noted since CSP was launched early this year.

CSP, an army-initiated endeavor, was simply defined by Gacal as a “convergence program” which had been “hitting rebels hard” thus the favorable chain of events.  He added that the presence of government had already started to be felt in insurgency-affected communities now keeping these areas become useful ones.

Among the telltale signs noticed that the half-century old insurgency problem had begun to dwindle in strength was the fall of both Leonida Padilla Guao and Pablo Campos aka “Batik” or “Ponsoy” in February, the Caraga army general bared.

Army reports tagged Guao, 64, as head of the Finance and Education Bureau of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NMRC) of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) while Campos, 43, as front secretary and political officer of Guerilla Front Committee (GFC) 21A.

BGen. Gacal indicated that the capture of both rebel leaders would lead to more triumphs.

On March 3, an NPA couple identified as Aladin and Luzviminda Apolinaria were reportedly nabbed by joint police and army operatives in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte for violation of R.A. 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 as well as R.A. 7610 or Anti-Child Abuse Law.

Allegedly, the couple were involved in recruiting child warriors to join the NPA ranks. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag City/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


401st Army brigade chief: CSP to last for months

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Mar. 28 (PIA) - Col. Andres Centino, brigade commander of the 401st Infantry (Unity) Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA), bared that the Community Support Program (CSP) they launched during the late part of February this year would last for a couple of months.

Purposely done for “immersion and interaction,” the brigade chief based in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur disclosed that their presence would “only be in areas with security issues.”

So far, Col. Centino reported that CSP had started to gain ground, confident that this would not get in the way of the normal lives in the communities of Indigenous Peoples (IPs).  The area of responsibility (AOR) of the said brigade covers the province of Agusan del Sur and the southern part of Surigao del Sur.

However, he stressed that the brigade would always need the backings of stakeholders.

When asked to comment on whether CSP could be taken as reason by NPA rebels to egg on the IPs to again move out for the “taktikang bakwit,” Col. Centino thought otherwise.

The army-initiated endeavor aims “to transform insurgency-affected areas into thriving and sustainable ones by integrating programs that promote economic growth and address the fundamental issues affecting lasting peace and security,” it was learned.

During the CSP send-off ceremony, the good army colonel was glad to note that local government officials and stakeholders were present to cheer on. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Dinagat Islands joins Int’l Day of Forest celebration

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Mar. 28 (PIA) - The province of Dinagat Islands joined the world in the celebration of the International Day of Forest through a tree planting activity conducted on March 20, 2018 along Kabisig Highway connecting Mahayahay Junction to Capitol Site in San Jose town.

This year’s celebration of the International Day of Forest is anchored on the theme, “Forests for Sustainable Cities, Lets promote a greener, healthier and happier place to live in.”

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) initiated the planting of 1,010 seedlings of Agoho tree most commonly known as “Pine Tree” and the simultaneous tree planting activity in the municipalities of Cagdianao, Dinagat, Libjo and Basilisa.

The activity was also part of the flagship program of Governor Glenda B. Ecleo’s Verde Dinagat Highway that aims to promote a green community from the municipality of Cagdianao to Loreto.

Around 500 employees from the national line agencies, civil society organizations, cooperatives, people’s organizations, and Provincial Capitol employees took part in the said activity. (PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)


AgNor PHO, BRH partnership established

By Jessica O. Mellejor

BUTUAN CITY, March 28 (PIA) - The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte recently approved the "Partnership and Referral System" between the Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital and the Buenavista Rural Health Unit in the Municipality of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

This system will be developed to improve health care services for municipal patients, the rural health unit of the Buenavista and the Provincial Hospital where the hospital will become a referral hospital for diagnostic services of these patients such as chest x-ray, CBC with platelet, lipid profile and FBS.

The partnership is aimed to ensure the welfare of the people, by providing good health services for their well-being.

The costs of the services shall be charged under the Per Family Payment Rate (PFPR) of Philhealth.

For effective implementation, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte authorized Provincial Governor Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the PHO and BRHU through Sanggunian Resolution No. 046-2018 through the efforts of Provincial Board Member Elizabeth Marie R. Calo. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)