(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.


Monday, May 28, 2018


Balik-Eskwela Diskwento Caravan showcases low-priced school supplies, basic commodities

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, May 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Norte, in partnership with the local government of Butuan City, will hold a two-day Diskwento Caravan – Balik-Eskwela Edition on May 30 to 31 here.

DTI-Agusan del Norte provincial director Brenda Corvera encouraged the public to visit and buy at the caravan and avail of the opportunity to save in buying grocery items, school supplies, school bags, school uniforms and other related products.

Corvera also said the caravan is part of the government’s efforts to help consumers cope with the rising cost of living particularly in time for the opening of classes for school year 2018-2019.

“The caravan is one of the programs of the department to ease the financial burden of consumers by bringing to them low-priced basic necessities and prime commodities,” Corvera said.

The caravan will be opened from 9:00 in the morning up to 5 o’clock in the afternoon on the said dates at the city hall lobby,” Corvera added. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

10th Eco-Sports Festival winners bared

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 28 (PIA) -- The organizers of the 10th Eco-Sports Festival, spearheaded by the city government of Tandag through the City Tourism Office, unveiled the winners from the different competitions held on May 25-27, 2018 at the Pimentel Beach Resort in Barangay Mabua, this city.

According to City Tourism Office Florence Abis, the said activity was in line with the Ocean Month celebration conducted annually.

Abis said, for this year, the event started on Friday with the coastal clean-up joined in by several partner stakeholders from both government and private organizations.

The formal opening of the program was officially launched on Saturday, followed by the different competitions, while awarding of prizes took place during the evening.

For the Urban Adventure Race competition, the Team “Walay Forever” was declared as champion, followed by the Team “Tempura” as second prize winner and Team “Ultra” which bagged the third prize. Winners received cash prizes worth P6,000.00; P4,500.00; and P3,000.00 for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively.

For the Beach Volleyball, Team “Hinatuan” was adjudged as the champion; Team “Pacific Rim” got the second prize; and the third place went to Team “POINTY”. While for the Women’s Category, the Champion was the Team “Cagwait”; followed by Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU) as the second prize winner; and Jacinto P. Elpa National High School (JPENHS) which settled for third.

For the Sand Art competition, Team “Atlantis” won the competition; while Team “Dan Events” got the second; and Team “Beta” declared as the third. For the Frisbee competition, Team “Boray 1” won the game; while Team “Boray 2” got the second place; and Team “Unexpected” ranked as third.

For “Sayaw Kalikasan” Neo-Ethnic Dance Contest, TVC Family won the competition; while Danoan Dancers got second place; and ERMs Dancers was proclaimed as third. The winners received cash prizes amounting to P5,000.00, P3,000.00, and P2,000.00 for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively.

Meanwhile, for the Kite Flying Contest, the organizers declared entry # 40 owned by Joselyn Llano as the Most Artistically Designed Kite; while entry # 16 owned by Jolomar Vasques won the “Biggest Kite” category, and entry # 38 owned by Ariel Lamanilao captured the prize as the Highest Flight. The winners received P3,000.00 each. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Tagalog news: Proyektong ‘kapalayapaan’ nagbunga ng masaganang ani sa Surigao del Norte

By Venus L. Garcia

LUNGSOD NG SURIGAO, Mayo 28 (PIA) -- Isang tinaguriang “kaninhawaan” feast day ang idinaos kamakailan lang sa Claver, Surigao del Norte sa rehiyon ng Caraga bilang pasasalamat sa napakasaganang ani ng palay sa pamamagitan ng proyektong “kapalayapaan” na inisyatibong hatid ng 36th Infantry Batallion sa ilalim ng 402nd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army.

May kabuuang 15.5 ektarya ng laterite-laden at dating abandonadong lupain sa loob ng labindalawang taon sa paanan ng mining site sa barangay Urbiztondo, Claver, Surigao del Norte ang kasalukuyang pinapakinabangan bilang palayan sa tulong na rin ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Claver at ng THPAL Nickel Corporation sa pamamagitan ng kanilang social development and management program.

Sa humigit 120 na araw ng paggamit ng modified farming technique para sa nasabing proyekto, mainam ang kinalabasan nito kung saan ang sinabing average harvest na animnapung kaban ng palay bawat ektarya ay umabot ng 120 kaban ng palay, doble sa inaasahang average yield nito.

Ayon kay BGen Francisco Nemesio Gacal, commander ng 402nd Infantry Brigade, ang proyektong kapalayapaan ay parte na rin ng community support program ng Philippine Army na layuning isulong ang pakay ng kasundaluhan na maihatid ang basic services at proyekto sa geographically isolated at disadvantage areas upang mapalaganap ang conflict resilient na komunidad na may sapat na mapagkukunahan ng kabuhayan.

Ikinatuwa at laking pasasalamat naman ang ipinaabot ng mga magsasakang naging bahagi at nakinabang sa programang kapalayapaan ng 402nd Infantry Batallion. Ibinibenta umano nila ng limampung piso ang isang kilong organic rice kung saan aabot ng P15,000 ang kikitain sa 300 kilong bigas.

Ang “kapalayapaan” o dalawang pinagsamang salita na “kapayapaan” at “palay” ay may dalang mensahe na “may kapayapaan sa pagtatanim ng palay”. Ang proyekto ay tumutugon din sa madalas nang ikinababahala ng magsasakang pilipino na “high cost, low yield” farm production.

Naging benchmark na rin umano ang maraming ani sa nauna nang proyekto sa Tago, Surigao del Sur at ngayon hangad din ng 402nd Infantry Batallion na palawigin pa ang proyekto sa iba pang probinsiya sa rehiyon sa pakikipagtulungan ng partner stakeholders. (VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Tagalog news: Kauna-unahang International Dragon Boat Festival sa Mindanao ginanap sa Surigao City

By Fryan E. Abkilan / Venus L. Garcia

LUNGSOD NG SURIGAO, Mayo 28 (PIA) -- Pinatunayan ng mga Surigaonons ang kanilang gilas at lakas ng mapanalunan ng Bugsay Marajao ng Surigao City ang 200 meters standard open sa kauna-unahang Surigao International Dragon Boat Summer Festival na ginanap kamakailan sa may City Boulevard ng Lungsod ng Surigao.

Dalawampu’t apat na mga koponan mula sa iba’t ibang sulok ng Pilipinas at bansang Malaysia, China, Canada at Hongkong ang nagpakita ng determinasyon  sa ginanap na pabilisan ng pagsagwan.

Mismong si Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar ang naging panauhing pandangal sa pagbukas ng kompetisyun.

Sinamahan naman siya ni Philippine Information Agency director-general Harold Clavite and PIA-Caraga regional director Abner Caga.

Ayon kay Andanar ang Dragon Boat na sport ay hindi lamang kasanayan ng lakas kundi pati na rin disiplina, sakripisyo at kooperasyon.

“Ang paligsahan na ito ay hindi ordinaryong eksibisyon ng kasanayan at lakas. Ito ay okasyon ng pagpapatunay ng teamwork, endurance, disiplina at mapagkumbabang pagsunod sa mga nakatakdang tuntunin, na naglalayog sa antas ng tagumpay gawa ng sariling kagalingan,” sabi ni Andanar.

Ipinagmalaki naman ni Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas na ang nasabing internasyunal na kompetisyun na kauna-unahan sa Mindanao ay mabilis na paraan upang mapalakas pang lalo ang turismo ng lungsod.

“Lubos naming ikinagagalak ang presensya ng ating mga panauhin, kababayan at iba pang bisita lalung-lalo na ang pagsali ng iba’t ibang kopon na galing pa mismo sa magkaibang parte ng mundo. Inanyayahan din namin kayong lahat na tuklasin ang malaparaisong beach resorts at iba pang tourist destinations ng Surigao at probinsiya nito,” hikayat ni mayor Matugas.

Samantala, ipinaabot naman ni Surigao del Norte governor Sol Matugas at vice governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr. ang pagkalugod sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Lungsod ng Surigao at ng Bugsay Pilipinas sa pagpapalaganap ng 1st Surigao International Dragon Boat Summer Festival sa siyudad.

“Isa na naman itong malaki makabuluhan at makasaysayang pangyayari na maipagmamalaki ng bawat Surigaonon,” sabi ni Gov. Matugas.

Maliban sa Bugsay Marajao ng Surigao City, nanalo din ang Leyteños Paddlers ng Tacloban City sa 200 meters small mixed minor category at naging champion din ang Kampilan Dragon Boat ng Davao City sa small mixed major category.

Ang iba pang panalo sa 200 meters standard open ay ang Sugbu Mighty dragins ng Cebu City (1st runner up); Rowers Club Philippines (RCP) Sea Dragons of Manila (2nd); Black Manta Warriors of Cebu City (3rd).

Para naman  sa major final small mixed category ay ang Bugsay Marajao Team (1st); FSUU Blue Dragons of Butuan City (2nd); at Speed Devils (3rd).

Nakatanggap ng cash prize at iba pang insentibo ang mga nanalo at partisipante na siyang kasali sa nasabing humigit kumulang P3-M na overall budget para sa particular na okasyung ito. (FEA/VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Financial assistance, benefits await former rebels

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, May 28 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Agusan del Norte, with the leadership of Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba, is bent on eradicating the number of rebels who are members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the province and maintain the peace and order in the locality.

This is fully supported by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte, headed by Vice Governor Ramon “Rambu” Bungabong, which passed and approved recently Provincial Ordinance No. 481-2018, promulgating the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) for former NPA rebels in the province, and appropriating funds for the purpose.

The CLIP seeks to contribute towards achieving the goal of permanent and peaceful closure of all armed conflicts with non-state armed groups. It aims to facilitate the mainstreaming of former rebels as productive citizens and enhance capacities of local government units (LGUs) and national government agencies (NGAs) in the implementation and sustainability of CLIP.

Under the said ordinance, authored by Provincial Board Member Aquino W. Gambe, the program shall cover regular members of NPAs who have surfaced from January 2011 onwards and have expressed the desire to abandon armed violence and become productive members of society. It also extends to the spouses, partners, children (whether legitimate or illegitimate), parents or siblings, if applicable.

It further states that they must be certified by the Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Committee (JAPIC) to be entitled to CLIP assistance. The certification will hold even in the event that the person died while his/her enrollment in the program is being processed. His/her identified beneficiaries shall avail/receive the CLIP reintegration assistance package.

Included in the coverage are those former rebels who voluntarily surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), religious groups, barangay officials and other institutions and individuals.

The benefits and other assistance that the former rebels may avail include: 1) Safety and security guaranteed by the LGU/PNP in partnership with the AFP from the time they surfaced and while they are enrolled under the CLIP; 2) Immediate assistance in the amount of P15,000.00 per former rebel for mobilization expenses while the enrolment in CLIP is being processed funded by the national government and limited financial assistance from the provincial/city/municipal government unit during the surfacing phase; 3) Livelihood assistance from the national government in the amount of P50,000.00 per former rebel; 4) Firearms remuneration based on the PNP guidelines on valuation, to provide additional fund in support of the Individual Reintegration Plan of the former rebel; and 5) Admission in the Halfway House and Processing Center to facilitate the systematic assessment, processing, delivery of immediate interventions and development of individual reintegration plans of former rebels, as well as to ensure their safety in the short time.

Other additional assistance that may be determined based on the IRP, to be supported by other agencies, LGUs and non-government service providers may include capacity building, skills trainings, spiritual enrichment, legal, shelter among others. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Caraga farmers, fisherfolk receive P77M worth of interventions

By Vanessa P. Sanchez

BUTUAN CITY, May 28 -- In celebration of the Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Month, the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Caraga turned over on Friday a total of P77 million worth of various farm machinery and other agricultural and fishery interventions to 219 farmers’ associations.

DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo said that there is a purpose why DA provides these interventions.

“The purpose of DA’s distribution of interventions is to improve productivity and increase farmers’ income.  Hopefully, these machines will really be useful in your farming endeavors,” Monteagudo said. “I urged you to take good care of the machines so that these will last longer and the government’s resources will be maximized," he added.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also gave out Fiber-reinforced plastic boats and post-harvest support for fisherfolk amounting P1.9 million.

BFAR-Caraga Assistant Regional Director Eduardo Balambao said that not everyone is privileged to receive the interventions so the recipients should also be responsible for handling and managing the equipment.

The agricultural interventions distributed included 13-4WD tractors, 22 Hand tractors, 14 Walk-behind transplanters, eight Combine harvesters, 10 rice threshers, 16 corn shellers, 15 Pump and Engine sets, five floating tillers, one vertical dryer, eight Cassava Chipper, four Mini Corn mill, Cassava pulverizer, vegetable seeds, coffee hullers, cacao and coffee roasters, 217 Water plastic Drums, 17 Egg Incubators, nine Portable Ultrasound for Animals (turned over to Provincial/City Vets), Drugs and Biologics, three Pinawa Rice Huller, six Vaccum Pack Sealer, grass cutters, and 20 Vermi Tea Brewer. Two warehouses were also inaugurated as storage areas for Rice and Corn Seeds.

Junie Tiñoso of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur who received a farm tractor is grateful for the assistance their association received saying that it will come in handy to them because now they have easy access to the machine which will lessen their farming expenses.

“We used to pay as much as P5,000 per hectare for renting a farm tractor and now that we have our own, the cost will be cut in half,” Tiñoso said.

Meanwhile, Roger Agurto, Chairman of Tidman Farmers Association, said that he is thankful to the government for heeding the needs of the farmers. Their organization received a transplanter which he said will be a big help to them not just in minimizing their work but also their expenses.

About 700 farmers and fisherfolk attended the activity at the DA Integrated Laboratories in Taguibo, Butuan City. 

DA celebrates May as Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Month during which time the men and women of this sector are given due recognition for their role in the country’s economic development and for feeding the whole nation. (DA-RAFID/PIA-Caraga)

Army foils NPA attack in SurSur

TAGO, Surigao del Sur, May 28 (PIA) -- The 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) located at the upper Mambag, Barangay Dayoan in Tago town under the command of Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad has managed to repel an attempted attack by the New People’s Army  (NPA) terrorists, around 8:50 p.m., May 24, 2018.

In a press statement, 36IB Civil Military Operations Officer Captain Francisco Garello said that the Valorian troopers were surprised after the NPA terrorist fired one rifle grenade and delivered intermittent fires for about 15 seconds from a distance of around 400 meters away northwest of the Valorian’s camp.

According to Garello, more or less three Communist-NPA Terrorists believed to be members of the Guerilla Front 30, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) under a.k.a. Nicko fired towards the Headquarters’ of the 36IB. The Valorian troopers instantly repulsed the fire, prompting the enemy scampering away towards the direction of Barangay Sisdro, Tandag City using habal-habal motorcycle as their get-away vehicle.

Colonel Trinidad has immediately deployed troops for counter offensive and clearing operations in the area.

“The bravado of CNTs intends to show their true nature of insincerity to the resumption of peace talks,” said Col. Trinidad.

Trinidad further said, “the NPA had continuously instigated atrocities not only against military targets but also to innocent civilians. But let this be an assurance to the Surigaonons, our resolve to bring peace to the community has further strengthened and that 36IB will take this incident seriously. We will pursue the CNTs and bring them in a situation where their only choice is to surrender.”

During the clearing operations, the troops recovered from the position of the NPA Terrorists empty shells and unexploded ordnance (UXO) of M14, AK47 and M16 rifles, one (1) safety pin, and shrapnel’s of one (1) rifle grenade (RG). No records of casualty on the government side, while undetermined on the enemy side. Hot pursuit operations still on-going accordingly. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

AgNor ready for Locational Referencing System

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, May 28 -- Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba is set to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Road Board for the establishment of the “Locational Referencing System” for all provincial and city roads in the province of Agusan del Norte.
She has been authorized recently by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte to sign such MOA through Sanggunian Resolution No. 096-2018, authored by Provincial Board Member Dick Victor B. Carmona.

The province is one of the recipients of the Road Board Project for the establishment of the Locational Referencing System for all provincial and city roads, comprising the conduct of road and bridges inventory (Phase 1) and installation of kilometer posts (Phase 2).

The Motor Vehicle Users Charge (MVUC) law allocates 5 percent of its funds for the Special Local Road Fund (SLRF), which is apportioned for the maintenance of provisional and city roads, on the basis of vehicle population and length of the road network for each locality.

In line with this program, the province needed to ink an agreement with the Road Board and DILG for the said establishment of the Locational Referencing System for all provincial and city roads, for proper implementation of the program. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)