(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 7, 2018


PNP Caraga readies for BSKE 2018; deploys personnel in different areas

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, May 7 (PIA) - A total of 3,131 personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga region will be deployed to different areas in the region during the 2018 Barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on May 14.
According to PNP regional director PCSupt Noli Romana, 2,387 police personnel will be deployed to provide security to polling places and the 744 will act as quick reactionary force.
“The barangays in the PNP’s election watch list will be getting more PNP personnel,” said Romana. The PNP’s election watch list will be monitored and will be ranked according to critical parameters, he added.
Also, PCSupt. Romana said that the parameters would include ranking according to extreme political rivalry; presence of private armed groups; activities of criminal gangs; proliferation of loose firearms; and activities of threat groups.
PNP, as per Comelec Resolution No. 9570, is deputized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as their partner in ensuring safe elections in 2018. (NCLM/PNP/PIA-Caraga)
PSA Caraga enjoins establishments to support labor turnover survey
By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, May 7 (PIA) - The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Caraga region is now preparing for the nationwide conduct of the 2018 Labor Turnover Survey (LTS) in the region.
With this, PSA Caraga regional director Dr. Rosalinda Celeste-Apura enjoined the establishments of the region to support the conduct of the LTS which will start on May 16 to June 27, 2018.
Apura assured that data and information gathered/collected by the hired field interviewers shall be kept strictly confidential and shall not be used for purposes of taxation, investigation or regulation as provided under Article 55 of Republic Act 10625.
She also said that the LTS is a quarterly survey conducted by the PSA that aims to generate data on labor turnover and job vacancies as useful indicators of labor demand and general business situation of the country.  
This will also provide the government and the private sector with a complete picture of labor demand and job turnover as inputs to decision-making and policy formulation, she said.
A pilot survey for the expansion of LTS from the National Capital Region to nationwide coverage was conducted in Region III from October to December 2017.
Based on the results of the pilot survey, the expansion of LTS will be implemented in 2018 to get a more complete picture of the labor market situation in the whole country, Apura added.
The 2018 LTS was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10625. (NCLM/PSA/PIA-Caraga)
 DOT Caraga warns tourists against bogus travel agents
BUTUAN CITY, May 7 (PIA) - The Department of Tourism (DOT) here in Caraga region advised visiting tourists and travelers to be more aware of the business nature and legitimacy of travel and tour agencies operating in the localities.
In Caraga region alone, there are 11 accredited travel agencies as of March 2018, which offer variety of tours that people can avail at reasonable prices. These agencies include Butuan Travel and Tours, Golden Tara Travels and Tours, Island Vacation Travel and Tours, JL Express Travel and Services, JVP Int’l Travel and Tours, EDRO Travel and Tours Booking Outlet, One Corporate Grand Tours, Inc., Travel Essentials, Michaelinian Travel and Tours, Rex Travel Agency, and Sky Horizon Tours and Events.
DOT encouraged all foreign and local travelers alike to be cautious of “colorum” travel agencies to avoid problems that might ruin their escapade by following these WISE steps: W – Work out your travel plans; I – Identify travel agencies; S – See tourism quality seal; and E – Engage accredited service providers only.
The Internet has given people the convenience of checking great deals on travel and tours. However, it also opens the risk of bogus travel agencies which offer “too-good-to-be-true” tour packages on social media.
The best way to be secured when traveling is to choose DOT-Accredited Tour Operators that offer a wide range of inbound and outbound tour packages. Accredited tour operators have complied with the standards catering to the convenience of the travelers availing the packages.
DOT accredited tour operators have undergone comprehensive human resource development seminars, tour guiding, and other technical skill trainings which DOT offers.
The accreditation also links the establishments to other government agencies, assuring their clients of standard rating, proper travel assistance, and safety.
Based on DOT statistics, at least seven million Filipinos travel around the country between April and May. Most people take a break by traveling and taking a vacation away from the usual hustle and bustle of their day-to-day lives. (DOT-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
MARINA 13 to conduct formulation of 10-year MIDP
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, May 7 (PIA) - The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Regional Office XIII is set to conduct a workshop on the formulation of the 10-year Maritime Industry Development Program (MIDP) on May 9, 2018 to be held at Hotel Tavern, Surigao City.
The workshop aims to discuss relevant issues that the MIDP may address for the fishing sector and to address cross-cutting maritime-related issues which various government organizations are performing.
The MIDP hopes to produce a single platform for all activities relating to the development, promotion and regulation of the Philippine maritime industry.
The MIDP likewise aims to implement applicable provisions of Executive Order No. 5 (2016) which adopted the Duterte Government’s socio-economic program dubbed as “Ambisyon Natin 2040” in the MIDP maritime related commitments of the Philippines under various international instruments, conventions, codes and protocols. (MARINA-13/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
50 barangays tagged as election watchlist areas in SurSur
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 7 (PIA) - About 50 barangays have been tagged under election watchlist areas (EWAs) in Surigao del Sur in connection with the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on May 14, 2018.
However, PNP Provincial Director (PD) PSSupt. Francisco Dungo, Jr. noted that despite having that situation amid the ongoing campaign period, no untoward incident had been brought to their attention so far.
The EWAs were said to be places influenced by leftist groups and other related factors. 
Based on COMELEC Resolution No. 10 – 26, the campaign period had been set on May 4 – 12, 2018. 
In addition, no intense political rivalry had been monitored, Dungo bared. 
The police director also said that it helped to have 59 barangays with candidates vying for the top post unopposed.
Notwithstanding the favorable state of affairs, Dungo stressed about instructing all lower units to continue to keep on intensifying monitoring activities and conducting COMELEC checkpoints. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Caraga army general warns candidates not to deal with rebels
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 7 (PIA) -- Following the arrest of two rebels suspected of collecting “permits-to-campaign and campaign-to-win fees,” the army general based in Caraga region has cautioned candidates “not to make a mistake of forging a deal with the New People’s Army (NPA).”
Brigadier General Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade, said that once evidence to this effect could be found out such would certainly be detrimental to the status especially of winning candidates of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on May 14, 2018. 
He stressed that not only would they be charged of appropriate cases in conniving with terrorists, these charges would likewise jeopardize their victory. 
Candidates were allegedly being charged P15,000 per head and asked to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) containing several conditions, Gen. Gacal pointed out.
Among the terms cited, according to the army general, were not only the ban on the recruitment of both Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and CAFGU but the setting up of CAFGU detachment in their respective barangays as well.
Gacal expressed belief that he would not be surprised had there be rampant collection activities of this kind in areas where rebels’ influence were strong like those tagged as Election Watchlist Areas (EWAs) region-wide. 
It was not immediately known how many were classified as EWAs in the whole of Caraga but the province of Surigao del Sur was reported to have about 50 barangays as mentioned by PNP Provincial Director PSSupt. Francisco Dungo, Jr.
“Now temporarily detained in Surigao City Jail,” BGen. Gacal identified the two rebels as Larry Vergara, 48 and Felipe Daragoza, 47, residents of Mainit, Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Sur, respectively.
Seized from the two were two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), one (1) unit icom radio charger, one (1) pair of combat boots, one (1) improvised homemade shotgun and P53,000 in cash believed to be “extortion money.”
He suspected that these two rebels were among those 15 NPA terrorists belonging to the Guerilla Front 16B who had clashed with the 30th Infantry Battalion under LTC Allen Raymund Tomas in Brgy. Can-aga, Malimono, Surigao del Norte at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, while troops of the latter were conducting security operations.
The NPA camp which had been overrun yielded one (1) M16 rifle, six (6) improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 10 backpacks, one (1) hand grenade, seven (7) hammocks, bullets, one (1) icom radio, one (1) sack of rice, medical supplies and subversive documents. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DSWD introduces Yakap-Bayan Framework to help drug surrenderers in Caraga region
By Eunice Montaos Plaza

BUTUAN CITY, May 7 (PIA) - In response to the growing number of drug dependents who have surrendered since the Duterte administration began its intensified campaign against illegal drugs, the government, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has been undertaking convergent efforts to provide support for the treatment and rehabilitation of recovering drug users.
To further support these initiatives, the DSWD introduced the Yakap-Bayan Framework to help the drug surrenderers in Caraga.
According to DSWD Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns Jose Antonio R. Hernandez, who personally provided here an orientation recently about Yakap, the strategy has been tried in some regions in the country including the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and was successful as it transformed a number of drug surrenderers.
“Yakap Bayan is a framework to embrace drug surrenderers and assist them to become volunteers, advocates, and community leaders from being considered cancers of society,” bared Asec. Hernandez.
The one-day orientation was attended by members of the regional technical working group (RTWG) on Reintegration and Rehabilitation Cluster (RRC), local social welfare and development officers (LSWDOs), health officers, representatives from the Local Anti-Illegal Drug Council, and staff from DSWD-Caraga.
Aside from the Yakap Bayan orientation, some members of the RTWG-RRC shared accomplishments and selected local government units presented good practices on assisting drug surrenderers.
Chief Administrative Officer Ramel F. Jamen, who delivered the welcome message, shared that the orientation was conducted to guide the frontline workers in the provision of sustainable rehabilitation, aftercare, and reintegration support services to former drug users in the region.
“It has been the concern of our local social welfare officers and direct service workers of the Department on how to handle the cases of persons who use drugs. Hence we are thankful that the office on Special Concerns has called for the orientation on Yakap Bayan,” Jamen said.
“This is only the first batch of orientation. We will be calling another round of orientation for the rest of the LSWDOs to equip them of this framework,” he added.
Through the issued Executive Order No.15 by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on March 6, 201, this mandated the creation of an Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) and Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force to suppress the drug problem in the country. This is pursuant to Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.
With the EO, agencies are grouped into four clusters, namely, (1) Enforcement Cluster, (2) Justice Cluster, (3) Advocacy Cluster, and (4) Rehabilitation and Reintegration Cluster.
DSWD is part of the rehabilitation and reintegration cluster. (Social Marketing Unit-DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: Pribadong Diagnostic Center sa Cabadbaran motabang sa probinsya
Ni Justine V. Lumonsod
AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Mayo 7 (PIA) - Usa ka kasabutan kon Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) ang gitakdang pirmahan tali sa duha ka ospital sa lalawigan sa Agusan del Norte, ang Jabonga Municipal Hospital ug Cabadbaran District Hospital ug Cabadbaran Diagnostic Drug Testing Center aron mahatagan ug paspas ug sayon nga maadtoan sa mga pasyente nga nanginahanglan ug Laboratory ug Diagnostic Services.
Ang lokal nga panggamhanan sa Agusan del Norte pinaagi sa Memorandum of Agreement nidugang ug serbisyo alang sa mga ospital kauban ang Cabadbaran Diagnostic ug Drug testing Center sa Cabadbaran City, diin usa kini ka DOH-licensed center aron mapadali ang laboratory examinations. Ang maong center ang kinadul-an nga Diagnostic ug drug testing center sa maong mga ospital.
Ubos sa maong kasabotan o MOA, kon walay diagnostic services sa maong mga ospital, ang laboratory ug X-ray eksaminasyon sa mga pasyente kinahanglan idangop sa maon Diagnostic Center.
Ang maong ospital kinahanglan mobayad sa mga bayronon nga giresibo sa billing statement alang Philhealth-sponsored, sa mga kabos, ug mga 4P’s nga pasyente nga gipadangop ug mga Procedures. Ang empleyado ug Self-Employed PHIC nga matang nga pasyente, kinahanglan usab mubayad sa balayranan adesir magpalaboratoryo.
Si Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Amante-Matba gihatagan ug awtoridad sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan aron mopirma sa duha ka MOA pinaagi sa Sangguniang Resolution No. 069 ug 070-2018, nga gipanginahanan ni Board Member Elizabeth Marie R. Calo. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)