PNP leads outreach program for peace in Tandag
By
Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG
CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct 16 (PIA) -- The Police Regional Office (PRO)-13, in
partnership with the Army's 36th Infantry Batallion (36IB), Provincial
Government of Surigao del Sur, and City Government of Tandag, spearheaded a
convergence Community Outreach Program for Peace to the indigenous people's
(IP) community of Barangay Maitom here on October 11, 2018.
Around
300 IP families benefited from the basic services offered during the one-day
event, such as: medical and dental consultation and tooth extraction;
distribution of medicines; bloodletting; distribution of GMA Kapuso foundation
backpacks with complete set of school supplies to IP pupils; gift packs with
goodies; distribution of reading eyeglasses; free haircut, porridge feeding,
distribution of used clothing; and distribution of slippers and dental kits to
elementary pupils.
In
his message, PRO-13 Regional Director PCSupt Gilbert Cruz stressed that the
said activity is a joint convergence aimed at bringing the government closer to
the people.
Meanwhile,
Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad, 36IB commanding officer, emphasized that the Program
for Peace was initiated purposely for the benefit of the IP brothers and
sisters who are vulnerable from exploitation and manipulation by the CPP-NPA
Terrorist (CNT).
“Our
intent is to give hope and make them feel that the government and other stakeholders
are looking after them and committed to pursue peace and development efforts in
their community,” Lt. Col. Trinidad said.
“The
PNP has been always been a partner of the Philippine Army in the fight against
insurgency. With this program, we have manifested a convergence of efforts that
could address the problem which brought a span of a lifetime of suffering and
injustices," said Police Provincial Office Director PSSupt. Francisco
Dungo Jr.
“It’s
high time that we stand side by side and unite our efforts to implement
programs and sustain the delivery of basic services to the people,” Dungo
added.
During
the event, the beneficiaries were also entertained with the mascots of
President Rodrigo Duterte and former Special Assistant to the President Bong
Go, and the live band with the talented performers from the PNP and 36IB.
Barangay
Maitom, according to the military, is being identified as one of the
rebel-infested areas in Surigao del Sur.
The
activity is also in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority; Land Transportation Office; Philippine Red Cross -
Surigao del Sur Chapter; Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Alumni Association; Tandag
Linungao Eagles Club; Free and Accepted Mason, APO Fraternity and Sorority;
Philippine Information Agency and media partners such as Tandag Network
Television-6 (TNTV-6), and Sure FM Station. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Caraga
region is rich in tuna
By
Aurelius P. Arais
Commercial
fishing of tuna and processing is one of the potential investment opportunities
in Caraga Region.
Visa
Tan-Dimerin, the new Regional Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR) Caraga, said that the region is rich in high-value fish such
as tuna.
“We
have an abundance of tuna in Caraga Region but the bulk of our catch goes to
other places in Mindanao where post-harvest and processing centers are located
such as in General Santos City,” the director said.
Dimerin
said that Surigao del Sur is one of the sources of fresh tuna for the tuna
processing industry in General Santos.
“Caraga
is blessed with various tuna species such as skipjack or commonly called
Tulingan, Yellowfin, Bluefin, Albacore and other,” Dimerin said.
Currently,
there are small-scale processors of tuna in the region for bottled tuna
products and semi-processed.
“We
are promoting our region to investors to consider Caraga Region particularly in
the fish processing industry so our local catch would be processed here since
we have an abundance of fish,” she said.
The
director revealed that Caraga Region posted an 88 percent sufficiency level of
fish, however, that part of Caraga’s catch has been accounted in another
region.
“Based
on statistics parameters, accounting for fish is based on landing or where it
is being unloaded. So in the case of fresh catch from Caraga Region being
unloaded outside the region, the data will be credited to the said area,”
Dimerin explained.
Dimerin
disclosed that 90 percent of tuna catch in Surigao del Sur particularly from
Bislig area are bound for General Santos tuna processing.
Yellowfin,
in particular, has been exported to other countries such as Japan and China,
hence, the cold storage facility is necessary to maintain its quality and such
big facility are located in other regions.
To
boost the fishing industry in the region, BFAR has been conducting training for
the fisher folks, provision of fishing paraphernalia and facility for fish
processing, and stringent implementation of fishery laws.
BFAR is an attached agency of the
Department of Agriculture. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Mamanwa
folks upgrade skills in handicraft making
By
Mardel Allen G. Delanto
SURIGAO
CITY, Surigao del Norte, Oct. 16 (PIA) - Some 16 members of the Mamanwa tribe
in Brgy. Cantugas, Mainit, this province were trained on handicraft making
through the One Town One Product Next Generation (OTOP Next GEN) program of the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted on October 1-5, 2018.
The
indigenous people (IPs) were trained to produce mats, bags, baskets, and other
handcrafted products using indigenous materials which are growing prominently
in the area.
The
materials include palm strips, nito, malawlaw and golden sika (sayabay).
Gina
Bagasbas, a member of the pool of regional designers of the DTI Caraga, served
as the consultant who supervised the week-long activity.
To
help the Mamanwas meet their assignment,
starter kits and tools were given for their processing activities.
OTOP
Next GEN is DTI’s program to capacitate of the micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) through product development initiatives, training, referral,
and other capacity building activities with the goal of leveling up the
products in the areas of design, quality, volume, among others.
The outputs of this activity will be
market-matched in the local and regional market and will also be showcased in
the Sikat Pinoy National Arts and Crafts Fair October Edition SM Megamall,
Mandaluyong City. (DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
