Monday, February 26, 2018

AgNor province accredits 2 orgs

By Jessica O. Mellejor

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 26 – Two provincial associations were accredited by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan as a people's organization and a cooperative.

Through Sanggunian Resolution Nos. 028-2018 and 029-2018, authored by Provincial Board Member Virgilio R. Escasiñas, Jr., the Sangguniang Panlalawigan accredited the La Union Mangrove Fisherfolks Association Incorporated of Purok 6A, Barangay La Union, Cabadbaran City as a people’s organization.

The La Union Mangrove Fisherfolks Association Incorporated is a non-stock and non-profit association organized to help members improve their living conditions through sustainable income-generating projects in agri-business fishing and diversification of life as well as the development of coastal protection communities.

Also, the Sto. Niño Community Multi-purpose Cooperative of Barangay Sto. Niño, Magallanes, Agusan del Norte was accredited as a cooperative. It is organized to help its members to uplift their living conditions through income-generating projects on retailing essential and non-essential goods responsive to the needs of its members as well as to the community.

The accreditation will help the NGOs, POs and cooperatives become active partners for the implementation of socio-economic, agricultural and environmental laws in the province of Agusan del Norte.

Under Section 34 of the Local Government Code of 1991, it is mandated to promote the establishment of POs, NGOs and private sector so that they will become active partners in the Local Government Unit. (JOMellejor, LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Butuan’s senior citizens benefit Project LIPAD

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 26 – Some 26 senior citizens of Barangay Taguibo joined the 2nd session of the city government's Financial Literacy for Alternative Learning System (ALS) under Project LIPAD or “Literacy Paglaum sa Asensadong Dakbayan."

During the session, the Business-Expense-Savings Training or BEST Game module with business simulation exercises to simplify the whole learning process was introduced by the Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Norte (DTI-AdN) and Negosyo Center-Butuan business counselors Ramabe Montilla, Efren Lascuna and Liezel Simogan.

According to Butuan City Sangguniang Panlungsod member Atty. Glen Carampatana, the Project LIPAD aims to spread financial literacy to senior citizens, out-of-school youth, women, and indigenous peoples in the remote barangays of the city.

"Also, the project will help ALS learners to become learner-graduates into entrepreneurs in the future," Carampatana said.

The Project LIPAD is a partnership of the Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Norte (DTI-AdN) and the Department of Education-Butuan City ALS. (DTI-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Magkiankang flower growers undergo training on quality production and marketing

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Feb. 26 – Twenty-one (21) cut flower growers of Barangay Magkiangkang, who are members of the Bayugan Federation of Cutflower and Ornamental Plant Growers (BAFEDCOPGRO) underwent a Skills Enhancement on Quality Cut Flower Production held in their barangay in Bayugan City.

Magkiangkang is known as one of the flower producing barangays in the city with anthurium as its pride.

The group's project is funded under the Bottom up Budgeting (BuB), a project implemented by the Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Sur (DTI-AdS) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bayugan City. The project aims to help improve the production and  quality of cut flowers in the area.

Teresita Segundino and Joselito Boque – both technical staff of the City Agriculture Office (CAO) served as resource persons for the seminar. They provided inputs on the benefits of using organic fertilizers for anthurium and ways in managing ecological pests. 

Merlie Peñalver, another resource speaker shared marketing skills on the second day. She emphasized that high production is important to answer the demand and the quality of flowers as well as handling customers.

The Nature Farming Technology System (NFTS) was discussed thoroughly to ensure proper understanding of the system. The use of chemical free fertilizers aligning with the basic agriculture practices that follows Korean methods which purpose is to increase farm production with lesser expense. 

The methods introduced were the following:

IMO or Indigenous Microorganism – a method that helps revive soil nutrients, speeds plant growth, speed up composting works and helps prevents pests/ diseases;

FPJ or Fermented Plant Juice – a natural growth enhancer;

FFJ or Fermented Fruit Juice – a natural taste enhancer;

OHN or Oriental Herbal Nutrients – a natural immune booster and a natural pest repellant; and

FAA/KAA or Fish amino acid/ Kuhol Amino Acid, a natural amino acid. 

The trainees did actual production of OHN concoction which ingredients such as onion, garlic, ginger and vinegar.  The ingredients went through fermentation, then mixed with molasses.

Actual demo in applying organic fertilizer to anthurium was also done using rice hull and chicken dung.

Over-all facilitation was done by Negosyo Center-Bayugan City Project Staff/Counselors Charlott Carl Pingol and Elphie Plaza. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

National Oral Health Month Celebration turns out well in SurSur

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 26 (PIA) – The Department of Education (DepEd) Division Office in Surigao del Sur has still managed to make everything work, including the successful conduct of the activities lined-up for the National Oral Health Month celebration this February despite the hectic schedule of closely monitoring and supervising the training of athletes for the 21st Caraga Regional Athletic Meet (CRAM) this February 25 to March 1, 2018.

According to Dr. Daniel Laurente, school dentist, the month-long observance was marked by various dental services rendered to school children with the support of his fellow dentists together with the nurses from the Provincial Health Office (PHO), DepEd, and Rural Health Units (RHUs) here.

Among the activities accomplished were the division-wide simultaneous tooth brushing in Daycare Centers for kindergarten and Grade I pupils; the conduct of pits and fissure sealant, varnish application, tooth extraction and health education.

Besides, the said Division Office under Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Marilou Dedumo, care of the Dental Health team, had likewise found time to be able to launch the anti-cavity campaign in four municipalities, namely Barobo, Cortes, Hinatuan and Bayabas.

Laurente added that such activity was sponsored by Colgate Palmolive Philippines, Inc. that brought with them product freebies.

With the theme “Ngiping Inaruga Mula sa Pagkabata Malusog na Ngiti Baon sa Pagtanda,” the objective of all the undertakings was not only to “arouse dental health consciousness” among residents province-wide but also “to decrease the prevalence of the dental caries,” the dentist stressed.

The kick-off program was held in the northern municipalities of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen and Lanuza on February 5 to 9, 2018.  The following week, from February 12 to 16, they went on to the central towns of Cortes, San Miguel, Bayabas, and Tandag City as well, he told media.

"After which, the team carried out the same mission in Cagwait, Marihatag and San Agustin towns down south that culminated in the municipality of Lianga on February 22 to 23," Dr. Laurente narrated. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Negosyo Center-Agusan del Sur partners with local senior high for students’ business immersion

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Feb. 26 – Some forty-one Grade 12 General Academic Strand students of Lucena National High School (LNHS), this municipality participated in an Entrepreneurial Mind setting and Values Formation conducted by Negosyo Center (NC)-Agusan del Sur.

The session, which also covered a briefing on Negosyo Center services and Business Expense Savings Training (BEST) Game Modules 1 and 2 was an off-site servicing done by the center to partner with LNHS’s business immersion requirement.

Dennis Patosa, LNHS Senior High School Coordinator in his message before the start of the activity encouraged the students to participate actively and be open to new learnings as these will help equip them in making business plans for their business simulation activity in March 2018.

The business simulation is expected to showcase the students’ creativity and innovativeness in handling real life situations.

Patosa said they preferred this setup of relevant inputs and business simulation rather than sending students to “intern” in business establishments because the latter may not be able to provide the needed business immersion lessons.

NC-AdS provincial Hub Counselors Rezel May Colongan Goloran and Lem Roboca facilitated the session.

Five other sessions on marketing, business model canvass, supply chain, accounting and financial management, operations management and visual merchandising will be conducted every Friday this February 2018.

Recent NC-academe partnership is just one of the many being handled by the #AdSNegosyoCenters to pursue one of its functions as provided in Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act, which is to “coordinate with schools and organizations on the development of the youth entrepreneurship program.” (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

DTI discusses Higaonon Coffee growers' needs in AgSur barangay

ESPERANZA, Agusan del Sur, Feb. 26 – "Balikan lang" or a return within the day of travel is not possible when your destination is Barangay Kalabuan, this municipality.

This is what two technical staff of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Sur (AdS) and a staff from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of this municipality prepared for when they recently visited the said barangay to check the presence of a thriving local coffee industry in the area. 

Kalabuan is a distant upland barangay located northwest of Esperanza, where majority of the population are members of the Higaonon tribe.

Reonel Aninon, a technical staff of DTI-AdS and Charlz Palen of Negosyo Center (NC)-Esperanza, together with Dionifil Carin of the MAO stayed overnight to assess the needs of the coffee growers in the area. 

Together with the coffee farmer-growers they identified the facilities required to improve the quality of their coffee beans. The intervention will help increase the income of the growers.

During the visit, the team witnessed how the Higaonon coffee producers processed their coffee beans using mortar and pestle to break open the fresh ripened coffee beans before exposing them to sunlight for drying purposes.

As observed, due to some unrefined preparation methods, quality of coffee are affected which resulted in their being bought at a lower price. 

Aninon, the Provincial Shared Service Facilitaty (SSF) and Industry Cluster Enhancement (ICE) Coordinator, said the provincial office will continue to engage closely with the group and work for the  provision of their coffee enterprise needs.

With the provision of appropriate post-harvest equipment and processing facilities in the area, Higaonon coffee producers hopefully will be able to produce good quality dried coffee beans, thus enabling them to increase their respective household incomes.

Esperanza town has been named pilot municipality for DTI's Project Entrep  and Strike Team for Indigenous Peoples. With or without follow through funding support from the national office, DTI AdS hopes to continue to give development interventions emphasizing on skills and entrepreneurial development through the now operational Negosyo Center-Esperanza. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Negosyo Center-Bayugan City stakeholders' meeting focuses on 1st Quarter 2018 activities

BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur, Feb. 26 – Skills enhancement on cut flower production cum marketing, business planning seminar, simple record keeping, and skills training on guitar making – these are just some of the activities lined up by Negosyo Center (NC)-Bayugan City for the first quarter of 2018.

The meeting was presided by Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Sur (DTI-AdS) Supervising Trade and Industry Development Specialist Jose Baron. 

Officials/officers of LGU-Bayugan City, Bayugan City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and other national government agencies attended said meeting. In attendance as well were some local producers and processors.

The skills enhancement on cut flower production cum marketing seminar was conducted in Barangay Magkiangkang as scheduled on January 30 to 31, 2018.

A similar training was also conducted for Barangay Mt. Olive on February 7 to 8. On February 15 to 16, the Business Planning Seminar was held and a Simple Record Keeping Seminar on February 22 to 23.

The skills training on guitar making arranged originally for last year will finally push through this March 2018.

NC-Bayugan City counselors Elphie Plaza and Charlott Carl Pingol also reported on the center's 2017 accomplishments. Both have been tasked to ensure implementation of these activities and strengthen  the center's operation for the business sector. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Friday, February 23, 2018

SurSur gov among DSWD awardees

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 23 – Gov. Vicente Pimentel, Jr. was chosen as one of DSWD’s “Salamat Po” awardees in Caraga region.

Mira Chuchi Gupana-Lim, DSWD Caraga OIC Regional Director, had already sent an official invitation to the good governor seeking his presence on the occasion of its 67th anniversary celebration that would be held in Watergate Hotel in Butuan City at 9:00 a.m. on February 27, 2018.  

“We will be recognizing our partners for their exemplary contribution in helping DSWD carry out its mandate of improving lives and providing a better opportunity for the poor, disadvantaged, and vulnerable sectors of our society through the ‘Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan (PaNata Ko sa Bayan)’ Awards,” the social welfare top official told Pimentel in her letter dated February 12, 2018.

With the theme “DSWD@67: Walang Puwang sa Katiwalian ang Paglilingkod nang Tapat sa Bayan,” Gupana-Lim said that this would be in line with the agency’s effort to “highlight the importance of building and promoting integrity among its officials and employees.”  

“Both are integral to efforts to deliver true and dedicated public service and to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in the public sector,” she added. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

SurSur IPs alarmed over foreigners’ visit in their turf

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 23 – The 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) here reported that Lumad communities had voiced out concern over the “presence of foreign nationals” in San Miguel town, particularly in Sitio Hayon, Barangay Libas Sud.

In the company of 12 locals upon entering the “Lumad” community on February 20, 2018, the group spent overnight in the area, according to Cpt. Francisco Garello, Jr., battalion civil military operations (CMO) officer, in a press statement.  

The non-nationals were identified as Ms. Miracle Osman of Malawi, Africa; Ms. Jennifer Marie Abella of California, USA; and Prof. Boehringer Gill Hale from New South Wales, Australia. 

"However, it was only, the next day, February 21, when troops of the said battalion “intercepted” them at a routine checkpoint in Dreamland Patrol Base, Sitio Dreamland, Barangay Alba, Tago town," Garello noted. 

When asked for proper identification, one of the foreigners was said to have been lacking necessary papers.  Hence, for further “documentation and identification” they were invited to the municipal police station having jurisdiction of the area. After undergoing process, Garello said that the group was released later on “as witnessed by their legal counsel, Atty. Antonio Azarcon.”

But early on, citing Section 1 of the Municipal Ordinance No. 03 series of 2017 of San Miguel dated January 3, 2017 or Ordinance Regulating Entry of Migrants into Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) Areas within this Municipality and Providing Penalty for any Violation thereof, Cpt. Garello said that entry to the municipality, let alone a Lumad territory without the necessary clearance from authorities meant a breach.  "These included even Peoples Organization and Non-Governmental Organization," he added.

The battalion CMO bared that during the group’s overnight stint, Datu Rico Maca, municipal tribal chieftain, went to see these people to advise them to leave because of violation of a municipal ordinance. Garello said that the same were told to have sought permission first from Municipal Tribal Office to be allowed entry in the ancestral land.

Such policy was to “protect” the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) from unidentified strangers with undetermined objective.

When asked about their purpose, Maca said that they were there to “interview” IPs for them to know the truth behind allegations of human rights violations.  But, the municipal tribal chieftain noted that IP sources seemed to be just being picked out.

Contrary to claim of having been given permission to go to the area, the military officer found out from Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Miguel, Barangay LGU of Libas Sud and from no less than Provincial Administrator Efren Rivas that no such thing was granted.

Rivas stood pat on what he said, when contacted by media. 

The provincial administrator, however, confirmed that he, acting on behalf of Governor Vicente Pimentel, Jr., had a meeting with the group at the Provincial Governor’s Office (PGO) Conference Room on February 19, 2018. 

The group claimed to be “members of the International Fact Finding and Solidarity Mission (ISM)” based on the report of the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office under Provincial Director PSSupt. Francisco Dungo, Jr.

Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad, 36IB Commanding Officer, said that “the group did not coordinate with the proper authority.  As foreign nationals, they could have coordinated with us for their safety and security.”

The municipality of San Miguel is part of the area of responsibility (AOR) of the said battalion. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Thursday, February 22, 2018

AgNor supports move for P800B IRA back pay to LGUs

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 22 – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte supported the move of Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas, et. al of Batangas province for the release of the local government units’ Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) back pay from the P800 billion total estimated unreleased portion of the just share of LGUs from the National Internal Revenue Taxes since 1992 up to present.

Mandanas filed a petition before the Supreme Court for the national government to release the said LGUs’ IRA back pay collected by the Bureau of Customs due to the province, cities, municipalities and barangays from 1992 up to the present, but still awaited for the final resolution.

Provincial officials of Agusan del Norte believed that under Sections 284 and 286 of Republic Act 7160 and other existing rules and regulations, the national government should automatically release the just shares of the IRA for the LGUs from the national taxes to enable the LGUS to hasten the delivery of much needed services to their constituents.

In its Sanggunian Resolution No. 050-2018, authored by Vice Governor Ramon AG. Bungabong, it strongly supported the said petition asserting that the LGUs have a rightful share from the Bureau of Customs, being a collecting arm of the Bureau of Internal Revenue for the LGUs to provide better governance to their constituents and promote local autonomy which, in the long run, would fasttrack the implementation of the LGUs’ development projects and simulate the economy in the countryside. (ABSienes, LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Agusan Norte LGU controls rice black bug infestation

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 22 – The provincial government of Agusan del Norte is urging all rice-producing city and municipalities in the province to participate and adopt a synchronized light trapping activities and institute integrated approaches to control the infestation of rice black bugs (RBBs) in the province.

It was learned that the Provincial Agriculture’s Office has conducted plant diseases and pests surveillance due to the reported incidence of RBBs attach affects the rice farms in the province.

Based on the validated report from the surveillance team, the areas affected by the RBBs infestation were the municipalities of Kitcharao, Jabonga, Las Nieves and Buenavista. It was also reported that massive and intensive insecticide applications failed to control rice crop damages, but instead the process killed the natural enemies of RBBs like wasps, long-joined spiders, red ants, damsel bugs and other beneficial insects.

According to Provincial Agriculture’s Office, aside from water management and biological control, the use of light traps with high intensity of light rays is highly recommended to use because it can easily attract the black bugs that caused them from entrapping.

It was recommended that the light trapping be done three days before and three days after the full moon, since it is during this period that RBBS attack and they are trapped and collected and buried underground.

The call for urgency of the city and municipalities in the province to use the light trapping was to prevent the infestation of RBBs and save the rice farms from further damage. (ABSienes, LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Culmination of skills training for Marawi victims set in Butuan

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 22 – More than 100 internally-displaced persons (IDPs) who are victims of Marawi siege will finish the skills training program on February 22, 2018 and will be receiving toolkits at the Atrium Center of Robinsons Place-Butuan.

The program, dubbed as "DOLE Kabuhayan Program" is in convergence with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Caraga by a virtue of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between DOLE-Caraga Regional Director Chona Mantilla and TESDA-Caraga Regional Director Ashary A. Banto.

Accordingly, TESDA will conduct a training through a training-cum-production program with allowance to qualified trainees in masonry and carpentry. For food processing, TESDA will provide or facilitate the skills training.

Also, materials to be used during the duration of the training will be provided by the agency. A free assessment will be conducted and upon passing the assessment, a National Certificate (NC) will be issued to the trainees.

Meanwhile, DOLE-Caraga through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) shall support the convergence arrangements by making available to the identified communities the number of interventions, subject to existing program guidelines.

Among the interventions is to provide working capital in the form of raw materials, equipment, tools and jigs, and other support services necessary in setting-up the business and/or enhancement of individual and group livelihood projects.

Further, DOLE will provide continuing technical assistance and business advisory services to ensure efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of the business/enterprise. The labor department also provides opportunities for showcasing successful projects, as well as to conduct and facilitate supervision, project assessment and monitoring visits.

Meanwhile, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF)-Caraga Region has identified the beneficiaries of this program.

The activity is in line with the trust of the current administration of generating decent and productive employment so that every Filipino can enjoy better and dignified quality of life.

It is also anchored on the two-pronged strategy of TESDA led by Director-General and Secretary Guiling “Gene” A. Mamondiong in poverty reduction, particularly those who are socially excluded and displaced such as informal workers, indigenous peoples, farmers, fisherfolks, drug dependents, rebel returnees, women victims of abuse and human trafficking, returning OFWs and persons with disabilities to be active participants in the development process.

This will also serve as a driving force for change and upliftment of the life of the Filipino people, contributing to the socio-economic development of our nation as a whole. (RERoperos, TESDA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

SurSur gov takes on call for probe on TS Basyang’s onslaught

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 22 (PIA) – Surigao del Sur Governor Vicente Pimentel, Jr. has joined Diocese of Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar’s call for a no nonsense probe on the root cause of “flooding in CARCANMADCARLAN” area.  

Carcanmadcarlan, a cluster of five northern towns in the province, were said to have been badly hit by Tropical Storm (TS) Basyang, particularly the two adjacent municipalities of Carrascal and Cantilan, on February 13, 2018. 

From then on, what happened became a controversy.

In what Pimentel has called a “pastoral letter,” the bishop threw out the question “Could the reason be due to massive mining operations that denuded the natural forested mountains and critical watersheds of Cantilan and Carrascal?” 

In his response, the chief executive of the province issued a well-crafted statement pitting his wits by bringing out “hard and indisputable facts, point-by-point” against the bishop’s themed “A Call for Responsibility."

In addition, he cited similar occurrences like Typhoon Uring in Ormoc, Leyte on November 5, 1991;  the Guinsaugon, Southern Leyte landslide on February 17, 2007; the Typhoon Sendong that hit Iligan and Cagayan de Oro on December 17, 2011; and Typhoon Pablo that wiped out three towns in Davao Oriental, including Barangay Palo Alto, this province, on December 4, 2012.  The governor said, the places mentioned had no mining activities.  

Contrary to some views, Pimentel noted that “premature and sweeping conclusions do not help.” 

“Nonetheless, I agree with the call of Bishop Nereo P. Odchimar for an immediate and independent investigation on the flooding in all the affected areas in order to ferret out the truth and determine if mining is really the cause of the flooding and landslides,” he said in his rejoinder titled “A Call for Sobriety."

Also, on the allegation that some of mining companies “are allegedly owned by the high ranking government officials of the province,” Pimentel vehemently denied such.

“I categorically state that I am not, in whole or in part, an owner of any mining company operating in our province or elsewhere.  Simply put, I am not a miner.  Just like any other ordinary businessman, my connection in the mining industry is limited to hauling business,” he emphasized.

Earlier, Pimentel likewise cleared “mining” in this regard.  “There is no truth to the claim that siltation ponds in some mining sites have collapsed.  All the siltation ponds area intact and solid to this day.  Drone videos that I have ordered taken right after the storm is proof of this.“ 

It can be recalled that on February 19, Provincial Administrator Efren Rivas has already shared his thoughts on the issue after watching the drone video taken from the so-called “ground zero.”

The administrator believed that it was also pure TS Basyang’s wrath that had caused the devastation. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)