By
Nora L. Molde
CABADBARAN
CITY, Agusan del Norte, Jan. 30 (PIA) – The City of Cabadbaran, Agusan del
Norte has been awarded as the Best Performing City besting five other cities in
Caraga Region.
During
the recent awarding ceremony in Butuan City, the Department of Health (DOH)
Caraga region has recognized the city because of its outstanding achievement in
the 2017 Local Government Unit (LGU) Scorecard Assessment and for the continued
contribution to better health outcomes of the city.
Also,
they were recognized because of having responsive health systems, equitable health
care financing and for the overall efforts of the city for the attainment of
Formula One Plus goal as implemented and monitored by the DOH.
City
Administrator Rene Retiquiz received the LGU Scorecard, check worth Php75,000
and the LGU Scorecard Result during the awarding ceremony.
Retiquiz
is thankful to the DOH for the awards they received and for the support
extended to the LGU. Retequiz also recognized the efforts of the city health
workers.
“I
would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of our health
workers, the men and women of our City Health Office, headed by our City Health
Officer Dr. Jose Zaldy Secote, who work more than enough just to respond the
needs of our constituents,” Retiquiz said.
"This
only shows that we are doing something right from the previous up to this
present administration," he added.
Retiquiz
has also recognized the significant support of their partner-stakeholders, the
provincial government thru the Provincial Health Office and the DOH for the technical
inputs and even financial support extended to the city to advance and foster
quality health services to the constituents.
“The
city shall continue to consider health services as our top priority. We are a
strong advocate that a healthy community is a fundamental requirement for
sustainable development,” Retiquiz said.
Cabadbaran
City’s ultimate vision is to have an advanced, well-staffed and seamless health
system that will focus on prevention, and make healthcare accessible to all, he
added.
The
second Best Performing City award was received by Tandag City in Surigao del
Sur; the third place was received by Surigao City in Surigao del Norte; while
the fourth, fifth and sixth place awards were received by Bislig City, Surigao
del Sur; Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur and Butuan City, respectively.
(NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
PNP Caraga’s outreach program reaches far-flung community
BUTUAN
CITY, Jan. 30 - Several free services from the government have reached the
far-flung area of Brgy. Taod-oy, Magallanes, Agusan del Norte though the
community outreach program of Police Regional Office 13 Tuesday.
Free
medical and dental checkup, circumcision, haircut, medicines, food packs,
feeding, school supplies and slippers, eyeglasses, and tooth extraction were
availed by the local populace.
Chief
Supt. Gilberto Cruz, Regional Director of Philippine National Police (PNP)
Caraga, personally led the activity which was also attended by Senior Supt.
Ramir Perlito Perlas, Provincial Director of Agusan del Norte Provincial Police
Office, teachers and barangay officials of Taod-oy.
Outstanding
performances from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion’s Tagahadlang Band and
the ‘Laro ng Lahi’ had entertained the children, parents, and even senior
citizens.
“The
government is always working for you and wants to see our people live in an
environment conducive for peace and development.
These
basic services are intended for you from your police force,” RD Cruz
highlighted. (PNP Caraga/PIA Caraga)
2 NPA terrorists killed in Surigao del Norte clash
By 1Lt. Ken Enciso
SURIGAO
CITY, Surigao del Norte, Jan. 30 (PIA) - Two Communist Party of the
Philippines – New People’s Army terrorists (CNTs) were found dead in an
encounter with the troops of 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) in the outskirts of
Sitio Little Baguio, Brgy. Payapag, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte on January 25,
2019.
The
troops of 30IB conducted security operations in response to a report from a
concerned citizen on the presence of NPAs in the said sitio. As they arrived in
the area, they encountered an estimated 30 fully armed terrorists of Guerilla
Front 16 (GF16) of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Command (NEMRC) led by Alias
JD/Bern.
The
firefight lasted for one and a half hours. After which, the CNTs scampered in
different directions and resulted to zero casualty on the government side while
a female and a male CNTs in their 20s were found dead in the encounter site.
More of them are believed to be wounded in the clash as stains of blood were
visible in the withdrawal route.
The
cadavers were brought at the Bacuag Funeral Homes and were properly turned over
to barangay officials and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel for proper
disposition and identification.
“We
extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families of the dead NPA
terrorists. It is tragic that up to this moment, there are still people who are
blinded by the failed ideologies of these terrorists. We have coordinated with
the local government unit and our PNP counterparts to help us find their
families and ensure that proper burial will be given,” said Lieutenant Colonel
Allen Raymund Tomas, commanding officer of 30IB.
Moreover,
the army troops also overran the CNTs’ lair that can accommodate 50 persons and
recovered one AK47 rifle, one M16 rifle, one landmine with 100 meters electrical
wire, three magazines of M16, 10 magazines of AK47, assorted medicines,
personal belongings, and subversive documents.
Brigadier
General Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of 402nd Brigade, said the locals'
timely information regarding the presence of CNTs in the area had helped the
government troops in preempting possible NPA atrocities in connection with the
celebration of the 50th NPA founding anniversary in March 2019.
“This
is a great sign that the people are no longer allowing these terrorists to stay
in there peaceful community. Rest assured that the Philippine Army will
continue to take aggressive actions in order to stop the NPAs from committing
crimes against the people,” said Gacal.
Major
General Ronald Villanueva, 4th Infantry Division commander, also said the units
under the 4ID have never stopped going after the NPA terrorists in their area
of responsibility.
“We
have not declared any suspension of operations even during the last holiday
season and we are determined to end the deception and terrorism brought by
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – NPA – National Democratic Front
(NDF) or CNN in the communities,” he said.
On
the other hand, members of the terrorist group who came to the realization that
they are just being exploited are given the opportunity to go back to the folds
of the law and return to the mainstream society. They can avail of the Enhanced
Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) being offered by the
government," Villanueva added. (30IB, Phil.
Army/VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
DA turns over P21-M FMR in Trento, AgSur
By
Fretcher Magatao
PROSPERIDAD,
Agusan del Sur, Jan. 30 (PIA) - The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural
Development Project (DA-PRDP) has recently turned-over the completed
construction of 2.7-kilometer Sitio Gasa to Algon Farm-to-Market Road (FMR)
amounting to Php21.1 million to the farmers and residents of the municipality
of Trento, this province.
The
concrete road does not only support the rubber and palm oil industries in the
municipality but also boost the production of other high-value crops like
mangosteen, banana, and cacao in the area.
“No
more hassle. The farm-to-market road has changed our farming attitudes and
encourage us to produce more,” said Razel Altieza, a banana farmer in Barangay
Algon.
Altieza
said that the common commodities in the area before were just rice and corn
when the road was narrow and muddy every time it rains.
“Farmers
before were tired of expanding because of the hassle and big cost in
transporting their produce. Now, people can see various commodities in our
area. Farmers are inspired to expand and produce more because they can now save
a big amount in transporting their commodities to the market,” Altieza said.
DA
Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo recognized the good
attitude and hard work of the farmers in utilizing their farm areas.
“I
believe the farmers here are industrious in utilizing their areas. Various
crops are everywhere. This FMR will surely bring better production in this part
of Trento,” Monteagudo said.
Barangay
Chairperson Doreen PeΓ±aloga recalled that most farmers were hopeless for the
realization of the concrete road since there were farm owners before who were
not willing to donate a part of their land for the road right of way.
“It
was really a struggle on our part as barangay officials to encourage some of
the landowners to donate a part of their area for the road, but with the help
of the residents and PRDP’s processes in dealing with concerns like this, the
problem was eventually solved,” said PeΓ±aloga.
The
concrete road connects from Barangay Poblacion to Sitio Gaza and has paved the
way for the opening of the road to Barangay Tudela. “This road really helps a
lot not just to the farmers, but also for the easy transportation of the
neighboring barangays in going in and out of this area,” PeΓ±aloga added.
DA-PRDP
partners with the local government units and the private sector to provide key
infrastructures and facilities to raise incomes, productivity, and
competitiveness of the farmers and farmers’ associations in targeted areas. (RPCO-Caraga/PIA-Agusan
del Sur)
Dinagat Islands idineklarang drug-free ng PDEA-Caraga
By
Venus L. Garcia
LUNGSOD
NG SURIGAO, Surigao del Norte, Enero 30 (PIA) - Matapos maisagawa ang mahigpit
na assessment at validation ng mga miyembro ng Provincial Oversight Committee
on Barangay Drug-Clearing Program sa mga kinakailangang dokumento na isinumite
ng iba’t ibang barangay, idineklara ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency o
PDEA - Caraga ang Dinagat Islands bilang kauna-unahang drug-free na probinsya
sa rehiyon ng Caraga.
Ayon
kay PDEA-Caraga regional director Aileen Lovitos, ito’y kinabibilangan ng isang
daang barangay kung saan pumasa ang mga ito sa naitakdang parameters para
maideklara ang isang lugar na drug-free.
Paglilinaw
ni Lovitos, ilan sa pamantayan para maging drug-free ang isang komunidad ay
kung wala itong supply ng iligal na droga, walang tulak o gumagamit ng droga,
at walang lihim na laboratoryo o marijuana plantation site.
Dapat
din anya na mayroon ng aktibong anti-drug campaign programs ang mga lokal na
pamahalaan, community-based rehabilitation o treatment center, education
awareness program at pagkakaroon ng lokal na ordinansa laban sa iligal na
droga.
“Hindi
ibig sabihin na sa pagdedeklara ng mga drug-cleared na lugar ay hihinto na rin
tayo sa ating kampanya laban sa iligal na droga, kundi magpapatuloy tayo sa
pagmomonitor sa mga ito, dahil kapag may aktibidad na naman hinggil sa iligal
na droga ay muling mapapabilang na naman ito sa listahan ng mga barangay na
apekdo,” sabi ni Lovitos.
Nauna
na ring naideklara ang munisipyo ng Tubod sa Surigao del Norte bilang
drug-cleared na munisipyo habang nakatakda naman ang seremonyal na deklarasyon
ng Surigao del Sur bilang pangalawang drug-free na probinsya sa Caraga.
Sa
katatapos lang na Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs
Coordinating Group Meeting, ibinalita din ni Lovitos na nangunguna sa buong
Pilipinas ang PDEA-Caraga sa tulong ng mga partner stakeholder sa pagpapatupad
ng barangay drug clearing program o BDCP kung saan may humigit anim na raang
barangay na ang naideklarang drug-cleared.
Sinabi
pa ni Lovitos na patuloy ang kanilang monitoring at validation sa mga
personalidad na napabilang sa watchlist at kung makumpirmang may kinalaman sila
sa operasyon ng iligal na droga ay isasagawa ang anti-illegal drug operation
para mahuli ang mga ito at mahinto ang masamang gawain.
Sa ngayon ay mas pinalawak pa ng
pdea-caraga ang kanilang manpower resource at hinikayat ang sinumang
kwalipikado na mag-apply dahil ongoing ang kanilang recruitment ng drug
enforcement officers. (VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
