(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Monday, 29 April 2024) Easterlies affecting 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. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from East to Southeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.1 meters).


Wednesday, February 20, 2019


AgNor PDRRMC holds camp management training

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 20 (PIA) - The Disaster Response Committee of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of the province of Agusan del Norte will hold a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) on Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) on April 8 to 10, 2019 here.

According to Silver Joy Tejano, vice chairperson of the Response Committee and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, the activity will help the council and concerned personnel on CCCM.

The activity also aims to provide life preservation and meet the basic subsistence needs of affected population in the province of Agusan del Norte based on acceptable standards during and immediately after a disaster.

PDRRMO chief Erma Suyo also said that the training will help concerned personnel and officials develop and implement standard operating procedures on response levels.

The training is an avenue for skills development, capability-building and establish an institutional mechanism for disaster response operation to its committee members, Suyo added.

The ToT will be participated in by more than 50 focal persons from different offices and municipalities of the province. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)

DOH-CHD Caraga intensifies immunization drive against measles

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 20 (PIA) - Aside from the parental care and protection given by the parents to their children, the government and the Department of Health - Center for Heath Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga still want to ensure that they will not acquire measles and suffer from its complications.

Latest data from the DOH-CHD Caraga showed that from January 1 to February 14 this year, there are 159 cases of measles recorded in the entire region, of which Surigao City has the higest number of 52 cases; 32 in the province of Agusan del Sur; 29 in Surigao del Norte; 24 in Surigao del Sur; seven in Dinagat Islands; six in Agusan del Norte; and other nine cases in different cities.

Since DOH-CHD Caraga noted an upward trend in the number of individuals affected with measles, it has intensified its campaign in the region to curb increasing cases of this communicable disease.               

“Our local health offices have already conducted a house to house visit for immunizing six to 59 months children as our targets individuals for immunization,” said Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr., DOH-CHD Caraga regional director.

Llacuna said that measles is a highly contagious virus and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing.

Common signs and symptoms for suspected measles typically include fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat, followed by a rash that spread all over the body.

“It may be a self limiting disease but what we fear most is the complication that sets in, and notably these are pneumonia, encephalitis and diarrhea which can cause dehydration,” Llacuna said.

He, however, admitted that there is a certain decline in the immunization rate last year particularly in the areas where many measles cases were reported, the reason why the DOH-CHD Caraga is appealing to the parents to have their children vaccinated.

According to Llacuna, immunization remains the most effective means of prevention of infectious diseases such as measles.

“So, I am calling all the parents to go to the regional health units (RHUs) to have their children vaccinated. We can assure you of accessible supplies and adequate vaccines,” he added.

Measles fast lanes were also activated in hospitals intended for patients with suspected cases of measles.

Also, the DOH-CDH and Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga are set to conduct a selective immunization, targeting Grade I to Grade VI pupils.

When you get vaccinated, you’re protecting yourself and your family, said Llacuna. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

75IB, CHO collect 100 blood bags in Bislig City

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

Bloodletting activity at Gaisano Capital-Bislig City spearheaded by the 75IB in partnership with LGU Bislig through the City Health Office. (75IB Photo)
BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 20 (PIA) - The 75th Infantry “Marauder” Battalion, in partnership with the city government of Bislig through the City Health Office (CHO), has accumulated 100 bags of blood during the conduct of the bloodletting activity held at the Gaisano Capital, Mangagoy, Bislig City on February 15, 2019.

Anchored on the theme “Dugong Handog Para sa Kapayapaan,” the activity aims to motivate and create awareness among the people on the importance of blood donation.

The spirit of volunteerism also exuded from the good-hearted individuals who joined the activity.

Government employees, stakeholders, reservist and representatives from civic organizations such as Philippine National Police (PNP), Fraternal Eagle’s Club, Tau Gamma Fraternity, Gaisano Capital-Bislig City, City Health Office, BIslig District Hospital (BDH), University of Southeastern Philippines (USP), Southern Technological Institute of the Philippines (STIP), Traffic Management Group (TMG) participated in the event.

75IB commanding officer Lt. Colonel Jaime Datuin donates blood during the bloodletting activity at Gaisano Capital-Bislig City on February 15, 2019. (Photo credit to 75IB)
The volunteers and  donors have rendered their time and effort during the activity with a goal to help in saving lives, said Captain Edwin Leo Francisco, Civil Military Operations Officer of 75IB.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col Jaime Datuin, 75IB commanding officer, expressed his gratitude to those who participated the event.

“I am very grateful for your support. Your gesture of generosity through blood donation manifests your care and love to our fellow citizens. Thus, I also encourage everyone to show great concern in many ways for the good and welfare of our community,” said Datuin. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)