(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Tuesday, 10 December 2024) Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting the western section of Mindanao and Palawan. Shear Line affecting the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern Luzon and the rest of Central Luzon. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: 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 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—‘: Moderate to Strong winds coming from East to Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Wednesday, May 22, 2019

DENR’s IOs train on infographics creation, responsible use of social media

By Jennifer P. Gaitano


BUTUAN CITY, May 22 (PIA) - As influencers and agents of change in various communities in the region, the information officers (IOs) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga recently underwent a training workshop on the creation of infographics, as well as responsible use of social media, through the technical assistance of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga of this city.

Fely Grace Catalan, IO of DENR-CENRO Tubay, Agusan del Norte was one of the participants of the three-day skills enhancement training-workshop who are eager to apply their gained knowledge from the different subject matter discussed. She has been working in the department for ten years and accepted the challenge to maximize the use of the new technology and content creation in social media as part of communication strategies.  

“I am very happy to be part of this training along with my co-information officers of our department. I believe this would really enhance my skills and help me become more effective in my functions and responsibilities,” said Catalan.

Also for Melquisedic Lagurin, IO of DENR-CENRO Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, it is a great opportunity for him to be part of this training where his skills in creating infographics and social media cards were developed. He also strongly supports the government’s campaign against fake news.


“We are actually reminded that we hold a very important role as government information officers, and I realized that we shouldn’t be sharing all the information, rather, we should be very careful and would see to it that the information we disseminate are factual, developmental and could help the people in their daily life,” Lagurin said.

Apart from infographics and responsible use of social media platform, the participants’ skills in basic news writing, feature writing, technical report writing, basic newsletter design and IEC materials lay-outing were also enhanced, and are useful in their daily tasks at work.

Meanwhile, Herzon Gallego, senior communications development officer of the Regional Public Affairs Office of DENR Caraga highlighted the significance of continuously providing skills enhancement training to the IOs for them to be effective in their functions. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

4 NPA rebels killed in SurSur clash 

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

CARMEN, Surigao del Sur, May 22 (PIA) -- Four New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a clash with the Philippine Army in the mountainous area of Carmen town, Surigao del Sur Sunday afternoon, May 19.

Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad, 36th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the troops encountered more or less 10 fully armed NPA terrorists of Sandatahang Pampropaganda sa Platoon 2, Weakened Guerilla Front 30 (SPP2, WGF30) under Raul Alacre alias Megan of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

The exchange of fires lasted for about 15 minutes after which the NPA terrorists scampered to different directions leaving their wounded and killed comrades behind.

The four CNT members killed were identified as: Dylan Ghem Padilla Jimenez, Ruel Alacre; Fe Doliente; and Ermil Tomian. Except for Jimenez, the codenames of the other three NPAs are still being validated by the higher headquarters, the official said.

Seized from the encounter site were five high powered firearms composed of three AK47, and two M16 rifle, twelve magazines of AK-47, two long magazines of M16, three cellular phones, assorted ammunition, personal belongings and high valued documents.

Lt. Col. Trinidad has extended their deepest sympathies to the bereaved families of those NPAs killed. He added that they have already coordinated with the local government units and local authorities to ensure that the killed NPA terrorists will be delivered to their families for proper burial. (PIA Surigao del Sur)

CENRO-Talacogon conducts orientation for CSC assessment

By Leonida T. Quibuyen

TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, May 22 -- To ensure the sustainable development of the forestland, the Community of Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) Talacogon conducted recently an orientation for the assessment of areas issued with Certificate of Stewardship Contracts (CSCs) held in Barangay Coalicion, San Luis of this province.

CSC holders and the local government unit of the said barangay attended the activity.

CENRO-Talacogon personnel discussed briefly the concept of CS Contract under the Integrated Social Forestry Program (ISFP) of the government. It is a contract between the government and an individual or family to develop/manage a certain area of the forestland for 25 years and can be renewed for another 25 years. There were 23 CSCs issued within the barangay on March 16, 1992, and has expired on March 16, 2013.

Bonifacio Gomez, one of the CSC holders stated that he holds a contract but has no actual area on the ground. He also expressed that he wants to cancel his contract because he is paying a tax for it.

Assessment on the areas with CSCs will be conducted to determine the extent of developments and improvements therein. Each CSC area will also de delineated to determine the exact boundaries of their adjacent areas and to provide a computer generated maps using Geographical Information System (GIS). Result of the assessment will be the basis whether the contract shall be canceled or renewed.

Originally, the schedule for the actual survey will be after the orientation but the CSC holders and their representatives requested to re-schedule the activity after the National Election. The survey will commence on May 28-31, 2019. (CENRO-TADS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

DENR IOs, hinasa ang kasanayan sa paggawa ng infographics, responsableng paggamit ng social media

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Mayo 22 -- Bilang influencers at 'agents of change' sa ibat-ibang komunidad sa Caraga region, hinasa ang kasanayan ng mga information officers ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga sa pagawa ng infographics, maging ang responsableng paggamit ng social media, sa tulong ng Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga dito sa lungsod.

Sa tatlong araw na Skills Enhancement Training, magkahalong kaba at excitement ang nadama ng mga partisipante, at isa na riyan si Fely Grace Catalan, IO ng DENR-CENRO Tubay, Agusan del Norte na may sampung taon nang nagtatrabaho sa ahensiya at ngayon ay tinanggap ang hamon sa paggamit ng teknolohiya at social media upang makasabay sa demand ng makabagong paraan sa komunikasyon at sa pagpapalaganap ng mahahalagang impormasyon sa publiko.

“Malaking tulong talaga itong training na ito para sa aming mga IOs lalo na at kami yung mga frontliner na pumupunta sa grassroots at nagbabahagi ng balitasa komunidad,” sabi ni Catalan.

Para naman kay Melquisedic Lagurin, IO ng DENR-CENRO Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, isang malaking oportunidad ang madagdagan ang kanyang kaalaman at mahasa ang kanyang kasanayan sa pagawa ng infographics at social media cards na mas madali at mabisang platform sa pagbahagi ng impormasyon sa netizens. Lubos din ang kanyang suporta sa kampanya laban sa fake news.

Maliban sa infographics at responsableng paggamit ng social media, mas nahasa rin sila sa basic newswriting, feature writing, technical report writing, basic newsletter design at IEC materials lay-outing na makatutulong sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na trabaho.

Binigyang-diin naman ni Herzon Gallego, senior communications development officer ng Regional Public Affairs Office sa DENR Caraga, na mahalaga ang patuloy na pagsasanay sa mga information officers upang mas maging epektibo ang kanilang pagganap sa kanilang tungkulin.

Samantala, pinuri naman ni PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga ang DENR at lahat ng IOs nito sa kanilang aktibong partisipasyon sa tatlong araw na training-workshop. Umaasa rin ang opisyal na patuloy ang pag-level up ng mga IOs maging sa ibat-ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

CENRO-Talacogon facilitates MOA signing for FLUP formulation 

By Cherlie G. Buo

LA PAZ, Agusan del Sur, May 22 – Community of Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) Talacogon personnel recently facilitated the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Municipality of La Paz through Mayor Ambrosio Lim and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through Regional Executive Director lawyer Felix Alicer for the formulation of Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP).

In behalf of  Alicer, assistant regional director for Technical Services For. Ben-Ali Decampong attended said event, together with Forester Jerome Albia, Officer In-charge of DENR-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO); Forester Vince Estopito, Community of Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) of Talacogon; and other stakeholders of La Paz, Agusan del Sur.

In his message,  Decampong said that FLUP will be the guiding book for the LGU on managing their Natural resources and even on the proper allocation of Forest and Forestland.

“FLUP will create a strong partnership between the DENR and LGU La Paz,” said ARD Decampong.

Cydric Cumba, Municipal Environment Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) presented the content of MOA particularly the roles and responsibilities of both parties.

“We are anticipating the full support of the leading agency on the formulation and for the future implementation of the municipal FLUP,” he said.

Meanwhile, CENRO Estopito reiterated on his message the importance of FLUP to the municipality including the benefits of having a sustainable management of the municipal natural resources.

“Sharing of responsibilities will create a positive outcome between the LGU and DENR,” he said.

The MOA signing was then signed by Ambrosio Lim for LGU La Paz and witnessed by Decampong, CENR Officer Vince Estopito and OIC, PENR Officer For. Jerome Albia.

The signed MOA will be endorsed to the higher office for consolidation and records. (CENRO-Talacogon/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

PENRO-SDN presents environmental Medium Term Plan for FY 2020-2022

By Jay Ar M. Montaner

TAGANA-AN, Surigao del Norte, May 22 - The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office – Surigao del Norte (PENRO-SDN) presented its first draft of Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Medium Term Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-2022 in the recently conducted Final Review and Critiquing of ENR Plan facilitated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Planning and Management Division (PMD) at the Regional Learning Center, Ambago, Butuan City.

Forester Maritess Ocampo, officer-in-charge (OIC) of PENRO-SDN, thoroughly discussed the ENR plan containing the proposed projects of the office within the three–year period which focuses the core problem on upland and coastal degradation based on the identified environmental issues within the province of Surigao del Norte.

The critiquing was paneled by assistant regional director for Management Services (ARD-MS) Samuel Danganan, OIC-PMD Chief Antonieta Jurado, and Technical Division chiefs in the region.

The PENROs from four provinces of Caraga also presented their respective plans derived from the identified issues and concerns occurred in the provinces.

Series of meetings and consultations were conducted before the final critiquing.

The Medium Term Plan was created per memorandum from the Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs, dated July 13, 2018 that the Department will be institutionalizing reforms in improving the planning process through the Formulation of Medium Term ENR Plan using Geographic Information System (GIS).

Drafted ENR Plans will be consolidated by the region for submission to Central Office. (JPG/CENRO Tubod/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

DENR initiates seagrass, coral reef monitoring in Siargao Islands

BUTUAN CITY, May 22 - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga regional office personnel had collaborated with the protected area superintendent (PASu) of Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS) in the conduct of seagrass and coral reef monitoring under the Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Management Program (CMEMP) in the established Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in the municipalities of Dapa, Sta. Monica and Pilar in Siargao Islands.

The two teams were created to simultaneously conduct the seagrass and coral reef monitoring per municipality following the standard Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) Technical Bulletin No. 2017-05 or the Guidelines on the Assessment of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems.

The artificial reefs (ARs) were also monitored by the coral reef team. Data were then inputted and is subject for analysis and finalization by the PASu-SIPLAS Office.

This activity is part of the annual target of PASu-SIPLAS in ensuring the management and protection of the coastal and marine ecosystems in Siargao Island. The MPAs are no-take zones or reserve areas in the ocean that ensures fishery and biodiversity enhancement.

MPAs are annually monitored by DENR to update the status of the coral reef and seagrass in the area. This is also to ensure that issues be addressed and proper management be in place.

The team will continue to monitor the MPAs in the municipalities of Burgos, Socorro, General Luna, San Isidro and Del Carmen in the succeeding weeks. (LBO, DENR-Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

CENRO Tubay leads tree planting  to reduce flooding

By Fely Grace V. Catalan

CABADBARAN CITY, May 22 – The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-Tubay spearheaded by OIC, CENR Officer Teresa Salisid recently conducted a tree planting activity along the bank of Cabadbaran River located at Sitio Hinagdanan, Comagascas, this city.

Salisid said the tree planting activity aims to protect threatened and endangered species.
"Planted trees will help save the river, reduce the risk of flooding and stabilize the bank," she said.

Among the groups that participated in the activity are residents and barangay officials from the barangay local government unit of Comagascas, Cabadbaran City; partners from the industries - EMCO Plywood Corporation; and Agata Mining Ventures Incorporated (AMVI).

The activity successfully planted a total of 600 various seedlings of Narra, Magcono, Lawaan, Molave, Mahogany, Sagimsim, Name Tree, Camagong and Talisay along the 580 meters stretch of Comagascas River, Cabadbaran City.

The activity is in line with the Earth Day celebration 2019 with the theme ”Protect Our Species.” (CENRO-Tubay/PIA-Caraga)