Butuanon places first, makes international
debate history
By Kim Christian T. Matildo
A team of debaters from Timber
City Academy (TCA) in Butuan City recently joined one of the largest
international debate competitions in the world. The team was composed of Lemuel
Dela Cruz Ang (Grade 12), Aleister Subla Busico (Grade 12), and Adonis Joshua
A. Po (Grade 11).
The 4th Parliamentary Debate
Association - World Highschool Debate Congress was held at Osaka, Japan on
January 18-20 2019, with debaters coming from various countries and
nationalities. It includes those from Mongolia, Korea, Mexico, Chile, Sweden,
Malaysia and many more. It was sponsored by many groups such as THE TOKYO
CLUB, The Nippon Foundation, and KDDI Foundation.
At the end of the competition, the
entire team was hailed as World Quarter finalists. But the team captain of the
group - Lemuel Dela Cruz Ang, stood out from the rest of the competition. He
was awarded as the 1st Best Speaker of The Congress, making him the first and
only Filipino to earn the distinction in the competition. He was likewise also
awarded as the 4th Best Point of Information Speaker for his ability to
interpolate other competitors.
Ang’s success is anchored on his
years of experience in competitive debating and public speaking. In the 8th and
9th edition of the Caraga Parliamentary Debate Championship (Atty. Law Fortun
Cup), he won the Best Speaker/Debater Award easily by earning it two times,
consecutively. In the 11th Visayas-Mindanao Debate Championship (VMDC), he was
named as the 3rd Best Highschool Speaker of Visayas-Mindanao. In the 35th
edition of the Mindanao Parliamentary Debate Championship (MPDC), he was
likewise awarded as the 3rd Best Highschool Speaker of Mindanao. And his back
to back win in the POPDEV Debate Competition in the Division Festival of
Talents in 2017 and 2018 prove the character and capability that he has as a
world-class debater. Not only that, he was awarded as Runner-Up in a public
speaking competition hosted by the Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP) and
sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) just a week
after his competition in Japan.
According to Ang, his interest in
debate really started when he won his first debate contest in 2015.
“My first win in the 8th edition
of the Caraga Parliamentary Debate Championship (CPDC) was what really inspired
me to continue honing my language and critical thinking skills. I founded the
TCA Debate Society, now known as the TCA Debate League right after that
competition because I wanted our school to have a formal debate and public
speaking group for students interested in fields such as these," he said.
“Debate really helped me a lot. It
enabled me to become more critical on controversial issues, and made me realize
how important it is to be well-informed on what's happening around the
world," he added.
Due to this achievement, Ang and
his team were awarded at the 3rd Gawad Galing at Talino, sponsored by the Local
Government of Butuan City for their exceptional success in representing the
country. Moreover, Ang was also a recipient of the Outstanding Butuanon Student
Award in the Senior High School Category as a Finalist for his performance in
academic and extra-curricular activities. (Timber City Academy/PIA-Agusan del
Norte)
TESDA partners LGU for 59th Araw ng SurSur
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, June
3 (PIA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
Surigao del Sur provincial office has partnered with the provincial government
of Surigao del Sur through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg)
for the upcoming 59th Araw ng Surigao del Sur on June 15-19, 2019 to be held at
the Surigao del Sur Sports Center, this city.
During the recent meeting, TESDA
Provincial Director Rey Cueva met with Provincial Agriculturist Marcos Quico
and discussed the agency's programs and services for the agricultural sector.
TESDA Specialist Lee Escobal said
both officials have agreed to conduct the skills enhancement training and free
assessment related to Agriculture during the upcoming event to showcase and
advocate government programs geared towards the agriculture sector.
The skills enhancement program
will take place on June 14, while the two-day free assessment program thru the
Competency Assessment and Certification for Workers (CACW) will be conducted on
June 17-18.
Escobal said TESDA will offer the
following courses: Agricultural Crops (AgriCrops) Production NC-I, and NC-III;
Bookkeeping NC-III; Driving NC-II; and Heavy Equipment Operation (HEO): On
Highway Dump truck NC-II.
Meanwhile, a skills demonstration
on meat processing like embotido and tocino and how to make buko pie will also
be included in the lined-up activities. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Agusan Norte tribes declare CPP-NPA persona
non-grata
By 1Lt Roel T Maglalang
The declaration was made thru a
resolution initiated and unanimously approved by the tribal leaders during the
IP Leaders Forum in Barangay Alubihid, here.
The recent killings of tribal
leaders in other provinces perpetrated by the CPP-NPA ignited the Higaonon,
Manobo and Banwaon Leaders to declare the CPP-NPA as persona non-grata in the
two provinces of Agusan and Magsaysay of Misamis Oriental.
The CPP-NPA murdered Datu Buklas a
Mamanwa, last May 20, 2019; killed CAA Ronald B. Contemplo last May 21, 2019; shot
Datu Silaw Ryan Hunyog Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR)
of Carascal, Surigao del Sur last May 22, 2019.
During the forum, Datu Manlighud
Manandog Victor D. Manpatilan, Supreme Datu of the four provinces, Agusan del
Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon and Datu Bawang Eddie
Ampiyawan, IPMR of Agusan del Norte put forward the need to declare the CNT as
persona non-grata in all the Ancestral Domains of Higaonon, Manobo, and
Banwaon.
The declaration makes the CPP-NPA
and their allied organizations and supporters not welcome in their
communities.
The different CPP-NPA allied
organizations which were specifically included as perona non-grata are: Union
sa Mag-uuma sa Agusan del Norte (UMAN), Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Agusan del Sur
(NAMASUR), Katribu, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), Karapatan, Anak
Pawis, Anak Bayan, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, League of Filipino Students (LFS),
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Piston,
Kabataan, and other terrorist groups and their supporters.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel
Francisco L. Molina Jr., Commanding Officer, 23rd Infantry Battalion, stressed
that “the resolution issued by the tribal leaders declaring the CPP-NPA and
their cohorts as persona non-grata in the communities of Higaonon, Manobo and
Banwaon is a manifestation that they don't want this terrorist group to thrive
in their ancestral domains."
"I also encourage other
tribal leaders to follow suit and disown the CNTs until they are flushed out
away from tribal communities," Molina added. (CMO Officer, 23IB PA)
DSWD supports regional launching of DepEd’s 2019
Brigada Eskwela
By Joana Rica P. Millama
LIANGA, Surigao del Sur, June 3 --
The Department of Education (DepEd), together with its partner stakeholders
including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, has
recently launched the regional kick-off ceremony of the 2019 Brigada Eskwela
held at Anibongan National High School of this municipality with the theme
“Matatag na Bayan para sa Maunlad na Paaralan.”
Along with the launching, an
Information Caravan was conducted by DSWD through the Social Marketing Section
with the assistance from the Provincial and Municipal Operations Office of
Pantawid Pamilya, where they distributed materials such as flyers, brochures,
and newsletters highlighting the gains of its programs and services – one of
these is the Bata-Balik Eskwela (BBE) campaign flyer.
The BBE campaign aims to address
the number of Pantawid children beneficiaries identified as Not Attending
School (NAS). It shall sustain the children’s attendance in school through a
more focused approach and intervention where children can be reached out,
motivated, and helped to develop the confidence and interest to return to
school.
During the ceremony, DepEd
Assistant Regional Director Dr. Fidela M. Rosas shared that volunteering in the
week-long Brigada does not only help the school, but also the students, by
providing them with a conducive environment to nurture their academic
performance and extra-curricular engagements.
“A lot of you here might be asking
why we chose Anibongan as the venue of our regional launching. It is because
this school won the National Search for the Brigada Eskwela Best Implementer in
2018 – Medium Category. This year, we are hoping that we qualify again,” Rosas
said.
Recently, the school’s Kamayo
student athletes bagged eight gold, four silver, and two bronze medals during
the Palarong Pambansa – Wrestling Cadet Category; which positioned Caraga as
the country’s newest source of wrestling aspirants.
The Brigada Eskwela on May 20-25
is the National Schools Maintenance Week that aims to bring together all
education stakeholders to participate and contribute their time, effort, and
resources to prepare public school facilities for the opening of the school year
in June. (Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office
Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DepEd AgNor readies opening of classes with more
than 75k students
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, June 3 (PIA) - The
Department of Education (DepEd) Agusan del Norte is already prepared for the
opening of classes today, June 3, 2019, with more than 75,000 students.
During the recent convergence
meeting for the Oplan Balik Eskwela, schools division superintendent Arsenio
Cornites, Jr., together with various stakeholders, clarified that schools under
their supervision are now ready as well as teachers who would handle incoming
students for the school year 2019-2020.
Cornites added that books for the
students are also set to be released this week.
DepEd-Agusan del Norte Division is
composed of 19 school district offices, 179 elementary schools, 55 secondary
schools, and more than 2,900 teachers.
Also, stakeholders and partner
government agencies bared their plans and preparation for the opening of classes,
which include securing traffic flow, reiteration of the proper solid waste
segregation, and ensuring that classrooms are presentable and conducive for
learning, among others.
Meanwhile, Engr. Lolita Vinalay,
chief meteorological officer of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Butuan also reminded the school
children to always bring umbrella or anything that could protect them from the
scorching heat of the sun, as El NiΓ±o phenomenon is still felt in the region
and is expected to last until the end of this year. (JPG/NCLM, PIA-Caraga)
Election wastes turn into bags, benefit 200
pupils in AgNor town
BUTUAN CITY, June 3 -- A total of
200 pupils in Sitio Macopa, Barangay Poblacion, Carmen, Agusan del Norte
received bags made out of dismantled campaign materials (tarpaulins) during the
Community Outreach Program of Police Regional Office (PRO) 13, May 30.
Each pupil received a bag filled
with notebooks, papers, pencil, eraser, sharpener, plastic envelope, scissors
and ballpen which were personally handed over by Police Brigadier General
Gilberto DC Cruz, PRO13 Director.
The kids were wearing big smiles
as they individually received the gifts.
Last April 25, 2019, the
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Caraga conducted the “OPLAN BAKLAS” that
was participated in by the PRO13, Armed Forces of the Philippines,
Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of the Interior and Local
Government, Land Transportation Office, Bureau of Fire and Protection, National
Commission on Muslim Filipinos, and the Barangay Peace Action Teams.
The election wastes were cut and
then sewed by the police to transform into serviceable school bags.
“Aside from promoting the Makakalikasan
as Philippine National Police core value by utilizing recyclable waste
materials, we also promote the Makatao by sharing simple gifts of love to the
underprivileged people of Caraga,” said PBGen. Cruz.
Another bag-giving activity will
be conducted in Butuan City during the opening of classes on June 3, 2019. (PNP
Caraga/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Volunteerism among Agusanons highlighted in
Brigada Eskwela; free hair cut cheers volunteers
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, June 3 (PIA) -
With the yearly conduct of Brigada Eskwela of the Department of Education
(DepEd), the teachers with their students, parents and other sectors in Agusan
del Norte and Butuan City volunteered and actively participated in cleaning and
improving the school’s facilities.
Buenavista National High School is
among the public schools in the province that effectively implemented the
annual conduct of Brigada Eskwela, in preparation of the opening of classes
this June 3, 2019.
Representatives from the private
sector also took part in the activity by donating materials for building
repainting and other useful things for the learners.
For Anthony Tangigad, who will be
in grade 12 this opening of classes in June, he was delighted to see his former
classmates and teachers in the Brigada Eskwela after a short vacation. He was
also among those who grabbed the opportunity and availed the free haircut
inside the school.
Also, for Melita Danuco, a senior
citizen who has three grandchildren enrolled in the said school, they went
early and started cleaning, as they have been preparing for this activity every
month of May. She said she always wants her grandchildren to experience quality
education in a school that is conducive for learning.
Thelma Odron, principal of said
school emphasized that more volunteers are now joining the Brigada Eskwela
compared to last year. The innate nature of Agusanons of doing volunteer work
and bayanihan serve as inspiration to other people to do the same in their
community.
She also hopes that with the help
of various sectors, a student- learners’ kiosk and study shed would finally be
established inside their school.
Meanwhile, the spirit of
volunterism was also witnessed in the different schools in the region, together
with the Philippine National Police and Philippine Army. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Aktibong partisipasyon ng mga kabataan sa
komunidad, isinusulong ng PDEA Caraga
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Hunyo 3 (PIA) -
Kasabay sa isinagawang Brigada Eskwela sa Ambago Elementary School sa lungsod
ng Butuan, isinusulong din ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga
sa lahat ng mag-aaral ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa at aktibong partisipasyon
ng mga kabataan sa mga aktibidad na makatutulong sa pag-unlad ng kanilang
komunidad.
Kaya bilang ehemplo, sila mismo na
taga PDEA ay sumali sa unang pagkakataon sa Brigada Eskwela alinsunod na
rin sa direktiba ni Undersecretary Aaron Aquino sa pagpapalaganap ng community
service lalo na sa mga Caraganons.
Maliban sa kagamitang panlinis na
pinamahagi ng PDEA sa mga paaralan, namimigay din sila ng mga information,
education and communication (IEC) materials.
“Yung pagtulong natin sa komunidad
sa pamamagitan ng lectures sa mga paaralan at establistamento na kailangan para
malaman nila ang masamang naidudulot sa katawan ng ilegal na droga. Iba kasi
pag may alam yung tao kung ano yung epekto nito, maibahagi niya sa iba, at lalu
na sa mga magulang na may mga teenager, maibahagi din nila ito,” sabi ni Dir.
Lovitos.
Kabilang din ang Libertad Central
Elementary School, Gabriel Elementary School, at Pedro Duncano Elementary
School sa lungsod na nabenepisyuhan ng tulong mula sa PDEA.
Magpapatuloy din ang kanilang
programa para sa mga kabataan upang malayo’ ang mga ito sa ilegal na droga.
Samantala, laking pasasalamat din
ni Helenna Palen, principal ng Ambago Central Elementary School sa tulong ng
PDEA, maging ng iba pang ahensiya ng pamahalaan sa kanilang patuloy na
pagbibigay nang agarang aksyon sa pangangailangan ng mga mag-aaral.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Bolunterismo ng mga Agusanons, ibinida sa Brigada
Eskwela
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Hunyo 3 (PIA) -
Boluntaryong nakibahagi para sa Brigada Eskwela ang mga guro, mag-aaral, mga
magulang, at iba pang sektor sa probinsya ng Agusan del Norte at lungsod ng
Butuan.
May mga kinatawan din mula sa
pribadong sektor na nagbigay ng mga materyales na magagamit sa pagpapaganda ng
paaralan.
Para kay Anthony Tangigad na Grade
12 na ngayong pasukan, masaya siya at nakasama niyang muli ang kanyang mga
kaklase at guro sa Brigada Eskwela matapos ang bakasyon.
Kabilang rin siya nabenepisyuhan
ng isinagawang libreng gupit para sa volunteers.
“Inaabangan ko na talaga ang
pagbubukas ng klase dahil marami na naman akong matututunan at makakalamuhang
mga classmates at guro. Handan a akong sumabak uli sa paaralan naming,” sabi ni
Tangigad.
Para naman kay Melita Danuco,
isang senior citizen na may tatlong apong mag-aaral, maaga silang nagpunta sa
eskwelahan lalo't inaabangan niya umano ito tuwing mayo.
Ang kanyang boluntaryo pagtulong
ay para sa pangarap niyang makapag-aral nang mabuti ang kanyang mga apo sa
maayos na paaralan.
Ibinahagi naman ni Thelma Odron,
principal ng nasabing paaralan, na mas maraming sumasali sa Brigada Eskwela
ngayon taon kompara noong nakaraang taon.
Nagiging inspirasyon naman sa iba
ang pagiging likas na pagkawang-gawa o bolunterismo ng mga Agusanons.
Umaasa rin siya na sa tulong ng ibat-ibang sektor, maitatayo rin ang kanilang student learners kiosk at study shed sa loob ng paaralan.
Samantala nasaksihan rin ang
bolunterismo at pagkakaisa ng mga sektor sa iba pang skwelahan ng rehiyon
kasama ang Philippine National Police at Philippine Army. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
