(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of 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.


Tuesday, September 3, 2019


100 IPs in Caraga receive PhilHealth cards

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 3 (PIA) -- The indigenous peoples (IPs) have been known for their great contribution in maintaining peace and order in their respective communities, hence, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga recognized their effort and has partnered with the Philippine Health (PhilHealth) Insurance Corporation for the distribution of PhilHealth cards to be used by the IPs in their medical needs.

This was in time with the 118th Police Service Anniversary celebration of PNP Caraga held in Butuan City.

Led by PNP Caraga regional director Police Brigadier General Gilberto Cruz, together with Herzon Zenon Leonardo Malate, the acting regional vice president of PhilHealth Caraga, and Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa, deputy chief PNP for operations, some 100 PhilHealth cards were distributed and received by the respective tribal leaders from the different provinces of the region.

Each of the tribal leaders received the PhilHealth cards intended for their respective tribal members.

In his message, Cruz highlighted the significant role of the IPs in nation-building. He stressed that specific programs intended for the IP sector should be enhanced and sustained.

Meanwhile, Gamboa thanked all IPs in Caraga region for their active support, cooperation and participation in the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 or the whole-of-nation approach to stop the insurgency in the country. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Agusan, MisOr tribal leaders unite to end insurgency

By 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang

BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, Sept. 3 -- A total of 55 tribal leaders of Higaonon, Banwaon and Manobo from the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Misamis Oriental spoke out their stand to end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) on August 24, 2019 at the headquarters of 23rd Infantry Battalion, Jamboree Site, Purok 6, Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

The activity was conducted to define the roles of tribal leaders in relation to the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 (EO 70) institutionalizing the 'whole-of-nation' approach to end local communist armed conflict.

The whole-of-nation approach requires the participation of not only the different agencies of the government but the different sectors of the community in addressing the very long existing insurgency caused by the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People's Army (CPP-NPA) which hinders development, particularly in the countryside.

Hence, the different tribal leaders expressed their desire to fight the CPP-NPA to finally end insurgency and other armed struggles.

Present during the meeting were Agusan del Norte 2nd district representative Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba, NCIP Caraga regional director Ferdaussi Cerna, and provincial indigenous peoples mandatory representative (IPMR) of Agusan del Norte Datu Bawang Eddie Ampiyawan. 

Ampiyawan extended his gratitude to the local government unit of Agusan del Norte and the 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB) for helping the indigenous peoples (IPs)/lumads and for hearing their grievances against the CPP-NPA terrorists who continuously sow terror in their communities.

“I encourage all tribal leaders to support the government to end insurgency. Let us be one in fighting the CPP-NPA for us to have a peaceful community. We will not allow them to deceive and manipulate anymore our families and become victims again of their evil interest,” Ampiyawan said.

Moreover, Matba expressed her appreciation for holding the activity as a support to the efforts of the government in implementing EO 70 particularly in the province of Agusan del Norte.

“I know that there are many IPs who were deceived and recruited by the NPA rebels. I can’t take it if lumads will fight against each other. Let us work hand-in-hand, converge our efforts to end insurgency,” Matba said.

Likewise, Cerna said that the best contribution that tribal leaders can extend to end insurgency in Caraga is to inform the people that there is only one government. “We shall support only the duly constituted government. Let us not be deceived by the CPP-NPA because they destroy the lives of our people. They had caused disintegration among the indigenous peoples,” he said.

Further, Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Molina, Jr., commanding officer of 23IB expressed his appreciation to the tribal leaders for their passion in helping the government in ending local communist armed conflict. “Insurgency is not only the concern of the AFP and PNP, but it is the concern of every Filipino. With your cooperation and support, we can achieve peace and development in our communities,” said Molina. (23IB, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Disgruntled rebels surrender in Surigao Sur

By Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan

SAN MIGUEL, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 3 (PIA) -- The loss of the will to fight in the futile struggle of the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorists or CNTs is the reason to the surrender of two regular NPA members of the Guerilla Front Committee 30 (GFC 30), CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) on August 22 in Barangay Bolhoon, interior town of San Miguel of this province.

They surrendered to the troops of the 7th Special Forces (Spartans) Company under the 3rd Special Forces (Arrowhead) Battalion (3SFBn) of the Philippine Army.

The surrenderers were identified as Ka Queen, 28 years old and a regular NPA; and Ka Arnel, 42 years old, a designated supply officer of GF 30, NEMRC, both residents of Barangay, Kabangahan of the said town. They brought with them one Armscor shotgun and one caliber 38 pistol with defaced serial numbers along with two shotgun ammunition.

With the President’s issuance of Executive Order No. 70 (EO 70) enjoining all Filipinos to take part in the 'whole-of-nation' approach to end insurgency, the local government units (LGUs), concerned government agencies and even local residents became more active in propagating the President’s message to topple the CNTs.

The 3rd Special Forces Battalion, in coordination with the LGUs, is poised to further intensify their campaign towards the realization of ending local communist armed conflict in the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur.

Currently, CSP teams are already immersed in the identified priority areas for peace and development of the said provinces.

“Knowing that the fight to end insurgency is the responsibility of all Filipinos, it feels great to see all units of the government and the residents work hand-in-hand with us (military) to achieve a common goal towards lasting peace in our area of operations. We know that our tactical footprints and presence degraded the CNTs’ mass base and its support structures that is why some of their elements are returning into the folds of the law. So, we encourage all other CNT members that our door is always open if they want to surrender. It is better to live peacefully with your families than being fooled for a useless cause,” said Lieutenant Colonel Joey B Baybayan, commanding officer of the 3SF Battalion.

The surrenderers will be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), a complete assistance package under the government’s program for former rebels and will undergo series of consultations and counseling as part of their transition process in the mainstream society. (3SF Battalion-CMO/PIA Surigao del Sur)


WCO 2019 HOTS grateful to TESDA

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 3 -- Hired on the Spot (HOTS) during the conduct of World Café of Opportunities (WCO) here are grateful to Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

John Paul B. Bernasor, 18 from Brgy. Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte said he is happy because he did not expect that he will be hired on the spot by Fit Cars Service Center of this city as a mason.

When asked what might be the reason why he was immediately hired, he said “I was hired by the company because I believe that the employers who were here knew that I really know the work and I am capable of the skills that they are looking for.”

Bernasor is a graduate of Alternative Learning System (ALS) and also finished Carpentry NC II from the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries (NMSF) in Matabao, Agusan del Norte, whose mother is working abroad.
“My new job now can really help my family in the financial aspect and this is also a way for me to pay my mother in return who is working abroad to earn a living,” Bernasor said.

Bernasor likewise said he is very much thankful to TESDA for the knowledge and skills that they have imparted to him. “Because of my trainers, I was able to have an opportunity to help my family and prove to myself that I can do it and be an asset to my community,” he said.

Also, Michael V. Pande of Brgy. 1, Purok 6, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte is a 23-year-old ALS Graduate and holder of Carpentry NC II.

He said because of the encouragement of one of the faculty members of NMSF, he came here today not expecting that he will be able to find a job as he was one of those who were hired on the spot also by Fit Cars Service Center as Mason.

“Aside from the fact that I already have a lot of experience in the construction field, I feel that the knowledge and skills that I have obtained from my trainings in TESDA are a big factor why I was hired on the spot,” he said when asked why the company hired him.
Pande said his new employment now is a big help to his family especially that they are in financial crisis right now.

“I am thankful to TESDA especially the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries (NMSF) through Mr. Romel M. Natad, Vocational School Administrator II because though I am an ALS graduate, they gave me a warm welcome and offered an opportunity that can transform not only mine but more importantly, my family… To TESDA, thank you very much,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lance Oliver P. Ortuyo, 21 of Batitang Subdivision, Cabadbaran City 21 is a two-year Air Craft Maintenance Technician graduate of Asian International School of Aeronautics and Technology, (AISAT) Davao City. He is also a holder of Cookery NC II at PTC-Agusan del Norte.

Ortuyo said he learned this activity from one of his friends who is also his classmate during their Cookery Class in PTC-Agusan del Norte. “I went here hoping for an opportunity… and I really got it because I was hired on the Spot by New Rosario’s Foods Corporation, Butuan City,” he added.

Unlike the other applicants, Ortuyo said he has high hopes of being hired on the spot. “I expected to be hired as Food and Beverage Associate because I am equipped with knowledge and skills that I have obtained from my training in PTC-Agusan del Norte and with this, I am confident of coming here,” he added.

Because of his new employment, he pointed out that this can help his family specifically in financial needs.

“The 17-kilometer distance from Cabadbaran City to Butuan City is not a hindrance to my new work… What is important is to have self-determination and to believe that I can survive in all the challenges that may come to my life,” he added.

“I am very much grateful for the opportunity that TESDA has given me that will change my life and transform my well-being as a skilled worker,” Ortuyo said.

TESDA Memorandum No. 14, series of 2018 directed all TESDA Regional and Provincial Offices to conduct Sectoral WCO through Job Linkaging and Networking (JoLINS), a strategy to increase impact and build the image of TESDA as a caring institution. (TESDA Caraga/PIA Caraga)

NCIP Caraga, IP community, nanawagan sa publiko na huwag magpalinlang sa NPA

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Setyembre 3 (PIA) -- Sa patuloy na kampanya ng gobyerno laban sa terorismo, nagkaisa ang mga kawani ng National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), kasama ang indigenous peoples (IP) community sa Caraga, na palalawakin sa publiko ang mga panlilinlang ng mga grupong tulad ng New People’s Army (NPA).

Ayon kay Bae Magdalina Gano, IP Truth Ambassador mula Surigao del Sur, nais nilang malaman ng publiko ang katotohanan sa kapahamakang dulot ng teroristang grupo sa mga komunidad lalo na sa mga kabataan.

Masakit mang balikan ang alaala ni Bae Magdalina sa kanyang pamilyang inabuso ng NPA, nanindigan siya na kailangan nilang ipaglaban ang kanilang karapatan at hindi magpapaloko o magpapalinlang.

Dagdag pa niya, hindi siya natatakot sa kung ano man ang kahihinatnan ng kanilang pakikipaglaban sa mga NPA dahil sinasabi lang nila ang buong katotohanan sa mga karumal-dumal na gawain nito.


Binigyang-diin din ni NCIP Caraga Regional Director Ferdausi Cerna na nakikiisa sila sa IP community at ipinaglalaban din ng ahensiya ang karapatang pantao at dignidad ng mga IPs, at proteksyon nito mula sa makakaliwang grupo.

Dagdag pa ng opisyal, aktibo rin sila sa pakikipagtulungan kasama ang iba pang ahensiya ng pamahalaan sa implementasyon ng Executive Order No. 70 o ang whole of nation approach sa pagkamit ng pangmatagalang kapayapaan sa bansa. 

Mas paiigtingin din nila ang magandang relasyon ng IP community at ng gobyerno. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

DSWD kinilala ang mga community volunteers sa Caraga region

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Setyembre 3 (PIA) -- Kinilala ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ang community volunteers sa kanilang pagbibigay suporta sa mga programa at proyekto sa ilalim ng Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) sa rehiyon ng Caraga.

Isinagawa ito sa pagdiriwang ng 3rd National Community Volunteers’ Congress at 5th National Bayani Ka! Awards sa lungsod ng Butuan.

Sa pangunguna ni DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista, tumanggap ng plake ang awardees at hinimok ang mga ito na magpatuloy sa kanilang boluntaryong pagtulong sa mga komunidad.

Binigyang-diin din ni Bautista ang kahalagahan ng pagtulong sa kapwa at ang pagiging bayani ng mga social workers at community volunteers para makatulong sa mga Pilipino.

Pinasalamatan din niya ang lahat ng aktibong opisyal ng mga lokal na pamahalaan.

“Kami ay panatag na ang mga proyektong naisagawa ninyo sa komunidad ay tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng karamihan dahil naniniwala kami sa inyong pagpapasya, at pinagdaanang proseso sa pagsasakatuparan nito. Bukod sa mga proyekto, kami ay nagpapasalamat din sa mga lokal na pamahalaan at community based group sa inyong pagyakap sa mga proseso at prinsipyo ng KALAHI-CIDSS para masiguro ang patuloy na pagdinig sa boses ng bawat mamamayan,” sabi ni Bautista.

May walong awardees ang Caraga, at ito ay ang: 1) Barug Kababaihan sa San Roque Association in Trento, Agusan del Sur (gender and development category); 2) Bayogo Tribal Community sa Madrid, Surigao del Sur (IPs welfare category); 3) Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee of Zillovia sa Talacogon, Agusan del Sur (promotion of just peace category); 4) Bayogo Tribal Community sa Madrid, Surigao del Sur (youth category); 5) Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee of Bayugan 3 sa Rosario, Agusan del Sur (person with disability welfare category); 6) Barangay local government unit ng San Ignacio sa Trento, Agusan del Sur (improved local governance category); 7) Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee ng Antao, Carmen, Surigao del Sur (environment protection category); at 8) Las Nieves Poblacion Rural Water Works and Sanitation Association (LAPRUWASA) sa Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte (sustained community volunteers group category).

Samantala, nagpasalamat din ang mga benepisyaryong nabiyayaan ng ilang proyekto sa KALAHI-CIDSS.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa KALAHI-CIDSS dahil sa mga programang ibinigay nila, naging mas abala kami sa pagpapalago ng aming organisasyon at sa maidudulot din na tulong nito sa aming komunidad,” sabi ni Joan Montañez, presidente ng Barug Kababaihan sa Trento, Agusan del Sur. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)