(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.


Monday, October 7, 2019

Senior citizens join different competitions in Butuan City

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 7 (PIA) - In celebration of this year’s Elderly Filipino Week, the senior citizens from the different barangays of this city showcased their talents in ballroom dance, song duet and harana (serenade) during a local contest spearheaded by the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) and City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD).

Ramon Ubac, president of senior citizens in Barangay Maguinda Chapter, was one of the participants who took the challenge and manifested that age is really just a number. He gracefully danced along with others during the elimination round for the ballroom dance contest.

At age 72, he said he is happy to explore more his passion and engage himself on activities that interest him a lot like dancing, as he is still blessed to have a sound mind and health that enables him to participate in the yearly activity for the said celebration.
He also stressed the importance of practicing a healthy lifestyle and daily exercise in order to enjoy a longer and better life.

“Eating nutritious food and daily exercise would really help us get stronger and enables us to do whatever we want. So, I call on other senior citizens to do the same so that you could also participate in the activities like dancing and singing,” said Ubac.

Guests also witnessed the acting talent of Necerita Celocia, 69 years old, as she was serenaded during the harana contest.  Her groupmates showed versatility in melding song and acting ability, delving deeply into the past through the harana.

Celocia said, she gets excited knowing that various activities are lined-up for the annual celebration, where she could join and enjoy, regardless of her age.

“Let’s take part in the different activities that promote the welfare of the senior citizens. It would also help us live longer,” said Celocia.

She also encouraged other senior citizens to have a positive outlook in life despite the challenges they experience.

According to Josefina Tan, focal person for the elderly of Butuan CSWD, they are continuously stepping up its advocacy and programs for the sector and providing them any help they need.

She further stressed the importance of constant communication among family members and show love and care to the parents. This would help enhance family ties and serve as an inspiration to others.

“Our elderly men and women need our love and care. We should also continue to show them respect and make them feel that we are here for them,” Tan said.

The grand finalists for ballroom dance, duet, and harana will once again perform on October 18 during the culmination activity and winners will be given prizes by the CSWD and other concerned government agencies.


The Elderly Filipino Week is observed every first week of October pursuant to Proclamation No. 470 to promote the well-being of the elderly Filipinos. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

AgSur’s drug rehab center now open

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 7 (PIA) -- After more than a year from its groundbreaking and construction, the Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center of the Department of Health (DOH) situated in Barangay Alegria, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur has finally received the certificate of completion on August 23, 2019.

With this development, the DOH, together with the provincial government of Agusan del Sur and other concerned government agencies has geared up its preparation for the start of operation of the rehab center.

During its official launching, doctors, medical specialists, nurses and other health workers expressed their eagerness to help rehabilitate the illegal drug victims.

According to Dr. Melhammid Tomawis, chief of hospital II said, the P370-million center will cater to at least 100 male and 50 female patients severely addicted to drugs. He stressed that this is the biggest in Caraga and the first in Mindanao that accepts female patients. And before the end of this year, they target to serve some 100 patients.

This brings hope to the locals as they would no longer go to other regions for treatment.

“This would help the locals especially those affected by illegal drugs to be rehabilitated and they need not go in Davao or Tagum because we have it here in San Francisco,” said Gebert Son, a resident of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

“We’re happy to know that the government is really serious in addressing the illegal drug menace,” said Richel Robles, resident of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

Agnes Cullantes, drug abuse prevention and treatment coordinator of DOH-Center for Health Development (CHD) Caraga, bared that they continuously conduct their advocacy in the different barangays to prevent locals from the harmful effects of illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane called on the public to unite and support the government in its fight against illegal drugs. It is also his strong directive to the law enforcers to run after those who are involved in the illegal drug trade. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Mga senior citizens sa Butuan City, nagpakitang-gilas sa kanilang talento

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Oktubre 7 (PIA) - Sa selebrasyon nh National Elderly Filipino Week ngayong unang linggo ng Oktubre, nagpakitang gilas sa ibat-ibang kompetisyon ang senior citizens sa lungsod, kabilang na dito ang ballroom dance, duet at harana contests.

Isa si Ramon Ubac, presidente ng senior citizens chapter sa Barangay Maguinda, sa tumanggap sa hamon at pinakita ang galing sa pagsasayaw sa isinagawang final elimination round sa ballroom dance contest.

Masaya siya dahil sa edad niyang 72, malakas pa ang kanyang pangangatawan at aktibo pang  nakakalahok sa taunang selebrasyon.

Dagdag pa niya, mahalaga ang pagkakaroon ng healthy lifestyle at daily exercise para mas humaba ang buhay.

“Dapat maging malusog lalo na sa edad namin. Kaya payo ko sa iba na maging aktibo sa paglahok ng mga aktibidad sa komunidad, kumain nang masustansiyang pagkain at sana kayo na naman ang sasabak sa kompetisyon sa susunod na taon,” pahayag ni Ubac.

Hindi rin nagpahuli si Necerita Celocia, 69 na taong gulang sa kanyang hilig at galing sa pag-arte. Sa harana contest na sinalihan ng kanilang grupo, isinadula nila ang konsepto kung papaano isinasagawa ang harana noong panahong nauuso pa ito sa kabataan niya.

Inaabangan niya ang nasabing selebrasyon kada taon, dahil sa pamamagitan ng ibat-ibang aktibidad, maipapakita nila sa publiko ang kanilang galing at talento kahit anu paman ang kanilang edad.

Hinimok din niya ang ibang senior citizens na maging positibo sa buhay sa kabila ng mga hamong kinakaharap.

“Sa mga senior citizens na katulad ko, dapat patuloy lang tayo sa pagiging aktibo upang maging masaya at kapakipakinabang ang ating buhay,” sabi ni Celocia.

Ayon naman kay Josefina Tan, focal person for elderly ng City Social Welfare And Development (CSWD) sa Butuan, mas pinaigting pa nila ang kanilang mga programa para sa mga senior citizens sa mga barangay at tinutulungan sila sa kanilang mga pangangailangan.

Mahalaga rin ang patuloy na pagpapakita ng pagmamahal, pag-aaruga at pagbigay oras o panahon ng mga anak sa kanilang mga magulang upang mas tumibay pa ang kanilang relasyon at maging inspirasyon sa iba.

“Respituhin natin ang ating mga magulang, sa mga senior citizens at mahalin natin sila,” sabi ni Tan.

Ang grand finalists sa ballroom dance, duet at harana ay sasabak ulit sa October 18 para sa kanilang culmination activity at dito ay mapipili na ang mga nagwagi at mabibigyan ng premyo mula sa CSWD at iba pang kinauukulang ahensiya.

Ang taunang selebrasyon ng Elderly Filipino Week ay alinsunod sa Proclamation No. 470 na nilagdaan noong September 26, 1994. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Seminar on ordinance, resolution drafting gipahigayon sa Sanggunian

By Shiene Deligero

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Oktubre 7 - Nagpahigayon bag-ohay pa lang og ‘Seminar on Ordinance ang Resolution Drafting’ ang Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) diin kini gitambongan sa 34 ka empleyado sa SP.

Tumong sa nahisgotan nga seminar mao ang paghatag og saktong kapasidad ug kaalam sa mga empleyado labi na sa mga newly-hired staff sa mga Provincial Board Member aron mahimong episyente ug epektibo sa paghatod sa mga serbisyo sa lehislatura sa ika-18 nga SP uban sa tuyo ug tinguha sa gobyerno sa probinsya ug makabaton og epektibong trabahante sa probinsya.

Ang nasangpit nga aktibidad gitambongan sa 34 ka partisipante nga mao ang committee coordinators, Board member staff ug researchers sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan kauban ang Secretary to the Sanggunian Gerry Joey Laurito ug Vice-Governor Rambu Bungabong.

Ang resolusyon ug ordinansa mao ang mga produkto sa SP aron mahimong legal ang usa ka dokumento ug balaod nga i-implementar sa probinsya.

Nahimong resource speakers sila Attorney Jeson D. Pagapong isip mao ang Designated Legal Reviewing Officer sa SP office, mga Division Head sa SP nga sila Aimee B. Sienes, Lydia Manulat ug Procerfina C. Santillan ug Section Chief nga si Myrna A. Dacoseo. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Mga kapulisan ng Caraga region, pinag-usapan ang gender equality kasama ang LGBTQI

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Oktubre 7 (PIA) - Aktibong nakibahagi sa diskusyon ukol sa usaping gender equality ang mga miyembro ng Philippine National Police sa Caraga Region kasama ang Ladlad Caraga Inc. na binubuo ng lesbian/gay/ bisexual/transgender/queer at intersex (LGBTQI) community.

Isa sa mga mahalagang tinalakay rito ay kung papaano mas magiging gender sensitive ang mga pulis bilang law enforcers.

“Importante para sa aming mga law enforcers na mas maging gender sensitive at mabigyan ng pansin ang LGBTQI sector, lalu na sa panahong mauugnay sila sa ano pang pangyayari,” pahayag ni Police Master Sergeant Estaniel Galve, police community relation - PNCO, Rosario Municipal Police Station, Agusan del Sur.

“Handa naman kaming tumulong sa kanila kung sila’y may mga reklamo kahit ano pa man ang kanilang gender identity. Sana hindi sila matakot sa kapulisan kung nais nilang magreport ng anumang insidente. Kami naman ay patuloy na magiging gender sensitive,” sabi ni Police Staff Sergeant Helen Jane Cabalo, assistant women and children protection desk/ assistant human rights desk - PNCO, Sta. Monica Municipal Police Station, Siargao Island.

Ayon kay Ysang Bacasmas, chairperson ng Ladlad Caraga, mahalaga para sa LGBTQI community na maintindihan ng publiko partikular na ang law enforcers ang kanilang sitwasyon.

Sa tulong na rin ng mga eksperto sa gender and development mula sa kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan, tinalakay ang mga batas na poprotekta sa karapatan ng nasabing sektor.

Sa harap naman ng mainit na usapin ngayon sa Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE), nilinaw ni Bacasmas na hindi nila ipinipilit ang same sex marriage, dahil ibang usapin ito mula sa kanilang isinusulong na gender sensitivity and equality.

Dagdag pa niya, naka-schedule na rin  sa susunod na buwan ang kanilang Orientation-Seminar para sa Gender Equality kasama ang mga miyembro ng media sa rehiyon, upang matulungan din sila sa pagbibigay ng tamang impormasyon ukol dito.

“Gusto rin naming magkaroon ng network sa media at mapaigting pa ang kampanya laban fake news tungkol sa SOGIE na kumakalat ngayon sa social media,” sabi ni Ysang Bacasmas, executive director, Ladlad Caraga Inc.

Patuloy ding isinusulong ng Ladlad Caraga ang anti-discrimination ordinance lalu na sa mga paaralan sa rehiyon. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)