(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.


Thursday, November 7, 2019


Gov’t welcomes 137 surrenderees in AgNor town

By Jennifer P. Gaitano


BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) - Another 137 regular members of the New People's Army (NPAs), Militia ng Bayan (MB) and underground mass organization members have surrendered to the 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB), Philippine Army led by Lt. Colonel Isagani Criste.

This was in time with the conduct of community immersion in Barangay Mahaba, Cabadbaran City, wherein government agencies provided the locals with the basic social services.

Since the start of the implementation of Executive Order 70 or the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict of President Rodrigo Duterte, a significant number of surenderees in the province have been recorded by the authorities.

Alias “Bem-bem,” a former medic of guerilla front committee 21c was among the surenderees, who got tired of his task in the organization after 14 years of service.

He said, his life hiding in the mountainous areas was not that easy. Hence, he realized that returning to the folds of the government would give him the opportunity to live peacefully with his family. His children could now go to school and study.

Also, alias “Ondong,” a former high ranking official and political infrastructure officer of 21c said, has worked in the organization for 10 years. And longing for the love and care of his family was the main reason for his surrender.

In the said community immersion, Mayor Judy Amante of Cabadbaran City also urged the remaining members of the NPA to surrender.

Being the head of the city, she felt the need to ensure the safety and security of the locals from the harmful NPAs and wanted to show to the people that the government would never leave anyone behind.

“Let us all work together with the government because it only wants to help the people in various communities experience an improved and peaceful life,” she said. (JPG/MAA, PIA-Caraga)

DTI campaigns responsible consumerism to Caraganons

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has geared up campaign towards care for the environment by inculcating in the minds of the consuming public the importance of having an order and clean surroundings.

This is through practicing the 3-Rs or the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle for a proper solid waste management.

During the conduct of Consumers’ Congress held in Surigao City, the DTI intensifies effort in taking care of the natural resources.

According to Stela Aro, a member of the Pagpakabana sa Konsumador sa Agusan del Sur (PAKKADS), she learned different means and ways on how to lessen the solid wastes.

“I learned from the orientation that we should be helping the government in its effort towards solving the problem on garbage disposal. As consumers, it is our responsibility to help sustain a clean environment,” said Aro.

With the theme “Sustainable Consumption:  Understanding the Impact of Consumers’ Choices in a Shared Environment,” Atty. Ann Claire Cabochan, assistant secretary on Consumer Protection Group of DTI gave emphasis on the right and appropriate decision of consumers in choosing their food and even the things they bring to their houses.

“We wanted all Filipino people to better understand that we need to preserve or restore our environment because all of us are consumers,” said Cabochan.

Asec. Cabochan stressed to all Caraganon-consumers to avoid buying substandard items or those that would not last for a year.

The DTI also increases public awareness on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, wherein all are united towards achieving advancement in all the sectors of the country, and ensures the preservation of natural resources.

Meanwhile, DTI-Caraga Regional Director Brielgo Pagaran also bared that the department is continuously monitoring the prohibition of plastic use, which causes harm to sea life and natural resources.

“The locals are continuously urged to avoid using plastic in their daily consumption. This helps the nation lesson the problem on too much bulk of solid wastes,” Pagaran cited. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Caraga LGUs receive 2018 Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance Award

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) - In time with the 27th National Children’s Month celebration this November, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Caraga awarded various local government units (LGUs) of the region that constantly implement programs and services focusing on the survival, development, protection and participation rights of the children and youth.

This was based on the criteria or implementing guidelines for the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (CFLG), which the LGUs have passed for the year 2018.

Out of 73 LGUs, 70 of which have passed the audit conducted by the concerned government agencies in-charged of the said award.

The municipality of San Francisco in the province of Agusan del Sur was one of the awardees for consistently passing the criteria and standards set for CFLG Audit.

Mayor Solomon Rufila of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur emphasized that every LGU should have concrete plans and programs that address the concerns of the children, and promote their well-being.

“The government should conduct different useful activities that would help the children and youth to be prevented from illegal drug use and other illegal activities.

 The government should also continue to provide quality education to give children better opportunities in life,” said Rufila.

The LGU-Butuan City also thanked the DILG and DSWD as they were among the Top 4 LGUs for the regional winners. According to city councilor Atty. Rema Burdeos, the LGU would continue to level up their efforts in ensuring the delivery of basic programs and services that promote the welfare of the children.

“Every child should be prepared and be given a good world to live in. However, we should remember that we should prepare a good child for the world,” Burdeos said.

Annabel Yamson, chief of local government ability development division of DILG-Caraga emphasized that criteria for this year were scaled up, hence, LGUs should also work harder to be included again in the next year’s awardees.

Meanwhile, Raffy Vigil, technical staff of DSWD and focal person for the Regional Committee on the Welfare of Children (RCWC) Caraga, urged all LGUs to double their efforts, and focus on resolutions to their identified areas of weakness. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Mga iligal na troso, nasabat ng DENR-13

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Nobyembre 7 (PIA) - Nasabat ang may 151 o 25.69 cubic meters ng iligal na troso sa probinsya ng Agusan del Sur.

Ito ay matapos ang isinagawang operasyon ng Community Environment And Natural Resources Offices (CENRO) ng Bunawan, Agusan del Sur at Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, kasama ang 1303rd Manuever Company ng Philippine National Police (PNP) at 75th Infantry Battalion sa Sitio Tanke, Barangay Tudela, Trento, Agusan del Sur.

Dahil na rin sa puspusang kampanya ng ahensya laban illegal logging, agad na natuntun ang mga illegal logs at ang mga responsable.

Ito ay base na rin sa mahigpit na direktiba ni regional director Atty. Felix Alicer ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga sa kanyang mga tauhan, sa pakikipagtulungan ng iba pang law enforcement agencies na bantayang mabuti ang mga lugar kung saan may hinihinalang illegal logging activity.

Kasabay nito, ilan-ilang personahe na rin sa rehiyon ang nahuli dahil sa paglabag sa batas.

Kamakailan lang ay nahuli rin ng 2nd Company ng Surigao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force ang mga suspect na sangkot sa shipment ng endangered species sa isang checkpoint sa Barangay Buenavista, Tandag City.

Maliban dito, nasabat din kamakailan sa isang checkpoint sa may national highway sa Barangay Albay, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur ang iilang lumber at furniture na nagkakahalagang mahigit P3 milyon.


Nanawagan naman si Dir. Alicer sa publiko na maging mapagmatyag sa paligid at tumulong sa kampanya ng gobyerno laban illegal activities sa rehiyon at ireport agad ito sa kinauukulang ahensiya. (JPG/AL/HFG, PIA-Caraga)

Natatanging LGUs sa Caraga region, pinarangalan ng 2018 CFLG award

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Nobyembre 7 (PIA) -- Kasabay sa selebrasyon ng National Children's Month ngayong buwan, pinarangalan ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ang mga natatanging local government units (LGUs) sa Caraga region na mahigpit na nagpapatupad ng  mga programang tumutugon sa survival, development, protection at participation rights ng mga bata.

Ito ay batay na rin sa pinasang criteria o implementating guidelines para sa Seal Of Child-Friendly Local Governance.

Sa 73 LGUs ng rehiyon, 70 nito ay pumasa sa audit na isinagawa ng mga kinauukulang ahensiya para sa nasabing parangal.

Isa ang bayan ng San Francisco sa probinsya ng Agusan del Sur sa mga pinarangalan, dahil na rin sa patuloy nilang pagpapatupad ng mga programang nagbibigay halaga sa mga pangangailangan at karapatan ng mga bata.

Binigyang-diin ni San Francisco municipal Mayor Solomon Rufila na kailangang pagtuonan ng pansin ng gobyerno ang pagbibigay ng tama at dekalidad na edukasyon sa mga kabataan at pagsasagawa ng mga programa at aktibidad na makatutulong sa pagsiguro nang maayos at malusog na mga bata.

“Kailangang bigyang-pansin ng gobyerno ang pagbigay ng dekalidad na edukasyon sa mga bata at pagsagawa ng mga aktibidad na makatutulong sap ag-unlad nito at upang sila’y mapalayo sa illegal na droga,” pahayag ni Rufila.

Laking pasalamat din ng LGU-Butuan City na kabilang sa apat na nag-top na LGUs sa regional winners. Ayon kay city councilor Atty. Rema Burdeos, mas paiigtingin pa ng lokal na pamahalaan ang kanilang mga programa at serbisyo para sa kapakanan ng mga bata.

“Patuloy ang local na pamahalaan sa pagbibigay ng akmang programa at serbisyo sa mga bata upang masiguro ang kanilang kapakanan at pamumuhay sa ating lipunan,” sabi ni Burdeos.

Ayon naman kay Annabel Yamson, ang chief ng local government ability development division ng DILG-Caraga, bagamat patuloy na nag-cocomply at tumatanggap ng parangal ang ibat-ibang lokal na pamahalaan kada taon, mas mataas ngayong taon ang itinakdang criteria at standards na inaasahang mapasa ng LGUs para naman sa awarding ceremony sa susunod na taon.

Samantala, hinimok din ni Raffy Vigil, technical staff ng DSWD at focal person ng Regional Committee on the Welfare of Children (RCWC) Caraga ang lahat ng LGUs na mas doblehin pa nito ang ginagawang hakbang sa implementasyon ng kanilang mga programa para sa mga bata at magpokus sa pagbigay solusyon sa kahinaan ng kanilang LGU upang mapabilang ulit sa susunod na taon. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)