AgNor holds 1st senior citizens' summit
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 13 (PIA) --
Considered as one of the vulnerable sectors in the communities, more than 300
elderly men and women were gathered for the first-ever Senior Citizens’ Summit
spearheaded by the provincial government of Agusan del Norte thru the
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
According to Silver Joy Tejano,
PSWD officer, the summit aims to learn the issues and concerns of the sector
from various municipalities of Agusan del Norte.
Tejano said, this would help the
provincial government stakeholders to come up with concrete programs that would
directly address the concerns of the senior citizens.
“We wanted our senior citizens to
get involved in different activities in the community that promote their
well-being. We wanted them also to feel and experience the programs of the
government for them, and help in the development of our society,” said Tejano.
Board member Elizabeth Calo,
Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee chair for social services explained that
apart from the established programs, which are specifically intended for the
senior citizens, the provincial government also wants to create policies that
would strengthen the existing programs and services for the sector.
“We should not make their age a
reason for us not to get them involve and expose in different ways and means
where they could express themselves and be happy,” bared Calo.
Benjamin Medina, Office of the
Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) national president also expressed his gratitude
to the government’s initiatives that continuously promote the welfare of the
elderly men and women.
“This activity helps the senior
citizens like us to be more active in community activities and we hope to
inspire more people,” Medina said.
Meanwhile, Precioso Maravilles,
federation president of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines – Agusan
del Norte, bared that of the more than 27,000 senior citizens in the province,
the elected officials of different federations have attended the summit, as
they are the ones expected to disseminate relevant information and agreements
from the said event down to their members. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
107 ARBOs undergo assessment
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte,
Nov. 13 (PIA) -- A total of 107 agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations
(ARBOs) in the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands underwent the
Information Technology-enabled Maturity Assessment (ITeMA) conducted by the
four provincial lead enumerators (PLEs) of the provincial office of the
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Surigao del Norte.
The PLEs were tasked to spearhead
the said assessment to the ARBOs, of which 67 were from the province Surigao
del Norte and 40 from the province of Dinagat Islands who started their data
gathering in mid-August and concluded early October this year.
The ARBOs were assessed
under five major indicators which are organizational management, resource
management, social enterprise/business operations, financial performance, and
alliance building and social and environmental responsibility.
On her impression, Chairperson of
San Pedro Rural Workers Association of Barangay San Pedro, municipality of
Alegria in Surigao del Norte Dionesia M. Gonzales said the ITEMA has opened
their eyes that they do not operate solely for their organizational goals but
they also need to include activities that promote social and environmental
aspects like climate change mitigation and disaster risk reduction.
On the other hand, Elpedia S.
Lancin of Brgy. Rizal Farmers Marketing Cooperative in Surigao City was happy
that their coop was able to undergo the assessment.
“The ITEMA made us open our eyes
that there are still lots of work to be done. The ITEMA has given us tips on
how to become a good performing organization in the next years to come,"
Mrs. Lancin said after the conduct.
The ITeMA for ARBOs seeks to come
up with comprehensive and realistic results of assessing the levels of maturity
of the DAR-assisted ARBOs, to bring forth the development gaps or the
interventions yet to be provided, and to create a database of assisted ARBOs
from which updated and comprehensive ARBO profiles can be readily generated.
ARBOs with maturity level of 5 are
considered ready to graduate from DAR’s interventions or could be tapped as
DAR’s partner in providing assistance for the development of other ARBOs.
In 2018, out of 122 ARBOs that
were subjected to ITeMA, six got a rating of level 5; five from Surigao del
Norte and one from Dinagat islands. (Daryll
M. Tumbaga, DAR-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
LGU Surigao Norte HEALS team visits Davao
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte,
Nov. 13 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Surigao del Norte recently
conducted a two-day HEALS-CBMS educational tour in Davao City.
No less than Davao City Mayor Sara
Duterte-Carpio welcomed the HEALS-CBMS (Health, Education, Agri-Aquaculture,
Livelihood and Social Services-Community Based Monitoring System) team of the
province at Davao City Hall during a courtesy call.
The delegation was led by
Provincial Administrator Atty. Zander J. Plaza and Chairperson of the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate
Change Adaptation Board Member Cayetano L. Recabo together with the team
leaders and members of the different sub-teams.
The team had an on-site reference
setting cum educational tour on three facilities of Davao City that include
Public Safety and Security Command Center; Central Communications and Emergency
Response Center commonly known as Central 911; and Peace 911.
The undertaking is just the
beginning of the journey towards the establishment of a HEALS-CBMS Center
similar to that of Davao City's Central 911.
However, the province’s edifice
will not only cater to emergency response but will also comprehensively include
the delivery of basic services to Surigaonons in relation to the HEALS Agenda
of the administration.
The project was initiated with the
vision of Governor Atty. Francisco T. Matugas to have a local hotline in order
to ensure that basic government services are made available and just within the
reach of the Surigaonons.
Data gathering and field
validation efforts have already gone full swing since October this year, which
is considered as the primary step of the project.
With the fruitful educational tour
in Davao City and with all the insights gained in the onsite reference setting,
the team hopes to complete the project proposal before the year ends.
Mayor Duterte-Carpio was glad to
have met the HEALS-CBMS team and even said that she would be very happy to come
to Surigao del Norte once this project will formally be launched. (Sherryl S.
Abanza, SP-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Tribal story wins POPCOM regional film fest
By Angelita B. Antonio
ABILAN, Buenavista, Nov. 13 --
Trento National High School, this year’s Adolescent Health and Development
(AHD) best documentary film awardee, underscored the life of the Manobo tribe Agusan
Marsh, Agusan del Sur in a film titled ‘Bugsay’ or paddle in English.
Bugsay narrates the story of the
Manobo tribe, who despite being in a remote situation, thrives in floating
houses. Among the challenges highlighted in the video include the access to
education primary among grade-schoolers. Access to quality education remains a
challenge in the country, especially in far-flung areas where the means of
transportation is through boats.
The documentary follows the
routine of Manobo children paddling from their respective floating homes to the
floating school. The pupils maneuver their own boats, making their lives at
risk not only to capsizing but also to crocodiles roaming underwater. It was
from the same vast wetland of swamp forest where Lolong, the largest crocodile
recorded in the world, was discovered.
The brains behind the winning film
were King Symond Ragosta, James Angelo Diango, Kenneth John Medino, Cindy Anno,
and Ronel Abella, who served as coach.
‘Paglaum’ from Caraga Regional
Science High School came second followed by Bayugan National Comprehensive High
School’s ‘Hipos’.
The entry from Trento National
High School, bested among the eight submitted entries, is the region’s official
entry to the national documentary filmmaking contest to be hosted by the
Commission in Population and Development (POPCOM)-Central Office. (POPCOM-13/PIA-Agusan
del Sur)
DILG-Caraga to gather CSOs for constitutional
reform advocacy
By Michael Angelo B. Tero
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 13 -- As part of
the campaign pushing for amendments to the Constitution, the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga, in coordination with the Center
for Federalism and Constitutional Reform Project Management Office (CFCR-PMO),
will hold here a Civil Society Organizations’ Coalition Building on November
15, 2019.
The activity seeks for the
cooperation and involvement of the civil society organizations (CSOs) in the
region; to ensure that the information campaign activities are conducted by
legitimate and competent organizations; and to properly educate this sector on
the concept of Federalism and Constitutional reform.
It also aims to unify all CSOs in
the region in pushing for constitutional reform by structuring them into a
coalition to uphold one common goal.
“For a better Philippines, it is
imperative to work together in pursuit of a common goal for constitutional
reform,” said DILG Caraga regional director Lilibeth Famacion.
Alfredo S. Sureta, Jr., Political
Science professor of the University of the East, Manila and a member of the
Inter-Agency Task Force Study will be the resource speaker to shed light about
the proposed political and electoral reform provisions to the 1987
Constitution. (DILG-Caraga/VLG/PIA-Caraga)
MSWDOs trained on child protection during
disasters
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 13 - Municipal
Social Welfare and Development Officers (MSWDOs) from the different
municipalities in Caraga region participated in the roll-out trainings on
Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children (CEPC), conducted by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) held recently at Balanghai
Hotel, this city.
The training, which was
spearheaded by the Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD), emphasized on
the importance of Child Protection during disasters and other emergency
situations, where children are among the most vulnerable. Many issues affecting
children requires a comprehensive and inclusive approach to child-centered
disaster risk reduction and management and emergency response.
According to CARE--a non-profit
organization focusing on alleviating poverty and social injustice, at least one
out of three children aged below 18 years, is lost during disasters. Physical,
psychological and social vulnerabilities are just some of the reasons why
children are the worst affected sector during disasters.
The CEPC, which was finalized and
launched last May 16, 2018, the program framework towards achieving the intent
and purpose of RA 10821 (An act mandating the provision of emergency relief and
protection for children before, during, and after disasters and other emergency
situations). It is the country’s primary guiding document in handling disaster
and emergency situations brought about by natural and human-induced elements.
Among the several topics discussed
during the training include the child protection and needs in emergencies, child
protection strategies, and mainstreaming child protection. This provided
pertinent information and capacitated the participants on the proper knowledge
on the provisions and features of CEPC, and served as their basis in their
provision of technical assistance to their local government unit-counterparts.
It was learned that one way to
minimize disaster risks for children is to build a safety net to keep them
protected and help them cope during disaster situations. Thus, it is
significant to develop a child-centered emergency plan by the Barangay local
government unit, the school, and the community. This will be a huge help in
dealing with children in times of disaster. (Social Marketing
Section/DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)
‘Anak’ rendition wins POPCOM regional singing
competition
By Angelita B. Antonio
ABILAN, Buenavista, Nov. 13 -
Sweet Leah Penaso, a freshman social work student of Caraga State University
(CSU), sang a powerful rendition of Freddie Aguilar’s Anak, which earned her
the title as Adolescent Health and Development (AHD) Inter-Collegiate Singing
Competition champion.
The singing competition held
recently in Butuan City was participated by seven select colleges and
universities in Butuan and Agusan del Norte.
Edil Mary S. Pal of Northwestern
Agusan Colleges who rendered an original composition titled ‘Kaya ni Nato’ came
second. The original song encourages the youth to stay away from temptation and
be mindful of their decisions. The lad from Agusan Colleges, Jonathan Jovellar,
placed third.
The inter-collegiate singing
competition was an initiative of the Commission on Population and Development
(POPCOM)-Caraga, which is in line with the agency’s Adolescent Health and
Development (AHD) program.
Open to adolescents aged 15-19,
the program aimed to convey adolescent health-related messages through singing,
which, in turn, would facilitate a healthy lifestyle and responsible sexuality.
Moreover, the song selection was strictly Original Pinoy Music (OPM) that
tackle the various issues concerning the youth such as teenage pregnancy, drug
addiction, and HIV/AIDS transmission, among others.
The singing competition was among
the highlights of the AHD Festival 2019 organized by POPCOM-Caraga.
Simultaneously, student leaders, youth organizations in Caraga, and the AHD
best documentary filmmaking winners were awarded and recognized on the same
day. (POPCOM-13/PIA-Caraga)
SK, LNB orientation kicks off constitutional reform campaign in Caraga
By Michael Angelo B. Tero
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 13 (PIA) -- The
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga, in coordination
with the Center for Federalism and Constitutional Reform Project Management
Office (CFCR-PMO), is set to hold a Constitutional Reform advocacy campaign for
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officers and Liga ng mga Barangay (League of
Barangays) presidents of Caraga region on November 14, 2019, this city.
The activity aims to establish a
strong linkage with the barangay officials in the region and ensure that the
information campaign activities to be conducted by the partner civil society
organizations (CSOs) are in proper coordination with the officials.
“In doing so, we would be able to
strengthen stakeholders’ relationship and convergence among our partner
institutions in the pursuit of constitutional reform,” said DILG Caraga
regional director Lilibeth Famacion.
It also seeks to brief the
barangay officials on the reasons to effectuate reform on the existing
constitution and update them on the Federal track of the administration.
Alfredo S. Sureta, Jr., Political
Science professor of the University of the East, Manila and a member of the
Inter-Agency Task Force Study Group will be the resource speaker to 73 SK
Federation presidents and 73 Liga ng mga Barangay presidents.
“The DILG Caraga Regional Project
Management Team (RPMT) hopes for the successful conduct of the activity. This
will signal the start of the many constitutional reform advocacy campaign
activities to be conducted in the region for the purpose of spreading awareness
about changing the 1987 Constitution,” said Famacion. (DILG-Caraga/VLG/PIA-Caraga)
DSWD, partner agencies surprise elderly persons
with gifts
By Daryl D.
Anunciado
BUTUAN CITY,
Nov. 13 (PIA) - To intensify its advocacy in promoting older persons' rights
and welfare, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga,
together with other partner government agencies have converged their efforts
and hand-in gifts for the identified sector.
Along with various activities set
for this year’s Elderly Filipino Week celebration, gifts were also given to the
elderly men and women.
Senior citizens actively
participated in the Elderlympics, wherein they joined different fun activities
such as the Zumba session, parlor games, board games, ball/sports games, and
karaoke singing contest.
The members of the Regional
Inter-Agency Committee on Senior Citizens (RIAC-SC) Caraga also took the
elderly persons to a free massage, haircut, manicure and pedicure.
The Department of Health (DOH) has
also conducted free blood sugar tests and blood pressure test to senior
citizens.
“We are here because we appreciate
our lolo and lola, not just through the services and interventions of DSWD, but
also through the policies and guidelines made by our legislators," said
Jessie Catherine Aranas, OIC-chief of DSWD Caraga Protective Services Division.
“If you can recall, it is stated
in Republic Act 9994, the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, that we have to
give attention and priority to our lolo and lola," Aranas added.
The RIAC-SC also visited the
abandoned senior citizens in Por Cristo Foundation in Buenavista, Agusan del
Norte, where Por Cristo residents were given food, grocery packs, hygiene kits
and blankets.
One of the residents said they are
very much thankful for the presents, saying that it’s not everyday that people
visit them in the said place.
The RIAC-SC also reached out to
the elderly inmates inside Surigao City Jail and Surigao del Norte Provincial
Jail. The visit was conducted to remind the inmates that they are also part of
the celebration.
“We are here today because every
first week of October of every year, we celebrate the Elderly Filipino Week. We
are here because we have a gift for you. We hope that these presents would be a
help to you," said Ana Semacio, DSWD Caraga Sectoral head.
Food, grocery packs, hygiene kits
and blankets were distributed to the elderly inmates. Surigao del Norte
Provincial Jail warden Felix Resullar said they are delighted that the RIAC-SC
visited their facility.
“Our tatays, maybe you have felt
the love of our government towards you because these agencies are putting all
their resources and efforts together to give you their services," Resullar
told the elderly inmates.
The DSWD led the RIAC-SC, with
other government agencies such as the DOH, Philippine Health (Philhealth)
Insurance Corporation, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Office of the
Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), and the City Government of Butuan.
The Elderly Filipino Week
celebration is in line with Proclamation No. 470, which aims to increase public
awareness on the different issues concerning the older persons' sector. (Social
Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Youth for peace movement intensifies in AgSur,
SurSur
By Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan
YLS is a three-day, live-in
inter-agency activity organized by the local government units, the Philippine
Army and the national line agencies aimed at providing an avenue for the youth
to enhance their leadership skills, good citizenship and patriotism,
cooperation and participation through various peace-building activities.
It is a tool for providing the
youth a balanced perspective towards approaching social issues affecting the
society and equips them to think critically and get rid of radicalized youth
groups which could poison their minds.
YLS exemplifies a Whole-of-Nation
approach to end the deceptive recruitment strategies of the Communist Party of
the Philippines (CPP) and Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs). The nationwide
outbursts of parents whose children became victims of the recruitment of
Kabataan Partylist, Anakpawis and other alleged CPP affiliated militant youth
groups exposed the alleged links to the NPAs.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and
the Filipino Nation called on the CNTs to have a bit of remorse and conscience
to end the communist armed conflict and stop deceiving the youth.
Sugatang NPA sinagip ng military
By Nora L. Molde
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Nobyembre 13
(PIA) -- Isang sugatang kabataan na miyembro ng New People's Army ang sinagip
ng militar sa nangyaring bakbakan sa barangay San isidro, Santiago, Agusan del
Norte, kamakailan lang.
Siya ay si alyas kent, na
narecruit ng NPA noong siya'y labing anim na taong gulang pa lamang at halos
dalawang taon nang nagsisilbi sa NPA.
Ayon sa military, iniwan lang si
Kent ng kanyang mga kasamahan dahil sa mga natamong sugat habang ang isa pa
niyang kasama ay napatay.
Malaki naman ang pasasalamat nito
sa tropa ng gobyerno dahil hindi niya inakalang ang itinuring nilang kalaban
ang siyang sasagip sa kanya sa oras ng kagipitan.
Ayon pa sa kanya, puro kasinungalingan
ang itinuro sa kanila sa loob ng samahan dahilan upang sila ay matakot at
magalit sa tropa ng pamahalaan.
Nanawagan naman si Kent sa kanyang
mga kasamahang kabataan na gumising na sa katotohanan at huwag nang
magpalinlang pa sa mga NPAs.
Hirap sa buhay lang aniya ang
maidudulot nito at puro kasinungalingan ang mga tinuturo, walang katuturan at
walang patutungohan ang pakikipaglaban sa gobyerno kundi kasamaan lang.
Sa ngayon ay nagpapagaling si Kent
sa isang pampublikong ospital sa pangangalaga na rin ng militar.
Nanawagan naman si 1lt. Nonette
Banggad, ang civil military operations officer ng 29th Infantry Batallion,
Philippine Army sa mga magulang na bantayan ang mga ginagawa ng mga anak upang
hindi malinlang ng mga NPAs. Nanawagan din sya sa mga NPAs na huwag gamitin ang
mga kabataan at itigil na ang pagrerecruit nito. Ayon pa kay Banggad, huwag
sana nilang sirain ang kinabukasan ng mga kabataan sa walang silbing adhikain.
(NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
PAO AgNor nang-apod-apod og farm products
By Prisilina P. Amoroso
DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Nobyembre 13
-- Ang lokal nga panggamhanan sa Agusan del Norte, pinaagi sa Provincial
Agriculture Office kun PAO malampusong nag-apod-apod sa mga kahayupan sama sa
baboy, manok, kanding, tilapia fingerlings ug mga fertilizers nga mao ang BIO-N
ug Vermi Compost ug anaa usab Banana seedlings para sa mga mag-uuma, didto sa
Los Angeles Demo Farm, atol sa gipahigayon nga Launching sa Agusan Up, niadtong
Nobyembre 8, 2019.
Kini libreng ihatag sa mga
mag-uuma, aron makatabang dili lang pangkonsumo kun dili dungang nga
panginabuhian, diin ang pagpananom ug pagbuhi maoy usa ka prayoridad nga lihok
sa agrikultura.
Ang mga asosasyon sa mag-uuma nga
nakadawat niini, mao ang: MAFC Kitcharao nakadawat og duha ka baktin nga
lalaki/babae ug 20 ka manok; Olevod Farmers Association sa lungsod sa Tubay
nakadawat og duha ka baktin babae, duha ka baktin nga lalaki , 20 ka manok ug
duha ka kanding babae ug lalaki; Nasipit Farmers Association nakadawat og duha
ka baktin nga babae; Barangay Simbalan Council nakadawat og duha ka baktin nga
babae og duha ka lalaki nga baktin ug 20 ka manok; BAFA Farmers Association
nakadawat og duha ka lalaki nga baktin, duha ka babae nga baktin, duha ka
kanding babae ug lalaki ug 20 ka manok; Buenas KO Farmers Cooperative sa
Buenavista nakadawat og duha ka kanding babae ug lalaki; Mr. Jose G. Torralba
nga taga Maningalao, Las Nieves nakadawat sa Organic Fertilizers o Vermi
compost; Elenita Cadinyag ug Mr. Ildefonso Galdo, Jr. nga taga Maningalao, Las
Nieves nakadawat sa Banana seedlings; Lima ka fishpond operators nga taga
Buenavista nakadawat og 500 ka tilapia Fingerlings; Lima ka fishpond operators
sa Lungsod sa Magallanes nakadawat og 500 ka tilapia Fingerlings; ug Malapong
National High School nakakuha og tilapia fingerlings, banana seedlings ug
vegetable seeds alang kini sa ilang Gulayan sa Paaralan.
Kini nga lakang nagtumong nga
matagaag suporta ang mga mag-uuma, aron mas mapaayo pa ug mapalambo ang
produksyon sa agrikultura sa Agusan del Norte, isip, kini ang usa ka sentrong
kalihokan nga maoy tagaag dakong pagtagad sa AGUSAN UP.
Ang pagpang-apod-apod gipangunahan
ni Gobernor Dale B. Corvera ug PAO-OIC Mr. Alvin Aclan, uban ang presensya nila
Board Member Dick Victor Carmona, BM Virgilio EscasiΓ±as,Jr. ug Provincial
Administrator Gerry Joey Laurito. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
