AgNor lights up 'Capitol dreamland'
By Nora L. Molde
Mostly children, families and even
adults joined the big crowd to celebrate with the provincial government the
opening of the month-long celebration of Christmas season at the Capitol
dreamland.
Anna Mary Budiongan Yong with her
friends went to the provincial capitol to witness the different lights and
decorations. She said, this is the time where she can celebrate with friends
especially that Christmas vacation is near. “The decorations are so elegant,
and it is a very nice place to stay with friends and families,” she said.
Despite the big crowd, Richard
Palma Camosa along with his wife and two kids also witnessed the light up and
decorations at the provincial capitol. He said, his kids enjoyed so much during
the night and he wished to be back again to enjoy more before the year ends.
In his first year being the father
of the province, Governor Dale Corvera expressed his gratitude to the different
committees that made the Capitol dreamland a place to stay and celebrate.
“I am happy seeing you all here,
celebrating with me my first Christmas as the governor. Thank you for trusting
and believing in me,” he said.
The ceremony was also witnessed by
Second District Representative Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba together with
other provincial and municipal officials.
The light-up ceremony of the
Capitol dreamland is an annual tradition of the provincial government of Agusan
del Norte of extending joy and entertainment to its constituents. It is open to
the public from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for free.
Provincial administrator Gerry
Joey Laurito called on the support from the visiting public to fully cooperate
in the implementation of its security plan for the safety of everybody.
(NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
VSO holds volunteerism forum in Butuan City
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 12 (PIA) --
People of all ages with a heart for volunteerism gathered at the National
Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga Conference Hall this city on
December 11, 2019, to participate in the Forum on Volunteerism for Development
by the Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) Philippines. This served as a kickoff
celebration of this year’s observation of the National Volunteerism Month
(NVM).
The forum featured a lecture on
the importance of volunteerism in socio-economic development and in achieving
the Filipino’s long-term vision of a “Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na
Buhay Para sa Lahat” or the AmBisyon Natin 2040, the nation’s plan to
attain a ‘predominantly middle-class Philippine society’. Participants were
then introduced to VSO, the world’s leading international development
organization that envisions a fair world for everyone by fighting poverty
through the lasting power of volunteerism.
This year’s celebration puts
emphasis on the important role of volunteers as motivators, enablers, and
leaders in development activities and the power of volunteerism to touch the
lives of individuals and communities to inspire them to actively contribute and
participate in volunteerism for development, encapsulated in the theme ‘Be an
Inspiration, Volunteer!’.
Michelle P. Dela Calzada, Chief
Economic Development Specialist, considers the partnership with the
organization highly significant to the attainment of NEDA’s mandate of
inclusive development.
“The partnership with VSO helps us
gather champions and actors who will positively complement and contribute to
the efforts of the government’s long-term vision of socioeconomic
sustainability in the Philippines,” she said.
Caraganon volunteer Ma. Socorro
Alcantara of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) of Surigao del
Norte served the Tanzanian community for a year through the Enhancing
Employment through Vocational Training (EEVT). She took part in coming up with
case studies on the local projects, particularly on providing employment to the
women of the community through enrolling in courses that teach non-traditional
women jobs such as carpentry and plumbing. She encouraged everyone to share
their talent and skills through volunteering overseas, as it is an enriching
and life-altering experience.
VSO started its mission in the
Philippines in 1964 and has been helping improve Filipino lives since then. The
organization is currently focusing on combating poverty in Mindanao, as it is
home to eight of the country’s poorest provinces. They provide intervention
through peace initiatives, disaster risk reduction projects, and youth and
professional volunteerism. With a strong belief on transgenerational
volunteerism, application for volunteers is open to anyone who possesses the
passion for community and peace building. (DMR/PIA-Caraga)
RDC Caraga chair keynotes ACE general assembly
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
Regional Development Council (RDC)
Caraga Chairperson and Agusan del Norte Governor Dale B. Corvera, the event’s
keynote speaker, shared a message of gratitude and hope to the members of the
association.
Corvera commended the ACE members
for their continued support to him as the head of the council by remaining
committed to fulfill their duties.
In his election as the new
chairperson of the NEDA Board Regional Development Committee – Mindanao Area
Committee, Corvera believed that there is a greater purpose behind having been
appointed to the said high-ranking position, “for it had always been handed
over to officials from the Davao region.”
“That being said, the interest of
Caraga will now be placed under the limelight, maneuvering the Caraga
Administrative Region on the path to more progress and development," he
said.
"This will enable access to
additional support from the government and greater advantage in lobbying for
the provision of the committee’s needs to better its aims and programs,”
Corvera added.
He also reiterated the formulation
of a development agenda in the Caraga RDC for the term 2019-2022 in line with
the development directions of the updated Caraga Regional Development Plan for
the next term which focuses on increasing investments, pursuing big-ticket
projects, further comparative advantages, and over-all promote good governance
in the region.
“With you working side by side
with me in the RDC, and with synergy in our efforts, the volume of concerns our
region is facing… will be easy to address,” Corvera affirmed.
He concluded his speech by
emphasizing the importance of unity in materializing their visions for the
region. (DMR/PIA-Caraga)
Army lauds CHR's probe on NPA's use of child
warriors
By Maj. Francisco P. Garello, Jr.
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 12 -- The
402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade, Philippine Army in Caraga lauded the bold
step of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in probing the continuing use of
child warriors by the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army
Terrorist (CNT).
In an online article published on
Sunday, December 8, 2019, the CHR denounced the CNT’s supposed use of a
16-year-old boy as a soldier, saying the use of minors in combat is a war
crime. Likewise, CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said, “Under the
International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, even non-state armed groups
must respect the prohibition to recruit and use children in armed conflict and
hostilities.”
Brig. Gen. Maurito Licudine, 402nd
Brigade Commander, said they welcome the latest pronouncement of CHR condemning
the CNT’s use of child warriors and its action to investigate the recruitment
of children. "They can interview all the former rebels and know
their story. We are very confident that the truth will come out and the CHR can
now listen first-hand about the deceptive tactics and the ploys of the CNTs in
luring to fight the government," he said.
It can be recalled that a
16-year-old minor, Litboy Binongcasan, was killed during an encounter between
the troops of 23rd Infantry Battalion under the 402nd Brigade and CNTs
belonging to Sentro de Gravidad (SDG) Caocao, Guerilla Front 4A of the North Central
Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) under alias Weds/Patrick on November 30,
2019 at Sitio Salvacion, Barangay Manila de Bugabos, Butuan City.
The unfortunate demise of the said
minor was denounced by the different sectors of the society. The social media
netizens also condemned the use of children as child warriors and pushed them
as a combatant at their young age to be involved in an armed conflict.
BGen. Licudine said, for this year
alone, they have recorded a total of 10 minor CNT members (one killed, nine
surrendered). "It showed the CNTs continue to violate the rights of the
children guaranteed under the International Humanitarian Law and the
fundamental laws of our land," he said.
"Without the indoctrination
and agitation of the CTGs, these children could be in school or with their
families enjoying the Christmas season and not carrying firearms and
experiencing a violent life,” added BGen. Licudine. (CMO Officer, 402IB PA/PIA
Caraga)
