(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 16 July 2025) The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) continues to affect Mindanao. FORECAST: The Zamboanga Peninsula will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the Southwest Monsoon. These conditions may lead to possible flash floods or landslides, especially during moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall. The rest of Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms also influenced by the Southwest Monsoon. Winds will be light to moderate from the southwest, with slight to moderate seas (wave height between 0.6 to 2.1 meters).


Friday, June 21, 2019

Bayugan City hosts 2nd quarter NSED

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, June 21 (PIA) - It was well planned and organized.


These were most of the comments received by the local government unit, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) and other groups who worked hard and applied their skills for the successful conduct of the 2nd quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) held on June 20 with Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur as the ceremonial site.        
  
The drill was aimed at testing the efficiency and usefulness of the preparedness, response and recovery plans, systems and policies developed in various localities. It also aims to showcase the interoperability of plans among concerned agencies including the LGUs, civil society organizations (CSOs) and even the communities in ensuring the safety and security of everyone in order to attain a zero casualty during any calamity like earthquake.

There were five engagement areas in the drill which included the Sacred Heart Parish Church, Bayugan City Hall, Bayugan National Comprehensive High School, Taglatawan Bridge, and Atis Street, where an electric post fell out of place.

Aside from students, teachers, employees of LGU-Bayugan and residents from nearby barangays, persons with disability, senior citizens, pregnant and lactating mothers were also seen participating and executing the duck, cover and hold when the loud siren sounded that signalled the start of the drill.

“I’ve learned a lot by staying alert and performing well in the Duck, Cover and Hold. By doing that during earthquake, I know I could be saved. It really help if one practices that kind of drill,” said Jayvel Lig-onan, a grade 8 student of Bayugan National Comprehensive School.

RDRRMC chair and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga regional director Liza Mazo emphasized the significance of intensifying the preparedness measures among locals for them to be proactive and more vigilant. She also highlighted the close coordination among barangay rescuers that greatly contributed to the smooth flow of the entire drill scenarios.

“So far, the LGU rescuers and other response teams worked well in the drill and we appreciate the mayor himself as he was so active and sincere in doing his function as the incident commander. We hope that the locals would continue to be resilient at all times,” said Mazo.

Meanwhile, City Mayor Kim Lope Asis expressed his warm thanks to all the teams involved and recognized all the sectors' contribution in the success of the NSED.

Several officials from the national line agencies also attended and witnessed the drill. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

100 kabataang IPs tumanggap ng gamit pang-eskwela mula sa PNP-13

By Jennifer P. Gaitano


LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Hunyo 21 (PIA) - May 100 kabataang Indigenous Peoples (IPs) mula sa Mamanwa tribe ng Sitio Kugtong, Barangay Poblacion, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte ang tumanggap ng mga gamit pang-eskwela mula sa Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga, at sa tulong ng isang private donor.

Sa isinagawang gift-giving activity ng PNP Caraga, pinangunahan ni Police Brigadier General Gilberto DC Cruz ang pamimigay ng school bag, notebooks, papel, at iba pang gamit pang eskwela sa lahat ng benepisyaryo.

Tinanggap naman ito ng mga kabataang lumad na may ngiti sa kanilang mukha.

Ayon kay PBGen. Cruz, mahalaga ang kontribusyon ng IPs sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at kapayapaan sa komunidad kaya nararapat lang din aniya na sila'y pagtuunan ng pansin ng pamahalaan at iabot sa kanila ang kanilang mga pangangailangan.

Dagdag pa ng opisyal, madalas ang mga IPs ay nabibiktima ng karahasan ng mga New People’s Army (NPA).

Isa lang aniya ito sa marami pang aktibidad na gagawin ng kanilang ahensiya para sa sektor ng IP. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Tuesday, June 18, 2019


AgSur coop to supply rice to Bislig Hospital

By Rechel D. Besonia and Jennifer P. Gaitano


SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, June 18 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Sur, together with the officials of Medical Mission Group of Hospitals and Health Services Cooperative of the Philippines (MMGHHSCP) Federation, board of directors (BODs) of Andres Soriano Memorial Hospital Cooperative (ASMHS)  and the BODs of La Fortuna Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LAMUPCO) in Veruela, Agusan del Sur convened for a signing of marketing agreement under the bundling project, the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) and the Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Development (Project ConVERGE) on June 17, 2019 at the ASMHS, Brgy. Cumawas, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.

This bundling initiative of DAR-Agusan del Sur was realized after the federation, in its aim to promote the economic empowerment of the farmers through sustainable partnership go down to the grassroots and help capacitate the farmers and urge them to supply with their products and services at a price higher than their traders were buying.

“We consider helping our farmers by assuring them of a ready market of their products and services,” said Dr. Jose Tiongco, CEO of MMGHHSCP during his message.


“For me, it is somewhat a symbiotic relationship wherein we come to benefit from each other. Through this strategic partnership with DAR, the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries shall get better returns of their investments while consumers have access to quality food products,” said Dr. Dionisio De Castro, BOD chair of ASMHC.

Part of the agreement is the commitment of LAMUPCO to supply the rice requirements of the hospital which is two sacks of 50 kilos per day or 60 sacks in a month at a price way higher than the usual. This way, LAMUPCO will no longer settle in selling their produce to the traders.

LAMUPCO chairperson Reynaldo Maido is thankful for this initiative of DAR in linkaging them to the hospital.

“Dako among pasalamat sa DAR sa kanunay nga pagtabang kanamo nga mga mag-uuma aron kami makaangkon ug dugang pang income para sa among mga pamilya (I am thankful to DAR for constantly extending assistance for the farmers, so we could have additional income to provide for our families),” Maido said.

PARPO II Leoncio Bautista have high hopes for the farmers of LAMUPCO and the federation. “I am hoping that the partnership will last long enough to help other farmers who are in dire need of the same help. For years, the department had continuously find avenues to help our people. I hope that the farmers of LAMUPCO will also help us by taking the government’s assistance seriously,” he said. (DAR-Agusan del Sur/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)

75 FRs get assistance from government

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, June 18 (PIA) - Some 75 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have received financial and livelihood assistance from the government during the conduct of Enhanced – Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) Awarding of Assistance held recently at Villa Maria Luisa Hotel in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.

Each beneficiary received livelihood and immediate assistance totalling to P65,000.00, and another amount depending on the firearm they surrendered to the government.

Other government agencies also extended help to former rebels (FRs). The Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) Caraga has promised to grant a scholarship to former rebels’ dependents; and PhilHealth membership for one year, which will be shouldered by the local government unit.

Aside from this, another P5,000.00 cash assistance and food packs, as well as vegetable seedlings from the provincial government will be given to them.

According to Marcelo Tejano, a former member of the rebel group, he has terrible experiences when he joined and became member of the NPA.

“I regret joining the rebel group, where I had awful experiences,” cited Tejano.

Tejano added that despite of his involvement in the rebel group, he is still thankful to the government for giving him another opportunity to experience a peaceful life with his family, and would no longer cause harm to other people in the community.

Meanwhile, Usec. Reynaldo Mapagu of the Department of National Defense (DND), also commended the efforts of the provincial government of Surigao del Sur for their continued support and implementation of the program of the national government under the Duterte administration.

This initiative is a way of bringing the government closer to the people, particularly to the former rebels who surrendered to the government and are now back to the mainstream society. (NGB/JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Livelihood, employment cluster identifies programs for tribal community in SurSur

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

LANUZA, Surigao del Sur, June 18 (PIA) - The Provincial Poverty Reduction Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of Surigao del Sur chaired by Director Rey Cueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has identified programs to implement in Sitio Ibuan, Mampi, Lanuza town of this province during the consultation dialogue recently.
                                              
The activity was facilitated by the 36th Infantry “Valor” Battalion headed by Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad in line with the inclusive and sustainable peace agenda of the national government under the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

During the peace dialogue, issues and concerned were raised directly collected from the residents, majority of whom are from the Mamanwa tribal community. As a solution to the issues gathered from them, the provincial PRLEC team has identified programs and interventions including livelihood intended to former rebels that would be implemented soon such as: Spiritual and values training; Skills and livelihood programs on Tilapia Production, Duck Raising, Abaca Production and Processing; Native Chicken Production; and Vegetable Production.

Other programs identified intended for former rebels are the establishment of a "habal-habal" spare parts store and vulcanizing shop; and twine rope production (coco net).

The PRLEC member-agencies that were present during the activity included the representatives from TESDA, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Agrarian Reform, Philippine Coconut Authority, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, local government unit of Lanuza, and Barangay Council of Mampi. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Monday, June 17, 2019


TESDA awards scholarship commitments to E-CLIP enrolled FRs 

By Lee Escobal


TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, June 17 (PIA) -- A total of 75 former rebels (FRs) were awarded with TESDA Scholarship Commitments on Friday, June 14, 2019, during the Task Force Balik- Loob (TFBL) Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) Awarding of Assistance at the Villa Maria Luisa Hotel, this city.

The scholarship commitments awarded were Skills Training and Livelihood Program on Heavy Equipment Operation: Rigid On Highway Dump Truck NC II, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II, Organic Agriculture Production NC II, Animal Production (Swine) NC II and Driving NC II. The identified programs awarded were the result of the recently conducted Profiling and Training-Needs-Analysis (TNA) during the Pre E-CLIP Assistance Program participated by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Surigao del Sur to the FRs on June 12- 13, 2019.

In his message, TFBL Chairperson Usec. Reynaldo Mapagu of the Department of National Defense said the province of Surigao del Sur has been aggressive in implementing the E-CLIP and has embarked the commitment to obtain a just and lasting peace through this multi-faceted development scheme, which is also the flagship government program of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Supervising TESD Specialist Nancy de Guzman (left) of TESDA-Surigao del Sur awards the Certificate of Scholarship Commitment to a former rebel during the E-CLIP Awarding of Assistance held in Tandag City on June 14, 2019.

Of the 75 FRs, 45 of them surrendered at the 401st Brigade, 25 at the 402nd Brigade and five at the Police Provincial Office in Surigao del Sur. A total of 53 of the 75 FRs were also members of the indigenous people.  (TESDA/PIA-Surigao del Sur)