Caraga IPs join gov't in solving insurgency
problem
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) - The
Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Caraga region are getting more participative in
their involvement to government’s activities, particularly in solving the
problem on insurgency. This is their way of support to the implementation of
Executive Order 70 (EO70) of President Rodrigo Duterte to end local communist
armed conflict.
The National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Caraga has intensified the conduct of capability
building to IP leaders in the region to equip and give them the opportunity to
contribute in finding solutions on the different issues and concerns, as well
as the challenges that every community are facing today.
According to Director for
Operations Leouel Santos of the National Task Force to End Local Communist
Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the IP sector is voluntarily getting involved in
the activities that form part to the efforts and initiative of the government
to address the concerns particularly in the conflict-affected areas.
For Bae Bebeth Enriquez, a Mamanwa
from Barangay Mahaba, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, the New People’s Army
(NPA) has been causing too much chaos and distress to the IP communities, which
hinders development among the tribes. Hence, she hoped for the defeat of the
NPA terrorists in order to ensure bright future of the next generation.
“We could no longer take what the
NPAs are doing to our communities. They have been abusive to the IP tribes and
they are the main reason why we do not progress. We really hope and pray that
with the government’s effort to put a stop on the armed conflict, the IP tribes
would also experience a peaceful and developed life,” underlined Enriquez.
Meanwhile, NCIP-Caraga Regional
Director Ferdausi Saniel Cerna encouraged all IPs to continue to have
perseverance in all their undertakings and to remain strong along with the
government in the fight against the NPAs in Caraga region.
“The President has always been
very supportive to the IP sector and I believe it was among his inspiration in
coming up with the implementation of EO70,” Cerna cited. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Army belies alleged ceasefire violation in AgSur
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 3 -- The
Philippine Army in Caraga was quick to address the allegation against them by
the Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) groups operating in Agusan del Sur regarding
the violation of the ceasefire last December 23, 2019.
The 26th Infantry Battalion (26IB)
allegedly staged attacks against the New People’s Army (NPA) near the village
of San Vicente, Esperanza in Agusan del Sur despite the declaration of the
Christmas truce, according to a certain Nicolas Marino of the Central Mindanao
Regional Committee (NCMRC) of the NPA.
Lt. Col. Romeo C. Jimenea, 26IB
Commanding Officer, clarified that such statements are fabricated and
that no such attack transpired and no personnel of his battalion were involved.
“Such statement is to further
their ploy to redeem themselves in the eyes of the public, especially after the
cruelty they displayed in the killings made in the different areas in Visayas,”
the Army official said.
The killings that were referred to
are the encounters in Labo, Camarines Norte and Tubungan, Iloilo that resulted
to the death of one soldier while over eight more were injured.
The act of perpetuating lies by
the CNT groups for the purpose of tarnishing the reputation of the Philippine
Army is not a recent phenomenon, as clarified by Brigadier General Maurito L.
Licudine of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army. BGen. Licudine
expressed his support to the 26IB should they choose to resort to such
countermeasure especially when circumstances require it.
“Your soldiers are disciplined,
responsible and professional. We support whatever the Commander-In-Chief
declares as long as it is within the bounds of our constitutional mandate,” he
added. (DMRosales/402nd Brigade/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga LGUs intensify protection, preservation
of Agusan Marsh
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) - To
further ensure protection and preservation of the Agusan River, being the
largest wetlands in Caraga region, various government agencies led by
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and private sector
convened recently and planned for ways and means on how to prevent it from
possible deterioration.
The Agusan Marsh Wildlife
Sanctuary forms part of the Agusan River, which was declared as protected area
by former President Fidel V. Ramos. The marshland acts like a sponge, as it
nestled in the midwaters of the Agusan River drainage basin.
It also helps Agusanons to be
spared from floodings during rainy season or typhoon.
According to Agusan del Sur
Governor Santiago Cane, Jr., the government sternly implements the Environment
Code for the Agusan Marsh.
He also urged the Caraganons to
take responsibility and help preserve the naturally grown trees within the
wetlands, as it gives life to the Agusan Marsh.
For a grade 12 student like Eugene
Taw-on from Bayugan National Comprehensive High School, the youths play a vital
role in the fulfillment of the ongoing research of the government and private
institutions, as well as in maintaining the beauty and usefulness of the
wetlands in the region.
“We are working closely with the
local government units in the province and we are glad that they are
recognizing us in whatever contribution that we could give especially in the
field of research to ensure the protection and preservation of the Agusan River
and the Agusan Marsh,” bared Taw-on.
Meanwhile, DENR-Caraga regional
director, Atty. Felix Alicer emphasized the importance of the Agusan River and
the benefits it provide to the Caraganons. This, he said, is known to be one of
the tourist attractions in the region.
The Agusan Marsh covers the
municipalities of San Francisco, Rosario, Bunawan, Veruela, Loreto, Talacogon
and La Paz in the province of Agusan del Sur. It was declared as a Ramsar
Wetland Site in 1999. Ramsar Convention is a multilateral agreement aimed at
protecting wetlands globally. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga LGUs receive awards from DOH-NNC
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) - The
Department of Health – National Nutrition Council (DOH-NNC) has recognized the
local government units (LGUs) in Caraga region that consistently implement
quality programs and services that promote the welfare of the children particularly
in ensuring that they get proper nutrition.
According to Dr. Gerna Manatad,
OIC-administrative officer of DOH-Caraga, this is a yearly activity as their
way of thanking and acknowledging the efforts and initiatives of the LGUs for
their dedication and sincerity in providing the people with the right programs
that address malnutrition in the region.
“In this annual event, the DOH-NNC
recognizes the local government units and other partner stakeholders who are
consistent in providing the programs and services that ensure good nutrition of
the children,” cited Dr. Manatad.
Solidad Garcia of Barangay Baan,
Butuan City was one of the awardees for this year. She was recognized for being
the Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar. She also shared their best
practices towards achieving community development by providing locals with the
basic social services they need.
“We do various activities in our
barangay. We allow the local residents to actively participate in community
activities which would benefit especially the children. We also provide
seedlings for the families so they could have backyard garden and eat
nutritional food in their respective homes,” said Garcia.
Meanwhile, Leah Vina Vargas,
Nutrition Officer of NNC-Caraga called on LGUs of Caraga region to be more
sensitive in assessing the needs of the populace particularly the health and
nutrition concerns. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Army, PNP in Caraga to continue operations amid
ceasefire
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 3 -- Despite the
declaration of ceasefire between the military and police forces and the
terrorist groups last December 22, 2019, the Philippine Army and Philippine
National Police (PNP) in Caraga remain vigilant as they continue operations to
ensure peace in the region during the Yuletide season.
This is in response to the threat
posed by the Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) groups even after the declaration of
a unilateral ceasefire by the National Democratic Front (NDF) representing the
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and New People’s Army (NPA).
Brig. General Maurito L. Licudine,
402nd Brigade Commander, clarified that the ceasefire is only inclusive of the
suspension of the military offensives of the troops under the 402nd Brigade,
which means apprehension of items and individuals that are deemed suspicious
and accomplice of crimes are not a violation to the said truce, which will take
effect from December 23, 2019 until January 7, 2019.
“As such, we shall be on guard and
will continue to be vigilant to thwart any CNT planned atrocities in a manner
that is in line with the ceasefire mechanisms as this is also deemed significant
to create the lasting peace that we yearn to promote here in our region,” added
Licudine.
Such operations resulted in the
postponement of the plenum, an annual gathering among the leaders of the
Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, and the National
Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) which was scheduled to take place on December 29
at Sitio Bay-ang, Bgry. Lahi, Gigaquit in Surigao del Norte, according to the
statement released by Ka Oto, spokesperson of the Guerilla Front 16, Northeastern
Mindanao Regional Command, to the media practitioners from cities Cagayan de
Oro, Iligan, and Davao whom they invited specifically for the event.
Different sectors learn good saving techniques,
planning of family expenses
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) -
Different sectors in Caraga region have learned the effective ways and tips on
how to save money, as well as financial planning for their family.
The Financial Literacy Forum held
in Butuan City was made possible through the help of the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga, together with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
(BSP) and other financial institutions.
According to Michelle Palacay-Dela
Calzada, chief economic development specialist of NEDA-Caraga, the government
aims to teach Caraganons to be responsible enough in budgeting their
hard-earned money in their daily expenses, and the importance of saving a
portion of their earnings which they can use in times of emergency.
This also forms part of the
government’s advocacy towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs).
“The NEDA-Caraga, together with
other financial institutions in the region have converged efforts to help
Caraganons become financial literate in a way of capacitating them on how they
could better save money for their family and plan on the future of their
children. This is also one way of making Caraganons get rid of debts and suffer
poverty,” bared Dela Calzada.
Clyde Hikilan, a media
practitioner in Butuan also shared his positive views on the said forum. “This
is very useful. I learned the advantage of investing money to business
especially that Caraga has a growing economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, for Marko Davey Reyes,
an employee of the DSWD-Caraga, this kind of forum is a great help particularly
to the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“This forum really helps
especially for us in DSWD because we have programs for our beneficiaries and
through this, we could also help them make use of the government’s funds
provided to them be used responsibly. We will be imparting this kind of
information to them so they could plan better on how to spend their money
well,” said Reyes. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Mga IP sa Caraga region, aktibong nakikilahok sa implementasyon ng EO70
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Enero 3 (PIA) -
Dumarami pa ang mga Indigenous Peoples (IP) sa Caraga region na aktibong
nakilahok sa mga aktibidad ng gobyerno tungo sa epektibong implementasyon ng
Executive Order 70 (EO70) ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte o ang whole-of-nation
approach na layong sugpuin ang insurhensiya sa bansa.
Sa pangunguna ng National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Caraga, puspusan ang pagsagawa ng
capability building ng ahensiya kasama ang mga IP leaders ng rehiyon upang sila
ay mahasa at makatulong rin sa pagbibigay solusyon sa mga kinakaharap na hamon
ng bawat komunidad.
Ayon kay Director for Operations
Leouel Santos ng National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict
(NTF-ELCAC), boluntaryong nakikilahok ang mga IP leaders ng Caraga at
nakikibahagi sa diskusyon ng gobyerno sa pagtugon sa mga isyu at concern ng
lipunan lalu na sa mga conflict-affected areas.
“Patuloy ang gobyerno sa pagsagawa
ng dayalogo sa ating mga kababayang IPs upang sa ganun ay makuha natin mula sa
kanila ang kanilang mga isyu at concern at malaman natin kung anong mga
instrumento meron ang gobyerno na maaaring makatulong sa sektor. Mas nagiging
aktibo na sila ngayon lalu na sa pagresolba ng insurgency sa rehiyon,” sabi ni
Santos.
Para naman kay Bae Bebeth
Enriquez, isang mamanwa sa Barangay Mahaba, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte,
sobra-sobra na ang pasakit na idinudulot ng New Peoples Army (NPA) sa kanilang
tribu dahilan kung bakit mabagal ang pag-usbong ng kanilang mga tribu. Kaya
nais na nilang mawakasan ito para na rin sa magandang kinabukasan ng susunod
pang henerasyon.
“Hindi namin lubusang maranasan
ang kaunlaran sa aming komunidad dahil pa rin sa presensya ng mga NPA. Sana ay
mawakasan na ang kanilang pang-aabuso sa aming mga tribu at tuluyan na kaming
mamuhay nang matiwasay at makaranas ng maginhawang buhay sa tulong na rin ng
gobyerno,” ani ni Enriquez.
Samantala, nanawagan naman si
NCIP-Caraga Regional Director Ferdausi Saniel Cerna sa lahat ng IPs na patuloy
na maging matatag at matapang sa pagharap ng hamong ito at patuloy rin sa
pakikipagtulungan sa gobyerno sa pagsugpo sa mga karahasan at pang-aabuso ng
NPA sa buong rehiyon. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
NPA na namatay sa Luzon, naiuwi na sa Agusan
By Nora C. Lanuza
Mula Luzon, dinala ng mga military
ang labi ni alias LJ o Junjun at dumating sa kanilang tahanan sa bayan sa Nasipit,
Agusan del Norte noong Disyembre 29 ng hapon.
Isinisi ni Erlinda ang pagkamatay
ng kanyang anak sa grupong NPA. Ayon kay Erlinda, ang NPA ang nagdala sa
kanyang anak sa kamatayan kaya't nanawagan siya ng hustisya para sa kanyang
anak.
Ayon din sa kapatid ni Junjun na
si Roberto, noong taong 2018 magkasama pa sila sa Maynila. Nagpaalam daw sa
kanya si Junjun na pupuntang Nueva Ecija upang doon magtrabaho, ngunit hindi na
ito bumalik pa. Hindi nila inakalang isa na pala siyang miyembro ng NPA.
Dahil sa tulong ng isang dating
rebelde na kasama ni Junjun sa Nueva Ecija, nalaman ng pamilya ang mga nangyari
kay Junjun gayundin ang mga gawain ng mga NPA.
Sa kwento nito, pinabayaan ng mga
NPA si Junjun dahil siya ay nagkasakit ng pneumonia at wala ng silbi sa kanila
hanggang ito ay mamatay. Itinuro din niya sa mga militar kung saan siya
inilibing kaya’t nagkaroon sila ng panahon na hukayin ang kanyang mga labi at
ihatid sa kanyang pamilya sa Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.
Dahil sa nangyari, nananawagan si
Mayor Enrico Corvera ng Nasipit sa mga kabataan na maging aktibo at huwag
magpalinlang sa mga NPA. Ayon sa alkalde, patuloy ang pinaigting na paglaban ng
local government unit at militar sa pagrerecruit ng mga NPA sa kanilang lugar.
Malaki ang paniniwala ni Lt. Col.
Francisco Molina, Jr., ang commanding officer ng 23rd Infantry Batallion na
isang biktima ng pagbrainwash ng NPA si Junjun, pinangakuhan ng tulong ngunit
pinabayaan. (with reports from 23IB/NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Ibat-ibang sektor tinuruan ng mga techniques sa pag-iipon at tamang
pagplano sa gastusin
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
Ito ay sa tulong na rin ng
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), kasama ang Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas (BSP) at iba pang financial institutions sa isinagawang Financial
Literacy Forum sa lungsod ng Butuan.
Ayon kay Michelle Palacay-Dela
Calzada, chief economic development specialist ng NEDA-Caraga, layon ng
pamahalaan na ituro sa ating mga kababayan ang kanilang responsableng pagasta
ng pera at ang kahalagahan ng pag-iipon o pagkakaroon ng savings para
matustusan ang mga pangangailangan ng pamilya.
Ang hakbang na ito ay parte rin sa
isinusulong ng gobyerno na Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“Nais ng gobyerno na matulungan
ang ating mga kababayan at isa lamang ito sa mga hakbang para matugunan ang mga
isyu ng mamamayan lalu na ang tamang pagasta ng pera ng bawat pamilya upang
maging maginhawa ang kanilang buhay at matutung mag-ipon,” pahayag ni Dela
Calzada.
Ibinahagi naman ni Clyde Hikilan,
isang media practitioner ang kanyang natutunan sa nasabing forum. “Marami akong
natutunan sa forum. Isa na rito ang kagandahan ng pag-iinvest sa negosyo para
lumago pa ang perang inilaan dito lalu na’t patuloy na umuusbong ang ekonomiya
ng Caraga region,” banggit niya.
Para naman kay Marko Davey Reyes
na isang government employee ng Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) Caraga, malaking tulong ang ganitong forum lalu na sa mga benepisyaryo
ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“Malaking tulong talaga ang
ganitong forum lalu na sa amin sa DSWD dahil mayroon kaming mga benepisyaryo sa
mga programang ipinapatupad ng ahensiya at isa na rito ang 4Ps. Sa pamamagitan
ng forum na ito, maibabahagi rin naming sa kanila kung papaano maging epektibo
sa pagplano ng gastosin sa pamilya sa pang-araw-araw at nang makapag-ipon din
sila. Mahalaga na maging responsible sila sa pagamit ng pera na mula sa gobyerno,”
sabi ni Reyes. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Enero 3 --
Tahakon sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte ang tuig 2020 ug mosunod pang mga tuig
nga naay klarong panglantaw sa kalambuan pinaagi sa "AGUSAN UP!" ug
gihangyo ni gobernador Dale B. Corvera nga suportahan kini sa mga Agusanon.
Tuig 2020 tahakon sa probinsya pinaagi sa Agusan
Up – Gob. Corvera
By Angel F.
Gaviola
DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Enero 3 --
Tahakon sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte ang tuig 2020 ug mosunod pang mga tuig
nga naay klarong panglantaw sa kalambuan pinaagi sa "AGUSAN UP!" ug
gihangyo ni gobernador Dale B. Corvera nga suportahan kini sa mga Agusanon.
Gihimo ni Gob. Corvera ang maong
panawagan sa post sa iyang Facebook page niadtong Disyembre 31, 2019. Sa iyang
mensahe, gipadangat usab niya ang iyang pasalamat sa suporta nga gihatag kaniya
sa mga Agusanon isip gobernador sa probinsya sulod sa unang unom ka bulan sa
iyang termino.
“As we are about to bid goodbye to
the old year and say hello to the new year, let me take the opportunity to
thank each and every Agusanon for their support in my first six months at the
Provincial Capitol of Agusan del Norte. We covered a lot of grounds under the
“Hiniusang Liderato” or a unified leadership of team Agusan del Norte with
Cong. Angel Amante-Matba, Cong. Law Fortun, the provincial, city and municipal
officials at the helm,” sumala pa ni Gob. Corvera sa iyang post.
“The challenges in the coming
years will be faced with a clear vision through our program called AGUSAN UP!
Continuity and teamwork run the game but the same support that you gave us in
2019 is the key to make things happen in 2020 and beyond,” dugang pa sa iyang
gipadangat nga mensahe.
Mahinumdoman nga susamang mensahe
ang gipadangat ni Gob. Corvera sa nakalabay’ng pasko. Sa iyang mensahe sa mga
empleyado sa kapitolyo atol sa ilang Christmas Party, iyang gihangyo ang
suporta sa tanan sa AGUSAN UP!
Sa samang Christmas Party giawhag
usab ni Cong. Angel Amante-Matba ang 100 percent nga suporta sa mga Agusanon
alang sa AGUSAN UP!.
Ang AGUSAN UP! mao ang walo ka
punto nga development agenda sa team Agusan del Norte ubos sa administrasyon ni
Gob. Corvera. Nagtinguha kini pagmugna og mga oportunidad aron mapalambo ang
kinabuhi sa mga residente sa probinsya.
Gilangkuban ang AGUSAN UP! og upat
ka flagship programs: 1) Agus 3Ps o Plant and Process for Prosperity (alang sa
ekonomikanhong kalambuina); 2) Amumang Agusanon (alang sa sosyal nga kalambuan);
3) Lunhaw’ng Agusan (alang sa pagpasiuli sa kabaskug sa kinaiyahan); ug 4)
Hiniusang Lihuk Agusan (alang sa mga serbisyo pagpalambu sa sistema ug proseso
sa pagdumala).
Gilunsad ang AGUSAN UP! niadtong
Nobyembre 8, 2019 ug sa kapin sa usa ka bulan pa lang nga pagpatuman niini
nakatikang na kini og mga panukaran alang sa malampusong implementasyon sa mga
proyekto niini ning tuiga ug sa mosunod pang mga tuig.
Sa pagka karon mokabat sa 8,000
ektaryas na ang gi-enroll sa 78 ka mga organisasyon sa mag-uuma mismo alang sa
siyam ka mga nag-unang crops nga gipunting nga itanum ilawom sa Plant! Plant!
Plant! Project ubos sa Agus 3Ps. Pagproseso sa bulanghoy, lubi, ug cacao usab
nga mga proyekto ubos sa Process! Process! Process! ang naa nay mga interesado.
Mokabat sa 30 usab ka mga
kooperatiba na ang mikometer nga magsilbing conduits sa Land Bank Of the
Philippies ug Development Bank of the Philippines alang pinansyal nga
panginahanglan sa mga mag-uuma ug entereprenuers nga mananum o mo-proseso sa
abot sa kaumahan.
Nagdagan na usab karon ang mga
Amomang Agusanon Centers sa Provincial Hospital ug sa Cabadbaran District
Hospital. Gipunting nga ang tanang lungsod naa nay Amomang Agusanon Center sa
tuig 2020. (Agusan Up, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
