(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.


Friday, March 13, 2020

DTI recognizes 5 Caraganon successful women entrepreneurs

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, March 13 -- Celebrating great contributions of women especially in the business and industry sectors, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga recognized five successful women entrepreneurs coming from the different provinces of the region, March 9.

Recipients of the award were April Aguilar-Dabalos of Agusan del Norte, Madelyn Alvizo of Agusan del Sur, Rosely Dagsa of Surigao del Norte, Miraflor Montano of Surigao del Sur, and Lynn Sheryl Reasol of the Province of Dinagat Islands.

“We all can become women of impact kay kita dili ‘babae lang’ (because we are not ‘just women’),” said Reasol, who serves as the marketing manager of Rattan Handicrafts Weavers SLP Association.

Reasol said that since she wanted to become a woman of inspiration, she strived hard in encouraging her fellow mothers from her neighborhood to invest in and work for the rattan enterprise.

“Happy sab ko sa gibuhat nako nga pag-inspire nila kay nakita nako ang kabag-ohan sa mga kababaihan sa among lugar (I am happy to have inspired them as I have seen the changes among the women in my neighborhood).

Reasol shared that their enterprise started from a seed capital from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and got enhanced through the marketing trainings and assistance provided by DTI.

With 55 female and 2 male workers, their enterprise was recognized by DTI-Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) as one of the top-selling brands in DTI-organized/assisted trade fairs and has now a regular export market to Switzerland.

Aguilar-Dabalos, proprietor of Tinkerville Playhouse and managing director of PowerLEAP Resources encouraged all women to never give up dreaming.

“More than anything else, we (women) need to empower ourselves, because as we empower ourselves, we also empower our children. We allow them to learn that they can do a lot of things because we have done it,” she said.

Tinkerville Playhouse is an indoor active playground for kids while PowerLEAP Resources is a consultancy firm for legal/leadership, entrepreneurship, accounting and finance, and personality development.

“As women, it’s not only that we build a home to be a good place for our family but we also have a part or role in building our nation,” Aguilar-Dabalos said.
The awarding, in line with the celebration of the National Women’s Month, is an annual activity spearheaded by the department as a contribution to the five-year theme “WE Make Change Work for Women.”

In the theme, WE means women empowerment. The first letters of the words Make Change Work translates to the first letters of the Magna Carta of Women. Meanwhile, change means compassionate and harmonized action and networks for gender equality. (DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

AgNor guv suspends classes due to COVID-19, provides PPEs to frontline employees

By Nora C. Lanuza

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 13 (PIA) – As per recommendation from the Provincial Crisis Management Committee of the province of Agusan del Norte during its meeting presided by Governor Dale B. Corvera, classes in all levels of both public and private school within the province are suspended effective Friday until further notice for its lifting will be issued as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus infectious disease or COVID-19.

Gov. Corvera directed the parents to keep their children at home and avoid going to public places in order to preserve the aim of protecting the lives of the constituents of the province immensely intended by proclamation no. 1. 

"To contain and/or prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to mitigate its effects and impact to the community, classes suspension will help to stop it from spreading," Gov. Corvera said.

Also, as a protection to the provincial government employees, Gov. Corvera has equipped the frontline workers with the personal protective equipment (PPEs) in order not to hamper any operations in the province and to protect them from any viruses.

Governor Corvera, who also chairs the Regional Development Council of Caraga region, encouraged all Caraganons to promote good hygiene, stay healthy and avoid crowded places.

The issuance of the proclamation is based on the declaration of the State of the Public Emergency by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to capacitate the local government units to immediately institute actions to combat the disease.

Aside from the suspension of classes, a continuous distribution of IEC materials and inclusion of COVID-19 in the radio program discussions are just some of the measures of the province to protect and educate the people on the disease. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Gov’t steps up measures to improve women's rights, welfare 

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, March 13 (PIA) - The government continues to step up measures in protecting the rights and welfare of the women and youth.

However, in cases of violence and abuse, victims at times are the ones being blamed and judged for such experience.

According to Atty. Euvic Ferrer of legal section of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga, it has a negative effect to the victims of violence and abuse.

Because of victim-blaming, women victims are becoming hesitant to report the abuse to the authorities with the notion that they would be humiliated, instead of putting the blame to the perpetrators.

“Victim-blaming or the act of transferring the blame to a victim of sexual abuse or violence, like how short a rape victim's skirt is, tends to send a wrong signal to victims of abuse. Victim-blaming effectively silences female victims of abuse by conditioning them to think that their misfortune is their fault, and not a direct result of a sexual predator's reprehensible actions. It is a step back in our government's efforts to hold people accountable for their crimes; that it effectively promotes impunity,” underscored Ferrer.

Atty. Ferrer also emphasized that the safety and security of the women against any form of violence and abuse is the primary right of the said sector.

With this concern, it reaps varying reactions from the public.

“It really depends on girls on how they think they should dress up themselves. If they are comfortable wearing sexy clothes, then it’s up to them. On the other hand, we could not control how men see and think over girls who wear sexy clothes,” said Ellen Yasay, a vendor in Butuan City.

“It is never right to blame women and girls for wearing sexy clothes that’s why they are harassed. It is always their right to be respected,” said Rochelle Montalvo, a private employee.

Concepcion Villanueva, a senior citizen in one of the barangays of this city also said that men using illegal drugs are really prone to do and violate the law. Once they use an illegal drug, anyone’s life, be it a baby or an elderly is really in danger,” she bared.  (JPG/PIA-Caraga)   
Hakbang ng pamahalaan sa pagprotekta sa mga kababaihan, pinaigting pa

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Marso 13 (PIA) - Puspusan ang hakbang ng pamahalaan para maproktektahan ang mga kababaihan at mga kabataan.

Ngunit sa mga kaso ng karahasan at pang-aabuso, may pagkakataong ang biktima pa ang nasisisi at nahuhusgahan.

Ayon kay Atty. Euvic Ferrer ng legal section ng Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga, masama ang epekto nito sa mga biktima ng karahasan.

Dahil sa victim-blaming, nawawalan na ng lakas ng loob ang mga biktima na magsumbong sa mga otoridad dahil sa takot na mapahiya at mahusgahan.

Binigyang-diin din ni Ferrer na ang pagiging ligtas ng kababaihan laban sa anumang uri ng karahasan ay pangunahing karapatan ng sektor.

Kaugnay niyan, iba't-iba naman ang naging reaksyon dito ng publiko. May sari-saring reaksyon ang iilang indibidwal ukol dito.

Isa si Ellen Yasay na isang vendor, sa mga nagpahayag na bilang babae, may karapatan itong gawin ang kanyang gusto sa buhay, maging sa kasuotan nito. “Depende naman talaga yan sa babae kung anong kasuotan siya komportable. Yung mga lalaki naman, depende na rin sa kanila. Kasi yung iba naman, hindi naman nababastosan sa suot ng babae kahit masyado itong sexy,” ani niya.

“Karapatan naman ng mga babae ang maisuot at maipakita ang gusto nilang damit. Hindi porket sexy siya sa paningin ng mga lalaki ay pwede na siyang bastosin nito. Dapat ay irespeto ang mga kababaihan,” sabi ni Rochelle Montalvo na isang empleyado sa pribadong kompanya.

Sinabi naman ni Concepcion Villanueva, isang senior citizen, na kahit sino - bata man o matanda ay maaaring mabiktima ng karahasan at pang-aabuso. “Hindi naman naka-base sa suot ng tao kaya siya nagagahasa. Minsan, ang mga lalaki pag naka-gamit ng ilegal na droga ay nakakagawa ng masama sa kapwa,” dagdag niya. 

Samantala, patuloy pa rin ang kampanya ng Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) laban VAWC at iba pang uri ng karahasan at pang-aabuso. (JPG/PIA-Caraga) 

Caraga region, nananatiling COVID-19 free matapos ang Code Red activation

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Marso 13 (PIA) -- Alinsunod sa deklarasyon ng State of Public Health Emergency dahil sa pagtaas ng kumpirmadong kaso sa Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) sa bansa, mas pinaigting pa ng Department of Health (DOH) Caraga ang kanilang mga hakbang kontra sa naturang sakit.

Sa kasalukuyan, apat na ang naitalang Persons under Investigation (PUIs) sa rehiyon kung saan nag negatibo na ang unang naitalang kaso habang tinututukan ngayon ang tatlo.

Simula sa pagkumpirma ng unang kaso ng COVID-19 sa bansa, umabot na sa 58 ang Persons under Monitoring (PUMs) sa Caraga, kung saan lima pa ang patuloy na tinututukan.

Gayun paman, nananatili pa rin COVID-free ang rehiyon sa Caraga.

Ayon kay DOH Caraga regional director Dr. Jose Llacuna Jr., ipagpapatuloy pa rin ng ahensya ang pagsunod sa mga protocol na ipinatupad ng Inter Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease kontra COVID-19.

“Ang hiling ko lamang sa mga Caraganons ay huwag magpanic dahil ginagawa po naming ang lahat upang makontrol ang sitwasyon. Mas maigi na ilaan niyo po ang iyong kooperasyon upang mapaigting pa ang preventive measures na ipinapatupad ng pamahalaan,” giit niya.

Hinimok din ang publiko na patuloy na sundin ang health protocol ng DOH tulad ng madalasang paghugas ng kamay, pagsunod sa cough etiquette, at pag-iwas sa matataong lugar.

Dagdag niya, iwasan ang panic buying ng mga medical supplies at gumamit lamang ng surgical mask kung may karamdaman lamang katulad ng ubo at sipon.

Binigyang-diin din ng estudyanteng si Mel Agra ang kahalagahan ng pagiging updated sa estado ng COVID-19 sa bansa at patuloy na pagsasaliksik ukol sa naturang sakit. Aniya, ito ang ilan sa mga paraan na tiyak na magagawa ng publiko.

“Gaya po ng narinig natin sa balita, mahirap nang matantsya ang COVID-19 kung kaya’t dapat ay mas maging mausisa po tayo at patuloy na magbasa ukol sa sakit,” aniya.

Sinisuguro din ng mga food establishments na maagapan ang pagkalat ng sakit sa mga empleyado at customer. Naglagay na ang may-ari ng food establishment sa Butuan na si Robert Mendoza ng sanitizing products tulad ng handwash at alcohol para sa kanilang customers. Tinitiyak din niya na sinusunod ng kanyang mga empleyado ang protocol ng DOH na panatilihin ang one-meter distance sa mga kustomer upang maiwasan ang pagkalat ng bakterya.

 “Dahil parte po ng aming trabaho ang makisalamuha sa mga tao, nagdestino po kami ng handwashing area para sa mga kumakain dito. Madalas din naming hinuhugasan ang aming kamay lalo na pagkatapos naming maserbisyohan aming mga customer,” dagdag niya.

Kinansela na din ng iba’t-ibang ahensya ang kani-kanilang aktibidad matapos ang naturang deklarasyon. Hindi na ipinagpatuloy ng Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga ang Caraga Athletic Association – Regional Sports Competition 2020 (CAA-RSC 2020) Island Games na nakatakdang isagawa ngayong Marso 13 hanggang 18 sa Siargao Island.

Nag-issue na din ng temporary postponement ang syudad ng Butuan City sa mga malalaking aktibidades sa lungsod, lalo na ang para sa selebrasyon ng Women’s Month.

Matapos ang pagkumpirma ng sampung kaso ng COVID-19 sa bansa, kung saan isa ang nakuha sa pamamagitan ng local transmission, pinirmahan ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang Proclamation No. 922 nong Marso 8 na nag-uutos sa lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno at local government units (LGUs) na magpatupad ng naayong aksyon upang maagapan ang pagkalat ng naturang nakamamatay na sakit. (PIA-Caraga)


Caraga region remains ASF-free

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, March 13 (PIA) -- “Caraga region remains to be ASF-Free.”

This was the statement of regional director Abel Monteagudo of the Department of Agriculture (DA), following the ongoing threat on the African Swine Fever (ASF) in the region.

With this development, the task force led by DA has intensified the implementation of preventive measures and protocols to continuously ensure the safety of Caraganons from the ASF.

These efforts to stop the spread of the ASF, include the conduct of inspection and animal quarantine checkpoints in the boundaries of every province and distribution of spray and disinfectants to hog raisers.

Dir. Monteagudo stressed that the intensified information dissemination to the public has greatly contributed to this result.

The constant coordination of various concerned government agencies, as well as the support and cooperation of the general public in following the protocol, have also helped in making Caraga an ASF-Free region.

“We hope people would continue to cooperate as we are still doing everything that we could do to prevent the ASF in our region, at the same time that the government also do its best to prevent the spread of the coronavirus now called as COVID-19,” Monteagudo underscored.

DA-Caraga continues to provide assistance to hog raisers in the region.

For Nieza Balberan, who has been in the swine industry and selling “lechon” for 20 years, the ongoing threat on ASF has greatly affected their regular sales. She said, they usually earn around P100,000.00 a month but now, they could even hardly earn an amount of P10,000.00.

“The continuing concern on ASF really affected our business and income. However, we believe that this won’t last long as the government has been taking measures and soon, our regular operation will back into place,” said Balberan.

Meanwhile, Dir. Monteagudo called on the public particularly the drivers and operators of public utility vehicles to avoid bringing with them pork meat products that do not have the necessary permit.

Violators of Republic Act 10536 otherwise known as the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines will be fined P200,000.00. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Caraga remains COVID-19 free amid Code Red activation

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 13 (PIA) -- Despite the declaration of the State of Public Health Emergency due to the additional confirmed cases on the Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga vows to intensify its preventive measures against the disease.

At present, three persons are currently being investigated, making the total tally for Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) of four. The first case tested negative for COVID-19.
Since the outbreak, a total of 58 persons under monitoring (PUMs) have been tallied, five of which are currently being monitored.

Despite the rise in the cases, Caraga region remains COVID-19 free.

DOH Caraga regional director Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr. bared that they will continue implementing the health and control protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease against COVID-19 amid the activation of Code Red-Sublevel 2 of the country’s alert system.

“What I ask from the Caraganons is not to panic because we are in control of the situation. Instead lend your cooperation to strengthen the preventive measures imposed by the government,” Dr. Llacuna affirmed.

In addition, the public is advised to continue following the health protocol set by the said health agency such as washing hands frequently, following the cough etiquette, and avoiding going to crowded places.

He also discouraged panic buying of medical supplies and purchase instead when needed. He also reminded Caraganons to wear mask only when suffering from respiratory illnesses like cough.

For student Mel Agra, apart from religiously following the said health protocol, it is just as important to be updated with the status of the COVID-19 in the country and remaining educated about the disease. He believes that these are some of the best preventive measures that are feasible for the public.

“As what we have heard from the news, the disease is getting more unpredictable, which is why it is important to do research,” he said.

Food establishments are also doing their part in preventing the spread of the disease. Food establishment proprietor Robert Mendoza has stationed sanitizing products such as hand wash soaps and alcohol for customers to use. He also makes sure that his employees maintain a 1-meter distance between their customers as prescribed by DOH.
“Because it is in the nature of our business to interact with people, we made sure that we designate a handwashing area, especially for our customers. In addition, we always make sure to sanitize and wash our hands as often as we can especially after serving our customers,” he added.

Major events have also been canceled in response to the state of public health emergency declaration. The Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga pushed through the postponement of the Caraga Athletic Association – Regional Sports Competition 2020 (CAA-RSC 2020) Island Games, which was scheduled on March 13-18, 2020 at Siargao Island.

Meanwhile, the city government of Butuan issued a temporary postponement of all activities for this year’s celebration of Women’s Month.

Upon the confirmation of ten new cases of COVID-19 in the country, at least two of which indicates local transmission, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Proclamation No. 922 on March 8, directing all government agencies and local government units to exhaust necessary means to combat the spread of the disease. (PIA-Caraga)

Caraga region nananatiling ASF-Free

By Jennifer P. Gaitano


LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Marso 13 (PIA) - Sa patuloy na hamon na dulot ng African Swine Fever (ASF), mas pinaigting pa ng Task Force ng Caraga region sa pangunguna ng Department of Agriculture (DA) ang pagpapatupad ng  preventive measures.

Partikular dito ang inspection at animal quarantine checkpoints sa mga boundaries ng kada probinsya; distribution ng spray at disinfectants sa mga hog raisers; at iba pa.

Ayon kay DA-Caraga regional director Abel Monteagudo, nananatiling ASF-Free ang rehiyon dahil na rin sa patuloy na information dissemination sa bawat komunidad.

Malaking bagay din ang pakikipagtulungan ng ibat-ibang ahensiya at kooperasyon ng publiko sa pinapatupad na protocol.

“Hinihiling namin ang patuloy na kooperasyon ng publiko sa ginagawang hakbang ng gobyerno upang hindi makapasok ang ASF sa rehiyon. Tayo ay magkaisa at magtulungan para sa ikabubuti ng lahat,” sabi ni Monteagudo.

Patuloy din ang tulong na ibinibigay ng DA sa hog raisers ng rehiyon.

Para kay Nieza Balberan, na 20 taon ng nagnenegosyo ng lechon sa Butuan City, naging matumal ang kanilang benta dahil sa ASF. Kung nuon ay kumikita sila ng P100,000.00 sa isang buwan, ngayon ay nasa P10,000.00 nalang.

“Bumaba talaga ang aming kita dahil sa isyu ng ASF sa rehiyon. Naiintindihan naman namin ang mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng gobyerno sa protocol upang masigurong ligtas ang mamamayan. Tiwala naman kaming hindi ito magtatagal at magbabalik din ang aming regular na operasyon at kita kada buwan,” ani ni Balberan.

Samantala, nanawagan naman si Dir. Monteagudo sa publiko lalo na sa  drivers at operators ng public utility vehicles na iwasang magdala ng pork meat products ng walang permit.

Mahaharap sa P200,000.00 ang sinumang lalabag sa Republic Act 10536 o ang Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)