Butuan City village
SK launches activities for youth week amid pandemic
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 2 (PIA) -- Despite the limitations posed by the
current pandemic, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Brgy. Golden
Ribbon here launched various activities in line with the celebration of the
Linggo ng Kabataan 2020.
A Miss Gay competition was also launched virtually to highlight the
LGBTQIA+ community in the youth.
SK Federation chairperson Engr. Wen Kok Chiang Lim II stated that it was
still important for their youth to celebrate the event even with the whole
nation facing a health crisis.
“We wanted to showcase the talent of our youth through the arts. We see these competitions as the appropriate avenues for such purpose,” he said.
Participants of the mural painting contest viewed the competition as a
way to show support to the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the barangay.
Along with her teammates, Angeline Go aims to educate the youth through
their painting, depicting the detrimental effects of drug usage and abuse. She
also emphasized the importance of using their skills as an outlet to explore
their passion and creativity.
“Pay attention to what you love doing and use it to create healthy
hobbies. In that way, we are able to use our free time to cultivate our passion
instead of resorting to activities that may actually do more harm than good,”
she added.
Fellow participant Danilo Sasan shares the same view with Go’s opinion.
While he remained unassuming of his skills in drawing and painting, he
also believes that it does not matter whether someone is good at what they’re
doing, so long as they enjoy doing it, which is why he encourages his fellow
youth to engage in the community and take part in their activities, especially
those intended for the youth.
“I understand that some of the youth members are shy and this might be
because we feel the need to be good at everything we do. The skill level
doesn’t matter, so long as you feel happy engaging in these activities and able
to share it with your peers.”
The event was organized in partnership with the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
150 rebels,
supporters surrender in Agusan Norte
By 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, Sept. 2 -- A total of 150 members and mass
supporters of the Communist New People’s Army Terrorist (CNT) formally
surrendered all together and pledged allegiance to the government in a ceremony
held recently in Sitio Macopa, Barangay Poblacion, Carmen town, this province.
Among the one hundred fifty (150) CNT members who surrendered, 30 were
members of the Militia ng Bayan (MB) while 120 were mass supporters of the
movement who come from two barangays in Carmen town and were part of the
underground links and affiliates of the CNTs, particularly the Sangay ng
Partido sa Lokalidad, Yunit Milisyang Bayan, Pambansang Katipunan ng Magbubukid
sa Pilipinas, Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan and Kabataang Makabayan.
The mass surrender was achieved through the efforts of the Community
Support Program (CSP) of the 23rd IB and the Community Action (ComAct) Team of
the PNP, with the support of the council members of Barangay Rojales and
Poblacion and the Local Government Unit to clear and to dismantle the remaining
members of the Guerrilla Front (GF) 4A as well as destroy the Sentro de
Grabidad (SDG) CAOCAO and Sub-Regional Sentro de Gabidad (SRSDG) SAGAY of the
North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) of the CNT. The ultimate aim
of the joint efforts is to bring peace and order and pave the way for the
implementation of the development initiatives of the government to the
conflict-affected areas of Barangays Rojales and Poblacion in Carmen.
During the ceremony, the 150 mass surrenderers denounced the CNTs,
formally cut their allegiance to the communist movement, and declared the CNTs
as persona non grata in their barangays. The declaration of persona non grata
is the result of the realization of the residents of the manipulations done by
the CNTs and the expression that they are already fed up, sick and tired of the
presence and exploitation of the communist rebels. They also condemned the
terroristic acts done by the CNTs in their communities and pledged to support
the programs and services of the government in their localities.
The former rebels also handed over firearms during the ceremony and
burned the CPP-NPA flag as a symbol of their decision in choosing a new path
for peace and development. The surrendered firearms were accepted by Mayor
Jovette C. Calo of Carmen town and Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the Acting
Commanding Officer of 23IB.
In her statement, Mayor Calo expressed gratitude to the residents of
Barangays Poblacion and Rojales, especially to the former members of the CNTs
for their decision to leave the communist movement and return to the folds of
the law.
“Now you have chosen the right path of your life to reach out to your
dreams not only for yourself but for your family as well. In fact, your courage
and braveness symbolized the cutting-off of support to the CNTs,” Mayor Calo
said.
She added that as the mother of the municipality, she is encouraging
every parent to become vigilant and look after their children to protect them
from the recruitment of the CNTs. “We need to protect them from the deceptions
of the CNTs. I hope that after this activity, you will become the parents who
think about what will be your next step to change your community for the
better,” Mayor Calo said.
In his testimony, Alias June, one of the surrenderers thanked the
government and the 23rd IB for the new opportunities given to them to live
peacefully. “Nagpasalamat mi og dako sa atong gobyerno ug sa kasundalohan sa
23IB, sa kapulisan ug sa tanan nga agency nga naningkamot ug nitabang aron
mahan-ay ang among kinabuhi. Layo ra kaayo ang trato sa CPP-NPA sa amoa kung
itandi nako sa pag trato sa kasundaluhan ug sa gobyerno sa amo. Mao nga dako kaayo
ang ano pag mahay sa pag supporta namo sa walhong grupo nga wala man nakatabang
ka name,” Alias Jun said.
During the activity, each of the former rebels was also provided
with initial assistance such as five kilos of rice from the LGU Carmen.
Furthermore, the Technical Education Skills Development Authority in
Agusan del Norte (TESDA-ADN) led by Provincial Director Rey Cueva also provided
them with marinated bangus and assorted biscuits. As long-term assistance,
TESDA-ADN will also process the former rebels to be enrolled in the different
scholarship grants of the agency for them to undergo schooling on different
skills education and training programs.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Paulo, in his message during the ceremony, expressed
gladness over the increasing number of CNT members who surrendered to the
government to embrace a peaceful life by reintegrating into mainstream society.
“We urge the remaining members of the CNTS to lay down their arms and
return to their families and communities. We are always willing to help and
assist you to get back to your normal lives,” Paulo said.
He added that the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration
Program (ECLIP) is designed to reshape the lives of CNTs who awaken from their
dark days inside the communist movement and decide to renew their lives.
“Our brothers and sisters who are already exasperated and riled while
languishing from miserable lives inside the CNT movement deserve to live
peacefully. The government is giving them the chance to experience new lives
with their families,” Paulo said. (CMO Officer, 23IB PA)
Mga kabataan sa isang
baranggay sa Butuan, ginunita ang Linggo ng Kabataan
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Setyembre 2 (PIA) -- Sa kabila ng mga hamon dulot ng
kasalukuyang pandemiya, naglunsad ng mga aktibidad ang Sangguniang Kabataan
(SK) Federation ng Brgy. Golden Ribbon nang lungsod para sa selebrasyon ng
Linggo ng Kabataan 2020.
Tagisan ng galing ang mga grupo ng kabataan na lumahok sa iba’t-ibang
kompetisyon gaya ng mural painting contest. Kinakailangan nilang mailarawan ang
temang “A drug-free barangay is a safe space for the youth” na siyang napili
bilang pagkilala sa Brgy. Golden Ribbon bilang kauna-unahang drug-free barangay
sa lungsod.
Naglunsad din ng virtual Miss Gay competition para sa mga miyembro ng
LGBTQIA+ community sa youth sector.
Ayon kay SK Federation chairperson Engr. Wen Kok Chiang Lim II,
ipinagpatuloy nila ang selebrasyon dahil importante pa din na mabigyan ng
pagkakataon na maipakita ng mga kabataan ang kanilang talento sa gitna ng mga
hamong dulot ng krisis.
“Nais po naming na maipakita ang talento ng aming kabataan sa sining.
Ito ay maipapamalas nila ng husto sa pamamagitan ng mga inilunsad naming na
aktibidad,” aniya.
Para sa mga kalahok, ang mural painting contest ay nagsisilbing paraan
ng pagsuporta para sa kampanya ng kanilang barangay kontra droga.
Kasama ang kaniyang mga kasamahan, nais ni Angeline Go na maipahayag sa
kanyang kapwa kabataan ang mga masasamang epekto ng paggamit at pag abuso ng
ilegal na droga na binigyang-diin nila sa kanilang painting.
Ibinahagi din niya ang kahalagan ng paggamit ng skills sa pagdiskubre ng
passion at creativity ng mga kabataan.
“Sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay-pansin ng ating mga hilig, matutuklasan po
natin kung ano po talaga yung mga bagay na nais nating gawin,” ayon kay Go.
“Alam ko po na may mga kabataang mahiyain lang talaga at siguro dahil po
iyon sa kinakailangan na maging magaling po tayo sa ng ating ginagawa. Pero
hindi naman po kailangan na ganun, basta po nag-eenjoy po tayo at naibabahagi
natin ito sa ating mga kaibigan at kapwa.”
Ang selebrasyon ay inorganize ng naturang SK kasama ang Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
Former rebels join TOTs for organic agriculture
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 2 (PIA) -- The former rebels in Agusan del Norte are
among the sectors who joined in the training of trainers (TOTs) for Organic
Agriculture.
Alias Henry, who surrendered to the 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB),
Philippine Army was one of the active participants who was eager to share his
learnings to the locals in the priority barangays.
Unlike his previous experience while still in the New People’s Army
(NPA) movement where he usually used deadly weapons or firearms, alias Henry
now equipped himself with the right information and knowledge on organic
agriculture as a way to sustain his daily living.
“For those who are still in the NPA movement, please surrender and let’s
unite and work together for our future. Do not allow yourselves to become
victims of abuse and exploitation of the NPA,” said alias Henry.
This training on organic farming is part of the PEACE (People
Empowerment in Agriculture for Community Enterprise) Project initiated by the
Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).
It also forms part of the government’s strategies for the poverty
reduction, livelihood and employment cluster with the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as the lead agency, which intends to curb
the insurgency problem in the region.
“I am ready and willing to impart my knowledge especially in producing
an organic fertilizer that will help us in our demo farm,” bared PFC Reymar
Aballe of 23rd Infantry Battalion.
“With the help of our trainers, locals would be able to learn how to
sustain food for their family from their own backyard in their respective
community. By October, we expect that the demo farm will be accredited by the
Agricultural Training Institute, so that by November, TESDA could also accredit
it as a farm school,” underscored Dir. Rey Cueva of TESDA-Agusan del Norte.
Alias Henry also called on the youth not to be deceived by the wrong
ideologies and false propaganda of the NPA communist terrorist group.
“Do not allow yourselves to be deceived by the wrong ideologies of the
NPA making you believe that they have the solutions to your problems,” alias
Henry said.
After this training, participants will be deployed to the identified
barangays of the province to help locals and enhance their skills, particularly
on organic agriculture with an aim to help uplift their lives and have an
option for sustainable livelihood. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
LGU initiatives during pandemic help farmers, consumers
By Rhea Abao
The local officials have a big role to play to conform to coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) health directives and at the same in ensuring the
local population's food security.
In the Caraga region, local government units (LGUs) are now the first
responders on the needs of the affected populations mainly to provide food for
all.
LGU's responsive measures
In the municipality of Claver, Surigao del Norte through the leadership
of Mayor Georgia D. Gokiangkee, has found responsive measures to ensure the
continuity of their food supply and ease market disruptions.
"The imposition of the localized community quarantine measures in
the middle of March 2020 limits our work and field operations but this did not
hinder us to continue our partnership with our local farmers to address food
availability and accessibility in the municipality. The LGU has bought over
P1.69 million worth of agricultural goods directly from the
farmers," said Engr. Carlos S. Quirequire, OIC-Municipal
Agriculturist of Claver.
The Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) reached out to 35 rice farmers
from the irrigator's association and farmer groups within the town to supply
milled rice for the relief operations. The LGU purchased 532 bags at P2,200 per
bag of 50 kilograms.
Aside from the milled rice, they also bought 810 kilos of squash at P10
per kilo from a local farmer and outsource assorted vegetables from the other
municipalities and cities in the region with a total worth P521,167.
Through this, a total of 13,674 families of the municipality benefited
from the LGU's procurement of rice and vegetables for project relief
operations.
"We wanted to help our farmers by buying their products to ensure
their income despite the implementation of the community quarantine. Aside from
it, the LGU sees a better alternative of providing nutritious food packs for
our constituents," said Quirequire.
According to Queriqueri, if a farmer will sell 100 bags of fresh palay
directly to traders he can only earn around P85,000 while if a farmer will mill
his products he can earn P116,000.
"Without the proactive measures of the municipal office, we will be
selling our fresh palay to the rice traders at a farm gate price ranging from
P16 to P18 per kilo. But the rice procurement initiated by the LGU during the
lockdown aids us to earn more out of our products as they encouraged us to do
value-adding to boosts our income," said Rene Taer, president of
Ladgaron Irrigators Association.
He is also grateful for the initiative of the LGU in buying out his 25
bags of milled rice wherein he sold it at a total of P55,000.
Pro farmer-consumer initiative
As the locals observed the community quarantine, the vegetable farmers
and fishers were able to sell their fresh harvest as the municipal agriculture
office initiated the 'Tabo sa Munisipyo.'
"Tabo sa Munisipyo is our version of Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita here in
our town. This is to help our farmers and fishers to continue earning even at
the height of the pandemic. This is also our way to ease the difficulties of
consumers in accessing fresh produce at a good price," said
Quirequire.
Russell Acero, daughter of the watermelon farmer from Brgy. Sapa, Claver
is grateful for the action taken by the MAO for helping them to sell their
produce.
"Due to the lockdown, we encountered cancellation of orders from
our usual buyers. But with the quick response of the MAO, we were able to sell
our 10,000 kilos of watermelon at P8 per kilo through online orders and tabo sa
munisipyo," she said.
The support of the municipal government did not leave the
farmer-producers empty-handed nor let their goods go to waste with no return of
their investments.
"The move of the LGU-Claver demonstrates that we could do more if
we will strategize the food supply chain in our community. Hopefully, these
initiatives will continue and be replicated with other LGU's this will be
instrumental in improving farm productivity, thereby improving the quality of
lives of the farmers," said DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director
Abel James I. Monteagudo.
The DA continues to strengthen its ties with the LGUs to effectively strategize the support not just for the farmers but for all stakeholders. With a strong LGU's decision making, the needs of the community are better identified. (DA13-RAFIS/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Probinsya ng Agusan del Norte handang tugonan ang banta ng COVID-19
By Nora C. Lanuza
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Setyembre 2 (PIA) -- Upang mas matiyak ang kaligtasan
ng mga Agusanons sa panahon na may coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic, nagbigay ng dagdag na pondo ang probinsya ng Agusan del Norte sa
lahat ng kanyang sampung munisipyo at isang syudad upang magkaroon ng sariling
quarantine facilities na tutugon sa problemang dulot ng COVID-19. Bilang
suporta nagbigay ang probinsya ng tig-iisang milyong peso sa bawat local
government unit bilang tulong at dagdag sa pag-establish ng nasabing pasilidad.
Ayon kay Gobernador Dale B. Corvera ng Agusan del Norte, handa ang
probinsya at maliban din sa labing isang quarantine facilities, mayroon ding
tatlong quarantine facilities ang probinsya na matatagpuan sa bayan ng Nasipit
at Jabonga at sa Bancasi, Butuan City at may mga isolation facilities din na
nakahanda.
Samantala, kahit nasa modified community quarantine na ang rehiyon ng
Caraga, mahigpit pa rin ang pagpapatupad ng health protocols sa mga regional
boundaries na papasaok sa rehiyon ng Caraga.
Ayon kay PLt. Joseph Arnaiz, ang team leader ng regional boundary
control point sa Tagcatong, Carmen, Agusan del Norte, hindi sila naging maluwag
sa kanilang pagpapatupad ng pagcheck ng valid requirements papasok ng rehiyon,
sa panahon na may kulang ang dokumento na dala ng mga gustong pumasok sa
rehiyon, binibigyan nila ng pagkakataon nga makapagcomply dito at sila na rin
mismo ang tumutulong na makipagcoordinte sa kanilang pinaggalingan.
Dagdag pa ni PLt Arnaiz, sa panahong may kulang ang mga dokumento na
dala ng isang papasok sa rehiyon, hindi nila pinababayaan.
Maliban din sa pagchechek ng iba pang dokumento na dala-dala ng mga
gustong papasok sa rehiyon, ayon kay Anbert Cayna, Jr., nurse assigned sa
checkpoint, mahigpit nilang hinahanap ang medical certificates at health
declaration dahil makikita doon ang assessment nila sa kanilang kalusugan.
Nagpapasalamat din si Gobernador Corvera sa DPWH Caraga dahil sa
programa nilang mag-eestablish ng quarantine facility sa bawat distrito sa
rehiyon. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Hiling ng Tribung
Manobo sa gobyerno, tutukan sana kami
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Setyembre 2 (PIA) - Hiniling ng mga katotobong Manobo
sa Bunawan, Agusan del Sur ang pagtatalaga ng opisyal na tututok sa kanila.
Sa pagbisita ng mga kinatawan ng National Commission on Indigenous
Peoples (NCIP), hiniling nila na maiparating sa kanilang lugar ang edukasyon at
pangkabuhayan.
“Nangangailangan tayo more on education at pangalawa yung hanapbuhay. At
sana yung forever na livelihood tulad ng fruit trees, isda o kung ano man para
ma-suportahan ‘yung pangangailangan ng komunidad,” ani ni Datu Alberto Prado,
tribal secretary ng Consuelo Manobo Tribe ng Certificate of Ancestral Domain
(CADT) 136.
Kabilang din sa problema nila ang panggugulo ng mga armadong grupo sa
kanilang mapayapang komunidad.
“Umaasa rin kami na sa tulong ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte,
mapoprotektahan po ang karapatan ng mga IPs sa territorial jurisdiction nito,”
sabi ni Prado.
Target naman ng NCIP na mapuntahan ang ibat-ibang conflict affected
areas upang makuha o marinig mismo sa mga IP communities ang kanilang hinaing
at pangangailangan lalo na ngayong may pandemic.
Bahagi rin ito sa pagpapatupad ng Executive Order 70 o ang Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) ng administrasyong Duterte. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
