Former rebels find
new home in Agusan del Norte
By Nora C. Lanuza
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) -- More than 100 former rebels (FRs) will now have their own home after mining firm, San Roque Metals, Incorporated (SRMI), donated a 1.4-hectare lot to the provincial government of Agusan del Norte for the construction of the housing project.
The FRs under the custody of the 29th, 23rd, and 65th Infantry
Battalions will be prioritized, it was learned.
Alyas Kris, one of the more than 100 FRs to benefit the housing project
of the province, was emotional upon knowing that her family will soon own a
house. Alyas Kris thanked the government, especially to Agusan del Norte 2nd
District Rep. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba for personally making
follow-ups and for providing their needs. "I see the sincerity of the
government in helping us start a new life away from insurgency and chaos,"
she said.
Alyas Kris also thanked Governor Dale B. Corvera for prioritizing the
construction of their homes.
According to 29th IB commanding officer Ltc Isagani O. Criste, the
increasing number of NPA surrenderers in the province prompted the Philippine
Army officials operating in the area to raise the concern to the provincial
officials.
Governor Corvera thanked SRMI chairman Francis Enrico Gutierrez for
providing the province the 1.4-hectare lot. "The province is now preparing
for the construction of the houses where the FRs can stay and start a new life
with their families," he said.
The FRs will have their houses built in Barangay Del Pilar in Cabadbaran
City to be funded by the provincial government worth to P450,000 each, as
announced by Gov. Corvera during the turn-over and ground breaking ceremony of
the housing site to the FRs.
In her message, Rep. Matba called on the remaining members of the NPAs
to surrender and have a peaceful life with their families. She said that the
government is sincere in providing assistance to those who will go back to the
government and will exert all possible means to help them start a new life.
Ryan B. Culima, representing SRMI chairman Francis Enrico Gutierrez,
said that the SRMI supports the endeavor of the government to attain the
lasting peace and development of the province and the whole nation as well.
Culima also said that SRMI will extend livelihood assistance to the
former rebels' community once established.
Also, Cabadbaran City mayor Judy Amante said the housing project of the
government to former rebels (FRs) is a testament that the government is sincere
in helping the FRs in solving the insurgency problem of the country. (NCLM/PIA
Agusan del Norte)
Caraga RTF-ELCAC AgSur locals benefit from Serbisyo Caravan
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) -- Amid the coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) pandemic, the residents of Sitio Cogonon of Barangay Salvacion and Sitio
New Israel of Barangay Sta. Maria in the municipality of Trento, Agusan del Sur
were thankful for the programs and services they have received and availed from
the government’s Serbisyo Caravan.
The two barangays are among the conflict-affected areas of Trento and
the conduct of Serbisyo Caravan is most beneficial for the locals
especially during this time of crisis brought about by the COVID-19 wherein
community quarantine is strictly observed.
Among the services provided include the general consultation,
circumcision, vaccination of pregnant, persons with disability, senior
citizens, and Indigenous Peoples, blood screening, urinalysis, sputum
examination, prenatal consultation, family planning, dengue/schistosomiasis
treatment, and distribution of medicines and multivitamins.
“Thank you to all the government agencies that took time in bringing us
here their respective programs and services. Thank you for this opportunity,”
said Carmelina Guay, day care worker.
Punong Barangay Allan Lintapan also revealed that they were surprised
that their barangay was chosen among others despite being in a far-flung area.
“We were not expecting that our barangay will be chosen as the venue for this
serbisyo caravan as there are puroks near the highway, yet we were chosen to be
the recipients,” he said.
Milled rice and food packs were also given to some 500 families of the
two barangays, while seedlings and plastic drums were also handed-over to
select beneficiaries.
The locals in Barangay Manat of Trento, Agusan del Sur are the next
target for the Serbisyo Caravan.
This forms part of the activities of the regional task force to end
local communist armed conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in the municipality of Trento.
Meanwhile, Mayor William Calvez also urged the Trentohanons to live a
peaceful life with their family and prevent themselves from becoming victims of
deceits of the New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists.
“We are also assuring that the government will be more visible and the
services will be more accessible,” said Mayor Calvez. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Butuan City youth org
launches initiatives for COVID-19
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) -- Lending a helping hand to their kababayans
amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Sangguniang Kabataan
(SK) Federation of Brgy. J. P. Rizal, this city, launched various initiatives.
During his guesting at the ‘Bisaya Gyud’ program with Presidential
Communications Operation Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Saturday,
October 31, village SK Federation chairperson Judeben Duro said that they
helped distribute and repack food packs that were distributed to the residents
of the village.
In their second year of implementing the ‘Balik Skwela’ Project, they
provided reams of bond paper, printer, and ink to the nearest school in the
village in support to the implementation of modular learning.
Despite the health crisis, the youth group pursued the launching of the
‘Palarong J. P. Rizal’, a sports competition for the village youth. The youth
leader disclosed that they included board games such as chess to the contest in
replacement of the usual outdoor games to make sure that no participant is at
risk and that those who have an interest in playing the newly included games
can participate. This resulted in the organization receiving positive feedback
from the members of the youth sector in their area.
Upon the conclusion of the interview, SK chairperson Duro thanked the
program for giving him the opportunity to shed a light on the activeness of
their youth through their programs.
“I am very thankful to the people comprising the program, especially to
Secretary Martin Andanar, for giving me the chance to let the public know about
our initiatives. We hope to inspire our fellow youth to actively take part in
the activities for and by the youth, which are great avenues to hone social
skills and creativity,” he said.
‘Bisaya Gyud’ is a weekly public service and entertainment program
hosted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary
Martin Andanar aired on select radio stations across the country and streamed
live on its official Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/bisayagyudph,
every Saturday.
The program was initially launched to provide assistance to
underprivileged Bisaya and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). At the height of
the pandemic, the program also devoted its episodes to addressing various
issues of the Bisayas concerning the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic.
Its 'Operation Tabang' is launched to extend medical and food assistance
to Bisaya all over the country, especially those who suffered greatly due to the
health crisis. The program also launched its Bond Paper Gift project, which
aims to assist schools in rural areas in effectively implementing distance
learning by providing reams of bond papers to be used for the production of
learning materials.
The program also explores Bisaya music and artists, and features Bisaya
success stories. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
CDO schools receive aid from ‘Bisaya Gyud’ team
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) -- After having received pleas for help from teachers in the area, select schools in Cagayan de Oro City received reams of bond papers from the Bisaya Gyud team through its Bond Paper Gift project.
During the Bisaya Gyud episode aired online on October 31, Teacher Sofia
Gumahin, second grade teacher of Corrales Elementary School who sought the
team’s assistance, said that she needed to find a way to address the concerns
on implementing the blended learning, particularly in the distribution of
self-learning modules (SLMs) to their students. Due to the lack of resources,
students were forced to share learning modules.
“We saw that students have been sharing printed modules, which shouldn’t
be the case since each child should have a copy of their own. Fortunately,
through the help of a fellow teacher, I was able to seek assistance from the
Bisaya Gyud team. Their generosity will benefit 300 pupils in the second grade
level,” the teacher said.
Meanwhile, high school teacher Marichu Concon from Cugman National High
School also raised the same concern. Fellow teacher John Gabriel Pagaran, who
received the reams of bond papers on behalf of Teacher Concon, also recounted
that teachers and school faculty members are also facing a shortage of needed
materials for the printed modules, which hampers the distribution of the said
learning materials.
“The lack of supply of needed materials, especially bond papers, is a
big concern of the teachers in this school which is why we are truly grateful
for the Bisaya Gyud team for heeding our plea for help. The assistance they
provided will benefit our learners who strive to learn amid the huge
adjustments that had to be made because of the pandemic,” he added.
‘Bisaya Gyud’ is a weekly public service and entertainment program
hosted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary
Martin Andanar aired on select radio stations across the country and streamed
live on its official Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/bisayagyudph,
every Saturday.
The program was initially launched to provide assistance to
underprivileged Bisaya and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). At the height of
the pandemic, the program also devoted its episodes to addressing various
issues of the Bisayas concerning the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic.
Its 'Operation Tabang' is launched to extend medical and food assistance
to Bisaya all over the country, especially those who suffered greatly due to
the health crisis. The program also launched its Bond Paper Gift project, which
aims to assist schools in rural areas in effectively implementing distance
learning by providing reams of bond papers to be used for the production of
learning materials.
The program also explores Bisaya music and artists, and features Bisaya
success stories. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
'Bisaya Gyud’ launches first youth camp in Bukidnon province
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) -- Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders and
student leaders inCagayan de Oro City and the Bukidnon province convened for
the first Youth Camphosted by the ‘Bisaya Gyud’ team, held on October 24-25,
2020 at the KumaykayRiver Farm Resort, Manolo Fortrich, Bukidnon.
The said camp aims to orient youth leaders about the advocacies of the
Bisaya Gyud program on its Operation Tabang and Bond Paper Gift program. Under
‘Operation Tabang’, medical and food assistance are provided to Bisaya all over
the country, especially those who have suffered greatly due to the pandemic. On
the other hand, the Bond Paper Gift project aims to assist schools in rural
areas in effectively implementing distance learning by providing reams of bond
papers to be used for the production of learning materials.
The event also provided the team comprising the Bisaya Gyud to solicit
the views of the youth on the program, which can help in its improvement.
Arvin Raye Benaive, SK chairperson of Brgy. Linabo, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon,
remarked on how the Bond Paper Gift project will greatly help schools,
especially in the rural areas.
“Modular learning is what the majority of students resorted to,
especially those who live in far-flung areas where electricity remains
inaccessible, let alone internet connection. Printed modules are definitely the
only means of these students in pursuing their learning which is why schools
must have enough resources to effectively deliver this learning mode. This
initiative of the Bisaya Gyud is truly a blessing for these schools.”
For fellow SK chairperson of Brgy. 13, Cagayan de Oro City Jan Nino
Paasa, the project serves as an inspiration among fellow Filipinos to take part
in helping the community in times of crisis.
“The project displays the essence of bayanihan, which can motivate
people to help their fellow countrymen. This goes to show that no matter how
big or small the actions are, so long as it aims to help people, its impacts on
the community can inspire and empower.”
During the camp, an election of officers was done to create a governing
body that will oversee the welfare of the youth and spearhead future
initiatives for the youth in line with the program’s visions.
Participant Suzzane Martil, who serves as the SK chairperson of Brgy.
Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City, thanked the team for organizing the event, which
will further help in empowering the youth and strengthening the relationship
among its members.
“It is important for the youth to develop a sense of purpose and have
their opinion and insights heard, especially if it concerns the community. The
youth camp served as an avenue that gave value to those things, which we are
grateful for,” the youth leader added.
Participants were given a certificate for their participation and a box
of face masks upon the conclusion of the camp.
‘Bisaya Gyud’ is a weekly public service and entertainment program
hosted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary
Martin Andanar aired on select radio stations across the country and streamed
live on its official Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/bisayagyudph,
every Saturday.
The program was initially launched to provide assistance to
underprivileged Bisaya and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). At the height of
the pandemic, the program also devoted its episodes to addressing various
issues of the Bisayas concerning the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic.The program also explores Bisaya music and artists and features Bisaya
success stories. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte MSMEs join 'work-life balance' webinar
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 3 -- The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity
Board (RTWPB) - Caraga, in coordination with the Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) - Surigao del Norte Provincial Office, recently conducted an
online discussion on Work-Life Balance that was joined by 40 participants.
Work-Life Balance: Productive Work from Home Webinar will enable
participants to identify ways on how to achieve a balanced work-life during the
lockdown and learn some tips on how to be productive while working from home.
Miraflor Granada, Labor and Employment Office III, started the
session with the RTWPB Basic Programs and Services.
Board Secretary VI Earl D. Dela Victoria stressed the importance of
balance between work and life. He said that “the stress of life is more easily
managed if you maintain balance in our life.” He also encouraged the
participants to practice and maintain good personal hygiene, engage in physical
activity, balance meals, and spiritual health because it affects how a person
think, feel and act.
During the webinar, these topics were also discussed: 1) Employees’
Compensation Program (ECP); 2) Recent Circulars Re: COVID-19 Benefits; and 3)
SSS Express Program and Updates 2020 Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic.
Participants were given the time to raise their questions during the open forum. (RTWPB-Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
