Saturday, May 30, 2020

92 stranded OFWs arrive safely in Caraga region

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) -- With the help of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Caraga and other concerned government agencies, some 92 OFWs who were stranded in the National Capital Region and Cebu City since March of this year have safely arrived in Caraga region.

According to OWWA-Caraga regional director Ma. Irene Cambaling, these 92 OFWs have undergone the required health protocols including the rapid testing from their place of origin that yielded negative results for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

OWWA then facilitated the necessary documents for the travel of these OFWs back to their provinces in Caraga.

Onboard the M/V St. Francis Xavier of 2G0 Shipping, health workers have carefully assisted the 92 repatriated OFWs as they arrived at the Nasipit Port, Agusan del Norte. The personnel from different concerned agencies such as the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine National Police (PNP), among others also conducted the required protocols and other preventive measures.

The local government units (LGUs) also provided vehicles to transport the OFWs who have long been wanting to go home and be with their families.

Algi Mark Casiñero, one of the repatriated OFWs who is from the province of Surigao del Norte, thanked the government for their immediate response to their request to go home in Caraga with their families, and for providing cash assistance during this pandemic.

Director Cambaling also called on other OFWs who are still stranded in other regions to closely coordinate with their respective LGUs, so they would be given the certificate of acceptance as one of the requirements in their travel back to Caraga region.

They may also directly contact the OWWA regional office hotline (0917-3150590) or send them their personal details through the official Facebook account of OWWA Caraga.  

The official added that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and OWWA have already put in place the needed assistance for the OFWs whose work abroad was temporarily suspended due to the pandemic.

These OFWs who arrived in Caraga region will again undergo the 14-day quarantine following the directive of their respective LGUs.

Meanwhile, with the intensified implementation of the Balik Probinsya Program, more of the Caraganon OFWs are expected to arrive in the region in the coming days. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

LSIs, ROFs to undergo rapid testing in Tagbina town

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 30 (PIA) -- To ensure the safety of every Tagbinanhon, the local government unit (LGU) of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur headed by Mayor Generoso Naraiso has recently purchased medical supplies, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), and rapid testing kits in preparation for the Balik Probinsya Program and repatriation of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

It was learned that LGU Tagbina will implement a mandatory Rapid Antibody Testing to those returning Tagbinanhons coming from the high-risk areas of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Those found negative shall undergo a 14-day quarantine to the designated barangay isolation facility, while those who tested positive shall be placed at the municipal isolation facility for further medical examination.

Meanwhile, those individuals found with mild or moderate symptoms will be referred to Hinatuan District Hospital, while those found with severe symptoms will be referred to Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center (ASTMMC) in Tandag City, as per the recommendation of the municipal health office chief or the chief of the hospital. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

LGU Dinagat Islands creates 'online palengke'

By Susil D. Ragas

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, May 30 (PIA) -- To help ease the burden of shopping and prevent its constituents from going out, the provincial government of Dinagat Islands has created the online marketing dubbed as "People's Online Palengke" or POP.

The provincial government has created the Facebook group “POP” to give a venue for Dinagatnons to buy and sell different products, including basic goods and necessities without going out and in just a click away.

The POP is also part of the provincial government‘s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention protocols to encourage citizens to stay at home.

Provincial Information Officer Jeff Crisostomo bared that in spite of limited movement, through the help of communication via social media, they have seen the rise of online buying and selling among Dinagatnons.

He said that they created the group in order to bring together citizens who want to advertise their goods and services and those who are looking for products to purchase.

Crisostomo added that POP Facebook group is being managed by the provincial government through the Provincial Information Office (PIO) and all transactions shall be between the buyer and the seller only, so he encouraged everyone to be cautious and respectful in their interactions. (Susil D. Ragas/Dinagat Islands-PIO/PIA-Dinagat Islands)

SAP serves as lifeline for grieving family

The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act 11469), signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on March 26,2020, has paved a way to address the needs of those affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. One of the agencies tapped to make it operational is the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Through its guidelines, 492,758 families in Caraga region were identified as the beneficiaries – qualified to receive P5,000.00 as emergency subsidy or aid. The said emergency subsidy will address the needs of low-income families, most affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

One of the families who was able to receive the said subsidy is the family of Ma. Josefina Gilos Bolaso, from the Municipality of Rosario, Agusan del Sur. Josefina is a person with disability (PWD). But even with her disability, this did not stop her from working – earning to address her family’s needs. She is an on-call traditional massage therapist. She said that she doesn’t charge her clients strictly. Because of that, she gets a lot of clients, because even those who do not have a lot of money could enjoy her services.

“Ang akong paghilot-hilot kay walay tarong nga presyo. Mura rag siyag donation kibali. Mao nga daghan magpahilot nako kay dili man sila mapugos mobayad ug mahal (I don’t have a fixed price for my massage services, it is up to the customer how much she/he will give or donate. That is why there are a lot of people who would avail my services because they are not pressured to pay a hefty price form my services),” Josefina said.

Josefina lives with her parents and two other siblings. Before, she did not feel any pressure working as a massage therapist. But when her brother lost his job a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, she became the breadwinner of the family – forcing her to have regular services just to provide for the family’s needs, especially the medical needs for her mother who was suffering from a brain tumor.

But when the pandemic hit, her job was also jeopardized. To stop the spread of the virus, people are instructed to keep a proper distance and avoid contact with other people. No massage therapy activities were allowed during the community quarantine. This meant that Josefina would have to stop working.

Since Josefina’s job was not regular, she wasn’t able to save for the rainy days. What she earned in a day’s work was enough to be used for their daily consumption. So they were in serious problem, because they no longer had money to buy the necessities, most specifically, food.

But Josefina heard about the SAP – this gave her family hope. They had something to look forward to. Fortunately, after being validated, their family qualified as one of the beneficiaries for the program. They were able to receive the aid. But sadly, instead of using it to buy food and medicine, it was used to shoulder the funeral expenses of her mother who passed away last May 6, 2020.

“Dako jud na tabang sa amoa ang kwarta nga gihatag sa gobyerno, labi na karon sa among sitwasyon nga nipanaw na si mama. Ug wala ni niabot, dako gyud problema pa among atubangon (The financial subsidy from the government really helped us a lot, especially now that my Mama passed away. If it weren’t for this aid, we would be facing bigger problems now),” Josefina said.

Though it was bitter-sweet on Josefina’s part to receive the cash subsidy under the circumstances, one thing is certain – the Emergency Subsidy Program, under the SAP, was able to address the family’s needs.

The SAP under DSWD is intended for low income or poor families who are considered part of the informal sector. Priority are those families with members belonging to the vulnerable sector, just like Solo Parents, Persons with Disability, and Senior Citizens. Josefina’s family fits all the criteria for them to qualify for the program. (DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)

Pagpalit og vegetable seeds sa Nasipit aprobado na sa SP

By Prisilina P. Amoroso

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Mayo 30 -- Naaprobrahan bag-uhay pa lamang sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ang budget sa lungsod sa Nasipit, ning lalawigan, alang sa pagpalit og vegetable seeds nga nagkantidad og P80,862.25 diin naapil kini sa ilang Annual Investment Plan kun AIP.

Ang nasangpit nga pagpalit sa liso sa mga gulay gisulod sa ilang Annual Investment Plan kun AIP ilawom sa Bottoms Up Budgeting (BUB) Projects Integrated Community Food Production Project 2016, ang hiniusa nga proyekto sa produksyon sa pagkaon sa komunidad.

Ang maong lakang sa munisipyo nagtumong nga matagaag suporta ang mga mag-uuma, aron mas mapalambo ang produksyon sa agrikultura sa lungsod sa Nasipit, sanglit kini usa ka kalihokan nga maoy gitagaag dakong pagtagad dinhi sa lokal nga panggamhanan sa probinsya isip usa sa mga flagship projects sa Agusan Up program.

Kini libreng i-apod-apod sa mga mag-uuma sa nahisgutang lungsod aron makatabang kanila alang sa ilang dugang panginabuhian.

Ang pag-aproba pinasikad sa Sanggunian Resolution No. 213-2020 sa pagpangamahan ni Bise Gobernor Ramon AG Bungabong nga nahitabo niadtong Mayo 11, 2020 sa ilang ika-41st nga sesyon regular. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Friday, May 29, 2020

DA Caraga promotes diversified home gardening 

BUTUAN CITY, May 29 -- “Hunger is as real as the COVID-19,” said Secretary William Dar of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Thus, to help the family to have a sustainable food source amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, DA Caraga promotes diversified farming through the Corn-Vegetable Integrated and Diversified (COVID) Food Production Project launched last April 29.

To push the promotion, DA Caraga posed a challenge to Butuan City residents dubbed as ALPAS COVID Challenge.

Qualified to accept the challenge must have an area of at least 200-400 sq.m. vacant lot. Interested participants either individual or group will just send-in the photo of their proposed area to DA Caraga’s official FB page. Technical personnel of DA Caraga will visit the area for an assessment.

DA will provide corn and vegetable seeds, garden tools, organic fertilizers, chicken, and technical assistance to a qualified individual or group participants.

Earlier, DA Caraga Livestock Program handed-in native chicken to the three initial recipients of the project namely; Morris Nortega of Km.3 Baan, Cecile Tiu Espenido of Brgy. Bonbon and Soledad Calo of Brgy. Bit-os, Butuan City.They also received seeds and farm tools.

The 402nd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army in Bancasi, Butuan City is also a recipient of the project.

“This program is the fulfillment of my long plan to maximize our vacant space but I cannot proceed due to my work, but the imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, gave me an ample time while at home, so this program of DA is a blessing in disguise,” Nortega said.

“With the threat of the pandemic, it is not good that we will always depend on the government ration, in our own way we can sustain as long as we have the will,” he added.

Jekem Sanchez, DA Caraga Livestock coordinator said that it is ideal that the limited space in the home will be utilized for crops and animal raising to have a steady supply of food.

“Through integrated and diversified gardening, you can have a variety of produce from your own home, a big help as we are still experiencing limited movement due to quarantine measures imposed by the government,” he said.

DA technical staff will regularly visit the project recipients to check the progress and to give technical advice as needed. 

Diversified home garden is a practical approach since it includes a variety of crop in a single field; incorporating livestock; rotating crops; and conserving natural areas in the landscapes around the farm. (DA Caraga/PIA Caraga)

DOTr Caraga may paalala sa publiko hingil sa ipinatupad na patakaran sa ilalim ng GCQ 

By Nora C. Lanuza

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Mayo 29 (PIA) – Sa pagpapatupad ng general community quarantine (GCQ) sa rehiyon ng Caraga, nanawagan si Department of Transportation (DOTr) Caraga acting regional director Engr. Nordy Plaza sa mga Caraganons na may expired licenses na mag umpisa na sa pagrenew dahil mahigpit na silang magmomonitor. 

Ayon kay Director Plaza, lahat ng nag-expire na registration at licenses sa panahon na community quarantine ay binigyan ng hanggang 60 araw na palugit para makapagrenew. 

Dagdag pa ng opisyal, sa boong Pilipinas kasama ang Caraga region sa 24 na pilot sites para sa Land Transportation Management System, isang improvement system ng pagkuha ng bagong lisensya. 

Ayon naman kay Urbano Maglines, Jr., operations chief ng LTO Caraga, mahigpit pa rin ang pagbabantay sa mga daan at highways kahit nasa GCQ ang rehiyon lalo na’t dahan-dahan ng nagsibalikan ang mga sasakyan sa kalsada. 

Dagdag pa ni Maglines, maliban sa road safety, proteksyon sa kalusugan ng publiko ang pinakaprayoridad ng ahensya. Kahit paman nasa GCQ ang rehiyon ng Caraga, patuloy pa rin ang free rides ng ahensya. 

Sa lungsod din ng Cabadbaran, ayon kay district supervisor Engr. Eugene P. Rula, mula ng magbalik operasyon ang district, sa loob ng limang araw na operasyon, nagkaroon sila ng P1,230,008.50 revenue collections mula sa registration, licensing at law enforcement. (NCLM/PIA Caraga)

Agusan Norte scholarship program malaking tulong sa mga kabataang Agusanons na makapagtapos sa pag-aaral

By Nora C. Lanuza

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Mayo 29 (PIA) -- Mahirap man sa buhay, puno naman ng pagasa ang mga kabataang nangarap na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral sa tulong ng scholarship program ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Agusan del Norte.

Tulad na lamang ni Jerry Ampo, Jr. na nakapagtapos ng Bachelor of Science in Business Adminsitration major in Operations Management sa tulong ng Provincial Scholarship Program ng probinsya ng Agusan del Norte.

Labis ang kanyang pasasalamat naturang programa ng gobyerno at aniya...sana'y pagbutihin din ng iba pang scholars ang kanilang pag-aaral lalo't hindi lahat ng kabataan ay nabigyan ng ganitong oportunidad.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga opisyales na nagging instrument sa scholarhip program, dahil sa kanila nakapagtapus ako na aking pag-aaral. Malaking ang aking pasalamat kay governor Dale Corvera at congresswoman Angel Amante-Matba,” tugon ni Ampo.

May tatlong uri ang Provincial Scholarship Program ng Agusan del Norte.

Ang una ay ang Provincial Special Educational Scholarship Program (PSESP) na para sa mga kwalipikadong senior high school graduates, college level students o drop-outs na gustong makapagtapos ng kanilang kurso sa kolehiyo.

Maaari silang mabigyan ng hanggang P20,000 kada semester.

Pangalawa ang Provincial Indigenous Peoples Scholarship Program (PIPSP).

Ito naman ay para sa Indigenous Peoples na nakatira sa probinsya at maaaring matulongan hanggang sa 50,000) kada semester.

Ang pangatlo ay ang Provincial Medical Scholarship Program (PMSP), ito ay para sa mga nakapasa ng national medical admission test.

Sila ay tutulongan na makapagtapos at bibigyan ng hanggang P100,000 kada semester.

Dahil sa positibong tulong nito sa mga kabataan, ayon kay Maria Eleanor Tupaz, project evaluation officer ng Agusan del Norte, taon-taon dinadagdag ng mga local chief executives ang mga scholarship slot upang mas marami pa ang matulungan nilang makatapos.

Samantala, ginawa na rin itong isang ganap na ordinansa sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Agusan del Norte governor Dale B. Corvera para mas marami Pang kabataan ang matulungan. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Dinagat Islands Task Force COVID-19 nagpahigayon og on-site inspeksyon sa usa ka minahan

By Susil D. Ragas

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Mayo 29 (PIA) -- Aron masiguro nga luwas ang mga trabahante sa pagbalik sa ilang operasyon ang Provincial Task Force COVID-19 bag-ohay pa lamang mipahigayon og inspeksyon sa Libjo Mining Corporation (LMC) nga nahimutang sa Barangay San Antonio, Libjo ning probinsya.

Si Gobernador Kaka Bag-ao maoy nangulo sa pag inspekyon kauban sila Provincial Health Officer Jillian Francise Lee, Provincial Community Affairs Officer Jay Benitez, Tubajon Municipal Mayor Simplicia Pedrablanca, San Antonio Barangay Captain Melody Llamera Compasivo, Libjo Municipal Health Officer Weijin Sto. Domingo, Tubajon Municipal Health Officer Gleah Jane Dominguez, buhatan sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ug Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

Ilang gisuta ang mga pasilidad sama sa holding o clean area, patient under investigation (PUI) isolation area, person under monitoring (PUM) isolation area ug stevedoring area.

Base sa gipatigayon nga inspeksyon, nasuta sa team ang pipila ka mga kakulangon sa minahan diin giusa-usa ni Gob. Kaka ang mga angayan nilang buhaton ilabi na sa saktong proseso sa pagdawat ug PUM aron maprotektahan ang matag usa kanila ug mapadayon gihapon ang ilang operasyon nga walay kakuli-an nga mahitabo.

Si Dr. Lee misugyot nga kinahanglan tagaan og igong pagtagad sa LMC ang mga frontliners ilabi na ang mga Rural Health Unit (RHU) sa lungsod sa Libjo ug Tubajon sa ilang health safety gear ug uban pang panginahanglanon aron malikayan ang pagkuyanap sa sakit nga COVID-19.

Gibutyag ni LMC Resident Mine Manager Engr. Jared R. Diongson, nga tulo lamang ka barko ang nagloading sa minahan og hangtod na kini sa bulan sa December.

Dugang pa niya, email ug radyo ang ilang ginagamit sa pakig-communicate ug pag-monitor aron malikayan ang personal nga pakighimamat ug gina-quarantine nila sulod sa 14 ka adlaw ang stevedor nga mokanaug sa barko ug gisunod usab nila ang safety protocols kabahin sa COVID-19 ilabi na nga nag-ulian sila sa ilang mga pamilya.

Sa laing bahin, nahisgutan usab sa maong panagtigum ang kabahin sa pagprotekta sa kinaiyahan ilabi na sa gi-ila nga watershed area sa mga barangay sa lungsod sa Tubajon ug Libjo nga posibleng maapektuhan sa mina. (Dinagat Islands-Provincial Information Office/PIA-Dinagat Islands)

Probinsya sa Agusan Norte manghatag  dugang stocks sa tanan sakop nga LGUs

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Mayo 29 -- Ang lokal nga panggamhanan sa Agusan del Norte sa pagpanguna ni Provincial Governor Dale B. Corvera, manghatag sugod Mayo 26, og mga sako sa bugas, karton sa mga de lata ug ubang goods sa 10 ka lungsod ug usa ka syudad aron sa pagdugang sa stock sa relief goods alang sa katawhan nga naapektohan sa pandemic nga coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Base sa taho sa Agusan UP, ang schedule sa distribution mao ang mosunod: Las Nieves, Buenavsita, Nasipit ug Carmen [Las BueNasCar] ug Kitcharao, Jabonga ug RTR – Martes, Mayo 26; Santiago ug Tubay – Miyerkoles, Mayo 27, ug Cabadbaran City ug Magallanes – Huwebes, Mayo 28.

Nakita ni Gov. Corvera panginahanglanon sa maong lakang tungod sa taas pa nga pakigbatok sa gikahadlokang sakit human ang probinsya aduna nay natala nga pinakaunang kumpirmadong kaso sa COVID-19 niadtong adlawng Sabado, May 23.

“There is no sign yet that the fight against COVID-19 will soon be over. We have our first confirmed positive of the virus only the other day. This is going to be a long fight,” matod pa ni Gov. Corvera.

Ikatulo na kini nga paghatag sa probinsya alang sa tanan local government units (LGUs). Kahinumduman nga ang unang nahatag ang Php1 million augmentation fund kada usa sa 11 ka LGUs ug ang ikaduha ang pag-grant og Php50,000 augmentation fund sa kada barangay sa probinsya nga mikabat sa Php8.35 million.

Ang mga i-distribute sa kada LGU sa Agusan del Norte gilangkoban sa mosunod: 150 sacks [50 kilos] of rice, 35 boxes of sardines, 36 boxes of beef loaf [25 grams], 22 boxes of beef loaf [215 grams], 8 boxes of corned beef, 38 boxes of coffee ug 58 boxes of noodles. (Agusan Up, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Gitakdang rental fees sa processing center facilities sa Carmen aprobado na

By Prisilina P. Amoroso

MUNISIPYO SA CARMEN, Agusan del Norte, Mayo 29 -- Gi-aprobahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ug gideklara nga balido ang Municipal Ordinance No. 26-2019 sa lungsod sa Carmen, ning lalawigan, “An Ordinance Setting the Rate of Rentals for the use of Carmen Packing and Processing Center Facilities/Equipment and for Other Purposes.”

Ang Carmen Packing and Processing Center usa ka pasilidad ug equipo sa pagproseso sa pag-pack alang sa paghimo og fruit juice, concentrated puree, ug dried slice mango/pineapple jam ug marmalades. Kani nga makinarya sa pagproseso nagtinguha aron makab-ot ang taas nga kalidad sa mga nahuman nga produkto.

Ang packing ug processing center usa sa mga ekonomikanhong negosyo sa munisipyo sa Carmen, ning lalawigan, ug nalangkob usab niini nga ordinansa ang rate sa abang niini nga mga makinarya ug kini abling paplitihan sa kinsang buot mo renta niini.

Ang gitakdang renta mao ang mosunod:

1. Cold storage fee -P0.50/kilo/day

2. Packing fee with hot water treatment -P5.00/kilo

3. Processing fee - P10.00/kilo

Apil ang paggamit sa makinarya:

a.) Pulping machine

b.) Dryer ( 16 hours time consuming)

c.) Osterizer/Blender

4. Usage or Refilling of LPG which will be used in boiling water should be shouldered by the user/renter.

5. Rental og LGUs building for office (Old Mango Processing Center):

a.) P15,000.00/month ( makagamit sa tibuok pasilidad)

b.) Ang lessee maoy mobayad sa suga ug tubig

c.) Maski unsa nga improvement nga pagahimoon sa lessee sa building kinahanglan mokuha una og pagtugot gikan sa municipal mayor.

d.) In kaso ang mayor motugot sa improvement sa maong building, ang nagasto dili i-deduct sa rental fee.

Nakita kini sa lokal nga panggamhanan sa probinsya nga pinaagi niini nga ordinansa nga gipangamahanan ni Sangguniang Bayan Member Julius S. Tamayo nga ang maong lakang usa ka pamaagi alang sa dugang kita aron mas mapalambo ang ekonomiya sa lungsod sa Carmen.

Ang pagkonsiderar sa lakang nahisubay sa pag-maximize sa LGU sa pagkolekta sa mga lokal nga kita aron pondohan ang ilang proyekto sa pagpalambo.

Giaprobahan ang maong ordinansa pinaagi sa Sanggunian Resolution No.210-2020 sa pagpangamahan ni Provincial Board Member Francisco Y. Chan, Jr., tsirman sa Committee on Ways and Means. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Thursday, May 28, 2020

AgSur town relives Bayanihan during SAP implementation

Bayanihan is a Filipino term for teamwork. But for Filipinos, Bayanihan has a deeper meaning for it also symbolizes pagmamahal sa kapwa at pagmamahal sa bayan or patriotism.

Traditionally, Bayanihan is practiced when a certain family is having a house makeover or is going to transfer to another place, and everyone in the neighborhood gives a helping hand in the process.

Bayanihan is an act of kindness wherein a certain person or group of people offer their help without asking for payment in exchange for their services. Bayanihan is also exercised during calamities wherein neighbors are helping each other in supplying the needs of everyone in the community. But sadly, as the time went by, the practice of Bayanihan is slowly fading away, especially in urban parts of the country.

But nowadays, due to our current pandemic that the country is facing, Bayanihan is slowly making its mark – it is now being revived and is even making the rounds on social media. Netizens are posting their act of Bayanihan through helping those who are greatly affected by the Enhanced Community Qurantine because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Philippine government, headed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, crafted the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act 11469). It is a law which aims to “provide an emergency subsidy to around 18 million low-income households: provided, that the subsidy shall amount to a minimum of 5,000 pesos to a maximum of 8,000 pesos a month for two months: provided, further, that the subsidy shall be computed based on the prevailing regional minimum wage rates: provided, finally, that the subsidy received from the current conditional cash transfer program and rice subsidy shall be taken into consideration in the computation of the emergency subsidy as provided for on this Act,” as stated on the Section 4 C of the said law.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Offices, acted on the guidelines through the Joint Memorandum Circular in the implementation of the program. DSWD has been tasked to distribute financial subsidy through Social Amelioration Programs (SAP) to the most affected families belonging to the informal sector. Due to a hectic timeline, the Field Offices was faced with great challenges. So the agency turned to its different partners to ensure that the implementation would be effective.

With the help of the different stakeholders, most specifically the Local Government Units (LGU), through their City/Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (C/MSWDO), and other government agencies, DSWD had high hopes in the implementation of the SAP.

One of the municipalities in Caraga who handled the implementation of SAP confidently was the Municipality of Rosario, Agusan del Sur. According to Jeanette Celedio, the MSWD officer of Rosario, the SAP implementation in their municipality was very challenging, but they were able to manage it well. She said that right after they had their orientation (through teleconference) with the DSWD Field Office, she immediately had a meeting Mayor Jupiter Abulog and Municipal Administrator Cristina Basan to come up with strategies on how to implement the program.

“After sa teleconference namo with Regional Director Lim, nag-meeting dayun mi ni Mayor with Admin unsaon namo pag-implement sa SAP. Then katong naa na mi plan, gimeeting dayun namo ang mga barangay captains with the DILG (After the teleconference with the [DSWD] Regional Director Lim, we immediately had a meeting with our Mayor and Administrative Officer on how to implement the SAP. After that, we set a meeting with the barangay captains together with the DILG),” said Celedio.

One of the strategies they had during the payouts was that they did the house-to-house distribution of the P5,000.00 subsidy. Mayor Abulog along with Municipal Administrator Basan ordered the different division chiefs of the LGU to act as the paymasters, and were accompanied by two representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), two Police Officers, the Purok Chairperson, one Barangay Kagawad, one Barangay Health Worker, a representative from the MSWDO, and two representatives from the augmented staff of DSWD FO Caraga.

The team approach in the distribution of the subsidy was in a way a Bayanihan approach since it fast-tracked the distribution process. More hands meant shorter time of the transactions. One person would prepare the forms, another would prepare the payroll where the beneficiary would sign, another would take the photo of the beneficiary, another would check the Social Amelioration Card/Form. And above it all, there were those who made sure the team was kept safe, especially that they were bringing a large amount of money.

This approach was also advantageous to the team since there are members who knew the beneficiaries well, especially those who are from the barangay. They could easily identify recipients who have been poorly validated, and were not qualified. They easily took them down from the list of beneficiaries. And also, some of the members of the team were quick to take in grievances or queries from the community. So they were quick to address the issues properly.

The Municipality of Rosario showed the Bayanihan spirit through their strategy in implementing the SAP. All were working hard, from members from the barangay up to the high ranking officers from the LGU. The SAP implementation has been a good venue to rekindle the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation among those who serve the welfare of the people.

The Municipality of Rosario has indeed risen above the challenges of this pandemic, and it is through Bayanihan that they were able to surpass the challenges. (DSWD-13/PIA-Agusan del Sur)