Friday, December 18, 2020

STATEMENT OF NATIONAL TASK FORCE AGAINST COVID-19 CHIEF IMPLEMENTER AND VACCINE CZAR SECRETARY CARLITO GALVEZ JR.

 

The Philippine government is determined to acquire safe and effective vaccines for all Filipinos, regardless of brand or their country of origin.

 

With this as our guiding principle, it is our duty as public servants to carefully study and evaluate all documents relative to the procurement and acquisition of candidate vaccines, especially when the public’s health and safety are at stake.  As we take responsibility for our actions, we cannot afford to engage in finger-pointing or buck-passing at this crucial stage. These kinds of discussions are unproductive and will only distract us from carrying out our crucial mandate.

 

Since we started our negotiations with the pharmaceutical companies and the embassies of their respective governments, all the decisions and actions we have made are in accordance with the careful process of scientific evaluation and selection of the Vaccine Expert Panel.

 

The process of selection is based on safety, efficacy, cost-effectiveness, the track record of the vaccine maker, complexity of handling and logistics, after-sales and life cycle services, production capacity and early delivery, and long-term commitment. The Philippine National Vaccine Road map also created a Task Group for Adverse Effect to monitor that these vaccines are safe. This is to ensure that everything that we do will redound to public health safety and the lasting benefit of the Filipino people.

 

This measure is part of the government's due diligence coming from the controversies that the country has suffered from the Dengvaxia issue, which caused unnecessary fear and stigma among the public.

 

Let me reiterate, no "bus" was missed or no "ball" was dropped because we are focused on our main goal, and that is, to secure an equitable share of the vaccines.

 

In reality, negotiations on many occasions will reach stalemate and gridlock when legal challenges, public interest and safety are at stake. The CDA or the Confidential Disclosure Agreement is just one of the many phases of the negotiations.

 

We want to assure our countrymen that we are on track in the implementation of our Philippine National Vaccine Roadmap and there have been maybe some delays in our negotiations but still we were able to make up.  We must learn to face certain realities and that is, we are struggling to get a fair share of the vaccines in the global market given that 80% of the vaccines have already been procured by the manufacturers' country of origin and countries now in the height of the "second wave".

 

We want to assure the public that all transactions the government has entered into are being done with utmost transparency, sense of fairness, and accountability. The main mode of procurement we have utilized in acquiring the vaccines has been through multilateral arrangements with Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, and other global financing agencies.

 

Our fund managers such as the World Bank and the ADB have laid out very stringent regulatory requirements and processes we need to follow such as WHO accreditation of the vaccines and Stringent Regulatory Authorization of foreign countries like the US, UK, Canada, or Singapore.

 

We would also like to emphasize that no government official has access to the funds for vaccine procurement. All deals will be made through international procurement agreements and all payments for the vaccines will be managed by our multilateral partners with the Department of Finance on the lead.

 

To give you a clear picture of the process of vaccine procurement and allay the fears of some quarters, the Department of Health leads the government’s preparation for the Agency Procurement Request (APR). Meanwhile, as Vaccine Czar, my role is primarily focused on negotiating directly with the vaccine companies to make sure we get the best deal possible in terms of cost, volume, time of delivery, and supply agreement. After the draft contract is agreed upon by parties, it will be submitted to the Department of Finance, which will scrutinize and ensure the provisions in the document are in accordance with the FDA and multilateral regulatory requirements. Once cleared, the contract will be forwarded to our multilateral partners or fund managers for further review and validation to ensure the integrity of the contract.

 

We are now in the advanced stages of negotiations with various vaccine manufacturers. While our vaccine expert panel and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continuously assess the safety and efficacy of each of the candidate vaccines, we are also trying to get the best price possible to ensure cost-efficiency and equitable access for the poor.

 

Payments will only be done once all the regulatory requirements for Emergency Use Authorization from FDA and the originating country are secured.

 

We want to make it clear that the prices released to the media are all commercial prices. These are not the negotiated prices given to us by the companies.  The negotiated price of a dose of vaccine is mostly at a cost since most of the companies believed that during this pandemic our moral obligation and global interest is to save lives and humanity.

 

Our negotiation is always being guided by the Department of Finance in allocating Php 73-75 billion for the inoculation of 60-80 million Filipinos and which will allow the country to achieve the WHO’s standard for herd immunity.

 

Likewise, we hope to seal deals similar to the tripartite agreement we signed with Astrazeneca, wherein 2.6 million doses of the vaccine were sold to the private sector at no profit, which were in turn, donated to the government at no cost.

 

We are eyeing to strike a deal with vaccine manufacturers by the end of this year or early January 2021. We are confident that given the time line of production, initial deliveries will be made by March of next year and the inoculation program may commence within that period. I will say it again that all vaccines will pass FDA approval to ensure safety and efficacy.

 

The delivery of all vaccines regardless of their country of origin and manufacturer will be made in tranches or on a staggered basis, which is the same mode of delivery for developed countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

 

Again, we want to assure the public that the government will not compromise our vaccine selection, negotiation, and procurement process. No deal will be finalized without the corresponding regulatory approval from their country of origin and Emergency Use Authorization from our FDA.

 

The ball is being passed not because there are those who are abrogating responsibility but because we want it to reach the goal --- to close deals and obtain vaccines for all Filipinos so that we can implement our national vaccination program at the most appropriate time.

 

These unfounded accusations and unnecessary noise that may derail us from pursuing our goal of securing safe and effective vaccines, we call on the entire Filipino people to unite and move forward. Let us focus all our energy to build back a better and stronger Philippines.

 

 

President Rodrigo Duterte's clarion call during UN General Assembly’s 31st Special Session guides us in our negotiations:  “If any country is excluded by reason of poverty or strategic unimportance, this gross injustice will haunt the world for a long time.” END

Friday, December 18, 2020

IPs sa Tubay malaumong mapasiuli ang kalunhaw sa kabukiran sa lugar

By Angel Lyn F. Gaviola

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Disyembre 18 -- Gumikan sa kahadlok nga maupaw ug maapektuhan sa operasyon sa mina ang ancestral land sa mga Indigenous Peoples (IPs) sa Brgy Binuangan, lungsod sa Tubay, buot mananum og kahoy ang mga lumad sa tabang sa Lunhaw’ng Agusan Program ubos sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo sa administrasyon ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera inabagan sa buhatan ni Congwoman Angel Amante-Matba.

Sa gihimong area validation sa CADT-237 sa Agusan UP Coordinating Center, niadtong Disyembre 14, mikometer si Datu Dario Plasquita, ang nangulo sa maong area, nga motanum ubos sa Plant! Plant! Plant! Project sa Agusan UP! sa inisyal nga 40 ektaryas sa ilang ancestral land og saging, abaca ug agro-forestry.

Sumala ni Datu Plasquita nga nabalaka siya sa posibleng dangatan sa kabukiran sa maong barangay kon mobalos na sa pagpanukot ang kinaiyahan rason nga malaumon kining matabangan sa Agusan UP aron mapasiuli ang kalunhaw sa bukid, og mihangyo kini og mga binhi sa mangium ug mahogany nga itanum.

Adunay kinatibuk-ang 3,000 ektaryas sa ancestral land ang nahisakop sa lugar og kapin 600 ektaryas niini ang production area samtang ang nahibilin mao ang minahan ug protection areas.

Dugang pa ni Datu Plasquita nga nabahin ang pangita sa ilang komunidad sa pangisda ug panguma sanglit ang Brgy Binuangan anaa man kini nahimutang sa baybayon, diin oras nga mokusog ang haros sa balod ug dili sila makapangisda, didto kini sila mag-uma sa bukid isip alternatibong pangita sa mga lumad. (Agusan Up, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Mga luna sa yuta alang sa FRs ug IPs gisubdivide na

By Shena Mae Pabia

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Disyembre 18 -- Gisugdan na pag-subdivide ang mga luna sa yuta nga gitagana sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte sa pangpangusog ni Gobernador Dale B. Corvera ug ni Representante Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba alang sa mga Former Rebels (FR) ug Indigenous Peoples (IP) aron mapahiluna na ang pagpabarug sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka balay.

Kini ang nahibaw-an gikan sa Provincial Assessors Office (PASSO) ug sa Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office [PSWD] nga maoy nagtan-aw sa proseso.

Ang mga luna nga giandam mao ang mosunod: Mosuma sa tulo ka ektarya sa lungsod sa Jabonga – sa Barangay Bangonay nga gipanag-iya sa probinsya ug sa Barangay Tagbuaya nga gi-donate ni Rep. Amante-Matba; Tulo ka ektarya nga napalit sa probinsya sa lungsod sa Carmen; 1.3 ektarya sa Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City nga gi-donate ni Rep. Amante-Matba ug laing 1.4 ektarya nga gi-donate sa San Roque Metals, Inc. (SRMI) ngadto sa probinsya.

Nahibaw-an nga naay 146 ka-pamilya nga mga FRs og IPs ang kwalipikado karon ubos sa Housing Assistance sa National Housing Authority ilawom sa Task Force Balik Loob [TFLB] ug inisyal nga makapahimulos ning maong proyekto ubos sa Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program [ECLIP] Committee.

Sa pagkakaron gi-survey na ang maong mga luna, gi lay-out og gi-subdivide ngadto sa tag 80 sq. meter per household, sumala pa ni Junie Vinatero, ang provincial assessor.

Gawas sa tabang nga makapanag-iya og balay ang mga FRs ug IPs, hatagan usab sila og oportunidad nga makaapil sa nagka lain-laing pagbansay pinaagi sa Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) aron mapalapdan ang ilang kahibalo ug mahimo silang hanas ilabina sa mga bag-ong teknolohiya karon nga magamit sa ilang pagpanarbaho o kaha pagpahiluna og kapanginabuhian. (Agusan UP, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Gov’t considering vaccines from Gamaleya, Sinovac for next year’s rollout

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. reported to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday that he is working with the country’s vaccine experts to analyze the data of Russia’s Gamaleya and China’s Sinovac for a possible first quarter rollout in the Philippines.

During a meeting with President Duterte, Galvez said he has communicated with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and with the health and technical advisory groups to study the records of Gamaleya and Sinovac.

“Kung magiging successful tayo po sa Sinovac at saka Gamaleya kasi initial nila puwede sila sa first quarter,” Galvez told the President.

“Kaya po ang ginagawa namin pinapa-analyze naming mabuti sa ating vaccine expert ‘yung performance po ng Sinovac at saka ‘yung Gamaleya, ‘yung kanilang history at saka ‘yung potential adverse event at saka ‘yung mga record ng mga kanilang clinical trial.”

A “mini rollout” in the first quarter of next year is just fine, Galvez said, as the country could learn from the experiences of other countries that has conducted mass inoculations.

For instance, the Philippines can learn from UK’s experience, which has already conducted immunizations using a vaccine developed by American pharmaceutical company Pfizer.

“So kung paano mag-deploy ang Pfizer ganun po ang gagawin po natin para magkaroon tayo ng lessons learned at saka mawalan po tayo ng tinatawag na mga spillage at saka ‘yung mga wastage ng mga vaccine kasi very sensitive po ‘yung Pfizer,” he said.

Galvez said they are expecting major vaccine deliveries of around 10 to 15 million doses by the end of the second quarter or at the start of the third quarter next year as manufacturers cope with huge demand.

Pharmaceutical companies struggle to produce vaccines since securing raw materials takes some time, according to the country’s vaccine czar.

“So talagang ang production line po ay talagang nahihirapan din sila kasi mataas po ang demand.”

But aside from Gamaleya and Sinovac, the Philippine government is also negotiating with AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson. It also has discussions with Moderna and Sinopharm.

Once contracts are sealed, the country could secure more than 60 million doses, which will be available in tranches next year, Galvez said. (PND)

Thursday, December 17, 2020

President Duterte warns of TRB revamp following RFID glitch

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has warned officials of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) that he would carry out a revamp if there will be another glitch following a public backlash on the implementation of the radio-frequency identification (RFID) system.

“Ito may system but actually it’s flawed, and the people behind this are really incompetent,” President Duterte said in a televised public address Wednesday night, expressing dismay over the chaotic implementation of the RFID system.

RFID system is an ID system using wireless communication that enables data transfer between RF tags and antenna.

Toll regulators should have conducted a trial run first and anticipated possible problems that might occur, according to the President.

The issuance of RFID tags in the tollways has created monstrous traffic jams, exacerbating the misery of the commuters and motorists, he said.

“And on the day of the implementation, anak ka ng p***. Saan ka makakita doon pa ilagay ‘yung mga sticker while the traffic --- the queuing was almost also exponential? Hanggang puwet na. Dumating na sa Maynila.”

The Chief Executive asked Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to call the attention of the TRB to address the problem.

The DOTr has accelerated the adoption of cashless toll payment system after 270 employees at the tollgates contracted COVID-19, Tugade said.

“Kasi it was not only our desire to have a good flow of traffic in the tollways, it was our desire also to minimize the spread of COVID. Iyon po ang nagtulak sa amin,” he told President Duterte.  PND

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Public warned anew on possible surge of COVID-19 cases

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, December 16, once again appealed to the public to obey health standards during holiday celebrations to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) while the government prepares the country’s healthcare system for the possible uptick in the number of infections.

“Christmas time is about a few days from now. Sundin lang natin ‘yung culture. But remember the word ‘but’, but there are rules to be followed at this time of our national life,” President Duterte said during a public address and meeting with officials on government’s COVID-19 response.

While the country celebrates Christmas and New Year, President Duterte said citizens should still follow the minimum health standards such as social distancing, frequent handwashing, and wearing of masks to protect themselves and their families from the highly contagious coronavirus.

“So kayong mga mag-asawa, kayong mga may mga anak: Be careful. If your spouse got it and you do not know, you sleep together, and both of you get infected, then that’s the end of the story of your life. Ang sama ang ending. Ang akin diyan ‘yung mga bata,” he said.

“I’ll repeat: Please continue to obey the protocol,” he stressed. “Kayong mga kababayan ko, sumunod ho kayo sa mga patakaran ng gobyerno. Para sa inyong lahat ito. Kaunting tiis na lang. Nandiyan na ang bakuna.”

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who was also present during the meeting, said the Department of Health (DOH) continues to scale up the country’s healthcare capacities in preparation for a possible increase in the number of COVID-19 cases during the holiday season.

Duque said the country’s One Hospital Command Center and other health facilities, under the leadership of Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, are working to increase hospital utilization rates by providing more beds and mechanical ventilators.

Duque added that they have coordinated with laboratories conducting COVID-19 tests to continue operating during the holidays. 

The Philippines is currently negotiating with pharmaceutical companies producing COVID-19 vaccines and mass inoculation could begin in March next year, according to vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

The country has 452,988 confirmed COVID-19 cases after the DOH reported 1,156 additional cases on Wednesday.

The total death toll is at 8,833, while recoveries stand at 419,282. Of the total number of cases, 24,873 are active. PND

Thursday, December 17, 2020

RRP fertilizer assistance starts in Caraga region

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Dec. 17 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) - Caraga through the Rice Resiliency Project (RRP) under the Rice Program started its fertilizer assistance component in the region.

The assistance was provided through reimbursement scheme to the farmers which started on December 7 until the end of the month.

The distribution of the notice of claim, which serves as the reference number for the farmer-beneficiaries have already started in the province of Surigao del Norte for 184 farmers amounting to P356,715.16.

This was followed by a distribution in the province of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur on December 15 for 1,942 farmers amounting to P5,393,055.50 and 5,237 farmers for P14,666,779.00, respectively.

Moreover, the distribution in the province of Surigao del Sur is set to happen in the third week of December.

Farmer beneficiaries may personally appear at the government financial institution’s (GFI) authorized payout outlets and present the unique transaction reference number and unexpired valid ID, to claim the refund. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Comms team ng DILG-13, nagsasanay para mapabuti pa ang serbisyo

By Venus L. Garcia

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Disyembre 17 (PIA) -- Sumailalim sa two-day skills enhancement ang mga communication at information technology (IT) personnel sa regional at field offices ng Department of the Interior and Local Government o DILG Caraga upang mas lalo pang mapahusay ang kakayahan para maipaabot ang importanteng impormasyon tungkol sa mga programa at proyekto ng pamahalaan gamit ang angkop na pamamaraan sa gitna ng coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Bahagi ito sa pagtugon ng nasabing ahensya sa hamon ng pagbabago o “paradigm shift” sa pagpapatupad ng mga programa at at iba pang inisyatibo ngayong new normal.

At dahil nga may pagbabawal pa ang pagtitipon-tipon para magsagawa ng information education and communication (IEC) campaign, tinuruan at sinanay sila sa graphic designing at lay-outing para makapagproduce rin ng epektibong infographics maliban sa karaniwang pagsusulat ng mga press release.

"There is a need to respond to the call of the times. Thus, the planning and communication teams have to play a bigger, more active role in DILG plans, programs and activities (PPAs) implementation,” sabi ni Donald Seronay, assistant regional director ng DILG-Caraga.

Tinalakay ng resource person galing sa Philippine Information Agency - Caraga kung paano bumuo ng contents para sa social media materials.

“This is also our proactive response by capacitating them with the strategies and techniques for right messaging and delivery of information to the local government units,” ani Seronay.

Ayon kay Seronay, makakatulong din anya ito sa pagbuo ng campaign materials ng Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) at collaterals ng Mandanas Ruling.

Ang mga virtual participants na nasa kani-kanilang probinsiya ay sumabay din sa practical hands-on exercise gamit ang tools ng photo at design software.

"This training will surely equip them with the skills and knowledge that will be most advantageous in popularizing the programs of the DILG,” sabi ni Seronay.

Naging sentro rin ng pagtalakay ang management of webinars, teleconferences at social media management.

Ang mga output naman sa paggawa ng infographics ay iprenisenta ng bawat online participant para sa critiquing.

“I am very thankful that I’m able to learn a lot of techniques. It has given me the idea on how to improve the messaging of the office. Malaking tulong talaga ito sa amin lalo na ngayong may pandemya kasi we need to maximize the use of social media para maipaabot ang mensahe ng DILG sa LGUs at publiko. Masaya ako na napasali sa training na ito,” sabi ni Ednon John Aparicio, LGOO III ng DILG-Agusan del Sur. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

Indigent SCs, PWDs receive holiday treats from Tandag City gov't

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 17 (PIA) -- The city government of Tandag led by Mayor Roxanne Pimentel continued this year the gift-giving activity dubbed as “Pamaskong Handog” amidst the pandemic brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

As of December 15, 2020, a total of 400 food packs, and grocery items were given to indigent senior citizens (SCs) and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the barangays of Maitom, San Jose, San Isidro, Maticdum, Quezon, Bioto, and Dagocdoc.

A total of 11 wheelchairs, 13 canes, five walkers, and one crutch (long stick) were given to qualified beneficiaries.

The “Pamaskong Handog” is an annual event initiated by Mayor Pimentel, where she visits the less fortunate and vulnerable constituents in the 21 barangays to extend gifts, as Christmas time is fast approaching.

In the past years, caroling was usually done before the gift-giving, however due to the pandemic, and the issuance of the recent Executive Order No. 121 prohibiting caroling, the usual activity was skipped.

Meanwhile, Mayor Pimentel has surprised the contact tracers with a “Pamaskong Handaog” in Barangay Mabua on December 14. They were given a t-shirt, 500-peso worth of coupons, and Php 200 cash. 

She thanked them for diligently doing their part in the fight against COVID-19 in the city. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Zapanta Valley IP chieftain vows to support gov’t-initiated projects

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, December 17 -- Datu Lando Anlagan of the Mamanwa tribe recently vowed to support government-initiated projects.

This development came after Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) visited Sitio Zapanta Valley, Brgy. Bangayan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte to grace the ground-breaking ceremony of the Zapanta Valley Enterprise Center and a site visit to Zapanta Valley Agri-Tourism Enterprise Village.

Speaking before the attendees composed of members of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC)-Agusan del Norte, Barangay Bangayan officials, and IP communities, Datu Anlagan stressed that with the government’s initiatives of bringing the services to their community, there’s no reason why they will not give their all-out support.

“Ako nanghinaut nga dili gayud pasagdan sa gobyerno kaming mga miyembro sa tribu kay kami nakig-uban na man gayud sa atong panggamhanan… ug tungod kay nakita man pud namo ang sinsero nga serbisyo sa atong mga ahensya nga anaa dinhi karon, kami usab sa among tribo nakighiusa alang sa kalinaw ug kalambuan sa pamuyo dinhi sa Sitio Zapanta Valley (I hope that the government will not forsake the tribe members like us because we are already one with the government… And since we also see that government agencies are sincere with their services, we from the different tribes are one in attaining peace and development here in Sitio Zapanta Valley)," Andagan said.

Datu Andagan likewise said that because of what they have experienced for the past years living in a war zone, “we now want peace not war because we believe that development can only be achieved if there is peace in the area,” he added.

Andagan is one of the three datus living in Sitio Zapanta Valley who earlier received the Tribal Hall which was turned-over by the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) and the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte.

The PRLEC-initiated projects have been made possible thru the support of the Provincial Governor Dale B. Corvera, Agusan del Norte 2nd District Rep. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba, and Kitcharao Mayor Aristotle E. Montante. (TESDA Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

DAR distributes P3.5 worth of farm equipment, farm inputs to AgNor orgs

By Gil E. Miranda

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 17 -- In response to the plight of the farmers from the effects of climate change, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) of Agusan del Norte provided farm machineries and livelihood support to 13 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs), under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP).

According to DAR Agusan Norte Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Andre B. Atega, the CRFPSP is one of the flagship programs of the department dealing with the problem of food shortage caused by climate change.

PARPO II Atega said that the DAR-CRFPSP provided the farmers with needed support services comprising farm machineries and livelihood support in the form of farm inputs aimed to address poverty challenges brought by climate change.

He explained that this year, the DAR allocated P3.5-Million for CRFPSP project comprising farm machineries and farm inputs, worth Php2,473,500 and 1,038,300, respectively.

The farmers living in as front lines of crises ranging from extreme weather conditions brought by climate change to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

DAR Agusan del Norte PARPO I Rodrigo B. Bitangcor underscored that the intervention is a grant for those farmers living in vulnerable areas where farmers endured the effects of the weather brought from climate change.

“The agency successfully delivered the farm equipment and farm inputs to the ARBOs despite the reported delays due to office lockdown brought about by the coronavirus pandemic,” Bitangcor said.

Ellen Torralba, officer-in-charge Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer of the Program Beneficiaries Development Division of DAR-Agusan del Norte, said despite the pandemic the department remains committed to help improve the farmers’ organizations.

Torralba said the majority of ARBOs are involved in rice and vegetable production. She emphasized the role of the ARBOs to take care of the project as these will enhance their efficiency and productivity.

According to CRFPSP provincial coordinators Raul N. Hermoso, in an interview, that this intervention significantly improved the living condition of the agrarian reform beneficiaries and their organizations.

“The unpredicted weather was also a hindering factor, which affect farmers’ farming activities, but with the much-needed equipment the farmers become resilient,” Hermoso added.

In an interview with Welito T. Mante, Chair of the Basag Irrigator’s Association (Basag-IA), he was grateful to the department for its endeavor to extend various farm equipment and farm inputs. This was also the collective voice of the farmers’ group-leaders who benefitted from the project.

“It is an answered prayer. Pasalamat gyud mi sa DAR, sa ilang package of intervention, dako ni’g tabang sa panginabuhian sa among grupo (We are very much grateful for DAR’s package of intervention, it could be a great help to increase income to our group)," said Mante. (DAR Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

COVID-19 quarantine at treatment facility ng Agusan Norte magbubukas na ngayong Disyembre

By Nora C. Lanuza

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Disyembre 17 (PIA) -- Patuloy ang pagtutok ng probinsya ng Agusan del Norte sa kaso ng coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Ayon kay Gobernador Dale B. Corvera kahit may mga positive cases na patuloy na naitala, pero mataas naman ang recoveries at mababa ang occupancy rate sa mga hospital.

Tugon ni Gob. Corvera, upang mas matugonan pa ang mga pangangailan ng mga Agusanon, inihanda na ang lahat ng mga requirements upang makapagsimula na sa kasalukuyang buwan ang operasyon ng 50-bed COVID-19 quarantine at treatment monitoring facility ng probinsya na itinurn-over ng Department of Public Works and Highways na matatagpuan sa lungsod ng Carmen. Plano din ng probinsya na gawin itong extension ng kasalukuyang Nasipit District Hospital COVID facility.

Ayon din kay provincial health officer, Dr. Odelio Y. Ferrer ang nasabing pasilidad ay accredited ng Department of Health at Philhealth at inaasahang makakatulong sa mga COVID-19 patients na may mild cases. Ito ay pangangasiwaan ng Provinical Health Office at ng Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office ng probinsya.

Nananawagan din si Gob. Corvera sa mga Caraganon lalo na sa mga Agusanon na iwasan muna ang pagdalo ng mga kasiyahan sa panahon ng pasko upang maiwasan ang pagkalat ng COVID-19. Dagdag pa ni Gob. Corvera na manatiling malinis, malusog at sundin ang BIDAsolusyon upang maiwasan ang pagkalat ng COVID-19 lalo na’t mataas ang local transmission sa rehiyon. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

PRC RECEIVES ANOTHER GREEN LIGHT FOR ITS MOLECULAR LAB IN PASSI

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) passed again another proficiency test for its molecular laboratory to open soon in Passi, Iloilo.

“This will be our 13th installment nationwide; we only await for the completion of requirements after passing the test last December 14, 2020, in compliance with the Department of Health,” PRC Chairman & CEO Sen. Richard Gordon said.

The newly built molecular laboratory, which will service the entire province of Iloilo and its nearby areas for faster testing, and is equipped with two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines and one ribonucleic acid (RNA) extractor which can process up to 1,000 tests a day.

“The Philippine Red Cross continues to establish more molecular laboratories to support our people with accessible health facilities. With the completion of the Passi molecular laboratory, we pave the way to testing more people and helping to stop the spread of the virus,” the Chairman added.

The PRC recently opened a new molecular laboratory in Surigao. These two new laboratories will further boost the testing capacity for COVID-19, which is currently at 44,000 tests a day.

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

13 ARBOs tinulungan ng DAR sa Agusan del Norte

By Nora C. Lanuza

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Disyembre 16 (PIA) -- Bilang tugon sa epekto ng pagbabago ng klima sa mga magsasaka sa probinsya ng Agusan del Norte, nasa 13 agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations o ARBOs ang nakatanggap ng mga farm equipment at farm inputs.

Laking pasalamat ni Welito Mante, ang chairperson ng Basag Irrigators’ Association sa suporta galing sa Department of Agrarian Reform o DAR dahil mas napadali ang kanilang trabaho sa pagsasaka at natugonan ang epekto ng climate change sa kanilang mga sakahan.

Dagdag din ni Raul Hermoso, ang provincial coordinator ng Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project o CRFPSP ng Agusan del Norte, ang mga farm equipment ay nakatulong upang maging mas matatag ang mga magsasaka sa ano mang epekto ng pagbabago ng klima.

Kahit paman sa banta ng coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, patuloy pa rin ang DAR sa pamamahagi ng mga farm eqipment at farm inputs sa mga ARBOs upang malabanan ang mga epekto ng climate change at matulongan sila sa kanilang mga pangangailangan sa panahon nga pandemya.

Sa taong ito nakapag-allocate ang DAR ng P3.5 million para sa CRFPSP project para sa makinaryas at farm inputs. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Cassava farmers sa Las Nieves nagsugod na sa pag-ani sa 30-ektaryas nga demo farm

By Angel Lyn F. Gaviola

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Disyembre 16 -- Nagsugod na og ani sa ilang abot sa cassava ang mga mag-uuma sa Las Nieves partikular ang mga mag-uuma sa Brgy. Lingayao, ang sentro sa model farm sa 30-ektaryas nga uma sa balanghoy.

Ning nakalabay nga Nobyembre 27 lang, gihimo ang usa ka technical briefing alang sa mga makinaryas nga gitunol sa Department of Agriculture kun DA Caraga sa mga mag-uuma alang sa ilang pag-ani ug pagproseso sa abot.

Sumala ni Miguel Velasco, ang corn and cassava production coordinator sa Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), gitudloan ang mga mag-uuma sa mga paagi kung unsaon paggamit sa mga makinaryas nga gitunol kanila.

Ang mga ekipos ug makinaryas nga gipadangat sa DA-13 naglangkob sa 2 ka unit sa cassava granulator, 2 units sa cassava chipper, pulverizer, digger, corn sheller, tractor, vacuum pack sealer ug corn planter.

Dako kini og ikatabang sa mga mag-uuma sa balanghoy ilabi na sa gilantaw nga pagproseso sa ilang abot, subay sa programa sa Agusan UP ubos sa Process! Process! Process! ilabi na nga moabot og 20 kilos ang anihon matag punoan sa balanghoy.

Sigon ni Jemuel Madelo, Agriculturist sa PAO, kung sumahon mokabat sa 6,000 metric tons sa balanghoy ang maani sa 30 ka ektaryas sa maong demo farm, diin nakaatang na usab ang potensyal nga buyer niini.

Dumduman nga bulan sa Disyembre sa nakalabay’ng tuig, gisugdan ang pagpahiluna sa maong demo farm sa panagtambayayong sa DA-Caraga, PAO, Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) sa Las Nieves, ang unang tikang sa pagpatuman sa programa sa Plant! Plant! Plant! sa Agusan UP!.

Ubos sa maong programa, gipunting nga mahimong sustinido ang paglambo sa industriya sa balanghoy, diin gilantaw nga matamnan ang 3,000 ektaryas sa maong crop sa mosunod nga pito ka tuig ug makamugna gyod og processing ug paggama ug uban pang produkto gamit ang balanghoy. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

TESDA chief visits Zapanta Valley

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 15 – Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Wednesday visited Sitio Zapanta Valley in Brgy. Bangayan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte. He is the first TESDA secretary to have visited the area which is formerly known as a war zone in the province.

In his keynote speech, the secretary emphasized the importance of the whole-of-government approach, which aimed to help the community to achieve long-lasting peace and development.

Sec. Lapeña also emphasized that the government is doing everything to end war and achieve long-lasting peace and development and this is also attuned to what the local residents of Sitio Zapanta Valley want.

“For this reason, we need to go hand-in-hand… we need to help each other. The government is always here to listen to your request, that is why member-agencies of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) are here to bring the government services closer to you,” Sec. Lapeña explained in Tagalog dialect.

The TESDA chief also stressed that in as far as skills training is concerned, the agency is always committed to provide trainings to the community and transform the lives of every individual.

“Kung kailangan n’yo ng trainings, magsabi lang po kayo dahil handa po ang aming ahensya na kayo ay isanay upang baguhin ang inyong pamumuhay (If you need trainings, just inform us because our agency is ready to train you and transform your lives)," he said.

Sec. Lapeña graced the ground-breaking ceremony of the Zapanta Valley Enterprise Center and visited the site where the Zapanta Valley Agri-Tourism Enterprise Village will be established.

He also awarded Certificates of Training Completion to graduates of different skills trainings in Buko Halo-halo (36 graduates); Perform Basic Haircutting (15 graduates); Perform Pedicure (26 graduates); Perform Manicure (26 graduates); Small Engine – Service Motorcycle (33 graduates); and Prepare Bakery Products (25 graduates). 

Meanwhile, the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte through the Provincial Agriculture Office has spearheaded the conduct of Training in Vegetables and Farming as a Business Management Concept with 25 graduates who also received training certificates from Sec. Lapeña. (TESDA Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

90 o 100 years old sa Magallanes makadawat og Milestone award

By Jessica O. Mellejor

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Disyembre 15 -- Gi-aprubahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ug gi-deklara nga balido ang Municipal Ordinance No. 015-2020, gikan sa lungsod sa Magallanes, ning lalawigan, “An Ordinance Granting Milestone Award to ninety (90) years old and above senior citizens in the municipality of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte”, with suggested refinement.”

Pinaagi sa maong ordinansa, sa pagpanginahan ni Sangguniang Bayan Member Marilou M. Cumba, ang pagpanghatag sa milestone award sa mga senior citizen  pamaagi sa paghatag pasidungog ug pagdayeg sa mga tigulang nga lungsuranon sa munisipyo nga nakatampo sa pagpalig-on sa pamilya o institusyon, ingon man ang pag-uswag sa komunidad.

Makadawat ang 90 years old og kinse mil pesos (Php15,000.00) atol sa iyang adlaw nga natawhan. Samtang, singkwenta mil pesos (P50,000.00) usab alang niadtong nagsaulog sa ilang ika 100 nga edad sa iyang adlaw nga natawhan.

 Ang kwalipikado sa Milestone award mao ang mosunod:

1. Ang tagtungod  nagsaulog sa iyang ika 90 o 100 nga edad sa maong tuig;

2. Residente sa lungsod sa Magallanes;

3. Bonafide holder og valid senior citizens ID nga gi-isyu sa OSCA head o MSWD Officer sa lungsod sa Magallanes.

Ang nasangpit nga ganti tabang sa mga hamtong alang sa personal ug medikal nga panginahanglanon galastuson.

Gi-aprobahan ang maong ordinansa pinaagi sa Sanggunian Resolution No. 522-2020, sa pagpanginahan ni Provincial Board Member Elizabeth Marie R. Calo,  tsirman sa Committee on Social Welfare and Population Development. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

'Oplan ligtas biktima sa kalamidad at sakuna' gi-establisar sa Las Nieves

By JV Demain

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Disyembre 15 -- Pinaagi sa Municipal Ordinance No. 477-2019 sa Sangguninang Bayan sa lungsod sa Las Nieves, ning lalawigan, nga gipangamahanan ni SB Member Jacinto T. Fabro, naestablisar na ang “Oplan Ligtas Biktima sa Kalamidad at Sakuna,” programa nga mosiguro nga adunay pundong andam panahon sa kalamidad ug uban pang panghitabo sa lungsod.

Ang programa nga parte sa Disaster Risk and Management Program sa Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office sa lungsod sa Las Nieves, naggahin og usa ka milyon ka pesos (P1M) isip response funds sa munisipyo panahon sa kalamidad o katalagman diin 77% niini alang sa logistical requirement, samtang 23% giandam alang sa mga responders.

Kini nahisubay sa mandato sa R.A. 10121 o ang Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 diin gihatagag kagahom ang matag LGU sa nasod nga maghimog lakang ug mga pamaagi dili lamang isip pagpangandam, kundi pagrespondi usab sa epekto sa bisan unsang kalamidad o katalagman sama sa baha, linog ug uban pa.

Ang lungsod sa Las Nieves nailang usa sa mga lugar sa probinsya nga dali bahaon panahon sa kusog nga ulan, partikular ang 14 niini ka barangay nga duol sa Agusan River.

Gideklarang balido sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ang diin unod ang programang “Oplan Ligtas Biktima sa Kalaminad at Sakuna” pinaagi sa Sanggunian Resolution No. 531-2020 sa rekomindasyon ni Bokal Benjamin D. Lim, Jr., tsirman sa SP Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction & Management. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Insentibo sa mga BNS, BHW, Day Care Worker sa Cabadbaran giusbawan

By Jessica O. Mellejor

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Disyembre 15 -- Gi-usbawan sa lokal nga panggamhanan sa syudad sa Cabadbaran ang insentibo sa mga Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS), Barangay Health Workers (BHW) ug Day Care Workers.

Sa sesyon regular sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan gi-aprubahan ug gi-deklara nga balido ang City Ordinance Nos. 536, 537 ug 538-2020, gikan sa syudad sa Cabadbaran, alang sa maong pag-usbaw.

Makadawat na ang mga Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) matag bulan og honorarium nga usa ka Libo ka pesos (P1,000.00 ) gikan sa Eight hundred pesos (P800.00) samtang ang mga Barangay Health Workers makadawat og  honorarium nga usa ka libo ka Pesos (P1000.00) matag usa kada bulan ug ang honorarium sa Child Development Worker gikan sa usa ka libo lima ka gatus ka pesos (P1,500.00) matag bulan himoon na nga duha ka libo lima ka gatus ka pisos (P2,500) matag usa kada bulan.

Gi-aprobahan ang maong lakang pinaagi sa Sanggunian Resolution No. 536-2020, 537-2020 ug 538-2020 sa pagpanginahan ni Provincial Board Member Elizabeth Marie R. Calo, tsirman sa Committee on Social Welfare, Population Development, inubanan sa mga myembro nga sila Provincial Board Members Virgilio R. Escasinas, Jr. ug Nieva C. Famador. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)