Wednesday, December 23, 2020

TESDA recognizes FRs’ trust to gov’t

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 23 – Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Agusan del Norte Provincial Office has recognized the efforts of some 918 former rebels (FRs) for putting back their trust to the government.

This, after 28 members of the Militia ng Bayan (MB) and 890 Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) surrendered and withdraw their support to CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNT) in a ceremony held recently at Brgy. Durian, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.

According to the FB page of the Philippine Army’s 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB), the FRs also voluntarily handed over three-caliber 22 rifles, three-caliber 357 revolvers, one-caliber 38 revolver, one home-made 357 revolver, four home-made shotguns, and one power generator.

In his message, TESDA-Agusan del Norte Provincial Director Rey M. Cueva said that TESDA is willing to help the local government unit of Las Nieves to revive the training center in Brgy. Mat-i, Las Nieves.

The official also vowed to facilitate the requirements needed in order to add TESDA programs in the said training center. “In this way, more skills/qualifications can be chosen by the residents,” Dir. Cueva said.

He also stressed that TESDA will again provide scholarship slots as well as skills and livelihood programs so that more residents of Las Nieves including the FRs can avail of skills trainings that will somehow help improve and even transform their lives.

Dir. Cueva also pointed out that a pulong-pulong has been already set by the member-agencies of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) in Agusan del Norte on January 2021 to identify and assess the needs of the residents so that skills and livelihood interventions will be provided.

Cueva further said the FRs move to surrender and giving their trust back to the government is a step towards achieving a long-lasting peace and development in the municipality of Las Nieves in particular, and the province of Agusan del Norte in general.

The mass surrender and oath of allegiance activity was graced by Las Nieves Mayor Avelina S. Rosales; Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, Commanding Officer of the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion; Agusan del Norte Board Member Dick Victor Carmona; Lt. Col, Quintin T. Casabar Jr., Force Commander of the 1st Agusan del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company; and barangay officials, it was gathered. (TESDA Agusan del Norte with reports and photos from 23rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

4 agrarian orgs get FDA-LTO approval

By Daryll M. Tumbaga

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Dec. 23 (PIA) -- Four assisted agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs) of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Surigao del Norte (DAR-SDN) acquired recently their Licenses to Operate (LTO) from the Food and Drugs Administration through the Department of Agrarian Reform’s Village Level Farm-focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) Project.

The ARBOs are Garcia ARB Cooperative (GARBECO) of Sta. Monica, Honrado ARB Cooperative (HONARBECO) of San Francisco and Trinidad ARB Cooperative (TARBECO) of Surigao City all of Surigao del Norte; and Jacquez Agra Multi-purpose Cooperative (JAMPCO) of San Jose in the province of Dinagat Islands.

With the FDA approval, the ARBOs have secured licenses for their processing centers to produce their agri-based products, namely: turmeric herbal powder, salabat, malunggay powder, sambong powder and lagundi powder of GARBECO; pure tableya of HONARBECO; banana chips and papaya pickles of TARBECO; and turmeric and ginger powder of JAMPCO.

GARBECO chairperson Tessie M. Vertudazo said they have waited for this moment that they will be given licenses to operate of their processing centers.

She said that it will be a big opportunity for GARBECO that they can now cater to customers globally knowing that their products are FDA-LTO-approved.

The DAR and Department of Trade and Industry’s synchronized and worked together in improving the products of these agri-based organizations. As such, the ARBOs underwent trainings on good manufacturing practices, promotional packaging, product labeling and pricing.

Lilibeth Arce, chairperson of TARBECO also expressed her gratitude, she said that after many months of preparation and complying with all the necessary requirements, including incurring additional costs, finally they are granted LTOs.

Aside from the rigorous and laborious trainings, the said ARBOs also embarked on the renovation and improvement of their processing centers to comply with the standards of FDA.

Meanwhile, DAR Provincial Office of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands led by PARPO Maria Elizabeth L. De Guzman together with CARPO Alfredo Alvarez took pride in these significant achievements of the said ARBOs for acquiring the LTOs for their micro-enterprises.

In her message, FDA representative Virginia Delani said it is a feat that should be celebrated because the said processing centers of the ARBOs were the first of its kind to have secured LTOs in both provinces the Surigao Norte and Dinagat Islands.

On his part, CARPO Alvarez said that is their goal that the rest of their assisted ARBOs will have their processing centers FDA-LTO-certified.

“Our next steps will be guiding the said ARBOs to access operation capitalization from financing institutions leading to national and global markets,” said PARPO De Guzman. (DAR-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PMO Surigao exceeds target revenue despite COVID-19

By NC Nusog

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Dec. 23 (PIA)-- The Port Management Office (PMO) of Surigao del Norte has a lot to be thankful for this year as it surpassed its target revenue.

Despite the challenges wrought upon by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the PMO not just managed to surpass target revenue, it went on to register its highest annual income since it was established in 1977.

As of December 2020, PMO Surigao reported earnings of P622 million, representing an increase of around 8% from last year’s collections.

Rising ship calls and cargo throughout, along with the expiration of the Board of Investments (BOI) privileges of some private ports, fueled the increased collections and managed to meet revenue targets as early as November.

In his remarks during the Thanksgiving Fellowship held on Friday, Dec. 18, PMO Surigao Acting Port Manager Froilan Caturla acknowledged the overwhelming contributions of PMO Surigao personnel, particularly to the frontliners who kept the PMO up and running despite the risks and challenges of COVID 19.

“Although we cap off the year with no festivities and parties, we are gathered here today to honor our frontliners and all those who have displayed wondrous performance in the midst of the pandemic,” Caturla said. (PMO-PPA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

 PPA Surigao Norte personnel play Santa to 'pakyawan' workers, janitors

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Dec. 22 (PIA) -- - Christmas came early for ‘pakyawan’ workers, outsourced personnel, security guards and utility workers at the Port of Surigao as gift packs were shared by organic employees of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in gratitude for continued blessings.

Some 40 food packs were distributed to ‘pakyawan’ work gangs on Dec. 18, 2020 while earlier in the week, gift packs were also given to outsourced personnel, security guards and utility workers.

Acting PMO Surigao Port Manager Froilan Caturla said this holiday season, the PMO personnel commit to bring happiness to their less fortunate colleagues.

‘Pakyawan’ workers are dockhands who used to provide cargo handling work for motor launches serving the island routes from the City Boulevard.

With the transfer of shipping operations at the city wharf to the Port of Surigao earlier this year, the said work gangs were hired on a ‘pakyawan’ basis by the Philippine Port Authority- Surigao Port Services (PPA-SPS).  

The PPA-SPS is a Special Take-Over Unit operating cargoes handling services at the Surigao Baseport. (NC Nusog, PMO-PPA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

DA Caraga turns over cassava granules processing, marketing project

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Dec. 22 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) – Caraga Philippine Rural Development Project has turned over recently the Warehouse and Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement (MPDP) Project in Barangay Cayetano in Dinagat town.

The project is part of the Cassava Granules Processing and Marketing Project under the DA-PRDP IREAP component to the proponent group, the A & M Multi-Purpose Cooperative in the said town.

The said project amounting to P10 million also includes two units of flatbed dryer, a brand new truck, weighing scale, and cassava granulator.

The turn-over ceremony was attended by Dinagat Islands Governor Arlene J. Bag-ao, IREAP Component Head Lynn A. Pareñas, other local officials, and the A & M Coop officers and members. (DA-Caraga/PIADinagat Islands)

TD Vicky leaves 7 dead, 1 missing in SurSur

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 22 (PIA) – Tropical Depression (TD) Vicky left seven persons dead, one missing and forced thousands to flee their homes on Friday.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Office Chief Abel de Guzman identified the casualties as: Nilo Lagura, 53 years old, Male, from Patong-patong, Madrid town; Elizer Jalapit , 54 years old, male, from Diatagon, Lianga; Corsino Bohol Bongcayao, 61 years old, male, from Brgy. Mabahin, Cortes; Rodelo W. Laurente, 36 years old, male, from, Barangay Bolhoon, San Miguel; Princess Oquias, 3 years old, female, from Barangay, Tabon, Bislig City; Jorcel B. Laurente, 2 years old, female, from Barangay Bolhoon, San Miguel, and Tropio Bacor, 62 years old, male, from Barangay Rajah Kabungsoan, Lingig.

The search and retrieval operation for one missing person identified as Bernabe Montes, 56 years old, male, from Barangay Poblacion, Bislig City is  still ongoing, according to De Guzman.

Per PDRRMC report dated Dec. 21, some 4,574 families were displaced and sheltered to 144 evacuation centers from 135 barangays of the 17 local government units (LGUs) of the province. Most of the displaced families have already returned to their homes safely over the weekend, except those few families in Barobo, and Tagbina towns who just returned yesterday.

The LGUs have already distributed relief goods to the displaced families. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Food packs gipadangat sa LGU Magallanes sa mga residente

By Angel Lyn F. Gaviola

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Disyembre 22 -- Mokabat sa 4,460 ka balay ang nakabenepisyo sa gipang-apod apod nga foodpacks sa lokal nga panggamhanan sa Magallanes sa walo ka mga barangay sa lungsod nga gisugdan niadtong Disyembre 10 hangtod sa Disyembre 19.

Sumala ni Krizelle Mae F. Penaso, Public Information Office incharge sa lungsod, nga ang maong programa lambigit sa implementasyon sa Executive Order 70 kun Whole of the Nation Approach in Attaining Sustainable Peace Cum Consultation, ug usa na usab kini ka paagi ni Mayor Cesar C. Cumba Jr, aron masusi ang kasamtangang kahimtang sa iyang mga constituents luyo sa nasinati nga pandemya.

Dugang ni Penaso nga prayoridad nga makadawat sa foodpacks ang mga molupyo sa lungsod nga nawad-an og panginabuhian tungod sa pagkuyanap sa coronavirus disease 2019 kun COVID-19.

Ang nasangpit nga relief goods adunay sulod nga 5 ka kilo bugas, usa ka tibuok nga manok, lima ka itlog, 2 ka de-lata ug gatas.

Mipadangat usab og hygiene kits si Mayor Cumba sa mga kabataan nga nag-enroll sa daycare ug ang mga malnourish dunay libreng vitamins. (Agusan Up, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Hiniusang team nagtuon pagpahiluna sa food basket project sa Kitcharao

By Angel Lyn F. Gaviola

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Disyembre 22 -- Sa tuyo nga mapalambo ang industriya sa gulay sa Agusan del Norte, usa ka hiniusang team sa mga personahe sa AGUSAN UP! Coordinating Unit ug sa munisipyo sa Kitcharao, ingon man sa mga mag-uuma sa maong lungsod ang gipadala ni Gobernador Dale B. Corvera sa usa ka study mission sa nagpadayon karon nga unang Vegetable Derby ug Harvest Festival sa Talakag, Bukidnon.

Sa pagtambayayong sa probinsya, sa munisipyo ug mga mag-uuma sa Kitcharao gipahiluna karon ang Food Basket Project o ang pagtanum og gulay ug pagproseso sa kabahin niini sa maong lungsod ug tan-aw ni Gob. Corvera nga daghan ang maka-onan ang grupo gikan sa maong kalihukan sa Bukidnon.

Ang maong proyekto kabahin sa Plant and Process Program sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo ubos sa administrasyon ni Gob. Corvera inabagan sa buhatan ni Congw. Angel M. Amante-Matba.

Molungtad og tulo ka adlaw ang maong pinaka unang Vegetable Derby ug Harvest Festival sa Bukidnon nga gipasiugdahan sa Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) sa pagpanguna ni MinDA Sec. Manny Piñol ug sa probinsyal nga panggamhanan sa Bukidnon.

Sulod sa tulo ka adlaw, sayron sa grupo ang mga modernong teknolohiya ug klase sa binhi nga haom itanom sa nagkadaiyang matang sa yuta, partikular sa mga mag-uuma sa upat ka lungsod sa Bukidnon nga mao ang Impasugong, Talakag, Sumilao ug Lantapan. Mahimo usab nilang itudlo ang ilang makat-onan sa mga mag-uuma sa Agusan del Norte aron mapalambu ang produksyon sa ilang umahan.

Sa impormasyon ni Jusyl Rose Amoncio, Agriculturist sa Agusan UP, ang nasangpit nga aktibidad nakatutok sa pagpaila sa tulo ka dagkong variety sa gulay nga mao ang carrots, chinese pechay ug cabbage, pinaagi sa unom ka mga seed company nga gidapit aron maoy motunol sa ilang kahibalo sa mga mag-uuma sa tibuok Mindanao.

Sa unang adlaw, gipasundayag sa mga mag-uuma gikan sa nagkalain-laing bahin sa Mindanao ang ilang mga abot sa umahan ug ang mga produkto nga naproseso gikan sa maong abot.

Sa ikaduhang adlaw, mao ang Agri-Trade Fair ug ang pag-showcase sa nagkalain-laing seed companies sa ilang ani sama sa carrots, cabbage ug chinese pechay, ingon man ang business matching ug pagtuon paggama og kimchi.

Sa ikatulong adlaw mao ang pagbansay sa paggama og carrot cake dungan sa closing program diin dinhe hatagan og pasidungog ang mga mag-uuma sa Mindanao nga dunay pinakamaayong paagi sa pag-uma gamit ang organic farming.

Ang mga makat-onan sa grupo makatabang usab sa bag-ohay pa lang gipahigayon nga groundbreaking sa Zapanta Valley Agri-Tourism Village Enterprise aron maugmad ang dakong potensyal nga umahan sa lungsod pinaagi sa pagtanum og nagkadaiyang klase sa prutas ug gulay nga mosuporta sa itukod usab nga Gulayan Bagsakan sa lugar. (Agusan Up, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Monday, December 21, 2020

President Duterte expects AFP to protect Constitution, uphold sovereignty as it celebrates  85th anniversary

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday, December 21, joined the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in celebrating its 85th anniversary expecting the organization to remain committed to its sworn duty of protecting the Constitution and upholding the country’s sovereignty.

In a speech during his virtual participation to the AFP event, President Duterte recognized the contributions of the country’s security forces in battling the coronavirus pandemic. 

“This year, we were faced with the most daunting health crisis in recent history. This invisible enemy – COVID-19 – caused a global pandemic that swept across the world and radically changed our way of life,” President Duterte said.

“Despite its very insidious nature, the entire nation witnessed how the AFP fought proudly at the frontlines alongside our valiant health workers.”

The AFP, he said, played a crucial role in crafting the National Action Plan Against COVID-19 and complemented it by deploying military personnel at various quarantine and swabbing facilities and local communities to contain the virus.

Aside from battling the contagion, the members of the AFP also played an important role in disaster response after the country was ravaged by numerous typhoons and other natural calamities. 

“In the middle of these disasters, you bravely shielded our people from harm and helped them rise above the ruins, risking your lives in the process,” President Duterte  told AFP personnel.

 “On behalf of a grateful nation, I express my most profound gratitude to you for your willingness to serve at the frontlines as our nation faced these natural disasters, calamities, and a global pandemic.”

AFP’s involvement in those efforts enabled the government to remain on top of the situation and maintain order, he added.

Also during his speech, the President reiterated his commitment to pursue the full implementation of the AFP Modernization Program.

He vowed to continue enhancing the skills of AFP members through capacity building initiatives and the procurement of modern equipment that will enable them to fulfill their mandate with the highest degree of expertise and professionalism.

Despite the current health emergency, it is also a fitting time to celebrate the founding of the AFP – an institution that was built to withstand these hardships and serve the Filipino people at all costs, the President said.

“Let us look forward to the coming year without losing sight of all that we have been through as a nation. May the history of our struggle for freedom, peace and inclusive progress rekindle the patriotism in your hearts that made you join this elite organization,” he stressed.

 “As we celebrate this milestone, I ask you to remain committed to your sworn duty to protect the Constitution, uphold our sovereignty, and look forward to healing and genuine progress.”  PND

Monday, December 21, 2020

STATEMENT OF VACCINE CZAR CARLITO G. GALVEZ, JR. ON RUMORS SURROUNDING INDIVIDUAL RESERVATION FOR COVID-19 VACCINES

Reports have reached our office regarding alleged individual reservations being made for COVID-19 vaccines here in the Philippines.

According to these reports, people can reserve a vaccine if they paid a fee of $22 before 9:00 a.m. of December 21, 2020. The said vaccine will be available by the third quarter of 2021. 

We would like to remind the public that only the Philippine government is duly authorized to procure COVID-19 vaccines and administer them. 

Any other offers of guaranteed access to any of the vaccines is not only illegal, but also life-threatening.

Coordination is being made with concerned agencies to identify those responsible for this misinformation and for their possible prosecution.

The government, through the Vaccine Expert Panel and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still in the process of evaluating the clinical trials of the candidate vaccines, and therefore, Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) have not been issued.

As such, it should be made clear that none of these vaccines should be sold to the the public pending the issuance of EUAs. All vaccines that are reportedly being sold through the black market are deemed illegal. 

Due to the proliferation of false information regarding the availability of COVID-19 vaccines and procuring them through private means, the public is requested to be discerning in what they share, especially those coming from social media platforms.

Let us keep in mind that the spread of false information during this critical time may cost lives. 

This is to assure our countrymen that the government is exerting all efforts to secure safe, effective, and cost-effective COVID-19 vaccines for Filipinos at the most appropriate time. May I appeal to our countrymen to be patient and exercise good judgement, as we await the arrival of the vaccines. THE VACCINE WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL FILIPINOS FOR FREE.

Safety should be the responsibility of each and every Filipino so we can protect our loved ones and everyone around us, as we recover and heal as one. 

Monday, December 21, 2020

Sec. Lapeña grateful to PRLEC-Agusan del Norte

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 21 – Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary and Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) National Chairman Isidro S. Lapeña expressed his gratitude to members of the Agusan del Norte PRLEC.

Speaking before the residents of Sitio Zapanta Valley in Brgy. Bangayan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, Sec. Lapeña underscored the contributions that each PRLEC member-agencies has made in order to deliver the services of the government.

“Nais kong ipaabot ang aking taus-pusong pasasalamat sa 25 na mga ahensyang kasapi ng PRLEC na pinamumunuan ng TESDA dahil sa kanilang walanag sawang pagsuporta sa lahat ng mga proyektong inilaan ng cluster para sa ikauunlad ng taumbayan lalo na dito sa Sitio Zapanta Valley (I want to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the 25 member-agencies of PRLEC led by TESDA because of their unending support to all the projects lined-up by the cluster to further improve the lives of the people especially here in Sitio Zapanta Valley),” Sec. Lapeña said.

The secretary also pointed out the significant contribution of the military and PNP personnel so that peace is achieved in the area which is previously known as a battleground or war zone in Agusan del Norte between the New People’s Army (NPAs) and the government troops.

In other development, Sec. Lapeña assured the residents of Sitio Zapanta Valley that the government is always there to listen and give actions on the requests of the community.

The official said that with the services offered by different government agencies, there is no reason why peace and development will not be achieved in Sitio Zapanta Valley.

Further, Sec. Lapeña emphasized the value of knowledge transfer. He encouraged trainees who have received training certificates that day to apply what they have learned from their trainings so that their communities – the Mamanwas and Bisaya communities will benefit from it.

After the visit in Sitio Zapanta Valley, the secretary together with Deputy Director-General for TESD Operations Lina C. Sarmiento, District Director Juliet O. Orozco of the Pasay-Makati District Office, and Regional Director Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. of the National Capital Region headed here for a meeting with the personnel of TESDA-Caraga Regional Office and the Agusan del Norte Provincial Office. (TESDA Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)