DA-Caraga distributes
cash, food aid to marginal farmers
By Aurelius
P. Arais
BUTUAN
CITY, Jan. 8 -- No one will be left behind.
A word
of commitment of the Department of Agriculture in its quest to support the
farmers in this time of the pandemic.
According
to Melody Guimary, in an interview over BahandisaKaumahan, a DA-Caraga radio
program, as of January 4, 2021, around P3.1 million worth of vouchers have been
distributed to qualified farmers in Caraga Region for the Cash and Food Subsidy
for Marginal Farmers and Fishers (CFSMFF) Program.
“We
already had distributed subsidy vouchers to a total of 639 farmers in Caraga
Region out of 911 recipients endorsed to the central office,” she said.
Another
batch is expected to receive the vouchers as soon as they will receive approval
from the central office.
The
voucher indicating a QR code has an amount of P5,000.00 each divided into P3,000.00
for cash and P2,000.00 for food subsidy.
“Each
recipient will present their voucher to the private paying outlet specifically
MLhuiller identified by the Development Bank of the Philippines as a program
partner. The same voucher will be presented also for the food subsidy from the
supplier identified by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division
(AMAD) of DA-Caraga,” Guimary explained.
The
food subsidy includes rice, dressed chicken, and table egg.
She
said that the program aims to help the corn farmers who are tilling of not more
than 1-hectare farm and a residence from 4th to 6th municipalities or cities
and registered in the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA).
She
clarified that the respective local government unit will be the one to submit
the list of qualified farmers and the regional office will endorse the same to
the central office for review and approval.
“The
recipients will undergo a series of reviews to ensure that they haven’t
received any government cash subsidy from other government agencies to prevent
duplication,” Guimary explained.
The
budget of the program had been included in the Bayanihan Act II to help
marginal farmers to recover from the crisis brought about by the pandemic and
calamities that hit the country.
“Under
the program, Caraga Region has an indicative target of 2,395 recipients or an
allocation of P11.9 million," Guimary added.
Aside
from marginal corn farmers, other recipients for CFSMFF are coconut farmers,
fishers, and sugarcane planters, and Indigenous People (IPs).
Caraga
Region has around 23 classified as 4th to 6th class municipalities and cities.
(DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Mga residente sa bayan ng San Francisco, AgSur tumanggap ng regalo sa bagong taon
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Enero 8 (PIA) - Nagsanib pwersa ang mga kawani mula sa Philippine National Police (PNP), Ladies Club Caraga, Agusan Media Club, at lokal na pamahalaan sa bayan ng San Francisco sa Agusan del Sur para sa isang gift-giving at tulungan ang mga padyak drivers at residente ng iba’t-ibang barangay na naapektuhan ng bagyong na nagdulot ng pagbaha sa lugar.
Bawat
pamilya sa Purok 1-A, Barangay 1 sa nasabing bayan ay tumanggap ng food at
relief packs mula sa nasabing grupo.
“Magpasalamat
tayo na mga taga Purok 1-A dahil isa tayo sa mga napili na mabigyan ng
pamaskong handog. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng sponsor,” ani ni John Ananoria,
punong barangay.
Binigyang-diin
ni Richard Grande, president ng Agusan Media Club ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa
at pagtutulungan ng mga Caraganons. “I-extend po natin ang diwa ng
pagbibigayan, huwag nating isipin kung gaano karami o kalaki ang ating ibinigay
kung hindi ang diwa sa ating pagiging mapagbigay sa kapwa,” banggit niya.
Nakibahagi
rin ang Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2020 na si Jannarie Zarzoso sa nasabing
gift-giving at pinuri nito ang pagkakaisa ng bawat sektor na tumulong sa mga
nangangailangan.
Samantala,
tumanggap din ng relief goods ang may 25 padyak drivers sa barangay 2 ng San
Francisco.
Ayon
kay PNP-Agusan del Sur Provincial Director, Police Colonel Ringo Zarzoso,
patuloy nila itong gagawin sa iba’t-ibang barangay upang marami ring matulungan
lalo na sa mga sektor na lubhang naapektuhan ngayong pandemya. Nanawagan din
sya sa lahat na sundin ang health protocols upang masugpo ang pagtaas ng kaso
ng coronavirus disease (COVID-19) sa rehiyon. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Youths pursue agri-related courses under ATI’s 'EAsY Agri Program'
By
Kelly Alyza Evign Corcuera
BUTUAN
CITY, Jan. 8 -- In support to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA's) advocacy
to entice the Filipino youth in leaning towards agriculture, 223 scholars from
all over the country were recruited and accepted under the Agricultural
Training Institute’s (ATI) newest scholarship program - the Educational
Assistance for the Youth: Degree Courses in Agriculture, and Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering or the EAsY Agri Program.
The
EAsY Agri Program will run from 2020 to 2025 to cover the four-year program for
the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Agriculture and related courses and five-year
program for the BS Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering (BS ABE).
To
date, a total of 160 scholars have been accepted where 119 will take up BS in
Agriculture; 13 for BS AgriBusiness; 11 for Bachelor in Agricultural
Technology; 9 for BS Fisheries; four for BS Agro-Forestry; two for BS Forestry;
and two for Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education in Agri-Fishery
Arts.
Meanwhile,
63 grantees are to pursue BS ABE. They are currently enrolled in different
state universities and colleges where a Memorandum of Agreement has been forged
through the ATI Regional Training Centers (ATI-RTCs).
To
date, the ATI has partnered with 58 state universities and colleges (SUCs)
nationwide to ensure the delivery of quality education to all youth scholars.
With
the current pandemic situation, the education system is greatly affected
causing the late opening of academic year, the earliest of which was August 10,
2020 and the last was last October 16, 2020. From the traditional face-to-face
mode of learning, partner SUCs are on online, applying blended learning
courses.
Some
setbacks that scholars are experiencing are the unstable internet connection as
most of them live in remote areas with very weak signal to participate in their
online classes, or no available laptops or tablets.
Despite
the limitations, the scholars are committed to do their best as they are
closely monitored and guided by the scholarship point persons of the ATI-RTCs.
By the
end of the program, the Institute is expecting to produce 223 youth
scholar-graduates. (DA-ATI/PIA-Caraga)
Army facilitates
christening of 32 FRs, dependents in Agusan del Norte
By 1Lt.
Roel T. Maglalang
BUTUAN
CITY, Jan. 8 -- The 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army
in partnership with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office
(PSWDO) of Agusan del Norte recently facilitated the baptism of 32 former
rebels (FRs) and their children during a Thanksgiving Mass conducted in the
unit’s headquarters at Jamboree Site, Purok 6, Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista,
Agusan del Norte.
Among
the FRs who received the sacrament of baptism was Alias Osang, 39, a mother of
seven children. She was thankful to the 23rd IB and the PSWDO of Agusan del
Norte for facilitating the baptismal rite, saying that it was a way of renewing
her commitment to become a productive member of their community and continue to
serve the government.
One of
the godparents of the newly-baptized FRs and their children is 2nd District
Representative of Agusan del Norte Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba,
represented by Nita Racho who stood as witness to the baptism rite.
Lt.
Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, Commanding Officer, 23IB, congratulated everyone
for doing their best to start their new lives.
“As we
always hear that men cannot stand by bread alone, we also need to feed
ourselves with the words of God and follow his commandments. We are all sinners
but we are saved by the grace of God," Paulo said in a message during
the baptismal rite.
"I
am so proud to see not only the kids but also these adults or parents who’ve
been helping themselves to build an intimate relationship with God. May you
seek wisdom every day in order for you to follow the right path in all your
undertakings,” he added. (CMO Officer, 23IB PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
4 NPAs, 1 MB surrender to Army in Agusan del
Norte a day after CPP anniv
By 1Lt.
Roel T. Maglalang
BUTUAN
CITY, Jan. 8 – Four regular combatants of the Communist New People’s Army
Terrorist (CNT) and one Milisya ng Bayan (MB) member in Agusan del Norte have
decided to abandon the cause and ideology of the communist movement and
surrendered to the troopers of the 23rd Infantry “Masigasig” Battalion (23IB)
in Jamboree Site, Purok 6, Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
The
surrender came one day after the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)
celebrated its 52nd anniversary last Saturday, December 26, 2020.
The
four NPA members were identified as Alias Else, 18, who brought one caliber .30
M1 Carbine with one magazine and three live ammunition; Alias Dodong, 30, who
also handed over one caliber .45 pistol, Cal .45 Pistol with two live
ammunition, one caliber .357 revolver and two caliber .38 revolvers; Alias
Rebo, 30; and Alias Indai/Bea, 23.
The MB
member was identified as Alias Jimmy/Omar, 55, a resident of Barangay Durian,
Las Nieves town who also surrendered one shotgun (ARMSCOR) with four live
ammunition.
Alias
Else, Dodong and Rebo were active members of Sub Regional Sentro de Grabidad
(SRSDG) SAGAY, Sub Regional Command 3 (SRC3), of the North Central Regional
Committee, while Alias Indai/Bea served as the Finance Officer of SRC 3,
NCMRC. In his testimony, former MB member Jimmy/Omar admitted that he was
already tired of serving the CPP-NPA but he cannot leave the group due to fear
for his life and the safety of his family.
Lt.
Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the Acting Commander of 23IB welcomed the five
surrenderers and urged the remnants of the CNTs in the area to go back to the
folds of the law and live peacefully with their families.
“I am
glad that the members of the CNTs have recognized the sincerity of the
government in helping the FRs and they have seen the deceptive tactics of the
CNTs,” Paulo said.
The
23rd IB commander added: “Inside the 52 years of CNT existence, they were
claiming that they were the protectors of the poor but as we can see, they only
manipulated and exploited the vulnerabilities of the people to elevate their
status in life. Instead of providing the basic necessities of the people, they
only extort and harassed them so that they will follow the orders given to
them.”
He
further asked the remaining CNTs to start their new lives this 2021 by laying
down their arms and return to their families.
“Leave
your chaotic life behind and live peacefully with your family. Set your goals
in life in order to live prosperously in the upcoming years. Let us help one
another to stop the CNTs from conducting rampant exploitation with their rotten
ideology that kills the future of our nation,” Paulo said. (CMO Officer, 23IB
PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Two NPA terrorists killed in AgNor clash
By Cpt. Joash U. Pramis
PLACER,
Surigao del Norte, Jan. 8 -- The remains of the New People's Army (NPA)
terrorists who were killed in the recent encounter between the 29th Infantry
Battalion (29IB), PhilippineArmy and communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) in Jabonga
town were positively identified and claimed by their respective families on
Wednesday, December 30.
The
dead bodies were identified by their kins as Marife Mercansel Montero
@Owen, 23, single, and a resident of Purok Pangasian, Unaban, Tago,
Surigao del Sur while the other male cadaver was identified as Regie Mae
Ochavillo @Thunder, 20, single and a resident of Purok 8, Del Pilar, Cabadbaran
City.
In the
investigation conducted, it was found out that Marife was recruited to join the
CNTs sometime in 2018. She was a second-year college student taking up
Political Science at St. Theresa College in Tandag City. According to
Annabelle, an older sister of Marife, all they know was her sister is doing
well in her studies but unknowingly she got involved in the underground
movement with the CNTs.
In his
statement, Lolo Nerio Ochavillo, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the soldiers
who assisted them in claiming the remains of his grandson.
Meanwhile,
Col. George L Banzon, Commander of 901st Infantry (Fight ‘Em) Brigade, strongly
condemned the CNTs for their longstanding deceptions and exploitations on the
students and youth to advance their hidden agenda. He added that the CNTs are
using lies and propaganda to entice the youth to join their violent movement.
Along
this line, he also reminded the public to be mindful of their children who are
vulnerable and target of CNT’s recruitment. He further explained that the CNTs
are aiming at the youth because they need to fill the dwindling numbers of
their cadres and members in order to sustain their armed struggle.
The
29th Infantry (Matatag) Batallion in coordination with the local government
unit of Jabonga facilitated the turnover of the remains of the dead NPA members
to their respective families so that they will be accorded with a decent
burial. (CMO Officer, 901 Infantry Brigade/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Soldiers score
anew in Agusan del Norte
By Cpt. Joash U. Pramis
PLACER, Surigao del Nort, Jan. 8 -- The 29th Infantry (Matatag)
Battalion (29IB), Philippine Army scored anew after a firefight ensued between
soldiers and communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) in Sitio Tinago, Barangay
Baleguian, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte recently.
The said encounter lasted for almost an hour and resulted in the death
of two NPA members (1 male and 1 female) and seizure of two AK47 rifles,
assorted magazines with live ammunition, one cellphone, personal belongings and
subversive documents with high intelligence value.
In his statement, Mayor Napoleon M. Montero of Jabonga said the local
government unit fully understands that the incident was a result of a
legitimate military operation conducted by the government forces in their area.
He further cited that Barangay Baleguian was among the identified
conflict-affected areas in the province and one of the recipients of the
Retooled Community Support Program with the objective of ending the local
communist armed conflict.
He also added that the local government will do its part to support the
Philippine Army and all the involved government agencies and instrumentalities
in ending the insurgency problem to finally bring peace and development in
their area.
“We intensified our monitoring and operations during these holidays to
ensure that these communist terrorists will not have the opportunity to unleash
violence to highlight CPP’s anniversary which they usually practice in the past
years,” the commander said.
He further said that the intensified operation will continue
particularly in the areas where the armed CNTs are frequently sighted in order
to keep them away from their traditional guerilla bases and be isolated from
their former masses. He further said that with the convergence of different
sectors and cooperation being extended by the civilians, the CNTs are now
losing ground and running out of space.
“The recent encounter may serve as stern warning for the remaining
members of the CNTs that there’s no more safe place for them. The people
nowadays are aware of their deceitful tactics and they are already cooperative
in our peace efforts. The CNTs' remaining option is to surrender and abandoned
the armed struggle,” he added.
On the other hand, Col. Banzon expressed condolences to the families of the CNT casualties citing that they were just victims of CNT’s deceptions and lies. (CMO Officer, 901 Infantry Brigade/PIA Agusan del Norte)
