(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Sunday, 01 December 2024) Northeast Monsoon affecting Eastern section of Northern Luzon. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Mindanao. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Sison town promotes ecotourism sites

By Venus L. Garcia

Derived from its ancient name “Bugsukan,” which means “to tie or bind together,” the municipality of Sison in Surigao del Norte shaped the nature of its people to unite and sectoral groups to amalgamate, pushing the same interest for development, urban productivity, and ecotourism promotion.

Through the years, the residents enjoyed the abundance of its natural resources and beauty of rolling hills, medium-sized plains and valleys, crystal-clear mountain springs, waterfalls, and small lagoons, which characteristically are desirable factors for agriculture and ecotourism.

According to Mayor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia, who guested in the Laging Handa Network Briefing, the town has an Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share of P76 million which is comparatively low compared to other towns and city in the Surigao del Norte province. However, she said that this did not hamper the delivery of needed services to its residents and the improvements in the area.

The local government unit (LGU) of Sison takes pride in its Kanyagtiw Mountain Range, where visiting tourists can enjoy trekking, mountain climbing, and exploring nature. It is one of the highest mountain peaks in Surigao del Norte, located in Barangay Gacepan, Mayag and Ima, which is suited for mountaineering sports activities. 

“It offers different unique species of flora and fauna. We also have our tallest falls and busay,” Paronia mentioned.

As featured in the provincial website, the municipality of Sison is also unrivaled in offering a range of destinations and tourist spots such as the Mabuhat Hot Spring, situated in Hanagsaan River. Locals claimed its therapeutic effect because of its sulfuric water substance and its hot to lukewarm water.

The mini-lagoon found in the foot of Mount Piakle, Upper Patag is also known for its crystal-clear and cool water even during hot summer. It would be a perfect place for boating, picnics and other passive recreational activities.

Paronia however said that with the unprecedented global health crisis due to COVID-19, tourism flows have also been heavily affected by restrictions on the movement of people, but she assured to give the best service and hospitality it can offer to their guests once a certain level of tourism activities can be allowed in this ‘new normal.’  

“Being a fifth class municipality, the local government is still able to deliver equitable and quality services to the people. Our main source of income is agriculture. Top most is the rice and we also have high-value crops such as coconut, fruit trees, bananas, industrial falcata, corn and also livestock,” Paronia said.

The mayor said they are still fostering networks to tap additional funding sources for ecotourism site development. (Venus L. Garcia/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Bukidnon schools receive aid from ‘Bisaya Gyud’ program

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 26 (PIA) -- Lending aid to teachers in sustaining the implementation of distance learning, the Bisaya Gyud program donated reams of bond papers to La Fortuna Elementary School in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.

‘Bisaya Gyud’ is a weekly public service and entertainment program hosted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar. Initially launched to help underprivileged Bisaya Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the program’s scope has progressed to serving Bisaya Filipinos nationwide since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, delivering grassroots information on the efforts of local and national governments to address the people’s needs during the health crisis whilst launching their own initiatives through the ‘Operation Tabang.’

Under its Operation Tabang – Bond Paper Gift Project, the program donates reams of bond papers to disadvantaged schools in the Kabisay-an areas in the country as aid for the implementation of blended learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

School-In-Charge Nicodemos Oculares expressed gratitude on behalf of the school staff and students to the Bisaya Gyud team for their generosity.

“Nagapasalamat ako sa Bisaya Gyud Program na sa taliwala man sa kadaghan sa mga tulunghaan nga nahisakop ani nga division, usa kami na napili nga recipient sa gasa sa pagpanghatag ug bond paper [I am thankful for the Bisaya Gyud Program for choosing our school, among the many schools that belong to our school division, as a recipient of their blessing],” the school head said.

Meanwhile, teachers continue to overcome the challenges of pursuing education in the new normal. For Teacher Jessebel Cabugwason, her greatest concern is not being able to attend to the learning needs of her students.

“Sa normal ang education nato, maka face-to-face ta sa atong mga bata then maka focus ta sa ilahang learning needs unlike karon sa new normal. Murag di gyud kaayo accurate ang kuha sa mga bata ug mahulog na dili ilaha gyud bitawng achievement kay gitabangan man sila sa atong mga parents. [In the normal education setting, we are able to consult with our students face-to-face and focus on their learning needs, unlike in the new normal setting. And because they are now forced to become more dependent on their parents, they somehow cannot achieve and acquire accomplishments on their own],” the teacher said.

Amid this, the elementary school teachers will through the challenges, with parents actively lending their cooperation for the students’ sake. But while they manage to maintain resilience in carrying out their duties perfectly, teachers in La Fortuna continue to yearn for the day the pandemic will end, where life in the school campus would be normal once again.

“Sa karon unta, among gihope na sana ma end na gyud ning pandemic kay miss na namo magteach sa mga bata kay mao man gyud na ang amoang vocation [Right now, we hope for the pandemic to end. We miss teaching our kids, which is what our vocation is all about],” Teacher Jessebel stated.

The ‘Bisaya Gyud’ program is aired every Saturday on select radio stations across the country and streamed live on its official Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/bisayagyudph.

Apart from providing grassroots information on the pandemic, the program also explores Bisaya music and artists, and features Bisaya success stories. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)

PMO Surigao joins zero waste month clean-up drive

By NC Nusog

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Jan. 26 (PIA) -- In support of advocacy efforts for zero waste, the Port Management Office (PMO) of Surigao joined a multi-sectoral ‘Clean-Up’ Drive to celebrate January as "Zero Waste Month."

With the theme “Engaging Response to the Changing Environment,” the PMO joined other agencies and barangays in the city for the early morning clean-up activity on January 22, 2021.

For its part, the PMO Surigao contingent worked on areas near the port of Surigao.

Wielding broomsticks, sacks (to contain waste/debris) and other cleaning implements, around 34 PMO Surigao personnel participated in cleaning up its designated area.

Presidential Proclamation No. 760 has designated January as ‘Zero Waste Month’ which defined Zero Waste as an advocacy that promotes the designing and managing of products and processes to avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials. (PMO-PPA Surigao/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Agusan del Norte town villagers denounce, abandon NPA terrorists

By 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang

BUENAVISTA Agusan del Norte, Jan. 26 -- The members of the Milisya ng Bayan (MB) and Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) in Las Nieves town in Agusan del Norte have withdrawn their support from the Communist New People's Army (NPA) Terrorists (CNTs) and pledged their allegiance to the government. The withdrawal of support to the CNT movement was done during the mass surrender ceremony conducted on January 21, 2021, in Barangay Casiklan, Las Nieves.

The MB and UGMO members decided to abandon the cause of the CNT and return to the fold of the law after the series of peace consultation and dialogues made by the troopers of the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB) with the support of the local government unit (LGU) and different line agencies of the government. The series of dialogues started on December 12, 2020, where residents were asked to ventilate the main issues in their communities, especially on the concerns of peace and order and the presence and recruitment of the CNT members in their communities.

Five members of MB and 448 CNT mass supporters under the existing UGMO in Barangay Casiklan have withdrawn their support to the communist movement and pledged allegiance to the government of the Republic of the Philippines during the said activity last Thursday. The residents said they could no longer endure the harassment, extortion, and recruitment of the CNT members in their community. Aside from the daily dose of terrorism, the residents said the CNTs blocked the development programs and projects of the government that resulted in the underdevelopment of their community. The absence of development initiatives, they said, caused privations and poverty among the residents.

Alias “Berto”, a former rebel who hails from Casiklan shared his experiences and difficulties when he was still supporting fully the communist movement.

“Nag sige ko og balhin ug puy-anan ug kanunay nagdagan dagan ug tago tungod sa kahadlok nga madakpan sa mga kasundalohan. Mao pag abot sa mga sundalo diri sa barangay, nag desisyon gyod ko nga mag surrender na sa sabakan sa atong gobyerno. Dako ang akong kalipay nga ang atong gobyernmo nia na mitabang pagsulbad sa kalisod sa atong barangay. Mao nga magtinabay ug maningkamot kita sa pagsalikway sa mga dautang binuhatan sa mga NPA kay dako kaayo ang kahasol nga ilang gidala sa atong komunidad (I don’t have permanent address to stay, we keep on running, because we are afraid that the miitary will caught us, that’s why I have decided to surrender. I am happy that our government is helping us to start a new life)," Berto said.

Provincial Director Rey Cueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Agusan del Norte (TESDA-ADN) witnessed the mass surrender on Thursday and extended his compliments to the residents for reaching such a decision. Cueva said TESDA, in partnership with the 23IB and the LGU, provides support to the residents in the area, particularly in the field of honing their technical skills for increased productivity.

“Part of our mandate is to develop self-reliant, resilient, productive, and sustainable communities through the implementation of harmonized and culturally responsive development training programs. TESDA, as the head office on Poverty Reduction Livelihood Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), in partnership with LGU of Las Nieves and the 23IB, commits several livelihood training in your barangay to uplift the lives of the residents,” Cueva said.

Las Nieves Mayor Avelina S. Rosales cited the courage of the residents of Casiklan in condemning the CNT and making a turn to the right path for the good future of their community.

“As you chose to start living a new life, I am sure that you will never regret the decisions you made today because in the coming years, you will reap the good fruits of progress and development not only for your family but including your whole community and our nation. You were just victims of the CNTs who destroyed your future and your families. No one will be responsible for solving our own problems, we need to make a move in order to get away from poverty,” Rosales said.

Jerry S. Laurito, the provincial administrator of Agusan del Norte who represented Gov. Dale B. Corvera during the activity also recognized the bravery and resolve of the residents to cut their ties from the terrorist movement and embrace new lives with the government.

“This activity is not only for the AFP, PNP, the LGU, and the line government agencies. This activity is designed for you, for the people of this barangay, who wished to live normally and peacefully. Armed conflict is a hindrance to development and progress because it disturbs our daily livelihood activities,” Laurito said.

He added that the government is always ready to find solutions to the problems of barangays through the provisions of programs and services.

“With the help of TESDA, who works with the 23IB and the LGU, we will develop livelihood projects in your barangay, especially agricultural production in order for you to have a sustainable livelihood and help our government in recovering the status of our economic system. Kay kung walay kalinaw, walay kalambuan," Laurito said.

Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the commander of 23IB thanked the members of the council of Casiklan for the trust and cooperation they bestowed to the Army and the line agencies of the government. He also commended the local residents for their help in ending the local communist armed conflicts in Casiklan.

“For over 52 years, thousands of villagers were seduced by and recruited by the NPA. But what accomplishment or contributions, especially in terms of economic development, the NPA had brought and implemented in Casiklan? Nothing. Wala sila'y naitabang kaninyo sulod sa pipila ka tuig nga pasalig ug pagpangilad,” Paulo said.

He emphasized that the 23IB is thankful that finally, the people of Casiklan realized the grand deceit and trickery of the NPA movement.

“Dako ang among pasalamat kay gisalikway na ninyo ang mga teroristang NPA ug boluntaryong mibalik sa sabakan sa panggamhanan,” Paulo said.

The mass surrender of the residents of Casiklan will also push down the NPA movement in the area given that they have lost a community where they extort support for food and finances.

“The NPA will suffer more from hunger and exhaustion as the people will no longer welcome them in this community. They can no longer extort money and ask food supplies to support their daily needs,” Paulo said.

Without the support of the local populace, politicians, business owners, and other supporters, the CNT will eventually die in Agusan del Norte, Paulo emphasized. (CMO Officer, 23IB PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)

LGU Tubajon mipahigayon og orientation alang sa mga barangay

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Enero 26 (PIA) – Ang lokal ng pangagamhan sa probinsya pinaagi sa Provincial Health Office mipahigayon og orientation alang sa mga Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) niadtong Enero 22, 2021 didto sa Barangay Sta. Cruz, Tubajon, ning probinsya.

Ang maong orientation usa ka programa sa probinsya ubos sa pagdumala ni Gobernador Kaka Bag-ao aron matutukan ang health sa mga kabataan ilabi na kadtong bata nga nahisakop sa malnutrition.

Atol sa maong panagtigum, gipakita ni Provincial Health Office (PHO) Nutritionist/Dietitian Lindsley L. Go ngadto sa mga barangay nutrition scholars ang saktong pamaagi sa pagkuha sa timbang, gintas-on sa bata lakip na ang mid-upper arm circumference, ug pag-test sa hupong o edema aron mahibal-an kung normal ba ang kahimsog sa panglawas sa bata base sa ilang edad.

Pagkahuman sa gihimong orientation, gipadayag nila Provincial Health Officer Dr. Jillian Francise Lee ug Nutritionist Go ngadto kang Tubajon Municipal Mayor Simplicia Pedrablanca ang ilang plano nga magpahigayon og feeding kung makumpleto na ang lista sa malnourished children sa naasoy nga lungsod pinaagi sa mga karinderya nga anaa sa ilang lokalidad ug didto i-enroll ang bata aron dali nga ma-monitor ang ilang gikaon nga healthy recipe.

Hugot kining gisuportahan ni Mayor Pedrablanca aron nga mokunhod na ang malnourished children sa ilang munisipyo ug mamahimong himsog ang ilang kabataan.

Gipangitaan usab ni Mayor Pedrablanca og pondo ang mga barangay nutrition scholars aron nga madungagan ang quarterly allowance niini. (Dinagat Islands-Provincial Information Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

DOH, LGU Dinagat Islands nanguna sa ULAP BIDAngLokal forum on COVID-19 vaccination deployment

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Enero 26 (PIA) -- Giklaro sa mga opisyal sa nagkalain-laing local government units ang tanang detalye ug kumpletong impormasyon mahitungod sa coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine deployment pinaagi sa ikaduhang online consultative meeting sa ULAP BIDAngLokal Forum o ang gitawag nga 'A DOH-DILG-LGUs Dialogue Series' niadtong Enero 19, 2021 didto sa Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Office, ning maong lungsod.

Kini nga programa gihan-ay alang sa pakigbahin sa kahibalo, pagpalambo sa kapasidad, ug padayon nga koordinasyon ug kolaborasyon diin usa kini sa pinakamaayong pamaagi nga nag-alagad ngadto sa national ug lokal nga aduna'y pakigtimbayayong sa health emergency management.

Gipasabot niini ang nagkadaiyang proseso ug sistema sa kasamtangang gihimo nga mga preparasyon sa Department of Health (DOH) ug Food and Drugs Administration (DFA) kabahin sa national deployment and vaccination plan, emergency use authorization (EUA), negotiation and procurement, master-listing and prioritization ug lakip na niini ang hiniusang proseso sa kinatibuk-ang pamaagi sa gobyerno sa pag-implementar sa nationwide vaccination.

Giasoy ang tanang istratehikong pamaagi sa mga gikinahanglan nga ikonsidera ilabi na ang mahitungod sa kaluwasan, seguridad, kalidad, ug ka-epektibo sa nagkadaiyang vaccine alang sa pagpukgang sa COVID-19.

Lakip na usab nga gituki ang nagkalain-lain nga mga scientific evaluation, pagproseso sa procurement and financing, production, shipment and storage, distribution and deployment sa vaccine, ug sa ipahigayon nga assessment, evaluation, ug monitoring sa mga katawhan.

Paninguha niini nga luwas, patas, ug mahimong cost-effective immunization ang 60-75% nga mga Pilipino, pagbalik sa dagan sa ekonomiya, normal nga kinabuhi sa katawhan, ug malungtaron nga immunization program sa Pilipinas.

Dugang pa, gipadayag sa mga nagkadaiyang resource speakers sa DOH ug FDA ang mga konsepto og inisyatibo sa pag-pangandam alang sa ipahigayong nationwide vaccination diin han-ay niining napasabot ang mga patakaran sa masterlisting, microplanning, mapping of vaccination sites and team, human resource management training, ug vaccine administration policies.

Lakip na niini ang pagpahigayon ug mga trainings, maghatag sa insakto mga impormasyon sa komunidad, pagdevelop sa haom nga mekanismo nga aduna'y koordinasyon sa mga pasilidad sa matag LGU. Paghimo ug tukmang master-listing sa prioritization list ug kompletong kinatibuk-ang datos ngadto sa system sa COVID-19 Electronic Immunization Registry.

Gitambungan kini sa panggamhanang probinsyal ilalom sa pagdumala ni Gobernador Kaka Bag-ao pinaagi sa Provincial Health Officer ug Provincial Planning and Development Office. (Dinagat Islands Provincial Information Office/PIA-Dinagat Islands)