(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 04 October 2024) At 3:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression "JULIAN" {KRATHON} was estimated based on all available data at 240 km North Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes (22.6°N, 120.6°E) with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 75 km/h. It is almost stationary. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Visayas and 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 partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to ITCZ. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 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 Southwest to Southeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Saturday, February 20, 2021

Signal No. 1 up in Caraga provinces due to TS Auring; residents seek shelter in evacuation centers

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 20 (PIA) -- Tropical Storm (TS) Auring is now on Tropical Wind Cyclone Signal (TWCS) No. 1 in Caraga region and is expected to make landfall on Saturday night or Sunday morning. But in the Surigao provinces, where the storm is expected to hit, residents have started to seek shelter in evacuation centers.

As of 4:00 am of Saturday, February 20, the Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) reports that 742 families or 2,992 individuals from 27 barangays in ten municipalities in the province of Surigao del Sur are now sheltered in the evacuation centers identified by their respective local government units (LGUs).

Bayabas town Mayor Clarita Garcia-Limbaro said that identified evacuation centers in their town remain insufficient to house all of their evacuees, which have now totaled to 432 families, per its latest DRRM report.

"As a coastal town, our residents predominantly reside in coastal areas. And although some barangays have identified more than one evacuation center, it still isn't enough to accommodate all of our evacuees," the mayor said.

Cagwait town mayor Lilian Lozada said they have started preparing food packs since yesterday to be distributed to evacuating residents.

In Surigao del Norte, a total of 494 families of 1,838 individuals from nine barangays in four towns are sheltered in nine identified evacuation centers. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), together with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), continues to monitor disaster-prone areas.

On the other hand, residents in this city have also made pre-empted evacuation, as the city is known for being flood-prone. Five families or 17 individuals from five barangays have now been evacuated in five evacuation centers.

Eleven individuals or two families from low-lying areas in the municipality of Buenavista in Agusan del Norte have also been evacuated.

Disaster Response

Meanwhile, various DRRMOs in the rest of Caraga region have activated their emergency operation centers (EOCs) in light of TS Auring.

All PDRRMOs of the four provinces in the region and the City DRRMO of Butuan continue to coordinate with their Local DRRMOs and Barangay RDRRMCs for monitoring and provision of the latest advisories while warnings and advisories are continuously being disseminated to the public.

In Agusan del Norte, rescue vehicles consisting of four dump trucks are now on standby at Sanghan Motorpool ready for deployment.

The PDRRMO of Dinagat Islands has activated the Blue Alert Status of the Provincial EOC and conducted clearing operations for potential hazards in their Provincial Care and Containment Center (PCCC).

Food and non-food items and medicines have already been prepositioned by the Surigao del Norte PDRRMO, as well as search and rescue equipment.

The Butuan CDRRMO has already prepositioned non-food items consisting of 1,135 blankets; 963 plastic mats; 1,115 cooking pots; 7,536 plastic plates; 7,344 plastic drinking cups; 4,857 stainless steel utensils; and 1,467 family bags, as well as 2,000 family food packs. Close monitoring of the water level in the Agusan River is also being conducted.

The RDRRMC continues to coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga and local health offices for the strict implementation and observance of COVID-19 health protocols in evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, calamity response government agencies continue to prepare for needed augmentation. The provincial offices of the BFP continue to monitor landslide- and flood-prone areas. The 402nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army is ready to deploy their disaster response teams comprising of a nine-men team in Camp Lemuel Rubi in Butuan City and another from the 23rd Infantry Battalion in Alubihid, Buenavista in Agusan del Norte. A total of three M35 trucks are on standby for logistical support. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)

AgNor guv: Working together puts an end to COVID-19

By Nora C. Lanuza

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 20 (PIA) -- “After fighting Covid-19 for almost a year now, one thing is becoming more certain – winning this battle is not upon the hands of a select few, but upon a united people who shall put an end on this crisis by working together,” said Governor Dale B. Corvera of the province of Agusan del Norte during his message on the Explain, Explain, Explain: Pagduaw sa Butuan roadshow recently.

As the chairperson of the Regional Task Force on COVID-19 One Caraga Shield (RTF-COCS), Governor Corvera acknowledged the significance of the roadshow for it provides the local officials on the importance of the national vaccination program.

"The conduct of the roadshow by the Presidential Communications Operations Office and Philippine Information Agency (PCOO-PIA) is a manifestation that the national government under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte truly cares the Butuanons and the Agusanons," he said.

Gov. Corvera also cites the timely conduct of the roadshow to inform and explain to the people the national vaccination program and because there is a need for the people to know what the government is doing and what programs are implemented for them especially at this time when people still bear the effects of the lockdown and other restrictions.

“There is also a compelling need for government to EXPLAIN, EXPLAIN and EXPLAIN to the people why they should submit themselves for voluntary COVID-19 vaccination because of the growing fear of our people brought about by misconceptions and the story about Dengvaxia as the government is now preparing to roll out the COVID-19 National Vaccination Program,” Gov. Corvera said.

He believes that this is the greatest challenge the government must overcome in order to have a successful National Vaccination Program. "With this situation, the government must have a massive information drive explaining in simple language why people should submit themselves for vaccination and that the process is safe," he added.
 
Gov. Corvera is also confident that EXPLAIN, EXPLAIN, EXPLAIN will not only provide a platform for government agencies to discuss their policies in helping communities in mitigating the impact of the pandemic but also a venue for the people to know that indeed their government is working for them.

Caraga region, according to Gov. Corvera, is the only region in the country to have a united regional stand in responding to the health crisis with the creation of the RTF-COCS. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)

Bislig City turns over aquaculture farm inputs to fishpond operators 

BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 20 (PIA) -- The city government here has turned-over on Monday aquaculture farm inputs, seaweeds farming implements, and fishing gears to the marginal fisher folks and small-scale fishpond operators during the regular Flag Raising rites held at the city hall grounds, this city.

The ceremonial turnover was led by City Mayor Florencio Garay. The said farm inputs were received by the representatives of the people’s organizations.

The Pamanlinan Fishpond Operators Association represented by Barangay Kagawad Ging Cordova received sacks of fertilizers to be utilized for algae growing and extensive farming. The organization has around 27 member-beneficiaries.

Another recipient was the Association of Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Management Council represented by Chairman Roland Samontina, who received materials for seaweed culture production. The organization is composed of 34 member-beneficiaries.

While the fishing gears were turned over to Ronald De Castro of Pamanlinan Fishpond Operator to be given to 68 beneficiaries.

Per validation, the beneficiaries were residents of the six barangays of San Fernando, Pamanlinan, Sibaroy, Bucto, Mangagoy, and Poblacion, all in Bislig City. The said barangays were affected by the tidal flooding during the onslaught of Tropical Depression Auring last December 2019.

The report said, the tidal flooding has resulted in the damage of several fishponds, lost aquaculture stocks, and several unrecovered fishing gears. (with a report from CIO-Bislig/PIA-Bislig City)

PRO-13 Community Affairs family visits Dinagat Islands

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Feb. 20 -- The Police Regional Office (PRO) 13-Community Affairs and Development (RCADD) Office led by its chief Police Colonel Ruben B. Delos Santos visited the province recently.

The RCADD family visited the province for the conduct of its family conference with the personnel of Dinagat Islands Provincial Police held at the Tanglaw Diwa Function Hall, Dinagat Islands Police Provincial Office in San Jose town.

The RCADD Family Conference aims to re-orient the Community Affairs Development (CAD) personnel on the recurring reports required by the Police Community Affairs and Development Group and to cater issues and concerns from the lower units on matters concerning Community Affairs and Development.

During the conference, the RCADD representative explained and conducted the unit performance evaluation rating parameters; Philippine National Police social media protocols; workshop and critiquing of Information Operation (IO).

PCol. Delos Santos said police works are anchored in police community relations.

“We will never be successful in our mission if it’s not by the heart we do, because police community relation is the heart of policing," Delos Santos said. (DIPPO/PIA-Dinagat Islands)

No more unsafe bridge for Panagangan farmers

By Rechel D. Besonia

Jeorge Deloy, 53 years old and an Agrarian Reform Beneficiary (ARB) from Barangay Panagangan, La Paz in Agusan del Sur was in overwhelming happiness after the Panagangan Bridge was turned over to them in a ceremony held on February 16, 2021.


In an interview, he defined his previous situation as very challenging. “Perte jud kaayong lisora pagpagawas sa among mga produkto tungod sa kagabok sa tulay nga kahoy. Usahay amoa lang jud agwantahan ug gakit aron lang makatabok kay daghan na ang higayon nga nahugno kini ug nahulog ang (It is really very difficult to transport our products to nearby market because of the previous wooden bridge. Sometimes we prefer to ride a bamboo floats just to pass by the river because there are many instances that the bridge has collapsed causing passersby to fall),” said Deloy.

“But now that we have this bridge, we are inspired to go to our respective farm because it is now very easy to sell our produce with lesser transport cost aside that we are also safe,” he added.

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Caraga Regional Director Leomides Villareal, PARPO II Jamil Amatonding Jr., PARPO I Allan Mundala; Project Engr. Norman Puy of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Caraga; Municipal Administrator Tirso Gomez; and all the barangay officials of Panagangan headed by Barangay Captain Lily Empleo attended the said event.

In his message, RD Villareal bared that the bridge will open more opportunities for the ARBs in La Paz and the neighboring barangays. “As we recognized the vital role of our farmers in this time of the pandemic, it is also very important that we can provide them easy means to transport their products. Thus, we never stopped in providing them the support services that they need including these infrastructures,” he said.

Villareal further thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for pushing the implementation of the TPKP project after it was halted sometime in 2011.

“This is a proof of how aggressive our president is, in terms of helping our farmers, whom we considered our front liners in this time of crisis,” he added.

PARPO II Amatonding also shared that the “Tulay ng Pangulo” project would benefit 2,177 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in five barangays in La Paz, especially in the marketing of their farm products, as well as to at least 8,084 residents.

“This bridge will link agrarian reform communities in the five barangays to the economic mainstreams, especially in the market centers in Agusan del Sur,” said Amatonding.

Meanwhile, Barangay Captain Lily Empleo expressed commitment to take this assistance seriously with supporting policies. “We are privilege enough to have been given this opportunity by DAR. We must put our heart into it because this will bring forth better opportunities in the future,” she said.

Panagangan Bridge was the second completed bridge in Agusan del Sur under the Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Kaunlarang Pang Agraryo project, formerly called the President’s Bridge Program, which is a zero-based budgeting approach by the government, funded by France, monitored by DAR and implemented by DPWH Unified Project Management Office- Bridge Management Cluster. (DAR-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Quality commodity investment plan instrumental for appropriate interventions

By Vanessa P. Sanchez

BUTUAN CITY, Feb, 20 -- To ensure that the interventions given are appropriate to the needs of the recipients, the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) follows processes and uses tools to achieve this.

One such tool is the Commodity Investment Plan (CIP) which is used to develop priority commodities of the regions as well as the provinces. The CIP also serves as a basis in the identification of necessary interventions or subprojects that may be funded under the Project.

The Regional Program Coordinating Office (RPCO) Caraga through the IPLAN Component, on February 9, spearheaded the conduct of a Joint Technical Review for the CIP of Butuan City. City Agriculturist Engr. Pierre Anthony Joven, Engr. Princess Castro, and Levita Grana of the City Planning and Development Office represented the Local Government Unit of Butuan while other stakeholders including the representatives from the Agricultural Training Institute, LandBank of the Philippines, Philippine Coconut Authority, and Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries, Department of Agrarian Reform, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Program Support Office – IPLAN Mindanao also participated.

Butuan has two versions of its CIP. The first version listed rubber, banana cardava, cacao, and coconut as its priority commodities. With the developments in the city and their economic and agricultural directions, the second version of their CIP was created. The second version included processed sardines, bangus, and swine among its priority commodities.

The Joint Technical Review served as a venue for the stakeholders to discuss and give their inputs for the enhancement of the drafted CIPs.     

IPLAN Component Head Roberto Hipolao said the CIP is a very significant tool that both the government and the private sector can make use of in pursuing investments in agricultural and fishery development endeavors. 

A joint technical review of the CIPs of the provinces of Caraga are also scheduled in the coming days. (DA-PRDP13/PIA Caraga)

TESDA AgNor provides scholarship to 175 TD Vicky victims

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 20 -- Some 175 affected residents of Tropical Depression (TD) Vicky here received a scholarship grant from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Agusan del Norte during the distribution of cash assistance held recently.

TESDA-Agusan del Norte adjoined with Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go’s Relief Operation for victims of TD Vicky.

During the activity, TESDA Agusan del Norte Supervising TESD Specialist Buenafe G. Enaya presented the programs and services offered by the agency.

“TESDA Agusan del Norte is awarding a total of P2,449,890.00 scholarship grant to affected residents of TD Vicky. A total of 175 beneficiaries can avail the said the scholarship,” Enaya said.

The scholarship certification was handed over to Punong Barangay Gemma Tabada, president of the Association of Barangay Captains in this city.

Also, TESDA-Agusan del Norte distributed cookies, a bakery product of the trainees of the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries (NMSF).

In his message through teleconferencing, Sen. Bong Go stressed that together with President Rodrigo Duterte, they are very happy to help the Butuanons. During the event, his team gave food packs, mountain bikes, and tablets.

The event was attended by other government agencies namely: National Housing Authority, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Trade and Industry, who brought their respective services. (TESDA Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Over 100 inmates in Agusan Norte finish TESDA training programs

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 20 -- Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) Agusan del Norte took pride in the provincial inmates during their graduation rites after finishing five training programs held recently at the Provincial Jail Multipurpose Hall.

The activity was graced by Agusan del Norte Provincial Administrator Gerry Joey Laurito, Provincial Health Office OIC Dr. Odelio Ferrer, Agusan del Norte Provincial Jail Warden Fermin Antenorio, TESDA Provincial Director Rey M. Cueva, and Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries (NMSF) Administrator Romel M. Natad.

In his speech, Administrator Laurito enjoined the inmates to be productive and use the skills in the right way for they can use this as soon as they are already finished serving their sentence.

“I am so happy this morning because, the Governor Dale Corvera called me to represent him for this activity. He then told me that he went to a meeting with Congresswoman Angel Amante-Matba for the development of virgin coconut oil production in Caraga. I will recommend you to be part of that project. When the time comes that you’ll get out from this facility, you can work there,” Laurito said.

Meanwhile, Jelyn Canoy expressed her appreciation to TESDA-Agusan del Norte for giving them the opportunity to learn skill training. She also added that they wanted to learn more about enterprising activity and be more productive on the skills they have learned.

On the other hand, Dir. Cueva pointed out that TESDA programs will be institutionalized in the provincial jail, saying that during their initial talk with Warden Antenorio, they have agreed to provide enterprising activity inside the facility to provide a livelihood to the inmates.

In a related development, Agusan del Norte Provincial Training Center Administrator Abegail EupeΓ±a assured the inmates that they will initially put the budget allocation for the bakery enterprise.

The inmates finished five training programs, namely: Fabrication and Installation of Wooden Formworks with 10 graduates, 23 for Prepare and Produce Bakery, 23 Food Processing (Longganisa) trainees, 23 completed the Food Processing (Bangus Deboning), and 25 in Urban Gardening, which is in line with the slogan of the agency: “TESDA Abot Lahat.” (TESDA Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

TESDA’s special clients in Butuan finish FFS in produce organic vegetables

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 20 -- A total of 42 individuals, majority of whom are special clients of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) finish Farmer Field School (FFS) in produce organic vegetables.

Composed of eight personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP); eight Persons Who Used Drugs (PWUDs); 12 Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terrorismo (KKDAT); eight members of Women’s Organization, and six from the different youth organizations, the trainees received training certificates from TESDA-Agusan del Norte Provincial Director Rey M. Cueva during the Closing Ceremony held Thursday at Madjos Farm, Sitio Tagulahi, Brgy. Antongalon, this city.

The training which started in November 11, 2020, is an innovative, participatory and interactive learning approach that emphasizes problem-solving and discovery-based learning.

In his speech, Dir. Cueva said that TESDA, through the provincial office is always willing to provide skills and livelihood trainings to all sectors in the society as this will pave the way to transform the lives of every individual.

He also stressed that with the pandemic that is currently experienced worldwide, there is a need to strengthen the agriculture sector to ensure that there are enough agricultural products to feed the people. “This is also the mandate of TESDa thru our Director-General – Sec. Isidro S. LapeΓ±a to promote Green TVET in the country… and by Green TVET, we mean agriculture,” he said.

Also, PCol. Sammy Fuentes, Butuan City Police Director said that this is a joint undertaking of the Philippine National Police, City Government of Butuan and TESDA dubbed as Project KALAMBUAN (KAhibalo LAMdag sa Buhing Ugma Alang sa Nagkahi-usang Kabatan-onan). “Project KALAMBUAN is replicating the FFS in Barangay Bugsukan and Barangay Tagkiling in Butuan City,” he added.

Further, the City Agriculture Office is grateful to the organizers of the project as it promotes organic farming in the city.

FFS aims to build farmers’ capacity to analyze their production systems, identify problems, test possible solutions, and eventually encourage the participants to adopt the practices most suitable to their farming systems. It can also provide an opportunity for farmers to practice and test/evaluate sustainable land-use technologies and introduce new technologies through comparing their conventional technologies developed with their own tradition and culture. (TESDA Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Caraganons positibo sa vaccination program ng gobyerno, information roadshow ng PCOO-PIA ginawa sa Caraga region

By Nora C. Lanuza

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Pebrero 20 (PIA) -- Positibo ang mga Caraganon sa vaccination program laban sa coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus.

Si Aracely Lagarde, isang senior citizen ay handang tumanggap ng COVID-19 vaccine sa gobyerno dahil makakatulong ito hindi lang para sa kanyang sarili kundi sa kanyang pamilya.

“Handa ako na magpabakuna dahil para ito sa aking kabutihan at sa aking pamilya. Nagpapasalamat din ako kay Presidente Rodrigo Duterte dahil nagbigay siya ng libreng bakuna,” ayon kay Lagarde.

Sa isinagawang Explain, Explain, Explain: Pagduaw sa Caraga roadshow ng Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) at Philippine Information Agency (PIA) kamakailan lang, nagpahiwatig din ng suporta ang iba’t ibang sektor na dumalo.

Tiwala si Agusan del Norte Gobernador Dale B. Corvera na marami ang magpapabakuna. Ayon din kay Gob. Corvera, ang pagbisita ng PCOO-PIA sa rehiyon ay siang pagpapakita na mahalaga ang mga Butuanons at Caraganos sa administrasyon Duterte.

Ayon din kay Mayor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia ng Sison, Surigao del Norte, dapat gawin at pangunahan ng mga local government units ang maayos na information dissemination upang maintindihan ng maayos at mawala ang takot at pag-aalinlangan ng publiko.

Napakahalaga ng komunikasyon, kaya’t dapat malaman ng publiko ang tama at wastong  impormasyon hingil sa krisis na hinaharap ng bansa, dagdag ni mayor Paronia.

Patuloy din ang pagpapalaganap ng laging handa information and communications campaign sa kahalagahan ng gagawing vaccination.

Ayon kay PCOO secretary Martin Andanar, patuloy ang PCOO sa pag-implement ng Laging Handa information and communication campaign para ipaabot sa publiko na ang Duterte administration "is on top of the COVID-19 situation."

Ang COVID-19 vaccination roadshow ay ginanap sa apat na lugar sa rehiyon, sa Butuan City; Prosperidad, Agusan del sur; Lanuza, Surigao del Sur; at Sison, Surigao del Norte. (NCLM, PIA Caraga)