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)
