(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Thursday, 14 November 2024) At 4:00 AM today, the center of Typhoon “OFEL” (USAGI) was estimated based on all available data at 475 km East Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or 595 km East of Daet, Camarines Norte (14.6 °N, 128.5 °E ) with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h and gustiness of up to 150 km/h. It is moving Westward at 35 km/h. TROPICAL CYCLONE OUTSIDE PAR AS OF 3:00 AM TODAY TROPICAL STORM TORAJI (2423) [FORMERLY NIKA] LOCATION: 475 KM WEST OF CALAYAN, CAGAYAN (20.0°N, 117.0°E) MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 85 KM/H NEAR THE CENTER GUSTINESS: UP TO 105 KM/H MOVEMENT: WEST NORTHWESTWARD AT 15 KM/H TROPICAL STORM MAN-YI (2424) LOCATION: 2,210 KM EAST OF EASTERN VISAYAS (13.2°N, 145.0°E) MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 75 KM/H NEAR THE CENTER GUSTINESS: UP TO 90 KM/H MOVEMENT: WEST SOUTHWESTWARD AT 30 KM/H 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 Localized Thunderstorms. 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 Northwest to Southwest will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Wednesday, April 21, 2021

BDP launched in AgNor IP community

By 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang

BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, Apr. 21 – The 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion, Philippine Army in partnership with the Provincial Task Force Task Force-End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) in Agusan del Norte, the National task Force-ELCAC and the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) in the province of Agusan del Norte launched the Barangay Development Program (BDP) in Sitio Minbahandi, Barangay Camagong, Nasipit town on April 13, 2021.

The launching of the BDP, dubbed as “Busilak Enterprise Village”, was conducted in time with the conduct of the two-day Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) immersion held in the same sitio last April 12 to 13. During the activity, the “CADT OG-KAAGPAS” or CADT Express was also launched within the BUSILAK Enterprise Village.

Minbahandi is an Indigenous People (IP) community inhabited by the Higaonon tribe. The sitio is situated within the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) No. 252. Sitio MInbahandi is also considered a priority area in Nasipit as the place is a soft target of the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorist (CNT) and the IP residents in the area have suffered from armed conflicts in the last five (5) decades.

The launching of the BDP in Minbahandi was started with a Bigula Ritual conducted by the tribal leaders of Higaonon tribe. It was then followed by the cutting of the ribbon led by Secretary Isidro S. LapeΓ±a of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) who also chairs the PRLEC at the national level.

Sec. LapeΓ±a was joined during the activity by Agusan del Norte Gov. Dale B. Corvera, Nasipit Mayor Enrico R. Corvera, TESDA Agusan del Norte Director Rey M. Cueva, TESDA Caraga Regional Director Tarhata S. Mapandi, Brig. Gen. Maurito L. Licudine, the Commander, 402nd Infantry Brigade, Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office (ADNPPO) director Col. Martin M. Gamba, and 23IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo.

The activity was also graced by the tribal leaders in Agusan del Norte and the other line agencies of the government.

The establishment of the Busilak Enterprise Village aims to provide concrete and sustainable jobs and enterprise opportunities for the IPs in the three (3) priority sitios in Barangay Camagong, identified as Sitios Hinandayan, Minbahandi, and Salaysayon.

During the activity, Datu Talagsaon Jimbo Mansiguinda, the tribal leader of Sitio Minbahandi thanked the government for addressing the socio-economic condition of the Higaonon communities in the area.

Dir. Cueva encouraged the residents of Sitio Minbahandi to do their best to improve their livelihood.

"We have properly chosen the programs that are suitable in your community. You are now equipped with skills that can possibly change your lives forever. Make use of it and utilize it for the improvement of your livelihood. This is a great opportunity given to you by our government because a person can be employed and can build their own business even without undergoing or graduating in the formal education as long as they were equipped with the skills that are in-demand," Dir. Cueva said.

Sec. LapeΓ±a urged the residents to cooperate and use the skills they acquired through the different skills training provided by TESDA.

“We in TESDA initiated programs that will be benefited by the people especially the IPs living in hinter areas to improve their livelihood. We will deliver free skills training and provide great opportunities to the less fortunate individuals to help them get away from poverty. I hope that you will use the skills you have acquired and manage the Busilak Enterprise Village properly in order for you to have a sustainable livelihood,” Sec LapeΓ±a said.

Lt. Col. Paulo expressed optimism the insurgency will end very soon as the residents of Sitio Minbahandi already felt the presence of the government.

“We've been facing insurgency for over fifty-two (52) years and the government has discovered the root causes and has provided a solution to it. It is only when all the families in the hinter areas have something to eat at their tables daily that the insurgency will end. The CNTs can no longer use poverty issues and absence of government services in their propagandas because all the government agencies are now doing their part to help the less fortunate ones,” Paulo said.

He also hoped that residents in Sitio Minbahandi and the nearby IP communities will no longer be deceived and recruited by the CNTs.

“Let us reject the CNT and their false ideology so that from now on, this community and the residents will live peacefully,” Paulo said. (CMO Officer, 23IB PA)

NCIP leader reaches out to fellow IPs in AgNor

By 1Lt. Edmar C. Colagong

KITCHARAO, Agusan del Norte, Apr. 21 -- The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Caraga Regional Director Atty. Marlon Bosantog in partnership with the 29th Infantry "Matatag Fighters" Battalion (29IB), Philippine Army visited Monte de Oro Elementary School, Sitio Casagayan in the municipality of Santiago, Agusan del Norte to distribute food, boots, goods, bags, and medicine to its Indigenous People (IP) residents particularly to the children of the said sitio.

Located in Brgy. Pangaylan, Santiago, Agusan del Norte, Sitio Casagayan is so steep, rocky, and is a two-hour ride from the main road of Brgy. Pangaylan. Previously, the said sitio was considered as one of the critical areas where Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) roamed for a long time. Despite how difficult and challenging the travel is, the NCIP chief crossed over rivers and brought guts to reach the place.

According to Jessa Mae Bando, chief of staff from the Office of the NCIP Regional Director, they chose Sitio Casagayan as the beneficiary because most of its residents particularly the students of Monte de Oro Elem. School are IPs. "We are giving these gifts under the program, Handog sa mga Estudyanteng Tribu, to cater to the basic needs of the students and their parents," she said.

Eddie Jusay, former sector leader, also revealed that several leftist groups previously visited the area. "Kaniadto mga maam ug sir, naa gyud diri mga taga pikas pero inig naa mi makita ireport man dayon namo sa kasundaluhan dayon birahan namo. Mangisog gyud mi alang-alang sa among lugar mao nga nagapasalamat gayud kami diri kay ania mo bisan layo kaayo ug lisod kaayo ang dalan (Back in the days, maam and sir, there are leftist groups who are nesting here but if we got the chance to see them we immediately report them to the military and we will take care of it. We show our bravery because this is our place and we are extending our utmost gratitude because you are here even if it is too far and the road is too difficult," he said.

According to Lt.Col. Aristotle Antonio, Acting Commanding Officer of 29IB, the army also wanted to help the community. "We want to help, we want to make you realize the effort of our government. You are the heritage of our nation. You hold the bloodline of the original Filipino's that was never blended with any foreign blood. We want to help you, to have a secure and safe surrounding away from exploitation and influence of the CTGs. These blessings will come one after the other if you will help us in fighting these terrorist groups."

"To our youth, you are the next generation, perhaps you won't be able to understand me now, but to the parents of these kids, please help your children and protect them because they are the hope of our nation," Antonio added. (CMO Officer, 29IB PA/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

NAPC lauds efforts of community pantries amid the pandemic

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 21 -- The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) lauded the efforts of community pantries in different parts of the country to help provide food for the needy amid the pandemic, a move that complements the agency’s ‘Kaisa ng Sambayanan Laban sa Kahirapan’ (Ka-sambayanihan) Volunteers Program which undertakes similar efforts at the barangay level.

National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Noel Felongco (Contributed photo)

Speaking before the NAPC’s second virtual general assembly for April, Secretary Noel Felongco cited the community pantries as an exemplary example of the Bayanihan spirit of the Filipinos as he underscored the importance of working together to overcome the numerous challenges that the nation is currently facing.

“Nais kong ibahagi sa lahat ang mga balitang nakakapagpataba ng puso na ating natutunghayan online, kung saan napakarami ng komunidad ang nahimok ng Maginahawa Community Pantry at nagtatag ng kani-kanilang mga community pantries hindi lamang dito sa NCR kung hindi maging sa iba’t ibang mga probinsya sa Pilipinas para sa mga higit na nangangailangan ngayong panahon ng pandemya,” he said.

“Tunay nga na sa mga ganitong hamon at pagsubok, ang pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan ng bawat isa ang higit na kailangan upang ang mga ito ay mapagtagumpayan,” Felongco added as he expressed desire to partner with the community pantries to help meet the government’s goal of ending poverty.

The community pantries share processed and packed goods as well as rice and fresh produce to anyone who needs them free of charge.  The food items are provided by the organizers and individuals who want to do their part in easing hunger and in caring for those who have less in life.

The mushrooming community pantries is also the essence of ‘Kasambayanihan’ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2606369266349150/about) where volunteers even formed barangay command centers to help other residents by gathering and distributing relief goods during the height of the community quarantine.

Kasambayanihan is tasked with implementing the programs of Sambayanihan Serbisyong Sambayanan, the NAPC’s five-year poverty alleviation development plan.  One of the plan’s primary goals is to enhance food security by enabling local agricultural production to satisfy local food demand and prioritize local food requirements.

This will allow community members who are usually financially strapped, to buy their own produce. It upholds their right to consistent access to safe, nutritious, and culturally acceptable food. (NAPC/PIA-Caraga)

DAR to Door: Agrarian beneficiaries get their land titles

By Daryll M. Tumbaga

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Apr. 21 (PIA) -- Some ten agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of Cagdianao town in Dinagat Islands are now finally owners of the land they are tilling after receiving their Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) from the Department of Agrarian Reform in Dinagat Islands (DAR-PDI).

In an initiative appropriately called “DAR to Door,” personnel from DAR-PDI delivered the CLOAs right at the doorsteps of the agrarian beneficiaries’ homes.

A total of 10.8129 hectares of agricultural land were distributed during the said activity conducted recently.

“It was a joy to watch the grateful and happy faces of our agrarian beneficiaries when they received their land titles,” said Dante C. Manlimos, Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer of DAR-PDI.

“This is a memorable day for me because for the longest time I have been waiting for the CLOA of my land and finally I have now the title that I have been waiting for,” said an overjoyed ARB Alejandro L. Garrido of Brgy. Cabungaan, Cagdianao town.

On the other hand, Felipe Requina, the OIC-Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer of the entire Dinagat Islands added that the DAR to Door program is DAR’s way of extending the office services to our ARBs and their families amidst the global emergency health crisis brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Atornic L. Ecle of Brgy. Maatas in Cagdianao could not contain his excitement when he was handed with the CLOA. He thanked DAR for making it happen that he is now the owner of the land he has been tilling for years.

Also during the distribution, the ARB recipients were oriented on their roles, rights, and responsibilities as agrarian beneficiaries. After which, the ARBS expressed their commitments to make their awarded lands productive and become a member of a DAR-assisted agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organization nearest to their area.

Meanwhile, Maria Elizabeth L. De Guzman, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer of DAR Surigao del Norte underscored that the CLOA distribution is a manifestation that the DAR stayed true to its mandate to implement equitable distribution and ownership of land and at the same time support the ARBs to make their land productive through capacity and capability building.

“Even in these challenging times, through this 'DAR to Door' initiative we are able to provide our agrarian reform beneficiaries the opportunity to enhance their quality of life through tenurial security and agricultural productivity,” said PARPO De Guzman. (DAR-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

New secondary school building soon to rise in Claver town


By Engr. Francis Glenn N. Suante

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Apr. 21 (PIA) -- A new secondary school building will soon rise in Barangay Cagdianao, Claver town, this province.


MGB-13 Regional Director Engr. Glenn Marcelo C. Noble together with Department of Education (DepEd) Surigao del Norte Division Superintendent Ma. Teresa M. Real;  DepEd District Supervisor Dr. Joselito P. Manongas; Claver Mayor Georgia D. Gokiangkee; Cagdianao Barangay Captain Luz U. Marianito and THPAL Community Relations Manager Genevieve P. Chua led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new school building of the Cagdianao National High School.


The activity started with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the local government unit of Claver and Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation (THPALNC).


Right after the ceremonial groundbreaking, a tree planting at the proposed site was also conducted.


Dir. Noble said the project will be funded under the Annual Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) of the THPALNC considering that Barangay Cagdianao is one of its host and neighboring communities. 

He said the school building will be constructed in three phases and is expected to cater to approximately 400 learners and 13 teachers in Barangay Cagdianao. (MGB-13/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Saliva RT-PCR collection site ng PRC-SurSur chapter sa Tandag opisyal ng nagbukas

LUNGSOD NG TANDAG, Surigao del Sur, April 21 -- Opisyal nang nagbukas ang operasyon ng Saliva RT PCR Collection Site ng Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Surigao del Sur Chapter dito sa lungsod bandang alas 3:00 ng hapon, Abril 19 matapos makalawang ulit na naipagpaliban.

(Photo by: John Cuadrasal, RP1 Tandag)

Ito ang tuwirang kinumpirma ni Hosue Lorenz Lapinoso, medical technologist (MedTech) at tagapagsalita ng naturang ahensiya dito.

Gayunman, inamin na sa kabila ng inilunsad na malawakang kampanya ay wala pa ni-isang nagpatala para sa booking.

Nauna ng sinabing ang saliva specimen na makokolekta mula rito ay dadalhin sa molecular lab sa PRC-Surigao City Chapter. 

Di-hamak aniyang mura ang singilan nang ganitong uri ng serbisyo sa halagang P2,000 lang kumpara sa P4,000 kung swab RT PCR test. (Greg Tataro, Jr., DXJS RP-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)