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
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)
