Saturday, April 24, 2021

1st regional pre-SONA series in Caraga highlights gov’t interventions

By Venus Lim-Garcia

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte does not lose control of the ball since he assumed power in 2016 as evidenced by the major accomplishments of the present administration presented during the first leg of the “Kasama sa Pamana: Regional Pre-SONA (State of the Nation Address) Series” held on April 15 at the Agusan del Norte covered court, this city.

Some 200 participants comprising of the local chief executives, national government agency heads, punong barangays, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, civil society organization representatives, and media practitioners have attended the event.

The report, which was presented through an audio-visual material, includes the key accomplishments of the Economic and Development Cluster (EDC) and Infrastructure Cluster (IC); Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster (HDPRC) and Participatory Governance Cluster (PGC); Security, Justice and Peace Cluster (SJPC) and Climate Change, Adaptation, Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction Cluster (CCAM-DRRC), and the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Legacy.

"This activity will cover all regions in the country for the people to have a clearer picture of where our country is today. It is important for everyone to know the notable accomplishments that constitute the legacy of the Duterte administration," said Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) of Caraga, as he continued his speech by comprehensively citing the significant milestones of the government.

The goal for zero hunger, food security

Nograles made mention about the whole-of-government approach in attaining zero hunger. “That is why the inter-agency task force (IATF) crafted the National Food Policy which outlines the national priorities based on a comprehensive understanding of the problem of hunger and provides a road map in achieving zero hunger in the country,” he said.

The cabinet secretary said that the partner agencies of the Task Force on Zero Hunger in the Caraga continue to ensure sustainable food systems, resiliency, and food security.

This is done, he said, by identifying the priority legislation for zero hunger such as urban agriculture and farming; food rescue programs; expansion of the National Feeding Programs; and promotion of breastfeeding.

To ensure available and affordable food in Caraga, the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) engaged 24 farmer organizations and reported the highest sales across all regions amounting P81,487,872 worth of sales.

“Caraga has the largest production area of ‘adlai’ rice,” Nograles said.

Securing nutrition adequacy

Even while the country is facing the pandemic, Nograles said that Caraga continues to implement advocacy and capacity-building activities and provision of trainings for local government units in the region.

“At the national level, the Department of Health (DOH) released the interim guidelines for the delivery of nutrition services during the pandemic. And Caraga was able to implement the ‘Operation Timbang Plus Monitoring and Rapid Coverage Assessment,” said Nograles.

He added that the IATF-Zero Hunger has released program guidelines for key nutrition and feeding programs during the pandemic.

Food accessibility and safety

According to Nograles, the Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) continues to implement its knowledge transfer program on food safety.

“Caraga conducted several webinars and virtual demo to include the squash recipes and a lecture on food costing attended by SMEs and housewives from Dinagat Islands and Butuan City,” he said.

As of 2020, DTI Caraga has also established 169 shared service facilities (SSFs) of which 71 have been turned over to cooperators. It will also set up business facilities across the region.

“It aims to improve micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) competitiveness by providing machinery, equipment, tools, accessories, and other auxiliary items. Kasali na dito ang ibinigay na assistance para sa virgin coconut oil (VCO) at cacao processing at ‘tablea’ production,” Nograles said.

Ensuring sustainable food systems

For Caraga, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided family food packs as part of the support for augmentation and prepositioning of goods to the local government units (LGUs).

Also, the Department of Agriculture (DA) continuously and aggressively implements its programs and projects. DA-Caraga has registered close to 97,000 farmers and fisherfolk in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), as of 22 March 2021, and now fast-tracking the registration of the remaining farmers and fisherfolk.

Nograles also cited that the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation paid 594,300 farmers and fisherfolk nationwide over P3.5 billion.

Ensuring IEC and people participation vs. hunger

To ensure information, education, awareness, and people participation, Nograles relayed that Caraga has actively participated in the ‘Kasapatanat Ugnayanpara sa Akmang Pagkainat Nutrisyon’ (KUMAIN) public consultations on the National Food Policy.

Another initiative is the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG) which is the private sector's response to the government's call for a whole-of-nation approach in ending hunger in the country.

"Among the interventions of the PKG is the distribution of hot meals to frontliners and families affected by typhoons," said Nograles.

Meanwhile, DILG-Caraga regional director Lilibeth Famacion served as the moderator during the open forum wherein several queries were answered by the Cabinet Secretary together with Agusan del Norte Governor Dale Corvera and Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada.

Nograles said the pre-Sona series in Caraga region also aims to get feedbacks from the local chief executives and the people in order for the present administration to know on what else to do in the remaining term of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"This is a great venue to tackle the vaccination efforts and other accomplishments in Caraga region. So, we hope to hear more of your issues and concerns so that the government can act on any possible solutions," Nograles said.

On the fight vs. COVID-19

Part also of the pre-SONA series here in the Caraga was the discussion on the significant efforts against COVID-19.

Dr. Diohara Aparri of the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga presented the COVID-19 Situationer in the region. She emphasized that the cases are increasing, hence, there is a need to intensify the implementation of health protocols in every LGU.

She added that the conduct of contact tracing is also intensified to track down those people who have been in close contact with those infected with the virus.

Dr. Aparri said that several out-of-the-box strategies are being integrated by the task force to fight COVID-19. These include the creation of the COVID-19 Cyber Advocacy Strike and Support Team (COVID-CASST), an internet advocacy team to correct misinformation on COVID-19 and DOH protocols.

She said that bandillo/recorrida is also done to create more awareness among the residents especially in critical areas and with local transmission.

“An extensive information drive to halt the spread of COVID-19 in the region is being done with the help of the Philippine Information Agency Caraga, public information officers, and local media partners,” said Dr. Aparri.

She also encouraged the public and netizens to help in the fight against fake news by checking the facts before sharing any data/information about COVID-19.

Furthermore, Dr. Aparri said that stricter border control is implemented such as the activation of checkpoints and requiring of negative COVID-19 test results.

"There's also an improved testing capacity with daily reporting of results, the opening of more laboratories and usage of RAT," she said.

Meanwhile, Jasmin Sarce of the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga presented the Regional Vaccination Operation Center - Vaccination Report in Caraga region. She bared that the DOH has established priority groups through a master list composed of vulnerable sectors who will be inoculated in the first and second doses.

In his closing message, PCOO Sec. Martin Andanar relayed virtually his sincere appreciation to the Caraganons for the continued trust and cooperation with the government. He likewise encouraged his fellow public servants to uphold the kind of genuine service that all citizens deserve just the same with President Duterte who continues to uplift the lives of every Filipino.

"On the sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 26, we shall listen to the embodiment of how people's aspirations have been achieved. At its center lies the realization that every Filipino has, indeed, been touched by the President’s words, actions, and his leadership," Andanar said.

The organizers will be bringing the "Kasama sa Pamana: Regional Pre-SONA" to the next venue in Legazpi, Albay before the end of April 2021. (Venus L. Garcia/PIA-Caraga)

PIA gears up promotion of gender equality, women empowerment during COVID-19 pandemic

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 24 (PIA) – As the government’s communication arm, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has geared up efforts and initiatives in promoting women empowerment, gender equality, making its workers fully-aware of their rights and continue practicing gender-fair language.

During the virtual Orientation on Magna Carta of Women (MCW) and Gender Fair Language for PIA employees on Friday, Director-General Ramon Cualoping III emphasized that said orientation is relevant as it promotes gender equality, awareness, and development for all.

"Our role in the PIA is very crucial, very critical, and very relevant as we move forward into a more progressive and equal society for all of us," he added.

Cualoping said that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his administration had established many GAD-related programs and projects that contributed a great impact to the lives of the Filipino people. “The past many years we’ve seen the development, the progress that our communities have undertaken in order to ensure that the rights of everyone are respected and guaranteed. And in the past five years under the presidency of Rodrigo Roa Durterte, we’ve embarked on many projects to make sure that everyone is able to give and live his or her own great life,” he bared.

The official further revealed that the PIA continues to communicate relevant information to the communities making them empowered even during this time of the pandemic. “In the PIA, our role is to communicate, to inform, to #ExplainExplainExplain thus we do our best in order for us to enable what is most progressive in all of us in terms of our communities, our families, and the society as a whole,” said Cualoping.

Meanwhile, as the resource speaker, Atty. Judie Rose Tugado-Dimayuga of the Philippine Commission on Women's National Gender and Development Resource Pool discussed thoroughly the salient information stipulated in the Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women and shared tips on how to be gender fair in language to make PIA employees more effective and efficient in performing their daily functions.

“The PIA under the Presidential Communications Operations Office has been an active agency in promoting gender equality mainstreaming and in the conduct of advocacy. We hope to strengthen your efforts for this endeavor in all the regions,” cited Dimayuga.

As she presented the Gender Fair Media Guidebook, Dimayuga highlighted that the PIA and the media should be able to practice gender-fair language in all its contents and in whatever platforms they use to disseminate the information.

Along with the discussion, the participants also learned about the legal basis of several GAD activities implemented in the national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and local government units.

Dimayuga further recognized the PIA employees as catalysts for change towards gender equality and women empowerment. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Saba nga tambutso gidili na sa Carmen

By SV Deligero

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Abril 24 -- Mipakanaog og regulasyon ang lungsod sa Carmen, Agusan del Norte, sa operasyon o paggamit og modified muffler pinaagi sa Municipal Ordinance No. 67-2020 nga gideklarar nga balido sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan atol sa ika-84 nga sesyon regular kaniadtong Abril 6.

Ang maong municipal ordinance gipangamahanan ni Sangguniang Bayan Member Julius S. Tamayo.

Nakita sa Committee on Laws, Ethics, and Good Government nga gipangunahan ni Provincial Board Member James T. Reserva, nga ubay-ubay nga nanag-iya og sakyanan nga unregulated ang paggamit sa mga motorsiklo diin tangtangon ang silencer o otrohon ang tambutso hinungdan nga makahatag kini og mas kusog nga kasaba o tingog.

Aron mapadayon ang kalinaw ug kaayohan sa tanang katawhan hingpit nga gi-regulate sa Carmen ang paggamit o pag-ilis sa muffler sa ilang sakyanan.

Ang makit-an nga makalapas sa maong balaod pagamultahan og lima kagatos (P500) ka pesos alang sa unang opensa, usa ka libo (P1,000.00) ka pesos sa ikaduha ug duha kalibo ug lima kagatos (P2,500.00) ka pesos ug pagkompiska sa motor sa sunod-sunod nga pag lapas niini.

Gikan sa pag kompiska sa motor vehicle with modified muffler dugang P100.00 matag adlaw ang idugang nga silot isip impounding fee.

Ubos sa maong ordinansa, gitagaag responsibilidad ang tanang sellers, retailers ug repair shops owner o manager sa pagpahinumdom sa matag customer nga adunay ordinansa nga gimugna para sa mopalit og tambutso.

Gidili usab sa lungsod sa Carmen ang pagpamaligya og open-typed-mufflers, branded man kini o dili.

Isip kabahin sa implementasyon sa ordinansa, ang Carmen Municipal Police Station ug Municipal Security Task Force (MTSF) gitahasang maoy modakop sa violators. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Bag-ong ngalan sa Cahayagan NHS aprobado sa SP

By Jessica O. Mellejor

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Abril 24 -- Gi-aprubahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ug gi-deklara nga balido ang Municipal Ordinance No. 63, series sa 2020 gikan sa lungsod  sa Carmen, ning lalawigan, “An Ordinance Renaming Cahayagan National High School of Barangay Cahayagan, Carmen, Agusan del Norte to Fidel C. Dagani National High School,” atol sa ilang ika 84th nga sesyon regular.

Sa bag-o nga ordinansa, nga gipanginahanan ni Sangguniang Bayan Member Gilda A. Samaco, ang pag-usab sa ngalan sa nasangpit nga eskuylahan alang sa pagtahod sa mipanaw nga si Fidel Curato Dagani kinsa mao ang naghatag sa lote alang sa nahisgutang site sa eskuylahan.

Naaprubahan kini subay sa paragraph II (3) sa Revised Guidelines on the Naming and Renaming of Streets, Public Streets, Plazas, Buildings, Bridges and Other Structures of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines  nga nagkanayon nga ang  publiko nga dalan, eskuylahan, taytayan, building ug uban pang istruktura ilalom sa hurisdiksyon sa lokal nga gobyerno diin ang maong LGU lang maoy maka usab sa ngalan.

Basi usab kini sa Seksyon 13 sa Local Government Code of 1991, nga naghatag gahom sa mga Sanggunian sa mga Component city ug munisipalidad mohimo, sa pakig-konsulta sa National Historical Commission nga usbon ang mga ngalan sa mga kadalanan, eskuylahan, kahimsog sa panglawas o bisan unsang uban pang publiko nga mga building nga sakop sa teritoryo niini, labi na kadtong adunay historical o social significance.

Gi-aprobahan ang maong ordinansa pinaagi sa Sanggunian Resolution No. 168-2021, sa pagpangamahan ni Provincial Board Member James T. Reserva, tsirman sa Committee on Laws Ethics, and Good Government  kauban ang mga co-authors nga si Hon. Rodulfo A. Pitogo ug Hon. Virgilio R. Escasiñas, Jr. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte) 

Thursday, April 22, 2021

President Duterte wants strict enforcement of health protocols for returning OFWs

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, April 21, said he wants to maintain strict enforcement of health protocols for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) despite calls to loosen up the existing health guidelines.

“There is no compromise here. I am not ready for a compromise about --- lalo na ngayon. Iyong ibang sakit siguro, puwede pa ‘yong mga rabies-rabies diyan,” he said in a public address on government response on the coronavirus pandemic.

“Pero ito, eh talagang as I have said, it’s a ‘dapo dito, dapo doon.’ And then we have the exponential problem now of how to take care of the Philippines.”

President Duterte presided over a meeting with Cabinet secretaries and the Department of Health Technical Advisory Group (DOH TAG) on COVID-19 after OFWs appealed for a more relaxed guidelines on mandatory quarantine particularly for those who tested negative for COVID-19, noting its emotional and financial burden.

The President said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III is “raising the alarm,” and stressed that the long mandatory quarantine period for returning OFWs in hotels has put too much strain on government funds allocated for them.

“So nakikita niya na lumiliit na ‘yong ano pera. He’s raising the alarm, actually. He’s raising the alarm of the possibility of having no more funds to take care of this kind of situation that we are in now,” said the President.

Apart from economic burden, the labor chief said spending almost two weeks in isolation was causing emotional stress on OFWs who were eager to be with their families and loved ones after years of working overseas.

Citing data from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), National Task Force Against COVID-19 and coronavirus testing centers, Bello said the positivity rate of returning OFWs was only 2.07 percent in 2020 and 1.5 percent in 2021 and may justify tweaking the current guidelines.

“Kaya po kami nakikiusap sana, Mr. President, na kung maaari we go back to the original protocol noon na pagdating nung ano nung ating mga OFWs, swab agad sila. Then, they are quarantined for five days while waiting for the result of the PCR test. Eh kapag negative sila, then they can be transported to their final destination,” he said.

Meanwhile, experts from the Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 said enforcing strict quarantine protocols on returning OFWs is crucial not just in preventing new infections, but also on safeguarding the country’s borders to keep new and more infectious COVID-19 variants from entering the country.

Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvaña, one of the health experts, said enforcing a 14-day mandatory quarantine in facilities proved effective in preventing new infections, noting that the Philippines didn’t notice a surge of coronavirus cases during holiday season because strict quarantine guidelines were in place.

In February this year, the DOH shifted to imposing a five-day facility quarantine with RT-PCR testing on the fifth day, and allowed OFWs to complete 14 days quarantine at home or in local government unit (LGU) facilities.

According to Salvaña, this new protocol is disadvantageous in cases where individuals who possibly got infected during the flight may only test positive for the virus on the seventh day. The risk of infection is high if home quarantine set-up is not supervised by LGUs, he said.

Salvaña said the TAG is proposing two options. The first option would be for returning OFWs to complete a strict 10-day isolation in quarantine facilities. Once they have completed the 10-day quarantine, they may be released, provided they are asymptomatic. Testing on the seventh day is optional.

For the second option, if there is not enough funds for quarantine facilities, individuals may complete isolation period in home quarantine set-ups or in temporary treatment and monitoring facilities, with selective testing on the seventh day.

“So our proposed solution po kasi is that the testing, even on the 5th day, will still not pick up everyone. So it is either we test on the seventh day or we completely do away with the testing but make sure that we quarantine everybody until the 10th day,” he explained.

“And this can be done in facility, but again it is very expensive or we can do this at home as long as the LGUs can supervise strictly.”

He underscored, however, that quarantine protocols and isolation periods have to be taken seriously considering the high risk of transmission even from a single infected individual.

The DOH has recorded 9,227 new coronavirus infections on April 21, bringing the country’s total number of cases to 962,307 with 829, 608 recoveries and 16,265 deaths. PND

Thursday, April 22, 2021

DOH detects 11 cases of COVID-19 variants in Caraga

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 22 -- As of April 22, 2021, the Department of Health - Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Caraga reports detection of additional coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) variants in the region based on the results received from the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center. Of the 68 samples, 11 were positive for COVID-19 variants, one B.1.1.7, first detected in United Kingdom; two B.1.351, first detected in South Africa; and eight P.3, first detected in the Philippines.

The confirmed case of B.1.1.7 variant is a resident of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte while the rest of the cases are residents of Butuan City. Upon initial investigation, these cases are Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs), Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs), and close contacts of LSIs with no travel history outside Caraga.

All cases are asymptomatic. They have already completed their prescribed quarantine period and discharged from their respective quarantine facilities. Monitoring and tracing of their close contacts are being conducted by the concerned LGUs.

The department is closely monitoring and coordinating with the health authorities of the local government units concerned for the implementation of appropriate actions and national protocols as stipulated in Department Memorandum No. 2021-0218 or the Interim Guidelines on Routine Biosurveillance for SARS-CoV-2 and Management of Cases with Identified Variants to contain the spread of these COVID variants in the region.

“With the recent report of COVID-19 variants in the region, we are appealing to all Caraganons to strictly adhere to the health protocols in all settings, correct and consistent wearing of masks and face shields, frequent handwashing, maintaining social distancing, and listening to verified sources of information," said DOH-CHD Caraga Regional Director Dr. Cesar Cassion.

"We call upon the priority eligible groups such as frontliners, senior citizens and those with comorbidities to coordinate with your respective health units for enlistment to our ongoing vaccination program against COVID-19, to get additional layer of protection,” RD Cassion added. (DOH Caraga/PIA Caraga)

Army, AgNor town execs meet village officials for BDP implementation

By 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang

BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, Apr. 22 -- The local government unit (LGU) of Buenavista in partnership with the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB) conducted a town hall meeting with the members of the barangay councils of Macalang, Guinabsan, Sangay, Lower Olave and Simbalan all of Buenavista town held recently in Poblacion 6, here.

The gathering of the barangay council members was aimed to discuss and revisit the issues and concerns of the implementation of the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) in the said barangays. The meeting also finalized plans for the implementation of priority programs and projects that will be funded under the Barangay Development Program (BDP). During the meeting, the barangay captains of said barangays presented their Barangay Development Plans, including their proposed livelihood skills training programs that will help enhance the knowledge and skills of the residents.

The barangay captains thanked the 23IB for the continued support the unit provided to the said barangays. They also conveyed their support and expressed readiness to work in the implementation of peace and development initiatives of the government.

The five barangays involved in the meeting are considered Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) of Buenavista town and identified as influenced-barangays of the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorist (CNT) but were all cleared through the implementation of the CSP program in 2019.

Buenavista Municipal Administrator Elmer Maboloc, during the meeting, commended the barangay council members and the 23IB for the unified efforts to end the local communist armed conflicts in the area.

“Let us help one another to thwart the CNT activities and stop their violence.  Every one of us plays a vital role in protecting our communities against terroristic activities and threats,” Maboloc said.

He also emphasized the importance of building a strong and meaningful partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) and become vigilant and alert against the terroristic activities of the CNTs in the areas.

Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the commander of 23IB, appreciated the participation of the barangay captains and their all-out support to the peace and development initiatives of the government.

“We will work with you in your communities not only to address the security and peace concerns but also to assist and facilitate the delivery of government services. Insurgency is not only the concern and responsibility of the Army and PNP but it is also your responsibility and concern. Winning the war against insurgency can only be achieved through combined efforts of all sectors and peace partner concern,” Paulo said.

He also challenged the barangay officials to continue to report to the Army any suspicious personalities sighted in the area. (CMO Officer, 23IB Philippine Army/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Pagpahiluna sa Food Basket sa Kitcharao, gihisgutan sa konsultasyon

By Shena Mae Pabia

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Abril 22 -- Gihisgutan kagahapon sa usa ka Consultative Meeting sa mga cluster players ug project partners ang pagpahiluna sa Food Basket, ang core processing project sa lungsod sa Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

Ang Food Basket usa sa 15 Core Processing Projects nga kabahin sa kampanyang Process! Process! Process! ubos sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo sa administrasyon ni Gob. Dale Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kongw. Angel Amante-Matba.

Ang miting gipasiugdahan sa Agusan Up Coordinating Unit ug gitambungan sa mga personahe sa Municipal Agriculturist Office, Department of Trade and Industry ug vegetable farmers.

Tumong sa miting nga ma-detalye ang mahimong components sa proyekto ug malatid ang mga lakang ngadto sa implementasyon niini.

Sa panaghisgut nakita nga kulang gyod ang suplay sa daghang matang sa gulay nga regular nga ginakaon sa mga lumulupyo sa Agusan del Norte. Mas taas pa ang panginahanglan kung iapil sa merkado ang mga syudad sa Butuan ug Surigao ug ubang bahin sa Caraga.

Niini, mitumaw sa diskusyon nga ang mahimong dagway sa proyektong Food Basket sulod sa pito ka tuig nga pag-pagpalambo niini gikan ning tuiga hangtud sa tuig 2027 mao ang mosunod: 1) Base sa panginahanglan, 500 ektaryas nga produksyon area sa nagkalain-laing matang sa gulay, 2) Pick and pay farm tourism, 3) Little Baguio Market2, 4) Vegetable and other food items trading, 5) Vegetable and other food items processing.

Gilantaw nga kapin kon kulang 300 ka pamilya, labing daghan kanila sa Kitcharao, ang mahimong kabahin sa pagpahiluna ug pagpalambo sa proyekto ug mahimong kabahin ug mabulahan unya sa industriya.

Ipahiluna ang detalyadong business plan sa maong proyekto ug pormahon ang mahimong corporate set-up niini sa mosunod nga tulo ka bulan ug gilantaw nga makasugod sa implementasyon sa inisyal nga 50 ektaryas sa Agosto ning tuiga. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte) 

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

1000 CEBU FAMILIES RECEIVE FREE GOV'T HOUSING – NOGRALES

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, together with National Housing Authority (NHA) and LGU officials, led the turnover of Yolanda housing units in Santa Fe, Cebu on April 20, 2021 as part of the Duterte administration's commitment to complete and distribute all promised housing units to beneficiaries in affected areas.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (Contributed file photo)

The virtual turnover of 1,000 houses was for the Sto. Niño Home, Barangay Maricaban, Santa Fe, Cebu location under the Yolanda Permanent Housing Project in Central Visayas.

Since assuming the chairmanship of the Inter-agency Task Force for the Unified Implementation and Monitoring of Rehabilitation and Recovery Projects and Programs in Yolanda-affected Areas, Nograles has turned over 4,164 units to different cities and municipalities in Cebu province.

Housing recipients include the following areas: Tabuelan (220 units), Daanbantayan (1,863 units), Bantayan (450 units) and Medellin (631 units), plus the latest one in Santa Fe (1,000 units).

Nograles praised the NHA leadership and local government officials for their dedication in ensuring the project's timely completion and turn over despite the various logistical and scheduling challenges brought by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

"We give special thanks to NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr., Regional Manager Engr. Jude Juntilo, Engr. Jeef Arranguez, Engr. Mary Ann Quimado and other officials and staff of NHA Region 7 whose dedication made this turnover possible," the Cab Sec remarked.

The Malacañang official likewise made mention of the crucial support from Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Diño, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Mayor Ithamar Espinosa, Vice Mayor Naomi Espinosa, members of the Sangguniang Bayan and employees of the Santa Fe LGU.

Nograles, who chairs the administration's Task Force Zero Hunger, noted that "through our partnership with Pilpinas Kontra Gutom which is composed of various private corporations, we will create community gardens from idle lands so that the people of Santa Fe can grow nutritious food for consumption and commerce.“

This effort, the Cab Sec stated, was in line with his advocacy to combat hunger and poverty, especially in Yolanda-affected areas, further stressing that "kailangan natin magtulungan, we need to cooperate and coordinate with stakeholders in this important battle against hunger and malnutrition, particularly among our children."

Mayor Espinosa, for his part, spoke on behalf of the LGU and thanked the President, Nograles and the NHA for "inspiring us and giving assurance that the government will address our needs here in Santa Fe. We are forever grateful for this gift of housing. We will do everything we can to deserve this generous benefit.” 

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. Lapeña of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) who also chairs the PRLEC at the national level.

Sec. Lapeña 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. Lapeña 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 Lapeña 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)