Saturday, August 7, 2021

Secretary Andanar supports call for creation of PH Virology Institute

MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Saturday expressed his support for the creation of a Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP).

The said institute will upgrade the country’s capacity to develop its own vaccines, likewise be a premier research institute in virology and diseases in humans, animals, and plants.

“Dalawang sakit ang hinaharap natin. Una ay ang COVID-19, na nakahahawa sa ating mga tao. At pangalawa ay ang ASF, na ang tinatamaan ay mga hayop – at ang apektado ay ang hog industry natin. Laban sa dalawang virus na ito, bukod sa pag-iingat upang di mahawaan, ang solusyon ay nasa bakuna [We are battling against two diseases. One is the COVID-19 that is contagious among people. And the second is the ASF, which targets animals – and this is directly affecting our hog industry. Aside from ensuring safety against the spread of these viruses vaccine is the solution],” Secretary Andanar said.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his last State of the Nation Address, endorsed the passage of a law creating the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines.

“Masaya po tayo at agad inaksyunan na ng Kongreso ang planong Virology and Vaccination Institute of the Philippines. Sana nga ay agaran nang maisabatas ito upang masimulan na rin ang kanilang trabaho [We are happy that there was a quick action from Congress on the plan to create a Virology and Vaccination Institute of the Philippines. We are looking forward to its passage so that we can work on it right away],” Secretary Andanar said.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar sat as a guest during the Cabinet Report, where he provided updates on their initiative to find a vaccine against the outbreak of the African Swine Fever in the country.

Secretary Dar said that they sought the help of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to connect with private pharmaceutical companies in the said endeavor. The study is currently at its phase 1 trial.

“This is a good start because after 100 years no one from advanced countries has developed a vaccine for ASF,” he said.

“We are excited because just like the COVID-19, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” he added.

The agency is targeting to vaccinate the country’s hog inventory of about 9.7 million for free, should the government agree to shoulder the expenses for the purchase and the vaccination process in the future.

The decision of whether to push for the use of the vaccine is yet to be given by the end of 2021, according to Secretary Dar. For now, the agency will continue to implement its biosecurity measures and employ its Task Force Bantay ASF.

Saturday, August 7, 2021

Statement of Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Bianca Pagdanganan and Yuka Saso’s performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Congratulations Bianca and Yuka for the solid performance that you both showed in the Women’s Golf Competition! Pinahanga ninyo kaming dalawa sa ipinakita ninyong galing ng mga atletang Filipina!

Both of you didn’t only display our known qualities of grit and determination, but also our Filipino spirit of sportsmanship and excellence.

Maraming salamat sa pagpapakilala sa buong mundo ng talentong Pilipino di lamang sa Olympics, pati na rin sa iba’t ibang international golf competitions!

We are all very proud of you!

 

Saturday, August 7, 2021

Statement of Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Carlo Paalam’s performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Maraming salamat, Carlo Paalam! Isang karangalan sa bansa ang iyong nakamit na Silver medal sa Olympics.

As a fellow Kagay-anon, you’ve not only represented our country but our region (Northern Mindanao region) as well! We’re all very proud of you and your excellent performance in the Men’s Flyweight Boxing Competition.

Nawa’y patuloy kang maging inspirasyon sa mga Kagay-anon at sa mga atletang Pilipino sa magiting mong determinasyon at puso para sa ating bansa!

Ang iyong panalo ay panalo ng lahat ng mga Pilipino at ng buong Pilipinas!

Mabuhay ka, Carlo!

Friday, August 6, 2021

LAZI MAYOR ENCOURAGES CONSTITUENTS TO ENGAGE IN BUSINESS

MANILA - Lazi, Siquijor Mayor James Monte urged his constituents working abroad to invest in local businesses in their hometown to help it recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Monte said this during the Friday episode of the Network Briefing News hosted by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar where he was a guest.

“Nais kong ipanawagan at humihingi ako ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan sa iba ibang panig ng mundo na tayo ay magtulungan sa aspetong pinansiyal o materyal o mga kaalaman upang mas mapalago pa natin ang ating bayan. [I am encouraging and asking for help from our constituents from different parts of the world to help us in the aspects of financial, material, or knowledge in further developing our town],”Mayor Monte said.

“Nais ko pa rin pong hingiin sa inyo na mag invest kayo sa negosyo upang mapalago  ang ekonomiya at makapagbigay tayo ng trabaho at serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan [I am asking you to invest in putting up businesses here and create employment opportunities and services to our people],” he added.

Mayor Monte is eyeing to strengthen the livestock production of the municipality, noting that Lazi is now one of the suppliers of beef in Cebu.

“Ako ay nagpupursige sa pagplano ng iba pang maaring mapagkakakitaan ng aking mga kababayan. At ang plano ko ay ang beef, pork, chicken meat and egg production dahil ito’y patok sa pangkomersyo at kitang-kita ang paglago ng ekonomiya at turismo nito [I am pursuing plans to add more income generating opportunities for our people. I am planning to boost the production of beef, pork, chicken meat, and eggs because it is obvious that this can actually help our economy and probably soon our tourism sector],”he said.

The town of Lazi is also a recipient of various local road projects undertaken by the Department of Works and Highways.

Mayor Monte was thankful to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go for responding to the request of the town to be given funding for the construction of a steel bridge in Barangay Kinamangadan. The said barangay is among the attraction sites in the municipality because of its multi-tiered waterfalls.

He also reminded residents there to look after infrastructures that were granted to them by the national government.

“Bilang Mayor ng bayan, proud ako na magkaroon ng partnership sa ating mga kababayan. Para sa lokal kong mga kababayn ang hiling ko po na mahalin ninyo ang mga infrastructure at gusali na naitayo na [As the mayor of this town, I am proud that there’s a partnership thriving among the people here. To our local residents, I hope that you will take care of the infrastructures and buildings that we have here],” he said.

Lazi is also known for its old San Isidro Labrador Church which was nominated as part of the UNESCO World Heritage List under the serial nomination of Baroque Churches of the Philippines in 2014.

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Thursday, August 5, 2021

TUBAJON, DINAGAT ISLANDS LGU SEEKS HELP IN FUNDING CONSTRUCTION OF MUNICIPAL PIER

MANILA - The Network Briefing News continues to bridge local government units and national government agencies, as it responded to the request of Tubajon LGU in Dinagat Islands province.

During the Thursday episode, Tubajon LGU requested from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) a budget allocation for their proposed municipal wharf. Mayor Simplicia Pedrablanca said that this year was their third time to request for the inclusion of the project in the agency’s budget.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, the program host, relayed the message of DOTr Assistant Secretary for Maritime Vice Admiral Narciso A. Vingson, Jr.

“Based on our records, DOTr received the transmittal letter from Tubajon LGU, including the attached resolution on May 31, 2021. Our fiscal year 2022 budget proposal was submitted to DBM earlier in May. Nonetheless, considering that Tubajon is a 5th class municipality, the proposal can be evaluated for possible inclusion in our next budget programming cycle, subject to the LGU compliance of documents required by DBM and formal endorsement of their RDC to the DOTr,” he read.

Asec. Vingson said that DOTr’s Water Transport Planning Division will be evaluating and assisting the LGU for their documentary requirements on this matter, which need to be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

PCOO Secretary also pledged to help the LGU follow up on the request for funding on other local projects there.

The town of Tubajon is known for its rich seafood products which are being transported to the mainland in Surigao City. They also deliver in parts of Cebu, Leyte, and Davao.

Mayor Pedrablanca also thanked the national government for its continued support for the local government unit, including the provisions under the Bayanihan Laws in  response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also hopes that the administration will continue to extend their assistance to them as the country recovers from the health crisis.

“First of all I would like to thank DBM Secretary Wendel Avisado, especially kay President Rodrigo Duterte for granting our request for a new multi-purpose building last year. We are also grateful for the Bayanihan 1 and 2 because it has helped us during this time,” she said.

Thursday, August 5, 2021

Expanded Cantilan port enhances maritime connectivity, mobility in Mindanao

BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade, along with Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago, led the inauguration of the expanded Cantilan Port, located in Cantilan town,Surigao del Sur.

The expansion project encompasses the construction of the Reinforced Concrete (RC) Pier, back-up area, and port lighting system.

During the event, Secretary Tugade laid out the long-term, and essential benefits of the recently-completed expansion project at the Cantilan Port, particularly for the handling of cargoes and cement shipments.

“Napalawak ‘yung pantalan, mga kargamentong pisikal, ‘yung mga semento at kargamento mas madali at mas malawak ang kilos mo diyan (The port was already widened, and equipped with other facilities. Cargoes are easily mobilized and port personnel could easily move),” Sec. Tugade said.

“'Yung pagbiyahe from one point to another mas okay. Kung pinag-uusapan ang connectivity, ‘yun po ang hangarin natin kaya binabago natin at naglalagay tayo ng continuing improvements upang sa ganun yung objective na connectivity ay mapalawak (The transportation from one point to another has been improved. When we talk of connectivity, that is our target the reason why we continue to make improvements to widen more our connectivity),” he added.

Sec. Tugade said the capacity of Cantilan port was improved. "In fact, the neighboring areas such as Carrascal, Madrid, Carmen and Lanuza in Surigao del Sur are also benefitting from this development,” he said.

With the realization of the project, the port can now handle over 25,000 to 30,000 bags of cement shipments a month, and can handle twice its current cargo volume.

For his part, GM Santiago said that apart from the expansion project for the Cantilan Port, more seaport improvement and development projects are well underway, and will continue. 

“Tuluy-tuloy ang pag-improve natin sa mga pasilidad natin dito sa Caraga region. Tuloy-tuloy din ang repair works at expansion sa Ports of Surigao at Masao, at ang Nasipit Port Management Office (We continue to improve our facilities here in Caraga region. We do repair works and expansion at the ports of Surigao and Masao, and Nasipit Port Management Office),” GM Santiago said.

With the roll-out of these port projects in the region, Secretary Tugade commended the utmost efforts and efficient management of GM Santiago.

Apart from becoming a vital key for socio-economic growth and development, the Cantilan Port will also be able to bring comfort, convenient and seamless service to its clients, and will open an array of job opportunities, not just in the province, but the entire Caraga region. (DOTr/PIA-Caraga)

Thursday, August 5, 2021

Communicating the Duterte legacy (2)

PCOO earned prestigious national and international recognition for campaigning for good governance.

 

Amid the pandemic, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) continues to amplify and inform the public of the government’s Covid-19 responses, including its drive and campaign to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the population to achieve population protection against the virus, through different mechanisms, campaigns and programs.

Led by its Laging Handa Crisis Communications Center, the agency continues to disseminate factual information and to counter and dismiss disinformation that has been rampant not only on the Covid-19 responses of the government, but also on the virus and vaccines themselves and their effects on the collective bid for the recovery of the country.

The Laging Handa Public Briefing, Cabinet Report, Network Briefing News, CORDS X Podcast, Laging Handa Dokyu, virtual pressers and reporting tours, among others, are being utilized and maximized to highlight the government’s actions against the pandemic, and now in the vaccine rollout, through open dialogues and engagements by government officials with the Filipino public.

Other virtual pressers were initiated by partner agencies in the Executive branch as well, benchmarking the initiative of the PCOO of reshaping the way information is released to the public.

Different information and education initiatives contribute to such causes as well, such as the vaccine communications campaign and documentary series, VAXplainer, apart from the Laging Handa Dokyu.

With these, the PCOO earned prestigious national and international recognition for campaigning for good governance through its innovation in providing information on impactful initiatives during the pandemic.

The PCOO bagged seven major awards in the 2021 Stevie Awards. The Gandingan 2021: The 15th UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Multimedia Awards organized by the UP Community Broadcasters’ Society also named the Laging Handa Dokyu as the “Most Development-Oriented Public Service Program.”

Aside from the massive operations in disseminating updates and news, the PCOO also modernized their facilities in both radio and television in order to provide news that are more tailor-fitted to the regions.

More infrastructure projects for government media workers are eyed to be built after the successful launch of the Mindanao Media Hub in Davao City. Plans for the Government Communication Academy and the Visayas Media Hub are underway. New buildings for regional offices of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) are also being built as of writing. Rehabilitation of government radio stations are likewise being undertaken through the ongoing Radio Rehab.

To note, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar is the only secretary who personally visits and inspects the situation of government media across the country, giving them the long overdue rehabilitation they deserve.

Such a gesture has boosted the morale of government media workers, knowing that someone is there manifesting the marching order of President Rodrigo Duterte for the national government to go down to the communities. After all, employees with boosted morale can actually lead to a more productive workflow for any company and business.

They’ve gone down to the grassroots to #InformInformInform and to make people understand that President Duterte is doing everything in his power to reach out to and address the problems of vulnerable sectors.

There’s a tightly-knit coordination among PCOO’s agencies, which include PIA, Philippine News Agency, Philippine Broadcasting Service, People’s Television Network and the Bureau of Communications Services, to ensure that this information is disseminated to the people.

All these communication strategies, to provide better means for tapang at malasakit to permeate into the lives of every Filipino, to communicate the Duterte legacy.

Thursday, August 5, 2021

8K magsasaka nakinabang sa libreng 'irrigation service fee' sa SurSur

LUNGSOD NG TANDAG, Surigao del Sur -- Tinatayang di-bababa sa 8,000 bilang ng mga magsasaka ang nakikinabang sa libreng irrigation service fee sa ilalim ng Duterte Administration sa Surigao del Sur.

File Photo

Ayon kay Engineer. Dexter Sablaon, manager ng Provincial Irrigation Management Office (PIMO) ng National Irrigation (NIA) dito, ito ay mula nang lagdaan noong Pebrero 2018 ni Pang. Rodrigo Duterte ang R.A. 10969 na pinamagatang “An Act Providing Free Irrigation Service.”

Subalit nilinaw na tanging para lang ito sa may sinasakang di-hihigit sa walong ektarya.

Samantala, aminado ang opisyal na malaking lugar ng palayan ang hirap silang tustusan ng patubig sa ngayon sa may bayan ng San Miguel na tinuran bilang rice granary ng probinsiya.

Sa mahabang panahon ng tag-init at madalang na pag-ulan iniugnay ang problema.

Malaking hamon din aniya kung paano ang mga magsasaka sa nabanggit na lugar na mahikayat para sumunod sa itinakdang cropping calendar. (Greg Tataro, Jr. - DXJS RP-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

 

Thursday, August 5, 2021

LGU Tandag nanawagan na magpabakuna na ng 2nd dose 

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur (PIA) – Nanawagan ang lokal na pamahalaan sa lungsod ng Tandag sa mga residente nito na lumagpas na sa skedyul para sa  kanilang 2nd dose ng COVID-19 Vaccine na magpabakuna na. 

Sa ipinalabas na Public Advisory No. 90 ng lokal na pamahalaan sa Lungsod ng Tandag  sa pamamagitan ng social media, lahat na tumanggap ng 1st dose sa COVID-19 Vaccine na lumagpas na sa kanilang skedyul para sa ikalawang pagbabakuna na pumunta lamang sa entrance gate ng Saint Theresa College sa nasabing syudad ngayong araw, Agosto 5.

Lahat ng kwalipikadong magpapabakuna para sa kanila second dose ay inabisohan na rin na dalhin ang kanilang mga vaccination card bilang pagpapatunay na lehetimong tatanggap para sa ikalawang turok ng bakuna sa Sinovac o AstraZeneca.

Samantala, nagpalabas din ng advisory ang lokal na pamahalaan sa lungsod na wala ng munang gagawin na vaccination (1st and 2nd dose) simula Huwebes ng hapon, Agosto 5, hanggang Agosto 8, 2021. Nag abiso din ito na antayabanan nalang muna ang susunod na advisory para sa susunod na skedyul nito ng pagbabakuna. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

 

Thursday, August 5, 2021

AguSerbisyo gipadangat sa hilit nga sitio sa Agusan del Norte

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN -- Sunod sa gisaad ni Kong. Angel Amante Matba ug Gob. Dale B. Corvera sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte sa ilang pag-adto sa lugar sa milabay’ng semana nga atimanon ang mga naay sakit sa Sitio Casagayan, Pangaylan, Santiago, Agusan del Norte, giadtoan kini og balik sa mga medical personnel sa probinsya alang sa usa ka medical mission.

Sa pagpanguna ni Dr. Odelio Ferrer, ang hepe sa Provincial Health Office (PHO), mosuma sa 10 ang gipailawom sa minor surgeries, 25 ang nagpahimulos og dental services, 22 ang miagi og pap smear, 51 ang nagpa-sugar test, 50 ang nagpatuli ug ubay-ubay nga nagpa-check up.

Anaa usab sa 100 ang nahatagan sa PHO og mosquito net aron malikay sa mga sakit nga dala sa lamok.

Nakapadangat usab ang Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) ubos sa provincial officer niini nga si Silver Joy Tejano og 50 ka eyeglasess.

Sa kinatibuk-an 550 tanan ka mga residente ning usa sa mga hilit nga sitio sa probinsya ang nakapahimulos sa maong kalihukan, apil na ang gipadangat nga food packs, nga kabahin gihapon sa immersion o “AguSerbisyo” ubos sa Amomang Agusanon Flagship Program sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo sa administrasyon ni Gob. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kong. Amante-Matba.

Ubay-ubay na ang mga hilit nga sitio ang napaabtan sa maong mga serbisyo sugod sa milabay’ng tuig ug magpadayon kini sumala pa ni Provincial Administrator Gerry Joey S. Laurito, representante ni Gob. Corvera, sa maong kalihukan.

“Serbisyo nga kinasing-kasing gyod ang mahatagan mi og pagtagad,” kini ang nasulti ni Maricel Taan, usa sa mga residente sa Casagayan sa maong serbisyo nga gipaabot gyod nila Gob. Corvera ug Kong. Amante-Matba bisan sa kalayo sa ilang lugar.

Sama usab sa gipadayag ni Barangay Captain Roy S. Porogoy sa personal nga pagbisita sa duha ka dagkung lider sa probinsya sa milabay’ng semana, mapasalamaton kaayo siya sa saad nga ilang gituman.

“Isip usa ka Barangay Captain daku ang akong kalipay ug pasalamat kang Kongw. Angel Amante-Matba ug kang Gob. Dale B. Corvera nga gitagaan mi nila og pagtagad ilabina sa akong hangyo nga matagaan mi og bugas ug sa gipadala nga mga Doctor alang sa pag medical sa mga masakiton,” sumala ni Brgy. Capt. Porogoy.

Apil usab sa mitabang nga mapadangat ang nahisgutang mga serbisyo mao ang Provincial Engineering Office, mga kapulisan nga gi pangulohan ni PCol. Martin M. Gamba, kaabag ang Clan leader o chairman sa Mamanwa Manobo Farmers Association [MMFA] sa Sitio Casagayan nga si Datu Layson Sandag, mga sakop sa 29th Infantry Battalion, sa First Battalion PNP Special Action Force, barangay officials ug mga magtutudlo sa eskuwelahan sa Casagayan. (Shena Mae Pabia ug Arnfe Flores, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

 

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Site validation alang sa 'vegetable derby' nagpadayon

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN -- Nagpadayon kagahapong adlawa, Agosto 3, ang site validation alang sa proyektong “Vegetable Derby” nga gipasiugdahan sa probinsya sa sa Agusan del Norte pagpanguna sa buhatan sa Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO).

Ubos sa derby i-develop sa apil sa indigay ang labing ubos usa ka ektarya nga luna nga tamnan og 10 ka klase nga gulay.

Ang maong indigay giapilan sa upat ka lungsod nga girepresentahan sa mosunod nga mga sites: Brgy. Kauswagan sa syudad sa Cabadbaran; Brgy. Tagbuyacan sa Santiago; Sitio Zapanta Valley sa Kitcharao, ug; Brgy. Lingayao sa Las Nieves.

Ang kalihukan gisugdan niadtong Abril ug kamulo na ang mga Technical Working Group sa pag-monitor sa vegetable production sa mga nasangpit nga sites.

Tumong sa pagpahigayon og vegetable derby nga ma-improve pa ang sistema sa vegetable production sa probinsya, mapalambo pa ang mga proyektong sama sa gulayan sa paaralan/tahanan, demo farms, provision of tools and inputs ug uban pa.

Gipunting usab sa maong indigay nga maka-impluwensya pa sa mga mag-uuma aron madugangan pa ang ilang existing crops aron mapalambo pa ang ilang panginabuhian.

Ang pagpahiluna og mga gulayan kabahin sa Food Security Enhancement Project sa AGUSAN UP!, ang  kampanya sa pagpalambo sa administrasyon ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kongw. Angel Amante-Matba nga gitutokan sa PAO.  

Kabahin usab kini sa proyektong “Food Basket”, usa sa mga Core Processing Projects sa Process! Process! Process! Project ubos sa AGUSAN UP!

Nagpunting ang “Food Basket” nga matamnan ang 500 ektaryas nga gulayan sa tibuok probinsya hangtud sa tuig 2027 ug makamugna og vegetable processing activities sa lungsod sa Kitcharao sulod sa maong higayon.

Kuyog sa maong site validation ang mga personahe sa Mindanao Development Authority kon MinDA.

Kaabag usab sa maong proyekto ang buhatan sa Department of Agriculture [DA] -Region, Municipal Agriculture Offices, ubang mga ahensya sa gobyerno ug mga vegetable seeds companies. (Shena Mae Pabia ug Jim Rasonabe, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

AgSur town mayor bares ongoing efforts vs COVID-19

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY – The local government unit (LGU) of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur led by Mayor Pauline Marie Masendo revealed initiatives and efforts of the LGU and various stakeholders in the fight against the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), during the Network Briefing News hosted by Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

As part of its preventive measures, the LGU has strengthened its information dissemination in the barangays, letting the locals know more about the virus and how to prevent it. “We have a strict implementation of our ordinance on health protocols and issued local executive orders to ensure that all are guided and will not be violating any rules,” she said.

“Our BHERTs are functional. We also remind our barangay officials of their functions, at the same time we remind our constituents that the Delta variant is different and not all COVID tests detect the highly transmissible Delta variant because it carries a distinctive biological matter,” added Masendo, who is also a registered nurse by profession.

For those Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (ROFWs), Masendo appealed for their understanding that a negative RT-PCR test result is not a guarantee that they can safely go home in the municipality. "The respective LGUs of destination are allowed to have local protocols so we enforce our protocol on quarantine," she said.

When asked about the vaccination rollout in the municipality, the lady mayor said that vaccination target is 28,410 and they are now at 17.44% accomplishment of that figure. “We try to convince our Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMR) and tribal leaders for them to get immunized first, and we are receiving positive feedback from them,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Sec. Andanar encouraged Mayor Masendo to bring their issues and concerns and request for assistance to Senator Bong Go, as the latter has been reaching out to the provinces of Caraga region and providing services and assistance particularly on the medical needs of the people during this time of COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mayor Masendo also shared that she is thankful to the support already extended by Sen. Go in the municipality, as well as the recent launching of the 131st Malasakit Center at the D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital, wherein he provided financial assistance, groceries, vitamin supplements, face masks and face shields, among others. 

“Last Saturday, the 131st Malasakit Center was inaugurated here in Agusan del Sur and I personally thanked Senator Bong Go for his assistance, especially for COVID because last year he also gave P10 million and this year, we received P3 million in the first quarter which we used to buy equipment and create structures for our vaccination sites,” said Masendo. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

AgSur’s modernized Agriculture facility yields first harvest

BUTUAN CITY -- The Modernized Agriculture Facility of Agusan del Sur has recently yielded its first harvest of lettuce through a ceremonial harvesting facilitated by the Provincial Agriculture Office.

The facility is a project funded under the Department of Agriculture (DA)–Caraga’s Bayanihan II program and costs a total of P3 million. The establishment is located within the provincial capitol grounds.

The Modernized Agriculture Facility features a Hydroponics System, agriculture greenhouse, and a Nursery with Automated Fertigation System. It also has a component of a season-long training that will run for 16 weeks. 

Provincial Agriculturist Armando Valiente shared that the facility serves as a show window of various modern agricultural technologies that can further help develop the agriculture sector. He said that it aims to establish a resilient food system to ensure food availability and accessbility, promote urban agriculture, and provide an opportunity for farmers to generate income. 

Agusan del Sur Provincial Governor Santiago B. Cane said that they will definitely sustain the project. He said the program which will ensure food availability will help solve the problem on hunger and malnutrition.  He also said he will encourage all municipalities of the province to have the same facility in their areas.

On the other hand, DA–Caraga Regional Technical Director Rebecca R. Atega commended Agusan del Sur for being the first to harvest their planted crops in the facility despite being the last to start the establishment of the facility. He also assured Governor Cane that the Department will continue to support the endeavors of the Local Government Units for the development of agriculture in the region.  

The harvested lettuce was then sold at P120 per kilo. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

 

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Youth org in AgSur advocates vs illegal drugs, terrorism

BUTUAN CITY – Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a youth organization in the province of Agusan del Sur has been active in advocating against the proliferation of illegal drugs and terroristic activities in the communities, and encouraged them to actively participate in the campaign and save more youth from being victims of these kinds of menace in the society.

During the Network Briefing News on Monday hosted by Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson Jayson Barola shared that the SK officials in Barangay Los Arcos, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur are continuously reaching out to other peers in different barangays ang get them involved in the organization with they call as “Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo” (KKDAT), wherein the personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) of the municipality have also been assisting the youth in their activities.

“During our dialogue with the youth in the different barangays here in our municipality, we introduced to them what the KKDAT organization is all about and its objectives. The KKDAT is under the supervision also of the PNP, and in every Katipunan ng Kabataan assembly in every barangay here, we urged the youth to be more aware of the ill effects of illegal drugs and to be more mindful not to be deceived and join and support the communist terrorist group,” said Barola.

Barola highlighted that as a leader and peace advocate, he is also an active member of the Propelling our Inherited Nation Through our Youth Inc. (POINTY) which is under the Youth for Peace Development Movement of the Philippines in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“The youth is the hope of the nation, that’s why we must take action to ensure that we could also have a better future ahead. We want to make sure also that our efforts will not be put to waste, and soon we will gain the fruits of our labor as one nation,” Barola cited.  

When asked about the initiative of the SKs in the government’s vaccination program, Balora revealed that the SKs had conducted the ‘Katipunan ng Kabataan’ General Assembly and discussed issues and concerns on COVID-19, vaccination, and other topics. “I am also encouraging all the eligible youth to get vaccinated not only for their protection but also with those people that surround them,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Sec. Andanar was appreciative of all the efforts extended by the SKs to the youth in the communities to keep them well-informed and updated and active in the activities and campaign of the government. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

 

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Statement by Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar: On fake news circulating online claiming Pres. Duterte is using COVID-19 vaccines to “depopulate” the PH

There is no truth to circulating social media posts that the COVID-19 vaccines are being used by the Duterte administration to “depopulate” the Philippines. For detractors or critics to spread lies and claims that the Duterte administration and other officials is involved in such a sinister plot is laughably ludicrous and reeks of nutty conspiracy theory.

Our government has been working hard to achieve population protection through our national COVID-19 vaccination program so that we can protect everyone against the virus and minimize mortality by developing an immune response to it.

Such an attempt to misinform the Filipino public and induce paranoia when factual scientific basis support the safety and efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19 is malicious and ill-natured, and should not be tolerated. We ask the public not to believe these posts and use sound judgment when encountering other similar false information.