Friday, October 1, 2021

GOV’T BACKS PROMOTION OF AGRI-BASED PRODUCTS IN BACUAG, SURIGAO DEL NORTE AMID PANDEMIC

MANILA – The local government of Bacuag in Surigao Del Norte admitted losses in the sales of their agricultural products due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation nationwide, but said that the national government has made some initiatives to help the local economy, according to the local executive. 

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar interviewed on Friday, September 30, via Network Briefing News Bacuag Mayor Felicisimo Cebedo who shared how the pandemic affected the selling and promotion of their local agri-based products in the market.

"Because of the pandemic, medyo naapektuhan ng bentahan ng agri-based products. However, the Department of Trade and Industry through their Negosyo Center, helps our micro, small and medium enterprises in selling out their products. [Because of the pandemic, sales of agri-based products were somewhat affected. However, the Department of Trade and Industry through their Business Center, helps our micro, small and medium enterprises in selling out their products]," he said.

The town has institutionalized the production of agri-based commodities such as sugar, vodka, tuba, bibingka, corn products, and other products and delicacies.

Meanwhile, Sec. Andanar expressed his confidence that local products of the said town have the potential in the market and greater revenue in the value chain.

Mayor Cebedo also noted that local farmers of Bacuag can produce 1.4 tons of coconut per hectare every year utilizing an area with a total of 6,780 hectares in the farmland.

The town is also one of the rice granaries of Surigao Del Norte which covers 321 hectares while rain-fed land covers 589 hectares suitable for rice planting.

“Rice is planted twice a year and irrigated once a year in rain-fed areas. Average production is 4 tons per hectare per year for the rain-fed area,” Mayor Cebedo said.

“For corn, we have an area of 131 hectares and average production is 1 ton per hectare,” he added.

COVID-19 Response

On the other hand, Mayor Cebedo emphasized that the vaccination rollout in Bacuag town is well and continuing, citing that 56.2 percent of their target population have been vaccinated in the municipality to date.

Of this total number, 49 percent are fully vaccinated while 7.2 percent have received their first dose and are waiting fortheir 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccines, he added.

“Dito sa Bacuag, sumusunod ang mga tao sa mga sinasabi natin at sa [minimum health] protocols. May multa ang mga di sumusunod or community service pag walang pambayad. [Here in Bacuag, people follow what we say and follow [minimum health] protocols. There is a fine for non-compliance or community service for those who cannot pay the fine],” he pointed out.

Friday, October 1, 2021

Government Communication Academy eyes offering courses to both public and private media workers

MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Friday bared long-term plans for the country’s first media training facility, including the proposal to offer technical courses for both public information officers and private media workers.

The PCOO, together with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Municipal Government of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, and the Northern Bukidnon State College (NBSC), conducted the groundbreaking ceremony of the first Government Communication Academy in the country on September 27, 2021.  This signifies the start of the construction of the facility’s main building.

“This is the first communication academy that will give more technical skills, know-how to our information officers in the barangay level all the way to the national level,” he said.

Secretary Andanar said that they plan to tie up with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB), and NBSC to ensure that trainings that will be conducted are aligned with the needs of its beneficiaries. He also said that private media workers are welcome to contribute their expertise.

“I believe that if we offer this kind of institution that can provide executive certificates in communication in radio, television, social media, broadcasting, and news wire distribution then it will be good for everybody,” he said.

The PCOO chief stressed the importance of arming the media against disinformation.

“One of the biggest ways to combat this is through education,” he said.

He also mentioned that passing the Media Workers Welfare Bill into law will allow the industry to thrive as employment security will be assured.

Secretary Martin Andanar highlighted the policies that the PCOO has pushed. These included the Freedom of Information, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, and the pending Media Workers Welfare Bill.

He said that with these policies in place, the agency is taking part in keeping democracy alive in the country.

“Kinahangalan mupasar ni siya (Media Workers Welfare Bill) kay aron matabangan tang mga workers sa media. We need all the support that we can get from the government [The Media Workers Welfare Bill should be passed into law so that we can also help the workers in the media. We need all the support that we can get from the government],” he said.

“If we have this Media Workers Welfare Bill passed as a law, then the media industry will even thrive more. This is important because we are a democratic nation,” he added.

Friday, October 1, 2021

DA Caraga joins Duterte Legacy campaign launching

BUTUAN CITY -- Different government agencies including the Department of Agriculture (DA) - Caraga together with the local government units joined the launching of the Duterte Legacy campaign in the region with the theme, "Barangayanihan Caravan Towards National Recovery" held in Cabadbaran City on September 30, 2021.

Various services from the government agencies were offered to the public wherein 100 beneficiaries from the marginalized sector and distinct associations in Cabadbaran City and neighboring towns have availed the free services.

The DA - Caraga through the High-Value Crops Development Program and Organic program provided assorted vegetable seeds while the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section have prepared Information and Education Campaign (IEC) materials that were distributed to the public.

One of the recipients of the vegetable seeds was Betsy Tabayag, a member of NPKC or Nagkahiusang Pundok sa Kababayen-an sa Cabadbaran.

Tabayag said that they are grateful to DA-Caraga as the seeds and production guide brochures will help boost the implementation of their urban container gardening program.

“The seeds we received from the DA will be distributed also to other members in other barangay to augment their means of livelihood and for additional income for the family,” Tabayag said.

DA-Caraga Regional Technical Director for Operations Rebecca Reyes Atega said that the caravan is a timely activity to bring various government services directly to the public during this time of the pandemic.

Testimonials of beneficiaries on how agricultural projects and services made an impact on their lives were showcased during the event.  

Major accomplishments on food production support, infrastructure projects, technical and marketing support emphasizing the “Plant Plant Plant Program” were also shared to the public through an audiovisual presentation.

The Duterte Legacy campaign in the region will continue to bring free services of the government directly to the people and inform the public of the accomplishments and programs of the Duterte administration. (Jezreel Love Sudario, DA13-RAFIS, PIA Agusan del Norte)

 

Friday, October 01, 2021

TESDA showcases services during Duterte Legacy: Barangayanihan Caravan launching in Caraga

BUTUAN CITY – Services of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) were showcased during the launching of “The Duterte Legacy: Barangayanihan Caravan National Recovery” held on Thursday in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.

TESDA-Caraga Regional Director Tarhata S. Mapandi said to expand the agency’s reach to put an end to local communist armed conflict and attain peace and development in the country, TESDA Caraga has offered services through the trainings served, employment, and livelihood provisions most especially in the Priority Barangays Development Program (PBDP) of the region.

Through the Provincial Training Center of Agusan del Norte, the provision of skills trainings is offered to the target beneficiaries during the conduct of the Caravan as well as free face masks and baked buttered cookies. 

Further, TESDA has provided scholarship applications, skills demonstration, community-based and enterprise-based trainings, as well as distribution of toolkits and Training Support Fund (TSF) to the TESDA scholars.

“This is just one among the many sustainable government actions and solutions towards stamping poverty and solving local communist conflict and strengthen its reach through skills training provisions to indigent and the vulnerable members of society in close collaboration with our partner LGUs together with other national line member agencies,” Dir. Tarhata said.

Moreover, Dir. Mapandi assured that in as far as skills training is concerned, TESDA will continue to provide quality TVET through the delivery of relevant TESD programs and services not just in the mainstream but also to far-flung communities.

The caravan hopes to highlight the projects under the Duterte administration through the “whole-of-nation approach” where government agencies as well as volunteers from the private sectors collaborate and cooperate in showcasing the Duterte Legacy projects at the community or barangay.

It also aims to cascade to the barangays and citizens the projects, programs, and accomplishments of the present Administration and showcase how these services directly benefited the citizens. (Robert E. Roperos, TESDA Caraga/PIA Agusan del Norte) 

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Local exec: Root crops production booming in Barcelona, Sorsogon

MANILA – The local government of Barcelona town in Sorsogon Province has refocused its food security initiatives for its people by implementing root crops production since the onset of the pandemic last year.

In an interview with Presidential Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar on September 30, via Network Briefing News, Barcelona Mayor Cynthia Falcotelo-Fortes shared that aside from its dominant agricultural products, the town is also enjoying the booming outcome of root crops production.

“The Local Government Unit initiated root crops production. It was during the ECQ noong nabuo ang ideya na ito na magtanim ng root crops. [The Local Government Unit initiated root crops production. It was during the ECQ that this idea to plant root crops was born.],” Mayor Fortes said.

The idea of root crops production has also led to the establishment of an ECQ market for families in the town wherein they can buy food essentials and agricultural commodities by means of ECQ coupons issued by the LGU.

 According to Mayor Fortes, around 10 hectares in the town have been converted into areas for planting root crops to respond to the increasing demand for such products since the implementation of community quarantine last year.

“Ang ginawa po ng LGU ay cash for work scheme po ang ginamit dito initially, around 20,000 lang po ang apat na barangay at napapalago na po nila ito. [What the LGU did was to implement a cash for work scheme. Initially it was only around 20,000 in four barangays and this has grown already.],” she added.

‘Upskilling the People’

Aside from diversifying its agricultural programs, the local government initiated the production of soap made out of Cosmos flowers or also known as Barcelona blooms in the locality.

“Part of the LGU's mission is upskilling the people and building them up,” she pointed out, citing that the program is aligned in the upskilling product development under the vision of the Sangguniang Bayan.

So far, the program has also reached schools, particularly for parents and teachers in the communities wherein they also produce Cosmos soap that will be available in the local market, Mayor Fortes said.

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Duterte Legacy Barangayanihan Caravan portrays whole-of-nation approach in informing the public

MANILA – The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has partnered with the Department of Interior and Local Government to reach out and inform more Filipinos of the accomplishments of the Duterte administration.

In an interview on Thursday, Secretary Martin Andanar said that the PCOO has undertaken the on-the-ground operations for the Duterte Legacy communications campaign bridging the theme, “Barangayanihan Caravan Towards National Recovery.”

“Karung adlaw dunay tay Duterte Legacy Barangayanihan Caravan sa tibook nasud, simultaneous kini sa tibook barangay potraying our whole-of-nation approach to inform the people [Today, we launched the Duterte Legacy Barangayanihan Caravan  across the country. This is a simultaneous event which portrays our whole-of-nation approach to inform the people],” he said.

The PCOO, along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) spearheaded the simultaneous launch of the ‘Duterte Legacy: Barangayanihan Caravan Towards National Recovery’ in different regions throughout the country this Thursday morning.

Other government agencies also expressed their support for the said endeavor.

According to Secretary Andanar, the Barangayanihan Caravan is an offshoot of the said legacy communications campaign.

“It’s a very good program because we included all government agencies,” he said.

“Along the way, we discover new things and new ideas just like this one. It started with a meeting with the DILG, and they offered to have the caravan in barangays and have it named as the Barangayanihan Caravan,” he added.

The PCOO chief went on to highlight the accomplishments of the Duterte administration especially in its key pillars in law and order, anti-corruption drive and poverty alleviation.

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Mga residente nakinabang sa Duterte Legacy Campaign – Barangayanihan Caravan sa lungsod ng Cabadbaran sa Caraga region

Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano

 

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN -- Naging maayos at payapa ang isinagawang paglulunsad ng Duterte Legacy Campaign – Barangayanihan Caravan sa lungsod ng Cabadbaran kung saan nakinabang ang mga Agusanons mula sa mga barangay at kalapit na lugar.

 

Layon ng Duterte Legacy Campaign na maibahagi ang mga programa at serbisyo sa mga mamamayan lalo na sa mga malalayong barangay. Magpapatuloy ito hanggang matapos ang termino ni Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte at kanyang administrasyon.

 

Kabilang sa alok nitong tulong ay ang scholarship program, skills at livelihood trainings ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), legal services ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), technical consultations at mga binhi mula sa Department of Agriculture (DA) at Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); face masks at information, education and communication (IEC) materials mula Department of Health (DOH); at referrals para sa benepisyo ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 

 

Si Mark Lapinosa, 33 taong gulang na may karanasan sa masonry at mula pa sa kalapit bayan ay maagang pumila para sa serbisyong hatid ng TESDA.

 

“Malaking tulong ito sa amin lalo na sa mga katulad kong nawalan ng trabaho dahil sa pandemya. Nais ko sanang mas mahasa pa ang aking kaalaman at karanasan sa masonry sa tulong ng TESDA para makapag-abroad at doon magtrabaho,” ani ni Lapinosa.

 

Ayon kay Agusan del Norte Gobernador Dale Corvera, labis ang malasakit ng administrasyong Duterte sa mga Pilipino. Dagdag niya, ang administrasyon mgayon ay tunay na matatag at may paninindigan.

 

“Sa ilang taon ng ating paninilbihan, ngayon lang tayo nagkaroon ng presidenteng may tunay na malasakit at paninindigan. Tuloy-tuloy ang ating mga programa at serbisyo para sa mga Agusanons. Tulungan natin ang ating administrasyon na masolusyonan ang mga hamon na kinakaharap ng ating bansa,” banggit ni Corvera.

 

Sa kanyang mensahe, binigyang-diin din ni Secretary Martin Andanar ng Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) na ang mga legasiyang ito ng administrasyong Duterte ay dapat na mapakinabangan ng sambayanang Pilipino. 

 

Samantala, sinabi naman ni Cabinet Secretary at Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) Caraga Karlo Nograles, na sa kabila ng pandemya, dama pa rin ng mga Pilipino ang malasakit at pagsisikap ng gobyerno na maibigay sa kanila ang mga kinakailangang serbisyo. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Caraganons get benefits, services in time with regional launch of Duterte Legacy Campaign

BUTUAN CITY – The residents of Cabadbaran City and nearby municipalities have availed of the different programs and services of the government agencies in Caraga region, in time with the regional launch of the Duterte Legacy Campaign: Barangayanihan Caravan Towards National Recovery.

 

This campaign aims to cascade to the netizens the projects, programs, and accomplishments of the Duterte Administration, and how it directly benefited the citizens. It is not limited to information campaign but through the conduct of 'Serbisyo Caravan' and outreach activities until the last day of the administration.

 

Part of the services provided included the scholarship program, skills and livelihood trainings from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), legal services from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), technical consultations and seedlings from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), face masks and information, education and communication (IEC) materials from the Department of Health (DOH), and referrals for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) benefits.

 

Mark Lapinosa, 33 years old, who lives in the nearby municipality, came early to avail the skills training from TESDA. He lost his job in a construction company during the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.   

 

“This would be of great help especially to people like us who had been unemployed since the onset of the pandemic. I wanted to enhance my skills in masonry and get my national certificate II from TESDA, so I could use it as I look for a new job abroad,” said Lapinosa.

 

Agusan del Norte Governor Dale Corvera stressed that the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has been firm in all its policies and directives, and commended the president for being a strong-willed leader.

 

“It is only during this administration that we all experience this kind of leadership. Our president is a strong-willed leader and has been doing a lot of great things for the Filipino people,” Corvera cited. 

 

In his recorded speech, Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) emphasized that Filipinos should continue to avail the legacies of the Duterte administration until the remaining months of the president’s term.

 

Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) Caraga Karlo Nograles also highlighted that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the government never fails to let the Filipino people feel their concern over their welfare and even continued to provide the necessary programs and services to the public despite restrictions. 

 

From an information campaign, the Duterte Legacy includes ground activities involving the different government agencies and with the support of civilian volunteers to embody the whole-of-nation approach through good governance and efficient delivery of basic services. The enhanced Duterte Legacy Campaign showcases the success of the different government agencies following the implementation of new policies, projects, and programs that provided better services to the people and reach far-flung areas and the poorest of the poor. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Thursday, September 30, 2021

PMO Surigao joins 2021 National Coastal Cleanup Day

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte -- Volunteers from the Philippine Ports Authority – Port Management Office of Surigao (PPA-PMO Surigao) joined efforts over the weekend to clean coastal and residential communities in the city and at various ports under PMO Surigao as part of this year’s National Coastal Cleanup Day.

Cleanup teams made of personnel from the PMO’s Terminal Management Offices as well as porters, dockworkers and other members of the port community, sought to remove solid waste and debris from the coastal areas of Purok Perlas, Barangay Taft in Surigao City and the PMO’s terminal ports.

Various debris and rubbish were collected in cleanup activities done in accordance with the health and safety protocols established by the IATF-EID amidst the danger still posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

PMO Surigao Acting Port Manager Froilan Caturla said that the coastal cleanup is a timely initiative to engage people to remove trash and debris from shorelines or harbor bays and waterways, to identify the sources of the litter, and to change the behaviors that cause pollution.

“Activities like this help raise public awareness about inappropriate waste management practices and convince many agencies, organizations and communities to become better stewards of our environment,” Caturla added.

With the theme, “Seafarers: at the Core of Shipping Future,” the 2021 National Coastal Clean-up Day is hosted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).  (FJG Buhisan, PMO-PPA Surigao/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Thursday, September 30, 2021

DA rolls out EOM forms in Dinagat Islands 

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands -- To continuously monitor its proponent groups (PG), the Department of Agriculture (DA) - Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) rolled out the Enterprise Operations Monitoring (EOM) forms in the province of Dinagat Islands on September 15-17, 2021.

 

The EOM tool will capture data from each member and non-member who have transactions with PRDP’s PG. Likewise, it gathers enterprise information such as, planning and implementation, practices, processes, and procedures that were used in the project implementation, deployment, and execution of business plans, strategies, and all associated activities.

 

Furthermore, the tool will serve as an immediate reference for the implementing team on the progress and operationalization of the PRDP supported enterprises.

 

EOM data will be a feedbacking mechanism to the PRDP management team whether the desired outcomes and the overall development objectives of the projects are likely or unlikely achieved given the situations and lessons. As the enterprise progresses the management may use the data collected as a basis to introduce innovations to make the subprojects more sustainable.

 

On the other hand, PGs can use the device to monitor the enterprise’s day-to-day transactions. PGs can generate documents, such as income statements, sales reports, inventories of assets and products, buyers’ directories, members' profiles, and many more. EOM can also be a reference in decision-making for the operations of the enterprise.

 

Included in the data capture form rollout were the New Mabuhay Seaweed Farmers and Fisherfolks Association, General Aguinaldo Farmers Association, and A&M Multi-purpose Cooperative.

 

Proponent groups will be responsible for data gathering on quantitative and qualitative information. The recording involves documenting the accomplished activities then uploading data to the system. 

 

Data gathered will then be developed into a Web-Based Information System to ease the data navigation of the implementing team. (Zenny G. Awing/DA-PRPD13/PIA-Dinagat Islands)

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Hunger czar encourages public-private partnership to achieve zero hunger 

BUTUAN CITY -- “The hunger situation, not only in Caraga Region, has been directly impacted by the pandemic. This is why the public and private partnership for addressing hunger must be expanded and sustained.” 

These were the words of hunger czar and cabinet secretary Karlo Nograles during his keynote speech for the regional launch of the Duterte Legacy Campaign - Barangayanihan Caravan held Thursday, September 30, in Cabadbaran City. 

Much like in many of their initiatives, the government sees the importance of employing a whole-of-nation approach in combating hunger incidents in the country and ultimately, achieving zero hunger. 

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger (IATF-ZH), created by virtue of Executive Order No. 101 (series of 2020), is mandated to coordinate and rationalize the efforts of concerned government agencies and instrumentalities to ensure a whole-of-government approach to attaining zero hunger. 

The task force chair proudly announced the latest initiative under its partnership with the private sector which is the launching of the Scale-Up Nutrition (SUN) Business Network (SBN) in the region which also coincided with the caravan. 

According to the National Nutrition Council (NNC), the SBN will serve as the platform for business and nutrition cooperation, with the aim to reduce all forms of malnutrition among the nutritionally vulnerable as provided in the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition, 2017-2022.

“This indeed is a major response of the private sector and  civil society organizations to our call for a whole-of-society approach in addressing hunger not only in Caraga but in the country,” he said. 

With the government’s gains in addressing hunger and food security, CabSec. Nograles emphasized the importance of enjoining the private sector especially in putting an end to a problem that has placed public health and millions of Filipino children at risk. 

“There are many the private sector is willing to help but we in government must spell out where and how. The expertise they have as well as the resources can be better harnessed with the government as partners,” he said. 

Crushing hunger amid a pandemic 

In Caraga Region, various agencies involved in addressing hunger and food security have achieved significant accomplishments in line with the National Food Policy (NFP), which outlines the government’s priorities based on a comprehensive understanding of the problem of hunger and related issues, and provides a roadmap for achieving zero hunger. 

CabSec. Nograles reported that in 2020, 24 farmers' organizations under the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) have participated in the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Program in Caraga and reported the highest in sales among regions in the country, gaining a staggering PhP 81,487,872.51. 

“These farmers' organizations are now catering to different institutional buyers such as the LGUs, jails, DSWD Supplementary Feeding Programs, hospitals in both public and private hospitals, among others,” the hunger czar said. 

The cabinet secretary also disclosed that the region holds one of the largest production areas of Adlai in the country, a crop explored as an alternative to white rice that is easy to produce, easy to plant, sturdy, and very resistant to pests. 

In terms of ensuring food accessibility, the hunger czar reported DTI-Caraga has already established 169 Shared Service Facilities projects, 71 of which were already fully turned over to cooperators. 

The Shared Service Facilities Program aimed to improve micro, small, and medium enterprises’ (MSMEs') competitiveness by providing machinery, equipment, tools, systems, accessories, and other auxiliary items, skills, and knowledge under a shared system. 

Advocacy-related activities and provision of training and capacity building for local government units are also continuously implemented through the nutrition offices even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The members of the IATF-ZH also released program guidelines to implement key nutrition programs during this pandemic, specifically the DSWD Supplementary Feeding Program and DepEd School-Based Feeding Program.

Meanwhile, to ensure sustainable food systems, resiliency, and food stability for emergencies, DSWD-Caraga has consistently been part of the augmentation and prepositioning of goods support to the local government units through its General Food Distribution and Distribution during Calamities programs. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)

Thursday, September 30, 2021

PNP anti-crime ops net 422 MWPs in Caraga

BUTUAN CITY -- At least 422 Most Wanted Persons (MWPs) in Caraga Region were nabbed during the regular conduct of the Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO). 

Cabinet secretary and the regional Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) Karlo Nograles said Thursday, September 30, during the Duterte Legacy Campaign - Barangayanihan Caravan held in Cabadbaran City, that at least 422 MWPs were nabbed during the regular implementation of the one-day SACLEO in Caraga Region. 

This also led to the arrest of 1,395 suspects, of which 144 are members of renowned communist-terrorist groups (CTGs) and 829 Other Wanted Persons and confiscation and/or turn-over of 601 assorted firearms and 157 explosives and other explosive components. 

The CORDS also reported that Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Groups, which support the government’s ongoing campaign against communist insurgency and extremist terrorism, has now amassed a membership of 334,855 individuals, including the youth. 

These groups include the Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) to empower the youth with knowledge on the ill-effects of illegal drugs and the deceitful tactics of the CTGs; the Joint Industrial Peace Concerns Office (JIPCO) which serves as the first line of defense from radical labor infiltration in the labor force and industrial zones; the force multipliers who are volunteers that provide the PNP with information or beef up the number of policemen out on patrol; and the barangay-based organizations comprised of the Barangay Development Councils, Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils, Barangay Peace and Order Committees and other barangay organizations. 

“With the whole-of-nation approach being championed during the Duterte administration, the government has created ways for the community to be more involved in sustaining peace and order, hence the creation of these advocacy groups and force multipliers,” he added. 

Despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Philippine National Police (PNP)-Caraga was able to conduct 19,792 Barangayanihan activities regionwide. The Barangayanihan is the government’s initiative to bridge the country’s police forces and the community. 

“These efforts, coupled with the strategic deployment of PNP personnel across the region, resulted in the decline of crime incidents which created drastic improvements in peace and order in Caraga,” CabSec. Nograles said. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga) 

 

Thursday, September 30, 2021

94 more villages in Caraga to receive aid under RCSP 

BUTUAN CITY -- Ninety-four (94) more barangays in Caraga Region will now be included in the implementation of the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP), Cabinet Secretary and the region’s Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) Karlo Nograles said Thursday, September 30. 

In his keynote speech during the regional launching of the Duterte Legacy Campaign - Barangayanihan Caravan held in Cabadbaran City, CabSec. Nograles said an addition of 94  conflict-affected and geographically-isolated barangays will now be included in the implementation of the RCSP in 2022. 

“Our endeavor to address local communist armed conflict in the region in order to improve the lives of all Caraganons, especially those threatened by the Communist Terrorist Groups, will not stop amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the regional CORDS said. 

The newly added barangays will undergo the same RCSP activities that the initial RCSP priority barangays underwent which include conduct of Serbisyo Caravans, convergence meetings, workshops on crafting/enhancing their BDPs, and capacity development activities for the Barangay Based Institutions, among others. 

Meanwhile, CabSec. Nograles is ‘happy’ to report that all local chief executives of barangays who are part of the Barangay Development Program (BDP) beneficiaries have expressed support and recognition of the accomplishments of the BDP in uplifting their communities’ living conditions and in improving their areas. 

As of September 2021, of the 357 Barangay Development Projects (BDP) of the initial list of 191 priority barangays, 133 projects or 37.25% have been approved and are ready for procurement preparation; 185 projects or 51.82% are now under the procurement process which includes posting, pre-bid conferences, and opening of bids.The construction of 39 projects is now ongoing, the CORDS reported. 

He also noted that a series of peace dialogues and service caravans were also conducted in far-flung communities and interventions to address the socio-economic condition in these geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas were also continued which have provided holistic opportunities for residents of these areas. 

For this, he cites the successful law enforcement operations and the collaborative efforts of all the Caraga Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) members and the joint mechanism of the Regional Development Council and Regional Peace and Order Council, which yielded encouraging improvements with a dramatic increase of rebel surrenderees resulting to a reduction of insurgency-related crimes in the region.

“The issue of insurgency has been one of the stumbling blocks for attaining sustainable peace and development in Caraga. [But] with all the accomplishments gained two years since its creation, the Task Force is well prepared to sustain the momentum. And soon enough, we will finally attain lasting peace and prosperity in the region,” the cabinet secretary said. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)

 

 

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

DICT launches NBP resiliency route

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) launched the National Broadband Program's (NBP's) Resiliency Route with a simultaneous lighting-up activity in the three major metropolitan centers of the country – Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao.

DICT Secretary Gregorio “Gringo” B. Honasan II, Undersecretary Emmanuel Rey R. Caintic, together with the NBP team, led the ceremonial activation of the event. Moreover, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte gave his message in support of the event.

The Resiliency Route is a supplemental infrastructure connecting the NBP network to Singapore. It will serve as a backup or redundancy connection to ensure connectivity for the NBP in case issues are encountered in the submarine cables connected to the US.

This is expected to provide immediate benefits to government offices and facilities in the country’s three metropolitan centers.

Other officials present to show support in the event were DICT Usec. Arnold “Ali” Atienza, OIC Assistant Secretary Adrian Jude “Randy” G. Echaus, Director Emmy Lou V. Delfin, Director Arnold De Castro, Visayas Cluster 2 Regional Director Frederick DC. Amores, Mindanao Cluster 3 Regional Director Alimbzar Asum. (DICT Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

 

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Extension sa ASTMMC COVID-19 ward, nag-operate na

Ni: John Cuadrasal

DAKBAYAN SA TANDAG, Surigao del Sur -- Gibutyag ni Recklyn Ruaza, Information Officer sa Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center (ASTMMC) dinhi sa dakbayan, nga nag-operate na og sugod sa niaging semana ang extension sa COVID-19 ward sa ospital, kung diin anaay dugang nga mga higdaan alang sa mga pasyente kalabot sa maong sakit.

Sumala ni Ruaza, sa pagkakarun, anaa nay 30-bed capacity ang COVID Ward nila kung diin ang 10 ka higdaan niini alang sa mga anaa sa “holding.”

Matud niya, ang maong extension anaa sa 2nd floor sa main building sa ospital nga kanhi lugar sa usa ka regular ward nga gitransfer na karun.

Sumala pa ni Ruaza, gilihok nila karun ang pagdugang utro ug higdaan sa COVID-CCU apan gihanapan pa nila kini ug lugar. (DXJS-RP-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)