Thursday, January 27, 2022

DBP signs financing pact with key shelter agency 

BUTUAN CITY -- State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) – a key shelter agency, to provide financing to qualified housing contractors and developers in order to expedite completion of socialized housing projects, a top official said. 

DBP president and chief executive officer Emmanuel G. Herbosa said the DBP Credit Facility for SHFC Contractors and Developers will provide short-term loans to SHFC-accredited contractors and developers and advance payment for housing projects approved by SHFC for community associations participating under its Community Mortgage Program (CMP).   

“DBP sees this partnership with SHFC as a good opportunity to better carry-out our shared goal of increasing the country’s shelter production, especially for those who belong in the low-income bracket,” Herbosa said.  

DBP is the fifth largest bank in the country in terms of assets and provides credit support to four strategic sectors of the economy – infrastructure and logistics; micro, small and medium enterprises; environment; social services and community development. The bank’s support to the country’s housing agenda is an integral part of the DBP’s inclusive growth priorities and business thrusts. 

SHFC is an attached agency of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development that takes the lead in the government’s social housing programs.  It administers the CMP and the Abot Kaya Pabahay Fund Program which cater mainly to the formal and informal sectors in the low-income bracket. 

Herbosa said that DBP has an existing P115-million loan accommodation to an SHFC contractor for the construction of 223 houses for members of the Muslim-Christian Women Homeowners Association in Cagayan de Oro City who have been rendered homeless by typhoon Sendong, displaced during the Marawi siege, and are residing along riverbanks and danger zones in the city.  

He said that the Credit Facility for SHFC Contractors and Developers is a sub-component of the DBP flagship program on the housing sector, the Building Affordable Homes Accessible to Every Filipino (BAHAY) program, which covers the end-to-end process of housing development from land acquisition to site development and shelter construction.  

“DBP will continue to align its programs for the upliftment of the living conditions of underprivileged communities by providing viable financing to key players in the shelter sector to help address the country’s housing backlog,” Herbosa said. 

Interested borrowers who wish to avail of the DBP Credit Facility for SHFC Contractors and Developers should be duly-licensed by the PCAB or the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board and should secure endorsement from the SHFC, which shall conduct both project accreditation and technical evaluation.  (DBP/PIA-Caraga)

 

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Caraga cops honor SAF 44

BUTUAN CITY -- The Police Regional Office 13 joins the entire nation in remembering the heroism of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members in a simple ceremony on Tuesday, January 25, held at Camp Col. Rafael Rodriguez in Butuan City. 

PBGen. Ronaldo Olay, Acting Director for Logistics of the Philippine National Police (PNP), graced the occasion and served as the guest of honor and speaker.

The activity started with a mass at around 7:00am followed by a wreath laying ceremony and a commemoration program at the PRO 13 Law Enforcement Memorial. 

PBGen. Olay relayed the message from PNP chief Police General Dionardo B. Carlos, who says that this commemoration should be taken as an opportunity to reflect on the 44 SAF troopers' unselfish deeds for our country and that the country owes their families a debt of gratitude that cannot be repaid.

PRO 13 regional director PBGen. Romeo Caramat, Jr. said that through the celebration of the National Day of Remembrance, the Filipino people, particularly in Caraga region, will be able to continue to honor the lives and heroism of the fallen troopers. 

"[These] 44 members of the police force made the supreme sacrifice in order to fulfill their duty to serve and protect,” he said. 

BGen. Caramat also said the exceptional brand of gallantry and love of country that these policemen showed in Mamasapano should be engraved in the minds of Filipinos not just today but also in the future.

The National Day of Remembrance shall be observed as a working holiday to let the country commemorate the heroism shown by the 44 fallen members of the police force who died seven years ago in a botched counterterrorism operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Under the measure, all public institutions and military installations are mandated to lower the Philippine flags to half-mast every National Day of Remembrance. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

 

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Address challenges in PH FinTech industry to sustain growth, PIDS study says

BUTUAN CITY -- The Philippines has a “strong” financial technology (FinTech) industry, as indicated by the increasing number of FinTechs in the country. However, challenges affecting the industry need to be addressed to sustain its growth.

This was according to a recent study of state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) authored by PIDS Senior Research Fellow Francis Mark A. Quimba, PIDS Supervising Research Specialist Mark Anthony A. Barral, and PIDS Project Evaluation Officer Jean Clarisse T. Carlos. The study looked into the country’s FinTech industry landscape and explored possible ways to further develop its ecosystem.

The Financial Sector Forum defines FinTech as “any software, service, or business that provides technologically-advanced ways to make financial processes and transactions more efficient than traditional methods”.

According to the authors, the country’s FinTech industry is “very promising” given that the Philippines has been identified as one of the fastest-growing FinTech destinations, based on the Global Fintech Index 2020.

“[The report] identified the Philippines and Vietnam as among the countries to watch out for because of their rapidly increasing FinTech scores. Findexable also found the Philippines excelling in the following FinTech categories: payments, enabling processes and technology, and banking and lending,” the authors explained.

In addition, the study estimated the growth of digital payments in the Philippines at 27 to 30%, compared to 25% in emerging Asian neighbors. In 2021, Findexable listed 183 FinTechs in the country, most of which are in the National Capital Region, while the remaining ones are in Cebu.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed to the growth in demand for FinTech, as demonstrated by the increased use of digital payment platforms.

“The [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas] reports that the number of transactions using the PESONet and Instapay has continued to rise and even grew during the pandemic. The value of the transactions [has] consequently risen during this time as well,” the study said.

Despite the industry’s growth, the authors noted that the FinTech ecosystem “needs to be strengthened for the sector to flourish”.

Among the weaknesses they identified include issues arising from access points and the distrust from using technologies. Poor connectivity and the high cost of the internet in the country also affect the industry’s growth.

Another significant weakness the authors noted is the “existence of archaic policies imposed on the new sector”.

As a way forward, the authors underscored the need for a FinTech policy that would define and monitor the sector's progress. They pointed out that “the lack of statistics on the sector prevents a thorough assessment of its progress”.

To further support the industry, the study emphasized the importance of supporting venture capitalists, which are an important source of funding for FinTechs.  

It also highlighted the role of the academe in developing the FinTech industry and urged the government to update the current curriculum of FinTech-related disciplines “to better prepare graduates and make them more competent, particularly those considering careers in FinTech”.

The authors also called on the government to empower Filipinos across all socioeconomic strata in using FinTech services. (PIDS/PIA-Caraga)

 

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

DOTr lauded for its pandemic efforts

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte praised the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for its contributions to the country’s ongoing efforts to help contain COVID-19 particularly with the emergence of a more transmissible Omicron variant.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañan Palace on January 24, 2022. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

During President Duterte’s regular Talk to the People on Monday, he said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and his department did a good job addressing the concerns posed by coronavirus to the department and commuters.

“I am sure that the response of Tugade and his men there did everything they [could] to help,” President Duterte said.

Tugade said during the meeting with the President that the DOTr is working to put up on-site vaccination facilities in public transportation places such as ports, bus stations, airports, and MRT/LRT stations to immunize unvaccinated commuters.

The department has also started its mobile vaccination drive at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) aimed at vaccinating 500 people every day.

“The vaccination facility that we will put up in all the sectors of the Kagawaran will be in accordance with the details, policies and requirements of DOH,” Tugade said.

At the same time, the transport chief reported that 136 Tausugs who were stranded at Manila North Harbor have been taken care of and allowed to board a vessel for their travel to Zamboanga and other destinations. 

The stranded passengers were given the permission to leave after they presented negative antigen results and their respective local government units (LGUs) gave the nod for their entry.

Another group of passengers, composed of 140 individuals, were also permitted to travel to Zamboanga, Bacolod City and Dumaguete City, Tugade said, adding the processing of the stranded passengers was done through the coordination between different government agencies.

“Ito ho ay nangyari sa pagtutulungan ng mga ibang ahensiya at departamento ng ating pamahalaan. Kaya nga ba’t nagpapasalamat ako sa DSWD na kung saan kasama ang PPA, kasama ‘yung DOH, kasama ‘yung DILG ay sila’y nagkapit-bisig upang matugunan itong problemang ito,” he said.

“Ang DSWD po ay nagbigay ng ayuda, P5,000 bawat tao na involved diyan. Iyong DOH ho nakipagtulungan nang sa ganoon magawa ‘yung tinatawag natin na antigen testing. Iyong DILG ay tumulong sa amin upang makipag-usap sa mga local government.”   PND

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Vaccine czar: Gov’t to roll out vaccination for minors aged 5 to 11 years next month

The government will begin administering COVID-19 jabs to children aged five to 11 years next month as the country intensifies its fight against the coronavirus particularly after the emergence of the more contagious Omicron variant, the country’s vaccine czar said Monday.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his Talk to the People at the Malacañan on January 24, 2022. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

In his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during a meeting on government’s COVID-19 interventions, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said pediatric vaccination could start on February 4 as the government expects the delivery of vaccines for minors next week.

A memorandum guidance will be issued this week and town hall meetings, as well as series of trainings will also be conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) in preparation for immunizing minors five to 11 years old, according to Galvez.

“Mr. President, prepared na po tayo sa vaccination ng five to 11 years old. Last January ay nagkaroon po tayo ng live orientation ng pagbabakuna ang US Embassy ng mga bata sa ganitong edad,” he said, adding similar orientations will be held in other regions.

Galvez assured that the pediatric vaccination is “very safe,” noting that a lower dosage will be given to children.

“Makaka-assure po tayo sa ating mga magulang na very safe ang ating gagamitin na bakuna dahil ito ay mas mababa ang formulation na angkop para sa mga bata. Kaya kung makikita po natin sa vials may color coding, ‘yung orange at saka po ‘yung purple. Iyong orange po para po sa five to 11 years old,” he said.

The first leg of pediatric vaccination, which was for children aged 12 to 17, has also made the country more prepared and more experienced in handling vaccine rollout for minors, Galvez noted.

Capacity building of vaccination teams, vaccination site preparation, and vaccine site inspections also form part of the country’s preparation for the pediatric vaccine rollout, he said.

To expedite the vaccination of minors, the vaccine czar said two vaccination sites will be opened immediately in Metro Manila and gradually expand throughout the country by opening both hospital and non-hospital vaccination sites in different regions.

The Philippines aims to inoculate around 39 million minors aged zero to 17 years, he said.

Galvez, who is also the National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer, said pediatric vaccination is part of the Duterte administration’s strategy to acquire a “wall of protection” against the deadly coronavirus disease that will ensure population immunity against any COVID-19 strain or mutation. Other strategies include the booster shot program and vaccine rollout in pharmacies, he said. 

The administration of boosters, which has a three-month interval between doses, will prevent the vaccine’s efficacy from waning, while vaccine rollout in pharmacies and clinics will expand the vaccination even in far-flung locations where pharmacists will be authorized to administer the jabs for walk-in vaccination, he explained.

Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, who was present during the meeting, wants the government to incentivize pharmacies and clinics participating in the vaccination drive to entice more establishments to join. Senator Go is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health.

As of January 24, at least 59.7 million Filipinos or 76.2 percent of the target population have received the first dose of COVID-19 jab, while 57.2 million individuals or 73.33 percent of the target population are fully vaccinated.

On the other hand, 8.72 percent of the target population have received booster shots. PND

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

P80-K shabu seized in Butuan during drug bust

BUTUAN CITY -- A high-value drug personality was arrested in Brgy. Baan Km. 3, Butuan City in the evening of January 20, 2022 during the conduct of joint anti-drug operation by the elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga and Butuan City Police Station-1. More or less PhPP80,000 estimated worth of shabu was seized from Orlando V. Pacaña Jr. alias 'JunPacs' after several weeks of monitoring and surveillance.

The black motorcycle and the cellular phone used in his illegal drug transactions were seized by the anti-drug operatives while the arrested high-value drug suspect is now temporarily detained at PDEA Caraga Custodial Facility for proper disposition.

Criminal charges for violation of the Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” are now being prepared for filing before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Butuan against the suspect. (PDEA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

 

Monday, January 24, 2022

Pagbabakuna kontra COVID-19 sa Surigao Sur, higit pang pinaigting matapos itaas sa 100% ang target population

LUNGSOD NG TANDAG, Surigao del Sur - Dahil nasa 200,000 indibiduwal pa ang hinahabol ng Department of Health (DOH) sa Surigao del Sur para mabakunahan matapos makuha ang inaasintang herd immunity, doble-kayod ngayon ang isinasagawang turukan kontra COVID-19 hindi lang sa primary series kundi pati na rin sa booster shots.

Ayon kay Dr. Glynna Andoy, hepe ng Provincial Health Team (PHT) Office ng DOH, nakuha na ng probinsya ang katumbas ng 70% sa kabuuang populasyon subalit kinakailangan pang bakunahan ang 200,000 na mga eligible na residente alinsunod sa bagong kautusan ng DOH na itaas sa 100% ang target population. 

Kasabay ng patiyak na sagana ang supply ng bakuna, paulit-ulit din ang panawagan ni Dr. Andoy sa publiko na tangkilikin ang hakbang bukod sa laging tumalima sa minimum health protocols. (Greg Tataro, Jr., DXJS RP-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Monday, January 24, 2022

Gender-based violence sa mga evacuation centers, tinutukan ng IDP Protection Cluster

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN -- Kahit abala ang iba't-ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan sa kanilang relief operations sa Caraga region, tinututukan pa rin ng Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Protection Cluster ang mga posibleng kaso ng gender-based violence (GBV) sa mga apektado ng bagyong Odette.

Ayon kay Jessie Catherine Aranas, hepe ng Protective Services Division ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga at focal person ng Regional Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking – Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-VAWC), ang GBV ay posibleng nangyayari sa mga evacuation centers lalo na at siksikan ang mga residenteng pansamantalang naninirahan dito.

“Ang gender-based violence ay tumutukoy sa ano mang gawaing direktang nakapagdudulot ng kapahamakan sa indibidwal ano man ang kanyang kasarian. Ibig sabihin, hindi lang ito usapin ng mga babaeng inaabuso or ini-exploit kung hindi lahat po ng tao pwedeng maging biktima ng gender-based violence,” ani ni Aranas. 

Ang GBV ay nangyayari sa paraang pisikal, sexual, psychological at iba pa. “Kadalasan, ‘yung mga kaso nga natin nabibiktima pa sila sa sarili nilang bahay, mas lalo na sa evacuation centers kung saan iba-iba at hindi mo alam kung sino ang mga kasama mo,” dagdag niya.

Binigyang-diin din ni Aranas ang mahalagang papel ng lokal na pamahalaan sa pagmomonitor at pagpapatupad ng kanilang referral system, at bilang mga first-hand responders sa mga biktima.

Ilang kaso na sa Surigao del Norte ang isinampa laban sa mga perpetrators.

Nanawagan din si Aranas sa mga biktima o sa mga may alam ng pang-aabuso na agad ipaalam sa otoridad o kaya ay itawag sa kanilang hotline.

“Mayroon po tayong psychological first aid o mga counselling session bilang intervention natin sa mga biktima. May temporary shelter din tayo para sa kanila. Kabilang din dito ang medical, educational, financial at livelihood assistance,” banggit ni Aranas. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

 

Monday, January 24, 2022

Surigao City barangay chair arrested for shabu

BUTUAN CITY -- An incumbent barangay chairman was arrested in Surigao City for selling shabu to an undercover agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga on January 18, 2022 at Brgy. Togbongon during the conduct of joint anti-drug operation together with the local Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel.

The arrested high-value suspect was identified as Luther Bugas Elumba, Brgy. Togbongon's incumbent barangay chairperson, who was a subject of monitoring and surveillance prior to his arrest.

The joint elements of PDEA Caraga, Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office - Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (SDN PPO-PDEU), and local PNP operatives were able to confiscate from the suspect more or less PhP45,000 worth of shabu and an unlicensed .9mm caliber pistol with 10 live ammunition and a magazine.

The arrested barangay official will face charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” and the RA 10591 or the "Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act”. (PDEA-Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

 

Monday, January 24, 2022

Drug sting nets 2 high-value suspects in Surigao Norte

BUTUAN CITY -- Joint elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga, Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (SDN PPO), and Tubod Municipal Police Station successfully apprehended two high-value drug personalities in Brgy. San Pablo, Tubod, Surigao del Norte during a buy-bust operation which resulted in the confiscation of more or less PhP65,000 worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as 'shabu'. The suspects were identified as Faith Jorney Jamorol Dela Cruz and Aviron Jamorol Gacos, both residents of said barangay.

The buy-bust money consisting of one genuine PhP1,000 bill and 34 PhP1,000 bill boodle money were recovered in the possession of the suspects. The operatives also seized the cellular phones of the suspects which were used in their illegal drug transactions.

Violations of RA 9165 or the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002" are now being readied for filing before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Surigao del Norte while the suspects are temporarily detained at PDEA Caraga Custodial Facility for proper disposition. (PDEA-Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

 

Monday, January 24, 2022

Philippine Army’s mobile kitchen deployed Odette-affected families in Surigao City

 

BUTUAN CITY -- The 901st Infantry Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, with the 4th Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Battalion, and 10th Forward Service Support Unit (FSSU) deployed the Philippine Army's Mobile Kitchen at Barangay Lipata, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte on January 20, 2022.

In a Facebook post made by the 4th CMO Battalion, the mobile kitchen served around two hundred food packs with bottled water. 

 

"As the affected families begin the reconstruction of their damaged houses, interventions to alleviate their plight are very important, as such, the Philippine Army utilized its mobile kitchen to help residents through the provision of free meals," they said in their post.

 

The success of the activity was made possible through a collaboration with the local government unit of Surigao City, the Propelling Our Inherited Nation Through Our Youth (POINTY) Inc., Project Binuligay of Bukidnon, 10th Forward Service Support Unit (FSSU) under Ltc. Vladimir DC Sta. Maria, the 42nd CMO Company troopers led by 1Lt. Alvin Jay Carulasan, currently under operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade. 

 

"We continue to support and participate in activities for the benefit of our countrymen. The dedication and sincerity displayed by our soldiers contributed much for the upliftment of the condition of our fellow Caraganons affected by the onslaught of Super Typhoon ODETTE," their post read. (4^th CMO Battalion, 4ID, PA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

 

Monday, January 24, 2022

DTI Caraga vows to assist Odette-hit town in Surigao Norte

SAN FRANCISCO, Surigao del Norte – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga, through Regional Director Gay Tidalgo, expressed its commitment to assist micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that have been heavily affected by Typhoon Odette in this municipality.

After its landfall in the province on December 16, 2021, Odette swiped off establishments, affecting 285 businesses in the municipality.

“We are truly disheartened with what has happened and we cannot imagine how you manage to live by this reality that Odette has left,” said Tidalgo during the municipality’s Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan (RRP) Conference that was attended by 45 potential funding agencies last January 19.

Tidalgo assured that these MSMEs will be assisted through the Department’s livelihood seeding programs that will provide starter kits to “help MSMEs recover from their loss.”

“We have so far profiled 200 MSMEs in San Francisco that will soon be provided with livelihood kits amounting to P8,000 each and we promise to soon profile the remaining 85 so that they may be assisted too,” RD Tidalgo said.

Tidalgo also added that a special no-interest loan window under the Department’s financing arm Small Business Corporation (SB Corp), will soon be opened to cater to the MSMEs and other agricultural and tourism-based businesses.

To help in rebuilding the residents houses, DTI Caraga will also soon launch a Diskwento Caravan that will sell construction materials at a cheaper price.

 

“We would want to commend the municipality of San Francisco for being the first municipality in the region to come up with this very comprehensive Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan after typhoon Odette hit,” Tidalgo said, adding that the plan will help the municipality rise again as it taps on the programs of different government agencies.

Said RRP aimed to address the social economic impacts of the typhoon especially on agriculture, livestock and poultry, fisheries, trade and commerce, association and cooperatives, tourism, and price control.

“It is my strong desire to immediately restore the situation of the municipality back to its normal situation because watching the sufferings and hardships of my constituents every day is a burden in my heart; I am thankful to all of our national government agencies who expressed their commitment to realize the indicative projects of this plan,” said Municipal Mayor Val Pinat.

Pinat added that as of press time, 4,019 families in the municipality have lost their homes and properties, and are still sheltered in the evacuation centers, relying mainly on food ration.

“Thousands of individuals in the municipality are jobless and have lost their main economic source of income. This is the reason why we crafted a systematic, organized, and proactive RRP that will primarily outline the rebuilding of homes and communities and reviving the livelihood of the people,” Pinat said.

Aside from DTI, agencies that also expressed their commitments during the conference include the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), among others. (Mike Ariel P. Plaza, DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)