Thursday, February 03, 2022

120 estudyante nag-qualify sa PISAY Caraga para sa SY 2022-2023

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN -- Umabot sa 120 ang naging qualifiers para sa incoming Grade 7 scholars ng Philippine Science High School sa Caraga Regional Campus o PISAY Caraga para sa SY 2022-2023. 

Ang nasabing mga qualifiers ay kabilang sa mahigit 1,000 estudyanteng sumubok sa entrance examination at umasang maging scholar ng PISAY.

Ayon kay Engr. Ramil Sanchez, PISAY Caraga campus director, nadagdagan ng isang section ang dating tatlong sections ang kanilang scholars sa darating na pasukan. 

Sa ginawang Regional Recognition of Qualifiers and Partners ng PISAY Caraga ay binati ni NEDA regional director Priscilla Sonido ang mga qualifiers at hinikayat niya ang mga ito na magtiyaga at pagbutihin ang kanilang pag-aaral.

Sa mensahe ni Geian Migel Casio, ang top one qualifier sa SY 2022-2023, nagpaabot ito ng pasasalamat sa mga magulang para sa kanilang suporta para sa mga qualifiers at binati ito ang kanyang kapwa scholars. Banggit niya, ito ay bunga ng kanilang pagsisikap at dedikasyon sa hangaring maging PISAY scholar.

Pinasalamatan din ni Engr. Sanchez ang mga sumusuportang partners upang ipaabot ang programa ng PISAY sa iba’t-ibang parte ng rehiyon. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)

 

Thursday, February 03, 2022

OWWA Caraga releases livelihood assistance to displaced OFWs

BUTUAN CITY -- The Regional Welfare Office (RWO) Caraga together with The National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) Caraga, through its focal persons OWWO II Jean Mary R. Ladion and the NRCO Regional Coordinator/LEO III Anne Jane M. Hallasgo, relentlessly provide the necessary reintegration services in a form of livelihood projects, entrepreneurial webinars, and cash assistance to enable qualified OFW returnees from the different provinces in the region to be entrepreneurs as they reintegrate back to the mainstream society. 

The Livelihood Program for OFW Reintegration (LPOR) is a program of the OWWA-NRCO for returning undocumented OFWs and those who do not qualify under OWWA’s livelihood program which aims to enable livelihood protection and improve livelihood promotion in aid of OFW reintegration. 

The said program consists of two components/interventions: the Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP) and the Balik PINAY, Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH) Program. Both programs must be availed within three years from the OFWs' latest arrival in the country.

An undocumented OFW is defined as those who acquired their passports through fraud or misrepresentation; those who possess expired visa or permits to stay; those who have no travel documents whatsoever; those who have a valid but inappropriate visa; or those employment contracts which were not processed by the POEA or subsequently verified and registered on-site by POLO, if required by law or regulation.

The Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP) was established in 2011 through the Administrative Order No. 77 series 2011 which aims to provide livelihood assistance to returning OFWs. It has been reformulated in 2014 to accommodate undocumented OFWs. For Balik PINAY! Balik Hanapbuhay, qualified are those displaced and distressed women OFW returnees with priority given to distressed women domestic workers and those who were sheltered at the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Resource Centers (MWOFRCs) of the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) and those who were repatriated through amnesty programs i.e. grant of Amnesty Program of the host country.

The qualified applicants are required to comply with pertinent documents to the nearest National Reintegration Center for OFWs office in their area. The beneficiaries will receive Php10,000 worth of livelihood starter kits in the form of a cheque. They are also required to attend the Small Business Management Training and Financial Awareness Seminar to prepare them for managing a small business enterprise as a prerequisite in receiving assistance under the LPOR.

For the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! (BPBH) Program, which is part of the core program of OWWA that is the Reintegration Program, is a package of livelihood assistance consisting of cash assistance, Entrepreneurship Development Training, and other services to help returning distressed and displaced OFWs to start their own business here in the Philippines.

Under the Amended Implementing Guidelines of BPBH (MOI 003 series 2019), the cash assistance will amount to PhP20,000 for active member-OFWs, PhP10,000 for non-active member-OFWs with more than one contribution and PhP 5,000 for non-active member-OFWs with one contribution effective February 28, 2019.

Eligible beneficiaries under the program are those who were displaced by hostilities or wars or political conflicts, policy reforms or changes by host governments; victims of illegal recruitment or human trafficking or other distressful situations; those who are at the distressed wards at the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Resource Centers who are due for repatriation; and those OWWA members who were employed by foreign employers which are facing financial difficulties due to economic conditions.

For interested applicants, you may visit OWWA Regional Welfare Office Caraga located at Nimfa Tiu Bldg.2, JP Rosales Ave., Butuan City, or contact these hotlines: 09503057533/09551884858/09123289262. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga) 

 

Thursday, February 03, 2022

DA-13 turns over sentinel piglets to 2 SurSur towns affected by ASF 

SAN MIGUEL, Surigao del Sur -- As a prelude for hog repopulation on the African Swine Fever (ASF)-hit municipalities in the region, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Caraga Regional ASF Task Force delivered "sentinel piglets" to the Municipalities of Cortes and San Miguel, in the province of Surigao del Sur on Friday, January 28.

The sentineling program or protocol is a science-based approach, which ascertains if a virus or disease is still present in a certain area. For an ASF-hit area to be endorsed for sentineling, there should be no detected cases and reports of related swine deaths for approximately 12 months. The piglets will undergo a 40-day experimental period including its downtime and environmental swabbing guaranteeing that affected hog raisers must conform to the Biosecurity Level 1. Once completed, the area will then be subjected to repopulation.

In Barangay Matho, Cortes, Surigao del Sur, 16 piglets were distributed to eight hog raisers while in Barangay Magroyong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, 17 piglets were apportioned to 17 affected hog raisers.

According to Regional ASF Coordinator Dr. Apple C. Jaromahum, the municipalities of Cortes and San Miguel were the first areas where the virus was detected, however, the areas were quick to contain and mitigate the further spreading of the virus.

Regional Technical Director Rebecca Atega also lauded the efforts of the municipalities of Cortes and San Miguel for their quick response and cooperation.

"On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, we congratulate our LGUs for being supportive and compliant with all of the regulatory measures and the quick assistance to our affected hog raisers. And most definitely to our hog raisers who gave their utmost cooperation and for being extra patient despite the circumstances and losses. That's why we are very optimistic that this will be successful because of your efforts," said RTD Atega.

Apart from the piglets, the Livestock Program also apportioned feeds and necessary drugs, biologics, and antiviral agents for the recipients. (DA-CAraga/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

 

Thursday, February 03, 2022

DA-Caraga miturn-over ug baktin sa pipila ka lungsod sa SurSur na naigo sa ASF 

CORTES, Surigao del Sur -- Isip pasiuna sa subling pagpadaghan sa mga binuhing baboy sa mga munisipalidad nga naigo sa African Swine Fever (ASF) sa rehiyon, ang Department of Agriculture (DA) - Caraga Regional ASF Task Force mihatud sa “sentinel" nga mga baktin sa lungsod sa Cortes ug San Miguel, probinsya sa Surigao del Sur niadtong Enero 28 sa kasamtangang tuig.

Ang sentinelling program, usa ka pamaagi nga gibasi sa siyensya aron mahibaw-an kung anaa pa ba o wala na ang kagaw o sakit sa usa ka dapit.

Ang lugar nga naigo sa ASF, iendorso sa sentinelling kung wala nay namatikdan nga kaso ug taho sa pagkamatay sa mga binuhing baboy sulod sa milabay nga dose (12) ka bulan.

Ang baktin mopailawom sa kwarenta nga adlaw nga “experimental period” lakip na ang pagpahigayon ug “environmental swabbing" aron pagsiguro nga ang apektadong mamuhiay ug baboy makatuman sa gitawag ug Biosecurity Level 1. Sa higayon nga makompleto ug dili masakit ang mga baktin, ang dapit pwede na nga balikan sa pagbuhi ug mga baboy.

Sa Barangay Matho sa Cortes, Surigao del Sur, napulo’g-unom (16) ka baktin ang giapod-apod sa walo ka mamuhiay ug baboy samtang sa Barangay Magroyong sa San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, napulo’g-pito kon disesyete (17) ka baktin ang giapod-apod sa disesyete  usab ka mamuhiay ug baboy.

Sigun ni regional ASF coordinator Dr. Apple C. Jaromahum, sa mga munisipalidad sa Cortes ug Miguel mao ang unang dapit nga nadiskobrehan ang virus sa ASF, apan hinanali usab nga nasumpo. 

Gidayeg ni Regional Technical Director Rebecca Atega ang paningkamot sa panggamhanang lokal sa Cortes ug San Miguel sa paspas nga aksyon ug kooperasyon.

Gikalipay ni Elisabeth Lavilla, usa sa apektadong mamuhiay ug baboy sa Barangay Matho ang sentinelling program uban sa panghinaut nga hingpit na gayud nga mahibalik sa normal ang ilang panginabuhian.  

Gawas sa baktin, ang Regional Livestock Program migahin usab ug  bahug ug mga medisina, samtang laing hugna sa sentinel nga mga baktin ang nakatakda nga ihatud sa lungsod sa Loreto, Agusan del Sur sa musunod nga semana. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

 

Thursday, February 03, 2022

DA-Caraga miturn-over ug baktin sa pipila ka lungsod sa SurSur na naigo sa ASF 

CORTES, Surigao del Sur -- Isip pasiuna sa subling pagpadaghan sa mga binuhing baboy sa mga munisipalidad nga naigo sa African Swine Fever (ASF) sa rehiyon, ang Department of Agriculture (DA) - Caraga Regional ASF Task Force mihatud sa “sentinel" nga mga baktin sa lungsod sa Cortes ug San Miguel, probinsya sa Surigao del Sur niadtong Enero 28 sa kasamtangang tuig.

Ang sentinelling program, usa ka pamaagi nga gibasi sa siyensya aron mahibaw-an kung anaa pa ba o wala na ang kagaw o sakit sa usa ka dapit.

Ang lugar nga naigo sa ASF, iendorso sa sentinelling kung wala nay namatikdan nga kaso ug taho sa pagkamatay sa mga binuhing baboy sulod sa milabay nga dose (12) ka bulan.

Ang baktin mopailawom sa kwarenta nga adlaw nga “experimental period” lakip na ang pagpahigayon ug “environmental swabbing" aron pagsiguro nga ang apektadong mamuhiay ug baboy makatuman sa gitawag ug Biosecurity Level 1. Sa higayon nga makompleto ug dili masakit ang mga baktin, ang dapit pwede na nga balikan sa pagbuhi ug mga baboy.

Sa Barangay Matho sa Cortes, Surigao del Sur, napulo’g-unom (16) ka baktin ang giapod-apod sa walo ka mamuhiay ug baboy samtang sa Barangay Magroyong sa San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, napulo’g-pito kon disesyete (17) ka baktin ang giapod-apod sa disesyete  usab ka mamuhiay ug baboy.

Sigun ni regional ASF coordinator Dr. Apple C. Jaromahum, sa mga munisipalidad sa Cortes ug Miguel mao ang unang dapit nga nadiskobrehan ang virus sa ASF, apan hinanali usab nga nasumpo. 

Gidayeg ni Regional Technical Director Rebecca Atega ang paningkamot sa panggamhanang lokal sa Cortes ug San Miguel sa paspas nga aksyon ug kooperasyon.

Gikalipay ni Elisabeth Lavilla, usa sa apektadong mamuhiay ug baboy sa Barangay Matho ang sentinelling program uban sa panghinaut nga hingpit na gayud nga mahibalik sa normal ang ilang panginabuhian.  

Gawas sa baktin, ang Regional Livestock Program migahin usab ug  bahug ug mga medisina, samtang laing hugna sa sentinel nga mga baktin ang nakatakda nga ihatud sa lungsod sa Loreto, Agusan del Sur sa musunod nga semana. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

 

Thursday, February 03, 2022

Siargao farmers replant their farms after 'Odette'

BUTUAN CITY -- As livelihood recovery efforts continue, farmers in Siargao Island and the provincial government of Surigao del Norte are optimistic that the upcoming harvest can help them rebound from the devastating impacts of Super Typhoon Odette.

The municipalities of Dapa, General Luna, Del Carmen, Burgos, Pilar, Sta. Monica, San Benito, and San Isidro, all in the first district of the province, are now starting to rehabilitate their damaged farms through the assistance of the Department of Agriculture (DA). Around 5,000 sweet potato cuttings, 2,564 pouches of vegetables, 50 bags of certified rice seeds, 300 bags of corn seeds, and 200 bags of fertilizer were distributed to the farmers in the island.

“Our main goal is to help the residents in the Island not to rely on relief goods in the coming months. It is expected that the production will provide food for each family as well as to the community in Siargao after three to four months,” said DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr.

To fast-track the rehabilitation efforts and to ensure the readiness of the areas, the DA-Caraga deployed its farm machinery on the island which started on January 11. Two four-wheel-drive tractors with implements like the disc plow, trailing harrow, and rotavator were used to simplify the work and increase speed and efficiency for the recovering farmers.

Director Oñate said that mechanization is an essential input for agricultural crop production. 

“More tasks can be completed at the right time and greater areas can be farmed to produce greater quantities of crops. Without timely and adequate support the production capacity of the farmers could be compromised," he added.

In its second week of operation, around 20 hectares were cultivated in the municipalities of Dapa and General Luna. More areas will be assisted in the coming days as the rehabilitation workforce doubles its efforts in assisting more farmers.

The Department continuously pours its support to the affected communities by intensifying the implementation of the OneDA reform agenda key strategies. Modernization of agriculture through mechanization and climate change adaptation and mitigation measures will further strengthen the Agency's efforts to address current agriculture challenges like climate change by introducing agriculture climate-resilient technologies.

Moreover, DA-Caraga is allocating around ₱245 million worth of interventions for the rehabilitation and recovery plan for the province of Surigao del Norte. This includes production support and financial assistance from DA – Agricultural Credit Policy Council. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

 

Monday, January 31, 2022

DTI Dinagat Islands distributes livelihood kits to typhoon-hit MSMEs in PDI

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Dinagat Islands rolls out the first batch of Negosyo Kits to micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs in the Province of Dinagat Islands.

A total of 40 beneficiaries received their Negosyo Kits worth PhP8,000 under the Livelihood Seeding Program - Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (LSP-NSB).

According to DTI Dinagat Islands provincial director Elmer C. Natad, the Negosyo Kit includes groceries, kitchenware, tools and equipment that serves as fresh inventories to aid them restart their businesses.

Director Natad said that the LSP-NSB is a program of DTI that allows a wider reach of business development assistance by bringing government services closer to the people through partnerships between relevant local government units and DTI officials.

Present during the distribution were San Jose vice mayor Felix Portullano, Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Trade and Industry member Julmore Pesito and Director Natad. (SDR/DTI-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)

Monday, January 31, 2022

Mahigit 2 milyong katao ang nabakunahan na sa Caraga region; health protocol mahigpit pa ring ipinapatupad

Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN -- Sa layong maabot ang target na herd immunity, mas pinaigting pa ngayon ng Department of Health (DOH) kasama ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa Caraga region ang pagbabakuna ng iba't-ibang eligible priority groups. 

Cassion

Base sa tala ng DOH, as of January 24, nasa 2,580,598 na ang total administered doses ng vaccines sa rehiyon. May 1,296,480 pa na indibidwal ang kakailanganing bakunahan.

Ayon kay DOH Caraga regional director Dr. Cesar Cassion, bagamat may pagtaas ng kaso ng COVID-19 sa iba’t-ibang probinsya ng rehiyon, malaking tulong pa rin ang mga bakuna upang hindi ganun kalala ang epekto ng virus sa mga indibidwal na may sintomas.

As of January 26, may kabuuang 54,498 na kompirmadong kaso ng COVID-19 sa Caraga - 4,038 ang nasa isolation; 48,527 ang naka-recover; at 1,933 ang naitalang namatay.

Mahigpit pa ring ipinapatupad ang contact tracing ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Caraga, maging ang temporary treatment and monitoring facilities o quarantine facilities.

Kung sa high risk province o city naman ang pag-uusapan, as of January 23, ang health care utilization ng probinsya ng Agusan del Norte at Surigao del Sur ay nasa safe zone; nasa moderate risk naman ang Butuan City; high risk sa probinsya ng Surigao del Norte; at critical risk sa Agusan del Sur.

Dahil dito, patuloy pa ring pinaalalahanan ang publiko na sumunod sa health protocol at agad na sumangguni sa health facility sakaling may maranasang sintomas ng COVID-19.

Mahigpit rin ang mga malls sa lungsod ng Butuan at ang mayroong vaccination card lamang ang kanilang pinahihintulutang makapasok sa loob ng pasilidad. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

 

Monday, January 31, 2022

Relief goods sa DSWD Caraga, plastar nga ginapanghatag sa mga apektadong residente sa bagyong Odette

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN -- Tungod sa kakulangon sa mga family food packs (FFPs) boxes nga gigamit sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga sa mga relief goods, adunay gi-augment nga mga FFPs ngadto sa mga requesting nga mga lokal nga panggamhanan nga naka-cellophane ug naka-eco bag. 

Ang buhatan anaa pa sa proseso sa pag-procure sa mga boxes/cartons apan dili pwede nga mohunong sa pag repack sa mga FFPs kay kini gikinahanglan sa mga apektadong pamilya ni Bagyong Odette, mao nga gigamit usa ang mga cellophanes/eco bags aron padayon nga mahatag sa mga apektadong pamilya.

Ang maong mga FFPs aduna gihapon 6 kilos nga bugas, 10 ka mga de lata (corned beef/beef loaf, canned tuna/sardines), 5 ka kape/malt drink, ug 5 ka energy drink - susama sa sulod sa mga naka box/carton nga FFPs. 

Susama sa mga naka-box nga mga FFPs, bawal ang pagbahin-bahin sa mga sulod niini. 

Sumala sa DSWD, kung adunay madawat nga FFPs nga dunay kulang sa mga sulod niini, mamahimo nga i-dokumento kini nga maong insidente ug i-report sa DSWD Caraga pinaagi sa pag-mensahe sa DSWD Caraga messenger o i-duol sa pinaka-duol nga DSWD Office sa ilang mga lugar.

Sa katapusan, buot usab nga ipahibalo sa ahensya nga dili lang ang DSWD ang gahatag ug mga FFPs. Ang LGU aduna pud mga pagpangandam, ug duna usab mga donors/organizations nga nitunol ug mga FFPs ug mga hinabang sa mga apektadong pamilya. Dili i-kumpara ang mga sulod niini nga mga FFPs kay lahi usab ang contents o sulod sa ilang mga FFPs.  

Busa sa dili pa kita moreklamo, kinahanglan nga susihon usa ug sa DSWD ba gayud nga FFPs ang inyong nadawat. (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

 

Monday, January 31, 2022

DSWD Caraga conducts consultation-dialogue to PDI LGUs

BUTUAN CITY -- To ensure that the affected families of Super Typhoon Odette continue to be served, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) conducted consultation-dialogues with the Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) Congressional Office and the municipal local government units (LGUs) to assess the requests of the LGUs for another round of provision of food and non-food items.

With the assistance of the Emergency Operations Office (EOC) staff through DSWD Field Office Caraga OIC-Assistant Regional Director for Operations Jean Paul Parajes, requests, queries of the LGUs, especially for the provision/augmentation of family food packs and non-food items the affected families were addressed immediately. 

ARDO Parajes provided clarifications on pending concerns, especially on the provision of non-food items - the provision of which is based on prioritization of the most affected, and depending on assessment of specific needs of the affected families. 

The team also provided assistance to Care International (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) personnel who have delivered sacks of rice from the World Food Programme (WFP) to the different LGUs in PDI. (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

 

Monday, January 31, 2022

Caraga IDP cluster responds to Odette victims

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, being the chair of the different working committees in the region to include the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Cluster, immediately provided assistance to families affected by the onslaught of typhoon Odette. 

It may not be evident from their faces, but disaster victims are going through a lot of emotional and psychological baggage from their ordeal. This is the case for the Super Typhoon Odette victims who have been through traumatic experiences as the strong typhoon ravaged their homes, leaving them broken and helpless.

Though DSWD is normally seen as a provider of food and non-food items to disaster-affected families, the agency is also the lead agency in the IDP Cluster and the Camp Coordination, Camp Management Cluster. This means DSWD also takes charge in addressing other needs of IDPs in and outside of evacuation centers, including physical, psychological, and emotional health needs of affected families.

With this, DSWD Caraga has fielded psychological first aid teams to the different cities and municipalities affected by Odette to provide psychosocial activities to ease the traumatic burdens of the IDPs. Different sessions for adults and children have been conducted to assess the emotional and psychological status of the affected families/individuals for appropriate interventions.

The teams have also included Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) topics in their discussions, which usually is a serious concern for the health of IDPs during disasters.

DSWD Field Office Caraga will continue to provide much needed assistance to the affected families of Super Typhoon Odette, not just the provision of food and non-food items coursed through the LGUs, but much needed psychosocial first aid to address psychological and emotional needs of the affected individuals/families. (PFAiders/DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

Monday, January 31, 2022

Dinagat Islands IMT bolsters effort for disaster response

PROVINCE OF DINAGAT ISLANDS -- The National Nutrition Council (NNC) Caraga with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines joined the Incident Management Team (IMT) pre-deployment briefing.

An incident management team is usually dispatched or mobilized during complex emergency incidents in order to provide a command-and-control infrastructure to manage the operational, logistical, informational, planning, fiscal, community, political, and safety issues associated with complex incidents such as Super Typhoon Odette.

As part of the strategy to harmonize disaster response efforts, Dinagat Islands IMT coordinated and provided latest and relevant information to the various disaster response clusters and response units deployed in the province as communication remains one of the challenges brought about the destruction of electrical and telecommunication lines.

The strategy included the assignment of response clusters, including the nutrition cluster, to specific areas mostly affected by Typhoon Odette.

The Caraga Regional Nutrition Cluster visited the seven municipalities in the province and assessed the nutritional situation of the most affected areas in each of the municipalities, as well as structural condition of the evacuation centers, Barangay Health Centers and Stations, Rural Health Units and hospitals.

The result of the assessment and ocular visit served as one of the bases for the immediate nutrition and health response and also served as one of the references for the long-term interventions for nutrition and health in the province. (RPOchavo, NNC-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

 

Monday, January 31, 2022

Caraga RNC Cluster discusses health, nutrition situation in Dinagat Islands

PROVINCE OF DINAGAT ISLANDS -- Following the devastation in the province of Dinagat Islands brought about by Super Typhoon Odette, the Provincial Nutrition Action Office (PNAO) through officer Joanna Jessica A. Yasay, provided a quick briefer to the members of the Regional Nutrition Cluster on the current situation of the municipalities and discussed the geographical makeup of the province. 

It was learned that Dinagat Islands are a group of islands constituting a province in Caraga Region with seven municipalities and 100 barangays. The province can be reached via 1-2 hour sea travel on either fast craft or roro vessels commonly from Surigao City. Due to its geographical location, quick response for disasters, such as Typhoon Odette, is challenging, coupled also with the increasing cases of COVID-19.

According to PNAO Yasay, the municipalities of San Jose (capital town), Cagdianao, and Basilisa are reportedly the most affected areas and have numerous evacuation centers. As of January 6, 2022, according to the Health Situation Update of the Health Emergency Management Staff of Dinagat Islands, an estimated number of affected families reached 27,399. The aforementioned municipalities have island barangays that makes relief operations and nutrition and health response difficult during the first weeks of the disaster.

PNAO Yasay added that due to the effects of Typhoon Odette to the telecommunication lines in the island, communication and coordination is yet to be fully established and made accessible, which adds up to the challenges faced by the responders.

As part of the Nutrition in Emergencies – Information Management, relevant and updated data relative to health and nutrition is crucial as this will be the basis to bolster the relief efforts to address the immediate needs of the affected population, especially the nutritionally at-risk children and pregnant and lactating women. 

The quick briefer of PNAO Yasay to the Regional Nutrition Cluster was also used as the basis for the cluster for visiting the most affected areas to conduct nutrition initial needs assessment. (RPOchavo, NNC-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

 

Monday, January 31, 2022

Caraga RNC conducts post-disaster assessment in Dinagat Islands

PROVINCE OF DINAGAT ISLANDS -- The National Nutrition Council (NNC) Caraga, in close collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines, conducted a post-disaster nutrition initial needs assessment at the Province of Dinagat Islands on Day 22 after Super Typhoon Odette ravaged the area.

NOII Raphael Ochavo, together with UNICEF Philippines Nutrition Officer Pete John Biscarra and Programme Assistant Leah Tacsan. paid a courtesy visit to Dinagat Islands Health Cluster headed by the PHO II Dr. Jillian Francise Lee, together with PHO I Dr. Juan Javier Garchitorena, and PNAO Joanna Jessica Yasay.

The deployment mission of the Regional Nutrition Cluster (RNC) to the Province of Dinagat Islands was to gather data through the Nutrition Initial Needs Assessment (NINA) tool to generate information regarding the nutrition situation of the province and to conduct rapid case finding of nutritionally at-risk children and pregnant women.

NINA tool is designed to provide immediate and initial assessment of the nutrition situation among the affected population particularly among the nutrition vulnerable groups, i.e. children 0-59 months, pregnant and lactating women, women of reproductive age, elderly, and persons with disabilities after onset of emergency or disaster.

Also, part of the deployment mission is to scout for storage facilities and coordinate for the delivery of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and Micronutrient Powder for the target beneficiaries in the province. The RNC will continue to coordinate the implementation of nutrition and health responses of the national government agencies and international humanitarian organizations in the affected areas of Typhoon Odette. (RPOchavo, NNC-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

 

Monday, January 31, 2022

62 beneficiaries of Project-EASE to receive P10k educational assistance for A.Y. 2021-2022

BUTUAN CITY -- Some 62 maintained beneficiaries of Project-EASE in Caraga Region are set to receive educational assistance under the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)'s Educational Assistance by Scholarship in Emergencies or Project-EASE.

Of the said number of recipients, 21 are dependents of OFW applicants belonging to the land-based category while 41 are affiliated with OFWs in the sea-based category, hailing from the different provinces in the region: 26 in Butuan City, 16 in Agusan del Norte, two in Agusan del Sur, six in Surigao del Norte, 10 in Surigao del Sur, and two in the Province of Dinagat Islands. The recipients will claim their educational assistance amounting to PhP10,000 in cheque for Academic Year 2021-2022. 

Six beneficiaries have already received their educational assistance for A.Y. 2021-2022 as part of the activity during 2021 Family Day. Accompanied by their parents/guardians, the recipients expressed their gratitude and immense joy, for the cash assistance will aid them in their studies and other tools they need for online classes.

Launched in August 2020, OWWA's Project-EASE offers educational assistance to a qualified college dependent of an OFW affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and holds an active OWWA membership that was repatriated since the outbreak of the virus in February 2020 by providing educational aid of PhP10,000 per year to qualified recipients who are enrolled in the current school year with no failing grade and no existing scholarship grants under EDSP, ODSP, CMWSP, and ELAP education. 

Qualifying dependent or beneficiary can either be a child of a married OFW or an OFW who is a single parent or a sibling of a single OFW who is in college level.

 

Project EASE was designed with an online application wherein interested applicants could access the portal, however, it was already closed last July 2021 which also marked the end of the submission of application. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

 

Monday, January 31, 2022

Iba’t-ibang sektor sa probinsya ng Agusan del Sur nagkaisa para sa ‘Project Buhay sa Kalikasan’

Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN -- Nagsagawa ng Tree Planting activity sa pangunguna ng Agusan Media Club at Philippine National Police (PNP) bilang kontribusyon sa pagpapanatili ng maayos na kalikasan at maaliwalas na kapaligiran.

Ayon sa PNP-Agusan del Sur, layon ng iba't-ibang sektor na maprotektahan ang Mt. Magdiwata na siyang pinagkukunan ng tubig sa lugar. 

“Nagpapasalamat kami na naging parte ang PNP sa tree planting activity na ito. Ang Mt. Magdiwata na siyang pinagkukunan natin ng tubig ay mahalaga, kaya naman ang PNP ay committed na protektahan ito,” ani ni PCol. Ruben Delos Santos, dating provincial director ng PNP-Agusan del Sur.

May ilang kabataan ang sumama kagaya ng magpinsan na sina Samantha at John Ruiz dahil naniniwala sila na mapapakinabangan din nila ito at maging ng susunod na henerasyon.

“Masaya po ako na nakasali ako sa tree planting na ito,” ani ni Samantha Ruiz.

“Umaasa po ako na lalaki pa ng ilang taon itong mga seedlings na aming itinanim,” banggit naman ni John Ruiz.

Nakilahok din ang ilang representante mula sa pribadong sektor. 

“Hindi lang po ito para sa amin, kung hindi pati rin po sa aming mga anak at mga apo sa susunod pang henerasyon para rin po maprotektahan ang ating kalikasan at ang ating watershed area,” pahayag ni Mari Cris Inson na mula sa pribadong sektor.

Ibinahagi rin ni Richard Grande, presidente ng Agusan Media Club, na naging tradisyon na ng iba’t-ibang sektor sa probinsya na magtanim ng mga punla malapit sa watershed.

“Ang pagtatanim ng puno ay buhay. Ang pagprotekta sa Mt. Magdiwata ay buhay. Kung may mga punong kahoy, may mapopondo na tubig at marami pang ibang magandang naibibigay nito sa atin,” sabi ni Grande. (JPG/PIA-Agsuan del Sur)

 

Monday, January 31, 2022

Supplemental AIP, budget sa Buenavista giokehan

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN -- Aron hingpit nga mapatuman ang nagunang prayoridad sa lungsod sa Buenavista giokehan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan bag-o pa lamang ang mga Supplemental Annual Investment Plan ug Budget nga gipangusgan ni Bise Gobernador Ramon Alejandro G. Bungabong, ang chairperson sa Committee on Finance and Appropriation. 

Tungod sa kamahinungdanon sa mga proyekto, programa ug aktibidad nga kinahanglan na nga ma-implementar giaprobahan sa SP ang mga mosunod: 

·  Appropriation Ordinance No. 06-2021, authorizing the Supplemental Budget No. 03, Series of 2021 for Public Market in the amount of One Hundred Forty-Nine Thousand, Eight Hundred Eighty-Two Pesos and Seventy-Three Centavos (P 149,882.73) of the Municipality of Buenavista, Province of Agusan del Norte, for CY 2021, in the line with the LGU’s 6th Supplemental AIP for CY 2021 under Sanggunian Resolution No. 390-2021.

·  Appropriation Ordinance No. 07-2021, authorizing the Supplemental Budget No. 04, Series of 2021 for Public Market in the Amount of Hundred Eighty Thousand Pesos (P 180,000.00) for the grant of Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) for the Public Market personnel of the Municipality of Buenavista, pursuant to Administrative Order No. 45 of the President of the Philippines, dated December 24, 2021 in line with the LGU’s 7th Supplemental AIP for CY 2021 under Sanggunian Resolution No. 385-2021.

·  Appropriation Ordinance No. 20-2021, authorizing the Supplemental Budget No. 11, Series of 2021 in the amount of Forty Thousand, Two Hundred Fifty Pesos ( 40,250.00) of the Municipality of Buenavista, Province of Agusan del Norte , for CY 2021, in line with LGUs 6th Supplemental Budget AIP for CY 2021 under Sanggunian Resolution No. 390-2021.

·  Appropriation Ordinance No. 20-2021, authorizing the Supplemental Budget No. 12, Series of 2021 in the amount of Two Million, Three Hundred Eighty Thousand Pesos (2,380,000.00) for the grant of Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) to the employees of the Municipality of Buenavista, for CY 2021, pursuant to Administrative Order No. 45 of the President of the Philippines, dated December 24, 2021, in line with LGUs 7th Supplemental Budget AIP for CY 2021 under Sanggunian Resolution No. 385-2021.

Ang maong Supplemental AIP ug budget giaprobahan atol sa 120th sesyon regular niadtong Enero 10. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)