Thursday, March 3, 2022

DepEd-Butuan City intensifies linkage with PIA-13 for comms undertakings 

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY - Seeing the relevance of strategic communications and effective utilization of social media platforms especially during this time of health crisis, the Department of Education (DepEd)-Butuan City Schools Division intensifies its linkage and partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Caraga in information dissemination efforts.

In one of its undertakings, Evangeline Razon, Education Program Specialist II for the SGOD-Social Mobilization and Networking Section of DepEd Butuan City Schools Division, highlighted the significant role of PIA as a partner in government service. 

“With DepEd wanting to ensure access of the general public to information and updates on basic education amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe that PIA as the government’s communication arm could really help us in disseminating accurate, timely, and relevant information to areas covered of the 147 schools under our division. With PIA Caraga’s known communication platforms, it would be easier and more convenient for us to deliver important messages to our target recipients,” said Razon.

Razon bared that in this new normal, people have adapted the use of online learning modality, hence, easily gets information and updates from DepEd's and PIA's online information dissemination platforms. She further stressed that even those in the far-flung barangays are able to get information because of PIA-Caraga's wide array of platforms. 

“We have upcoming undertakings and we will continuously communicate all these with PIA, so they could help us in reaching our learners and parents and provide them the information they need to know,” Razon added.

Meanwhile, PIA-Caraga regional director Abner Caga also assured the DepEd Butuan City Schools Division that the agency will continue to foster their commitment to deliver the right and timely information to the populace.

“PIA has always been a partner of the different government agencies, and it has been part of our daily functions to ensure that we deliver timely, accurate and relevant information that enable our citizens to actively, meaningfully participate in the democratic process. The agency also provides technical assistance to other government agencies regarding the communications component of their programs through multi-media strategies,” Caga said. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Mga nag negosyo'g buhangin, gipahimangnuan

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN -- Padayon ang probinsya sa Agusan del Norte pinaagi sa buhatan sa Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) sa pagpahimangno sa mga sand and gravel quarry permit holders sa mga responsibilidad niini sa padayong pagpabaskug ug pagprotektar sa kinaiyahan.

Lambigit niini, gipahigayon ang panagtigum nga gitambongan sa 50 ka quarry permit holders sa probinsya niadtong Pebrero 28 aron hisgutan ang ilang pagtamud sa ilang kaakuhan pagseguro sa kahimsog sa kinaiyahan diha sa ilang operisyon. 

Usa sa mga gihisgutan sa maong tigum mao ang padayon nga pag-identify sa mga issues ug uban pang mga panginahanglan sa Cabadbaran River Dredging and Rehabilitation Project (CRDP).

Sumala ni Engr. Dan Winstine Bacolod, personahe sa ENRD, kinahanglang padayon ang pag-mentinar sa armoring activities tungod kay kinahanglan kini pagpa lig-on sa mga riverbanks.

“Armoring activity must be properly maintained aron mapalig-on nato atong mga river banks to fully contain any sudden increase volume of the water flowing thru the channel," sumala ni Engr. Bacolod. 

Niini, padayon gipahimangnoan sa probinsya ang mga permit holders nga motuman sa provision sa Provincial Ordinance nga nagmando sa hustong armoring ug gradual sloping aron malikayan ang pagsaka ug pagpundo sa tubig nga nakalatid sa Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) sa Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

Ang pagpabaskug sa kinaiyahan usa sa mga nag-unang proyekto sa programang Lunhaw’ng Agusan sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo sa administrasyon ni Governor Dale Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Congresswoman Angel Amante-Matba.

Apil usab sa mga kalihukan ubos sa Lunhaw’ng Agusan mao ang pagpananom og kahoy sa mga protection zones, apil na niini ang mga riverbanks. (ENRD/LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

 

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

AgNor NWM celebration highlights recognition, services for women

BUTUAN CITY -- The province of Agusan del Norte, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWDO) has lined up different activities for this year’s National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC).

During the kick-off ceremony on M

arch 8, in time with the celebration of the International Women’s Day, a “Serbisyo kay Juana” will be held at the Provincial Capitol Lobby. Free health services such as pneumococcal vaccination and pap smear will be made available to some 100 women in the province in partnership with the Provincial Health Office. A Ladies Bowling competition will also be held for the provincial employees.

One of the highlights of the month-long celebration is the conduct of the #PagpupugayParaKayJuana (Women of the Year) Awards. The nomination is exclusively for the women employees of the province to recognize female employees for their exemplary service. 

Employees of the province are also invited to join the Mobile Photography #JUANANAIIBAKA contest. Registration of participants will be on March 8 at the PSWD Office. The voting of entries will run from March 14 to 18 and will be judged through a given set of criteria which will be posted at the Agusan Up Facebook Page.

To express full support to the NWMC, Governor Dale Corvera encourages all employees of the province to wear something purple/shades of purple every Monday for the whole month of March.

Awarding ceremonies will be held on March 29 in time with the culmination. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Pagbansay pag-atiman sa mga turista panahon sa kalamidad, gihimo

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN -- Gipahigayon sa Provincial Training Center ang pagbansay kalabot sa unsay himoon pag-atiman sa mga turista panahon sa kalamidad o Incident Command System alang sa mga personahe sa provincial tourism office ug sa municipal tourism officers sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte.

Tumong sa maong pagbansay nga mahatagan og kaalam ang mga tourism executives kalabot sa disaster preparedness aron mas mahimo silang preparado panahon sa trahedya ug kalamidad.

Ang maong kalihukan agi og inisyatibo nga gibuhat sa Provincial Tourism Division kaabag ang Department of Tourism-Caraga (DOT-Caraga) ug ang Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Office (PDRRMO) sa Agusan del Norte sa pagpadangat sa maong pagbansay.

Sigon pa ni Nelia Arina, regional director sa DOT-Caraga, nakita nila nga usa ang probinsya sa Agusan del Norte sa rehiyon sa Caraga nga disaster prone area. Kini hinungdan nga nanginahanglan usab sila og tabang sa mga tourism officers sa pagpa-ambit ngadto sa mga stakeholders ang ilang matun-an sa maong pagbansay unya. 

Sa maong pagbansay, gihisgotan ang kinatibuk-ang impormasyon mahitungod sa ICS, mga proseso mga angayan tamdan ug ang una nilang buhaton pagpahiluna sa mga turista nga anaa sa tourism sites sa tagsa tagsa ka lungsod. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

 

 

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

DAR chief to fast-track parcelization of NGPI landholding

ROSARIO, Agusan del Sur -- Secretary Bernie F. Cruz of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) took the helm of hope for 1,143 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of NDC Guthrie Plantations Incorporated (NGPI) In Barangay Maligaya, Rosario Agusan del Sur as he vowed to fast track the distribution of their titles during the meeting held at FPPI Guest House, Maligaya, Rosario, Agusan del Sur on Friday, February 25.

These ARBs waited for 33 long years to get their individual Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) after it is issued collectively and entrusted to NGPI Cooperative.

The meeting was participated by the chairpersons of the three breakaway groups, formed after some members were compelled to resign from NGPI MPC due to the alleged corruption and lack of trust and confidence in the set of officers.

“We are hopeful that with the help of DAR through Secretary Cruz, we can finally get our individual titles,” chairperson Emmanuel Sustino said. 

“The ARBs of this 3,860 hectares oil palm plantation has been the priority in the implementation of Project SPLIT here in Agusan del Sur. We just need your full cooperation during the parcelization process,” said Secretary Cruz.

Meanwhile, PARPO Jamil Amatonding Jr. also presented the status of field validation conducted by four field validation teams (FVTs) assigned specifically to focus on this landholding. “We are taking one step at a time until we reach our goal where you can finally hold your titles,” he said.

He further urged chairperson Alcular of NGPI MPC to surrender the Owner’s Duplicate Copy of  title (ODC) to the provincial office for the registration of these titles to the Registry of Deeds.

NGPI Landholding was formerly owned by the National Development Company located in the municipalities of Rosario and San Francisco and was devoted to oil palm. Upon the effectivity of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL), it was turned over by NDC to DAR through the execution of Deed of Sale for purposes of CARP coverage. (Rechel D. Besonia, DAR-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

 

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Magtutudlo nga nagserbisyo sa Agusan del Norte og 20-40 ka tuig, gipasidunggan

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN -- Gipasidunggan sa Department of Education (DepEd) sa Agusan del Norte niadtong Pebrero 24 ang 250 ka mga magtutudlo sa probinsya nga nakaserbisyo na ug 20, 30 ug 40 ka tuig.

Sa usa ka kalihukan nga gihimo sa E & G Convention Center, personal nga gipadangat ang award nga nag-apil og cash og plaque of appreciation sa tagsatagsa ka magtutudlo nila ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera, ni Ruth Jugao nga nagrepresenta kang Kong. Angel Amante-Matba, Schools Division Superintendent Lorenzo Macasocol, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Emma Love Sudario ug uban pang mga opisyales sa DepEd-Agusan del Norte.

Sumala pa kang Gob. Corvera importante kaayo ang maong pag-ila sa kakugi sa mga magtutudlo tungod kay magsilbi kining inspirasyon kanila aron ihatag ang de kalidad nga serbisyo.

Alang kang Gob. Corvera daku ang kabahinan sa mga magtutudlo aron mahimong mahinungdanon ang kaugmaon sa mga kabatan-onan, dili lamang sa probinsya apan lakip na sa tibuok nasud.

Matud pa ni Macasocol nga himuon sa DepEd ang maong kalihukan matag tuig aron mas madasig pa ang mga magtutudlo nga mohatag og kalidad nga serbisyong pagtudlo alang sa mga kabatan-onan sa probinsya. (Karen Kie Decamotan, LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

 

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

DICT nagpadangat og 25 ka laptops sa Agusan del Norte

DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN -- Mosuma sa 25 ka laptops ang gi-turn over sa Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) ubos sa proyektong ICT Literacy and Competency Development Bureau (ILCDB) ngadto sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte sa usa ka seremonya nga gihimo sa Provincial Capitol, Butuan City adtong Pebrero 28.

Sa 25 ka laptops, ang 20 sa probinsya ug ang lima niini alang sa syudad sa Cabadbaran.

Tumong sa pagpadangat sa maong mga ICT equipment nga matabangan ang probinysa pag-edukar sa katawhan kalabot sa cyber safe. 

Usa na niini nga mahimong aware ug protektahan ang mga estudyante ug tanan nga nagagamit og digital tools sa mga cyber threats sama sa phishing nga magkuha og discreet information, hacking, magpataka og download nga maoy rason nga maguba og dali ang mga laptops o ang gitawag ni Chin Rus Echevarre, focal person sa ILCDB, nga “awareness to capacitate the individuals, with regards the cyber threats”.

“Kini nga mga laptops nga naa sa atung atubangan karon dili lang siya mag end nga paghuman hatag humana dayon. After we formally turn over these laptops to the province of Agusan del Norte, these identified beneficiaries will undergo trainings with regards cyber safe learning,” sumpay ni Echevarre.

Gihisgotan usab ni DICT Undersecretary Engr. Alan Silor kung unsa kadako ang role sa gobyerno ug pag edukar kalabot sa mga cyber threats. 

“Diri ang role sa gobyerno atong bantayan, ang atong mga kabatan-onan, constituents to protect them from being victimized by cybercrimes and other cyber threats,” ingon ni Silor.

Sa maong suporta sa DICT mapasalamaton kaayo si Gob. Dale B. Corvera. 

“I am very happy that Agusan del Norte was chosen nga recipient ani nga laptops because kini nga mga laptop will enhance the capacity and capability sa mga recipients ani unya. Mosugot ta ug sa dili halos tanan sector nagkinahanglan na niini,” sumala sa gobernador.

Mitambong usab sa maong kalihukan sila si DICT Regional Director Leo Ugto, Board Member Erwin Dano, ang Committee Chair on ICT, Atty. Albert Cong isip representante ni Mayor Judy Chin Amante sa Cabadbaran, uban pang mga Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members, mga hepe sa kapitolyo ug uban pa.(Shena Mae Pabia ug Sonny Montilla, LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

 

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Statement of Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar  on the  COVID-19 situation affecting our OFWs in Hong Kong

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is personally saddened learning the unfortunate plight of some overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong as a result of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the Special Administrative Region.  

Our government is promptly responding to the situation, primarily through our Consulate in Hong Kong, and has been providing protection and assistance to our kababayans such ensuring and securing isolation facilities for their fast recovery.

The government will be mounting operations for repatriation services, which will be spearheaded by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Secretary Lorenzana is now closely coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs and our Consulate for the deployment of government air assets, such as our C130s, and/or chartered commercial flights to be sent for those who want to be repatriated.

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Rice-duck technology promotes economically-sustainable farming in AgSur town

BUTUAN CITY -- The local government unit of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur promotes the integrated rice-duck farming, which they see is a good ecological agricultural practice, and wanted to demonstrate it to the farming community in their town. 

With this, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Caraga Organic Agriculture Program and Del Monte Lowland Rainfed Research Station (DMLRRS), in partnership with the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry, turned over 100 heads of Itik Pinas to LGU-Sibagat on February 16.

Aimed to showcase, transfer, and disseminate technologies on a diversified farming system, the DA’s Organic Agriculture Program ties up with LGU Sibagat as they take steps to improve the quality of life and the resources of farmers by focusing on holistic and sustainable farming techniques.

According to Sibagat Organic Agriculture Program focal person Cherry Estacion, a rice-duck technology demonstration will be conducted in the LGU’s Learning Site for Agriculture to accelerate the adoption of technology and innovations.

“The municipality of Sibagat discouraged farming communities to rely on the use of molluscicide and other synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in eliminating golden apple snails and increasing rice yield. Time has proven that the said practices are expensive, increase health hazards, and are environmentally destructive. With the establishment of the demo farm, smart investment with regard to rice farming can be adopted,” said Estacion.

The Municipal Agriculture Office of Sibagat is committed to becoming a multiplier farm to increase the inventory of ducks within the municipality and encourage more farmers to engage in the technology.

DMLRRS chief Catherine Juyno said that research studies showed that rice-duck farming contributes to food and economic security in a community by reducing the use of pesticides, increasing yield, and generating additional income for farmers.

“The technology can contribute to addressing the surging fertilizer prices which significantly affected farmers since last year. The practice replaced the use of chemical fertilizer, pesticides, and weed control through duck raising,” said Juyno.

Based on a study published in the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, soil analysis showed that the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, carbon, and sulfur levels in the soils of the rice-duck plots were increased. This indicates that the grazing of the ducks enriched the soil’s nutrients through their excreta. Also, the movement of the ducks in the rice field enhances the aeration of the soil and prevents the accumulation of harmful gases.

The latest data from the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA) showed that the average retail price of urea in Caraga Region in a 50-kilo bag is registered at PhP2,478, ammonium sulfate fertilizer costs PhP1,360 per, and ammonium phosphate at PhP1,560.

According to Regional Organic Agriculture Program focal person Cindy Burdeos, farmers should consider investing in economically-sustainable technologies for them to increase their production and income. The promotion of diversified farming is one of the strategies in the OneDA reform agenda to provide wider economic opportunities.

Furthermore, to encourage farmers to produce their fertilizer, the OA program allocated PhP19.87 million for the provision of inputs for fertilizer production, training, and pre- and post-harvest facilities and equipment. This includes a composting facility for biodegradable waste and shredding machines in partnership with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management.  (Rhea C. Abao, DA-Caraga/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Interior chief: Thousands of lives saved by President Duterte’s resolute COVID-19 measures

Up to 200,000 lives were spared from the deadly coronavirus disease because of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s swift measures through the imposition of hard lockdown on Metro Manila and other cities throughout the country at the height of the pandemic, said Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, citing statistical reports.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with key government officials at the Malacañan Palace on February 28, 2022. KARL ALONZO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

“Sa panahon pong noon ay wala talaga tayong healthcare facilities at natatandaan ko mga 1,500 lang ‘yung ating test kit at panahon po na ‘yun talagang pumasok po ‘yung tinatawag natin na surge and you made the decision. Your decision, Mr. President, saved probably a hundred thousand lives. And, yes, other says 200,000 lives,” Secretary Año said in his report to President Duterte on government’s COVID-19 interventions aired Tuesday morning.

Año says having the alert level in NCR and other cities lowered to Alert Level 1, which is deemed the lowest risk level, is “very historic” particularly after the Philippines battled more contagious variants of COVID-19 in the last two years.

The local government units, Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcers, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the national government agencies, among others, are ready to implement the Alert Level 1, according to the interior secretary.

Cities placed under Alert Level 1 can gradually return to normal with eased travel restrictions, 100 percent workforce, face-to-face classes, and more.

Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar, who also attended the meeting, said President Duterte’s support to the Palace’s media arm has contributed greatly to its successful COVID-19 information campaign.

It aided the successful implementation of public health measures such as wearing of face masks, social distancing, frequent handwashing and disinfection, among others.

“Malaki po ang papel ng komunikasyon para sa epektibong pagpapatupad ng ating COVID-19 response. Tulad ng inyo pong ‘Talk to the People,’ napakalaking bagay po nito upang mabigyan ang publiko ng tunay na estado at sitwasyon mula noon hanggang ngayon,” he said.

President Duterte first placed Luzon including Metro Manila under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in March 2020 to prevent the coronavirus from spreading further. Other cities were also placed in lockdown.

The Duterte government has allotted a total of P200-billion worth of aid for low-income households, farmers, and fisherfolk, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which was considered the biggest and widest social protection program in Philippine history.

The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded on March 1 a total of 3,661, 997 COVID-19 cases with 3,553, 367 recoveries and 56,451 deaths.  PND

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Next president must have the resolve to fight illegal drugs, says President Duterte

Fearing the resurgence of illegal drugs in the country, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte hopes his successor will continue the fight against the proliferation of illicit narcotics, which he said continues to threaten the country especially the young generation of Filipinos.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with key government officials at the Malacañan Palace on February 28, 2022. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

“Itong drugs, I hope that whoever would sit as president would continue the --- if not, the ferocity that I did and I accept it maski lang naman sana ‘yung ano ka a little lower than my standard kasi talagang sisirain ang bayan nating ito. I’m so worried about the resurgence of drug problem,” President Duterte said during his Talk to the People aired on Tuesday.

“I just hope that somebody maybe kung hindi ‘yung talagang presidente would find the resolve to just continue with the drive against drug because I said it will destroy our country. It will really destroy our country.”

President Duterte said he does not care about the International Criminal Court (ICC), stressing what bothers him is the continued threat posed by the drug problem in the country.

The government must protect the next generation, he said, arguing future generations of Filipinos “will have a serious problem in their hands,” if the current administration failed to act.

“Kung ganito katindi ngayon ng pamamalakad nila --- I’m addressing the nation --- kung hindi mo sabayan ng katindi rin ng iyong resolve, eh matatalo talaga,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, in his latest report to the President, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said law enforcers conducted 1,230 anti-illegal drug operations despite the pandemic.

This resulted in the arrest of 1,658 individuals, with 26 drug offenders surrendering to authorities, and a suspect being killed during the anti-illegal drug operations.

In total, authorities confiscated P159.8 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), marijuana, ecstacy, and mogadon.  PND

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

PH ready to return to ‘normal’ after massive immunization—vaccine czar

The Philippines is gearing up to gradually return to normal exactly a year after the country began its COVID-19 vaccination drive, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Monday night, calling the milestone “historic".

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with key government officials prior to his "Talk to the People" at the Malacañan Palace on February 28, 2022. KARL ALONZO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

“The National Capital Region, together with 38 areas, will begin the roadmap to the new normal starting tomorrow, exactly one year after we started the vaccination program… Napakagandang historic event, after one year, magde-declare na po tayo ng Alert Level 1,” Secretary Galvez said in his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during a meeting on government’s COVID-19 interventions.

The population is expected to enjoy eased travel restrictions, more jobs, and face-to-face classes, among others, as the nation continues to build up and strengthen its “wall of immunity” against the deadly coronavirus disease through vaccination and boostering, said Galvez.

He, however, clarified that the government should continue to monitor and guide the public on how to self-regulate and manage the health situation, noting that the populace will have to learn to live with the virus.

Galvez, who is also the National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer, said on the remaining months of President Duterte’s term, they will continue to focus on immunizing the remaining unvaccinated elderly population and minors to build up the vulnerable sector’s resilience against the respiratory disease.

He also allayed concerns on vaccine supply, saying that at present, the Philippines has around 90 million doses of coronavirus vaccines stored in cold chain storage facilities and pediatric vaccine doses are scheduled to be delivered in the coming months.

The vaccine czar also expressed his gratitude to the local government units (LGUs), Department of Health (DOH), National Vaccination Operation Center (NVOC), National Task Force Against COVID-19, the private sector, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) for working hand-in-hand with the government in ensuring that the vaccination drives remain safe and efficient.

Galvez likewise thanked other countries, foreign partners and bilateral allies, and the World Health Organization-led COVAX facility for donating vaccines and vaccine supplies to the Philippines.

Meanwhile, President Duterte lauded Galvez for all his efforts as vaccine czar and NTF COVID-19 chief implementer.

“Any superior would be very happy to have you pero lahat naman kayo eh. I could not have chosen better men, actually,” he said. PND

 

 

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

PRC mobile services to reach SurSurnons

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)-Caraga will be conducting the PRC Mobile Service in the province of Surigao del Sur on March 14-15, 2022 at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg), this city.

Clients may physically go to the office for an appointment or schedule one through prc.gov.ph to access the following online services:

1. Application for Examination
2. Initial Registration
3. Renewal of Professional Identification Card
4. Certification of Board Rating and Passing

All applicants shall strictly observe minimum public health standards and bring their vaccination card during their appointment. 

In partnership with the provincial government, the PRC will launch its mobile operations to make their services accessible to clients in the province and nearby areas who have difficulty in accessing PRC's services due to travel restrictions or their location. (PGO-SDS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

PAFES rolls out in Caraga Region

 

BUTUAN CITY -- As the local government units take the baton in agricultural extension functions, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga conducted a series of provincial briefings to fully implement the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES) in the region.

 

According to Edelmira Luminarias, DA-Caraga PAFES focal person, the series of briefings with provincial partners kicked off in Surigao del Norte on February 10, 2022, followed on February 16 in Agusan del Sur, February 17 in Surigao del Sur, and February 24 in Dinagat Islands.

 

The meeting was attended by provincial officials, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members, provincial agriculturists, DA-partner agencies, academe, private sector representatives, and DA-Caraga officials. 

 

“We are grateful to our LGU partners for the collaboration in serving the agricultural sector. Through PAFES, our farmers will benefit more from a localized approach in assisting them,” Regional Executive Director Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. said, as he graced the said meetings. 

 

PAFES is one of the key strategies in the OneDA Reform Agenda in transforming Philippine agriculture to a modernized and industrialized sector with the LGU at the forefront of the extension services to the farmers in line with the implementation of the Mandanas-Garcia ruling. 

 

The Supreme Court affirmed the ruling in 2018, giving the LGUs a just share on all national taxes collected and not only from the Bureau of Internal Revenue effective 2022 to bankroll the devolved functions including agriculture. 

 

“Agriculture is local, agriculture is provincial. Therefore, the LGUs are in a better position in identifying and supplying extension services that would bring more progress to the countryside and make the country food secure and resilient amid the challenges of devolution,” Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Operations Rebecca Reyes Atega said.

 

Under the scheme, DA will co-plan, co-invest, co-implement, and co-monitor priority projects in the province as they embark on commodity specialization to maximize comparative advantage. 

 

“PAFES will serve as the modality of implementing banner programs wherein the DA will do the steering while the LGUs will do the rowing,” Atega added. 

 

Provincial Agriculturist Matt Valiente of Agusan del Sur said that PAFES would be a paradigm shift and revolutionary in pursuing the full devolution of agri-fishery services to the local government units, as mandated in the Executive Order (EO) 138.

 

Signed on June 1, 2021, EO 138 mandates the full devolution of certain functions of the Executive Branch to local government units.  

 

“It is an opportunity for the Provincial LGU and its component Municipal and or City LGUs to mainstream the implementation of locally initiated and funded agri- fishery programs and projects thru integration, harmonization, and consolidation of the existing agri-fishery programs of the DA with its attached agencies and other stakeholders, and augmentation of the LGUs financial and human resource capability,” he said.  

 

“It would be more helpful to benchmark the initial result or impact of PAFES implementation in the piloted provinces such as Ilocos and Agusan del Norte, among others, and replicate the good practices which are applicable and appropriate in our locality,” he added. 

 

Earlier, Caraga State University (CSU) presented the Rapid Appraisal final output concerning PAFES implementation.

 

The Rapid Appraisal is being crafted by CSU in partnership with Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) and the Regional Technical Working Group to assess and determine the readiness of the LGUs of Agusan del Norte as the pilot province of the PAFES implementation.  

 

Rapid Appraisal will also be conducted to the rest of the provinces in the region. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA-Caraga with Photo credit: RTD Rebecca R. Atega, Edelmira Luminarias and APCO-SDS/PIA-Caraga) 

 

Monday, February 28, 2022

IPs sa probinsya ng SurSur nagpaabot ng pasasalamat sa gobyerno dahil sa mga natapos na SBDP projects

Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY -- Nai-turn over na sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Surigao del Sur ang ilang pangunahing proyekto sa ilalim ng Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) ng Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC).

Siniguro ng NTF-ELCAC na maitaguyod ang kapakanan ng bawat residente lalo na ng mga indigenous peoples (IPs) sa mga conflict-affected areas sa probinsya.

Kabilang sa mga priority projects ang 1.2 kilometer farm-to-market roads; construction ng school building sa Sitio Simuwao ng Barangay Diatagon, Lianga; local access barangay road sa Barangay Buhisan, Lianga, San Agustin; construction ng 6-unit school sanitary toilets with septic tank; installation ng solar street lights sa buong barangay ng Pong-on, San Agustin; at road concreting mula barangay proper hanggang Purok-4 ng Tagbobonga, Hinatuan.

Dahil dito, nagpaabot ng pasasalamat si Datu Estanislao Tolentino, Jr., Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative ng Barangay Diatagon.

“Itong mga proyektong ito na isinulong ng ating Presidente Rodrigo Duterte ay talagang naaayon sa pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan lalo na sa aming mga nasa upland area. Kaming lahat sa tribu ay umaasang mas marami pang maisakatuparang proyekto at programa,” ani ni Tolentino.

Laking pasalamat din ni Mayor Novelita Sarmen ng Lianga, Surigao del Sur. “Ang local na pamahalaan ng Lianga ay nagpapasalamat kay President Rodrigo Duterte dahil sa wakas ay natapos na itong proyekto na matagal nang inaasam ng ating mga tribu dito sa lianga lalo na sa Sitio Simuwao,” banggit niya.

Samantala, binigyang diin ni Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy ng Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) na kailangang magkaisa ang lahat para tuluyan nang masugpo ang insurgency at tuloy-tuloy ang mga programang pang-kaunlaran ng gobyerno sa lugar.

“Sa totoo lang, ang pinakamakapangyarihan sa demokrasya ay kayo. Hindi ‘yun salita, so ngayon na darating na halalan gamitin ninyo ‘yun para tuloy-tuloy [ang kaunlaran] kasi hindi ito matatapos [insurgency] ng kahit na sinong pangulo itong problemang ito kung hindi ito gaganda ng katulad ng mga pangarap natin, kung ang susunod na pangulo ay kaibigan ang CPP-NPA-NDF,” pahayag ni Usec. Badoy. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

 

Monday, February 28, 2022

SurSur IPs to benefit from completed priority projects under SBDP 

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY -- Several identified priority projects under the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict RTF-ELCAC) have been turned over to the local government unit of Surigao del Sur. 

The NTF-ELCAC ensures the welfare of the Surigaonons in the Sur area, especially the indigenous peoples (IPs) in the conflict-affected areas of the said province.

These projects include 1.2 kilometer farm-to-market road; construction of school building at Sitio Simuwao, Barangay Diatagon, Lianga; local access barangay road at Barangay Buhisan, Lianga, San Agustin; construction of six-units of school sanitary toilets with septic tank; installation of solar street lights in the whole area of Barangay Pong-on, San Agustin; and road concreting from barangay proper to Purok 4 of Tagbobonga, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

With this development, Datu Estanislao Tolentino, Jr., Indigeneous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Barangay Diatagon expressed his tribe's gratitude to the government.

“We heartily accept this development. These projects really suit the needs of our constituents especially for people like us who are living in the upland area. The tribe has been longing for these projects to be completed,” said Tolentino.

Mayor Novelita Sarmen of Lianga, Surigao del Sur also expressed thanks to the NTF/RTF-ELCAC. The local government unit ng Lianga, we are thankful to President Rodrigo Duterte for providing us these projects that would benefit our IPs here in Sitio Simuwao,” she said.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy of Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) emphasized the need for everyone to unite and combat insurgency, and allow government's developmental programs and projects continue to pour in the area. 

“This coming national and local elections, let us do our part and be wise enough to vote for those candidates who really have the heart to resolve the insurgency and continue the development efforts of the Duterte administration,” she said. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)