(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 19 February 2025) Shear Line affecting the eastern section of Northern Luzon. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Southern Mindanao. Northeast Monsoon affecting Extreme Northern Luzon. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Easterlies. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from East to Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Friday, 24 January 2025

Sama Bajau families receive housing units in Surigao City

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte  - The city government here, in partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), turned over 12 housing units to the Sama Badjao community on January 17 at the Bajau Eco-Village, Sitio Panubigon, Barangay Lipata, of this city.

The housing units served as tangible result of the project on “Huy-anan nan Bajau sa Surigao,” to a resettlement area in Sitio Panubigon that is being developed as an eco-village by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The project is implemented by UN-Habitat with funding from the Government of Spain through the Spanish Agency For International Development Cooperation (AECID) that seeks to improve the living conditions of the indigenous group.

Also, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the provincial government of Surigao del Norte were among the key contributors in the project’s implementation and milestone.

Surigao City Mayor Pablo Yves L. Dumlao II said, “The project, which provides sustainable housing for Sama Bajau families, embodies the city government’s commitment to uplifting vulnerable communities,” as he highlighted the city’s dedication to fostering empowerment and equity through programs that address the needs of marginalized groups and vulnerable sectors of the society.

UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzales, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government, United Nations, and stakeholders to ensure that resettlement is in line with global goals for inclusive and sustainable development, including livelihood opportunities.

He shared some of the initial and proposed livelihood programs considered during community consultations such as aquaculture development, materials recovery facility, and a neighborhood store that can be upscaled to an e-commerce platform.

Tribal Chieftain Dahila Araman expressed gratitude to the city government of Surigao, UN-Habitat and the stakeholders for giving them a decent place to live and resilient houses to keep their families safe and protected.

The Sama Badjao, one of the country's many indigenous groups, are nomads, thus, they do not stay in one place. However, in Surigao City, the government and UN-Habitat allowed them to build a community where they can call home. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)