Wednesday, 10 September 2025

Manobo, Mandaya communities in Lingig, Surigao Sur welcome modern IP center

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

LINGIG, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — A new indigenous peoples (IP) Center now stands in Lingig, Surigao del Sur, giving the communities of the Manobo and Mandaya tribes a permanent space to strengthen their cultural identity, exercise their rights, and sustain traditions for future generations.

The Department of Public Works and Highways–Surigao del Sur 2nd District Engineering Office (DPWH-SDS 2nd DEO) turned over the one-story facility, built with a floor area of 158.2 square meters and funded under the FY 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) with an allocation of P5 million. 

The building is fully equipped with electricity and a toilet, providing a functional and modern venue for tribal consultations, governance, and cultural activities.

For years, many indigenous communities were challenged with access to safe and dedicated infrastructure for their social and cultural needs. With this center, the IPs of Lingig now have a tangible space that recognizes their identity and provides opportunities for empowerment.

Provincial IP Mandatory Representative Hawudon Jimmy Guinsod expressed his gratitude, noting that the center was made possible through the efforts of then 2nd District Congressional Representative and now Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel, in collaboration with tribal leaders and government agencies.

“Daku kaayo akong pasalamat sa atong gobyerno nga natukod ug nabutangan na gayud ug tribal hall ang lungsod sa Lingig. Kini maoy instrumento nga maserbisyuhan ang tribu ug dakung tabang sa pagpreserba sa kultura ug tradisyon sa Manobo ug Mandaya. Dugang pa niini, ma-exercise na ang mga katungod sa tribu nga nalatid sa Republic Act 8371,” Guinsod said.

(I am deeply grateful to our government for the establishment of this tribal hall in Lingig. This will serve as an instrument to better serve the tribes and will greatly help preserve the culture and traditions of the Manobo and Mandaya. Moreover, it enables the exercise of rights guaranteed under Republic Act 8371).

RA 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA), enshrines the right to ancestral domain, right to self-governance and empowerment, right to social justice and human rights, and right to cultural integrity. Guinsod emphasized that the new center will help local IP leaders uphold these rights with constant guidance from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

DPWH-SDS 2nd DEO underscored that the facility is not only a physical structure, but also a symbol of unity, peace, and development, a foundation that will strengthen indigenous communities amid modernization and globalization.

With this milestone, the municipality of Lingig reaffirms its commitment to protecting its cultural heritage and ensuring that indigenous identity continues to flourish.

The IP Center now stands as a beacon of hope where Manobo and Mandaya can gather, govern, and pass on their rich traditions to future generations to come. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)

Wednesday, 10 September 2025

PBBM launches historic SSS Pension Reform Program, pension hike starts on Sept. 1

For the first time in 11 years, Social Security System (SSS) pensioners will receive an increase in their monthly pension.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the ceremonial launch of the 2025 SSS Pension Reform Program, a significant milestone in the institution’s history.

During his speech at the 68th SSS anniversary celebration held at the SSS main office in Quezon City, President Marcos announced that starting September 1 this year, SSS pensions have been increased.

The President emphasized that the reforms are designed to improve the lives of millions of Filipino pensioners.

“Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon sa kasaysayan ng SSS, itinaas natin ang pensyon sa ilalim ng SSS Pension Reform Program,” the President said.

The Chief Executive said the adjustment will benefit retirees without requiring additional contributions. The program includes a 10 percent increase for retirement and disability pensioners, a five percent increase for survivorship pension, and higher benefits for dependents.

The pension increases will be implemented in three annual tranches every September from 2025 to 2027. The SSS said this is the first major pension adjustment since 2014.

“Bilang pasasalamat sa ating mga kababayan na buong buhay na naglingkod at nagtrabaho para sa ating bansa, simula unang araw ng Setyembre ng taong ito, itinaas na natin ang inyong buwanang pensyon,” President Marcos said.

The President added that the pension reform will cover 3.8 million beneficiaries and release PhP93 billion within three years, helping households cover food, medicine, and family needs while boosting the economy.

By aligning the reform with the theme “Sigurado ang Ginhawa sa Bagong Pilipinas,” President Marcos underscored his administration’s commitment to strengthening social protection and honoring the dignity of work.

In the same event, President Marcos declared the beginning of the celebration of National Pensioners’ Week every second week of September.

Wednesday, 10 September 2025

38 tour guides in Pilar, Siargao Island train on Filipino brand of service 

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — Thirty-eight community guides from Magpupungko Beach, Lagoon, and Rock Formation in Pilar, Siargao Island recently completed the training on Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE). 

Organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga, August 25–31, in partnership with the local government of Pilar through its Municipal Tourism, Culture, and Arts Office, the participants learned from the seven-day training including insightful discussions on Community Tour Guiding to promote exceptional customer service as tourism frontliners of the country’s premier tourist destination, instilling Filipino values and hospitality to tourists and visitors. 

DOT FBSE Trainer Marian Jill D. Castrence led the sessions covering key modules rooted on Filipino core values which includes the Philippine Tourism Industry and FBSE Journey; the 7Ms (Maka-Diyos, Makabansa, Makatao, Makakalikasan, Masayahin, May Bayanihan, and May Pag-asa) of Filipino Hospitality; the G.U.E.S.T. Steps to Service Excellence which meant greeting, understanding customer needs, empowering staff, service delivery, and thanking the guests; and the H.E.A.R.T. (hear, empathize, apologize, and react) method of service recovery, coupled with valuable cultural insights and practical strategies to equip guides in delivering exceptional and meaningful guest experiences. 

Also, an orientation on the DOT’s Updated Progressive Accreditation System (UPAS) was also introduced. “The UPAS contains the rules and regulations governing tour guide accreditation,” said Ryan Malbas Tapayan, DOT supervising tourism operations officer.

Representing DOT Caraga Director Ivonnie B. Dumadag, Tapayan added, “Collaboration and shared commitment among stakeholders are essential to fostering sustainable and inclusive tourism in the entire municipality of Pilar.”

The Pilar Vice Mayor Maria Liza G. Resurreccion  emphasized in her message  the vital role of tour guides as the frontliners ambassadors in the community to shape the perception of the destination while fostering deeper connections between tourists and the local community. “Your dedication and knowledge not only enhance the visitor experience, but also drive the growth of our local tourism.”

Tour guide Lenie said, “More than the new skills and knowledge, the training has reignited my pride as  a Filipino. I now understand that our warmth, smiles, and genuine desire to make others feel welcome are not just traits; they are our greatest assets. We are not just service providers; we are ambassadors of our country’s unique and world-renowned hospitality.”

“​I am committed to applying everything I have learned in this training and delivering them to my daily work. ​Thank you to the organizers and trainers for this invaluable opportunity. It has truly been a transformative experience,” she added.

The Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) is a tourism training program developed by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to enhance the service quality in the tourism and hospitality sector by embedding uniquely Filipino values, such as warmth and community spirit, into standard customer service practices and provides practical techniques for guest interaction and service recovery. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DOT Caraga)

Wednesday, 10 September 2025

DA, pinalalakas ang samahan ng magsasaka sa Surigao Norte sa pamamagitan ng SAAD

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — Nagsagawa ang Department of Agriculture-Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) National Program Management Office (NPMO) sa ilalim ng component na Social Preparation (SocPrep), ng limang-araw na rollout sa Bailan Farmer Entrepreneurs Association (BAFEA) sa Brgy. Bailan, Santa Monica, Surigao del Norte, 

Saklaw ng SocPrep rollout ang pagdaraos ng mga capacity-building session para sa mga kawani ng SAAD, partikular sa mga community development officers (CDOs), at pagbisita sa mga magsasaka ng BAFEA bilang pilot beneficiary ng aktibidad. 

Pinangunahan ito ni Marie Abigail G. dela Cruz, SAAD NPMO Social Preparation and Program Management (SPPM) Sub-unit Lead kasama ang SPPM Sub-unit staff members na sina Jacquelyn M. Rebusit at Engineer Meljun A. Florece.

Layunin nito na kilalanin ang mga karanasan ng grupo simula nang sila ay maging benepisyaryo ng SAAD at suriin ang mga hamon na kanilang kinaharap bilang mga miyembro at opisyal ng kanilang asosasyon. Tiningnan din sa mga pagbisita ang pagpapatupad ng patakaran ng grupo at ang pamamahala sa mga proyektong Goat at Ube Production.

Ayon kay Jekem D. Sanchez, senior agriculturist ng Research Division at SAAD Regional Program Advisory Committee (RPAC) member, “Dapat seryosohin at alagaan ang mga proyekto dahil malaki itong tulong upang makamit ang mga ninanais at plano para sa pag-unlad ng grupo.”

Nagpaabot naman ng kanyang mensahe si Ruel, isang miyembro ng nasabing grupo “Kami po ay masayang nagpapasalamat sa DA at ating pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa tulong at mga programang aming natanggap para sa aming asosasyon, napakalaking tulong na ito para sa aming pamilya.”

Dumalo sa aktibidad si SAAD Regional Lead Nick Bryan Medina, kasama ang RPAC member na si Engineer Claire P. Ilagan, chief ng Agricultural Program Coordinating Office (APCO) sa Surigao del Norte; Santa Monica Municipal Agriculturist Louie Ville O. Lerona; at iba pang kawani mula sa DA-SAAD. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte na may ulat mula sa DA-SAAD)

Wednesday, 10 September 2025

PIA encourages Caraga mayors to join fight against disinformation

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) —The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga shared the government’s Maging Mapanuri Campaign to the mayors from the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands, all in Caraga region during the training on Transformative Leadership for Elevated Governance: Refresher course for Re-elected Local Officials in Butuan City, held on September 2–3.

“Social media is today’s barangay plaza. However, there are groups and individuals who exploit social media by creating information pollution with the aid of digital technology such as artificial intelligence. This has brought confusion, panic and division among the Filipinos,” said PIA Caraga Assistant Regional Head Renelle L. Escuadro, as resource speaker.

“As the closest government leader to the people, our constituents have high expectations that local chief executives or the mayors do not tolerate this exploitation and they anticipate that mayors will take necessary steps to address this pressing concern,” she added. “The Maging Mapanuri Campaign will help you [mayors] protect the communities and promote information literacy to ensure a safer, more informed and connected society.”

Information pollution

She encouraged the participants to be vigilant and start understanding the three types of information pollution:  Misinformation is the unintentional spread of false or inaccurate information. It often arises from mistakes, misunderstandings, or misrepresentations and can occur in various forms, such as rumors.

Disinformation, on the other hand, involves the intentional spread of false information with the intent to deceive or manipulate. Tactics may include the creation of false stories, doctored images, and misleading narratives.

Mal-information consists of the dissemination of true information but with malicious intent, such as sharing private or confidential data without consent. It can lead to harm, invasion of privacy, or reputational damage.

She encouraged the participating mayors to be mindful of and verify the source, purpose, owner and the timeliness of the information to ensure accuracy and relevance prior to dissemination. “Due to trust and confidence, people consider the mayors as the source of correct information. They go to their mayors or visit the social media accounts of the mayors to get news and correct information.”

Also, she called on the leaders in attendance to help the country solve and address information pollution, especially those affecting the programs and projects of the government.

‘Fake News’ is wrong

The resource speaker also tackled the popular use of ‘fake news’ not only in social media, but also in daily conversation as an inappropriate phrase. “News is always accurate and true, thus, it cannot be fake.”

“Under information literacy, fake news is a misnomer or a wrong name or designation. It is also an oxymoron or a figure of speech that pairs two words together that are opposing or contradictory,” she explained. “Instead of using fake news, we just say, it is fake. Or better, under the Maging Mapanuri Campaign, we properly label it as either misinformation, disinformation or mal-information.”

As the development communication arm of the government,  PIA Caraga motivated the incumbent mayors of the region to help bring the Maging Mapanuri Campaign to the grassroots communities, ensuring that the fight against disinformation is a shared responsibility. 

Meanwhile, the convergence, spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga, also gave an opportunity for PIA Caraga to share insightful discussions on leadership branding, social media communication and public speaking.  (RLE, PIA Caraga)