Wednesday, 30 April 2025

DMW warns public against illegal recruitment on Facebook and TikTok

By Mariesh F. Celedena

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is warning job seekers about fraudulent overseas job offers circulating on online platforms like Facebook and TikTok, promising immediate and easy processing of employment documents.

“Lately, we have observed that there are many postings of job offers abroad through online platforms like Facebook and TikTok, promising immediate and easy processing of employment documents. Unfortunately, many applied without validating if these recruiters are legitimate, resulting in a compromise of financial resources and false hope,” said Ritchel M. Butao, regional director of the DMW during the recent capacity training on Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons (AIRTIP) in Butuan City.

Butao encouraged job seekers and applicants to verify the legitimacy of recruitment agencies and carefully examine their websites and advertisements, noting that recommendations from relatives are not always accurate. She advised researching and applying through registered agencies and undergoing the proper process and documentation to avoid repercussions.

Too good to be true

Butao also cautioned against job offers that seem too good to be true, saying, “Take note of the offers of these recruiters. Most of them promise ‘too-good-to-be-true’ compensation and other job perks, including free accommodation and bonuses. They also require you to pay without issuing official receipts.”

Maribeth D. Amacio, branch manager of Myriad Human Resource and Services Inc., urged public vigilance and mindfulness, sharing tips to identify illegal recruitment agencies.

“Whenever we conduct advertisements through the distribution of flyers, our agents always bring and wear their identification card, business permit, accreditation certificate and agency certificate of renewal. We can only conduct job hirings if we have proper venue and permission from DMW and the local government unit (LGU). Without these documents, an agent is already considered illegal,” Amacio added.

To verify if a recruitment agency is licensed and authorized to offer job employment, applicants can visit the DMW website at www.dmw.gov.ph or visit their office.

The DMW also highlighted the services available for victims of illegal recruitment, such as psychosocial services, business financial literacy and financial assistance, to ensure their resilience and recovery from their unfortunate experiences.

Through active collaboration with partner agencies, the DMW also provides skills training and upgrading for victims of illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons to guarantee their employability for future employment both locally and abroad. (MFC, PIA-Caraga)

Wednesday, 30 April 2025

Health concerns of solo parents, addressed

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – While the rights and benefits of solo parents were highlighted during the recent Kapihan sa PIA at SM City Butuan, the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Filipino Family (RIAC-FF) chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga also addressed health concerns of the solo parent sector.

Ever Joy Rabadan, education supervisor of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Caraga, said that apart from implementing and providing educational assistance and scholarship programs to qualified beneficiaries, the commission also conducts activities that address the mental and psychosocial concerns of the dependents and the solo parents themselves who are also studying.

“We conduct mental health awareness and financial literacy seminars to CHED scholars and provide an avenue where they can also air out their concerns and help them address them,” Rabadan said.

Maria Fe Casil, a solo parent from Butuan City and an onsite viewer of the Kapihan sa PIA, expressed the need for concerned government agencies to help solo parents experiencing depression by providing counseling and psychosocial interventions.

“Nowadays, I feel like I am undergoing functional depression. That’s why I’d like to know if our government has programs that could help us overcome this,” Casil said.

In response, the Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) health program officer Roselle Bonggoyan conveyed her appreciation to Casil for courageously admitting she needs counseling to overcome her struggles and mental health issues.

Bonggoyan also revealed the availability of health facilities with doctors who can assist solo parents like Casil.

“We have the Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital, DOH Wellness Clinic with our psychiatrist should you want to avail yourself of it. I will help you with your appointment schedule,” Bonggoyan said.

Jessie Catherine Aranas, chief of the Protective Services Division of DSWD Caraga, emphasized that the department implements the “WiSUPPORT” Program, a wireless support system where anyone can call their hotline and on-duty psychometricians will accommodate and assist solo parents with their concerns.

“During these difficult times, it is best that we intensify our advocacy campaign on mental health through different activities to prevent cases of depression, stress, and many other problems. The DSWD has a program under its Crisis Intervention Section,” Aranas said.

“You may also send your queries and concerns to our WiSUPPORT platforms: wisupport.dswd.gov.ph; wisupport@dswd.gov.ph; and Wireless Mental Health and Psychosocial Support – WiSupport Program Facebook page,” Aranas added.

Aranas further mentioned that under Republic Act 11861, otherwise known as the “Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act,” solo parents are not alone, and the government looks after their welfare and general well-being. (JPG, PIA Caraga)

Wednesday, 30 April 2025

Farmers to benefit from Mindanao’s 1st bamboo fiber hub

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – More than 80 local farmers from the Kapunungan sa mga Maguuma sa Simbalan Inc. (KAMASI) will directly benefit from Mindanao’s first Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (BTFIH) through a secured market arrangement with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI).

Through the innovation hub, the farmers now have guaranteed buyers for their bamboo produce, as DOST-PTRI will buy the processed bamboo fibers for use in textile development, particularly for the upcoming Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center (RYPIC) in Kabacan, North Cotabato. 

This initiative not only adds value to bamboo as a renewable resource but also creates a steady and sustainable source of income for the farmer-members.

“Aduna na kami segurado nga mopalit sa among mga tanum nga kawayan. Dugang pa kini sa among panginabuian, (We now have a guaranteed buyer for our bamboo plants. This will be an added source of livelihood for us),” said Charlito J. Dutosme, chairperson of KAMASI, expressing the farmers’ gratitude for their potential income from planting bamboo.

Located in Sitio Cabayugan, Barangay Simbalan, the new hub is equipped to process up to 40 kilograms of raw bamboo fiber per day, providing farmers access to advanced processing technologies and enabling them to actively participate in the expanding textile industry.

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Noel M. Ajoc, regional director of DOST, described the hub as historic, calling it a “bridge between the grassroots and the global market.” He emphasized that the facility marks the first step in creating textiles from local bamboo, with the farmers’ outputs undergoing further processing through DOST-PTRI’s support.

Ajoc also expressed hope that through the establishment of the hub, the municipality of Buenavista will soon emerge as the textile capital of the Caraga region.

Meanwhile, Agusan del Norte Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante pledged the provincial government’s continuing support to further strengthen the project, including providing additional infrastructure needs such as solar power to help improve operations.

Amante called on the members of KAMASI to sustain the gains of the project through unity and hard work: “Naa sa inyong pagtinabangay ug kagugi ang mamahimong makapalambo sa inyong kooperatiba ug sa inyong panginabuhian.” (Success will come from your cooperation and perseverance in strengthening your cooperative and livelihood.)

Buenavista Mayor Joselito T. Roble likewise underscored the significance of the project, saying that the hub will create a meaningful impact on the lives of the KAMASI members as direct beneficiaries of the technology. He expressed deep gratitude to the DOST for its unwavering support to farmers — from the provision of new technologies to the rollout of transformative projects like the bamboo innovation hub.

The Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (BTFIH) in Agusan del Norte, a pioneering initiative in Mindanao, marks a major milestone in the Philippine textile sector as it strengthens the pivotal role of innovation and science in uplifting rural economies. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)

Wednesday, 30 April 2025

RTWPB Caraga announces increase of P20 to minimum wage earners

BUTUAN CITY – The Caraga Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) Secretary VI Earl D. Dela Victoria announced to the media practitioners the implementation of the 2^nd tranche of Wage Order No. 19, during the 123^rd Labor Day Press Conference of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga in Butuan City on April 25.

Dela Victoria said, “As per Wage Order No. 19 which took effect on January 2, 2025, an additional P20 increase will be given to our minimum wage earners starting May 1, 2025 raising Caraga’s minimum wage to P435.”

He added the importance of reviewing the wages of the employees as this increase may result to wage distortion. “To all of our business owners, while it is true that you need not increase the wages of your employees who are already receiving more than the mandated minimum wage, we also ask you to review their salaries because wage distortion might exist.”

For concerns on the management sector, Dela Victoria explained that per Omnibus Guidelines, any appeal to the Wage Order shall be filed within 10 days from publication thereof. “Considering that the wage board did not receive any appeal from both management and labor sectors, we believe there are no concerns relative to the new minimum wage rate.”

He underscored that in terms of the amount of the increase, Caraga region ranked 3^rd in the entire Philippines, implementing an additional P50 to the current wage rate of P385.

Meanwhile, DOLE Caraga Director and Regional Wage Board Chairperson Jason P. Balais urged the public to comply with the new minimum wage rate to avoid violation of labor laws.

“RTWPB Caraga is conducting information dissemination all over Caraga through the Usapang 2Ps: Pasahod at Productivity to inform establishments of the new minimum wage rate,” Dir. Balais said.

Wage Order No. 19 which took effect on January 2, 2025 mandated an increase of P50 to all minimum wage earners. This increase is given in two tranches, P30 upon the effectivity of the new wage order or on January 2, 2025, and P20 increase on May 1, 2025. (Attorney Lorainne D. Sacote, RTWPB Caraga/PIA Caraga)

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

596 Caraga cops deployed to BARMM 

BUTUAN CITY -- A total of 596 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga were officially deployed today, April 29, to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to serve as members of the electoral board for the 2025 National and Local Elections and BARMM Parliamentary Elections.

Police Brigadier General Christopher N. Abrahano, regional director of PNP Caraga, led the send-off ceremony, alongside Atty. Geraldine C. Samson, assistant regional election director of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Caraga. 

Also in attendance were the members of the PNP Caraga command group, provincial and city directors, regional staff, and Rev. Fr. JSupt Aldrin P. Alaan, regional chaplain of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Caraga, who officiated the blessing and prayer for the troops.

The contingents, composed of nine police commissioned officers and 587 police non-commissioned officers, will be deployed to Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, and the special geographic areas.

Dir. Abrahano, Atty. Samson, and Atty. Ma. Farah B. Sollano, branch manager of AFPSLAI Butuan, also distributed health kits to the troops.

“To our PNP personnel, you will be there to safeguard the very essence of democracy. Be safe and sound until you return home,” Abrahano said. (PNP PRO 13/PIA Caraga)