Wednesday, 10 December 2025

Agusan Norte receives honor from TESDA’s National Kabalikat Award

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The province of Agusan del Norte marked a milestone in its pursuit of inclusive development after the provincial government of Agusan del Norte was recently honored at the 2025 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA)  National Kabalikat Awards.

The TESDA National Kabalikat Awards, held on November 24 at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City, is the agency’s premier recognition program honoring institutions, organizations, and individuals with exemplary partnership, innovation, and commitment to elevating the country’s technical-vocational education and training (TVET) ecosystem.

The provincial government has shown innovative approaches to uplifting local communities, including promoting livelihood training in conflict-affected and geographically isolated barangays, supporting retooling and upskilling initiatives, and advocating for employment pathways for TVET graduates. These efforts demonstrate the province’s long-term vision of empowering Agusanons through capacity-building and competency-based training

Emerging as the National Awardee under the Local Government Unit (LGU) Category, Agusan del Norte, led by Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante expressed gratitude for the honor, emphasizing the province’s mission to uplift its communities through education and capacity-building. “This award is a testament to our commitment to invest in the skills of our people. By empowering Agusanons with education and training, we are helping them build better futures for their families and communities.”

Agusan del Norte earned the distinction for its strong and sustained support of TESDA programs, which include expanding access to scholarship opportunities, strengthening community-based training, and integrating skills development into its priority sectors. Agusan del Norte has consistently invested in workforce readiness programs, supported the establishment and improvement of training facilities, and partnered with TESDA to respond to the skills needs of industries, out-of-school youth, and vulnerable groups.

“We will continue strengthening our programs and partnerships to ensure that no one is left behind in our pursuit of inclusive and sustainable growth,” Gov. Amante said. 

Meanwhile, Agata Mining Ventures Inc. (AMVI) also secured top recognition as the national awardee under the Industry Category, highlighting the company’s active role in supporting skills development, particularly through training support, technology sharing, and job placement opportunities for local trainees.

TESDA Caraga Regional Director Florencio F. Sunico, Jr., praised both awardees, stressing the value of collaboration in achieving sustainable development.

“These awards reflect the strong teamwork between TESDA, the local government, and our industry partners. Agusan del Norte has shown what is possible when sectors work hand in hand to uplift the lives of our people,” Dir. Sunico said.

He is hoping that the accolade will inspire more institutions to invest in skills development and contribute to the region’s growth.

TESDA Agusan del Norte reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing partnerships and implementing programs that further strengthen local skills development, promote inclusive growth, and create meaningful socio-economic opportunities for every Agusanon. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)

Wednesday, 10 December 2025

433 Surigao Norte families graduate from 4Ps

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — A total of 433 families from various municipalities in Surigao del Norte as partner-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) took part in the Katumanan 2025 Graduation cum Exit Ceremonies.

These households graduated from the program after achieving the Well-being status of Self-Sufficiency in their living conditions based on the Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI) assessment. Out of the 433 families who graduated, 134 households were from the municipalities of Mainit, 99 households were from Pilar, 127 households were from Placer, and 73 households were from Socorro.

The Katumanan 2025 Graduation, held in the last week of November, featured the sharing of success stories, expressions of support from the local government units, and the reaffirmation of hope for the future among graduates of the program. Local chief executives, municipal social welfare and development officers, Sangguniang Bayan members, and proud 4Ps graduates were among those in attendance.

In his message, Mainit Mayor Ramon Mondano commended the beneficiaries for reaching self-sufficiency, noting that many families now have college graduates who are employed in their chosen fields. “Today, we celebrate everyone’s success in reaching self-sufficiency. As Mainitnons, we are proud of your achievements.”

Mayor Mondano also announced that the LGU of Mainit will extend scholarship support to current college students who exited from the 4Ps households.

​Tatay Calixtro, one of the beneficiaries, said, “The opportunity to be a part of the 4Ps and to complete the Katumanan Program are life-changing experiences for me and my family. This is not merely financial assistance; it has become a foundation for them to gain courage, knowledge, and the capacity to slowly lift themselves out of poverty.”

​”Let us remember that the education and the lessons we have received are the most important legacy we can give to our children. Let us not stop reaching for our dreams,” he added. “Thank you very much to DSWD, LGU officials, social workers, and to everyone supporting this program. You have been our bridge to a better future. The Katuparan Program is not just a promise of hope; it has become the fulfillment of our dreams.”

The “Katumanan,” a Cebuano word meaning fulfilment or realisation, is conducted annually and celebrates the victory of 4Ps families in their effort to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DSWD Caraga) 

Tuesday, 9 December 2025

Pangilinan lauds Agusan Sur for agricultural innovation, farmer empowerment

By Niña Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) -  Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, has commended the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS) for its strong push to advance agriculture.

During his keynote address at the Stakeholders’ Forum and World Soil Day celebration on December 5, held at the Datu Lipus Makapandong covered court in Patin-ay, Prosperidad, the senator cited the province’s efforts amid the odds.

In his speech, Pangilinan acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers, particularly during calamities when agricultural lands are devastated by flooding. He emphasized that without government intervention, many farmers would struggle to sustain their livelihoods.

The senator recognized the efforts of Agusan del Sur 2nd District Representative Adolph Edward G. Plaza, whom he described as the country’s ‘soil health champion.’ Pangilinan cited Plaza’s initiatives in advancing agriculture through soil testing and analysis, as well as the establishment of the province’s state-of-the-art Biogeochemistry Research Laboratory. The facility tests soil samples collected from farms across the province to determine suitable crops and recommend optimal fertilizer applications.

“Through these initiatives, Representative Plaza has expressed how important the study of soil is to farmers,” Pangilinan said. He noted that while the national average rice harvest per hectare is only four tons, Agusan del Sur has achieved six tons per hectare—30 percent higher than the national average—through soil testing and proper land management.

Pangilinan emphasized that with proper soil management, the Philippines could eventually surpass its current rice sufficiency rate of 77 percent and move from importing rice to exporting it. He also announced plans to expand Agusan del Sur’s soil testing program to other provinces in Caraga within the next two and a half years, with the goal of eventually rolling it out nationwide.

The senator toured the soil research laboratory, managed by the Provincial Research Development and Innovation Office (PRDIO), which was inaugurated on June 24 of this year. The facility was established following benchmarking visits by Representative Plaza, Governor Santiago B. Cane Jr., and other provincial officials to internationally renowned soil laboratories, including those in Australia.

In a press briefing with local media, Pangilinan underscored the urgency of addressing poverty among farmers and fisherfolk, which stands at 27 percent compared to the national poverty rate of 16 percent. “It is sad to note that those who produce our food are having a hard time even feeding themselves. This is a pressing issue that needs urgent intervention,” he said.

“Here in Agusan del Sur, we can really see that agriculture is being given utmost priority and importance by the provincial government,” Pangilinan added, stressing that if agriculture receives greater government support through funding and investment, food security will be within arm’s reach and agricultural competitiveness will be at par with neighboring countries.

Senator Pangilinan’s visit underscored the growing recognition of Agusan del Sur as a model for science-based agriculture in the country. With the province’s commitment to soil health and sustainable farming, local leaders and farmers show how innovation and government support can work hand in hand to ensure food sufficiency and help rural communities. (NJGD/PIA Caraga)

Tuesday, 9 December 2025

DOH-Caraga amps up call for HIV testing before childbirth  

By Niña Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga has intensified its call for pregnant mothers to undergo human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing before giving birth, emphasizing that early detection and treatment are crucial in preventing mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

The appeal was made during the ‘Kapihan sa SM City Butuan’ on December 2 with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga and subject matter experts from other government agencies and civil society organizations (CSOs). The call aligns with the global observance of World AIDS Day.

DOH-CHD Caraga program coordinator Arlene M. Serrano presented regional data on HIV cases, tracing the trend from the first reported case in 1995 up to the present year. According to Serrano, unprotected sexual intercourse remains the leading mode of HIV transmission in Caraga, mirroring national trends. However, she underscored that mother-to-child transmission has emerged as the second-highest mode of infection in the region, raising alarm among health advocates and prompting stronger interventions.

“Though there is a minimal number of HIV cases caused by mother-to-child transmission, our advocacy is to no longer have HIV-positive newborn babies,” Serrano stressed. “This is why we, at DOH-CHD Caraga, strongly campaign and encourage pregnant mothers to visit our public health centers for them to avail of the free HIV testing before giving birth.”

Intensified awareness campaigns.

In response, DOH-CHD Caraga has partnered with local government units (LGUs), hospitals, and community health workers to expand awareness and prevention programs. These include:

- Distribution of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials in health centers, schools, and barangays;

- Counseling sessions during prenatal checkups, where mothers are informed about the risks of HIV and the benefits of early testing;

- Routine HIV testing recommendations for expectant mothers, especially those in high-risk groups; and

- Linkage to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-positive mothers to reduce the risk of transmission during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding.

Health professionals emphasize that ART, when taken consistently, can lower the chances of mother-to-child transmission to less than two percent, compared to up to 45 percent without treatment.

The ABCDE strategy

Serrano also reiterated the ‘ABCDE’ strategy, a framework promoted nationwide to guide individuals in preventing HIV infection:

- Abstain from sex, especially risky encounters,

- Be mutually faithful to one partner,

- Correct and consistent use of condoms,

- Do not share needles; avoid drugs and alcohol, and

- Educate yourself and others about HIV risks.

This strategy, she explained, is not only for the general population but also directly supports efforts to curb mother-to-child transmission by encouraging responsible sexual behavior and awareness.

Regional and national context

Data from DOH show that HIV cases continue to rise nationwide, with 149,375 cumulative laboratory-confirmed cases recorded as of September 2025, and are still expected to rise in number. While Caraga accounts for a smaller share compared to other regions, the increase in mother-to-child transmission cases has become a pressing concern. Between 2020 and 2025, over 200 infants nationwide were reported to have contracted HIV from their mothers, highlighting the need for stronger interventions at the regional level.

DOH-CHD Caraga assured the public that HIV testing services remain free and accessible in government health facilities across the region. The agency also vowed to continue working closely with civil society organizations (CSOs), youth groups, and barangay health workers to eliminate new HIV infections among infants and ensure healthier futures for families in Caraga.

“This is part of our broader commitment to protect mothers and children, and to strengthen the fight against HIV in the region,” Serrano said.

The call to action comes as the Philippines joins the global community in reaffirming its commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). (NJGD, PIA Caraga) 

Tuesday, 9 December 2025

PCUP spearheads Mindanao-wide Solidarity Week in Barobo, Surigao Sur

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

BAROBO, Surigao del Sur (PIA) - The Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) recently led this year’s Mindanao-wide celebration of Urban Poor Solidarity Week (UPSW) at the municipal gymnasium in Barobo town, this province.

Held on Nov. 26, the event gathered delegates from Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, and Caraga,  strengthening inter-regional collaboration and advancing the welfare of urban poor communities across Mindanao.

PCUP Undersecretary Michelle Anne B. Gonzales, also its chairperson and chief executive officer, emphasized the celebration as an affirmation of the government’s commitment to inclusive development, ensuring no Filipino is left behind in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas vision.

“Ang pagdiriwang ng Urban Poor Solidarity Week ay paalala na mahalaga ang papel ng urban poor sa komunidad. Hindi sila pinapabayaan ng gobyerno, at patuloy ang PCUP na kaagapay nila sa kanilang mga pangangailangan,” Usec. Gonzales said.

(This celebration reminds everyone that the urban poor play an important role in their communities. The government doesn’t forget them, and PCUP will always stand beside them in all their needs.)

The regional convergence featured urban poor organizations seeking accreditation, awardees of the Natatanging Lingkod Maralita, and champions of the urban poor. Nationwide, UPSW is expected to unite 2,000 organizations, representing approximately 400,000 families or 10 million individuals, highlighting the sector’s critical role in national development.

Rogelio Plaza, one of the beneficiaries from Dagocdoc, Bongtus, Bag-ong Lungsod, Mabua-Rosario, shared how PCUP’s guidance helped their homeowners’ association move closer to securing housing. 

“Gusto jud namo makabaton ug kaugalingong balay ug yuta, ug namugna kini tungod sa tabang sa PCUP” (We wanted to have our own houses and lots, and this became possible with the help of PCUP), He said in an exclusive interview with the Philippine Information Agency -Surigao del Sur Government Information Center.

The Mindanao-wide celebration underscored the government’s dedication to providing equitable access to housing, livelihood, and social services, reinforcing the vision of a Bagong Pilipinas where every Filipino is empowered. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)