Boat trips, flights in Caraga cancelled due to Typhoon Yolanda

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Surigao del Norte has ordered the cancellation of the departures of inter-island vessels to Siargao Island, Dinagat Islands and other parts of Visayas due to Typhoon Yolanda. The PCG has called off the departures of all vessels plying these areas due to PAGASA’s Public Storm Signal warning that the entire province will experience heavy rains and huge waves because of Typhoon Yolanda. Cokaliong Shipping Lines has announced in their facebook account the cancellation of all their boat trips due to Typhoon Yolanda. “All trips tonight, Nov 7, 2013, Thursday, will be cancelled due to the approaching typhoon. Please be guided accordingly. For refund or rebooking pls visit any of our offices. We will soon announce when the schedule of our next available trip,” it said. Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific has also cancelled its flights 5J 767/ 768 Manila-Surigao-Manila and 5J 223/ 224 Cebu-Butuan-Cebu today because of the typhoon. In its 11 a.m. bulletin, Thursday, PAGASA said typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) has gained strength while moving closer to the country and that as of 10 a.m., the eye of the typhoon was spotted 637 kilometers (km) east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. The state weather bureau said it is expected to make landfall over Guiuan, Eastern Samar around 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday. Yolanda has a maximum sustained winds of about 215 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph. It is moving west northwestward at 30 kph. (FEA/PIA-Caraga)

Surigao evacuation starts as Typhoon Yolanda approaches

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) - The city government of Surigao thru the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) began evacuating hundreds of people in areas prone to floods and landslides on Thursday ahead of a powerful typhoon that has gained strength over the Pacific. As of noontime today, CDRRMC reported at least 183 families or 233 individuals from barangay Taft have evacuated at the Mariano Espina Memorial Central Elementary School. Nine families or 56 individuals from barangay Washington took shelter at the barangay Washington Gym and 15 families or 58 individuals from barangay Sabang were evacuated at the city gymnasium. Typhoon Yolanda is expected to make landfall in the Eastern Samar by Friday and dump more rain on its nearby provinces, said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The state bureau has placed the city under signal number 3 in its 11 a.m. bulletin today. (FEA/PIA-Caraga)

DSWD Caraga readies for Yolanda

By Stella Maris V. Barcelon BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) - In preparation for super typhoon Yolanda, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga prepositioned 2,000 family packs today for the Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI). Another 1,000 family packs for the province of Surigao del Norte and Surigao City were allocated. A standby fund or quick response fund of 13, 675,008.83 million is also readied by the office. Meanwhile, the regular standby family packs have been increased from 2,000 to 5,000. Each family pack costs P285.36 and contains food items such as 3 kilos of rice, 6 noodles, 6 coffee, and 6 canned goods. Volunteer packers are in the process of adding 5,000 packs. Non-food items are also being prepared. These include blankets, mosquito nets, pail, basin, kitchen kit containing casserole, ladle, spoons, forks, plates, mugs and personal hygiene kit containing toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, feminine wash, and sanitary napkins. DSWD Caraga regional director Minda B. Brigoli said that the agency is ready to augment relief goods at any given time to support the request of affected LGUs. DSWD Caraga has already activated its Quick Response Team (QRT) who will render 24-hour duty. Municipal Action Team (MAT) leaders, community-based workers and other project-based staffs were already mobilized to continuously monitor for updates on the situation in their respective areas. (FEA/DSWD-Social Marketing Unit/PIA-Caraga)

NGCP prepares for Typhoon Yolanda

By MIlfrance Capulong BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) - The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has implemented the necessary preparations and precautions to minimize the impact of Typhoon Yolanda on NGCP operations and facilities. Preparation included ensuring the reliability of communications equipment, availability of hardware materials and supplies necessary for the repair of damages to facilities, as well as the positioning of line crews in strategic areas, to facilitate immediate restoration work. NGCP’s Integrated Disaster Action Plan (IDAP) prescribes these and other procedures to ensure the readiness of all power transmission facilities expected to be affected by the passage of the weather disturbance. Typhoon Yolanda has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 12:00 AM today. Based on PAGASA’s forecast, it is expected to move West Northwest at 30kph with a maximum sustained wind of 215kph and gustiness of 250kph. NGCP’s Overall Disaster Command Center monitors all power restoration activities, reports, and updates from the Regional Command Centers in North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, whichever is directly affected by the weather disturbance. (NGCP/PIA-Caraga)

IPs celebrate 16th IPRA anniversary

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 21 (PIA) – The office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the agency responsible for addressing issues regarding and concerns of the country's indigenous peoples (IP) will lead in the celebration of the 16th Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA) anniversary.

Atty. Elsie A. Alejandro, officer-in-charge of NCIP Caraga said, that the month of October is considered as month of the IPs. IPs from the different areas of Caraga region will gather for the celebration.

To raise IPRA and IP awareness of the community, there will be a series of activities lined up on October 24 to 25 to be held at the Agusan del Norte provincial capitol covered court in Butuan City, these include: different cultural presentations, quiz bowl to be participated by the NCIP’s Educational Assistance Program (EAP) Grantees and a poster making contest which is open to all students in the region with ages 12 to 15.

“This years’ celebration commemorates the 16th year of the enactment of the IPRA with the theme Nurturing Ancestral Domain Culture,” Alejandro said.

The celebration will be opened with a parade and the IPs ritual on Thursday and a solidarity and awarding ceremony will be held on Friday. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)

Feature: Engineer promotes organic hog raising

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 16 (PIA) - Heddy Padayhag Sumalpong, a civil engineer by profession and vice-president of Butuan Pork Producers Association, is positive in encouraging the community to venture in raising hogs the organic way.

Sumalpong has been engaged in organic hog production since 2003. “When I initially acquired my Large White breed of pig, I opted to apply organic method of raising,” she said.

Organic farming is a natural way on how to raise pigs. The idea is to rear healthy and leaner livestock. Consumers are assured that no synthetic feeds and antibiotics are induced, which can cause malady both to the pigs and the consumers.

Sumalpong’s interest in organic farming brought her course to search for more techniques that turned everything to her advantage. She said that organic farming does not require intensive effort where one should spend laborious hours operating and maintaining the sanitation of pigpen and its surroundings.

At this time, she is raising five productive pigs which are housed in a well ventilated pigpen, with a full sawdust beddings sprayed with Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO). “We prepare our own simple concoction of IMO. It’s easy and very beneficial in keeping the area odor-and-housefly free,” she said.

IMOs prevent the build-up of bad bacteria and hasten composting. Thus, eliminating the inconvenience of frequent wash-and-bath of pigs.

 “I basically feed the pigs the natural way, rame-rame and birds of paradise leaves became an every treat for my pigs,” Sumalpong said. She emphasized that feeds that contain chemical elements are not good to human body.

She cited that naturally raised hogs are hardly ever prone to animal sickness. They are regarded as a healthy and tolerant hogs that can withstand variations in climate and other environmental factors.

In a decade of organic hog raising practice, she is able to sustain in the business with a stable financial profit.  Her plant-eating pigs, also named “vegan pigs” can produce a litter of piglets twice each year. “Organic farming not only triple your return of investment, it likewise assures a healthy option of buying and consuming toxic-free products,” she added.

She is anticipating for her pregnant sow to farrow this week.

When asked about the taste and quality of meat from the organic hogs she produces, “a pleasant taste, fine texture and fresh smell plus low fat constitute its distinctive quality,” said Sumalpong.(FEA/VLG/PIA-Caraga)

DOH-Caraga promotes ComPack Program

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 16 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga has continued to promote its Complete Treatment Pack (ComPack) Program for Caraganons.

“The Complete Treatment pack (ComPack) Program is a free medicine access program designed to reach the poorest of the poor with the complete treatment regimens for the top most common diseases in the country like hypertension, diabetes, asthma, hypercholesterolemia and other common infections which contribute to increasing morbidity and mortality and high out-of-pocket spending for medicines and health services to majority of Filipinos,” said Haydee Senaca, registered nurse and ComPack Coordinator of DOH-Caraga.

Senaca also said the medicines shall be provided to patients who are in the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) list of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) including Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) beneficiaries as well as to patients not in the NHTS-PR list but are Sponsored Program members of the PhilHealth.

“The medicines shall be provided only upon consultation, diagnosis and prescription by the Rural Health Unit doctor,” clarified Senaca.

It was also learned that the DOH ComPack Program shall be implemented in all RHUs serving families who are in the NHTS-PR list of the DSWD including CCT beneficiaries and Sponsored Program members of PhilHealth.

The said members can avail of the medicines under the following conditions: 1) must have a DSWD or PHIC Identification number; 2) must be registered in the in an RHU included in the CCT program; 3) must be seen and diagnosed by an RHU physician; and 4) must adhere to the treatment regimen and comply with the follow-up schedules as advised by the physician.

For more information, the DOH-Caraga can be reached at this number: (085) 342-5724; 341-1595. (JPG/PIA-Caraga) 

DOH-CHD Caraga leads Consumer Welfare Month

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 14 (PIA) - The month of October has been declared as the Consumer Welfare Month as per Presidential Proclamation no. 1098 dated September 26, 1997, which also created the National Consumer Affairs Council (NCAC). The Department of Health as a member has been designated to lead the celebration for 2013. This year’s theme is “Health Products, Quality, Efficacy, Safety and Transparency – Everybody’s Concern”.

The DOH Center for Health Development Caraga in coordination with other agencies have lined-up different activities in celebration hereof, such as a holy mass at the St. Joseph Cathedral Diocesan Shrine at 5:00 am on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 followed by a fun walk from Guingona Park to the Provincial Capitol Grounds. A Hataw was then conducted led by the DOH CHD Caraga staff after the joint opening ceremonies of the Consumer Welfare Month, National Research Month and Cooperative Month celebrations. To better foster comradery and socialization, a Budol Feast highlighted the day’s activities.

On October 25, 2013, a ConsumerNet Meets the Public, a DOH Policy Dissemination and Advocacy forum on the implementation of the Electronic Drug Price Monitoring System (EDPMS) will be conducted in one of the convention centers in the city with a resource speaker coming from the DOH CHD Caraga.

Also, on October 31 a Regional Quiz Bowl and culmination program will be held at the DTI – Caraga Conference room with the DOH as a contributor to the questions for the said quiz bowl.

“Consumers, especially of health products, be it services of health professionals or health goods in different forms; should be knowledgeable of what they are accessing and availing. It is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard their health. The DOH will help in ensuring a nation of consumers with good and improved health seeking behavior towards cost efficient/effective interventions for better health outcomes.” – Dir. Minerva P. Molon. (DOH-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

DTI-13 awards shared service facilities

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 11 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Caraga Region has granted Shared Service Facilities (SSF) to the two beneficiaries, Ivory .07 Arts and Crafts and Butuan-Agusan del Norte Handicraft Developers, Inc. (BAHanDI) to provide the needed facilities that will aid in entrepreneurial activities.

SSF, a new development program of DTI, is aimed at addressing gaps in the supply and value chain of priority industry clusters through the provision of processing machines and equipment for common use of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

DTI-Agusan del Norte officer-in-charge Gay A.Tidalgo said that under SSF project, MSMEs can avail an increase in production capacities, improvement of product quality, and a reduction of processing costs.

DTI extends a total of 1M worth of machines to both beneficiaries.

“SSF beneficiaries were given the opportunity to access to expensive but specialized equipment. Appropriate production processes and manufacturing technologies will be introduced to them. SSF sets conformity to standards that will help marketability so it’s a good venue to attract consumers and enhance competitiveness in the market,” said Tidalgo. 

Brielgo O. Pagaran, DTI Caraga Regional Director, said that SFF project will pave the way to job generation by maximizing other livelihood projects.

The shared service facility is the DTI’s program to promote inclusive growth by providing equitable allocation of resources to benefiting members. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

PNP-13 intensifies security on barangay elections

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 9 (PIA) – The Philippine National Police-Police Regional Office-13 (PNP-PRO-13) has intensified security operations to deter the outbreak of violence in the forthcoming barangay elections on Oct 28.

PSSUPT Eugenio Paguirigan, PRO-13 chief of Regional Operations said that PRO-13 is intensifying the security posture in identified critical infrastructures and has also put forth efforts in target hardening of vital installations by mobilization of force multipliers, deployment of security personnel, and conduct of security surveys and inspection.

“On public safety, our main concern is the security on economic key points, vital installations and areas of convergence. Adequate measures are in place to secure vital installations particularly in transport and communications,” Paguirigan said.

Paguirigan said that there are closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras already installed in strategic areas for monitoring and surveillance purposes and they have intensified police presence in crime-prone areas.

According to him, the preparations likewise include the implementation of Daily Check Point Monitoring System (DCMS), conduct of a 24/7 strong checkpoint at strategic locations, and dissemination of Project “TIPSTER” (Text Information to the Police for Speedy and Timely Emergency Response), among others.

“Part also of PRO 13’s election security plan are the outlined area security procedures and deployment strategies,” declared Paguirigan. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

LGU Butuan pushes for women empowerment

By Diana Generalao

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 9 (PIA) – The local government here officially ties up with Paz y Desarrollo, a Spanish-based non-governmental organization, in its efforts of promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment during the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing between both parties, recently.

The MoU states that both parties shall collaborate in the promotion of women’s political participation, pursuit of gender responsive governance, and support the implementation and monitoring of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and its national translation which is the Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta for Women.

“We cannot do it alone.  We need the support of the local government unit and the implementing partner,” Paz y Desarrollo Country director Antonio Miguel G. Arias revealed.

Through the MoU, a framework of cooperation and collaboration shall be created among parties including dialogues, co-organizing activities at regional, national, and local levels, consulting and sharing training materials to achieve gender equality and promote women’s empowerment.

Five pilot areas are the beneficiaries of this recent partnership, These are barangays J. P. Rizal, Los Angeles, Pagatpatan, Bonbon, and Dulag.  Leadership Trainings, Voters’ Education, Planning Process, and Barangay Level Bottom Up will be done in these chosen areas. (NCLM/Butuan City-PIO/PIA-Caraga)

Butuan day care center bares accomplishments

By Johny S. Natad

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 1 (PIA) –The Gender and Development (GAD) Learning Resource Day Care Center (DCC) of this city revealed significant accomplishments in its center operations.

Day Care in-charge Fe Techavez-Labitad, in an interview, disclosed an increase of enrollees compared to the previous year. “Our pre-school has raised from 40 enrollees last year to 47 for this school year but it does not mean we are closing our enrolment since day care center is a whole year round program compared to other preschool institutions who have cut-off dates to cater children,” she said.

Labitad said the center also has undergone major makeover since the time they transferred from city hall building to the new location last year.

Labitad added that the continuing development of the center relies on the assistance from the city government, the parents and the concerned groups.

“When it comes to sustainability of the day care operation, it largely depends on the support from the city government since this is a mandatory program directing the national and local government to established a preschool for the employees’ children based on EO No. 340 and funds can be taken from the gender and development (GAD) funds,” Labitad said.

It was learned that the city has three existing workplace-based DCC including those at the DENR and PNP. Butuan was the first LGU to implement the workplace based DCC since 1982 and was nationally recognized since 1985 when the former Senator Letecia Ramos-Shahani provided one DCC at the adjacent building of the old Sangguniang Panglungsod.

“Day care parents group has its vital role to help contribute a minimal monetary cash or in-kind or in a drop-in-a bucket system,” Labitad explained.

According to Labitad, this has been her dream and something hoped for having a permanent building, decent and conducive for learning. “Our DCC served as venue for day care workers conferences in the past few months, and a training center for the newly hired day care workers especially those who are coming from different municipalities to pay visit and learned ideas and techniques of DCC operation.”

Labitad is thankful for the support of City Mayor Amante, City Administrator Leah Mendoza and other concerned people on their concerted efforts to provide one learning school for the employees’ children. “This is one contributing factor how the government galvanizes its support for the renovation of this DCC. City councilors like Ferdinand Nalcot promised to give one unit of air conditioner; Samuel Amante pledged from his CDF an amount of P10,000 for window grill materials; Nestor Amora gave already some materials for the pathway cementing and one unit wall fan,” she bared.

Aside from DCC’s regular activities, Labitad said an enhanced parent effectiveness services (EPES) seminar will be conducted to help parents, surrogate parents, guardians and other care givers to enhance their knowledge, skills and attitudes in parenting where they can be improve their awareness on significant roles and responsibilities to the family especially on health and nutrition, and family planning

Based on the previous year report, the DCC has conducted regular activities like the day care service orientation for the pre-school parents, nutrition month celebration, family day celebration, national children month celebration, Christmas day and outdoor activities like the educational tour to the museum and to the city library. (JSN/PIA-Caraga)

DTI-Caraga organizes Diskwento Caravan in celebration of Consumer Welfare Month

By Atty. Maria Aurora Curaza-Maquiling/Marson Jan S. Dolendo

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 1 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry-Caraga will be organizing two Diskwento Caravan this October for the benefit of consumers of Butuan City in celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month.

DTI-Caraga Regional Office is holding a one-day Diskwento Caravan today, during the opening day of the month-long celebration at the Capitol Grounds, Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol, here.

Consumers will get another chance of buying basic commodities at discounted prices as DTI-Agusan del Norte Provincial Office will be holding its own Diskwento Caravan on October 30-31, 2013 at the Happy Wholesaler and Supermarket Grounds, S. Calo Avenue, Brgy. Obrero, this city.

This year’s lead agency of the Consumer Welfare Month celebration is the Department of Health and has the theme, “Health Product Quality, Efficacy, Safety & Transparency – Everybody’s Concern." (NCLM/DTI-13/PIA-Caraga)

BANFA booters to compete in the PFF Smart Club Championship in CdO

By Eldie N. David

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 30 (PIA) - The Butuan-Agusan Norte Football Association (BANFA) is set to compete in the 3rd Edition of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Smart Club Championship Regional Eliminations slated in October 2-6, 2013 at the Pelaez Sports Center in Cagayan de Oro City.

According to BANFA President and First District Agusan del Norte Representative Lawrence “Law” Fortun, this will be the third time that the BANFA football team will participate in this annual tournament which made respectable finishes in the past contests. The BANFA team will be included in Group G in the Mindanao leg together with other football associations from Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental, Iligan-Lanao del Norte and Surigao del Norte.

“This is one venue where our players from Butuan City and Agusan del Norte will be exposed and further hone their skills as we continually strive to produce quality players that will hopefully be included in the national team,” Fortun said.

“We have proven in the past that we were able to produce quality players who are now playing in the different colleges and universities in Manila as scholars owing to their skills in football as well as some teams in the United Football League (UFL) and we will continue to develop more players with the rise of new breeds,” Fortun added.

Just last year, two players from the BANFA team in the Under 13 category were chosen to be included in the training pool for the Teen Askals.

In a related story, the BANFA also announced its new appointment of officers through an official letter to the PFF. Fortun in his letter formally informed the PFF hierarchy of the appointment of Mr. Marlon R. Labis as its new Vice President, Mr. Sean Bayotas as General-Secretary and Mr. Ronald Canton as Treasurer. The appointment of officers came after Fortun once again renewed his mandate as President of BANFA after the recent election which showed no contender against Fortun.(NCLM/Agusan del Norte 1st District/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

CRIP awards regional peace ambassadors

By Johny S. Natad

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 1 (PIA) – The Caraga Regional Institute of Peace (CRIP) awarded on Monday its first Regional Peace Ambassadors for their valuable commitment and efforts in the promotion of peace in the region.

CRIP chairperson and executive director Rex F. Ybañez led the awarding of Dr. Adrilene Mae J. Castaños, 1Lt. Joe Patrick A. Martinez and Pastor Recto T. Labrador for their exemplary character, knowledge, and perseverance which made an impact in their communities during the Regional Peace Education Contest Conference at the AVR-2 of Fr. Saturnino Urios University, this city.

Castaños is currently the university director for National Service Training Program (NSTP) of Caraga State University. She has served as focal person on Gender and Development Office (GAD) from 2001 to 2006 of Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology (NORMISIST) (presently Caraga State University). Her major effort is on the promotion on gender education, gender equality and participation of women in developments.

Castaños has made significant contribution in many researches and publications such as Violence Against Women and Children and Child Trafficking; Pilot Study on VAWC and Women and Gender Child Trafficking Incidence And Magnitude; Women in Conflict Areas of Mindanao; Regional Program to Promote Gender Equality in Political Participation in the Philippines; Political Participation Of Women in Caraga: A Case Study Regional Program to Promote Gender Equality in Political Participation in the Philippines. She is the networking coordinator on various peace education and gender education programs on Paz Y Desarrollo–Women and Gender Institute. Her researches and publication have been presented before various conventions and conference, and have published by Paz Y Desarrollo – Women and Gender Institute.

1Lt. Joe Patrick Martinez is the Commanding Officer of the 42nd Civil Military Operations Company, Camp Bancasi, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte of the Philippine Army. A mission-oriented Army Officer with pro-active work ethic, Martinez is known for his peace advocacy in the most dangerous areas around the region. The Philippine Army awarded him with Military Merit Medal and Military Commendation Medal for his excellent contribution in the resolution of conflict in the community.

His work made to the peaceful resolution of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Barangay Luna, Surigao City. He and his company successfully supported the concerned stakeholders in facilitation of supports to be given to the affected families and later on facilitated the safe return of the said families to their communities in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.  He also contributed to the peace intervention during the attack of NPA in Mining firms in Claver, Surigao del Norte.

Martinez conducted series of dialogues, symposiums, and house-to-house visitations to the affected families. Provided right information to the general public and to the defense department on the current situation of the people and facilitated the support to be given to the affected families. He also was responsible for the peaceful resolution of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Barangay Emadejas, Butuan City and helped facilitate the safe return of the said families to their communities in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

Pastor Recto Labrador is a community development worker known for his passion in nurturing street children on living peacefully and righteously. During his tenure as a Church Pastor, he worked as a Campus Worker/Minister to High School students in so many places. He is connected to an Inter-faith base Campus ministry called Shalom Friendship Global Network (SFGN).  He is the Chairman of the Christian Muslim and Lumad Interfaith Organization in Agusan Del Sur.

Recto is presently ministering Street Children of Butuan City for eight years feeding the children with Good Moral Values, Biblical Interfaith education and food to supplement the needs of the children who are less fortunate. He choses to reside in a Muslim and Christian area of Barangay Ong Yiu, Butuan City, where he teaches peace principles and feed more than a hundred street kids. He is also a delegate of the International Interfaith Conference for Peace held in Davao City and Sultan Kudarat sometime last 2012, the volunteer lecturer of Caraga Region Institute of Peace, True Love Waits and Caraga Youth Leaders Network and the volunteer in the Moral Recovery Program of Butuan City Government. (JSN/PIA-Caraga)

Children’s Day celebration kicks-off in Butuan City

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 1 (PIA) – In line with this year's National Children's Month celebration, the city government of Butuan kicks-off the celebration with a foot parade which gathered preschoolers from different public and private schools in three districts of this city.

The short program that followed after the parade is highlighted with various presentations, mass dance, taekwondo, and kiddie band exhibition.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Aldebran M. Mordeno,  in her welcome address, urged everyone to work together for the promotion of the children's welfare. “A strong and healthy family helps in achieving a child’s dream. They are our greatest asset and we should take care of their future,” she said.

In his message, Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. emphasized the importance of the parents and citizens’ role in molding the children. “I call for the renewal of our commitment to prepare a better place for our children to live in, to promote their wellbeing, and to secure their future," he remarked.

The activity concluded with the launching on the Search for a Green Thumb Project. “The aim is to encourage every child to plant seedlings using recycled materials. That way, they will have the opportunity to share their part in sustaining a green environment,” said councilor Ferdinand E. Nalcot, Chairman, Committee on Social Services.

Several activities are lined-up for the National Children’s month-long celebration in partnership with other government and non-government organizations.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme, “Child Friendly Philippines: A Caring and Protective Society for, by and with the Children.” It focused on protecting the basic rights of children and bringing awareness about the impacts of violence, discrimination and other emerging threats.  (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

DENR eyes other options to pin down illegal logging kingpins

By Eric F. Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 28 (PIA) -  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga region is exploring other options  that can put to jail the perpetrators including  the main operator and financier  of illegal logging and timber poacher. 

"We must admit that the DENR is finding hard time in pinning down a mastermind of illegal logging activities including their financiers owing to inadequate knowledge of legal procedures by the people imposing the environment regulations," DENR 13 Regional Executive Director Nonito M. Tamayo said.

Director Tamayo was answering a query from the members of the local media during a press conference held at the DENR Conference shortly after the signing of the Memorandum of Partnership with the Agusan National High School Class 1990 on the planting of mangrove as its contribution to the National Greening Program.

He said the DENR has filed 81 cases related to illegal logging against the operators and timber poachers and more than half of these cases were dismissed by the court due to technicalities and insufficient documents. 

 "The rest of the cases that we have filed at the fiscal office are still awaiting court actions," Tamayo said. 

He said the DENR top management at the Central Office is on the process of reviewing the system to correct deficiencies in operational management  based on the experiences of the people involved in the anti-illegal logging operations. 

"There is urgency to upgrade our capabilities and skills in the operations particularly in the proper filing of criminal cases with the court against the perpetrators of our environment and natural resources otherwise the DENR will always be at the losing end, " Tamayo said.

He said the   Philippine Army, PNP-led operations have succeeded in reducing   the number of hot spots in Caraga Region from 31 to 17 municipalities.

These municipalities that are considered in the lists of 'hot spot' are the municipalities of Esperanza, Sibagat, Trento, Loreto, Rosario, La Paz, Talacogon, and San Luis in Agusan del Sur ; Bislig, Lingig, Carmen,  San Agusan, Lianga, Barobo, Tandag, and Tago in Surigao del Sur and Cadianao in Dinagat Province. 

He said there were at least 775,755.56 bd. Ft. of lumber were confiscated over the last nine months since January this year by joint operatives of the PNP-Philippine Army , the Local Government Units and the DENR .

A total of 47 units of trucks and other vehicles that were used in the transport of   illegal log products were also confiscated and impounded by the police authorities during that period.(NCLM/DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)

Caraga Regl Peace & Order Council crafts Roadmap for Peace

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 16 (PIA) - Members of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Caraga crafted the region's Roadmap for Peace during its three-day Framework Building Workshop held recently at the Almont Hotel's Inland Resort, this city.

The council further enhanced its plans and strategies in achieving a more peaceful and progressive Caraga with diverse, empowered, culturally sensitive communities living in a sustainable environment afforded with equal opportunities.

Among the issues and concerns raised by the members of the council include the following: 1) efficiency of the delivery of government services to clients; 2) effectiveness of the citizens' character and complaints desk installed; and 3) effectiveness of peace and order and public safety.

It was also learned that Criminality (involving illegal drugs and theft/robbery), Indigenous Peoples (ancestral domains claims) issues, Insurgency (involving extortion, unemployment, lack of job opportunities), and Resource-based Conflict are the four common factors that affects the peace situation in the region. 

The members were also grouped into four sectors during the workshop with the presence of RPOC chair and Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr to address existing issues and concerns. The four sectors are: Governance; Social and Cultural; Economic; and Environment. Each group then presented its outputs/results for further enhancement, recommendations by the full council.

Amante emphasized that in attaining peace, there is an instrument that will serve as guide, and that is through a Roadmap. "This roadmap should not remain just a piece of paper but it must be executed. Commitment of the Local Chief Executives in the region is really needed," he said.

The council will meet again in the month of October for finalization and approval of the crafted roadmap for peace for Caraga region. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

DAR-13 expects more efficiency with new LTI Op Tool

By Joie L. Ceballos

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Caraga Regional Office expects more efficiency and effectiveness in working with the Land Tenure Improvement (LTI) data as it started to orient its employees with the new LTI Operation Tool (LTI Op Tool),

During the opening of the orientation and walk through workshop last September 10, DAR regional director Faisar Mambuay encouraged all personnel involved to take time in learning the new tool.  "Along the way there will be inconveniences, but rest assured that this tool is designed and developed towards better purposes and results," he added.

The custom web-based application will not only hasten the delivery of output, but will also treat discrepancies of data in all levels.

The land tenure improvement is the sector of DAR that is in-charge with the distribution of lands to landless and qualified farmers. As of August, DAR-13 is 109 percent of its 9588 hectares annual target in land distribution despite the on-going rationalization efforts of the Department.

For Mambuay, DAR is business as usual side by side with the rationalization efforts. (NCLM/DAR-13/PIA-Caraga)

DENR-13 prepares to distribute 1,540 residential lot titles

By Angel dela Torre

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) - The Lands Management Sector of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region-13 (DENR-LMS) is expected to distribute 1,540 residential land titles in the five provinces of its jurisdiction as a continuing program under the "Handog Titulo ng Pangulo."

Land Management Regional Technical Director Atty. Pacquito R. Rosal said the patents were submitted to the Register of Deeds for official authentication before it is distributed to the beneficiaries.

"This is 29 percent of the annual target of the DENR-LMS this year. There are more titles that are being processed to complete or exceed the accomplish target by December 2013," Atty. Rosal said.

He said 538 patents will be distributed in Surigao del Sur covering a total area of 8.6475 hectres, 331 patents in Surigao del Norte with a total area of 6.8094 hectares, 262 patents (6.4946 hectares) in Agusan del Sur, 262 patents (19.8237 hectares) in Agusan del Norte and Dinagat Province, 147 patents covering a total of 2.7700 hectares.

Handog Titulo is a continuing program of the DENR to promote social equity and alleviate poverty particularly in the rural areas. The distribution of Residential Patents is promulgated under under Republic Act 10023 issued on September 9,2010.(DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)