Provincial Governors

AGUSAN DEL NORTE

MA. ANGELICA ROSEDELL A. MATBA

Provincial Capitol, 8600 Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

Website: http://www.agusandelnorte.gov.ph/

Tel: (085) 342-8022; 225-3785

Fax: (085) 815-1467; PPDO: 815-1446




AGUSAN DEL SUR

ADOLPH EDWARD G. PLAZA

Office Address: Provincial Capitol, 8500 Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur

Website: http://agusandelsur.gov.ph/index/

Telefax: (085) 343-7369

DINAGAT ISLANDS
 GLENDA B. ECLEO

Office Address: Provincial Capitol, Bahay Turista, Brgy. San Juan, San Jose, 8412 Dinagat Islands

Website: http://dev.dinagatislands.gov.ph/

Tel: (02) 931-9838

SURIGAO DEL NORTE

SOL F. MATUGAS

Office Address: Provincial Capitol, 8400 Surigao City, Surigao del Norte

Website: http://www.surigaodelnorte.gov.ph/

Telefax: (086) 826-7778

SURIGAO DEL SUR

VICENTE T. PIMENTEL, JR.

Office Address: Provincial Capitol, 8300 Tandag, Surigao del Sur

Website: http://www.surigaodelsur.gov.ph/ 
Tel: (086) 211-3257; 211-3633

Fax: (086) 211-3944; 211-3716

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)

Surigao CAFC wins Gawad Saka 2013

By Annette Villaces SURIGAO CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) – The City Agricultural and Fishery Council (CAFC) of this city was declared regional winner for the Gawad Saka (2012-2013) during the Agricultural Extension Workers Congress spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Unit 13, held recently at the Balanghai Hotel, Butuan City. The Gawad Saka Award aims to give recognition to deserving agricultural sector for the continuous support and steadfast effort for sustainable agricultural development. CAFC Chairman Perfecto Lisondra received the cash prize worth P50, 000 and a plaque of recognition together with Provincial Rural Based Coordinator (PRBC) Sancha Napalan and PRBC Secretary Gilda Panal who also received a cash incentives worth P7,500. The CAFC was fully supported by city mayor Ernesto Matugas through the City Agriculture Office led by City Agriculturist Isaias Elumba and Sangguniang Panlungsod - Committee on Agriculture chairman Perfecto Consigo. (SDR/CMO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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)

Youth leaders in Agsur took over provincial governance

By David M. Suyao

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 21 (PIA) - Some 50 youth leaders from all over the province on Monday took over the reign of the provincial government.

The event is the result of the two-day Children’s Congress that started October 19-20, 2013 where these young provincial officials and young chiefs of offices were elected and appointed respectively. Under Article 4, section 46 of Ordinance No. 16, series of 2002  of the Agusan del Sur Children’s Code, children’s day of governance/ administration is celebrated every third Monday of October of every year.

Raymond Loreto from San Francisco took over the seat of Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza as governor while Joey Pagar from Bayugan City became the presiding officer and the vice governor, replacing Vice Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. The 15 members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan who were having their session today were also replaced, including the chiefs of offices of all the departments in the provincial government who act as guide for the young officials for one day.   

During the flag raising ceremony at the Provincial Capitol, these elected and appointed young provincial officials and chiefs of offices were introduced with all the participants of the two-day children’s congress as they sponsor the flag raising ceremony.

In his message, young Gov. Loreto said, children in Agusan del Sur are very lucky to be given the chance to explore the world of government leaders. Loreto added that aside from the scholarship that the provincial government is granting to deserving students, they are also lucky that only in Agusan del Sur that the youth are given resources and financial support by the provincial government when they travel to other places during competitions.

“That is why, we, the youths of Agusan del Sur, always do our bests to bring the honor back to our province when we compete in other places,” little Gov. Loreto said.

In his message, Vice Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. said, this program of the provincial government will help develop the potentials of the youths to the fullest. VG Cane said this is one way they can gain self-confidence and with dignity in facing problems that they may encounter in the future. It will also help the youths in discovering where their strengths lie, and to encourage them to pursue those avenues. Knowing that everyone has his strengths and weaknesses, this program would show that leadership is working to maximize the strengths and minimize the weaknesses.

“Children’s Governance will let the youths experience something new in dealing with different people with different personalities, while working together in order to achieve one common goal, and that is development.  It helps the children realize how important they are in the society even as young as they are, and they can do positive changes that will help the community they live in. Above all, we believe that children are the key to change the world,” Vice Gov. Satiago Cane Jr. said.

After the flag raising ceremony and program, the youths leaders were guided to their respective assignments to execute and perform their duties and responsibilities according to the mandate of the office. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

NGO completes implementation of projects in Caraga

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 21 (PIA) - Fundacion Intered, a Spanish international non-government organization working in Caraga region, in support of the Spanish government’s Agencia Española Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID), has finally formalized the completion of Convenio 07-C01-031 implementation during the Formal Closure and Turn Over Ceremony held on Thursday, Oct. 17 in one of the convention centers, this city.

Convenio 07-C01-031, a project entitled “Integral and sustainable development of rural communities in Bicol and Caraga region with special focus on women, through the articulation and strengthening of  the productive and social structures, through community participation, Philippines,” is being implemented in 18 rural communities in nine municialities in Caraga region.

It adopts a Sustainable Integrated Area Development (SIAD) Approach as its overall framework in conducting programs in rural communities.

“There are five major components that are being implemented with concrete interventions. These are community organizing and local governance, productivity systems development, environmental nurturance, education service, and health care,” said Arlene V. Garcia, Caraga regional coordinator of Fundacion Intered.

Among the many successful undertakings of the Convenio are the creation and strengthening of 19 functional People’s Organization in Caraga region with various development projects and community involvement and affiliations, especially women’s participation; making and enhancement of barangay annual investment plans; creation of technical working groups in each barangay; construction and repair of schools; and construction of barangay health centers.

“Since its official start on April 24, 2008, it organized a series of sustainable agriculture trainings leading to the creation of farmer technicians and farmer co-operators who are practicing sustainable agriculture technology in each barangay,” declared Garcia.

The occasion was graced by His Excellency Jorge Manuel Domecq Fernandez, Spanish ambassador to the Philippines; Vicente Selles Zaragozi, general coordinator of the Spanish Cooperation in the Philippines; and Maria del Mar Palacios Cordoba, Intered executive director.

Messages of welcome and gratitude were also conveyed by Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. and Agusan del Norte Provincial Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Matba.

The testimonies imparted by the People’s Organizations and barangay local government units representatives were very significant as they underscored the social, economic, and ecological development that they achieved through the implementation of Convenio 07-C01-031. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

Spanish Ambassador visits Carmen AECID Project

By Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise-Punzalan

        

NASIPIT, Agusan del Norte, Oct. 21 (PIA) - His Excellency Jorge Domecq Fernandez, Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines, together with Mr. Vicente Selles Zaragozi, AECID General Coordinator, and Ms. Cristina Garcia, AECID Program Manager for Good Governance paid a visit to the Mango Processing Plant at the Municipality of Carmen, Agusan del Norte on October 17, 2013.

The purpose of the said visit was to check the operations of the processing plant sponsored by Agencia Espanola Cooperacion Para el Desarollo (AECID).

Carmen Municipal Mayor Ramon M. Calo thanked the Spanish Government for providing the municipality with a grant which paves the way for the LGU’s major product- Carmen mango, more known as the processing plant produce variety of mango products like mango puree, mango juice and dried mangoes.

Mayor Calo said that the processing plant will help the municipality generate income and will create employment opportunities should the said plant’s operations be more stabilized.

Amb. Fernandez said that the AECID Mango Processing Plant is a very good project and he is hopeful that it will soon have its expansion as it is indeed income-generating.

DILG assistant regional director Donald A. Seronay along with the Sangguniang Bayan Members of the municipality also graced the said occasion. (NCLM/DILG-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Surigao Norte spearheads dialogue with mining companies

By Mary Jul Escalante

SURIGAO CITY, Oct. 21 (PIA) – The provincial government of Surigao del Norte spearheaded a dialogue with mining companies held recently in Gateway Hotel, this city.

Governor Sol F. Matugas led the consultation together with Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Caraga regional director Roger de Dios and TESDA Surigao del Norte provincial director Liza Budtan.

During the said dialogue, Provincial Planning and Development Officer in Charge Ivonnie B. Dumadag presented the priority projects for 2014 while Provincial Manpower Training Center Officer Emilio Pantejo discussed the updates of the Provincial Training Center. Also, Provincial Treasurer Fe Martinez explained the collectibles Occupational Fees from mining companies and other tax obligations.

Supports and contributions of the mining industries to the province's economic development and HEALS (Health, Education, Agri-Aquaculture, Livelihood and Social Services/Security) agenda were also discussed during the dialogue.

Officials and representatives from Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation; Taganito Mining Corporation; Greenstone Mining Corp.; Pacific Cement Phil. Inc.; Adnama Mining Resource Inc.; Platinum Group Metals Corp.; Philex Mining Corp.; Silangan Mindanao Mining Corp. Inc.; Hinatuan Mining Corp.; Manila Mining Corp.; Shenzhou Mining Group Corp.; Shuley Mine Inc.; and Wellaby Corporation participated the event.(SDR/PIC/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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) 

Implementing agencies report price, supply situation in Agsur

By PD Lolita I. Dorado, Cerila P. Inson, Marson Jan S. Dolendo

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 16 (PIA) – Implementing agencies reported recently on price and supply situation of basic necessities to the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC), here.

The LPCC chaired by Mayor Albin D. Magdamit recently met to discuss the issue of increasing price of rice as well as the price and supply situation of the products that each agency is tasked to monitor per RA 7581 or the Price Act of the Philippines.

Mayor Magdamit said that the locality is facing low supply of rice in the local market while waiting for the harvest in the coming months and that this might further push prices upward.

The National Food Authority (NFA) reported that there is sufficient supply of NFA rice available in the province which can be bought at P27.00 per kilo.

The council tasked the NFA tomake available its rice to more outlets.  One of the identified outlets is the Farm Level Grains Center (FLGC), a Spanish-Government funded project which provides rice milling, palay buying and selling.

NFA Assistance Manager, Hugo Sarigumba, requested the council to submit to their office the volume requirement of NFA rice for the municipality of Prosperidad.

The LPCC also considered tapping barangay council halls through the barangay captainsas alternative outlets to ensure that NFA rice can reach the different communities in the municipality.

DTI-Agusan del Sur Provincial Director, Dir. Lolita I. Dorado, for her part reported that prices of basic necessities and prime commodities under DTI jurisdiction, as monitored in the municipality and the whole of Agusan del Sur, are within the suggested retail prices (SRPs) set by the agency.  She said further that there is adequate supply of these products which include canned products [sardines, luncheon meat, meat loaf, corned beef and beef loaf], processed milk [condensed, evaporated and powdered], coffee refill, soap [detergent/laundry and toilet soap variants], bread, instant noodles and flour. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/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)

138 farmers graduate from 'University-on-the-Air' in Surigao Sur

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Oct. 11 (PIA) - A total of 138 farmers graduated from the University-on-the-Air (UOA) on White Corn Production in Surigao del Sur.

The graduation rites held at the Provincial Social Hall in Tandag City on Thursday, Oct. 10 was joined by farmer students of San Miguel (63), Tago (49), Bayabas (11) and Tandag City (15).

The UOA on White Corn Production was a radio program lesson based on the course module that was discussed on the air. It was anchored by Japhet Sugian with David Naungayan, the Provincial Corn Coordinator, as a resource speaker and was aired thru Sure FM every Tuesday morning from June to August, 2013.

It can be recalled that early this year, a mass briefing and enrollment was conducted in the provinces of Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and in Butuan City.

The Department of Agriculture thru its AgriPinoy corn program recognized the power of radio in communication and information dissemination direct to the beneficiaries on the ground.(NGB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Surigao Rotary clubs to launch Dengue Free Movement

By Edgar Guerra

SURIGAO CITY, Oct. 11 (PIA) - The Rotary clubs of Zone 3C1, District 3860 consisting of four Rotary clubs of Surigao will launch a Dengue Free Surigao Movement in partnership with the city government of Surigao on Oct. 12, 2013 at the Surigao City Cultural Center, this city.

The program will be highlighted by a motorcade at 9:00 a.m. (assembly place, infront of city hall) to be followed by the launching and unveiling of Dengue Free Surigao Movement. All partner agencies are encouraged to join the motorcade.

Dr. Wyben Briones of Cebu Medical Society will be the resource speaker on how to wipe out larvae of dengue carrier mosquito using an insecticide called “temphos” from Canada donated by the Rotary District of Canada.

The Dengue Free Philippines Movement was first launched in Cebu then, Bohol, Leyte and other areas under District 3860. The project was found to be effective and recorded a reduction of dengue cases. (SDR/Zone Assistant Governor, Rotary Club of Metro Surigao/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Health care in remote barangay for indigenous women, children launched

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 11 (PIA) - Three birthing clinics/ Barangay Health Centers are set to be constructed in Barangay Binicalan, San Luis, this province to address the health needs of the lumads (indigenous people), specially women and children.

The program, according to Dr. Joel Espallardo, Senior Reproductive Health Specialist of the Department of Health (DOH), is funded by the European Union thru the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and is aimed to address the health and nutrition program of pregnant women, newly born babies and children.

“Our aim here is to give enough attention to the health needs of women, their new born babies and the children in Barangay Binicalan and other neighboring barangays, where our lumads like the Tagbuligan, Banwaon, Manobo, Talaandig and Adgawan live. That is why, this program called Indigenous Peoples Maternal Neonatal, Children Health and Nutrition (IP-MNCHN) project will be implemented,” said Dr. Espallardo.

According to data from San Luis Rural Health Unit, most of the pregnant women deliver their children at home, which causes high mortality among them, which were supposedly can be prevented. Aside from that, records also show that only 35 percent of the children were immunized in the area.

In order to address the issue, Atty. Elsie Alejandro of the NCIP said, three birthing clinics/ rural health units with complete facilities will be constructed in Barangay Binikalan to be manned by midwives so that the problem on the birth delivery of pregnant women, enough health care for the new born babies and the nutrition needs of children will be given enough attention and mortality during delivery will be eradicated.

“The IP-MNCHN will last until 2016 and funds will be coming from the European Union. Since this program is Mindanao-wide, together with Barangay Binikalan, the program will also start in Zamboanga del Sur, North Cotabato, Bukidnon and Compostela Valley province. The total fund set aside for this program for the five municipalities is P400 million, and we are lucky enough to be one of the recipients,” Atty. Alejandro said.

Since this program is one of the priorities of the provincial government of Agusan del Sur and the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III, a ceremonial signing of manifesto of commitment were done between all the stakeholders spearheaded by Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza of Agusan del Sur, facilitated by Gilbert Pacificar, the provincial project coordinator. (DMS/PIO-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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)