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)

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)

City Health Office to conduct free cataract, cleft lip operations

By Annette P. Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 30 (PIA) –The Local Government of Surigao City will conduct a free cataract surgery and cleft lip operations scheduled on November 13 to 15, 2013 at the Caraga Regional Hospital, this city.

Around 113 Surigaonons had already gone through the screening process and out of 113, eight patients qualified for cleft lips operations.

The activity will be spearheaded by the City Health Office led by City Health Officer Dr. Emmanuel Plandano with full support of Surigao City Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas.

Those who are interested to avail of the said free operations, they may visit the City Heath Office located at the City Hall Compound. (SDR/City Media Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Surigao City joins celebration of National Tourism Week, World Tourism Day

By Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 25 (PIA) - The Local Government of Surigao City through the City Tourism Office joined the celebration of the National Tourism Week on September 23-30 and World Tourism Day on September  27, 2013.

This year’s celebration with the theme, “Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common Future” started with a grand motorcade around the city participated by representatives of different schools, government offices and tourism stakeholders.

Lined-up activities include a testimonial luncheon for the Bonok-Bonok  2013 sponsors and festival working committees on September 27  at the Surigao City Cultural Center, then on September 28 a coastal clean-up will be held at the coastal areas of Sabang, Lipata, Ipil, Mabua Pebble Beach and the City Boulevard.

In her message during the opening celebration, City Tourism Operations Chief Roselyn Armida B. Merlin thanked the city government for the constant and full support of all the activities conducted by the tourism office to promote Surigao City as a world-class tourist destination. (SDR/City Media Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

CSC conducts one-day strategic management system training

By Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 20 (PIA) - The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Surigao del Norte Field Office conducted recently a one-day training on the Guidelines in the Establishment and Implementation of Agency Strategic Management System held at the City Cultural Center, this city.

According to City Personnel Office Gloria Gemina, the one-day training was aimed to provide additional information on the appropriate and strategic implementation of the different rules and regulations of the commission to local government officials and employees including national line agencies, government owned corporations, state colleges and universities under the civil service commission.

CSC-Caraga Regional Office Personnel Chief Fe Genifer Perez was the resource speaker of the said activity.

The conduct of the one-day training is in collaboration with the local government unit of Surigao City under the City Personnel Office. (SDR/MICO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

More than 100 pupils from NAMES, QES elementary school receive school supplies

By PINSP Tessiel R. Moleta

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Sept. 18 (PIA) - More than 100 pupils received assorted school supplies during the school caravan held recently at the Navarro Memorial Central Elementary School (NAMES) for Muslim Pupils (Madrasah) and Quezon Elementary School (QES) in Barangay Quezon, all in Surigao City.

The activity is line with the 19th annual celebration of National Crime Prevention Week and Peace Month celebration with the theme, “Malasakit Mo ay Kailangan, upang Krimen ay Maiwasan.”

During the activity, the Police Community Relations Office of Surigao City headed by Police Insp. Tessiel R. Moleta also conducted an information drive on crime prevention and Republic Act 9262 or Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC).

In her message, Quezon Elementary School Principal Susan Lipang expressed her gratitude to the donors who made a voluntary commitment to share their blessings and time in providing school supplies to the less privileged but deserving pupils and to the city Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel for a very informative and helpful information drive.

"Such activity is truly an act of heroism, wherein public and private sectors of the society join hands in making a difference to help the pupils to be vigilance at all times and encourage them to study for their future and for the future of our country as well," Lipang said.

The activity was spearheaded by the Surigao City PNP, Fruitful Harvest Ministry, Compassion for the Fatherless and Junior Chamber International - Surigao Wensie. (SDR/Surigao City PNP/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Bomb scare caused panic in Surigao City

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) – A suspicious styrofoam box has caused a stir at around 2:30pm, Wednesday at the Luneta Park in front of the City Gymnasium, this city.

Police personnel immediately barricaded the said portion of the park for almost two hours after the suspicious item was found.

SPO1 Leodee Clerigo and PO1 Ivy Recimo both trained personnel from Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD) of the Surigao City Philippine National Police voluntary detonated the said box using water disruptor with non-electric blasting cap at around 4:29 in the afternoon.

A police report confirmed that the box contained only cellophanes used for vending, and not a bomb. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

CRSH, BVMCES champion in Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival 2013

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 10 (PIA) -- The contingents of Caraga Regional Science High School (CRHS) and B. Vasquez Memorial Central Elementary School were declared as champions in the 29th Bonok-bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival on Monday in the Free Interpretation and Bonok-Bonok Based category, respectively.

In this year's competition, the winning contingents received P200,000 each plus trophy.

The Lumad Bayuganon Cultural Group of Bayugan City and Barangay Anomar placed second in the Free Interpretation and Bonok-Bonok Based category, respectively, with P150,000 cash prize each plus trophy.

Third place went to Magallanes Elementary School Dance Troupe of Davao City for the Free Interpretation category and W.D. Rafols Memorial National High School of Barangay Poctoy for the Bonok-Bonok Based category. They all received P100,000 cash prize each plus trophy.

?The special awards for Best in Choreography, Best in Choreographer and Best in Costume in the Free Interpretation Category all went to CRSH contingent and for Best in Street Dancing to Lumad Bayuganon Cultural Group of Bayugan City. In the Bonok-Bonok based category, Best in Choreography, Best in Choreographer, Best in Costume and Best in Street Dancing, all went to B. Vasquez Memorial Central Elementary School of Barangay Rizal.?

City Mayor Ernesto Matugas, in his message, conveyed his heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to all the participants with special mention to contingents of Bayugan City, Davao City and Davao del Norte, and sponsors who contributed much to the success of the said event. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Surigao City opens Bonok-Bonok sa Surigao Trade Expo 2013

SURIGAO CITY, Aug. 23 (PIA) -- The Surigao City Tourism Council in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SSCI) will open on Friday, Aug. 23 the Bonok-Bonok sa Surigao Trade Expo (Bosstex) at the Luneta Park along Borromeo Street, this city.

The opening ceremony will start with a thanksgiving mass at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral to be officiated by Assistant Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Eddie Dumanig, DCS.

Followed by a ribbon cutting and booth exhibits to be led by Surigao City Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas with his wife Filomena U. Matugas, City Vice Mayor Danilo C. Menor, DTI Provincial Director Celestino L. Negapatan, Surigao City Tourism Council, Inc. Chairman Richard Nick A. Amores, SCCI President Willie A. Gan and Senior Tourism Operations Officer Roselyn Armida B. Merlin.

The Bosstex features Surigao products, delicacies and handicrafts from different exhibitors.

The event will run from August 23 to September 15, 2013.(FEA/SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PopCom Caraga integrates population into policy formulation, program developments of the LGUs

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, August 16 (PIA) -- Seeing the need to integrate population into policy formulation and program developments of the local government units, the Commission on Population (PopCom-13) conducted a 2nd batch of 3-day training program on synchronize actions on Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning.

The activity, with the support of the DOH-Center for Health Development, was held at Gateway Hotel, this city on August 14-16, 2013 attended by Population and Health Officers of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands.

In his message, PopCom-13 Director Alexander A. Makinano said that population and health officers should be capacitated on the population core ideas, concepts and competencies.

“During the 3-day program, the basic skills in integrating population into policy formulation and program development of the LGUs and actions on responsible parenthood were shared and synchronized for effective implementation and information dissemination of Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning Program,” he said.

The first batch training program for Population and Health Officers of Butuan City and Agusan Provinces conducted recently in Agusan del Norte. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Surigao City bares contingents for Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival 2013

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, August 14 (PIA) – The Surigao City Tourism Office has released its final listing of contingents for the Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival 2013 set on September 9, 2013 with the this year’s theme, “Pasalamat! Isinggit. Isadjaw. (Thanksgiving! Shout. Dance.)" 

Thirteen contingents from the different city barangays and schools and neighboring city and province have already confirmed their participation. 

The confirmed contingents for the Bonok-Bonok Based Category include the Anomar High School and Anomar Elementary School from Barangay Anomar, B. Vasquez Memorial Central Elementary School of Brgy. Rizal, Rafols National High School of Brgy. Poctoy, Sabang Elementary School and Mat-I Elementary School of Brgy. Mat-I. 

For the Free Interpretation Category, confirmed contingents are Mabini National High School of Bgy. Mabini, Municipality of Talaingod of Davao del Norte, Bayugan City, Navarro Memorial Central Elementary School, Surigao City, Caraga Regional Science High School, Surigao City, Barangay Buenavista, Lipata National High School of Brgy. Lipata and Cantiasay National High School of Brgy. Cantiasay, Surigao City. 

The 29th Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival is a festival of thanksgiving and invocation to the Almighty through the intercession of the city's patron saint Señor San Nicolas de Tolentino for the bountiful blessings of peace and good health. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte) 

Schools, companies, volunteers capacitated on Family Planning

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 14 -- Effort of the Commission on Population to popularize family planning program has been fruitful when representatives from the private companies, faculty members and guidance counselors of the different colleges and universities in Butuan and Agusan provinces completed the three-day Family Planning Technology and Interpersonal Communication and Counseling Training recently. 

As part of the program thrusts along Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning, POPCOM capacitated the participants on the different natural and artificial Family Planning Methods. 

In the closing ceremonies, one of the participants expressed her appreciation to POPCOM for the new knowledge on family planning. She assured that a re-echo to her co-teachers will be conducted soonest. 

Mr. Alexander A. Makinano, the Officer-In-Charge of POPCOM, underscored that aside from the family planning, participants were also trained on the interpersonal communication and counseling in facilitating behavioral change on family planning. 

The Center for Health Development extended the financial support to POPCOM in capacitating the different stakeholders of the program region-wide. 

The same training will be conducted in Surigao City on August 28 – 30 to be attended by the guidance counselors and private companies in the Provinces of Surigao and Dinagat Islands, including Surigao City. 

Meanwhile, the second batch of convention for Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs) will be conducted in Surigao City this coming on August 16. It can be recalled that the BSPOs for Butuan City and Agusan Provinces convened on July 9,2013 at Provincial Training Center of Agusan del Norte. (Angie Balen-Antonio, POPCOM-13/PIA-Caraga) 

Surigao City to initiate registration of local fisherfolks

By Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Aug. 6 (PIA) -- The City Agriculture Office will initiate the registration of legitimate local fishermen in Surigao City and Surigao del Norte.

Asst. City Agriculturist Cielo Cotiangco said the mass registration is in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Field Unit 13 through the directive of city mayor Ernesto Matugas.

Mayor Matugas issued the directive to the office of the City Agriculture to address the problem of illegal fishing and fish shortage.

Under the directive, only local and registered fishermen will be allowed to fish out inside the seawater of Surigao City and Surigao del Norte to avoid importation and exportation of fish.

With this, the City Agriculture Office and BFAR urged all Surigaonon Fisherman to register and become a legitimate fisherfolks so that they can avail the projects and programs of the City Agriculture and BFAR. (SDR/CMO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Over 600 applicants avail of two-day Jobs Fair in Surigao City

By Annette Villaces

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, July 29 (PIA) -- A total of 668 applicants flocked to Surigao City to search for jobs during the two-day jobs fair held recently at the city gymnasium.

The activity was initiated by the city government of Surigao thru the City Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

According to PESO Manager Gloria O. Gemina, out of 668 applicants 70 were hired on the spot for overseas and local jobs placement.

The jobs fair activity is a quarterly undertaking of the City Government under the leadership of city mayor Ernesto T. Matugas in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Surigao del Norte Field Office-13 and Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) Regional Office 13. (SDR/City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Over 900 Surigaonons received dental care treatment

By 1LT Stephen G. Basco

SURIGAO CITY, July 24 (PIA) -- A total of 947 Surigaonons received dental care treatment during a dental mission with the theme, “Ngiti Mo, Sagot Ko” led by the medical team of 30th Infantry (Python) Battallion of Philippine Army held recently at the Municipal Gym in Barangay Magsaysay and Placer West Central Elementary School all in Placer, Surigao del Norte.

Out of 947 beneficiaries, 817 patients from Barangay Magsaysay were given free dental consultation with free toothbrush and toothpaste and 130 students from Placer West Central Elementary School, underwent tooth extraction.

In his message 30IB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Vincent B. Iringan expressed his appreciation to the dental mission medical team who volunteered to provide dental assistance.

“The activity is truly in-line with the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) dubbed as “Bayanihan,” where the AFP is able to collaborate and coordinate with all sectors of the society to join hands in winning the peace in order to help create an environment conducive for sustainable development and a just, and lasting peace in the province of Surigao del Norte,” Iringan said.

The activity is in collaboration with the Philippine Dental Association, Surigao del Norte Chapter headed by its President Dr. Francisco Lasala and ACS Manufacturing Corporation, makers of UNIQUE Toothpaste.(SDR/PA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)