(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Thursday, 19 December 2024) At 3:00 AM today, The Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 155 km East Southeast of Tagum City, Davao del Norte (6.8°N, 127.1°E). It is embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Visayas and Mindanao. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to Low Pressure Area. Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Moderate to strong winds coming from Northeast will prevail with moderate to strong seas / (1.5 to 3.7 meters).



Friday, December 20, 2024

Agusan Sur guv to information officers: “Stand at the forefront; be a catalyst in the development of our communities”

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY – The provincial government of Agusan del Sur led by Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. called on the designated information officers from the 314 barangays composed of one city and 13 municipalities to stay dedicated in their functions and responsibilities amidst challenges.

This was in time with the conduct of the Barangay Information Officers Network (BION) assembly spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, together with the Presidential Communications Office and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga on December 12, at the covered court, D.O. Plaza Government Center, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

Gov. Cane said that strengthening communication and bringing the government closer to the people have always been the catalysts in the development of the communities.

“In an age where information is constantly changing and being shared across various platforms, having a dependable, timely, accessible communication channel is more crucial than ever. And you, our barangay information officers, stand at the forefront of this effort,” he added.

Cane further assured that the Provincial Public Information Office (PPIO), along with municipal, city, and department information offices will support and guide the barangay information officers in enhancing their communication skills to ensure dissemination of timely, accurate and relevant information to its constituents.

“Our efforts toward forging a strong network have long begun since time immemorial. We aim to amplify our voices, reaching even in the most distant corners of the province,” stressed Cane.

He further encouraged the barangay information officers in the province to strengthen its ties with PIA Agusan del Sur Government Information Center for wider reach of information dissemination.

“PIA, being the communication arm of the government, is our partner in sharing relevant information especially on the government’s efforts in addressing the nation’s concerns. We also recognize and put emphasis on the importance of fighting misinformation and disinformation. As we engage in the digital age, we must ensure that our communities are not only informed but also equipped to discern truth from falsehood,” he emphasized. (JPG, PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Thursday, 19 December 2024

Wage Board-13 approves P435 minimum wage for private sector, P6K for kasambahays

BUTUAN CITY, Caraga –    In line with its mandate under Republic Act No. 6727, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) Caraga signed Wage Order No. RXIII-19, mandating an increase of P50 in the minimum wage of private workers; and Wage Order No. RXIII-DW-05, mandating an increase of P1,000 for domestic workers or ‘kasambahays.’ The issuance of the said wage orders brought the minimum wage of Caraga to P435 per day, while minimum wage earners for kasambahays to P6,000 per month.

The issuance of the wage orders came after careful deliberation between the government, labor, and management sector representatives of the regional wage board taking into consideration the socio-economic condition of the region, the needs of the workers and their families, and employer’s capacity to pay, among others. The P50 increase in the minimum wage will be implemented in two tranches: first tranche, an increase of P30 upon effectivity or on January 2, 2025; and an increase of P20 in the second tranche to take effect on May 1, 2025. The minimum wage of kasambahays, however, shall be fully implemented upon effectivity of the wage order.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga Director and Board Chairperson Joffrey M. Suyao said that the new wage orders are expected to benefit a total of 65,681 minimum wage earners in the region, and 32,866 domestic workers. “In keeping with the wage increase, the highest since the creation of the regional wage board, RTWPB Caraga will intensify information campaigns on the new wage orders, as well as conduct training to enhance the productivity of our workers,” Dir. Suyao added.

The wage increase translates to roughly a 12.98 percent rise from the previous minimum daily wage rate in Caraga, exceeding the monthly poverty threshold per capita of the region. (Atty. Lorainne D. Sacote, RTWPB Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

Thursday, 19 December 2024

Barangay information officers in Agusan Sur briefed on various programs against poverty

By: Kelvin Kennt R. Generalo

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation (RBME) Unit Head Michael Leo Torralba, representing Governor Santiago Cane Jr., briefed some 500 Barangay Information Officers (BIOs) on the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur's (PGAS) strategic directions, during the Barangay Information Officers Network (BION) Assembly on December 12 at the Governor D.O. Plaza covered court, Government Center, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

"Governor Cane Jr. has declared a "war against poverty" through Executive Order (EO) No. 14, Series of 2023, which established the PGAS Poverty Alleviation Program (PAP). This convergence strategy aims to harmonize the implementation of all provincial government programs, projects, and activities for effective, efficient, and sustainable poverty reduction," he said.

An essential tool in this effort is the Local Poverty Intensity Index (LPII), which evaluates poverty intensity levels using local socio-economic indicators. The LPII considers four dimensions of poverty: hunger and deprivation, poor health, ignorance, and fear.

“Its objectives are to assess poverty conditions, improve targeting mechanisms, and align strategies to harmonize development interventions across all levels of local government units (LGUs) for poverty reduction,” Torralba explained.

The PAP approach was presented with the theme "Panaghiusa ug Partisipasyon, Kalambuan sa Matag Agsurnon" (Unity and Participation, Progress of Each AgSurnon).

“Governor Cane urges national government agencies (NGAs), LGUs, civil society organizations (CSOs), people’s organizations (POs), and the business sector (BS) to align their efforts with PGAS' banner programs, namely the Innovation and Technology Program (IATP) and the Livestock Development Program (LDP). These initiatives ensure that projects will be given to the intended beneficiaries efficiently and effectively and not be wasted or misused under the governor’s directives,” Torralba said.

The strategic directions of PGAS were discussed to the BIOs and capacitated them to disseminate to their constituents about the programs and projects of the provincial government and empowered them to combat disinformation, misinformation, and mal-information in the province of Agusan del Sur. (KKG, PIA-Agusan del Sur)

TOP STORIES - Tuesday, 17 December 2024

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online and print monitoring)

As of Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. 17 December 2024

1. Mary Jane Veloso arriving home Wednesday

-PH officials now in Indonesia for Mary Jane Veloso’s turnover

-Palace: Nothing final yet on Veloso’s potential pardon

-BuCor says Mary Jane Veloso to stay in women’s prison

-Mary Jane Veloso to undergo 5-day quarantine upon return

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Malaya, The Manila Times]

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/258470/ph-officials-now-in-indonesia-for-mary-jane-velosos-turnover

2. Marcos justifies zero subsidy for PhilHealth

[BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, News5, Philstar, The Manila Times]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/12/17/news/national/marcos-justifies-zero-subsidy-for-philhealth/2022651

3. PRESIDENCY:

-Marcos dismisses 'loyalty check' of AFP, PNP

-Marcos on current state of PH: We’re quite stable amid political noise

-Marcos Jr. vows to make himself ‘more accessible’ to media, says credibility ‘only defense’ vs. fake news

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Philstar]

https://tribune.net.ph/2024/12/16/marcos-dismisses-loyalty-check-no-such-thing-among-military-police-he-says

4. Senate ratifies Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Daily Tribune, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5, Philstar, Rappler]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2016138/senate-ratifies-historic-ph-japan-raa

5. PH successfully conducted RORE missions in WPS this December — Navy

[GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, NewsWatchPlus]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/930187/philippines-wps-rore-missions-navy/story/

6. Marcos wants further semiconductor dev't in PH

[Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2024/12/17/marcos-wants-further-semiconductor-dev-t-in-ph

7. LPA threatens lahar flow from Kanlaon

[Daily Tribune, Daily Watchmen, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Panay News, Philstar, Sunstar, The Freeman, The Manila Times]

https://tribune.net.ph/2024/12/16/lpa-threatens-lahar-flow-from-kanlaon

8. LPA east of Mindanao develops into Tropical Depression Querubin

[ABS-CBN News, Inquirer, Rappler]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2024/12/17/lpa-off-mindanao-strengthens-into-tropical-depression-querubin-1558

9. Hector Grijaldo detained at House facility: Barbers

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Philstar, Rappler]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/16/hector-grijaldo-detained-at-house-facility-barbers-1743

10. Wage hike for CARAGA workers, kasambahay approved

[Daily Tribune, Inquirer, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Philstar, Rappler]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/930114/wage-hike-for-caraga-workers-kasambahay-approved-dole/story

11. Magnitude 5.2 quake jolts Hinoba-An, Negros Occidental

[ABS-CBN News, Inquirer, News5, Inquirer, GMA News]

https://x.com/ABSCBNNews/status/1868927773039116684

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit

Wednesday, 11 December 2024

DOLE Surigao Sur recognizes livelihood projects at the Reg’l Kabuhayan Awards

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur --  Two remarkable livelihood projects from Surigao del Sur were awarded at the 2024 Regional Kabuhayan Awards on November 7, held at Hotel Oazis in Butuan City. Supported by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Surigao del Sur through its Integrated Livelihood Program, these projects outperformed other entries from across the Caraga region in their respective categories.

In the individual category, Hardy L. Llano from Barangay Bongtud, Tandag City, received recognition for his sustainable “Fishing Project.” As the parent of a former child laborer, Llano’s efforts to build a reliable livelihood for his family exemplify resilience and hope, helping provide a safer future for his children. His project underscored the impact of DOLE’s support in reducing child labor by empowering families through sustainable income opportunities.

In the group category, the Ayoke Conservation Enterprise (ACE) from Sitio Ayoke, Barangay General Island, Cantilan, was honored for its initiative on"Fishing Nets with Engines (Pamangsii).” This project provided essential equipment to local fishers, enhancing economic prospects and promoting sustainable fishing practices. Beyond supporting livelihoods, the project fostered environmental stewardship within the community.

Both winning projects reflected the success of DOLE’s initiatives in uplifting communities through sustainable livelihood programs. DOLE Surigao del Sur expressed pride in these achievements, highlighting how these projects contribute to the regional vision of sustainable economic growth and resilience. (with a report from DOLE/PIA-Surigao del Sur)