Fish Health Lab extended water quality and disease surveillance monitoring
In support to the fisheries industry, the Regional Fish Health Laboratory extended assistance not only to the bureau’s projects but as well as to the clientele and stakeholder in the region.
Water quality assessment and regular monitoring has been conducted on the three Mariculture park/ zone project. This is to have a baseline information on the status of water quality in the area. Comparison of the changes in water quality will prevent water deterioration. This is one of the requirements needed in the application of Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) by the Environment Management Bureau (EMB). This will also serve as a baseline data for the suitability of the water for culture of different marine commodities.
For the disease surveillance and monitoring, priority was given to all registered farm. Monitoring includes on-site water quality analysis, bacterial test, WSSV detection, plankton profiling and antibiotic residue analysis. Samples for plankton profiling, WSSV detection and antibiotic residue were brought to laboratory for analyses.
Disease surveillance was done because according to fishpond operators White Spot Syndrome Virus and Luminous bacteria jeopardize prawn industry in Magallanes, Agusan del Norte. Others claimed that the major factor of the downfall was due to deteriorating water quality plus the increasing price of feeds and other inputs. With this, some of the operators shifted to Vannamei culture with the hope to cope up with the failure on P. monodon culture.
Masao River was also monitored quarterly. Aside from antibiotic residue and water quality analysis, Milkfish samples were also subjected to E. coli and Total Coliform analyses. This is to verify and clarify the issue of bacterial contamination of milkfish in Barangay Masao which scared consumers from eating protein rich meat of milkfish. Four kilos of milkfish samples were collected along Masao River and sent to BFAR XI for analysis. The results showed that the E. coli and Total Coliform content in the fish is within the standard and meets the microbiological requirements for fish and fishery products thus safe for human consumption.
Moreover, the RFHL regularly disseminated RED TIDE updates throughout the region particularly in Bislig City (positive of RED TIDE) thru Shellfish Bulletin Report coming from BFAR-Marine Biotoxins in Manila. (Loida Arreglado, BFAR-13/ PIA-Caraga)
In support to the fisheries industry, the Regional Fish Health Laboratory extended assistance not only to the bureau’s projects but as well as to the clientele and stakeholder in the region.
Water quality assessment and regular monitoring has been conducted on the three Mariculture park/ zone project. This is to have a baseline information on the status of water quality in the area. Comparison of the changes in water quality will prevent water deterioration. This is one of the requirements needed in the application of Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) by the Environment Management Bureau (EMB). This will also serve as a baseline data for the suitability of the water for culture of different marine commodities.
For the disease surveillance and monitoring, priority was given to all registered farm. Monitoring includes on-site water quality analysis, bacterial test, WSSV detection, plankton profiling and antibiotic residue analysis. Samples for plankton profiling, WSSV detection and antibiotic residue were brought to laboratory for analyses.
Disease surveillance was done because according to fishpond operators White Spot Syndrome Virus and Luminous bacteria jeopardize prawn industry in Magallanes, Agusan del Norte. Others claimed that the major factor of the downfall was due to deteriorating water quality plus the increasing price of feeds and other inputs. With this, some of the operators shifted to Vannamei culture with the hope to cope up with the failure on P. monodon culture.
Masao River was also monitored quarterly. Aside from antibiotic residue and water quality analysis, Milkfish samples were also subjected to E. coli and Total Coliform analyses. This is to verify and clarify the issue of bacterial contamination of milkfish in Barangay Masao which scared consumers from eating protein rich meat of milkfish. Four kilos of milkfish samples were collected along Masao River and sent to BFAR XI for analysis. The results showed that the E. coli and Total Coliform content in the fish is within the standard and meets the microbiological requirements for fish and fishery products thus safe for human consumption.
Moreover, the RFHL regularly disseminated RED TIDE updates throughout the region particularly in Bislig City (positive of RED TIDE) thru Shellfish Bulletin Report coming from BFAR-Marine Biotoxins in Manila. (Loida Arreglado, BFAR-13/ PIA-Caraga)
POLICE REPORTS
By: PO3 Rene Boy Ocares Bernaldez
PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania
PO3 Philip Amer Posas Mazo
Report on Highway Robbery
On Friday (November 21) at 12:15 in the afternoon at Sitio Langgam, Barangay Salvacion, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, an Isuzu Van truck with plate number GTR 905 owned by D'Best Value Product Corporation based in Butuan City, and driven by Saturnino Gonzaga, 34 years old, married and a resident of Purok-3, Barangay Huno, RTR, Agusan del Norte with professional drivers license number KOI-98-636790 together with two sales men namely: Ronald Rosano, single and a resident of Emenville Subdivision, Butuan City and Sherwin Milagracia, 27 years old, single and a resident of Luz Village, Butuan City, were held up by two unidentified men armed with caliber .38 revolvers.
Initial investigation disclosed that while on their way from Cagwait, enroute to Lianga, Surigao del Sur, and upon reaching at the abovementioned place were flagged down by the suspects and declared hold-up. Robbers carted away cash money amounting to P31,000.00. Provincial Special Operations Group and Special Investigation Group of Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office (PPO) were dispatched to conduct operation at the boundary of San Agustin and Lianga, Surigao del Sur to possibly identify and arrest the suspects.
Meanwhile, on the following day (November 22) at 1:30 in the morning at Barangay Basilisa, RTR, Agusan del Norte, victim of a robbery incident who was identified as Pablo Borja, Businessman reported to RTR Municipal Police Station thru telephone call that his warehouse located at said place was robbed by unidentified malefactors carting away sacks containing rice seeds.
Investigation conducted by the responding policemen of RTR Municipal Police Station disclosed that the suspects entered the warehouse by destroying the concrete wall. Follow-up operation exerted and with the help of residence who witnessed the incident resulted to the arrest of the suspects identified as Inrek Cubijano; Ariel Banate; Joseph Balagola; Armando MeΓ±osa and Jerwin Bantilan. Policemen also recovered seven sacks containing rice seeds from the suspects. Suspects are now detained at RTR Municipal Police Station for filing of appropriate charges in court.
PNP arrests theft suspect
On Friday (November 21) at 11:30 in the evening at the Sanchez KTV Bar, San Francisco Street, Butuan City, PNP elements of Theft and Robbery Unit of Butuan City Police Office led by SPO2 Anthony Gomez conducted investigation and follow-up operation on the reported theft incident victimizing one Asuncion Charita Uygioco, 43 years old, married and resident of Gumamela Street, South Montilla Boulevard, Butuan City, which resulted to the apprehension of the suspect identified as Johnmar Sevilla, of legal age, single and resident of Purok Maguinbuhaton, Agusan PequiΓ±o, Butuan City.
Confiscated from the suspect’s possession were Nokia Cellular phone 3120 and 2170, Rolex Lady's wristwatch, Chinese gold bracelet, Rosary bracelet, silver sterling necklace and cash money in different denomination amounting to Php 26, 538.75 owned by the victim. Investigation disclosed that said suspect had the chance to steal the said items when victim's shoulder bag containing aforementioned items were placed inside her owner type jeep and left unattended for a few minutes purposely to close her internet cafΓ©. Suspect now at Butuan City Police Station-1 while case for theft is now being prepared for filing in court.
Report on vehicular accident involving Phil Army
On Thursday (November 20) at 4:30 in the afternoon at the National Highway of Barangay Oteiza, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, a victim of vehicular accident identified as Cpl Francisco Gako, Philippine Army assigned at 58 IB while riding his Honda XR200 motorcycle from 401st Brigade, Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur to Tandag, Surigao del Sur and upon reaching at said place accidentally fell down to the rice field when a motorized “trisikad” running on the same direction suddenly made a U-turn.
Victim was immediately brought to San Agustin Rural Health Center for medical treatment while the motorcycle incurred less damage and now at San Agustin Municipal Police Station for safekeeping.
Arrests of illegal gambling suspect
On Saturday (November 22) at 11:OO in the morning at Barangay Poblacion, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte, Jose Ruiz Armendares, 25 years old and a resident of Barangay Diaz, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte was arrested by San Francisco Municipal Police Station personnel headed by PInsp Alfredo Magdura when conducting operation against Illegal Gambling that resulted to the apprehension of Armendares.
Arrests of illegal gambling suspect
On Saturday (November 22) at 11:OO in the morning at Barangay Poblacion, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte, Jose Ruiz Armendares, 25 years old and a resident of Barangay Diaz, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte was arrested by San Francisco Municipal Police Station personnel headed by PInsp Alfredo Magdura when conducting operation against Illegal Gambling that resulted to the apprehension of Armendares.
Confiscated from the suspect's possession were several paraphernalia for Illegal Numbers Game locally known as "suertres". Apprehended person and confiscated items were brought to San Francisco Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.
Apprehension of wanted person
On Thursday (November 20) at 2:45 in the afternoon at Sitio Bingcongan, Barangay Gigaan, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, SPO4 Elmer Dela Cruz and SPO1 Wilbert Sardalla both members of Bislig City Police Station arrested the suspect identified as Alan Francisco Asab, 38 years old, married, farmer and a resident of the abovementioned place by virtue of Warrant of Arrest (WOA) issued by Hon Judge Merlyn Pacarro CaΓ±edo, Presiding Judge dated April 10, 2007 for the crime of Qualified Theft with bail bond recommended at Php 30,000.00. Asab was brought to Bislig City Police Station for proper disposition.
Apprehension of wanted person
On Thursday (November 20) at 2:45 in the afternoon at Sitio Bingcongan, Barangay Gigaan, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, SPO4 Elmer Dela Cruz and SPO1 Wilbert Sardalla both members of Bislig City Police Station arrested the suspect identified as Alan Francisco Asab, 38 years old, married, farmer and a resident of the abovementioned place by virtue of Warrant of Arrest (WOA) issued by Hon Judge Merlyn Pacarro CaΓ±edo, Presiding Judge dated April 10, 2007 for the crime of Qualified Theft with bail bond recommended at Php 30,000.00. Asab was brought to Bislig City Police Station for proper disposition.
6th Mindanao-wide PAFC Summit spells success
Armed with spirit of volunteerism, officers of provincial Agricultural and Fishery Councils all over Mindanao flocked here in the city to attend the 6th Mindanao-wide PAFC Summit eventually made the gathering fruitful and very successful.
It was recently held at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort and Convention Center, which was hosted by PAFC Agusan del Sur under the chairmanship of Mr. Pete Lim, designated as summit chairperson.
Regional Executive Director Ricardo C. Regis of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 welcomed all guests and participants as he encouraged AFCs to be more vigilant amidst controversy shaking the agriculture department nowadays.
Participants were PAFC chairmen and coordinators coming from all regions in Mindanao namely Region 9, 10, 11, 12, Caraga and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
In her keynote speech, Dr. Maria Luz Enriquez, Deputy Executive Director of National Agriculture and Fishery Council, lauded the officers of PAFC all over Mindanao for voluntarily rendering their services and time for the council without counting any return.
The highlight of the summit was the holding of the plenary sessions which focused on the FIELDS interventions and its implementation likewise it also tackled various issues affecting the agriculture sector and possible solutions were presented.
Armed with spirit of volunteerism, officers of provincial Agricultural and Fishery Councils all over Mindanao flocked here in the city to attend the 6th Mindanao-wide PAFC Summit eventually made the gathering fruitful and very successful.
It was recently held at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort and Convention Center, which was hosted by PAFC Agusan del Sur under the chairmanship of Mr. Pete Lim, designated as summit chairperson.
Regional Executive Director Ricardo C. Regis of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 welcomed all guests and participants as he encouraged AFCs to be more vigilant amidst controversy shaking the agriculture department nowadays.
Participants were PAFC chairmen and coordinators coming from all regions in Mindanao namely Region 9, 10, 11, 12, Caraga and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
In her keynote speech, Dr. Maria Luz Enriquez, Deputy Executive Director of National Agriculture and Fishery Council, lauded the officers of PAFC all over Mindanao for voluntarily rendering their services and time for the council without counting any return.
The highlight of the summit was the holding of the plenary sessions which focused on the FIELDS interventions and its implementation likewise it also tackled various issues affecting the agriculture sector and possible solutions were presented.
The speakers who talked about various support on FIELDS Program includes GMA Rice Program Coordinator for Mondanao Abner Montecalvo of PhilRice Agusan; National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Caraga Engineering Division Chief Engr. Serafin Gallero Jr., Director Asterio Saliot of Agricultural Training Institute; Bureau of Post-Harvest Research and Extrnsion Project Team Leader for Mindanao Edgardo Testa, Project Development Officer IV Rudy Ungson of Agricultural Credit Policy Council, LBP Butuan Lending Center Head Jose Enedicto Faune, Assistant Regional Director Nerio Casil of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Caraga; Bureau of Soil and Water Management Coordinator for Caraga, Sunny de Guzman and Celebes Agricultural Corporation Plant Manager Romeo Sacro.
Governor Maria Valentina G. Plaza of Agusan del Sur also sent her representative Ferdinand Perez, the Public Information Officer of the province who expressed their great support to the summit.
Also gracing the occasion were RAFC Caraga Chair Reynaldo Gaballo and Agusan del Norte Vice Governor Enrico Corvera as representative of Governor Erlpe John Amante who also greatly supported the summit.
This year’s holding of the 6th Mindanao-wide PAFC Summit has a theme “Mindanao AFCs: Meeting the challenge through FIELDS”.
FIELDS is a banner program of the Arroyo administration to collaborate all efforts on agriculture which stands for F-fertilizer, I-irrigation and other infra, E-education and training, L-loans, D-dryers and other post harvest facilities and S-seeds and other genetic materials. (Aurell Arais, BFAR-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Trento: Go Organic grabs National Award
It’s unimaginable but it’s really true. A small town became famous because of its effort to pursue organic agriculture and moreover it came from Caraga Region.
This was the case of Trento, Agusan del Sur under the leadership of a woman local chief executive Mayor Irenea Hitgano.
Just recently, Mayor Hitgano formally received the award after the local government unitof Trento emerged as the national awardee for the recently concluded Search for Outstanding Organic Farming Initiative: LGU Category.
Hitgano received the award at Davao Convention Center in Davao City during the 5th National Organic Agriculture Conference initiated by the Department of Agriculture through Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS) and Go Organic Mindanao (GOM) and other stakeholders.
The award includes a plaque and cash prize worth P100,000.00.
The search for Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Organic Farming aims to provide due recognition to stakeholders’ initiative in organic farming and compliance to the requirements of organic standards; to document success stories and best practices employed in certified organic farms; to showcase improved technologies that meet the Philippine National Standard for Organic Agriculture Production and processing for competitiveness, increased productivity, sanitation and safety, thereby increasing contribution to economic growth, farmers income and consumer’s welfare; and to promote the full implementation of Executive Order 481 on the Promotion and Development of Organic Agriculture in the Philippines.
The high price of petrochemical based fertilizers and expanding market for organic products eventually prompted President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to issue executive order 481 to promote and develop organic agriculture in the country.
In her speech after receiving the award, Hitgano exclaimed that she did not even think that her advocacy for organic farming will bring the town of Trento into limelight.
“I thank all the stakeholders, my co-officials and my constituents who trusted me and who one way or the toher contributed much to our success”, she said.
She gives also an assurance that the advocacy for organic farming in Trento will continue whoever the next set of officers will be since the program has been adopted by the women’s group that called Pinagbuklod na Lakas Kababaihan ng Trento (PLAKAT).
The organic way of farming in Trento started almost three years ago when a group of farmers approached her to do something so they will be freed from financial burden due to high cost in production input.
The call of farmers paved the way for Mayor Hitgano to equip herself the necessary knowledge in organic agriculture through attending various seminars and trainings here and abroad about the matter.
Her acquired knowledge greatly helps her to persuade co-officials and farmers as well as to adopt organic farming.
As of now, Trento has established various demo sites which includes rice and corn, vegetable gardening, organic fertilizer production area, rice duck farming and organic swine raising.
Aside from LGU category, another category of the search is the farmer category which was won by the Leonie Agri Corporation, a sister of Pascual Laboratories engaging in planting medicinal plants in Region 3.
BAFPS Director Gilberto Layese vowed to improve more the search process and expand the categories to widen the scope of recognizing individuals or groups adopting organic agriculture in the country. (Aurell Arais, BFAR-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: Tungod sa dakong suporta ni Gov. Barbers, mga Capability Building Trainings sa mga empleyado sa kapitolyo malampusong gipahigayon
Surigao del Norte (24 November) - Dako ang pasalamat sa mga empleyado sa kapitolyo sa paghatag ni Gov. Ace Barbers ug dakong pagtagad sa mga panginahanglanon labi na ang pagdugang sa mga kapasidad sa mga kawani sa probinsya aron sa paghatag ug kalidad ng panirbisyo sa mga katawhan.
Ang Human Resources Management Office nga maoy namuno sa maong mga pagbansay-bansay anaa na karon sa ika 7th Batch para sa “ATO INI “ Core Competences Seminar karong Nobyembre 20-21, ug mosunod ang ika 8th Batch sa Disyembre 4-5, 2008. Gipahigayon usab ang Supply and Property Management Training sugod Nobyembre 19, 20 ug 21, 2008 alang sa 1st Batch ug magsugod usab ang Supervisory Enrichment Training karong Nobyembre 26,27 ug 28 alang sa 1st Batch ug sa Disyembre 3,4 ug 5 alang sa 2nd Batch.
Ubay-ubay ang nakadayeg sa gihimong mga pagbansay-bansay labi na ang mga hingtungdan nga mga empleyado sa gipakita nga importansya sa administrasyong Barbers alang sa kalamboan sa mga kawani sa probinsya.
Matud pa sa maalagarong Gobernador Ace Barbers dako ang iyang panglantaw sa ikaugmad sa mga kapasidad sa mga empleyado o ang gitawag nga mga “frontline service providers” tungod ka yang pagpangalagad nga may kalidad maoy sumbanan sa usa ka episyente ug epektibo nga pangagamhanan diin maoy gitinguha kanunay sa iyang administrasyon. (PGO-Media Bureau Surigao del Norte/ PIA-Surigao City)
SURSECO II implements Electricity Subsidy of PGMA
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur – SURSECO II is now implementing the Electricity Subsidy Program of Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo since last month of October, 2008.
This program “Pantawid Kuryente”, Katas ng VAT aims to help residential consumers to pay their electricity bill due to the continuing price increases of basic commodities and petroleum products that we are experiencing, especially on the second quarter of this year.
The funds for this program is said to be funded from Oil VAT Collections of our government.
There were more than 33,000 Residential Consumers of SURSECO II who are entitled to enjoy this program. The coop had 28, 355 consumer who were already enjoying the subsidy. They were non-BAPAs residential consumers and for this month of November, the BAPAs or Barangay Power Association consumers will be started to enjoy the subsidy.
It was happened that BAPAs were not able to implement last month because their Officials, specially, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman for Finance were not able to inform and oriented by the coop personnel on how to implement the program.
Many consumers of our coop are now murmuring why that others were not able to enjoy the subsidy specifically the non-residential consumers that legally, they are also a member consumers? Why is it that only residential consumers may avail the program? The management of SURSECO II is only implementing of what was written in the Guidelines for the implementation of this Electricity Subsidy.
In fact, as far as the guidelines is concerned that only residential consumers with an electricity consumption of between 1 KWH – 100 KWH are entitled to enjoy the subsidy.
For those consumers who were not able to meet the guidelines will not be able to enjoy the subsidy.
To reiterate, the subsidy is only for the residential consumers who are consuming from 1 kwh to 100 kwh on the May, 2008 billing. If you do not meet the requirements, meaning, you are not entitled for the subsidy.
This electricity subsidy is a one-time program. The coop is reflected the amount of P500 to the Account of qualified member consumers. Starting last month of October, the amount was started to be deducted from the present billing until the amount (P500) will be fully utilized.
Although, they were some member consumers of the coop who are dismayed in the sense that they were not able to avail the subsidy, but, the 33,000 plus residential consumers were very thankful to the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for initiating this electricity subsidy, according to some consumers that I’ve interviewed.
Furthermore, they are hoping that there will be another electricity subsidy after this. (Aguinaldo L. Jaluag, SURSECO II / PIA-Surigao del Sur)
