BUTUAN CITY (December 15) – Volunteers from government and non-government sectors were honored by Mount Mayapay Rehabilitation Project Task Force dubbed as “Appreciation Program” in recognition of their unwavering commitment and dedication in rehabilitating the highest peak in the city and perhaps, in the province of Agusan del Norte.
In a simple yet memorable awarding ceremony held on Thursday (December 11), Congressman Jose S. Aquino II of the First District of Butuan City and Las Nieves emphasized his never-ending thanks and gratitude to those who have taken part in the success of rehabilitating Mt. Mayapay.
First District Congressman Jose “Joboy” Aquino delivers his Inspirational Speech before the stakeholders-volunteers of the Mt. Mayapay Rehabilitation Project who were given recognition by the task force on Thursday, December 11, 2008 in a simple yet memorable awarding ceremony dubbed as “Appreciation Program” at Almont City Hotel, Butuan City. In his speech, Cong. Aquino vows of his continuous support to the program and pledged to give Php 2-million annually. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-13) ...more photos in PHOTO RELEASES...“To all the Regional Directors and their staff, the private sectors, the academe and those who made the project successful, Daghan kaayong salamat! (Thank you very much) You have made the Butuanons proud. The noble thing you did will not only benefit the people of today but more on the next generation and the future generations to come”, Cong. Aquino said in his speech.
The young legislator also recalled their experience when he was able to visit earlier Cairo, Egypt and climbed the holy mountain - Mount Sinai where God gave the ten commandments to Moses. He compared his experience and said that in every problems and endeavors, all will be made possible and easy if people will work together for the common good.
Meanwhile, PENRO Rosendo Asunto of Butuan City, in his speech said that 2008 is a very fruitful and challenging year. “It is indeed fruitful because we’re able to plant more or less 97 hectares since May of this year. Challenging because trudging the road to the planting area needs perseverance and determination, especially the rugged trekking during the actual planting”, he said.
Asunto also hopes that the commitment to Mt. Mayapay will not end during the awarding ceremony but to be able to continue pursuing the rehabilitation of Mt. Mayapay for the next coming years. “It is also my aspiration that we may continue the partnership we have established. So those who will be following us may be grateful that in our time, there are people in Butuan who made Mayapay green and someday, somehow this place will become a haven for recreation and relaxation”, he said.
Moreover, Asunto urged the stakeholders “not to stop doing the best for Mt. Mayapay and this best cannot be done alone by DENR, but with you and by all of us, we can do more and make Mt. Mayapay one of the best ecotourism sites not only in Caraga region, but somehow throughout the country”, Asunto disclosed.
Cong. Aquino, on the other hand, assures the members of the task force for his continued support and vows to give Php 2 million annually for the continuous implementation of the project. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-13)
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Agusan del Sur province website is now up
After years of having no online presence, the province of Agusan del Sur in now accessible on the world wide web. The website can be reached at www.agusandelsur.gov.ph.
Mr. Dax K. Vintola, Public Information Officer for the provincial government, currently administers the website, having attended the training on Web Upgrading Workshop which was conducted by the National Computer Center (NCC) some years back.
The website uses a citizen-centric format which NCC requires in the development and upgrading of local government websites. In particular, the website specifically caters to the peculiar information needs of site users may it be a fellow Agusanon from abroad, a prospective investors, and local and foreign tourists alike.
The website also uses distinguished Content Management System (CMSs) specifically Joomla software, Php, MySQL and Dreamweaver.
In another development, it can be recalled that Mr. Vintola is currently assisting the Agusan del Sur Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (ASERBAC) in having their own business website which is tailored to cater to more local clients and investors.
This is just the beginning for Agusan del Sur Province. As they continue to gain ground in the area of information and communications technology, it is hoped that delivery of relevant information and other important services will be hastened through their website in 2009 and even beyond. (Melody Cocon, National Computer Center - Field Operation Office/ PIA-Caraga)
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GADCC sets up measures to fight violence vs women
BUTUAN CITY (December 15) – In line with the 18-day campaign to end violence against women, members of Gender and Development Coordinating Council (GADCC) from the government line agencies convened recently to address the issues and concerns raised during the previous meetings.
Being the GADCC Chairperson and Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Caraga, Atty. Marylin Pintor bared the issues and concerns that need GADCC’s action and one of these is the advocacy campaign to lodging houses/motel owners to prevent crime against women.
“Advocacy to lodging house/motel owners to prevent crime against women; lobby for the hiring/filling up of prosecutors and judges positions in Caraga Region; discussion on the Badjao and street kids in the region; and complaints on lewd radio programs are the matters that need GADCC action,” Dir. Pintor said.
According to Dir. Pintor, during the recently held press conference on the 18-day campaign to end violence, an issue was raised regarding rape cases and child exploitation, and one of the factors that these crimes happen is that motels and lodging houses allow adults who bring minors (mostly of the opposite sex) into their establishments.
GAD Focal Person of PNP-Caraga PSUPT Cristita dela Cruz said that in order to prevent violence inside the motels and lodging houses, the management and staff of all motels and lodging houses will have to undergo trainings pertaining to Republic Act 7610 (Child Abuse) to be conducted by GADCC. Resistance to participate in the trainings will not be granted or will be confiscated with business license by the local government.
Also, on the issue of hiring of prosecutors and judges’ positions in Caraga, Atty. Pintor said that whoever would want to apply are welcome and added that GADCC would be glad to have one in the region.
Meanwhile, with regards to the Badjao and street kids in Caraga, Jbionne Pagalan of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga stresses that the public should be informed not to tolerate these kids who are roaming around the streets begging alms.
“By giving a small amount of money to the street kids especially the Badjaos do not help them improve but rather make them more dependent on the act of doing so for easy money, to the extent of refusing to the livelihood programs provided by the government,” Pagalan said.
The last issue discussed is concerning the complaints on lewd radio programs where GADCC was able to identify one radio program (talk show) on a certain FM radio station. According to Atty. Pintor, GADCC members will call for a meeting with the presence of the host/ disk jockey of the said FM station together with the FM station Manager to address the issue and give remedy to the problem.
With these plans that are already set, GADCC members believe that working hand in hand would truly end violence against women and their children. (Jennifer P. Gaitano, PIA-Caraga)
Banana Fits Center launched at PAO
BUTUAN CITY (December 15) – The Provincial Farmers Information Technology Services (FITS) center, also named as Banana FITS Center of Agusan del Norte, located at the Provincial Agriculturist Office, Capitol, Butuan City was recently launched.
FITS is a none-stop information shop of technologies on agriculture, forestry and natural resources that caters to the needs of the farmers, entrepreneurs, traders, processors and other clients. The provincial FITS Center will feature the province’s key crops/commodities.
Initially, it will focus on banana. It facilitates readily accessible services to users of agricultural research as it links the sources of information with the end users via the Internet through the Program’s network.
With its staff and direct links with research/development experts of PCARRD/CCARRD, the center is a source of technical assistance appropriate to the needs of its clients. Aside from web-based information, print materials will be provided to clients who have no access to the Internet.
The activity was well attended by the Municipal/City Agriculturists, Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council (MAFC) Chairmen and farmers representing the rule-based organizations within the province. Also in attendance were the different provincial agency heads.
Mr. Roque Lexter P. Dolotina, Provincial Administrator, who represented the Agusan del Norte Governor Erlpe John Amante, Ms. Maria H. Abastillas, Provincial Agriculturist and Dr. Rowena P. Varela, Consortium for Agriculture Forestry and Resources Research and Development (CCARRD) graced the occasion. (Lucila L. Esdrelon, Agusan del Norte/ PIA-Caraga)
POLICE REPORTS
By : PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania
and PO3 Philip Amer Posas Mazo
PNP arrests wanted person
On December 12, 2008 (Friday) at 12:20 in the afternoon at Purok-4, Poblacion, Barobo, Surigao del Sur, suspect identified as Alex Alvarez, 28 years old, single, jobless and resident of Purok-2, Poblacion, Barobo, Surigao del Sur was arrested by PNP elements of Barobo Municipal Police Station led by SPO1 Roger Rivas by virtue of warrant of arrest (WOA) issued by Hon Judge Ricardo L Mosquera III of MCTC Barobo-Lianga, Surigao del Sur for two counts of slight physical injuries docketed under CC number 06-CR-011-B, dated September 12, 2008.
Arrested person now under the custody of Barobo Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Report on illegal possession of firearm
On December 12, 2008 (Friday) at 2:00 in the afternoon at the Compound of Carcanmadcarlan Agri-Base Multi-purpose Cooperative (CAMPCO), Barangay Mangosilom, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, a certain Teodoro Prado, of legal age, married and resident of said place allegedly found an abandoned one unit homemade and defective smith and Wesson caliber .357 with one live ammo, without serial number inside the compound of said cooperative where he was working.
Aforementioned person surrendered said firearm to the Chief of Police of Cantilan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Also, on December 13, 2008 (Saturday) at 6:45 in the evening at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Office, Ampayon, Butuan City, a security guard of United Field Sea Watchmen and Checkers Agency (UFSWCA) allegedly fired his gun while guarding the DOST Regional Office.
John Hope Dungganon, 30 years old, married and a resident of Purok-7 Barangay Bancasi, Butuan City detailed to guard the said building without apparent reason fired his issued M16 riffle three times that alarmed the populace in the area.
Dungganon was even wearing civilian attire while in the performance of duty. Initial investigation revealed that he was under the influence of intoxicating liquor. Immediately, he was arrested by responding elements of Butuan City Police Station-4 and confiscated from him the issued M16 riffle with serial number JMA-99884 and two short magazine loaded with 27 live ammos.
Dungganon and the confiscated firearm were brought to Butuan City Police Station-4 for proper disposition and appropriate charges is now being readied for filing in court.
Report on illegal gambling
On December 13, 2008 (Saturday) at 7:35 in the evening at the sidewalk of R. Calo Street, Infront of Aling Cora, Butuan City, PNP elements of Vice Control Section, Butuan City Police Station-1 conducted operation on illegal gambling which resulted to the apprehension of the suspect identified as Carlo Simogan (runner/collector), 29 years old, single and resident of Purok-1, Barangay Diego Silang, Butuan City was caught in the act engaged in illegal gambling locally known as “swertres”.
Confiscated from his possession were one piece calculator, eight pieces filled-up tally sheets and bet money amounting to Php 675.00 in different denominations.
Suspect and confiscated items were brought to the Office of Vice Control Section, Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) for proper disposition, while appropriate case is being prepared for filing in court.
PNP probes fire incident
On December 13, 2008 (Saturday) at 1:30 in the morning at Purok-7, Barangay Bit-os, Butuan City, nine fully armed men believed to be communists terrorists (CTs), burned a prime mover trailer truck with license plate number UDG 445.
Two ten-wheeler dump truck parked nearby were likewise fired upon by the armed CTs.
The said vehicles are owned and operated by CAVDEL Corp, a Manila based construction firm. PNP elements of Butuan City Police Office led by PSUPT Joseph D Plaza, Officer-in-Charge, Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) immediately responded to the area and were able to recover the following items such as six spent shells and one live ammo of 5.56 mm (m16); two spent shells of 7.62 mm (m14); one spent shells of 9mm; one spent shotgun shell; one spent shell of cal .30 carbine; and one four liter plastic container with gasoline.
Initial investigation disclosed that the suspects suddenly approached and immediately pointed guns at the two watchmen identified as Reynaldo Toreta and Danilo Salvan while the other suspects poured gasoline and burned the prime mover trailer truck.
Suspects immediately fled towards the mountainous area of Barangay Bit-os. Motive is yet to be determined. Follow-up operation and hot pursuit operation is being conducted by elements of Butuan City Police Office and Philippine Army personnel. Progress report to follow.
Report on vehicular accident
On December 13, 2008 (Saturday) at 7:30 in the evening at Ambago Road crossing Emily Homes Subdivision, Barangay Libertad, Butuan City, a single motorcycle Honda Wave color black bearing temporary plate number 9E-3104 driven by Joverto Magan, of legal age, married and a resident of Phase-1 block 26 lot 29 Emenville Subdivision, Barangay Ambago, Butuan City was accidentally side swept to another motorcycle driven by PO3 Melvin Lerin, 32 years old, married and a resident of Emily Homes, Barangay Libertad, Butuan City.
The Honda Wave swerved and crashed into the road causing Magan to sustain serious injuries. The driver of the other motorcycle PO3 Lerin helped the injured Magan and immediately brought him to the Provincial Hospital who was later transferred to MJ Santos Hospital for immediate medical treatment.
The following morning Magan's attending physician declared him dead around 7 in the morning. Butuan City Police Station-3 is now conducting follow-up investigation on the incident.
Report on shooting incident
On December 14, 2008 (Sunday) at 1:40 in the morning at Barangay 8, Cabadbaran City Agusan del Norte, initial investigation conducted revealed that while the suspect identified as Germino Pedrano SequiΓ±a, of legal age, married, Security guard and a resident of same place was walking along with his family, a group of bystanders on a drinking spree beside the bakery store allegedly threw a stone towards the suspect which triggered him to draw his issued cal .38 revolver and shot the unidentified bystanders hitting a certain Vesmark Coronia Zafra, 20 years old, single and a resident of Sitio Pirada, Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City.
Zafra who was at that time eating snacks infront of the store was rushed to Cabadbaran District Hospital was referred later to Butuan City for immediate treatment.
Suspect was apprehended and confiscated from him the cal .38 revolver with serial number PRO-3046333 with five live ammos and one empty shell.
Suspect was then brought to Cabadbaran City Police Station for proper disposition. Motive of the incident was found personal grudges.
