Butuan hikes funding for social programs
The Integrated Social Development Assistance Program (ISDAP) started by Butuan City Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II in 1991, during his first term as Chief Executive, has now attained an allocation of 2.1 Million Pesos, which is eight times more than its initial annual budget of 250,000 pesos when it began. The funding has been increased constantly since its first implementation in 1991 to cater more indigents endorsed by the Barangays and further the program’s mission of providing assistance to the poor.
The budget for the said program comes mainly from the 20% Development Fund of the City Mayor. In addition to this, Mayor Plaza was able to tap other fund sources such as the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) that provides medical assistance to indigents. Both Regional and National PCSO has extended financial support to the City amounting P500,000.00 this year.
For medical assistance, however, ISDAP only covers indigents who are non-barangay officials because there is a separate medical assistance/hospitalization benefit given by the City for barangay officials through a Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution 3288-2007 in compliance to Section 393 of Republic Act 7160.
ISDAP is catering to the indigents of Butuan City who are in need of the following services: assistance for medicines, blood, hospital bill, laboratory bills, transportation, and burial.
Those needing the above mentioned services may approach Ms. Genara Yu at the Old Treasurer’s Office, City Hall Grounds, Butuan City. (Malou Furia, PIO-Butuan City/ PIA-Caraga)
Mayor Plaza allocates P15-M budget for livelihood projects
Poverty alleviation is a prime concern under the administration of Butuan City Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II. During his Mayor’s Forum, a monthly press conference, he stressed that the city’s thrust is to give the people the chance to access livelihood programs to augment family’s financial resources.
The City Government of Butuan through the City Cooperative and Enterprise Development (CCED) has allocated funds of Fifteen Million (15M) Pesos as livelihood assistance fund to Barangay cooperatives.
This endeavor is part of the poverty alleviation program, wherein, every bonafide cooperative with doable proposal submitted will be thoroughly evaluated and an initial capital of P150,000.00 will be released to them to fund their identified project.
This project covered by Executive Order No. 163-2008, and to date there are 51 barangay cooperatives who has successfully complied all documentary requirements awaiting release within this year.
Further, per disclosure for CCED Chief, Mr. Mario Maputi, their office is conducting skills trainings on various Small-Medium Enterprise (SMEs) benefiting women’s groups, youths, and out-of-school youths. (Malou Furia, PIO-Butuan City/ PIA-Caraga)
Malnourished children in Butuan City's 46 barangays are now healthy
Some 46 barangays in Butuan City show great decrease of malnourished children at age six years and below within a period of one year. This is the recent report of the City Nutrition Office.
53.5 percent of malnourished children in the 46 barangays improved their nutritional status to normal as a result of the Fresh Milk Feeding which is done house to house for two consecutive months, mass feeding, nutrition education to mothers, campaign on food production, and livelihood skills training for mothers conducted by the CNO together with the barangay health workers.
The feeding of malnourished children at Barangay Halls and Day Care Centers is done daily for one month. After such period, the weight of malnourished children is evaluated to determine result.
If a child, one to six years old is malnourished, the child is allotted eight liters of milk in two months to ensure that the child becomes normal.
One the major causes of malnutrition is low family income. The City Nutrition Office makes interventions and helps equip the parents to become responsible and knowledgeable on the effect of malnutrition to growing kids.
In 2008, the city government allotted One Million Pesos for the Milk Feeding Program. 3,474 liters of milk were purchased for the target barangays. Milk is being used for the feeding because it is easy to feed and is a complete food, which is good for children. (Malou Furia, PIO-Butuan City/ PIA-Caraga)
POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania
Report on illegal gambling
On January 5, 2009 (Monday) at Purok-6, Montilla Boulevard, Butuan City around 6:00 in the evening, composite team from Vice Control Section led by PSINSP Ronaldo Plaza together with Intelligence branch and City Mobile Group of Butuan City Police Office conducted operation against illegal gambling which resulted to the confiscation of one fruit game machine (kulalong) from the possession and control of a certain Nora Umpoco (caretaker), of legal age, and resident of said place.
Same personnel proceeded to Barangay Obrero, Butuan City and confiscated one unit fruit game machine from the possession and control of a certain Romeo Lomeru (caretaker), 46 years old, married and resident of said place.
The team proceeded to Purok-5, Villanueva Village, Barangay Bading, Butuan City and confiscated one unit Video Karera Machine from the possession and control of a certain Felimon Magallano (caretaker), 43 years old, married and resident of said place.
Confiscated units were brought to the Office of Vice Control Section of Butuan City Police Office for proper disposition and documentation.
PNP arrest wanted person
On January 5, 2009 (Monday) at 5:30 in the afternoon at Purok-5, Barangay Bay-ang, Cabadbaran City, joint team from 143rd RMG Company led by PINSP Darwin Dura and personnel of Cabadbaran City Police Station conducted operation against wanted person which resulted to the arrest of the suspect identified as Gerald Dumpas Paniamogan, 20 years old, single and resident of said place.
Suspect was arrested by virtue of warrant of arrest (WOA) issued by Hon Judge Orlando F Doyon of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 34, Cabadbaran City, dated April 15, 2005, for the crime of qualified theft docketed under CC number 2005-08 with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 30,000.00.
Arrested person is now temporarily detained at 143rd RMG Coy for documentation prior to turnover to the issuing court.
Report on illegal logging
On January 4, 2009 (Sunday) at 8:00 in the evening at the National Highway of Barangay Tagongon, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, PNP elements of 1406th PPMG led by PSINSP Ramonito S Bajala, Officer-in-Charge, intercepted one unit Mitsubishi Fuzo truck bearing plate number XHG 239, driven by a certain Ceasar Sa Pedro, 49 years old and resident of 43 VP Cruz, Purok-5A, Lower Bicutan, Metro Manila, loaded with 163 pieces assorted illegal logs with an estimated volume of 37.26 cubic meters with market value amounting to Php 50,300.00.
Subject failed to present necessary documents of transporting said logs.
Allegedly, the logs are owned by Rodrigo Perry, 28 years old, resident of Ugoban, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur.
Confiscated logs together with the hauler truck were placed under the custody of 1406th PPMG for documentation and prior turn over to DENR. Progress report to follow.
Report on CTs initiated incident
On January 5, 2009 (Monday) at 6:45 in the morning at Barangay Villa Undayon, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, undetermined number of armed communist’s terrorists (CTs) led by an unknown Commander of Front Committee 21 and FC 8 harassed and fired upon Patrol Base of 23rd IB, PA, located at said place.
Exchange of firefight lasted for five minutes and after which the enemy withdrew towards unknown direction.
No casualties reported on both sides. Government troops are presently conducting hot pursuit operation against the withdrawing enemy. Progress report to follow.
