Feature Story
“Tulay ng Pangulo”: Connecting yesterday, today and tomorrow
by: Dave M. Suyao
For around three years now, residents in remote barangays in Agusan del Sur, enjoy the pleasure, convenience and safety in discharging their daily routine. Most of all, children will never again risk their lives especially during bad weather in going to school, crossing the rushing current of rivers while riding in bancas.
This situation changed after the “Tulay ng Pangulo” were constructed specially in remote barangays in the 12 municipalities and the city of Bayugan in Agusan del Sur.
“I can still recall the danger several years ago when the people of San Luis used to ride in bancas, crossing the strong current of the 131 meter-wide Agusan River from Barangay Dona Flavia to Barangay Dona Maxima where our municipal hall is located. I thought we, the people of San Luis, will never get out of that miserable way of living, until the time when we connected Dona Flavia and Dona Maxima with a foot bridge, with the help of the provincial government under the administration of then Governor Valentina Plaza”, recalled Mayor Jose Chua.
“But I feel the utmost joy in my heart when we became one of the recipients of the “tulay ng Pangulo” which the national government started to construct in August of 2005 and was completed in a matter of one year! I cannot also explain the joy painted in the faces of my constituents the first time they set foot on a bridge made of steel that promise stability and progress. I thought to my self, this is a dream come true! And as I look up in the sky, my mind said, “How God and President Arroyo love us”, Mayor Chua added.
According to Agusan del Sur Gov. Maria Valentina “Tina” Plaza, the “Tulay ng Pangulo” connected the seven-point program of her administration to all the people in the province, especially the lumads (indigenous peoples).
“Our brothers and sisters who survive in the hinterlands that were driven away from civilization by false programs of some unscrupulous people were denied of government services because of distance and impassable roads and bridges. Many of them died because it was impossible for them to reach the hospitals and clinics and be attended by trained medical personnel,” Gov. Tina Plaza said.
Gov. Plaza added that with the “Tulay ng Pangulo”, local government units are now encouraged to conduct medical mission even in the most remote barangays without the risk of drowning when they cross rivers along the way. Parents are also encouraged to send their children to school knowing that they are safe even during bad weather.
“I myself have gone in almost all the remote areas in the province and I personally witnessed how hard are the way of living our brothers and sisters were experiencing. That is the reason why the provincial government designed a whole year round medical mission in order to deliver the medical services to our people that were denied of the services long before. Now, it is also easy for the government to construct the most needed classrooms in remote areas because it is easy for us to bring the materials needed for the construction of these classrooms, and provide them with school facilities like books and desks. I also ordered the technical people in the provincial government to design water facilities so that the people in the remote areas will have safe drinking water and will be spared from waterborne diseases. But aside from ensuring good health for our people, the provincial government also provided good planting materials for the farmers to ensure good yields of their farm produce because it is now easy for them to transport their products to the market,” Gov. Tina Plaza said.
There are 60 “Tulay ng Pangulo” constructed in the entire province of Agusan del Sur. The municipality of Prosperidad has the most number reaching to a total of 11 bridges, with a total length of 271.272 linear meters, followed by the farthest municipality of Loreto with 10 bridges with a total length of 225.552 linear meters.
San Luis has only three, but with the longest bridge that connects Dona Flavia to Dona Maxima where the municipal hall is located, totaling to 216.408 linear meters.
According to Engr. Adelaida Padilla, Project Development Officer of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, the 60 “Tulay ng Pangulo” cost some P799 million, where the provincial government shared a total of P9.8 million, apportioned to recipient municipalities.
News Releases
1,500 expected to attend workers' congress
The Congress, with the theme "Public Sector Unions (PSU): Towards the Institutionalization of Citizen's Charter", highlights the key role of government employees' organizations in the implementation of anti-red tape measures, particularly in the crafting of agencies' service standards or Citizen's Charters. It also seeks to evaluate the current state of public sector unionism thru dialogues between representatives of PSUs and management.
This major event is organized by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) together with the Public Sector Labor-Management Council (PSLMC) and government employees' associations. The PSLMC is composed of CSC Chair Ricardo L. Saludo as chair, the Labor and Employment Secretary as vice-chair, and the Finance, Justice and Budget Secretaries as members. The CSC serves as the Secretariat to the Council.
Activities to be held during the Congress include Regional Workers' Consultation by sector, election of eight sectoral representatives, parallel sessions/training programs on various concerns for the workers and management groups, presentations by PSLMC members, and a keynote speech of the PSLMC Chair on "The Partnership in Government and Advancement of Morale, Efficiency, Responsiveness, Courtesy and Integrity (MERCI) in the Government Service".
The 1987 Philippine Constitution grants government employees the right to self-organization, or to form unions, associations or societies that would serve as the unified voice of employees toward the advancement and protection of their interests. PSUs can be a partner of management in policy-making, implementation and monitoring, as well as a "watchdog" for graft and corruption in government.
Harnessing public sector unionism is part of CSC's major thrusts based on the principle that a solid partnership between employees and the management is one of the prerequisites of effective public service delivery and good governance.
Those who wish to participate in the Congress may register until March 13 at the nearest CSC Regional Office or at the Personnel Relations Office, CSC Building, Diliman, Quezon City. Participants may also register on March 23 at the Congress venue. Registration fee is P2,700.00.
Attendance to the event earns an equivalent of four hours of training credited to each participant. Separate training credits will be given to those who attend the training programs.
For further details, please contact telephone numbers 931-4149, 931-8039 and 931-8071. (CSC-13/ PIA-Caraga)
By PO3 Philip Amer Posas Mazo
and PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania
Escape of prisoners
Thereafter, the two inmates were noticed to have been missing prompting the desk officer to conduct physical inventory and head count of all the inmates. The two inmates were discovered to have escaped allegedly passing through the back perimeter fence taking advantage of the MRF Structural facility installed in close proximity.
Immediately, jail authorities initiated tactical plans for immediate manhunt operation for the possible arrest of the two inmates and four teams were being dispatched.
At around 3:00 in the afternoon on March 9, 2009, escapee Carlito Dagaas was intercepted somewhere at Barangay Bad-as, Placer, Surigao del Norte by the pursuing team while on his way to unknown destination onboard the Bachelor bus.
Subject is presently jailed back to Surigao Provincial Jail while escapee Alan Nardo remains at-large. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Report on illegal drugs
On March 9, 2009 around 12:30 in the afternoon along National Highway in Purok-2 Barangay Del Carmen, Bayugan City, personnel from Bayugan City Police Station led by SPO4 Gilbert Lumacad apprehended the following suspects identified as Jubert Logronio Felicilda, 27 years old, single and resident of Purok-6 Poblacion, Bayugan City; and Filfrancislao Oropa Germo, 25 years old, single and a resident of Purok-8 Poblacion, Bayugan City.
Suspects were arrested thru entrapment operation for Violation of RA 9165 (Illegal Possession of Dangerous Drugs).
Confiscated from the possession of the suspects were one cellophane of dried marijuana leaves with estimated market value of Ph 3,000.00 and one unit Chunlan motorcycle bearing plate number KP 1157.
Arrested suspects and confiscated items were brought to Bayugan City Police Station for documentation and filing of appropriate charges in court against the suspects. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Report on illegal logging
On March 8, 2009 around 1:30 in the afternoon, PNP personnel from Butuan City Police Station 1 led by PSI Ave Mario Romero, Police Officer of the Day together with the Alert Team conducted checkpoint at the foot of Magsaysay bridge, M Calo Street, Butuan City which resulted to the confiscation of one unit Isuzu jeepney bearing plate number LYA-906 loaded with assorted sawn lumbers with estimated volume of 2,771.74 board feet.
Said vehicle was driven by a certain Edwin Pacot Dionson, of legal age, married and a resident of Purok-4 Barangay Afga, Sibagat, Agusan de Sur.
Upon verification said lumbers have no pertinent papers to prove its legality. Confiscated forest products were brought to Butuan City Police Station 1 for recording and proper disposition in coordination with CENRO Butuan. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Report on illegal gambling
Said machine is allegedly owned by a certain alias "Kaka" Sanchez, of legal age and resident of Barangay Bading, Butuan City.
Confiscated machine was brought to Butuan City Police Station 2 for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Report on illegal fishing
On March 8, 2009 around 3:00 in the morning at Purok-4 Poblacion Barobo, Surigao del Sur, a certain Myrna Virtudazo Calim, 38 years old, married, fish vendor and a resident of Barangay Liatimco, Lianga, Surigao del Sur was apprehended by PNP elements of Barobo Municipal Police Station led by SPO3 Jemar Credo for having been caught in her possession and custody of more or less 35 kilos of dynamited fish locally known as "sagoysoy" and "dinggit" species.
Calim was brought to Barobo Municipal Police Station for documentation and further investigation while confiscated fish was brought to Municipal Agriculture Office for examination and proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Report on loose firearm
On March 5, 2009 around 11:50 in the morning at Mujica Acoustic Videoke Bar located at Esperanza Road, Barangay Poblacion, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, personnel of Bayugan City Police Station led by PInsp Jomark Q CaΓ±a conducted “Oplan Kapkap/Bakal” which resulted to the apprehension of a certain Narciso Opalla Jr, 38 years old, married and a resident of Purok-6 Barangay Saguma, Bayugan City.
Confiscated from the suspect’s possession were one unit caliber .45 (PARA CARRY) with serial number 125622 and one magazine loaded with six live ammo.
Subject person and confiscated items were brought to said police station for proper disposition while appropriate charges is being prepared for filing in court. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
PNP arrests wanted persons
On March 5, 2009 around 1:30 in the morning at Purok-13 Barangay Limaha, Butuan City, Tracker Team of Butuan City Police Station 2, BCPO led by SPO2 Advincula arrested a certain Zaldy Torete Rosales, 37 years old, married and a resident of Purok-13 Barangay Limaha, Butuan City by virtue of warrant of arrest (WOA) issued by Hon Judge Francisco Maclang of Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 3, Libertad, Butuan City dated March 2, 2009, docketed under Criminal Case number 13316 charged for the crime of robbery.
Subject person is now detained at said station for proper disposition.
On same date around 5:30 in the afternoon at Barangay Quirino, Madrid, Surigao del Sur, PNP personnel of Madrid Police Station led by PO3 Azarcon, arrested a certain 'Macmac" Gruyal, of legal age, single and a resident of the above mentioned place by virtue of WOA issued by Hon Judge Rufo G Naragas, Presiding Judge 2nd MCTC 11th Judicial, Surigao del Sur, docketed under Criminal Case nr 3676 charged for the crime of attempted homicide.
Subject person is now detained at said police station for proper disposition.
On same date around 11:00 in the morning, personnel of Bunawan Municipal Police Station led by PSInsp Romeo A Villalobos Jr, COP arrested a certain Fortunato Magbanua, 39 years old, married, farmer, a resident of Sobong, Purok-7 Barangay Mambalili, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur by virtue of WOA issued by Hon Judge Patricio Balite of branch 6, RTC 10th Judicial Region dated 5 Dec 2002 for the crime of Acts of Lasciviousness docketed under Criminal Case number 5355 with bail bond recommended in the amount of Php 12,000.00 for his temporary release.
Subject person is now detained at Bunawan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Report on attempted robbery
On March 6, 2009 around 2:15 in the morning at corner Narciso and Burgos Street Barangay Washington, Surigao City, a certain Marlon Ayag, 18 years old, single, out of school youth, a native of Purok-3 Barangay Kamanggahan, Bato, Leyte and presently residing at P. Reyes Extension, Barangay Taft, Surigao City was arrested by residents of the above mentioned place when he was about to enter the house of a certain Manuel Alipao Edera.
Initial investigation revealed that Marlon Ayag removed the plywood being used to cover the unused outlet of the air-conditioning machine of the victim's house when he was noticed by the daughter of Mr Edera.
Suspect was turned-over to Surigao City Police Station for proper disposition and for filing of a case against the suspect. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Report on shooting incident
On March 6, 2009 around 8:45 in the evening at Purok-Perlas, Nueva Extension, Surigao City, a certain Francisco Patiga, 51 years old was shot once by unidentified person with the use of caliber .45 hitting his neck.
He was rushed to Miranda Family Hospital for medical treatment. Recovered from the crime scene is an empty shell for caliber .45 gun and Surigao City Police Station is conducting an investigation regarding the case. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
PNP probes vehicular accident
On March 6, 2009 at 5:30 in the afternoon at the National Highway, Barangay Dayoan, Tago, Surigao del Sur, one Honda XRM, color blue, bearing plate number MP 4844, driven by a certain Leonito Morales, 35 years old, married, company driver of Puyat Logging Company and resident of Barangay San Antonio, Madrid, Surigao del Sur together with his backrider identified as Emilyn Morales collided with the other one Yamaha L2 motorcycle, color black, without plate number driven by Lolito Madelo, 55 years old, married, Barangay Kagawad of Barangay Victoria, Tago, Surigao del Sur.
Kagawad Madelo died on the spot while Leonito and Emilyn Morales sustained injuries on the different parts of their body and presently confined at Adela Serra Ty Medical Center for medical treatment.
The two motorcycles are now under the custody of Tago Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Also, around 8:45 in the evening at National Highway, Barangay Del Carmen, Bayugan City, one Mitsubishi Flatform fish carrier, bearing plate number GDZ 814 driven by a certain Ernesto Maghinay Jr, resident of Barangay Simboco, Kolambogan, Lanao del Norte collided with the other one isuzu jeepney bearing plate number KBL 285 driven by a certain Marcelino Dionson.
Both drivers died on the spot while fish carrier helpers identified as Flaviano Estopa, 30 years old, married and resident of Gusa, Cagayan de Oro; Sherwin Suganob, 29 years old, married and resident of Balingoan, Misamis Oriental and jeepney conductor identified as Jerry Nopal, 32, married and resident of Poblacion, Sibagat, Aguasn del Sur were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment. Bayugan City Police Station now took cognizance of the case. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
