BUTUAN CITY (3 March) – As mandated in Proclamation No. 227 “Providing for the observance of the Month of March as ‘Women’s Role in History Month’, the Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) of Caraga Region spearheaded the conduct of Women’s Month Celebration with the theme “Babae, Yaman ka ng Bayan”, which was highlighted with a fun walk dubbed “Walk-for-a-cause” in the opening ceremony followed with a “Hataw Exercise”, held this morning (Tuesday), March 3, 2009, this city.
PIA-Caraga headed by OIC Abner Caga (left, in blue and white-collared shirt) together with students of the College of Information Technology (CIT) of Saint Joseph Institute of Technology is among the 82 participating offices (both private and public) during the fun walk on Tuesday (March 3) that kicked-off the celebration of Women’s Month in Caraga Region. (Gerie Mae G. Coco & Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga)
GADCC Chairperson and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga Regional Director Atty. Marilyn Pintor welcomed and acknowledged the presence of the participants from the government and private sectors who also participated in the “Walk-for-a-cause” which started at 5:30 in the morning from the Agusan del Norte Capitol grounds and proceeded to Butuan City Hall, and also joined in the Hataw Exercise.
Atty. Marilyn Pintor, Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Caraga and Chairperson of the Gender and Development Coordinating Committee delivers her message during the Opening Ceremonies of the Women’s Month celebration in Caraga Region on Tuesday (March 3) highlighting the fun walk and “hataw” exercise at the Butuan City Hall grounds. (Gerie Mae G. Coco & Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga)
In her speech, Atty. Pintor said that this year’s theme highlights the critical role of women in nation-building and recognizes that women are an important resource who can contribute to the reduction of poverty, and it also supports the fulfillment of the country’s international treaty obligations particularly Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Millennium Declaration, and International Labour Organizations (ILO) conventions.
“To serve as a venue for sharing of inspiring stories of women entrepreneurs, lessons learned and good practices in entrepreneurial activities; and to serve as a channel for the nationwide campaign to promote women’s economic empowerment and rights through entrepreneurship are the two main objectives of this year’s celebration” Atty. Pintor added.
Employees of the 82 participating agencies actively executing exercise routine during the “Hataw Exercise” held in Butuan City Hall grounds (March 3) during the Opening Ceremonies of Women’s Month celebration in Caraga Region. (Gerie Mae G. Coco & Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga) Meanwhile, it was also learned that another activity will be conducted on March 10, 2009 (Tuesday) dubbed as “Kalandrakas sa Kababaihan V” which is said to be a venue for Technology transfer for Livelihood opportunities and skills development; trade fair; ukay-ukay; GAD film showing; beauty and massage parlors, parlor games; and creates a venue for information dissemination on GAD issues and concerns to be held in one of the hotels here.
Together with the students of the College of Information Technology (CIT) of Saint Joseph Institute of Technology (SJIT) in Butuan City, personnel of Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Caraga take time posing in front of the camera right after the Opening Ceremonies of the Women’s Month Celebration in Caraga Region on Tuesday (March 3) highlighting the fun walk and “hataw” exercise held at the Butuan City Hall grounds. (Gerie Mae G. Coco & Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga) Also, on March 31, 2009, a sportsfest and culmination activity will also be conducted at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) grounds.
With these scheduled activities, GADCC encourages the public to support and witness the set activities and inspires women to good partnership with the society. (Jennifer P. Gaitano, PIA-Caraga)
Cebu Pacific beefs up Cebu hub operations anew; re-opens Siargao airport
Low-fare airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) will start flying directly from Cebu to Siargao on March 4, providing travelers from the Visayas and Mindanao regions easy access to internationally-renowned surfing sites.
The airline will re-open Siargao airport with a thrice weekly service: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, sparing travelers to the surfing destination a three-hour bus ride and ferry from Surigao City, Surigao del Norte. CEB is the only airline flying this route.
Last March 3, CEB also started a thrice weekly direct service between Cebu and Dumaguete, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The lowest available year-round ‘Go Lite’ fare for Cebu-Siargao and Cebu-Dumaguete starts from P1,188 and P688, respectively.
Candice Iyog, CEB VP for marketing and distribution, said, “The country has so many world-class natural attractions. Cebu Pacific strives to provide ample and convenient access to these sites in order to encourage tourist arrivals and economic development in these destinations.”
CEB will further intensify its Cebu hub operations by expanding its Cebu-Ozamiz service from four times weekly to a daily service. The airline will also increase its Cebu-Cagayan de Oro service from 28 times weekly to 36 times weekly, with the help of an additional Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday evening service.
The airline is also offering a Manila-Siargao connection via Cebu. The lowest available ‘Go Lite’ through fare for this route starts from P2,188.
CEB continues to be the largest airline operating from Mactan Cebu International Airport. From Cebu, it flies to 19 domestic destinations and four international cities.
Now on its 13th year, CEB continues to have the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines, comprised of 11 Airbus A320, 10 Airbus A319, and seven ATR 72-500. (Michelle de Guzman, Cebu Pacific/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Provincial participants attended PDPFP Workshop
About 30 participants from the five provinces of Caraga Region attended the Preliminary Planning Workshop for the formulation of the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) on February 26, 2009 at the Luciana Convention Center, Butuan City.
During the activity, the participants were re-oriented on the PDPFP Guidelines. The status of preparation of the respective PDPFPs of the provinces was then assessed, starting with the review of the first part of the plan, including the introduction and vision and the other plan components. The provincial teams acknowledged the need to enhance their plan documents.
As a next step, the provincial teams of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur shall convene for a writeshop on the PDPFP on March 17-19, 2009 in Surigao City. The Province of Dinagat Islands, being the newest province in the region, shall hold a separate workshop on March 23-26, 2009 in San Jose, Dinagat Islands to allow ample time for securing the data needed in formulating the planning environment part of the plan. (Melanie A. Maur, NEDA-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Feature: Discover the Enchanted Place that is Bucas Grande Island
Socorro or Bucas Grande Island, as known by old folks, is a lone, beautiful island which is part of Siargao, Surigao Del Norte. The island offers a lot of activities and adventures such as mountain-trekking, spelunking and boating along with great views of lagoons and beach resorts. Many have not known what this place has in treasures and still there are more to discover.
Likely so, the LGU did want to advertise their touristy treasures in the four corners of the world and had thought of creating their own nook in the World Wide Web. Though, initially, the local government had established their web presence, it was felt that the site needs regular update and technological innovation to make it more attractive to clients.
Consequently, the said aspiration was achieved through the assistance of National Computer Center - Field Operation Office, through its Regional IT Coordinator for Region XIII, Ms. Melody Cocon and an ITU Staff of the Province of Surigao Del Norte, Mr. JC M. Penados.
"The Local Government of Socorro is very grateful on the enthusiasm of NCC especially on initiating and helping us established our own website," said Ms. Zenith Rivas, LGU Tourism Officer who serves as Webmaster for the site.
If you want an adventure of a lifetime, Bucas Grande Island welcomes you as you unravel its treasures at www.socorro.gov.ph. Be mystified. (Melody Cocon, National Computer Center - Field Operation Office/ PIA-Caraga)
POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania
Report on illegal gambling
On March 2, 2009 at 1:56 in the afternoon at Purok-2, Barangay Das-agan, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, Intel operatives of Agusan del Sur Provincial Police Office (PPO) led by SPO3 Alejandro N Pascual, conducted operation against illegal gambling which resulted to the confiscation of one unit video karera machine at the residence of a certain Daniel Mereno, of legal age, married and resident of said place.
Said operatives proceeded to the residence of a certain Avelino Queruben, of legal age, married and confiscated another one unit video karera machine. Confiscated items were brought to San Francisco Municipal Police Station for documentation while appropriate charges are being prepared for filing in court against said person. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
PNP probes vehicular accident
One Yamaha STX 125 single motorcycle with plate nr LM 4231 owned and driven by PO3 Leonilo Orit y Famaos, PNP member assigned at San Miguel Police Station and a resident of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur while traveling along National Highway and maneuvering left turn bound for Barangay Telaje, Tandag City was accidentally bumped to another Yamaha STX 125 tricycle passing with City plate number 0182, driven by a certain Jonnie Canda, of legal age, and resident of Minaman, Libas, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.
PO3 Leonilo Orit suffered injuries and immediately brought to Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center, Tandag City for medical treatment.
Both vehicle incurred damages and temporarily impounded to Tandag City Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
