BUTUAN CITY (09 November) – Stakeholders here spearheaded by the Regional Office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) signs manifesto of support aimed to combat prohibited drugs during the opening ceremonies of the 1st Caraga Drug Prevention and Awareness Week held today at Barangay San Ignacio covered court, this city.
In his speech keynoting the opening of the week-long celebration, Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos emphasized the importance of the family in giving solution to drug problems.
According to Bishop Pueblos, drug problems will be solved not only by one or few groups but through the concerted efforts of individuals “and that, this should start within the family by instilling to the minds of every family member the importance of strong family relationship.”
Pueblos also recalled the same activity which the city government and the church leaders in the city initiated in 1997. He said the activity which was conducted in Brgy. Ong Yiu, also in this city, was very successful considering that drug-related incidents went down during this period. “That is why I am very glad to know that PDEA-Caraga is now initiating again this noble program,” Pueblos said.
Before ending his speech, Bishop Pueblos gave the crowd witnessing the opening program information on the negative effects brought by using prohibited drugs particularly “shabu”. He said this substance has really destroyed many lives especially the youths who are considered the “hope of the future,” he said.
Prior to the activity, a mass was held this morning at Saint Joseph Cathedral here, followed by a motorcade around the city which culminated at Brgy. San Ignacio.
Meanwhile, PDEA-Caraga also re-launched the TXT PDEA campaign this morning with PDEA-Caraga Regional Director Atty. Joey Quiriones leading the activity. For SMART subscribers, any information to be given to PDEA can be texted at 09395657444 while GLOBE subscribers can text at 09064422242.
The week-long celebration is anchored on the theme: “Caraga Kapit-Bisig Kontra Droga”. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga)
DOT-Caraga to host 1st students and tourism stakeholders’ nat’l convention
BUTUAN CITY (09 November) – The Department of Tourism (DOT), Caraga Regional Office has partnered with One Corporate Grand Tours, Inc. in hosting the first students and tourism stakeholders’ national convention on November 16-19, 2009 in one of the local hotels here.
In a written statement sent to PIA by DOT-Caraga Regional Director Leticia dela Cruz-Tan, the activity aims to provide an avenue for students, school heads and tourism stakeholders to enrich their understandings on the current trends of tourism and create a synergestic response to its challenges.
Also, Dir. Tan said the convention will bring together students from different regions as well as tourism stakeholders from all over the country. “It will be a rare learning opportunity as seasoned speakers will shed light on various tourism issues and related topics which are of interest to all,” Tan said.
Dir. Tan also stressed that the activity is a pleasurable opportunity as participants will share experiences with people in the field. “At the same time, educate and motivate each other by sharing their knowledge and best practices with them,” she said.
Sec. Gilbert Teodoro of the Department of National Defense (DND) heads the list of speakers who will talk on the Effective Security and Safety Management and Its Implications to Tourism Development in the Philippines.
Bohol Provincial Governor Erico Aumentado will also be discussing the topic on how to address the Challenges of Tourism Impacts to the Local Community. Sec. Teodoro and Gov. Aumentado will be the speakers on the first day.
On the following day, Atty. Oscar Palabyab, DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Services and Regional Offices is the third speaker who will discuss the Basic Tenets of the New Tourism Act and Its Implications to the Industry.
Meanwhile, Ms. Prescilla Calimag of the DOT’s Office of Tourism Development Planning is tasked to share her insights on Ecotourism, A Tool in Innovating Tourism Destination Management.
The last speaker of the day is Dr. Erlinda Burton of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City. She will discuss on the significance of the Balangays to Philippine History and Tourism.
During the break-up sessions, the participants will be divided into four groups with different speakers invited to share their experiences in tourism-related activities.
Among those who will be invited to speak are Mr. Celestino Ulep, Tourism Consultant; Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra; PSSupt. Nestor Fajura of Police Regional Office (PRO)-13; Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Ace Barbers; National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Caraga Regional Director Carmencita Cochingco; Mr. Greg Hontiveros, a local historian of Butuan City; and Dr. Irennetta Montinola, Surigaonon Heritage Foundation Executive Director.
A registration fee of Php 2,500 will be collected for live-out participants while Php 3,200 will be charged to live-in participants.
For further information, visit the activity’s official website at www.tourismnationalconvention.com or contact (085) 341-8413. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga)
Sec. Remonde denies political plans in 2010
BUTUAN CITY (09 November) – Press Secretary Cerge Remonde on Sunday (November 8) denies reports that he is running for any higher position on May 2010 national elections and said “I’d rather stay as private citizen and be involved in media works because I feel that I can apply sincerity and honesty if I am a media man, rather than a politician.”
This is what he said when asked of his political plans in the coming 2010 national elections in May amidst reports that he will be seeking for higher position in the government, during the press conference conducted right after the inauguration and opening ceremonies of the Holy Child Colleges of Butuan (HCCB) TV-9, an affiliate of the National Broadcasting Network (NBN), held here.
When endorsed by group of local media here for a nomination to run as Vice President under the administration party Lakas-CMD, Sec. Remonde acknowledged the trust given by the group but refused to accept the nomination.
Meanwhile, when asked on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s resignation as chairman of the ruling Lakas-CMD, Sec. Remonde said, the president’s act is very appropriate since the party has already chosen its standard-bearer, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.
“I find nothing wrong with Pres. Arroyo’s resignation. The President is just empowering Sec. Teodoro to exercise his chairmanship, being chosen by the majority of the party members,” Sec. Remonde said in Cebuano dialect.
On the issue of the College Assurance Plan (CAP) holders, Sec. Remonde said the President is creating a Task Force headed by the Department of Justice (DoJ) to investigate the matter. He even assured those present and the televiewers in Caraga Region that he will give focus on this issue.
NBN-HCCB TV-9 is now hitting the airwaves of Northeastern Mindanao covering all the provinces of Caraga Region and the neighboring province of Misamis Oriental. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga)
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BAMBOO SET TO ENERGIZE BUTUAN CITY
Bagong pagbabago benefit concert for the elderly, deserving students
The BAGONG PAGBABAGO benefit concert has now reached the shores of Mindanao and this time, beneficiaries include a home for the aged and some deserving students.
With the well-known band Bamboo as the main act, the BAGONG PAGBABAGO benefit concert will be held in Butuan City on Thursday, November 12 at Dottie’s Place around 7 p.m.
The BAGONG PAGBABAGO concerts initially were held in different parts of the country in order to collect relief goods and donations for the victims of the recent typhoons, but later on took on some worthy causes along the way.
It banks on the bayanihan spirit that is inherent in all Filipinos and so far, the results have been beyond expectations.
One of the beneficiaries of the concert in Butuan City is the Por Cristo Home for the Aged in Barangay. Abilan, Buenavista. The home is managed by the Por Kristo Special Apostolate for the Poorest Among the Poor from the Diocese of Butuan. It also shelters 35 elderly from 60 to 90 years old.
Also, another group who will benefit from the show will be 200 students of Guisan Elementary School in Magallanes, Agusan del Norte.
Entry to the concert is practically free, for as long as one can bring relief items such as detergents and toiletries for the elderly and pencils and school supplies for the students or donate any amount the audience would be willing to give for the Bagong Pagbabago fund drive.
The concert is supported by the Office of Senator Chiz Escudero.
