Camp Bancasi chief hailed over peaceful demolition of illegal settlers
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA) -- Camp Bancasi Commander Lt. Col. Efrain Oropel gets positive response from the local officials and other sectors of society for recently handling a peaceful demolition of illegal settlers within the vicinity of the camp here.
In a one-day phone-patch survey conducted recently by the Regional Office of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Caraga, majority of the respondents said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through the leadership of Col. Oropel has implemented an action that is based on the decision of the court.
Respondents also said that although some 25 houses were demolished, residents were already given ample time to vacate. “In fact, they were already given a relocation site but sad to say that some of these settlers did not grab the offer of the military,” one respondent said.
Also, earlier reports revealed that four of the affected settlers have voluntarily demolished their homes indicating that they have accepted and respected the order of the court.
Further, the demolition was witnessed by representatives from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Caraga, Supreme Court, Philippine National Police (PNP), and officials of Brgys. Bancasi and Pinamangculan. Also, city government officials witnessed the demolition which is an indication that the demolition is legal, and is according to law.
It can be recalled that the eviction of illegal settlers around Camp Bancasi is supposed to be done in January 2009 but for humanitarian considerations, it was postponed how many times until it was acted upon on January 24, 2011.
The eviction is an order from the highest hierarchy of the AFP in pursuant to Proclamation 113 date November 23 1936 signed by President Manuel L. Quezon. The military reservation in Bancasi was granted to the Philippine Army through Presidential Proclamation No. 113 dated November 23, 2009.
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA) -- Camp Bancasi Commander Lt. Col. Efrain Oropel gets positive response from the local officials and other sectors of society for recently handling a peaceful demolition of illegal settlers within the vicinity of the camp here.
In a one-day phone-patch survey conducted recently by the Regional Office of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Caraga, majority of the respondents said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through the leadership of Col. Oropel has implemented an action that is based on the decision of the court.
Respondents also said that although some 25 houses were demolished, residents were already given ample time to vacate. “In fact, they were already given a relocation site but sad to say that some of these settlers did not grab the offer of the military,” one respondent said.
Also, earlier reports revealed that four of the affected settlers have voluntarily demolished their homes indicating that they have accepted and respected the order of the court.
Further, the demolition was witnessed by representatives from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Caraga, Supreme Court, Philippine National Police (PNP), and officials of Brgys. Bancasi and Pinamangculan. Also, city government officials witnessed the demolition which is an indication that the demolition is legal, and is according to law.
It can be recalled that the eviction of illegal settlers around Camp Bancasi is supposed to be done in January 2009 but for humanitarian considerations, it was postponed how many times until it was acted upon on January 24, 2011.
The eviction is an order from the highest hierarchy of the AFP in pursuant to Proclamation 113 date November 23 1936 signed by President Manuel L. Quezon. The military reservation in Bancasi was granted to the Philippine Army through Presidential Proclamation No. 113 dated November 23, 2009.
It was learned that the said area will be used for the construction of a military mobilization center for Caraga Region. (PIA-Caraga)
DSWD spearheads 15th National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga is spearheading the observance of 15th National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation from February 6-12, 2011.
It was learned that for the past 14 years, the effort to promote protection of children has been sustained through the cooperation of various stakeholders from the local government, national government agencies, non-government organizations, academe, and other partners from the civil society.
The observance is an annual endeavor that aims to promote the protection of children from abuse and exploitation through the conduct of various advocacy and campaign activities.
DSWD hopes that more people will be able to gain knowledge, widen and deepen its perspective and understanding, and later get into action leading to the protection of children. (PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte needs 180 nurses for RN Heals Project
SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 27 (PIA) – Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) OIC CARAGA Director Ofelia Domingo announced recently that they are now ready to accept applicants for the 2011 RN HEALS Project or the Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service Project.
The program is open to all unemployed registered nurses who are physically and mentally fit and willing to serve in their localities and meet the following requirements: must have a valid PRC license; resident of the identified Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) area/s; medical certificate issued by government hospitals stating that the applicant is fit to work; and NARS Project drop-outs will not be considered.
In Surigao del Norte, Domingo said they are in need of 180 nurses to be deployed in different areas of the province identified under the CCT Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The areas identified are: Surigao City – 9; Alegria – 9; Bacuag – 12; Burgos – 9; Claver – 7; Del Carmen – 9; General Luna – 9; Gigaquit – 8; Mainit – 11; Malimono – 9; Pilar – 9; Placer – 10; San Benito – 9; San Francisco – 12; Sta. Monica – 9; Sison – 12; Socorro – 8; Taganaan – 8; Tubod – 11.
Domingo said those who wish to apply may register online which is open until February 4. To register online, unemployed registered nurses should go to www.nars.dole.gov.ph and provide all the needed information.
The list of successful applicants with their area of assignments will also be posted online at the DOLE website from February 7-10, 2011.
Domingo also said that a successful applicant will get an allowance of P8,000. (FEAbkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Alert level 2 declared in Surigao Norte
SURIGAO CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA) - An alert level two was raised early today, Jan. 27 in the provinces of Surigao del Norte following an incessant rains with strong winds which started Wednesday, Jan. 26.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRR) Chairperson Gov. Sol Matugas, in a radio interview, said an alert level two was hoisted upon recommendation from PAGASA. Previously, an alert level one was hoisted Tuesday afternoon.
Matugas then declared a suspension of classes in the elementary and secondary schools both from public and private. The lady governor also announced the suspension of work for the capitol employees.
As of press time, the Quick Action Response Team recorded a total of 18 families or 54 persons evacuated in the two barangays of Surigao City. Nine families or 27 individuals from Navalca in Brgy. San Juan were housed at Kaskag Multi-purpose gym while the other nine families or 27 individuals from Brgy. Rizal were evacuated at Rizal Multi-purpose gym. (FEAbkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Jabonga NHS 2nd Top Performing Public Secondary School in the Philippines
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA) – The Department of Education awarded the country’s top two high schools based on the results of the 2010 National Achievement Test (NAT) in a ceremony held recently in Tagbilaran, Bohol.
In its memorandum order released this year, Dolores National High School (NHS) in Eastern Samar and Jabonga National High School in Agusan del Norte was declared the country’s Top Performing Public Secondary Schools.
By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga is spearheading the observance of 15th National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation from February 6-12, 2011.
It was learned that for the past 14 years, the effort to promote protection of children has been sustained through the cooperation of various stakeholders from the local government, national government agencies, non-government organizations, academe, and other partners from the civil society.
The observance is an annual endeavor that aims to promote the protection of children from abuse and exploitation through the conduct of various advocacy and campaign activities.
DSWD hopes that more people will be able to gain knowledge, widen and deepen its perspective and understanding, and later get into action leading to the protection of children. (PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte needs 180 nurses for RN Heals Project
SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 27 (PIA) – Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) OIC CARAGA Director Ofelia Domingo announced recently that they are now ready to accept applicants for the 2011 RN HEALS Project or the Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service Project.
The program is open to all unemployed registered nurses who are physically and mentally fit and willing to serve in their localities and meet the following requirements: must have a valid PRC license; resident of the identified Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) area/s; medical certificate issued by government hospitals stating that the applicant is fit to work; and NARS Project drop-outs will not be considered.
In Surigao del Norte, Domingo said they are in need of 180 nurses to be deployed in different areas of the province identified under the CCT Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The areas identified are: Surigao City – 9; Alegria – 9; Bacuag – 12; Burgos – 9; Claver – 7; Del Carmen – 9; General Luna – 9; Gigaquit – 8; Mainit – 11; Malimono – 9; Pilar – 9; Placer – 10; San Benito – 9; San Francisco – 12; Sta. Monica – 9; Sison – 12; Socorro – 8; Taganaan – 8; Tubod – 11.
Domingo said those who wish to apply may register online which is open until February 4. To register online, unemployed registered nurses should go to www.nars.dole.gov.ph and provide all the needed information.
The list of successful applicants with their area of assignments will also be posted online at the DOLE website from February 7-10, 2011.
Domingo also said that a successful applicant will get an allowance of P8,000. (FEAbkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Alert level 2 declared in Surigao Norte
SURIGAO CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA) - An alert level two was raised early today, Jan. 27 in the provinces of Surigao del Norte following an incessant rains with strong winds which started Wednesday, Jan. 26.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRR) Chairperson Gov. Sol Matugas, in a radio interview, said an alert level two was hoisted upon recommendation from PAGASA. Previously, an alert level one was hoisted Tuesday afternoon.
Matugas then declared a suspension of classes in the elementary and secondary schools both from public and private. The lady governor also announced the suspension of work for the capitol employees.
As of press time, the Quick Action Response Team recorded a total of 18 families or 54 persons evacuated in the two barangays of Surigao City. Nine families or 27 individuals from Navalca in Brgy. San Juan were housed at Kaskag Multi-purpose gym while the other nine families or 27 individuals from Brgy. Rizal were evacuated at Rizal Multi-purpose gym. (FEAbkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Jabonga NHS 2nd Top Performing Public Secondary School in the Philippines
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA) – The Department of Education awarded the country’s top two high schools based on the results of the 2010 National Achievement Test (NAT) in a ceremony held recently in Tagbilaran, Bohol.
In its memorandum order released this year, Dolores National High School (NHS) in Eastern Samar and Jabonga National High School in Agusan del Norte was declared the country’s Top Performing Public Secondary Schools.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala delivers his speech during the Farmers Forum in Surigao del Norte. Also present were Gov. Sol F. Matugas, Congressmen Guillermo E. Romarate , Jr. Francisco T. Matugas and other local officials.NAT is an annual set of examinations given to public schools and private schools to assess students’ mastery in the subjects of English, Science, Mathematics, and Filipino at the Grade 6 and Second Year High School levels.
Dolores National High School ranked first overall and was also first in the NAT categories for Science and Mathematics which got an overall mean score of 81.52.
Agusan del Norte’s Jabonga National High School was in second overall with a mean score of 83.33 having a total of 157 examinees.
Meanwhile three other high schools from Caraga Region were in the top five in the Mathematics and English exams.
Dinagat School of Fisheries in Dinagat Islands also is a 2nd topnotcher in English while Puerto Princesa-Maleta NHS also in Dinagat Islands is third followed by Mat-i NHS in Agusan del Norte in fourth, and Carmen Integrated School in Surigao del Norte in fifth.
In Mathematics, Lapinigan NHS and Santiago NHS in Agusan del Norte were in second and third topnotchers respectively obtaining a mean score of more than 90 percent.
Trento NHS in Agusan del Sur topped in Filipino having a total of 467 examinees and a mean score of 84.75.
It was learned, Caraga Region has been a top performing region for several years now.
Not a single high school in Metro Manila made it to the top four of the NAT best performing high schools.
DepEd announced, the 2011 NAT for high school will be administered on March 10. (Jocelyn E. Morano/PIA-Caraga)
Butuan CSWD on hands for 4Ps Assistance
In line with the HEALING thrusts and directions of Honorable Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr, the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) readies their team to assist the beneficiaries in the city for the Land Bank cash card registration of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
More than 7500 families throughout the city benefited the said program who will receive program package (cash grants) as assistance for the schooling and household commodities.
The program package includes P6,000 a year or P500 per month per household for health and nutrition expenses; and P3,000 for one school year or 10 months or P300/month per child for educational expenses. A maximum of three children per household is allowed.
A household with three qualified children receives a subsidy of P1,400 per month during the school year or P15,000 annually as long as they comply with the conditionalities. The cash grants shall be received by the most responsible person in the household, usually the mother, through a Land Bank cash card.
In case where payment through cash card is not feasible, the beneficiaries shall be provided their cash grants through an alternative payment scheme such as over-the-counter transactions from the nearest Landbank branch or offsite payments through Landbank.
Mayor Amante calls the attention of the beneficiaries who did not have the cash cards in Land Bank to visit the CSWD office for registration assistance. You may reach them through their hotline number (085) 342-5274 and look for Ms. Laila Perez, 4Ps focal person or visit the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) office.
4ps is a poverty reduction and social development strategy of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education particularly of children aged 0-14. (PIO/PIA-Caraga)
Sec. Alcala Visits Caraga Region
Interact with Farmers, LGU Officials
Butuan City, Jan. 27 (PIA) – To come up with more viable projects and programs that truly answer the need of the agricultural sector, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala visited Caraga Region and conduct meetings with the farmers, local chief executives, NGOs/POs and the local media, recently.
On his three day visit in the region, Secretary Alcala managed to attend various gatherings and meetings with officials from the four provinces and cities of Caraga with the respective provincial and municipal /city officials.
In Agusan del Sur, Butuan City, Surigao del Norte, Surigao City and Agusan del Norte , the Secretary attended forum with around three thousand farmers who aired their issues and concerns. Among those mentioned were on irrigation, seeds, pre and post harvest facilities, livestock and fisheries.
In every province that the secretary visited, Alcala turned-over various farm inputs and implements , computer sets, drip irrigation units amounting to more or less P12 million aside from the funding commitments amounting to at least P30M.
The secretary’s visit was highlighted with the conduct of the Caraga Agriculture and Fisheries Council Congress and the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) National Meeting wherein he was the guest of honor.
Local media practitioners in Butuan City and Surigao City were also able to interact with the secretary during the news conference.
The secretary also spent in a meeting of the members of the Regional Management Committee (RMC) and had dialogue with social action organization and non-government organizations.
Alcala said that every concern from the farmers, local officials and peoples’ organization is vital to come up with a more responsive and realistic approach towards agricultural development. In his pronouncements, he emphasized that his administration plans to attain food sufficiency in 2013 and try to have zero rice importation.
Among of the strategies that will be employed are developing upland rice variety, tapping communities in the uplands especially the indigenous people; promoting the use of hybrid and certified seeds and improving the irrigation system. With this, he ordered Irrigation Administrator, Antonio S. Nangel to come to Caraga within the next two weeks to validate all irrigation concerns in the region and to come up with a comprehensive plan to repair/rehabilitate and complete the construction of irrigation systems that are seen to serve vast areas for rice production.
The marching order of the President, he said is to ensure adequate, affordable safe and sufficient food for every Filipino. (Aurell P. Arais, DA-13/PIA-Caraga)
