Task Force “Pagbabago” strikes in Agusan del Sur
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY (11 January) In its earnest effort and desire to preserve and protect the environment, Task Force Pagbabago has partnered with Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) to run after illegal logging activities in the region.
As of press time, an operation is being conducted in San Luis, Agusan del Sur confiscating illegal logs estimated at around P10-million. As the operation is still on-going now, an increase of said amount is expected.
Task Force Pagbabago is organized by DENR Central Office, Manila under the leadership of retired MGen. Renato Miranda. The Task Force is under the office of Atty. Ernesto Adobo, Jr., DENR Usec. for Field Operations.
Meanwhile, for the past years, CCPD has been known as an advocate of peace and development as well as in protecting the environment for the future generations (PIA-Caraga)
Reg’l Police, DOH 13 holds ‘groundbreaking’ rites for 12-M PNP Hospital
BUTUAN CITY (11 January) Police Regional Office 13 and the Department of Health 13-Center for Health and Development held the ground breaking ceremony of the 12-Million Peso, 10-bed Philippine National Police Hospital, 11:00 A.M. Monday at the Police Regional Office 13 Compound, Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez, this city.
Attending the groundbreaking rites officiated by Police Chief Inspector (Fr.) Marlou N. Labares, PRO 13 Regional Chaplain were top officials of the regional PNP led by Chief Superintendent Reynaldo S. Rafal and top regional health officials led by DOH-CHD 13 Regional Director Leonita P. Gorgolon.
The construction of the DOH-funded, two-storey primary hospital which may possibly be started this week was termed by Dir. Gorgolon as the “first ever not only in Mindanao but perhaps in the country’s 16 regions.” She said that it is the manifestation of the DOH commitment to improve access to quality hospital services to the men and women in uniform. Gorgolon also said that the medical services will be extended to the poor people within the vicinity and even to the whole region.
Dir. Gorgolon, who was the guest of honor and speaker of the occasion pointed out during her message that the program for PNP Hospital upgrading was initiated by former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. The program, according to her, is being pursued by the present administration as one of the “Three Aquino Health Agenda.”
She assured the PNP that the hospital soon to rise “will become a comfortable and the most beautiful PNP hospital in Mindanao.” The director also emphasized the challenges that comes along with the realization of the medical facility, but assured that the DOH will always be there to support and guide the PNP who will be in charged to operate the hospital, through the departments various divisions.
The construction of the building, Gorgolon said, will be programmed for 240 calendar days, and as additional support, it is included in their 2011 “Equipment Outlay” P10 million pesos for the hospital. Once the money will be received by the DOH 13 office, she said, bidding will be conducted so that by the time the building will be finished, the hospital equipments will be in place.
She said that it was reflected that the total amount of the building was P12 million pesos. But competitive bidding lowered the total bided price to only P9.5 million, thus there is a saving of P 2.5 million. Gorgolon said she hoped for a good weather and the cooperation of the people in the vicinity so that the construction can commence as early as next week.
Caraga PNP Director CSupt. Reynaldo Rafal during his message termed the activity as among “notable progress of concerted efforts” with community support and other stakeholders.
He said that the project came into reality through the efforts of various agencies, officers and personnel such as the Regional Logistics, Research and Development Division of PRO 13, the PNP Regional Engineering Service, the PNP Housing Board under the Deputy Regional Director for Administration CSupt. Nelson P. Nario, the Regional Medical, Dental and Nursing Health Service with the partnership of the DOH-CHD Caraga.
The project he said, was accomplished after more than one month of persistent follow up and hard work. He said that all these agencies should be honestly and sincerely appreciated and their efforts and initiatives be recognized.
In an interview with local media after the activity Rafal said that the project is a partnership with the DOH-CHD Caraga who will be funding the construction and the equipment of the said health facility, while the PNP will be providing the personnel and the manpower for the medical and other health services.
Regarding the construction, Director Rafal said he didn’t see any obstruction as soon as it may start as the people within the vicinity had been properly informed and mostly volunteered to dismantle their own structures and the others according to him are ready to vacate the place as soon as the construction of the project will start. (Noel B. Najarro, The Butuan Star/PIA-Caraga)
PRO 13 starts PNP “Back to Basics” CPS, MPS Unit Training
BUTUAN CITY (11 January) – The Police Regional Office 13 commenced its “Back to Basics” Training for the City and Municipal Police Stations, 2:00 P.M. Monday, at the Regional Special Training Unit 13 (RSTU 13), Santiago, Agusan del Norte.
Forty-two Police Commissioned Officers (PCOs) and Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCOs) from Cabadbaran City Police Station, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, composed the Class 01-2011-PRO 13.
Caraga PNP Director CSupt. Reynaldo Rafal said that the said class will undergo the week-long initial training at the RSTU. He said during his message that the “back to basics” training is Number 1 of the 8-point program of PNP Chief Bacalzo, which he started with the re-training of entire police force of his own hometown. The CPNP’s action he said tends to show that he is serious in implementing the said program.
Unit re-training, Rafal said develops camaraderie, coordination and cooperation for the attainment of the PNP mission and vision. These vital things, he said, had been set aside in the past, but this will be done this time on a quarterly basis. The Santiago MPS, had underwent similar re-training as early as last December. And since the program also requires a City Police Station to undergo the said program, Cabadbaran CPS, as nearest to the RSTU was prioritized. Other city police stations such as Surigao City, Bislig and others will soon follow, Rafal said.
He pointed out that the “Integrated Transformation Program” should not be all “running” and “torch-lighting.” It has a lot of components as pointed out by the CPNP’s 8-foundation initiative.
According to Rafal that part of the re-training is the continuous training to improve the police personnel investigation capability. He said that they had been provided with the investigation manual and it is a must for every police official and personnel to read and master the material.
He also pointed out that more programs are in the offing for PRO 13 as the year opens. Just for the day, four significant programs were attended by him which included the “PNP Ethics Day,” the ground-breaking of the 10-million peso PNP Hospital, the opening of the “PNP Back to Basics” Program and the SWAT Training Program. Sooner, he said will be the training of the “Tourist Police,” and other initiatives and programs which the regional police are planning to do.
He said that if the criminals are updating their skills using the modern technology to commit crimes, the police should do no less.
The police, he said should be forward-looking with more people, more urbanization, more investors and tourists coming in, and the police has to plan ahead and not be contented of what they have already learned.
These, he said were the intentions, the purpose and the projections of the re-training program.
Attending the activity were Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Director Manuel DG Obrera, RSTU 13 Training Director PSupt. Adolph C. Almendra, RSTU 13 Asst. Training Director PCInsp. Reynante N. Sibayton, HRDD Officer PSInsp. Cecilio A. Enoc, PSupt. Ortega, BatCom, SAF, PRO 11 and PCInsp. Nelly T. Villagarcia, chief PIO, PRO 13 (Noel B. Najarro, The Butuan Star/PIA-Caraga)
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DENR top exec urges personnel to serve the poor with courteousness
By Eric Herson F. Gallego
BUTUAN CITY – The DENR personnel in Caraga Region have been told on Monday to serve the poor with “proper respect and courteousness.”
The newly-assumed DENR Regional Executive Director for Region 13 Leonardo R. Sibabaluca gave the instruction during the “Monday Convocation” exercises held at the regional office Covered Court in Butuan City.
It was the first meeting of RED Sibbaluca with the DENR Regional personnel since he reported to duty last week. He also spelled out his internal policies which he wanted to be imposed immediately to the personnel through the Administrative Division in what he expect would bolster the good image of the DENR.
“Let us give our full services to the people without hesitation and discrimination” director Sibbaluca told the employees. He emphasized that he “dislike hearing any complaint about poor and lousy services from the clientele.”
The other policies also include attendance particularly on the first working day of the week, the proper wearing of office uniform, display of proper behavior in public whether in and out of office, saving consciousness on power, light and water, cleanliness and good maintenance of surroundings, avoid gambling and drinking of alcoholic liquor, wine and beverages during office hours.
He emphasized that proper protocol in dealing with issues and concerns must be observed. He said any negative or adverse issues arising between personnel must be resolved within the confines of the division head or regional technical director. “Let us discourage the practice of reporting negative issues direct to the central office as what has been the previous practice when it can be possibly resolved among us,” he said adding that “team work is important in reaching an objective.”
RED Sibbaluca was assigned to Caraga region vice OIC, RED Edilberto S. Buiser by virtue of a Department Special Order No. 2010-865 signed by Undersecretary for Field Operations Atty. Ernesto D. Adobo, Jr. by the Authority of the Secretary issued on December 01, 2010.
OIC RED Buiser was assigned to DENR Regional Office No.10 ( Northern Mindanao) in Cagayan de Oro City while the DENR Regional Executive Director of Region 10 Maximo O. Dichoso was assigned to the DENR Region 7 in Cebu City. At the turn-over rites at the DENR Regional Training Center in Butuan City last week the newly assumed RED Sibbaluca said “ I am deeply honored and humbled to work in Caraga Region once again.”.
The ceremony was graced upon by the presence of the Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos of Butuan City, the Undersecretary for Field Operations Atty. Ernesto D. Adobo,Jr., the Assistant Secretary for Visayas and Mindanao Field Operations Regidor de Leon, Retired Army Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, the Head of the DENR-Task Force Kalikasan; DENR Region 9 Executive Director Arliegh Adorable, DENR Region 11 Executive Director Jim Sampulna, DENR Region 12 Executive Director Alfredo Pascual, Rev. Fr. Carlito Clase of the Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) Task Force Kabuhatan . ( Eric Herson F. Gallego with reports from Ronnel G. Calo, RPAO Staff/PIA-Caraga)
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Chiz seeks relief of Cotabato PNP, AFP leadership
MANILA, Jan. 11 - The rising number of abductions in Cotabato City over the past months has prompted Senator Chiz Escudero to call for the relief of the local police and armed forces chiefs in the area, saying they failed in their duties to secure and protect the people from criminals like the kidnap-for-ransom gangs.
Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, condemned the latest abduction in the city involving Chinese businessman Eulogio Lim Yu last Saturday.
This came a month after a nine-year-old girl was kidnapped but rescued in Pigcawayan, a town adjacent to the city. The girl’s father, trader Allan Tamayo, was killed when he tried to stop the abductors.
Before this, Chinese businesswoman Conchita Tan was also snatched in Cotabato City, and her driver and bodyguard were gunned down for resisting the kidnappers. In August of the same year, trader Nelson Tay was abducted by armed men.
According to the senator, this abduction spree was very alarming because kidnappers continue with their criminal activities under the noses of authorities.
Since last year, 10 kidnapping incidents, mostly involving Chinese traders, have been recorded in Mindanao, particularly in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
“This is already a shame to our security forces. Kidnapping has become the norm more than it should just be an exemption. There is no more excuse for kidnap-for-ransom incidents happening once or thrice in successive months,” Escudero said. “Those manning the security fort should be held responsible for the proliferation of lawlessness in the city.”
The notorious Pentagon Gang has been tagged as the major perpetrator of the kidnappings. In some cases, terror group Abu Sayyaf has been identified as responsible for the crime.
Escudero said there ought to be a serious evaluation not only of the existing security measures of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), but also of their officers and personnel following persistent talk that some of them were involved in kidnapping activities.
“The PNP and AFP leadership in ARMM should shape up or they better ship out and let those who are capable do the job. These security organizations should purge their ranks starting from top to bottom. The system and those implementing the system may no longer be fit to carry out what is really necessary in curbing lawlessness and promoting peace and order,” Escudero said.(Office of Sen. Chiz Escudero/PIA-Caraga)
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DILG, GP foundation to award P1.6-M incentive to 8 outstanding ARMM LGUs
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 11 - The Department of the Interior and Local Government, in partnership with the Galing Pook Foundation, will extend a total of P1.6 million incentive funds to eight outstanding local government units (LGUs) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for their remarkable innovations and initiatives in good governance.
DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said eight LGUs from the ARMM will receive P200,000 each for the first Galing Pook Awards in the region.
In turn, Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao will be recognized for receiving P1 million from the Performance Challenge Fund last year for being awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH).
At the awarding ceremonies held at the Orchid Garden Hotel here, the DILG chief said the winning LGUs exemplified how to best improve the systems and procedures in local governance and the delivery of services to the people.
“This is an affirmation that LGUs from the ARMM are now showcasing their good governance initiatives as a result of the various reforms that the DILG has undertaken in the region,” Robredo said.
The reward money or local development incentives for towns granted with Seal of Good Housekeeping will be sourced from the DILG’s Performance Challenge Fund which has been granted a total budget of P500 million this year.
The funds for the Galing Pook awardees in the amount of P200,000 each will be given by the Galing Pook Foundation.
The DILG earlier undertook efforts to put in place governance reforms in the ARMM through the conduct of continuous dialogues with ARMM officials, dismantling of private armed groups, undertaking of a performance assessment and a Special Audit covering the period January 2008 to December 2009.
Furthermore, the Department issued a Memorandum to the ARMM regional and local government officials – covering the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Lanao del Sur - reiterating disciplinary actions against absenteeism.
Robredo disclosed that the ARMM Galing Pook winners and their winning programs are: Tulay sa Kalilintad: Peace Building (Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur); Sulu Action Coordination Center (Sulu); SLAM Health Program for the Poor (Southwestern Ligwasan Alliance of Municipalities, Maguindanao); Solid Waste Management Program (Wao, Lanao del Sur); BISITA sa Barangay (Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao); Administrative and Fiscal Reforms for Local Development (Bongao, Tawi-tawi); Project Rendaw: Education through Community Participation (Upi, Maguindanao); Watershed Co-Management Development Program (Wao, Lanao del Sur).
Each of the Galing Pook winners will receive a Certificate of Recognition and a check amounting to P200,000 to be handed over by Secretary Robredo, assisted by ARMM Regional Governor Ansaruddin Adiong and Galing Pook Foundation Executive Director Dr. Eddie Dorotan.
Last December, the said LGUs were chosen from among 41 noteworthy programs in the region. The eight towns emerged as winners in the Galing Pook Awards for the ARMM region.
The town of Datu Paglas in Maguindanao, the lone town in ARMM that received the Seal of Good Housekeeping, will also be recognized for showing strong performance in the key governance areas of planning, fiscal management, transparency and accountability and valuing performance monitoring.
Aside from Datu Paglas town, 29 other fourth to sixth class municipalities nationwide were awarded early last year with the Seal of Good Housekeeping and rewarded with P1 million each as Performance Challenge Fund to finance local development initiatives.
“We are hopeful that through the cooperation of ARMM officials and the support and partnership of other stakeholders, LGUs in the region will continue to excel in innovative and good local governance,” Robredo said.
Also expected to be present during the recognition are Secretaries Armin Luistro of the Department of Education, Teresita Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and Lualhati Antonino of the Mindanao Development Authority. (DILG-Office of Public Affairs/PIA-Caraga)
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Surigao Norte leads launching of Mix DOTS TB Initiative
By: Susil Ragas
SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 11 – The provincial government here thru the Provincial Health Office (PHO) in coordination with the Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) will lead the launching of Provincial Public – Private Mix DOTS TB Initiative today, January 11, 2011 at the Provincial Convention Center Capitol Compound, Surigao City.
Provincial health officer Dr. Isabel P Makinano said that the launching will mark the commencement and joint effort of RCC, Provincial Coordination Committee and various non-NTP (National Tuberculosis Control Program) stakeholders to willingly involved in TB DOTS (Tuberculosis Directly Observed Short course) Initiative and make significant endeavor in engaging the non-NTP private and public providers in the province, strengthening and building capabilities of its partners for active participation in tuberculosis control and management.
Dr. Makinano further emphasized that though difficulties will be along the way, “our journey together of weakening the burden of Tuberculosis will be made easier if we are committed and willing to be advocates of ‘TB – Free Province’ in the near future.”
DOH Dr. Jaime Y. Lagahid and Executive Director of Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PHILCAT) Dir. Amelia G. Sarmiento are expected to attend the event.
The signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among various stakeholders will also be done to highlight the said activity. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
