City dad backs newly installed police director
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) –Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. is hopeful and confident that the newly-installed city police director will address the peace and order situation in the city.
In a press conference held recently here, Mayor Amante said he has high hopes that PSSupt. Jose Carillo will be up to the task of ensuring the security of the city.
According to Mayor Amante, PSSupt. Carillo vowed to establish quicker response to complaints of the people, put welfare of the people in utmost priority, support the newly-graduate SWAT team, implement the so-called “barrio police” where police officers will be going to rural areas and ask local folks of their current problems, and the visibility of police officers.
Meanwhile, the city chief executive calls on the public to support the programs of the new city police director even as he hoped for a faster resolution of crimes.
Police Senior Supt. Jose V. Carillo assumed the office as the new City Director of the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) last February 8, 2011 at the Central Police Station, J.C. Aquino Avenue, this city. (PIA-Caraga)
Floods left more than a billion-peso damages to infra --DPWH
By: David M. Suyao
PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Feb. 17 - The Department of Public Works and Highways here reported more than a billion pesos worth of damages on roads and bridges that the recent floods left behind.
These damages, according to DPWH are mostly depression/settlement of carriageway, damage due to landslide, road shoulder slip with cracks extending to carriageway, and minor soil slope collapsing on road shoulder.
According to the DPWH the Tabon-tabon section along the national highway going to Davao in Sibagat town has the biggest damage worth P50,000,000. This is because of the depression of carriageway at about 10-12 inches rightside, but at the bottom part of box culvert, it was noticed that the construction joint were disintegrated. If heavy rains continued, the said portion may collapse.
Also, the Nuevo Trabajo bridge in Dona Flavia, San Luis has an estimated damage of P15,000,000. The bridge vibrates whenever vehicles pass over it. Currently, the bridge is still passable to light vehicles provided they pass with care.
The rest of the damages, according to DPWH report are the Tabon-tabon section with P2M, Afga section with P4.5M, Panaytay section with P1M, Sianib section with P3M, Poblacion Prosperidad and Salvacion section with P3M, Prosperidad, Maug section with P10M, NRJ Butuan City-Pianing-Tandag road with P20M and, NRJ-Bayugan-Calaitan-Tandag road with P48M.
But according to DPWH, all of the above mentioned roads are still passable to vehicles, but warn drivers and travellers to exercise extra care.
Presently, DPWH 1st District have installed barricades, provide markers and warning signs on all those roads mentioned above in order to warn drivers and travellers to be extra careful. DPWH also worked on temporary patching using aggregates. But the priority activity that they now undertake is the cleaning of residual soil scattered along the affected roads to avoid accident. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
High school head delivers SOSA
By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) – Mr. Eduardo G. Corro, School Principal of the Libertad National High School here delivered their State of the School Address (SOSA) held Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011 in the presence of various stakeholders and media personalities.
In his report, Corro emphasized that in year 2010, the school experienced shortage of classrooms, yet thru linkages with the local government units, non-government organizations, and private individuals’ assistance, the said school was able to pursue its goals in teaching students despite the problem.
It was learned that other than the shortage of classrooms, other concerns were already reported to the Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga Regional Office such as the need of one school nurse, one guidance councilor, one librarian, utility workers, and 2 security guards, though until press time, the school is still waiting for DepEd’s response.
Corro also bared that the school’s faculty members are attending seminars, conferences, trainings and even granted scholarship for their personal growth and development, so they could also perform better in teaching the students.
“I am always happy working with my co-teachers. I laud their efforts and for its satisfactory performance that is manifested by the students who excel in the school’s programs and competitions,” Corro said.
Corro stressed that that their school is continuously providing quality education to school children of Brgy. Libertad since their main goals is to give proper and quality-based education. “We are expecting a 3% increase of population in students in school year 2011-2012 especially that the school has now the evening class program,” Corro added.
Meanwhile, the school principal and his faculty members are asking assistance from the local officials and private individuals for the possible elevation of the swampy grounds of the school campus since it is also prone to flooding when there are heavy rains that would also result to suspension of classes.
Some barangay officials who were present during the SOSA assured that they will give their full support to the school and will address the school’s needs one at a time considering that the barangay officials also has its main concern in the community, of which the said school is also part of it.
Also, Corro emphasized that their school has been chosen to be the billeting quarter for the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) set on April 2011 that will be participated by almost 300 students in every region.
“We do not know yet as to how many participants we can accommodate considering that the school still needs some construction materials to finish the covered court where the NSPC is to be conducted… We really need assistance from different sectors so that this upcoming activity will be successful,” Corro said.
The school principal and its faculty members of Libertad National High School really appeals to the city government and all concerned to give their full support and assistance. (PIA-Caraga)
RDC-GADCC TWG prepare for Women’s Month celeb
By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) – The member-agencies of the Technical Working Group (TWG) in the Regional Development Council (RDC) – Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) Caraga convened recently to discuss activities for the Women’s Month Celebration set on March 2011.
As initially planned by the members, a press conference will be conducted on February 22, 2011 with discussants coming from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), and other duty bearers of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
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The opening ceremony for the Women’s Month celebration is set on March 1, 2011 with an “Umbrella” Parade from the City’s Rizal Park going to Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol grounds. It will then be followed with a “Hataw” exercise by the participants.
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Another activity is set on March 8, the Kalandrakas, which serves as 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.
Meanwhile, on March 31, a sportsfest and culmination program will be held at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), this city.
The GADCC member-agencies will meet again on Friday, Feb. 18 on its full council meeting to finalize all the plans set for the Women’s Month celebration. (PIA-Caraga)
DTI, BFAR, CSU ready for “Pangasius Harvest Festival” in Butuan
By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga Regional Office in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Caraga State University (CSU) will be conducting the “Pangasius Harvest Festival”, on Friday, February 18, 2011, 8:00 o’clock in the morning at the Sanchez Gym, CSU Campus, Brgy. Ampayon, this city
The said activity highlights the Caraga Development Week celebration set Febraury 21-27, 2011.
It can be recalled that last year, “Pangasius Techno Demo Ponds”, hosted by CSU were established to serve as laboratories for the transfer of technology, testing and for research purposes.
It was also learned that Pangasius, though generally accepted and regarded as exotic fish/dish in other parts of the country and Mindanao (Laguna, GenSan, Cotabato, Davao, etc.), as food fish is relatively new and still unknown to many despite its popularity in Butuan City. The “Pangasius Harvest Festival” is then proposed to help address this gap.
During the said festival, there will be cooking demonstration, cooking contest (for chefs, caterers and other interested individuals), filleting and skinning, steak cuts, Pangasius catching contest and selling of Pangasius fishes.
The general public is invited to witness the said big event. This is also a way of promoting the Pangasius industry and making its good tastes known to the public. (PIA-Caraga)
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Mayor Amante calls for sobriety
Amidst trials in his administration
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) – Amidst trials in his governance which he claimed as “baptism of water and fire” as the city was struck with series of massive flooding, the recent fire razing the old city hall building, and the implementation of the log ban, Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. calls Butuanons for sobriety.
Mayor Amante, in a forum with the local tri-media here stressed that those “misfortunes” are just but trials to test how strong his administration in facing challenges.
Amante said with all the problems he inherited from the previous administration as well as the calamity, the city hall fire, and the log ban, “I would like to call for a sobriety… patience,” he said at the same time appealing for Butuanons spiritual and moral support.
The city mayor also urged the public to support the summit to be participated by tree planters, towers, truckers, sawmill operators, plywood industry and concerned agencies to address the log ban which was signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III earlier this month.
“Let’s put our acts together… Let’s find a solution… Let’s inform the President of our concerns over the implementation of the log ban,” he said.
Accordingly, some 13,000 people from Butuan City and Agusan del Norte are greatly affected with the implementation of Executive Order No. 23. (PIA-Caraga)
Mayor Amante assures city gov’t supports police force
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) –- Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. assured the entire police force in the city of a hundred percent support from the local government.
The city mayor issued the statement of the official to counter issues broadcasted over the airwaves that allegedly, the city government is not giving support to Butuan City Police Office, particularly in the purchase of fuels to police vehicles.
Mayor Amante denied the allegations saying that the city government is supporting P20,000.00 for fuel expenses per month.
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The mayor took time to answer queries of the local tri-media here after he was requested by the mediamen for a press conference.
Amante also said as part of the transparency program of the national government, his administration will take time to meet the local tri-media regularly for a media forum. The proposal of Amante came out after a local mediaman complained saying that the city PIO office is not regularly coordinating with the local tri-media in the city.
“Thank you very much for giving your time and I am looking forward to see you in our succeeding fora,” Amante disclosed. (PIA-Caraga)
DAR-ADN sets to bring relief goods to ARB flood victims
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office in cooperation with the DAR-Employees Association (DAREA) is set to distribute relief goods to agrarian reform beneficiairies in Barangay Colorado of Jabonga on February 18, 2011
Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II Andre B. Atega, CEO VI of DAR Agusan del Norte, with the assistance of DAREA Officers and employees headed by Agnes Magallon, will spearhead the said distribution, which will start at 9:00 in the morning.
PARO II Atega acknowledges the efforts of DAREA and all DAR employees of the province who played a vital role and contributed their share in monetary form and in any kind for the said event.
More than 300 packs of relief goods will be distributed to the farmer-beneficiaries who was affected the said calamity.
Barangay Colorado is one of the ARC barangays with a total of 95 hectares of agricultural lands reportedly submerged to water due to heavy rains since January 31 until February 3, 2011. (Gil Miranda/PIA-Caraga)
Education Summit launches Education Roadmap, project BEST
By: Susil Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) - The 2011 Education Summit launched the region’s education roadmap and project BEST(Barangay Education Strategic Team).
The summit was conducted on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at the provincial convention center, this city, with a theme: “Building a New Surigao Through Quality Basic Education”.
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The summit was highlighted with a presentation of the province’s Educational Roadmap and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Project BEST (Barangay Education Strategic Team) to promote quality basic education in partnership with the Department of Education (DepED), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the League of Mayors of the Philippines (LMP), represented by Surigao del Norte chapter president Bacuag Mayor Sheila Mae Cebedo.
1st District Representative Francisco T. Matugas in his short message said, that this gathering is history in itself as is it the first time that stakeholders of education gathered together to listen and witness the direction of the province in the field of education in the next three years.
“For this is one of the concerns of this administration – the upliftment of quality of education in our area and to pave way for a brighter future of our children.”
Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas, expressed her sincerest gratitude to DepED Secretary Armin Luistro, the event’s guest speaker, and to all the stakeholders and partner who attended the summit. “I’d like to thank everyone who pledged their strong support on our quest for quality basic education and excellence in our province.”
Another highlight of the DepEd secretary’s visit is the unveiling of the Cultural Center for Children located at the provincial sports complex. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Provincial Nutrition Office bared 2011 plan to intensify nutrition program
By: David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Feb. 17 -- The Provincial Nutrition Council has lined up the 2011 programs while identifying implementing partners in order to realize this year’s target.
According to Mabe Dalen, provincial nutrition action officer, they will be integrating their resources with their implementing partners in order to ensure the efficiency of their action and the scope of their services.
“Our office and the Provincial and Municipal Nutrition Councils have meeting with the local government units, the Provincial and Municipal Agriculture Office (P/MAO), the Provincial Health Office (PHO), the management of the D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital, the Department of Education and the Provincial and Municipal Social Welfare and Development (P/MSWD) in order to identify projects and activities that will be under each office’s functions so as not to duplicate the implementation,” Ms. Dalen said.
The Provincial Health Office took the most number of activities which include Vit. A and iron supplementation, deworming, food fortification, under five growth monitoring, nutrition IEC and promotion like exclusive breast feeding, basic nutrition, consumption of fortified foods and healthy lifestyle. PHO will also take charge of capability building.
For DepEd, they will implement the food for school program, integration of nutrition in school curriculum, provision of dental care, provision of deworming tablets, provision of detecto weighing scales and establishment of school gardens.
“We, in the Provincial Nutrition Action Office, are bound to generate and mobilize resources, conduct advocacy, conduct monitoring and evaluation on nutrition related activities, conduct periodic visits and meetings with local nutrition committees, supervise the nutrition village project and act as overall supervisor of the barangay nutrition scholars and the celebration of the nutrition month. Together with the PSWD, will see to it that the food for school program will be religiously implemented including the supplementary feeding,” Dalen said.
The action plan also include the PAO and the MAOs establishment of communal gardens where said offices to provide planting materials. They will also encourage the community to establish fishponds, conduct trainings on bio-intensive gardening and food processing.
In order to realize the action plan, the Provincial Nutrition Action Office presented the budgetary requirements which will reach up to P35 Million, including the medicines and vitamins that the Department of Health will supplement. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
News Feature: Mining companies lead in rescue and rehabilitation works
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 -- The entry of January 2011 was really a wake‐up call for the Caraga Region. During this month, continuous rainfall was experienced but the heavy downpour in the later part of January caused by the Low Pressure Area was the most devastating. This triggered the overflow of water from rivers and lakes in lowland areas, landslides in some of the critical areas and surging of big waves in the coastal areas.
Alert level 3 was declared all over the region prompting schools to suspend classes and the immediate evacuation of residents in the affected areas. Every day, evacuees in evacuation centers increase in number and so the increase in basic needs like food, water and clothes.
In areas were landslides are high, roads leading to this places are not passable. Landslide materials blocked a bigger portion of the highway. Some roads that were reached by the overflow water of Mainit Lake in Surigao del Norte were also chest‐deep submerged.
For barangays which are situated in the islands, rescue is very risky to undertake especially that the local government units are not equipped with the necessary facilities.
This prompted the mining companies in the region to be the first to heed to the call of the time. Likewise, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office appealed to all mining companies and their contractors to extend help to the nearby communities affected by the calamity.
Taganito Mining Corporation‐HPAL project with Nickel Asia Corporation shared 1M and the use of rubber boats to rescue people while Taganito Mining Corporation made their equipment available to clear areas with landslides and distributed relief goods for the victims. Philex Mining Corporation likewise shared P500,000 and distributed nipas to residents for the repair of their houses.
In Placer, Surigao del Norte, Manila Mining Corporation and their contractors have been assisting the LGUs in dredging works, de‐clogging and repair of culverts, clearing of materials at the Mapaso National Highway. Financial assistance and relief goods were also handed to the victims.
In Surigao City, PACEMCO distributed canned goods, rice, noodles. They also helped in the evacuation of residents to safe areas. Company equipment was also made ready in case of landslide.
Pacific Nickel Philippines Inc. as well as Greenstone Resources, Platinum Group Metals Corporation likewise did their part in providing relief goods, medicines, financial assistance and rescue operation. Dump trucks, ambulance, equipment and their personnel were readily available to respond to emergencies.
Philsaga Mining Corporation in Agusan del Sur provided the necessary facilities needed by the LGU in their rescue operation. While SR Metals Inc. in Tubay, Agusan del Norte likewise assisted in the rescue of the affected communities using trucks and rubber boats.
MRL Gold Philippines also mobilized its exploration staff to offer firsthand assistance to the communities within their area. The company opened their Agata Camp to serve as evacuation center to 22 families.
In Surigao del Sur, CTP Construction and Mining Corporation with Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation, Carrascal Nickel Corporation extended financial assistance for the relief goods of the people in their municipality.
Aside from the help from these companies, the Chamber of Mines of Caraga also extended cash donations to the 5 provinces of Caraga.
During this trying times, the mining companies shared the same concern for the people in the communities— their safety. So it utilized its equipment, expertise, facilities and its people to reach out to those in need.
Having observed how the rescue and relief operations was done, the Chamber of Mines of Caraga with the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers‐Caraga agreed to make it as top priority for this year, the creation of a Quick Action Response Team involving the LGUs in their respective areas of concern for a well‐coordinated action and effective rescue effort in tandem with the other sectors in the community. (MGB-13/PIA-Surigao Norte)
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) –Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. is hopeful and confident that the newly-installed city police director will address the peace and order situation in the city.
In a press conference held recently here, Mayor Amante said he has high hopes that PSSupt. Jose Carillo will be up to the task of ensuring the security of the city.
According to Mayor Amante, PSSupt. Carillo vowed to establish quicker response to complaints of the people, put welfare of the people in utmost priority, support the newly-graduate SWAT team, implement the so-called “barrio police” where police officers will be going to rural areas and ask local folks of their current problems, and the visibility of police officers.
Meanwhile, the city chief executive calls on the public to support the programs of the new city police director even as he hoped for a faster resolution of crimes.
Police Senior Supt. Jose V. Carillo assumed the office as the new City Director of the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) last February 8, 2011 at the Central Police Station, J.C. Aquino Avenue, this city. (PIA-Caraga)
Floods left more than a billion-peso damages to infra --DPWH
By: David M. Suyao
PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Feb. 17 - The Department of Public Works and Highways here reported more than a billion pesos worth of damages on roads and bridges that the recent floods left behind.
These damages, according to DPWH are mostly depression/settlement of carriageway, damage due to landslide, road shoulder slip with cracks extending to carriageway, and minor soil slope collapsing on road shoulder.
According to the DPWH the Tabon-tabon section along the national highway going to Davao in Sibagat town has the biggest damage worth P50,000,000. This is because of the depression of carriageway at about 10-12 inches rightside, but at the bottom part of box culvert, it was noticed that the construction joint were disintegrated. If heavy rains continued, the said portion may collapse.
Also, the Nuevo Trabajo bridge in Dona Flavia, San Luis has an estimated damage of P15,000,000. The bridge vibrates whenever vehicles pass over it. Currently, the bridge is still passable to light vehicles provided they pass with care.
The rest of the damages, according to DPWH report are the Tabon-tabon section with P2M, Afga section with P4.5M, Panaytay section with P1M, Sianib section with P3M, Poblacion Prosperidad and Salvacion section with P3M, Prosperidad, Maug section with P10M, NRJ Butuan City-Pianing-Tandag road with P20M and, NRJ-Bayugan-Calaitan-Tandag road with P48M.
But according to DPWH, all of the above mentioned roads are still passable to vehicles, but warn drivers and travellers to exercise extra care.
Presently, DPWH 1st District have installed barricades, provide markers and warning signs on all those roads mentioned above in order to warn drivers and travellers to be extra careful. DPWH also worked on temporary patching using aggregates. But the priority activity that they now undertake is the cleaning of residual soil scattered along the affected roads to avoid accident. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
High school head delivers SOSA
By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) – Mr. Eduardo G. Corro, School Principal of the Libertad National High School here delivered their State of the School Address (SOSA) held Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011 in the presence of various stakeholders and media personalities.
In his report, Corro emphasized that in year 2010, the school experienced shortage of classrooms, yet thru linkages with the local government units, non-government organizations, and private individuals’ assistance, the said school was able to pursue its goals in teaching students despite the problem.
It was learned that other than the shortage of classrooms, other concerns were already reported to the Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga Regional Office such as the need of one school nurse, one guidance councilor, one librarian, utility workers, and 2 security guards, though until press time, the school is still waiting for DepEd’s response.
Corro also bared that the school’s faculty members are attending seminars, conferences, trainings and even granted scholarship for their personal growth and development, so they could also perform better in teaching the students.
“I am always happy working with my co-teachers. I laud their efforts and for its satisfactory performance that is manifested by the students who excel in the school’s programs and competitions,” Corro said.
Corro stressed that that their school is continuously providing quality education to school children of Brgy. Libertad since their main goals is to give proper and quality-based education. “We are expecting a 3% increase of population in students in school year 2011-2012 especially that the school has now the evening class program,” Corro added.
Meanwhile, the school principal and his faculty members are asking assistance from the local officials and private individuals for the possible elevation of the swampy grounds of the school campus since it is also prone to flooding when there are heavy rains that would also result to suspension of classes.
Some barangay officials who were present during the SOSA assured that they will give their full support to the school and will address the school’s needs one at a time considering that the barangay officials also has its main concern in the community, of which the said school is also part of it.
Also, Corro emphasized that their school has been chosen to be the billeting quarter for the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) set on April 2011 that will be participated by almost 300 students in every region.
“We do not know yet as to how many participants we can accommodate considering that the school still needs some construction materials to finish the covered court where the NSPC is to be conducted… We really need assistance from different sectors so that this upcoming activity will be successful,” Corro said.
The school principal and its faculty members of Libertad National High School really appeals to the city government and all concerned to give their full support and assistance. (PIA-Caraga)
RDC-GADCC TWG prepare for Women’s Month celeb
By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) – The member-agencies of the Technical Working Group (TWG) in the Regional Development Council (RDC) – Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) Caraga convened recently to discuss activities for the Women’s Month Celebration set on March 2011.
As initially planned by the members, a press conference will be conducted on February 22, 2011 with discussants coming from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), and other duty bearers of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
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The opening ceremony for the Women’s Month celebration is set on March 1, 2011 with an “Umbrella” Parade from the City’s Rizal Park going to Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol grounds. It will then be followed with a “Hataw” exercise by the participants.
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Another activity is set on March 8, the Kalandrakas, which serves as 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.
Meanwhile, on March 31, a sportsfest and culmination program will be held at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), this city.
The GADCC member-agencies will meet again on Friday, Feb. 18 on its full council meeting to finalize all the plans set for the Women’s Month celebration. (PIA-Caraga)
DTI, BFAR, CSU ready for “Pangasius Harvest Festival” in Butuan
By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga Regional Office in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Caraga State University (CSU) will be conducting the “Pangasius Harvest Festival”, on Friday, February 18, 2011, 8:00 o’clock in the morning at the Sanchez Gym, CSU Campus, Brgy. Ampayon, this city
The said activity highlights the Caraga Development Week celebration set Febraury 21-27, 2011.
It can be recalled that last year, “Pangasius Techno Demo Ponds”, hosted by CSU were established to serve as laboratories for the transfer of technology, testing and for research purposes.
It was also learned that Pangasius, though generally accepted and regarded as exotic fish/dish in other parts of the country and Mindanao (Laguna, GenSan, Cotabato, Davao, etc.), as food fish is relatively new and still unknown to many despite its popularity in Butuan City. The “Pangasius Harvest Festival” is then proposed to help address this gap.
During the said festival, there will be cooking demonstration, cooking contest (for chefs, caterers and other interested individuals), filleting and skinning, steak cuts, Pangasius catching contest and selling of Pangasius fishes.
The general public is invited to witness the said big event. This is also a way of promoting the Pangasius industry and making its good tastes known to the public. (PIA-Caraga)
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Mayor Amante calls for sobriety
Amidst trials in his administration
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) – Amidst trials in his governance which he claimed as “baptism of water and fire” as the city was struck with series of massive flooding, the recent fire razing the old city hall building, and the implementation of the log ban, Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. calls Butuanons for sobriety.
Mayor Amante, in a forum with the local tri-media here stressed that those “misfortunes” are just but trials to test how strong his administration in facing challenges.
Amante said with all the problems he inherited from the previous administration as well as the calamity, the city hall fire, and the log ban, “I would like to call for a sobriety… patience,” he said at the same time appealing for Butuanons spiritual and moral support.
The city mayor also urged the public to support the summit to be participated by tree planters, towers, truckers, sawmill operators, plywood industry and concerned agencies to address the log ban which was signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III earlier this month.
“Let’s put our acts together… Let’s find a solution… Let’s inform the President of our concerns over the implementation of the log ban,” he said.
Accordingly, some 13,000 people from Butuan City and Agusan del Norte are greatly affected with the implementation of Executive Order No. 23. (PIA-Caraga)
Mayor Amante assures city gov’t supports police force
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) –- Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. assured the entire police force in the city of a hundred percent support from the local government.
The city mayor issued the statement of the official to counter issues broadcasted over the airwaves that allegedly, the city government is not giving support to Butuan City Police Office, particularly in the purchase of fuels to police vehicles.
Mayor Amante denied the allegations saying that the city government is supporting P20,000.00 for fuel expenses per month.
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The mayor took time to answer queries of the local tri-media here after he was requested by the mediamen for a press conference.
Amante also said as part of the transparency program of the national government, his administration will take time to meet the local tri-media regularly for a media forum. The proposal of Amante came out after a local mediaman complained saying that the city PIO office is not regularly coordinating with the local tri-media in the city.
“Thank you very much for giving your time and I am looking forward to see you in our succeeding fora,” Amante disclosed. (PIA-Caraga)
DAR-ADN sets to bring relief goods to ARB flood victims
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office in cooperation with the DAR-Employees Association (DAREA) is set to distribute relief goods to agrarian reform beneficiairies in Barangay Colorado of Jabonga on February 18, 2011
Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II Andre B. Atega, CEO VI of DAR Agusan del Norte, with the assistance of DAREA Officers and employees headed by Agnes Magallon, will spearhead the said distribution, which will start at 9:00 in the morning.
PARO II Atega acknowledges the efforts of DAREA and all DAR employees of the province who played a vital role and contributed their share in monetary form and in any kind for the said event.
More than 300 packs of relief goods will be distributed to the farmer-beneficiaries who was affected the said calamity.
Barangay Colorado is one of the ARC barangays with a total of 95 hectares of agricultural lands reportedly submerged to water due to heavy rains since January 31 until February 3, 2011. (Gil Miranda/PIA-Caraga)
Education Summit launches Education Roadmap, project BEST
By: Susil Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) - The 2011 Education Summit launched the region’s education roadmap and project BEST(Barangay Education Strategic Team).
The summit was conducted on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at the provincial convention center, this city, with a theme: “Building a New Surigao Through Quality Basic Education”.
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The summit was highlighted with a presentation of the province’s Educational Roadmap and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Project BEST (Barangay Education Strategic Team) to promote quality basic education in partnership with the Department of Education (DepED), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the League of Mayors of the Philippines (LMP), represented by Surigao del Norte chapter president Bacuag Mayor Sheila Mae Cebedo.
1st District Representative Francisco T. Matugas in his short message said, that this gathering is history in itself as is it the first time that stakeholders of education gathered together to listen and witness the direction of the province in the field of education in the next three years.
“For this is one of the concerns of this administration – the upliftment of quality of education in our area and to pave way for a brighter future of our children.”
Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas, expressed her sincerest gratitude to DepED Secretary Armin Luistro, the event’s guest speaker, and to all the stakeholders and partner who attended the summit. “I’d like to thank everyone who pledged their strong support on our quest for quality basic education and excellence in our province.”
Another highlight of the DepEd secretary’s visit is the unveiling of the Cultural Center for Children located at the provincial sports complex. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Provincial Nutrition Office bared 2011 plan to intensify nutrition program
By: David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Feb. 17 -- The Provincial Nutrition Council has lined up the 2011 programs while identifying implementing partners in order to realize this year’s target.
According to Mabe Dalen, provincial nutrition action officer, they will be integrating their resources with their implementing partners in order to ensure the efficiency of their action and the scope of their services.
“Our office and the Provincial and Municipal Nutrition Councils have meeting with the local government units, the Provincial and Municipal Agriculture Office (P/MAO), the Provincial Health Office (PHO), the management of the D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital, the Department of Education and the Provincial and Municipal Social Welfare and Development (P/MSWD) in order to identify projects and activities that will be under each office’s functions so as not to duplicate the implementation,” Ms. Dalen said.
The Provincial Health Office took the most number of activities which include Vit. A and iron supplementation, deworming, food fortification, under five growth monitoring, nutrition IEC and promotion like exclusive breast feeding, basic nutrition, consumption of fortified foods and healthy lifestyle. PHO will also take charge of capability building.
For DepEd, they will implement the food for school program, integration of nutrition in school curriculum, provision of dental care, provision of deworming tablets, provision of detecto weighing scales and establishment of school gardens.
“We, in the Provincial Nutrition Action Office, are bound to generate and mobilize resources, conduct advocacy, conduct monitoring and evaluation on nutrition related activities, conduct periodic visits and meetings with local nutrition committees, supervise the nutrition village project and act as overall supervisor of the barangay nutrition scholars and the celebration of the nutrition month. Together with the PSWD, will see to it that the food for school program will be religiously implemented including the supplementary feeding,” Dalen said.
The action plan also include the PAO and the MAOs establishment of communal gardens where said offices to provide planting materials. They will also encourage the community to establish fishponds, conduct trainings on bio-intensive gardening and food processing.
In order to realize the action plan, the Provincial Nutrition Action Office presented the budgetary requirements which will reach up to P35 Million, including the medicines and vitamins that the Department of Health will supplement. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
News Feature: Mining companies lead in rescue and rehabilitation works
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 -- The entry of January 2011 was really a wake‐up call for the Caraga Region. During this month, continuous rainfall was experienced but the heavy downpour in the later part of January caused by the Low Pressure Area was the most devastating. This triggered the overflow of water from rivers and lakes in lowland areas, landslides in some of the critical areas and surging of big waves in the coastal areas.
Alert level 3 was declared all over the region prompting schools to suspend classes and the immediate evacuation of residents in the affected areas. Every day, evacuees in evacuation centers increase in number and so the increase in basic needs like food, water and clothes.
In areas were landslides are high, roads leading to this places are not passable. Landslide materials blocked a bigger portion of the highway. Some roads that were reached by the overflow water of Mainit Lake in Surigao del Norte were also chest‐deep submerged.
For barangays which are situated in the islands, rescue is very risky to undertake especially that the local government units are not equipped with the necessary facilities.
This prompted the mining companies in the region to be the first to heed to the call of the time. Likewise, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office appealed to all mining companies and their contractors to extend help to the nearby communities affected by the calamity.
Taganito Mining Corporation‐HPAL project with Nickel Asia Corporation shared 1M and the use of rubber boats to rescue people while Taganito Mining Corporation made their equipment available to clear areas with landslides and distributed relief goods for the victims. Philex Mining Corporation likewise shared P500,000 and distributed nipas to residents for the repair of their houses.
In Placer, Surigao del Norte, Manila Mining Corporation and their contractors have been assisting the LGUs in dredging works, de‐clogging and repair of culverts, clearing of materials at the Mapaso National Highway. Financial assistance and relief goods were also handed to the victims.
In Surigao City, PACEMCO distributed canned goods, rice, noodles. They also helped in the evacuation of residents to safe areas. Company equipment was also made ready in case of landslide.
Pacific Nickel Philippines Inc. as well as Greenstone Resources, Platinum Group Metals Corporation likewise did their part in providing relief goods, medicines, financial assistance and rescue operation. Dump trucks, ambulance, equipment and their personnel were readily available to respond to emergencies.
Philsaga Mining Corporation in Agusan del Sur provided the necessary facilities needed by the LGU in their rescue operation. While SR Metals Inc. in Tubay, Agusan del Norte likewise assisted in the rescue of the affected communities using trucks and rubber boats.
MRL Gold Philippines also mobilized its exploration staff to offer firsthand assistance to the communities within their area. The company opened their Agata Camp to serve as evacuation center to 22 families.
In Surigao del Sur, CTP Construction and Mining Corporation with Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation, Carrascal Nickel Corporation extended financial assistance for the relief goods of the people in their municipality.
Aside from the help from these companies, the Chamber of Mines of Caraga also extended cash donations to the 5 provinces of Caraga.
During this trying times, the mining companies shared the same concern for the people in the communities— their safety. So it utilized its equipment, expertise, facilities and its people to reach out to those in need.
Having observed how the rescue and relief operations was done, the Chamber of Mines of Caraga with the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers‐Caraga agreed to make it as top priority for this year, the creation of a Quick Action Response Team involving the LGUs in their respective areas of concern for a well‐coordinated action and effective rescue effort in tandem with the other sectors in the community. (MGB-13/PIA-Surigao Norte)
