POEA-Caraga chief assures displaced OFWs are given priority for any job vacancies abroad
by: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, March 18 (PIA) – Considering the need of the displaced overseas workers in the region, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)-Caraga Regional Director Marietta Bellotindos on Wednesday assured that they are given priority for any job vacancies abroad.
Bellotindos stressed that whenever there are job opportunities abroad, these displaced workers will be prioritized as long as they meet the requirements and qualifications set by the hiring agencies or companies.
“Right now we are conducting series of recruitment of skilled workers to any countries where company representatives personally coming here to conduct interviews… So, we informed the recruiters of the plan of the national government to help displaced workers go back abroad… But it’s still up to the recruiters who will they hire,” Bellotindos explained.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Lefebvre Engineering FZC presently based in Plot6 2h-02, P.O. Box 42423, Hamriyah Free Zone Sharijah, United Arab Emirates, recruited skilled workers in Caraga Region. Accordingly, 262 applicants grabbed the opportunity and underwent interviews.
According to Dir. Bellotindos, Lefebvre Engineering FZC will be revealing before the week ends, list of successful applicants who will be hired as skilled workers doing welding jobs, fabrications, electrical works, and operating machine. (PIA-Caraga)
.
SSS intensifies campaign on members’ inquiries through SMS
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, March 18 (PIA) --The Social Security System (SSS) intensifies its goal of efficiently serving its members through the utilization of Short Messaging System (SMS) for members’ inquiry.
In this week’s episode of “Caraga in Focus,” a regular TV program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Caraga Region, Engr. Ma. Raine Jamero, Butuan City Branch Head emphasized the role of communications technology to better serve the SSS members.
According to Jamero, SSS has embraced the importance of these technologies such as SMS for the members to obtain fast, efficient, and relevant information on their concerns.
Also, Mr. Ricardo Habal, Assistant Branch Head stressed that with this latest innovation implemented by SSS, all members are entitled to know their contribution, loan balance, and loan status right at their fingertips through mobile phones.
Habal said to know the members’ contribution, just text SSSCONTRIB and send to 2600. For loan balance, text SSSLOANBAL , send to 2600. To know the members’ loan status, just text SSSLOANSTAT and send to 2600.
Habal further said, for the members to know their PIN, just text SSSREG, send to 2600.
A charge of P2.50 per text for Globe and Smart subscribers while Sun Cellular subscribers will be charged P2.00.
“For easy access to the members’ needed information on their account, this SMS program of SSS is intensified,” Habal said. (PIA-Caraga)
.
Butuan City delegation is Palarong Pampook Champ
SURIGAO CITY, Mar. 18 (PIA) –- Just as expected, Butuan City delegation emerged as the region’s premier sporting city by winning the overall title during the awarding ceremonies of the 14th Palarong Pampook on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at the Provincial Sports Complex here.
Butuan City dominated in almost all fronts from elementary and secondary levels with 539.5 points.
The award was received by Butuan City Councilor Erwin Dano, Butuan City Schools Division Supt. Daylinda Tampus and Asst. Supt. Marilou Dedumo.
Placing second was Agusan del Norte delegation with 475 points. The third was from Surigao del Sur delegation with 400 points. Rounding out the list are Agusan del Sur delegation with 377 points in fourth place, Bislig City delegation with 207 points in fifth. The host delegation, Surigao del Norte placed sixth with 172 points. Placing seventh was Siargao Island delegation with 128.5 points while Surigao City delegation in eighth with only 91 points and Dinagat Islands in ninth with 25 points.
It was further revealed that Butuan City delegation grabbed the top spot in the elementary level, placing second was Agusan del Norte and third was Agusan del Sur. For the secondary level, Butuan City delegation still captured the championship crown, placing second was Agusan del Norte and the third spot went to Surigao del Sur delegation.
Other special awards went to Agusan del Norte delegation for Best in Saludo, Butuan City delegation for the Cleanest Quarter and Agusan del Sur for the Most Disciplined delegation.
DepED officials clarified that the scoring for elementary and secondary games was based on the DepED Point System and not by medal standing. (FEAbkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
.
First mall to rise in Surigao City
SURIGAO CITY, Mar. 18 (PIA) -- The much-awaited first multi-million Gaisano Capital Surigao Shopping Mall in the city will soon rise following its formal groundbreaking rites held Thursday, March 17.
Top officers from Gaisano Capital Corporation headed by President and CEO Mr. Henry Gaisano II along with City Mayor Ernesto Matugas and the provincial officials led the groundbreaking rites of the 2-storey mall at Brgy. Luna this city.
The site is a 3.4 hectare expanse adjacent to the Surigao City integrated bus terminal and St. Paul University Surigao. Gaisano said the mall will only have a total floor area of one hectare.
During the luncheon fellowship hosted by the Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) at the Hotel Tavern Surigao, Gaisano revealed that it was blogs and internet forums which triggered their company to come to the city.
“Gaisano Capital never had a second thought in coming to Surigao City. We believe Surigaonons greatly deserve a shopping mall. We have read your letters in blogs and in the internet and we came here in answer to your prayer.”
First floor will house the supermarket with the varied arrays of local and imported goods while clothing apparels, house wares, appliances, school and office supplies will be at the second level.
Gaisano said that construction has already been started and they are targeting to finish it before the September fiesta celebration. However because of the unpredictable weather condition in Surigao, “it might finish before Christmas.”
“Ang among pagconstruct depende gyud sa panahon, kung kami magtukod mu-maximum lang ug six to seven months kung mucooperate ang panahon,” Gaisano said.
“The city of Surigao is very thankful that Gaisano Capital is interested in putting up a mall in the city for it will definitely generate employment,” said Mayor Matugas.
Matugas said he has only two requests, “that Surigaonons will be prioritized in the employment opportunities and the drainage system. I hope they will put-up a proper drainage system in the area.”
Atty. Eric Labrada of Gaisano Capital Corp. is predicting about 600 to 800 people to be employed once the mall becomes operational.
The coming of the Gaisano Capital in Surigao City, has been largely anticipated by both consumers and local business establishments. (FEAbkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
.
Agusan del Sur provincial government set aside P6M for women’s livelihood programs
By: David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, March 18 -- Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward “Eddiebong” Plaza has committed P6 Million for livelihood projects of women’s organizations all over the province upon submission of their proposals to his office for consideration and approval.
“I want you to know, that the fund is there. What we ask from you are your plans and programs so that you can start your projects and establish a better and decent living thru sustainable livelihood programs. The provincial government is more than willing to extend financial assistance for your capital including the marketing of your products,” Gov. Plaza said.
The funds, according to Gov. Plaza, will be taken from the P30 Million collection of the provincial environmental sustainability fee. “From that P30M, we will set aside 20 percent of it amounting to P6 Million, and that will be all yours for your start-up capital,” Gov. Plaza added.
The commitment came after Gov. Plaza delivered his message during the culmination program of the women’s month celebration today, March 18, 2011 at the Gov. D.O. Plaza Sports Complex covered court in Patin-ay, Prosperidad.
Together with Sangguniang Panlalawigan members Nestor Corvera, Samuel Tortor and Jose Bunilla who supported the commitment of the governor, Gov. Eddiebong Plaza said he wants that women in Agusan del Sur should be more empowered and productive in order to uplift the economic condition of their families instead of just staying at home and gossiping with their neighbors.
The culmination program was participated by some 600 women all over the province. The program includes folk dance contest and search for Miss Agusan del Sur 2011. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
.
SSS to employers: “Avail penalty condonation program”
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, March 17 (PIA) – Employers can now avail of the Social Security System (SSS) penalty condonation program for unremitted or delinquent short-term loan amortizations of employees.
This is the call of Ma. Raine Jamero, SSS Butuan Banch Manager during the taping on Wednesday of “Caraga in Focus,” a regular TV program of the Regional Office of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Caraga.
According to Jamero, employees who have not paid their loans must inform their employers to avail of the program so that the employer’s loan records will be updated.
Also, Jamero said by availing the program, the short-term member loan privileges of their employees will be restored, subject to the existing guidelines on salary loan granting.
“However, said privileges will again be suspended in the event of violation of any terms and conditions set by SSS,” Jamero added.
Further, Jamero said another benefit the employers can get in availing the program is that, their employees can fully enjoy their SSS benefits in times of contingencies.
The SSS condonation program is intended for employers who are delinquent in the remittance of their employees’ loan amortizations in salary, calamity, emergency, educational, special educational loan for Y2K conversion, stock investment and privatization fund.
This includes employers with pending or approved installment proposals under the Installment Payment Scheme of SSS. It also include employers with pending or approved applications to settle loan obligations through Dacion en Pago of the SSS, and those employees with pending cases before the SSC, Courts of the Office of the Prosecutor.
Moreover, Jamero said the program only applies to penalties on unremitted or delinquent loan amortizations including principal and interest due on or before April 1, 2010.
Modes of payment can be made by full or in installment basis. Full payment means payment of the full amount of delinquent loan within the period of implementation of the program.
Installment payment, on the other hand means payment in equal monthly installment not exceeding 24 months, total amount due shall bear interest rate of 3% per annum, and the current contribution and loan amortizations of employees shall be paid every month as they fall due. (PIA- Caraga)
PIA News Service - Friday, March 18, 2011
