DOE says Pantawid Pasada program to mitigate impact of oil price hikes
by Robert E. Roperos
QUEZON CITY, Apr. 26 (PIA) -- “Philippines is dependent on imported fuel, thus, whenever there is fuel crisis in the world market, this will lead to oil price hike and adds burden to the country, in general.”
This is the statement of Sec. Jose Rene Almendras of the Department of Energy (DOE) during the launching of Pantawid Pasada Communication Program attended by top officials, regional directors, and information center managers of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on Tuesday at Rembrandt Hotel here.
Because of this dilemma, Almendras said the national government through DOE has come-up with a short-term program in mitigating the impact of fuel price hike through the “Pantawid Pasada Program” or the 3Ps.
As promulgated by Executive Order No. 32, series of 2011, the “Pantawid Pasada Program” is a poverty reduction and social development strategy of the national government that aims to provide financial assistance to the public transport sector through cash grants to reduce the impact of increasing fuel prices on the riding and consuming public.
According to Sec. Almendras, PPP specifically aims to provide assistance to the transport sector, such as jeepneys and tricycles by distributing 60,000 fuel cards to jeepney operators and drivers to ease their daily fuel expenses.
Almendras also said the program aims to cushion the impacts of oil price hikes as the growing unrest in the Middle East and North Africa continues to create uncertainty in the international and local markets, defuse the emergence of fare hikes and, instill awareness on their responsibility to be part of the solution by practicing energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) measures.
“The P1,050 for jeepneys and P150 for tricycles which will be loaded in the Pantawid Pasada Card, may be used to purchase diesel from participating gasoline stations,” he said. (RER-PIA 13)
Cops receive awards for the peaceful resolution of Agusan Sur hostage-crisis
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 26 (PIA) -- Following the safe release of the 13 hostages in La Purisima, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on April 6 where members of the police force played a vital role in the successful negotiations between police and hostage takers, Philippine National Police (PNP)-Caraga on Monday commended their personnel in an awarding ceremony held at Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Libertad, this city.
The Medalya ng Kadakilaan (Medal of Valor) was awarded to PSSupt. Crisaldo Nieves for providing administrative support to the critical management task group that led to the successful negotiation and resolution of the hostage crisis resulting to the safe release of the hostages.
Nieves was also awarded because of his remarkable and excellent performance that manifested his dedication to comply with his duty, earning for him merit in the PNP organization.
Others who received the Medalya ng Kagalingan (Medal of Excellence) awards were: PSSupt. Jane Aunzo; P/Supt. Ritchie Posadas; PSupt. Antony Maghari; PSSupt. Julian Boquida; PCInsp. Florence Andit; PCInsp. Romeo Villalobo, Jr.; P/CInsp. Warren Dablo; PSInsp. Rodel Maritana; PSInsp. Jomar Dela Cerna; PInsp. Jameson Aguilar; PInsp. Julius Mojica, PInsp. Joel Cervantes; PInsp. Abdul Nasser Dimaporo and; PInsp. Roberto Fabregas.
It can be recalled that on April 1 at about 6:00 p.m., hostage-takers led by a certain Kenken Perez snatched teachers, staff, students, and civilians mostly motorcycle passengers in the mountainous portion of Purok 7, Barangay La Purisima, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
On April 6, the perpetrators abandoned the 13 remaining hostages in the forested area of Purok 8, Barangay La Purisima. They were fetched by Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza. (RER-PIA Caraga)
DepEd commits new classroom buildings for Surigao City
by Fryan E. Abkilan
SURIGAO CITY, Apr. 26 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) has committed to finance new classroom buildings intended for the elementary and secondary schools in the Surigao City DepEd Division to address the shortage of schoolrooms in the city.
City Mayor Ernesto Matugas said that during his recent meeting with the DepEd officials, they have pledged to allocate some P11 million for the construction of 17 schoolrooms to the different priority barangays.
He also said these classrooms are equipped with rain collector to ensure sufficient water for the toilet.
In a related development, Matugas revealed that the DepEd officials have also announced the release of P8.9 million for the construction of the new city division office which will be located at the C.V. Diez Central Elementary School.
“All these assistance would not be possible without the initiative and help of our governor, Gov. Sol Matugas,” he said. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Agusan del Sur conducts workshop on anti corruption
by David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Apr. 26 (PIA) -- A two-day workshop that targets to curb corruption in the public system was conducted here in order to restore people’s confidence in government.
Designed to rid provincial government employees of the dreaded virus called corruption, the workshop was participated by the chiefs of offices or their representatives who are directly holding positions prone to the vicissitudes of corruption.
According to Dr. Ronnie Amorado of the Provincial Road Management Facilities (PRMP), the workshop primarily aimed at the development and protection of human character in order to ward off the temptations of corruption.
“This reform is not only for a person, or a small group of people, but for all of us. Dapat, sabay-sabay tayong lahat para maipatupad kung anuman ang ating magandang pananaw para sa ating mga proyekto at sa kinabukasan, dahil lahat tayo ay may pananagutan para sa ating communidad at pamahalaan,” Dr. Amorado said.
(We should be together in order to implement whatever good vision we have for our projects and the future because all of us are responsible for our community and the government.)
The office where Dr. Morado works is one of the government projects funded by the Australian government; it is responsible for the rehabilitation and maintenance of provincial roads in Agusan del Sur with a budget cost of Aus$5 million within five years.
According to Dr. Morado, one of the components of the PRMF is human resource development and that is the one of the reasons why the workshop was conducted.
“It is important that implementers of the PRMF projects must undergo this workshop in order to ensure that the projects will be implemented religiously, and without trace of corruption,” Dr. Morado said. (DMS-PIA Agusan del Sur)
by Robert E. Roperos
QUEZON CITY, Apr. 26 (PIA) -- “Philippines is dependent on imported fuel, thus, whenever there is fuel crisis in the world market, this will lead to oil price hike and adds burden to the country, in general.”
This is the statement of Sec. Jose Rene Almendras of the Department of Energy (DOE) during the launching of Pantawid Pasada Communication Program attended by top officials, regional directors, and information center managers of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on Tuesday at Rembrandt Hotel here.
Because of this dilemma, Almendras said the national government through DOE has come-up with a short-term program in mitigating the impact of fuel price hike through the “Pantawid Pasada Program” or the 3Ps.
As promulgated by Executive Order No. 32, series of 2011, the “Pantawid Pasada Program” is a poverty reduction and social development strategy of the national government that aims to provide financial assistance to the public transport sector through cash grants to reduce the impact of increasing fuel prices on the riding and consuming public.
According to Sec. Almendras, PPP specifically aims to provide assistance to the transport sector, such as jeepneys and tricycles by distributing 60,000 fuel cards to jeepney operators and drivers to ease their daily fuel expenses.
Almendras also said the program aims to cushion the impacts of oil price hikes as the growing unrest in the Middle East and North Africa continues to create uncertainty in the international and local markets, defuse the emergence of fare hikes and, instill awareness on their responsibility to be part of the solution by practicing energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) measures.
“The P1,050 for jeepneys and P150 for tricycles which will be loaded in the Pantawid Pasada Card, may be used to purchase diesel from participating gasoline stations,” he said. (RER-PIA 13)
Cops receive awards for the peaceful resolution of Agusan Sur hostage-crisis
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 26 (PIA) -- Following the safe release of the 13 hostages in La Purisima, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on April 6 where members of the police force played a vital role in the successful negotiations between police and hostage takers, Philippine National Police (PNP)-Caraga on Monday commended their personnel in an awarding ceremony held at Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Libertad, this city.
The Medalya ng Kadakilaan (Medal of Valor) was awarded to PSSupt. Crisaldo Nieves for providing administrative support to the critical management task group that led to the successful negotiation and resolution of the hostage crisis resulting to the safe release of the hostages.
Nieves was also awarded because of his remarkable and excellent performance that manifested his dedication to comply with his duty, earning for him merit in the PNP organization.
Others who received the Medalya ng Kagalingan (Medal of Excellence) awards were: PSSupt. Jane Aunzo; P/Supt. Ritchie Posadas; PSupt. Antony Maghari; PSSupt. Julian Boquida; PCInsp. Florence Andit; PCInsp. Romeo Villalobo, Jr.; P/CInsp. Warren Dablo; PSInsp. Rodel Maritana; PSInsp. Jomar Dela Cerna; PInsp. Jameson Aguilar; PInsp. Julius Mojica, PInsp. Joel Cervantes; PInsp. Abdul Nasser Dimaporo and; PInsp. Roberto Fabregas.
It can be recalled that on April 1 at about 6:00 p.m., hostage-takers led by a certain Kenken Perez snatched teachers, staff, students, and civilians mostly motorcycle passengers in the mountainous portion of Purok 7, Barangay La Purisima, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
On April 6, the perpetrators abandoned the 13 remaining hostages in the forested area of Purok 8, Barangay La Purisima. They were fetched by Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza. (RER-PIA Caraga)
DepEd commits new classroom buildings for Surigao City
by Fryan E. Abkilan
SURIGAO CITY, Apr. 26 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) has committed to finance new classroom buildings intended for the elementary and secondary schools in the Surigao City DepEd Division to address the shortage of schoolrooms in the city.
City Mayor Ernesto Matugas said that during his recent meeting with the DepEd officials, they have pledged to allocate some P11 million for the construction of 17 schoolrooms to the different priority barangays.
He also said these classrooms are equipped with rain collector to ensure sufficient water for the toilet.
In a related development, Matugas revealed that the DepEd officials have also announced the release of P8.9 million for the construction of the new city division office which will be located at the C.V. Diez Central Elementary School.
“All these assistance would not be possible without the initiative and help of our governor, Gov. Sol Matugas,” he said. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Agusan del Sur conducts workshop on anti corruption
by David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Apr. 26 (PIA) -- A two-day workshop that targets to curb corruption in the public system was conducted here in order to restore people’s confidence in government.
Designed to rid provincial government employees of the dreaded virus called corruption, the workshop was participated by the chiefs of offices or their representatives who are directly holding positions prone to the vicissitudes of corruption.
According to Dr. Ronnie Amorado of the Provincial Road Management Facilities (PRMP), the workshop primarily aimed at the development and protection of human character in order to ward off the temptations of corruption.
“This reform is not only for a person, or a small group of people, but for all of us. Dapat, sabay-sabay tayong lahat para maipatupad kung anuman ang ating magandang pananaw para sa ating mga proyekto at sa kinabukasan, dahil lahat tayo ay may pananagutan para sa ating communidad at pamahalaan,” Dr. Amorado said.
(We should be together in order to implement whatever good vision we have for our projects and the future because all of us are responsible for our community and the government.)
The office where Dr. Morado works is one of the government projects funded by the Australian government; it is responsible for the rehabilitation and maintenance of provincial roads in Agusan del Sur with a budget cost of Aus$5 million within five years.
According to Dr. Morado, one of the components of the PRMF is human resource development and that is the one of the reasons why the workshop was conducted.
“It is important that implementers of the PRMF projects must undergo this workshop in order to ensure that the projects will be implemented religiously, and without trace of corruption,” Dr. Morado said. (DMS-PIA Agusan del Sur)
Search is on for TESDA’s 2011 Most Outstanding Mason
by Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, April 26 (PIA) -- The search is on for this year’s Most Outstanding Mason.
Holcim Philippines, Inc. and the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) recently announced the third cycle of “Galing Mason Awards” nationwide search.
According to TESDA-Caraga regional director Edwin Gatinao, Holcim Philippines, Inc. and TESDA have developed a program for masons to enhance and professionalize their craft.
Dir. Gatinao further said that one of the highlights of the program is the nationwide training for the masons, which includes instructions on environment and work safety, proper work ethics, and the application of cement.
Also, another part of the program is the "Galing Mason Olympics," a competition for masons who have undergone the training program, to further encourage initiatives towards skills enhancement.
Gatinao said the program is set to launch today, April 26, in one of the local convention centers here, which will be attended by various organizations, companies, agencies and government units. (JPG-PIA Caraga)
Butuan gears up for Balangay Festival in May
by Jocelyn E. Morano
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 26 (PIA) -- A variety of activities were presented by the City Tourism Council in a press conference held Monday; for the first time, there are three highlights to watch out in this year’s Balangay Festival in the whole month of May.
Anchoring on the theme, “Sail On Butuan: Balangayan,” the opening program will be held on Sunday, May 1 with the traditional early dawn Diana announcing the beginning of the festivities to be followed by a daily 6:00 a.m. exercise called “Batyag Butuan” at the Rizal park.
Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. will lead the opening ceremonies at the Rizal Park and the formal opening of Trade and Carnival Fair.
This year, Balangay Festival will be introducing as its first highlight the works of art of local artists which will be formally launched on May 2 with their Panagtagbo Art Festival at the lobby of Butuan National Museum.
According to City Tourism Council chairperson Atty. Rema Burdeos, the Panagtagbo is a one-of-a-kind art exhibit that fuses Likha-Karaga's artistry and theater artists through the Balangayan Credit Cooperative of Artists (BANCCA) showcasing more than 10 local artists.
On its launching, the BANCCA will perform Butuanon songs and dances depicting the old kingdom and the present situation; on Fridays and Saturdays there will be different art workshops, simultaneous symposium, and focus group discussions on weekdays.
It will be Butuan’s first time to hold a bidding of paintings and the audience can have personal encounter with the artists performing an on-the-spot sketch.
The traditional and second highlight is the Mutya hong Butuan Pageant night on May 17 at FSUU gym with 10 beautiful and intelligent ladies who will vie for the crown.
The unique and this year’s first to be seen presentation during the Balangay Festival is the 2,000 people who will do a synchronized Manobo performance to be held at the City Sports Complex on the day of the fiesta, May 19, with the participation of Butuan City local officials.
On this day, visitors and the people of Butuan will also witness a Balangay Theater Float Parade Competition traversing Montilla Boulevard going to Libertad Sports Complex stopping at the DBP area for a short Manobo dance presentation.
Other activities in May is the PNP Fancy Drill on May 17 at the city hall grounds after the Kaliwatan Fund Run to be participated by 86 barangays in aiming to raise funds for the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) project.
Several entertainment showcases will be held like Sayawan sa Butuan on May 1, Kab-ot sa Bitoon singing contest, Concert at the Park during Saturdays, Down to Mars Concert on May 18, Uncle Sam’s Singing Stars on May 20, and some sports activities. (Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)
Victory caravan set today in Dinagat Islands
SURIGAO CITY, Apr. 26 (PIA) -- A victory caravan is scheduled in Dinagat Islands today, April 26 in view of the recent Supreme Court decision affirming the constitutionality of the province.
Dinagat Islands public information officer Rosario Roxas said provincial officials and employees along with the province’s sectoral groups will mark a victory caravan commencing at the capital town of San Jose to the historic Campintac Beach in Loreto.
From there, Roxas said the caravan will proceed back to the municipalities of Tubajon, Libjo, Basilisa, Cagdianao, Dinagat and will end at San Jose’s Cultural Center.
A thanksgiving program will also be conducted in every municipality, it was learned.
Roxas further said that around 100 motorcycles and 22 four-wheeled vehicles will compose the said event. (Province of Dinagat Islands/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Cebuano News: Hepe sa PNP-Caraga gidayeg ang kapulisan
ni Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Abr. 26 (PIA) -- Gidayeg ni PCSupt. Reynaldo Rafal, kasamtanga’ng regional director sa Philippine National Police (PNP)-Caraga ang mga kapulisang gibutang anga ilang kinabuhi sa risgo sa dihang gihimo ang negosasyon tali sa mga suspetsado sa hostage-taking na natigayon niadtong Abril 1-6 sa La Purisima, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Atol sa gipahigayong awarding ceremony niadtong Lunes (Abril 25) sa Camp Rafael Rodriguez sa Brgy. Libertad ni’ng dakbayan, ang hepe sa rehiyon nga buhatan sa PNP mitunol sa iyang pahalipay sa 26 ka mga personahe human gipangdwat niini ang mga medalya ug citations gikan mismo ni Gen Rafal.
Sa iyang pakigpulong, si Rafal nagkanayon nga ang gipakitang kakugi sa mga kapulisan niadtong panahona maoy nakapabag-o sa imahe sa PNP tungod kay nahitabong gi-kwestyon ang kredibilidad sa maong ahensiya tungod sa nahitabong hostage-taking sa Metro Manila niadtong nakalabay’ng tuig kund diin siyam ka mga Chinese nationals ang nangamatay.
Gidugang ni Rafal nga ang bulawanong kontribusyon sa 26 ka pulis sa rehiyon mao’y magsilbeng modelo sa ubang kapulisan nga nidawat sa ilang responsibilidad sa pagdepensa sa interes sa nasud pinaagi sa pagpatunhay sa seguridad ug kaluwasan sa publiko sa tanang panahon.
Gisulti sa maong opisyal nga ang gibuhat sa maong mga law enforcers nagpakita lamang sa ilang ka-sinsero sa ilang trabaho, butang nga angaya’ng sundogon sa ubang miyembro sa kapulisan sa Police Regional Office (PRO-13) ug sa tibuok organisasyon sa PNP.
Sa laing bahin, gipasidunggan usab ni PNP Chief Raul Bacalzo og Medalya Ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod Award si Caraga PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Reynaldo S. Rafal ug Caraga PNP Chief of Staff Senior Supt. Nestor Fajura atol sa flag ceremony sa Camp Crame niadtong Abril 11, kauban sila Deputy Regional Director for Operations Police Chief Supt. Isagani Francisco Ganabe, Jr. and Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Director Jerome Baxinella tungod sa ilang mahinungdanong kontribusyon sa pagsulbad sa hostage-crisis.
Samtang gihatagan usab og pasidungog sila Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur Mayor Albin Magdamit, Agusan del Sur Provincial Social Welfare Officer Josefina Bajade ug Fr. Carlito Clase sa Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) sa ilang pagsuporta sa malinawong pagtapos sa maong insidente.
Kung mahinumduman, niadtong April 1, 2011, 16 ka mga tawo ang gipanghostage sa grupo ni Kenken Perez sa may alas 6:00 ang takna kapin kon kulang samtang kini namaui gikan nga nag-attend og graduation rites.
Pipila ka adlaw, duha sa mga biktim ang gipangbuhi-an aron ipadangat sa local crisis management ang ilang mga demanda lakip na ang pagpangayo og pagkaon ug medisina para sa mga nangasakit nga mga hostages.
Nahibalo-ang gihatag sa crisis management committee ang gipangayo sa mga hostage-takers apan gihangyo kini nga dili na lamang pabalikon ang duha nga gibuhian ngadto sa ilang lugar nga nahimutangan. Tuod man, misugot ang mga suspetsado ug sa sunod nga adlaw, usa ka laing biktima ang gibuhian.
Human sa lima ka adlaw, gi-abandona sa mga suspetsado ang nahabili’ng 13 ka mga hostages sa kalasanga’ng bahin sa Purok 8, Barangay La Purisima kung diin ang mga biktima gitagbo ni Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza. (RER-PIA Caraga)
