Construction of Birthing clinics in Butuan established
by Imarc Verga
BUTUAN CITY, June 10 (PIA) -- Nine birthing clinics are now fully established in barangays here after the construction of the infirmary started January this year.
OIC Engr. Rogelio Batocael of the city engineering office said the clinics were constructed in Barangay Doongan, Ambago, Lumbocan, Bading, Pagatpatan, Bayanihan, Pigdaulan, Mahay, and Barangay Bonbon.
Engr. Batocael also said that each birthing clinic had a budget of P898,000.
However, construction of clinics in other barangays were temporarily suspended because of of problems of accessibility.
The temporary-suspended birthing clinic constructions are in Barangay Aupagan, Maguinda, Tungao, Manila de Bugabos, and Barangay Sumili.
The construction in the following barangays are 90 percent complete: Barangay Sumilihon, Taligaman, Cabcabon, and Barangay Baan Km 3.
The clinic in Barangay Taligaman is 89 percent finished.
Aside from the Birthing Clinics, the construction of the BEMONC facilities is still ongoing where five Barangays received it and these are as follows: Barangay Holy Redeemer, Ampayon, J.P. Rizal, Dulag, and Barangay San Vicente.
As of the moment, out of the five Barangays, only Barangay J.P. Rizal completely built the BEMONC facility. The construction of BEMONC facilities has a total budget of P2.1 Million.
It could be remembered that in the year 2010, the City of Butuan, through Mayor Amante, received a fund approximately P34 million from the Spanish Government as a donation in order to respond the problems when it comes to giving birth. The project was disseminated to 24 Barangays and nine of it is completely using the said facility. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)
GSIS gives updates to gov’t info officers in Caraga
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, June 10 (PIA) -– In an effort to inform the members of the current programs, thrusts, and policies of the agency, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) on Thursday presented the updates to information officers of the regional offices in Caraga.
In a dialogue with public information officers, Amor Taccad, Corporate Services Officer II of GSIS Public Relations and Communications Office said the new leadership launched initiative to fulfill the promise of providing responsive service to GSIS members.
The agency has deployed more GSIS Wireless Activated Processing System (GW@PS) kiosks for active members, Taccad said.
She added that members and pensioners in Batangas, Western Samar or even as far as Sultan Kudarat can now have access to GWAPS kiosks and apply for the usual loans without personally going to GSIS offices, saving them time and money.
“By July this year, we hope to roll out all the additional 500 kiosks nationwide, nearly tripling our existing number,” Taccad said.
Taccad also said the GSIS has renewed partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) which will make it more convenient to members and pensioners especially in the more remote areas, to access their benefits and loans. “We project to finish the roll-out of the program by the middle of this year covering all our active members,” she said.
The GSIS official added “with close to a thousand ATMs all over the country in addition to the Union Bank’s network, operating 24 hours a day, our stakeholders can now withdraw their loan proceeds and monthly pension, at no service fee, anytime”.
Meanwhile, GSIS Regional Manager Mamole Pangandaman acknowledged the participants estimated at around 80 information officers, administrative officers, including heads of offices for adhering to GSIS’ call so that good news will be clearly delivered to more than 1.7 million members and pensioners nationwide. (PIA-Caraga)
GSIS extends housing loan restructuring program to delinquent borrowers
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, June 10 (PIA) – Here’s good news to all members of Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). The government workers’ insurer is now extending housing loan restricting program until the last day of June.
This is the statement of Ms. Amor Taccad, Corporate Services Officer II of GSIS Public Relations and Communications Office in Manila during Thursday’s forum with the information officers of the regional offices of Caraga held in one of the local convention centers here.
According to Taccad, until June this year, the agency is giving delinquent GSIS housing loan borrowers a chance to save their homes from foreclosure or cancellation of their Deed of Conditional Sale.
“With the extension, delinquent borrowers can restructure their housing loans and have their penalties condoned,” Taccad said.
In a related development, Taccad said the agency has been rationalizing the housing loan program. She said the program is geared towards a more synchronized and coordinated implementation of the government housing program, the GSIS is winding down its housing programs in favor of working with key shelter agencies.
Tacad further stressed that effective April 28, the GSIS will no longer entertain new housing loan applications including loans on acquired assets. However, she added applications and existing housing loans prior to the said date shall continue to be processed and serviced.
“The policies and procedural guidelines for GSIS housing programs shall remain in effect only for these housing loans an applications. The disposition of acquire assets shall continue but on a cash basis only,” Taccad said.
At the outset, the new GSIS Administration made promises to its more than 1.7 million members and pensioners – a promise to be more consultative, a promise to be more transparent and a promise to be the most service-oriented organization in the government. (PIA-Caraga)
Butuan health workers training on TB prevention
BUTUAN CITY, June 10 – The City Health Office (CHO) sent three representatives to attend the “Trainors’ training on becoming Treatment Partner” conducted by the Mobilization on Tuberculosis Program, which is funded by Global Fund and World Vision.
This is part of the CHO's advocacy/campaign to stop the progress of tuberculosis in the city and in the country as a whole.
Also, the main purpose of the trainors’ training is to make barangay health workers (BHW) and the TB Task Force more competent as treatment partners in the fight against tuberculosis.
Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. said the city wants that every individual in the city would be kept away from the illness through the effective implementation of the activities for TB by the health offices. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)
Launching of techno demo pond set
TANDAG CITY, June 10 (PIA) -- The launching of Pangasius Techno Demo Pond of Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU) in this city is already set on June 17, 2011.
Through the joint efforts of SDSSU, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Operations and Development Group (RODG), the event aims to address the food security program of the government while at the same time paving the way for livelihood opportunities.
Pangasius which belongs to the family of catfish and described as omnivorous are sold at and supplied through its fillet form in high-end restaurants and food chains in the country. (Greg Tataro, Jr. /PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DPWH 13 fast-track the reconstruction of Maglambing Bridge
BUTUAN CITY, June 10 -- Following the instruction of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio L. Singson that all carry-over projects must be completed by the mid-2011, DPWH-Caraga Regional Office headed by OIC-Regional Director Engr. Danilo Versola is fast-tracking the construction activities of the project Reconstruction of Maglambing Bridge and Approaches.
According to Dir. Versola, the said project is under the Calendar Year 2010 Regular Infrastructure Program and construction activities that started on March 29, 2010.
With an accomplishment of 70.35 percent as of May 31, 2011 and the good weather condition experienced in the region recently, the office is positive that target will be met.
Also, Maglambing Bridge serves as the only link between the two districts of Surigao del Sur and a major access for the transport of forest and farm products to airports and seaports in Southern and Northern part of Region XIII and X.
It also leads to major tourist destination like Tinuy-an Falls and Enchanted River which greater number of visitors this summer alone, contributed to the increase of 13% in tourist arrivals in Caraga Region as reported by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga. (Connie R. Calo/PIA-Caraga)
DAR Surigao del Sur to celebrate the 23rd remarkable years of CARP
TANDAG CITY, June 10 (PIA) -– The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Surigao del Sur is set to celebrate the 23rd year of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) implementation on June 14, 2011.
With this year’s theme: “Agraryo, Agrikultura at Kalikasan: A convergence towards sustainable development,” different activities were set for the celebration. These include a motorcade, thanksgiving mass to be held at the DAR Provincial Office, an open house of the DAR Provincial Office, and a mini-trade fair to showcase handy Agrarian Reform Communities (ARC), among others.
All national and provincial government agencies and the general public are invited to visit DAR Provincial Office in this month of June to witness the occasion and buy products display from the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs).
Also, in the afternoon of June 14, there will be a Farmers Forum to be participated by various stakeholders; employees’ assembly of the different associations in DAR and the culmination program where awarding of the Outstanding Employees and ARBs in the province of Surigao del Sur will be conducted.
The said activities are part of the month-long CARP celebration of the DAR nationwide this June. The provincial management headed by PARO Benjamin Mataksil is optimistic that the said celebration will be a success. (Myra Yu, DAPR SDS/PIA Surigao del Sur)
DPWH seeks P30 M for the proposed Union-Malinao ecotourism road project in Siargao Island
SURIGAO DEL NORTE, June 10 -- With the conversion of Dapa-Union-General Luna road from provincial to a secondary national road, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Surigao del Norte 2nd District Engineering Office is seeking Php30 million pesos of funding assistance for the construction of the proposed Union-Malinao ecotourism road project which is a vital link to the circumferential road of Siargao .
It was learned that the proposed 5-kilometer length of road will connect Brgy. Union, Dapa and Brgy. Malinao, General Luna where prime beaches and resorts are situated. It will skirt the mangrove marshes of Pansukian, General Luna at an elevation which will provide a scenic view of the area.
Also, tourists and locals alike can go hiking the ridge sites and explore its lush tropical forest, enjoy the serene atmosphere or cruise at the marshes below. Zip lines maybe erected to cater to the more daring and adventurous while the marsh area is ideal for kayaking and sailing.
The realization of the project would not only improve accessibility to major tourist spots in the island but will also improve the socio-economic condition in the locality as it provides employment and investment opportunities.
The district office, under the leadership of District Engineer Salvador E. Montil Jr., has already submitted the proposal to the Office of Congressman Francisco T. Matugas of the first district of Surigao del Norte for possible funding allocation. (Michael O. Conte/PIA-Caraga)
5 Caraga governors, 6 city mayors post 100% compliance on DILG’s full disclosure policy
AGUSAN DEL NORTE, June 10 (PIA) -- All five governors and six city mayors in the Caraga Region (Region 13) have posted 100 percent compliance to the government-initiated Full Disclosure Policy (FDP).
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo learned this from the governors and mayors and their representatives during his visit to Butuan City yesterday. He was guest of honorat the Tapatan Roadshow on FDP held at the Almont’s Inland Hotel in the city.
The FDP requires local chief executives to make public the source, use and disposition of their incomes and share from internal revenue allotments (IRA).
The DILG chief lauded the warm response and FDP compliance by the local chief executives of Caraga, including the majority of the 67 town mayors in the region who attended the event.
The FDP policy is anchored on the principle under the 1987 Constitution that guarantees the people’s right to information and was based on the Local Government Code, the 2010 General Appropriations Act and issuances by the Commission on Audit.
It requires local government units to post their budget and finances on their websites, print media and conspicuous places in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
In his speech, Robredo said FDP was primarily aimed at building the trust and confidence of the people in the various local government units because they become part of the developments in their localities.
“Kaya kung well-informed sila (public), they will participate and cooperate in the LGUs projects and activities, and they would make sacrifices if necessary,” he said.
Robredo said only 40 percent of the town mayors were able to comply fully with the FDP policy because they have no website where they could post their reports and due to the disagreements between town accountants and treasurers who will come up with the report. He said this was based on reports submitted to him by DILG regional director for Caraga Atty. Rene Burdeos.
“I am glad to hear that the five governors from Caraga and the six city mayors from the region have complied 100 percent to our FDP policy. And I hope that the 40 percent compliance from the 67 mayors from the region would also be 100 percent soon,” he said.
“It is understandable that they have no websites yet and that the town accountants and treasurers are still in a disagreement on who would come out with the required financial reports. I sincerely hope that these minor problems would be resolved soon,” he added.
During the event, the governors, city and towns mayors, representatives from the academe, non-government organizations and civilian volunteer organizations, municipal accountants and treasurers, media and other stakeholders signed a covenant of their commitment to comply with the FDP policy.
Mr. Gonzalo Serrano, program manager for rural development and local governance of Spain’s Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarrollo (AEICD) Program, also handed out a total of P15 million for Strengthening Local Governments in the Philippines (SLGP) projects in four towns in Caraga, and distributed complete set of personal computers plus printers to 28 towns and six cities in the region.
The governors who complied with the FDP policy includes Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza, Gov. Erlpe John Amante of Agusan del Norte, Gov. Glenda Ecleo of Dinagat Islands, Gov. Sol F. Matugas of Surigao del Norte and Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur.
The city mayors, on the other hand, were Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Dale Corvera of Cabadbaran, Kim Lope Asis of Bayugan City, Ernesto Matugas of Surigao City, Librado Navarro of Bislig City, and Alexander Pimentel of Tandag City. (DILG/PIA-Caraga)
Butuan City dad distributes Pantawid Pasada to tricycle drivers
BUTUAN CITY, June 10 - A long queque of 2,173 tricycle operators/drivers gathered recently at the city hall grounds to personally collect their financial assistance from the government. The assistance is government’s response the transport sector’s clamor for fare hike due to the never ending increases of petroleum products.
Tricycle operators/drivers were allocated P150 each with a total funding amounting to P325,950 Pesos through the Public Transport Assistance Pantawid Pasada Program (PTAP) under Executive Order No. 32 Series of 2011 of His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III. The said amount was coursed through the Department of Interior & Local Government (DILG).
Hon. Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante who was assisted by City DILG Dir. Romeo Solis distributed the financial support signifying the first Pantawid Pasada to take place in Butuan City and the first ever in the entire Caraga region.
In his message, Mayor Amante urged all sectors in the city for their support in the continuing struggle of his administration for a better and prosperous Butuan City.
“The city government is finding ways and means to efficiently deliver and respond to the people’s needs as promised. Also, the chief executive made a public pronouncement of the city government’s plan to study and evaluate the possibility of additional cash assistance,” Amante said.
Present during the event were SP members Hon. Erwin Dano, Hon. Angie Calo, Mr. Paul Cabrera, OIC-City Permits & License Division, chiefs of office, tri-media, and government employees. (Marilou c. Furia/PIA-Caraga)
DPWH-QAU conducts quarterly inspection of infra projects
DINAGAT ISLANDS, June 10 -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is conducting inspection of infrastructure projects implemented by all its District Engineering Offices in Caraga.
District Engineer Henry Cruz J. Marapao said projects supervised by the Dinagat Islands sub-district engineering office in Calendar year 2010 and 2011 will be the first to be inspected by the inspection team on June 9-10, 2011.
This will be done by the Quality Assurance Unit of the DPWH to continuously monitor and assess the quality of projects implemented in Caraga Region.
Marapao also bared that among of the projects to be inspected are the Concreting of Junction-Magsaysay Cagdianao Road, Construction of Farm to Market Road from Brgy. Cuarenta, San Jose-Sitio Glen Brgy. DoΓ±a Helene, Basilisa both under contract with AVATAR Constructions Company, Const. of San Jose Multi-Purpose Building San Jose under contract with LVRO Construction and other Three Public Building projects implemented by Administration.
The QAU is a Quarterly assessment or quality audit of on-going and completed projects undertaken by different district offices in order to check whether all infrastructure projects are implemented in compliance to plans and standard specifications. (Dinagat PIO/PIA-Caraga)
DAR celebrates 23rd CARP Anniversary
BUTUAN CITY, June 10 -- Simple but meaningful.
That is how Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)in Caraga region will celebrate the 23rd CARP Anniversary, according to regional director Faisar Mambuay.
Mambuay said that the celebration will showcase the gains of the program and its direction towards convergence efforts following the National Convergence Initiatives of the present administration.
Highlighting the celebration will be the region's participation in the Agrikultura Trade Fair to be held at SM Megamall on June 24-26, 2011. Participating agencies include the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The activity will showcase the region’s best programs, projects and practices.
In the regional level, DAR will join in the motorcade of about 1000 ARB-farmers from Agusan Norte on June 15, 2011. The motorcade will be spearheaded by the Federation of Agrarian Reform Communities Cooperatives (FEDARCCO) of Agusan del Norte. The motorcade will be staged in the major streets of Butuan City taking off at the Sto. Nino Shrine in Libertad following a Thanksgiving Mass offered by DAR.
Other celebrations in the Provincial Offices include Farmers Forum in Agusan Sur last June 9, Mini-Trade Fair to showcase ARB Products in Tandag, Surigao del Sur on June 14, Media Fusion in Butuan City on June 21 and distribution of Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) in Surigao del Norte on June 29.
The celebration is anchored on the signing of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law last June 10, 1988 by then President Corazon Aquino. (Joie L. Ceballos/PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: Aquino midawat sa lima ka mga Ambassadors didto sa MalacaΓ±ang
SURIGAO CITY, June 10 (PIA) - Si Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III mainitong midawat sa mga representante sa lima ka mga nasod nga nakigkita ka niya aron mopresentar sa ilang mga katuyoan didto sa MalacaΓ±ang niadtong Huwebes, Hunyo 9, 2011.
Ang maong mga Ambassadors naggikan sa Republics of Kenya, Cyprus, Poland, Tunisia ug sa Kingdom of Lesotho nakighimamat sa Pangulo didto sa Music Room sa MalacaΓ±ang Palace.
Ang unang mipresentar sa iyang katuyoan ngadto sa Pangulo mao si Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Samori Angwa Okwiya nga giubanan ni Deputy Head of Mission Jackie Yonga.
Si Okwiya gisundan nila Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Richard Ramoeletsi sa Kingdom of Lesotho, Nicos Panayi sa Republic of Cyrus ug Adam Jelonek sa Republic of Poland.
Sila giubanan nila First Secretary Mamosa Likeleko Alinah-Ramoeletsi, Honorary Consul Kristen Nicole Toundjis-Brindisi ug Honorary Consul General Fernandino Lising.
Ang katapusang mipresentar sa iyang katuyoan ngadto sa Pangulo mao si Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mohamed Hassairi sa Republic of Tunisia. Siya giubanan ni Honorary Consul Edward Go.
Ang mga Ambassador miingon nga sila mapasigarbohon gayod nga mirepresentar sa ilang nasod ug sila usab nagpasalamat ug dako sa Pangulo sa mainitong pagdawat kanila dinhi sa Pilipinas.
Isip subli, ang Pangulo miingon nga uban sa ilang mga tabang, siya malaumon sa dugang paglig-on sa relasyon tali sa Pilipinas ug sa ilang mga tagsa-tagsa ka nasod.
“We look forward to strengthening relations between our countries,” ang Pangulo miingon. (Susil Ragas, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
