RDC chair accepts challenges for a better Caraga Region
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 (PIA) – Newly-sworn chairperson of the Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) and Governor of the Province of Surigao del Norte Dr. Sol F. Matugas on Tuesday said she accepts the mandate and is willing to face the challenges with the hope and faith that something good will come out of a strong RDC alliance.
During the RDC special full council meeting held in one of the local convention centers here, Gov. Matugas stressed that as RDC Chair, "It’s worth saying we need each other’s mind and heart to pursue the task of building a strong and progressive Caraga Region described as the poorest – even poorer than the ARMM.”
Gov. Matugas also said she is fortunate to be working with officials of Caraga Region as they share their commitment to support the program of the government of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III.
“I expect that with our collective effort, we see our challenges as opportunities for growth and development,” Matugas said
Gov. Matugas took her oath as the new RDC chair of the region on June 10, 2011 at MalacaΓ±ang Palace with Pres. Aquino administering the oath-taking ceremonies, who also personally chose her to lead the council. (PIA-Caraga)
Preparations underway for the grandest “Lisagan Festival” in Magallanes, Agusan del Norte
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 (PIA) – In time with the centennial celebration when the patron saint – Nuestra SeΓ±ora del Rosartio was brought to the municipality, the local government unit through the municipal tourism council is currently preparing for the staging of the grandest “Lisagan Festival”.
According to Sangguniang Bayan member Leah Georgette Amodia, chairman of the municipal tourism council, organizers of this year’s “Lisagan Festival” will be considering invitation to contingents in other provinces as far as the two provinces of Surigao, Agusan del Sur, and other seasoned contingents in other festivals within Caraga Region.
Amodia said the idea of inviting other contingents outside the municipality is due to the clamor of the people in Magallanes so that they can also witness the festivals of other provinces in the region.
The town official also said the concept of considering the invitation of other contingents also came out after some contingents from other provinces asked if they can participate during last year’s “Lisagan Festival”.
The idea was also supported by members of the local tri-media in Butuan City in a press conference held on Monday when they collaboratively said that since this year is the centennial celebration, it is fitting that “Lisagan Festival” will be staged on its grandest.
Amodia also informed those present that the LGU is still eyeing on the possible sponsors of the activity as this will need bigger budget for the prizes. “This is the reason why we are not opening the festival to other contingents outside the municipality because of the budget,” Amodia said.
However, the Department of Tourism (DOT) through Regional Director Leticia Tan vowed to assist the LGU in the conduct of the annual festival.
“Lisagan” comes from the word “lisag” which means to make some noise. Now on its tenth year of staging, the “Lisagan Festival” is starting to make names in the local festivals of Caraga Region. (PIA-Caraga)
Surigao del Sur to launch real property tax raffle bonanza
by Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, June 15 (PIA) – The Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur through the Treasurer’s Office is set to launch real property tax raffle bonanza.
According to Mrs. Cripa Geli, Assistant Provincial Treasurer here, a caravan of 19 vehicles representing its 17 municipalities and two (2) cities will mark the occasion by joining the Grand Parade for the opening Day on June 17 in time with the 51st Araw ng Surigao del Sur celebration on June 19.
Geli added, the official launch of said event which aims to encourage taxpayers to pay their current and/or delinquent dues will be held at the Provincial Sports Complex immediately after the parade being part of the opening program.
A taxpayer is entitled to up to three (3) tickets depending on the system of payment made in accordance with the raffle draw mechanics. (Radyo ng Bayan Tandag/PIA Surigao del Sur)
IFAD conducts design mission to Caraga
by Joie L. Ceballos
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 – Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Caraga Regional Director Faisar Mambuay announced that the International Fund for Agricultural Development of the United Nations (IFAD) Design Mission for Project CONVERGE successfully completed their 5-day visit to Caraga rcently.
The visit aims to meet and discuss with various groups, agencies and persons who are essential in coming up with a Project Design. Mambuay also clarified that IFAD’s next engagement in Caraga will open windows to integrate and harmonize the rural development efforts of DAR-DA and DENR following the National Convergence Initiatives (NCI) in order to contribute to poverty alleviation and food security programs of the government.
The team visited the Municipality of Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte, Barobo of Surigao del Sur and Bunawan of Agusan del Sur.
Bunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde expessed his “million million thanks to the IFAD” most specially for its previous NMCIREMP Program.
The 7-member team is composed of the IFAD Country Program Manager Youqiong Wang, Mission Team Leader Michael Rayner, IFAD Country Program Office to the Philippines Mr. Yolando Arban, Infrastructure Specialist Engr. Enrique Tajanlangit, Agribusiness Specialist Dr. Larry Digal, Procurement Specialist Dulce Cacha and Gender Specialist Virginia Verora.
The Project will hopefully benefit 5 cluster Agrarian Reform Communities in the region. (DAR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DENR, Red Cross conducts blood-letting drive
by Ronnel Lemuel Michael Val G. Calo
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) personnel took part in blood-letting activity held at the new multi-purpose covered court recently to comme¬morate the Philippines’ 113th Independence.
A 6-man team of volunteers from the Agusan del Norte-Butuan City chapter of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) supervised the activity that netted approximately 6,750 cubic centiliters of plasma.
DENR-13 Regional Technical Director for Environmental Research and Development Virgilio C. dela Cruz said, “becoming a hero does not only mean offering our lives for our country… but also offering our blood to the Red Cross.”
He alluded to the country’s hard-fought freedom and the recent anti-illegal logging operation by the Regional Task Force that encountered heavily-armed syndicates during anti-logging operations.
Dr. Edna C. del Rosario of the Red Cross said 50 prospective donors were screened but only 15 passed the stringent physical and blood tests. She said that only persons who have no alcohol and medication intake at least within 24 hours, are well rested, and generally healthy are considered for blood donation. (DENR-RPAO-13/PIA-Caraga)
Mayor Jun Amante leads Balangayan GK grand house build
by Malou C. Furia
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 – Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. recently led the Grand GK House Build in partnership with various stakeholders and NGOs.
Twenty-six housing units at Bgy. Pagatpatan in the 51 hectare relocation site will be ready for occupancy on July 2011. The houses will be built through a “padugo or bayanihan system” wherein each stakeholder will help in building the housing units.
City Housing Office records show that there are 2,800 homeless Butuanons living along the danger (flood) zone of Agusan River as of 2010. This figure represents 40 percent of the homeless residents who have slim chances of owning decent and affordable houses. The city government registered a total backlog of 4,815 homeless families that need to be relocated.
For now, the resettlement of more or less seventy (70) families living along the flood zone area of Butuan City under the Caraga Agusan River Basin Development Project (CARBDP) is listed as top priority of Mayor Ferdinand Amante in collaboration with Gawad Kalinga (GK) and other stakeholders.
The city government accumulated a total funding from various sectors: P5 million from the Gawad Kalinga and private sectors, P1.3 millon from the City Government and Php 1.2 million from the government employees. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)
13,380 Mindanao lumads benefit from MRDP
by Sherwin B. Manual
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 – A total of 13,380 lumads or indigenous peoples in Mindanao benefited from livelihood projects of the antipoverty program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Based on the report on the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) submitted to DA Sec. Proceso J. Alcala, 27 percent of the total 49,537 individual beneficiaries of the program are indigenous peoples (IPs) who belong to the most marginalized sectors of the rural Mindanao. Of this number, 7,665 were male and 5,715 were female.
THe MRDP aims to provide agribusiness opportunities and improve incomes of small farmers and fisherfolk and other vulnerable sectors of the society. It is a poverty alleviation initiative of DA in Mindanao jointly funded by the World Bank, the national government and the local government units.
Program director Lealyn A. Ramos said that the number is close to the overall target of 30 percent of indigenous people’s beneficiary of the Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD) component, the livelihood arm of the Program.
Caraga Region has served a total of 3,397 lumads mostly belong to Higa-onon and Mamanwa tribes in Agusan del Sur and Surigao Provinces. Region 12 has benefited 2,946 lumads belonging to Teduray, T’boli and B’laans from Cotabato and Sarangani Provinces.
Also, a total of 2,702 IPs composed of Ata, Manobo, Mansaka and Madaya of Davao Region benefited from the program. A total of 2,013 were from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) belonging to Tedurays and Samalians of Tawi-Tawi; Region 10 benefited 1,222 lumads; while 1,100 lumads were from Region 9 mostly of the Subanen tribe.
“With CFAD, we are applying the community driven development (CDD) procedures where the beneficiaries themselves identify the projects fit them,” said Ramos.
“Most projects of the IPs belong to the food security interventions category in our menu like animal and crop production, organic farming and diversified farming which are suitable to their cultural practices,” Ramos added.
To date, CFAD’s portfolio is pegged at P495.51 million with a total of 1,988 livelihood projects at various levels of implementation.
MRDP, now on its second phase under an adaptable program loan (APL) of the World Bank (WB), is set to be undergo mid-term assessment early next month. (DA-MRDP/PIA-Caraga)
DILG implements P1B foreign-assisted projects in Caraga
by Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 (PIA) – The Provincial Roads Management Facility (PRMF) under the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) has allocated some P898 million for a five-year program in infrastructure and capacity development for the recipient-provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte.
In 2011, Region XIII has completed the road rehabilitation projects of Taganaan-Himamaug-Cabongbongan Road (3.34 Km. Gravel Road), Mainit-Pacu-Bobonaon-Sison Road (2.70 Km Gravel Road), Sta. Monica-Roxas Gravel Road, Pisaan-Borbon Road (6.10 Km.) and the National Road Junction-Crossing Luna-Duangan Road.
The grants under the Capacity Development Component of the said PRMF include provision of GPS and GIS Data Development On-the-Job Training, eTRACTS user and Administration, Advance Windows 2008 Training, Materials Testing Workshop, Quantum Geographical Information System Seminar Workshop, Civil 3D AutoCAD Seminar Workshop.
The Millennium Development Goals Fund (MDGF 1919): Enhancing Access to and Provision of Water Services with the Active Participation of the Poor which is financed by United Nations Development Fund Program (UNDP) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has allocated a total Php486,500.00 for capacity development to its recipient-province-Agusan del Sur
MDGF 1919 which started last June 2009 has already conducted several capacity development workshops particularly on water and sanitation and other skills training having the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur and the Municipal Governments of Sibagat and La Paz as participants.
A total of Php21,000,000.00 was allocated by Strengthening of Local Governments in the Philippines Project (SLGP) funded by Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion para el del Desarrollo (AECID) for the third (3rd) phase of implementation which started last April 2011 and will end on February 2012.
The said amount will be used for capacity development trainings, capacity development support and eco park development project. (DILG-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
1100 barangay tanods trained to keep Butuan City safe
by Dulce M. Moran
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 – Due to concerns over the increasing criminality in Butuan City, the local government in coordination with the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) and the Department of the Iinterior and Local Government (DILG) initiated the barangay tanod orientation program.
This project is a capacity-building and skills training activity for barangay tanods, who act as force multipliers of the local police force. Through the program, they will be able to perform their duty as peace and order and public safety officers with a high sense of responsibility and integrity.
The training for the tanods of the 86 barangays were conducted simultaneously in 2 clusters in eight (8) batches from May 2 to May 10, 2011.
A total of 1100 barangay tanod graduated during the culmination program. As incentive, each tanod received insurance benefit from GSIS, barangay tanod uniform, identification card, night-stick and certificate of completion for having attended the orientation.
The culmination program was held at the Jose S. Aquino Covered Court at the Agusan National High School (ANHS) Compound. The activity was attended by the following personalities: Mayor Ferdindand M. Amante, Jr., Vice Mayor Lawrence Fortun, SP Member Ryan Anthony B. Culima, PSSupt Isagani F Genabe, Jr., PNP City Director Jose V Carillo, all station commanders of the BCPO, and DILG City Director Romeo A. Solis.
This project was the initiative of City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr., M.D., through the effort of SP Member Ryan Anthony B. Culima. (DILG-Buuan City/PIA-Caraga)
NEDA chief to grace Economic Summit in Surigao City
by FEAbkilan
SURIGAO CITY, June 15 (PIA) – The provincial government of Surigao del Norte will hold a Provincial Economic Summit today, June 15 at the Provincial Convention Center this city with National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Sec. Cayetano Paderanga as the keynote speaker.
The theme of this year’s summit is “Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth Towards Poverty Alleviation.”
Gov. Sol Matugas, the newly appointed Regional Development Council (RDC) chairperson of Caraga said the 1-day summit is aimed to present the clear development directions and local economic development thrusts to address the high incidence of poverty in the province.
“Various stakeholders are in the best position to provide the necessary programs and services delivery to achieve a better quality of life for people, particularly the poor,” said Matugas in a statement.
NEDA Caraga Director Carmencita Cochingco will formally introduce Sec. Paderanga during the program.
Invited to attend are the national agencies, provincial departments, provincial, city, municipal officials, non-organizations, private sector, business groups, and civil society organizations. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Tagalog News: Pagdalaw ni Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala sa Surigao del Sur, tinuring na biyaya
ni Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Hunyo 15 (PIA) – Mistulang hulog ng langit ang nagiging pagdalaw ni Agriculture Sec. Preceso Alcala sa Surigao del Sur nitong weekend.
Bukod sa dinaluhang Farmers’ Forum kung saan dininig ang mga hinaing ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda; nakipagpulong rin kina Gov. Johnny Pimentel at mga alkalde; ganun din nakipagharap sa mga lokal na namamahaya; at ilang mga proyekto rin ang sadyang binisitahan ng Kalihim sa Bayan ng Tandag, Tago at Barobo.
Ngunit sa pangkalahatan, ang mas higit na nais matugunan ni Alcala ay mapalawak pa ang serbisyo sa larangan ng patubig o irigasyon.
Nabatid na sa higit sa 26,000 ektaryang irrigable land sa buong lalawigan wala pang 4,000 ektarya ang kasalukuyang nakikinabang sa patubig. Ito ay dahil sa ang higit sa 9,000 target ng existing irrigation project, pawing kailangan isailalim sa reapir o kaya rehabilitasyon. (Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA Surigao del Sur)
Tagalog News: GSIS nangako ng bagong serbisyo sa mga miyembro
ni Imarc Verga
BUTUAN CITY – Hunyo 15 (PIA) – Sa pagsisikap na makuha uli ang tiwala at pananalig ng 1.7 milyong kasapi at pensioners, ang bagong pamunuan ng Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) ay gumawa ng makabagong paraan ng madaliang pagkuha ng feedback at pagtatanong ng mga miyembro nito.
Ito ang paniniguro ni Amor Taccad, Corporate Services Officer II ng GSIS Public Relations and Communications Office sa nagdaang pagtitipon ng mga regional government information officers.
Sinabi ni Taccad na ang GSIS ay magtatayo ng full-fledged call center sa pagtatapos ng taong kasalukuyan para maaari na lamang itawag ng mga miyembro ang ang kanilang mga tanong at paglilinaw sa kanilang mga alalahanin na maari nilang gawin mismo sa kanilang mga tahanan.
“Gayundin, upang makatulong sa amin na makalat ang impormasyon ng aming programa, patuloy naming na panghahawakan ang regional at sectoral dialogues kasama ang aming mga parokyano na kinabibilangan ng mga miyembro ng government employee associations, liaison officers, at public information officers.” sabi ni Taccad.
Idinagdag pa ng opisyal ng GSIS na ang ahensya ay mangangasiwa ng buwanang forum para sa mga miyembro na gaganapin sa GSIS Central Office and Regional Offices sa buong bansa, kung saan ang mga kinatawan mula sa iba't ibang ahensya ay imbitado.
“Ang hakbang ay sadyang ipalulunsad upang makuha naming muli ang tiwala at pananalig ng mga miyembro ng GSIS na nawala noong nakaraang administrasyon.” Sabi ni Taccad.
Samantala, iba pang set ng forum ang magaganap ngayong taon na pagdadaluhan ng lahat ng information officers ng local nay unit ng pamahalaan ng Caraga Region.
Matatandaang ang nasabing ahensya ay napuno ng kontrobersiya noong nakaraang administrasyon. (PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: Blessing sa Procurement Service Depot sa Surigao nagmalampuson
SURIGAO CITY, Hunyo 15 (PIA) – Pagkahuman sa Monday morning sharing niadtong miaging adlaw malampusong gipahigayon ang re-opening ug blessing sa Procurement Service Depot sa Kapitolyo nga gibendisyunan ni Rev. Fr. Estong Virgen ug gitambungan nila Gobernador Sol Matugas, Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr., ug mga empleyado sa kapitolyo.
Ang maong okasyon gitambungan usab ni Executive Director Estanislao C. Granados, Jr. sa Procurement Service Manila nga mihatag usab sa iyang hamubo nga mensahe mahintungod sa 2003 Procurement Reform Law ug Procurement Services.
Si Granados namahayag nga ang depo adunay 350 common used items, mga items nga gikinahanglan sa operasyon sa opisina sa maayong kalidad ug barato pa.
Atol usab sa maong okasyon si Gobernador Sol Matugas namahayag nga ang procurement service usa ka pamaagi sa transparency ug integrity sa usa ka institusyon. Kinahanglan nga ang tanan nga mga transaction sa opisina moagi gayud sa procurement service alang na sa accountability ug good governance.
Ang Gobernador nanghinaut usab nga magmalamboon ug magmalampuson ang partnership tali sa Department of Budget and Management ug sa probinsya sa Surigao del Norte alang sa pagkab-ot sa bag-ong Surigao. (Surigao del Norte-Provincial Information Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Cebuano News: Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas nadismaya
ni Annette P. Villaces
SURIGAO CITY, June 15 (PIA) - Dismayado si Mayor Ernesto Matugas sa anomaliya nga nahitabo sa mga ming-retire nga mga empleyado sa city hall partikular na kang Mr. Pablito Paler diin matud pa, si Paler wala na maka-tunga sa pagdawat unta ug sertipiko ug pipila ka mga pahalipay lakip na ang tseke nga iya untang dawaton pina-agi kang Mayor Matugas nga maoy magduhol ngadto na sa iya atol na sa Flag Ceremony niadtong miaging adlaw Lunes, Hunyo 13, 2011.
Apan wala kini mahitabo kay wala na mutunga si Paler kay matod pa wala nay iyang dawatonon nga tseke.
Sa amo na panhitabo si Mayor Matugas nadismaya tungod kay para sa iya dili sakto ang nahitabo nga kuhaon o ihatag sa lain ang tseke nga para unta niya bisan pa kung may utang kini dapat unta adto una ihatag sa iya adiser mahatag sa lain.
Ang mayor hugot nga nagpahibalo nga siya dili muhunong hangtod dili niya masakpan ang responsable nga tawo para manubag ani nga problema. Dugang pa niini nga dili siya mutugot nga mahitabo kini sa iyang administrasyon tungod kay kini nga binuhatan dili gayud sakto.
Hinuon sa pagkakaron si Mayor Matugas mihimu na ug pakigpulong kauban ang mga department heads ug pakigsayod aron mahatagan dayun ug paklaro ug hingpit nga kasulbaran ning maong problema. (Surigao City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 (PIA) – Newly-sworn chairperson of the Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) and Governor of the Province of Surigao del Norte Dr. Sol F. Matugas on Tuesday said she accepts the mandate and is willing to face the challenges with the hope and faith that something good will come out of a strong RDC alliance.
During the RDC special full council meeting held in one of the local convention centers here, Gov. Matugas stressed that as RDC Chair, "It’s worth saying we need each other’s mind and heart to pursue the task of building a strong and progressive Caraga Region described as the poorest – even poorer than the ARMM.”
Gov. Matugas also said she is fortunate to be working with officials of Caraga Region as they share their commitment to support the program of the government of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III.
“I expect that with our collective effort, we see our challenges as opportunities for growth and development,” Matugas said
Gov. Matugas took her oath as the new RDC chair of the region on June 10, 2011 at MalacaΓ±ang Palace with Pres. Aquino administering the oath-taking ceremonies, who also personally chose her to lead the council. (PIA-Caraga)
Preparations underway for the grandest “Lisagan Festival” in Magallanes, Agusan del Norte
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 (PIA) – In time with the centennial celebration when the patron saint – Nuestra SeΓ±ora del Rosartio was brought to the municipality, the local government unit through the municipal tourism council is currently preparing for the staging of the grandest “Lisagan Festival”.
According to Sangguniang Bayan member Leah Georgette Amodia, chairman of the municipal tourism council, organizers of this year’s “Lisagan Festival” will be considering invitation to contingents in other provinces as far as the two provinces of Surigao, Agusan del Sur, and other seasoned contingents in other festivals within Caraga Region.
Amodia said the idea of inviting other contingents outside the municipality is due to the clamor of the people in Magallanes so that they can also witness the festivals of other provinces in the region.
The town official also said the concept of considering the invitation of other contingents also came out after some contingents from other provinces asked if they can participate during last year’s “Lisagan Festival”.
The idea was also supported by members of the local tri-media in Butuan City in a press conference held on Monday when they collaboratively said that since this year is the centennial celebration, it is fitting that “Lisagan Festival” will be staged on its grandest.
Amodia also informed those present that the LGU is still eyeing on the possible sponsors of the activity as this will need bigger budget for the prizes. “This is the reason why we are not opening the festival to other contingents outside the municipality because of the budget,” Amodia said.
However, the Department of Tourism (DOT) through Regional Director Leticia Tan vowed to assist the LGU in the conduct of the annual festival.
“Lisagan” comes from the word “lisag” which means to make some noise. Now on its tenth year of staging, the “Lisagan Festival” is starting to make names in the local festivals of Caraga Region. (PIA-Caraga)
Surigao del Sur to launch real property tax raffle bonanza
by Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, June 15 (PIA) – The Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur through the Treasurer’s Office is set to launch real property tax raffle bonanza.
According to Mrs. Cripa Geli, Assistant Provincial Treasurer here, a caravan of 19 vehicles representing its 17 municipalities and two (2) cities will mark the occasion by joining the Grand Parade for the opening Day on June 17 in time with the 51st Araw ng Surigao del Sur celebration on June 19.
Geli added, the official launch of said event which aims to encourage taxpayers to pay their current and/or delinquent dues will be held at the Provincial Sports Complex immediately after the parade being part of the opening program.
A taxpayer is entitled to up to three (3) tickets depending on the system of payment made in accordance with the raffle draw mechanics. (Radyo ng Bayan Tandag/PIA Surigao del Sur)
IFAD conducts design mission to Caraga
by Joie L. Ceballos
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 – Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Caraga Regional Director Faisar Mambuay announced that the International Fund for Agricultural Development of the United Nations (IFAD) Design Mission for Project CONVERGE successfully completed their 5-day visit to Caraga rcently.
The visit aims to meet and discuss with various groups, agencies and persons who are essential in coming up with a Project Design. Mambuay also clarified that IFAD’s next engagement in Caraga will open windows to integrate and harmonize the rural development efforts of DAR-DA and DENR following the National Convergence Initiatives (NCI) in order to contribute to poverty alleviation and food security programs of the government.
The team visited the Municipality of Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte, Barobo of Surigao del Sur and Bunawan of Agusan del Sur.
Bunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde expessed his “million million thanks to the IFAD” most specially for its previous NMCIREMP Program.
The 7-member team is composed of the IFAD Country Program Manager Youqiong Wang, Mission Team Leader Michael Rayner, IFAD Country Program Office to the Philippines Mr. Yolando Arban, Infrastructure Specialist Engr. Enrique Tajanlangit, Agribusiness Specialist Dr. Larry Digal, Procurement Specialist Dulce Cacha and Gender Specialist Virginia Verora.
The Project will hopefully benefit 5 cluster Agrarian Reform Communities in the region. (DAR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DENR, Red Cross conducts blood-letting drive
by Ronnel Lemuel Michael Val G. Calo
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) personnel took part in blood-letting activity held at the new multi-purpose covered court recently to comme¬morate the Philippines’ 113th Independence.
A 6-man team of volunteers from the Agusan del Norte-Butuan City chapter of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) supervised the activity that netted approximately 6,750 cubic centiliters of plasma.
DENR-13 Regional Technical Director for Environmental Research and Development Virgilio C. dela Cruz said, “becoming a hero does not only mean offering our lives for our country… but also offering our blood to the Red Cross.”
He alluded to the country’s hard-fought freedom and the recent anti-illegal logging operation by the Regional Task Force that encountered heavily-armed syndicates during anti-logging operations.
Dr. Edna C. del Rosario of the Red Cross said 50 prospective donors were screened but only 15 passed the stringent physical and blood tests. She said that only persons who have no alcohol and medication intake at least within 24 hours, are well rested, and generally healthy are considered for blood donation. (DENR-RPAO-13/PIA-Caraga)
Mayor Jun Amante leads Balangayan GK grand house build
by Malou C. Furia
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 – Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. recently led the Grand GK House Build in partnership with various stakeholders and NGOs.
Twenty-six housing units at Bgy. Pagatpatan in the 51 hectare relocation site will be ready for occupancy on July 2011. The houses will be built through a “padugo or bayanihan system” wherein each stakeholder will help in building the housing units.
City Housing Office records show that there are 2,800 homeless Butuanons living along the danger (flood) zone of Agusan River as of 2010. This figure represents 40 percent of the homeless residents who have slim chances of owning decent and affordable houses. The city government registered a total backlog of 4,815 homeless families that need to be relocated.
For now, the resettlement of more or less seventy (70) families living along the flood zone area of Butuan City under the Caraga Agusan River Basin Development Project (CARBDP) is listed as top priority of Mayor Ferdinand Amante in collaboration with Gawad Kalinga (GK) and other stakeholders.
The city government accumulated a total funding from various sectors: P5 million from the Gawad Kalinga and private sectors, P1.3 millon from the City Government and Php 1.2 million from the government employees. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)
13,380 Mindanao lumads benefit from MRDP
by Sherwin B. Manual
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 – A total of 13,380 lumads or indigenous peoples in Mindanao benefited from livelihood projects of the antipoverty program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Based on the report on the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) submitted to DA Sec. Proceso J. Alcala, 27 percent of the total 49,537 individual beneficiaries of the program are indigenous peoples (IPs) who belong to the most marginalized sectors of the rural Mindanao. Of this number, 7,665 were male and 5,715 were female.
THe MRDP aims to provide agribusiness opportunities and improve incomes of small farmers and fisherfolk and other vulnerable sectors of the society. It is a poverty alleviation initiative of DA in Mindanao jointly funded by the World Bank, the national government and the local government units.
Program director Lealyn A. Ramos said that the number is close to the overall target of 30 percent of indigenous people’s beneficiary of the Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD) component, the livelihood arm of the Program.
Caraga Region has served a total of 3,397 lumads mostly belong to Higa-onon and Mamanwa tribes in Agusan del Sur and Surigao Provinces. Region 12 has benefited 2,946 lumads belonging to Teduray, T’boli and B’laans from Cotabato and Sarangani Provinces.
Also, a total of 2,702 IPs composed of Ata, Manobo, Mansaka and Madaya of Davao Region benefited from the program. A total of 2,013 were from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) belonging to Tedurays and Samalians of Tawi-Tawi; Region 10 benefited 1,222 lumads; while 1,100 lumads were from Region 9 mostly of the Subanen tribe.
“With CFAD, we are applying the community driven development (CDD) procedures where the beneficiaries themselves identify the projects fit them,” said Ramos.
“Most projects of the IPs belong to the food security interventions category in our menu like animal and crop production, organic farming and diversified farming which are suitable to their cultural practices,” Ramos added.
To date, CFAD’s portfolio is pegged at P495.51 million with a total of 1,988 livelihood projects at various levels of implementation.
MRDP, now on its second phase under an adaptable program loan (APL) of the World Bank (WB), is set to be undergo mid-term assessment early next month. (DA-MRDP/PIA-Caraga)
DILG implements P1B foreign-assisted projects in Caraga
by Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 (PIA) – The Provincial Roads Management Facility (PRMF) under the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) has allocated some P898 million for a five-year program in infrastructure and capacity development for the recipient-provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte.
In 2011, Region XIII has completed the road rehabilitation projects of Taganaan-Himamaug-Cabongbongan Road (3.34 Km. Gravel Road), Mainit-Pacu-Bobonaon-Sison Road (2.70 Km Gravel Road), Sta. Monica-Roxas Gravel Road, Pisaan-Borbon Road (6.10 Km.) and the National Road Junction-Crossing Luna-Duangan Road.
The grants under the Capacity Development Component of the said PRMF include provision of GPS and GIS Data Development On-the-Job Training, eTRACTS user and Administration, Advance Windows 2008 Training, Materials Testing Workshop, Quantum Geographical Information System Seminar Workshop, Civil 3D AutoCAD Seminar Workshop.
The Millennium Development Goals Fund (MDGF 1919): Enhancing Access to and Provision of Water Services with the Active Participation of the Poor which is financed by United Nations Development Fund Program (UNDP) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has allocated a total Php486,500.00 for capacity development to its recipient-province-Agusan del Sur
MDGF 1919 which started last June 2009 has already conducted several capacity development workshops particularly on water and sanitation and other skills training having the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur and the Municipal Governments of Sibagat and La Paz as participants.
A total of Php21,000,000.00 was allocated by Strengthening of Local Governments in the Philippines Project (SLGP) funded by Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion para el del Desarrollo (AECID) for the third (3rd) phase of implementation which started last April 2011 and will end on February 2012.
The said amount will be used for capacity development trainings, capacity development support and eco park development project. (DILG-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
1100 barangay tanods trained to keep Butuan City safe
by Dulce M. Moran
BUTUAN CITY, June 15 – Due to concerns over the increasing criminality in Butuan City, the local government in coordination with the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) and the Department of the Iinterior and Local Government (DILG) initiated the barangay tanod orientation program.
This project is a capacity-building and skills training activity for barangay tanods, who act as force multipliers of the local police force. Through the program, they will be able to perform their duty as peace and order and public safety officers with a high sense of responsibility and integrity.
The training for the tanods of the 86 barangays were conducted simultaneously in 2 clusters in eight (8) batches from May 2 to May 10, 2011.
A total of 1100 barangay tanod graduated during the culmination program. As incentive, each tanod received insurance benefit from GSIS, barangay tanod uniform, identification card, night-stick and certificate of completion for having attended the orientation.
The culmination program was held at the Jose S. Aquino Covered Court at the Agusan National High School (ANHS) Compound. The activity was attended by the following personalities: Mayor Ferdindand M. Amante, Jr., Vice Mayor Lawrence Fortun, SP Member Ryan Anthony B. Culima, PSSupt Isagani F Genabe, Jr., PNP City Director Jose V Carillo, all station commanders of the BCPO, and DILG City Director Romeo A. Solis.
This project was the initiative of City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr., M.D., through the effort of SP Member Ryan Anthony B. Culima. (DILG-Buuan City/PIA-Caraga)
NEDA chief to grace Economic Summit in Surigao City
by FEAbkilan
SURIGAO CITY, June 15 (PIA) – The provincial government of Surigao del Norte will hold a Provincial Economic Summit today, June 15 at the Provincial Convention Center this city with National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Sec. Cayetano Paderanga as the keynote speaker.
The theme of this year’s summit is “Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth Towards Poverty Alleviation.”
Gov. Sol Matugas, the newly appointed Regional Development Council (RDC) chairperson of Caraga said the 1-day summit is aimed to present the clear development directions and local economic development thrusts to address the high incidence of poverty in the province.
“Various stakeholders are in the best position to provide the necessary programs and services delivery to achieve a better quality of life for people, particularly the poor,” said Matugas in a statement.
NEDA Caraga Director Carmencita Cochingco will formally introduce Sec. Paderanga during the program.
Invited to attend are the national agencies, provincial departments, provincial, city, municipal officials, non-organizations, private sector, business groups, and civil society organizations. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Tagalog News: Pagdalaw ni Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala sa Surigao del Sur, tinuring na biyaya
ni Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Hunyo 15 (PIA) – Mistulang hulog ng langit ang nagiging pagdalaw ni Agriculture Sec. Preceso Alcala sa Surigao del Sur nitong weekend.
Bukod sa dinaluhang Farmers’ Forum kung saan dininig ang mga hinaing ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda; nakipagpulong rin kina Gov. Johnny Pimentel at mga alkalde; ganun din nakipagharap sa mga lokal na namamahaya; at ilang mga proyekto rin ang sadyang binisitahan ng Kalihim sa Bayan ng Tandag, Tago at Barobo.
Ngunit sa pangkalahatan, ang mas higit na nais matugunan ni Alcala ay mapalawak pa ang serbisyo sa larangan ng patubig o irigasyon.
Nabatid na sa higit sa 26,000 ektaryang irrigable land sa buong lalawigan wala pang 4,000 ektarya ang kasalukuyang nakikinabang sa patubig. Ito ay dahil sa ang higit sa 9,000 target ng existing irrigation project, pawing kailangan isailalim sa reapir o kaya rehabilitasyon. (Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA Surigao del Sur)
Tagalog News: GSIS nangako ng bagong serbisyo sa mga miyembro
ni Imarc Verga
BUTUAN CITY – Hunyo 15 (PIA) – Sa pagsisikap na makuha uli ang tiwala at pananalig ng 1.7 milyong kasapi at pensioners, ang bagong pamunuan ng Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) ay gumawa ng makabagong paraan ng madaliang pagkuha ng feedback at pagtatanong ng mga miyembro nito.
Ito ang paniniguro ni Amor Taccad, Corporate Services Officer II ng GSIS Public Relations and Communications Office sa nagdaang pagtitipon ng mga regional government information officers.
Sinabi ni Taccad na ang GSIS ay magtatayo ng full-fledged call center sa pagtatapos ng taong kasalukuyan para maaari na lamang itawag ng mga miyembro ang ang kanilang mga tanong at paglilinaw sa kanilang mga alalahanin na maari nilang gawin mismo sa kanilang mga tahanan.
“Gayundin, upang makatulong sa amin na makalat ang impormasyon ng aming programa, patuloy naming na panghahawakan ang regional at sectoral dialogues kasama ang aming mga parokyano na kinabibilangan ng mga miyembro ng government employee associations, liaison officers, at public information officers.” sabi ni Taccad.
Idinagdag pa ng opisyal ng GSIS na ang ahensya ay mangangasiwa ng buwanang forum para sa mga miyembro na gaganapin sa GSIS Central Office and Regional Offices sa buong bansa, kung saan ang mga kinatawan mula sa iba't ibang ahensya ay imbitado.
“Ang hakbang ay sadyang ipalulunsad upang makuha naming muli ang tiwala at pananalig ng mga miyembro ng GSIS na nawala noong nakaraang administrasyon.” Sabi ni Taccad.
Samantala, iba pang set ng forum ang magaganap ngayong taon na pagdadaluhan ng lahat ng information officers ng local nay unit ng pamahalaan ng Caraga Region.
Matatandaang ang nasabing ahensya ay napuno ng kontrobersiya noong nakaraang administrasyon. (PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: Blessing sa Procurement Service Depot sa Surigao nagmalampuson
SURIGAO CITY, Hunyo 15 (PIA) – Pagkahuman sa Monday morning sharing niadtong miaging adlaw malampusong gipahigayon ang re-opening ug blessing sa Procurement Service Depot sa Kapitolyo nga gibendisyunan ni Rev. Fr. Estong Virgen ug gitambungan nila Gobernador Sol Matugas, Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr., ug mga empleyado sa kapitolyo.
Ang maong okasyon gitambungan usab ni Executive Director Estanislao C. Granados, Jr. sa Procurement Service Manila nga mihatag usab sa iyang hamubo nga mensahe mahintungod sa 2003 Procurement Reform Law ug Procurement Services.
Si Granados namahayag nga ang depo adunay 350 common used items, mga items nga gikinahanglan sa operasyon sa opisina sa maayong kalidad ug barato pa.
Atol usab sa maong okasyon si Gobernador Sol Matugas namahayag nga ang procurement service usa ka pamaagi sa transparency ug integrity sa usa ka institusyon. Kinahanglan nga ang tanan nga mga transaction sa opisina moagi gayud sa procurement service alang na sa accountability ug good governance.
Ang Gobernador nanghinaut usab nga magmalamboon ug magmalampuson ang partnership tali sa Department of Budget and Management ug sa probinsya sa Surigao del Norte alang sa pagkab-ot sa bag-ong Surigao. (Surigao del Norte-Provincial Information Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Cebuano News: Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas nadismaya
ni Annette P. Villaces
SURIGAO CITY, June 15 (PIA) - Dismayado si Mayor Ernesto Matugas sa anomaliya nga nahitabo sa mga ming-retire nga mga empleyado sa city hall partikular na kang Mr. Pablito Paler diin matud pa, si Paler wala na maka-tunga sa pagdawat unta ug sertipiko ug pipila ka mga pahalipay lakip na ang tseke nga iya untang dawaton pina-agi kang Mayor Matugas nga maoy magduhol ngadto na sa iya atol na sa Flag Ceremony niadtong miaging adlaw Lunes, Hunyo 13, 2011.
Apan wala kini mahitabo kay wala na mutunga si Paler kay matod pa wala nay iyang dawatonon nga tseke.
Sa amo na panhitabo si Mayor Matugas nadismaya tungod kay para sa iya dili sakto ang nahitabo nga kuhaon o ihatag sa lain ang tseke nga para unta niya bisan pa kung may utang kini dapat unta adto una ihatag sa iya adiser mahatag sa lain.
Ang mayor hugot nga nagpahibalo nga siya dili muhunong hangtod dili niya masakpan ang responsable nga tawo para manubag ani nga problema. Dugang pa niini nga dili siya mutugot nga mahitabo kini sa iyang administrasyon tungod kay kini nga binuhatan dili gayud sakto.
Hinuon sa pagkakaron si Mayor Matugas mihimu na ug pakigpulong kauban ang mga department heads ug pakigsayod aron mahatagan dayun ug paklaro ug hingpit nga kasulbaran ning maong problema. (Surigao City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
