‘Surigao Shakedown’ civil defense exercise held in Surigao City
ni Annette Villaces
SURIGAO CITY, July 27 (PIA) -- The week-long civil defense exercise dubbed “Surigao Shakedown” was successfully held in the city on July 18-22, 2011. July is National Disaster Consciousness Month.
The opening celebration began with the launching of the “Surigao Shakedown” with city mayor Ernesto T. Matugas, chairman of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) as the guest of honor.
On July 22, a citywide simultaneous earthquake drill was led by BFP-Surigao City, QART, and Chinese Fire Brigade Volunteer and participated by 85 schools in the city, national government agencies, private sectors, and employees.
These series of activities were meant to test the disaster preparedness measures among the local populace, and evaluate the actual preparedness levels and capabilities of the city during disasters and calamities.
Other activities highlighting the celebration included a Maritime Search and Rescue Drill at the city boulevard followed by a Bomb Treat Drill conducted by the Philippine Maritime Group, Philippine Navy, Surigao City Quick Action Response Team (QART), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), K-9 Group, Phil. National Police, selected maritime students of Surigao Education Center, and all participating teams of the council at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) terminal.(Surigao City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Free surgical eye care program a success
by Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, July 27 (PIA) -- The free surgical eye program here dubbed “Vision 2020-Surigao del Sur-the Right to Sight Program was conducted successfully.
According to Mr. Tomasito “Dongay Pareja, executive Assistant to the Governor, a total of 114 less fortunate people patients with eye defects, especially those with Cataract and Squint, had availed of free Medical-Surgical Operation and Check-up from July 20-22 at the Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center (ASTMMC).
Pareja noted, the average cost of undergoing such surgical operation amounts to P50,000.
With the theme: “Marajaw na Panan-aw Surigao,” the program was a joint project of the Provincial Government and the 1st Congressional District Office here through Gov. Johnny Pimentel and Cong. Pichay in partnership with the Physicians for Peace-Seeing Clearly, a non-government organization based in the US.
The Physicians for Peace headed by Dr. Juan Montero II, a native of this province, came all the way from the United States. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
CRRM, BFP rescues suicidal 26-year old man
by Noel B. Najarro
BUTUAN CITY, July 27 (PIA) -- The City Risk Reduction and Management Team (CCRMT) and the City’s Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)last Monday safely rescued a 26-year old man who attempted to commit suicide by scaling the more or less 60-foot lattice steel tower of the National Power Corporation. The said tower, located at Eminville Subdivision, Brgy. Ambago this city has the capacity of transmitting 69,000 volts of electric power.
The suicide attempt rendered half of the city without electricity for at least two hours as ANECO had to cut off electric transmission leading to the affected area to prevent the young man from being electrocuted. Electricity in portions of Brgy. Ambago and its vicinities were restored only after five hours until the crisis was finally over.
The victim identified by the police as Abel “Bimbim” Apat, 26 years old, and a resident of Paradise, Brgy. Libertad in Butuan City climbed to the top of the tower early morning shouting out his demands. He threatened to jump off, and did acrobatics, executed a yoga exercise and many other things for more or less seven hours. He could have fallen 60 feet down.
Earlier efforts to convince him to come down from the tower failed.
It was then that the CRRMT's help was finally sought, and the city government readily responded. The risk reduction management team was sent by Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante led by Mr. Rodel Lausa, and other concerned agencies also lend their assistance to help abate the crisis, including the police regional office which sent in PCInsp. (Fr.) Marlou Labares, the regional chaplain and PSupt. Martin M. Gamba, the chief PIO.
A crisis management committee to deal with the situation was formed with BCPS3 Precinct Commander PSupt. Manuel Jimenez as the ground commander, Fr. Labares as the chief negotiator and with PSupt. Gamba acting as the information officer under the oversight of Hon. Ryan Culima, the chair of the city council police, peace and order and public safety committee. CRRMT’s Rodel Lausa acted as the operations officer.
It was immediately decided that all means of negotiations to be led by Fr. Labares must be exhausted. Meanwhile, Lausa and his team prepared an alternative plan, which is the forceful extraction of the victim from the tower pinnacle in case negotiations failed. The final option was the granting of Apat’s request for a Pastor to come and talk to him. But when it was sensed by the rescuers that even this would lead nowhere, the plan to use necessary force was implemented.
With the negotiation going on led by Fr. Labares in order to divert the subject’s attention, Lausa commissioned a member of the CRRMT and the BFP to scale up the tower. Below were the rest of the contingents assisted by the PNP personnel and the rest of the agencies under the CRRMC, were so focused on their assigned respective roles, some holding a widespread thick tarpaulin material enough to catch and cushion the impact just in case if the subject may decide to jump or may possibly fall. Medics and two ambulances were also on standby. The two rescuers assigned to bring Apat down reached the subject and successfully attached the harness at 11:30 A.M. Apat did not show any more resistance as the two rescuers made their way down, now bringing him with them to safety.
At 12:40 A.M. the rescuers reached the ground with the subject who was immediately assisted by the medics, and was rushed by one of the ambulances to Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital. (PIA-Caraga)
New approach on info management set by PPIO Agsur
by David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, July 27 (PIA) -- The Agusan del Sur Provincial Public Information Office (PPIO) has spent two days formulating plans and strategies in order to become more effective and efficient in the delivery of information that the Agusanons need to be updated on what the local government units are doing, from the municipal, provincial and national levels.
Speaking before an audience composed of personnel under his direct supervision, Alfredo “Nonoc” Plaza, manager of the PPIO differentiated “oljorn” and “mojorn” in terms of speed and cost of delivering information.
“Oljorn” stands for a old journalism, where a writer spent hours gathering data, and another countless hours typing the news using the old typewriter, before sending the article to base, taking another day before the base could receive the article. On the other hand, the “mojorn” stands for modern journalism, where a journalist spends a little time covering the event or gathering data, using modern equipments and facilities, and in an instant, sending the articles, even with pictures and footages to base ready for printing and airing.
“What I mean on this is, our office has the commitment both to the provincial government, the people of Agusan del Sur and all those who can be reached by our media, (the DXDA and the National Broadcasting Network (NBN) to deliver the information that affect their daily lives, and could trigger participation among them. It is therefore our responsibility to equip ourselves with updated knowledge and capability to deliver the information as interesting and as educational as they are in a very descent and timely way,” Plaza said.
The offices under the PPIO namely the provincial library, radio station DXDA, the NBN and the public affairs and media relations office, were then divided according to their assignments and were subjected to prepare their annual plans, targets and activities based on the strategic planning balance scorecard set by the provincial government.
The workshop outputs workshop will be consolidated by the representatives from the four sections of PPIO and presented to Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza.
The two-day workshop ended on a high note as participants looked forward to providing better service to their customers, especially the people of Agusan del Sur. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
CSC opens Nat’l Photography Contest to public servants
by Jennifer P. Gaitano
The contest hopes to capture through photographs the essence of public service at its best in the Filipino’s everyday life.
The photo contest is open to all public servants/government employees holding permanent positions – except employees of the CSC and all government employees affiliated with the National Press Club (NPC) and Press Photographers of the Philippines (PPP).
According to CSC-Caraga Regional Director Adams Torres, photographs must have been shot by the entrants since the start of the term of Pres. Benigno Simeon Aquino III. For a photo in which a person is recognizable, the photographer is responsible for securing permission from that person or, in the case of a minor, from the subject’s parent or guardian.
“The following photographs are disqualified: photographs that are digitally or otherwise enhanced or altered for creative purposes; photographs that have been submitted to or won in any other contests or have been published in print or online; photos that violate another person’s rights, including but not limited to copyright,” Torres said.
The following are the criteria for judging: Relevance to the theme (how well the photo interprets the theme) – 25%; Creativity (how the photographer showed some creative thoughts and how the subject matter is pictures in a unique and interesting way) – 25%; Technique (use of elements of photography, whether the photo showed balance in light, focus, depth of field, ect.) – 25%; Overall Impact (whether the photo was bale to grab and hold the viewers’ attention and made them wish they were when the event happened) – 25%, which total to 100%.
Torres also bared that each of the 16 CSC regional offices, through a panel of judges will pre-screen the entries based on the established criteria for judging. Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, CAR, Caraga and ARMM will select the top three among the entries received.
On the other hand, considering the size and population, regions 4, 7, 11 and NCR will select the top ten entries. Only selected entries will have a chance to compete in the national level to be held at the CSC-Central Office, Manila.
Also, for final screening at the CSC Central Office, the entries forwarded by the regional offices shall be judged by the panel composed of representatives from partner organizations and the commission. The first, second and third prize winners will be chosen from the top ten finalists.
For interested participants in Caraga, Dir. Torres encourages all to complete the entry form from the CSC office and submit the entry/photograph in an 8R size, color print, unmounted and in JPEG format file with a minmum size of 1MB in a Compact Disk (CD).
First prize winner will receive Php 10,000.00 cash; second prize – Php 5,000.00; third prize – Php 3,000.00. The top ten winning photos will be used for various publications and marketing collaterals of the CSC as well as exhibited in selected government galleries, and as incentive to participants, all other entries will have the chance to be featured in CSC materials along with the names of the photographers.
Meanwhile, awarding of winners will be in September 2011 (specific date and place to be announced) within the month long celebration of the 111th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary.
For more details on the photo contest, Dir. Torres encourages everyone to contact the Personnel Relations Office at telefax No. (02) 931-4149 or any CSC Regional/Field Offices. (PIA-Caraga)
ni Jerylle Anne Rivera
BUTUAN CITY, Hulyo 27 (PIA) -- Ang Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga Regional Office sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) ay nagsagawa kamakailan ng oryentasyon sa pagtatagubilin sa lagay ng panahon at sa droppler radar para sa Technical Working group (TWG) sa mga konseho ng Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
Ang mga nasabing aktibidad ay sa pagsunod sa “National Disaster Consciousness Month, (NDCM). Ang layon sa tema sa taong ito na ay “Makialam. Makiisa. Sa Pagsugpo ng Panganib, may Maitulong Ka.”
Ayon sa RDRRMC action officer of DOST-Caraga at Asst. Regional Director Dominga Mallonga, ang layunin ng nasabing oryentasyon at pagtatagubilin ay ang mga sumusunod: (1) para sa karagdagang kaalaman sa lagay ng panahon sa Caraga region upang makapaghanda sa mga posibling kalamidad sa rehiyon; (2) upang turuan ang mga miyembro ng TWG kung papa-ano gamitin ang droppler radar para sa pag oobserbara at pagsusuri sa takbo nng panahon.
Bago pumunta sa Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, ang mga miyembro ng TWG ay bumisita muna sa opisina ng Philippine Rice (PhilRice) Caraga Regional Office in RTR, Agusan del Norte upang malaman ang mga bagong impormasyon at kaunlaran sa mga serbisyo nila sa mga magsasaka at sa kabuuan ay maging sa pobliko.
Nang dumating ang mga miyembro ng TWG sa estasyon ng Hinatuan, tinuruan sila ng mga tauhan sa DOST, at maging ang mga tauhan ng Philppine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) sa pag gamit ng droppler radar at sa mga parte nito.
Sa pagpapatupad at pangunguna nito, umaasa ang mga miyembro ng taga RDRRMC TWG na mas lalong matuto sa mga stratehiya at pamamaraan kung papaano maiiwasan ang mga aksidente sa kalagitnaan ng kalamidad at pagmanman at pag-update sa lagay ng panahon kada oras, upang mapaalam sa publiko at ng silay makapaghanda. (PIA-Caraga)
ni Erma Dabalos
BUTUAN CITY, Hulyo 27 (PIA) –- Ipinagdiwang ng 402nd Infantry (Stingers) ang kanilang ika-38 "foundation anniversary" sa isang simple ngunit hindi malilimutang seremonya na isinagawa kamakailan lamang sa Camp D.O. Plaza in New Leyte, Awa, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Sa talumpati ni Bise Gobernador Santiago Cane, binigyang diin niya ang ikahalagahan ng papel ng mga tropa ng gobyerno sa pagsisiguro sa kaligtasan sa lahat ng probinsya ng Caraga Region, lalo na sa Agusan del Sur kung saan ang peace and order ay mahalagang adhikain ng provincial government.
Ani Vice Governor Cane, dahil sa mabuting pamumuno ni Col. Rodrigo Diapana, ang Brigade’s Commander, matatag na ang katahimikan at kaayusan sa Agusan del Sur at patuloy na mas nagiging matatag habang ang kasundalohan ay sinisigurong ang mga tao ay magiging ligtas sa lahat ng oras.
“Ang presensiya ng 402nd Brigade of our Philippine Army sa buong Caraga Region ay
nakapagbibigay ng katiwasayan at kapayapaan lalong lao na sa Agusan del Norte. Sa
katunayan, ang Agusan del Sur at Caraga Region ay idineklarang isa sa mga mapayapang
rehiyon ng bansa,” sabi ni Cane.
Pinuri din ng opisyal ang katapangan at kabayanihan na ipinakita ng mga kalalakihan at
kababaihan ng 402nd Brigade sa pagsasakripisyo nila sa kanilang buhay para makamit ang pangmatagalang kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa Caraga Region.
“Malaki ang aking pasasalamat at utang na loob sa ating mga sundalo mula sa 402nd Infantry Brigade sa pagsasagawa sa inyong trabaho sa pagsisiguro na sa Caraga Region, ang kapayapaan at katatagan ay dapat maging tala sa araw-araw na operasyon,” dagdag pa niya.
Idinagdag pa ni Cane na “Naiintindihan namin na marami nang buhay ang isinakripisyo ng mga sundalo mula sa 402nd Infantry Battalion, para lamang masiguro na ang lahat ng Pilipino sa bahaging ito ng bansa ay makaaranas ng kapayapaan.
Dahil dito, hinimok ng bise gobernador ang komunidad na suportahan ang lahat ng gagawin ng government troops dahil ito ang maghahatid sa kapayapaan tungo sa pag-unlad ng probinsiya. (PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: Palasyo misumiter na sa proposed P1.816-trillion budget alang sa 2012 ngadto sa kongreso
ni Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, July 27 (PIA) -- Ang malakanyang misumiter na ngadto sa kongreso kagahapong adlawa Martes sa proposed P1.816-trillion budget alang sa 2012, nga mitaas og P171 billion o 10.4 porsyento kaysa kasamtangan P1.645-trillion nga budget.
Ang proposed 2012 national budget nagrepresentar og 16.5 posyento sa projected gross domestic product (GDP) ug binase sa conservative growth assumption nga 5.5 porsyento bisan pa kung ang administrasyon magpadayon pagkab-ot sa 7-8 porsyento nga tubo sa 2012.
Si Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad personal nga mitunol sa kopya sa proposed 2012 national budget kang Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. ug uban pang mga magbabalaod.
Si Abad miingon nga ang budget deficit gikatakdang mokunhod og P286 billion o 2.6 porsyento nga GDP, mas ubos sa target karong tuiga nga P300 billion o tulo ka porsyento sa GDP.
Siya miingon nga kini subay sa tuyo aron kunhoran ang budget deficit og duha ka porsyento nga GDP sa 2013.
"The 2012 national budget is a results-focused budget that is focused on fulfilling President (Benigno) Aquino III’s social contract with the Filipino people," ang DBM secretary miingon.
"We have scaled up funding for programs and projects that lead to direct, immediate and substantial benefits to the poor. At the same time, we scaled down funding for activities which have been ineffective and prone to corruption," siya midugang.
Belmonte said the early submission of the proposed budget to Congress by Malacanang means they will be able to deliberate on this sooner, unlike in the past.
Si Belmonte miingon ang sayo nga pagsumiter sa proposed budget ngadto sa Kongreso nagpasabot nga sila makahimo og sayo nga pagtuki niini, lahi kaysa miagi.
"We will do our earnest to see to it that we follow a schedule to enable the President to approve it before the end of the year," siya miingon.
Si Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, ang chairman sa House appropriations committee, miingon nga ang pagtuki niini magsugod sa Agosto 1, ug siya nanghinaut nga ang maong budget mapirmahan sa Desyembre 15.
Ubos sa proposed 2012 General Appropriations Act (GAA), ang Department of Education (DepEd) magpadayon nga makadawat sa pinakataas nga alokasyon, nga P238.8 billion, pagasundan sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) nga P125.5 billion, ug ang Department of National Defense (DND) nga adunay P107.9 billion. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
