PESO-Butuan conducts 2-day jobs fair
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of this city recently conducted two-day jobs fair in support to the jobs generation program of the national government.
Dubbed “Oportunidad Pantrabaho sa Butuan,” (Employment Opportunity for Butuan) the program is aimed to assist Butuanons in their quest to get employed in local and foreign companies.
In a radio interview, PESO-Butuan Manager Ronnie Azura said this move of the city government is in response to the increasing number of unemployment in the city especially that this coming March, another batch of college students are expected to graduate, “thus, adding to the unemployment rate of the country,” he added.
Azura further said the activity was a rare opportunity for big companies and agencies as they came here to recruit employees.
With this, Azura urged Butuanons to keep in touch with their office as more jobs fair activities are set to be conducted this year, in line with the jobs generation program of the local government here. (PIA-Caraga)
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Feature: More than 3,000 athletes to compete for 15th Caraga Reg'l. Athletic Meet
By David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- More than 3,000 athletes in colourful uniforms gathered yesterday at the D.O. Plaza Sports Complex for the opening of the 15th Caraga Regional Athletic Meet (CRAM) that will last for four days.
In spite of heavy rains the whole day, the weather condition did not reduce the eagerness of the delegation who proudly lined up in front of the main grand stand, bringing along their respective colourful banners and waving to the spectators that witnessed the opening of the biggest sports event in the entire Caraga Region.
“I am very proud and elated seeing all the delegation very eager to compete and display their skills in any sport events that they will compete. Looking at your faces even with the challenge of the rain, I can see that you display the greatness of sportsmanship, strong and determined to compete. Because of that, I can say that you are all winners by participating alone in this biggest sports event in the entire region. With this, I welcome you all in the province of Agusan del Sur and I pray, this event will end up successfully and with dignity,” Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza said when he delivered his welcome greetings.
Keynote speaker Atty. Roni Esguerra from the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education said, sports is the best way the schools can see development in a child. In sports, Esguerra said, a child can develop his mental, physical and emotional values that a person need in order to become a productive citizen of the country. And athletes are trained to have these values in order to win the game, and the challenge of life.
“In this event, the regional athletic meet, you were chosen as among the best from your respective municipalities and provinces, in order to compete here. As I see your faces, you are willing to give your best and to sacrifice and to bring honor to your respective places. The best players out of this event will represent your region to the National Athletic Meet in Lingayen and I know, you will bring back the colors of success,” Esguerra said.
As symbol that Agusan del Sur will be the official host for this year’s CRAM, Surigao del Norte provincial administrator representing Gov. Sol Matugas turned over the athletic banner to Gov. Plaza amidst the singing of the Caraga March by the Bayugan National Comprehensive High School, followed by the hoisting of the 2012 Caraga Regional Athletic Meet Banner. The hoisting of the delegation banners followed, then the entrance of the friendship torch and lighting of the urn by the star athletes of every delegation.
Ronn Sheina Asio, a medallist of the 2011 Palarong Pambansa from Agusan del Sur led the athletes’ oath of mateurism, while Bernard Abellana led the technical officials’ pledge.
While light rains showers on the athletes, DepEd Caraga Regional Office Officer-in-Charge Dr. Benigno formally declared the 15th CRAM open.
Making the opening ceremony merrier, students from the Agusan del Sur, clad in their colourful dresses and hats and other paraphernalia march to the ground for a mass demonstration. Then an exhibition of the drum and bugle from Bayugan National Comprehensive High School followed, while hats were thrown up in the skies by the athletes expressing their joy.
Their day to show and gauge their skills and ability began.
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3,063 delegates join in 15th Caraga Regional Athletic Meet
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- Around 3,063 delegates coming from nine divisions of Caraga Region participated in the 15th Caraga Regional Athletic Meet 2012 which opened yesterday, February 5, 2012 at the Patin-ay Grandstand, Agusan del Sur.
Surigao del Norte has 249 delegates, Surigao City - 238, Siargao - 183, Dinagat - 84, Bislig City - 250, Agusan del Norte - 391, Butuan City - 535, Surigao del Sur - 376, Agusan del Sur - 407, and officiating officials - 350.
There are 17 games for elementary level and eighteen games for high school level including arnis, basketball, volleyball, track and field, swimming, badminton, among others.
This year’s 15th Caraga Regional Meet is anchored on the theme, “Athletes in the new millennium; Building borderless partnership through sports.”
The region's sporting event will run until February 9, 2012. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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Development of 8-layer waterfalls in Butuan City barangay eyed
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- The city tourism is eyeing to develop the eight-layer waterfalls in Barangay Pianing to be one of the prospect tourist attractions of this city.
In an interview with a local radio station here, Joy Rojo, city tourism council officer-in-charge said the crystal water of the waterfalls invite visitors to experience the coolness and beauty of nature.
Rojo added those who were able to visit and see for themselves the nature’s gift have appreciated its scenic beauty.
To date, the official said they are coordinating with officials of the said barangay to request the city government and give them the authority to develop this one-of-a-kind gift of nature and be one of the potential tourist destinations here.
“We have already coordinated with the barangay officials and inform them that they give authority to the city government to develop the area,” Rojo said in Cebuano dialect.
The official further said one way of developing the area into a tourist destination is to create Public-Private Partnership, which is also pushed by the present administration as one of its flagship program.
“We must have a public-private partnership so that the development of the said area will be made fast… through this, we are also supporting this program of the Aquino administration,” Rojo said.
With this, the city tourism council is hoping that the tourism industry of this city will slowly develop to uplift its economic condition. (PIA-Caraga)
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PAEF announces Fulbright scholarship grants for Graduate student program
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- The Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) is calling all interested Filipino faculty members and professionals to apply for the scholarship of the 2013-2014 Fulbright graduate degree and non-degree study grants in the United States.
According to Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-Caraga website at www.chedcaraga.com, the program enables qualified Filipinos to pursue their graduate studies in their fields of interest in the United States and develop leaders who can contribute to promoting better understanding between the Philippines and the U.S.
Applications are accepted from faculty and staff of Philippine Universities and professionals from the private and government sectors.
Grants under the Philippine Student Program are for a maximum of one academic year for non-academic degree, one to two years for master’s and two years for doctoral degree studies.
The grant provides for round-trip international travel, monthly maintenance allowance, tuition and fees, book/supply allowance, as well as health and accident insurance.
Among the fields of study includes the Study of the United States. This focuses on the study of American culture, life, and society through such fields as government, education, arts and humanities, law, economics, literature, history, the multi-disciplinary field of American Studies or any other humanities social science field with significant study of the U.S. subject matter.
For the field of global issue, study include environment, human rights, civic education, governance and public administration, peace studies/conflict transformation, international relations and transnational issues, international economics, international business, international law, and information and communications technology (ICT).
Meanwhile for open grants, these are fields of study not covered by the first two fields categories with the exception of engineering, medicine, nursing, and other health-related disciplines, and applied sciences and mathematics.
Applicants must be Philippine citizenship and proficient in English. They must also have College degree with major in field of specialization for which they obtained excellent undergraduate record.
Also, applicants must have at least two years of professional work experience (after college) in their field of specialization.
Further, applicants for the degree programs must be not older than 40 years of age at the time of application. However, this age requirement is waived for non-degree study.
Furthermore, applicants must be in good health to pursue graduate work in the US, and more importantly, applicants must return to the Philippines immediately upon completion of study.
Non-degree applicants must meet the added requirements: a) Applicants for doctoral enrichment must be enrolled in a relevant study program in a Philippine university; b) Applicants for doctoral dissertation must show proof that materials required to pursue research are not available in the Philippines but are available in the United States.
Individuals holding dual citizenship, are permanent residents and/or are presently studying in the US are not eligible.
Needed requirements are as follows: 1) Official or certified transcript of records from all colleges/universities attended; 2) Certified true copy of diploma (not original); 3) Four letters of reference (forms are included with the application kit); 4) Completed seven (7)-page application form; and 5) NBI Clearance acquired in the past six (6) months.
Application period is from December 12, 2011 to March 23, 2012. Printed copy of completed applications must be received at the PAEF office on or before March 23, 2012. Grantees are expected to begin their studies in the U.S. in late August or early September of 2013.
For details, just log-on to http://www.fulbright.org.ph/ for which application forms can also be downloaded in the said website. (PIA-Caraga)
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PAGCOR, DepEd to strengthen sports dev’t in elementary division
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Department of Education (DepEd) have expressed support to strengthen sports development in the elementary division.
PAGCOR chair Cristino Naguiat announced in his speech Friday during the ceremonial turnover of school armchairs here that they have been coordinating with DepEd to develop new generation of athletes that will bring honor to the country in the future.
According to Naguiat, plans have been ironed out between PAGCOR and DepEd through Sec. Armin Luistro on the activities to be conducted. He added this was already discussed with the Philippine Football Federation and they have agreed to conduct football festivals to ages 8 to 12 nationwide.
He said PAGCOR will take care of all the expenses that will be participated by elementary pupils in all the regions nationwide.
He added that PAGCOR’s priority project is focused on education and sports development of schoolchildren, which is also supported by President Benigno Aquino III as he believed that the future of the country is with the youths.
Further, Naguiat said this project is called “Batang Azkals” in honor of the Philippines’ national football team “Azkals”, who has been making name recently in the world football league.
With this he said PAGCOR, DepEd and other concerned agencies is strongly supporting this project of the national government to prepare the youth for the country’s future in world sports. (PIA-Caraga)
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2013 Budget Process Starts in February
By Ian G. Miculob
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- Agency regional offices (AROs), state colleges and universities (SUCs) and special development authorities will prepare anew their respective annual budget for FY 2013 after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released the National Budget Memorandum (NBM) 112 on December 29, 2011.
Under NBM 112, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) – Caraga as the secretariat of the Regional Development Council (RDC) will formulate the guidelines in budget preparation in consultation with the DBM regional office.
The budget allocated for strategic programs and projects of the AROs and SUCs in the region in 2013 must respond to and support the following: President Aquino’s five areas of priorities of the “Social Contract with the Filipino People,” Caraga Regional Development Plan 2011-2016, Millennium Development Goals, and other development frameworks.
Adopting the bottom-up budgeting approach, the AROs and SUCs are required to consult the civil society organizations and the poorest municipalities of the region in the preparation of the agency budget. The Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development identified the 44 poorest municipalities in the region.
For the 2013 budget preparation, the agency can utilize its lump sum fund, augmenting the budget for every program or project. The agency sets the budget ceiling in every program and project and may utilize the lump sum fund to maximize the scarce resources while providing more to the needy beneficiaries in the countryside.
The RDC, which serves as the venue for budget consultation, is slated to review and deliberate the agency budgets in March during its Full Council Meeting prior to endorsement to the agency’s respective central offices. Sectoral meetings are scheduled to conduct the initial budget review on the following dates: February 21 (Social Development Committee Meeting), February 22 (Economic Development Committee Meeting), and February 24 (Development Administration Committee and Infrastructure Development Committee Meeting).
Last year, the RDC endorsed the P21.8 billion 2012 budget of 20 AROs and four SUCs for the different programs and projects in Caraga Region. The Aquino administration, on the other hand, through Congress, approved a 37.9 percent increase which amounted to PhP30.2 billion budget for Caraga in 2012. (NEDA-Caraga)
