(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 30 October 2024) At 3:00 AM today, the center of the eye of Typhoon "LEON" {KONG-REY} was estimated based on all available data at 380 km East of Aparri, Cagayan or 395 km East of Calayan, Cagayan (18.8 °N, 125.2°E) with maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h and gustiness of up to 205 km/h. It is moving West Northwestward at 15 km/h. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Moderate to Strong winds coming from West to Southwest will prevail with moderate to rough seas / (2.1 to 3.5 meters).


PIA News Service - Friday, May 18, 2012

Official assures no “fixers” in Pag-IBIG Butuan

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, May 18 (PIA) -- An official of Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or the Pag-Ibig Fund here assured that there are no 'fixers' proliferating outside their office.

According to Noli Quimbo of Pag-Ibig Fund Butuan Branch, members are required to personally file and do all the transactions they need with the agency.

“We discouraged all members to transact with the so-called ‘fixers’… we advised them to personally submit required documents as well as to transact everything they need in Pag-Ibig Fund,” Quimbo said.

The official explained those individuals who are seen bringing more documents are not fixers but fund coordinators who come from establishments located in far-flung areas like in Agusan del Sur and other provinces in the region.

Quimbo said fund coordinators are those assigned by their respective companies and/or establishments who are responsible to transact with HDMF.

He stressed they do not entertain transactions if the members are not present, except for the official fund coordinators of the member-companies.

This is part of the agency's compliance to the Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 aimed to improve efficiency in the delivery of government service to the public by reducing bureaucratic red tape, preventing graft and corruption, and providing penalties for those who will violate. (RER/PIA-Caraga)

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PIA-Caraga personnel conducts echo cum briefing on incident command system

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, May 18 (PIA) –- Personnel of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) - Caraga Region conducted today echo cum briefing on the agency’s role in the incident command system, a systematic tool used for the command, control, and coordination of emergency response.

Jennifer Gaitano, PIA-Caraga monitoring officer and the agency’s assistant focal person to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), emphasized that the establishment of the incident command system is to provide a systematic and orderly response in time of emergencies and disasters.

She added that during disasters, all agencies under the council have their respective responsibilities.

For the part of PIA, Gaitano said communication support must at all times be provided during the actual disaster. “Thus, PIA personnel must be present on the site where the disaster happened,” she said.

Also, Gaitano added PIA is in-charge of controlling the communication flow from the source of the information to the recipients through the use of communication channels such as the local tri-media.

Moreover, she said under the incident command system, PIA is responsible to disseminate whatever information will be made by the incident command team under the regional level.

“Personnel from PIA will serve as official spokesperson of the team in the regional level subject for the approval of the local chief executives in the area where the disaster happened,” Gaitano added.

In the case where the local chief executives choose their local public information officers to serve as spokespersons, then PIA will give way.

Gaitano attended the Basic/Intermediate Course on Incident Command System held at Lipata, Surigao City on May 7 to 11, 2012.

The incident command system was introduced in the Philippines through the ASEAN-US Cooperation on Disaster Management. The Phase 1 was held on 2004-2006 and Phase 2 was conducted on 2009-2012. The system was made possible through the US Department of Agriculture – Forest Service (US DA-FS) as implementing agency and USAID as funding agency. (RER/PIA-Caraga)

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CSC-Caraga region announces penology officers' exam

By Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY, May 18 (PIA) -– The Civil Service Commission (CSC) - Caraga regional office announced the conduct of the Penology Officer Examination on August 12.

According to CSC-Caraga Regional Director Adams D. Torres, the passers will be qualified to the position of second level ranks in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

The official further said the passers of the said examination will be called Penology Officer Eligibility and considered appropriate to the second level ranks in the jail management and penology, and will also fit to the qualification of the other functionally related services, except for ranks under the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The following are the requirements for the application of the examination: 1.) Fully accomplished Application form (CS Form No. 100, Revised 2012), 2.) Four (4) copies of identical I.D pictures, 3.) Original and photocopy of any valid I.D containing applicant’s clear picture, date of birth, signature and the signature of the authorized head of the issuing agency, 4.) Examination fee of Seven Hundred Pesos (Php 700.00).

For interested applicants, Dir. Torres said application forms are available at any CSC Regional and field offices or they can download it from the CSC website at www.csc.gov.ph.

Torres further reminded the applicants to accomplish the application requirements thoroughly.

The scope of the examination is focused on General Ability (25%) which is Verbal, Analytical, and Numerical and the on the Specialized Area are: A) Jail Management Concepts and Applications of the following: 1.) Commitment and Classification of Inmates/Prisoners’/Detainees (5%), 2.) Reception Procedures, Classification and Disciplinary Boards, and Punishable Acts of Inmates (20%), 3.) Treatment of the Inmates with Special Needs (5%), with a total of 30%, B) Custodial Concepts and Applications (45%), C) Inmates Welfare and Development (IWD) Programs (15%), D) BJMP Administrative Matters (10%).

Deadline for the filing of the application is on June 28, 2012. To be able to pass the examination, Dir. Torres said the examinees should obtain the passing rate of at least 80.00. (RER/PIA-Caraga)

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Food Fest, Agri-aqua Trade Fair winners named

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, May 18 (PIA) -- The winners of various cooking showdowns and other contests staged during the Pagkaong Surigaonon Food Festival and Agri-Aqua Trade Fair at the Surigao Provincial Gymnasium were named recently.

The series of events formed part of the celebration of the 111th Founding Anniversary of the Province of Surigao last May 15.

In the Surigaonon Cuisine Cooking competition, first place was “Nilamasang Isda” of Joel Sembrano from Brgy. Serna, Surigao City, second place was “Adobo Seafood” of Junepit Ebol from Brgy. Bonifacio, Surigao City, and the third place was “Moymoy Special” of Reynaldo Alabat from Phil. Women’s University (PWU).

Marjune Catay from Surigao Stare College of Technology (SSCT) grabbed the first prize winner for the Kinilaw competition with his “Kinilaw Jumarjunam” entry. “Kinilaw na Tuna” of Joel Sembrano from Brgy. Serna was named second while “Kinilaw Special” of Angelo Christopher Belsonda from SSCT was named third.

“Kalamunggay Maja” of Jimverlyn Camingue from Brgy. Serna won first in Surigao Native Delicacies Contest. The “Ube de Coco Especial” of Lorraine Laosinguan from SSCT got second place, and the “Subik Delight” of Joel Sembrano from Brgy. Serna won third place.

Winners for the Gigaquit rhum mixing competition were Ronnel Dimatera of SSCT (first), Juanico Verjohn of PWU (second) and Vinelson Ajoc of SSCT (third).

SSCT bagged the first place in the flowers and fruit arrangement competition, which was designed by Jake Balili. Second place went to Ghilbert Suquib of PWU, and third place went to LGU- Sta. Monica entry designed by Mandelita Espin.

In table skirting, May Ann Navarro and Ma. Levi Eviota of SSCT won first, Milcah Cadavis and Juanico Vejohn of PWU got second place, and Regina Makabuha and Edgardo Besande of LGU-Sison won third place. In table setting, Jayson Escobal of STI bagged the first place. Second place went to Remjunn Macarine of SSCT and Tommy Edim of Brgy. Quezon, Surigao City was named third.

Meanwhile, the booth from Lake Mainit cluster was named first place winner in the Agri-Aqua Trade Fair with plaque and P50,000 cash prize. Second place went to Hinatuan Passage Development Alliance (HIPADA) cluster with plaque and P30,000 cash prize. The Surigao City Agriculture cluster was named third with plaque and P20,000 cash prize.

Lastly, the Philippine Ports Authority was proclaimed grand winner in the centennial float parade. The float from the Surigao Muslim Association was named second while Surigao City DepEd was named third.

Awarding of prizes will be done on Monday during the Monday Morning Sharing at the Provincial Capitol. (FEA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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21 barangays receive P1M each from Tandag City LGU during CIVAC

By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 18 (PIA) -- A total of 21 barangays received P1 million each during the Civic Action (CIVAC) program of the city government held recently.

According to City Administrator Aldy Novo, the program, dubbed “Bisitang Barangay 2012-Serbisyo sa Katawhan ni Mayor “Alexander 'Ayek' Pimentel," aimed to implement infrastructure development and strengthen livelihood programs of all barangays here.

Novo also said through implementing infrastructure development and strengthening livelihood programs, this can help in alleviating poverty in the province as more residents can avail of livelihood opportunities offered by the city government.

Also, several basic services were served to the local constituents for which two barangays are set to be visited daily. However, the poblacion barangays of Telaje, Bongtud, Mabua and Dagocdoc are scheduled to have a whole day visit.

Novo stressed, the beneficiaries avail free medical and dental check-up, civil registration and more services in collaboration with the different agencies here. (RER/NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

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Council welcomes BCWD’s move to take lead in managing Taguibo Watershed

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, May 18 (PIA) –- Council members of the Taguibo Watershed Management welcomed the move of Butuan City Water District (BCWD) in taking the lead to manage the said watershed.

This, after the council chair and Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Caraga Regional Executive Director (RED) Leonardo Sibbaluca got the consensus of the members of whether or not to adopt BCWD’s Board Resolution 095-2011 requesting the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines through the DENR for the city’s water district to take the lead in managing, administering, operating and maintaining of the Taguibo Watershed Forest Reserve.

During Friday’s convergence of the council members at the DENR-Caraga Regional Training Center, Sibbaluca pointed out that the council’s decision will benefit the entire public, especially the people in Butuan City who are the clients of BCWD.

With this, the official said stakeholders from the public and private sectors should take their responsibilities to save and protect the Taguibo Watershed “as this is the only source of potable water in the city,” Sibbaluca said.

Further, Sibbaluca urged BCWD General Manager Engr. Anselmo Sang Tian not only to protect the watershed. He said the management of BCWD should also consider to conduct reforestation programs in the area.

“In this way, we could be able to preserve and save the watershed,” Sibbaluca stressed.

Furthermore, the region’s DENR chief also gave his support to the move of the BCWD saying that the agency is very willing to work with them (BCWD) to help preserve the environment.

On September 17, 2011, Engr. Sang Tian sent a letter to Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III requesting the land’s chief executive to take over the management, administration, operation and maintenance of Taguibo River Watershed Forest Reserve pursuant to the provisions of Presidential Decree 198 specifically Section 31 (e) thereof as amended by Section 6 of Presidential Decree 1479.

The proposed resolution disclosed that there is a need for the Taguibo River Watershed Forest Reserve to accelerate the protection and preservation from further denudation and mutilation to ensure sustainable supply of water resources to meet the needs of community for safe drinking water in the city of Butuan. (RER/PIA-Caraga)

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Tagalog news: Hepe ng NCIP nangakong hubugin ang mga katutubo sa pamamagitan ng scholarship program

Ni Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 18 (PIA) – Ipinangako ng hepe ng National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) dito sa Caraga region na huhubugin ang mga kabataang katutubo sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng scholarship programs upang ang mga ito ay makapagtapos ng pag-aaral.

Ito'y matapos napabalitang ang ahensya ay sumusuporta sa walong kabataang IPs na una nang nakakuha ng scholar ng merit-based scholarship program na ibinahagi ng NCIP sa rehiyon.

Ayon kay NCIP-Caraga Regional Director Dominador Gomez, ang merit-based scholarship program ay isinagawa upang mabigyang tulong ang mga kabataang katutubo sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay oportunidad na makapag-aral.

Sinabi din niya na ang mga scholars ay magsisilbing knowledge multipliers sa iba pang kabataang katribo nila upang magbigay din ng kanilang nalalaman sa pormal na edukasyon.

Nang ang mga ito'y makapagtapos na ng pag-aaral, hinihimok ng opisyal na tumulong sila sa pagpaplano ng estratehiya para sa kaunlaran na gagawin ng kani-kanilang datu para sa kapakanan ng kanilang tribu.

“Ang pakay ng programa ay magbigay ng oportunidad sa ating mga kasamahang katutubo, lalo na sa kabataan na magkaroon ng ng libreng edukasyon sa kolehiyo at kung sila'y makapagtapos na, sila ay babalik sa kanilang tribu upang magbigay din ng tulong sa kanilang katribu pati na sa kanilang komunidad para sa kaunlaran nila,” sinabi ni Gomez.

Idinagdag din ni Dir. Gomez na ang walong NCIP scholars ay mag-eerol sa mga state colleges at unibersidad sa rehiyon at ang pormal na pag-aaral nila ay magsisimula ngayong Hunyo 2012, na siya ring pagsisismula ng programa ngayon pasukan.

Dagdag ni Gomez, ang NCIP-Caraga ay naglaan ng budget sa programa simula ngayong taon. Naniniwala ang opisyal na sa lalong madaling panahon, ang mga katutubo sa rehiyon lalo na ang mga kabataan sa bagong henerasyon ay magkaroon ng edukasyon para sila ay maaari nang manguna sa kanilang tribu sa darating na panahon.

Sinabi ni Gomez na sa ganitong paraan, ang mga tagalabas na hindi nabibilang sa tribu ay hindi mabibigyan ng pagkakataon na manguna sa kanilang tribu.

Ang mga naunang scholars ng programa ay nanggaling sa ibat-ibang tribu sa rehiyon, kagaya ng Banwahon, Manobo, Mamanwa, at Higaonon, na nag-qualify sa screening na isinagawa ng NCIP-Caraga. (RER/PIA-Caraga)

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Tagalog news: Mga police chiefs ng Caraga maaring ma-relieve kung hindi mabigyan solusyon ang mga krimen

Ni Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 18 (PIA) –- Maaring ma-relieve ang mga hepe ng pulisya sa Caraga Region kung ang mga ito ay hindi makaresolba ng mga krimen na nangyayari sa kani-kanilang lugar.

Ayon kay PCSupt Reynaldo Rafal, Regional Director ng Police Regional Office (PRO)-13, patuloy nilang ini-evaluate ang performance ng lahat ng hepe ng mga kapulisan sa rehiyon, lalo na sa mga munisipyo base sa kanilang pagtupad sa kanilang tungkulin at maging sa pagreresolba ng mga krimen sa kanilang AORs.

“Sa ngayon, ini-evaluate ang mga performance ng mga hepe ng kapulisan sa iba't-ibang munisipyo dito… kinakailangan nilang i-presenta ang accomplishment nila kasama ang mga krimen na hindi pa nila nareresulba. Kailangan din nilang i-presenta ang kanilang mga karampatang aksyon at solusyon sa mga nasabing krimen,” sabi ni Rafal.

Gayunman, nilinaw ni Rafal na ang mga opisyal sa Camp Crame, pati na ang mga lokal na opisyales, ay inatasang i-appoint kung sino ang magiging provincial at city police directors, base na rin sa mga accomplishments at merits ng mga kandidato.

Ipinaliwanag ng hepe ng Philippine National Police (PNP) sa rehiyon na ang PNP National Headquarters’ Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board ang may responsibilidad sa pagpili kung sino ang susunod na maging provincial at city police directors.

Dagdag ng opisyal na aaprubahan rin ng mga lokal chief executives ang napiling kandidato para sa posisyon bago ibigay ang final appointment.

Ang Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board ng PNP ay ang grupo ng mga opisyales na inatasang gumawa ng screening at evaluation sa mga opisyales para sa promosyon o pagpapalit ng posisyon na responsibilidad ng PNP. (RER/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano news: Aquino gipangunahan ang selebrasyon sa 18th founding anniversary sa CHED

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Mayo 18 (PIA) -– Gipangunahan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang seremonya sa paghandum 18th Year Founding Anniversary sa Commission on Higher Education nga gipahigayon didto CHED headquarters sa Diliman, Quezon City kagahapon.

Miuban sa Pangulo sila CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Senator Edgardo Angara ug Aurora province Representative Juan Edgardo Angara.

Gisaksihan usab sa Pangulo ang ceremonial signing sa Manifesto sa mga representantives sa Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) sa pagpangulo sa ilang President nga si Ricardo Rotoras pagpakita sa ilang pasalig ug saad sa mga reporma nga gisugyot ngadto sa Roadmap of Public Higher Education Reform 2011-2016.

Ang Public Higher Education Reform Roadmap adunay nuwebe ka mga plano nagtumong sa pagpauswag sa epektibo nga pagdumala sa SUCs. Kini mao ang: 1) rationalizing the number, distribution and growth of public higher education institutions; 2) rationalizing program offerings; 3) rationalizing resource utilization, maximizing resource generation and improving financial management; 4) strengthening quality assurance;

5) upgrading qualifications of faculty; 6) upgrading leading SUCs to international standards; 7) modernizing facilities of developing SUCs; 8) strengthening student financial assistance programs; ug 9) strengthening public higher education management through an Executive Development Program.

Ang PASUC, nga naglangkob sa 110 ka mga SUCs sa Pilipinas, misaad nga tumanon nila kini nga mga reporma ug himoon kini sa tim-os nga pagkamatinud-anon, adunay integridad ug angayan nga liderato.

Gidayeg usab ni Pangulong Aquino ang mga miyembro ug mga representatives sa PASUC, uban sa pag-ingon nga ang ilang manifesto usa na usab ka laing lakang paingon ngadto sa dalan nga progresibo ug walay makalabaw nga educational system.

Matud niya nga kini nga manifesto dugang makapalig-on sa sistema sa edukasyon dinhi sa Pilipinas aron mahatagan sa tsansa niini ang mga estudyante nga mapauswag ang ilang mga kinabuhi. “Nasaksihan po natin ang paglagda ng mga pinuno ng State Universities and Colleges sa isang kasunduan para sa mga reporma sa Public Higher Education. Isa itong hakbang pasulong sa tuwid na landas, nang di nagpapakahon sa dikta ng nagisnang sistema,” matud pa niya.

“Sa pagdiriwang ng inyong ika-labingwalong anibersaryo, hindi lang natin pinapagtibay ang ipinunla nating pundasyon sa edukasyon, dinudugtungan pa natin ito ng bloke-blokeng pagsisikap upang tuparin ang mas matatayog nating pangarap. Sa ating agenda ng pagbabago, tinukoy po natin ang problema, at umaksyon tayo tungo sa pangmatagalang solusyon,” dugang pa niya. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Magbabalaod sa San Juan maoy pinasidunggang mamumulong sa centennial rites sa Surigao

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Mayo 18 (PIA) -– Si San Juan district Rep. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito maoy pinasidunggang mamumulong atol sa centennial rites sa 111th Founding Anniversary sa Probinsya sa Surigao del Norte niadtong Martes didto sa provincial capitol grounds.

Ubos sa temang “One People…One Lifetime: Celebrating One Hundred Eleven Years of Proud History and Rich Cultural Legacy," ang anibersaryo sa centennial gisugdan sa usa ka centennial mass didto sa provincial convention center gisunod dayon ang centennial anniversary flag raising nga gitambongan sa mga opisyales sa probinsya sa Surigao del Norte ug Surigao del Sur, empleyado sa kapitolyo ug syudad, national line agencies, non-government organizations, religious organizations ug academe.

Si San Juan City Kongresman Ejercito sa iyang mensahe mipaaabot sa iyang dakong pasalamat kang Governor Sol Matugas ug Congressman Francisco Matugas tungod sa pag-imbita kaniya ug siya usab miingon nga siya nalipay sa paglambo sa ekonomiya sa syudad sa Surigao ug ang tibook probinsya sa Surigao del Norte kumpara niadtong iyang unang pagbisita dinhi.

“My visit here was very worth it since my last visit in 1997 and 1998. I’ve seen the difference and there is much to look forward to for Surigao del Norte and Surigao City. Congratulations to all of you,” matud ni Ejercito.

Sa samang bahin, gipahalipayan ni Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas ang mga opisyales sa probinsya alang sa pagpangandam sa paghandum sa founding anniversary sa probinsya sa Surigao. “It is indeed proper to raise the level of awareness of local consciousness when it comes to our history and heritage as a province,”sulti ni Matugas

Samtang si Provincial Administrator Efren Rivas, nga maoy nagrepresentar sa probinsya sa Surigao del Sur, nalipay usab sa pag-imbita sa ilang probinsya nga moapil sa maong selebrasyon “for in truth and in fact, we are part of Surigao. We share the same roots and history.”

Si Governor Sol Matugas, sa iyang bahin, gisaysay ang pag-isa sa mga bandira sa Surigao del Sur ug Surigao del Norte isip usa ka sentimental nga momento, “for it evokes fond memories, that once a upon a time, we were one and we journeyed together towards development.”

Gipasabot usab ni Matugas ang kabililhon sa kasaysayan, “for it is that we realized how great we are, 111 years ago.” (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)