News Feature: Street dancing, local delicacies,
fireworks concluded Agusan del Sur's Naliyagan Festival
By David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, June 19 (PIA) -- The hot rays of
the sun did not stop the eagerness and excitement of the 14 contingents
composed of children from elementary and high school levels from all over the
province to perform in the street dance competition, as part of the Naliyagan
Festival, a six-day celebration of Agusan del Sur's founding anniversary.
Because the dominant colors of the costumes of
the natives of Agusan del Sur are yellow, red, and black, these are the colors
worn by the performers. During the street dance competition, the first
performer was from the municipality of Sta. Josefa, while the City of Bayugan
performed last. The municipality of Veruela was declared as the champion, and
the City of Bayugan placed second.
After that, the people rushed to the Naliyagan
Plaza ground for the “Binaga” (roasting) of mudfish. Governor Adolph Edward
Plaza performed the ceremonial torching of the roasting pan. Then, the roasting
began. The air was filled with the aroma of roasted mudfishes while the live
band and artists of Coca-cola performed.
A fireworks display filled the sky with bright,
colorful, sparkling lights.
The Naliyagan Festival also included the search
for Bae Naliyagan where Jesha Macadina from Prosperidad was crowned as Bae
Naliyagan 2012, followed by Tara Zamora from Sibagat crowned as Bae Sabuyakan.
(RER/DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Agusan del Norte cites headways in education
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, June 19 (PIA) -- Agusan del Norte
Governor Erlpe John Amante said that as a result of the province’s efforts of
providing “Education for All,” the 187 public elementary schools in Agusan del
Norte have posted an 11 percent increase in enrollment in the pre-school and
3.83 percent increase in the elementary.
During his State of the Province Address (SOPA),
Amante said the same achievements were attained in the secondary level.
Enrollment has increased, resulting to a net enrollment ratio of 52.30 percent,
surpassing the 50 percent national level mark. He also reported that the
province has always valued technological education and training and its
contribution to society.
The official stressed that the province has also
institutionalized the children’s welfare program, “a proof that the provincial
government acknowledged that the youth are hope of our country," he said.
Further, Amante said that the province sees to
it that a place where they can be rehabilitated, with the end view of guiding
them back to a productive life, is provided. “Hence, we constructed a Youth
Center of Bahay Pag-asa to house children in conflict with the law,” he said.
Amante likewise emphasized the role of the
province in providing delivery service efforts to the elderly where significant
number of indigent families were provided assistance under the Integrated
Social Development Assistance Program (ISDAP).
In terms of disaster response, Amante said the
province responded by serving relief goods to the 6,507 affected families in
hard-hit municipalities.
“Our relief operations went beyond the province
when we sent the Agusan del Norte Emergency Response Team to provide assistance
and deliver relief goods to the victims of ‘Sendong’ in the cities of Cagayan
de Oro and Iligan,” Amante said.
Amante likewise boasted the local health system
that the province has implemented. He said the province has remained focused on
the vision of a healthy, productive, empowered citizenry equitably enjoying
quality preventive, curative, and rehabilitative health services in a clean and
healthy environment.
Economy wise, the provincial governor said that
through the modern agricultural farming and fishing that the farmers and
fishermen in the province were able to implement through the efforts of the
provincial government, palay and fish production have significantly increased
in 2011.
“I would like to especially convey my heartfelt
gratitude to the 9,500 farmers and fisher folks without whom the cited
productions would not have been made possible,” Amante said.
Amante also reported that year 2011 was an
exciting and busy year with investors from China, Korea, and the Philippines
trooping in to invest in the co-management program of the province. “Memoranda
of Understanding and Memoranda of Agreement were forged between these investors
and the province,” he said.
Meanwhile, the local chief executive cited that
the province’s peace and order and security is vital for full development.
Amante reported that during the year in review, the province has registered 415
crime incidents. Out of these, 257 cases were cleared, resulting in 61.93
percent crime clearance efficiency (CCE).
Amante further highlighted the anti-illegal
logging campaign of the provincial government which resulted to the recovery of
abandoned logs and law-an flitches with a combined market value of P160,000. He
added that a social integration program has been made part of the province’s
peace and order drive.
Having reported the aforementioned
accomplishments, Amante took the challenge to make Agusan del Norte a more
progressive province in Caraga Region.
“Every challenge hurdled is a step towards our
aspiration for a prosperous and happy populace. I can only be courageous in
facing these challenges because I firmly believe that we are one in this
aspiration. With the providential help of the Almighty, I again invite all of
you to join me this time in our pursuit for the well-being of all,” Amante
said. (RER/PIA-Caraga)
NEWS FEATURE: Agusan del Sur celebrates 45th
Foundation Day by giving and receiving awards
By David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, June 19 (PIA) -- Hundreds of
people from all walks of life gathered at the Naliyagan Plaza as early as 9
a.m. on Sunday, June 17 to witness and participate in the 45th foundation
anniversary of this province, with the Sunday mass as the opening ceremony.
In his welcome address, Vice Governor Santiago
Cane Jr. said an almost golden foundation anniversary of the province of Agusan
del Sur is worth celebrating because in Agusan del Sur, golden opportunities
await the investors and visitors, both in business investment and tourism.
In a brief history of the province read by
Schools Division Superintendent Crucita ZM Taala, it was learned that the whole
Agusan province was divided into Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur on June
17, 1967. After it was divided into two provinces, the municipalities declared
to consist Agusan del Sur are the municipalities of Bayugan, Esperanza,
Prosperidad, San Francisco, Bunawan, Talacogon, La Paz, Loreto, Veruela, and
Sta. Josefa. Prosperidad was chosen as the capital town of Agusan del Sur.
During the celebration, the Department of the
Interior and Local Government awarded Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward
Plaza the Bureau of Local Government Finance award while First District
Congresswoman Maria Valentina Plaza turned over an L300 van to the ABC
president of her district. The municipalities of Esperanza and Veruela also
received the Red Orchid Award from the Department of Health, for religiously
implementing the no-smoking ordinance in their municipalities. The Red Orchid
Award was handed by Plaza, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member and Chairman of the
Committee on Health Nestor Corvera, and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Joel
Esparagoza.
In his message, Plaza said that being the second
governor of Agusan del Sur, his father, the late Gov. Democrito O. Plaza
otherwise known as D. O. Plaza, has opened the gate of the province into
business and commerce. Trading and commerce like buying and selling of local
products to local and foreign businessmen and organizations became popular in
Agusan del Sur that it made the province economically stable. Roads and bridges
were constructed, joining one municipality to another, encouraging agriculture
to flourish.
Today, Plaza said, “while we celebrate our 45th
Foundation Anniversary, we have to join our efforts, physically and mentally in
order to uplift more the economic condition of the Agusanons. While the
provincial government is giving all the opportunities to our children thru
scholarship, job opportunities, good health and good business opportunities, we
have to do also our part by doubling our efforts thru responsible performance
in our job and protecting government properties and reputation.”
The celebration of the 45th foundation
anniversary of Agusan del Sur ended with a graceful dance by the Saliao ASSCAT
Dance Troup from Bunawan. (RER/DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
DILG head to talk on culture of disaster
prepredness
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Agusan del Norte, June 19 (PIA)
-- Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG) will grace the regionwide “Tapatan on Disaster Preparedness” on June 26
at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort here.
As one of the world's mostly hit by disasters,
the country has no recourse but to be ready at all times. The DILG regionwide
activity aims to develop a culture on preparedness among local government units
(LGUs) and local communities so that they will be able to respond more
effectively to disasters and mitigate the adverse impacts of every calamity
that may occur, said DILG OIC-Regional Director Lilibeth A. Famacion in a press
statement.
Famacion also said this is also in pursuant to
Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Act of 2010, which emphasizes the urgency and
significance of placing disaster preparedness as priority development agenda of
LGUs.
The official further said the conduct of the
activity is also supported by the department’s circular 2010-143, which directs
the strengthening of LGU capability, particularly the Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Councils (DRRMCs) to prepare for disasters.
Famacion said the highlight of the “Tapatan” is
the call of action of Sec. Robredo to be manifested by the signing of the
Pledge of Commitment. Here, participants pledge their firm resolve to
prioritize their local disaster risk reduction management and climate change
adaptation plans and initiatives.
Meanwhile, in time with the activity, the DILG
will award recipients of the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) to two provinces,
five cities, and 21 municipalities of the region.
For the provincial level, the provinces of
Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte will each receive P7 million while the
cities of Cabadbaran, Tandag, Surigao, Bislig, and Bayugan will each receive P3
million.
For the municipality level, to receive P1
million each are the municipalities of Buenavista, Las Nieves, and Nasipit in
Agusan del Norte. In Agusan del Sur, the municipalities of Bunawan, Esperanza,
La Paz, Loreto, Prosperidad, Rosario, San Francisco, San Luis, Sibagat,
Talacogon, Trento, and Veruela will also receive P1 million each. For Surigao
del Norte, only the municipality of Claver qualified to get the same amount.
Finally, in Surigao del Sur, same amount will be
awarded to the municipalities of Cantilan, Hinatuan, San Miguel, Tagbina, and
Tago.
Also, three municipalities and five barangays
will receive the Salintubig project, a project of the DILG in an effort to
provide water system project to waterless areas in the region.
The municipalities of Talacogon, Trento and
Veruela, all in Agusan del Sur are the recipients of this project, while
Barangays Bugsukan and Buntalid in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur; Brgy. Remedios in
Esperanza, Agusan del Sur; and Barangays Sta. Cruz and Mabini in Tubajon,
Surigao del Norte composed the recipients of the Salintubig project, it was
learned.
The activity is anchored on the theme,
“Preparedness Saves Lives.” Dir. Famacion said participating this region-wide
activity are the local chief executives in Caraga, regional line agencies, DRRM
officers, local government information officers, media, academe, and regional
stakeholders, among others. (RER/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: Caraga Dev’t Admin. Committee
tinalakay ang GSIS retirement programs
Ni Danilo S. Makiling
BUTUAN CITY, Hunyo 19 (PIA) -- Tinalakay ng
Caraga Regional Development Council-Development Administration Committee
(RDC-DAC) ang "retirement program" ng Government Service Insurance
System (GSIS) sa ginawang pagpupulong nito kamakailan lang.
Ayon kay Chariss Jo Dela Cruz ng GSIS Butuan,
ang GSIS ay nagbibigay ng iba't ibang retirement program na nagdedepende naman
sa kwalipikasyon ng miyembro.
"Ang GSIS ay mayroong retirement package na
kinikilalang isa sa mapagbigay na bansa na sumisiguro sa kalaayan sa pinansyal
para sa mga miyembro nito, lalo na pagkatapos nilang umalis sa serbisyo,"
ani Dela Cruz.
Idinagdag din ni Dela Cruz na ang retirement
program ng GSIS sa ilalim ng Republic Act 660 o tinatawag din na “Magic 87,” ay
nagbibigay ng dalawang mapagpipilian para sa annuity at lifetime pension. Para
naman sa retirement sa ilalim ng Republic Act 1616, ang GSIS ay magbibigay ng
refund para sa mga miyembro ng GSIS premiums na may “take-all” na pagpipilian
sa parihong oras. Para naman sa retirement sa ilalim ng Presidential Decree
1146, para lang sa mga nasa serbesyon matapos ang Mayo 31, 1977, pero bago
paman ang Hunyo 24, 1997 ay makakakuha ng retirement program na ito. Ito ay
nagbibigay din na pagpipilian para sa mga retirees kung basic monthly pension
at cash payment.
Sa ilalim naman ng Republic Act 8291, ang
retiree ay maaaring pumili sa kaniyang personal reward, kung "five-year
lump sum" o cash payment with instant pension, kung saan ang mga retirees
ay maaaring pagsamahin ang kanilang GSIS at Social Security System (SSS)
creditable years ng serbisyo para makapasok sa retirement program na alok ng dalawang
pension funds bilang tugon sa Republic Act 7699 o Portability Law.
Samantala, ipinaalam din ni Dela Cruz ang
komitiba na ang GSIS kamakaylan binago ang Claims and Loans Interdependency
Policy (CLIP) sa pagiging Choice Loan Amortization Schedule for Pensioners, na
naglalayong mapaliit ang mga kasalukuyang obligasyon ng mga retirees.
“Ang GSIS ay nagsasagawa din ng Pre-Retirement
Counseling Seminars kada buwan sa loob ng bansa kung saan ibat-ibang retirement
modes ang tatalakayin. Ang mga nagplaplanong magretire ay tinuturuan din kung
paano kompyotin ang kanilang retirement claims sa ilalim ng retirement law,”
ani Dela Cruz.
Ang GSIS ay nabuo sa pamamagitan ng Commonwealth
Act No. 186 na ipinasa noong Nobyembre 14, 1936, at binago sa ilalim ng
Republic Act No. 8291 noong Hunyo 24, 1997.
Ang RDC-DAC ay pinamumunuan ni Butuan City Mayor
Ferdinand Amante. (RER/PIA-Caraga)
