(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, August 17, 2012

Gov. Plaza’s birthday celebration to focus on less privileged, launching and turn-over of projects

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Aug. 17 (PIA) -- Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza’s 50th birthday celebration on August 21 will be focused on tree planting, feeding of less privileged and launching and turnover of various projects.

An 8 a.m. thanksgiving mass will open the whole day activities. After the mass, cleaning of the entire Barangay Patin-ay, Prosperidad, will take place, to be participated in by residents themselves.

The Philippine Red Cross will also be open for all volunteer blood donors for blood-letting activity. While the blood-letting is ongoing, a tree planting activity at the provincial capitol grounds will take place.

At lunch, Plaza has ordered the feeding of patients of the D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital (DOPHM), the detainees and youth offenders at the provincial jail and the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the youth.

Turnover of projects in Barangay Sta. Emelia, Veruela will take place. These projects include farm-to-market roads and repair of a bridge.

Launching of E-Procurement System, Upland Sustainable Agri-forestry Development and the DOPMH as economic enterprise will take place during night time, with video presentation of the Adolph Edward G. Plaza legacy program. Stage presentations from the SPED San Francisco, rondalla presentation from the Agusan del Sur National High School and live band playing jazz and pop music will entertain visitors and guests during dinner time.

The grand fireworks display will follow, with singing and dancing spree. (RER/DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


DENR-EMB Caraga to validate local gov't best practices on ESWM

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 17 (PIA) -- The member-agencies for the Caraga Regional Ecology Center (CREC) led by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) will be validating local government units’ best practices on Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) from August 22-25, 2012.

CREC members will be validating seven municipalities in different schedules as follows: Aug. 22 – Hintauan and Carrascal, both in Surigao del Sur; Aug. 23 – Veruela, Agusan del Sur and Socorro, Surigao del Norte; Aug. 24 – Trento, Agusan del Sur and Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte; and Aug. 25 – Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.

Said LGUs will be validated based on three aspects: segregation at source, 35 points; segregated collection, 35 points; and operationalization of materials recovery facility, 30 points.

EMB-Caraga Officer-in-Charge Engr. Ester Olavides said that aside from LGUs, their office is also validating schools that have environmentally sustainable practices in terms of water conservation, solid waste management, and tree planting, among others.

“We also provide technical assistance to LGUs, government offices, and schools who would want to conduct a seminar related to environment. We also support those organizations who will conduct coastal cleanup activity,” said Olavides.

The region's REC is a center for information, database and processing where information materials such as documentation of LGU best practices on SWM, lecture materials for training and IEC, information on best available technologies for SWM, sample plans and SWM flyers are available.

DENR-EMB is calling on the general public to be conscious in their surroundings and held protect the environment. (RER/JPG/PIA-Caraga)


8 Philippine Red Cross ambulance volunteers complete training course

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Aug. 17 (PIA) -- Eight Philippine Red Cross (PRC) volunteers, who will be tasked to operate the Red Cross ambulance, graduated today from the five-day training on first aid and basic life support.

Christyll Basan, PRC Agusan del Sur Chapter (PRC-AdS) administrator, the training included soft tissue injury tending, cardio pulmonary resuscitation and ambulance service operation: operating ambulance equipment.

“We are very lucky to have that ambulance, and that is the main reason why we really need competent manpower to man the ambulance. The ambulance itself is equipped with modern facilities that need experts to operate them. I am very proud to say that we are very lucky to have that ambulance because in the entire country, I believe it is only in Agusan del Sur that half the cost of the ambulance was shouldered by the provincial government, which cost them some P900,000, and half its price by the Philippine Red Cross,” Basan said.

Among the trainees that have completed the training are Julie Lapidez, the PRC- AdS medical technologist; volunteers Efren Cabardo; Jupiter Ladam; May Angelie dela Cruz; Rabin Kye dela Cruz; Oliver Calub; Duane Costillas; and driver Abundio Quinio.

These eight trainees will serve in a shifting basis, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, Basan said.

Basan added another batch of trainees will again undergo training when another ambulance will be delivered as requested by Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza. (RER/DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Mindanao leaders laud creation of power monitoring body

DAVAO CITY, August 17 (PIA) -- Key government and business leaders in Mindanao welcomed the recent signing of Executive Order No. 81 by President Benigno S. Aquino III, creating the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC).

The Mindanao Business Council (MinBC) lauded MalacaΓ±ang for the creation of the committee, which will make way for the review of policies and processes to accelerate private investments for additional generating capacities to the Mindanao grid.

“This is a welcome development and we expect greater collaboration between the government and the Mindanao business sector in addressing the Mindanao power situation," said Vicente Lao, MinBC and Mindanao Electric Power Alliance (MEPA) chair.

Lao said Mindanao needs to put up at least 1,000 megawatts (MW) of new capacities in the next 10 years and another 1,500 MW from 2021-2030 to support its growing economy.

The committee, which shall be headed by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), is tasked to put forward and coordinate the efforts of national, regional and local governments and power industry stakeholders to improve the power situation in Mindanao.

“I am thankful that the President approved the creation of MPMC which will monitor, harmonize, and integrate measures to address the island-region’s power situation,” said MinDA chair Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, who represented President Aquino at the closing of the 21st Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) recently in Butuan City. MinBizCon is the largest annual gathering of business leaders in Mindanao.

Antonino noted that as early as January this year, MinDA had initiated series of advocacies to push for measures and policies aimed at bringing to an end the recurring power problem Mindanao.

At the height of the power problem in April, MinDA, in collaboration with the Department of Energy (DoE), convened the Mindanao Power Summit in Davao City and rallied Mindanao stakeholders around short and long-term solutions to the problem.

“The committee will be working on the recommendations presented by the Mindanao power stakeholders to President Aquino during the summit,” said Antonino, adding that the President has been earnest in his desire to address the power situation in Mindanao.

She said MPMC shall also ensure the establishment of a power-monitoring mechanism that regularly generates information on Mindanao power generation and distribution, including status of efforts to add new generating capacities to the grid.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) puts the island-region’s system capacity at only 1027 MW in its latest weekly power outlook bulletin, 133 MW short of the Mindanao grid’s 1160 MW system load.

Antonino also said MPMC shall study power summit proposals such as the creation of a Mindanao Power Corporation, which shall take on the operation and maintenance of the Agus and Pulangi hydropower complexes. Such proposal is now gaining ground in Congress with the filing of House Bill No. 6308, proposing for the creation of a Mindanao Power Corporation, authored by House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao, Rep. Ma. Isabel Climaco of Zamboanga City.

Meanwhile, the Special House Committee on Mindanao Affairs chaired by Rep. Arnulfo Go of the second district of Sultan Kudarat will be working closely with the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization and the Committee on Energy on the proposed measure.

“I believe that the creation of MPMC will ensure a dynamic and efficient performance of all electric cooperatives and power alliances in Mindanao,” said Go.

He added that the creation of a monitoring body will help bolster a more effective generation and delivery of power in the island-region. “Together with the Mindanao lawmakers bloc in Congress, I will support measures that will address the energy needs of Mindanao,” he said.

Moreover, MPMC shall lay the ground for the setting up of a One-Stop-Shop Processing Center (OSSPC) for mini-hydropower plant applications in Mindanao, with support from the DoE.

Mindanao has a big potential in mini-hydropower projects,, but the tedious application process draws back investors.

“The establishment of OSSPC, like the one-stop shops of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), will help fast-track processing of applications for new generation capacities in Mindanao,” Go said.

Currently, the awarding of service contracts for mini hydro projects takes several years to be processed. Antonino said the main goal is to complete the setup of small hydro plants within 10 months to one year.

MPMC is composed of MinDA, DoE, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Electrification Administration, National Power Corporation, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, and representatives from MEPA and the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives.

The committee is set to convene a technical working group meeting this week. (MinDA/RER/NLM/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano news: Aquino gitugyanan sa National Artist award si Fernando Poe Jr. (posthumous)

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Agosto 17 (PIA) -- Gitugyan ni Pangulong Aquino ang talagsaon nga National Artist for Cinema kang anheng Ronald Allan K. Poe, o mas ilado sa tawag nga Fernando Poe Jr., sa usa ka seremonya nga gipahigayon didto sa MalacaΓ±ang kagahapon, Huwebes.

Ang midawat sa maong award sa ngalan sa beteranong actor nga ilado sa iyang mga papel isip kampeyon sa yanong tawo, mao ang iyang kapikas nga si Susan Roces ug anak nga si Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares.

Sa iyang pamahayag, gipasalamatan sa Pangulo si Fernando Poe Jr. dili lamang tungod sa iyang kontribusyon sa industriya sa pelikula apan usab tungod sa iyang kaayo ug pagkamatinud-anon sa iyang isig-katawo.

“Sino po bang Pilipino ang hindi nakakakilala kay FPJ? O sino po sa atin ang hindi pa nakakapanood ng kanyang mga pelikula? Kakabit na ng pelikulang Pilipino ang kanyang pangalan, at ‘di-matatawaran ang kontribusyon niya hindi lamang sa pinilakang-tabing, kundi pati na rin sa kalakhang lipunan. At higit pa sa pagiging aktor, higit sa pagiging writer, prodyuser at direktor, isa siyang Pilipinong mapagkumbaba, mapagmalasakit at matulungin sa kapwa,” matud sa Pangulo.

“Ganitong prinsipyo nga po marahil ang isinabuhay ni Ronald Allan K. Poe, mas kilala bilang FPJ, kaya’t naging matingkad ang kanyang karera, at nagmistulang alamat ang buhay niyang inilaan sa pagsusulong ng industriya ng pelikula at kapakanan ng kapwa,” dugang pa niya.

Uban sa maong talagsaon nga award, si Fernando Poe nahilinya na sa lain pang mga gitugyanan sa National Artist for Cinema award nga naglakip nila directors Lamberto Abellana, Ishmael Bernal, Eddie Romero ug Lino Brocka.

Si Fernando Poe maoy co-founder sa Movie Workers Welfare Fund (Mowelfund), director, producer ug nahimong bida sa mokapin 200 ka mga pelikula.

Pipila sa iyang mga pelikula nga dili makalimtan mao ang “Ang Probinsyano,” “Eseng ng Tondo,” “Alamat ng Lawin,” ug “Ang Panday.”

Sa panapos nga bahin, ang Pangulo mipadayag sa iyang paglaum nga daghan pang mga Filipino ang mahimong inspirado sa ilang mga kinabuhi aron sundon ang professionalism, dedikasyon ug compassion ni Poe.

“Sa paggawad natin ng titulong pambansang alagad ng sining kay FPJ, nawa’y libu-libo pang tulad niya ang umusbong at gamitin ang husay at talino upang iangat ang kapwa Pilipino. Dahil sa pagtutulungan, pihadong mapapasakamay natin ang tagumpay, ilang butas man ng karayom ang ating daanan,” matud sa Pangulo.

“Muli, maraming salamat, FPJ. Nawa’y sumapat ang munting parangal na ito upang maihayag ang aming pagmamamahal at pagdakila po sa iyo,” dugang pa niya. (RER/SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Cebuano news: De Lima mipadayag sa desisyong mobalik ngadto sa JBC isip ex-officio

Ni Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Agosto 17 (PIA) -- Si Justice Secretary Laila de Lima mibutyag sa iyahang desisyong mobalik ngadto sa Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) isip ex-officio nga membro subay sa gihimong lakang sa constitutionally-created body sa dili pag-apil kaniya sa “Shortlist” kon hamubong listahan sa sunod nga hepe sa Hidikatura.

“Mobalik ako ngadto sa JBC. Molingkod ako isip ex-officio member tungod kay kini ang mandatos sa kontitusyon sa akoang kabahin (I will go back to the JBC. I will sit there as an ex-officio member because that is the constitutional mandate of my part)," kini ang gibutyag ni de Lima atol sa press briefing nga gipahigayon sa Malacanang niadtong Huwebes.

Ang Article VIII Section 8 (1) sa Konstitusyon nagsangkap nga ang JBC kinahanglan nga gigambalay sa Chief Justice isip ex-officio chairman, ang Secretary of Justice ug ang representante sa Kongreso isip ex-officio nga mga membro ug upat ka regular nga membro gilangkuban sa representante sa Integrated Bar, ang propesor sa Law, usa ka niretiro nga membro sa Korte Suprema ug representante gikan sa pribado nga sector.

Si de Lima miingon nga walay problema sa iyaha ang pagbalik sa trabaho uban sa JBC.

Ang JBC misumite niadtong Lunes ngadto kang Presidente Benigno S. Aquino III sa listahan ug walo ka nominado para sa mosunod pagka Chief Justice sa Korte Suprema uban nagkahaduol na ang Agosto 27, tagal sa pagpayl sa bakanteng posisyon.

Sa listahan wala malakip si Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. Ang JBC usab miboto sa pagdiskwalipikado kang de Lima, kinsa nag-atubang sa duha ka kaso ngadto sa Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

Lima sa insider sa Korte Suprema ang naa sa shortlist, apil na si Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio (pito ka boto) apil pod si Associate Justices Roberto Abad (unum ka boto), Arturo Brion (unum ka boto) ug si Maria Lourdes Sereno (unum ka boto), and Teresita Leonardo-De Castro (lima ka boto).

Apil usab sa shortlist sila Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza (unum ka boto votes), kanhing Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora (unum ka boto) ug Ateneo De Manila University Law Dean Cesar Villanueva (lima ka boto).

Ang walo ka kandidato nga nakapwesto sa top 3, pagapilion gikan sa total nga 20 ka nominado, kinsa ang tanan panulun-an sa proseso sa pagpili apil na ang “public interview.” (RER/NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)