Caraga RDRRMC conducts Refresher/Orientation to
Evaluators of Earthquake Drill
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 15 (PIA) – To improve
perceptions and performance of evaluators during earthquake drills in different
establishments in the province of Agusan del Norte, the Regional Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) spearheaded the conduct of
Refresher/Orientation on how to evaluate an earthquake drill, held recently in
one of the local convention centers here.
The evaluators come from the member-agencies of
RDRRMC through their permanent focal persons led by the Office of Civil Defense
(OCD) Caraga.
During the orientation, some of the rescuers
from Butuan City Search and Recue Team and Agusan del Norte Emergency Rescue
Team also participated and shared their actual experiences during earthquake.
Marc Gil Calang, Training Officer of the Office
of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga emphasized that evaluators should be objective in
their assessment and evaluation during earthquake drill.
He also recalled that there was once when one of
the evaluators in the previous drills who said and suggested during the
evaluation that drill participants should go immediately outside the building
during the occurrence of earthquake or when in case they are in the upper
floors of the building, they should immediately proceed to the roof top.
“This kind of thinking will surely put the lives
of the participants at risk whenever the actual earthquake comes, instead of
teaching and reminding the drill participants to always apply and perform the
‘Duck, Cover, and Hold’ to protect them from falling debris… This is one of the
reasons why the RDRRMC would want the old and new focal persons from
member-agencies to be refreshed on the right ways of evaluating an earthquake
drill, as well as the fire drill,” stressed Calang.
Calang further said that drill participants must
also cooperate well during earthquake drills so that they can always perform
the proper way of protecting themselves when the actual earthquake comes.
With this, the RDRRMC hoped that drill
evaluators must be sincere in their evaluations, suggestions and
recommendations to improve the performance of the drill participants in the
different establishments and offices. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
NSCB calls on Caraga media practitioners to join
in the 4th NSM Media Awards
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 15 (PIA) -- The National
Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) is calling for entries from the Caraganon
media practitioners for the 4th NSM Media Awards come October 2012.
The NSM Media Awards is an annual search that
recognizes the important role of media practitioners specifically reporters
from broadcast, TV and radio; print; and online news service from both
government and private media organizations who have made significant
contributions in promoting, popularizing and using statistics in information
dissemination.
The search is open to all Filipino media practitioners
affiliated with local and national news organizations/companies in both
government and private sectors.
The board of judges will use the following
criteria as basis: 1) Quality or accuracy and timeliness of data based on
reliable sources and substance of the article or report, specifically its
significance and relevance to the needs of the country and the Filipino people.
The report or article can include both qualitative and quantitative analysis
using statistics, 35%; 2) Frequency/number or articles/reports released based
on the submitted list of the reporter and the monitoring of news by statistical
agencies published/aired in newspapers/online/broadcast media. News
articles/items should have been released during the period November 2011 to July
2012, 35%; and 3) Effectiveness of the style/approach/form of articles/reports
released. News articles/reports that make use of statistics should be user
friendly and easily understood by the public and should also positively
motivate readers in deeply understanding the use and importance of statistics
in improving people’s lives through informed decisions, 30%.
The PIA-Caraga has already started disseminating
this information through SMS/Text Blast, including local media practitioners in
the region so they can join and prepare the necessary requirements based on the
above-mentioned criteria.
A plaque and cash award shall be given to the
winners during the 23rd NSM Opening Ceremonies in October 2012.
Deadline of submission of entries is on August
31. Interested parties may contact the NSM Media Awards Secretariat at
telephone number (02) 890-9405 and look for Mr. Ruben Litan or e-mail at info@nscb.gov.ph.
(RER/JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Foreigner arrested for qualified trafficking, 2
minors saved
By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Aug. 15 (PIA) -- A
German national was arrsted August 12 for qualified trafficking here.
The suspect was caught with two minors inside a
bedroom, according to Tandag City Social Welfare and Development Officer Tessie
Buniel.
Chief of Police Greggie Pimentel said their
office received information from a civilian informant that there was a suspicious
foreigner going in and out with some minor girls at a cock house every Saturday
and Sunday.
The PNP immediately conducted surveillance to
verify the report, and on Sunday, the suspect was arrested during the raid.
Police operatives recovered a Casio Exilim 7.2
mega pixel digicam, a Sony Handy Cam, four sex toys, 30 unsused/used condoms,
one bottle Melkfett-soft gel, 40 Cowhead brand pills, syringe without needle
and other personal belongings.
As of this writing, the PNP said the filing of
the case against the suspect for qualified trafficking or violation of
Anti-Child Trafficking in Person Act of 2003 is on process while the suspect is
presently detained at Tandag City Police Station. (RER/NGBT/PIA-Surigao del
Sur)
New director assumes Police Regional Office 13
top post
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 15 (PIA) -- Police Chief
Superintendent Carmelo E. Valmoria, the former director of the headquarters
support services of the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters at Camp Crame,
Quezon City assumed as the new acting regional director of Police Regional
Office 13, in a well-attended turn over rites held at the regional police
headquarters parade grounds, Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez, here on Tuesday morning.
He received the command symbol and records from
PSSupt. Mario Soriano, the Deputy Regional Director for Administration, who was
designated officer-in-charge of the said office when the former PRO 13 chief
CSupt. Reynaldo S. Rafal was relieved of his post and recalled to the national
police headquarters two weeks ago.
Rafal as mentioned in passing by PDir. De Asis
during his message at the turn over rites yesterday, is due to retire from the
service by October and is now under non-duty status at Crame.
SSupt. Soriano relinquished his charge to CSupt.
Valmoria by virtue of General Orders No. 1323 dated August 10, 2012 Sections 1
and 2. Section 1 (Paragraph 1) of the said order terminated Valmoria’s
designation as chief of the NHQ support services. The second paragraph of the
same section also terminated SSupt. Soriano’s designation as PRO 13
officer-in-charge. The second section of the same general order contained the
designation of CSupt. Valmoria to his present post as Caraga’s acting police
regional director. The order was duly signed by Police Director Gen. Nicanor
Bartolome, the chief PNP, and Police Deputy Director Gen. Rommel DH Heredia,
chief Directorial Staff and Police Dir. Elpedio De Asis, Director of the
Directorate for Personnel and Records Management.
PDir. Elpedio Z. De Asis, Jr. who presided over
yesterday’s activity was accompanied by PDir. Felicisimo Kho, Jr., Director of
the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Eastern Mindanao (DIPO-EM).
Also attending the ceremony were Col. Ronald Albano of the 402nd Brigade
Philippine Army, Hon. Ryan Anthony Culima, Chairman, City Committee on Peace
and Order of the Butuan City Council and other top regional police officials.
In his message of acceptance, CSupt. Valmoria
expressed his elation over the warm welcome he and his party received upon
their arrival here. He likewise conveyed his heartfelt thanks to President
Benigno S. Aquino III, DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and CPNP Dir. Gen. Nicanor
Bartolome, for affording him their trust and confidence by choosing him to take
the helm of the highest police post of this region.
He mentioned that among his priorities will be
the unwavering support of the regional police to the lead agencies in the
ongoing campaign waged against illegal logging and mining activities in the
region. This is keeping in step, he said, with the marching orders of the
President to strictly implement EO 23 which aimed to protect and preserve the
remaining forest covers of the country and EO 79, aiming to ban mining
activities in tourism and protected areas. The care of environment he pointed
out, is among the core values adapted by the PNP which is “Makakalikasan.”
The police according to him will also focus on
other equally important concerns as well such as the protection of the
constituents against lawless elements, the intensified campaign against the
organized crime groups which irreversibly destroy the moral fibers of the
society such as the perpetrators of the illegal drugs and gambling, the
relentless pursuit of the mandate to enforce the law, to prevent and control
crimes, maintain peace and order and ensure public safety and internal security
and to seek the active participation of the community, the LGUs and other
stakeholders.
He posed the challenge to the regional police
force to let the ten-point agenda of the chief PNP be the guidelines in the
performance of their functions and duties.
PDir. De Asis for his part challenged the
regional police to keep up the top achievements and accomplishments of Police
Regional Office 13, as he recognized its laudable performance by making it to
the “Top Three Regional Police Offices” of the country this year. He challenged
the men and women of uniform as well to continue the delivery of more efficient
and effective services to the community.
He likewise posed the challenge to the regional
police rank and file to provide equally whole-hearted support to their new
regional director as they had been generously supportive to their former
regional chief.
CSupt. Valmoria had his previous assignments at
Region 7 (Central Visayas), Region 8 ( Eastern Visayas), Region 11 (Davao
Area), NHQ at Camp Crame as Chief of Staff and Deputy of the Police Community
Relations, National Capital Region Police Office as Chief of Staff and Deputy
Regional Office and then prior to his assignment in the Caraga Region he
formerly was the Director of the Headquarters Support Service which is
in-charge of the security and housekeeping of the seat of the Philippine
National Police. (RER/Noel B. Najarro/PIA-Caraga)
Australia supports Philippine disaster
preparedness through WFP rice contingency stock
MANILA, Aug. 15 (PIA) -- The United Nations
World Food Programme (WFP) has received a grant of $AU1 million, approximately
P43.8 million, from the Australian government to boost WFP’s contingency food
stocks for enhanced disaster response capacity in the Philippines.
The contribution, made through the Australian
Agency for International Development (AusAID), will be used to dispatch rice to
flood-affected people, augmenting the Philippine government’s relief response.
“WFP is grateful to the government of Australia
for this generous donation. WFP is actively supporting efforts of the
government of the Philippines to prepare for and mitigate the effects of
natural disasters at both national and local levels,” said WFP Representative
and Country Director Stephen Anderson.
“Learning from past emergency responses,
establishing a strategic contingency stock of food to complement government
efforts is both an efficient and cost-effective preparedness and response
measure,” he added.
The WFP contingency food stock in the
Philippines will include 200 metric tons of fortified high-energy biscuits and
1,500 tons of rice, enough to support 320,000 people for two weeks.
This contingency food stock will be distributed
in direct coordination with WFP’s main government partner, the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which is also the lead government agency
for emergency food response.
“The Australian government is providing these
items to the World Food Programme so that they can be drawn upon immediately in
serious situations, such as this massive flooding caused by continuous heavy
rains for the past two weeks,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill
Tweddell said.
“This allows Australia and WFP to support the
Philippine government to respond quickly and effectively to essential
humanitarian needs following emergencies and disasters. This assistance builds
on the significant support Australia has already provided to the Philippines on
disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, including hazard and
risk analysis, integrating disaster and climate considerations in development
and land use planning, community-based disaster preparedness and providing
safer settlements.”
The Australian government is among the top
donors to the World Food Programme globally and has also provided generous
support for WFP’s disaster preparedness and response initiatives in the
Philippines. Recently, AusAID contributed to the response to tropical storm
Sendong by providing food and cash assistance to support emergency relief and
early recovery activities. (RER/DMS/World Food Program/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Tagalog news: DSWD nagbigay ng mahigit P41.66
milyones na relief assistance para sa mga biktima ng pagbaha
Ni Danilo S. Makiling
BUTUAN CITY, Agosto 15 (PIA) -- Ang Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ay nagbigay ng mahigit P41.66 milyong
relief assistance sa mga pamilyang apektado ng pagbaha dahil sa sunod-sunod na
pag-ulan sa bansa, ayon sa palasyo.
“Ang DSWD ay nagbigay ng P41.662,152.48 milyong
relief assistance sa National Capital Region (NCR), Region I, Region 3, Region
4-A, Region 4-B at Region 6,” ani Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail
Valte kamakailan sa isang press briefing sa Malacanang.
Ang NCR ay nakatanggap ng P16,951,252 na binubuo
ng mga pagkain at iba pang mga pangangailangan ng mga pamilyang apektado ng
kalamidad, ang Region 1 ay nakatanggap ng P1,063,593.46; P10,670,733.22 sa
Region 3; P12,847,845.80 sa Region 4-A, P100,000 sa Region 4-B at P28,728.00 sa
Region 6.
Ang repacking ng mga pagkain ay kasalukuyang
ginagawa sa National Resource Operations Center (NROC) sa Pasay City sa
pangunguna ng mga manggagawa ng DSWD at mga volunteers, at patuloy din ang
pamimigay ng mga relief goods sa mga apektadong lugar.
Ang NROC ay ang command center at national
warehouse ng DSWD kung saan ang mga disaster operations ay minomonitor. Dito
rin inilalagay ang relief goods.
Ipinahayag naman ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino
III ang kayang pasasalamat sa daan-daang estudyante at mga professionals na
nag-volunteer sa pagre-repack at pagbibigay ng relief goods sa mga pamilyang
apektado ng pagbaha. (RER/DSM/PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: Gobyerno gilihok ang direktiba ni
Pangulong Aquino alang sa pag laymanize sa mga weather updates sa PAGASA
Ni Fryan E. Abkilan
SURIGAO CITY, Agosto 15 (PIA) – Ang MalacaΓ±ang
miingon nga gilihok na sa gobyerno ang direktiba ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino
III ngadto sa Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA) ang paggamit sa gitawag nga “layman-friendly” nga mga
termo sa ilang mga weather bulletins aron dali nga masabtan sa katawhan ug
makapreparar sila sa mga kadaut nga posibleng mahitabo.
Sa press briefing didto sa MalacaΓ±ang, Kagahapon
Martes, si Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte miingon nga ang
Pangulo mirekomendar ngadto sa PAGASA nga seguroon ang ilang mga
repsonsibilidad sa paghatag og inuras nga weather conditions labi na gayud sa panahon
nga adunay pag-daut sa mga panahon.
“The President did commend … DOST-PAGASA for its
effort to update and disseminate the weather updates from last week. The
President did also ask them to further work on laymanizing the weather
advisories,” matud ni Valte.
“You have seen this happen already in the past
week, meron pong concerns about the rainfall signals… nung una po kasi yellow,
green and then red meron pong mga naging reactions from the public primarily
through the social networking sites that were sent to us and sabi po baka
pwedeng palitan yung green… kasi green exudes calm so hindi po siya appropriate
and it was changed midway last week,” dugang pa niya .
“So, now its yellow, orange and red. We continue
to work with DOST-PAGASA on laymanizing their weather update,” si Valte
nagkanayon.
Agig paglihok sa mga mando sa Pangulo niadtong
niaging semana, ang PAGASA miingon nga ilang gamiton ang simple nga mga termino
sa ilang mga weather updates. Dugang niini nga likayan sa ahensya ang paggamit
og dili kinahanglan nga mga technical terms.
Ang DOST-PAGASA mipasalig sa publiko nga ang
presentasyon sa ilang inuras nga pagtaho, partikular na ang pag-ulan, madali
nga masabtan sa nayong katawhan. Dugang pa niini nga kini nga mga taho
magapokos dili lamang aron mapahibalo ang katawhan apan ipasabot usab niini ang
posible nga mga epekto sa maong weather condition. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
