(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 - Wednesday, September 12, 2012


Four day care centers subject for turn-over to respective barangays this month

By David M. Suyao

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Sep 12 (PIA) -- Four day care centers will be turned-over this month in District 1 of Agusan del Sur. This is part of the 30 day care centers programmed for completion and turn-over this year.

This is a joint project of Cong. Maria Valentina Plaza of the First Congressional District, the provincial and municipal governments and the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation- Integrated Development Center, Inc. (JPIC-IDC).

According to report of Melvin Osorio, JPIC-IDC project coordinator, these day care centers are in Barangays Sto. Nino, Bayugan City, Mt. Olive also in Bayugan City, Batohon in the municipality of Esperanza and Kauswagan, Talacogon.

Last month, three day care centers were turned-over in Barangay Tag-oyango in the municipality of Sibagat and barangays Gamao and Mabuhay in Bayugan City.

Being a joint project, the fund for the construction of the 30 day care centers were taken from the priority development fund of Cong. Maria Valentina Plaza who shares 67 percent or P17 million, the provincial government with 12 percent or P3 million, the municipal government with 10 percent or P2.5 million and the JPIC-IDC with another 12 percent or P3 million shares.

“The paintings of the day care centers are not included in the program of work undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways. We are therefore lobbying to the barangay councils where the day care centers are constructed that they shoulder the painting of the building,” Osorio said.

The five municipalities and barangays where the 30 day care centers are located and under construction are Sibagat with three barangays, Esperanza with five, Bayugan City with five, Prosperidad with six, Talacogon with five and San Luis with six. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Mindanao SUCs converge for a research on S&T program for Responsible Mining

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Sept 12 (PIA) -- State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) in Mindanao have partnered on a research program on science and technology for responsible mining.

The schools developed a research proposal entitled “S&T Program for Responsible Mining in Mindanao.” Among the institutions involved are the Caraga State University (CSU) and three other SUCs in Caraga Region, which make up the Caraga Consortium for Responsible Mining; University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, Cotabato; Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Cagayan de Oro City and the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) in Iligan City.

The research is aimed to deliver science-based information and alternative technologies to promote socially acceptable, environment-friendly, ecologically sound and economically rewarding mining in Mindanao.

In a statement, Dr. Joanna Cuenca, CSU president, said the overall output of the program will be made available to decision-makers to come up with activities for the economic potentials of mining that can liberate Mindanao from poverty, as long as it is done responsibly along with balanced sustainability.

To heighten awareness of its advocacy, CSU will be holding a Mindanao-wide launching to inform several stakeholders about the program on September 13-14, 2012 at the Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.

Registration will start at 8 a.m. The two-day event will be capped by the memorandum of agreement signing and visits to mining areas covered by the consortium.

Senator Edgardo Angara, chairperson on the Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering, is expected to grace the activity and will deliver his keynote message. Also invited are Dr. Amelia Guevara, Dept. of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary of Research and Development and Dr. Jean Tayag of the Commission on Higher Education.

Dr. Cuenca is inviting government and private agencies and organizations especially the academe to take part in this research and development consortium.

Interested participants may contact the CSU through (085) 342-3047, 341-1079, 342-6625 for further details on the activity. (RER/PIA-Caraga)


Tagana-an contingent is 2012 Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival champ

By Fryan E. Abkilan

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, September 12 (PIA) - The ‘Panginabuhi-an sa Tagana-an’ Festival (Livelihood/source of living in Tagana-an town) emerged as champion of the Free Interpretation (FI) category of the 28th Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival in Surigao City on September 9.

Panginabuhi-an sa Tagana-an Festival bested other three contingents in the FI category and brought with them P200,000 as their winning prize. The FI category requires contingents to use live musical accompaniment.

The Mabuyok nan Mainit Cultural Groupe of the municipality of Mainit was named second place with P150,000 cash prize. The third prize went to the W.D. Rafols Memorial National High School with Barangay Poctoy Council that won a P100,000 cash prize. Special awards for Best in Choreography/Choreographer, Best in Music and Best in Street dancing all went to Tagana-an contingent. Mabuyok nan Mainit Cultural Groupe contingent awarded Best in Costume with P20,000 cash prize.

It was learned that Panginabuhi-an sa Tagana-an Festival was also declared champion during the 'Sajaw Surigao' Festival 2012 spearheaded by the provincial government.

For the Bonok-Bonok Based Category, which uses canned music, eight contingents from the city schools and barangays participated to which R.C. Ouano Memorial Elementary School of Brgy. Cagniog outstandingly outdone the other contingents and walked away victorious receiving a cash prize of P100,000. R.C. Ouano was also declared winner in the last year’s Bonok-Bonok Based category.

Second prize winner was the contingent from Barangay Nonoc receiving a cash prize of P75,000 and the third prize went to Capalayan National High School in partnership with Barangay Capalayan Council with P50,000 cash prize.

Special awards for Best in Choreography/Choreographer all went to R.C. Ouano Elementary School while the contingent from Barangay Nonoc awarded Best in Street Dancing. The Simbada Festival of Barangay Libuac was awarded Best in Costume.

The 28th Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival is a festival of thanksgiving and invocation to the Almighty through the intercession of the city's patron saint SeΓ±or San Nicolas de Tolentino for the bountiful blessings of peace and good health.

The festival was graced by Hon. Jose Lorenzo H. Bautista popularly known as Jolo Revilla, Board Member of the Province of Cavite along with other local officials led by City Mayor Ernesto Matugas and Vice Gov. Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr. (FEA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


FNRI-DOST to conduct monitoring visit & media forum in Butuan

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- The Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) will be conducting a monitoring visit and media forum for Caraga region on October 4, 2012 to be held at the DOST-Caraga Regional Office’ Function Hall, this city.

According to FNRI-DOST Director Mario Capanzana, the media forum will provide the local tri-media and information officers of the region with data and information on the 2011 Updating of the Nutritional Status of the Filipino Children and other population groups; the roadmap on establishing the Nutrition Communication Network (Nutricomnet); and Updates on Brown rice as one of the DOSTs high-impact technology solutions (HITS) to malnutrition.

“After the forum, a meeting will follow where feedback on the status of the Nutricomnet in Caraga will be conducted,” said Capanzana.

With this, Capanzana asked for the support of the media and information officers on this event.

For more information, the DOST-Caraga Regional Office can be reached at telephone number (085) 341-9551 and 342-5684. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Butuanons celebrate 1st anniv of ‘Clean Ground, Zero Waste’ Movement

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept 12 (PIA) -- The city government here commemorated the first year anniversary of the "Clean Ground, Zero Waste" movement on Tuesday at the city hall grounds.

The said movement was launched in 2011, with a simultaneous cleanup activity in all the barangays of this city.

In his message, Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. said solid waste management is one of the most important advocacy in the local government units.

Amante also asked for the continued cooperation of the people of Butuan in making segregation part of their daily routine.

Also, Vice Mayor Lawrence Fortun said “discipline among us is what we really need to make this movement realistic.”

“Through proper segregation of wastes, we are able to help our environment, as well as our city government to reduce its expenses in garbage collection,” added Fortun.

Fortun also said that as the chairperson of the Environment and Natural Resources Council, comprising government agencies and other sectors, they have created significant efforts, which include the endorsement of the watershed code and creation of the Taguibo Watershed Council.

Meanwhile, Amante awarded plaques of “Clean Seal” to 34 recipient-barangays in Butuan City including Barangay Pagatpatan, which is among the top three cleanest barangays of the Philippines for its consistent implementation of proper solid waste management.

Amante said the one-year implementation of the movement was a good start and hoped for the continued support and cooperation of the Butuanons. (RER/JPG/PIA-Caraga)


RDC-DAC Caraga backs Surigao CDC to harmonize LGUs’ data requirements

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Sept 12 (PIA) -- The Development Administration Committee (DAC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) has expressed support to the Surigao City Development Council (CDC) on harmonizing data requirements asked by concerned national government agencies to local government units.

During today’s third regular meeting, Engr. Julio Carlon, assistant department head of the Provincial Planning and Development Office in Agusan del Norte, urged committee members to support Resolution No. 3, series of 2012 of the Surigao City Development Council, requesting concerned national government agencies through the RDC-DAC-13 to harmonize the reporting, monitoring and related data requirements from LGUs.

Carlon likewise supported the resolution and asked the committee for its approval to support and bring the matter to the general RDC-Caraga chaired by Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol Matugas.

RDC-DAC Chairman and Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. said through this, the RDC will find their work easily, especially in the preparation of necessary reports for immediate and appropriate action.

The resolution, signed by Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas, stated that the city government has observed that reports, data monitoring and related requirements by national agencies come in different formats, data matrices, scope and other related details.

It was also stated that even the monitoring of same indicators of performance area like the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has to be done differently by two or more different national agencies.

It was further said in the said resolution that such compliance to these requirements by national agencies is tasking, time consuming and even to some extent constitute wasted man-hours that would have been devoted to more pressing development concerns.

With this, the RDC-DAC has strongly expressed its support by crafting a resolution to be submitted to the RDC for appropriate action and approval. (RER/PIA-Caraga)


Concrete road project inaugurated in Brgy. Tiniwisan

By Maria Luisa Dianah Z. Generalao

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) – “Sukad kaniadto sa gamay pa ‘ko, karon pa gayud kami nakatagamtam ug sementadong karsada (For the first time, we'll experience what it's like to have a concrete road)."

This was the statement of Brgy. Capt. Demetrio Tabelon during the inauguration of the Tiniwisan Road Concreting project Sept. 10, 2012 in gratitude for the city government's action on the barangay's request.

The project was started on April 16, 2012 and was completed on August 17 of the same year. With a cost of P12, 927,958.62, the newly-concreted road measures 6.10 meters in width and sprawls 1.3 kilometers long – this year’s longest concreted road.

Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr. led the inaugural walk with the barangay officials and constitu

A senior citizen said, “Dugay ra gayud mi nangandoy nga masemento among karsada tungod kay mahasol gayud kami labi na kung ting-ulan na (We have hoped for so long for our road to be concreted because it’s very hard especially during the rainy season)."

Mayor Amante was presented a Certificate of Recognition from the barangay council.

On the same occasion, Amante also said Brgy. Tiniwisan placed top 3 among the cleanest barangays in the city, in connection with the LGU’s Clean Ground Zero Waste Program. (CMO/PIO/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


DSWD welcomes partnership with Australian gov’t. for CDD projects

By Keneath John O. Bolisay

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- International development aid continue to pour into Caraga region as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) enters into a partnership with the Australian government through its overseas aid program AusAID (Australian Agency for International Development) for community-driven development (CDD) projects.

Provision of infrastructure projects for local government units (LGUs) that submitted project proposals favoring education such as elementary and high school buildings and day care centers will receive funding from AusAID.

AusAID is setting a fund limit of P800,000 for each project proposal submitted by 88 barangays who will receive this grant.

The program will focus on the non-prioritized barangays of DSWD’s anti-poverty project Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service (KALAHI-CIDSS) or those that didn’t receive funding for their proposed educational facilities during its three-year cycle implementation.

The same Kalahi-CIDSS-World Bank procedures will be adopted by AusAID in implementing the program in a manner that the beneficiary communities themselves will prepare the financial documents and the subsequent construction of the infrastructures through a group of volunteers in the barangay.

Sixteen municipalities in Caraga region that went on to become champion areas of Kalahi-CIDSS for the past eight years will be named once the performance assessment will be done.

Community-driven development (CDD) is an approach adopted by Kalahi-CIDSS whereby participating communities are given the power to choose, prioritize, plan, co-finance, implement, monitor and maintain their development projects. (DSWD-13/Social Marketing Unit/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Pangulong Aquino misaksi sa parpirma sa Memorandum of Agreement tali sa DBM, DepEd and GSIS aron ibalik ang mga benipisyo sa mga magtutudlo

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Sep. 12 (PIA) – Gisaksihan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang pagpirma sa tulo ka Memorandum of Agreement tali sa Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Education (DepEd) ug Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) sa usa ka seremonya nga gipahigayon didto sa MalacaΓ±ang kagahapon.

Ang maong MoA nga gipirmahan nila Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Education Secretary Armin Luistro ug GSIS president ug general manager Robert Vergara, nagtumong aron maimplementar ang realistic ug makiangayon nga solusyon sa gitawag nga “chronic issue” sa wala mabayri nga mga premiums pinaagi sa pagbalik sa mga benipisyo sa hapit 800,000 ka mga active ug inactive nga mga mga trabahante sa DepEd sukad niadtong Hunyo 1997.

Ubos sa maong gikasabotan, ang DBM maoy mohatag sa P6.92-bilyon nga premium-in-arrears nga nagrepresentar sa share sa gobyerno ug ipadali ang pagbayad pinaagi sa pasiunang P3.46-bilyon o katunga sa kinatibuk-ang kantidad. Ug ang GSIS, pinaagi sa Board of Trustees niini, molugway sa P14-bilyon nga naipon nga tubo lakip usab ang paghatag og lima ka porsyento nga discount sa kinatibuk-ang kantidad.

Samtang si GSIS president ug general manager Robert Vergara miingon nga sa parpirma sa maong MoA, ang mga trabahante sa DepEd sa dili maduagy makapahimulos na sa sakto nga pag-umento sa ilang mga benipisyo, taas nga mautang nga kantidad ug taas nga retirements benefits.

Dugang pa niya nga ang retirado ug aktibo nga mga empleyado sa DepEd ang makadawat usab og umento sa mga pension kay ang GSIS mokalkula pag otro sa ilang mga benipisyo ug ibalik ang kantidad nga gikaltas ug idugang kini ngadto sa ilang madawat nga mga pension.

Uban sa Pangulo mao sila GSIS chairman Daniel lacson, Jr., Senator Edgardo Angara, Manila 6th District Representative Rosenda Ocampo, ug Alliance of Concerned Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio, ug lain pang uban.

Didto usab sila Teacher’s Dignity Coalition chairman Benjo Basas, Philippine School Teachers Association (PPSTA) president Mario Ramirez, DepEd-NEU national president Atty. Domingo Alidon ug Manila Public School Teachers Association (MPSTA) president Benjamin Valbuena. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)