(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 - Monday, October 22, 2012


Partners for resilient conducts disaster risk assessment using three municipalities in Agusan del Sur as model

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Oct. 22 (PIA) -- Three municipalities in this province were made models by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and CARE Philippines for the vulnerability and capacity assessment (VCA), part of the initial activities as recipient of the Netherlands’ financed program on disaster risk reduction and management.

The three municipalities, Esperanza, Talacogon and Bunawan, were assessed with regards to climate, community, livelihood, land use/natural resources and disaster risk aspects, ecosystem characterization and changes in the last 30 years.

The assessing team was composed of a Philippine Red Cross Project officer, delegate from the CARE Phils., Inc. and the Wetland International and was formed as chosen by the PRC and the Netherlands representative to assess the situation of the selected recipient province.

The references the assessing team used in determining the disasters/events causing livelihood vulnerability are the vulnerability and capacity assessment or the vulnerability risk assessment (VCA/VRA) and an ecosystem characterization presented by the Wetland International.

Nine events were found to cause livelihood vulnerability. These are longer and unpredictable floods with 65 percent impact in the area; exotic species/pests like janitor fish, water hyacinth, black rice bug, rats and falcata, 80 percent; crocodiles, seven percent; water pollution caused by mining, agriculture and human wastes, 100 percent; depletion of natural resources, 100 percent; unpredictable rains, 25 percent; drought, 100 percent; earthquake, 100 percent and river bank erosion, 30 percent.

The assessing team also found out the factors of increased disaster risk. For increased flood risk, conflicting laws/policies on land use/natural resources management and weak implementation of these laws is the number one factor. Number two factor are plantations, mining companies that have emerged, the increase in population, increase in logging activities and destruction of natural landscape leading to construction of dams, siltation and the conversion of marshland into agricultural land. The number three factor is the climate change with consideration to the number of days with extreme rainfall and rising of temperature.

For increased water pollution, the team considered climate, including the increased rainfall and temperature and the rising of sea level, as the number one factor. Second is the community where the population increase and poor knowledge on sanitation and hygiene is found, and third is livelihood, land use and natural resources, which include chemical contamination from mining and agricultural activities, siltation and erosion and the pest called the janitor fish.

With these findings, the team recommends some of the most effective strategies to reduce disaster risk. To address increased flood risk, the team recommends sustainable land use through advocacy for responsible mining, logging and land use; improvement of the implementation and regulation of environmental laws, reforestation programs and increasing awareness and capacity to protect natural resources.

The team also recommends alternative livelihood and developing sustainable, flood-resilient livelihood strategies. To address water pollution, the team recommends advocacy for responsible and regulated mining; in-depth assessment of river system and identification of problems and their causes; sustainable agriculture; alternative livelihoods so that people will stop logging; and processing of contaminated water for safe drinking. (RER/DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Surigao del Sur observes National Correctional Consciousness Week

By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 22 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Surigao del Sur District Jail-Tandag held a motorcade early morning today as an opening salvo for the weeklong celebration of the 18th National Correctional Consciousness Week and Prison Awareness Week.

In a statement, the agency said a series of activities are set to be conducted like sports fest, Search for Talentadong Inmate, interfaith activities, legal counselling and many more joined by the inmates during the observance of the twin celebration.

A program aimed to raise public awareness for the celebration will be held at the SDS District Jail-Tandag right after the motorcade.

Likewise, the program also aims to educate the community that these prisoners are also human and have their individual rights to be respected, and encourage them to participate in the rehabilitation of inmates.

The celebration is set to culminate on October 28, the inmates’ “Family day” at the same time. The event will be highlighted with a search for “Miss Macho Gay 2012.” (RER/NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Agusan del Sur provincial development fund brings better roads

By Melody de Vera

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 22 (PIA) -- Residents from nine barangays in the municipalities of Esperanza, Prosperidad, San Francisco and the lone City of Bayugan now enjoy good roads after rehabilitation and repairs have been completed.

The 14-kilometer road that connects the national road junction from Bayugan City to Barangays Cagbas, Saguma, Charito and Gamao which were damaged during the past heavy rains is now passable under all weather conditions. The improvement, rehabilitation and repairs were extended to Barangays San Toribio and Labao in Esperanza town.

Another 6.7-kilometer road that connects the national road junction from the national highway in Patin-ay, Prosperidad to Barangay Lucac and Pisaan in San Francisco town was completed.

The total cost of this road's rehabilitation, repairs and improvement is P4,347,396, taken from the 20 percent provincial development fund of 2011 as part of Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza’s program in providing easy access to far-flung barangays while ensuring safety travel of farmers and their families.

Barangay Saguma Chairman Virgelio Gumop-as said they are very lucky to have been chosen as one of the recipients of the road rehabilitation projects of the provincial government.

“Because of this, the 20 percent budget that we set aside for the rehabilitation of the said road was saved and we can spend it in another priority project that the people in Barangay Saguma needed most. We want to thank from the bottom of our hearts Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza for his never-ending support to us and all the Agusanons,” Gumop-as said.

For the residents in the area who mainly dependent on farming, the project is a big help to them. Transporting their agricultural products has become easier and has entailed lesser costs.

Barangay Captain Manuel Perez of San Toribio also said that in times of emergency, residents in San Toribio will find it easier to bring their patients to the hospital for treatment even during night time because of the good road condition.

For their part, barangay officials and residents of Lucac took extra steps in ensuring the road’s sustainability by passing Ordinance No. 2 which regulates the passage of vehicles loaded with heavy cargoes especially during the rainy season to prevent it from being damaged. Barangay Captain Ramona Pajo said the ordinance is also their way of expressing their appreciation to Plaza, by maintaining the road in good condition in return.

Among other projects funded by the 2011 PDF are the construction of the public market in Taglatawan, Bayugan City; concreting of Ninoy Aquino boulevard (Phase 3), Poblacion, Prosperidad; concreting of the Integrated Bus Terminal road, Poblacion, Rosario; concreting of Binahanan street in San Teodoro and Singanan street in San Andres, both in Bunawan; construction of Proper Binucayan-Union road in Binucayan, Loreto; regravelling of Panagangan-Ipil-Langasian FMR in La Paz; improvement of A.D. Curato street, Poblacion, Talacogon; rehabilitation of San Isidro–Bayugan 2 FMR, San Isidro, San Francisco; rehabilitation of NRJ-Lapinigan-Mate road, San Francisco; and rehabilitation of Poblacion–Iloan road, Poblacion, Loreto. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Tagalog news: ConsumerNet at mga nagbebenta ng cellphone sasailalim sa isang dialogo at at pagsasanay

By Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY, Okt. 22 (PIA) -- Dadaluhan ng mga miyembro ng Caraga Consumers Network (ConsumersNet) at consumers organization ng Agusan del Norte kasama ang mga nagnenegosyo sa pagbebenta ng cellphone ang isang dialogo, pagsasanay at ang 7th ConsumerNet Meets the Public na gaganapin ngayong Oktubre 31.

Ang dialogo at pagsasanay ay gaganapin sa umaga at sa bandang hapon naman ay ang ConsumerNet Meets the Public. Ang mga aktibidad ay gaganapin sa Barangay Imadejas Function Hall sa lungsod.

Ang isang araw na aktibidad ay para sa pagtatapos ng isang buwan na selebrasyon ng Consumer Welfare Month sa temang “Get organized. Be Heard. Be Empowered.”

Ayon kay Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga Director Brielgo Pagaran ang dialogo ay layuning magbigay impormasyon sa mga nagbebenta ng cellphone hinggil sa hindi pagsunod sa warranty sa ilalim ng batas, pati na ang pagpapatupad nito sa pamamagitan ng gaganaping workshop kung paano hahawakan ang mga reklamo ng kanilang mga consumer.

“Nagpapakita ang talaan namin na halos lahat ng mga reklamong nakakarating sa tanggapan ng DTI-Caraga ay mga reklamo hinggil sa mga depekto ng mga cellphone units. Dahil dito, ang aming tanggapan ay naglalayong resolbahin ang mga reklamo ng mga konsumedor, sa pamamagitan ng paglalagay ng mga consumer welfare desk sa mga establishemento,” ani Pagaran.

Idinagdag din ni Pagaran na layunin din ng gaganaping forum ang pagbigay impormasyon sa mga bagong updates sa mga isyu na nakakaapekto sa mga konsumedor.

“Ang mga paksa naman na pag-uusapan sa forum ay ang mga sumusunod: 1) Water Supply (Walang tubig kapag tag-ulan at iba pang isyu hinggil sa supply ng tubig); 2) Electricity Supply (iskedyul ng brownout, krisis ng enerhiya at mga energy saving tips); 3) mga ulat ukol sa helmet evaluation at issuance ng ICC stickers; at 4) Helmet Act implementation sa Enero 2013," ayon pa kay Pagaran.

Ang Presidential Proclamation No. 1098 ay nagdedeklara sa buwan ng Oktubre bawat taon bilang Consumers Welfare Month. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano news: Malacanang miingon nga ang Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management ug NEDA mopanday og mga mando ug regulasyon aron mabantayan nga dili maabuso ang Administrative Order No. 31

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Okt. 22 (PIA) -- Bisan pa kon ang Administrative Order No. 31 nga gipirmahan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sayo karong bulana itugot ang pag-umento sa mga balayranan sa pipila ka balayranan sa gobyerno sunod tuig, mopanday usab kini og mga pagmando ug regulasyon aron mabantayan kining maong pagtaas sa government fees sunod tuig gikan sa dili makatarunganon, sobra ug pag-abuso, matud sa MalacaΓ±ang Kagahapon.

Matud ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte sa estasyon dzRB Radyo ng Bayan nga ang Departments of Finance and Budget and Management, lakip usab ang National Economic Development Authority maoy manguna sa pagpanday og mga pagmando ug regulasyon nga maoy mobantay sa AO 31 aron dili kini maabuso.

“The Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management and the National Economic Development Authority will formulate the rules and regulations para masigurado natin yung pagi-implement at pagmo-monitor ng compliance sa ilalim ng Administrative Order,” matud pa ni Valte.

Dugang pa niya nga ang susamang AO subling gipagana ang Task Force sa Fees ug Charges aron mapalapdan ang pagmonitor sa mga programa sa pag-implemetar sa maong AO.

“Hindi po ibig sabihin na dahil magtataas, napakataas na nito. Nakalagay sa Administrative Order na kailangan meron tayong necessary safeguards para maprotektahan ang publiko sa unreasonable at arbitrary fees and charges,” matud ni Valte.

Ubos sa AO 31, ang mga ahensya sa gobyerno lakip ang gipanag-iya ug kontralado sa gobyerno nga mga korporasyon ang gitugotan aron mohimog bag-ong pagtaas sa ilang mga fees ug charges kon gikinahanglan.

Lakip sa mga ahensya sa gobyerno ang mopataas sa ilang mga fees mao ang Department of Foreign Affairs, National Statistics Office, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Registration Authority, Professional Regulation Commission, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Department of Trade and Industry, ug ang National Telecommunications Commission. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)