(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 - Thursday, January 10, 2013



Alert level 1 raised in Surigao City, provinces of Dinagat Islands

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Jan. 10 (PIA) – An alert level one was raised early today in Surigao City, the provinces of Dinagat Islands and the entire municipalities of Surigao del Norte following a continuous rainfall which started Wednesday morning, January 9.

Surigao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Coiuncil (DRRMC), Dinagat Islands PDRRMC and the municipal DRRMCs hoisted early this morning an alert level one upon recommendation from the weather bureau Pagasa.

The councils advised the suspension of classes in the pre-school and elementary levels and urged the public to be vigilant.

Pagasa Surigao chief Jun Arpon, in a radio interview, said the continuous rainfall being experienced was brought about by an Inter Tropical Convergence Zone and Low Pressure Area (LPA) estimated at 490 km Southeast of Gen. Santos City and another LPA estimated at 1090 km East of Mindanao.

They also advised all the residents situated at the steep slope and low lying areas to take precautionary measures for possible landslides and flashfloods.

On the other hand, Surigao del Norte PDRRMC and Local officials have already started monitoring the water level along riverbanks of the municipalities of Mainit, Malimono, Bacuag and Placer and other areas of the province prone to landslides and flash floods.

As of posting, light to heavy rains are being experienced in the two provinces. There is yet no advise to evacuate residents. (FEA/SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


2013 onwards to observe spirit of volunteerism

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- In its news release of December 5, 2012, the Civil Service Commission (CSC), enjoined all government agencies to establish and implement volunteer programs on top of their regular mandate in order to promote the value of volunteerism in the public sector.

The CSC said that the agencies' volunteer program shall provide opportunity for state employees to express and actualize their personal motivation and desire to help others especially the underserved and marginalized sectors of society. This directive was issued in support to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9418 or "An Act Institutionalizing a Strategy for Rural Development, Strengthening Volunteerism and For Other Purposes" which underscores CSC's role in the establishment of volunteer programs in national government agencies and local government units.

These volunteerism projects and activities which will be done beyond office hours so as not to disturb the agencies' delivery of mandated services, shall be anchored on, but not limited to technical development assistance, social services, environment and disaster response, private-public partnerships, and promotion and advocacy volunteerism in remote areas.

As mandated, the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) will oversee the implementation of the provisions of the said act and will document public sector volunteerism best practices.

Each agency will designate a focal person to coordinate with the PNVSCA relative to their respective volunteer program implementations.

An annual report on volunteering initiatives and activities will be submitted by all government agencies to PNVSCA on or before the end of October starting 2013 onwards. RA No. 9418 also covers the observance of the National Volunteer Month (NVM) every December and the International Volunteer Day (IVD) in the Philippines every December 5. (CSC/PIA-Caraga)


Butuan City beefs up campaign against dengue

By Maria Luisa Dianah Z. Generalao

BUTUAN CITY, Jan 10 (PIA) -- The city government advised the public to be more alert against dengue fever, as 398 dengue cases were recorded in the city as of December 2012.

The City Health Office (CHO) report showed that Brgy. Libertad is the most affected area last year with 30 dengue cases. Brgy. San Vicente followed closely with 28 dengue cases reported.

Records also showed that 65 of all the cases reported occurred in November 2012 alone.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that causes severe flu-like illness, and may be fatal if not immediately given proper medical attention. Symptoms include chills, headache, and pain that affects legs, joints, and the lumbar region of the spine.

A person infected with the dengue virus will also experience high fever that goes on for 2 days to a week. Other symptoms include nose-bleeding, stomachache and vomiting.

In an emergency meeting with city hall staff, Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. instructed the CHO to exert all possible efforts to lessen if not cease the spread of the infection.

To avoid the dengue-carrying mosquito Aedes Aegypti from inhabiting our homes, the CHO recommended these precautionary measures for a safer 2013: (a) Water drums and pails are the ideal aedes aegypti breeding grounds. If you have these at home, be sure to cover them to prevent dengue-carrying mosquitoes from breeding inside; (b) Stocked-water accumulated from refrigerators and dish organizers should be poured out on a regular basis. Water inside flower vases should be replaced at least once a week; (c) Search and destroy possible breeding places of dengue-causing mosquitoes like discarded plastic bags, bottles, old tires, cans, earthen jars, and other containers that might hold clean stagnant water; and (d) Practice self-protection measures like wearing long-sleeved clothes and pants. Apply mosquito repellant on the skin to deter mosquito bites. (NCLM/CMO-PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Agusan Norte conducts Youth Congress

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- To give proper guidance to the youth regarding drug addiction, pre-marital sex, teenage pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), the province of Agusan del Norte, in coordination with the Provincial Health Office (PHO), conducted the Provincial Youth Congress held recently at the Provincial Training Center here.

With the theme “Responsableng Kabataan Kaagapay sa Pag-unlad ng Bayan,” the youth of the province, particularly the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairmen, were made to attend the 2-day seminar/ workshop to address their issues and concerns and update them with what’s going on around the community.

“If you want to be leaders in the province of Agusan del Norte, then you should have the information with what is happening in the world. Information is power!” said Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante during his inspirational speech.

To provide inputs on specific subject matters, Florencio C. Mirafuentes, of the Commission on Population discussed about the Adolescent Reproductive Health; Lucita Tagudin of the Department of Health discussed the situation of adolescents (age 10-19) and the youth (age 10-24) in the Philippines; Agnes Garcia and Fladelita dela PeΓ±a, health educators from PHO, talked about HIV-AIDS/STD Infections Prevention and Control; Myrian Balbada, chief, of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency discussed the Ill Effects of Drug Abuse; Ormela Mae M. Beluan talked about the duties and responsibilities of the SK; and Gloria Pabillore about the Children’s Rights.

As the President of the Provincial SK Federation, Board Member Ronica P. Chung led the recitation of the Pledge of Commitment in empowering the youth to make a difference in his/her community and be a responsible leader.

Gracing the said event were BM Daniel O. Racaza, BM Ernie M. Ceniza, PIO-III Edgar M. Palarca, Jr., Provincial Youth Coordinator Mary Grace E. Wang, and Eleanor “Bing” Tupaz of the PPDO. (NCLM/MSMonoy/LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


CSC still accepts nomination to 2013 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees

MANILA, Jan. 10 -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is now accepting nominations to the 2013 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees. The announcement was made by the Publications and Media Relations Division of the agency.

According to CSC, the nominations to the annual search for public service exemplars may now be submitted to the CSC Provincial/Field and Regional Offices. The awards to be given out are the highest and most coveted recognition given by the government to individuals or group of individuals who have excelled or shown utmost dedication and commitment in public service.

All officials in the career and non-career service of the government including appointive barangay officials and employees recognized as government employees may be nominated. However, employees who are under job order or contract of service are exclused from the coverage of the program.

It was also emphasized that the 2013 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees forms part of the CSC's Honor Awars Program (HAP) with three award categories, namely: The Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award which is conferred to an individual or group for exceptional or extraordinary contributions that had nationwide impact; the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees or the Dangal ng Bayan Award which is conferred to an individual for performance of extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior on the basis of his/her adherence to the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees; the CSC Pagasa Award which is given to an individual or group of individuals for outstanding contributions that directly benefit more than one department of the government.

To promote and strengthen teamwork, the Honor Awards Program (HAP) is said to have strongly encouraged group/team nominations for 2013. Any individual or organization with extensive knowledge of the outstanding work performance and/or exemplary ethical behavior of certain public servants may nominate an individual or group of individuals for a specific category in the HAP. It was emphasized that the deadline for submission of nomination for all award categories to any CSC Provincial/Field or Regional Office is March 29, 2013.

For more details, contact the HAP Secretariat at telephone numbers (02) 931-7993, (02) 932-0381 and hotline (02) 932-011, TextCSC 0917-839-8272 or email hap@webmail.csc.gov.ph or paio@webmail.csc.gov.ph. Government agencies within Caraga Region may also contact telephone numbers (085) 342-6089 and (085) 815-3370. (CSC/PIA-Caraga)


 NSO undertakes the 2012 Census of Agriculture & Fisheries

By Villa Bayotas

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 10 - The National Statistics Office will be conducting the 2012 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (2012 CAF) on February 25 to April 13.

The 2013 activity will have January 2012 to December 2012 as reference period. This nationwide count involves several activities in the field.

Several census enumerators will be responsible in the listing of households and enumeration of agricultural, aqua cultural and fishing operators for the 2012 CAF. A team supervisor will supervise two to three enumerators (ENs). Eligible respondents/members of the households, LGUs, and the citizenry are encouraged to fully cooperate during the field operation.

The 2012 CAF is geared towards the collection and compilation of basic information on agriculture and fisheries sectors of the country.

For Caraga Region, further information can be obtained thru the NSO regional office at Lopez Jaena Extension, Butuan City, and thru its four provincial offices with the following addresses: 1. Agusan del Norte Provincial Office, Lopez Jaena Ext., Butuan City; 2. Agusan del Sur Provincial Office, Patin-ay, Agusan del Sur: 3. Surigao del Norte Provincial Office, Navarro Street, Surigao City; 4. Surigao del Sur Provincial Office, Pimentel Bldg., Telaje Street, Tandag City. (NCLM/NSO-13/PIA-Caraga)