RDRRMC-Caraga: Butuan flood posts 8,695 evacuees
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- A total of 1,824
families or 8,695 persons have evacuated here during the onslaught of tropical
depression “Crising” the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Caraga reported on
Thursday.
In a report submitted to the National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Loren Catedral of the OCD who
is also the duty officer of the council, said these families came from 15
different barangays located along the river banks in the city who were affected
after the Agusan River has overflowed Wednesday.
Catedral further said 10 evacuation centers were
designated by the city’s DRRMC in coordination with the Department of Education
(DepEd) for the evacuees.
On Tuesday, Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante
Jr. ordered suspension of classes in the pre-school, elementary, and high
school levels and until Wednesday.
In an interview with a local radio station here
this morning, Amante said the suspension order is already lifted but the order
is still in effect to schools that are designated as evacuation centers such as
the Agusan National High School, Obrero Elementary School, and Butuan Central
Elementary School.
As of press time, the Butuan Search and Rescue
Team (BuSART) continues to monitor the water level in Agusan River. It was
learned that as of 8 a.m. today, the water level rises to 3.09 meters at Alert
level 3 (Code Red).
The Butuan CDRRMC has also continued to monitor
evacuation centers and distributes relief goods to the evacuees.
Meanwhile, the RDRRMC Operation Center
disseminated 24-hour public weather orecast and weather advisories through its
short messaging service (SMS) to member-agencies, local DRRMCs, and local
radio/TV stations in the region.
“The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), on the
other hand, assists in disseminating warning advisories to its partner
networks,” Catedral said.
In a related development, the flooded road
section from Barangay Poblacion to Barangay Florida in the neighboring
municipality of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte has now subsided but are still
impassable to heavy vehicles due to mud.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Crising made landfall
Tuesday afternoon at the Southern part of Davao del Sur. (RER/PIA-Caraga)
Egg is good growing-up food
By Czarina Teresita S. Martinez
Did you know that egg is the most commonly
consumed protein source among Filipino children from ages six months to five
years? This was disclosed by the recent survey conducted by the Food and
Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology
(FNRI-DOST).
Egg is an excellent complementary protein-rich
food for babies after six months of age because budget-wise, it is very cheap
and easy to prepare.
Fresh egg is an important source of high quality
protein since it contains practically all vitamins, except ascorbic acid. Egg
yolk in particular, is an excellent source of vitamin A, phosphorous, calcium,
iron, retinol, and fat.
Make sure to select only fresh eggs for the
baby’s complementary food. The egg shells should be intact with no traces of
crack lines, clean and free from fecal matters or any dirt and discolorations.
The egg shell is semi-permeable, thus, air and even bacteria may get inside the
egg if damaged or is dirty.
It is best to cook eggs before serving as
complementary food.
Soft-cooked egg is achieved by simmering it for
five to seven minutes with enough water to cover the egg. Immediately cool
soft-cooked egg in running water to stop cooking and preventing it to become
hard-cooked egg.
Poaching is also a good way to prepare eggs as
complementary food for babies. Poached egg is done by cracking the egg shell
and carefully dropping it in simmering water until the egg forms a stable solid
mass.
It is best to serve eggs immediately after
cooking.
The Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF)
developed by experts led by the FNRI recommends introducing new complementary
food to babies one at a time and continuing to give the same food for three to
four days. In this way we can easily know if the baby can tolerate the food
well and will not have allergic or other adverse reaction. For infants less
than one year old, salt should not be added because the kidneys of babies
cannot handle sodium efficiently.
Remember to continue breastfeeding until two years
old and beyond, while slowly introducing a variety of food and training infants
to appreciate the different tastes and texture of foods.
Always allow babies to burp after each feeding
to help prevent colic or abdominal discomfort caused by swallowing air. Hold
the baby on the shoulder or set the baby to his/her stomach over the lap and
pat the baby’s back until air comes out.
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue,
Bicutan, Taguig City. E-mail: mcv@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com
Telefax: 837-2934 and 827-3164, or call: 8372071 local 2296 or visit our
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
News Feature: Healthy lifestyle on sale!
By Charina A. Javier
Travel packages, home products, restaurants,
movie tickets, gadgets and a whole lot of other items are now being sold at
cheaper prices with various promotions and advertisements online and in many
business establishments. In fact, many people are going crazy over promos
nowadays.
With this hype, have you ever thought of taking
advantage of promos to live a healthier and active lifestyle?
Yes, fitness establishments and online stores
offer discounted packages on various exercise programs such as unlimited dance
lessons, unlimited gym access, yoga, pilates, bowling, ice skating, martials
arts, boxing, and many more. These discounted exercise programs are sometimes
specific for kids or adults but often open to all. There are also some that are
offered for groups or families.
These exercise programs are sold either in
single, multiple or unlimited sessions depending on the establishment that
offers the activity. For the adventurous or those who just want to try first,
the single session voucher is usually a good choice. For the those who are more
engaged and wants to develop or maintain an exercise regimen, the multiple or
unlimited sessions are better options.
Personally, I have purchased and tried the
multiple sessions for pilates, yoga and dance lessons. These activities are
helping me maintain an active lifestyle and while staying productive at work
and enjoying social activities.
These activities have validity dates though, so
anyone who purchases a program should make sure to make the most of the voucher
while it is valid, and watch out for next promos to be offered.
With a lot tempting advertisements, we should
remember that there are healthy items or services offered with cheaper prices
too. Whether your goal is a more toned body, a stronger cardio-fitness, achieve
desirable weight, or simply to have fun, the important thing to be active and
live healthy.
Besides, who doesn't want discounts and gain
more, right? It's like lose weight, save money, gain health!
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue,
Bicutan, Taguig City. E-mail: mcv@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com
Telefax: 837-2934 and 827-3164, or call: 8372071 local 2296 or visit our
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST/PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: Iron deficiency among women,
infants can be prevented
By Czarina Teresita S. Martinez
A baby born full-term has usually sufficient
iron stores, according to the U. S. National Academy of Science (NAS).
Mild maternal iron deficiency anemia (IDA) may
not have significant effect on the iron status of the newborn but severe IDA
has significant repercussions.
The nine months of pregnancy is an exciting time
for couples who are eagerly anticipating their bundle of joy.
However, it may also be a period of stress for
the expectant mother as the nutrient demand of the developing fetus adds to the
normal maintenance of iron.
Dr. Helen A. Guthrie, Professor of Nutrition at
the Pennsylvania State University, says that a woman who has been
well-nourished prior to conception enters pregnancy with a reserve of several
nutrients that can meet the needs of the growing fetus without jeopardizing her
health.
The Food and nutrition Research Institute of the
Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) recommends that pregnant women
should eat a balanced diet. Lactating women are further advised to drink enough
fluids preferably milk, soups, fruit juice and water so that maternal stores
will not be depleted and lactation will be sufficient.
During pregnancy, the body conserves iron since
menstruation ceases and iron absorption increases three folds. The blood
protein responsible for iron absorption likewise increases.
However, iron stores may decrease during
pregnancy because iron needs also increase.
On the last trimester of pregnancy, much of the
available iron and maternal iron stores are taken up by the fetus to create its
own iron stores for the first three to six months of life.
The National Nutrition Survey (NNS) by the Food
and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology
(FNRI-DOST) found that 4 out of 10 pregnant women are suffering from IDA.
Based on the criteria set by the World Health
Organization (WHO), the prevalence of IDA among pregnant women in the
Philippines is of significant public health problem.
Dr. Guthrie adds that the best method of
combating iron deficiency in pregnancy is to promote high intakes of available
iron by women of reproductive age so that she enters pregnancy with adequate
iron stores.
According to the FNRI-DOST, iron is present in
both animal and plant origins
Liver and glanular organs are the richest
sources of iron while meat, fish and poultry are the other good animal sources
of iron.
Iron-rich plant foods are the legumes family,
green leafy vegetables such as gamet (seaweeds), kulitis (Spineless amaranth),
dahon ng malunggay (horse raddish leaves), kangkong (swamp cabbage), dahon ng
gabi (taro leaves), dahon ng kinchay (Chinese Celery leaves) , dahon ng saluyot
(jute leaves), talbos ng kamote (sweet potato leaves), and some dried fruits
like prunes.
However, iron in plant foods is non-heme iron
and is less bio-available than the heme iron in animal sources.
IDA could also be avoided by consuming foods
that may help in increase iron absorption and metabolism like vitamin A,
Vitamin C, and riboflavin that are abundant in fruits and vegetables.
In addition, IDA could also be avoided by
consuming fortified iron foods. The Department of Health (DOH) is advocating
the consumption of foods with the Sangkap Pinoy Seal; that include iron
fortified foods. The FNRI-DOST develops fortified food products including iron
fortified foods that will help increase the consumption of iron.
For more information about food and nutrition,
contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Sciecne and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan
Taguig City. E-mail mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com, Telefax: (02)
8372934 and (02) 8273164, or call (02) 837-2071 local 2296 or visit our website
at http//www.fnri.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST/PIA-Caraga)
Vermicomposting project in Butuan City
By Junesther Jean S. Iway
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- The local
government will partner with the Department of Agriculture and the the Bureau
of Agricultural Research (BAR) to put up a vermicomposting project here.
In a memorandum of agreement signed by the
parties, the DA-BAR will provide P1.5 million to the city government as
institutional development support to establish a vermicomposting facility in
Butuan City.
The project aims to further promote agricultural
productivity and support for local farmersa Vermi-Composting facility in this
city.
The DA-BAR will first create an evaluation team
in coordination with LGU-Butuan to keep track of the project’s progress. On the
other hand, the city government is responsible for the orderly, systematic and
timely implementation of the said project.
Vermicomposting is a process or method of
composting through the utilization of worms to turn organic wastes such as
scraps, garden waste, manure, paper, wood, and other agricultural and
industrial organic wastes into high quality compost. (LGU-BC/VMO/PIA-Caraga)
P28-M farm-to-market road benefits 5 barangays
in Agusan del Norte
By Gil E. Miranda
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 21 -- The Agrarian Reform
Infrastructure Support Project Phase III (DAR-ARISP III) recently turned-over
the completed 6.5-kilometer (km) concrete farm-to-market road worth P28 million
to the local government of R.T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte.
More than 11,000 residents in barangays
Tagbongabong, Basilisa, Balangbalang, Poblacion II, and San Antonio Agrarian
Reform Communities (TAGBABAPSA ARC) benefited from the project with 989
agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) including hundreds of residents from
neighboring barangays.
The road project provides better accessibility
to three barangays, from national road junction in Poblacion II traversing
Brgy. Balangbalang to San Antonio.
DAR Caraga Regional Director Faisar A. Mambuay,
Andre B. Atega also of DAR, and Mayor Nilo D. Soliva led the ceremonial ribbon
cutting and unveiling of the marker.
Mambuay said, “This project is expected to
improve lives and reduce poverty level of agrarian reform beneficiaries,
farmers and residents in the community.”
Atega said the project will increase household
income and change the way of life among the residents. He asked the local
officials as well as the residents to take care of the project to prolong its
service.
Mayor Soliva lauded government initiatives like
DAR’s interventions that dramatically increase productivity and boost economic
condition which change not only the landscape but positively ease in commuting
and lessen transport cost.
“This road brings rapid growth that lead to the
prosperity of my constituents,” Soliva added.
Jeanda Agao, one of the recipients, said the
project indeed, is a dream come true to the residents, who endured years of bad
road condition, but now, they have an accessible road that greatly improve the
mobilization of agricultural products.
“Ang maong proyekto dako og tabang kay dili na
kami maglisod sa pagdala sa among produkto ngadto sa kamerkadohan (the project
greatly helps because we can easily bring our products to the market),"
Jeanda said.
Witnessing the said activity were Vice Mayor
Eleuterio R. Enriquez; Denia Jabagat and Virgie Batosalem of DAR; Danilo E.
Versola of DPWH; District Engineer Salvador E. Montil Jr., San Antonio Brgy.
Chairman Diosdado Enriquez; and some local residents.
The project is jointly funded by government and
by Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) implemented under DAR’s
Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project, Phase III (ARISP III). (DAR-Agusan
del Norte/PIA-Caraga)
Agri-Pinoy Program continues to soar in Butuan
City
By Junesther Jean S. Iway
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- Cooperative here
were granted assistance through resolutions passed by the Sangguniang
Panlungsod.
One unit of Multipurpose Drying Pavement was
granted to Tagpulangi-lilo Irrigator’s Association; one unit of Rice Milling
Machine was granted to the Butuan-Agusan Farmer’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative;
and another unit of Rice Reaper was granted to the Taguibo IPM Irrigator’s
Association, Inc.
In the said approved resolutions, the city mayor
was given authority to enter and sign memorandum of agreements (MOA) relative
to the implementation of the Agri-Pinoy Rice Program. There are already more
than 72 project recipients of the Agri-Pinoy Project, it was gathered.
The Agri-Pinoy Rice Program is a national rice
program focused on agricultural sector through integrating government
initiatives primarily aimed at uplifting the lives of the Filipino farmers
through support to rice production; irrigation; postharvest and other
infrastructure facilities; market development services; extension support,
education and training services; and research and development services.
With this, the different project recipients
shall be responsible for the maintenance of the facilities and equipment
granted to them and shall utilize the same in accordance to their intended use
and in furtherance of the purposes of the Agri-Pinoy program which supports the
Food Staples Sufficiency Program. (LGU-BC/VMO/PIA-Caraga)
217 youths clinch scholarships
By Gervacio C. Dauz Jr
CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte, Feb. 21 (PIA)
-- A total of 217 youth recipients under the Department of Social Welfare and
Development-Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (DSWD-Tesda)
Cash for Training Project (C4TP) received their respective, coveted scholarship
vouchers, which will serve as their skills training passes to retool them for a
better future.
The recipients came from the municipalities of
Magallanes, Jabonga, Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR), Santiago, and Tubay, plus the
lone city of Cabadbaran.
Each scholar is allocated P20,000 which is
translated in the form of several benefits such as training cost, allowance,
assessment fee, and tool kits – the latter being provided only for those who
will undergo skills training for self-employment.
Minda Bulatao-Brigoli, director of DSWD Caraga,
said “This opportunity is not for us in the agencies; rather it is for you. We
are investing on you, because, in the future, you will be the ones who will
define what kind of development our country will have. Being youth, you have
the zeal and drive, and you will serve as the propelling force for our next
generation. So, take good care of this opportunity.”
Dr. Florencio F. Sunico Jr., director of
Tesda-Caraga, revealed that C4TP allocation for Agusan del Norte and Butuan
City is pegged at P8.5 million with at least 425 scholarship slots. He urged
the scholars to “Make use of the opportunity, because we are counting on you.”
Furthermore, he shared that “our philosophy is
about teaching a man how to fish, so that he will be able to eat for a lifetime.”
He dovetailed it to the scholarship undertakings, saying, “We don’t give you
money, but training opportunity to enhance yourselves. This is taxpayers’ money
and we are just stewards.”
Dale Corvera, mayor here and host of the
launching and awarding activity, tackled the scholarship opportunity as “A gift
from the government for you, our young people. Through this opportunity, you
will learn skills that you can use for your future.”
He went on to share the example wherein his
leadership was challenged in accommodating several applicants, but there is
only one nursing position available in the city government. “But while others
are trying to fight for that one vacancy, here’s a mining company in Surigao
asking me if I have skilled workers here that they can hire. So, the irony goes
on and on, which is about mismatch between the labor and market.”
Veering on the contribution of Tesda, he said,
“When Tesda gives skills training, it always provides the appropriate ones
needed by the market.” He cautioned, however, the scholars that it would still
be a useless endeavor “if you will not take charge of it.”
As a development undertaking, the C4TP was a
joint idea between Tesda and DSWD “In support of government’s thrust to provide
a sustainable intervention to improve the plight and condition of the youth and
empower them through skills training and assistance towards gainful employment
and entrepreneurial activities.” (NCLM/TESDA-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del
Norte)
Cebuano News: Pundo andam na alang sa pagtabang
sa mga naigo sa bagyong “Cresing” matud sa Malakanyang
Ni Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Peb. 21 (PIA) -– Andam na ang
nasyunal nga gobyerno pinaagi sa Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) alang sa pagtabang sa mga naigo sa bagyong “Cresing” nga bag-ohay pa lamang
miigo sa pipila ka mga lugar sa Mindanao, matud sa Malakanyang
Sumala ni Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda
kagahapon nga adunay kantidad P15,528,181.68 andam nga pundo ug kantidad
P24,121,258 nga mga relief supplies ang nakaandam na tanan sa DSWD field office
lakip ang storm path, kantidad P39,649,439.96.
Matud ni Lacierda nga sa maong giandam nga
pundo, kantidad P8,584,738.43 nga standby funds ug kantidad P15,171,087.17 nga
stockpile ang nakaandam na alang sa rehiyon sa Caraga diin maoy usa sa dakong
naangol sa maong bagyo.
Adunay mokabat 644 ka mga pamilya o 3,220 ka mga
tawo ang gitahong naapektuhan sa bagyong “Cresing” dinhi sa Mindanao diin ang
DSWD field office miandam na sa kantidad P607,599.96 standby funds ug kantidad
P3,232,664.20 nga mga stockpile sa pagkaon ug mga galamiton.
Matud pa niya nga sa Davao region , diin adunay
mokabat 8,820 ka mga pamilya o 44,370 ka tawo ang naapektuhan, kantidad
P4,649,925.54 ang giandam alang sa standby funds ug adunay igong stockpile sa
mga pagkaon ug mga galamiton ang giandam na.
Samtang, kantidad P500,000.00 sa standby funds
ug P1,007,649.09 kantidad nga mga stockpile sa pagkaon ug mga galamiton ang
giandam na didto sa Rehiyon IV-B Field Office, samtang andam na usab ang
pagkaon alang sa 4,000ka mga pamilya, 30 ka mga karton sa noodles, 158 ka mga
karton sa sardinas, mga crackers ug uban ang giandam usab didto sa Rehiyon XII
Field Office, dugang pa niya. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
