ICTO issues apology for service interruptions
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, May 23 (PIA) –- The Information and
Communications Technology Office (ICTO) management here has apologized for
service interruptions experienced by its clients.
ICTO-Butuan Station Manager Enrique Legaspi said
the on-going Rationalization Program (RatPlan) and Post Operations
Plan/Winding-Down Operations (EGRESS Plan) presently undertaken by Dept. of
Science and Technology (DOST)-ICTO has caused a lot of administrative,
financial and technical adjustments which subsequently affected the releases of
funds for the monthly salaries of their watchmen as well as for the operations
and maintenance of our various facilities.
“Despite our persistent efforts, coordination
and representation for the speedy release of funds but to no avail. As a
results, the delayed release and absence of allotments had also led to the
disconnection and cutting off of our electricity and eventually force us to
temporarily cease our operations. With this predicament, we are sincerely
expressing our sincere apology to all our valued clients for the discomforts
brought about by the services interruption,” explained Legaspi.
Following the service interruption of the
Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) here on Tuesday,
Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Caraga Region has been receiving complaints
from clients. ICTO offered local calls to all provinces in Caraga Region.
According to PIA-Caraga Regional Director Abner
Caga, he and his staff have been receiving complaints through phone calls day
after the service interruption of the state-owned telephone service provider in
the city.
One client from Surigao City said that public
service must not be sacrificed since communication is one of the most important
services a government can give to the public.
Another subscriber from this city asked if
concerned officials of ICTO as well as top officials of the government have
knowledge on this matter.
Legaspi said that the Agusan del Norte Electric
Cooperative (ANECO) has disconnected their power supply around 11:30 a.m. on
Wednesday, May 22 as ICTO has failed to settle its electric bill. Also, the
Butuan City Water District (BCWD) has cut-off their water supply recently while
job order employees were not given salaries six months from now.
The ICTO under DOST was created through
Executive Order (EO) 47 which transferred the former Commission on Information
and Communications Technology (CICT) from the Office of the President to the
DOST, Legaspi said.
The ICTO is tasked to be the lead implementing
agency of Government in all most of its ICT related efforts such as industry
development, policy formulation, ICT infrastructure development, R&D, ICT
capacity building for the public sector and administration of the E-Governance
Fund.
The ICTO’s primary thrusts for 2011–2016 are in
the areas of ICT Industry Development, E-Government, ICT Policy Development,
ICT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity. Much of these directions are in line with
the Philippine Digital Strategy, the Philippine Government’s masterplan on how
to actively use information and communications technology in promoting economic
and social growth, and in promoting efficiency in the delivery of public
service. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
2 HEIs in Butuan applied for tuition fee
increase – CHED
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, May 23 (PIA) -- The Commission on
Higher Education (CHED)-Caraga Region today said two higher education
institutions (HEIs) here have applied for a tuition fee increase effective
academic year 2013-2014.
In a phone-patch interview over 107.8 Power FM
this morning, Dr. Evangeline S. Dagaang, Education Supervisor II and in-charge
of Business Related Program of CHED-Caraga said out of 56 HEIs in Caraga
Region, only two have submitted their application for tuition fee increase.
“This represents 3.57% of the total schools in the region,” she added.
Dr. Dagaang said the Father Saturnino Urios
University (FSUU) and AMA Computer Learning Center (ACLC) in this city have
applied for nine percent and ten percent increase, respectively on tuition fee.
The official said the applications of the said
HEIs were already forwarded to CHED Central Office in Manila and they are
waiting for the result anytime this month.
She added upon the approval of the said
applications, the two schools can immediately impose tuition fee increase.
However, Dagaang said under Section 3 of CHED
Memorandum Order No. 3, series of 2012, incoming freshmen enrollees are not
covered in the tuition fee increase.
The official added HEIs must post in their
conspicuous places in their premises the schedule of tuition fees for incoming
freshmen on or before February 28 of the academic year preceding the academic
year that the rates are to take effect. HEIs shall also inform the concerned
CHED Regional Offices of the same in writing on or before April 1. (RER/PIA-Caraga)
DAR distributes land titles to agrarian reform
beneficiaries in Veruela
By Genalin P. Luis
AGUSAN DEL SUR, May 23 (PIA) -- The Department
of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed the first batch of titles to 93 agrarian
reform beneficiaries on March 21, 2013 Brgy. Sta. Emelia, Veruela, Agusan del
Sur. The titles covered a total of 174.8756 hectares.
The distribution was led by the Provincial
Agrarian Reform Officer II Paysal B. Tumog, Al hajj, CARPO Cristino P.
Samputon, assisted by Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Vilma S. Romero. The
activity was also attended by the Administrative Officer, Guillermo Manluctao
of LGU Veruela in behalf of Mayor Salimar T. Mondejar and Brgy. Captain Adelo
P. Micutuan.
Unmindful of the searing heat, some
beneficiaries had to walk few kilometers from their homes just to receive their
titles in Brgy. Sta. Emelia Multi-purpose building where the titles were
distributed.
With a happy face, Diosdado Noval, a 92 year-old
farmer beneficiary stated, “ Tumang kalipay ang akong gibati nga aduna nay
titulo ang akong yuta nga dugay na nako gitikad. ( I felt so much joy that the
land I have cultivated for a long time is finally covered with a title).” We
would like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the DAR who
unceasingly helped us, starting from the identification of ARBs, free land
surveys and other fees, and now giving us the titles. We are so happy that
after so many years, finally, the lands that we have cultivated for several
years have now been branded our very own”.
On the same day of the distribution, ARBs
orientation was also conducted by the DAR and Municipal Assessor’s office where
the farmer beneficiaries were being reminded of their obligations and
responsibilities as such beneficiaries. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
OWWA-RWO 13 facilitates 10K livelihood grant
By Ritchel M. Molero
BUTUAN CITY, May 23 (PIA) -- The Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office 13 in line with the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Reintegration Center
for OFWs “Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Program” continues to provide
assistance for distressed and displaced Caraganon OFWs.
The Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Program aims
to provide assistance to OFWs who are unsuccessful in their flight abroad due
to the following reasons: maltreatment by the employer, poor working place/
condition, unpaid salary, contract violation, political unrest, global economic
crisis, health problems and unjust termination from the employer.
On May 15-18, 2013, OWWA held a 4-day
Entrepreneurship Development Training to 70 distressed and displaced OFWs. The
training covers Values Re-Orientation, Financial Literacy, and Starting Your
Own Business (SYOB). EDT is one of the requirements to avail the Balik Pinas,
Balik Hanapbuhay Program. It grants 10,000.00 Pesos livelihood assistance to
its beneficiaries. Other requirements include photocopy of passport and travel
documents such as flight itinerary, tickets, referral letter from the
Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and Visa.
Distressed and displaced Caraganon OFWs who
participated the training were working in the Middle East generally as
Household Service Workers while some worked as Engineers. A few were skilled
workers in the sea-based-category.
Since January 7 to May 21, 2013, OWWA-RWO 13 has
facilitated grants amounting to 970,000.00 Pesos to 97 distressed and displaced
OFWs.
OWWA-RWO 13 encourages OFWs with inquiries
regarding the program to visit their office at Nimfa Tiu Bldg. II at J. P.
Rosales Avenue, Butuan City or call at 09399259895. (RER/OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano news: Presidente Aquino mitudlo og
bag-ong Associate Justice sa Court of Tax Appeals
Ni Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Mayo 23 (PIA) – Gitudlo ni
Presidente Aquino niadtong Mayo 17 si Maria Belen Ringpis-Liban isip Associate
Justice sa Court of Tax Appeals hulip kang Olga R. Palanca-Enriquez.
Si Ringpis-Liban gradwado sa kursong abogasiya
sa UP College of Law, nagserbisyo isip regional trial court judge didto sa
Malolos ug Quezon City. Nahimo usab siyang solicitor sa Office of the
Solicitator General sukad niadtong 1988 hangtod 1996.
Gikan 1986 ngadto 1988, siya nagtrabaho isip
confidential attorney sa Court of Appeals, siya usab nahimong legal associate
sa PNCC ug Puruganan Ongkiko ug Chato Law office.
Gitudlo usab sa Presidente niadtong Mayo 17 si
Teresita O. Hatta isip executive director sa Central Bank Board of Liquidators.
Si Hatta maoy mihulip kang Leopoldo A. Abad Jr.
Si Hatta gradwado sa kursong Business
Administration sa University of the Philippines. Siya nagtrabaho isip assistant
governor sa Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Systems and Methods Office
niadtong 2001 hangtod 2009.
Nahimo usab siyang managing director sa BSP
alang sa Accounting and Information Technology ug kasamtangang chief accountant
ug chief information officer sa BSP gikan 1997 hangtod 2001.
Nagserbisyo usab siya sa old Central Bank sa
Pilipinas ug nagtrabaho usab sa SGV & Co. sulod sa unom ka tuig.
Ang lain pang uban nga natudlo mao sila Aurora
Javate-de Dios isip representante sa Pilipinas didto sa Association of
Southeast Asian Nations Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the
Rights of Women and Children. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
