Regional committees draft anti-trafficking
action plan
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
DAVAO CITY, July 12 (PIA) -- Focal persons of
regional committees on anti-trafficking in regions 11 and 13 (Caraga) have
drafted their action plans on trafficking in persons (TIP) and other forms of
gender-based violence (GBV).
The Regional Inter-Agency Committee on
Anti-Trafficking-Violence Against Women and Children (RIACAT-VAWC) in regions
11 and 13 drafted their Strategic Action Plan on TIP and other forms of GBV
during a two-day strategic action planning workshop on TIP-GBV held July 9-10
at the Regency Inn, this city.
Focal persons from government agencies,
non-government organizations and private stakeholders from the two regions participated
in the workshop.
The activity was held in partnership with the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National IACAT, United
Kingdom Aid, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children's
Fund (formerly United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund or
UNICEF) and Child Alert Mindanao.
Pamela Averion, national officer of gender from
the UNFPA, said the activity aims to discuss recurring issues on GBV and
protection on children, especially on areas severely affected by Typhoon Pablo.
“There is also a need to revisit the
organizational structure and functions of RIACAT-VAWC to develop the Strategic
Action Plan on Trafficking in Persons 2012-2016 and its Regional Technical
Assistance Plan that would comprehensively address Gender-Based Violence
including humanitarian situations,” said Averion.
Scheree Herrera of UNICEF said one of the
recommendations was to come up with regional and provincial strategic planning
workshops to thoroughly discuss issues and concerns as well as the action plan
of the service providers.
“We already had conducted a Provincial Strategic
Planning Workshop for PIACAT-VAWC of Compostella Valley on April 16; Davao
Oriental on April 17; and Agusan del Sur with UNICEF and UNFPA last June 3-4,
2013. The consolidated result for the province will be included in the Joint
Strategic Planning Workshop of RIACAT-VAWCs of regions 11 and 13,” she said.
Meanwhile, Prosecutor Karla Cabel from the
Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila said Republic Act 10364, also known as
the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, is an act expanding
Republic Act 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
“Trafficking in persons refer to the
recruitment, obtaining, hiring, providing, offering, transportation/transfer,
maintaining, harboring or receipt of persons with or without the victim's
consent or knowledge, within or across national borders by means of threat, or
use of force, or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of
power or of position, taking advantage of the vulnerability of the person, or,
the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a
person having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation which
includes at a minimum, the exploitation or the prostitution of other forms of
sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery, servitude or the
removal or sale of organs,” relayed Cabel.
Lawyer Jinky Dedumo of DOJ-Manila clarified that
as stated in the law, trafficked persons are victims and will not be
prosecuted, fined, penalized for prostitution.
The member-agencies have crafted their Regional
Strategic Action Plan for Trafficking in Persons 2012-2016 with the following
key area results given priority: advocacy and prevention; protection, recovery
and reintegration; prosecution and law enforcement and partnership and
networking.
Meanwhile, the National IACAT called on all Filipino
citizens to advocate and help prevent possible human trafficking in their
areas. They may also call the Anti-Human Trafficking Action Line at 1343 for
any related report. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
PhilDHRRA, PyD, & partner stakeholders
express commitment to promote gender equality, women’s participation in local
governance
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) -- Representatives of
government agencies, non-government organizations, academe and media
personalities gathered on Friday at the Amontay Beach Resort, Nasipit, Agusan
del Norte and witnessed the Philippine Partners for Development of Human Resources
in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA)-Mindanao's launching of its Project dubbed
"Agusan del Norte 2013 Caucus: Promoting Gender Equality and Strengthening
Women's Participation in Local Governance."
Said project is part of Paz y Desarrollo's
Regional Program to Promote Gender Equality in Political Participation in
Bangladesh, Cambodia, Philippines, East Timor and Vietnam which are all funded
by the Spanish Agency for International Development and Cooperation (AECID).
The project is aimed to contribute to women's
empowerment and participation in claiming human rights, in synergy with duty
(government) and moral bearers (academe, NGOs, media). It began its
implementation in 2012 and will run until March 2015.
Mr. Glenn Bais, regional coordinator of PhilDHRRA-Mindanao,
shared the overview and key roles of stakeholders for the 2013 Agusan del Norte
Caucus Project. "In collaboration with other partner stakeholders, we
intend to improve the lives of the poor by empowering them to attain
sustainable development; and uphold the rights and needs of women and
children," he cited.
“Based on data, weak participation mechanism and
process that promote gender equality; low-level of knowledge on women's civil
and political rights; and gender disparity in terms of women's representation
in political exercise and inequitable representation of women and men in the
local special bodies are the main observations in the community that needs to
be addressed,” stressed Bais.
Bais added that in order to attain the
objectives and outcomes, the project will undertake the following major
approaches/strategies/activities: 1) Capacity building and advocacy; 2)
Constituency building; 3) Joint Rights Holders - duty bearers, inter-local
partnership development; 4) Monitoring accountability toward
institutionalization and sustainability; and 5) Establishment of management
information system.
Bais also lauded the efforts of the local media
in their active participation in the community development activities to
promote an informed society. "The moral bearers which include the media
are promoters of the principles or rules of right conduct, public moral or
ethical standards in the society," he said.
Also, PhilDHRRA, PyD and partners signed in the
Solidarity Message Tarp to manifest their commitment and support to the project
and to provide an enabling environment for rights holders through meaningful
participation in the barangay/city/municipal governance.
Meanwhile, Ms. Luchie Salcedo, Gender Specialist
of PhilDHRRA urged the duty and moral bearers of government agencies, NGOs, and
partner stakeholders in Agusan del Norte to promote collective empowerment
through synergies. “We aim to collaborate, communicate and negotiate each other
positively and empower our communities especially the women sector to fulfill
the achievement of human rights,” she said.
The 2013 Program Caucus on Gender Equality and
Women's Participation in Local Governance by the PhilDHRRA-Mindanao and Paz y
Desarrollo, is initiated to foster multi-stakeholder synergies on Gender Equal
Participation Advocacy by sharing good practices and identifying convergence
points. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
PDEA bares 282 barangays region-wide affected by
illegal drug menace
By David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, July 12 (PIA) -- The Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said 282 of the 1,311 barangays in Caraga Region
are affected by illegal drug menace, while 195 barangays are already moderately
affected.
PDEA Regional Director Erwin Ogario said only 59
barangays are slightly affected by the drug menace while 28 barangays are
seriously affected as of May this year, as per record of PDEA.
“There are only two most popular drugs that are
proliferating in the region. These are Methamphetamine Hydrochloride otherwise
known as shabu and cannabis or Marijuana. And sad to note, while drugs are
believed to be coming from South of Mindanao, Cebu and Metro Manila,
distribution of drugs in Caraga Region is believed to be coming from Bayugan
City in Agusan del Sur,” Dir. Ogario said.
PDEA Dir. Ogario also said while series of raids
were conducted in Agusan del Sur, there are still marijuana plantations that
exist in the hinterlands (name of municipality withheld) and are subject for
confirmation and operation by the PDEA, PNP and the army.
“We have received reports that somewhere in the
hinterlands of Agusan del Sur, plantation of Marijuana are vast, and we are
presently confirming their existence as we are organizing the raiding team
composed of PDEA, the PNP and the army. Aside from that, there are also reports
that we receive from concerned citizens about the existence of illegal drugs in
neighbouring municipality where the reported marijuana plantation is located,”
Dir. Ogario said.
While insurgency is an issue in Agusan del Sur,
Dir. Ogario said it is one enabling environment for illegal drugs trade. These
traders employ mostly women and children coming from informal and depressed
areas believed to be havens of illegal drugs and its distribution.
“As of May this year, we have already conducted
a total of 79 operations regionwide and have arrested 121 persons whose cases
are filed in court. We have also seized both shabu and marijuana amounting to
P1,549,152.66 as of May, 2013. Because we do not have benchmark in our
operation, and drug problem continue, we cannot also say there is a decrease or
increase in the drug trade in Caraga Region,” Dir. Ogario said. (DMS/PIA-Agusan
del Sur)
Support from stakeholders needed to attain peace
and order - AFP
By David M. Suyao
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, July 12 (PIA) --
The 401st Infantry Brigade said the peace and security in their area of
responsibility (AOR) is gaining headway, while insurgent groups’ influence have
been reduced in some areas.
This is what 401st Brigade Commander Gregory
Cayetano reported during the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting here on
their analysis on the peace and order situation in Agusan del Sur.
He said the Communist Party of the Philippines,
New People’s Army and National Democratic Front’s (CNN) influence in some areas
have been lessened and some of their major hostile plans were pre-empted.
The report said the CNN in their area of
responsibility have incurred 647 non-violent activities ranging from sightings,
hostile plans, foraging, Ideological, political and organizational (IPO) work,
extortion harboring, movement, consolidation, food transport, meeting,
recruitment, tech-in and encampment.
Their violent activities totalled to 12, where
harassment and arson claimed three each, abduction, fire upon and sniping
recorded two each.
“With the CPP/NPA in our AOR placed at 335
regulars with 413 assorted high-powered firearms, they could most probably do
some course of action such as launch tactical offensive against economic
establishments, attack poorly manned patrol bases and PNP stations, disarm
civilians possessing firearms, harass bayanihan teams to delay clearing of NPA
affected areas and derail government projects. They will continue to resort to
limited offensives focusing on 'soft targets' such as harassment or attack of
CAA (Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary)/SCAA (Special
Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary) patrol bases, PNP
stations and security of business firms,” Cayetano said.
He added that the groups are also expected to
intensify extortion activities targeting mining, illegal logging, agricultural
firms and big business operators, intimidating them with threats of attack to
support their movement.
“But we are here to stop them, to protect our
people, the government and our constitution,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano said peace and order in their area of
responsibility could be attained through the cooperation and support of all
stakeholders in the brigade area of operation. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
'Pablo' survivors tell stories of disaster to
NHTS-PR staff
BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) -- Other people live
in concrete houses, sleep in soft and comfy beds, eat delicious food and drink
clean water, wear branded clothing, ride in luxurious vehicles and buy the
latest gadgets. But residents of barangay Nueva Era, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur do
not have these things.
Though blessed with abundant land, barangay
Nueva Era is a poor community. This property was donated by the popular
religious group Iglesia ni Kristo. It was granted to them in 2002.
One of the residents is Jennifer Capin, a mother
of seven children, shared her experience when tropical storm Pablo struck.
“Grabe gyud tong bagyo. Kami sa mga anak nako nanga hadlok kay nang lupad ang
amoang mga atop. Pwerte namong ampo kami sa akoang mga anak (Tropical storm
Pablo wreaked havoc in our community. Strong winds blew away our roofs; my
children and I were terrified. We prayed so hard)."
After the horrible typhoon, life became more
difficult. The community had no safe drinking water. There was only one toilet.
“Isa lang ang amoang C.R. ug daghang balay ang gagamit mao amoa kini gitawag og
“corporation”. Ug wala pud mi tarong na tubig usahay ang ulan mao amoang tubig
or gakuha mi sa balon," Albert Justo, a farmer and a resident of Nueva
Era, said.
(We only had one comfort room here and many
households are using it that is why we called it 'corporation.' Also, we do not
have water safe for drinking.)
These were among the problems Nueva Era
residents told a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) Caraga. The agency's National Household Targeting System for Poverty
Reduction (NHTS-PR) staff went there to conduct a special validation for the
victims of tropical storm Pablo.
The goal of special validation was to determine
the conditions and needs of affected households. This is also intended to
review the status of households already in the database and assessed households
that are not in the database but were affected by the typhoon.
The special validation was also conducted to
give face to the conditions of those affected and as a baseline as to what
assistance and services will be provided by the government through the national
agencies and other stakeholders for the victims of typhoon Pablo.
As a social protection agency, DSWD through
NHTS-PR is leading the process in identifying the poor. The NHTS-PR felt the
suffering of residents in barangay Nueva Era that is why the team makes extra
effort to reach the Pablo survivors even in a far-flung area.
“Nalipay mi nga naa mo karon nag interview sa
amoa ug naka balo mi unsa ning NHTSPR, unta mapansin sa gobyerno amoang
kahimtang diri sa Nueva Era.” (We are very happy that you came here and
interviewed us and explained to us about NHTSPR, we hope that our Government
will see our situation here in Nueva Era), Jennifer said.
(FEA/DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)
Spain sets dev’t project anew in Caraga
By Keneath John O. Bolisay
BUTUAN CITY, July 12 – The Spanish government
through its international development cooperation agency, the Agencia EspaΓ±ola
de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID), is once again renewing
its development endeavors with the Philippine government through its new
project called the Local Empowerment and Development towards Governance
(LEaDGov), to be implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) in Caraga region this year.
In relation to advancing the community-driven
development (CDD) processes of DSWD’s anti-poverty project Kalahi-CIDSS
(Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social
Services), LEadGov aims to strengthen the capacities of local government units
(LGUs) in facilitating inclusive and participatory processes that capture and
integrate the priority needs of poor communities into local government poverty
reduction plans.
According to Kalahi-CIDSS deputy national
project director, Camilo G. Gudmalin, LEaDGov picks up from where PODER (Poder
y Prosperidad de la Comunidad) the project that AECID and DSWD previously
partnered on.
PODER, another CDD project, was implemented in
Caraga region for the past seven years. It built on the success of
Kalahi-CIDSS.
“LEadGov, as per the institutionalization
framework of Kalahi-CIDSS, shall now gear our partner LGUs who have graduated
from Kalahi-CIDSS in ensuring the sustainability of the CDD principles in the
local development processes in the community,” Gudmalin added.
The new project shall address specific needs of
LGU staff and representatives in terms of policy development, structural
adjustments, systems enhancement, and resource allocation.
Regional social welfare chief, Minda B. Brigoli
said that LEaDGov will “consequently complement the capability building and
implementation support component of the local poverty reduction action plans
(LPRAPs) of LGUs implementing the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) program of the
government.”
The project will be implemented in Jabonga,
Agusan del Norte and Tagbina, Surigao del Sur. Each will receive a grant of PhP
500,000.00
LEaDGov will be launched in Butuan City on July
19 and will run from July 2013 to March 2014. (DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)
PopCom launches campaign to reduce teen
pregnancy
BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) - The Population Commission
(PopCom) has partnered with student leaders from various colleges and
universities in Caraga Region to reduce incidence of teen pregnancy. After a
day of Student Leaders Congress here in time of the World Population Day
celebration, a total of 94 student leaders inked Pledge of Support and
Commitment of the Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program (AHYDP).
Dr. Rosalinda D. Marcelino, the acting executive
director of PopCom, faced the local media revealing the priorities of the
entire commission in curbing incidence of teenage sex resulting to early
pregnancies.
She said media could play a major role in the
campaign as it reaches out to more young people and educating parents in
responding to the fertility needs of their adolescent children.
The youth are among the sectors given special
attention by PopCom-Caraga. The campaign for responsible sexuality was made
different as PopCom-Caraga and the local population offices grouped the young
people and placed them in a place where they can expose and share their
talents, and explore and discover new skills.
Discussions on issues and concerns relevant for
their own growth and development were centered on AHYDP - SHAPE module. On the
evening, various recreational and musical activities happily participated by
the youth.
The Summer Youth Camp took place in key areas of
the region:
April 22 – 24 at Dinagat, Province of Dinagat
Islands
March 16 – 17 at Mabua, Surigao City
May 27 – 28 at Bislig City
May 29 – 31 at SDSSU, Tandag City
Out of the modest financial support of
RPO-Caraga, the camps were organized. The AHYDP-focused sessions were mainly
facilitated by RPO-Caraga technical staff.
The Mindanao Health Program, another USAID –
funded program, is looking to implement a community-based program addressing
teenage pregnancy in Caraga Region. As revealed by Mr. Makinano, the OIC of
PopCom-Caraga, that during his meeting with Dr. Roy Gavino, Area Technical Team
Leader, the program will mobilize the Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs)
in launching series of activities addressing this teenage–related cases at the
grassroots.
Trying to reach the young people in a fora more
popular to them, PopCom-Caraga expanded its IEC for AHYDP to social media and
text messaging.
PopCom-Caraga opened and developed an account in
facebook. Anyone may like and add PopComPopCom-Caraga. Meanwhile, dissemination
of information extended from the usual tri-media to text messaging through the
Philippine Information Agency. News advisory of PopCom-Caraga sent to PIA for
posting in website and disseminated through the text messaging to thousands
subscribers nationwide.
150 AHYD tarpaulin posters and 180 RP-FP
tarpaulin posters were printed taking into account the gender and cultural
values of Caraga. The AHYD posters depict the risks confronting the adolescents
if they engage in early sexual activities, while the RP-FP poster is the
vernacular illustrations of different FP methods. (PopCom-13/PIA-Caraga)
Surigaonon News: City Agriculture mohatag
bag-ong Hand Tractor ngadto sa San Antonio Farmers Association, Brgy Punta
Bilar
Ni Annette Villaces
SURIGAO CITY, Hulyo 12 (PIA) – Ang buhatan sa
Surigao City Agriculture ubos sa pagdumaya ni City Agriculturist Isaias Elumba
mohatag nan bag-o na Hand Tractor uban ang accessories niini ngadtoi sa San
Antonio Farmers Association sa Barangay Punta Bilar, ning syudad.
An ama na ekwipo nihatag gikan sa Department of
Agriculture ubos sa Corn Program o Farm Mechanization Project sa syudad ubos
isab sa pagpaningkamot ni Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas.
Tumong sa amo na program na mahatagan nan madali
na pamaagi an mga Surigaonong mag-uuma sa ilang trabaho ug aron usab madungan
ang ilang produksyon o ani. (SDR/CMO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Cebuano news: Pres Aquino mitumbok sa
paningkamot sa CAAP ngadto sa pag-usbaw sa Philippine Air Safety Compliance
Ni Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
MANILA, Hulyo 12 (PIA) -- Si Presidente Benigno
Aquino III mitumbok sa Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) nga
walay puas nga naningkamot alang sa nasud nga motuman ngadto sa international
air safety diin miresulta kini sa paghangwat sa ban sa European Union nga
ginadid-an ang mga carriers sa Pilipinas nga mobiyahe ngadto sa Europe.
Ang Presidente midayeg sa CAAP, nga gipamunuan
ni Director General William Hotchkiss, sa pagbuhat ug maayong trabaho – siya
miingon sa iyahang pangunang pagpakigpulong sa ika-8 nga Ambassadors, Council
Generals ug Tourism Directors Tour nga gipahigayon didto sa Malakanyang
kagahapon.
Ang Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
kon CAAP usab nagtrabaho apil sa hataas nga mga gabii para lamang nga tugutan
ang mga carriers nga mohanyag ug derikta nga makalupad gikan sa Pilipinas
ngadto sa Eyuropa, ug dugang nga mga destinasyon ngadto sa United States.
Karong adlawa, gikahimoot ko nga ibutyag kaninyo nga sila mihimo ug pag-usbaw
nga makapahingangha. Kini nagasugod niadtong Marso uban ang International Civil
Aviation Organization nga mihangwat kalabot sa mga mahinungdanon kahilwasan
diin kaniadto ilahang natino sa atoang nasud,” (“The Civil Aviation Authority
of the Philippines or CAAP has also been working long nights to allow carriers
to offer direct flights from the Philippines to Europe and to more destinations
in the United States. Today, I am pleased to announce that they have made
stunning progress. It began back in March with the International Civil Aviation
Organization lifting the Significant Safety Concerns that they had previously
identified in our country,”) si Presidente miingon..
“Kini naguna sa pinakamaayong balita nga atoang
nadawat kagahapon: nga ang Air Safety Committee of the European Commission
mitugot sa ataong flag carrier – Philippine Airlines- sa pagbalik ug deriktang
flights ngadto paingon sa Eyuropa. Naangkon sa CAAP ang usa sa ilahang mga
medyor nga katuyoan, ug ako nagpaabot ug puno nga pasalamat sa ilahang pangulo,
General Hotchkis ug sa tanang nagatrabaho aron sa paghimo ug posible. Sa
panghinaut, kini nga kauswagan mohatag kanila ug dugang kadasig nga ilahang
gikinahanglan aron sa pagbugtaw sa atoang ubang mga katuyuan sa sektor sa
panakayan sa kahanginan,” (“This led to the very good news we received just
yesterday: that the Air Safety Committee of the European Commission has allowed
our flag carrier—Philippine Airlines—to resume direct flights to Europe. CAAP
has achieved one of its major goals, and I extend my full gratitude and
congratulations to its head General Hotchkiss and all who worked to make this
possible. Hopefully, this development will give them the extra energy they need
to pursue all our other goals in the aviation sector,”) dugang pa niya.
Sa tuig 2008, ang US Federal Aviation Authority
(FAA), misilbi ug rekomendasyon gikan sa International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO), nga nagpaubos sa air safety rating sa nasud ngadto sa ikaduhang
kategorya gikan sa unang kategorya human ang CAAP mipalpak sa pagtuman sa
estandard nga kahilwasan sa taligama sa operasyon sa air carriers .
Duha ka tuig ang milabay, Marso 21, 2010, ang EU
misunod ug pahiuyon sa pagubos sa carriers sa Pilipinas sa susamang kategorya.
Ang kategorya 2 nagpasabot sa civil aviation
authority sa nasud nga wala misangkap sa kahilwasan sa oversight sa ilahang mga
operators sa air carries pinasubay sa kinakubsan nga estandard sa safety
oversight nga gitukod sa ICAO. (NGBT/ PND (rck)/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
