19th Nat'l Crime Prevention Week celeb kicks-off
in Butuan, stakeholders converge efforts
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 2 - As the 19th National Crime Prevention Week
kicked-off on Monday with this year's theme "Malasakit Mo ay Kailangan
upang Krimen ay Maiwasan," government employees, local officials and
partner stakeholders gathered at the Provincial Capitol Covered Court, this
city for the flag ceremony and short program.
Right after the program, stakeholders then
participated in the motorcade around the city thoroughfares to intensify
information awareness to the general public.
In his message, Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG)-Agusan del Norte Provincial Director Romeo Solis
stressed that as per Memorandum Circular issued by DILG Sec. Mar Roxas, all
government agencies should implement programs and services to combat against
crimes in the locality.
Agusan del Norte Gov. Ma. Angelica Amante-Matba
emphasized in her message that it is a privilege working in the government
service. "Serving the public sincerely will truly contribute peace to
everyone," she said.
DILG-Caraga Regional Director Lilibeth Famacion
also highlighted that crime prevention is everybody's concern. "All
sectors must work together harmoniously to attain peace and development. On the
side of the government, its programs, projects and services should reach the
people in the communities especially in remote areas to make them feel that we
in government service really care for them," she said.
Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr also
shared that to contribute to the continuous crime prevention, "we should
be vigilant on the things happening around us, never tolerate any situation
that would lead to committing crime and that we see to it that we do not become
accessories to any crime."
Also, PSSupt Eugenio Paguirigan, PNP-Agusan del
Norte Provincial Director led the ceremonial whistle-blowing as sign that all
government entities and partner stakeholders are committed to share its
responsibilities in crime prevention.
Meanwhile, Gov. Matba received the check worth
P5-Million from DILG-Caraga Regional Dir. Famacion, DILG-Agusan del Norte Provl
Dir. Solis thru its PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) funds, and
witnessed by Agusan del Norte Vice Gov. Ramon Bungabong.
It was also learned that series of activities
are lined-up this week that will be participated by various sectors.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Members of the peace councils in Caraga converge
to intensify crime prevention
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 2 - In time with the kick-off ceremony for this
year’s National Crime Prevention Week, members of the peace and order councils
in Caraga region convened with the local media personalities on Monday at the
Provincial Capitol Covered Court, this city and discussed updates, issues and
concerns related to peace and order situation in the region.
Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante said that
crime does not only cover theft and robbery but also include problems in the
community. He also stressed that crime prevention must be done every minute of
every hour and this is everybody's concern.
PSSupt Nerio Bermudo, Butuan City Police Office
(BCPO) chief also emphasized that they are doing their best to secure the
populace in every community despite its limited manpower.
Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG)-Caraga Regional Director Lilibeth Famacion, lauded the uniformed men and
women for their untiring efforts in ensuring peace and order in the locality.
"We see to it that while we ensure peace and order, we also make sure that
the government's programs and services reach the general public to gain their
trust and confidence," she added.
Famacion further bared that the department is
continuously extending its assistance through distribution of checks from its
PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) funds to the conflict-affected areas in
the region that also complied with the requirements.
"We are continuously encouraging our local
government units to submit more project proposals under PAMANA," she said.
Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Caraga Regional
Director Atty. Marylin Pintor also expressed that the commission is
continuously espousing for a human-based approach in crime prevention.
"The commission is trying to convince
government agencies to develop reforms in order to come up with a climate of
impunity," she said.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Caraga
Regional Director Erwin Ogario stressed that its fight against illegal drugs is
on the right track.
"Based on the statistical data from 2010 to
August of 2013, there is an increased efforts of the law enforcement agencies
in the fight against illegal drugs. However, we also observe that while our
efforts level-up, drug affectation also increases. This is one thing that we
are working out with the peace and order councils in the region and there is a
need for us to change our strategies to address this concern," said
Ogario.
Meanwhile, other members of the peace and order
councils from different sectors also expressed their support and cooperation to
the efforts of the local government units in the region in combating crime.
It was also learned that these sectors are
enhancing its strategies to bring its programs and services closer and more
accessible to the public. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Butuan police bares readiness vs terrorism
threats
By Johny S. Natad
BUTUAN CITY, September 2 (PIA) - A top official
of Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) said its police forces have been
implementing strategies to keep the city from any terrorism threats.
BCPO Director PSSupt Nerio Bermudo during the
City Peace and Order Council meeting said the BCPO has already been preparing
and implementing plans and actions and tightening the defense system especially
the intelligence, target hardening and incident management.
"No terrorist activity or incident had been
reported in BCPO since 2001. However, we have to contend with the possibility
that terrorist coming from outside the region may find suitable targets within
Caraga. This office has activated 'Oplan Kalinaw Butuan' focusing on
anti-terrorism plan/measures to prevent any terroristic plan in our area of
responsibility," Bermudo said.
Currently, the BCPO has installed a total of 20
units of CCTV surveillance system within the city’s strategic places.
As part of the target hardening operation, the
BCPO has been conducting security plan drills/walk through security survey
inspection of establishments and institutions that are probable target of
terrorism.
To ensure coordination and cooperation of
barangays and communities in peace and order, the BCPO trained the Barangay
Information Networks (BINs) and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs).
They also coordinated with the Imam/ Muslim communities and other groups for
the possible identification of terrorist.
Bermudo held that the BCPO personnel has been
stringently conducting the panelling and inspection of baggage to identified
economic key points, vital installation and places of convergence like mall,
airport, public markets and terminal by Explosive and Ordnance Disposal Team
and K-9 units.
"We have increased our police presence by
conducting recoreda or patrolling, posting of IEC and advocacy materials,
establishing 14 police boxes, establishing strong police check points at
strategic areas in coordination with Agusan del Norte provincial police office,
deployment of office personnel, and augmentation of 13th Regional Public Safety
Battalion and Scene of the Crime Operatives," Bermudo added.
(JSN/PIA-Caraga)
Tandag CSWD reports 225 CICL cases
By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, September 2 (PIA) -
A total of 225 Children in Conflict with the Laws (CICL) cases were recorded in
the city over six years, Tandag City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Officer
Tessie Buniel said.
Buniel said that from 2006 to 2012, most of the
offenders referred are from disadvantaged families whose parents are separated.
"Some of them were stow-away children,
majority of them are residents of Tandag City while the rest are coming from
the neighboring municipalities of Tago, Lianga, Madrid, San Miguel and Barangay
Mangagoy of Bislig City," she said.
The presentation of data was made during the
Orientation of the City Council for the Protection of Children (CCPC) held recently
in the city.
Buniel, further, explained that most of the
cases committed are being covered by "special laws/ordinances."
"The violation of curfew has reached to 47
percent from the total cases. Some of the cases committed were "crimes
against property," some classified as theft/robbery with 43 percent; crime
against person with six percent; crime against chastity with three percent; and
one percent for drug related cases,"Buniel added.
To resolve the CICL incidence, CCPC chairperson
Mayor Roxanne Pimentel has asked the commitment from the council members to
support her legislative agenda dubbed "Pillars for Development" and
urged them to endorse programs and activities designed for the welfare of the
children in line with the administration’s legislative agenda. (NGBT/PIA
Surigao del Sur)
Inauguration of Asia's biggest mine refinery set
on Sept. 4
By Eugenio Lira, Jr.
SURIGAO CITY, September 2 (PIA) -- The
inauguration of Asia’s biggest mine refinery owned by Taganito HPAL Nickel
Corporation will take place on Wednesday, September 4.
This will be attended by Japanese dignitaries
and investors including national and local officials, according to second district
Representative Francisco Matugas as he stressed that the 1.6-billion dollar, or
approximately P65-billion, processing facility is the biggest in Asia and would
generate thousands of jobs for the Surigaonons.
Matugas, who is the chairman of House committee
on natural resources, said the inauguration will be held at the company’s plant
site in Brgy. Taganito, Claver, Surigao del Norte, where Japanese Ambassador
Toshinao Urabe will be joined by Senator Allan Peter Cayetano, DILG Secretary
Mar Roxas, DENR Secretary Ramon Paje, representative Ronaldo Zamora and other
VIPs from Manila.
"This refinery mainly processes mine
wastes, bought at 15 to 20 dollars per metric ton, to be supplied by Taganito
Mining Corporation. It has the capability to process a minimum of 5 million
metric tons per year and, out of this, nickel sulfide and cobalt sulfide could
be produced which will then be transported to Japan for another refinery
processing. Just imagine, what used to be a 'basura'(waste) could really be
turned into money. There is really truth in the saying 'may pera sa
basura'," Matugas said.
He said THPAL, which is partly owned by Sumitomo
Metal Mining Company Ltd. (70 percent) and by Nickel Asia Corporation of the
Zamora Group of Companies (22 percent), has built a P400-million private port
capable of accommodating foreign cargo vessels with gross registered tonnage
(GRT) of up to 40,000.
"On job opportunities, THPAL management
would employ 500 regular employees and 2,000 contractual employees and has
committed itself to allocate the majority of its workforce for Surigaonon
workers. Economy-wise, downstream businesses in refining and distribution will
surely flourish alongside businesses in food, recreation, transportation and
the like. All these will certainly translate to hundreds of additional
jobs," Matugas added.
The lawmaker said that a 300-man Japanese
investors delegation will be arriving on THPAL’s inauguration.
Provincial and local officials headed by
Governor Sol Matugas, together with Rep. Francisco Matugas, first district Rep.
Guillermo Romarate, Jr., Vice-Gov. Carlos Egay, Jr., Board Member and
environment committee chairman Simeon Castrence, Claver Mayor Eddie Gokiangkee
and Mayors' League president Bacuag Mayor Shiela May Orquina-Cebedo, will be
attending the event where they will be joined by Caraga Tri-Media President
Roberto Parada, Jr., it was learned. (FEA/PIA-Caraga)
