News Feature: Marcventures lend helping hand to
Typhoon Yolanda relief efforts
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 19 (PIA) - In the wake of a
tragedy, the human spirit often emerges as people put aside their differences
and work together to overcome adversity. Everyday problems become less
important as people place a greater focus on helping those less fortunate.
As the people in Samar-Leyte and other areas
devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda slowly begin their recovery efforts, this
human spirit has been demonstrated by several non-government organizations and
companies in the country as people spend time repacking of relief goods and
donating supplies and goods.
Just recently, Marcventures Mining and
Development Corporation, a multi-million company engaged in the mining of
nickel, copper and gold in Surigao del Sur, aided typhoon survivors in Tacloban
City who still require food and supplies in the face of the storm’s
devastation.
Lawyer Noel Anthony Libres, corporate secretary
of Marcventures, said more than 300 volunteers stormed the Philippine Ports
Authority (PPA) Surigao’s huge warehouse inside the port to help in the repacking
of thousands of assorted relief goods stacked worth P10.1Million.
The donation consisted of 330,000 assorted
canned goods, 180,000 powdered milk packs, 150,000 bottled mineral water,
120,000 Biogesic, tens of thousands of instant noodles, toothbrush, toothpaste,
soap, assorted medicines and many others.
“We distributed 8,000 t-shirts, 7,000 pails,
1,200 cellphones, 500 tents, 200 solar lights and 11 generator sets. These
items were already sent to Tacloban last week,” Libres said.
The relief goods and supplies benefited at least
34,000 individuals and could help ease their suffering momentarily.
"On behalf of Marcventures, we express our
sincere condolences to the families affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda,"
said Libres.
"Since, we have also employees whose
relatives are living in the affected regions, we felt a special responsibility
to lend a hand,” he added. (FEA/PIA-Caraga)
RDC-GADCC Caraga discusses VAWC issues &
concerns
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 19 (PIA) – In a recent press
conference, the Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) under the
Regional Development Council (RDC) discussed issues and concerns on Violence
Against Women and Children (VWC), as well as updates on the activities set for
this year’s 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women.
PSI Charity Galvez of Philippine National Police
(PNP)-Caraga, recognized the vital role of media in info-dissemination on the
rights of women and their children against abusive men (husband/father).
"The media is our constant partner. They help us gather reports from the
VAWC victims in the community so we can also immediately respond to them,"
she said.
Galvez further encouraged abused married women
not to tolerate what their husbands are doing to them. “Women should know their
rights and should fight for it,” she said.
PSI Venus Nelmida of PNP-Caraga also bared that
because of the electronic-blotter (e-blotter) system of the PNP, its recorded
VAWC cases from the barangay up to the regional level are now synchronized and
updated. “Unlike before, there are cases reported in the barangay level and are
not forwarded in the municipal/city to regional headquarters but now, with the
e-blotter, records from the barangay up to the regional are already
synchronized. With this, we can easily monitor the cases and its trend,” she
said.
Jessie Catherine Aranas of the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga said the department has services
for the VAWC victim-survivors as well as to their families which shall be
provided in accordance to their needs. "These are the following but not
limited to: Counseling or debriefing if necessary; Temporary shelter at Home
for Girls; Financial assistance for the conduct of medical
interventions/medical assistance; Referral for legal assistance; Educational
assistance; and Livelihood and skills training," she said.
When asked if there is also a law protecting men
against their abusive spouses, Mr. Leonor Ledesma of the Commission on Human
Rights (CHR)-Caraga stressed that “While there is a law that protects the
welfare of the women and children, those said to be 'abused men' can also file
a physical injury case against their spouses. But what usually happens, reports
show that more women are abused than men".
Ledesma also emphasized that the CHR is open for
individuals who want to raise their concerns that is related to human rights
issues and concerns.
Meanwhile, GADCC-Caraga Co-chairperson Edna
Hontiveros of FORWARD Filipina Inc., is calling on Caraganons to support the
activities of men and women for this year's 18-Day Campaign to End Violence
Against Women set on November 25 to December 12.
The said campaign will kick-off with a
joint/simultaneous Flag Raising Ceremony on Nov. 25 at the Agusan del Norte
Capitol Covered Court, this city. Series of activities will then follow in
different schedule.
With this year's theme of the 18-Day Campaign to
End Violence Against Women which is "End VAW Now! It's Our Duty!",
the call will emphasize the importance of having a functional mechanism,
operated by competent and capable duty-bearers with a sense of responsibility
and accountability originating from a deep understanding of the fundamental
principles of gender-based violence and the provisions of VAW laws.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Sursur guv allocates P6M for CRAM 2014
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
SURIGAO DEL SUR, Nov. 18 (PIA) – Governor Johnny
Pimentel has allocated more than P6Million for the hosting of the Caraga
Regional Athletic Meet (CRAM) to be held in Tandag City on February next year,
said Provincial Treasurer’s Officer Wenifreda Perez.
"I am pleased to inform everyone that
Governor Pimentel has already approved the P6,118,929.00 budget for the CRAM
2014," said Perez during the recently meeting with the committee members..
Education Program Supervisor Melba Ladroma said
three major committees have been created for the event, to wit: the Host
Executive (composed of the Provincial officials and local chief executives from
two cities and 17 municipalities), the Steering (composed of DepEd officials,
LGU officials, ex-officio members and Provincial School Board) and the Working
Committee with 46 sub-committees.
Governor Pimentel reminded all the chairpersons
assigned under the working committees to coordinate with their co-chair and
members. “You have to closely coordinate with your members.”
Expected guests and delegates will be coming
from the five provinces of Caraga Region to participate the annual event.
(NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Guv bares Agsur products, potentials to foreign
journalists
By David M. Suyao
PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Nov. 19 (PIA) - Given
the choice what he wants Agusan del Sur to be five years from now, Governor
Adolph Edward Plaza said he wants to see a prosperous Agusan del Sur with
responsible investors and business men both enjoying their investment with
contented and happy Agusanons.
This is the answer of Gov. Plaza when asked by
Sarah Van Den Boogaard, a journalist of Asian Business Channel (ABC) from
Netherlands who was given the chance to interview Gov. Plaza last week together
with her fellow journalists also from ABC, Ante Matulic Table from Croatia and
Thomas Leamy from Ireland.
Gov. Plaza also said while the province is known
for its timber products before, he (Plaza) describes the province to be the
same as of the present with planted tree species like falcata and rubber.
“But I prefer rubber more because when rubber
became bearing, farmers will have long time constant income every day, unlike
falcata where after harvest, farmers will again replant and wait for a long
time until the trees will reach its prescribe size for harvest,” Gov. Plaza
said.
Aside from tree plantation, Gov. Plaza said he
also wants farmers to develop and push more rice and corn production using the
organic farming.
“Presently, our top priority is the production
of black rice variety so that we will have enough planting materials. We are
also very proud to let the people know that I personally received the awards
two weeks ago amounting to P3 million, because of our organic farming practice
and corn production here in Agusan del Sur, where the amount will be flowed
back to the farmers in order for them to have bigger production in return,”
Gov. Plaza said.
It can be recalled that the Department of
Agriculture has given recognition to the province having grown 96 percent of
the oil palm and 79 percent of corn in Caraga Region. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
DENR-13 raises funds for Typhoon Yolanda victims
By Angeaine Dela Torre
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 19 (PIA) - Officials and
employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in
Caraga region have initiated fund raising project to contribute in the relief
efforts of the government in the typhoon-devastated areas in the Western
Visayas particularly in the hardest-hit Tacloban City in Leyte.
DENR-13 Regional Executive Director Nonito M.
Tamayo said he has initiated “pass the hat” to his top field officers in the
five provinces including 13 Community Environment and Natural Resources
Officers so that they can share their contributions to the typhoon victims in
the Visayas.
“We are dismayed by what we are seeing over the
news in television about the situation in the areas ravaged by the strongest
typhoon ever in the history,” RED Tamayo said. “We want to help physically but
the least we can do now is to contribute whatever we can donate to the
victims,” he added.
The officials have started shelling out any
amount they can raise since it was announced to the DENR employees during their
Monday convocation program. The top field officials headed by PENR officer
Roberto Oliveros, in similar way, have donated bills in various denominations
during their Management Conference on Tuesday. “We want to be part of whatever
help we can give to our fellow men,” PENRO Oliveros said.
The donation for typhoon victims will be sent to
the Office of Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje for appropriate action. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano news: Kuryente sa Eastern Samar
mahibalik na sa Disyembre, sulti ni Energy Sec Petilla
Ni Nida Grace P. Barcena
SURIGAO DEL SUR, Nob. 19 (PIA) - Si Energy
Secretary Jericho Petilla mibutyag sa iyahang target nga mahibalik na ang
suplay sa kuryente sa rehiyon sa Visayas, diin gikatahong nangadaut sa bagyong
Yolanda, sa Disyembre 24.
Sa pakighinabi kaniya didto sa Palo niadtong
Lunes, si Petilla miingon nga siya malaomon nga mapabalik ang kuryente sa
rehiyon sa Disyembre 24 pagkonsiderar sa trabahante ug mga ekwipo aron nga
mapatapos ang pagtrabaho niini.
Siya miingon nga ang mga miboluntaryo gikan sa
Mindanao electric cooperatives moabot aron lamang sa pagtabang sa rehiyon sa
Visayas nga mapabalik ang elektrisidad. Duna na usab magamit nga mga materyales
partikular na ang mga ekwipo nga gigamit alang sa sito electrification program
sa gobyerno diin maoy gamiton para mahibalik ang mga nadaut nga linya ug mga
poste.
Ang Manila Electric Corporation usab moabot aron
nga motabang, sumala pa ni Petilla, diin matod pa niya dako kaayo nga tabang
nga inisyatibo sanglit ang Meralco dunay mga ekwipo ug igong kaalam.
Kon ang Meralco moabot, si Petilla miingon nga
siya modahom nga dunay dili momenos sa 200 ka tawo nga motrabaho nga mapaayo
ang mga linya sa kuryente.
Mokabat sumala pa sa 160 ka tore ang nadaut sa
bagyo, siya miingon. Ang pinakadaghan nga nadaut nga mga tore sa elektriidad
mao ang Isla sa Panay diin mokabat sa 134 ka tore ang mga napukling.
Ang trabaho padayon sa pagka-karon nga mapabarog
ang mga bag-o nga tore, siya miigon.
Kabahin sa pagpang-apod-apod, ang departamento sa
enerhiya mi-target nga mapabalik ang enerhiya una sa Palo, siya miingon. Ang
Palo duna nay suga sa mga kadalanan Lunes sa gabii, sumala pa ni Petilla.
Ang tumonng niini sumala pa niya mao ang
pagkonekta sa mga dapit sa Palo human nga ang mga linya sa electrisidad sa
matag barangay maayo na. Ang pagpabalik sa elektrisidad atol sa kapaskohan
makahatag ug paglaum sa mga katawhan ug makapatukpaw sa ilahang mga kadasig,
siya miingon.
“Itong pagpapa-ilaw ng mga street lights para
lang merong signs of hope dito sa atin. Kasi kung walang ilaw, talagang walang
pag-asa,” siya miingon.
Ang gikabalak-an ug maayo mao ang kinabag-an sa mga kabalayan nga apektado
bagyo nga mga dapit gikatahong nadaut ug posibleng makadelatar sa maong proseso
sa elektrisidad.
Ang mga electricians gikan sa nagkadaiyang
kooperatiba nga mobulontaryo maoy mohimo sa pasiunang pag-ayo sa
gipang-apod-apod nga mga linya ug kon kini matapos na sa pagtrabaho, sila
motabang sa pag-ayo kon pagtaod sa mga wiring sa matag panimalay. (PND/PIA-Surigao
del Sur)
