GADCC Caraga pursues women empowerment
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) – The Caraga Gender
and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) continually promotes empowerment
of women by providing the necessary mechanisms to foster equal opportunity for
them to participate in and contribute to the political, social and economic
developments.
As a prime advocate for women’s empowerment and
gender equality, GADCC Caraga has lined-up several activities for this year’s
observance of Women’s Month Celebration. Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
chairperson Etta Rosales will grace the opening ceremony on March 3, 2014.
There will also be a Forum on Reproductive
Health and a regular conduct of “Kalandrakas” where variety of activities and
services that suits women and men’s interests will be made available such as
free legal consultation, beauty and massage services, trade fair, and face
painting, among others.
Profiling of successful women entrepreneurs will
likewise be highlighted and a photo contest dubbed “One Day in a Life of a
Woman in Caraga” is open for pro and amateur photographers.
Apart from oratorical contest and jail
visitation, a Women’s Congress in a form of Consultative Assembly per local
government unit will be conducted on dates from March 1-15.
Cecil Besona of Department of Interior and Local
Government Caraga, a member of the panel during the 2014 Women’s Month
Celebration press conference held on Tuesday, reiterated that local government
units are mandated to allocate 5% of its general budget intended for the gender
and development (GAD) programs and projects.
“This is to strengthen the GAD focal point
system,” added Besona.
As mentioned by Caraga GADCC chair Atty. Marylin
Pintor, “aside from focusing on women empowerment, CHR Caraga is including in
its advocacy and campaign the anti-child pornography wherein we conducted an
ocular inspection of internet cafes in Butuan City. A resolution was also
established which directs LGUs to prohibit business owners to set-up cubicles
in net cafes.”
Meanwhile, National Economic Development Authority
Caraga officer-in-charge Mylah Faye Aurora CariΓ±o also bared that there is much
reason to commemorate the Women’s Month. “Other than celebrating the gift of
life, we see these women being at the forefront in rehabilitating
calamity-affected areas. Their valuable works affirmed their significant role
in nation building which deserve due recognition,” she added. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga GADCC underscores women as ‘drivers of
change’
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) – In line with the
celebration of 2014 Women’s Month, the Gender and Development Coordinating
Committee (GADCC) Caraga placed high regards to women who are considered
“drivers of change” for their untiring act of volunteerism in times of
disaster, conflict and calamity.
This year’s celebration recognizes the role of
women in the rehabilitation process and their over-all contributions to
progress as it is anchored on the theme “Juana, and Tatag Mo ay Tatag Natin sa
Pagbangon at Pagsulong.”
“It pays tribute to the strong and resilient
'Juanas' who brought inspiring changes here in the country and across the
globe,” said Atty. Marylin Pintor, Caraga GADCC chair.
In a press conference, it was learned that the
International Women’s Day was officially recognized by the United Nations in
1917 due to such history of women organizing around the world. Women’s contributions to society were
acknowledged for promoting gender equality.
“Women as drivers of change turned out to be the
prime movers of change and not simply being recipients of change. Their
efforts, regardless of how diminutive, could go a long way for continuing
progress,” bared National Economic Development Authority Caraga officer-in-charge
Mylah Faye Aurora CariΓ±o.
Recounting the recent Zamboanga crisis to the
pork barrel scandal and the catastrophies, Pintor also pointed out that “with
recent geological, socio-economic and political upheavals that shook the
country last year, 2014 bring a new ray of hope that will pave the way for
healing, recovery and reconciliation and that Filipino spirit remains
indomitable and unbowed.” (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
DOE, MinDA conduct public consultation on
Mindanao Energy Plan
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) - A total of 92
participants from the different government agencies, local government units,
non-government organizations, students and electric cooperatives of the Caraga
region participated the whole day public consultation on the Mindanao Energy
Plan 2013-2030 and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign on
Energy Efficiency and conservation on Wednesday here.
The event, initiated by the Department of Energy
(DOE) in partnership with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), is
pursuant to the overall thrust and direction of ensuring energy security,
achieving optimal energy pricing and developing a sustainable energy system in
Mindanao.
During the activity, MinDA Planning and Research
division chief Estrella Turingan said based on the Mindanao Development Plan,
energy is vital to economic progress because "it fuels our
development."
Turingan further said that Mindanao is
contributing 14 percent to the Philippines economy in the year 2012.
Also, DOE-EPPB Director Carmencita Bariso while
presenting the Mindanao Energy Plan said three of the largest oil and gas
basins in the Philippines are located in Mindanao – Cotabato, Agusan-Davao
& Sulu Sea, and also, four of the major coal basins are located in
Zamboanga, Davao, Cotabao-Sarangani and Surigao with a total resource potential
of 704.4 million metric tons.
Bariso also said, there are 33 Coal Operating
Contract (COC) holders in Mindanao, 14 for exploration and 12 in development
and production. During the year 2013, a total of seven exploration contracts
were awarded.
Meanwhile, DOE bared that the two biodiesel
producers in the Philippines are located in Mindanao: 1) Bioenergy 8
Corporation in Sasa, Davao City with 30 million liters production capacity from
coconut oil; and 2) Freyvonne Milling Services in Toril, Davao City with 15.6
million liters production capacity from copra.
For the year 2012, the Mindanao’s household
electrification level reached to 54.25 percent.
The different types of fuel was also presented
by DOE Undersecretary for Power and Energy Planning Raul Aguillos, which
include Coal, Oil Based, Geothermal, Hydro, Solar, and Biomass. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
CCC, 4 Surigao Norte towns ink MOA on Climate
Adaptation Support Services
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) – A Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) on Climate Adaptation Support Services was signed by Climate
Change Commission (CCC) secretary Mary Ann Lucille L. Sering and four recipient
municipalities represented by the mayors of Pilar, San Benito and vice mayors
of San Isidro and Del Carmen all in Surigao del Norte during the Provincial
Development Council meeting held recently at Gateway Hotel, this city.
According to Sec. Sering, the Climate Adaptation
Support Service (CASS) is one of the major components under the Ecotown
Demonstration Framework "and it will serve as an interim assistance to the
vulnerable communities in the form of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) with
the aim of building adaptive capacity through economic resiliency."
"Ecotowns are planning units composed of
municipalities or a group of municipalities located within and around the
boundaries of critical key biodiversity areas which are at high risk to climate
change," said Sering.
She also said the four recipient municipalities
under Climate Change Adaptation Support Service fund will receive an amount of
P510,000.00 for project implementation and will be downloaded in favor to the
municipality subject to existing government accounting and auditing rules and
regulations.
Under the said MOA Climate Change Commission
responsibilities include provision of implementation mechanism for the
operationalization of CASS, ensure that the approved CASS implementation
schedule are properly carried out, and monitor and evaluate the implementation.
For the recipient municipalities, they have the
responsibility to open and maintain a special account in a government
accredited bank under the name of the Ecotown-CASS program, identify the target
beneficiaries based on the agreed criteria for implementation of the said
project, designate core group composed of municipal officials to facilitate,
ensure that the designated core group will spearhead the formulation and
monitoring of the performance of the beneficiaries in relation to the conditionalities
and expected outcome of the project, provide technical support such as
agricultural extension services, ensure that any and all financial support will
utilized solely for the purpose of attaining the objectives of the project an
all disbursements must observe the applicable government accounting and
auditing, rules and regulations, and submit periodic progress report to the
commission.
Republic Act No. 9729, as amended, otherwise
known as the Climate Change Act of 2009, mandates the Climate Change Commission
to coordinate with the local government units to address vulnerability to
climate change impacts of regions, provinces, cities and municipalities, and to
facilitate capacity building, for local adaptation planning, implementation and
monitoring of climate change initiatives in vulnerable communities and areas.
(PIA-Surigao del Norte)
PRC thanked AgSur guv for assistance extended
By David M. Suyao
PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Feb. 19
(PIA) - The Philippine Red Cross Agusan del Sur (PRC-AdS) Chapter conferred a
certificate of appreciation to Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza after
being recognized and awarded as the best performing chapter for 2013 by the
Philippine Red Cross.
Recounting the assistance extended by the
provincial government to PRC Agusan del Sur Chapter during the Board of
Directors’ (BOD) meeting, BOD chairman Rev. Solomon Bilaoen said it is proper
that the chapter should recognize and appreciate the efforts of the provincial
government that benefit the people specially in Agusan del Sur thru the PRC by
conferring the governor a certificate of appreciation.
As cited in the certificate of appreciation, the
provincial government, thru Gov. Plaza have been subsidizing the cost of Blood
Processing Fee from year 1997 up to the present in the amount ranging from P1.5
to P2 million annually. At a cost of P450,000, the provincial government also
purchased one unit Blood Bank refrigerator, donated a parcel of land and
constructed a new building for the Philippine Red Cross Agusan del Sur Chapter
and provided counterpart for the cost of one unit ambulance.
Aside from the above mentioned, the provincial
government of Agusan del Sur also provided PRC membership fee for the Search
and Rescue Agusan del Sur (SARAS)volunteers and provided funds for the subsidy
of two volunteers (1 clerk, IHL, SOS,
Membership in-charge from year 2010, and 1 driver for the year 2013 up to
present).
“I want everybody to know especially the board
of directors that we are envied during our meetings with other chapters
nationwide because we are lucky enough to have a provincial government such as
ours. I have shown them the resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
subsidizing the cost of blood processing, but according to them, it is hard for
them to solicit the same help that the people enjoy thru the Red Cross,”
PRC-AdS administrator Ligan said.
In return, Gov. Plaza was so glad to see the
plaque of recognition for PRC-AdS while receiving the certificate of
appreciation conferred to him. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Feature: DA’s FMR: Linking producers to the
market
By Aurell P. Arais
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) - Whether it’s a myth
or not, some would say number 13 connotes bad luck but here in Caraga Region,
13 is a figure of accomplishment.
The Department of Agriculture Regional Field
Office 13 accomplished 13 concrete farm-to-market roads (FMR) region-wide with
a length close to 13 kilometers and with a total project cost including LGU
counterpart of more than P194 M.
The implementations of said projects were based
on the proposals emanating from the respective LGU recipients and compliance of
the required documents.
Of the 13 FMR completed projects, three were
implemented in Surigao del Norte particularly in the municipalities of
Gigaquit, Taganaan and San Francisco; three in Agusan del Sur in the
municipalities of San Francisco, Trento and in Bayugan City; seven in Agusan
del Norte particularly in Magallanes, Buenavista, Santiago, Jabonga, Nasipit
and Butuan City.
Three of the said FMR were implemented through
the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the rest were
implemented under the respective LGU.
Completion of the projects were respectively
funded through the Farm to Market Road Development Program (FMRDP), Caraga
Integrated Development Program (CIDP), Support to Emergency and Livelihood
Assistance Project 2 (SELAP) and the Bottom-Up-Budgeting now known as
Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP).
Maxuel Jusain, a barangay kagawad of Himanaug,
Taganaan, Surigao del Norte said that the FMR implemented in their barangay
stirred-up the economic activity in their area.
“Kaniadto kining ang imong agi-anan daut kaayo.
Way musulod dinhi nga mga sakyanan aron paghakot sa mga abot sa among mga
mangingisda ug mga mag-uuma, pero karon nga nia na ning FMR hayahay na gyud
(This is a bumpy area before. No transportation vehicle would come here to fetch
the products from our fisherfolks and farmers until the implementation of this
FMR. It is such a relief)," Kagawad Jusain said.
He also narrated that prior to the
implementation of the FMR, farmers had to carry the burden of paying high labor
cost from P30-P40 per bag to the highway but now transport vehicle can traverse
freely in the farming communities.
Around 400 households mostly farmers and fisher
folks are dwelling in the area and could directly benefit the convenience of
the road with an influence area of 339 hectares.
Meanwhile Genaro Jacob, barangay chairman of
Banbanon, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte said that with the completion of the
FMR in their area traversing the farming communities on one side and beach area
in the opposite side sees the opportunity for agri-tourism development.
He added that the implementation of the said FMR
eased the burden of the farmers and fisherfolks in delivering their produce to
the market while giving convenience to beach goers.
“Mapasalamaton gyod ko sa DA kay dako kaayo ug
kaayuhan nga natampo ang kalsada nga among nabatunan (I am so grateful to DA
because the FMR that we have now contributed much for the betterment of our
barangay)," he concluded.
Overseeing the implementation of the said
infrastructure projects is the Engineering Division of DA RFO 13 under the
leadership of Engr. Rene Morales.
He said that farm to market road projects of the
Department of Agriculture are implemented to provide access of the farm or aqua
products to the market. (RAFID-DA Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
26K couples attended parenting classes
By Angie B. Antonio
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) - About 26,131
couples of reproductive ages attended the 1,588 Responsible Parenting-Family
Planning (RP-FP) classes conducted at the barangays region-wide.
The couple-attendees who have finally decided to
use any modern family planning methods have contributed to the 32,325 reported
current Family Planning (FP) users generated from the RP-FP classes.
The RP-FP class is a community-based demand
generation activity that geared towards addressing the unmet need for family
planning among couples through informed choice on what FP services that suits
them.
The population offices of Surigao del Sur, Agusan
del Sur, Butuan City and Bayugan were among the top performers in the
implementation of the RP-FP program in the region.
Director Alexander A. Makinano of PopCom Caraga
expressed his appreciation to the Provincial/City Population Officers for the laudable
support to the Philippine Population Management Program during the recent
Regional Population Management Conference held in the city.
Aside from the RP-FP program, PopCom is also
campaigning on Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program, and Population
and Development Integration. (POPCOM-13/PIA-Caraga)
MOA seals cold chain project in Butuan
By Ma. Diana Luisa Generalao
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) – Mayor Ferdinand M.
Amante, Jr. has finally sealed the launching of a cold chain project here
during the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with United States
Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg at the Claire Philips conference
room, US Embassy, Manila on February 7.
This recent undertaking by the local government
further strengthens the newfound economic boost in the city, which is
undoubtedly expected to open more career opportunities for the locals here.
“This economic improvement, along with all the
other undertakings we have already made and those that we have yet to do, will
be able to provide jobs for many of our locals which will lead us to our goal
of graduating more than 3,000 families from the poverty level,” Mayor Amante
said during the flag raising ceremony at the city hall grounds, February 10.
Through this MOA, the US Department of
Agriculture in partnership with Winrock International agrees to establish a
cold chain storage facility in over 300 barangays in Caraga region, with Butuan
City as the base for the said project.
The cold chain project demonstrates connectivity
to another undertaking, which involves engagement with the Middle East for the
export operations of marine resources.
“I met with the Consular Attache of the
Philippines to the Middle East last month and plans for making Butuan this
region’s center of marine resources for export to the Middle East are already
being concretized. We can use these cold storage facilities to store fresh
Lapu-lapu, lobsters, crabs, and other marine resources we have acquired from
all over the region while preparing them for export abroad,” Amante added. (LGU
Butuan PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Tagalog News: Palasyo: Hindi pipigilan ang mga
opisyales ng pamahalaan na sumakay sa mga sasakyang pampubliko
Ni David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Peb. 19 (PIA) - Libreng sumakay
ang mga opisyales ng pamahalaan sa pampublikong sasakyan bilang sagot sa
panawagan ng mga tagataguyod sabi ng Malakanyang noong Martes.
Pero ayon kay Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr., hindi ito dapat maging
dahilan ng mga opisyales para sa hindi na matupad ang kanilang opisyal na
gawain.
"Wala naman sigurong pumipigil sa akin o
kahit sino mang opisyal ng pamahalaan na isagawa ang bagay na ‘yan. Kailangan
lang sigurong unawain na meron din namang mga kinakailangang gampanan na
tungkulin,” sabi ni Coloma sa kanyang pakipanayam sa mga mamamahayag.
Ito ang kanyang sinabi kaugnay ng petisyon ng
clean air advocates sa Korte Suprema na utusan ang mga opisyal at empleyado ng
pamahalaan na bawasan ang konsumo sa gasoline ng kalahati at sumakay na lamang
sa pampublikong sasakyan.
Sinabi ni Coloma na ang pagsakay sa pampublikong
sasakyan ay dapat walang negatibong epekto sa kalidad ng serbisyo publiko ng
maibigay ng opisyal ng pamahalaan.
"Baka naman sa literal na translasyon ‘yang
panukalang ‘yan, maantala din naman ‘yung paghahatid ng serbisyo publiko. Baka
naman po unawain din na ‘yung nagsisilbi sa pamahalaan ay mayroon na rin pong
mga sakripisyong isinasagawa,” sabi ni Coloma. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Cebuano News: Gobyerno misaad sa pakigbugno
batok sa mga nanghukhuk sa gobyerno, matud sa Palasyo
SURIGAO DEL SUR, Peb 19 (PIA) - Ang administrasyon ni Presidente Benigno
Aquino misaad sa dili matarug nga pasalig sa pagpakig-away sa mga naghukhuk ug
mga kurap sa nasud isip kabahin sa iyahang gisaad atol sa panahon sa
pagpangampanya niadtong 2010 nga piniliay.
Sumala pa sa taho, adunay mituhaw nga mga
kahadlok gikan sa pipila nga nag-ingon nga ang dedikasyon sa kasamtangan nga
administrasyon sa pagpakig-away batok sa mga nangawkaw sa gobyerno mahimong
magduha-duha sa paglabay sa panahon.
Apan si Presidential Communications Operations
Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr, atol sa regular nga press briefing sa
Palasyo miingon nga ang publiko kinahanglan nga dumdumon nga ang administrasyon
sa Aquino napili tungod sa palataporma nga “anti-graft and corruption.”
“Tandaan natin na ang administrasyong ito ay
nahalal dahil sa panawagang ‘kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,’ kaya batayan
ng administrasyon ang prinsipyo na kinakailangan ang mabuting pamamahala. Ang
maayong pagdumala importante nga makab-ot ang politika ug ekonomiya nga
kalambuan sa administrasyon nga katuyoan,” sulti pa niya sa mga reporter.
Ug kalabot sa padayon nga imbestigasyon sa
Senado ug DOJ sa P10 bilyones nga pork barrel fund scam, si Coloma miingon nga
ang gobyerno magpadayon sa mga nag unang pakisusi ug pagpasaka ug sumbong batok
sa mga tawo nga nihimo ug mga kasaypanan sa gobyerno.
Ingon nga ang Senado ug ang DOJ hugtanon nga
mitutuk kang Janet Lim-Napoles ug sa pipila ka mga magbabalaod nga dunay
kalambigitan sa pagpangilad. Adunay mga report sumala pa, mahitungod sa pipila
ka mga magbabalaod nga padayon nga ilang gimentenar nga mga NGOs tumong aron
gamiton alang sa dibersyon sa mga alokasyon sa ilahang pork barrel.
“Lahat ng mga umano’y katiwalian hinggil sa
paggamit ng pondo ng bayan ay dapat siyasatin, alamin, at mabigyan ng tamang
proseso para matunton kung merong mga lumabag sa batas,” siya miingon.
Ang National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
miimbistigar na sa mga NGO nga dunay kalabotan kang Napoles ug sa ilang
koneksyon sa maong iregulidad sa pork barrel, si Coloma miingon nga ang
gobyerno mibuhat ug mga lakang aron mapadali ang pakigsusi batok sa kamatuoran.
Kalabot niini ang pagmugna sa usa ka
inter-agency anti-graft komisyon nga gilangkuban sa Department of Justice,
Commission on Audit, ug Office sa Ombudsman. Kini nga inter-agency commission
ang padayon nga molihok sa pagpangita sa mga nahilambigit sa “scam.”
Hinoon, ang mga magbabalaod nga nadamay sa maong
kontrobersiya mao sila ni Senador Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. ug
Jinggoy Estrada. (NGBT/PND/PIA Surigao del Sur)
