PDEA-Caraga arrests drug den owner, visitants
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 11 (PIA) – Through an
implementation of search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC)
Branch 4 of this city, the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Special
Enforcement Teams of the Caraga Phillippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested
the drug den owner and visitants at about 5:20pm of April 5, 2014 at T. Calo
Street, Purok 6, Brgy. Limaha, this city.
PDEA authorities positively apprehended Rey
Cesar Verdad Y Calo, male, married, 49 yrs. old, jobless; Dina Verdad Y
Fatallo, female, married, 48 yrs. old, jobless; Kimberly Jean Verdad Y Fatallo,
female, single, 23 yrs. old, jobless; Andy Curilan Y Labonete, male, single, 33
yrs. old, jobless; Michelle Fatallo Y Alicarte, female, single, 27 yrs. old,
jobless and Judge Vincent Lozada Y Degal, male, single, 16 yrs. old, jobless.
Also arrested were Aljun Anoos Y Wamar, Ramelo
Aparicio Y Paquibot, Jonathan Paloma Y Bermoy, Mark Claridad Y Moncado, Leofe
Amihan Y Anub and Jennelyn LascoΓ±a Y Camingue. They were present and frequent
visitors of the two-storey house composed of several rooms where these suspects
occupied during pot sessions and dealing of illegal drugs.
Confiscated were 14 pcs. disposable lighter, 8
pcs. used aluminum foil, 1 roll aluminum foil, 13 pcs. improvised aluminum
foil, needle, 118 pcs. aluminum foil strip, 19 pcs. empty transparent sachet, 3
pcs. long empty transparent sachet, 1 pc used aluminum foi tooter, 5 pcs. empty
transparent cellophane, 1 pc used blade “Dorco”, 1 pc improvised water pipe, 29
pcs aluminum foil tooter, several pieces of aluminum foil strip, improvised
aluminum foil needle and several drug paraphernalia.
The confiscated non-drug evidence of the
apprehended suspects were submitted to Laboratory Section of PDEA Caraga for
laboratory examination.
According to PDEA Caraga regional director Erwin
Ogario, suspects who were found positive in the use of “shabu” are presently
detained at PDEA regional office holding facility.
He said that cases for violation of Sec. 6
(Maintenance of a Drug Den), Sec. 7 (Visitors of a Drug Den, Sec. 12
(Possession of Drug Paraphernalia) and Sec. 15 (Use of Dangerous Drugs),
Article II of RA 9165 were filed in court. (VLG/PDEA RO-13/PIA-Caraga)
AJA orients Caraga contractors on ISO
certification
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, April 11 (PIA) – The Anglo Japanese
American (AJA) Registrars represented by Lead Auditor Kevin Castillon, based in
Mindanao discussed the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Certification to the construction companies in Caraga region, held Friday in
one of the local hotels here.
In partnership with the ACE Training Services, a
provider of affordable with quality training and consultancy services, eight
construction companies in the region participated and signified their interest
to comply with the ISO requirements. It is a Two-Day Orientation/Awareness
Seminar on ISO Certification that will run until Saturday.
These eight companies are: Ronwood Construction
and Supply; Madyaw Construction and Development Corporation (MCDC); C’Zarles
Construction and Supply; Reyrose Construction and Supply; ROIM Builders and
Construction Supply; Giovanni Construction; Datrebil Construction and Supply;
and Two Aces Construction and Supply.
During the seminar, Castillon bared that
International Standards bring technological, economic and societal benefits.
“They help to harmonize technical specifications of products and services
making industry more efficient and breaking down barriers to international
trade. Conformity to International Standards helps reassure consumers that
products are safe, efficient and good for the environment,” he relayed.
Castillon added that AJA is accredited to
perform ISO 9001:2008 assessments across a wide range of industrial and
commercial sectors providing clients with a simple, established, common sense
approach to the audit process.
“Based on the ISO 9001, the eight quality
management principles can be used by senior management to improve their
organization’s performance: 1) Customer focus; 2) Leadership; 3) Involvement of
people; 4) Process approach; 5) System approach to management; 6) Continual
improvement; 7) Factual approach to decision making; and 8) Mutually beneficial
supplier relationships,” he said.
Castillon also disclosed that once a company’s
Procedures and Manuals and other system documentation are complete, these will
be reviewed against the requirements of the relevant standard. It may be
necessary to carry out this review on-site supported by a limited audit to
validate the effectiveness of the documentation prior to the registration
audit. “This is referred to as a Stage 1 Audit. Most potential problems can be
identified during the Stage 1 Audit and these can be eliminated by you prior to
the formal registration/compliance audit. You will be presented with a formal
report of the findings from this audit,” he clarified.
It was learned that on completion of the Stage 1
audit, the Lead Auditor will discuss and mutually confirm the registration
audit date with the client company. This will take account of any time needed
to make any adjustments to the documented system resulting from any
deficiencies identified during the document review.
Several queries and clarifications were raised
by the participating companies. “With your interest to know everything how to
be ISO certified, I am optimistic that it will be easier for you to comply and
be able to have your certificate soon,” he remarked.
“Consultants can help the top management on how
to better improve the company’s operations. You must always bear in mind to
document the things you do everyday in your field of work in your
office/company as clear evidence of your quality mangement. Make everything
organized… at the end of the day, it will not us – the certifying body or your
consultants but it will be you who will benefit much for conforming and
implementing ISO requirements,” stressed Castillon.
AJA Registrars is a uniquely independent third
party registrar (certification body) operating from a global network of offices
providing registration and training services at a local level. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
7th Siargao International Game Fishing
Tournament set
By Kylee Doreene T. Que
SURIGAO DEL NORTE, April 11 (PIA) - Siargao
Island, the home of two international events is gearing up for the staging of
the 7th Siargao International Game Fishing Tournament. It is calendared on
April 24-27, 2014 at the town of Pilar, Siargao Island.
The said event is a joint undertaking between
the Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga, the Province of Surigao del Norte,
LGU-Pilar and One Corporate Events.
About 75 anglers from the Philippines and abroad
are expected to compete for the following categories including the Biggest
Billfish, Biggest Talakitok, Biggest Wahoo/Tangigue and Biggest Dorado.
Cash prizes and trophies amounting to P
300,000.00 are up for grabs for the biggest catch in the island.
Other side events are also lined up for tourists
and residents to enjoy and that includes a worthwhile partnership made with the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Caraga for Passport Processing.
The said international event is running on its
7th year and DOT is hopeful that this will be another milestone for Caraga in
terms of tourist arrivals.
For the rules and regulations, registration and
other information, please visit our website at www.gamefishingsiargao.com.
(SDR/DOT/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
PAMB defers action on Minahan Katutubo’s
application in Carac-an Watershed Forest Reserve
By Eric
Gallego
BUTUAN CITY, April 11 (PIA) - The Protected Area
Management Board (PAMB) in Carascal, Surigao del Sur chaired by the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Carga regional executive director
(RED) Nonito M. Tamayo has deferred last
Friday, April 4 the application of a Manobo community composed of the “Agiang
Clan” to exclude the 5,224 hectare -ancestral land from the Carac-an Watershed
Forest Reserves during a session at a local beach resort in that town.
“Pending the presentation of all necessary
information relative to the application of the Manobos’ Agiang Clan of their
request to exclude the area covered by the Presidential Proclamation No.1747
series of 2009, the PAMB has opted to defer further action until the necessary
information are presented,” Tamayo said.
The Agiang Clan has applied for the exclusion of
their ancestral domain inside the proclaimed watershed and forest reserves area
as it claimed the provision of prior rights under the National Culture and
Indigenous Peoples Act 8371. The representative of the Agiang Clan Benjamin
Adjawon, the tribal chieftain of Lobo, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur said the clan
is seeking the endorsement of the PAMB for the exclusion of the applied
ancestral land which it intend to use for mineral exploration through the
Minahan Katutubo of the Manobo Indigenous People in partnership with the First
Highlander Indigenous Resources Development Corporation (FHIRDCO).
“We expect the PAMB shall grant a certification
that the subject area is open for mining by the IPs concerned,” the Manobo
tribal chief said.
Tamayo said the PAMB recognizes the prior rights
without prejudice to the rights of the indigenous people under the Indigenous
Peoples Act and DENR Administrative Order No. 93-02.
“The Agiang Clan has valid reason to apply for
the exclusion of their ancestral domain for whatever purpose the Minahan
Katutubo of the Manobo Indigenous People they desire to use their ancestral
land,” Tamayo said. He said, however, that “ there are other information that
PAMB must take into before it decides on the issue.”
The NCIP through its chairman Atty. Roque
Agaton, Jr. has sent a letter request to President Benigno Aquino on June 1,
2011 to amend the Proclamation 1747 to segregate an specified area for the
mining operation project of the IPs in that declared “critical watershed and
forest reserves area.”
The 5,224 hectares ancestral land area being
requested for segregation under Presidential Proclamation 1747 covers the lands
in barangays Bayogo, Lobo, Cabangahan, Cabas-an and Panikian in the
municipalities of Madrid, Cantilan and Carrascal, Surigao del Sur.
The NCIP during its meeting on May 24, 2012 has
passed an En Banc CEB Resolution No. 042-2012 acknowledging and recognizing the
declaration of the Agiang Clan of the Manobo ICCs/IPs to exercise prior rights
in the harvesting, extracting, development or exploration of mineral resources
in their ancestral domain in that specified barangays.
Tamayo said the watershed and forest reserves
declared under Presidential Proclamation 1747 is a critical watershed area
which is being surveyed and delineated by the Land Evaluation Party of the
DENR. “Hence, any mining operations undertaken by the IPs inside the area must
be carefully scrutinized and studied taking into consideration the impact on
the environment and natural resources of the mining activity operation being
introduced in the area,” he added.
Tamayo said the PAMB is expected to meet again
possibly on the last week of April to further discuss and study the issue
before it decides on the request of the Agiang Clan. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)
Nutrition program evaluated in Agnor
By Mary Cheryl Sabandal-Monoy
BUTUAN CITY, April 11 (PIA) - The province of
Agusan del Norte started its annual conduct of the Nutrition Evaluation to
eight of its municipalities excluding RTR, Buenavista and Cabadbaran City.
"Our purpose is to evaluate if the
nutrition program of the province is properly implemented," says Eden A.
Amper, Nutrition Officer - II of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development
Office (PSWDO) and the District Nutrition Program Coordinator.
Part of the said evaluation is the proper
inspection of supplemental feeding in barangays and municipalities to battle
malnutrition especially in pre-schooler’s age 0-6.
The mother’s class consist of breastfeeding,
family planning, safe sex in high school students, pre-natal care and check-up
for the pregnant woman, "operation timbang," complete vaccination and
other advocacies about proper nutrition according to the documentation done by
the Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) and the whole council in barangays and the
municipality.
The evaluation started last April 3 up to April
22, 2014 and was initiated by Board Member Rey G. Jamboy as chairman of the SP
Committee on Health and Nutrition together with the evaluation team. (LGU-Agusan
del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Sec. Alcala to inaugurate multi-million peso
agri-projects in SurSur
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, April 11 (PIA) – Department
Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala is set to grace the blessing and
inauguration on April 14 of two Rice Processing Centers (RPCs) in Surigao del
Sur costing P15.5 million each.
First in his order of the day is to go to the
RPC located in Barangay Patong-Patong, Madrid, then to a similar project in
Barangay Calagdaan, Cantilan—a neighboring town just three kilometers north.
After the said events, Alcala and party are due
out to go for an inspection of the Cantilan Fish Landing area; to be followed
by a “Wash Up & Dinner” based on the itinerary/letter of invitation sent to
Governor Johnny Pimentel by DA Caraga regional executive director Edna Mabeza.
Both Governor Pimentel and Provincial
Agriculturist Marcos Quico are expected to join the secretary to audience with
him along with local farmers. The
secretary’s official visit will be his second in the province, Quico noted.
Prior to Surigao del Sur, Alcala will go first
to Talacogon, Agusan del Sur for an earlier commitment.
However, it was learned that he will have to
stay overnight in Surigao del Sur before heading back to Agusan del Sur the
morning after for the inauguration of Kaunlaran Resettlement Area Agricultural
Development Project as well as the Nueva Era Pump Irrigation Project in Veruela
town which will be concluded by a farmers’ forum. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Mindanao traders join Asia’s biggest trade show
in Singapore
DAVAO CITY, April 11 (PIA) - In efforts to forge
stronger business links and penetrate further the Asian market, Mindanao-based
companies participate in the 19th Food & Hotel Asia (FHA) 2014, considered
as Asia’s largest food and hospitality trade event being held this week at the
Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre.
A Philippine pavilion that showcases the best of
the county’s products is among the attractions in the trade fair which
currently features more than 3,000 companies from 65 countries.
The Davao City government through the Davao City
Investment Promotions Center (DCIPC) organized a business forum to facilitate
trade and business matching activities between the Philippine delegation and
the participating international buyers.
“We are deeply encouraged by the interest of no
less than Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam to invest in the country, and
his recent visit to the Philippines sends strong signals for the enhancement of
bilateral relations at various levels,” said Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
She added that Mindanao’s participation to the
FHA 2014 is aimed towards forming a solid bedrock for the development of a
Mindanao-Singapore ties, facilitating for Mindanao-based companies to fully
penetrate the Singapore market, and eventually the rest of Asia.
Among the Mindanao participants in the FHA 2014
included Sagrex, an agri-based company that is involved in the processing and
exporting of high-quality food products; Mega Sardines, a top producer of
canned and pouched high-grade sardine products; Universal Canning, one of the
largest marine industrial conglomerates in the Philippines; and Philippine
Fresh Fruits Corporation, an exporter of high-quality agricultural products
such as banana and pineapple.
The Mindanao participation in FHA 2014 is also
part of the country’s preparation for hosting the 2nd BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT
Trade Fair and Business Leaders’ Conference, the biggest sub-regional trade
fair and business conference that will gather top traders from two economic
sub-regional groupings within ASEAN in October this year.
“Our participation in the FHA 2014 is also an
opportunity for Mindanao to position its companies as viable partners of
Singaporean counterparts as well as encourage these potential investors to
visit Mindanao and participate in the upcoming BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT Trade Fair
and Business Leaders’ Conference,” said Antonino who is also the Philippine
Signing Minister for BIMP-EAGA.
She added that securing a larger number of
participants from various Asian countries to attend the BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT
Trade Fair will strategically showcase the huge investment potentials of the
two sub-regions to the rest of the world.
BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Darussalam Indonesia
Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, while the IMT-GT stands for
Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Growth Triangle.
The trade fair, which will be held from October
23 to 26 at SM Lanang Premier in Davao City will feature globally competitive
products, technology innovations, and investment opportunities of the member
countries of the two growth triangles. Countries from the other ASEAN-member
countries are also expected to take part in the trade show and other side
events, which includes a golf tournament, film festival, and ICT Summit.
The four-day activity is also a commemorative
celebration of BIMP-EAGA’s 20th this year.
BIMP-EAGA was launched in 1994 in Davao City as a key strategy to
accelerate social and economic development of less developed areas in
participating countries.
The IMT-GT on the other hand was formed in 1993
with similar goals of promoting trade, investment, and tourism in
less-developed states and provinces in Sumatra, Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia,
and Southern Thailand. Both sub-regional groups aim to harness private sector
leadership in initiatives to promote cross-border investments and improve
connectivity. (MinDA/PIA-Caraga)
