DENR-13 director promotes mechanized nursery
facility in the region
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) – In the continued
implementation of the government’s National Greening Program (NGP), the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga headed by
regional executive director (RED) Nonito Tamayo, is promoting mechanized
nursery facility in the region.
"At least one million seedlings a day is
the target of Pres. Benigno Aquino III in the implementation of the national
greening program," relayed RED Tamayo.
In time with the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
Signing and Deed of Donation between the local government unit of Bislig City
and DENR-Caraga held at the Disaster Office, City Hall Compound, Poblacion,
Bislig City, Tamayo also announced that Bislig has already a multi-million
mechanized nursery with a target of 10-million seedlings per year.
"This will be inaugurated soon and we are
inviting people to plant and they can choose what seedling they want to plant
there. We encourage the barangays to also initiate the same which will benefit
its constituents," he added.
Tamayo further bared that the overall objectives
of the National Greening Program are poverty reduction, food security,
biodiversity conservation, and environment mitigation.
Tamayo also emphasized that there is financial
subsidy to support the NGP. "I already directed our foresters to determine
what needs to be addressed so implementation of the program will be more
effective and will even invite more investors that could create
employment," he disclosed.
Meanwhile, in the enforcement of Executive Order
(EO) No. 23, Tamayo recalled that the agency has created the Anti-illegal
Logging Task Force composed of several law enforcement agencies in the region
and they have been regularly campaigning for the prevention of illegal logging
and there is another team looking into the livelihood of the people living in
the forest areas.
Under the EO 26, the NGP is to be carried out in
the following lands of the public domain: forestlands, mangrove and protected
areas, ancestral domains, civil and military reservations, urban areas, and
abandoned mine. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Forum on kidney disease prevention set in Butuan
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) – The National Kidney
and Transplant Institute- Renal Disease Control Program (NKTI-REDCOP) in
cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) will conduct an
Advocacy Campaign cum Lay Forum on Renal Health and Disease Prevention and
Control on May 28-30, here.
The event is in line with the National Kidney
Month celebration in June with the theme, “A Healthy Lifestyle, makes you
Kidneys Smile,” said Dr. Violeta M. Valderrama, chairperson on the 2014 Kidney
Month Celebration.
By virtue of Proclamation Number 184, June is
declared as the National Kidney Month by then President Fidel V. Ramos in May
1993.
Valderrama said the event aims to promote and
increase awareness on the prevention and control of kidney diseases.
Dr. Antonio R. Paraiso, Adult Nephrology
Consultant and Program Manager and assistant program manager Dr. Susan L. Jorge
of the Renal Disease Control Program will share their knowledge on the kidney
disease, its prevention and control.
Also, during the event, the Registry Data of
Caraga Region and Organ Donation will be presented.
Around 300 multi-sectoral participants will be
joining the said advocacy campaign. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
DENR donates confiscated forest logs to
LGU-Bislig City
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) – The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga donated on Monday the
confiscated forest products to the local government unit (LGU) of Bislig City
for the development of its evacuation centers, which include the
construction/fabrication of tables, chairs and other furniture.
In the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing and
Deed of Donation between LGU-Bislig City and DENR-Caraga held at the Disaster
Office, City Hall Compound, Poblacion, Bislig City, Mayor Librado Navarro
warmly welcomed the DENR officials headed by regional executive director (RED)
Nonito Tamayo, together with For. Michael Montalban, CENR Officer of Bislig
City; Dir. Maritess Ocampo, regional technical director (RTD) for Forestry; and
For. Rosendo Asunto, PENR Officer of Surigao del Sur.
“A total of 797 pieces or 152.4 cu. meter log
bolts will be to LGU-Bislig City through Mayor Librado Navarro. These logs were
stockpiled at the depository area at the LGU compound which were exposed to all
weather condition awaiting appropriate disposition from the DENR,” bared RED
Tamayo.
When asked why DENR chose Bislig City as
recipient of the confiscated forest products, Tamayo explained that their
agency gives priority to Department of Education (DepEd) as their primary
beneficiary of the logs for the construction of tables and chairs, however, the
director clarified that he is not prohibited in donating the logs to other
government agencies. "We believe these logs can help the LGU-Bislig City
in improving its infra," he added.
Tamayo further said that the logs that have been
cut from its roots should not be stored for a long time because accordingly, it
will release more harmful gases in the air that will also have negative effects
to the atmosphere. "It is much better to utilize the confiscated logs into
tables and chairs rather than just store them," he explained.
Also, Mayor Navarro expressed his warm thanks
and gratitude to DENR that both parties had finally signed the MOA for the
donation of confiscated forest products and the city government can start using
them.
“Thank you very much to the DENR for finally
donating to us the logs that have been confiscated for a year already, and
these will be used for the development/improvement of our infrastructures,”
remarked Navarro.
It was also elaborated that the purpose of the
MOA is to jointly develop evacuation centers and formal settlements in
different strategic relocation sites to move displaced families to safer
grounds which are structurally strong and disaster-resilient that will
eventually serve as venue for social interaction, community development and
people’s empowerment.
“This agreement also extends to the construction
of government/public building damaged by natural and man-made calamities and
other government projects without sufficient appropriations, such as, but not
limited to the construction/fabrication of tables, chaires and other furnitures
and fixtures for public use to optimize the use of these confiscated forest
products,” announced Navarro. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
PRC Agusan del Norte-Butuan City Chapter to hold
fund raising activities
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) – The Philippine Red
Cross (PRC) Agusan del Norte-Butuan City Chapter will be holding a fund-raising
activities through the Search for “Ms. Red Cross” set on July 23, 2014 with
fourth year high school students as participants coming from various schools in
this city, and the Bingo-for-a-Cause on July 26.
“These are our fund generation activities that
will help the chapter’s finances. With the conduct of the search, the
candidates who are also students from different schools will not only help the
chapter gather financial support but also serve as an advocate of the Red
Cross’ programs and services to the public,” said Teodoro Cairo, PRC Agusan del
Norte-Butuan City Chapter Administrator.
Also, Dr. Renato Jose Villanueva, one of the board of directors
of the chapter emphasized that this will be the first kind of search among
women students that will really create impact to the society.
Villanueva added that the Search Committee will
be accepting interested applicants until last week of May. Applicants will be
carefully screened by the committee and will undergo orientation-briefing on
the Red Cross’ services.
“The candidates shall be the one to approach
people and share about the Red Cross’ programs and services and will ask
support through fund generation by selling out raffle tickets that have
corresponding amount to which supporters can choose from. So basically, this
will be beauty and brain effort,” explained Villanueva.
The PRC services include the following: Disaster
Management Services, Safety Services, Blood Services, Social Services,
Community Health and Nursing Services, Red Cross Youth Services, and Volunteer
Services.
It was learned that the candidates will also get
a percentage from the total gathered amount. “The board of directors will be
discussing this concern further on Monday (May 12) during its special meeting,”
said Cairo.
The chosen winner of this competition will also
represent the chapter during the conduct of “Ms. Red Cross Mindanao” to be held
in Zamboanga City come November 2014.
Meanwhile, along with said activity, the PRC
will also conduct the Bingo-for-A-Cause on July 26, 2014 to be held at
Balanghai Hotel, this city. It is also in time with the 9th Biennial Chapter
Assembly. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
GSIS restructures housing loan program ‘til June
30
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) – The Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS) has extended the deadline for the application
of housing loan restructuring program until June 30 this year.
According to GSIS Butuan Manager Belen Talita,
the restructuring program is open to borrowers whose accounts are current or
up-to-date; whose deeds of conditional sale were cancelled but which are not
yet sold; and whose accounts are under foreclosure.
Talita also said, once the application for
restructuring will be approved by the pension fund, the borrower will have a
lower monthly amortization through longer payment periods.
Under the program, GSIS will condone all
surcharges and grant extended payment terms to qualified applicants. An
incentive also awaits borrowers who intend to pay their arrears in full, Talita
said.
“Those with arrearages of not more than six
months will get 100 percent discount on unpaid interest, penalties and
surcharges. While accounts with arrearages of more than six months will get
discounts based on their payment history,” Talita added.
Application to the housing loan restructuring
program is free of charge. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
Regl training on K to 12 teachers set in Butuan
By Dr. Israel Reveche
BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) – The Regional
Training for Grade 9 teachers on K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum is
scheduled on May 12 to 23 here.
According to Education Program Supervisor Dr.
Erlinda Atienza, regional coordinator of the K to 12, the training will be
participated by the Tertiary Education Institutes (TEI).
Participating TEIs from the city include Father
Saturnino Urios University, Caraga State University, Philippine Normal
University and Saint Paul University of Surigao City, Atienza said.
The trainings is aimed to equipped teachers
knowledge on the effective delivery and implementation of the curriculum. It
will be held in the different participating TEIs in the region.
Also, the training is conducted in preparation
for the school year 2014-2015. (DepEd Butuan City Division/PIA-Agusan del
Norte)
COMELEC glad over 'turn-out' of voters’
registration in SurSur
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, May 13 (PIA) – The Commission on
Elections (COMELEC) Provincial Office in Surigao del Sur was glad over the
significant rise in the turn-out of resumption of continuing voters’
registration.
Acting Provincial Election Supervisor (PES) Alma
Acosta attributed this to the province-wide “drive” they conducted to inform
voters about the scheduled registration starting May 6, 2014 up to October 31,
2015.
In fact, Acosta bragged that in Bislig City,
where she holds the concurrent capacity as city election officer, voters are
really coming “for validation” of their voter’s identification (ID) card
especially those who were aware that they failed to vote for two consecutive
times.
The local COMELEC chief reiterated that after
the set deadline, failure to comply with the voter’s requirement means dropping
from the roster of the list of voters—in short, “No biometrics, No vote!” (GBT/Radyo
ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Teens strongly advised to continue drinking milk
By Celina Ann Z. Javier
MANILA, May 13 (PIA) - Calcium makes bones and
teeth dense and strong. lt also plays a role in blood clotting, muscle
contraction and nerve transmission. Ninety-nine percent of the calcium in the
body is found in the bones and teeth.
Calcium is not only important to infants but
also to adolescents and adults, as well. During adolescence the need for
calcium is high because 45o/o of their bone mass is formed during puberty.
Sources of calcium include green leafy
vegetables, small fishes with bones that can be eaten, and milk and milk
products.
Milk is the most important source because it
contains highly absorbable calcium. lt is usually consumed by infants, toddlers
and younger children, but it is not a popular drink among the teenagers.
The 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS)
conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research lnstitute of the Department of
Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) in 2008 revealed that there is a low
consumption of milk among the adolescents, only 15 percent of males and 29
percent of females are drinking milk. This low milk consumption is accompanied
by a high intake of caffeine rich beverages such as coffee and softdrinks.
The 7th NNS listed the top 30 most commonly
consumed food items of adolescents aged 13 to 19 years old, were coffee and
softdrinks landed in the 6th and lh spots, respectively. Consumption of milk
and milk products, however were not even in the list.
Caffeine can lower calcium absorption in the
body and as a result, an adolescent can have lower calcium in the body because
of low calcium intake and high caffeine intake.
Based on the 7th NNS, calcium is the least
consumed nutrient by adolescents with only 0.33 percent meeting the 80 percent
of the dietary requirements for calcium.
It is important for adolescents to continue
drinking milk because at this stage, the body is continually undergoing bone
building until about the age of 30 years.
What are the consequences of not getting enough
calcium by this age?
As people age, bone loss exceeds bone-building.
Thus, older people are more at risk to osteoporosis, a condition in which bones
become brittle and more prone to fractures.
Milk should be a part of the daily diet from
childhood to old age to prevent weak bones and frequent fractures later in
life.
Milk drinking should also be vigorously promoted
among teenagers because it is during this time that they learn to drink other
beverages such as softdrinks and coffee, which often replaces milk in their
diet.
lf milk drinking is not practiced, it is equally
important to consume calcium-rich foods as advocated by the 2012 Nutrition
Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF).
Let us follow message number five of the NGF
which states: "Consume milk, milk products and other calcium-rich foods,
such as small fish and shellfish, everyday for healthy bones and teeth."
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan,
Taguig City. E-mail: MVC@fnri.dost.gov.ph. This e-mail address is being
protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it, Telefax:
837-2934 and 827-3164, or call: 8372071 local 2296 or visit our website:
http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
SSS releases P1.46-B for members hit by
calamities in 2013
BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) - The Social Security
System (SSS) announced that it had disbursed a total of P1.46 billion in relief
grants to members who were affected by the string of natural and man-made
calamities that hit the country last year.
SSS Vice President and Officer-in-Charge for
Lending and Asset Management May Catherine Ciriaco said that more than 80,000
members and pensioners had received relief assistance in the form of salary
loans and advance pensions under its calamity relief packages, which it
unveiled following the onslaught of typhoons Labuyo and Santi, super typhoon
Yolanda, southwest monsoon (habagat), tropical storm Maring, the Bohol
earthquake, and the Zamboanga City siege, all in 2013.
“We opened five separate calamity relief
packages last year, consisting of early salary loan renewals, preferential
terms for new salary loans, easier house repair loan terms, and advanced
release of pensions. As of March 2014, before the availment period ended on
April 30, we already granted more than P1.2-billion in salary loans and
released P225-million worth of advanced pensions,” Ciriaco added.
The first component of the SSS calamity relief
package, the Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP) and eased-down terms for
new Salary Loans, registered a total of 67,023 borrowers, which translated to
total loan releases of about P1.24 billion. Out of this amount, the SSS granted
loans of P477 million to 22,013 borrowers affected by Labuyo/habagat/Maring;
P67 million to 5,030 borrowers from strife-stricken areas in Zamboanga; P8
million to 378 borrowers affected by Santi, P277 million to 15,320 borrowers
hit by the Bohol earthquake; and P408 million to 24,282 borrowers devastated by
Yolanda.
The SLERP allowed affected members to renew
their existing salary loans earlier than the prescribed date under regular SSS
loan guidelines. Current sanctions imposed on borrowers in affected areas who had
earlier availed themselves of the SSS Loan Penalty Condonation Program were
also lifted. New loan borrowers benefited from the waived one-percent service
fee under the relief package.
“The second component of the calamity relief
package focused on the needs of our pensioners,” Ciriaco noted. “Except for
super typhoon Yolanda, the rest of our calamity packages offered the advanced
release of three months' worth of pensions for retirement, disability and death
survivorship pensioners. Pensioners in Yolanda-stricken areas, due to the
extent of destruction they suffered, were offered six month’s worth of
pensions,” she explained.
A total of 13,746 affected pensioners received
their pensions in advance, which amounted to P225 million total releases.
Majority of the releases were for Yolanda-hit pensioners, which made up 90
percent of the total amount or P204 million.
“The impact on the lives of our members after
all these calamities was particularly severe. Many of them were displaced, lost
their jobs or means of livelihood, or suffered deaths in their families. We
sincerely hope that the assistance we made available helped them get back on
their feet,” Ciriaco said.
As part of its corporate social responsibility
program, the state-pension fund also donated a total of P500,000 to the
Philippine Red Cross for the victims of the Zamboanga siege and super typhoon
Yolanda, as well as P2.52 million to Gawad Kalinga in support of its
rehabilitation projects for families affected by Yolanda. These amounts were
sourced through the corporate SSS Calamity Fund, as well as by the voluntary
donations of SSS employees and management. (SSS/PIA-Caraga)
Assessor’s Office bares plan for new sked of
market value on real property in SurSur
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, May 13 (PIA) – The Provincial
Assessor’s Office in Surigao del Sur has sped up preparations for the new
schedule of market value on real properties.
In a recent report by Provincial Assessor
Salvacion Espenido, she said that they are set to submit this to the Sanggunian
Panlalawigan for enactment of an ordinance in October, this year.
Espenido pointed out that such schedule of
market value will have to cover urban, agricultural, and mineral lands that
will also include a new schedule for the unit construction cost of buildings
and similar structures.
She also stressed that their office is going to
require submission or filing of sworn statement of real property
owners/administrators declaring the true market value of such property/ies including
the improvements therein, whether previously declared or undeclared, taxable or
exempt, pursuant to Sec. 202 of the Local Government Code of 1991. (NGBT/Radyo
ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Tagalog News: Mga namumuno ng ASEAN nagkasundo
na palakasin ang kooperasyon para sa buong implementasyon ng deklarasyon sa
pag-akay ng mga makikilahok sa South China Sea
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Mayo 13 (PIA) - Ang mga namumuno
ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ay nangako noong Linggo na
paigtingin ang kooperasyon para sa buong implementasyon ng deklarasyon sa
pag-akay ng mga makikilahok sa South China Sea pagkatapos ng dalawang araw na
summit.
Ang mga namumuno ng ASEAN, kasama si Pangulong
Benigno S. Aquino III ay tinapos ang ika 24 na ASEAN Summit sa pamamagitan ng
pag-adopt ng Nay Taw Deklarasyon sa pag-akay ng komunidad ng ASEAN (DOC) sa
darating na 2015 na inilabas noong Linggo ng hapon.
Sinang-ayonan ng mga namumuno na pagtibayin ang
kooperasyon para sa buo at epektibong implementasyon ng ASEAN DOC alinsunod sa
mga prinsipyong pansansinukubang kinikilala ng pandaigdigang batas, kasali ang
1882 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea o UNCLOS.
Tinawag din nila ang lahat ng kalahok na “maging
mapagtimpi at huwag gumamit ng dahas pati na ang pagbawal na gumawa ng mga
pagkikilos na magpapataas lalo ng tension at magtrabaho para sa maagang
pagwakas ng Code of Conduct in the South China Sea na nakaukit sa anim na
puntong prinsipyo na nasa South China Sea.”
Noong Sabado, ang mga Foreign Ministers ng ASEAN
ay nagpalabas ng kabatiran na nagpahayag ng seryosong pagkabalisa dahil sa
kasalukuyang kalagayan sa South China Sea na nagpataas ng tension asa lugar.
Hinikayat nila ang lahat ng mga bansang kalahok
na maging mapagtimpi at resolbahin ang hidwaan sa pamamagitan ng mapayapang
paraan at hindi gagamit ng banta o kaya lakas. Tinawag din nila ang lahat ng
partido na gumamit ng buo at epektibong implementasyon ng DOC.
"Pagkilos pasulong na nagkaisa para sa isang
Mapayapa at Masaganang Komunidad” ay siyang tema ng summit sa taong ito. Ang
Myanmar ay siyang nag host sa ASEAN summit sa unang pagkakataon mula ng sumali
ito sa bloke noong 1997. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Cebuano News: Surigao Norte magsaulog sa
ika-113th Founding Anniversary
Ni Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Mayo 13 (PIA) – Ang probinsya sa
Surigao del Norte nagasaulog sa ika-113th Founding Anniversary niini pinaagi sa
usa ka semana nga mga kalihukan gikan Mayo 2 ngadto Mayo 15 ning tuiga.
Ang kasulogan karong nagadala sa tema nga
“Kultura Surigaonon, Kabilin na Bililhon” (Surigaonon Culture: Precious
Legacy).
Ang maong selebrasyon gisugdanan niadtong
Biyernes, Mayo 2 pinaagi sa usa ka parade libot sa syudad, gisundan kini sa
pasiunang programa didto sa Provincial Sports Complex ug, centennial On-The
Spot Painting Contest (inter-secondary). Pagka gabii gipahigayon usab ang
pasundayag sa teachers’ folk dance competition didto sa Luneta Park ning
syudad.
Niadtong Mayo 11, usa ka half marathon nga
gitawag og “Run for One Surigao” – usa ka lumba sa dagan alang sa kahiusahan ug
kalinaw nga gipasiugdahan sa grupo sa Surigao Runners Club (SRC) ug unyang
gabii, Mayo 13, ipahigayon ang Search for Binibining Surigao 2014.
Dugang pang mga kalihukan ang gipahigayon ug
nakatakda pang ipahigayon mao ang Coastal Clean-Up; Cultural Shows; Mountain
Bike ug BMX Tournament; Konsierto sa Luneta Park; Oratorical Competition
(inter-secondary); OPM Singing Contest; Paduwa 2014; Agri-Aqua Trade Fair;
Hip-Hop Dance Contest (inter-secondary); Photo and Art Exhibit; Dance Showdown
(Surigao’s Festivals); Fireworks Display; Surigaonon Food Festival; Local
History Writing Seminar; Skills Competition (table skirting and arrangement,
fruit carving, cooking contest, wine mixing); ug Centennial Float Parade.
Subay sa maong kalihukan, ang buhatan sa
Provincial Governor mipagawas bag-ohay pa lamang og Executive Order No. 012,
series of 2014 nga nagdeklara sa Mayo 2 ngadto 15 isip opisyal nga semana sa
kasauologan ug nag-awhag sa tanang mga ahensya sa gobyerno, pribado ug pangpubliko
nga mga eskuylahan, civil society organizations ug private sector sulod sa
teritoryo sa probinsya sa pagpartisipar sa maong us aka semana nga kasaulogan.
(SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
