DTI releases P5M as livelihood assistance to
AgSur towns
By David M. Suyao
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, June 20 (PIA) - The
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Sur provincial office
released P5,043,784.30 to four municipalities intended for livelihood
assistance under its Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) during the
culmination of the Naligayan Festival celebration here on June 17, 2014.
According to DTI Provincial Director Lolita
Dorado, the projects range from Micro Enterprise Promotion for 100 women
beneficiaries, Common Distribution Center and Mass Production of Organic
Fertilizer for oil palm and Green Village Enterprises and Distribution Center
in Trento amounting to P2,155,784.30. The Livelihood for Women specifically the
Wellness and Therapy Center with starter kits, Virgin Coco Oil project for Coco
Coir Making in the municipality of Prosperidad costs a total of P398,000, while
the Rubber Production in San Luis costs
P2 million. The establishment of Livelihood Business Center in Bunawan also
receives the second tranche release of P490,000.
“As of June 16, 2014, we have already released a
total of P14,285,784.30 to nine municipalities, where most of the recipients
received the initial first tranche release. The 39 approved GPB projects under
the DTI when completed will actually cost the national government thru DTI
P30,087,900.00 with 12 municipalities and the City of Bayugan as recipients
(excluding San Francisco). With these projects, the local government units are
expected to have a total of P5.06 million as counterpart. This project is not
really new, because it started two years ago, and we formerly termed it the
Bottom-up Budgeting before,” Dir. Dorado said.
The Bottom-up Budgeting according to Dir.
Dorado, was the term used before because it is the local government units that
propose the projects for national government financing. It is based on the
number of poor residents in the area.
“In the local government, an action team called
the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT) will be organized. It will be
led by the local chief executive as chairperson and a civic socio organization
(CSO) leader representative as co-chairperson. It will be composed of the
mayor, the sanggunian appropriations committee chair, local department heads
and representatives of the National Government Agencies at the city/ municipal
levels which will comprise the 50 percent of the LPRAT members,” Dir. Dorado
said.
The Grassroots Participatory Budgeting aims to
contribute to poverty reduction and inclusive growth by making governance
responsive to local needs and public resource allocation more efficient.
There are 130 projects slated for Caraga Region
where the DTI Caraga got P87.96 million for this year 2014. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del
Sur)
Starting July, only electronic collection lists
will be accepted – SSS
MANILA, June 20 (PIA) - Starting July 1, 2014,
the Social Security System (SSS) shall no longer accept hardcopy or paper-based
contribution collection lists (R-3) and loan collection lists (ML-2) from
employers. Instead, employers must submit their R-3 and ML-2 in soft copy format
saved in an electronic storage media, such as a USB flash stick or compact disc
(CD).
“The mandatory submission of electronic
contribution and loan collection lists is aimed at preventing errors that can
happen when SSS personnel have to re-encode data written in the paper-based SSS
collection lists,” said SSS Vice President for Management Services and Planning
Divison May Catherine C. Ciriaco. “Submitting electronic R-3 and ML-2 in USB
sticks or CDs will also eliminate the need for paper documents, and makes the
transfer of data simpler and faster. This will ultimately provide more
convenience to employers and ensure the timely posting of contributions and
loan payments of members.”
Per SSS rules, all employers are required to
submit quarterly the R-3 and ML-2 collection lists, which are used by SSS as
bases for posting the contributions and loan payments to the correct
member-employee.
The exception to the electronic collection lists
requirement are Household Employers who may continue to submit their
contribution collection lists in hardcopy, or thru electronic format if they
wish to do so. Employers with ten (10) or less employees may also submit their
loan collection lists in hardcopy or through electronic ML-2. However, their
contribution collection list must be in electronic format.
“The R3 File Generator Program, which is used in
the preparation of the electronic R3, and the Loans Management System (LMS)
File Generator Program, used to prepare the electronic ML-2, are both available
for downloading through the SSS Website,” Ciriaco added.
“If they cannot download a copy or need
assistance in setting up the program, employers may also go to their servicing
branches, where SSS representatives are ready to assist them,” he concluded.
(SSS/PIA-Caraga)
12th TAYO now opens
MANILA, June 20 - The 12th Search for Ten
Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO 12) is officially open. TAYO Awards
Foundation and the National Youth Commission (NYC) will be accepting entries
from all over the country until the deadline, 30 September 2014.
The TAYO Search is held annually to provide
duly-deserved incentives and recognition to the country’s best youth groups,
thus, encouraging youth involvement in nation-building and best
practices-sharing among organizations. It also maintains a yearly-updated
database of the nation’s youth organizations.
In the past 11 years, Ten Accomplished Youth
Organizations (TAYO) Foundation, Inc. has seen how youth organizations
revolutionized society through social innovations. The works of TAYO affiliated
youth groups have shed greater light on the needs of persons with disabilities
(PWDs) and children with special needs; they have allowed for controversial
issues such as HIV/AIDS, prostitution, and sex to now be discussed more openly
and more constructively. They have mobilized communities and resources against
disaster and hunger, for the environment and education; and they have maximized
their available, innate skills and talents to find sustainable solutions
without the traditional, “it can’t be done” attitude.
Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc., the
Search Presentor, grants Php 50,000 to the 10 winning organizations and Php
25,000 is granted to the other organizations that make it to the National
Finals. Apart from the prestigious recognition, the winning organizations
receive an especially commissioned trophy sculpted by Mr. Toym De Leon Imao.
Entries will be evaluated using the following general criteria: (1) Impact of
the Project Entry to Stakeholders; (2) Harnessing the Spirit of Volunteerism
and Citizenship; (3) Creativity and Innovation; (4) Sustainability; and, (5)
Effective Use of Resources.
TAYO 12 is open to all youth groups,
organizations, clubs, and societies whose membership and leadership are
composed of at least 15 youth members (15-30 years old).Established in 2002,
TAYO Foundation is the only known award-giving body for outstanding youth
organizations in the Philippines. It aims to discover and laud exceptional
youth organizations that have contributed to the development of their local
communities, schools, or work places, through their innovative projects. To
date, more than 1000 youth organizations have joined the search and are now
part of the fast-growing TAYO youth network.
To know more about the search, information is
available in www.tayoawards.net. An online entry form can be filled out at the
TAYO website. For inquiries, TAYO Secretariat can be contacted through text at
0917 TXT-TAYO (898-8296) or e-mail at tayo.secretariat@gmail.com. You may also
call the NYC North Eastern Mindanao Area Office at (088) 8575895 or visit us at
3/f solid Building, Velez-Mabini Streets, Cagayan de Oro City.
TAYO Year 12 is organized by the TAYO Awards
Foundation, Office of Senator Bam Aquino, and the National Youth Commission.
Presented by Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, it is sponsored by SMART,
Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Jollibee, Philippine Airlines, SM Foundation and
Lenovo. (NYC/PIA-Caraga)
Tandag City 7th Charter Day celebration set
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, June 20 (PIA) – The city government
here headed by Mayor Roxanne Pimentel is set to celebrate its 7th Charter Day
on June 20-23.
Dubbed as “Karuga 2014,” which carries the theme
“Atu pasalamat sanan pagmaya!” (Our gratitude and happiness), the three-day
festivities will feature a lot of activities prelude to the highlight of the
occasion on June 23, which is the State of the City Address (SOCA) or
“Executive Report” of no less than the city mayor, herself, at 2:00 p.m. at the
city gymnasium.
But, beforehand, Vice Mayor Ruel Momo is going
first to render his “Legislative Report,” according to the official program.
Ahead of the reports, especially during the
morning of the anniversary day proper, a parade, thanksgiving mass, and judging
of the live performance of “Tandag City Hymn” will be part of the order of the
affair, all at the gym.
Meanwhile, during the first day, June 21, at
around 5:00 a.m., a “grand market” (Dakung Tabo) that is going to be held at
Tandag City Plaza will signal the formal opening of the celebration
simultaneous with other activities.
Different events are also set to take place
during the rest of the day that will culminate in “Baile sa Dakbayan” (dance in
the city).
On the second day, June 22, the grand market
will again open at early dawn, then a free medical/dental check-up for senior
citizens will follow at 8:00 a.m. and also, a mass wedding (Kasalan sa
Dakbayan) will be held at Tandag City Gymnasium.
In the afternoon of the same day until night
time, more activities are scheduled to follow including the “sinug’dan”
(cooking on grill by the roadside), among others, at the VLP Boulevard.
“Hudyaka!,” which features Disco & Concert
as well as fireworks display will conclude the three-day celebration. (NGBT/Radyo
ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Rice price up in SurSur; supply, ample
By Greg tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, June 20 (PIA) – The National Food
Authority (NFA) admitted to have noted a slight increase in the price of commercial
rice the past few days in Surigao del Sur.
During last week’s monitoring, the prevailing
prices of both the regular-milled rice (RMR) and the well-milled rice (WMR)
were logged at a peso lower.
NFA Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Provincial Manager
Gleen Echin explained that the current situation is still on account of the
calamities that hit the country last year, especially Typhoon Yolanda.
However, she said that there is nothing to worry
about since NFA is always ready to come in when supply is at stake.
Meanwhile, Echin bared that based on the recent
daily price monitoring, regular-milled rice (RMR) is sold at an average of P39
per kilo, while the well-milled rice (WMR) is retailed at P42 per kilo.
On the other hand, she stressed that the price
of regular NFA rice still carries a price tag of P27 per kilo while the premium
variety is sold at P32 per kilo.
She also added that NFA has a buffer stock of
some 60,000 bags of rice that will last for about 16 days on the basis of the
daily rice requirement (DRR) of 3,880 bags a day. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Surigao Norte town receives fund from DTI's
micro-enterprise projects
SURIGAO CITY, June 20 (PIA) – The municipal
government of Sison, Surigao del Norte received recently the funds for four
micro-enterprise projects from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-
Surigao del Norte Provincial Office amounting to P807,500.00.
The said amount will be used for the projects of
various people’s organization under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting
(GPB) Program such as Mushroom Processing with the total funds of P142,500.00;
Payaw Processing P142,500.00; Coco Sugar Processing P237,000.00; and Lemon
Grass Processing worth P285,000.00.
Sison Municipal Mayor Leicester P. Fetalvero
received the check from DTI- Provincial Director Celestino L. Negapatan in the
presence of other municipal officials and representatives of proponent
organizations during the simple turned-over ceremony held in Sison.
According to Negapatan, the municipal government
organized a team that will facilitate the successful implementation of the
projects and will also provide a local counterpart fund equivalent to five
percent of the project cost as stipulated in the Work and Financial Plans of
each project.
Negapatan also explained that DTI will be
extending needed support services to the beneficiaries in the course of their
project establishment and implementation.
“I hope that the project proponents will be able
to effectively manage their respective projects so that when they are ready to
expand, they can also avail of other enterprise development programs of DTI and
other national government agencies,” said Negapatan. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del
Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Health roadshow to commence in Surigao
By May Ann O. Escobal
BUTUAN CITY, June 20 (PIA) - The Department of Health (DOH) on Wheels:
Kalusugang Pangkalahatan Roadshow will start in Sison, Surigao del Norte in
June 22 which shall offer health information and services to 750-800
beneficiaries of Sison along maternal and child’s health, men’s health and
family health involvement and health for elderly and for adolescent.
The launching is spearheaded by the DOH headed
by undersecretary Janette L. Garin in partnership with the Commission on
Population (PopCom) headed by Executive Director Juan Antonio A. Perez III,
National Nutrition Council (NNC), and PhilHealth.
PopCom, as partner in the roadshow, is going to
have a one hour session with the 100 young people of the said municipality
through the U4U youth hub initiative that deals with topics on sexuality,
self-image, body changes, legacy and preventing teen pregnancy. Another service
to be given by PopCom is the Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning and
Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya o the KATROPA
session. Further, men’s nutrition and healthy lifestyle services will also be
served.
PopCom Caraga regional director Alexander A.
Makinano articulated that the above activities will help the young people to
become more prepared and more equipped with life skills on sexuality such as
sound decision making, critical thinking and ability to manage stress and others;
likewise, KATROPA session will help men to become advocates of the Maternal
Newborn Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) program, thus, contributing to the
goal of reducing maternal deaths, and promoting responsible parenting.
Moreover, the roadshow aims to ensure equitable
access and to deliver affordable health care for all Filipinos, especially
those belonging to the lowest income quintiles.
The event will start off with drumbeaters and
cutting of ribbon. A video on DOH milestones representing various communities
will be also presented.
Cheer dance competition with the theme “Delay
Sex Debut” is one of the highlights of this significant event. (PopCom/PIA-Caraga)
DAR AgNor distributes land titles during CARP
anniversary celeb
By Gil E. Miranda
BUTUAN CITY, June 20 (PIA) – A total of 540
hectares of agricultural lands were handed-over to 310 Agrarian Reform
Beneficiaries (ARBs) by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del
Norte during the 26th Anniversary celebration of the Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Program (CARP) held at Brgy. Luz Village, Butuan City on June 10.
The awarding of Certificate of Land Ownership
Awards (CLOAs) was graced by DAR regional director Faisar A. Mambuay and DAR asst. regional director Daylinda Narisma,
assisted by PARPO II Andre B. Atega, City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr.
represented by Atty. Butch Itao, Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba
represented by Atty. Aquino W. Gambe and PARCCOM Chairman Greg Honteveros.
The said landholdings are from different
Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in this province that include 258 hectares
handed-over to 126 ARBs in Barangay Maningalao and Consorcia of Las Nieves;
33.3168 hectares to 18 ARBs in Barangays Tagbuyacan and Poblacion of Santiago;
and 250.6196 hectares distributed to 166 soil tillers from Barangays
Antongalon, Anticala, Salvacion and Sumile of Butuan City.
As Republic Act 9700 or the CARP Extension with
Reform (CARPer) Law expires this year, the Department of Agrarian Reform in
this province has intensified efforts to acquire and distribute targetted lands
to complete the 4,800 hectares balance, which is remarkably the highest and
challenging target in the history of LAD in this province. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Feature: A woman for all seasons
By Stella Maris Barlisan & Eariel Tolentino
BUTUAN CITY, June 20 (PIA) - From “roots to
riches” as what others close to Lucita Laurente defined her, but those words
are too fairytale for a description. Let us see how this definition conveys the
real her.
Lucita, a true blooded Tagon-on (lumad of Tago,
Surigao del Sur) was born on July 28, 1976 at Brgy. Unaban, Tago, Surigao del
Sur from a modest family. She finished her Elementary at Unidos Elementary
School and finished her High School years at Gamut National High School. She
then earned her bachelor’s degree in Industrial Education at Surigao del Sur
State University (SDSSU) formerly known as Surigao del Sur Polytechnic State
College.
After graduating in college, she was not able to
land a job that led her to settle down at an early age. She then married
Ritchel Laurente and was blessed with five children namely: Ricamae the eldest,
followed by Rhean, Jade, Renzo and Dave.
Lucita was a full time mother and a wife, while
her husband was driver of a single motorcycle with a monthly income of Php 6,000.
Their monthly income was too little to compensate their daily expenses for
their basic needs and some bills. Thus, she decided to become a volunteer
teacher at Unaban Elementary School from 1998 to 2001 and Umbay Primary School
from 2003 to 2005.
Gaining such work experiences was remarkable,
but for Lucita it was not as remarkable as other regular teachers since she was
just receiving Php 800 a month as her honorarium. This led Lucita in deciding
to run in their barangay elections and became a barangay council official in
Unaban from 2007 to 2010 while working as an Alternative Learning System (ALS)
facilitator earning a monthly of Php 1, 500. Lucita was glad that even with
such small income she could somehow help his husband in providing the basic
needs of their children. But as their children get older, their daily needs
also increases.
With God’s grace, Lucita Laurente became a
recipient of the Government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program implemented
by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in 2010.
Since Laurente was praised to have shown such an
exemplary leadership by her co- beneficiaries and friends, she was then
appointed as the Parent Leader of their group. As a Parent Leader, her friend
Melina Bautista counted her as a good person that can be trusted.
Joan Galientes, Municipal Link Officer (MLO) of
Tago, Surigao del Sur commended Lucita as the most trusted and reliable Parent
Leader. “She can easily understand instructions and executed them well. She is
organized in all her dealings.” These statements came from the people who knew
Lucita and spoke volume of her ability in the field of leadership and
organizing.
When her MLO knew that she was a college
graduate, she was then told to submit her applications to the DSWD Field Office
since they were hiring for new workers. With her experiences and educational
attainment, she was hired as Social Welfare Assistant (SWA) in the City
Operations Office of Tandag City, Surigao del Sur last July 22, 2012.
City Link Officer (CLO) Haideliza Intano
described Lucita as a very responsible mother to her children. "As a
friend, she is a caring woman, and as a co- worker, she is indeed dedicated to
her job,” Intano added.
A fairytale-a-like as it may seem, but her
richness is not all about pearls and dimes, it is all about the number of
people who admire her, whom consider her as a model, a friend, and as a mother,
and how she showcases her best to work even beyond the given duties.
Lucita Laurente is a fine woman with a brave
heart. She is the coat of her family in every winter-like melancholic time of
their lives. A woman that blooms in spring to color all the people close to
her. She’s a summer that has a warm heart for everyone. And she a shelter when
fall comes and breeze chills. She is seasoned by time, seasoned with hope;
Lucita Laurente is truly a woman for all seasons. (DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)
