AgSur opens Naliyagan Festival
By David M. Suyao
PROSPERIDAD Agusan del Sur, June 12 (PIA) - The
grand opening of the 22nd Naliyagan Festival and the 116th Independence Day
Celebration was concluded on Thursday, with colors and meaning right at the
heart of the Naliyagan Cultural Center (NCC) here witnessed by thousands of
people from all walks of life.
Right after the concelebrated mass at the St.
Vincent church across the road from Naliyagan plaza, Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza,
together with his mother former Governor Valentina Plaza cross the road and
proceeded to the Rizal Monument to lay the wreath as an opening salvo of the
116th Philippine Independence Day.
The heat from the late morning sun was becoming
heavier when Gov. Plaza, his mother, former Gov. Valentina Plaza, members of
the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and other government officials with Col. Gregory
Cayetano and his men from the 401st Infantry Brigade walk from the Rizal
Monument after the wreath laying ceremony towards the main stage of the NCC
where thousands of spectators of the dual celebration, the Philippine
Independence Day Celebration and the grand opening of the 22nd Naliyagan
Festival program, will take place.
At the back of the main stage stand the 17 flag
poles and before Gov. Plaza and the rest of the officials took their seats,
they proceeded first to the flag poles for the flag raising ceremony.
Gov. Plaza, former Governor Valentina Plaza,
Col. Cayetano together with some local and national chiefs ofoffices raised the
Philippine Flag as the Naliyagan Chorale Ensemble sings the Philippine National
Anthem. After the raising of the National Flag, Vice Gov. Santiago Cane raised
the Provincial Flag back grounded by the singing of the Agusan Hymn. Then, the
raising of the 14 municipal flags were raised by their respective mayors from
the 13 municipalities and the lone city of Bayugan. After the raising of the
municipal flags, Barangay Captains assisted by the boys and girls scouts of the
Philippines raised the Barangay Flags lined up along the road from the NCC
toward the provincial capitol.
Welcoming everybody, Vice Gov. Cane said the
present generation are very lucky enough to enjoy the struggles done by of our
forefathers in gaining our independence from colonizers. “But sad to note,
these struggles are often times forgotten during ordinary days, and that is the
main reason why we celebrate this very significant day to recall what our
heroes have done for us,” said Vice Gov. Cane.
In his message, Gov. Plaza said he is
overwhelmed when he saw the number of people gathered inside the NCC and its
grounds.
“This is a proof that the we, Agusanons, are united
in order to carry out our common struggle for development being independent
citizens as we celebrate the 116th Independence Day. Starting this day until
June 17, we celebrate the Naliyagan Festival that will showcase our rich and
colorful culture. Being Agusanons, I feel we are united and strong, and with
the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day, we heartily honor and give
respect to our heroes and all those who shed their blood and even offer their
own life just to gain this precious gift to us, the independence,” Gov. Plaza
said.
According to Gov. Plaza, the annual Naliyagan
Festival since 22 years ago offer so many opportunities like job, business and
distinction while remembering the past, and taking the challenges with pride
and dignity.
“And because of all these, we can proudly shout
to the world, Mabuhay and Philippine Independence. Mabuhay ang Naliyagan
Festival, Mabuhay ang Agusanons. God. Bless Agusan del Sur. God Bless us all,”
Gov. Plaza ended. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
DTI-Caraga rolls out four Diskwento Caravans
this June
By Atty. Maria Aurora R. Curaza-Maquiling
BUTUAN CITY, June 12 (PIA) - In view of the
popular demand and increased participation of major contributors, the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be bringing in four Diskwento
Caravans in four provinces in the region this June 2014.
First up is the June 14-15 edition of the
caravan in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur in preparation for the city’s charter
day the following week. The city will
also be celebrating the creation of Surigao del Sur as a province on the same
period.
A three-day caravan is scheduled by the
DTI-Agusan del Norte (ADN) Provincial Office on June 16-18, 2014 at the Capitol
Grounds, Butuan City in time for the celebration of the Araw ng Agusan del
Norte. DTI-ADN earlier conducted its
Balik Eskwela edition of the Diskwento Caravan last May 20-21 at Langihan Road,
Butuan City which offered school supplies, school uniforms and accessories.
A Balik Eskwela edition of the caravan will be
held in the municipality of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur on June 17-19, 2014
with the NCCC Mall of Tagum City bringing in school supplies and accessories.
A regular edition of the caravan with basic
necessities and prime commodities offered for sale will be held in the
municipality of Claver, Surigao del Norte on June 20-23, 2014.
Diskwento Caravans have been instrumental in
bringing major wholesalers, retailers and distributors to the various areas in
the region to offer for sale consumer products with discounts ranging from as
low as 10 percent to as high as 30 percent. (DTI-13/PIA-Caraga)
SurSur guv calls meeting for DILG chief visit
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, June 12 (PIA) – Surigao del Sur
Governor Johnny Pimentel has set a meeting on Friday, June 13 at 9:30 a.m. “to
discuss matters relative to the visit of DILG Secretary Mar Roxas during the
54th Araw ng Surigao del Sur celebration on June 17-19.”
Describing the occasion that will be held at the
conference room of the Provincial Governor’s Office (PGO) a very important one,
he stressed that the presence and support of all concerned are being looked
forward to.
Earlier, Marjorie Pagaran, secretary to the
governor, confided that Gov. Pimentel ordered on Monday to hold in abeyance the
release of the program of invitation due to the latest and positive development
concerning the said visit.
It was also learned that a slight change in the
program is expected. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
AFP keeps eye on NPA on Independence Day
celebration in Caraga
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, June 12 (PIA) – The Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) has continued to keep an eye on possible atrocities that
might be launched by the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels especially during the
116th Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 12.
Army 401st Infantry Brigade Commander Col.
Gregory Cayetano, whose area of responsibility (AOR) spans over two provinces
of Caraga region—Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, admitted that rebels had
been quite active these past weeks in making their presence felt.
On June 9, Provincial Director P/SSupt. Narciso
Verdadero reported that some 50 NPA rebels have managed to disarm a group of
indigenous peoples (IPs) a total of 12 assorted firearms in Carrascal town
while on June 10, another group of insurgents was figured in a firefight with
the army scout platoon in Barangay Sta. Juana, Tagbina town, all in Surigao del
Sur.
However, Cayetano pointed out that state forces
have always been in control of the situation, saying that they are not remiss
of their responsibilities and they continue to “protect the gains of government
in winning the peace.”
Earlier, Army 36th Infantry Battalion Commander
Lt. Col. Anastacio Suaybaguio, Jr. stressed that the Carrascal incident was
just an isolated case, adding that, upon receipt of a tip, they immediately
went after the enemies who allegedly got away on board three trucks and a Kennedy
jeep owned by Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation (MMDC). (NGBT/PIA-Surigao
del Sur)
Caraga tops on Population Program
By May Ann O. Escobal
BUTUAN CITY, June 12 (PIA) - The Commission on
Population (PopCom) Caraga topped in the recently concluded performance review
on the accomplishment of the 15 Regional Population Offices (RPOs) throughout
the country for January to December 2013.
Based on the two major final outputs, both
Caraga Region and Region 12 garnered the highest percentage score (92.5%).
Caraga edged all other regions in the RP-FP
classes’ implementation. Of 5,501 classes conducted, Caraga got 331%
accomplishment rate.
The 15 Regional Population Offices were adjudged
based on their accomplishments along the three program components of the
Philippine Population Management Program, namely: Responsible Parenthood/Family
Planning (RP-FP), Adolescent Health and Youth Development and Population and
Development (PopDev) Integration.
PopCom Caraga regional director Alexander A.
Makinano shared the accomplishments to the Provincial/City Population Officers
during the recent Regional Population Management Conference. “The achievements
in the implementation of PPMP were made possible with the strong support and
cooperation of the local government units particularly the program workers and
the barangay population volunteers who are the frontliners of the program,” he
added.
This accomplishment assessment is conducted
yearly by PopCom Central Office. (PopCom-13/PIA-Caraga)
Prices of school supplies in Caraga stable,
adequate
By Atty. Maria Aurora R. Curaza-Maquiling
BUTUAN CITY, June 12 (PIA) - The Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial offices in the region have monitored major
establishments in the region on the prices and supply of school supplies. The latter were found to be stable and adequate,
respectively.
The DTI head office has also issued a list which
showed a comparison of last year and this year’s updated SRPs for school
supplies which serve as a guide for consumers on their purchases and the
business sector on the price ceiling of the school supplies they sell. The said
list is now posted in all DTI offices and distributed for posting in major
retail stores.
Officials of the DTI Head Office also met with
the major manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of school supplies in Metro
Manila and were assured that prices and supply will remain reasonable, stable
and sufficient for the students for this upcoming academic year.
Heads and representatives from the Philippine
School Pads and Notebooks Association, Inc., Sterling Group of Companies, Advance
Paper Company, Philand Industries, Morayta Bookstore, Amalgamated Specialties
Corp., Times Trading Co., Inc. and FILSTAR Distributors Corp. confirmed with
DTI that no price changes will be made on school supplies given that no
significant movements in both prices and supply of raw materials were
encountered by the manufacturers.
In buying school supplies, consumers are advised
to look at the labels for the following information: brand name or trademarks
of the products, name and address of the manufacturers, converters or importers
and the name of the country where the product is made. In addition, crayons should be marked
“non-toxic” to indicate that the said crayons have been tested and have passed
the “allowed toxicity level” set by the country’s Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). (DT-13/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: Palasyo umaasang mas tataas ng GDP
sa pagbaba ng bilang ng walang trabaho
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Hunyo 12 (PIA) - Nagpahayag ng
kumpyansa ang Palasyo noong Martes na ang bansa ay makapag rehistro ng mas
mataas na gross domestic product (GDP) sa mga huling buwan ng taong ito, habang
bumababa ang bilang ng mga walang trabaho sa loob ng unang anim na buwan ng
taon.
“Binabahagi namin ang pag-asa na itong mga
positibong indicator ay lalong bumuti para sa mas mataas na GDP rate sa mga
darating na buwan,” sabi ni Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. sa isang panayam sa media.
Ayon sa ulat ng National Economic Developent
Authority (NEDA), ang talaan ng mga walang trabaho ay bumaba hanggang 7
porsyento noong Abril, 2014 mula 7.6 porsyento sa parehong buwan noong
nakaraang taon.
Sinasabing ang kakulangan ng trabaho ay bumuti
rin hanggang 18.2 prosyento mula 19.2 porsyento sa loob ng parehong panahon
noong nakaraang taon.
“Ang pagtaas na ito ay nagdala ng humigit
kumulang kabuuan na 1.7 milyong dagdag ng mga taong nagkaroon ng trabaho. Ayon
kay Kalihim ng NEDA na si Arsenio Balisacan, ang pagbuti ng pang-empleyo ay
pangmalawakan, na sangkot ang agrikultura, industriya at mga sektor ng
panerbisyo,” sabi ni Coloma.
Nagrehistro ang GDP ng Pilipinas noong unang
tatlong buwan ng taong ito ng 5.7 porsyento. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
