NRCO-Caraga continues to provide livelihood
assistance, skills training to OFWs
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, July 7 (PIA) – “Along with our partner
government agencies under the Department of Labor and Employment, we in the
National Reintegration Center for the Overseas Filipino Workers are also
providing livelihood assistance and skills training to OFWs in Caraga region.”
This was the statement of Labor and Employment
Officer Nancy Jacinto of National Reintegration Center for the Overseas
Filipino Workers (NRCO) Caraga during a press conference on Monday with the
member-agencies of the Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) held in one of the
local convention centers here.
Jacinto also bared that their office has
released P530,000.00 for some 53 distressed or displaced OFWs. "We were
also able to process/submit 163 applications for the P10,000.00 Livelihood
Assistance under review to date," she said.
“With the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration, we monitored 100 OFWs/families who were given an
Entrepreneurial Development Training and Financial Literacy Training in the
entire Caraga region,” revealed Jacinto.
Jacinto further relayed that in partnership with
the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) and DOLE, the NRCO
has provided ISTIV training to 21 OFWs with P10,000.00 livelihood assistance
beneficiaries as continuous enhancement and support in the creation of entities
of the OFWs/families.
The ISTIV Bayanihan Training is a values-driven
human resource strategy for quality and productivity (Q&P) improvement
that is rooted on the following five (5) ideal attributes of a productive
individual: Industrious, Systematic, Time-conscious, Innovative and strong
value for work (ISTIV).
The program aims to provide technical support
for the growth of the microenterprises to become productive and competitive in
the market arena.
“Our targets for this second quarter include the
following: provision/release of livelihood assistance to each of the 163 OFWs
already submitted to central office amounting to P10,000.00; conduct of
Financial Awareness Seminar to 250 OFWs/families (4 seminars; 1 per province;
50 participants per province); conduct of Small Business Management Training
(ISTIV Bayanihan) to 250 OFWs/families who will also benefit the P10,000.00
livelihood assistance; and conduct of four Skills Training (as needed/in
demand) to 63 distressed/displaced women OFWs for Balik Pinay Hanapbuhay
Program,” revealed Jacinto.
The National Reintegration Center for OFWs
(NRCO), an agency of the Department of Labor and Employment was
institutionalized pursuant to Republic Act 10022 and its Implementing Rules and
Regulations. The Center provides the mechanism for the OFWs’ reintegration into
Philippine society, serves as a promotion house for their local employment, and
tap their skills and potentials for national development. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Safety, protection of workers our main priority,
says DOLE-13 chief
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, July 7 (PIA) – In a press
conference on Monday, regional director Atty. Johnson CaΓ±ete of the Department
of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga stressed that safety and protection of
workers in the region are their main priorities aside from provision of
livelihood assistance and employment programs.
"The Occupational Safety and Health
Training with contractors and companies' safety officers in Caraga is ongoing
today at the Balanghai Hotel, this city, and said training will end on Friday.
This is one of the requirements for accreditation for the Safety Practitioners
in the region," said CaΓ±ete.
CaΓ±ete added that along with their programs,
DOLE has also been implementing the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting, six
months Government Internship Program, Emergency Employment Program in the
different congressional districts in the region, and Livelihood Programs in the
provinces.
“Guided with our mission to promote gainful
employment opportunities, develop human resources, protect workers and promote
their welfare, and maintain industrial peace, the DOLE is doing our best to
look after the issues and concerns of our workers and provide them the services
they deserve,” CaΓ±ete emphasized.
On its livelihood assistance, CaΓ±ete disclosed
that DOLE-Caraga has already implemented 13 projects in the region having 3,980
beneficiaries, and released the total amount of P11,537,388.00.
It was also learned from the good director that
on June 30, 2014, 120 individuals from the Industrial Tripartite Councils of
Construction, Plantation, Transportation, Education, Wood-based, Security, Gen.
and Other Services, Eco-Tourism and Mining gathered for the first time to sign
and signify their commitment towards the adoption of Voluntary Code of Good
Practices.
“The Voluntary Code of Good Practices involves
the promotion of labor laws compliance system, occupational health and safety,
productivity, dispute settlement, collaboration of government partners,
corporate social responsibility and monitoring code,” bared CaΓ±ete.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DTI releases P650K for enterprise development
project in Bacuag
SURIGAO CITY, July 7 (PIA) – A total of
P650,000.00 was released by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to the
municipal government of Bacuag during the Regional Development Council (RDC)
meeitng held recently at the Provincial Convention Center, this city.
The purpose of the said fund is to support the
development of two micro-enterprise projects and the establishment of an online
business name registration hub under the Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) Program of
the national government.
The two mircro-enterprise projects are the
Shared Service Facility for Nipa Sugar Production of the Cabugao First Farmers
Consumers Cooperative costing P250,000.00 and the Shared Service Facility for
Banana Processing of Payapag Women's Organization with project cost of
P200,000.00.
The Online Business Registration Hub project
costing P200,000.00 will be implemented by the municipal government in
coordination with DTI to enable online business name registration right at the
Business Permit Licensing Office of Bacuag, Surigao del Norte.
The project aims to help local entrepreneurs
save their cost on travelling to the city just to register their business names
at the DTI Provincial Office.
Bacuag municipal mayor Sheila Cebedo expressed
her heartfelt thanks to DTI officials for the financial support which are
intended to help her constituents in the municipality.
She is hopeful that with the assistance of DTI,
the micro-enterprise project beneficiaries will be able to augment their
household income thereby achieving the goal on poverty reduction through the
BUB Program.
DTI Caraga regional director Brielgo O. Pagaran
and Surigao del Norte provincial director Celestino L. Negapatan handed the
checks for the three projects to mayor Sheila Mae O. Cebedo during the Regional
Development Council (RDC) meeting witnessed by Surigao del Norte governor Sol
F. Matugas and members of the RDC. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del Norte /PIA-Surigao del
Norte)
Agusan Norte town celebrates 93rd charter day,
highlights DSWD poverty-reduction programs
By Eunice G. Montaos
JABONGA, Agusan del Norte, July 7 (PIA) - The
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga warmly graced the
93rd charter day celebration of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte on July 1, 2014.
One highlight of the activity is the conduct of
the very first tagpo (summit) for Poverty-Reduction Programs (PRP) in Jabonga
which showcased the different accomplishments in project implementation which
contributed the positive shift of the poverty incidence of the municipality.
DSWD PRPs which presented booths were the
Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), KALAHI CIDSS-National Community-Driven
Development Program (KC-NCDDP), Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Social
Pension, and Supplemental Feeding.
Their activity was dubbed “Tiunay na Kabag-ohan
sanan Malahutajon na Pag-umad sa Naangkon na Kinaiyahan Dayan sa Malambuon na
Habongan (Profound Changes and Sustainable Development Achieved Paves Way for a
More Progressive Jabonga).”
“DSWD Caraga takes pride and honor to be a part
not only in the celebration of this municipality, but equally important in the
struggles towards this development which is the inclusive growth,” said
assistant regional director for Administration Nerisa T. Murih, who represented
regional director Minda B. Brigoli.
Murih also expressed her appreciation about the
strong commitment of the local government officials in the municipality.
“The DSWD can do nothing without the support of
the LGUs. Thus, we can infer that this glorious success that Jabonga has
attained, is a product of the unity and convergence of the national government,
the local government, and the communities,” she added.
Vice Mayor Glicerio M. Monton pronounced during
his message the great contribution of the DSWD’s social protection programs,
most especially the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach of the
Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social
Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) in reducing poverty in their locale.
“More or less, 48 sub-projects are implemented
by community volunteers amounting to P55M, with the technical assistance
provided by DSWD, in partnership with the municipal/barangay local government
units (B/MLGUs),” he added.
“Jabonga is a testament that CDD really works,”
shared Monton referring to the experience of the municipality in which they
replicated the Kalahi-CIDSS process in implementing another sub-project using the
LGU funds.
Along with the activity, the LGU of Jabonga
handed-in trophies of recognition, dubbed as Salamat Karadjaw award, to the
persons and agencies who/which had provided exemplary service and contribution
to the municipality’s development.
The DSWD Caraga is one of the recipients of the
said award, as well as the four of the Office’s staff namely Maryfel B. Jerios
(Municipal Monitor for KC-Makamasang Tugon), Joan B. Rapisura (Project
Development Officer for LeADGOV), Nora Petallo (Provincial Coordinator for
SLP), and assistant regional director Mita G. Lim (for her outstanding and
noteworthy support in the implementation of KC sub-projects).
“It is time for the Habongans to show our
gratefulness to our partners in development; this is our way of showing our
sincere and deep gratitude,” said Mayor Jasmin F. Monton. (Social Marketing
Unit/DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)
RTR farmers receive new market center from DAR
By Joie L. Ceballos
REMEDIOS T. ROMUALDEZ, Agusan del Norte, July 7
(PIA) - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) handed the P2.67 million
municipal agrarian information and marketing center (AIMC) to the cluster of
people’s organization of the municipality of Remedios T. Romuladez (RTR),
Agusan del Norte on July 4, 2014.
The 36-square meter building will serve as the
farmer’s one-stop market and training center. “The idea is patterned after the
success of the AIMC in Butuan City which is run by the Federation of Agrarian
Reform Communities Cooperatives (FEDARRCO) of Agusan Norte and Butuan City,”
said DAR Caraga regional director Faisar Mambuay.
RTR Mayor Ernie Ceniza thanked the DAR for the
support it gave to the farmers of the municipality. In a message through a
representative, Agusan Norte Governor Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba
vowed the provincial office’s support to the agrarian reform efforts in the
province.
Meanwhile, the recipients expressed its
gratitude to DAR. “The wait is not in vain. Thank you to DAR who always keeps
its eye on us,” says Marivic Virtudazo, farmer and leader of the
recipient-cluster of organizations. (DAR-13/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte guv to deliver SOPA
SURIGAO CITY, July 7 (PIA) – Surigao del Norte
Governor Sol F. Matugas will deliver her State of the Province Address (SOPA)
today during the 52nd Special Session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The special session will be presided by Vice
Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr., which will start at 1:30 p.m. at the
Provincial Convention Center, this city.
The lady governor is expected to outline the
past year’s accomplishments of the provincial government under her
administration as well as highlight important plans of the province in the next
two years.
Two congressional representatives of the
province, the municipal mayors, regional directors and representatives of
different national government agencies, provincial government department heads,
members of the academe, non-government organizations, socio-civic organizations
and the media are expected to attend the said event. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del
Norte)
SurSur tourism chief glad over launch of direct
Cebu-Tandag flight
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, July 7 (PIA) – Surigao del Sur
Tourism Office Chief Nicolas Sonsona was so overjoyed over the launched on June
30 of a direct flight from Cebu-Tandag-Cebu route using a 72-seater ATR
aircraft.
According to Sonsona, the initial
Monday-Wednesday-Friday flight schedule of the Cebu Pacific will certainly help
boost not only the tourism industry here but the economic status of the
province as well.
“The resumption of commercial flight at Tandag
City Airport will definitely be a plus factor for Surigao del Sur especially by
having a reliable airline to cater to the needs of the people who are always
'on-the-go,'” he added.
With the long absence of a commercial flight in
Tandag City Airport, people who would want to take the plane to and from
Surigao del Sur have no choice but to travel for five grueling hours by land to
Butuan City or for eight hours to Davao City, it was learned.
Sonsona was also delighted with Governor Johnny
Pimentel who he said committed support to the said airlines by way of
encouraging the public to patronize its services.
But even long before the maiden flight of the
Cebu Pacific took place, the tourism officer has already been bragging that
Tandag City is going to be its 34th domestic travel destination. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
PSA gears up for July 2014 LFS, annual poverty
indicators surveys
BUTUAN CITY, July 7 (PIA) - The Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) Caraga will conduct the July 2014 Labor Force Survey
together with the 2014 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey from July 8 to July 31,
2014. The Labor Force Survey (LFS) is a nationwide quarterly survey of
households conducted by the PSA to gather data on the demographic and
socio-economic characteristics of the population.
The LFS aims to provide a quantitative framework
for the preparations of plans and formulation of policies affecting the labor
market.
The 2014 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS)
will also be undertaken as a rider to the LFS, this is a nationwide sample
survey designed to provide information on the different non-income and
income-based indicators related to poverty. The 2014 APIS is the 10th in a
series of Annual Poverty Indicators Survey conducted nationwide by the National
Statistics Office (NSO) since 1998, NSO is of one of the agencies merged with
three other agencies (BAS, NSCB, BLES) and now known as the Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA). The survey will gather data on the socio-economic
profile of families and other information that are related to their living
conditions.
The July 2014 LFS covers about 50,000 sample
households nationwide. This sample size will allow the generation of reliable
estimates of indicators of employment and some other important indicators from
LFS at the regional level. Meanwhile, the 2014 APIS will include about 13,000
sample housing unit nationwide. The APIS sample size is deemed sufficient to
provide reliable estimates of non-income indicators at the national and
regional levels and national estimate of poverty incidence, with the first
semester of 2014 as the reference period.
In Caraga Region, the Statistical Researchers or
Interviewers will be visiting around 2,209 LFS households and 528 LFS/APIS
sample households. The sample is deemed sufficient to provide reliable
estimates of non-income indicators for this region.
NSO Field Staff and selected trained Statistical
Researchers will do a comprehensive door-to-door interview to the sample
households during enumeration period. NSO would like to assure the respondents
that all information furnished to the SRs are strictly confidential and shall
not be used as evidence in court for purposes of taxation, regulation or
investigation as provided for in Section 4 of Commonwealth Act No. 591.
(NSO/PIA-Caraga)
Hundreds served in 'health care on wheels'
roadshow
By May Ann O. Escobal
BUTUAN CITY, July 7 (PIA) – Hundreds of
beneficiaries representing women, men, youth and elderly sectors in Surigao del
Norte and Dinagat Islands Provinces were being catered well with health
information and services during the recently concluded DOH on Wheels: Kalusugan
Pangkalahatan Roadshow in the above areas.
Said areas were chosen as beneficiaries since
the availability and services of health providers in these areas are not enough
to cater the thousands of citizens living there.
The Commission on Population (PopCom) Caraga
Region, as partner of the activity, had facilitated Kalalakihang Tapat sa
Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya (KATROPA) and U4U sessions. The
KATROPA session had helped men in contributing for the improvement of the
maternal, neonatal and child health and nutrition (MNCHN) conditions among
families. Likewise, the young people of the said provinces were trained to
promote healthy lifestyle and responsible sexuality in order to avoid early
sexual engagement, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, sexually transmitted
infections and other psycho-social concerns.
PopCom Caraga regional director Alexander
Makinano stressed the importance of the young people especially in the programs
of the Department of Health (DOH) and PopCom for they are vulnerable to engage
in pre-marital sex, teenage pregnancy and early marriages. Makinano added that
through the U4U session, these young people became more equipped with life
skills on sexuality such as thinking critically, making good decisions about
their sexual and reproductive health.
Further, PopCom Executive Director Dr. Juan
Antonio A. Perez III enunciated that the presence and support of husbands to
their wives are very important. As parents, they should have to see, decide and
plan things wisely such as birth spacing, how many children to have, and the
family’s financial stability, for these will greatly affect the situation of
the family. He added that husbands should think ways on how to help and support
their wives.
“Hindi lamang ang kababaihan ang dapat pumasok
sa mga programa ng family planning at reproductive health kundi ang mga
kalalakihan ay dapat ding ma-involve dito. May mga paraan na ang kalalakihan ay
mahalagang kasama, katulad ng paggamit ng contraceptives kung nararapat,” ED
Perez emphasized.
In an interview with DOH Undersecretary Janette
L. Garin, she stated that, “Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands are two of
the provinces na masarap tulungan at sila din ay paminsan-minsan lang nadadalaw
at napupuntahan ng ating pamahalaan o gobyerno. Ang mga areas na ito ang
pupuntahan nang sa ganun maramdaman ng mga tao na kahit saang sulok nang
Pilipinas willing po ang departamento na maghatid ng tulong.”
The event showcased health information and
services on Adolescents, Maternal and Child’s Health, Men’s Health and Family
Health Involvement, and Health for Elderly and their rights as maintained by
DOH, PopCom and other attached agencies. (POPCOM-13/PIA-Caraga)
