CRCHRMI, CSC to hold 11th Annual Convention of
Caraga HR Managers
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, July 31, 2014 (PIA) – The Caraga
Regional Council of Human Resource Managers, Incorporated (CRCHRMI), in
partnership with Civil Service Commission (CSC) Caraga will be holding the 11th
Annual Convention with the theme, “Caraga HR Managers: Leading the Region’s
Human and Vast Natural Resources Strategic Management,” on August 6-8, 2014 at
the PDI Convention Center, Barangay Cuarenta, San Jose in the Province of
Dinagat Islands.
“It will be co-hosted by the Provincial
Government of Dinagat Islands in collaboration with the Dinagat Islands Council
of Human Practitioners, Incorporated (DICHRPI). We have invited Honorable CSC
Chairman Francisco T. Duque III to be the guest of honor and speaker and
several other dignified personalities who can help propel the region from being
the second poorest region in the country today,” disclosed Elvis Dela Merced,
PHRMO/11th CRCHRMI Convention Director.
Dela Merced further said that the said
convention is aimed to bolster their commitment for a strategic development and
management of human resource in this part of the country.
“A registration fee of P3,000.00 will be
collected from each participant to offshoot activity expenses excluding
hotel/room accommodation,” Dela Merced added.
The CRCHRMI is an organization of Human Resource
Practitioners and Administrative Officers of the national government agencies,
government owned and controlled corporations, and local government units of
Caraga region. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte to conduct video maaking contest
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, July 31 (PIA) – The Provincial
Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) of Surigao del Norte in
coordination with various PDRRMC member-agencies is set to conduct a video
making contest on August 1, 2014 to be held at the Provincial Cultural Center
for Children (Mini Theater), Provincial Sports Complex, this city.
The activity aims to provide creative avenues
for citizens to channel their participation in response to disaster risk
reduction and management, and to establish linkage or network of Citizen
Patrollers to assist the council in the generation and dissemination of the
situational reports before, during, and after disasters.
The contest is open to all secondary and college
students within the province.
The activity is also in line with the National
Disaster Consciousness Month celebration, this whole month of July under
Presidential Executive Order No. 137 series of 1999, which enjoins all sector
to observe and implement activities catering to strengthen awareness and
response of citizens on disaster preparedness. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Forum on youth study slated
By May Ann O. Escobal
BUTUAN CITY, July 31 – Recent study result of
young people’s sexuality and health will be presented in a multi-sectoral
gathering on Friday, August 1, this city.
The Commission on Population (PopCom)-Caraga
will facilitate a dissemination forum on the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and
Sexuality Study (YAFSS 4) which revealed the reproductive behavior of the youth
aged 15-24 in the country, including Caraga Region. The result will be
presented by the representatives of the University of the Philippines
Population Institute (UPPI).
It was learned that the 2013 YAFSS is the 4th
series which contains the same basic data gathered in previous rounds. However,
YAFSS 4 has expanded in range of topics as well as added new questions to
previously existing topics.
PopCom Caraga regional director Alexander A.
Makinano said that this recent study has a new topic on health and lifestyle
including a short depression scale and the topic on media has also been
expanded to include the new forms of communication technologies that were not
yet well-developed in 2002 such as social media, cellphone use and
cyberbullying.
RD Makinano also emphasized the significance of
the said study for it will identify the high risk factors affecting the
fertility behavior of the Filipino youth on early marriage, teenage pregnancy,
and childbearing. “PopCom commits to partner with youth allies to help
adolescents and youth avoid risky sexual and non-sexual behaviors,” added
Makinano.
The Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality (YAFS)
Study is series of national surveys on the Filipino youth ages 15-24 years old
conducted since 1982 by the University of the Philippines Population Institute
(UPPI) and the Demographic Research and Development Foundation. YAFSS is one of
the primary sources of information on sexual and non-sexual risk behaviors at
the national and regional levels which covers a wide range of topics that are
relevant to young people.
YAFSS 4 is funded by the Australian government
through the UNFPA and the Department of Health – Philippines Council for Philippine
Health Research and Development.
This forum will be attended by the leaders and
representatives coming from the different sectors of the society. (PopCom-13/PIA-Caraga)
DILG-13 engages community mobilizers to support
GPB
By Bryan F. Edulzura
BUTUAN CITY, July 31 - The Department of the
Interior and Local Government Region 13 (DILG-13) has engaged four Community
Mobilizers (CM) to assist Local Government Units, Civil Society Organizations
(CSOs) and communities in the crafting of Local Poverty Reduction Plans (LPRAP)
under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GBP). Started in 2012, the GPB has put premium on
people participation in local budgeting process and local governance.
“Ako nalipay na ang mga katawhan, aduna nay kahigayunan nga muapil ug makig
lambigit sa pag suta sa mga proyektong pangkalambuan (I am happy that the poor
are given opportunity to participated in identifying development
projects),” said Jose T. Orapa, 46 years old,
Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat Program (SALINTUBIG) water project
beneficiary in Barangay Libertad,
Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
These community mobilizers, from varied
background, are seasoned community organizers and have been engaged to work
with several local and international development organizations. Mary Ann Ochavillo, former employee of Tago,
Surigao el Sur is passionate about working in the community. “The fulfillment is different when at the end
of the day, you knew that your efforts has improved the plight of the poor,”
she said.
Roseller Espere, a community leader and a pastor
likes to work in the community as a vocation and an opportunity to empower
people.
“GPB is not a business-as-usual program, so we
consider the character, values and attitudes in choosing community mobilizers,”
DILG-13 RD Lilibeth Famacion said. “We
wanted that their characters are unassailable, and they could aptly represent
the values and attitude of a good public servant,” she continued.
Famacion emphasized that engaging these
mobilizers further amplifies the voice of the poor and improves people
participation. "It is important
that, for the project to sustain, ownership is also lodged in the hands of the
beneficiaries. We will never stop implementing reforms in the fight against
poverty. We wanted to replicate more
Joses and Marias, whose lives have been positively changed because of this
program,” Famacion said.
The following are the Community Mobilizers
engaged per province:
Agusan del Norte -
Mr. Roseller Espere
Agusan del Sur - Mr. Rex Linao
Surigao del Sur - Ms. Mary Ann Ochavalle
Dinagat Islands - Mr. Buenaventura Maata
As of this writing, DILG-13 is currently
recruiting two Community Mobilizers for Surigao del Norte and one more for
Surigao del Sur. Interested applicants may send applications to
bub_dilgregion13@yahoo.com. (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)
Tandag City launches anti-dengue campaign
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, July 31 (PIA) – As an offshoot of
the upswing trend of dengue cases in the city, Mayor Roxanne Pimentel is set to
spearhead the launching at 9:00 a.m. today of the “Aksiyon Barangay Kontra
Dengue (ABKD)” at Camp Vicente L. Pimentel, Sr., Purok Upper Pulang Lupa,
Barangay Telaje.
The occasion is split into two: Program Proper and Chemical Application for
Dengue Vector Control (Fogging).
However, the “Signing of the Declaration of
Commitment on ABKD” by 21 punong-barangays will be the core of the event.
Also, the “Orientation on AntiMos” and the
“Orientation on the Conduct of Fogging” are going to follow afterwards, it was
learned.
As cited in the program, seven barangays are set
for “Ceremonial AntiMos Application” later in the day, namely: Telaje,
Dagocdoc, San Agustin Sur, Rosario, Mabua, Bag-ong Lungsod, and Bongtud. (NGBT/Radyo
ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
SurSur BIR chief confident to hit 2014 tax goal
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, July 31 (PIA) – Despite posting a
deficit of -0.64 percent or equivalent to P2,151,237.28, Monib Dimakuta, Revenue District Office 106
(RDO 106) chief of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in Surigao del Sur expressed
confidence to hit the 2014 tax goal of P745,763,000.
He pointed out that their flop was mainly caused
by the continuing rise in collection goal year after year.
However, Dimakuta stressed that he is not making
this snag as an excuse, saying that they have even ranked first in collection
among peer groups Caraga-wide.
Admitting that they are left with a lot of work
to do, he instead vowed to pursue a more aggressive tax collection effort in
order to achieve their target.
The said office bared a collection of
P334,113,762.72 as against the goal of P336,265,000 for the period from January
to June 2014.
Meanwhile, Francisco Trillo, Assistant Revenue
District Officer (ARDO) here, confirmed about the BIR’s accreditation
requirements for all importers and customs brokers who were reminded of the
deadline to comply until July 31. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
ALS skills training convergence set
By Engr. Norberto B. Dorado
AGUSAN DEL SUR, July 31 (PIA) - The Bayugan
National Comprehensive High School (BNCHS) – Alternative Learning System (ALS)
recently conducted a skills training convergence.
The activity was realized through the funding
support of the city government of Bayugan, Agusan del Sur for the
implementation of the Rural Development/Community-Based Training Program (CBTP)
approach for the enrollees of this Department of Education (DepEd)-initiated
program.
The BNCHS, city government of Bayugan, and the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)–Agusan del Sur
Provincial Office jointly agreed through a Memoradum of Agreement (MOA) to
provide skills training to out-of-school youths, teachers, employees, workers
and others who wanted to enroll in the weekend classes.
The program has produced 30 graduates in the
first batch during the first and second quarters and 110 in the second batch
for basic competencies in Baking, Beauty Care, Cookery, Computer Hardware
Servicing, Dressmaking, Driving and Welding. Competencies earned will result
into obtaining National Certificates (NCs) upon taking and passing the
competency assessment.
The theme during the second batch Completion
Exercises is “Acquiring skills, improving lives.”
In his speech, city councilor Pedro Alonde,
chairman on Committee on Education emphasized that under his committee, the
program has obtained a budget increase next year from Php 1.3 million to Php 3
million since they have seen the significant contribution of the program to the
economic development of the city.
Also present during the activity are Dr. Wilson
C. Calvo, BNCHS Principal, Dr. Minerva T. Albis, OIC-Schools Division
Superintendent of Bayugan City, and Dr. Joventino D. Aleta of TESDA Agusan del
Sur. (TESDA-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Caraga)
PDI Liga holds 1st Barangay Congress
By Ma. Jane Mayola
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, July 31 (PIA) - The
provincial government of Dinagat Islands through the Liga ng mga
Barangay-Dinagat Islands chapter in partnership with the Department of Interior
and Local Government(DILG) recently conducted the 1st Liga ng Barangay Congress
and Educational Tour held at Dotties Place in Butuan City.
The activity is anchored on the theme,
“Kalimpiyo sa Komunidad, Kaluwasan sa Kalamidad.”
The said event was graced by the National Liga
ng mga Barangay and Regional treasurer Laureano Taya.
Barangay and Regional treasurer Taya, in his
speech, emphasized the primary role of being a barangay captain especially
during disaster.
During the said activity, speakers from
different line agencies discussed relevant topics that involve laws and
policies on disaster risk reduction and management, local government code and
more.
The activity was highlighted with the actual
visit to Hinatuan Eco Park in Surigao del Sur for their best practices in solid
waste management program.
A total of 82 out of 100 barangay captains
attended the said activity. (SDR/PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
Feature: Cultivating the Field of Fashion
By Miko Morelos
She put her faith in this vine, just as her
mother did, and it bore her fruit.
For as long as Norma de Lora could recall, the
agsam vine, a plant endemic to Surigao del Sur, supported the needs of their
brood of nine as her mother made and sold agsam bracelets to supplement the
family income.
Today, it isn’t just Norma, 59, who depends on
the agsam for some extra cash in the family coffers.
“I buy my raw materials only from the Mamanwa
folk because they know the right kind and of vine to pick,” Norma said of the
indigenous people living in Surigao del Sur. “My neighbors, on the other hand,
weave these into accessories which I buy from them. Running my business this
way helps everyone,” she added.
In the past, the vine did not have much use;
people picked its leaves for decorations, recounted Norma, Agsam leaves had the
quality of plastic and were often used to embellish the stage during an event.
The vine was brunt because people thought it was useless.
She couldn’t remember how her mother, who is now
in her 80s, learned about the vine’s elastic properties, but what is clear in her
memory is that her mother spent hours weaving the vines into bracelets, which
fetched a good price at the market.
What sets the agsam bracelets apart from the
usual accessories is the peculiar way to use it: the piece has to be submerged
first in water for a few minutes so it would loosen enough to slip on one’s
wrist. Upon drying, the piece becomes a snug fit. This is known as the wet n’
wear bracelet.
A creeping blessing
Processing the stalk begins by submerging it for
a couple of days in mangrove mud, which acts as a natural dye and gives the
agsam a nice, earthy tone. The hard part is letting it dry because it should be
air-dried but not soaked in direct sunlight.
The drying process usually takes a day or two.
When the process is done correctly, the vine achieves maximum elasticity. The
dried vines are then handed out to weavers.
Of about 100 houses in barangay Nurcia in
Lanuza, at least 90 houses had residents who knew how to weave agsam, giving
Norma a sizeable group to engage in business. An expert weaver can make up to
15 bracelets or necklace a day, and one bag every three days. Norma buys these
products and sells them for a profit through her business, the De Lara Agsam
Novelties.
The town of Lanuza became so renowned for making
agsam products that it was named Surigao del Sur’s Crafts Village.
For the past decade, the vine has provided a
dependable income source for the de laras. She had a sturdier house built and
brought a service vehicle, which she uses for deliveries.
WEAVING SUCCESS
Like many small-town folk, Norma left Nurcia and
her mother’s little agsam enterprise when she was young to move to Davao, where
she met the man who would become her husband.
In 2002, she decided to go back home, bringing
her family to Nurcia. During this time Norma became an agrarian reform
beneficiary under the Department of Agrarian Reform’s leasehold scheme and
joined the Lanuza Agham Crafts Development Cooperative.
Seeing the potential of agsam products to be a
fashion hit in Manila, Norma decided to show off her accessories during the
annual Agraryo Trade Fair sponsored by the DAR. She also participated in
regional trade fairs where her products gained the market’s attention. “The
department was fully supportive of my business. They took care of my
accommodations in Manila when I was around for the Agraryo Trade Fair,” Norma
said. “For someone who’s just starting out, the assistance I got was a big
boost to the venture.”
Her manila sojourns allowed her to touch base
with the Department Trade and Industry, which provided further technical
support for the enterprise. The DTI certified Norma’s products as having passed
the standards set by the agency.
Today, agsam accessories like bracelets,
hairclips, cellphone cases, penholders, and other products made by the De Lara
Agsam Novelties are found on the shelves of SM’s all-Filipino store, kultura,
the Balikbayan Handcraft in Makati City and the CM Bamboo Craft Center in Quezon
City. They are also exported to countries like Japan. (DAR/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: Pagpalaya sa apat na pulis ay
maaring patungo sa usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng mga rebeldeng komunista
- Malakanyang
Ni David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Hulyo 31 (PIA) - Ikinalulugod ng
Palasyo ang pagpalaya sa apat na pulis na binihag ng mga komunistang rebelled
sa Surigao del Norte at sinabing ang naganap ay isang “groundbreaking” na
pangyayari na maaring patungo sa pagbalik ng usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan
ng National Democratic Front (NDF).
“Ito ay isang nakakalugod na paglalahad sa parte
ng NDF na palayain itong apat na pulis. Umaasa kami na ito ay magiging
“groundbreaking” na pangyayari kung saan ang Komunistang Partido ng Pilipinas –
National People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) ay tumitingin
pasulong na ibalik ang pangkapayapaang
proseso na walang kondisyon,” sabi ni Presidential Spokesperson Edwin
Lacierda noong nagkaroon ng panayam sa media.
Inulit ni Lacierda na ang pamahalaan ay palaging
nakahanda na makipagpulong sa kanila.
“Nandoon kami palagi. Umaasa kami na ang
ganitong bagay ay umusad papunta sa mesa ng kapayapaan sa parte ng makakaliwa,”
dagdag pa niya.
Ang mga pulis, na binihag ng mga rebelde ng ang
mga ito ay umatake sa estasyon ng pulis sa Alegria, Surigao del Norte noong
Hulyo 10 ay pinalaya ng madaling araw noong Martes sa isang liblib na barangay
sa Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
