August 2 declared special non-working holiday in
Butuan City
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 1 (PIA) – Under Proclamation
No. 769 signed by executive secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., August 2 (Saturday)
is declared as a special non-working holiday in this city as it marks the
observance of 64th “Adlaw Hong Butuan,” a yearly event that celebrates its
Charter Day.
City Mayor Ferdinand Amante. Jr. said that it is but fitting and
proper that the people of Butuan be given full opportunity to celebrate and
participate in the occasion’s ceremonies with appropriate time.
This year’s theme is “Rooting for Butuan 2020,”
which highlights series of cultural shows. The festival will also showcase the
brighty colored floats and street dancers depicting the vibrant traditions and
cultures.
The event will focus on its aim to promote
Butuan as an agro-forest center and a premier city. It envisions to grow a
million trees where it will be the hub for indigenous and endemic species.
Butuan became a city on August 2, 1950 by virtue
of Republic Act No. 523. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
UPPI, PopCom-13 reveal results of youth adult
fertility & sexuality study
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 1 (PIA) – The Commission on
Population (PopCom) Caraga and the University of the Philippine Population
Institute (UPPI) revealed results of the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and
Sexuality (YAFS) Study in the country which include Caraga region, held on
Friday, during its Regional Dissemination Forum with participants in the
academe, government agencies and media partners.
The paper entitled "Caraga Youth Today:
Risk Behavior of Young People in Caraga" by the Demographic Research and
Development Foundation and the UPPI provides a summary of key findings from the
2013 YAFS study with particular focus on the variosexual and non-sexual risk
behaviors, teen pregnancy and Human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) among youth living in Caraga.
"The YAFS aims to provide updated
information on a broad range of adolescent sexuality and reproductive health
issues - its antecedents and manifestations which can be used in formulating
intervention measures that will promote and safeguard the health and welfare of
the youth," revealed Dr. Armisson Andre Ortega from the UPPI.
Ortega also disclosed that there are 488,958
youth ages 15-24 in Caraga as of the last census of population taken in 2010.
This constitutes about 2.7 percent of the country's total youth population.
While most of the youth have at least some high school education, 16 percent
have no schooling or have at most an elementary education. The proportion
studying 39.7 percent is the third highest in the country. The region, however,
has the third lowest proportion of youth with college and higher education.
“Caraga youth are also digitally wired. 70.9
percent own a cellular phone and 54 percent of them use the internet, own an
email account or have a social networking account; only two in five youth
exercise at least two to three times a week, the third lowest proportion in the
country; and Caraga youth are relatively low consumers of unhealthy foods and
drinks,” Ortega added.
On the sources of information about sex, Ortega
reported that more than a third of Caraga youth do not have any sources of
information about sex. "Friends of the same sex, medical professionals,
and mothers are the most preferred sources of information about sex and reproduction.
Only 43.3 percent reported that they can find help in school regarding
sex-related problems. Only one in ten Caraga youth has discussed sex at home
while growing up," he said.
"One in three Caraga youth aged 15-24 in
2013 had engaged in sex before marriage (prevalence level of premarital sex
among Caraga youth is slightly above the national level). This is almost double
from the level of 17.1 percent from 10 years ago. There is a narrowing gap in
levels of premarital sex between males and females over time," relayed Dr.
Maria Midea Kabamalan from UPPI.
Kabamalan further bared that two in five Caraga
youth ages 15-24 have sexual experience, about the same level as for the
Philippines overall. "The youth's sexual debut is getting younger as
indicated by the mean age at first sex which declines from 18.2 years in 2002
to 17.5 years in 2013 for both males and females," she said.
Also, Kabamalan presented that the proportion of
youth who have heard of AIDS has significantly declined from 96.1 percent in
2002 to 87.7 percent in 2013. Caraga youth have moderate level of knowledge
about HIV transmission prevention methods. “More than three in five youth feel
invincible to AIDS, say for example, when they think there is no chance of them
getting AIDS," she relayed.
Meanwhile, PopCom-Caraga regional director
Alexander Makinano highlighted 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.
Makinano 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.
“The results of this study will be very helpful
for us to identify what programs and services that need to be enhanced or
implemented to really address the pressing issues which our youth faces today.
This effort should not only be done by the government but should have direct
and immediate intervention from the private sector and the academe. Let’s work
together,” stressed Makinano.
The recent YAFS data was collected in 2013 in
the Philippines with funding from the Australian Government, United Nations
Population Fund (UNFPA), Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Council for
Health Research and Development (PCHRD). The study interviewed a total of
19,178 young people representing all sectors including males and females,
single and married and the Muslim youth. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DSWD-13 chief recognizes 2014 Gawad KALASAG regl
winners, encourages them to do more
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 1 (PIA) – Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga regional director and vice
chairperson for Disaster Response Committee Minda Brigoli expressed
appreciation and recognition to the regional winners of this year’s Awarding of
Gawad KALASAG (KAlamidad at Sakuna
LAbanan SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) 2014 held on Thursday at the Almont
Hotel's Inland Resort, this city.
The said awarding is spearheaded by the Regional
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) chaired by Office of
Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga regional director Liza Mazo.
Brigoli said the RDRRMC composed of various
government agencies and stakeholders are not only doing everything to reduce
poverty in the region but also to help people prepare during disasters.
"In being prepared we are able to achieve zero casualty in any
eventualities," she added.
The lady director also emphasized that the DSWD
is continuously providing its programs and services especially to the
marginalized sector of the society.
"The department being the vice chair for
disaster response, we are tasked to provide services to people who are most
vulnerable especially during disasters. As one of the committees to assess the
performance of our Local DRRMCs in the region, we salute the winners for their
efforts and hard work in ensuring the safety of the people in their respective
communities in times of disasters," articulated Brigoli.
Brigoli further encouraged the LDRRMCs from the
provincial down to barangay level to do more and never stop doing what is right
and what is good for the benefit of the masses, and to save more lives by
teaching people the ways to be prepared at all times.
"It's good to note the passion, skillful
and high intention, and spirit of volunteerism among our Local DRRMCs. Their
performance is not just for personal gain but a manifestation of sincere and
sustained effort in the pursuit of excellence," highlighted Brigoli.
The Gawad KALASAG is an annual search for
excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian
Assistance. The awards are given to individuals, non-government organizations,
private sector and government organizations, in recognition of their initiative
in helping the Filipino government uplift the standard of disaster management
in the country. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
RDRRMC Caraga confers award to Gawad Kalasag
2014 winners
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Aug 1 (PIA) – The Caraga Regional
Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) under the Office of Civil
Defense (OCD) has awarded the plaques of commendation to the winning DRRMCs of
provinces, cities, barangays, and schools that were evaluated for the Search for
Excellence in DRRM and Humanitarian Assistance during the Regional awarding of
Gawad Kalasag 2014 cum national Disaster Consciousness Month Culmination
Program held on Thursday at Almont Inland Resort, this city.
In her welcome remarks, Department of Interior
and Local Government (DILG) Caraga regional director and vice chair of Disaster
Preparedness and Regional Search Committee Lilibeth Famacion said that the
RDRRMC members have done a lot of humanitarian activities as response to the
disaster-affected communities, as well as intensified its effort to let people
be informed and be prepared in any calamities and disasters.
She also underscored the significant
interventions of local DRRMCs in helping mitigate and adapt climate change.
Likewise, National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA)Caraga regional director and vice chair for Disaster
Rehabilitation and Recovery Committee Mylah Faye Aurora Carino expressed her
heartfelt congratulations to all the awardees and all those who joined in the search
for continue doing their act of volunteerism and for the efforts of saving
lives and properties.
The following are the winners of this year’s
annual search, honoring the outstanding performances, initiatives, and heroic
acts of LDRRMCs:
Provincial Category:
1st - Dinagat Islands
2nd place – Agusa del Norte
3rd place – Surigao del Norte
Citation – Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur
Highly Urbanized City Category:
1st place - Butuan City
Component City Category:
1st place – Surigao City, Surigao del Norte
2nd place – Bislig City, Surigao del Sur
1st to 3rd Class Municipality Category:
1st place - Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
2nd place – Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands
3rd place – Veruela, Agusan del Sur
Citations – Trento, Agusan del Sur and
Buenavista, Agusan del Norte
4th to 6th Class Municipal Category
1st place – Basilisa, Dinagat Islands
2nd place – Mainit, Surigao del Norte
3rd place – Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte
Rural
Barangay DRRM Committee Category:
1st place – San Juan, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
2nd place – Bit-os, Butuan City
3rd place – Cabunga-an, Cagdianao, Dinagat
Islands
Citations – Langag, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur;
San Isidro, and Crossing, Kitcharao, and Malapong, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte
Urban Barangay DRRM Committee Category:
Citation – Brgy. 4, Poblacion, Buenavista,
Agusan del Norte
Public Urban Schools Category:
1st place – Agusa National High School, Butuan
City
2nd place – Bayugan National Comprehensive HS,
Bayugan City, Agusan Sur
3rd place – Surigao City NHS, Surigao City,
Surigao del Norte
Public Rural Schools Category:
1st place – Marcelina NHS, Marcelina, Bayugan
City, Agusan del Sur
2nd place – Noli Central Elem. Sch., Noli,
Bayugan, Agusan del Sur
3rd place – Claver NHS, Claver, Surigao del
Norte
Citations – Albor Central Elem. Sch., Libjo,
Dingat Islands; Ipil NHS, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte
RDRRMC chair and OCD regional director Liza Mazo
bared that it is only Caraga region wherein all its provinces have joined the Gawad
Kalasag Search. “The RDRRMC had a hard time screening the work of our LDRRMCs.
This is not a competition but a recognition for those who worked harder,” she
added.
The Gawad Kalasag (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan
SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) award is given to individuals, non-government
organizations, private sector and government organizations, in recognition of
their initiative in helping the Filipino government uplift the standard of
disaster management in the country. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: Coffee perks up ARBs' life
The almost half-a-decade of coffee-growing by
the farmers in Brgy. Kahayagan, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur is now paying off as
they are about to launch in the market the newest excellent-tasting robusta
coffee.
1965 when they started to grow coffee in a
forest reserve area owned by Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines
(PICOP). And in 2010, DAR distributed the area covering 2,772 hectares.
Realizing the importance of collective
bargaining, 140 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) formed the now
Mabuhay-Kahayagn Coffee Growers Cooperative (MKCGC).
But for these poor farmers, running the
cooperative was not easy most especially when coffee growing came to a halt
brought about by the low buying price of fresh berries.
With continuous guidance from the Department of
Agrarian Reform (DAR), the organization is encouraged to just plant more and
utilize the land hardly fought for them. Until Nestle, became the organizations
valued buyer. Nestle provided the organization with quality variety of coffee
and several planting and growing trainings while DAR developed the
organizations maturity with various capability-building trainings. The business
went on good with Nestle using the world market’s fair price while other
government agencies provided facilities like all-weather dryer.
Under the common service facilities component of
the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services
(ARCCESS) project of DAR, MKCGC received one unit flatbed drier and sprayer all
worth P1.4 million. The dryer is expected encouraged the farmer’s expansion in
coffee farms as it can cater bigger volume than that of the present facility.
Although last year, MKCGC is 281 tons short of the 400 tons per year
requirement of Nestle.
But MKCGC could not just stop as supplier to
Nestle. With a special arrangement, Nestle allowed the use of five percent to
ten percent of the farmers harvest for their own product. And with the business
development service component of DAR-ARCCESS, MKCGC was trained in roasting,
grinding and packaging which gave birth to another business opportunity for the
cooperative -- the Tagbina Robusta Coffee.
While waiting for the approval of the other
facilities from the ARCCESS’s common service facilities (CSF) component like
roaster and grinder, MKCGC, in pursuit of bringing their product closer to the
market, tapped outsource services, but continues to hope for the soonest
approval of the facilities and the take off of the DAR-IFAD (International Fund
for Agricultural Development) Project ConVERGE or Convergence on Value
Chain-Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment for the packaging
enhancement.
The Tagbina Robusta Coffee, which will soon be
launched in the market, will not only provide our coffee time with new aroma
but also perks a new hope of success for the Tagbina coffee farmers. (DAR-13/PIA-Caraga)
TESDA gets job done for first half of 2014 in
SurSur
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Aug. 1 (PIA) – The Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Surigao del Sur has
gotten their job done for the first half of 2014.
Aside from the six major programs it is tasked
to accomplish as shown with corresponding numerical outputs, provincial
director Rey Cueva also cited the key initiatives and interventions his office
has carried out.
These cover the various skills training and
services it has provided in partnership and coordination with local government
units (LGUs) and other stakeholders.
On Major Programs: Number of persons profiled under Youth
Profiling for Starring Career (YP4SC) – 819; Number of Persons Granted with
Scholarships – 462; Number of Persons Trained in Various Skills/Qualifications
– 2,937; Number of Persons Assessed – 3,595; No. of Persons Certified (Issued
with National Certification) – 3,152; and Number of Graduates Employed: Wage-employed – 1,054; and, Self-employed –
249.
In addition, Cueva also pointed out some
particular undertakings they initiated which include, among others:
Construction of 28 houses affected by Typhoon Agaton via training cum
production arrangement in Barangay Bolhoon, San Miguel town; Primary partner of
LGU Cortes relative to the development of tourism industry especially in the
skills of their manpower requirements and livelihood program where over 100
town folks benefited; Primary partner of three army battalions in the province
in the conduct of Community Organizing for Peace and Development (COPD) program
especially to peace-challenged barangays.
The TESDA chief here made sure that the office
under him lives up to the expectation of many as “the leading partner in the development
of Filipino workforce with world-class competence and positive work
values." (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Anti-communist group holds condemnation rally in
Bislig City
BISLIG CITY, Aug. 1 (PIA) – The anti-communist group called Movement
Against Communist Organization gathered on the streets marching along Mangagoy,
Bislig City from Saint Vincent Catholic Church, Bus Terminal to Bislig City
Central Market on Tuesday, July 29.
Around 200 demonstrators participated in
denouncing the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army –
National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF/CNN) terroristic activities such as
arson, extortions, bombings, ambuscades and other atrocities conducted by the
CPP-NPA-NDF.
Former Rebel Alias “Tatay Boom” led the activity
and addressed over the people about the true color of CNN inside and outside
the organization about their terroristic activities.
Accordingly, the linkages of NPA (Red), the
Legal Fronts (White) and the mode of recruitment in these people are not
fighting for the sake of the poor as what they claimed, but they are extorting
money from business sectors, construction companies and mining firms for their
own interests. Their existence is not only to paralyze the economy but to gain
logistic to extort money.
Meanwhile, the group composed of different
sectors from tribal groups, former rebels, army reservists, church members of
Philippine Prayer for Peace Inc, and Business sectors urges the people to
remain united and continue to fight against these insurgents. The democracy
stands strong many years ago and no one can destroy it according to them.
75IB commanding officer LTC Noman Alcovindas
said, “the key to peace and development is the concerted efforts of all
stakeholders specially the combination of LGU and AFP/PNP.”
Just recently, series of threats had been made
by the CNN to all business sectors and construction companies to include the
civilian in the area, official said.
Alcovindas further said, “we appeal to the
members of NPA to abandon armed struggle and work jointly with the government.
We are happy to note, that today there are people now who stand up and fight
against the CNN.”
Lt. Col Alcovindas also cited that the
manifestation of Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP)- Bayanihan was the
best approach to fight for insurgency requiring all sectors of society to
participate. (NGBT/with reports from CMO-75IB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
AgNor guv backs MSMEs
By Aimee B. Sienes
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 1 (PIA) - Agusan del Norte
Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba gave full support to
the small, micro and medium enterprises and put more emphasis on projects and
programs that will give additional income for the community. This is one of her
6-point guides in the administration of the province that she is pushing.
Recently, she indorsed to the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte for appropriate action her letter dated June
18, 2014 requesting for an authority to enter into and sign the Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) in behalf of the province with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
(BSP), represented by its Governor, Amando M. Tetangco, Jr., the Development
Bank of the Philippines (DBP), represented by its President and Chief Executive
Officer, Gil A. Buenaventura, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP),
represented by its President and Chief Executive Officer, Gilda E. Pico and the
Industrial Guarantee and Loan Fund (IGLF), represented by its Chief Executive
Officer, Benel D. Lagua for the implementation of the Credit Surety Fund (CSF)
Program in the province.?
The CSF Program, conceptualized by the Bangko
Sentral ng Pilipinas, aims to help the micro, small, and medium enterprises to
access credit from financial institutions without the need for collateral to
generate economic stimulus in every province of the country, as mandated under
Section 13 Republic Act (R.A.) 6977, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for
Small Enterprise,” and Section 82 R.A. 7653, otherwise known as “The New
Central Bank Act.”?
The CSF is a guarantee fund program spearheaded
by the BSP in coordination with the local government units and other financial
institutions which intends to help the marginal farmers and fisherfolks in the
identified areas. To implement the project, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
authorized Gov. Amante-Matba to sign the said MOA through Sanggunian Resolution
No.173-2014, authored by Vice Governor Ramon AG. Bungabong.?
The MOA stipulates the terms and conditions, as
well as the roles and responsibilities, of the signing parties to create an
environment that is conducive to the growth of micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) to a well-capitalized and well-managed cooperatives
operating in the province.?
The other five in her 6-point guides include 1.
true public service; 2. priority in implementing the infrastructure projects in
far-flung areas; 3.delivery of public service to the most needy and regular
visit to far-flung communities; 4.hiring of employees based on merit and
capacity; and 5. high ethical standards of officials and employees and strong
campaign against illegal drugs. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Tagalog News: Palasyo nakatutok sa pagtulak ng
repormang panlipunan, hindi sa pulitika, sabi ng isang opisyal
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Agosto 1 (PIA) - Nanatiling
nakatutok ang administrasyong Aquino sa pagtulak ng reporma at paglutas mga
suliranin ng bansa, at hindi nagbibigay ng prayoridad sa pulitika, ayon sa
opisyal ng Palasyo noong Huwebes.
"Ang focus ng Pangulo at ng pamahalaan ay
ang pagpapatupad ng mga ipinangakong reporma at paghahatid ng serbisyo publiko
sa nalalabing 23 buwan ng administrasyon. Hindi pinagtutuunan ng pansin ang
usaping pampulitika," sabi ni Presidential Communications Operations
Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. sa isang panayam sa mga mamamahayag sa
Malakanyang.
Nagkomento si Coloma sa mga hakahaka na ang
pagkabanggit ng Pangulo kay Bise Presidente Jejomar Binay sa kanyang Ulat sa
Bayan (SONA) ay maaring iniendorso niya si Bise Presidente Binay para sa
darating na halalan sapagka Pangulo sa darating na eleksyon.
Sa taong 2015 na badyet na isinumite sa Kongreso
ng sangay ng Ehekutibo, sinabi ni Coloma na hindi iimpluwensiyahan ng sangay ng
Ehekutibo ang mga mambabatas lalo na sa pagpupundo ng mga programasa
kani-kanilang mga distrito.
Sabi niya na ang administrasyon ay nanatili sa
kanyang pangako sa prinsipyo na panghawakan ang tuwid na daan na ipinatutupad
ng administrasyong Aquino.
"Malinaw po na ang prinsipyo ng ating
Pangulo ay ang mabuting pamamahala at matuwid na daan," sabi ni
Coloma sa mga komentaryon na dala ang
malaking bahagi ng alokasyon na nasa Pangulo ang pagpasya ay maaring
ma-emplowensyahan niya ang mga mambabatas lalo na kapag ito ay para sa
konstruksyon ng mga proyekto sa kani-kanilang distrito.
Sinabi ng mga kritiko na maaring gamitin ng
administrasyon ang malaking alokasyon mula sa pambansang badyet para sa
pulitika.
Bilang tugon, sinabi ni Coloma na “ang tema po
ng ating budget ay “Kaunlaran para sa Lahat.” Ito ay pagsasa-pilipino lamang
‘nung nasa ingles na inclusive growth.” (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Cebuano News: Syudad sa Surigao mipahigayon sa
BEST Orientation on Eco-Tourism, Environmental Awareness ug Climate Change
Adaptation
SURIGAO CITY, Agosto 1 (PIA) – Ang panggamhanan
ning dakbayan mipahigayon bag-ohay pa lamang og Barangay Organization Security
Service- Barangay Emergency Special Team (BOSS- BEST) Orientation on
Eco-Tourism, Environmental Awareness and Climate Change Adaptation sa City
Gymnasium, ning syudad.
Tumong niini mao ang pagpahibalo lakip na
pagpasabot ngadto sa mga kabatan-onan kalabot na sa ilang mga responsibilidad
isip mga kabatan- onan ug lumulupyo sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka mga dapit.
Gisugdan ang maong kalihukan sa alas 8:00 sa
buntag hangtod alas 12:00 sa udto, diin nahimong partisipante niini mao ang mga
estudyante sa Criminology ug NSTP gikan sa Northeastern Mindanao Colleges
(NEMCO).
Samtang nahimong mamumulong mao sila City
Disaster Risk Reduction and Mangement Officer Atty. Manuel Coro, City Volunteer
Officer Jupiter Dotillos, ug Environmental Management Specialist II Leonardo
Go, diin kini sila maoy mipasabot ngadto sa mga partisipante kalabot na sa
Republic Act 10121 o Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and
Climate Change Adaptation ug Eco-Tourism and Environmental Awareness, ug Role
of Youth Volunteers. (SDR/MICO-Surigao City/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
