1st Caraga OFWs Summit set in Butuan
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 18 (PIA) – The Tulay sa
Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFWs) Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) will be
spearheading the first "Caraga OFWs' Summit" on September 20-21, 2014
at LJ Mega Convention Hall, this city.
Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr will deliver his
welcome remarks on the first day of said event. He will also share the city’s
Vision 2020 along with its programs and future plans for the city.
Susan "Toots" Ople, President of Blas
F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute will also serve as the keynote
speaker while Cong. Roy "Amba" Seneres, Representative of the OFW
Family Party List will give his inspirational message.
According to Engr. Zaldy Deronia, President of
Tulay sa OFWs MPC, they also invited Senator Cynthia Villar, chair on
Agriculture and Food Committee to grace the activity and give her message to
all the guests and participants.
“This is the first OFWs Summit in Butuan and
Caraga region so far. We are looking forward to the full support and
participation of our cooperative-members for this momentous activity. Effective
strategies for coops will be discussed and participants will be able to raise
their issues and concerns during the forum proper,” bared Deronia.
Deronia further said that participating OFWs
will be joining the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on a livelihood
training during the Day-2 of said event. “Prizes also awaits the participants
for there will be a raffle promo on the second day, before the program ends,”
he added. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
AgSur set to plant 116,000 fruit trees, high
value trees
By David M. Suyao
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Sep. 18 (PIA) – The
province of Agusan del Sur is set to plant 116,000 fruit and high value trees
on September 26, 2014 and be part of the Mindanao-wide campaign dubbed as
“Treevolution, Greening MindaNOW.”
Of the 13 municipalities and the lone city of
Bayugan, three municipalities namely Sibagat, San Luis and Sta. Josefa were not
in the list of the municipal local government units (LGU) that will participate
in the Mindanao-wide tree planting and growing activity.
The 116,000 seedlings will be planted by some
6,000 volunteer planters mostly coming from private sector, people’s
organization, private institutions, cooperatives and government employees and
officials in some 200 hectares of land. Local chief executives from the ten
municipalities and the City of Bayugan identified the areas to be planted as
response to the advisory from the Department of the Interior and Local
government and the call of Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza to give
their utmost share in the quest of protecting the environment and mitigating
the effect of the climate change.
According to Mindanao Development Authority
(MinDA) Caraga area manager Cecil Trino, this is in line with the National
Greening Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) and in order to ignite
cooperation from all sectors. DENR and MinDA programmed it into a Mindanao-wide
activity with the aim to break India’s record in the Guinness World Record
having planted some 2 million trees in an hour in 2011.
“But even though we will not hit our ambition to
be in the Guinness World Record because maybe of some technicalities, we can
still proudly shout to the world that we have done a very noble deed, the
planting of trees and become in the protection of environment and in mitigating
the ill effects of the global warming,” DENR regional technical director
Maritess Ocampo said.
Two weeks ago, Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza called
on all local chief executives in province to give their utmost support to the
program in order to become part of this noble activity.
Region-wide (Caraga), the target is to plant
537,065 fruit and high value trees seedlings in some 1,200 hectares of land
with 29,378 planters. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
DILG 13 releases P10.60M potable water supply,
P4.52M CapDev projects
By Bryan F. Edulzura
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 18 (PIA) – The Department of
the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 13 has released a total of P10.6M
potable water supply projects and P4.62 capacity development (CapDev) projects
to the eight and six local government units in Caraga Region, respectively in a
ceremony held recently in this city.
The Potable Water Supply projects are expected
to be completed by second quarter next year.
DILG 13 regional director Lilibeth Famacion said that it’s a relief to
about 1,200 recipients/ beneficiaries of the project, who for several years do
not have access to potable water supply. “We do not only address the problem on
lack of water for drinking and other household uses but we also prevent
proliferation of water – borne diseases
in those waterless areas,” Famacion said.
Meanwhile, the Capacity Development (CAPDEV)
projects are along organizational development, project monitoring and
evaluation and management skills enhancement of Civil Society Organizations
(CSOs), who are also GPB project beneficiaries and implementers. The CapDev interventions are part of
empowering civil societies and people’s organizations to efficiently manage
their organizations and help in monitoring the project implementation at all
levels.
The LGUs that received GPB-DILG Potable Water
Supply Projects are: Remedios T. Romuladez, Agusan del Norte (500K); Bayugan
City, Agusan del Sur (3.8M); San Francisco, Agusan del Sur (2.2M), Placer,
Surigao del Norte (950K); Cortes, Surigao del Sur (500,000); Cagwait, Surigao
del Sur (665K); Dinagat, Dinagat Islands (700K) and Butuan City (1.15M); CapDev
Projects: Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte (3M); Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur
(425K); Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands (340K); Dinagat, Dinagat Islands (150K),
Libjo, Dinagat Islands (405K) and Surigao City, Surigao del Norte (200K). (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)
Public hearing for Draft Revenue Code of Tandag
City, three more set
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 18 (PIA) – A
public hearing for “Draft 2014 Revenue Code of Tandag City” and three other
draft ordinances of equal importance is set on September 19 at 1:30 p.m. at the
city gymnasium, this city.
Marina Cuizon, Secretary to the Sangguniang
Panlungsod has already sent out invitations dated September 3, 2014 to all
concerned about the said event.
Addressees are
barangay captains, representatives of the civic and religious
organizations, academe, drivers and operators of all light public utility
vehicles, government offices based on this city, radio stations, vendors
association, and city-based business establishments.
Also, earlier this month, Vice-Mayor Ruel Momo
said that one of the basic and most important processes of crafting local laws,
which is a public hearing, is going to be held.
He added that an increase in local impositions,
which includes real property taxes, is one of the crucial concerns.
The other three draft ordinances to undergo
public scrutiny are: Preventing/Regulating the Planting of Trees Along Power
Distribution Lines; The Anti-Truancy Ordinance For Elementary Pupils and High
School Students in the City of Tandag; and,
An Ordinance Prohibiting the Use, Sale, Distribution and Advertisement
of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products in Certain Places, Imposing Penalties
for Violations Thereof and Providing Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes.
“Your views/opinions/comments and suggestions
are vital in aid of legislation,” Cuizon stressed. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Association of capitol employees of SurSur gets
praise for reactivation
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Sept. 18 (PIA) – The Association of
Capitol Employees of Surigao del Sur (ACES) has earned compliment from
provincial administrator Efren Rivas due to its recent reactivation.
Rivas even advised the group to lobby for
funding assistance to be taken from the 20 percent Annual Investment Plan (AIP)
for its operation, citing not only the “benefits and upgrading of the
employees” but also the conduct of orientation/training and other activities
that will enhance the working capability of its members.
He stressed that employees’ organization “is
part of the requirement. . . for a representation of the employees to the
management of the province of Surigao del Sur.”
“It’s necessary that we should give an
allocation especially with the challenges that we are facing,” he added.
It was learned that the province of Surigao del
Sur has more or less 908 regular employees, according to Theresa Burgos,
Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Human Resource Management Officer (HRMO).
Meanwhile, ACES interim president Jose
Urbiztondo said that the newly reactivated association is set to hold its first
general assembly on October 24, 2014.
He likewise clarified that “ACES officers and
members come from the ranks of regular employees with a salary grade 23 down.”
ACES has lain dormant for about two years
already, Urbiztondo affirmed. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
TESDA-Caraga fetes personnel, partners on its
20th Anniversary
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 18 (PIA) - Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Caraga has honoured
personnel and partners who have made significant contributions to the
accomplishments of the agency.
The event, dubbed as “TESDA Service and Institutional
Awards Ceremony,” underscored the role of its personnel, partners and
stakeholders towards achieving the mandates, thrusts and programs of the
agency.
Leading the roster of awardees is Cong. Philip A. Pichay of the First
Congressional District of Surigao del Sur who was conferred 2014 Regional
Kabalikat Awardee for the Legislative Category.
The annual TESDA Kabalikat Award is conferred to
partners and stakeholders both in the public and private sectors who have
regularly supported the programs of TESDA that are implemented in different
localities in all regions of the country.
Cong. Pichay was also the guest of honor during
the event. In his speech, Pichay vowed to continuously support TESDA “since I
believe that through the technical and vocational courses, we can make a
difference in our respective areas of responsibilities as we geared towards
training and preparing the youths to become productive citizens of our
country.”
Along with Pichay, the provincial government of
Agusan del Norte through the leadership of Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell
Amante-Matba is this year’s recipient of the 2014 Regional Kabalikat Awards for
the LGU category. The plaque was received by Provincial Administrator
Percianita Racho.
Meanwhile, Hinatuan Mining Corporation from
Taganaan, Surigao del Norte was declared winner in the Industry Category while
AMA Computer Learning Center of Agusan
del Sur was chosen under the Institution Category.
TESDA 2014 Regional Idol winners were also given
recognition during the event. Ronnie L. Abao and Jay Letran both from Agusan
del Sur were declared winner and first runner-up, respectively. Aside from the
plaque of recognition, Abao also received a trophy from TESDA Central Office
and P5,000 cash prize.
As an outstanding partner in the Technical
Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the Caraga Association of Technical
Vocational Institutions, Inc. (CATVII) was given recognition for the invaluable
support extended during the activities/programs of TESDA-Caraga. CATVII is
major sponsor during the conduct of the 2013 Regional Skills Competition in
Cabadbaran City in November last year.
In a related development, media partners of the
agency were also recognized for their regular support in the information and
communication dissemination efforts informing the general public of the
programs undertaken by the agency, “bringing the government closer to people.”
Among those who received plaques of appreciation
are: Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Caraga Region, The Northern Mindanao
Chronicle, 103.9 Radyo Trumpeta, dxBR Bombo Radyo Butuan, ABS-CBN Butuan and
TV-5 Butuan.
Provincial awardees who were considered partners
and stakeholders in providing and implementing TVET programs were likewise
given recognition and received plaques of appreciation.
TESDA-Caraga regional director Dr. Florencio F.
Sunico, Jr. said the partners and stakeholders of the agency have significantly
contributed to the accomplishments in implementing programs. “Thus, it’s time
for TESDA-Caraga to recognize the efforts and contributions of these
individuals and/or organizations,” Sunico said.
The official further acknowledged the strong
partnership the agency has with the different public or private sectors. “May
our partnership continue as we deliver the services to the Filipino people by
training them to be world-class workforce,” Sunico said.
The ceremony was held on September 8, 2014 at
Big Daddy’s Hotel and Convention Center in Butuan City highlighting the 20th
Anniversary Celebration of TESDA with the theme ““20 Taong World-Class na
Pagsasanay Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan at Pamumuhay.”
Meanwhile, TESDA personnel who have rendered 10,
15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service were also given recognition during
the event. (TESDA-13/PIA-Caraga)
