PopCom Caraga reveals YAFS survey results
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) – The Commission on
Population (PopCom) Caraga disclosed the data interpretation and findings of
the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey (YAFSS 4) conducted by the University of the
Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) and the Demographic Research and
Development Foundation among Filipino youth
aged 15 to 24 years old.
YAFSS 4 covered a wide range of topics such as
education trajectories, labor force participation, relationships and roles in
society, values and attitudes. It is also one of the primary sources of
information on sexual and non-sexual risk behaviors of young people at the
regional and national levels in which findings have been widely used in
education and health and have provided the basis fo health programs by
government and non-government organizations nationwide.
According to PopCom Caraga regional director
Alexander Makinano, the percentage of youth in Caraga region who ever used
drugs declined in the past decade but it is still the third highest in the
country following after Region XI (9.2%) and Region X (8.0%).
“Between years 2002 to 2013, the proportion of
youth who ever thought of committing suicide did not change in Caraga. The
region registers the highest percentage (9.2%) of youth who ever thought of
committing suicide,” said Makinano.
For the same period, the percentage who
attempted to commit suicide increased substantially, contradicting the
declining national trajectory.
On relationships, Makinano bared that “far more
youth are in a live-in arrangement comprising the 16.7 percent than in a formal
union of four percent, a pattern consistent with the national picture. “Caraga
has the second lowest percentage of formally married youth but has the third
highest proportion of youth who are in live-in arrangements,” he added.
Based on the survey results, it was learned that
the youth’s sexual debut is getting younger as indicated by the mean age at
first sex which declined from 18.2 years in 2002 to 17.5 years in 2013 for both
males and females.
“Most of the premarital sexual encounters are
unprotected against unintended pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections
(STIs) in which 85.5 percent of the first premarital sex encounters are
unprotected as well. Withdrawal is the most common method used among those who
applied some methods of contraception,” relayed Makinano.
The survey also showed that one in three youth
has read pornographic materials, 38.1 percent among males and 27.1 percent
among females. The proportion of youth who have read pornographic materials has
declined from 34.6 percent in 2002 to 32.6 percent in 2013.
“Two in five youth in Caraga ages 15 to 24 have
sexual experience, about the same level as for the Philippines overall. More
than three in five youth felt ‘invincible’ to acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome (AIDS) and others. They think there is no chance of them getting the
disease,” bared Makinano.
The YAFSS 4 survey contains the same basic data
gathered in previous rounds. It expanded its range of topics as well as added
new questions to previously existing topics. It has the new topic on health and
lifestyle including a shot depression scale. The topic on media has been
expanded to include the new forms of communication technologies that were not
yet well-developed in 2002 such as social media, cellular phone use and cyber
bullying.
The survey is conducted in five provinces and
three cities for Caraga region among 2,200 respondents covering a period of one
to two hours to complete the 80 pages survey material, declared Makinano.
(VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Group holds 1st run for a cause in Mainit
SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Sep. 17 (PIA) - Online
Facebook group Mainitnon Gihapon (MG), over the weekend held its first ever Fun
Run dubbed “2014 Dayagan para sa Parokya
ni Sr. San Nicolas de Tolentino (Run for Senior San Nicolas de Tolentino
Parish)” -- a run to a healthy and fit lifestyle at Mainit town, this province.
Aside from being a friendly race, the event was
also driven by a more noble cause – fund raised during the fun run will be used
to help and support the parish church and the upcoming town fiesta on Sep 20,
it was learned.
As early as 5:00 a.m., health enthusiasts
including the running clubs from the neighboring towns jogged their way to the
town center to participate in a friendly race along the town proper.
More than 500 participants joined the run. Race
categories include the 1-kilometer, 2 kilometer, 3 kilometer and 5 kilometer
with prices and medals for the first to third finishers. Special awards were
also given.
Created as a Facebook group in August 2011 by
Mary Lincuna "Daday" dela Costa Castro and Wilhaida "Haidz"
Mondano Elsisura, MG rapidly grew into a throng of Mainitnons around the world.
It went viral after the pioneering member-subscribers added fellow Mainitnons
(or those with Mainitnon roots) into the group where exchanges about anything
and everything Mainitnon were rapidly posted online. (with a report from
Zimmbodilion Mosende/PIA-Caraga)
SurSur budget office bares update
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) – The Provincial
Budget Office in Surigao del Sur bared on Monday its accomplishment for the
period between March up to September 12, 2014.
According to Delia Abelardo, assistant
provincial budget officer, their office has undertaken budget preparation,
review, and execution.
Prior to this, she made sure to impart the major
functions as well as the objectives of their office to be well way understood.
Under budget preparation, Abelardo cited five specific tasks that they
have done while on review—its assistance
given to Local Finance Committee (LFC) in regard to preliminaries of both
annual and supplemental budgets of municipalities of the province; then, on
execution—the preparation of a total of 632 “Advice of Allotments of the
different provincial offices as well as subsidized National Offices,” which
amounted to P707,773,416.93 for a seven-month period.
Moreover, the budget office reported to have
processed a total of 8,155 obligation requests (OBRs) amounting to
P641,338,176.23.
Meanwhile, Abelardo reminded all offices
concerned regarding the submission of the 4th Quarter Request for Allotment.
For fiscal year 2014, the approved annual budget
for the province amounts to P873,878,165, it was learned. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DA Caraga chief leads regional mgmt committee
meeting
By Melody Guimary
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) - Aimed at
strengthening the collaboration between and among the Department of Agriculture
(DA) and its line bureaus and attached agencies, the DA Regional Field Office
XIII, through the leadership of Acting Director IV Edna M. Mabeza, spearheaded
the conduct of meeting of the Regional Management Committee (RMC) last
September 11-12, 2014 hosted by the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) at Musuan,
Bukidnon.
Among the important matters discussed during the
meeting were the submission of monthly reports to the congressmen of Caraga,
creation of a composite team to monitor the prevalence of pests and diseases,
updates and concerns of the agencies, conduct of Agriculture and Fishery
Council (AFC) and Agricultural Extension Workers’ (AEWs) congresses on November
5 and 6, respectively. The meeting also provided a venue to harmonize and
collaborate undertakings such as the registration of farmers and fisherfolks to
avoid duplication of interventions.
An expository tour of PCC’s facilities was also
conducted on the second day to give the members basic information on the
agency’s mandate and services.
The RMC is a policy making body composed of the
executives of the DA-RFO, PCC, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bureau of Soil and Water Management
(BSWM), Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), National
Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC),
Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech),
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Quedan and Rural Credit
Corporation (QUEDANCOR) and the Chairman of the Regional Agriculture and
Fishery Council (RAFC).
Other concerned agencies invited to sit in
during meetings are Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), National
Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine
Coconut Authority (PCA) and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The FPA,
NIA, NFA and PCA are now under the Office of the Presidential Assistant for
Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (PAPSAM) while the PSA is under
the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). (DA-13/PIA-Caraga)
Tandag City Executive Building set for inauguration
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 17 (PIA) –
The multi-million peso Executive Building of this city, which is also known as
the newly-built city hall, located at Barangay Awasian is set for inauguration
on September 18, 2014.
Based on the official program, the occasion is
split into three parts: Thanksgiving
Mass; Ceremonial Cutting of Ribbon; and Lunch.
After the ceremonial ribbon-cutting to be
led by city mayor Roxanne Pimentel
together with vice-mayor Ruel Momo and former mayor, now city administrator
Alexander Pimentel, a blessing by Rev. Msgr. Isidro Irizari, Tandag Parish
Rector, is going to follow, then the messages of both the former mayor and the
mayor herself.
It was learned that the said event likewise
signals the official transfer of the seat of city government to the new
workplace. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
GBP regionwide assembly draws LCEs, CSOs
By Bryan F. Edulzura
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) - The Department of
the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 13 convened local chief
executives (LCEs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) to a regionwide
assembly last September 15 here, to finalize the proposed projects to be funded
under GPB 2015. This is in response to the reduction of the budget cap allotted
to local government units (LGUs) for 2015.
Under the new guidelines, the budget ceiling is
pegged at P30M. LGUs with less than P30M allocation will be deducted with
P2.5M; while LGUs with more than P30M allocation such as Butuan City, will only
receive the budget ceiling.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
said that the reduction of the 2015 budget cap is pursuant to national
government’s funding of other equally important national projects. However, even if the budget cap is reduced
for next year, the allocation for GPB has generally increased by P1B due to
increase number of beneficiary cities and municipalities.
The reduction of budget would entail axing some
projects; hence, the need to come up with a new list and allocation. DILG 13
regional director Lilibeth A. Famacion said that the bringing together of LCEs
and CSOs in one forum promotes transparency in project selection. “We wanted to maintain the integrity of the
Local Poverty Reduction Projects (LPRAPs) by lodging the decision (project
selection and allocation) to the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT)
members,” said Famacion.
“We don’t
want to be accused of manipulating the project list nor deciding for LPRAT’s
behalf on that matter,” she added.
The LGUs and CSOs submitted their final LPRAPs
to the GPB secretariat for inclusion in the 2015 General Appropriation Act
(GAA) come October 2014. Caraga region
has a total budget allocation of P1.004B
under GPB 2015. (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: AAMPC, the modern day farm service
provider
By Rhea C. Abao
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) - They call it
Cabecillas at Luzon and Pakyaw Groups in the Kabisayaan regions. Today, they
are known as the modern day Farm Service Provider (FSP).
The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional
Field Office XIII through the Agri-Pinoy Rice Program aims to transform modern
day farm laborers into an effective agent for the improvement of the farming
system. This is a practical response to the demand and scarcity of farm workers
parallel to the agro-economic condition in the rural areas.
In the region, Antongalon Agusan Multi-Purpose
Cooperative (AAMPC) was accredited to become an FSP. “The primary objective of
the cooperative as FSP is to facilitate efficient land preparation, improve
crop stand by introducing new technologies, increase yield, lower cost of
production, reduce post harvest losses and most importantly satisfy the farmers
availing the services,” said AAMPC chairman, Gerardo M. Mag-isa.
To capacitate AAMPC and become effective agent
in providing farm services, the DA armed them with the necessary skills and
knowledge through trainings, assisting in the institutional build-up of the
cooperative, and provided modern farm equipment and machineries. Improvements
in pre and post harvest technologies and the adoption of climate-smart
technologies were introduced and shared to the members of the cooperative.
AAMPC members are seasonal farm laborers,
majority of them gain farming skills thru experience and actual involvement in
the field. Mag-isa said that through capability building activities members of
their cooperative are now more willing to learn more about new farming
technologies. This opportunity gave new ideas for improvement for the 340
active members of the cooperative in their respective farms.
“My fellow farmers were afraid to try farm
mechanization because they were concerned about labor displacement. But
actually, the displaced workers were now trained to become farm technicians and
operators,” said Mag-isa.
According to DA-13 regional technical director
for operations and LGU support Edgardo D. Dahino, the Department had given the
following equipment to AAMPC: one rice combine harvester, three farm tractors,
two rice planters, two water pumps, one rice reaper, one power tiller, one rice
thresher, two flatbed mechanical dryer and two-seeder (direct). The Farm
Mechanization Program implements the 15:85 counter-parting scheme in which only
15 percent will be paid by the association provided that all requirements are
complied.
“A total of P12 million worth of farm equipment,
machineries, financing assistance and including the renovation of our office,
all of these were given by the Department of Agriculture. With this, we are more than grateful to the
DA and as a way of giving back to the people, we also commit ourselves to
provide efficient service to our farmers,” Mag-isa added.
FSP offers their services starting from land and
seedling preparation, care and maintenance up to harvesting. With the services
offered many farmers were able to breathe a sigh of relief from the usual
tiresome farming and time consuming practice while reducing labor cost.
The mode of payment depends on the kind of
service the farmer needs. In harvesting, if a hectare of rice land yields 100
bags the cooperative will have a share of 14 bags and from that share 20
percent will be given to the workers and the machine operator.
AAMPC is now an active partner of the DA as it continues
to provide the needed support to empower the farmers in Caraga and increase
productivity. The DA through the Rice Program places farm mechanization as one
of its top priority concerns which supports food security and self-sufficiency.
(DA-13/PIA-Caraga)
Lathalain: PhilRice inihahanda ang mga magsasaka
ng palay para sa pagdating ng El Nino
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Setyembre 17 (PIA) - Tutulungan
ang mga magsasaka ng palay na makaya ang maaring pinsala na dala ng El Nino sa
pamamagitan ng tamang impormasyon.
Ang Philippine Rice Research Institute
(PhilRice), ang nangungunang ahensiya ng bansa sa siyensya at pag-aaral ng
palay, ay nakapagpalabas at namudmod ng mga materyales hinggil sa El Nino para
bigyan ng kasangkapan ang mga magsasaka ng mas mabuting pagkakataon na iakma sa
mas mainit kaysa normal na sitwasyon dala ng phenomena.
Sinabi ni Jaime A. Manalo IV, hepe ng
Development Communication Division ng PhilRice na nakapag upload na ng mga
babasahin, modules, audio at video sa website ng ahensiya at ipinamudmod sa mga
information officers ng Department of Agriculture sa buong bansa.
Sinabi ni Manalo na ang mga brochures at
leaflets ng El Nino at ang siyensya ng phenomenon na ipinaliliwanag sa simple,
hindi teknikal na pamaraan ay pinamudmod din.
“Alam namin ang kapangyarihan ng impormasyon.
Gawin nating nakahanda ang mga magsasaka. Paki-download ang mga babasahin mula
sa
http://www.philrice.gov.ph/index.php?page=resources&page3=elnino at
ibahagi ito sa social media,” sabi niya.
Ang mga magsasaka na nasa madaling maapektohang
lugar ay nabigyan na rin ng impormasyon sa pamamagitan ng pulong-pulong. Sa
Isabela, ang mga magsasaka ay tinuruan ng pamamaraan ng Alternate Wetting and
Drying, isang teknolohiya ng pagtitipid ng tubig kung saan ang mga palayan ay
halinhinang pinatutubigan at pinatuyuan.
Hinihikayat din ni Manalo ang mga nagbubungkal
ng palayan na makipag-ugnayan sa text center ng mga magsasaka (0920-911-1398)
kung kailangan pa nilang malaman ang tungkol sa El Nino at sa mga teknolohiya
para maibsan ang mga mawawala na dala ng phenomenon. (PhilRice Development
Communication Division/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
