NHA Caraga turns-over DORICOVILLE housing units to
uniformed/non-uniformed beneficiaries
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA) - The National Housing
Authority (NHA) spearheaded on Wednesday the inauguration and ceremonial
turn-over of keys of housing units to its DORICOVILLE housing project
beneficiaries at Brgy. Tiniwisan, this city.
According to NHA-Caraga regional manager Virgilio
Rivera, the DORICOVILLE housing project has a total land area of 35,000 square
meters with 533 house and lot packages, and the total cost per unit is
P240,000.00.
“The NHA's DORICOVILLE is a housing project
intended for the uniformed and non-uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire
Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the Bureau
of Corrections (BUCOR) under the AFP/PNP Housing Program Phase 2 of the NHA
being a flagship program of President Benigno S. Aquino III,” disclosed Rivera.
Butuan city mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. expressed
his congratulations to the officers of the DORICOVILLE project, "indeed a
'dream come true' for the beneficiaries to have their own house especially
during this Christmas season." He is also thankful to the NHA officials
for having such housing project.
Amante further shared that housing is the biggest
problem of the city and in any local government unit for that matter, and that
they are fortunate to have this project for the uniformed and non-uniformed
personnel in the AFP, PNP, BFP, BUCOR and BJMP. "There are things I would
like to ask from you, please practice proper waste segregation, plant trees,
you must have a properly constructed and protected septic tank, and always
maintain a clean environment," he stressed.
It was also learned that the mayor will fast-track
the road concreting in the project site.
Meanwhile, BFP regional director F/SSupt Mario
Socorro Timonera vows to maintain the peace and order in the site along with
others, and especially in ensuring the area to be fire-free.
"The members of the BFP are very thankful for
this project. We will see to it that these housing units will be free from
fire. We should take care of our housing units and let's not make this
commercialized," emphasized Timonera.
Timonera also revealed that mayor Amante has
donated around 1,500 sq.m lot for their regional office just few kilometers
away from the project site. (JPG/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga AFP, PNP support gov’t truce; hope NPA to
do the same
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 17 (PIA) –
After confirming the recent declaration of government for a month-long truce,
army 401st Infantry Brigade commander Col. Gregory Cayetano expressed hope that
the New People’s Army (NPA) is going to offer the same gesture.
He said that “it would be much better if the NPA
is going to reciprocate the course of action taken by the administration so the
public can appreciate,” adding that,” hopefully it will lead to a lasting
peace.”
During this period of unilateral suspension of
military and police operations (SOMO/SOPO)—from December 19, 2014 to January
19, 2015—the army just does routine security check and prophylactic patrol, he
said.
But, Cayetano clarified that in case of “security
breach,” they will be prompted to take a “defensive stance,” stressing that his
men are always ready.
On the other hand, Surigao del Sur acting PNP
Provincial Director P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero said, for his part, that during
the extended holiday truce with the NPA, members of the police force have still
the normal duty of law enforcement to exercise, citing the likes of serving
warrant/s of arrest even for communist rebels.
Meanwhile, the brigade commander made the issue
clear on whether or not soldiers are allowed to go on leave at this time of the
year when security is topmost priority as December 26 Communist Party of the
Philippines (CPP) anniversary is drawing near, and its armed-wing, the NPA
rebels, are expected to launch tactical offensives.
Cayetano pointed out that if the situation
warrants, they are given that privilege of furlough, saying further that it
depends on the “area assessment” so their men can also be with their respective
families to celebrate the holiday season.
Verdadero also aired the same view on this matter,
but stressed that it should not compromise police service.
“There is always a ‘sizable force’ at work on
‘rotation basis’ in their respective areas of responsibility (AOR),” Cayetano
added. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Tigerair launches Butuan maiden flight
By Noel B. Najarro
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA) - Another airline made
its historic, maiden flight at the newly renovated Bancasi Airport on Monday
evening.
The maiden flight of the Tigerair Philippines
DG7829 Manila to Butuan and DG7830 Butuan to Manila etched a mark in Butuan
City’s aviation history as it was also launched as the first night flight
through Butuan City’s Bancasi airport.
Attending the Monday launching held at the
airport's newly expanded passenger lounge were Tigerair executives, officials
and staff led by Atty. Leilani de Leon, Cebu representative Roxanne Gochuico
and the Cabin crew host Ghindie Tindoy.
Also present during the event were local
government officials led by Agusan del Norte Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell
Amante-Matba, Coun. Samuel Amante (who represented Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante,
Jr.), Coun. Rema Burdeos, Ivy Amante (wife of Mayor Amante), officials and
personnel from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) headed by
CAAP area manager Evangeline Babate, Aviation Security Group (AVSEG) chief
Irene Pareja and a representative of the Department of Tourism-Caraga.
Atty. De Leon said that the Tigerair newly
launched flight from Butuan to Manila and vice versa “is a milestone in the
corporate life of the Tigerair Philippines, via Butuan airport which is one of
the busiest here in Mindanao.” Atty. De Leon also said that the new route will
boost their 14 domestic and one international destinations.
Coun. Amante in his message said that the
launching and operation of Tigerair Philippines night flight from Butuan to
Manila presents many opportunities and may also help boost the city’s economy
and tourism industry, with Butuan City being the regional center of Caraga
region. He said that this is a clear indication of the investor's trust in the
city’s growing and sturdy economy and may help spur the city's economic
activity.
The city legislator pointed out that the city has
recorded a high 9.42 % increase of tourist arrivals here. According to the
official that the tourists here were topped by those coming from the countries
of United States, Germany, Canada, Australia and Korea.
He commended CAAP manager Babate for doing a good
job in the renovation and improving the city airport with some of the features
coming up with international airport standards.
“Admittedly, we do not have so much tourist
attractions comparatively with the other places in the region, but we continue
to do our best to provide our visitors with the good impression the moment they
land this gateway to Caraga region,” Amante said. (PNA/PIA-Caraga)
