NYC to hold 3rd RYAC Mindanao Convention
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA) – The National Youth
Commission (NYC) will hold this year’s 3rd Regional Youth Advisory Council
(RYAC) Mindanao Convention on February 18-20, 2015 in Davao City.
According to Evanesa Pasamba, NYC Cluster Head in
Northeastern Mindanao, the RYAC Convention will include the discussion of the
following: 1) Integration of Programs/Projects/Activities (PPAs) in the
Mindanao Youth Agenda; 2) Enrollment of youth programs/scholarships in the
Mindanao Wide Youth Compendium; 3) Presentation of Best Practices (RYAC)
Resolutions); and 4) Breaking session for RYAC (per region) discussion of
Business Arising from previous meeting.
“We are
also requesting all agencies involved to bring with them the current
statistical data on youth related issues related to their office’ mandate such
as dropout rate, number of in school and out of school youth, number of youth
in the labor force, Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune
deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) cases per region, youth in conflict with the law
and others; and the rationale, objectives, scope and mechanics of enrolled
programs for the compendium,” expressed Pasamba.
Created by virtue of Republic Act (R.A.) 8044,
otherwise known as the “Youth in Nation Building Act,” the National Youth
Commission (NYC) is mandated to be the sole policy making and coordinating
agency of the government for youth development. The said law created the
National Advisory Council (NAC) chaired by the Secretary of Education and
composed of various national government agency representatives. As the NAC
regional counterpart, the Regional Advisory Council (RAC) was established
primarily to localize the implementation of policies and the coordination and
monitoring of programs in the regional level. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga cooperatives unite to co-own Agus-Pulangi
to address power crisis in Mindanao
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA) - In coordination with
the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), the Regional Cooperative
Development Council (RCDC) Caraga hosted on Friday the Power Summit with the
theme, "Co-owning the Agus-Pulangi Hydro Power Complex" held at the
Provincial Covered Court, this city.
The said summit presented enormous opportunity
where people's strength can be utilized to help solve the power miseries.
Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. warmly welcomed all the
participants coming from the different provinces of the region.
"Your active participation here in this
summit simply show you are willing and interested to help our government in
solving the power crisis," he expressed.
Amante also emphasized the need to address the
energy crisis in Mindanao. "Mindanao's economy is growing and more investments
are coming, we hope to maintain those momentum but we are afraid that these
cannot be sustained due to the power crisis we are experiencing until today.
That's why we have to collaborate, work together and help solve this matter. We
are towards co-owning the Agus-Pulangi hydro power complex," he said.
The mayor further thanked the organizers of said
summit and called on all the members of the co-operatives to take their part
and be one in achieving the Agus-Pulangi.
"The city government recognizes the efforts
of the Regional Cooperative Development Council (RCDC) and the Cooperative
Development Authority (CDA) for initiating today's Caraga Power Summit with the
theme, 'Co-owning the Agus-Pulangi Hydro Power Complex.' We are hopeful that
through the collaboration of multi-sectoral groups in the region, thereby we
could address the power crisis and improve our economic growth,"
articulated Amante.
Also, Francis Loque, Regional Cooperative
Development Council (RCDC) Caraga chairman recalled how they were so desperate
in seeking for resolutions to address the issue, and stressed the strong
capability of the cooperatives in Mindanao to be able to bid for the ownership
of the Agus-Pulangi.
"We first saw this power crisis in 2010, 2013
and today it is still confronting us and all that we hear from our power
distributors is that either the management of Agus-Pulangi Complex cannot be
able to deliver its power supply commitment to the electric cooperatives and
private distribution facilities or that there is already a shortage in the
supply of electricity which makes our power woes increasing to our
consternation. But, whichever, as co-operators, we cannot afford to remain
silent," reiterated Loque.
Representing Agusan del Norte Gov. Ma. Angelica
Rosedell Amante-Matba, Provl Administrator Percianita Racho also expressed her
support to the Caraga Power Summit. "On behalf of our beloved governor,
the provincial government strongly supports this summit today and we are also
one in our efforts towards co-owning the Agus-Pulangi hydro power
complex," she said.
Meanwhile, Oriental Mindoro Representative
Reynaldo Umali encouraged all the present members of the cooperatives in the
region to participate in the organization of ‘One Mindanao Cooperative’ along
with other cooperatives in other parts of the island and be able to participate
in the bidding for the Agus-Pulangi hydro power complex.
“I believe that cooperatives are the people who
want to get things happen especially in the crisis that we are facing today. Let’s
act now for the benefit and interest of our people. We will be working with all
the other co-ops in Mindanao and we will fight for this, we will bid for the
Agus-Pulangi,” shared Pete Ilagan, president of the National Association of
Electricity Consumers of Reforms, Inc.
CDA region 10 director Orlando Ravanera
highlighted the significant role of the co-operatives. “Yes, if the root of the
problem is the disempowerment of the people, we now launch the countervailing
force called ‘People Empowerment’ in the Land of the Brave and the Free,” he
bared.
The Mindanao Generation Group is home to the Agus
and Pulangi Power Plant Complexes. With a combined installed capacity of 982
MW, Agus and Pulangi Power Plant Complexes supply Mindanao electric power consumers
more than 50% of its total electricity requirements.
In line with its power generation mandate,
Mindanao Generation manages two dams—the Pulangi Dam in Maramag, Bukidnon and
the Agus IV HEP Dam at Balo-i, Lanao del Norte. It has implemented various
strategies to ensure dam safety and flood control and mitigation. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Physical injury tops index crimes in AgSur
By David M. Suyao
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Jan. 23 (PIA) -
Physical Injury, with 502 incidence, ranks first in offenses reported by the
Philippine National Police (PNP) for the whole year of 2014 during the joint
Peace and Security Coordinating Committee meeting here attended by top military
and police officers with Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza presiding.
Following physical injury is theft with 260 incidence,
followed by murder with 166 incidence and robbery with 105 incidence. Rape
cases are still high with 62 incidence, while carnapping ranks sixth with 48
incidence.
Compared to 2013, crime volume tremendously
increased by 1,012 incidence with 2,573 cases last year, compared to 2013 with
1,561 cases. Crime solution efficiency therefore decreased from 66.59 percent
in 2013 compared to 44. 73 percent last year. Crime cleared totaled to 1,329
while crime solved is 1,151.
The PNP has also conducted operations against
illegal drugs totaling to 192 operations last year, arresting 238 persons.
Volume of shabu confiscated was 294.64 grams, and marijuana with 5,976.72
grams, all amounting to 6,244,670. One hundred fifty five cases were filed in
court.
“The illegal activities of criminal groups in the
province of Agusan del Sur will continue in direct correlation with the
changing economic realities in the province. The occurrence of crime will
continue but Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office will continue to
strengthen counter measures to address the prevailing situation that affects
the peace and order in the province,” assistant provincial director for
operations PC/Insp. Rodelio Roquita said who rendered the report.
Present during the meeting were 4th infantry
division commander General Oscar Lactao and PNP Caraga regional director
P/CSupt. David Ombao. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
In Dinagat Islands: SK voters hike by 17 percent
By Ma. Jane A. Mayola
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Jan. 23 (PIA) – The
number of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) voters in Dinagat Islands for the SK
Elections in February has ballooned to 17 percent, according to Commission on
Election’s (COMELEC's) report during the Joint Provincial Command Conference
held recently at the Provincial Guest Center, Capitol Compound, Brgy Cuarinta,
San Jose, this province.
From 4,885 registered voters in 2014, the number
of SK voters now went up to 5,703 this year or an increase of 17 percent, said
COMELEC Caraga regional director atty. Francisco Pobe.
He said that the most number of voters came from
the municipality of Basilisa with 1,474 total voters while the least number of
voters came from the municipalities of Dinagat and Tubajon having 503 total
voters each.
Director Pobe noted that the filing of candidacy
for this year’s SK special election will start on February 7, 8, 9 and 10 and
same policy during the October 2013 barangay election will be applied for the
upcoming SK special election.
However, if some rules will be changed by the
office of the National Commission on Election, we will immediately notify the
provincial level as soon as possible, Pobe added. (SDR/PIO-Dinagat
Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
SurSur guv set to receive 'Bayani Ka!' award from
DSWD
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 23 (PIA) –
Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel is set to receive the “Bayani Ka!”
award today at Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Conference Center in Makati
City from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
According to DSWD Caraga regional director Minda
Brigoli in a letter dated January 12, 2015, “the Province of Surigao del Sur,
through your leadership, has been chosen as the national awardee for the
special award on improved local governance (PLGU) category."
A cash prize of P10,000 and trophy will be handed
over to Pimentel in behalf of the province.
Brigoli defined “Bayani Ka!” award as “a social
marketing initiative of the National Program Management Office (NPMO) of the
Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social
Services-National Community-Driven Development Program (KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP).”
Its purpose “is to show what Community-Driven
Development (CDD) essentially does which is raising local, everyday heroes who
are willing to put their communities (‘bayan’) before their own selves (‘I’),”
she added.
Pimentel is likewise expected to give “a short
message/testimonial” for the attending DSWD high-ranking and key officials
after the award is given.
“The ‘Bayani Ka!’ Awards will serve as the
culminating event for the Unified Program Review and Evaluation Workshop
(PREW),” it was learned. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Sec. Paje approves permit for retrieval,
disposition of Typhoon Pablo-damaged logs
By Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA) - Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje has approved
a special permit for the retrieval and disposition of the inventoried/validated
28,056 cubic meters of typhoon Pablo-damaged trees/timber in the affected
barangays of the Municipalities of Esperanza and La Paz, Agusan del Sur.
The DENR secretary thru the undersecretary for
field operations Demetrio L. Ignacio Jr., issued a memorandum indicating the
mechanics to be observed in the retrieval operations. The retrieval operation
was set to be limited to a non-extendable period of six months. A clearance was
also granted for the use of the Agusan River for the final transport of the
wood materials to the designated Wood Processing Plants.
The permit was approved through the endorsement of
cabinet secretary and Task Force Pablo chair Jose Rene D. Almendras pursuant to
Memorandum Circular No. 53 dated August 30, 2013 issued by President Aquino
entitled, “Enjoining all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the
National Government and Local Government Units (LGUs) to actively support the
full implementation of the Task Force Pablo Rehabilitation Plans and Programs.”
Based on the guidelines, the operation shall be
facilitated by the Indigenous People (IP) communities of La Paz and Esperanza
with the technical support and supervision of the Provincial Technical
Committee chaired by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer
of Agusan del Sur, Forester Roberto Oliveros and the PENR Office Forestry
Specialist as the Over-all Field Coordinator.
For the Municipality of La Paz, CENR officer of
Talacogon, Forester Luis P. Gonzaga will serve as the coordinator to be
assisted by the Talacogon CENR Office Forestry Specialist. On the other hand,
CENR officer of Bayugan, Forester Eleazar Alaira will be the coordinator for
the Municipality of Esperanza with the help of the Bayugan CENR Office Forestry
Specialist. Representatives from the Office of the Civil Defense, Department of
Social Works and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government,
National Commission on Indigenous People, and the LGUs of Esperanza and La Paz
will also be members of the committee. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)
SurSur prison guards seize 'shabu, paraphernalia'
in cell
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 23 (PIA) –
Surigao del Sur Tandag District Jail Warden Senior Jail Officer 4 (SJO4) Andres
Espinoza, Jr. bared that “shabu in sachets and some drug paraphernalia” were
seized inside prison cell no. 4 on January 20, 2015 by a 20-man team, all under
him.
Dubbed as “greyhound operation,” the warden
claimed suspicion about something “fishy” going on under their noses; hence a
surprise inspection was decided to be carried out.
After the operation yielded positive, the
assistance of the Tandag City Police Office (TCPO) and the Police Provincial
Office (PPO) to conduct a “substance examination” has been immediately
requested, he said.
Espinoza pointed out that prison cell no. 4 is
occupied by Melvin Cabacas, Ronald Lago and Ricbon Lora, all accused of
violation of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,
except for Marlon Gauron, a murder suspect.
The Surigao del Sur District Jail in Tandag has 61
inmates as of last count, 16 or 26.66 percent of them are facing drug-related
charges, the warden remarked. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DILG-13, JPIC-IDCI ink MOA for cinemobile phase
III
By Jason Ryan R. Lam
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA) - To strengthen its
fight against trafficking in persons, the Justice, Peace and Integrity of
Creation – Integrated Development Center (JPIC-IDC, Inc.) entered into a
memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG)–Region 13 for Cinemobile Project III covering the cities of
Butuan, Cabadbaran and Bayugan and the municipalities of Nasipit, Bunawan and
Prosperidad in the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur as pilot
LGUs for the project.
The partnership highlights capacity development of
the Local Committee Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children
(LCAT-VAWC), and monitoring of its functionality to ensure protection of women
and children against, and prevention of, human trafficking.
Cinemobile Project III is a continuation of the
JPIC-IDCI’s project in partnership with Karl Kubel Stiftung fur Kind und
Familie (KKS) of Germany. The
implementation period will be up to 45 months from year 2014 to 2017. The
target groups of the project are the four out of five pillars of criminal
justice specifically the law enforcement, prosecution, courts/judges and the
community as represented by the local government councils, NGOs and people’s
organizations which contribute to the prevention of trafficking in persons.
In particular, the following target groups will
compose of at least 15 prosecutors and 14 judges in Caraga Region, at least 30
social workers and 110 police officers directly handling children/women related
cases from the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur, eight Local
Committees Against Trafficking (LCAT) in six municipalities/cities and two
targeted provinces, at least 75 trained multipliers/advocates from the
academic, religious and media sectors who will reach out to at least 5,000
people (parents and children) in the targeted municipalities/cities and
national and international organizations and networks.
Before the MOA signing, an orientation was
conducted for the provincial directors, city/municipal local government
operations officers (C/MLGOOs) of the target LGUs and selected regional office
personnel. Among others, the orientation included a discussion on the salient
features of Anti-Trafficking Laws and other related laws as presented by
assistant city prosecutor Isabel Corazon Plaza of Butuan City; presentation of
JPIC-IDC, Inc. Cinemobile Project Milestone by Cinemobile project coordinator
Reann C. Mantilla; presentation of National and Regional Situationer on
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) that tackles its updates and interventions; and
orientation on the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2010-1 (Creation of LCAT-VAWC)
and the Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking Act
of 2003) by DILG-13 legal officer Atty. Allen M. Gasulas.
In her message, DILG-13 regional director Lilibeth
A. Famacion stressed that the DILG will commit to extend full support and assistance
to JPIC-IDC’s Cinemobile Project and all its undertakings to combat
anti-trafficking in Caraga Region based on the memorandum of agreement.
“One of the best ways to stop trafficking is by
empowering women,” RD Famacion said. “There is livelihood assistance for women
through the Bottom-up Budgeting program of the government and there is a skills
training program that has been offered by the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) that helps to equip our women,” she added. Moreover,
RD Famacion stated that the undertaking on LCAT-VAWC in Caraga Region is still
young compared to other regions but still the means and ways to fight the
menace of trafficking in persons must be the same. (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)
98 percent of AgSur power load restored
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 23 (PIA) - The Agusan del Sur
Electric Cooperative (ASELCO) organized Task Force Seniang successfully tallied
a 98% completion mark in the rehabilitation of powerlines to areas crucially
damaged by Typhoon Seniang in Sibagat, Esperanza and Bayugan City last December
29, 2014.
In the latest data presented by the Technical
Services Department (TSD), 5,353 households in Sibagat, 7,623 in Esperanza, and
22,222 households in Bayugan were re-energized in the rehabilitation process.
Thus, a total of 35,198 municipalities were
re-energized in mid-January. As remembered, a total of 40 personnel composed of
electrical engineers from the Technical Services Department, linemen, barangay
electricians, and ground workers were deployed in the typhoon-affected
barangays and sitios in the municipalities of Sibagat, Esperanza, and the city
of Bayugan last January 7, 2015.
“We are very fortunate enough to have achieved
this restored percentage in an earlier time. All thanks to the people who
assisted us in the line rehabilation. ASELCO is going to get back on track
sooner than what is expected,” ASELCO OIC general manager Leah Fe F. Estillore
said.
The power restoration and line rehabilitation
timeline could have been accomplished earlier if not due to another Low
Pressure Area (LPA) Amang which later progressed into a cyclone that also
brought heavy in the Seniang-ravaged areas.
“The entire community of ASELCO would like to
sincerely thank those people who took part in ASELCO’s line rehabilitation and
power restoration efforts despite the unfavorable weather and difficult
terrains,” ASELCO president Corazon D. Cullantes expressed. (ASELCO/PIA-Caraga)
DENR Caraga targets 16,591 hectares for NGP 2015
By Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA) - The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga targets to plant 11,948,600
seedlings in a total of 16,591 hectares of land all over its five provinces
under the National Greening Program (NGP) for 2015.
Agusan del Norte is set to plant 2,229,900
seedlings in a total of 2,998 hectares of land while Agusan del Sur aims to
plant 5,190,000 seedlings in a total of 7,705 hectares. On the other hand,
Surigao del Sur committed 2,809,400 seedlings to be planted in a total of 4,274
hectares and Surigao del Norte targets a total of 782,200 seedlings for 1,341
hectares land area. Added to this is the province of Dinagat Islands which
targets to plant 136,500 seedlings in a total of 273 hectares of land.
The program aims to plant 1.5 billion seedlings in
a total of 1.5 million hectares of land all over the country from 2011 to 2016.
As of 2014, DENR secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said
the department is 11.6 percent above target. In the entire country, a total of
1,005,013 hectares were already developed out of the actual target of 900,000
hectares from 2011 to 2014.
“We are doing well in terms of our NGP here in
Caraga. With the utmost cooperation of our partners, the beneficiaries, the
local government units and the DENR employees, we expect that attaining or even
exceeding our target for this program will surely be possible,” DENR-13
regional director Nonito M. Tamayo said. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: DENR modawat na alang sa mga
nominasyon alang sa 'greenest schools' sa nasud
Ni Richell P. Bongato
BUTUAN CITY, Enero 23 (PIA) - Ang Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) modawat na karun sa mga nominado alang
sa Most Environment-friendly ug sustainable schools sa nasud.
Si Environment Management Bureau (EMB) director
Atty. Jonas Leones giawhag ang mga publiko og pribadong tulunghaan sa
elementarya, sekondarya ug sa kolehiyo sa pag-apil sa “2015 National Search for
Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools.”
“Ang kumpetisyon tumong nga mo-awhag sa mga estudyante nga mo-apil sa mga
aktibidadis mahitungod sa mga isyu bahin sa kinaiyahan sa lokal nga lebel. Ug
mo pa-ila sa mga skwelahan isip best eco-friendly nga programa ug aktibidadis,”
matud ni Leones.
Ang National Search gi-organisa sa DENR- EMB sa
kooperasyon sa Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) ug pribadong sektor.
Unang gipahigayon ang kompetisyon kani-adtong
2009, pinaagi sa Republic Act 9512 kun Environment Awareness and Education Act
of 2008. Kini usab inisyatibo aron suportahan ang deklarasyon sa 2012 isip
ASEAN Environment Year ug United Nations Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development, gikan 2005-2014.
Ang mga partisipante mo rehistro una sa
www.sustainableschools.ph ug mo pasa sa ilang mga entry tulo ka hard copies sa
ilang DepEd Division Offices alang
sa pampublikong tulunghaan sa
elementarya ug sekundarya ug sa EMB
Regional Offices alang sa pribadong skwelahan sa elementarya, sekundarya, ug
ang kolehiyo. Ang minimum nga kinahanglan para sa judging mao ang ilahang hard
copies.
Pwede pud ipasa ang ilang mga entries sa online
gamit ang JPEG format sa resolusyon nga 300 dots per inch, nga adunay minimum
size nga 1536 x 2048 pixels ug maximum file size nga 1MB. Ug ipadala pinaagi sa
email nga ecofriendlyschools@gmail.com. Dapat ang entry mohaom sa tema nga
“Sustainable and Eco-friendly Initiatives.” Ug adunay mubong deskripsyon ang
nakabutang sa ilahang entry.
Ang top entry sa kada region idala sa EMB Central
Office aron sa National Judging.
Ang deadline sa pagpasa sa mga nominasyon karung
Abril 10, 2015 ug ang mga mananaog i-anunsyo karung bulan sa Nobyembre niining
tuiga.
Alang sa uban pang kasayuran mahimong adto lang sa
http://www.emb.gov.ph ug http://www.sustainableschools.ph. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)
