DENR Caraga calls support of stakeholders vs.
illegal logging
By Daisy Jane M. Apit
BUTUAN CITY, June 9 (PIA) – Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga regional director Nonito N.
Tamayo said that the department is expecting the active support of the people
in the all-out campaign to slow down if not eradicate the problem of illegal
logging in the regional areas of concern.
“I believe that the media, armed forces, the
stakeholders are with us. This is our commitment. So if not zero level, with
all the support coming from the different sectors we will hit our aim,” Tamayo
said during the press briefing held on June 5 in time with the celebration of
the World Environment Day and the Environment month at the DENR Caraga Regional
Training Center, here.
Tamayo also bared that it was already recorded and
confirmed that illegal logging statistics is decreasing in the region.
“Out of 31 illegal logging hotspots in the
country, 17 are in our region. With all sincerity and honesty, we were able to
neutralize six out of those 17 hotspots,” Tamayo added.
Tamayo and his senior staff and field officials
vowed to neutralize illegal logging activities in the remaining hotspot areas.
The covenant was formalized at the recently concluded Special Management
Conference where 35 officials including five Provincial Environment and Natural
Resources Officers (PENROs) and 10 City Environment and Natural Resources
Officers (CENROs) signed the agreement.
It was also learned that couple with the signing
of commitment, however, is the risk of being removed from their post and a
setback to be demoted from their post should they fall short of the commitment.
Meanwhile, Tamayo also revealed that they have
already established three additional forest monitoring checkpoints in Davao and
Caraga. The checkpoints are part of their actions in strengthening their
campaign to bring down the illegal logging and timber poaching incidence by the
end of June 2015.
“It’s a
tall order to all DENR regional directors to bring illegal logging incidence
down to zero level at least by the end of June this year,” he said. (DJA with
reports from Jennifer Gaitano/PIA-Caraga)
Dengue cases decrease in Caraga Region
By Daisy Jane M. Apit
BUTUAN CITY, June 9 (PIA) – Dengue cases in Caraga
Region remarkably dropped by 51 percent in the first semester this year
compared to the same period last year.
Dengue project regional coordinator Dr. Jonathan
Basadre said that a total of 1,162 cases of dengue fever were admitted to the
different disease reporting units regionwide from January 1 to June 6, 2015,
lower by 1,224 cases than the 2,386 recorded in the same period in 2014.
Basadre also said that in terms of geographic
distribution, Butuan City has the highest number in the six cities with 267
cases while Surigao del Sur is the highest among all the five provinces in the
region with 230 cases.
There were also six deaths reported to the
different diseases reporting units regionwide, it was learned.
“We continue to follow the simple rules of
eradicating this problem by searching and destroying mosquito breeding places
every 4:00 p.m. and be updated to the dengue status of our barangay,” said DOH
Caraga regional director Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr. (DJApit/PIA-Caraga)
DOH-Caraga offers HI-5 for improvements in health
outcomes
By Daisy Jane M. Apit
BUTUAN CITY, June 9 (PIA) – The Department of
Health (DOH) - Regional Office XIII introduced a new strategy called the
Universal Health Care High Impact Five (HI-5) to produce extensive improvements
in health outcomes and on the priority, vulnerable population focusing on the
five critical Universal Health Care (UHC) interventions.
According to DOH Caraga regional director Dr. Jose
Llacuna, Jr., the program shall focus on reducing maternal, infant, and
under-five mortality; reducing the burden of HIV/AIDS; and establishing service
delivery networks.
The mentioned strategy would intensify the
regional operations through health-related services and converge in priority
poverty programs. It would also be implemented within 15 months, from April
2014 to June 2015. It is also geared towards the health department’s commitment
of continued and improved UHC, moreover, as an action taken in response to the
eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
Additionally, all major activities shall be
synchronized to occur nationwide and at key specific dates so as to have a
greater impact on the target population.
HI-5 shall also focus on the poor population and
prioritize direct service delivery and other direct interventions to ensure
that HI-5 is a tangible health care strategy.
It was learned that the HI-5 Summit, also part of
the HI-5 activities will be held on June 10, 2015. At the same time, a Kalusugan Pangkalahatan
HI- 5 Caravan shall take place together with Buntis Congress as both nationwide
synchronal initiatives on June 23, 2015. Both include the provision of direct
health services and commodities, and information and dissemination.
“The Department of Health is more than just a hub,
it is the core of health services towards an exceptional health care system. We
want to ensure that the health programs and services of the agency are not only
seen and felt but relished for a better health of all Filipinos especially the
Caraganons,” said Dr. Llacuna. (DJApit/PIA-Caraga)
DOLE-RTWPB to hold Promo Diskwento 2015
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, June 9 (PIA) – The Department of
Labor and Employment-Regional Tripartite and Wages Productivity Board
(DOLE-RTWPB) will hold a Promo Diskwento 2015 on June 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. at the city hall lobby.
According to RTWPB Caraga Board Secretary VI Earl
dela Victoria, the activity is in partnership with the city government of
Butuan and in coordination with ABS-CBN Butuan.
Dela Victoria also said that different suppliers
will be selling their products on discounted prices on the said date.
“We are inviting the public to come, join and
patronize the said activity by buying products,” said dela Victoria.
Said activity is in line with the 117th
Independence Day celebration on June 12
with the theme, “Kalayaan 2015: Tagumpay sa Pagbabagong Nasimulan, Abot
Kamay na ng Bayan." (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
DepEd Agnor to conduct ceremonial disposal of
worn-out PHL flag
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, June 9 (PIA) – The Department of
Education (DepEd) Agusan del Norte Division will conduct the first ceremonial
disposal of Worn-out Philippine Flags on Wednesday, June 10.
Schools Division Superintendent Romeo O. Aprovecar
has invited governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba to grace the
occasion. Also, the governor will represent the Inang Bayan (Motherland) during
the ceremony.
According to DepEd Agusan del Norte Division
public information officer Fe M. Dizon, the conduct of the activity is pursuant
to Republic Act 8491 also known as The Flag Heraldic Code of the Philippines
which states that flags should be solemnly burned to avoid misuse or
desecration.
The activity will be held at the division’s lobby
at 4:00 p.m., Dizon said. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Female police officer, PNCO commended for
anti-drugs campaign
By Noel B. Najarro
BUTUAN CITY, June 9 (PIA) - A female police
officer and a police non-commissioned officer were made recipients of a
Philippine National Police (PNP) commendation medal for a successful
anti-illegal drugs campaign.
Awarded the “Medalya Ng Papuri” (PNP Commendation
Medal) were Police SInsp. Marisan L. Estrada and PO3 Elizalde Suarez for the
successful implementation of search warrant and arrest of two suspects of
dealing illegal drugs at Purok 7, Brgy. San Ignacio, this city for violation of
the Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive anti-illegal drugs law) on January 14,
2015.
The police action resulted to the confiscation of
suspected shabu with a total weight of 1.7351 grams and an estimated value of
P20,474.00 and assorted drug paraphernalia.
Pinning the medals to the awardees was Jessie P.
Omamalin, assistant vice president of the Development Bank of the Philippines
(Butuan) who was also the guest of honor and speaker during the Monday
Flag-raising rites assisted by Caraga PNP chief PCSupt David Ombao and PSSupt
Ronelo Jaurigue, chief of the Regional Headquarters Support Group. (PNA/PIA-Caraga)
DILG chief to distribute patrol jeeps in AgNor,
Bukidnon
BUTUAN CITY, June 9 (PIA) - In fulfillment of his
promise to local government units (LGUs) to distribute one patrol jeep for each
municipality across the country, Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) secretary Mar Roxas will fly to Mindanao on Wednesday, June
10 to distribute a total of 30 brand new patrol jeeps.
Of the 30 patrol jeeps, 10 will go to Agusan del
Norte and 20 to Bukidnon. Turnover ceremonies will be held in the respective
provincial capitols of the two provinces.
Roxas envisions the patrol jeeps to be used not
only in responding to crime situations but in emergency situations as well.
Such functions include transporting evacuees or relief goods during disasters.
The "Big Brother of LGUs" previously
assured all local chief executives that all municipalities will receive one
patrol jeep regardless of political affiliation.
This, he said, is one of the main principles of
"Daang Matuwid," which delivers services to all.
Roxas has already distributed patrol jeeps in the
provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Western Samar,
Sarangani, and South Cotabato.
The procurement and distribution of patrol jeeps
is part of the overall strategy to reduce crime not only in the nation's
capital, but in the whole country as well.
The DILG chief has implemented Oplan Lambat-Sibat,
an intensified anti-crime campaign that employs a "deliberate,
programmatic, and sustained" approach. Recent efforts of the Philippine National
Police (PNP) through the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has resulted
to more 60 percent reduction in crime incidents in Metro Manila since Oplan
Lambat-Sibat was implemented in June last year. (DILG/PIA-Caraga)
Q2 meeting set for PESO managers in SurSur
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, June 9 (PIA) – The
Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) located at the Office of the
Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) Building, this city, has called up a 2nd
quarter meeting for all PESO managers province-wide on June 10, 2015.
Marcos Quico, PESO federation president, confirmed
that important matters pertaining to PESO Programs and Services such as Special
Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), Skills Registry System and
Phil-Jobnet, Statistical Performance Reporting System (SPRS) Submission, and
Career Guidance Advocacy are going to be discussed.
Other things to be undertaken likewise include the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Integrated Livelihood and Emergency
Employment Programs (DILEEP); Special Project Fund (GIP and TUPAD); and,
Grassroots Participatory Budgeting for 2015, he cited.
Quico, who is also the provincial agriculturist of
Surigao del Sur, pointed out that the federation under him has 23 active
members.
He explained that aside from the 17 municipalities
and two cities, four primary institution of learnings within the province have
their respective PESO managers particularly Surigao del Sur State University
(SDSSU), St. Theresa College (STC), Andres Soriano College (ASC), and De La
Salle John Bosco College (DLSJBC).
The scheduled meeting has been noted by Raymond
Fel Sajor, DOLE field office chief here, it was learned. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Butuan solon supports book on Butuanon culture,
foodways
BUTUAN CITY, June 9 (PIA) - A book worth the keep.
Butuanon Cuisine: In Search of Local Identity is now available to the public.
Navigating the rich history of Butuan, the book
retells the story of an ancient civilization through its delectable and exquisite
foodways and tradition. It gives every reader a delicious glimpse of the past,
as far as our unsung memory could recall when early Butuanons prepare their
everyday meals easily sourced from their abundant natural environs of Agusan
River.
Written by Dr. Manolita Rosales Lerida and
Apolonia Vanzuela Garay - both researchers from Father Saturnino Urios
University - the book reclaims authentic Butuanon cuisine by retelling the
traditional steps of food preparation: palagsing, tinumpi, inisab, kinabol, buawy,
bunta'a, inaman pawo, kayam, tamilok, abatud, among others.
The release of the book is seen to contribute to
the increasingly significant flotilla of works and literature vouching for the
cultural richness of Butuan. Last year, Butuan City and Las Nieves
representative Lawrence 'Law' Fortun filed House Bill 4879, declaring the
Balangay as the National Boat of the Philippines, and House Bill 4823 which
seeks to declare the city as a heritage tourism zone.
Anybody interested can buy the book at FSUU Bookstore,
J.C. Aquino Ave., this city. (Lawig Katawhan/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
SurSur agri chief confident of mitigating measures
vs. El NiΓ±o
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, June 9 (PIA) –
Surigao del Sur chief agriculturist Marcos Quico admitted mild El NiΓ±o
phenomenon has indeed taken its toll in the province.
However, even with the prevailing circumstances,
he is not at all worried due to some mitigating measures put in place.
A couple of months ago, the agriculture office
here has quickly complied with the request of the Department of Agriculture
(DA) Caraga regional office to submit data in this regard.
Quico immediately tied-up with the Provincial
Irrigation Management Office (PIMO) here under the National Irrigation
Administration (NIA) to provide specific information on potential areas that
can be possibly hit by “El NiΓ±o phenomenon.
He said that while climate has been a bit harsh
but occasional rains have already started to occur especially during night
time.
The chief agriculturist also hinted that harvest
season is already in for palay. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del
Sur)
