4ID Phil. Army holds camaraderie with media
partners
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 16 (PIA) – In celebration of the
yuletide season, the 4th Infantry Division of Philippine Army headed by
commanding officer Major General Oscar Lactao convened on Tuesday evening the
media partners together with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga for
a camaraderie at the 4ID Advance Command Post in Camp Bancasi, this city.
MGen Lactao encouraged the media to spread more
developmental news through print and broadcast. “There are a lot of good news
that people should know about. Through our media partners, people will be aware
that the government is doing everything to serve the best for the citizens.
Communication with right information is very important. We should all work
together and continue to serve and protect our people,” he stressed.
Lactao also thanked the media for their continued
support to the undertakings of the AFP and for the good working relationship.
He further emphasized that media has a vital role in helping the ordinary
citizens to know the issues and concerns and events that are happening around
them.
“Through your information, you become an
eye-opener to the general public that affects their decision-making in one way
to another. That’s why you take good care of the trust given to you by the
citizens. We are all responsible for what we do for others,” expressed Lactao.
Meanwhile, PIA-Caraga regional director Abner Caga
also underlined team work not only within the organization but also with other
government agencies. He pointed out the significance of good and effective
communication in peace and development.
“A lot of problems are solved because of
information that results to appropriate action and positive behavior change in
our people. We all know how powerful the information is. Let us continue to
deliver timely, accurate, and reliable information,” remarked Caga.
The media night was filled with good talks, foods,
songs and dances. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
FESAGSS, PNP to conduct license to own, possess
firearms caravan in Butuan
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 16 (PIA) – The Philippine
National Police – Civil Security Group/ Firearms and Explosives Office
(PNP-CSG/FEO) in coordination with the Police Regional Office 13 thru its
Firearms Explosives and Security Agencies and Guards Supervision Section
(FESAGSS) is set to hold the License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF)
Caravan on December 16-18, 2015 at Robinson's Place, this city.
According to PNP Caraga regional director PCSupt
Vert Chavez, the caravan is a one-stop shop where the individuals and/or
firearms owner/licensees may apply for new license or renewal of their licenses
and registrations of firearms.
“Among the requirements that are needed to be
complied with and submitted for processing include: Neuro-Psychiatric Exam,
Drug Test, Gun Safety Seminar and Validation and LTOPF application,” Chavez
enumerated.
Chavez further called on to firearm-holders to
grab this opportunity to register or renew their firearms in one place.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
EAGA and Australia’s Northern Territory to
reconnect trade, tourism, and cultural ties
DAVAO CITY, Dec. 16 (PIA) – Member countries of
the Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area
(BIMP-EAGA) will reconnect their ties with Australia’s Northern Territory (NT)
by deepening cooperation among mutually agreed areas.
At the recently concluded BIMP-EAGA 19th
Ministerial Meeting held at the Le Meridien Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, EAGA
signing ministers together with Peter Styles, NT Minister for Asian Engagement
and Trade agreed to reconnect and focus cooperation on tourism, small and
medium enterprises, socio-cultural, and education initiatives.
In a statement released during the meeting, the
four BIMP-EAGA Signing Ministers and the NT Minister reaffirmed their
“commitment to further deepen cooperation and ensure that concrete results are
achieved within the year.” It further
said that the ministers agree to develop the Plan of Action for the BIMP-EAGA
and Northern Territory Cooperation for 2016 to 2020.
The EAGA Ministers that participated in the
meeting includedPehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Minister in the Prime Minister’s
Office and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam;
Dr. Rizal Affandi Lukman, Deputy
Minister for International Economic Cooperation, Coordinating Ministry for
Economic Affairs of Indonesia; Senator Dato’ Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Minister in
the Prime Minister’s Department of Malaysia; and Secretary Luwalhati Antonino,
Chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) of the Philippines.
Citing opportunities in educational exchange
between EAGA and NT, the ministers agreed to explore possible collaboration
between and among the academe and research institutions of the two regions. The
ministers also agreed to promote cooperation among universities and technical
institutions in developing academic and professional human resource.
Programs and activities that involve students and
the youth which promote educational, social, sports, and cultural exchanges
between EAGA and NT were also encouraged by the ministers in support to EAGA’s
newly adopted Socio-Cultural and Education pillar.
“We also agreed to explore the development of a
student exchange program focusing on areas of commonality under the Australian
Awards program,” said Secretary Antonino who participated in this year’s
Australia Awards fellowships with 12 other government officials and private
sector representatives in Cairns and Brisbane.
The Awards program is part of Australia’s
commitment to advancing priority foreign affairs and shared development goals.
It is also designed to help strengthen partnerships and develop capacities so
that individual fellows can advance key development issues in their home
country and region.
In expanding trade with NT, the Ministers urged
the private sector to take active role in establishing networks and cooperation
with counterparts from Australia such as NT’s chambers of commerce. A joint
study on the two regions’ trade complementarity and other future trade linkages
that involve supply chains was discussed during the meeting.
The NT government has invited the BIMP-EAGA to
participate in the Northern Territory Business Festival in April next year,
with the possibility of holding the Darwin Dialogue during the event.
To push for a more robust tourism exchange between
EAGA and NT, the ministers jointly agreed to promote and market the two regions
as eco-tourism destinations. A sharing of best practices on tourism development
was also agreed during the meeting.
“In recognition to the rich heritage, cultures and
traditions of the BIMP-EAGA and NT, the signing ministers encourage
collaboration to develop socio cultural activities that can contribute to
building strong foundation for greater understanding and good neighborliness,”
added Antonino.
She said the ministers also agreed to cooperate
and collaborate on arts, heritage, and culture to foster deeper understanding,
appreciation, and preservation of culture and history of EAGA and NT.
Australia’s NT offers vast opportunities for trade
and business with BIMP-EAGA particularly in the oil and gas industry,
agribusiness, and socio-cultural exchanges due to the two regions’ proximity.
In 2004, NT became EAGA’s development partner, 10 years after the launch of the
sub-region. (MinDA/PIA-Caraga)
NFA administrator to lead new office inauguration
in SurSur
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 16 (PIA) –
National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Renan Dalisay is going to spearhead
the inauguration and blessing of the newly built P6.24 million provincial
office building of their agency here in Tandag City at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday,
December 16, 2015.
The new edifice is located at the back of the
GID-Duplex Warehouse at Barangay Mabua, this city, according to May Sara
Atomar, NFA officer-in-charge (OIC).
To mark the occasion, a fitting program, split
into two main parts, is set to follow.
The event will start with the “Ceremonial Cutting
of Ribbon and Unveiling of Marker” with NFA Dalisay to do the honors together
with Governor Johnny Pimentel, Congressman Philip Pichay of the First District,
this province, Mayor Roxanne Pimentel, this city, and NFA regional directors
(RDs) Genaro NuΓ±ez, Jr. as well as Pepito Paqueo of Regions 13 and 10, respectively.
Right after that, Most Reverend Nerio Odchimar,
Bishop of Tandag, will bless the new structure at the NFA compound.
Then, immediately, the ceremonial program will
start with OIC Atomar to deliver the welcome address.
NFA administrator Dalisay, who will be introduced
as Guest of Honor by RD NuΓ±ez, will deliver his inaugural message.
Likewise, Governor Pimentel, Congressman Pichay,
and Mayor Pimentel, in that particular order, will give their respective
messages as well.
To break the monotony, a group of select students
of Jacinto P. Elpa National High School is going to render an intermission
number.
The closing remarks will be done by NFA Caraga
assistant regional director Gil Ibarra. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-
Surigao del Sur)
Dinagat Islands PPOC holds last quarter meeting
By Millard Tawakal
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Dec. 16 (PIA) – The
members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of Dinagat Islands
conducted its last quarter meeting held recently at DIMPC Building, San Jose
town.
Police Provincial Office provincial director Cupid
C. Calica reported that the province's peace and order situation continues to
be peaceful, although some petty crimes were committed but he assured that the
same is manageable and under control.
The council bared that by next year, the
'Rescue-Fire' Boat will be fully operational to be used for rescue and
fire-fighting in the 80 per cent barangays located in the coastal areas of the
province.
It was also reported that the province is
generally peaceful against any threat of insurgency or terrorism and will be a
very good place for business investments such as hotels and resorts, land and
water transportation facilities, foods and restaurants and other recreations.
(SDR/PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
1,707 Caraga OFWs, families join 2015 family day
By Jean Pearl I. Millones
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 16 (PIA) - “Beyond just the OFWs
thrive to support to their families back home, our OFWs deserve to be lauded
even more for their sacrifices that have greatly impacted in the growth of our
community as a whole,” remarked Surigao del Norte governor Sol F. Matugas
during her keynote address to over 1,707 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and
their families from all over Caraga Region at the Surigao Provincial Gymnasium,
Surigao City on December 12.
The presence of the 1,707 participants, around 500
attendees more than the targeted 1,290, set a very festive atmosphere to the
celebration. To shoot up to the cheerful vibe all the more, each municipalities
and OFW Family Circles were called out and cheered their hearts out for their
organization.
Among the highlights of the gathering was the
search for the OFW Got Talent for Caraga Region, where a total of 19
contestants coming from different OFW Family Circles and municipalities
competed for the title. The contest brought excitement and entertainment to the
audience as they displayed their various talents from singing to dancing and
acting. In the end, the youth dancers from Tandag City brought home the prize
and the title, with Ballroom Dancers from Alegria landing in second place and
the DOFW Dancers bagging third.
A number of raffle draw prizes including cash
prize of P5,000.00, two washing machines and three bicycles were also given
away to the lucky winners. Electronic items, sacks of rice and grocery items
were also given away along with the goodies brought by corporate partners.
Adding more fun to the event especially the little
children, parlor games were also initiated by partner agency Philhealth Caraga
that gave away fun and prizes to the participants especially the youngsters.
While many activities were being done, a
simultaneous free medical mission and consultation and pampering booth which
included body massage, facial massage, manicure and pedicure were also provided
to the participants who want to relax. Furthermore, medical doctors and nurses
from the Provincial Health Office and therapists from Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA) accommodated the clients. Free internet
connection was also made available by Smart Communications Surigao.
Government partners, Pag-IBIG and Philhealth were
provided with booths where they introduced and offered their services to the
OFWs. Corporate partners, Camella Homes Butuan, Ford Butuan, Motortrade
Surigao, Smart Communications, Ruelan Enterprises and the Caraga Association of
Recruitment Agencies also entertained clients in the area.
Joining in the year’s celebration to represent
each localities are the municipal PESO Managers from the Provinces of Surigao
del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Dinagat Islands. Provincial PESO
Manager, Emilio C. Pantejo, Board Members Simeon Vicente Castrence and Leonila
P. Gorgolon-Licuan, and Surigao del Norte Vice-Governor Arturo Carlos A. Egay,
Jr. also graced the gathering.
Former Climate Change Commission secretary Atty.
Mary Ann Lucille Sering made the gathering a venue to call out for vigilance
and urge local communities to help in the protection of the environment.
Meanwhile, OWWA Caraga regional director Samuel S.
Madrid stressed out the importance of linkage and partnership with local government
units in an even more efficient delivery of service to the clientele. He also
extended his gratitude to all the PESO Managers and Municipal Mayors and the
OFWs themselves who over flowingly responded to his invitation in this year’s
OFW Family Day.
This year’s celebration is anchored on the
localized theme, "Magsadya ug Maglipay kita sa pagsaulog sa pasko kauban
ang pamilyang OFW" (Let's Be Merry and Be Happy in Celebrating Christmas
with our OFW Family). (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
