AFP to add another army battalion in SurSur
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 20 (PIA) – Just
barely over two months after the arrival of 2nd Special Forces Battalion here
early in November 2015, another battalion—the 16th Infantry Battalion is coming
to the province this month, according to Col. Isidro Purisima, commander of the
402nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA).
“We are planning to deploy the 16th Infantry
Battalion coming from Luzon and this is based on our discussion with the
governor and the higher officials that we need additional forces in the area,”
he stressed.
“And this will be eventually the situation
here—one battalion in Carcanmadcarlan, one battalion in, basically, the Andap
Valley Complex, we have one battalion in San Miguel and its vicinity, and
another battalion in the southernmost portion.
Aside from the other augmentations that are already in place… like we
have additional forces from 10th Infantry Division that are now operating here
in Surigao del Sur,” the brigade commander pointed out.
“Higher headquarters is serious to address the
peace and order and security situation here in Surigao del Sur and they know
the situation very well and hopefully we’ll be able to attain a more peaceful
province by the end of this year,” Purisima said.
In response, Governor Johnny Pimentel commented “I
would also like to thank the deployment of additional battalion in the province
of Surigao del Sur.”
“Actually, this was one of our recommendations
during our workshop with the brigade as part of our action plan…,” he further
explained.
Later, in reaction to the demands of the evacuees,
particular on the pull out of 75th Infantry Battalion from Caraga region, as
raised by Engr. Charlyn Binghoy, provincial officer of the National Commission
on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Governor
Pimentel stood his ground in defense of the current move being carried out to
address the insurgency problem, “We cannot also compromise the efforts of the
local government units and the Philippine Army and the police in the
improvement of peace and order situation. . .”
He added that “In fact we are requesting gani kun pwede napulo (10) kabatalyon ang ibutang
nganhi. . . tanggalan naman hinuon nato!”
And to further emphasize his response being the
chairman of the PPOC, he said “We are in the right direction to pursue the
clearing of insurgency in the province of Surigao del Sur. . . and this will
not be altered as far as I’m concerned!”
With that bold statement, Pimentel received a loud
applause from the PPOC body during the first quarter meeting held at the 36th
Infantry Battalion Headquarters at Dayoan, Tago town, this province, on January
15, 2016. (NGBT/Radio ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
AFP declares Dinagat Islands as insurgency-free
province
By Millard P. Tawakal
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Jan. 20 (PIA) – The
province of Dinagat Islands was recently declared as insurgency-free province
by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The announcement was sealed by the signing of the
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) declaring the province of Dinagat Islands as
Insurgency-Free Province.
As a premise, the province has never been
influenced by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army-National
Democratic Front (CNN) as its politico-military structure does not exist and
the insurgency group has ceased or never existed or no records of terroristic
or NPA-initiated violent incidents for the past five years.
Likewise, lawless criminal activities have come to
a very manageable level which the Philippine National Police (PNP) can ably
address.
With this declaration, the provincial government
will build confidence among the capitalists or investors to create an
environment that is conducive to socio-economic, political and cultural
development – free of CNN influence.
Along with the celebration is the conferment of
Plaque of Leadership Award to governor Glenda Ecleo for having exemplarily led
the province in peace and order efforts being the chairperson of the Provincial
Peace and Order Council (PPOC). (PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
Two SurSur towns named recipients of Community
Fish Landing Center among 271 others
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 20 (PIA) – Two
towns of this province are among the 271 coastal municipalities that will be
awarded each with Community Fish Landing Center (CFLC).
In an invitation letter dated January 15, 2016,
Nerio Casil, regional director, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(BFAR) in Caraga, informed Governor Johnny Pimentel of this development, citing
both Lingig and Lianga towns of Surigao del Sur.
The BFAR chief pointed out that CFLC awarding
rites would highlight the “first ever ‘National Fisheries Industry Summit’” to
be held at Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City on February 3-5,
2016.
“The event also coincides with the presentation of
the medium term Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan
(CNFIDP) for 2016-2020, celebration of the 1st Bangus Congress and Exhibition,
and the launching of major development programs that would enable artisanal
fisherfolk’s alternative livelihoods on low inputs seafood farming (shellfish
and crab) and ensure availability of brood stocks for major farmed
commodities,” Casil added.
“His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III”
was invited to grace the occasion, the BFAR Caraga chief likewise said. (NGBT/Radyo
ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DENR earmarks P12.4 billion for climate change
programs
By Herzon F. Gallego
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 20 (PIA) – Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional director for Caraga Region
Nonito M. Tamayo said that a total of P12.4 billion has been earmarked by the
DENR for 19 specific climate change programs to strengthen the country’s
resiliency against natural calamities.
This amount is 57 percent of the DENR’s total
budget of P21.8 billion in 2016 after the Congress realigned some budget for
other priority programs of the DENR.
Director Tamayo said the National Greening Program
(NGP) got a big slice in the budget pie with a total of P8 billion. Last year’s
budget for NGP was P7.2 billion.
The other priority programs of the DENR which also
shared in the P12.4 billion climate change programs are the protected area
management - P1.063 billion; forest protection - P473.6 million; reforestation
of major river basins under the Integrated Natural Resources and Environment
Management Project - P451.4 million; air quality improvement - P443.7 million;
unified mapping project - P398 million; National Geo-Hazard assessment - P397
million; clean water program - P194 million; ecological solid-waste management
regulation - P88.2 million; Manila Bay Rehabilitation - P80 million; wildlife protection
and conservation - P72.2 million; and hazardous waste management - P41.7
million. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
