COMELEC Caraga, law enforcement agencies step-up
preparations for May polls
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, April 29 (PIA) – The Commission on
Elections (COMELEC) Caraga, together with the Philippine National Police (PNP),
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other law enforcement agencies have
intensified needed preparations for the upcoming May 9, 2016 elections.
In the Regional Coordinating Conference held here
on Thursday, the COMELEC along with National Grid Corporation of the
Philippines (NGCP), PNP, AFP, and Department of Health (DOH) bared updates on
their respective functions and preparations for the election.
COMELEC Caraga regional election director Renato
Magbutay emphasized that "it's all systems go" for their office as
they ensure a secure and fair elections. He also said that the COMELEC and
other concerned agencies are continuously working closely to safeguard the
rights and welfare of the candidates and voters.
“In Caraga region, we have around 1,547,093
registered voters who are expected to cast their votes on May 9, 2016,” he
added.
When asked about the security in the delivery of
the ballots, Atty. Magbutay stressed that escorts of the COMELEC personnel are
already in place. “For Agusan del Sur, ballots will be delivered on May 2-3
from the regional hub; Surigao del Norte on May 3; Surigao del Sur on May 3-4;
Province of Dinagat Islands on May 3-4; and Agusan del Norte on May 5, 2016,”
he said.
It was also learned that the Final Testing and
Sealing (FTS) of the ballots will be conducted from May 2-6, 2016.
Meanwhile, Major General Benjamin Madrigal Jr.,
division commander of 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army underlined that
his personnel will strictly monitor peace and order in the different designated
polling stations in the provinces.
Also, according to Police Chief Superintendent
Rolando Felix, PNP Caraga regional director, they will intensify police
visibility in the different barangays. “We have been religiously implementing
our campaign against criminality, illegal firearms, and illegal drugs, among
others. We also have constant coordination with other partner law enforcement
agencies,” he remarked. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
17 Agsur OFWs, dependents join in medicinal plants
appreciation tour
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 29 (PIA) - The Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration (OWWA) in partnership with the local government unit of
Agusan del Sur through its Public Employment Service Office and ATIKHA Overseas
Workers and Communities Initiative, Inc. rolled out the first phase of the
medicinal plants production of Del Monte OFW Families Organization (DMOFO).
Some 17 DMOFO members participated in the lecture
on Philippine Medicinal Plants on April 22, 2016 at the Business Development
and Incubation Center and the appreciation tour at the Hygeia Intrameds Center
in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Hygeia Intrameds Center in-charge Rengie Paquit
toured the participants in the plantation and gave a brief background on the
benefits of the plants found in the center. The participants also visited the
processing and packaging area of the center’s produce.
Meanwhile, DMOFO president Arnie N. Arreza, member
of the Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council discussed to his colleagues
the salient features of Republic Act 8423 known as the Traditional Alternative
Medicine Act of 1997 and RA 10068 or the Organic Alternative Act of 2010 to
emphasize the importance of organic farming and the use of medicinal plants for
health care.
Furthermore, the top ten medicinal plants in the
Philippines, as well as their remedies to certain illness and diseases were
lectured on by Agus Pinoy, Inc. director Emeberto Gurrero.
Afterwards, the participants shared their
gratefulness and appreciation not just for the organization but especially for
being introduced to the benefits of the plants previously weeded out from their
backyards.
“I challenge every member to become productive and
actually carry out the plans of the organization after this training. The local
government is very eager to assist the organization towards their eventual
success,“ said Divina P. Lagumbay,
Supervising Labor and Employment Officer of Agusan del Sur.
The group is set for a subsequent training on the
actual processing of their medicinal plant produce to become marketable
products. (JPIM, OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DTI Surigao Norte recognizes top taxpaying
business entities
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Apr. 29 (PIA) -
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the Business
Permit Licensing Office (BPLO) gave due recognition to top 10 taxpaying
business entities operating the city on April 26, 2016, here.
The top 10 taxpayers who received the awards are
Absolute Essential Traders Inc.; Greenwhich and Jollibee Franchise; Tai-Pan
Development Inc.; First Consolidated Bank; Surigao del Norte Electric
Cooperative; Evergreen Tavern Development Management Corporation; Apo Cement
Corporation; Surigao Education Center; Clybros Merchandising Inc.; and Jollibee
Franchise (Gaisano).
To improve the quality of service to the business
sector, the BPLO is consistent in its effort to improve and meet the standard
of the Business Permit and Licensing System through the streamlining program
being implemented in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) and DTI. (DTI/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
