Caraga RDC to hold orientation on IRSE for
member-agencies, LGUs
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, April 20 (PIA) – The Regional
Development Council (RDC) Caraga is set to hold the one-day Orientation on the
Project on Instruction, Research and Sectoral Engagement (IRSE) for its
member-agencies and local government units (LGUs) on April 26, 2016 at Almont
Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.
Mylah Faye Aurora CariΓ±o, RDC vice-chairperson and
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga regional director
relayed that this refers to the K to 12 Transition Program of the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) which results from the full scale implementation of
Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.
“Said program offers among others a comprehensive
range of grants through the project on Instruction, Research and Sectoral
Engagement for personnel in higher education institutions (HEIs) who will be
displaced or affected by the implementation of the K to 12,” remarked CariΓ±o.
CariΓ±o also revealed that with the aim of ensuring
the success of said program in the region, CHED partnered with the RDC for its
implementation. “Specifically, the RDC was requested to help CHED set up
sectoral engagements and identify opportunities for 1) research; 2) technical
service partnerships; or 3) immersion for higher education faculty and staff
beginning June 2016,” she said.
The vice-chair further emphasized that the IRSE
will be a good venue for academe-government collaboration to further regional
development. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DA recognizes 2015 Rice Achievers
By Rhea C. Abao
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 20 (PIA) - The Department of
Agriculture (DA) recognizes the contribution of its stakeholders in the
production of rice in the countryside.
Eleven Agricultural Extension Workers (AEW), two
Local Farmer Technicians (LFT), one Small Water Irrigation System Association
(SWISA), and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur is
given recognition as the national awardees for the 2015 Agri-Pinoy Rice
Achievers Awards (APRAA) representing Caraga region in which awarding will be
held today, April 20 at the Resorts World Manila.
APRAA is an annual recognition for the top
performing key players in the rice industry. Its goal is to recognize and
motivate AEWs, LFTs, SWISAs and LGUs to act as partners for the development of
the agriculture sector.
Out of the 399 outstanding AEWs, there are 11 AEW
national awardees from the region. These
include: Maria Theresa O. Bagunoc and Cherrie Mae L. Berganio from RTR, Agusan
del Norte; Editha G. Osin, Patricinio G. Moran Jr., Marion G. Martin III,
Bohmind C. Nonan and Lindamar I. Nonan from Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur;
Concepcion P. Sumaoy, Basilisa C. Huera and Gertrulyn T. Natonton from
Buenavista, Agusan del Norte; and Victoria I. Roda from Jabonga, Agusan del
Norte.
Meanwhile, out of the 83 outstanding LFTs in the
whole country, 2 LFTs comes from Caraga in the person of Crescencia V. Virgen
from Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte and Elizabeth I. Uy from Bunawan, Agusan del
Sur.
On the other hand, Siana Irrigators Association
from Mainit, Surigao del Norte is chosen as the outstanding SWISA for Mindanao
cluster.
Out of the 16 municipal national awardees, the
municipality of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur is again included in the list as
one of the outstanding LGUs (municipality category) for bringing significant contribution
in meeting the rice production targets under the Food Staples Sufficiency
Program.
Aside from honor and recognition, each AEW and LFT
receives ₱20,000 cash award while
the outstanding municipality receives ₱1-million worth of projects which will further
boost the rice industry in their locality. The outstanding SWISA will also
receive ₱ 500,000 worth of project
grant.
“Despite of the weak El NiΓ±o, we were still
grateful for a favorable harvest. The national awardees were our allies in
implementing the needed support in combating climate change. With this, we
congratulate the outstanding LGU, AEWs, LFTs, and SWISA for their commitment in
doing their respective functions and responsibilities for the development of
the agriculture sector,” Mabeza said.
Selection of awardees is based on the criteria set
by the National Technical Working Group. The criteria includes: production data
in 2014 versus 2015; yield increment and production; trainings conducted and attended; internal revenue allotment allotted to the
agriculture program; allocation of
personnel to the rice program; use of quality seeds; road map; number of
farmers and clusters assisted and submission of reports. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DA Caraga employs youth for summer job
By Aurelius P. Arais
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 20 (PIA) - Earning while
learning!
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now opening
an opportunity for the youth to take part in government service and make their
summertime more meaningful and productive through the Summer Youth Internship
Program (SYIP).
SYIP is DA’s participation to the Government
Internship Program (GIP) in line with Section 13 of Article II of the 1987
Constitution which provides that the State shall promote and protect the
physical, moral, spiritual, and social well-being of the young people and
inculcate in the youth the spirit of patriotism and nationalism and encourage
their involvement in public and civic affairs.
This year, 30 youth were successfully accepted in
the SYIP wherein the first half will be reporting for duty from April 1 to
April 30 while the second batch will start on May 1 to May 31, 2016.
SYIP successful applicants were assigned in
different divisions or sections in DA Regional Office performing office works
such as typing, encoding, sorting, machine reproduction and the like.
The youth participants shall render service for
eight hours daily at regular office hours (8:00 am to 5:00 pm) from Monday to
Friday.
Maria Victoria Monteclaro, Chief of the Human
Resources Management Office said that SYIP participants will receive the
prevailing minimum wage in Caraga amounting to P268.00 per day to be released
every 15 days.
“This is our way of serving the country by molding
the minds of our youth and exposing them in the government service, helping
them to earn as a preparation for the next school year,” Monteclaro said.
Summer Youth Internship Program is open for young
people, 15-25 years old, students or out of school youth that hasn’t stopped
school for more than 2 years and preferably farmer or fisherfolk family member
and or Indigenous People (IP).
Cherry Mae Rojo Bonane, 19 years old from
Santiago, Agusan del Norte, one of the successful youth applicants said that
her earnings will be allocated for her enrollment fee in the incoming school
year and for expenses of her stay in Butuan City while working.
“I am so grateful to DA for giving an opportunity
for the youth and I am hoping that this program will continue so more family
who are in need will benefit as well,” she said.
Cherry Mae Bonane is an incoming third year
student taking up Bachelor in Agricultural Technology (BAT) in Surigao State
College of Technology (SSCT) Mainit, Surigao del Norte campus.
Now on its 6th year, SYIP is an annual program of
DA Regional Field Office 13 implemented since 2011. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
SurSur agri chief remains concerned over El NiΓ±o
despite occasional rains; assures mitigating measures
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 20 (PIA) – In
spite of occasional rains amid persistent warnings on El NiΓ±o phenomenon, the
Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) here has not ruled out its
effect, thereby assuring farmers about mitigating measures.
Marcos Quico, provincial chief agriculturist, said
that farmers had nothing to worry about since they have equipped themselves
with adequate preparation, citing basic farm and training support plus other
aid to blunt the possible impact of severe dry spell.
Early this year, the provincial chief
agriculturist reported a loss in rice yield pointing to mild effect of El NiΓ±o.
He said in a report during a flag ceremony program
which they hosted, the province had posted a “-6.84 percent growth rate (GR),”
citing rice production at 112,493 metric tons in 2014 as against 104,794 metric
tons in 2015.
It can be recalled that Quico had said before that
their office had always been in close coordination with the agriculture office
at the regional level as well as with the National Irrigation Administration
(NIA) here to address potential problem. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag)
