DTI Caraga to hold 13th AEC regional conference
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, July 18 (PIA) – The Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga is set to hold the 13th of a series of regional
conference entitled “Industry Roadmaps and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)
Game Plan: Roadmap Localization for Competitiveness” on August 4, 2016 at
Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.
In her written statement, Industry Development
Group assistant secretary Rafaelita Aldaba, bared that the Board of Investments
under the DTI is conducting a series of multi-stakeholder conferences in
various regions of the country to communicate to stakeholders the opportunities
and challenges for the Philippines in the ASEAN Economic Community.
“We hoped to deepen the stakeholders’ awareness of
the importance of industry roadmaps in the context of regional integration, and
encourage them to formulate regional roadmaps that are aligned with the
national industry maps,” added Aldaba.
Also, during the set regional conference, Dr.
Cielito Habito, chief of party of United States Agency for International
Development – Trade-Related Assistance for Development Project is expected to
share about the Regional Integration and the National Development Agenda, while
Dr. Roehlano Briones, senior research fellow from the Philippine Institute for
Development Studies will discuss the Agribusiness in relation to the six
National Industry Clusters.
Meanwhile, National Economic Development Authority
(NEDA) Caraga regional director Mylah Faye Aurora Carino will also reveal the
potentials and challenges in the region. Guest speakers from Philippine Rubber
Industries Association Incorporated; DTI-Caraga; and Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources will brief the participants on Rubber, Palm Oil, Processed
Fish, and Mining. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
National Sci-Tech celebration highlights science
community’s achievements
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, July 18 (PIA) – Bannered by the theme,
“Juan Science, One Nation”, this year’s weeklong celebration of the National
Science and Technology Week (NSTW) slated on July 22-25, 2016 will highlight
the science community’s achievements in the different fields of science,
technology and research through various fora, and Science and Technology
(S&T) fairs and exhibit, among others.
According to Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) Caraga regional director Dominga Mallonga, the NSTW celebration also
aims to bring science and technology closer to the people by letting them
experience the vital role of science, technology and innovation in improving
the people’s quality of life, protecting the environment, and contributing to
national development, particularly in poverty alleviation.
“The NSTW underlines the capability of local
S&T experts and helps inspire the youth and all other sectors in believing
that Filipinos can do it, and that local technology really works,” said
Mallonga.
Its events and exhibits are the perfect venues for
technology developers and investors, as well as S&T service providers and
clients, to interact and pursue potential opportunities.
The kick-off activity at 8:00 a.m. on the 22nd of
July includes a motorcade along the city thoroughfares with assembly area at
the Guingona Park in this city. An opening program and a press conference will
follow at the atrium of Robinsons Place.
“The presence of our stakeholders and the viewing
public during the event will optimize opportunities and will add a great value
to the success of the Science and Technology fair. We hope to see you there,”
invited Mallonga. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Tandag to host media conference for Caraga
International Solidarity Mission
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, July 18 (PIA) –
Tandag will host the 22 delegates from the church, human rights, youth and
public employees organizations from USA, Canada, Germany, Belgium and Kenya for
the media conference for Caraga International Solidarity Mission on Tuesday,
July 19, 2016, which will be held at the Surigao del Sur Sports Center, this
city where displaced families were temporarily sheltered since September 1,
2015.
It was learned that the delegates are expected to
visit the displaced families, as part of their continuing international
campaign calling for an immediate return of the evacuees to their communities.
Other activities lined-up include an overnight stay
of the participants at the oval-turned-evacuation center, observation and
participation in community, school and farm activities of the Lumad evacuees.
There will also be a cultural exchanges among the different international
participants with the Lumad leaders and learners to forge stronger solidarity
links, especially on the issues of the defense of ancestral lands against and
upholding the indigenous people’s right to self-discrimination, education and
genuine development. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Feature: Agusan Sur solon advocates orphans
empowerment
By Venus L. Garcia
Beyond performance of duties while holding public
office and ensuring appropriate actions to its regular responsibilities, Cong.
Ma. Valentina Plaza, 1st district representative of the province of Agusan del
Sur, has personally committed her moral obligation of empowering juveniles,
especially those who are deprived from parental care and support.
This is just among the top priorities that draw her
extraordinary interest aside from education, clean water and health advocacies.
“Proper growth and development, positive guidance
and correct discipline are among the essentials in bringing up a child to make
him the best person that he can be. I find great satisfaction of devoting part
of my time for these children because they deserve particular regard and
support to let them feel their self-worth, helping them build their
self-confidence. They too are entitled to learn the valuable life skills – and that is empowerment,” expressed Cong.
Plaza.
Accordingly, it is also her way of extending more
of her services to the community. She usually spent valuable moments with the
17 children housed at the Bahay Silongan, a home for the abandoned children
managed by the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady Fatima since 1995, situated in
Sitio Dalingdingan, Brgy. Pinamanculan, Butuan City.
Just recently, she generously treated them for a
free meal and snacks and proceeded to the cinema to let them enjoy and
experience the simple pleasures of life by watching a movie. For her, a sincere
gesture of kindness and benevolence is one manifestation of love and care
especially to the deprived young individuals who needed more of the support.
“Nothing is more fulfilling than doling out
something out of our own volition to share what we have for the less fortunate
people,” expressed Cong. Plaza.
Plaza enunciated further that investing attention,
nurturance and compassion on the children are keys to raising good citizens.
“Thus, it is important to nurture well these kids for them to help build a
better nation,” she added.
In his excitement and elation, Mark Felizanta, an
11-year old orphan, conveyed a quick display of gratitude by telling how
grateful he is to have found his new family. “I used to stay at the streets
without minding the scorching heat of the sun, fighting each day to survive.
Now, I’m very thankful because I get to experience a normal child life being
taken cared of by our house parents,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ester Abul, a social worker of the Bahay
Silongan disclosed that aside from the home life training such as doing the
assigned household tasks, the children are also sent to school for proper
education.
“Thank you for the constant support from our
benefactors who contributed much in the sustenance of the regular needs of the
children and institution,” said Abul. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga RDRRMC to hold NDCM culmination program,
awarding of regional KALASAG winners
By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, July 18 (PIA) – The Regional Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) of Caraga will hold the
culmination program of this year’s observance of the National Disaster
Consciousness Month (NDCM) on July 29 at Almont Hotels Inland Resort here.
Regional director Manuel Luis M. Ochotorena of the
Office of Civil Defense and RDRRMC chairperson bared that the culmination
program will highlight the Regional Awarding of the 2016 Gawad KALASAG Search
for Excellence in DRRM and Humanitarian Assistance.
Ochotorena also said the RDRRMC member-agencies and
other stakeholders will be given recognition for their support and contribution
to the recently conducted DRRM activities in the region in line with NDCM
observance and Annual Gawad KALASAG Search.
Regional Heads and RDRRMC Focal Officers are
expected to attend on the said occasion.
Gawad KALASAG Search for Excellence in Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance is an annual
recognition scheme of National DRRM Council which started in 1998. Gawad is a
Filipino term for “award”, while KALASAG is an acronym for “KALAmidad at SAkuna
Labanan, SAriling Galingang Kaligtasan” and another Filipino term for “shield”
used by early Filipinos as means of protection from attacks of enemies or
harmful animals. (NCLM, PIA-Caraga)
402nd brigade now covers Surigao Norte, Dinagat
Islands
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, July 18 (PIA) -
Colonel Isidro Purisima, brigade commander of the 402nd Brigade confirmed
during the press briefing conducted on Thursday here that their area of
responsibility (AOR) has now expanded to include the two other provinces of the
region, effective July 1.
"The area of responsibility of 402nd Infantry
Brigade has been expanded to Surigao del Norte including the province of
Dinagat Islands effective July 1. We took over the area of Task Force Diamond,”
Col. Purisima said.
The brigade headquarters will still be based in the
city, being the center of the elongated areas of responsibility covering three
provinces of Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands, and the
cities of Surigao, Tandag and Bislig, Purisima clarified.
Accordingly, two brigades are operating the region,
the 401st Infantry Brigade, which covers the provinces of Agusan del Sur and
Agusan del Norte, including Butuan City and the 402nd brigade.
Purisima revealed that the New People's
Army-initiated incidence recorded on the first and second quarters has been
reduced compared to the previous year.
According to 402nd brigade civil military
operations officer Capt. Reggie Go, the brigade arrived in Surigao del Sur last
April 8, 2015 and assumed the responsibility over the province of Surigao del
Sur on April 10 of the same year. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
PRO 13 participates in cascading of Project Double
Barrel
By PSI Charity S Galvez
BUTUAN CITY, July 18 (PIA) - Cops in Caraga on
Friday attended the cascading of Project Double Barrel in Brgy. Imadejas here.
Chief Supt Rolando Felix, Police Regional Office
(PRO) 13 director, together with the city/provincial directors, battalion
commander of the Regional Public Safety Battalion 13, chiefs of police, and
some non-uniformed personnel attended the activity.
Senior Supt. Herminio Tadeo, Jr., Public Safety
Division chief of the Directorate for Operations, was the speaker of the
cascading.
Project Double Barrel is the anti-illegal drug
campaign of the Philippine National Police and has two approaches: Project
Tokhang and Project HVT/LVT.
The massive campaign to convince those involved in
illegal drugs to reform falls under Project Tokhang or Toktok-Hangyo while
Project HVT/LVT focuses on the conduct of police operations against the
high-value or low-value targets. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
PPA-Surigao ‘negative’ in drug test, first GOCC to
submit to dope check
By Eugenio “Jun” Lira, Jr.
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, July 18 (PIA) -
The employees of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), this city, posted a
negative result during a surprise drug test conducted by the PNP Crime
Laboratory, said P/Supt Norman Jovita on Saturday.
He said the drug-testing activity was conducted on
July 14, 2016 at the port agency’s main office inside the Port of Surigao where
25 permanent employees voluntarily submitted themselves for the checkup.
“PPA employees were receptive during the drug tests
led by Port Manager Mildred Padilla and PP/Supt. Froilan Caturla of the Port
Police Division. Per records we have, for the entire Surigao del Norte,
PPA-Surigao was the first agency belonging to the category of government owned
and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to undergo the said examination. Probably,
they are also the first GOCC to do so in Caraga Region,” P/Supt Jovita said.
Port Manager Mildred Padilla disclosed the drug
testing activity was in compliance with the new administration’s directive for
the mandatory drug testing of all government employees.
“We made the surprise drug tests for PPA-Surigao
employees upon the recommendation of PP/Supt Froilan Caturla and everyone in
the Senior Staff composed of division managers welcomed it. We’re happy to know
the result that all of us were found negative,” Padilla said.
PP/Supt Caturla revealed he made the recommendation
for the immediate drug tests of PPA officials and employees after three
security guards detailed in the port tested positive for the use of illegal
substance known as “shabu” during a series of surprise drug tests conducted by
the PNP Crime Laboratory on PPA-hired security guards during the period July 5
– 12, 2016.
He said that aside from the three guards who tested
positive, another three guards voluntarily confessed of being “shabu users”
also.
“Those guards are not employees of PPA. They were
supplied to our office by the security services contractor based on the
security contract entered by and/or between PPA-Surigao and the said
contractor. They were replaced already,” Caturla stressed.
During an interview conducted on July 8, 2016,
Caturla said they requested the PNP Crime Laboratory “to ensure that we have
credible drug test results. It is because our PPA-hired guards are in the
forefront who are in direct contact with the riding public and port clientele
who use our ports, hence, the need for them to undergo drug tests considering
that usage of prohibited drugs would likely result to mental health problems
which may cause anti-social personality disorder that can affect their
decision-making and/or public relations.”
PPA-Surigao’s jurisdiction comprise the Ports of
Surigao and Lipata in Surigao City; Port of San Jose in Dinagat Province; Ports
of Dapa, Del Carmen and Santa Monica in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte;
Ports of Cantilan, Tandag, Aras-asan, Lianga, Lawigan and Tabon in Surigao del
Sur. About 106 guards are deployed in the said ports, it was learned.
(PPA-Surigao/PIA-Caraga)
640 new police recruits take oath
By PSI Charity S Galvez
BUTUAN CITY, July 18 (PIA) - A total of 640 new
police recruits took their oath of office at the Police Regional Office 13
(PRO13) parade grounds Saturday.
Chief Superintendent Rolando Felix, PRO 13
director, administered the oath of office of the recruits following their
presentation by Senior Inspector Venus Nelmida, OIC Chief of the Regional
Police Personnel and Human Resource Development Division (RPHRDD).
Felix said of the 640 new police recruits, 481 are
males and 159 are females. All were given the rank of Police Officer 1 (PO1).
The new police personnel were chosen after a tough
screening process conducted by the Regional Screening Committee on Recruitment.
After their oath-taking, the new police recruits,
which will be divided into two, will further undergo one year training at the
Regional Training School 13 in Lipata, Surigao del Sur and Silang, Cavite.
“You took the oath and finally joined in the ranks
of police officers. Remember that an oath of office is the mortar that binds us
to the foundations and provisions of our government. Since you entered the
realm of law enforcement, you have opted to follow a higher standard of
integrity and conduct. Let us therefore make this as our stance– what is right
must be kept right; what is wrong must be set right,” the director said.
Felix further advises the young policemen and
policewomen that “you will have an authority granted to you as an officer. Be
careful that you always use it wisely and well."
The hiring of the 640 applicants completes the PRO
13’s first cycle regular recruitment program for the year. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Bit-os ES bags Brigada Eskwela 2016 award
By Jonas H. Jomonong
BUTUAN CITY, July 18 (PIA) - Bit-os Elementary School (BES), a 15-teacher
school with 468 pupils of the city bagged a major award in the recently
concluded 2016 Division Search for the Brigada Eskwela Best Implementing
Schools.
BES garnered 4th place for the 2016 Division Search
for Brigada Eskwela Best Implementing Schools small school category and top 20
schools elementary level for the 2016 Division Search for Most Prepared
Schools.
Other elementary schools that received the awards
for the Brigada Eskwela best implementing schools were: for the small schools,
Villa Kananga ES (1st), Bugabus ES (2nd), Amparo CES (3rd), Doongan ES (5th),
Banza ES (6th), West Central ES (7th), Alviola Village CES (8th),
Silad-Mahogany ES (9th) and Taligaman ES (10th). On the other hand, Ong Yiu CES bagged 1st
place for large schools followed by Obrero ES (2nd), Libertad CES (3rd), JT
Domingo CES (4th) and Maon ES (5th) and Butuan CES for exceptional schools
category.
For the secondary schools, Alviola National High
School (NHS) ranked 1st in the small schools category followed by Lumbocan NHS
(2nd), Agusan Pequeno NHS (3rd), Butuan City Comprehensive HS (4th), Pedro
Duncano NHS (5th), Ampayon NHS (6th), La Soledad NHS (7th), Bilay NHS (8th),
Anticala NHS (9th) and Cabcabon NHS (10th).
Furthermore, Taligaman NHS ranked 1st in the large schools category
followed by Banza NHS, Libertad NHs and BCSAT respectively while Agusn NHS for
the exceptional schools.
The composite evaluation teams came up with the
following observations during their rounds for the Search for Brigada Eskwela
Best Implementing Schools such as non-observation of proper protocols,
incomplete reporting, non-observance of correct format/template of reports,
non-classification of diverse volunteers,
delayed submission of school reports to name some and they recommended
to use proper format/templates, on-time submission of reports, protocol
observation, consistency of reports and all schools were required to submit the
documents with no exception.
All the winning schools were awarded with plaque
and certificates during the 7th Division Management Committee Conference held
recently at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center. (DepEd Butuan City
Division/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
International forum seeks to prepare EAGA workforce
for global arena
DAVAO CITY, July 18 (PIA) – More than 100
participants from the Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East
ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) convened here Monday for a forum aimed to develop
a more globally competitive workforce for the sub-region.
Dubbed as the 1st BIMP-EAGA Technical, Vocational,
Education, and Training (TVET) Forum, the international event gathered a pool
of experts from the human resource industry and key government officials as
they mapped out possible strategies designed to further strengthen technical
knowledge and skills training among the sub-region’s workers.
Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chairperson of the
Mindanao Development Authority, said the event is crucial in elevating the
level of human resource development currently existing in the BIMP-EAGA,
especially with respect to the increasing demand for more skilled workers that
can compete in a global scale.
“With the enabling policies in place within
BIMP-EAGA and the ASEAN, such as the Mutual Recognition Arrangements for the
services sector, this forum will provide us with the venue for the discussion
of strategies in producing more internationally accredited workforce who will
form part as the backbone of the sub-region’s skilled human resource,” Antonino
said.
The conduct of the forum was finalized during the
BIMP-EAGA Strategic Planning Meeting in February this year, through EAGA’s
Socio-Cultural and Education (SCE) pillar.
Formally established in 2014, the SCE was pushed by
the Philippines to specifically promote a “people-centered” regional
cooperation within BIMP-EAGA through opportunities that can enhance the innate
skills of the working force.
Aside from convening experts across BIMP-EAGA, the
forum is also aimed to facilitate the adoption of “incubation centers of best
practices” for specific industries that a member country espouses as
“information hubs” that can be easily accessed by everyone. The Philippines has been identified as an
incubation center for agri-based industries.
Antonino said the event is a great way to
strengthen partnerships among BIMP-EAGA member countries, particularly in
generating employment opportunities.
“This is also a good avenue for us to align our
initiatives with the overall goals of BIMP-EAGA as a sub-economic cooperation.
While accelerated trade among member countries is still the primary vision of
BIMP-EAGA, partnerships in jobs creation can also flourish within the
sub-region through this initiative,” she added.
The 1st BIMP-EAGA TVET Forum will run from July 18
to 19, 2016 at the Regional Training Center, Korea-Philippines Vocational
Training Center (RTC-KPVTC), Tibungco here in this city.
Launched in 1994, the BIMP-EAGA sub-regional
cooperation is designed as a key strategy to accelerate social and economic
development of less developed areas in participating countries. (MinDA/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte tourist arrival improves
By John Glenn A. Platil
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, July 18 (PIA) -
The province of Surigao del Norte is experiencing tourist arrival increase in
the last three years. The increase, per record, averages 10 to 12 percent
annually for the last three years.
According to Provincial Tourism Coordinator Arturo
Cruje, this has been attributed to the increase in the number of accommodation
facilities in the city and Siargao Island, and the strengthened tourism
marketing and promotions campaign.
Based on the data released by the Department of
Tourism (DOT), the province has the most number of foreign arrivals and foreign
residents among the provinces and cities in Mindanao.
"So much pressure is placed on the host
communities and the provincial government. Peace and order, and security of the
foreigners are the utmost concern," Cruje said.
He lauded the governance of Governor Sol F. Matugas
as she placed development as catalyst for revenue and employment generation
which is one of her strategies for poverty alleviation. (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao
del Norte)
Caraga police spearheads run for a cause
By PSI Charity Galvez
BUTUAN CITY, July 18 (PIA) - The Regional Public
Safety Battalion (RPSB) 13 in partnership with the Office of the Civil Defense
(OCD) Caraga and the city government here spearheaded a fun run dubbed as
"Run for Peaceful and Safer Butuan" early morning Sunday.
Chief Supt Rolando Felix, Police Regional Office 13
director and Manuel Luis Ochotorena, regional director of OCD-Caraga led the
activity.
Felix said the fun run is an advocacy highlighting
the importance of peace and safety and calling for everyone’s participation in
achieving more peaceful and safer communities.
More than 1,000 runners attended the fun run, which
started around 4:30 a.m. at Guingona Park, this city.
Among the winners were: Elmer Bartolo (1st place
for 21k Male Category) and Michelle Aclo (1st Place for 21k Female Category);
Juneil Languido (1st place for 10k Male Category) and Melody Perez (1st Place
for 10k Female Category); CJ Sandinao (1st place for 5k Male Category) and
Geniecel Saballa (1st Place for 5k Female Category); and Ruel Algufera (1st
Place for 3k Male Category) and Weyalyn Puro (1st Place for 3k Female
Category).
Supt. Chito Bersaluna, commander of RPSB 13, said
the proceeds of the activity will go to the scholarship of deserving but less
fortunate students, conduct of more police community relations activities, and
capability enhancement of RPSB 13 during disasters/calamities.
(PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: Mining stakeholders meeting
gipahigayon sa Surigao Norte
Ni Mary Jul Escalante
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Hulyo 18 (PIA) –
Ang probinsya sa Surigao del Norte mipahigayon og usa ka Mining Stakeholders
Meeting bag-ohay pa lamang didto sa buhatan sa gobernador ning dakbayan.
Ang maong meeting gipangulohan kini ni Gobernador
Sol Matugas uban ni Kongresista Fransico Matugas uban sa mga kadagkuan sa
minahan dinhi sa probinsya sama sa Hinatuan Mining Corp, Taganito Mining Corp,
Taganito HPAL, Platinum Group Metals Corporation, Adnama Mining, Greenstone
Mining Corp. ug Silangan Mining Corp, mga board members sa lalawigan ug
kadagkuan sa MGB ug DENR.
Atol sa maong panagtagbo gipresentar ni Mines and
Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 13 regional director Alilo Ensomo ang status report sa
Large Scale Mining Companies dinhi sa probinsya samtang si DENR-CENRO Roel
Efren mipahayag mahitungod sa Reforestation Activities sa mga Minining
Companies dinhi sa probinsya.
Ang matag representante sa mga kumpanya sa mina usa
usa usab nga mihatag ug status report mahitungod sa ilang mga plano ug programa
sa pagsunod sa pamaagi sa responsableng pagmina.
Ubay ubay ang mga issues and concerns ang napadayag
sama na sa problema sa siltation sa lungsod sa Claver, non- payment of business
tax, fish kill sa Lake Mainit, problemssa mga Lumad mahitungod sa ilang royalty
income ug uban pa.
Gipadayag usab ni Board Member Constantino Navaro
IV ang plano sa probinsya pagmugna og usa ka ordinansa sa pagdili na paghatag
og permit sa bag- ong large scale mining o kining gitawag nga “No to New Large
Scale Mining in the Province.” (PGO-PIC/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
