Agnor DDRM Council bares DRR quiz bowl, short film
making contest winners
By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 4 (PIA) – The Provincial Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of the province of Agusan del
Norte in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) Agusan del Norte
and Cabadbaran divisions has successfully conducted the DRR quiz bowl and DRR
short film making contest during the month-long observance of the National
Disaster Consciousness Month in July, this year.
PDRRM officer Erma Suyo said that the DRR short
film-making contest was participated by 12 different secondary schools. Entries
of the contest were screened by the pool of judges from the different
government agencies to include the Office of Civil Defense, Department of the
Interior and Local Government, Philippine Information Agency and DepEd.
On the other hand, the quiz bowl was also
participated by 35 students from the different secondary schools of the
province.
The winners of the short film making contest were:
Magallanes National High School got the 1st place with P20,000 in cash prize;
followed by Buenavista SPED High School with P15,000; and Abilan National High
School got 3rd place with P10,000.
For the quiz bowl competition: the 1st place was given
to the Nasipit National Vocational School with P7,000 in cash prize; 2nd place
– Calamba National High School with P5,000; and 3rd place – Cabadbaran City
National High School with P3,000 in cash prize.
The short film entry of the Magallanes National High
School also received the Best in Cinematography and Best in Director special
awards.
Special awards were also given to Irish Pianiar for
Best Actress and Angelo Racaza for Best Actor award.
According to Suyo, other participating schools also
received consolation prizes.
The contests were aimed to raise awareness and
provide a better understanding of disaster management for children, teachers
and communities, Suyo added. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
PCL-Surigao Norte chapter elects new sets of officers
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 4 (PIA) - The Philippine Councilors League
(PCL) Surigao del Norte chapter elected recently its new sets of officers and
board of directors at the Philippine Gateway Hotel, this city.
The newly-elected 2016-2019 officers are Councilor
Marlon M. Coro of Dapa for President; Councilor Avin A. Egay of Gigaquit as
Vice President; Councilor Leah D. Patan of Claver as Secretary General;
Councilor Edgar N. Plaza of San Fracisco as Treasurer; Councilor Gloria A.
Plaza of General Luna as Auditor; Councilor Henry C. Japzon, Jr. of San
Francisco as P.R.O.; Councilor Gerardo Quinto, Sr. of Malimono as Business
Manager.
The federation board of directors are Placer
Councilor Allan A. Turtur; Alegria Councilor Gerry Z. Bacud; Mainit Councilor
Jerry C. Madera; Taganaan Councilor Robert B. Balmedina; San Isidro Councilor
Archie M. Perucho; Pilar Councilor Loreto M. Resurreccion, Jr.; Socorro
Councilor Gleen Mark C. Dizon and Councilor Constantino H. Cubillan of Del
Carmen.
The PCL obtained its official status as a local
government association when it was accredited by the then Department of Local
Government on September 3, 1990, and subsequently registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 17, 1990.
The PCL notched another milestone when Republic Act
7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, recognized the
existence of the Federations of other Elective Local Officials. On January 16, 1992, the Department of the
Interior and Local Government issued a Memorandum Circular No. 92 -03 mandating
that the existing PCL as organized in 1990, be reconstituted and its existing
Constitution and By-Laws be modified in accordance with the pertinent
provisions of the said Code. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
P170K worth of illegal logs from AgSur town seized
By PCI Charity S Galvez
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 4 (PIA) - Operatives of Caraga
Police and personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) recently conducted an operation on PNP LOI SANGYAMAN or the campaign
against illegal logging that resulted in the confiscation of 147 logs worth
P170,000.
Police Regional Office Caraga regional director
PCSupt. Rolando Felix said that on August 3, 2016, in Trento, Agusan del Sur,
the operating troops apprehended an Isuzu truck with Plate Number KEB 505
driven by Makmak Guzman and owned by Genes Montana, loaded with 37 pieces of
Gubas logs valued at P38,255.
Another Isuzu Truck with Plate Number MDR 938,
loaded with 36 pieces of Gubas logs valued at P33,600 was also captured.
Also, another 74 pieces abandoned Lawaan logs
valued at P98,400 were also confiscated in Brgy. San Ignacio, Trento, Agusan
del Sur during said operation.
Felix said that this is part of the intensified and
continuing campaign against all forms of criminality by the Caraga police in
coordination with other law enforcement agencies. Thus, he urged the active
collaboration of the community and stakeholders by providing information to the
police. (PNP–PIO/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte excels in national economic
competitiveness
By John Glenn A. Platil
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 4 (PIA) - The
province of Surigao del Norte recently topped the 2016 Competitiveness Index
Ranking Results beside Agusan del Norte, representing Caraga Region as the Most
Competitive Provinces nationwide in terms of economic development.
Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte ranked 26th
and 27th, respectively while Surigao del Sur placed 33rd, Agusan del Sur scored
47th and Dinagat Island ranked 61st.
Overall, the province of Rizal in Calabarzon Region
emerged number one in the list of top ten provinces, followed by Cavite, South
Cotabato, Laguna, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Bataan, Aklan, Batangas and
La Union.
Gov. Sol Matugas said that “the beautiful news
about economic progress is a welcome development and a living testament of our
sustained efforts to institute concrete reforms for the well-being of our
beloved constituents.”
Economic dynamism, government efficiency and
infrastructure were the keystone benchmarks used in the conduct of index
ranking evaluation, according to the National Economic Development Authority
(NEDA).
Also acknowledged among the listing were Surigao
City and the municipality of Claver for launching different programs and
constructing giant projects for the benefit of target communities in line with
the “Service Beyond the Usual” advocacy of Governor Matugas.
Also recognized for the municipal category were
Mainit, Del Carmen, Bacuag, Socorro, Placer, San Isidro, Tubod, Tagana-an,
Alegria, Burgos, Sison, Malimono, Gen. Luna, Dapa, Sta. Monica, Gigaquit,
Pilar, San Benito and San Francisco. (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
News Feature: Affordable food for Pinoys: A
challenge for food sufficiency, maximum productivity
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 4 (PIA) - To achieve food
sufficiency and maximum productivity, the Department of Agriculture (DA) shall
undertake the implementation of a sound agriculture and fisheries programs and
projects.
During the press conference conducted here on
Monday, DA Caraga regional director Renato P. Manantan relayed to the media
practitioners the areas of focus of their programs with emphasis on staple food
commodities to ensure food security and high value crops to generate jobs and
foreign earnings.
As DA Secretary Emmanuel PiΓ±ol took the helm under
Duterte’s administration, he bared the directions of the aggi department as it
keeps a track of doing a whole lot more in addressing the hunger problem and to
achieve self-sufficiency in major commodities amid the nation’s rapidly
increasing population, threats of natural calamities/disasters and climate
change.
Agri-fishery development targets
DA is set to start a national mapping to determine
which crop or agricultural commodity would be best in a specific area based on
geographic, climatic and soil type condition. This is called the color-coded
Agricultural Guide Map.
To determine also the volume and type of
commodities consumed by the Filipinos and to project the country’s food
consumption vis-Γ -vis population growth, DA is geared to start the National
Food Consumption and Quantification Survey.
Meanwhile, under the Cash for Work Program for
farmers and fishermen affected by the El NiΓ±o, it includes manual repair and
rehabilitation of irrigation facilities, cleaning of coastal waters, planting
of mangrove trees for fisherfolks.
Also, inclusive in the undertakings for increased
and sustained gains in production through production interventions and enabling
mechanisms are the following: institutional restructuring and paradigm
resetting for the DA and its officials and employees; intensive technology
updating and sharing, modernization and mechanization program; easy access
financing program for farmers, fishermen and agriculture and fisheries
stakeholders, strategic and effective postharvest, storage and processing
facility; a government-initiated and supported aggressive marketing campaign
especially for high value crops in foreign markets; a coordinated program with
other agencies in government to ensure the protection and preservation of water
resources, especially watershed; a relentless campaign for the enforcement of
agricultural and fisheries laws, especially on land conversion and illegal
fishing; and re-introduction of basic agriculture in the primary and elementary
grades of the Philippine schools system with emphasis on the value of the land,
water and seas, and the maximum but prudent utilization of the resources.
Rice Productivity Enhancement (RIPE) program
With regard to the implementation of RIPE program,
a comprehensive program that aims to achieve sufficiency in rice and other
basic food commodities in the country, the government will be apportioning
about P816 million, where farmers can avail financial assistance amounting to
P10,000 and P15,000, for the wet and dry season, respectively.
Therefore, there will be a potential increase in
the rice production from the current national average harvest of four metric
tons per hectare through the provision of hybrid rice seeds to farmers.
Per information issued by DA-Caraga as of July 30,
2016, based on the data from PSA-LGU on the average regional annual production
and yield for CY 2016, the production in Caraga region is 510,817(MT) with an
area of 166,390 hectares and yield of 3.07 mt/ha. Among the five regions,
Agusan del Sur ranks the highest for the last three consecutive years (CY
2013-2015) having a yield of 3.39 mt/ha, 3.32 mt/ha, 3.21 mt/ha, respectively.
“As to food sufficiency, aside from project RIPE,
we also target for high value crops, fishery and aquatic resources,
family-based agro-forestry program, corn program, livestock and poultry,
coconut productivity and rehabilitation agenda (copra), irrigation, and address
other concerns and priorities such as green house technology, backyard
vegetable gardening, tilapia fish farms,” said Rebecca Atega, chief of field
operations division of DA-Caraga.
Meanwhile, Manantan guaranteed to continue the
remarkable accomplishment of the region to ensure that DA’s food production
program will aid in poverty reduction. He is also more inclined of viably
working to achieve the mission on providing available and affordable food for
the Filipino people. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Feeding programs address hunger, malnutrition and
performance among school children
By Ma. Anna Rita M. Ramirez
MANILA, Aug. 4 (PIA) - Average diets of Filipino
school-age children 6 to 12 years old are poor in quantity and quality,
according to the 2013 National Nutrition Survey by the Food and Nutrition
Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology
(FNRI-DOST). Of these children, four in
five were at-risk of inadequate energy intake and almost one in two was at-risk
of inadequate protein intake.
Coming to school on empty stomachs compromises the
productivity of children, as they tend to become sluggish, less attentive and
less participative. School performance may be affected over time if this
situation becomes protracted.
Given the link between diets, nutrition and performance
in observation studies, these findings could play a significant role in the
school-age children’s performance in school as well as school participation
rates.
School feeding programs (SFP) bridge this hunger
gap, at least for the period that a child attends school. Private companies had partnered with the
Department of Education (DepEd) in its “Adopt-a-School” strategy in order to
complement and maximize resources. Initiatives from private companies came in
their corporate social responsibility (CSR) function.
A retrospective evaluation of school feeding
programs (SFP) implemented by a private renewable energy company in 24
partner-schools for the school year 2012 – 2013 in five host communities was
conducted by the FNRI-DOST from July to August, 2013.
The SFPs were evaluated in terms of potential
contribution of foods served to recommended energy and protein intakes,
nutritional status and mean quarter grade average as compared with schools
without the feeding program.
Depending on meals served and duration of feeding,
results showed that the SFP had the potential to increase energy, protein and
iron intakes by as much as 41.6, 24.6 and 31.1 percent, respectively.
By the end of the school term, a decrease in the
prevalence of underweight by 9.5 percentage points among SFP participants,
while a 5.1 percentage point increase in the prevalence of underweight among
non-SFP participants, were observed.
In addition, significantly higher mean quarter
grade average was recorded among SFP participants with an average grade of 79.2
– 81.2 percent, compared to non-SFP participants with an average grade of 78.6
– 80.2 percent.
The sustainability of the school feeding program
appears high with the strong support of the school and the parent-volunteers in
the private company’s SFP.
A limitation of the evaluation study’s research
design is that results are considered associations rather than attributions to
the school feeding programs.
The evaluation of this program is part of the
research functions of the Nutrition Intervention, Evaluation and Policy Section
of the FNRI-DOST. The FNRI-DOST
recognizes the value of investments in packaging nutrition intervention
delivery systems and nutrition policy research in addressing malnutrition among
vulnerable Filipino population groups.
For more information on FNRI-DOST’s researches,
contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue,
Bicutan, Taguig City: Telephone/Fax Nos:
837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line: 839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local 2296 or 2284; email:
mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website at
http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. Like our
Facebook page at facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow our Twitter account at
twitter.com/FNRI DOST. (FNRI-DOST
S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
Food tips for the home during disaster
By Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, Ph. D.
MANILA, Aug. 4 (PIA) - Some hazards are naturally
occurring physical phenomena caused either by rapid or slow onset events which
can be geophysical like earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis and volcanic
activity. Others are hydrological like avalanches and floods some
climatological such as extreme temperatures, drought and wildfires,
meteorological like storms and wave surges, or biological such as disease
epidemics and insect or animal plagues.
Technological or man-made hazards are complex
emergencies or conflicts, famine, displaced populations, industrial accidents
and transport accidents. These are events that are caused by humans and occur
in or close to human settlements. These can include environmental degradation,
pollution and accidents.
A natural or man-made disaster can cause loss of
lives or damages to properties. Our country is not spared from the havoc of
natural disasters, as it is surrounded by bodies of water and is located along
the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire”, from where typhoons, tsunamis, volcanic
eruptions and earthquake emanate.
Emergency reserve food and water in the home are
essential in the event of a natural disaster. Ensuring the safety and quality
of food and water supply is very important because consumption of contaminated
food or water may result in illness or death. Careful planning and readiness
help ensure safe food and water supply for the family.
Here are some practical food tips that you can
follow when disaster occurs:
Store food that are non-perishable or with long
storage life
Foods that need no refrigeration
Foods that are easy to prepare to prepare and cook
Foods that require a minimal amount of water if
preparation is needed
Foods should be compact and lightweight
Store clean water in safe sealed containers
Also wash hands with soap and water when handling
foods to prevent illnesses and
Include hand sanitizer
Examples of foods to store are ready-to-eat canned
goods like sardines, dried fruits, juices, staples (sugar, salt, pepper),
instant low-salt noodles, high energy foods (peanut butter, jelly, nuts, energy
bars), cookies, candies and other snack foods. Also, avoid storing foods that
are salty, spicy and caffeinated because these will increase thirst.
We must also consider the special nutritional needs
of infants and young children, pregnant and lactating and older persons in the
home because they are the most vulnerable persons. Like for infants and young
children, breastmilk is still the best food for them. Practice and maintain
exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months.
For pregnant and lactating women,
micronutrient-rich foods must be considered, like fortified foods such as
instant low-salt noodles and cereals. For older persons, store easy to chew and
digest foods like soft biscuits, bread, oats and easy to prepare soups.
Also, water is the most essential life-sustaining
resource. Keeping water in a clean plastic bottle will keep you hydrated.
Have a bag of foods ready to carry when disaster
strikes. Every household should assemble a disaster supplies kit and keep it up
to date. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items a family would
probably need to stay safe and be more comfortable during and after a disaster.
Disaster supplies kit items should be stored in a portable container near or as
close as possible to exit door.
Review the contents of your kit at least once every
quarter or as your family needs change. Major food shortages can be a major
feature during emergency situation. Planning ahead and preparing the disaster
kits before calamities strike would to prevent us from additional stress when
disaster strikes.
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana,
Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and
Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/ Fax Nos:
837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local
2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.
Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow our Twitter
account at twitter.com/FNRI_DOST. (FNRI-DOST
S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: Caraga Gawad KALASAG regional winners
pinarangalan
Ni Nora Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Agosto 4 (PIA) - Pinarangalan ng
Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) na
pinangunahan ng Office of Civil Defense (OCD) ang mga nanalo sa 2016 Regional
Gawad KALASAG dito sa lungsod.
Ayon kay Caraga OCD regional director at
chairperson ng RDRRMC Manuel Luis M. Ochotorena, 32 entries sa 17 kategorya ang
nakakuha sa una hanggang pangatlong pwesto bilang regional winners at lima
naman ang nabigyan ng gawad kalasag citations sa taong kasalukuyan.
Kabilang sa mga nanalo ay: para sa kategorya ng
probinsyal DRRM council, nakuha ng probinsya ng Dinagat Islands and unang
pwesto, pangalawa ang Agusan del Norte, pangatlo ang Agusan del Sur at sinundan
ng Surigao del Sur at Surigao del Norte.
Samantala, nakuha naman ng Butuan City ang unang
pwesto para sa highly urbanized city DRRM council category. Para sa component
city category, nakuha ng Cabadbaran City ng probinsya ng Agusan del Norte ang
unang pwesto sumunod and Bislig City ng Surigao del Sur at pangatlo ang Surigao City ng probinsya ng
Surigao del Norte.
Dagdag pa ni director Ochotorena, lahat ng mga
nanalo ay nabigyan din ng plaque of recognition.
Samantala, binigyan din ng council ang mga partner
agencies, mga myembro ng regional technical working group at regional selection
committee ng plaque of commendation sa suporta at commitments upang maging
matagumpay ang pag-implementa ng Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
programs sa rehiyon.
Ang Gawad ay isang Filipino term na ibig sabihin ay
‘award’ at ang KALASAG ay acronym ng ‘Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling
Galing ang Kaligtasan’ na ibig sabihin din ay ‘shield.' (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
