Butuanons enjoy Abayan Festival activities
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 2 (PIA) – In line with this
year’s celebration of the 66th ‘Adlaw Hong Butuan’ (Butuan City charter day),
Butuanons also celebrated the Abayan Festival on Sunday with a thanksgiving
mass, fluvial parade, cultural cheer dance competition, and Baoto Race.
Government employees, together with local
officials, private individuals, students, and media gathered early morning on
Sunday at the Phil. Ports Authority (PPA) grounds here and actively
participated in the lined-up activities for the said festival.
In his message, Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente
Lagnada urged all Butuanons to protect and conserve the Agusan River where rich
aquamarine resources can be found.
"Let us not destroy the rich resources that we
have in our Agusan River. Let us all be part, cooperate and make this
celebration more meaningful by helping the government in all its efforts to
protect the waters in Agusan River," stressed Lagnada.
Also, Agusan del Norte 1st district representative
Atty. Lawrence Fortun underlined that the city government thru the City Tourism
Office will intensify its campaign and programs that will invite more tourists,
as well as investors. He also said that the government will continue to ensure
the environmental protection of the city.
Meanwhile, retired PSSupt. Ramon Espiritu recalled
the history of the Abayan Festival in Butuan. "It can be remembered that
Butuan River during the early 17th and 18th century was infested with
crocodiles. It was unsafe to travel, especially at night, in any part of Butuan
River due to the presence of these numerous crocodiles to attack them while
paddling their barotos," he said.
The Abayan Festival is celebrated annualy in honor
of St. Anne, which happens to be the patroness of Agusan River every last
Sunday of July. The most awaited activity here is the “baroto” race, which will
be in different categories. The term “baroto” actually means a boat.
Also, the said festival is usually celebrated in
one week wherein young ones and also those young at hearts can participate in
Hula-hoop Race, Lemon Relay, and some other original Filipino games.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga RDRRMC awards regional gawad KALASAG winners
By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 2 (PIA) – The Regional Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Caraga through the Office of the
Civil Defense (OCD) has awarded this year’s winners of the Regional Gawad
KALASAG search here.
According to RDRRMC chairperson and OCD regional
director Manuel Luis M. Ochotorena, the Gawad KALASAG Search for Excellence in
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance was designed
to encourage the participation of various stakeholders in crafting and implementing
DRRM-related policies, strategies and programs to protect or shield the hazard
prone communities from the adverse impacts of natural and human-induced
calamities.
Ochotorena said 32 entries from 17 categories
bagged the 1st to 3rd places as regional winners while five entries were given
Gawad KALASAG citations this year.
For the Provincial DRRM Council Category winners,
the province of Dinagat Islands got the 1st place; 2nd Place - Agusan del
Norte; 3rd Place – Agusan del Sur; 4th Place - Surigao del Sur; and 5th Place -
Surigao del Norte.
Butuan City received the award for being the 1st
placer in the Highly Urbanized City DRRM Council Category.
The Component City Category winners are: 1st Place
– Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte; 2nd Place - Bislig City, Surigao del Sur;
and 3rd Place - Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
For the 1st to 3rd Class Municipal DRRM Council
Category: 1st Place - Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur; 2nd Place - Cagdianao, Dinagat
Islands; and 3rd Place - Trento, Agusan del Sur, while for the 4th to 6th Class
Municipal DRRM Council Category, the winners are: 1st Place - Dinagat, Dinagat
Islands; 2nd Place - Cagwait, Surigao del Sur; and 3rd Place – Carmen, Agusan
del Norte.
The Brgy. Quezon in Mainit, Surigao del Norte got
the 1st place for the Urban Barangay DRRM Committee Category.
The Rural Barangay DRRM Committee Category winners
are: 1st Place – Brgy. Esperanza, Loreto, Dinagat Islands; 2nd Place – Brgy.
Alegria, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur; and 3rd Place - Brgy. Aras-asan, Cagwait,
Surigao del Sur.
Schools Category (Public Urban) 1st place is
Bayugan National Comprehensive High School, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur; and
Surigao City National High School, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte got the 2nd
place.
For Public Rural Schools Category: 1st Place -
Zamora Elementary School, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur; 2nd Place – Claver
National High School, Claver, Surigao del Norte; 3rd Place - Santiago
Elementary School, Santiago, Agusan del Norte.
St. Paul University Surigao (SPUS), Surigao City
got the 1st place for the Schools Category (Private Urban), while Adela Sierra
Ty Memorial Medical Center, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur got the Hospital
Category (National) 1st Place.
For the Hospital Category (LGU), Hinatuan District
Hospital, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur got the 1st place and Sibog Katawhan Alang
sa Paglambo (SIKAP), Inc., San Francisco, Agusan del Sur bagged the 1st place
for the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Category.
The Peoples Organizations (POs) Category 1st Place
is Nagkahiusang Mangingisda sa Hinatuan (NAMAHIN), Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
For the Volunteer Organizations (VOs) Category,
Rescue and Emergency Service Provider on Disaster (RESPOND), Inc., Nasipit,
Agusan del Norte got the 1st Place.
The Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) 13,
Camp Rafael Rodriguez, PRO 13, Libertad, Butuan City also bagged the 1st place
for the Government Emergency Response Management Services (GEMS) Category.
For the Heroic Act Group Category, the award went
to the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) 13, Camp Rafael Rodriguez, PRO
13, Libertad, this city.
The following also received the Gawad KALASAG
Citations: Municipality of Tubod, Surigao del Norte for the 4th-6th Class
Municipal DRRM Council Category; Barangay Cayawan, Malimono, Surigao del Norte
for Rural Barangay DRRM Committee Category; Surigao Filipino-Chinese Volunteer
Fire Brigade, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte for Volunteer Organizations (VOs)
Category; Barangay Organization Security Service – Barangay Emergency Special
Team (BOSS-BEST), Surigao City, Surigao del Norte for Government Emergency
Response Management Services (GEMS) Category; and Rural Health Unit of LGU
Cagwait, Surigao del Sur for Heroic Act on Humanitarian Assistance – Group Category.
Meanwhile, partner agencies, members of the
regional selection committee and focal persons were also given recognition
during the awarding ceremony.
Gawad is a Filipino term for “award,” while KALASAG
is an acronym for “KALAmidad at SAkuna Labanan, SAriling Galing ang 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)
AgNor PDRRMC recognizes partners
By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 2 (PIA) – The Provincial Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of Agusan del Norte during its
2nd quarter full council meeting held Thursday has recognized the support of
its partners.
Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba,
chairperson of the PDRRMC awarded certificates/plaques of recognition to the
different government agencies, non-government organizations, and civil society
groups for the support to the council during the observance of the month-long
celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) and to the
council’s activities.
Also, governor Matba gives due recognition to the
three youth for their bravery and heroic act during the sinking of a motorized
boat in Magallanes, Agusan del Norte last June 11, 2016.
The youth being recognized were Kenzo Wahing,
Jonathan Palen and Steven Sabuero, all from the municipality of Magallanes,
Agusan del Norte. The three youth were able to rescue several passengers of the
ill-fated motorized boat.
Gov. Matba was impressed to know that there are
youth who are willing to risk their lives just to save others. “It is
appropriate to give them that acknowledgement so that they can be a model to
other youth in doing the same, not only during calamities, disasters but when
time calls for it,” governor Matba said.
The recently held 2nd quarter meeting also
culminates the provincial celebration of the NDCM. This year’s celebration of
the NDCM is anchored on the theme “Kahandaan at Pagtugon sa Sakuna, Tungkulin
ng Bawat Isa.” (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Surigao Norte crisis management committee creates
resolutions
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 2 (PIA) - The
Provincial Crisis Management Committee, which was activated recently through
Executive Order No. 027 series of 2016 has proposed resolutions purposely for
the safe release of the three police officers and one non-uniformed personnel
who were abducted recently in Malimono town by the New People's Army (NPA)
rebels.
During its committee meeting two resolutions were
drafted such as creating a joint negotiating team for the safe release of the
abducted personnel and a resolution requesting the Philippine National Police
(PNP) and the Philippine Army (PA) to stop or suspend rescue operations to give
way for a peaceful negotiation.
When asked about the stand of the government
troops, 30th Infantry Battalion, PA commanding officer Colonel Rico Amaro said
that they are bounded by their mandate to protect the people in the community
and that the operation is considered as a special case.
Amaro, however emphasized the difference between
offensive military operations and law enforcement and added that the former
cannot be suspended.
PNP provincial director PSSupt. Antony Maghari
supported the statement of Col. Amaro and said that a crime was already
committed hence, the law enforcement agency are bound to pursue their police
functions.
He said that they will continue law enforcement
operations and request assistance of the government troops whenever necessary.
“There is a crime committed and that the incident
happened before the proclamation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of
unilateral ceasefire,” Maghari said.
Maghari added that he has yet to receive any
further order from the central headquarters. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Tandag LGU holds anti-smoking ban orientation
By Nida Grace Barcena-Tranquilan
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Aug. 2 (PIA) – The
city government of Tandag thru the Anti-Smoking Task Force (ASTF) spearheaded
on Friday an orientation of Ordinance Number 02-2015 also known as “The
Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Tandag City” at the Seminar Hall
Capitol Hills, this city.
Aldy Novo of ASTF bared that the smoking ban was
approved on March 31, 2015 by former city mayor Roxanne Pimentel.
“This ordinance is 90 percent patterned to the Task
Force Davao City Anti-Ordinance and it has been effective in Davao City,” Novo
said in hi message during the orientation.
Novo said that several activities will be conducted
in preparation for the full implementation of the said ordinance this August.
He added that aside from the series orientation conducted, the Anti-Smoking
Task Force will inspect several establishments, government offices including
Barangay Halls on August 9. "We will be the putting up 'No Smoking'
signages throughout Tandag on August 17. We will also have a deputized
enforcers training on August 22-26," Novo said.
During the orientation, Fatima Azarcon talked on
“What is in a Cigarette” where she tackled the health risks of smoking.
Meantime, city legal officer Atty Janissa Delicona
discussed in detail the salient points of ordinance number 02-2015.
The said orientation was joined by the employees
and representatives of the national line agencies, provincial government, city
government and barangay officials from the 21 barangays of this city.
Another orientation will be held on August 4 to be
participated in by stakeholders from the different business establishments in
the city, it was learned. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DENR opens hotlines for environmental concerns,
complaints
By Nida Grace Barcena-Tranquilan
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Aug. 2 (PIA) - To
strengthen community and civil society participation in reporting to the agency
for any complaints and information about any environmental crimes, the
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Surigao del Sur
has bared the hotline numbers and email addresses of the department and its
field offices.
PENRO information officer Johnny Natad bared that
the said endeavor is in line with the standing instruction of DENR Secretary
Regina Paz Lopez that each field office must have hotline contacts in order to
hear and receive important reports from concerned people in their coverage
areas.
According to Natad, the mobile phone number hotline
for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) central office
is 0917-522-9344, and email address aksyonkalikasan@denr.gov.ph while the DENR
Caraga regional office landline number is (085) 815-2277, cellphone number
0916–390–8094; and e-mail add denrcaraga13hotline@yahoo.com.
For PENRO Surigao del Sur manning three CENROs,
they can contact the following hotline numbers: for landline (086) 211–3337;
Cellphone # 0910–577–5457, while you can also contact on their e-mail address
thru sdspenro@gmail.com.
For CENRO Bislig covering Bislig City and three
municipalities of Hinatuan, Tagbina, and Lingig their hotline numbers are:
(086) 645–0034 (landline); and 0910–0452396 (mobile), with an e-mail address
denr_bislig@yahoo.com.
The CENRO Cantilan, which covers Tandag City and
CARCANMADLANCOR municipalities composed of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen,
Lanuza, and Cortes, their hotline numbers are: (086) 212–5222 (landline);
0998–5546489 (mobile); and the e-mail address: denrcenrocantilanhotline@gmail.com.
While CENRO Lianga covering eight municipalities
composed of Tago, Bayabas, Cagwait, San Miguel, Marihatag, San Agustin, Lianga,
and Barobo has the following contact numbers: (086) 214–4030 (landline);
0907–1697840 (mobile); and e-mail address cenrolianga@yahoo.com.
PENRO Surigao del Sur chief Jose Flavio V. Concha
urged everyone to report to the office and its nearest field offices for any
related environmental complaints and illegal activities in Surigao del Sur.
"Secretary Lopez believed that the best way to
protect our environment is by actively involving civil society in the
development agenda and encourage us to become pro-active and inspire people to
become part in our environmental development initiatives," Concha said.
Meanwhile, DENR Secretary Lopez announced that
every Wednesday is declared "People’s Day" in all DENR offices
nationwide starting August 10 to allow officials and employees to address
public concerns and queries.
The “People’s Day” is one of the agency’s programs,
which aims at fostering strong partnership with all stakeholders working
effectively on environmental programs and its implementations, Natad said.
(NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DTI Surigao Norte intensifies ProGED program
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 2 (PIA) – To
enable the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBOs) and Micro Small Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs) adjust to potential impacts of Climate Change, the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Surigao del Norte provincial office
conducted a Green Values (Promotion of Green Economic Development –ProGED)
Climate Change Adaptation and Waste Management seminar held recently at the
Surigao del Norte Go Negosyo Center, this city.
DTI provincial director Celestino Negapatan said
that DTI’s advocacy is to promote greening strategies/measures not only to
mitigate Climate Change but also to promote MSMEs competitiveness.
He said that DTI fosters the long term
competitiveness of agrarian reform beneficiaries and micro small medium
enterprises through resource and efficient conservation measures like the use
of renewable energy as well as measures that make them more resilient to
Climate Change.
“The DTI as a catalyst for economic development and
as a partner of MSMEs for growth towards competitiveness conducted the said
activity to familiarize the participants of the ProGED and encourage them to
adopt smart and environment friendly measures and practices in their
operations,” Negapatan said. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
‘3 dead, 17 injured’ in mock explosion at Surigao
port
By Eugenio "Jun" Lira, Jr.
SURIGAO CITY, Aug. 2 (PIA) - Panic and cries for
help broke loose as injured bodies littered inside the passenger terminal
building (PTB) in this seaport seconds after an explosive device exploded on
Wednesday morning, port authorities said.
Port Manager Mildred Padilla said the ‘terrifying
scene’ accounted for three casualties, 17 injured persons and dozens of
passengers and port users evacuated as a result of the mock explosion minutes
after an abandoned bag was ‘found’ by a security guard inside the PTB and was
reported to the Port Police Division.
“This bomb drill we have today is a scenario
created with the help of different government offices to test the readiness and
emergency response of these agencies vis-Γ -vis any possible terroristic attacks
on our port which is considered one of the vital government installations that
needs protection. This is the result of the recommendation of PP/Supt Froilan
Caturla who labored to make this exercise possible,” Padilla said.
She singled out the PNP Region 13 Maritime Group,
led by P/Supt Melvin Laguros, that conducted the Bomb Threat and Explosion
Drill Seminar which preceded an hour before the “bombing” of the PTB.
Padilla said it started at around 10:30 a.m. when
security guard Freddie Romero, a roving guard, noticed an abandoned bag near
the ticketing booth but when he checked about the ownership of the bag the
latter failed to locate its owner as passengers or persons near the location
deny ownership of the same and failed to notice who brought the said bag in the
area.
“The guard then informed PP/Froilan Caturla about
the unattended bag and they immediately secured the area together with the help
of PP/Insp Dixon Gonzales, security commander Roger Montilla, some guards and
porters. Caturla then called the assistance of the K9 unit of the Philippine
Coast Guard so the bag could be checked by a K9 dog, the port manager
disclosed.
PP/Supt Froilan Caturla, port police commander,
said he then ordered the immediate evacuation of passengers and other persons
from the vicinity when the K9 dog sat beside the abandoned bag after sniffing
it for several seconds.
“Normally, when a K9 dog sniffs something and sits
beside the object – it means that bag contains explosives. So, I immediately
ordered the evacuation of people from the vicinity of the PTB and ticketing
booth to the designated evacuation area just beside the PPA Administration Bldg.
and then I called for assistance from the CDRRMC, PNP, BFP, ERS, City TMO and
PCBSI,” Caturla revealed.
He said while they were busy in the evacuation, the
abandoned bag suddenly exploded and a score of people were hit resulting to
three casualties and 17 injured that were immediately attended to with the
timely arrival of the City Rescue Team headed by Mario Gesta and BFP Response
Unit led by SFO4 Albert Lerio.
Caturla said after the blast, a composite of the
PCG K9 unit, Philippine Army and PNP Maritime EOD personnel conducted an
immediate clearing operation at the PTB Shed and adjacent areas where they
found another unattended bag which was transferred and later detonated by the
team at a safe distance in the middle of the highway in front of the PTB.
After the clearing activity, the composite team
recommended the return of the ‘evacuees’ to the PTB which then resumed normal
operation amid positive responses from the public, Caturla said.
Atty. Roldan Calejesan, PPA-Surigao Legal Officer
and designated information officer, said the port management had also commended
other government officials and media personalities who helped in the successful
staging and wide dissemination of the bomb drill.
The list included LCDR Alberto Ferre of Phil. Coast
Guard, P/Supt Noel Silvosa of City PNP, SPO1 Richard Charvet (bomb technician)
of PNP Maritime Group, Atty. Manuel Coro and Annette Villaces of CDRRMC, Atty.
Manuel Delani of City TMO, Jojo Ferol of DxRS, Alex Salvo of Joy-FM, Nestor
Guballa of DxSJ-FM and Branch Manager Edgardo Tidalgo of PCBSI, a
cargo-handling in Surigao port. (PPA-Surigao/PIA-Caraga)
LGU Carmen, PNP, DILG conduct 'Oplan Tokhang'
symposium
By Atty. Mary Christine Anthonette M.
Salise-Punzalan
CARMEN, Agusan del Norte, Aug. 2 (PIA) - The local
government unit of Carmen, Agusan del Norte through its Municipal Anti-Drug
Abuse Council (MADAC), Carmen Municipal Police Station and the Department of
the Interior and Local Government (DILG) conducted a symposium/orientation on
Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of
2002” and its Ill-Effects on Health and the Community in support to President
Rodrigo Duterte’s program called “Oplan Tokhang.”
The symposium/orientation was purposely conducted
to inform the participants on how drugs destroy lives.
Over 300 tokhang volunteers attended the activity.
A mass-oathtaking and mass singing of “Natutulog Ba
Ang Diyos” of Oplan Tokhang’s self-confessed users and pushers followed suit.
“We all know that the President is serious in his
fight against illegal drugs and he places a great responsibility to the local
officials down to the barangays to solve this menace so we should exert our
best efforts to support him,” Carmen Mayor Ramon Calo said.
Agusan del Norte police provincial director PSSupt.
Ronel Jaurigue presented the drug situation of the country and noted that there
are 1.8 Million drug pushers and users nationwide.
He added that the fight against illegal drugs is
not only the responsibility of the police but it needs “the Whole-of-Government
Approach.”
The salient features of Republic Act 9165 and its
penalties was discussed by Mun. Trial Court Carmen presiding judge Nemeson B.
CaΓ±ete.
Carmen Municipal Police Station chief PSInsp.
Franklin A Lacana encouraged the tokhang volunteers to be serious in their oath
because the president already gave them a second chance. He also warned them of the consequences that
they will face should they continue using drugs.
The activity concluded with the signing of the
Covenant to ensure support from the tokhang volunteers. (LGU-Carmen, Agusan del
Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Agrarian beneficiaries in Surigao Norte undergo
financial literacy training
By Daryll M. Tumbaga
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, August 2 (PIA) - A
total of 100 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) have undergone a
training-seminar on financial literacy, a capability development training under
the Agrarian Production Credit Program of the Department of Agrarian Reform
(DAR).
The said seminar aimed to raise awareness to the
ARBs on the importance of financial literacy in their daily undertakings
especially on budgeting, savings and investments.
The training was conducted in a series of batches,
first in Barangay Honrado, municipality of San Francisco participated by 37
ARBs, the other one in Brgy. Himamaug, Taganaan with 38 ARBs participating, and
lastly in Brgy. Lobogon, Del Carmen participated by 25 ARBs.
The ARBs underwent workshop and made their family
monthly budgeting coupled with reality checking on family’s income and
expenses, and a dream map on financial stability on the next five years.
According to Ma. Rebecca C. Orga, an ARB of
Himamaug, Taganaan, she was very thankful for the training that she underwent
because it helped her understand better the financial status of her family and
how to spend wisely and efficiently.
The said seminar is conducted by the DAR provincial
office in Surigao del Norte through its Program Beneficiaries Development
Division. (DAR-SDN/PIA- Surigao del Norte)
