CAAP-Butuan
set to initiate community outreach activity
By
Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN
CITY, Aug. 30 (PIA) – In demonstrating a wholesome attitude for community
involvement as a social responsibility and promoting voluntary service that would directly benefit the
public, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Butuan Airport,
Area XII will hold a Joint Outreach Program 2016 at the Brgy. Dumalagan, here
on September 2, 2016 which will start at 9:00 a.m.
The
activity is on its second year of implementation through the headship of
CAAP-Butuan area manager Evangeline Daba, following its initial conduct in
Brgy. Abilan last year wherein many got the advantage of acquiring free
humanitarian services.
Anchored
on the theme, “Panaghiusang hugpong alang sa mahimsog nga katilingban,” Daba
underscored that it basically indicates a mission of breaking barriers and
disparity among different human sectors by extending help in such a manner that
would frame a healthy community and foster goodwill throughout the locality.
“We
expect to have around 600 individuals who will be recipients of the services
that we will be providing. Our target beneficiaries are mostly students but
definitely of no age limit. Anyone can avail of the medical and dental
services, haircut and feeding program,” said Daba.
She
also added that they have prepared school supplies, medicines and hygiene kits
to be distributed to the recipients.
“With
pure intent to fill in the gap in the services provided by mainstream, this
undertaking is our sincere way of doing what we can contribute in our own
constructive ways for the benefit of our fellowmen,” expressed Daba.
The
activity is jointly supported by the Civil Military Operations (CMO), 4th
Infantry Division, Philippine Army; Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga;
Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP); in participation with the
Philippine National Police (PNP) and Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital.
(VLG/PIA-Caraga)
44
benefit from free cleft lip and palate surgery in SurSur
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY, Aug. 30 (PIA) – A total of 44 adult and children with cleft lip/palate
benefited in the recently conducted three-day free surgical mission by the
Project B.O.S.S or Brotherhood Operation Sweet Smile, a non-government
organization supported by the Philippine Army from August 26-28, 2016 held at
Adela Sierra Ty Memorial Hospital in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
According
to Bel Yenko, Project B.O.S.S. director/founder, they have expected more than
50 patients to avail their free surgical mission in Tandag City based on the
list of registrants, however, only 44 were able to benefit due to unexpected
eventualities among other patients.
“We
really hope to see more people benefitting the free services that our
organization has been offering. Our coordination with other local government
units and provincial offices is ongoing and soon, we will also visit the
province of Agusan del Sur to serve our people there,” underlined Yenko.
Yenko
is also optimistic that with the full support of the Philippine Army, their
surgical missions can still reach so many places in the country.
“We’ve
been visiting places to places nationwide to reach out to children and adults
who have cleft lip/palate to help them and give them new hope and better
outlook in life. Our organization is composed of individuals who wanted to put
substance to what we know is right and what we believe could contribute great
impact to other people’s lives through our humanitarian works,” Yenko
expressed. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DPWH-Caraga
fast tracks implementation of 560 projects in Caraga region
BUTUAN
CITY, Aug. 30 (PIA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in
Caraga region is observing a round the clock execution of its projects to fast
track the completion of its 560 current and carry-over projects being
implemented regionwide.
This
swift change is instigated upon the advent of the Duterte administration
endeavoring to “implement a human approach to development and governance” in
which Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Caraga responded by
committing to finish 29 projects within the first 100 days.
“It
is a directive from the top management to prioritize service to the public
which should be centered on the welfare of the stakeholders, all-time safety
and convenience of travelers, and timely construction of public infrastructure
that will boost socio-economic development,” said DPWH-13 regional director
Danilo Versola.
Although
some contractors have slippage in their project implementation, DPWH-13
management still urge its partners to do 24/7 work to surpass deadlines and
bring convenience and economic opportunities to the people sooner.
For
CY 2016 regular infra, DPWH-13 has 419 projects with a total allocation of
P16,122,482,000. Under carry-over projects, a total allocation of
P3,479,250,000 for 141 projects.
As
of July 31, 2016, actual accomplishment for current and carry-over projects is
35.83 percent. (DPWH-13/PIA-Caraga)
‘Safety First,' DPWH-Caraga chief told contractors,
district engineers
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 30 (PIA) – “There is a need to
increase safety measures for the motorists and travelers, and I want it done as
soon as possible,” instructed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
Caraga regional director Danilo Versola as he demanded also for improvement of
safety devices along Daang Maharlika (Surigao-Agusan Road) which is under P3.2
billion long-term performance-based maintenance (LTPBM) contract.
Versola expressed his observation during his ocular
inspections. He particularly pointed out Los Angeles-Cabadbaran road section
with intermittent reblocking activities, which he then instructed to prioritize
the said area by laying of asphalt pavement.
Meanwhile, Versola uttered pleasure to the physical
accomplishment of the said LTPBM road project, which is 40.32 percent as of
July 31, 2016, ahead of schedule since it started on October 2015.
LTPBM project aims to enhance road maintenance and
management of national road system by introducing performance-based concept to
ensure that all physical conditions of the road under contract is adequate for
the need of road users along the 126.500 kilometers that form part of
Surigao-Davao road, Surigao (Lipata)-Agusan del Norte boundary in Caraga
region.
Versola also extended his instructions to all
engineers on the road maintenance particularly painting of pavement markings
such as the edge lines and centerlines along national highway.
(DPWH-13/PIA-Caraga)
2016 Development Policy Research Month to kick off
on September 1 in Butuan City
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 30 (PIA) - The second Mindanao
Policy Research Forum will be the first of many activities slated for
September’s Development Policy Research Month (DPRM) celebration. Partners
Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), Mindanao Development
Authority (MinDA), and Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) are co-hosting
a policy forum which is focused on the theme “Nurturing Resilient Communities
in Mindanao towards Sustainable Development.” A lunchtime press conference will
formally open and discuss this year’s DPRM theme of “Investing in Risk
Reduction for a Resilient Philippines.” These back-to-back events will be held
on September 1 at FSUU in the city.
Undersecretary Janet Lopez, executive director of
MinDA, will present on “Fostering Partnerships with Academic and Research
Groups for Mindanao’s Sustainable Development.” Echoing the DPRM commitment to
promoting the role of sound research evidence in policymaking, Lopez’s
presentation will focus on harnessing the talent and input of Mindanao’s
research community in shaping the development and sustainable growth of
Mindanao.
Other presenters include PIDS Senior Research
Fellows Dr. Celia Reyes and Dr. Danilo Israel. Reyes’s presentation will
discuss the massive study evaluating the design, implementation, and impact of
the crop insurance programs being delivered by the Philippine Crop Insurance
Corporation. The study investigated the experience of farmers in various
regions with the program, and, in turn, offers recommendations to address the
challenge of improving access and awareness among target-beneficiaries.
Israel will discuss the results of the impact
evaluation of the National Greening Program and will reveal whether or not it
has effectively achieved its objectives. He will also discuss the challenges
and shortcomings that must be addressed to improve the program.
FSUU and Caraga State University will be delivering
presentations in the afternoon. In line with the DPRM theme, FSUU will discuss
its disaster reduction and risk management initiatives. Resource persons from
Caraga State University will present their study on the Comprehensive Land
Administration and Information Management System.
The presentations will be followed by a broad
line-up of discussants, which includes people from different sectors—private,
government, and civil society. The panel consists of Dr. Mohammad Yacob from
the Bangsamoro Development Authority and representatives from the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local
Government, and the Senate.
The PIDS’ Socioeconomic Research Portal for the
Philippines (SERP-P) team will also be in attendance to discuss the open access
agenda. SERP-P is an online repository of socioeconomic research materials
amassed from the contributions of PIDS and 52 other research and academic
institutions. SERP-P Coordinator Mark Vincent Aranas will speak about the
portal’s role in promoting free access to critical knowledge and relevant
research studies and information, and how to use the knowledge resources in
SERP-P.
The lunch-time press conference on the 2016 DPRM
will be headed by Usec Lopoz of MinDA; Dr. Danilo Israel and Dr. Sheila Siar,
PIDS director for research information; Dr. Maricar Casquejo, regional director
of CHED Caraga, and Rev. Fr. John Christian Young, FSUU president. Key regional
officials from the Office of Civil Defense, Department of Science and
Technology, and Department of Health will complete the line-up of panelists.
The DPRM is celebrated across the country every
September since 2003 in view of MalacaΓ±ang Proclamation No. 247. This
information and advocacy event aims to promote and draw nationwide awareness on
the importance of policy research in the formulation of sound development
plans, programs, and policies. The proclamation designated state think tank
PIDS as the lead government agency in the yearly observance of the DPRM.
(PIDS/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte solon seeks postponement of Barangay
and SK elections
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 30 (PIA) –
Surigao del Norte 2nd district representative Robert Ace S. Barbers reiterated
his call to defer the barangay and SK elections--appealing to the members of
Congress to act on this urgent matter.
“We are running out of time. Congress must decide
within the next two weeks whether or not to push with the Barangay and SK
elections. Comelec has already started printing ballots. It would be a complete
waste of government funds if they continue with the printing, and then Congress
later decides to defer the elections,” Barbers said.
Barbers filed House Resolution 51 last June 30,
calling for the postponement of the 2016 Barangay and SK elections until
Congress has determined an appropriate date for its conduct.
“The billions of pesos that can be saved by the
deferment can be used for other worthwhile government projects like
construction of public roads, school buildings, scholarship programs and other
endeavors.
Besides, this is also in support of the
administration’s plan to shift to a federal form of government. If approved, a
plebiscite could already be made in two or three years for the shift, so
conducting an election now is unnecessary,” he emphasized. Barbers, likewise,
is a proponent of a measure which calls for a Constituent Assembly to amend the
1987 Constitution.
The Comelec is scheduled to hold brangay and SK
elections on October 31, pursuant to Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9164 as
amended by Republic Act No. 9340. (ASG/2nd Congressional Office-SDN/PIA-Surigao
el Norte)
DAR Surigao Norte spearheads audit seminar to ARBOs
By Daryll M. Tumbaga
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 30 (PIA) - In
its continuing effort to capacitate and strengthen its assisted agrarian reform
beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs), the provincial office of the Department
of Agrarian Reform in Surigao del Norte (DARPO-SDN) conducted an Audit
Management Seminar on August 23, 2016 at Cinches Hall, City Cathedral, this
city.
A total of 24 Credit Committee (CRECOM) members of
the said ARBOs attended the said seminar composed of the Cawilan Agrarian
Reform Beneficiaries Association (of Brgy. Cawilan, Tubod), Silop Farmers
Association (of Brgy. Silop, Surigao City), Mat-i Farmers Association (of Brgy.
Mat-i, Surigao City), Ima Women’s Initiated Community Association (of Brgy.
Ima, Sison), Gacepan Women’s Association (of Brgy. Gacepan, Sison), Pagao
Farmers Association of Brgy. Campo, Bacuag), Camboayon Marginal Farmers
Association (of Brgy. Camboayon, Gigaquit), and San Pedro Rural Workers
Association (of Brgy. San Pedro, Alegria), all of Surigao del Norte.
Danila Lomotos, CRECOM member of Pagao Farmers
Association said that she was glad that she was able to attend the Audit
Management Seminar especially because she is new to the position.
“Because of this seminar, I now know what my roles
and responsibilities are being a CRECOM member of our association. We now have
the knowledge how to safeguard our association’s resources and to be mindful of
all the transactions that will take place in our association,” she added.
The Audit Management Seminar is a mandatory seminar
and was conducted to the said ARBOs in preparation for the reportorial
requirements of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) when the said
organizations apply for their licenses with the CDA as cooperatives.
The said seminar is conducted by the Program
Beneficiaries Development Division of DARPO-SDN. (DAR-SDN/PIA-Surigao del
Norte)
