News Feature: Army, PIA lead construction of fences
for Butuan GAD Day Care Center
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 6 (PIA) – Nothing is more
gratifying for teachers who want their pupils safe and sound while in the
class, now that the Gender and Development (GAD) Day Care Center here will have
its center fenced with concrete blocks constructed by the personnel of the 4th
Civil Military Operations (CMO) "Kasaligan" Battalion of the
Philippine Army, together with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga.
Fe Labitad, supervising teacher of GAD Day Care
Center, was overjoyed to see that the Philippine Army and the PIA personnel are
looking after their concerns despite their busy schedule while responding to
their main mandates and responsibilities in their respective offices.
“We find it necessary to have our day care center
fenced to ensure the safety of the school children. And we were just so blessed
to have PIA as our neighbor agency because director Abner Caga was the one who
initiated the effort that our center will be one of the beneficiaries of the
program and services of the Philippine Army. In fact, the 4th CMO Battalion has
chosen our center in their 'Adopt a Day Care Center' Program,” expressed
Labitad.
Labitad recalled that their first building was
situated inside the city hall compound. “When our first building was burned
down along with other nearby offices few years back, the city government has
relocated us here in our new location. This is actually formerly occupied by
the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs, but since they transferred to their new
building just few meters away from here, we have learned to love our new
place,” she explained.
The good teacher, who at the same time is a mother,
also expressed concern over the series of school trespasses and thefts in the
area. “We have been robbed twice and the
perpetrators got our important equipment and school supplies. We were perturbed
and disturbed by these incidents and so we really need to secure everything
that we have inside our school, and fencing the area is our urgent concern. We
truly appreciate the coordination and efforts of the CMO Battalion and the PIA
to make this possible,” shared Labitad.
Also, Lieutenant Colonel Rey Pasco, commanding
officer of 4th CMO Battalion highlighted that they are willing to help the teachers
and preschoolers in their need of safety and security by providing them
manpower and other available resources.
“We, in the Philippine Army will never hesitate to
extend help to those who need our services. We will always look for ways on how
we can touch other peoples lives and inspire them,” articulated Pasco.
Meanwhile, PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga
also conveyed his warm thanks to 4th CMO Battalion for their immediate response
and support to the agency and its partners.
“May this effort serves best to our teachers,
parents and children of GAD Day Care Center,” Caga underscored.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
RIAC-FF urges LCEs to include solo parents in LGU's
priority programs
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 6 (PIA) – In a resolution pushed
and adopted by the Regional Inter-Agency Committee for Filipino Family
(RIAC-FF) Caraga on May 27, 2016, the committee is once again urging all local
chief executives (LCEs) to include in the LGU priority programs the
implementation of the Republic Act No. 8972 otherwise known as the Solo
Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000 at the provincial, city and municipal level in the
region.
As indicated in the Resolution No. 1 series of 2016
signed by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga regional
director and RIAC-FF chairperson Minda Brigoli, the LCEs of the provincial,
cities and municipalities of the region are encouraged to allocate funds for
the programs and activities in relation to the implementation of Solo Parents
Welfare Act of 2000 and other related programs and activities promoting the
development and solidarity of every family especially the solo parents.
LCEs are also requested to designate a focal person
on Solo Parents who shall perform the functions in promoting the welfare and
development of the sector including the formulation of Work and Financial Plan
yearly.
“The implementation of the Solo Parents’ Welfare
Act of 2000 and inclusion of priority programs and services for solo parents
and their children at the local level will continuously respond to the emerging
issues and concerns of the sector especially in promoting their welfare and interest,”
relayed Brigoli.
Brigoli further reiterated that its implementation
of said Act will boost the confidence of the solo parents to perform their
roles and functions and to make them strong and functional family, effective
and responsible parent/s, and to recognize their contribution as partner in
nation-building.
It can be recalled that the Solo Parents’ Act was
approved on November 7, 2000 promoting the welfare and interest of the solo
parents and their children.
Meanwhile, RIAC-FF is also intensifying its
information drive for this year’s National Family Week celebration from
September 24-31, 2016 with the theme “Matatag na Pamilya, Maunlad na Bukas.”
The celebration aims to raise awareness of the role of families in promoting
healthy lives for sustainable future and promote well-being for all at all
ages. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
RIACAT-VAWC to assess functionality of all
LCAT-VAWCs in Caraga
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 6 (PIA) – The Regional
Inter-Agency Committee against Trafficking and Violence against Women and
Children (RIACAT-VAWC) Caraga has set a schedule for its monitoring and
assessment to all LCAT-VAWCs starting this month of September to October 2016.
According to regional director Minda Brigoli of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, the committee has
agreed that the Monitoring Team will be headed by the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Justice (DOJ) – Regional
Anti-Trafficking Task Force.
“A tool from National Anti-Poverty Commission -
United Nations Population Fund (NAPC-UNFPA) for LCAT-VAWC Monitoring with its
indicators related to trafficking and VAWC will be used, though it has been
enhanced based on some suggestions,” disclosed Brigoli.
Brigoli added that the following are the schedule
of monitoring and assessment in the respective provinces: 1) Agusan del Norte –
Sept. 7, 2016; 2) Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte – Sept. 8, 2016; 3) Butuan
City – Sept. 9; 4) Agusan del Sur – Sept. 22, 2016; 5) Bayugan City, Agusan del
Sur – Sept. 23, 2016; 6) Surigao del Norte – Oct. 8, 2016; 7) Surigao City –
Oct. 9, 2016; 8) Surigao del Sur – Oct. 13, 2016; 9) Tandag City – Oct. 14,
2016; 10) Bislig City – Oct. 20, 2016; and 11) Province of Dinagat Islands –
Oct. 27-28, 2016.
As an anti-trafficking and anti-violence body,
RIACAT-VAWC is tasked to monitor and oversee the strict implementation of
Republic Act 9208, Republic Act 9262 and other related laws for the protection
of women and children, and of IACAT and IACVAWC national plans for action. It
is also to create, establish and/or implement system on surveillance,
investigation and prosecution, and to create and establish systems on rescue
and reintegration to ensure effective and efficient coordination.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
All set for Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival
2016
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 6 (PIA) -
Now on its 32nd year, the Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival with the
theme, "Manajaw ta! Ang kalooy sa Dios maangkon ta," will take center
stage on Friday, September 9, this city.
This year’s Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival
will start with a thanksgiving mass at 9:00 A.M. at the San Nicolas de
Tolentino Cathedral, then a street dancing at 2:00 P.M. from the city boulevard
up to the Provincial Sports Complex simultaneous with the Drum and Lyre
Competition (2:00 P.M.-4:00 P.M.) followed by the Dance Showdown Competition
and announcement of winners.
Seven contingents have confirmed their
participation, they are: Municipality of Cantilan; Lumad Carrascalanon
Folkloric Ensemble, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur; Kapatagan National High School
of Kapatagan Laak, Compostela Valley; Canlanipa Central Elementary School and
Canlanipa Barangay Council; Lumad Poctoyanon in cooperation with W.D. Rafols
Memorial National High School and J.R Clavero Memorial Elementary School; Lumad Capalaynon of Capalayan National High
School; and Saint Paul University-Surigao City.
The competition is part of the city's annual fiesta
celebration on September 10 in honour of patron Saint Nicolas de Tolentino,
sponsored by the city government, provincial government of Surigao del Norte
and the Surigao City Tourism Council. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Valorian troopers back anti-drug campaign
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 06 (PIA) – The
36th Infantry “Valor” Battalion (36IB), Philippine Army based in Barangay
Dayoan, Tago town, this province vows all-out support to President Rodrigo
Duterte’s call “to suppress crime and fight against illegal drug trade” thru
the implementation of Project Double Barrel.
Accordingly, 36IB commanding officer Lt. Col
Randolph Rojas himself led several group discussions and fora on drug related
issues to some identified communities and secondary schools under his area of
responsibility.
Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer Capt. Al
Pueblas said they have been supporting the police force in implementing such
program in their area. Part of the activities they have conducted are: the
establishment of the Joint AFP-PNP check points, operation TokHang, and
anti-illegal drugs campaign in different schools.
As revealed by police provincial director PSSupt
Romaldo Bayting, three were already killed in separate anti-illegal drugs
operation in the province since July 1 this year.
Meanwhile, Pueblas said that the 36IB troopers
underwent a random drug test but all tested negative for illegal drugs use.
(FEA/NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
National literacy validators give Butuan 'positive'
feedback
By Ma. Lourdes P. Apego
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 6 (PIA) - A team of judges
conducting validation of Butuan City as a nominee of the National Literacy
Awards expressed admiration on the nutrition and women programs as well as the
barangay justice system of the city.
In an audience with city government officials and
employees headed by Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada, validator team representative
Gemma Macatangay observed that nutrition has come out as a policy of the
present administration.
Aside from nutrition, Macatangay also observed that
programs on women are present in Butuan City. She also admired the
"Katarungang Pambarangay" (barangay justice) system and hopes this
system is being followed in the whole Butuan City.
The National Literacy Award aims to recognize local
government units in the country who have developed policies, programs or
projects of learning and knowledge that help advance the quality of life of its
constituents.
For Butuan City, these projects are the 'Farm:
Trees and Trio' of Barangay Tungao as a literacy tool for social mobilization,
Sitio Nueva Estrella (Basic Literacy cum livelihood) of Barangay Manila de
Bugabus as a tool for women empowerment, Butuan City Manpower Training Center
as a literacy tool for job generation and empowerment, Food Always in the Table
and Home (FAITH) program of Barangay Baan Km 3 as literacy tool for the
eradication of malnutrition and the Katarungang Pambarangay of Barangay San
Vicente as a literacy tool for peace and social order.
To date, Butuan City is facing stiff competition
for the National Literacy Awards from two other Highly Urbanized cities in the
country, these are: Cagayan de Oro City and Pasay City. (Radyo ng Bayan
Butuan/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Butuan school supports school-based immunization
program
By Gemma T. Tito
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 6 (PIA) - Bit-os Elementary
School (BES) in Brgy. Bit-os, this city has showed support to the nationwide
campaign and implementation of the nationwide "Bakuna para sa Kabataan,
Protekyon sa Kinabukasan," a free immunization program for students in
public schools nationwide.
Said program is spearheaded by the Department of
Health (DOH) together with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Out of 62 grade 1 BES pupils, only 40 pupils were
immunized. These were the only pupils
who have parent’s consent. They were vaccinated to fight against measles,
rubella, tetanus and diphtheria.
The said activity was spearheaded by the barangay
midwives and barangay health workers who gave time and effort to vaccinate
these pupils in order to fight against diseases. (DepEd Butuan City
Division/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
