ConsumerNet sets activities for 2016 CWM
celebration
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 4 (PIA) – The Consumer Network
(ConsumerNet) led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga has
lined up activities for this year’s Consumer Welfare Month.
The Diskwento Caravan in the Province of Dinagat
Islands was recently conducted on October 2-3; Agusan del Norte and Agusan del
Sur on October 5-6; and Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur on October 27-28.
The consuming public will enjoy affordable and cheaper prices of the basic
commodities during these schedules.
The ConsumerNet has also set the schedule for the
conduct of Quiz Bowl: October 7- Cabadbaran City and Agusan del Sur; October
12- Agusan del Norte and San Jose, Dinagat Islands; October 14 - Butuan City,
Bayugan City and Siargao Islands; October 11 – Surigao del Norte; October 12 –
Surigao City; October 21 – Tandag City and Surigao del Sur; October 24 – Bislig
City; and October 27 – Robinsons Place, Butuan City.
Other activities will also be conducted, such as
the Christmas Lights monitoring in Surigao City on October 7 and October 11 in
Bislig City; Regional Fair Trade Law (FTL) Enforcement on October 12-13 in
Bislig City and October 17-18 in Surigao del Norte; and Appliance Store
monitoring in Bislig City.
Meanwhile, series of Consumer Education Seminars
are also scheduled for the month with speakers from DTI, Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) and other partner agencies. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
PSA Caraga bares series of activities for 2016 NSM
celebration
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 4 (PIA) – The Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) Caraga has set series of activities in Caraga region
for this year’s 27th National Statistics Month (NSM) celebration.
“The 27th National Statistics Month celebration
highlights the importance of statistics in tracking our nation’s progress
towards achieving sustainable development in line with the United Nations’
program on the Post-2015 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals,” bared PSA
Caraga regional director Rosalinda Celeste-Apura.
Said celebration will kick-off on October 6 with an
opening ceremony and Hataw exercise at Robinsons Place, this city. On the same
day, the cartooning contest, essay writing contest, and statistical quiz will
also be held at Don Ruben Ecleo Sr. Memorial National High School in San Jose,
Province of Dinagat Islands.
The PSA will also hold the following activities on
different dates and venues: slogan and poster making contest for private and
public secondary schools, essay writing contest, high school oratorical
contest, and high school statistics quiz show.
On October 17-21, the PSA Agusan del Norte will
conduct the Basic Statistics Training (Sampling Techniques and procedures). A
seminar-workshop on Statistical Modeling and Software Applications Special
Applications on Statistical Methods is set on October 19-21, 2016 in Butuan
City.
On October 19, the Lecture on the Role of
Statistics in Good Governance and the 2015 Performance of Caraga region will be
held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Multi-Purpose Hall, Butuan City.
Other activities also include the following: PSA
Lecture-Workshop on Infographics on October 24 in Butuan City; Lecture Series
on Statistics Generated from Censuses and Surveys (Economic Sector and Social
Sector) for PSA Employees on October 24-25 in Surigao City; Training on Data
Analysis in Surigao del Sur, and Office Safety Awareness and Preparedness
Training-Workshop at PSA Caraga Training Room in Butuan City on October 27.
The culmination program is set on October 28 to be
held at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, Butuan City.
The 27th NSM celebration is anchored on the theme
“Sustainable Development: Making Statistics Count.” (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
4 DPWH Caraga employees test positive for illegal
drugs
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 4 (PIA) – The Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Caraga has intensified its anti-illegal drugs
campaign after four of its employees have tested positive for drugs recently.
DPWH Caraga regional director Danilo Versola said
four job-order employees were among those who tested positive after a surprise
mandatory drug testing was conducted on September 13 shortly after the morning
flag ceremony from the first batch of the 429 public workers.
Versola recalled that all public workers that time
were required inside the compound, with instruction to the security personnel
to lock down the gates and no one was allowed to leave until all the employees
have surrendered their specimen samples.
DPWH Caraga assistant regional director Pol Delos
Santos stressed that the employment for those involved in illegal drug use will
be over if they do not voluntarily surrender.
“Those involved must come and see me so that we can
talk and the management may find ways to provide assistance. But this is a
stern and final warning because I want a clean office under my watch,”
underlined Versola.
It was learned that the drug testing in the
regional office is not yet over as there are 50 permanent personnel and 192 job
orders who will still undergo the test.
The department targeted to have its 632 total
number of employees regionwide to undergo the drug test. The 419 of which are
permanent employees and 413 job orders assigned in the regional office and all
field offices around the region under its jurisdiction.
(JPG/DPWH-13/PIA-Caraga)
BSP spearheads 2016 Consumer Welfare Month
celebration
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 4 (PIA) – The Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) here is spearheading this year’s Consumer Welfare Month (CWM)
celebration with the theme “Consumer Protection: A Shared Responsibility.”
According to regional director Brielgo Pagaran of
the Department of Trad and Industry (DTI) Caraga and lead agency of the
Consumer Network (ConsumerNet), the BSP as one of the active partners is
leading this month’s celebration with various activities to be held in the
city.
“The theme emphasizes the importance of working
together among government agencies and business in ensuring that consumers are
accorded the protection needed,” added Pagaran.
Pagaran also bared that said celebration is
pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1098 declaring month of October of
every year as the Consumer Welfare Month.
It was also learned that the CWM celebration
kicked-off today with a briefing on Fair Trade Law (FTL) Monitoring and
Enforcement at the DTI regional office, followed by a motorcade in the city
thoroughfares, and actual conduct of FTL within the city.
On October 27, the conduct of Regional Consumer
Quiz Bowl and ConsumerNet Help Desk is scheduled at the Robinsons Place, this
city. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
ECC reiterates Employees’ Compensation Program to
gov’t, private workers
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 4 (PIA) – In a press conference
held recently here, officials from the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC)
central office reiterated their employees compensation program (ECP) to all
workers in the government offices and private companies/establishments.
According to Atty. Jonathan Villasoto, deputy
executive director of ECC Manila, the ECP is designed to provide employees and
their families with income benefits, medical, and other benefits in the event
of work-connected sickness, injury or death.
“It is the employers contribution to their
employees in times of work-related sickness, injury or death, and it is not a
salary deduction. Whatever benefits employees get from their Social Security
System (SSS) or Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) are separate from
what they will get or benefit from the ECC,” clarified Villasoto.
It was learned that the ECP is based on
Presidential Decree 626 (as amended) otherwise known as “Employees’
Compensation and State Insurance Fund” on March 17, 1975. The ECP benefits
comprised the following: Medical benefits, Rehabilitation Services, Loss of
Income Benefit, Carer’s Allowance, and Death benefit.
As to who are covered of the EC Program, Atty.
Villasoto disclosed that all compulsory members of SSS, including seafarers,
GSIS members, uniformed personnel – Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine
National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and
Penology are included. However, voluntary and self-employed members are
excluded.
Atty. Villasoto further encouraged employers to
properly implement the EC Program to their employees in their respective
agencies/companies to avoid lawful penalties. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DTI Surigao Norte recognizes 'green champions'
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Oct. 4 (PIA) – The
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Surigao del Norte provincial office has
recognized the green champions of the province during the conduct of the
ProGED (Promotion of Green Economic
Development) In-phasing Event held recently at the Parkway Hotel, this city.
The four Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs) in the tourism sector who were recognized and were given certificate of
recognition are Mt. Bagarabon Beach Resort in Barangay Mabua, Surigao City;
D’Islandersville Pension Hauz in Dapa, Surigao del Norte; Ocean 101 Beach
Resort and Sta. Fe Homestay in Barangay Sta. Fe, all in General Luna, Siargao
Island.
According to Provincial Director Celestino L.
Negapatan, as per monitoring activity conducted by the DTI, the above-mentioned
MSMEs have implemented some of the best practices in greening their
establishments after they have attended series of ProGED sensitization
activities undertaken since February of 2015.
“They have addressed the key hotspots in business
operation, which included fuel, electricity, water, solid waste, waste water
and building design thereby cutting costs and generating more profits for their
business and revenue for the government,” Negapatan said.
Meanwhile, a certificate of recognition was also
given to Surigao del Norte Governor Sol F. Matugas for her ‘Kahapsay Kalinaw
Program.’ The City ENRO was also recognized for innovation and for converting
plastic wrappers to pavers and planters. The Surigao City Tourism Office,
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Surigao Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (SCCI) were also given recognition for their continued support to
greening the tourism value chain and the environment. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del
Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Volunteers gather in SurSur town for coastal
cleanup
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 4 (PIA) - Some
59 participants from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office
(PENRO) - Surigao del Sur and Philippine Radio Organization Volunteer For
Emergency, Inc. (PROVE) Mancagangi Chapter Office gathered recently at the
Matho Beach in Cortes town, this province for the coastal cleanup activity in
line with the celebration of the 2016 International Coastal Cleanup (ICC).
With the theme “Bayan Ko Linis Ko: Bayanihan Para
sa Malinis na Karagatan,” PENRO chief Jose Flavio Concha, who led the activity,
encouraged all Surigaonons to undertake cleanup activity within their
surroundings.
“Surigao del Sur, known as the 'Shangri-La by the
Pacific' is one of the provinces that has a longest coastline in the country
with beautiful beaches served as local tourism destination. It is therefore
imperative role of everyone to maintain the cleanliness from any disastrous
wastes not only in our beaches and coasts but also on its tributary zones like
creeks, rivers and waterways to marine ecosystem, which are natural resources
and vital sources of our livelihood, food and health security,” Concha said.
Meanwhile, PENRO information officer Johny Natad
said the coastal cleanup drive is also part of the agency's 116th Philippine
Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA) celebration.
The field offices under PENRO Surigao del Sur in
collaboration with the local government units are encouraged and advised to
conduct cleanup activities in small group only based on the DENR-Environmental
Management Bureau advisory limiting the activities within the safe environs of
certain barangay, school, church, community, company or establishment, along
roadsides, canals and vacant lots used as dump sites of individuals observing
proper public security and safety to all participants.
Accordingly, the International Coastal Cleanup is
the world's largest volunteer effort for the ocean and waterways. It is
celebrated annualy every September with an aim to promote environmental
consciousness among people for ocean's health and better waste management
policies to protect marine ecosystem. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DepEd Caraga bares SHS classroom construction
status
By Concepcion P. Vasquez
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 4 (PIA) – A total of 636
classrooms are completely constructed and now utilized by Senior High Schools
(SHS) in Caraga region.
Records from the Department of Education (DepEd)
Caraga show that of the 1,517 classrooms allocated in the region, 636 are
already completed, 765 are about to be completed or ongoing and the 116 have
yet to be constructed. It was learned that the delay of the construction of the
allocated classrooms was due to the following reasons: failure of soil
exploration; request of additional funding; and failure of bidding due to non
bidder.
The following is the allocation of SHS classrooms
by division: Agusan del Norte – 158; Agusan del Sur – 335; Bayugan City – 61;
Bislig City – 42; Butuan City – 144; Cabadbaran City – 16; Dinagat Islands –
110; Siargao – 88; Surigao City – 79; Surigao del Norte – 138; Surigao del Sur
– 334; and Tandag City – 12.
For the SHS Technical Vocational (TecVoc)
Laboratory construction, nine are already completed while two units are still
to be completed. DepEd has allocated 11 TecVoc laboratories in the region. (DepEd
Butuan City Division/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
DepEd Butuan celebrates National Teachers’ Day
By Ana Marie P. Dultra
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 4 (PIA) – The Department of
Education (DepEd) Butuan City Division will celebrate the National Teachers'
Day on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 here with the theme “Guro: Kabalikat sa
Pagbabago.”
The said activity aims to honor those who are in
the teaching profession; acknowledge and give emphasis on the crucial role,
loyal service and dedicated commitment of teachers in developing
globally-minded citizens, nurturing families, strengthening communities, and
building the nation.
A school-based celebration, including the
recitation of a prayer for teachers or "panalangin para sa mga guro"
will be observed, it was learned.
Every year, DepEd celebrates the National Teachers’
Month from September 5 to October 5, 2016, which is also the National Teachers’
Day and World Teachers’ Day. This is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No.
242 entitled “Declaring the Period from September 5 to October 5 of Every Year
as National Teachers’ Month," as well as Republic Act 10743 entitled
“Declaring the 5th day of October of Every Year as the National Teachers’
Day," and to the designation of the World Teachers’ Day every 5th of
October by the United Nations Education and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO). (DepEd
Butuan City Division/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
OWWA-Caraga holds provincial PESO conference in
Dinagat Islands
By Sheamin Lae C. Dogmoc
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 4 (PIA) - The Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration (OWWA) Caraga conducted the Provincial PESO Conference
in San Jose town, province of Dinagat Islands on September 30, 2016.
Some 29 participants mostly Public Employment
Service Office (PESO) managers and staffs from different municipalities of the
province attended the conference.
As the primary intention of keeping the PESO
participants updated of the recent programs and services of OWWA, Rodel P.
Deligero, Overseas Workers Welfare Officer (OWWO-III) discussed the Relief
Assistance Program (RAP) together with the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay
Program (BPBH).
Meanwhile, Bepu Brylle Bangcoyo, Family Welfare
Officer, laid down the functions and programs of the National Reintegration Center
for OFWs (NRCO).
To clarify the confusion as to the difference of
NRCO and OWWA, Bangcoyo emphasized that every program or assistance has its own
eligibility requirements. Thus, such cases that are no longer eligible for OWWA
assistance or programs shall be directly referred to NRCO for accommodation.
Several OFWs were also present during the event and
were able to raise their respective concerns.
“Our OFWs finally received the answers they all
wanted to hear. Thank you also for clarifying their confusions,” said Dinagat
Islands PESO Manager Emma Y. Mausisa. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
