Army, partners provide services to 3,000 IPs in
AgNor town
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 26 (PIA) – The 4th Infantry
Division of Philippine Army, together with other government agencies in Caraga
had recently extended their services thru the conduct of Serbisyo Peace Caravan
to some 3,000 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) held at the covered court of Santiago,
Agusan del Norte.
The Serbisyo Peace Caravan was focused on
prioritizing the IP communities composed mainly of the Mamanwa Tribe. It also
included the local residents of said barangay that availed of the services from
the government.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Glenn Joy Aynera,
commanding officer of 29th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, the said
caravan is designed to provide priority basic services of the government to the
people of Santiago and the rest of the municipalities of Agusan del Norte
especially the IPs. Through this activity, the localities will feel that the
government is there for them.
“It formed part of the six-point peace and development
agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration to deliver the
socio-economic development in conflict-affected areas,” bared Aynera.
A total of 27 government agencies, civil society
and private organizations in Caraga region have extended their full support.
The services offered help in addressing issues on health, poverty, grooming,
livelihood, education, social, legal and land concerns.
The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga has offered
dental/medical services, circumcision, deworming, buntis kits, hygiene kits,
and jerry cans to the beneficiaries. The Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) Caraga gave 600 falcata seedlings to the IPs and local
residents. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) also distributed
food curls and 500 baby foods, while the TESDA gave away training certificates.
In his message, mayor Franklin Lim encouraged the
localities to avail of the free services of the government offered today in
their municipality. He also expressed his hope that more of same activity will
be conducted in his area of responsibility so more people can continue to
benefit.
Meanwhile, Agusan del Norte Governor Ma. Angelica
Rosedell Amante-Matba emphasized that without the people in the localities,
there would be no government. She encouraged everyone to unite with the
government and do what will serve best to the majority.
During the short program, Gov. Matba, together with
the PNP, AFP officials, heads of government agencies and partner stakeholders
affixed their signature in the peace covenant.
LTC Cristobal Zaragoza, commander of 401st Brigade,
4ID Phil. Army also led the oath-taking of allegiance of the 10 awardees of the
Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP). (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
PIA Caraga chief assures wide dissemination of food
safety campaign in Caraga
By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) – With the aim to
disseminate the food safety campaign information down to the grassroots level,
the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga region has vowed to utilize all
its platforms for the success of the program.
During the launching of the Food Safe Caraga and
signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) held here on Tuesday, PIA
Caraga regional director Abner M. Caga, in his message read by deputy regional
director Fryan Abkilan, has expressed the agency’s commitment to support the
program. He is thankful that the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
Caraga led by its regional director Dominga Mallonga and to Winrock
International-Philippine Cold Chain Project (Winrock-PCCP) with chief of party
Dan Gudahl for the efforts towards the establishment of the partnership between
the DOST, Winrock, Caraga Food Safety Team, and the PIA.
Under the MOU, PIA will assist in the extensive
dissemination of information and communication materials for the Food Safe
Caraga campaign developed by the Caraga Food Safety Team and the Winrock-PCCP,
and to closely work with the DOST Caraga and Winrock-PCCP in the implementation
of activities.
According to Caga, under the administration of
President Rodrigo Duterte, PIA is now enhancing the foundation of development
communication network (DEVCOMNET) of communication managers and media
specialists from the National Government Agencies, Government-owned and
Controlled Corporations, local government units down to the barangay level.
The DEVCOMNET will serve as multipliers of
government programs and policies as well as an alert response group for public
preparedness on health prevention, sustainable development and peace promotion,
Caga said.
For the past years, PIA has been at the forefront
of mixing the use of traditional media in the grassroots, and blending the old
with the social media, engaging the people for a more interactive communication
with its online accounts on Facebook, Twitter and website, the PIA’s short
messaging system/SMS or the Textblast, the Advanced Forward Emergency
Broadcasting System (AFEEBS), the PIA Caraga INFOcus electronic news magazine
and the One Mindanao mobile app.
With the agency’s platforms, the Food Safe Caraga
Campaign’s widest communication support to empower the communities will be
achieved and assured, Caga said.
Caga also recognized the important role of the
media in the successful conduct of the campaign.
The implementation of the Food Safe Caraga campaign
is in accordance of Republic Act 10611 or the Act to Strengthen the Food Safety
Regulatory System in the Country to Protect Consumer Health and Facilitate
Market Access of Local Foods and Food Products. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
Butuan biz group hosts CARAT Expo 2016
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 26 (PIA) – In a press conference
held on Tuesday here, the Butuan City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI)
through its president Roger Ramirez highlighted the upcoming Caraga
Agricultural Trade and Marketing (CARAT) Exposition happening on November 9-13,
2016 at Robinsons Place Atrium, this city.
Ramirez reiterated that the 2016 CARAT expo is a
multi-stakeholder trade and marketing initiative focused on showcasing Caraga’s
rich agricultural and fishery products.
“This is envisioned to be an annual gathering of
producers, suppliers, marketers, investors and buyers that will serve as
strategic venue for market-matching, linkages and agri-investment,” underscored
Ramirez.
When asked why there is a need to hold the CARAT
expo, Ramirez stressed that through this activity, it will help local trade
associations, producer groups and agro-entrepreneurs in creating new markets
and in improving buyer-seller relationships.
“We need to launch and institutionalize a media
technology-use plan for the promotion of a signature brand for Caraga - our
lobster. This will also help improve productivity and sthrenghten food supply
chain in Caraga by educating producer groups and trade associations on new
technologies and innovation in agriculture from national and international
resource persons,” Ramirez elaborated.
This year's CARAT Exposition is spearheaded by the
BCCI in collaboration with all the Chambers of Commerce in Caraga, Department
of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Winrock –
Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP), Pilmico Incorporated, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
CARAT Expo a venue to unleash Caraga’s potential,
says organizer
By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 26 (PIA) – “The Caraga
Agricultural Trade and Marketing Exposition or CARAT 2016 will bring Caraga
region into the ASEAN scene,” says organizer.
Roger N. Ramirez, President of the Butuan Chamber
of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. during a press conference held here
on Tuesday encourages Caraganons to join the region’s big event on November 9
to 13 at the Robinsons Mall. Ramirez also invites the public to witness the
event as national and Asean investors will also be joining.
“This is a historic event, a ‘coming-out-party’ for
Caraga’s fast-developing agricultural industry,” Ramirez said. During the
event, Caraga will not be known for its mineral-rich land, but for its
potential to produce food not just for the island of Mindanao but the whole
country and the ASEAN region as well, he added.
The five-day event will feature top five products
of the region. On Day 1, the Lobster Day (Lobster Festival), Day 2 – Fruits and
Veggies Day (Prutas and Gulay Festival), Day 3 – Aquamarine Day (Sinuglaw
Festival), Day 4 – Livestock Day (Lechon Festival), and Day 5 –
Coco/Palay/Tubers Day (Palagsing Festival), Ramirez said.
Also, Dan Gudahl, chief of party of Winrock
Intl-Philippine Cold Chain Project, said that Caraga is a rising region in
terms of agricultural products and so this is the time that the region will be
recognized and be known because of its products.
This year's CARAT Expo is anchored on the theme
"Enhancing Caraga's Agri- Aqua Industry Towards Global
Competitiveness." It is expected to be participated by 80 exhibitors of
perishable and non-perishable commodities, 100 leaders of producer groups, and
a number of key experts providing trainings in agri-aqua production and
expected to draw 5,000 visitors across the country and the ASEAN region.
(NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga Regional Science HS champion in Surigao City
Consumer Quiz Show 2016
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Oct. 26 (PIA) –
Joshua Dy M. Ajoc, a student and contestant from Caraga Regional Science High
School was declared as champion in the recently concluded 2016 Surigao City
Division Consumer Quiz here.
The first prize winner together with his coach
Marife C. Curada received a trophy, certificate of recognition and cash prize
worth P1,500, and will represent Surigao City Division in the upcoming Regional
Consumer Quiz Show on October 27, 2016 in Butuan City.
Jelmie R. Flores with coach Jill G. Abarico of
Anomar National High School placed second with P1,000 cash prize plus trophy
and certificate of recognition, and third place went to Keith Marie Prenciona,
with coach Reymark D. Marte of Cantiasay National High School with P500 cash
prize plus trophy and certificate of recognition.
According to DTI Surigao del Norte trade and
industry development analyst Lyza D. Trapal, a total of 19 contestants from the
different secondary schools of the city participated in the said event. All
non-winning contestants received a consolation prize of P200.
Trapal said the activity aims to bring consumer
awareness in all ages, especially to the academes where young minds are now
informed and empowered of the rights and responsibility of a consumer.
She further said that the activity is part of the
month-long celebration of Consumer Welfare Month, the whole month of October
with the theme, “Consumer Protection: A Shared Responsibility.”
DepEd district supervisor Marino L. Pamogas graced
the activity and served as one of the members of the board of judges together
with DTI senior trade and industry specialist Ms. Evelyn C. Arlan and SUNCO
secretary Carmelita Beltran. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Tagbina conducts search for outstanding barangay
LGU
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TAGBINA, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 26 (PIA) – The
municipality of Tagbina in Surigao del Sur conducted an incentive program
dubbed as “We Love Barangay”: A Search for Outstanding Barangay Local
Government Unit.
"The said program aims to inspire our 25
barangays to value development and sustainable outcomes in barangay
governance," said Tagbina Vice Mayor Antonio Adlao, who authored the
program.
The competition is based on showcasing the
exemplary performance of their duties and responsibilities and on how the
barangay council delivers its basic services to their constituents in
consonance with the provisions of the Local Government Code and other relevant
existing laws.
Adlao further said that the criteria for judging is
based on the following categories: Clean, Green and Bloom (20%);
Accountability, Responsive and Transparency (20%); Tax Collection (20%);
Sangguniang Barangay Records and Other Documentations /Records Keeping (20%);
Peace and Order (20%); and Over-All Impact (20%).
All barangays of the said municipality are
subjected for a quarterly unannounced evaluation to start every first quarter
of the year using the prescribe criteria for the different categories set by
the Technical Working Groups, Adlao added.
The winners will receive a developmental
infrastructure project from the municipal government. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
PNP, Army start implementing Oplan Undas 2016 in
SurSur
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 26 (PIA) – The
Surigao del Sur police office and Philippine Army have assured security during
the observance of All Souls’ and All Saints’ Day in the province next week.
According to Police Province Office chief PSSupt Romaldo
Bayting, the security preparations are now in place for this annual event.
It was learned that police personnel are directed
to provide maximum police visibility, increase of check points, maintain
security in vital installations, economic key points, ensure high state of
operational readiness to deter criminal activities and thwart any hostile
actions that may be launched by threat groups.
Meanwhile, 402nd Brigade Commander Col. Franco
Nemesio Gacal revealed that part of their work is to support the PNP. "We
have already coordinated with the PNP on this matter," Gacal said.
Newly assumed Tandag City police chief PCInsp. Rey
Sorreda bared that the Provincial Police Office will augment additional police
force during the said celebration.
Sorreda also added that the implementation of the
security plan will continue until the upcoming State Universities and Colleges
Sports and Cultural Competition on November 5-11, where the Surigao del Sur
State university is the event host. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
NEDA 13 conducts special forum on Caraga's economic
performance
By Arturo Cruje
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Oct. 26 (PIA) -
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga Regional Office
has organized a special forum to assess the regional economic performance of
Caraga based on the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP).
On the latest economic statistics, the regional
economic performance is declining on the areas of agriculture, fishery and
forestry.
The sectors that showed good performance are
tourism and mining.
As agreed by the Regional Economic Development
Committee, NEDA called out the Provincial Planning and Development Officers,
Provincial Tourism Officers, Provincial Agriculture Officers, Provincial
Environment and Natural Resources Officers and Provincial Economic Enterprise
Development Officers of Caraga to the said forum held recently at the NEDA -13
Regional Office in Butuan City.
It can be recalled that fishery was once a
flourishing industry in the region with Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur
as leading producers. However, the industry seemed to have a lot of problem
which resulted to decreasing fish production.
During the said forum, sensible recommendations
were formulated to improve the region’s economic performance. (OIC-PTCO/PIA-Surigao
del Norte)
DILG 13 celebrates 25 years of local autonomy
By Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 26 (PIA) - As the Local
Government Code of 1991 reaches 25 years of implementation, the Department of
the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 13 (Caraga) celebrates it with
national government agencies (NGAs), civil society organizations (CSOs),
teachers and students of the Local Resource Institutes (LRIs) and local
government units (LGUs) on October 24, 2016 at Balanghai Hotel and Convention
Center, this city.
Anchored on the theme: “LGC @ 25: Pagsulong,
Progreso, Pagbabago,” DILG commemorates the journey of local governance and
builds on its recent progress to guide and transform LGUs as able instruments
of good governance in shifting towards federalism.
During the celebration, several activities were
lined-up such as the Quiz Bee competition among college students of the
attending LRIs with a brief lecture on the Local Government Code of 1991:
Decentralization and Governance by Atty. Allen M. Gasulas, Legal Officer of
DILG 13 and a lecture on Federalism by Gerald “Dindi” Tan, Asst. Project
Manager on Federalism under Emily O. Padilla, DILG Undersecretary for
Legislative and Liaison and Special Concerns.
DILG Caraga regional director Lilibeth A. Famacion
highlighted the gains of LGUs for the past 25 years of local autonomy. She
reminded LGUs to be ready for change as DILG is currently undertaking a
nationwide information and campaign on Federalism to ease the transition
towards the change of system.
The celebration is pursuant to Presidential
Proclamation No. 63 declaring the month of October of every year as Local
Government Month, the second week of October as the Local Government Week and
the 10th of October as the Local Government Day. (DILG 13/PIA-Caraga)
