Caraganons prepare for TD Marce
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 24 (PIA) – The Caraganons are
taking precautionary measures as Tropical Depression (TD) Marce is expected to
make landfall over Surigao del Norte this afternoon or early evening today, as
per report from PAGASA Butuan chief meteorological officer Lolita Vinalay
during the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC)
meeting tthis morning.
The local government units in the provinces of
Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat
Island have declared suspension of classes today.
Butuan City is experiencing heavy downpour of rains
with gusty winds while roads in some parts of the city are already flooded. The
public is advised to take precautionary measures to avoid untoward incidents.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
(CAAP) here also reported that no cancelled flight is so far advised at the
Bancasi Airport, as of 8:00 a.m today.
Agusan del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management (PDRRM) Officer Erma Suyo bared that classes in kindergarten are
now suspended. However, all LDRRMCs are advised to suspend elementary and high
school classes if their area of responsibility (AOR) is under threat of
flooding and possible landslides. Venturing out in the sea is also strictly
prohibited.
Agusan del Sur PDRRMO Roberto Natividad also
underlined that local residents in the different LGUs of the province
especially those residing near riverbanks and prone to flashflood areas were
advised to take precautionary measures as the province continues to experience
light to moderate rains due to TD Marce.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer
PSWDO Razel Montemor of Agusan del Sur added that the LGUs of the province were
already warned about TD Marce and alerted the members of the Response Cluster.
She also emphasized that they have prepositioned family relief packs for
possible augmentation to LGUs.
Also, since last night, November 23, 2016, the
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Surigao del Nofte has already cancelled all
trips going to Cebu, Liloan and Benit, Southern Leyte including trips going to
Dinagat Islands and Siargao Island and vice versa due to TD Marce.
It was learned that around 250 passengers and 70
rolling cargoes going to Liloan in Southern Leyte, Siargao Island and Dinagat
Islands are stranded today, Nov. 24, 2016 at the Macapagal Port Terminal and
Lipata Ferry Terminal in Surigao City.
In Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, administrator
Roxanne Pimentel urged the fishermen not to venture out into the sea for
fishing due to TD Marce. She also advised the people living along riverbanks,
coastal and low-lying areas to take precautionary measures for possible
flooding and landslides. (JPG/NLM/NGBT/SDR/VLG, PIA-Caraga)
Caraga disaster council convenes ahead of TD Marce
landfall
By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 24 (PIA) – The Regional Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Caraga through its Pre Disaster
Risk Assessment (PDRA) Core Team convened for a meeting on Thursday at the
RDRRMC/OCD Emergency Operations Center here in preparation for the onslaught of
Tropical Depression (TD) Marce.
Engr. Lolita Vinalay of the Philippine Atmospheric
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that TD
Marce is expected to make landfall over Surigao del Norte this afternoon or
early evening.
“Caraga region is expected to experience heavy
rains and gusty winds this afternoon until evening as TD Marce will make
landfall over Surigao del Norte," Vinalay said. She also presented the
hazard impacts analysis and rainfall forecast of TD Marce.
Also, the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) presented the Operation LISTO (hotdog track) that shows the
five provinces – Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao
del Sur and Dinagat Islands as among the areas to be affected by TD Marce.
Jeffrey Ramo of DILG also bared that they have
already issued an office order for the reactivation of the Regional Disaster
Monitoring and Reporting System effective Wednesday.
The Department of Health (DOH) has also raised its
alert status to code white alert as part of its preparations for any
eventualities that maybe caused by TD Marce. Medicines and jerry cans are now
prepositioned. They are also doing 24/7 monitoring for possible evacuees.
For inquiries on road status/conditions, Department
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also encouraged the public to report and
ask inquiries through their hotline at (085) 815-4805.
As of 10:00 a.m. today, the water level in Agusan
River is still normal with 1.08m.
The Caraga RDRRMC Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
is now on Red Alert Status (24/7 monitoring) in anticipation of an imminent
emergency situation. The status requires response agency staffing at the
RDRRMOC and immediate interagency coordination. This is based on the approved
and adopted RDRRMC Standard Operating Procedures.
Meanwhile, the province of Agusan del Norte issued
Executive Order No. 26 signed by governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba
Local DRRMCs, Incident Command System, PDRRMC Operation Center, ADNERT, HERU,
ERAT are now activated. The local DRRMCs in the municipalities of Las Nieves,
Jabonga and Magallanes in the province of Agusan del Norte have already
suspended their preschool, elementary and secondary classes.
The meeting was attended by the representatives
from the Department of Science and Technology, DILG, Department of Social
Welfare and Development, National Economic and Development Authority,
DOST-PAGASA, DPWH, DOH, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine Naional
Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and 4th Civil Military Operations Battalion,
4th Infantry Division, Phil. Army. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
DOT Caraga to launch ‘Orange Your Icon’ in Surigao
City
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 24 (PIA) - In support of the 2016
18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, the Department of Tourism (DOT)
Caraga is set to hold a launching ceremony of the ‘Orange Your Icon’, an 18-day
campaign to end violence against women (VAW) advocacy on November 25, 2016.
“This is among Department of Tourism’s (DOT)
sustained efforts to be one with the cause of giving women and children a
brighter future with the support of the tourism industry,” said DOT
officer-in-charge Mary Jean Camarin.
The activity aims to attract public’s curiosity
about why the major landmarks are colored orange, provide opportunity for
advocates to explain the anti-VAW advocacy, strengthen the anti-VAW advocacy by
enjoining new audiences to join the cause, promote the vision of a VAW-free
community.
A press conference is set on November 25, 2014,
1:00 p.m. in Surigao City, to be followed by the launching activity which will
be held at the ‘Sapatos nan Luneta sa Surigao’ at 5:00 p.m.
The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) launched
the Orange Your Icon as one of the major activities during the 2015 18-Day
Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), in solidarity with the United
Nations’ UNiTE to End VAW Campaign.
“As a bright and optimistic color, orange
represents hope and a future free from violence against women and girls,”
underscored Camarin. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Tandag City classes suspended due to TD Marce
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Nov. 24 (PIA) – The
city government here thru City Administrator Roxanne Pimentel suspended classes
from pre-school to elementary in both private and public schools on Thursday,
Nov. 24 as a precaution against the expected onslaught of Tropical Depression
Marce.
City DRRMO officer Marivic Bandoy also said they
have urged the fishermen not to venture out into the sea for fishing, and
advised the people who are living along the riverbanks, coastal areas and low
lying areas to take precautionary measures for possible flooding and
landslides.
Meanwhile, Provincial DRRM officer Abel de Guzman
issued an advisory to the local DRRM officers to monitor for any untoward
incidents. He also advised the local DRRM councils to hold a Pre Disaster Risk
Assessment (PDRA), and activate their Incident Command System, if necessary.
(NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DTI awards 10 business establishments from Surigao
City
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Nov. 24 (PIA) –
Ten establishments in the city received plaque of recognition from the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) during the grand opening of the Negosyo
Konsyumer at iba pa (NKATB) held recently at Almont Inland Resort, Butuan City.
According to DTI Surigao del Norte provincial
director Celestino L. Negapatan, the NKATB is a national initiative which was
undertaken in the regional level to highlight the integrated services of DTI to
the clienteles and also served as a venue for the said awarding.
He said that out of ten awardees, eight were 2006
BAGWIS awardees which include Eduhome Enterprises, Metro Surigao Shopping
Center, Inc., United General Merchandise, J. Marketing Corporation, Tri-Mix
Enterprises, RSY Multi Trade Shop, Mercury Drug Corporation, and Palma
Superstore, while, the 2016 BAGWIS awardees are Absolute Essentials Traders,
Inc, and UNICITY Gen. Merchandise.
DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Cuizon-Maglaya handed
over the awards to the said establishments and assisted by DTI Caraga regional
director Brielgo O. Pagaran.
“The awards are in recognition of their continued
response in carrying out good business practices in their establishments and
also because they are considered partners of DTI in the delivery of services to
the consumers,” Negapatan added.
(SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Three farm business schools launched in AgSur
By Renato Bashir Ilupa
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Nov. 24 (PIA) - The
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office here has launched three
Farm Business Schools (FBS) in the province since 2015.
DAR-Agusan del Sur information officer Rachel
Besonia explained that FBS is a DAR-initiated program that aims to teach
farmer-ARBs new farming techniques and technology and most of all teach them to
operate their farms as business enterprise.
"We go to their farms and conduct them
lectures that include financial management, bookkeeping, accounting, business,
market trends in the hope of increasing their income," Besonia explained.
FBS was pilot-tested in Nueva Ecija in 2013 and
when it had a remarkable result as shown in the farmers' increased income, it
was replicated in other provinces. FBS is done in a period of six months but
the enrolee-beneficiaries meet with the facilitators once a week, she added.
DAR's partners in the FBS include the Department of
Agriculture (DA), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), DTI, and the concerned
LGUs. Here in Agusan del Sur, FBS was first launched in the municipality of
Esperanza in April 2015.
The FBS beneficiaries there were some 30 ARBs who
are members of the Crossing Luna Beawan Esperanza Vegetables Production Multi
Purpose Cooperative (CROBE VMPC). In August 2016, another FBS was launched in
Novele, Rosario with 30 members of the Novele Vegetable Growers Association as
beneficiaries. Last November 19, 2016 some 68 members of Rizal Multi Purpose
Cooperative, based in the municipality of San Francisco, graduated from the
FBS. (AgSur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Caraga LGUs, DA-13 recognized in PH corn congress
By Aurelius P. Arais
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 24 (PIA) - Farmer’s determination
plus right technology plus government support results to quality produce.
These what gives Caraga Region an edge over other
regions vying for the recently concluded 4th National Quality Corn Achievers
Awards 2016.
For the third time, the Province of Agusan del
Norte set Caraga Region in the limelight as the province emerged as Hall of
Fame awardee in the implementation of the corn program.
Governor Maria Angelica Rosedelle Amante-Matba with
other provincial officials received the award as Agusan del Norte is the lone
winner of the said category.
Aside from the award of the province, Agusan del
Norte Provincial Agriculturist Alvin Aclan also received a Hall of Fame award for
being an outstanding provincial agriculturist while provincial corn coordinator
Oscar Tuyor as outstanding provincial corn coordinator hall of fame awardee.
Aside from hall of fame awardees from Caraga
Region, the Municipality of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur also emerged as the
outstanding municipality while Marlita Cortez was awarded as an outstanding
municipal agriculturist, Luzviminda Abellana as an outstanding municipal corn
coordinator and Nilo Villamor as an outstanding agricultural extension worker.
The province of Agusan del Norte and municipality
of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur received a check amounting to P5M and P1M worth
of projects respectively while individual winners received cash prizes.
Recognizing government’s support to the local government
units, DA-Caraga Region has been recognized also as the best regional team.
The awarding ceremony was held in conjunction with
the 12th Philippine National Corn Congress at the City of Koronadal, South
Cotabato on November 16-18, 2016 with the theme: Sulong Maisan! Sapat na
Pagkain ng Bayan.
The event was graced by DA Assistant Secretary
Federico Laciste Jr., assistant secretary for operations and national
coordinator for corn and rice program.
The congress was attended by close to 2,000
participants composed of corn farmers, traders, government officials and other
corn stakeholders around the country. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DSWD Caraga assures preparedness for TD Marce
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 24 (PIA) - As the Philippine
Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
announced that Caraga region will be hit by Tropical Depression Marce, the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga assured the public
that the agency is ready for augmentation support to the local government
units.
While TD Marce was still a Low Pressure Area (LPA)
located east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, the agency had already called the
attention of its key persons of the Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to prepare for
possible development of a tropical depression.
As part of its disaster preparedness activities,
the agency already prepositioned 13,000 family food packs amounting to P4,
224,740. These goods are prepositioned to strategic areas or geographically
hard to reach areas in the region.
Some 14,916 family food packs are also stockpiled
at the regional warehouse in the city. As of this time, there is an on-going
relief packing for additional stockpile of goods.
The field office has also available non-food items
amounting to P1,219,133.33.
As of reporting time, QRT members of DSWD-Caraga
are on standby mode for easy mobilization. The Social Welfare and Development
(SWAD), and City/Municipal Action Teams (C/MATs) of the affected areas are
closely coordinating with the Local Social Welfare and Local Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Officers for updates.
DSWD Caraga regional director Minda B. Brigoli said
that the regional office is in constant communication with the SWAD and C/MAT
members regarding the situation in their areas.
“DSWD is ready to perform its augmentation role to
the local government units of the provinces, municipalities, and cities who are
the first responders to their constituents,” she added.
Brigoli also expressed her call for the public to
be on alert and to heed announcements of authorities for their own safety.
(Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
