Armed NPA militia surrenders in Surigao Norte
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Jan. 23 (PIA) – A
member of the Militia ng Bayan of the New Peoples Army (MB-NPA) in the town of
Alegria, province of Surigao del Norte voluntarily surrendered to the Army's
30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) on January 21, 2018.
The rebel turned with him his issued AK47 rifle,
magazine and several ammunitions. The returned militiaman was a certain aka
“Jun”, a resident of Barangay Budlingin, Alegria town.
"He is an active NPA supporter before, and
because of his enthusiasm, the NPAs issued him an AK47 rifle and was tasked to
spy on our government forces to conduct of sniping, harassment and other
tactical offensives in the said barangay," 2Lt. Jonel Castillo, 30IB
spokesperson said.
Castillo also said that the Militia ng Bayan (MB)
are armed NPA supporters living in the community utilized by the NPA guerilla
as informants who assist in the conduct of their terroristic activities against
government forces.
On his part, 30IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Allen
Tomas said that for the past years, Brgy. Budlingin has been a stronghold of
the NPA rebels and eventually, people realized how the NPAs destroyed their
lives.
“It is also through our efforts in establishing
peace with the community that supporters find their way back to our government.
This is a clear manifestation of how the Surigaonons wanted nothing but peace,”
he said.
"We call on our NPA brothers to give up your
armed struggle. Come down and embrace a peaceful life with your families and
with the government," Lt. Col. Tomas said. (30IB-Philippine
Army/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Team Butuan wins KATROPA ballgame
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 23 – Team Butuan emerged as the
over-all champion during the Inter-LGU and Open Basketball League organized by
the Commission on Population (POPCOM) after the pocket tournaments held in
various parts of the region starting 2016. Giving the toughest challenge for
said crown to Team Butuan were the Municipality of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur
– 1st runner-up; Surigao City – 2nd runner-up; and Cabadbaran City – 3rd
runner-up.
Kalalakihang Tumutugon sa Responsibilidad at
Obligasyon sa Pamilya or KATROPA on Hardcourt of the POPCOM-Caraga is an
advocacy for men in another platform through an open commercial basketball
tournament for known players. It is also a contribution to emerging initiatives
to mobilize men as partners in women empowerment and gender equality. Said
advocacy was launched in 2016.
POPCOM maximized the gathering of the huge crowd by
repeatedly showing its short films and plugging about its program advocacy.
The Butuan Team as supported by private
institutions, ARQ Builders and WBS Garments, was composed of the young
stalwarts of the hardcourt, namely Jerham Guzman, Ton Delmonte, Clint
Inocencio, Manuel Bunzo, James Paray, CD Gonzales, Van Balaba, Kev Plaza, JR
Ayala, and co-coached and managed by Dave Makinano.
POPCOM Caraga Director Alexander A. Makinano
featured the significance of this initiative and called for dynamic and
responsible involvement among males in managing over-all concerns of the entire
family.
“This advocacy is significant for it enhanced male
involvement advocating and championing maternal, neonatal and child health and
nutrition and responsible parenting. Before, in-between or during breaks, and
after each game, series of KATROPA advocacy materials were shown,” Makinano
emphasized.
The good director also disclosed that along with
this event were the oath-taking ceremonies of POPDEV Club Officers from the
different high schools in Butuan, MR. GAD-KATROPA Officers-Butuan Chapter, and
the Recognition and Awards for local media partners. This was to give due
recognition to their invaluable contribution to the Philippine Population
Management Program (PPMP) in support to the population thrusts of President
Rodrigo Roa Duterte. (POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte to host BSP national council meeting
in May
By John Glenn A. Platil
SURIGAO CITY, Jan. 23 – Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol
Matugas revealed that the province will push through with the hosting of the
Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP) National Council Meeting in May 2018.
Matugas said that that province will take the lead
in the conduct of Court of Honor which will be participated by 120 BSP councils
nationwide and roughly over a thousand delegates. This was mentioned before the
presence of municipal mayors all throughout the province as they convened at
the New Expanded PGO Conference Hall on January 22, 2018.
Matugas also informed the body of the conduct of
formal ceremonies, gala and fellowship. She further recommended that one
municipality shall adopt at least one council. In other words, the municipal
local government unit (LGU) shall take care of ushering, offering of souvenir
mementos, special tour package, t-shirts, and other services to delight and
satisfy the guests. Sumptuous meals and snacks will also be tendered.
She also said that the itinerary is in the work
such that the delegates will enjoy the fascinating destinations in Siargao as
this will help boost its tourism and economy.
Meanwhile, Matugas said that the local government
is concentrating on how to enhance agricultural production, with emphasis on
sustainable rice supply, livestock, poultry, fruits, vegetables and root crops.
"It is imperative to develop our farm industry
and fishing grounds so we can avoid unnecessary importation of products from
Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, and other neighboring provinces," the governor
said.
She also disclosed that a proposed agreement between
Transglobal Corporation and KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is underway so they
can invest in the growth and expansion of the economy through agricultural
development and livelihood advancement.
"I want the Ipil Demo Farm and the Cancohoy
Farm to maximize the harvests because our yields and produced must be maximized
and should translate to sustainable and inclusive progress," Matugas said.
Law enforcement in matters respecting the illegal
numbers game and those operations sanctioned by the Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) were substantively tackled.
On his part, Atty. Premolito Plaza explained that
in all likelihood, general laws like the LGU Code of the Philippines may
prevail over special laws, in accordance with the newest rulings upheld by the
Supreme Court of the Republic of the Philippines.
Some agreed that it is a tough balancing act to
regulate these operations, however, the PCSO can issue licenses to where it
deems proper. So much so that the clear distinction between issuing a business
permit and regulating a business franchise was laid down during the actual
deliberations. (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
POPCOM Caraga honors media partners

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 23 – The Commission on Population
(POPCOM)-Caraga awarded the local media partners in recognition to their
invaluable contribution to the advocacy of the Philippine Population Management
Program (PPMP), in support to the population thrusts of President Rodrigo Roa
Duterte.
POPCOM recognized their vital contribution as media
partners who brought the program at the doorstep of the Caraganons.
“These various media partners play an important
role in disseminating the information about POPCOM’s three program components
specifically, Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP), Adolescent
Health and Development (AHD), and the Population and Development (PopDev)
Integration, over the radio, television, print or even social media, for
without their help, the agency’s goal and objectives would hardly reach our
target population. Thus, they are worthy to be given due recognition for their
efforts,” POPCOM Caraga Director Alexander A. Makinano said.
The advocacy of POPCOM for its various programs, as
recognized by its regional director, have been possible with the help of media.
According to Makinano, correct and complete information helps the couples and
individuals to make a responsible decision as to their reproductive health.
Among those cited by POPCOM were: Manila Bulletin, Philippine
Information Agency (PIA)-Caraga, ABS-CBN Butuan, RMN-DXBC Butuan, DXBR Bombo
Radyo Butuan, DXBN Radyo Pilipinas, Radyo Trumpeta, DXHR Hope Radio, Bee TV-7
Butuan, RPN-DXKS Surigao, and RMN-DXRS Surigao.
The recognition was done during the Kalalakihang
Tumutugon sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya (KATROPA) on Hardcourt
Champion’s League: Inter-LGU and Open Basketball League in Caraga on Jan. 14 in
Butuan City. (POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Surigaonons enjoy free viewing of movie ‘Siargao’
By John Glenn A. Platil
SURIGAO CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA) – Thousands of
moviegoers became inspired with the blockbuster film “Siargao” during the free
public screening that took place at the Surigao del Norte Provincial Gymnasium
on January 21, 2018.
The movie was shown twice during that day at 2:00
p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
“Surfing was a metaphor for the vibe of life
itself. We wait for the wave, we catch it, we stand, we ride, we crash, then we
surface and try again. Every time we rise to the surface to take our breath, it
means we are alive, and able to go through everything all over again. So face
up to your mistakes, and own up to your wrong decisions. There is always a
second chance. This is an important life lesson that never gets old,"
emphasized Metro Manila Film Fest Gabi ng Parangal Best Director Paul Soriano.
Amid the intermittent heavy rains, the swarm and
horde of movie enthusiasts cheerfully watched the movie.
Jovanie Eludo was thankful of his experience when
the security guard handed him over the three extra tickets the last minute.
Atty. Charlo Paredes clarified that “the
highly-awaited movie Siargao does not only promote Surigao del Norte's most
famous island but also immortalizes the Surigaonon language.”
“It even dares to use Surigaonon's expression
‘Jawa!’ Literally, ‘jawa’ means ‘devil.’ Originally, Surigaonons use it to
swear: ‘Jawa kaw!’ (You're a devil!) But, when it's exclaimed in a soft tone,
it becomes an expression of endearment. In the movie, Diego (Jericho Rosales)
spontaneously utters ‘Jawa!’ upon seeing his childhood friend again since he
left the island. Surigaonons do that when we meet our long lost ‘kababayans,’”
said Paredes.
Paredes also noted that lead actor Jericho Rosales
talked like a native Surigaonon. “Casting the local surfers makes the movie
more realistic. Showing the non-surfing spots of Siargao strengthens the island
as a wholesome tourist destination. Noteworthy too was the inclusion of the
environmental issue (Basura sa Baybay) and the LGU's solid waste management
project – a must for this Pacific surfing hub,” he added.
Clearly, the movie's love story, according to
Paredes, “may not be as intense as the usual Pinoy dramas or as cool as
"rom-com" genre. But, it challenges millenials to reflect deeply on
love relationships by going to a serene place like Siargao Island.” (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao
del Norte)
