More than 400 IPs to participate in IP Leaders
Summit in Butuan
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 23 (PIA) - More than 400
Indigenous Peoples (IPs) will converge for the Caraga-wide IP Leaders Summit
dubbed “Lumadnong Panaglambigitay Alang sa Kalinaw og Kalambuan sa Caraga”
happening on March 25-26, 2018 at the Oazis Hotel, this city.
The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) chaired
by Agusan del Norte Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Matba-Amante is spearheading
said activity, with the collaboration of the different government agencies and
local government units in the region.
According to Atty. Jose Dumagan Jr., Program
Committee chair and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) regional
director, NCIP chairperson Atty. Leonor Oralde-Quintayo is expected to attend
and deliver his inspirational message to all the attendees.
Dir. Dumagan also said that during the Day-1 of the
two-day summit, the NCIP will lead the discussion and open forum on IP issues
and concerns with the presence of the heads of government agencies concerned,
who will also give/present their corresponding responses.
The Higaonon tribe will offer and perform a ritual
right before every start of the 2-day IP Summit. “During the second day of the
IP Leaders Summit, guests and participants will also witness the cultural
presentation by the Manobo, Mamanwa, Higaonon, Banwaon, and Limbay tribes,”
added Dir. Dumagan.
Participating IPs will sign the pledge of
commitment for the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples
declaration and manifestation. It will then be turned-over to the President.
“Secretary Jesus Dureza of the Office of the
Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) is the guest speaker in lieu of
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and will deliver his message in the second day of
the summit,” Dumagan revealed.
Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) Caraga regional director and RPOC head secretariat Lilibeth
Famacion opined that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the
Philippine National Police (PNP) have already put in place their unified
security efforts to ensure safety of the participants and guests, and to make
the event peaceful and successful.
“Gov. Matba and Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente
Lagnada will also share their messages and guaranteed that the city and the
provincial governments will always find way to address the concerns of the IPs
and promote their welfare,” highlighted Famacion. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DSWD Caraga joins Women’s month kick-off event

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 23 - To commence the month-long
celebration of Women's Month this year, 72 National Government Agencies (NGAs)
and other stakeholders including the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga gathered recently to participate in the
advocacy walk, #1BillionRising Dance and the opening program for the said
celebration.
This annual celebration of the National Women's
Month aims to give due recognition to the contributions of Filipino women in
the society.
The observance has been using the theme “We Make
Change Work For Women” since 2017 and will be used until CY 2022. Anchored on
the commitment of "Malasakit at Pagbabago" or "True Compassion
and Real Change", it highlights the empowerment of women as active contributors
to and claimholders of development.
“Women should be active drivers in bringing about
positive changes,” said Social Welfare Officer Jessie Catherine Aranas as she
shares the briefer for the month-long celebration.
“Let’s support the advocacy of this celebration and
use the official hashtags such as #WomenMakeChange, #RiseInSolidarity,
#RiseResistUnite and #1BillionRising as we post on social media,” she added.
Further, this year's 1 Billion Rising Movement is
also celebrated with the theme "Solidarity". This big mass action
continues its advocacy in ending violence against women in human history.
Other activities during the month-long celebration
include: March 22-23 - Outreach Program in Brgy. Babuyan, Carrascal, SDS with
IPs Community; and April 6 - Culmination Activity (Sportsfest) at the Agusan
del Norte Provincial Sports Complex, Butuan City. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD
Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
20 AgSur IPs acquire skills on 'tinagak' making

BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur, Mar. 23 - Twenty (20)
members of Tagpaliko Tribal Livelihood Association (TTLA) have recently
acquired skill on how to produce "tinagak", a semi-processed abaca
fiber which can be bought more than 100 percent higher than the all-in fiber
called "laguras."
The skills training on tinagak making was recently
organized in Sto. NiΓ±o, this city after the group was exposed to the abaca
processing center - a DTI assisted project under the Shared Service Facility
(SSF) program in San Martin, Prosperidad.
Evelina Musica, proprietor of Lyn'z Abaca
Handicrafts introduced the proper way of making tinagak. Right after the
training, she bought the 1 kg output of the trainees at P400.00.
"I am so happy, as I acquire skills through
this training, this is a big help to us to earn additional income to support
our family's needs," shared Maryjane MoΓ±osco, TTLA member.
TTLA, a group of indigenous peoples (IP) which home
place is 10 kilometers or two hours away by hiking from Sto. Nino, has been
used of the P50.00 per kilo buying of the laguras they produced.
"If these trainees will continue (while
harnessing their skills) to produce Tinagak, their finances and way of living
would probably improve," Musica shared.
The group made an agreement to produce tinagak
considering that they have the resources. Lemuel Roboca of the Department of
Trade and Industry facilitated the training in partnership with the Local
Government Unit of Bayugan City through its Agriculture Office headed by Allan
Rey Garcia. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
539 newly-promoted Caraga cops take oath
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 23 - Police Chief Superintendent Noli Romana,
Regional Director of Police Regional Office 13 Caraga spearheaded the
oath-taking ceremony and donning of ranks of 539 Philippine National Police
(PNP) held at PRO13 Grandstand Camp Col
Rafael Rodriguez, here Monday.
Of the 539 promoted personnel, 58 were Police
Commissioned Officers (PCOs) and 481 were Police Non-Commissioned Officers
(PNCOs) assigned in different police units of Caraga.
PCSupt. Romana congratulated them and emphasized
that their promotion does not only implies more authority; it means for greater
responsibility that needs more responsive career development to adequately meet
the demands of higher positions appropriate to their new ranks.
The promotion was a result of the merit system to
give recognition to the PNP uniformed personnel and uplift the morale of the
police force.
“Our promotion comes from God and we are answerable
to Him for the services we give to the public. I am looking forward also that
you will become good role models of competence, discipline, excellence and
professionalism in the police force,” RD Romana added.
During the acceptance speeches, PSupt. Rommel Villamor
and SPO4 Godfrey C Reyna thanked the Promotion Board and the whole PNP
organization for the promotion given to them.
Also, six out of 21 PNP Special Action Force (SAF)
personnel who rendered service during the Marawi Siege received a spot
promotion, and 63 National Support Unit personnel were promoted as well.
(PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
POPCOM Caraga trains ex-drug dependents as
responsible men
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 23 - Several Recovering Drug
Dependents (RDD) in selected areas of the region successfully completed the
ladderized seminar on Kalalakihang Tumutugon sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon
para sa Pamilya (KATROPA) of the Commission on Population (POPCOM) Caraga, held
recently here.
The final phase of KATROPA Session which focused on
Responsible Parenthood-Family Planning (RP-FP) was attended not only by the
ex-drugdependents but also by their respective partners.
Ruth C. Cuizon, technical staff of the Drug
Treatment and Rehabilitation Center advised the ex-drug dependents to instill
in their hearts and minds the knowledge gained during the whole day
activity as it will enhance the marital
relationship of couples especially in planning the timing and spacing of
children.
During the said seminar, the facilitators
emphasized the importance of knowing the fertility of a woman, and one of the many benefits of family planning
such as, the couple can save and invest more for the children’s and the
family’s other welfare needs. Modern Natural Family Planning and Artificial
methods were also discussed.
According to women’s health advocates, men play a
big part in deciding when their pregnant partner get prenatal and postnatal
care, where she will deliver, when and how they will space births, among other
decisions, thus their involvement in
reproductive health and family planning,
can make pregnancy and child
birth a joyous moment for women as well as their male partners, instead of
being in a situation where women have to
risks their lives from the risk of pregnancy and child birth.
It can be recalled, said group attended the 1st
session on KATROPA late last year, which focused on attaining their health and
safety, and becoming a productive member of the society. (POPCOM Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
AgSur cacao farmers get exposed to new ways in
growing cacao trees
PROSPERIDAD,
Agusan del Sur, Mar. 23 - Training for cacao growers on the new technologies
and other techniques in cacao production has extended to Sibagat town, the 4th
training area in the province with the biggest number of cacao trees.
Just recently in Brgy. Ilihan, Sibagat, some 35
growers were trained on how to manage cacao trees and acquire higher yields and
better income.
The trainers, Abner Sumagang, Eduard Aldover and
Jerry Sala of OFW para sa Magsasaka (OPM) introduced the proper way of planting
cacao such as the 50x50cm standard size for holing, 3x3m planting distance,
alleyway on their fields, the common pests and diseases and the proper
harvesting to ensure quality fruits.
The participants were also oriented on the type of
tools and equipment to be used to care cacao trees. They are encouraged to give
importance of the cacao trees which may not be given proper attention to
produce higher yields.
Agusan del Sur, one of the provinces in Caraga
region suitable for cacao, is on-going in its campaign to plant and expand
cacao production.
The provincial government of Agusan del Sur also
included cacao commodity in its Upland Sustainable Agri-Forestry Development
(USAD) Program.
It has been noted that market opportunities of
cacao are growing aside from being a material for chocolate, restaurants are
now offering chocolate drinks, while some are getting conscious towards
wellness of which cacao has inherent health benefits. (DTI-Agusan del
Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
SurSur guv hands over 36 units of farm tillers
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, March 23 - Governor
Vicente “BB” Pimentel, Jr. led the turnover ceremony of equipment and other
farm implements in Surigao del Sur recently.
According to Marcos Quico, provincial
agriculturist, 36 units of “floating tillers” were distributed to various
farmers’ organizations in the sectors of irrigators and multi-purpose
cooperatives with one unit apiece.
The provincial chief agriculturist bared that more
of the same would still be coming since the number of floating tillers given
for free were just among the total of 80 units that Department Agriculture (DA)
Secretary Emmanuel PiΓ±ol had vowed to give to the farmers here when he visited
the province in December 2016.
In fact, Quico added that a check amounting to P30M
was set to be released soon. With this,
he said that it would be up to the provincial government to do the procurement
to finally seal the deal.
Also, he stressed that “farmers had nothing to
worry about paying anything back!”
During the turnover rites, DA Caraga Regional
Director Abel James Monteagudo was not able to come but his field office
counterpart here in the person of Anthony Ouano acted on his behalf.
In a separate interview, Regalado Torrefranca,
president of Siawang, Poblacion, Cabtic (SIPOCAB) Irrigators’ Association,
admitted to have been so glad being among the recipients of the floating
tiller, saying in vernacular that he felt so overwhelmed and was already eager
to present it to their Board of Directors (BOD).
So thankful to President Rodrigo Duterte, Secretary
PiΓ±ol, Governor Pimentel and Provincial Agriculturist Quico, the SIPOCAB leader
likewise said that he can no longer wait to devise a schedule together with all
his members in order not to deprive anyone in their association of its benefit.
(Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag City/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
SurSur records lower dengue cases
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, March 23 - The
province of Surigao del Sur is now in a better position after recording a lower
number of dengue cases.
Based on the Disease Surveillance Report as of
Morbidity Week 6th for the Period February 1 – February 10, 2018, Geographic
Distribution under Dengue Fever Update stated that Surigao del Sur only got 45
number of cases from January 1 to February 10, 2018 while Surigao del Norte
obtained the most number at 52.
Last year, 2017, Surigao del Sur had 134 cases for
the same period.
It was learned from the same report that both
cities in the province—Bislig and Tandag, had only three cases, down from 11
and 28 cases, respectively.
In the entire region, there are 11 different
reporting units, comprising of five provinces and six cities.
All reporting units, which are arranged from having
the highest to lowest, had a significant drop in the number of dengue cases
recorded.
Rodrigo Gordo, Sanitation Inspector IV of the
Provincial Health Office (PHO) here under Dr. Eric Montesclaros, pointed out
that local government units (LGUs) at the city and municipal levels under the
province had always been urged to intensify Dengue campaign in their respective
areas, citing the “4S.”
The 4S strategy for dengue stands for Search and
destroy, Seek early consultation, Self-protective measures and Say no to indiscriminate
fogging. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag City/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
POPCOM, church alarm on rising spousal violence in
Caraga
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 23 - Preliminary Results of the
2017 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) released by the Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed that Caraga has the highest percentage
(15%) of ever-married women age 15-49 who ever experienced sexual violence
committed by their husband/partner among other regions.
On the 2013 NDHS, Caraga Region was previously
placed at number 3 with 7.6 percent.
In a short meeting with Fr. James Michael M.
Abellanosa, Family and Life Apostolate of Butuan Arch Diocese, Commission on
Population (POPCOM) Executive Director, Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III pointed
out that the incidence of spousal violence continues to call for more vigorous
and aggressive interventions to end all violence against women. Perez further
stressed that gains in maternal health can be stalled if women continue to be
vulnerable to all types of violence.
Regional Director Alexander A. Makinano of POPCOM
Caraga reiterated that violence against women and children (VAWC) is one of the
barriers to women empowerment and development. Makinano further stressed that
there are various types of violence that are committed against women and
children, most of which are perpetrated by men.
“It is critical for men to have an understanding of
the nature of violence and how it affects the well-being not only of women and
children but the entire family. Men play a key role in preventing and opposing
violence. Men should work together with women to build a renewed society which
is gender-sensitive, in which both men and women can enjoy equality in all
things. Equality breeds respect and therefore significantly decrease the likelihood
of violence in any relationship,” Makinano said.
On his part, Fr. Abellanosa will discuss the matter
with Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, the Apostolic Administrator of the
Diocese of Butuan, and may release a pastoral letter.
POPCOM hopes that everyone in the community shall
actively support the various programs of the government. The Commission also
believes that through concerted efforts of the various sectors in the society
and when there is equality, Filipinos can build stronger, healthier families,
strengthen communities, and create a safe environment for their children.
In line with the Women’s Month Celebration, POPCOM
Caraga and the Regional Development Council-GAD Council will conduct Gender and
Development (GAD) Planning and Budgeting Workshop this March following the
Gender Responsive Population Strategies (GR PopS) as approved by the Philippine
Commission on Women.
GAD Planning and Budgeting is one of the country’s
strategic interventions mainstreamed by national and local governments and it
is a mandatory mechanism to integrate and fund GAD-related programs, projects,
and activities as stipulated in Republic Act 9710, Section 36.
POPCOM has initiatives that emphasize men’s
responsibilities in family matters, namely: MR GAD (Men’s Responsibilities in
Gender and Development), KATROPA (Kalalakihang Tumutugon sa Responsibilidad at
Obligasyon sa Pamilya), and MOVE (Men Oppose to Violence against Women
Everywhere).
These interventions further heighten the campaign
on gender equality; responsible parenthood; violence in the family and violence
against women and children; healthy living; relationship with one’s wife;
ensuring the health of one’s pregnant wife; HIV, AIDS and other Sexually
Transmitted Infections.
In its continuing advocacy, POPCOM Caraga recently
conducted KATROPA Seminar among Uniformed personnel of Butuan City Police
Station 3 (BCPS 3) together with selected community police officers or barangay
tanod of Lumbocan, Masao and Ambago. (POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Teenage pregnancy in Caraga drops, survey shows
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 23 - Percentage of women age
15-19 in Caraga, who have begun childbearing significantly decreased from 38
percent in 2013 to 8.2 percent in 2017 based on the preliminary results of the
2017 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) released by the Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA).
However, the said survey also revealed that the
Philippines still has the highest number of teenage pregnancy among other Asian
countries.
The said latest survey results placed Caraga at
number 8. Previously, the region ranked number 1.
“The 20 percent decrease of the region’s early
pregnancy can be attributed to concerted efforts of various program partners,
in both private and government sectors, at the local level – promoting
responsible sexuality, reproductive rights and health education among Caraganon
youth,” Commission on Population (POPCOM) - Caraga Director Alexander A.
Makinano said.
Increasing births among adolescents is one critical
emerging population issue, POPCOM revealed.
RD Makinano further underlined the importance of an
inter-agency and inter-sectoral collaboration and support, from the national
down to the regional or local level in the implementation of various Adolescent
Health and Development key Strategies to address said issues.
As agreed during the 1st Quarter-Regional
Implementation Team meeting, RIT has to formulate a Teenage Pregnancy
Prevention Strategic Plan to strengthen the advocacy and further reduce teenage
pregnancy rate in the region. The plan includes implementation of age-and
development-appropriate education and counseling on sexuality and reproductive
health throughout the region; to educate and engage parents and communities to
initiate opportunities for positive youth development and involvement;
intensify the ongoing awareness of teenage pregnancy prevention through various
AHD activities; and continue to provide all Caraganon youth with access to
reproductive healthcare and preventive services.
POPCOM emphasizes that youth should not be deprived
of reproductive health services and comprehensive sexuality and education (CSE)
for these would help them become healthy, happy and empowered adolescents.
CSE is an instructional method where young
Filipinos gain knowledge, attitudes, skills and values to make appropriate and
healthy choices in their sexual behaviors. POPCOM further elaborated that CSE
can help prevent the young from unintended pregnancies, contracting sexually
transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and
from domestic and sexual violence.
The agency is currently working with stakeholders
in pushing for CSE implementation that can also help Filipino women better
their lives, educationally and economically. CSE is also a salient feature of
the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law.
POPCOM, meanwhile, is addressing this teenage
pregnancy issue through its various Adolescent Health and Development (AHD) key
strategies that aim to significantly reduce and prevent early and unintended
pregnancies among adolescents through responsible sexuality and effective life
skills among young people.
Among POPCOM’s AHD initiatives, are the Sexually
Healthy and Personally Effective (SHAPE) Adolescents Training; U4U, where young
people can access information through social media; Interactive Voice Response
System; and Teen Trail Events, where the youth are provided with responsible
sexuality information; and the agency’s latest initiative is the AHD Film
Dissemination, where the audiences watch, reflect, engage with bigger picture,
and ultimately, take action to address reproductive health issues in their own
lives and communities. (POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
AgNor to receive vet equipment from DA Caraga

By Aimee B. Sienes
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 23 - The provincial government of
Agusan del Norte is set to receive new veterinary equipment for its Provincial
Artificial Breeding Center from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga.
The equipment included one unit portable veterinary
ultrasound and one unit binocular microscope for pregnancy diagnosis and semen
evaluation of livestocks in the Provincial Artificial Breeding Center to be
purchased by DA Caraga for the provincial government through the Provincial
Veterinary Office, which handles the breeding center.
This is in line with the policy of the national
government to conserve and preserve its meager livestock resources to pursue
and achieve self-sufficiency and self-reliance.
The provincial government and the DA Caraga recognized
the need for a comprehensive small and large ruminants’ Genetic Improvement
Program to improve and develop productivity and efficiency of local livestocks
as well as the need to hasten the production of good quality breeds of animals
and improve genetic components of native livestocks.
To ensure the purchase of the veterinary equipment
and proper implementation of the program, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of
Agusan del Norte authorized Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M.
Amante-Matba to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DA Caraga.
Provincial Board Member Virgilio R. Escasinas, Jr.
pushed for the granting of the said authority through Sanggunian Resolution No.
061-2018 during its 74th regular session. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del
Norte)
Cebuano news: Tulo ka teroristang NPA misurender sa
26IB
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Mar. 23 - Nitunga ug
nisurender ang tulo (3) ka miyembro sa New Peoples Army (NPA) diha sa buhatan
sa 26th Infantry Battalion nga gipanguluhan ni LTC Rommel S. Pagayon sa
Philippine Army niadtong Marso 22, 2018 ning probinsya. Sa ilang pag surrender,
ilang gidala ang lima (5) ka mga nagkalain-lain nga tag-as nga kalibre sa
armas.
Ang mga nag-surinder nailhan nga sila: Jeffrey
Durango Mondejar alias ‘Bars’, Vice-CO RSDG COMPAQ ug miyembro sa Squad Abe nga
nagdala sa usa ka AK47 nga adunay serial number A871693 ug magazine nga adunay
30 rounds nga bala ug usa ka Garand Rifle, Jaica Gomez Precioso @ IC, Platoon
Medic sa SYP Banglas, GFC 88, NCMRC nagdala ug usa ka carbine rifle ug cal. 38
revolver; Apatan Santos Agsubo alias ‘Tan’, Team leader sa Abe Team, Segunda
Squad, SYP2, GFC 34, SMRC nga nagdala usab og isa ka M16 A1 Rifle nga adunay
long plastic magazine.
Isa sa mga nag-surinder usa ka babae nailhan nga si
alias ‘IC’ nga adunay anak nga nag edad ug onse (11) kabulan. Matod pa niini
nga siya nadani tungod sa mga propaganda sa mga teroristang NPA nga kunuhay ang
gobyerno nagdaog-daog sa katawhan.
Sa sulod sa usa ug tunga sa tuig nga pag uban-uban
sa kalihukan iyang nasayran nga gi-ilad ra siya sa maong grupo. Matud pa niya
iyahang nasuta nga matinabangon diay ang gobyerno nga layo sa gipang estorya sa
iyahang mga kauban sa una.
Ang iyang pangandoy sa iyang onse (11) kabuwan nga
anak mao ang kaugmaon niini sa pagkakaron. “Dili naku gusto mapalayo pa sa
akuang anak kay luoy kaayo ang bata ibilin ra sa masa aron masentro ang akuang
huna-huna sa armadong pakigbisog,” matud pa ni alias ‘IC’. Dugang pa, iyahang
gisulte nga unta mubalik na sa sabakan sa gobyerno ang iyahang mga kaubanan kay
adunay naghulat nga hayag nga kaugmaon.
Ang kaagi nga kasakit nga iyahang natagamtaman
sulod sa pagkuyog-kuyog sa kalihukan didto sa kabukiran kanunay bati-on sab
nila kay ngit-ngit pa sa alkitran ang ilahang kaugmaon.
Matud pa ni Col. Andres C. Centino, commander sa
401st Brigade nga “Ang pwersa sa kasundaluhan nangandoy nga aduna pay daghan
nga mga teroristang NPA nga mubalik sa sabakan sa gobyerno aron ilang
matagamtaman ang katam-is sa demokrasya. Ang panaghiusa maoy taytayan sa
kalinaw ug kalambuan sa atuang nasod.” (26IB, PA/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
