PSA to convene Caraga stakeholders for the 2017
GRDP News Conference
By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, April 19 (PIA) - The Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Statistical Services Office will convene
Caraga stakeholders for the news conference on the 2017 Gross Regional Domestic
Product (GRDP) on April 26, 2018 at Grand Palace Hotel and Convention Center,
this city.
“The Philippine Statistics Authority – RSSO 13 will
officially release the 2017 Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), comparing
the year to year growth of the region’s economy. The National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) – Caraga will also be presenting their statement,”
thus bared PSA Caraga regional director Rosalinda Celeste-Apura.
Apura further revealed that the GRDP is the
aggregate of gross value added (GVA) of all resident producer units in the
region.
“It can be used generally in the formulation of
annual regional development plans, in monitoring performance of the regional
economy and its sectors/subsectors, in identification of sectors/industries in
terms of investment promotion and support service, and in analysing trends and
forecasting for planning purposes,” she said.
PSA said it is very useful in assessing the
economic performance of the regions in the country, which can provide tools for
sound policy, planning and decision making. (JPG/PSA/PIA-Caraga)
Army spearheads biz security forum in SurSur
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Apr 19 (PIA) - With
the aim of recognizing the new perspective on peace security operations in
addressing different security issues and concerns, the 75th Infantry “Marauder”
Battalion, Philippine Army successfully conducted the Business Security Forum
recently in Bislig City.
The said activity, which was joined in by the
representatives from the business sectors, Philippine National Police (PNP),
and some stakeholders, specifically aimed to intensify the cooperative defense
mechanism and give way to an exchange of different security benchmarks that
would basically prevent the threats and other atrocities in the area.
“We cannot resolve the problem if the information
are intentionally hidden from us,” 75IB commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel
Jaime Datuin revealed.
The official also discouraged the participants from
supporting the enemy entities, in any possible way that may cause atrocities
(Arson, Extortion, Bombing and etc.) in the future.
Lt Col. Datuin reminded that it is against the law
to support the communist group.
On one hand, participants have also brought out
some issues and concerns on peace and security operations during the open
forum.
Meanwhile, the said activity has asserted the
collaborative relationship between the Armed Forces of the Philippines, PNP,
business owners and other stakeholders in the pursuit of peace and order in the
area. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
TB cases in Caraga declines in 2017
By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, April 19 (PIA) - The war against
Tuberculosis (TB) in Caraga region gains positive results as the Department of
Health - Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga regional office recorded
a decrease in cases in the year 2017.
With the intensified campaign on reaching out and
encouraging communities through the crration of programs to educate the people
on the fatality of the TB disease, the DOH-CHD has recorded a total of 8,215
cases detected in year 2017, lower compared to the 2016 recorded data of 8,980
recorded cases.
DOH Caraga regional director Dr. Jose R. Llacuna,
Jr., encouraged not only the Caraganons but the Filipino people infected or
with those who are manifesting the symptoms to avail of the government’s free
treatment. Cases from last year were given appropriate treatment at the
Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course Center (DOTS) all over the region.
“We have a high rate in treating TB. We are giving
free medicines and we have been improving our program throughout the years,”
said Llacuna.
Presently, the TB Treatment Success Rate is 91
percent. Despite the enhanced programs on TB by the government and
non-government organizations, TB remains a threat and burden to Filipino
people, Llacuna said.
This year, with DOH leading the annual observance
of the World Tuberculosis Day in March, a more vibrant team of DOH personnel
and its stakeholders held different awareness activities that contributed to
the significant decrease of cases in the region.
This year also marked the 136th anniversary of the
discovery of the TB Bacillus by Dr. Robert Koch. His groundbreaking research
led him towards diagnosing and curing the disease, but despite all the
continuous global efforts, DOH records show that there is still an estimated
total number of deaths of over 4,500 per day that also prompts DOH and other
stakeholders like the Regional Coordinating Committee of the National
Tuberculosis Control Program of Caraga region to do more in educating the
people about the disease and its treatment.
The observance of the World Tuberculosis Day in
March with the theme, “Wanted Leaders for TB-Free Philippines. Mga
“lodi”…Pangunahan and Pagsugpo sa TB!”, underscored the active participation of
all stakeholders and TB patients to take part in ending the long battle against
Tuberculosis.
Director Llacuna said that one TB positive could in
turn infect others with the said disease if left untreated. Those who already
have started treatment should finish the treatment course because not
completing the recommended treatment course can lead to Multi-drug Resistant
Tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which is harder to treat, he stressed.
“Have your cough checked, have yourself treated,
and complete the treatment course,” Llacuna added. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
NC Las Nieves holds dialogue with local CSOs, POs
LAS NIEVES, Agusan del Norte, April 19 - Some 35
participants representing 23 civil society organizations (CSOs) and people’s
organizations in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte attended the consultative
dialogue called by the Negosyo Center (NC) – Las Nieves, recently.
The dialogue was held to brief the CSOs on the
programs and services of the center as well as to generate their possible
business-related needs and to work with them on the possible action plans to
address those needs.
NC Las Nieves Center Manager Ramabe Montilla said
the center is counting on the CSOs and their individual members to help promote
the services of the center.
The initiative was aimed at developing a stronger
link with the CSOs and POs as a group and the existing and potential entrepreneurs
among their members, he added.
Montilla also said that the organized groups have
the potential to become job creators and economic drivers of the country
through successful entrepreneurial initiatives.
Among the common needs identified during the
dialogue were start-up capital, pre-business seminar and financial
management-related trainings. Others also identified specific needs like
equipment, packaging and label for their existing products.
NC Las Nieves noted that all the needs that were surfaced
for inclusion in the center’s work agenda for the year. Some
non-business-related needs were still processed for referral to the appropriate
offices.
NC Las Nieves Project Staff Niel John B. Dapat
facilitated the NC dialogue while the needs assessment and action planning were
handled by NC Las Nieves Center Manager Montilla at the Mayor’s Conference Room
in the Municipal Hall, this municipality. (DTI-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del
Norte)
AgSur joins 3rd Philippine Coffee Conference
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, April 19 - Three
coffee growers from this province recently attended the 3rd Coffee Conference
held at Supreme Hotel, Magsaysay Avenue, Baguio City.
The participation was made possible through the
assistance provided by the Regional Field Office of the Department of
Agriculture (DA RFO-XIII).
The highlight of the two-day activity was the
proclamation of the top six winning entries of coffee beans from the Robusta
Category and the top six winners from the Arabica Category.
The 12 top winning entries from the two categories
had undergone series of cupping tests by experts from the industry, with two of
them coming from Malaysia and Japan as expert observers.
The Top Entry and declared Champion – from Robusta
Category, garnered the highest average score of 85.96. It is grown by Rodolfo
Aciong, a coffee grower from Brgy. Urzadan, Cayus, Ilocos Sur Province. He will
represent the country in the international contest in the United States of
America.
It should be noted that coffee beans produced from
the Province of Agusan del Sur is of Robusta variety. The other variety –
Arabica – which is more famous and commands higher price can be grown only in
elevation above 1,000 masl.
One of the two entries from the province which came
from Brgy. Calabuan, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur obtained an average score of
82.08. Though not able to penetrate the winning circle, it got the highest
score from among the six entries from Caraga Region.
Coffee beans with cupping score of 80 and above are
already considered “Fine Robusta”. These are traded in the market at β±£200.00/kg.
For coffee beans not categorized as “fine robusta” the usual buying price is
from β±£120.00-150.00/kg.
For DTI-Agusan del Sur, which is working on the
value chain of the coffee industry, it (coffee production) is a big challenge
and that more interventions on improving the quality of coffee beans must be
provided to the coffee growers – starting from selective picking of ripened
beans to provision of appropriate facilities or equipment leading to the
production of good quality coffee beans.
Coffee growers from the province are in for a
bright prospect coming from the industry. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Bayugan City CWDs attend seminar on SRPs, Bagwis
Award
BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur, April 19 - Eighteen
Consumer Welfare Desk Officers (CWDs) of this city recently participated in a
seminar on the implementing guidelines of Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs) and
the granting of Bagwis Award.
The activity was one of the capability development
seminars that aimed to equip the key officers in the business establishments to
ensure compliance on fair trade laws.
The attendees were briefed on the list of products
under the basic necessities and prime commodities with SRPs, mostly sold in
groceries and supermarkets.
Products with SRPs include: canned sardines,
condensed, evaporated and powdered milk, coffee refill, bread, instant noodles,
detergent and laundry soap, bottled water (distilled, purified and
mineralized), candle, luncheon meat, meat loaf, corned beef, beef loaf,
vinegar, ‘patis’, soy sauce, toilet soap and batteries.
They were further informed that stores supplied by
the distributors have to comply with the SRPs. If there were non-compliance on
SRPs, DTI will issue a letter of inquiry to the concerned store.
While businesses have to comply with laws related
with business, compliance is also rewarded. This is provided under the DTI
Bagwis Awards.
Shared during the seminar, the CWDOs were informed
on the provisions of Bagwis Award. Granting of Bagwis Award is one of DTI’s
initiative to give due recognition to establishments that uphold the rights of
consumers and practice responsible business where consumers indeed get value
for money
It has been noted, that there are already
qualifiers for Bagwis from among the attendees. DTI will conduct the screening
and will provide the list of requirements the establishments need to submit.
The group will again undergo another capability
development seminar in June.
The activity was organized by the Consumer Protection
Unit of DTI-Agusan del Sur, in partnership with the Negosyo Center Bayugan.
(DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Kaligaon Festival promotes programs and services of
gov’t, private sectors

SAN LUIS, Agusan del Sur, April 19 - National
government agencies, the private sector and the local government offices
promoted and delivered their programs and services in this municipality in
celebration of the 18th Kaligaon Festival.
On April 10, a Job Fair was organized at the
Municipal Ground of San Luis.
Present during the fair were the Public Employment
Service Office (PESO), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and
some private companies including Gaisano Grand Mall, Bachelor Express Inc,
Taytay sa Kauswagan Inc., FVR Employment Agency and Prince Hypermart.
PESO also organized an activity dubbed “Wellness
Day,” where services provided were free such as facial, hair color, haircut and
massage.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan
del Sur, through the Negosyo Center (NC) Talacogon, also facilitated
application for business name registration.
Flyers on ‘How to start Business for individuals’
for those who wish to engage in business were also distributed.
Products funded under the DTI – Bottom Up Budgeting
(BuB) were also showcased in the agri-fair. These handicrafts were made of
rattan and oil palm.
Other government agencies present were the
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA), Social Security System (SSS) National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI).
The services introduced include facilitation on the
acquisition of copies of Birth Certificates and Marriage Contract, clarification
of the provision of SSS and Philhealth. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
