NIA to hold Stakeholders Forum for AgSur &
SurSur
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, April 18 (PIA) - The National
Irrigation Administration (NIA) Caraga is set to hold a Stakeholders Forum for
Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur Irrigation Management Offices (IMO) on April
25, 2018 at Dotties Place Hotel, this city.
“Our new mandate effective last year, 2017, is to
explicitly commit the engagement of all prospective project beneficiaries and
other stakeholders to promote transparency in the delivery of key public
services,” revealed acting regional manager Madante Ganotisi of NIA Caraga.
Ganotisi said that this effort will also ensure
faster and better implementation of its various irrigation projects all over
the region, thus conducting massive information dissemination to all sectors of
the society, particularly on the farmer beneficiaries as its recipients, is
deemed necessary.
Medel Mawili, Agusan del Sur acting IMO manager and
Dexter Sablaon, Surigao del Sur IMO manager will discuss the status of
irrigation development and status of implementation of projects of the two
provinces.
Also, during the Stakeholders Forum, Col. Andres
Centino, 401st Brigade Commander will lead the Internal Security Briefing.
NIA administrator Gen. Ricardo Visaya will also
attend and share his message to all participants.
Meanwhile, the following officials are expected to
grace the said event: Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza; 1st Dist. Agusan
del Sur Rep. Valentina Plaza; 2nd Dist. Agusan del Sur Rep. Evelyn Mellana;
Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel; 1st Dist. Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero
Pichay; and 2nd Dist. Surigao del Sur Rep. Vicente Pimentel, Jr.
As the highlight of the event, all stakeholders
will be signing a covenant in support for faster and better implementation of irrigation
projects.
Break-out sessions for NIA management staff,
farmers’ groups, and rank-and-file employees will also be conducted right after
the open forum.
The said activity is anchored on the theme
"NIA 2018: Transforming Challenges into Infinite Opportunities."
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Authorities nab barangay official for violating
election gun ban
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, April 18 (PIA) - Amid the implementation of the election gun
ban in the region of the Commission on Election (COMELEC) and the Philippine
National Police (PNP), a barangay chief in Trento, Agusan del Sur is facing
charges on violation of Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition following
his arrest on Sunday, April 15, 2018.
William D. Martinez, 30 years old, resident and
incumbent Barangay Chairman of Santa Maria yielded a Les Baer Custom caliber 45
pistol, a gun’s silencer, holster and several ammunition of caliber 45.
According to a report, at around 4:50 AM on the
said date, the personnel from Trento Municipal Police Station, Agusan del Sur
Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Philippine Army’s 25th Infantry Battalion
swooped down on the suspect’s residence and arrested him.
The said operation was based on search warrant
issued by Judge Lou A. Nueva of RTC Branch 7 in Bayugan City.
Suspect and the confiscated items are placed under
the custody of Trento Police. (JPG/PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao del Norte
stakeholders support DTI’s CMCI roadshow
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao
del Norte, Apr. 18 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and
Industry’s Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Roadshow got
99 percent attendance of Local Government Units (LGUs) in Surigao del
Norte.
Of the 20 municipalities
and one component city, 99 percent of LGUs attended the Roadshow on CMCI held
recently at Parkway Hotel, this city.
The roadshow aimed to
assist the LGUs in complying with the data requirements of CMCI, as well as
understand the strategic significance of the CMCI data as a whole.
The roadshow also aimed
to provide insights to the participants that a globally competitive LGU has a
big niche to consistently attract regional and foreign investors. Being global
means putting in place enabling conditions to improve the global
competitiveness of the LGUs’ territory (city/municipality).
The CMCI is one of the
global tools in monitoring the LGU’s global competitiveness edge over other
territories. The index provides a holistic and coherent picture of how
local government units are performing in terms of economic dynamism, government
efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency.
The data can serve as
tools for the LGU to assess the competitiveness level of its territory and make
informed decisions and take steps to improve performance and territorial
attractiveness for private investors.
In her welcome message
during the said activity, Surigao del Norte Board Member Melva P. Garcia
informed the participants that she endorsed a resolution creating the Surigao
del Norte CMCI Committee that will be tasked to undertake measures to improve
the competitiveness of the province.
Meanwhile, DTI Surigao
del Norte Senior Trade and Industry Specialist (STIDS) Rodrigo R. Matabaran
presented the 2017 CMCI results, while Marson Jan Dolendo, STIDS of DTI
Regional Office presented the 2018 CMCI criteria.
A total of 90
participants attended the CMCI Roadshow composed of LGU frontline personnel
namely, the provincial/city/municipal planning officers, Business Permits and
Licensing Officers (BPLOs), and CMCI Focal Persons.
Also in attendance were
SDN Board Member Melba P. Garcia, LGU Sison Municipal Mayor Karissa R.
Fetalvero-Paronia, Regional Competitiveness Council Co-Chair and SCCI President
Concepcion R. Paqueo, Line Agencies, Non-government Organizations and DTI
Negosyo Center (NC) Counselors. (DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Filipinos prevail in
Siargao International game fishing tournament
By John Glenn T. Platil
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao
del Norte, Apr. 18 (PIA) - Except for two categories, Filipino anglers and
boatmen triumphed during the 11th Siargao International Game Fishing Tournament
held in Pilar town from April 12 to 15, this year.
Surigao del Norte 1st
district Congressman Francisco Jose 'Bingo' Matugas II spearheaded the colorful
and vibrant ocean sports event, in close partnership with Governor Sol Matugas
and Pilar Mayor Ma. Liza Resurreccion.
Angler Mar Lonzon
emerged as first placer with 44.1 kilos of liplipan catch in tandem with
boatman Celmar Tesiorna in the biggest “sailfish/billfish” category. They
brought home P60,000 and P30,000, each, respectively.
Ricardo Soler (angler)
earned P40,000 pesos and Abet Castillo (boatman) gained P20,000 after they
ranked second with a 32.55 kilos of catch.
Following them in the
third spot were Franklin Ching (angler) who bagged P20,000 for his 32.25-kilo
catch, assisted by boatman Tagoy Gonzales. All six were Filipinos.
For the category on
biggest giant trevally (talakitok), Korean angler Tony Jung emerged as the
over-all champion with his 5.8-kilo catch, bagging P40,000. He was supported by
boatman Vicente Ortojan who received a prize of P20,000.
Filipino angler Rob
Perez placed second with his 5.75-kilo catch, winning a prize of P30,000, duly
assisted by boatman Rene EspaΓ±ola who won P15,000.
In third place was
Filipino angler Jovy Ancheta who secured P20,000 as prize money for his 20-kilo
catch with the help of boatman Jose Dotillos who acquired P10,000 as his
reward.
Japanese angler Michel
Kawai came first in the biggest “tanguige” category, gaining P40,000 after
catching 14.5 kilos of wahoo. Kawai was aided by boatman Graysan Gonzales who
got P20,000.
Filipino angler Joseph
Lee ranked second with his 9.3-kilo catch, earning P30,000 of reward money with
the help of boatman Joecan Elimanco who got P15,000.
Placing third was
Filipino angler Manny Joaquin who received P20,000 for his 6.35-kilo catch,
backed by Sotenes Aparante who received P10,000.
Meanwhile, Edgardo
Delantar (angler) and Juvic Elimanco (boatman) emerged as first prize winners
with their 10.8-kilo catch in the biggest “Dorado” category. Delantar took
P40,000, while Elimanco had P20,000. All were Filipinos, including the ones
that ensued.
Japanese American
Michael Kawai was adjudged as the over-all champion with total over-all catch
of 97.75 kilos. He received a P30,000 cash prize. (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del
Norte)
Dapa town local
producers play BEST game
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao
del Norte, Apr. 18 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Surigao
del Norte provincial office conducted recently the “Business Expenses and
Savings Training (BEST) Game” held at the Islanders Ville Pension Hauz, Dapa,
Siargao Islands.
Around 20 micro
entrepreneurs composed of producers and manufacturers of locally-made food and
non-food products benefited in the said game. These entrepreneurs utilize raw
materials that are abundantly available in the locality of Dapa town such as
coconut, seashells, fishes and others.
The BEST Game is a
simulation activity that is a very useful tool for the participants to become
financially literate.
The game teaches proper
business values and strategies for the micro-enterprises sector. It is played
competitively in a simulated environment and has definite outcomes in terms of
profit and savings.
The learning comes from
the real life content of the game and interactions among the participants and
the facilitators during and after playing the game.
The conduct of the said
training is under the implementation of the 2016 BuB Project dubbed as “Small
and Micro Enterprise Program” in Dapa town.
The said training was
facilitated by DTI-CARP Trade and Industry Development Specialist Mrs. Malen
Catamora and Dapa Negosyo Center Business Counselor Mr. Olimar Sulapas.
(DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
DTI conducts CASSY,
organizes student consumer organization
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan
del Sur, April 18 (PIA) - A total of 39 second year students, taking Bachelor
of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), of the Southway College of
Technology (SOCOTECH) were recently organized as a student consumer
organization.
The establishment of the
organization took place after the conduct of Consumer Advocacy Seminar to
Students and Youth (CASSY) with Module 1 which tackled the rights and
responsibilities as consumer, as their first learning session.
The advocacy activity
was aimed to equip the students on the eight consumer rights: 1) the right to
basic needs, 2) the right to safety, 3) the right to information, 4) the right
to choose, 5) the right to consumer education, 6) the right to representation,
7) the right to redress, and 8) the right to a healthy environment.
This will help them
understand the rights the consumer should enjoy.
The five
responsibilities of a consumer were also tackled which were as follows: 1)
critical awareness, 2) social concern, 3) action, 4) environmental awareness,
and 5) solidarity.
The activity also
emphasized that understanding the rights and the responsibilities of a consumer
will help protect the person.
Likewise, the activity
also put forward that "a well-informed and vigilant consumer is the best
protected consumer". The elected officers of the student consumer
organization (SCO) are as follows; President: Stephanie Embodo, Vice President:
Melissa Sesante, Secretary: Ana Mae Padilla and P.I.O: Jephte Enaldo.
Every quarter, the SCO
shall meet to plan their advocacy initiatives. They shall also be continually
equipped with other consumer advocacy modules.
In the 2nd quarter, CASSY
will discuss Module 2 which will tackle product standards. (DTI-Agusan del
Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
AgSur starts roll-out of
2018 CMCI
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del
Sur, April 18 - The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) has started the 7th
run of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) for 2018.
The CMCI is an annual
ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities based on their competitiveness
on the four major pillars: economic dynamism, government efficiency,
infrastructure and resiliency.
In Agusan del Sur, the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga Regional and Provincial Office,
the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Provincial
Government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS) thru the Provincial Economic and Enterprise
Development Office (PEEDO) conducted the CMCI 2018 roll-out last March 20, 2018
at the Provincial Learning Center, Gov. D. O. Plaza Government Center,
Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
For this year, CMCI has
additional data requirements, which shall be complied and completed by the
participating local government units (LGUs). These include: a) the Cost of
Freight from local starting point to Manila, b) the number of Public Transport
Terminals, c) Frequency of Routes and Trips per Day, and d) the Presence of
Retail Companies.
Marson Jan Dolendo, DTI-Caraga-CMCI Focal person presented the
2018 CMCI.
Jose T. Baron, Jr.,
OIC-Provincial Director of DTI- Agusan del Sur also presented the result and
analysis of the 2017 CMCI.
In the meeting, Rodel C.
Maglunsod, Department Head of PEEDO, encouraged all the LGUs to provide the
data needed as these are basis in identifying the standing of the LGUs.
He also expressed to
collaborate with DTI to come up with a business profile analysis of the
province using the CMCI data.
The roll-out was
participated in by the CMCI Focal person, Business Permit and Licensing
Officers in the municipalities and the Provincial and Municipal Planning and
Development Officers in the province. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
NC-San Francisco trains more SLP beneficiaries on
financial literacy
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, April 18 - The
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, recently conducted the seminar on
“Financial Literacy” to equip the latter's beneficiaries in starting up their
respective businesses.
About 18 Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP)
beneficiaries joined in the said seminar held at the Negosyo Center (NC) San
Francisco. It helped them understand the basic processes in handling and
managing business.
The SLP of the DSWD is one of the agency's
initiatives to increase the economic opportunities of the beneficiaries of the
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Resource person Rene Villagantol, coordinator of
Small Business Corporation (SBC) in Caraga assigned in Agusan del Sur, shared
ways in managing cash flows, understanding the consequences when there is
failure in managing cash and some tips on cash flow management.
Within this year, they will start their businesses:
a) rice trading - Alegria and Hubang, b) agricultural farm inputs and agrivet
supply retailing – Lapinigan, and c) general merchandise - Ormaca. (DTI-Agusan
del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Young researcher in Surigao City gears up for ‘UN
Sustainable Development Challenge’
SURIGAO CITY, April 18 (PIA) - Young researcher
Euclid Joy Ibarra Soringa, Grade 10 student of St. Paul University Surigao, is
making a mark in the international scene.
Soringa qualified as one of the top ten
undergraduate finalists for this year’s Seton Hall University United Nations
(UN) Sustainable Development Challenge at Seton Hall University, South Orange,
New Jersey on April 20, 2018 where a $10,000 scholarship and a $2,500 cash
prize await.
The young Paulinian scientist will be presenting
his study under the category of the 14th Global Goal, which is to conserve and
sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
He will be presenting his ideas to the
distinguished members of the judging panel that includes people from the United
Nations Association of the United States of America (USA) and faculty members
of the Seton Hall University School of Diplomacy and International Relations.
The said research study was selected after a stiff
screening process was made involving young researchers all over the United
States and the world.
Soringa, together with his coach, Ricky Boy
Limlingan, is bound to fly to New Jersey, USA in the coming days to officially
represent St. Paul University Surigao and the Philippines.
Seton Hall University is hosting a Sustainable
Development Challenge designed to engage high school students in thinking about
the needs of society and the planet, encouraging them to be an agent of change
and embrace the UN Sustainable Development Goals. (St. Paul University
Surigao/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
DSWD-Caraga wins national best crisis intervention
unit, 2nd best operations office
By Eunice Montaos Plaza
BUTUAN CITY, April 18 (PIA) - The Field Office in
Caraga of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was recognized
as the National Best Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) and 2nd Best Operations
Office (Capacity Building Unit) in the recently concluded Program on Awards and
Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) activity held on March 21, 2018 in
Metro Manila.
The Best CIU Award recognized the delivery of
timely and appropriate direct financial benefits to indigent Filipinos,
including medical assistance, burial assistance, education, and transportation
assistance.
Being one of the office’s frontline services, the
DSWD-Caraga CIU was awarded as it excellently performed its mandate of
providing package of interventions for individuals, families in crisis or
difficult situation and vulnerable communities.
The unit follows a Standard Operating Procedure
(SOP), inspired by the Operation Manual guidelines of the Assistance to
Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), which has contributed to the prompt and
organized processing of request of assistance from clients.
Furthermore, the office also institutionalized a
feedback mechanism through a Client Satisfaction Survey which is an avenue for
clients to give their comments and rating to the unit’s service delivery.
Majority of feedbacks gathered were positive while some were negative comments
and considerable suggestions that were directly acted upon.
The Field Office (FO) has also networked with
various service providers comprised of hospitals, pharmacies, funeral homes,
and dialysis center throughout the region for clients to immediately avail
assistance and ensure that assistance is utilized as purposed.
The FO Caraga CIU is currently headed by
Administrative Officer Hazel Vete as officer-in-charge while unit heads were
Vilma Bare and Harvey Manto. The CIU staff are the following: Flora Minda
Lintao, Nova Dagooc, Yerave Vasquez, Josefina Aligado, Don Cedrick Pujadas,
Loraine Cagula, Josua Disucatan, Chris Marie Manatad, Jules Barry Intino, and
Sarah May Galido.
Other winners for the category are the CIUs of the
FO National Capital Region (NCR) as second and Region XI (Davao) as third
placer.
Meanwhile, the Best Operations Office award is
given to units/sections that have exemplary contribution to the achievement of
DSWD’s organizational outcomes through team work in delivering excellent
results through the overall display of technical/managerial competence of the
members of the team.
Likewise, the awardee office is expected to set
exemplary practices of Functional Unit based on the AO 5 series of 2016 or the
Good Practice Documentation guidelines set by the Capacity Building Bureau.
The FO Caraga CBU was hailed as second place at the
national level as it delivered excellent results based on the Department’s
thrusts and priorities and in response to customer requirements.
Spearheading the Education Committee of the
International Organization for Standardization-Quality Management System
(ISO-QMS) Core Team, the unit played significant role in cascading to all staff
and hosting of benchmarking activities along ISO-QMS.
The team also developed SOPs of its four main
services, namely, Knowledge Management, Institutional Development and Capacity
Building, Training, and Student Training Program.
Headed by Regional Training Specialist Glezza Ty,
the CBU staff include Eval Makinano, Theresa Barsobia, Anafe Lecciones, Maria
Teresa Ole, Steffan Skye Reyes, Gelmar Faith Montillado, Jen-eric Dominggo,
Mary Grace Bendijo, and Kristine April Bunao.
Sixteen DSWD employees, including Social Welfare
Officer Jessie Catherine Aranas of FO Caraga, also received awards for the
Gawad HUWARAN (MaHUsay, WAsto at Responsableng Lingkod BayANi).
The said accolade is given to DSWD employees who
have rendered extraordinary work on service and showed exemplary application of
DSWD’s core values in his/her work execution, thereby significantly
contributing to the achievement of the strategic goals of DSWD.
OIC Regional Director Mita Chuchi Gupana-Lim
congratulated the awardees and thanked them for their outstanding service to
the public.
“You are the Field Office’s pride and living proofs
of the organization’s commitment towards quality public service that is prompt
and compassionate. May these accolades inspire us more to dedicatedly serve the
poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sectors in Caraga,” Lim added.
The PRAISE is given to honor men and women of DSWD
who have devoted their lives to our beneficiaries, and who continue to use all
their strength, skills, intelligence, and compassion to uphold a standard of
professionalism that fully benefits the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged
sector.
This year, the PRAISE Awards ceremony was the
DSWD’s culminating activity for its 67th anniversary that has become a venue
for the entire DSWD workforce to affirm its commitment to social work and
inclusive development.
This year’s DSWD anniversary bears the theme,
“DSWD@67:Walang Puwang sa Katiwalian ang Paglilingkod nang Tapat sa Bayan”. (Social
Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
NIA Caraga to hold Stakeholders Forum
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 18 (PIA) - In
its desire to ensure faster and better implementation of various irrigation
projects all over the region, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)
Regional Office in Caraga is set to hold a Stakeholders Forum at Dotties Place
Hotel and Restaurant in Butuan City on April 25, 2018.
The said activity would serve as a platform for the
'conduct of massive information dissemination to all sectors of society'
particularly for farmer-beneficiaries, according to Madante Ganotisi, NIA
Caraga Acting Regional Director.
Such undertaking had something to do with the “new
mandate” of their agency effective 2017 “to explicitly commit the engagement of
all prospective project beneficiaries and other stakeholders to promote
transparency in the delivery of key public services,” he bared.
The occasion would be highlighted with the signing
of a “Covenant in Support for Faster and Better Implementation of Irrigation
Project and Sustainable and Reliable Irrigation System."
Ganotisi had already sent a letter to Surigao del
Sur Gov. Vicente “BB” Pimentel, Jr. on April 11, 2018, inviting the latter to
give a message.
Attached to the said communication was the “Lists
of CY 2018 Projects” amounting to a total of P453.139 million for Surigao del
Sur. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DTI Dinagat Islands holds CMCI roll-out

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Apr. 18 (PIA) - The
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently commenced its 2018 Cities and
Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) roll-out in Dinagat Islands
spearheaded by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC). The activity was
held at San Jose Negosyo Center, Sta. Cruz, San Jose town.
The annual ranking of provinces, cities and
municipalities through CMCI focuses on the LGU’s status and level of
competitiveness in four major pillars namely economic dynamism, government
efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency.
During the activity, DTI-Caraga CMCI focal person
Marson Jan S. Dolendo presented the LGU’s ranking and level of competitiveness.
Dolendo also proudly announced that out of five
provinces in Caraga region, the province of Dinagat Islands is ranked fourth on
the annual ranking level of competitiveness, though it composed only of seven
municipalities.
The said activity was attended by the Business
Permit Processing Licensing Office (BPLO) officer, CMCI focal person,
representatives of Municipal Planning and Development Officer, Department of
the Interior and Local Government, Provincial Planning and Development Office,
Provincial Cooperative and Development Office, Banks and the business sector
from the seven municipalities of the province. (DTI-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat
Islands)
