(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Monday, 23 December 2024) π—¦π—¬π—‘π—’π—£π—¦π—œπ—¦: Shear Line affecting Southern Luzon and Visayas. Northeast Monsoon affecting the rest of Luzon. TROPICAL CYCLONE OUTSIDE PAR AS OF 3:00 AM TODAY TROPICAL DEPRESSION LOCATION: 165 KM WEST OF KALAYAAN, PALAWAN (10.8°N, 112.8°E) MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 55 KM/H GUSTINESS: UP TO 70 KM/H MOVEMENT: NORTHWESTWARD AT 10 KM/H 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Trough of Low Pressure Area. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Lifgt to Moderate winds coming from East toSoutheast will prevail with light to Moderate (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Wednesday, September 19, 2018


Agusanon kids bag bronze award in ASEAN cyberkids camp

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- “Great things happened when we least expect it,” a statement came out from teacher-coach Prelyn Perla "Prets" Sandimas upon knowing that her “Anakshies na gagmay" cyberkids from North Cabadbaran Central Elementary School got a Bronze Award during the ASEAN Cyberkids Camp 2018 held in Bendar Seri Begawan, Brunie Darussalam on September 4 to 6.

The two primary pupils, Rainbow Beltran Concha, Grade 4 and Jassef Ysaiah Leanne Vista Tambis, Grade 3, all the way from Cabadbaran City in the province of Agusan del Norte representing the Philippines bring home Bronze medals after competing with other school children aged seven to 12 from other ASEAN Member States (AMS). Twenty students with their coaches from the 10 AMS competed at the Rizqun International Hotel.

Coach Prets recalled that Rainbow and Leanne were given the project topic “Smart City”. On the topic given, the two made an animation about what makes a smart city smart. They made two sprite characters named Abby and Dee discussing what makes a smart city smart by creating a city that uses an information and communication technology (ICT) in the movement of the city.

“Their entry illustrates a smart city animation – having a buildings, high technology hospitals, transportation, wide coverage of Wi-Fi connection and has a competent schools in it," coach Prets narrated.

What makes the illustration great, coach Prets said, is the illustration of a smart, healthy and happy people living on it, I think that makes their smart city smart project becomes great.

During the competition, they were given a total of 20 minutes to present their project – three minutes for equipment set up; 10 minutes for preparation and demonstration; five minutes for Questions and Answers; and two minutes for disassembling the presentation equipment.


The ASEAN Cyberkids Camp (ACC) is organized as a platform for the top students aged 12 years and below from the ASEAN Member States (AMS) to gather together and create multimedia computer projects upon an instant challenge from the judges. The program adopts the 21st century learning objectives by way of developing computer animations, interactive stories or applications. The event was aimed to enhance the students’ skills in adaptability, critical thinking, problem solving, working in a team, ability to use ICT creativity and awareness of cross-cultural issues. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Ladlad Caraga to convene LGBT for 2018 summit

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 19 (PIA) – The Ladlad Caraga Incorporated, a Security Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered non-stock, non-profit and non-government organization representing the Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual- Transgender-Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) in Caraga, is set to hold this year’s 1st LGBT Summit on September 28, 2018 at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.

According to Isagani Bacasmas Jr., Ladlad Caraga chairperson and chief executive officer, the summit is aimed to deepen the understanding of issues facing the LGBTIQ community; to network with communities from across Butuan; to learn what organizations and individuals are doing to advance health, safety, fairness and inclusion in the LGBTIQ Community in the City; and to join efforts to ensure LGBTIQ protection in Butuan.

“Ladlad Caraga is expecting some 100 attendees from the LGBT Community of Butuan. The GAD focal persons from government agencies, educators, health workers, social workers, youth sector, and other no-government organizations in the city are also invited for the summit,” added Bacasmas.

Bacasmas also said that Commissioner Norman Baloro of the Presidential Commission on Urban Poor is the keynote speaker during the LGBT Summit.

“Agusan del Norte Cong. Lawrence Fortun and Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada are also expected to attend and deliver their messages to all participants,” Bacasmas said.

Aside from the breakout sessions, there is also an open forum right before the closing program. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Agusan del Norte regulates ‘slow moving vehicles’

By: Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 19 -- The provincial government of Agusan del Norte now mandates that all slow moving vehicles plying in the highways of the province to drive in the righter most part of the road.

This was concretized under Provincial Ordinance No. 492-2018, which was authored by Provincial Board Member Aquino W. Gambe, chairman of the Committee on Energy, Transportation, Information and Communication.

Said ordinance was approved on third and final reading during the 96th regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan taking into consideration that the purpose of the legislative measure is to reduce the number of traffic hazards and unnecessary traffic delays in the highways of the province.

The flow of traffic will be easier if slow moving vehicles ply only to the righter most part of the road.

Under the said ordinance, considered slow moving vehicles included bicycle, trailer, tractor, public utility jeepney (PUJ), mini buses, pedicabs and those vehicles with maximum speed of 40 km/hour.

To effectively implement the mandate of the ordinance, the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) is designated as enforcers of the ordinance and to use the Violation Tickets (VTs) issued by the Provincial Treasurer’s Office in issuing tickets for violators.

Penalties for violators shall be: 1st Offense – Php1,000.00; 2nd Offense – Php2,500.00; 3rd Offense and Succeeding Offenses – Php5,000.00. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Tagalog News: Barangay officials sa Caraga region suportado ang kampanya sa Pederalismo

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Set. 19 (PIA) - Suportado ng may mahigit 2,000 na mga opisyales mula sa ibat-ibang barangay sa lungsod ng Butuan ang kampanya sa Pederalismo ng gobyerno.

Sa isinagawang Federalism Convention and Rally sa Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol Covered Court kamakailan, ang mga dumalong barangay officials ay nagmula sa 86 na barangay sa lungsod ng Butuan, at yung iba naman ay mula sa mga barangay ng ibat-ibang munisipyo at lungsod ng rehiyon.

Ipinahayag ni Erlinda Dublois, purok chairperson ng barangay San Vicente, Butuan City na malaki ang tiwala niya kay President Rodrigo Duterte na ma-iaangat nito ang buhay ng mga Pilipino sa bansa lalung-lalo na’t isinisulong na ng gobyerno ang Pederalismo.

Buong-buo naman ang suporta ng mga miyembro ng Hugpong Federal Government of the Philippines na nagmula pa sa ibat-ibang probinsya ng Caraga region. Ayon sa kanilang national executive secretary na nakilalang si Virgilio Dela Cruz, matagal na silang sumusuporta kay Pres. Duterte, kahit mayor pa ito nuon sa Davao City. Ibinahagi pa niya ang kanilang maikling deskripsyon sa pederalismo at ito’y tinawag nilang PRRD – P for power sharing; R - resources sharing; R – respect for all; at D - development for all.

Naging guest speakers ang mga commissioner na sina Professor Eddie Alih, Atty. Ferdnand Bacobo, Atty. Randolph Parcasio, at Sec. Gary Bolivar – isang fellow sa forum on economic freedom. Isiniwalat ng mga myembro ng Consultative Committee to Review the 1987 Constitution ang mga dahilan kung bakit kinakailangan ng bansang Pilipinas na mag-shift mula Unitary System to Federal form of government.

Dumalo rin si Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin DiΓ±o ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) sa nasabing pagtitipon at binigyang-diin niyang panahon na para sa pagbabagong tinatamasa ng mga Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng pederalismo ni Pres. Duterte.

Samantala, nilagdaan din ng mga opisyales at partisipante ang manipesto bilang suporta sa Pederalismo. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Butuan, AgNor tourism officials join Global Farm Tourism Summit 2018

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 19 -- Nine delegates from Butuan City and Agusan del Norte joined the rest of the more than 800 participants including those from other Caraga provinces to the three-day Global Farm Tourism Summit 2018 in Tagaytay City.

At least two of the private sector attendees from Butuan City expressed interest to pursue the establishment and accreditation of their farm tourism sites.

Department of Trade and Industry Agusan del Norte (DTI AdN) Provincial Director Brenda B. Corvera was also given the chance to discuss in behalf of the department (she being one of only three DTI delegates in the summit) the different programs and services that DTI has that can help existing and potential farm tourism site/camp operators. She shared the services of the Negosyo Centers in cities and municipalities which any interested operator can visit for help.

This was in response to the summit’s main mover and International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) President, Dr. Mina T. Gabor's query regarding how DTI can possibly help, citing that during her time in the department, there were lots of assistances given, even hand-holding for exporters being the former head of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM).

Those who attended include Butuan City Tourism Officer Evangeline PeΓ±a-Dominise; Peth Gabor-MaΓ±alac (potential farm tourism camp investor); Mina Marie Montilla- Ladlad and Josephine Lozano Rabor of LMR Exim Trading and Mango Farm in Bit-os; Dr. Danilo A. Ga-as Presidential Assistant for Ecopark Dev’t., Caraga State University; Agusan del Norte Provincial Tourism Officer Edgar M. Palarca, Jr.; Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte Municipal Tourism Officer Roquito Jugao, Jr.; DTI AdN provincial director Corvera and Jocelyn Ordonia.

They were joined by other Caraga delegates, namely: Agusan del Sur Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Hazel O. del Rosario, LGU - Sibagat, Agusan del Sur Mayor Maria Liza Evangelista, Sibagat Tourism Officer Airene PeΓ±as, Surigao del Norte Tourism Officer Josephine Egay and Surigao City Tourism Officer Roselyn Merlin, Surigao City Agriculturist Isaias M. Elumba, Mercy Alameda and Sofia Alameda of Alameda Farms, Surigao del Sur Vice Governor Manuel O. Alameda, Jr.

Vice Governor Alameda was one of the speakers under plenary 5: “Empowering Local Government Units for Farm Tourism.”

Agusan del Sur SP member del Rosario also took the floor to encourage the private sector to go to their respective local government for assistance as she believes that they too may have services like the financing program for small businesses that her province has.

The summit featured two days of plenary sessions on- 1) Sustainable Practices and Opportunities in Farm Tourism (Farming is Sexy: Millennial Farmers, Women Empowerment in Farm Tourism); 2) Climate Smart Farm Tourism ( Climate Resilient Crops, Smart Farming, and Do-It-Yourself Promotion on Farm Tourism); 3) Don’t Panic, Simply Organic (New Zealand Best Practices); 4) I Came, I Saw, I Stayed: Unique Farm Stay Experiences (Vietnam, Philippines); 5) Empowering Local Government Units for Farm Tourism (Surigao del Sur/Alameda Farms, Province of La Union, Indonesia Experience); and 6) Farm Tourism Country Models (Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines).

The last day was devoted to a farm visit to the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction in nearby Silang, Cavite for a guided tour, additional inputs and the closing ceremony. (DTI-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Bunawan food producers learn food safety concepts, good manufacturing practices

BUNAWAN, Agusan del Sur, Sept. 19 – Some 110 members of the five associations that are engaged in food processing enterprises in this municipality have recently gained knowledge on Food Safety Awareness (FSA) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) through the training held at Mabe's Savory Place in San Francisco, this province.

Dina Lyra Pantaleon, a Microbiologist resource person, discussed Food handling, Food safety hazards, Steps in Cleaning and Sanitation, Cooking, Packaging and Storing of food and using proper wardrobe. 

"Thank you Department of Trade and Industry and Philsaga Mining Corporation for this seminar, now we know the pros and cons in food processing and food handling. We will apply this in our production," said Rodulfo Montes, one of the association members.

The PhilSaga Mining Corporation (PMC) through its Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) assisted the participating organizations: 1. Empowered Women of San Teodoro Association (EWSTA); 2. San Andres Selected Women Association (SASWA); 3. San Marcos Fisher folks; 4.  ConWECo; and 5. 3 B’s Bakeshop.

Their products are processed meat, dried fish, pineapple marmalade, bread and purified water.

The said training was organized by Philsaga Mining Corporation and DTI Agusan del Sur through the facilitation of Connie Derro and France Tumulak of Negosyo Center – Bunawan. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)