AgSur coop to supply rice to Bislig Hospital
By Rechel D. Besonia and Jennifer
P. Gaitano
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur,
June 18 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Sur, together
with the officials of Medical Mission Group of Hospitals and Health Services
Cooperative of the Philippines (MMGHHSCP) Federation, board of directors (BODs)
of Andres Soriano Memorial Hospital Cooperative (ASMHS) and the BODs of
La Fortuna Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LAMUPCO) in Veruela, Agusan del Sur
convened for a signing of marketing agreement under the bundling project, the
Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) and the Convergence on Value
Chain Enhancement for Rural Development (Project ConVERGE) on June 17, 2019 at
the ASMHS, Brgy. Cumawas, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
This bundling initiative of
DAR-Agusan del Sur was realized after the federation, in its aim to promote the
economic empowerment of the farmers through sustainable partnership go down to
the grassroots and help capacitate the farmers and urge them to supply with
their products and services at a price higher than their traders were buying.
“We consider helping our farmers
by assuring them of a ready market of their products and services,” said Dr.
Jose Tiongco, CEO of MMGHHSCP during his message.
“For me, it is somewhat a
symbiotic relationship wherein we come to benefit from each other. Through this
strategic partnership with DAR, the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries shall get
better returns of their investments while consumers have access to quality food
products,” said Dr. Dionisio De Castro, BOD chair of ASMHC.
Part of the agreement is the
commitment of LAMUPCO to supply the rice requirements of the hospital which is
two sacks of 50 kilos per day or 60 sacks in a month at a price way higher than
the usual. This way, LAMUPCO will no longer settle in selling their produce to
the traders.
LAMUPCO chairperson Reynaldo Maido
is thankful for this initiative of DAR in linkaging them to the hospital.
“Dako among pasalamat sa DAR sa
kanunay nga pagtabang kanamo nga mga mag-uuma aron kami makaangkon ug dugang
pang income para sa among mga pamilya (I am thankful to DAR for constantly
extending assistance for the farmers, so we could have additional income to
provide for our families),” Maido said.
PARPO II Leoncio Bautista have
high hopes for the farmers of LAMUPCO and the federation. “I am hoping that the
partnership will last long enough to help other farmers who are in dire need of
the same help. For years, the department had continuously find avenues to help
our people. I hope that the farmers of LAMUPCO will also help us by taking the
government’s assistance seriously,” he said. (DAR-Agusan del Sur/ PIA-Agusan
del Sur)
75 FRs get assistance from government
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, June 18 (PIA) - Some
75 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have received financial and
livelihood assistance from the government during the conduct of Enhanced –
Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) Awarding of Assistance held
recently at Villa Maria Luisa Hotel in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
Each beneficiary received
livelihood and immediate assistance totalling to P65,000.00, and another amount
depending on the firearm they surrendered to the government.
Other government agencies also
extended help to former rebels (FRs). The Technical Education Skills and
Development Authority (TESDA) Caraga has promised to grant a scholarship to
former rebels’ dependents; and PhilHealth membership for one year, which will
be shouldered by the local government unit.
Aside from this, another P5,000.00
cash assistance and food packs, as well as vegetable seedlings from the
provincial government will be given to them.
According to Marcelo Tejano, a
former member of the rebel group, he has terrible experiences when he joined
and became member of the NPA.
“I regret joining the rebel group,
where I had awful experiences,” cited Tejano.
Tejano added that despite of his
involvement in the rebel group, he is still thankful to the government for
giving him another opportunity to experience a peaceful life with his family,
and would no longer cause harm to other people in the community.
Meanwhile, Usec. Reynaldo Mapagu
of the Department of National Defense (DND), also commended the efforts of the
provincial government of Surigao del Sur for their continued support and implementation
of the program of the national government under the Duterte administration.
This initiative is a way of
bringing the government closer to the people, particularly to the former rebels
who surrendered to the government and are now back to the mainstream society.
(NGB/JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Livelihood, employment cluster identifies programs for tribal community
in SurSur
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
LANUZA, Surigao del Sur, June 18
(PIA) - The Provincial Poverty Reduction Livelihood and Employment Cluster
(PRLEC) of Surigao del Sur chaired by Director Rey Cueva of the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has identified programs to
implement in Sitio Ibuan, Mampi, Lanuza town of this province during the
consultation dialogue recently.
The activity was facilitated by
the 36th Infantry “Valor” Battalion headed by Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad in line
with the inclusive and sustainable peace agenda of the national government
under the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
During the peace dialogue, issues
and concerned were raised directly collected from the residents, majority of
whom are from the Mamanwa tribal community. As a solution to the issues
gathered from them, the provincial PRLEC team has identified programs and
interventions including livelihood intended to former rebels that would be
implemented soon such as: Spiritual and values training; Skills and livelihood
programs on Tilapia Production, Duck Raising, Abaca Production and Processing;
Native Chicken Production; and Vegetable Production.
Other programs identified intended
for former rebels are the establishment of a "habal-habal" spare
parts store and vulcanizing shop; and twine rope production (coco net).
The PRLEC member-agencies that
were present during the activity included the representatives from TESDA,
Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Department of the Interior and
Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Agrarian
Reform, Philippine Coconut Authority, Provincial Social Welfare and Development
Office, local government unit of Lanuza, and Barangay Council of Mampi.
(PIA-Surigao del Sur)
