DA, PhilRice intensify public awareness on Rice
Tariffication Law
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) - In
order to reach the grassroots and inform the farmers on what awaits them with
the implementation of Republic Act 11203 or Rice Tarrification Law, the Department
of Agriculture (DA) and Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), in
partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, have shared
the salient features of the said law thru the program dubbed “Caraga INFOcus:
Agri Hour.”
According to DA Caraga assistant
regional director Nestor Burgos, the Rice Tariffication Law, which seeks to
liberalize the importation of rice, is expected to lower retail prices of rice
and improve the farmers’ income and productivity.
The law covers four components,
namely; Seed, Rice Mechanization, Extension and Loan components.
Marisa Garces, rice program focal
person of DA-Caraga bared that under the said law, a P10-billion rice fund
composed of duties collected from imported rice will be spent for programs that
would directly result to increase in production, profitability, and
competitiveness.
Dr. Genevive NemeΓ±o, supervising
science research specialist of PhilRice – Agusan also emphasized that the Rice
Competitiveness Enhancement Program - seed component will help increase the
adoption of certified inbred rice seeds and its corresponding intergrated crop
management.
NemeΓ±o added that in order for the
farmers to avail of the rice fund, they must be a member of any farmer
organization, as funds will be released thru accredited group or cooperative.
It can be recalled that the Rice
Tarrification was put into law on February 14, 2019 and started its
implementation on March 5, 2019. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
17 FRs receive cash assistance in SurSur town
By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, July
12 (PIA) -- A total of 17 Former Rebels (FRs) received cash assistance as part
of their reintegration to the mainstream society under the
Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) held at the Municipal
Mayor’s Office of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on July 4, 2019.
Civil Military Operations Officer
Lt. Jonald Romorosa of the 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) revealed that each FR
received P10,000 during the awarding ceremony led by Mayor Hazel Elizalde.
The said assistance partly aids to
start the new life of the FRs and their families to live better lives together
with their families and avail the government free basic services offered, said
Romorosa.
Mayor Elizalde highlighted the
commitment of the local government of San Miguel under her administration to
support the FRs.
“The government puts forth its
utmost and sincerest effort in providing the assistance intended for FRs,” said
Elizalde.
Meanwhile, 36IB commanding officer
Lt. Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said the government is sincere in their gesture in
helping the FRs return to the mainstream society and start a new life in peace
and harmony.
"These benefits do not serve
as an end, but rather a means to aid the FRs in securing a foothold in
restarting their lives,” said Trinidad. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
AgNor to adopt rebels willing to surrender to
government
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) - To
give chance to former rebels (FRs) and let them experience a better life, the
province of Agusan del Norte has expressed willingness and interest to adopt
those rebels who wanted to surrender and live a normal life in the mainstream
society and be with their family.
With this development, a half-way
house for the former rebels is being constructed for their temporary shelter
once they surrender to the government. This also serves as a transition home
and rehabilitation center for the FRs and Militia ng Bayan.
According to Ali Kazim Marcaban,
coordinator of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in
Agusan del Norte, the provincial government continues to implement the program,
where it provides psychosocial interventions; individual case management to
each former rebel; facilitate their chosen livelihood project; and capacitate
them in their reintegration to the communities.
This is apart from the regular
financial assistance to former rebels, he said.
Political officer of Sotero Llamas
of Bicol Regional Party Committee, Agnes Lopez Fernandez also known as “Ka
Tina/Ka Jorge/Ka Yolly,” also called on to her former comrades to leave the
organization and return to the folds of the law, and live a peaceful life.
As a former rebel, Fernandez is
thankful to the provincial government of Agusan del Norte for its constant
support especially in providing funds, programs and services for her co-former
rebels.
Meanwhile, a formulation workshop
for the halfway house manual of operations was also conducted to ensure
rightful implementation of the halfway house rules by next year.
(JPG/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
Rice Tariffication Law, ibinahagi sa programang 'Caraga INFOcus: Agri
Hour'
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Hulyo 12 (PIA)
- Ibinahagi ng Department of Agriculture (DA) at Philippine Rice Research
Institute sa farmer associations sa Caraga region ang mga maaari nila makuhang
benepisyo mula sa Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program (RCEP) sa ilalim ng
Rice Tariffication Law.
Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng kanilang
programa na “Carara INFOcus: Agri Hour” ng Philippine Information Agecy -
Caraga.
Ayon kay DA Caraga assistant
regional director Nestor Burgos, makatutulong ang Rice Tariffication Law sa mga
magsasaka para mapabuti ang kanilang pamumuhay at mas maging competitive.
May apat naman na component ang
RCEP – ang seed, rice mechanization, extension at loan components.
Sinabi naman ni Marisa
Garces, rice program focal person ng DA Caraga, sa ilalim ng naturang
batas, P10-bilyong rice fund ang ilalaan para sa mga programang magpapabuti sa
produksyon, kita at kalidad ng buhay ng mga magsasaka.
Ayon naman kay Dr. Genevive
NemeΓ±o, supervising science research specialist ng PhilRice – Agusan,
makakatulong rin ang naturang rice fund sa pagtaas ng produksyon ng
certified inbred rice seeds at matitiyak din nito aniya ang kalidad, pondo at
access ng mga magsasaka nito.
Dagdag pa ni NemeΓ±o, kailangan
lang na maging miyembro ang mga magsasaka sa farmers association ng kanilang
lugar para makabenepisyo sa nasabing programa.
"Walang magsasakang maiiwan
sa programang ito. Lahat ay makikinabang, kailangan lang nilang maging miyembro
ng farmer organization upang mas maging madali ang ating pagbigay ng pundo o
benepisyo para sa kanila," sabi ni NemeΓ±o.
Matatandaan na ang rice tariffication
ay naisabatas noong Pebrero 14, 2019 at sinimulan ang implementasyon noong
Marso 5, 2019. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Mahigit 1,000 nakinabang sa PNP outreach program
sa Surigao Sur
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Hulyo 12 (PIA)
- Mahigit isang-libong indibidwal ang nakinabang sa community outreach program
ng Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga sa Barangay Javier, Barobo, Surigao
del Sur.
Lubos naman na ikinatuwa ng mga
residente ang libreng medikal and dental check-up. Maging ang libreng gupit,
gamot, food packs, school supplies, tsinelas, at eyeglasses.
Ang nasabing aktibidad ng PNP ay
kanilang 'Project Kasing-kasing' o ‘Project Heart.’ Ito ay flagship program ng
Police Regional Office 13 na naglalayung matulungan ang mga residenteng nasa
liblib na komunidad ng rehiyon.
Dagdag pa ng opisyal, isa ang
Barangay Javier sa bayan ng Barobo sa mga lugar napabilang sa conflict-affected
areas ng rehiyon, at nagdeklarang persona non-grata sa Communist Party of the
Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) na
siyang nagdudulot ng kaguluhan sa lugar.
Ayon kay Cruz, ilan-ilang violent
incidents na rin ang naitala sa nasabing barangay at isa na riyan ang pagsunog
umano ng mga npa sa container vans na may lamang export-quality bananas noong
2013.
Ang community outreach program ng
PNP ay parte rin ng kanilang ginagawang hakbang upang maipalaganap pa ang
implementasyon ng Executive Order 70 o 'whole of nation' approach sa pagsugpo
ng insurgency. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) – In
time with the press conference on the National Disaster Resilience Month
(NDRM), the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC)
chaired by Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga regional director Liza Mazo,
called on locals to be “well-informed and proactive citizens.”
Mazo stressed that all should take
their part in the promotion of a disaster resilient region and nation as a
whole.
“All should not be dependent on
what the government could do to save them in times of disaster. Everyone should
also be well-informed and be proactive at all times,” she said.
She further announced that the
establishment of the state-of-the-art Caraga Regional Operations Center cum OCD
Caraga Regional Office funded by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development will soon be operational. “It will be a hub for multi-sectoral
coordination as it is also situated in strategic location where there is
already a warehouse for relief goods,” she said.
Regional director Dominga Mallonga
of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga cited that in order
to properly monitor and provide accurate information especially during
disasters, an assessment of the early warning signals and other installations
has been conducted by the agency.
She also reiterated that the local
government units could maximize the utilization of the detailed flood hazard
maps for their guidance and incorporate it in the disaster preparedness plan.
Dr. Ernesto Pareja of the
Department of Health Caraga said they have personnel and nurses assigned in
different areas, so any incident where their assistance is needed are all
properly reported and responded. Their personnel have constantly been
coordinating with the LGUs in the provinces of Caraga. They also maintain a
24/7 hotline to provide immediate response in times of emergencies.
Bureau of Fire Protection Caraga
regional director FSSupt. Romel Tradio announced that they will conduct a
school-based fire safety, survival and emergency preparedness training
targeting scouts in the region. Activities will be conducted to enhance their
skills in emergency response and to prepare them when a disaster strikes.
Also, Police Major Marife Farol of
the Philippine National Police Caraga said that their agency has been reaching
out to the locals in different communities of the region thru the conduct of
basic life support training, among others. She added that their recent
activities include the provision of school bags and school supplies to the
Indigenous Peoples’ children in different parts of the region.
LTC Jezreel Diagmel of the 401st
Brigade, Philippine Army highlighted their readiness to extend assistance to
the LGUs not only during calamities but in any eventuality. He said the Brigade
has also intensified its efforts in increasing awareness on disaster
preparedness, mitigation and resilience to the communities.
Meanwhile, Mazo thanked all the
media partners for their continued support to the activities and endeavors of
the council. She also recognized the media partners' contribution thru their
advocacy in making people disaster resilient at all times.
This year’s observance is anchored
on the theme “Kahandaan sa Sakuna’t Peligro Para sa Tunay na Pagbabago.”
(JPG/VLG/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
Army conducts security awareness drive to
students of Butuan City
In line with the Project
S.U.R.O.Y. (Simple Unwinding and Recreational Outing for the Youth) spearheaded
by Butuan City Police Office (BCPO), personnel of 402nd Brigade led by
Civil Military Operations Officer Major Francisco P. Garello, Jr. conducted a
security awareness drive to 35 senior high school students coming from
Barangays San Mateo, Nong-Nong and Tungao, all of Butuan City.
“The army recognizes its duty to
inform the youth about the nature of the Communist Party of the Philippines
(CPP) – New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorists or CNTs and their deceptive and
manipulative recruitment strategy. Our youth is one of the most vulnerable
sector in our society and we must protect them from being used as pawns by the
CPP-NPA-NDF against our government troops,” Garello said.
Likewise, the senior high school
students were educated through a static display of the Infantry Brigade squad
and a film showing highlighting the different facets of being a soldier.
They were also given lecture on
how to join the Philippine Army and its recruitment process.
The baranagays of San Mateo,
Nong-Nong and Tungao were identified as CNT-affected areas but have withdrawn
their support through their declaration of the CNTs and its allied left-leaning
groups as persona non grata in their respective barangays.
According to Col. Maurito L.
Licudine, commander of 402nd Infantry Brigade, the youth is the hope of
tomorrow and we are pleased that in partnership with the PNP we were able to
reach out to this group of young people so that they will not be easily swayed
by the sweet talking of the CNTs.
"The youth must be wary of
those who exploit their youthful idealism, agitating them with the social
problems of our country and dragging them into the armed struggle. It is right
to take active part in looking for peaceful solutions but it is not right to
bear arms to solve these problems,” he said.
Licudine is appealing to the CNTs
to spare the children from their violent way of life. “Give them a chance to
grow up; a chance to achieve their aspirations; and be successful in life.
"As for the CNTs, heed our
call to surrender, avail the E-CLIP and live peacefully with your families and
love ones,” urged Licudine. (402nd Infantry Brigade/PIA-Caraga)
Agusan Norte leaders converge in stakeholders’
security forum
By Cpt Francisco
P Garello Jr.
The Stakeholders Security Forum
was an initiative of Agusan del Norte 1st district representative Maria
Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba in partnership with the 402nd Brigade led by
Brigade Commander Col. Maurito Licudine.
The forum intends to apprise the
local chief executives (LCEs) and key decision makers on the nature,
developments and impact of the insurgency situation vis-a-vis the government’s
internal security operations and elicit support and commitment in achieving
peace and inclusive development in their respective areas.
In response to the call to unite
and support the Whole of Nation Approach embodied in the Executive Order 70,
the local leaders of the province led by the newly-elected governor Dale
Corvera, and the LCEs of the city and municipalities to include mayor Judy C.
Amante of Cabadbaran City; Napoleon M. Montero of Jabonga; Aristotle E. Motante
of Kitcharao; Richard P. Daquipil of Remedios T. Romualdez; Franklin D. Lim of
Santiago; and Fidel E. Garcia, Jr. of Tubay together with the police and DILG
officials attended the event.
The officials were informed
regarding the security situation in the brigade’s area of responsibility
stressing the issues and concerns affecting the political and security
environment in the province.
The convergence has generated a
unified voice among the local leaders to support and commit in addressing the
security problem.
It also tackled the situations of
the IP being the most vulnerable target of the exploitation and abuse by the
CPP-NPA Terrorist.
“As the governor of the province,
I am committing full support to the efforts to address the insurgency problem,”
Gov. Corvera declares along with the six LCEs assuring their unwavering support
to the AFP and PNP and in working together for the peace and development
initiatives. (CMO Officer, 402IB/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Rebeldeng nais magbalik loob, handang kupkopin
ng Agusan Norte
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Hulyo 12 (PIA) --
Handang kupkopin ng probinsya ng Agusan del Norte ang mga rebelde na gustong
magbalik loob sa gobyerno at mabuhay ng mapayapa kasama ang kanilang mga mahal
sa buhay.
Sa katunayan, ipinapatayo na ang
isang halfway house upang maging pansamantalang maging tahanan ng mga gustong
magbalik sa gobyerno. Ito ay isang transition home at rehabilition center para
sa mga former rebels at militia ng bayan.
Ayon kay Ali Kazim Marcaban,
coordinator ng Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program o E-CLIP Agusan
del Norte, patuloy ang pagpapatupad ng e-clip sa probinsya kung saan ito ay
nagbibigay ng psychosocial interventions, gumagawa ng individual case management
sa bawat former rebels, pinafacilitate ang chosen livelihood project ng mga ito
at tinutulongan silang ecapacitate ang kanilang reintegration sa kumonidad.
Maliban ito sa binibigay na
financial assistance sa mga former rebels.
Nanawagan din si dating Ka Tina/Ka
Jorge/Ka Yolly at political officer ni Sotero Llamas sa Bicol regional party
committee na si Agnes Lopez Fernadez sa mga dati nyang kasamahan sa bundok na
bumaba na at magkaroon ng normal na pamumuhay.
Ayon pa kay Fernandez, may
magandang programa ang gobyerno para sa kanila at magkakaroon pa ng mapayapang
buhay kapiling ang mga mahal sa buhay.
Bilang isang former rebel o FR,
malaki ang pasalamat ni Fernadez sa probinsya ng Agusan del Norte sa mga
ginagawang tulong lalo na ang pagbibigay ng pondo at mga programa para sa kapwa
nya FRs.
Samantala ginanap din ang isang
formulation workshop para halfway house manual of operations para sa maayos na
implementasyon ng halfway house sa susunod na taon. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
