Caraga village leaders join 1st Barangay Summit on EO 70
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 16 (PIA) - The
Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) Caraga
spearheaded recently the first Barangay Summit on Executive Order No. 70,
wherein some 80 punong barangays of this city, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del
Sur were given an opportunity to raise their issues and concerns with the
presence of national officials and other stakeholders.
The barangay summit is aimed to present
the RTF-ELCAC initiatives and opportunities of alignment to the barangay level
and increase buy-in of stakeholders in localizing the whole-of-nation approach
to the grassroots level.
According to Jhonryll Denuro, punong
barangay of Manila de Bugabos, Butuan City, the conduct of barangay summit is
of great help so that concerned government agencies, not only in the regional
but also in the national level could respond and give immediate action.
He said the residents in their barangay
wished that a farm-to-market road be constructed for more convenient and easy
delivery of their products to the market.
“At least we could have the most needed
programs of our constituents if not all of our concerns that we raised will be
provided by the government,” he added.
This was also the main concern among
the residents in Barangay Maliwanag – one of the remote areas of Esperanza,
Agusan del Sur. Aside from cheaper transportation cost, the farm-to-market road
could cut the long travel time that greatly affects the quality of products.
Farmers also asked for a machinery to
be used for rice milling.
Also, the participants were delighted
with the presence of National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon
Jr., who have heard all their sentiments.
Cabinet secretary Karlo Nograles,
cabinet officer for the Regional Development and Security (CORDS) in Caraga
region, bared that the Caraga RTF-ELCAC was the first to conduct the barangay
summit among all other regions nationwide.
He said that proposals from the
barangays on how to end the insurgency in their areas of concern were
presented.
The official further assured that
needed programs and projects would be funded and would reach the concerned
barangays.
Meanwhile, a covenant signing was also
conducted, wherein all the barangay officials, employees of government
agencies, together with the private sector and media unite and expressed their
commitment to support all the activities of the RTF-ELCAC in the region.
The conduct of barangay summit will
also continue in other provinces of Caraga. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
OWWA Caraga records 29 rebate claimants on Day-1
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 16 -- In
compliance with the provisions of the Republic Act 10801 or the Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Act, which is to implement the grant of
rebate to long-time members of OWWA, the OWWA Regional Welfare Office – Caraga
(OWWA RWO Caraga) has started the releasing of OWWA rebate on September 10,
2019 with 29 successful member-OFW claimants.
OWWA rebate claims on the first
day vary from P941.25 up to P7,341.75 which was based on the number of
contributions made as of December 31, 2017. Most of the claimants so far are
seafarers from Nasipit and Butuan City in the province of Agusan del Norte.
Seafarer Benedicto Gay Toledo from
Butuan City was the claimant of the 7,341.75, the highest claimant so far. He
was a seafarer for 23 years until he retires from sea life in 2017.
As of this writing, OWWA RWO
Caraga recorded 61 online appointments (Agusan del Norte – 54, Agusan del Sur –
4, Surigao del Sur – 2, Province of Dinagat Islands – 4) and 35 releases with
the total amount of P87,546.25.
For further inquiries about the
OWWA Rebate Program, all interested individuals are invited to visit the OWWA
RWO Caraga located at Nimfa Tiu Bldg II, JP Rosales Ave., Butuan City or call
OWWA Caraga hotline 815-1894/ 09399259895/ 09173150590. (OWWA-13/PIA-Caraga)
AgSur coops attend coaching session on raw
material sustainability
By Rechel D. Besonia
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur,
Sept. 16 -- “CARP implementation does not end with the distribution of lands to
the landless farmer.”
This was the statement of Provincial
Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Jamil Amatonding Jr., as he spoke
before the officials/members of the seven Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries
Organization (ARBOs) in the province during the coaching session on production
module and supply preparation for the sustainability of raw materials of ARBO
processed products held at the Mabe’s Savory Place on September 4-5, 2019.
Amatonding said that the agency is
mandated to deliver a more responsive and integrated package of support service
to the ARBs and their organization as a holistic approach to the program’s
objective to alleviate farmers from poverty and provide them and their family a
more stable future.
Village-Level Farm-focused
Enterprise Development (VLFED) Coordinator of the Bureau of Agrarian Reform
Beneficiaries Development Cynthia Zacate, together with Provincial VLFED
Coordinator Corine Munion, facilitated the coaching session.
In her message, Zacate said that
the sustainability of raw materials is very important so that the supply chain
will not be affected and to ensure that the product demand will meet.
Chief Agrarian Reform Program
Officer (CARPO) Fe Mosquera also emphasized that this module enables the
beneficiaries to produce market competitive products through value-adding and
competent management and operation of enterprises and livelihood activities.
The ARBOs involved were the RAM
Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (RARBEMCO) for their
kisum kaong vinegar, Magkiangkang Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MAMPC) for their
tableya, Kaagakap Multi-Purpose Cooperative (KAAGAPMUCO) for their Amoma Care
Virgin Coconut Oil, all were FDA approved. Other two non-food ARBOs were the
San Martin Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SAFAMCO) for abaca production and
Farmers Alternative Self-Reliance Multi-Purpose Cooperative (FASRMCO) for
rubber production. The Filipinas Palmoil Plantation Inc. Agrarian Reform
Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (FPPI ARB MPC’s) crystal cooking oil
and AMARBEMCO’s tableya who were on the process for their FDA approval were
also present.
VLFED is implemented in line with
the agency’s continuing thrusts of strengthening the agri-enterprise among the
ARBs and their organizations, enable them to sustain the productivity of their
awarded lands and ensure that their product is compliant with the Food and Drug
Administration-Licensed to Operate (FDA-LTO) to create additional livelihood
opportunities for the farmer-beneficiaries who have limited capital and
insufficient income. (DAR-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Over 7K member-OFWs in Caraga benefit from OWWA
Rebate Program
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 16 – The
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Welfare Office – Caraga
has started the releasing of the OWWA Rebate on September 10, 2019, to those
qualified OFW-members who have successfully set their appointment starting
September 2, 2019, at the OWWA rebate portal via the OWWA website -
owwa.gov.ph.
The OWWA Rebate portal is an
online system wherein member-OFWs can easily verify if they are eligible for
the rebate program and also serves as an appointment system where the qualified
beneficiaries can set an appointment to the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare
Offices.
Eligible beneficiaries of the
rebate program are: (1) OFWs who have been members of OWWA for at least ten
years with at least five or more contributions made as of December 31, 2017;
and (2) OFW-member or his/her family has not availed of any program or benefit
from OWWA.
Qualified beneficiaries may
present their appointment code that was sent through a text message and bring
at least one valid government-issued ID to their chosen OWWA Regional Welfare
Office for verification.
For cases were eligible
member-OFWs are on board/on-site, with medical concerns and deceased OFWs,
among others, the next of kin/family member may claim the OWWA rebate on their
behalf. They will just have to present the necessary documentary requirements in
the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices where they set an appointment for
verification process.
After the verification process,
the beneficiaries will provide their banking details where OWWA will deposit
the amount of their rebate and will be credited to them after one banking day.
The OFW may also opt to donate their rebate to the Tuloy-Aral Project (TAP) of
OWWA to help send kids of less fortunate OFWs to school.
Qualified OFWs may be able to
claim P941.25 up to P13,177.50 based on the number of their contributions. The
computation for the Rebate Program is based on an actuarial study commissioned
by OWWA which determined the capability of the OWWA Fund to implement the
rebate program without negatively affecting the regular programs and services
of the agency. Based on the actuarial study, P1 billion were earmarked for the
rebate program to be distributed to the 556,000 beneficiaries per OWWA
database.
The OWWA Rebate Program is in
compliance with the provision of the Republic Act 10801 or the OWWA Act which
is to implement the grant of rebate to long-time members of OWWA.
For further inquiries about the
OWWA Rebate Program, visit the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office in your
area or call OWWA Hotline 1348. (OWWA-13/PIA-Caraga)
DAR hosts investment forum to SurSur coffee
farmers
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur,
Sept. 16 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) through its Project
ConVERGE recently hosted an investment forum to the coffee farmers in the
province held in Tagbina town.
With the theme “Maximizing gains
in marketing niche through product enrichment,” the said activity aims to
promote the coffee produced by the local farmers in Barobo and Tagbina agrarian
reform community (BaTa ARC) cluster. Also, it intends to explore potential
marketing contracts, buyers and linkages to different financial institutions
that will convey investment to the agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations
(ARBOs).
In his message, DAR Caraga 13
Regional Director Leomides Villareal has challenged the coffee farmers to give
their best to convince the investors and maximize the opportunity to showcase
the viability of their produced coffee.
“The fact that Mabuhay Kahayagan
Coffee Growers Cooperative brewed coffee or known as CafΓ© de Tagbina has now
its Food and Drug Administration (FDA) License to Operate is an advantage to a
wider market opening," said RD Villareal.
Meanwhile, Provincial Agrarian
Reform Program Officer II Leoncio C. Bautista, Jr. proudly announced that this
initiative of DAR Project ConVERGE will hopefully open opportunities to the
local coffee farmers to find the right market and investors. “Looking forward
to a bigger marketing contract that will help increase the income of the
farmers,” PARPO Bautista said.
On the same occasion, actual
cupping session was conducted by Mark Anthony Balahay, Licensed Coffee Q Grader
in Caraga, that included roasting, brewing, tasting/cupping of the samples of
coffee beans produced by the Mabuhay Coffee Growers Cooperative (MKCGC) and
Barangay Villaberde Coffee Growers Cooperative (BAVILCOGCO). It will answer the
specific requirements of the buyers depending on how coffee beans are being
processed either wet or dry.
Also, breakout sessions with
individual banks were facilitated whereby ARBO participants directly asked or
discussed the financial requirements in accessing loans for additional capital.
Among the invited potential buyers
and investors were Tribung Kape Inc., Coffee Industrial Machinery Cooperation,
ACDI/VOCA PhilCAFE Project, Consolidated Cooperative Bank (CCB), Rizal Micro
Banking (RMB), First Integrated Community Cooperative (FICCO) and Land Bank of
the Philippines. (DAR-PIO/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Agusan Sur LGUs support Army’s community support
program
By 1Lt Percival J Carido
TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, Sept.
16 – Two towns in the province of Agusan de Sur, together with the 26th
Infantry (Ever Onward) Battalion of the Philippine Army have recently launched
their Community Support Program (CSP) in two separate send-off ceremonies
conducted in Lapaz and Talacogon.
The said ceremonies were initiated
to signify the start of the CSP that aims to build a developed and resilient
community especially in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA)
and Conflict-Affected Areas (ConAAs).
Through the collective and collaborative
efforts of the CSP teams composed of the local government units (LGUs), line
agencies and 26th IB, the program will be integrated to spur economic growth
and address the fundamental issues being confronted and used by the CPP-NPA in
polluting the minds of the populace thus arousing hatred against the
government.
Michael Lim, Municipal Mayor of
Lapaz, expressed his full trust and confidence to the soldiers from whom he
expects to work hand in hand as their partner in community development and
peacebuilding. “As the newly installed chief executive of this municipality,
this CSP is very timely for my goals and objectives in enforcing progress,
development and sustainment of economic growth and peace for my constituents
especially for those far-flung communities,” Lim said.
Meanwhile, Talacogon Mayor Pauline
Masendo, likewise received and sent-off the CSP teams and gave assurance that
the local government will fully support the soldiers' activities in assisting
her constituents towards maintaining peace and development in the area.
Recognizing the importance of
delivery of basic services, the 26th IB and other line agencies are geared to uplift
economic conditions and achieve sustainable peace in the said towns by
utilizing available programs of the government, as the CSP creates significant
headway in reaching out to communities.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Romeo Jimenea,
Commanding Officer of 26th IB said, “CSP deployments are designed to expedite
government’s development programs by unveiling issues and concerns within the
communities that need to be addressed. This is also the answer to strongly
enforce EO 70 as it will highlight the whole-of-nation approach in addressing
issues and concerns within the localities.”
“That’s why the different
government agencies take part in this send-off ceremony. It doesn’t mean that
you will also be deployed in the community but anytime of the day you will be called
to address the identified issues by our troops,” added Lt. Col. Jimenea.
Currently, CSP teams are deployed
in barangay Comota and Langasian, all of Lapaz, likewise in barangays Marbon
and Zillovia, both in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur. (CMO officer, 26IB/PIA-Agusan
del Sur)
Caraga RTF-ELCAC nagdaos ng Barangay Summit sa
EO 70
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Setyembre 16
(PIA) - Ibinahagi at ipinaabot ng mga punong barangay ng lungsod ng Butuan,
Agusan del Norte at Agusan del Sur ang kanilang mga hinaing sa pagdaraos ng
Barangay Summit sa Executive Order No. 70 ng Regional Task Force to End Local
Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) Caraga na ginanap dito sa lungsod.
Ayon kay Jhonryll Denuro, punong
barangay ng Manila de Bugabos, Butuan City, malaking tulong ang summit ng
RTF-ELCAC para matugnan ng mga kinauukulang ahensiya hindi lamang sa regional
kundi hanggang national level ang mga hamong kanilang kinahaharap.
Pangunahing problema pa rin sa
kanilang lugar ang pangangailangan ng maayos na kalsada o farm to market road
upang mapadali ang pagbiyahe ng kanilang produkto sa merkado.
Ito rin ang hiling ng mga
residente sa Barangay Maliwanag, isa sa mga remote areas sa Esperanza, Agusan
del Sur na maayos ang kanilang kalsada upang hindi na pahirapan sa pagbiyahe ng
mga residente lalu na’t mahal ang pamasahe.
Hiling naman ng magsasaka na
mabigyan sila ng makinarya para sa paggiling ng palay.
Iilan lang sila sa 80 barangays na
naimbitahan sa nasabing barangay summit.
Lubos din silang nagagalak sa
pagdalo ni National Security Adviser Sec. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., na
pinakinggan ang kanilang panig.
Ayon kay Cabinet Secretary Karlo
Nograles, cabinet officer ng Regional Development And Security (CORDS) sa
Caraga region, pinakauna ang RTF-ELCAC Caraga sa mga rehiyon na nagdaos ng
barangay summit.
Dito iprinisenta ang mga
suhestiyon ng mga barangay kung papaano masugpo ang insurhensiya sa kanilang
areas of concern.
Pagtitiyak naman ng opisyal na
makararating sa kanila ang mga programa at proyekto na kinakailangan at
mapondohan ang mga ito.
Samantala, isinagawa rin ang
covenant signing, kung saan nagkaisa ang lahat ng barangay officials, mga
kawani ng gobyerno, pribadong sektor at media na susuportahan sa lahat ng inisyatibo
ng RTF-ELCAC sa rehiyon.
Magpapatuloy din ang pagsagawa ng
barangay summit sa ibang probinsya ng Caraga. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
180 pasyente, nakinabang sa surgical mission sa
Surigao del Norte
By Venus L. Garcia
LUNGSOD NG SURIGAO, Surigao del
Norte, Setyembre 16 (PIA) -- Nasa 180 ang natulungan ng libreng operasyon ng
ilang foundation katuwang ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Surigao del Norte
at mga ospital.
Sa unang dalawang araw ng surgical
mission na isinagawa sa Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital o SDNPH, umabot
sa 54 na pasyente ang sumailalim sa major surgery para sa hernia, thyroid mass
at iba pa. Animnapu’t limang pasyente naman ang sumailalim sa minor operation.
Ayon kay Dr. Chrismar Mocorro,
officer-in-charge ng SDNPH, wala nang binayaran ang mga benepisyaryo dahil
sagot na ito ng social services fund ng provincial government office.
“Layunin natin na matulungan ang
mga pasyente kaya’t hanggang maaari ay wala silang dapat bayaran. Libre lahat
kasali na ang medisina. Kakaiba ito sa lahat ng medical mission na naisagawa na
dito sa amin dahil sa presensya ng pathologist kung saan yung mga reading ng
masses gaya ng ceast at tumor ay malalaman natin agadkung ito ba ay malignant o
hindi,” sabi ni Mocorro.
Samantala, bukod sa 47 na
pasyenteng natulungan para sa minor surgery na isinagawa sa Dapa District
Hospital ay nakinabanag din sa libreng konsultasyon lalo na ang mga hindi
nag-qualify na maoperahan.
“Ang misyon namin ay tumulong sa
mga pasyente ng Pilipnas na kailangan ng operasyon. Kaya ginagawa namin yan sa
tatlong bagay. Isa nito ay yung pagbibigay ng libreng operasyon; pangalawa,
yung mga ospital na kulang ng gamit ay tinutulungan namin sila sa mga
kagamitan; at pangatlo, yung mga local surgeons, anesthesiologists, at nurses
tinuturuan din naming,” sabi ni Dr. Lester Suntay, presidente ng World Surgical
Foundation (WSF).
Lubos naman ang pasasalamat ng mga
natulungang pasyente. Malaking tulong daw ito para sa kanilang kalusugan at mga
pangangailangang medikal.
“Malaking tulong talaga ito sa
akin. Masayang-masaya ako dahil sa wakas ay masolusyunan na rin ang matagal ko
nang pagtitiis dahil sa aking sakit na hernia. Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng
tumulong lalung-lalo na ang mga doctor,” sabi ni Remegio Caligner, 64 na taong
gulang.
Ganun din naman ang malaking
pasasalamat ni Corazon Morillo nang matagumpay na maoperahan ang bukol sa
kanyang dibdib. “Ikinagalak ko po ng lubos na may mga organisasyon, tao at
doktor na buong pusong tumulong sa amin na walang pambayad sa pangpagamot,”
sabi ni Morillo.
Malaki rin ang naiambag ng
Megawide Foundation (MF) sa ginanap na surgical mission. Ayon kay Sheila Lynn
Nawata, MF chief operating officer, ikinalugod nilang makipagtulungan sa WSF
dahil sa mga mahuhusay at mapagkakatiwalaang mga doctor nito.
“Sila talaga ay nagbigay serbisyo
upang matugunan ang surgical backlog sa underserved na mga komunidad. Kaya
layunin din ng Megawide Foundation na mabigyan ang underserved Filipino
communities ng first-world solutions. Umaasa kami na mas marami pa kaming
matulungan,” sabi ni Nawata.
Ang surgical mission sa Surigao
del Norte ay pampito sa mga isinagawa ng mga nasabing foundation at nakahanay
na ring gawin ito sa Roxas City, Ilocos at Sorsogon ngayong taon.
(VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
