100 IPs in Caraga receive PhilHealth cards
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 3 (PIA) -- The
indigenous peoples (IPs) have been known for their great contribution in
maintaining peace and order in their respective communities, hence, the
Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga recognized their effort and has
partnered with the Philippine Health (PhilHealth) Insurance Corporation for the
distribution of PhilHealth cards to be used by the IPs in their medical needs.
This was in time with the 118th
Police Service Anniversary celebration of PNP Caraga held in Butuan City.
Led by PNP Caraga regional
director Police Brigadier General Gilberto Cruz, together with Herzon Zenon
Leonardo Malate, the acting regional vice president of PhilHealth Caraga, and
Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa, deputy chief PNP for
operations, some 100 PhilHealth cards were distributed and received by the respective
tribal leaders from the different provinces of the region.
Each of the tribal leaders
received the PhilHealth cards intended for their respective tribal members.
In his message, Cruz highlighted
the significant role of the IPs in nation-building. He stressed that specific
programs intended for the IP sector should be enhanced and sustained.
Meanwhile, Gamboa thanked all IPs
in Caraga region for their active support, cooperation and participation in the
implementation of Executive Order No. 70 or the whole-of-nation approach to
stop the insurgency in the country. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Agusan, MisOr tribal leaders unite to end
insurgency
By 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte,
Sept. 3 -- A total of 55 tribal leaders of Higaonon, Banwaon and Manobo from
the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Misamis Oriental spoke
out their stand to end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) on August 24,
2019 at the headquarters of 23rd Infantry Battalion, Jamboree Site, Purok 6,
Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
The activity was conducted to
define the roles of tribal leaders in relation to the implementation of
Executive Order No. 70 (EO 70) institutionalizing the 'whole-of-nation'
approach to end local communist armed conflict.
The whole-of-nation approach
requires the participation of not only the different agencies of the government
but the different sectors of the community in addressing the very long existing
insurgency caused by the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People's Army
(CPP-NPA) which hinders development, particularly in the countryside.
Hence, the different tribal
leaders expressed their desire to fight the CPP-NPA to finally end insurgency
and other armed struggles.
Present during the meeting were
Agusan del Norte 2nd district representative Ma. Angelica Rosedell M.
Amante-Matba, NCIP Caraga regional director Ferdaussi Cerna, and provincial
indigenous peoples mandatory representative (IPMR) of Agusan del Norte Datu
Bawang Eddie Ampiyawan.
Ampiyawan extended his gratitude
to the local government unit of Agusan del Norte and the 23rd Infantry
Battalion (23IB) for helping the indigenous peoples (IPs)/lumads and for
hearing their grievances against the CPP-NPA terrorists who continuously sow
terror in their communities.
“I encourage all tribal leaders to
support the government to end insurgency. Let us be one in fighting the CPP-NPA
for us to have a peaceful community. We will not allow them to deceive and
manipulate anymore our families and become victims again of their evil
interest,” Ampiyawan said.
Moreover, Matba expressed her
appreciation for holding the activity as a support to the efforts of the
government in implementing EO 70 particularly in the province of Agusan del
Norte.
“I know that there are many IPs
who were deceived and recruited by the NPA rebels. I can’t take it if lumads
will fight against each other. Let us work hand-in-hand, converge our efforts
to end insurgency,” Matba said.
Likewise, Cerna said that the best
contribution that tribal leaders can extend to end insurgency in Caraga is to
inform the people that there is only one government. “We shall support only the
duly constituted government. Let us not be deceived by the CPP-NPA because they
destroy the lives of our people. They had caused disintegration among the
indigenous peoples,” he said.
Further, Lieutenant Colonel
Francisco Molina, Jr., commanding officer of 23IB expressed his appreciation to
the tribal leaders for their passion in helping the government in ending local
communist armed conflict. “Insurgency is not only the concern of the AFP and
PNP, but it is the concern of every Filipino. With your cooperation and
support, we can achieve peace and development in our communities,” said Molina.
(23IB, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Disgruntled rebels surrender in Surigao Sur
By Lt. Krisjuper
Andreo Punsalan
SAN MIGUEL, Surigao del Sur, Sept.
3 (PIA) -- The loss of the will to fight in the futile struggle of the
Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorists or CNTs is the reason to the
surrender of two regular NPA members of the Guerilla Front Committee 30 (GFC
30), CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) on August 22 in
Barangay Bolhoon, interior town of San Miguel of this province.
They surrendered to the troops of
the 7th Special Forces (Spartans) Company under the 3rd Special Forces
(Arrowhead) Battalion (3SFBn) of the Philippine Army.
The surrenderers were identified
as Ka Queen, 28 years old and a regular NPA; and Ka Arnel, 42 years old, a
designated supply officer of GF 30, NEMRC, both residents of Barangay,
Kabangahan of the said town. They brought with them one Armscor shotgun and one
caliber 38 pistol with defaced serial numbers along with two shotgun
ammunition.
With the President’s issuance of
Executive Order No. 70 (EO 70) enjoining all Filipinos to take part in the
'whole-of-nation' approach to end insurgency, the local government units
(LGUs), concerned government agencies and even local residents became more
active in propagating the President’s message to topple the CNTs.
The 3rd Special Forces Battalion,
in coordination with the LGUs, is poised to further intensify their campaign
towards the realization of ending local communist armed conflict in the
provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur.
Currently, CSP teams are already
immersed in the identified priority areas for peace and development of the said
provinces.
“Knowing that the fight to end
insurgency is the responsibility of all Filipinos, it feels great to see all
units of the government and the residents work hand-in-hand with us (military)
to achieve a common goal towards lasting peace in our area of operations. We
know that our tactical footprints and presence degraded the CNTs’ mass base and
its support structures that is why some of their elements are returning into
the folds of the law. So, we encourage all other CNT members that our door is
always open if they want to surrender. It is better to live peacefully with
your families than being fooled for a useless cause,” said Lieutenant Colonel
Joey B Baybayan, commanding officer of the 3SF Battalion.
The surrenderers will be enrolled
in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), a complete
assistance package under the government’s program for former rebels and will
undergo series of consultations and counseling as part of their transition
process in the mainstream society. (3SF Battalion-CMO/PIA Surigao del Sur)
WCO 2019 HOTS grateful to TESDA
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 3 -- Hired on
the Spot (HOTS) during the conduct of World CafΓ© of Opportunities (WCO) here
are grateful to Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
John Paul B. Bernasor, 18 from
Brgy. Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte said he is happy because he did not
expect that he will be hired on the spot by Fit Cars Service Center of this
city as a mason.
When asked what might be the
reason why he was immediately hired, he said “I was hired by the company
because I believe that the employers who were here knew that I really know the
work and I am capable of the skills that they are looking for.”
Bernasor is a graduate of
Alternative Learning System (ALS) and also finished Carpentry NC II from the
Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries (NMSF) in Matabao, Agusan del Norte,
whose mother is working abroad.
“My new job now can really help my
family in the financial aspect and this is also a way for me to pay my mother
in return who is working abroad to earn a living,” Bernasor said.
Bernasor likewise said he is very
much thankful to TESDA for the knowledge and skills that they have imparted to
him. “Because of my trainers, I was able to have an opportunity to help my
family and prove to myself that I can do it and be an asset to my community,”
he said.
Also, Michael V. Pande of Brgy. 1,
Purok 6, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte is a 23-year-old ALS Graduate and holder
of Carpentry NC II.
He said because of the
encouragement of one of the faculty members of NMSF, he came here today not
expecting that he will be able to find a job as he was one of those who were
hired on the spot also by Fit Cars Service Center as Mason.
“Aside from the fact that I
already have a lot of experience in the construction field, I feel that the
knowledge and skills that I have obtained from my trainings in TESDA are a big
factor why I was hired on the spot,” he said when asked why the company hired
him.
Pande said his new employment now
is a big help to his family especially that they are in financial crisis right now.
“I am thankful to TESDA especially
the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries (NMSF) through Mr. Romel M. Natad,
Vocational School Administrator II because though I am an ALS graduate, they
gave me a warm welcome and offered an opportunity that can transform not only
mine but more importantly, my family… To TESDA, thank you very much,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lance Oliver P. Ortuyo,
21 of Batitang Subdivision, Cabadbaran City 21 is a two-year Air Craft
Maintenance Technician graduate of Asian International School of Aeronautics
and Technology, (AISAT) Davao City. He is also a holder of Cookery NC II at
PTC-Agusan del Norte.
Ortuyo said he learned this activity from one of his friends who is also his classmate during their Cookery Class in PTC-Agusan del Norte. “I went here hoping for an opportunity… and I really got it because I was hired on the Spot by New Rosario’s Foods Corporation, Butuan City,” he added.
Unlike the other applicants,
Ortuyo said he has high hopes of being hired on the spot. “I expected to be
hired as Food and Beverage Associate because I am equipped with knowledge and
skills that I have obtained from my training in PTC-Agusan del Norte and with
this, I am confident of coming here,” he added.
Because of his new employment, he
pointed out that this can help his family specifically in financial needs.
“The 17-kilometer distance from
Cabadbaran City to Butuan City is not a hindrance to my new work… What is
important is to have self-determination and to believe that I can survive in
all the challenges that may come to my life,” he added.
“I am very much grateful for the
opportunity that TESDA has given me that will change my life and transform my
well-being as a skilled worker,” Ortuyo said.
TESDA Memorandum No. 14, series of
2018 directed all TESDA Regional and Provincial Offices to conduct Sectoral WCO
through Job Linkaging and Networking (JoLINS), a strategy to increase impact
and build the image of TESDA as a caring institution. (TESDA
Caraga/PIA Caraga)
NCIP Caraga, IP community, nanawagan sa publiko
na huwag magpalinlang sa NPA
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Setyembre 3
(PIA) -- Sa patuloy na kampanya ng gobyerno laban sa terorismo, nagkaisa ang
mga kawani ng National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), kasama ang
indigenous peoples (IP) community sa Caraga, na palalawakin sa publiko ang mga
panlilinlang ng mga grupong tulad ng New People’s Army (NPA).
Ayon kay Bae Magdalina Gano, IP
Truth Ambassador mula Surigao del Sur, nais nilang malaman ng publiko ang
katotohanan sa kapahamakang dulot ng teroristang grupo sa mga komunidad lalo na
sa mga kabataan.
Masakit mang balikan ang alaala ni
Bae Magdalina sa kanyang pamilyang inabuso ng NPA, nanindigan siya na kailangan
nilang ipaglaban ang kanilang karapatan at hindi magpapaloko o magpapalinlang.
Dagdag pa niya, hindi siya
natatakot sa kung ano man ang kahihinatnan ng kanilang pakikipaglaban sa mga
NPA dahil sinasabi lang nila ang buong katotohanan sa mga karumal-dumal na
gawain nito.
Binigyang-diin din ni NCIP Caraga
Regional Director Ferdausi Cerna na nakikiisa sila sa IP community at
ipinaglalaban din ng ahensiya ang karapatang pantao at dignidad ng mga IPs, at
proteksyon nito mula sa makakaliwang grupo.
Dagdag pa ng opisyal, aktibo rin
sila sa pakikipagtulungan kasama ang iba pang ahensiya ng pamahalaan sa
implementasyon ng Executive Order No. 70 o ang whole of nation approach sa
pagkamit ng pangmatagalang kapayapaan sa bansa.
Mas paiigtingin din nila ang
magandang relasyon ng IP community at ng gobyerno. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DSWD kinilala ang mga community volunteers sa
Caraga region
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Setyembre 3
(PIA) -- Kinilala ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ang
community volunteers sa kanilang pagbibigay suporta sa mga programa at proyekto
sa ilalim ng Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated
Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) sa rehiyon ng Caraga.
Isinagawa ito sa pagdiriwang ng
3rd National Community Volunteers’ Congress at 5th National Bayani Ka! Awards
sa lungsod ng Butuan.
Sa pangunguna ni DSWD Secretary
Rolando Bautista, tumanggap ng plake ang awardees at hinimok ang mga ito na
magpatuloy sa kanilang boluntaryong pagtulong sa mga komunidad.
Binigyang-diin din ni Bautista ang
kahalagahan ng pagtulong sa kapwa at ang pagiging bayani ng mga social workers
at community volunteers para makatulong sa mga Pilipino.
Pinasalamatan din niya ang lahat
ng aktibong opisyal ng mga lokal na pamahalaan.
“Kami ay panatag na ang mga
proyektong naisagawa ninyo sa komunidad ay tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng
karamihan dahil naniniwala kami sa inyong pagpapasya, at pinagdaanang proseso
sa pagsasakatuparan nito. Bukod sa mga proyekto, kami ay nagpapasalamat din sa
mga lokal na pamahalaan at community based group sa inyong pagyakap sa mga
proseso at prinsipyo ng KALAHI-CIDSS para masiguro ang patuloy na pagdinig sa
boses ng bawat mamamayan,” sabi ni Bautista.
May walong awardees ang Caraga, at
ito ay ang: 1) Barug Kababaihan sa San Roque Association in Trento, Agusan del
Sur (gender and development category); 2) Bayogo Tribal Community sa Madrid,
Surigao del Sur (IPs welfare category); 3) Barangay Sub-Project Management
Committee of Zillovia sa Talacogon, Agusan del Sur (promotion of just peace
category); 4) Bayogo Tribal Community sa Madrid, Surigao del Sur (youth
category); 5) Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee of Bayugan 3 sa
Rosario, Agusan del Sur (person with disability welfare category); 6) Barangay
local government unit ng San Ignacio sa Trento, Agusan del Sur (improved local
governance category); 7) Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee ng Antao,
Carmen, Surigao del Sur (environment protection category); at 8) Las Nieves
Poblacion Rural Water Works and Sanitation Association (LAPRUWASA) sa Las
Nieves, Agusan del Norte (sustained community volunteers group category).
Samantala, nagpasalamat din ang
mga benepisyaryong nabiyayaan ng ilang proyekto sa KALAHI-CIDSS.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa
KALAHI-CIDSS dahil sa mga programang ibinigay nila, naging mas abala kami sa
pagpapalago ng aming organisasyon at sa maidudulot din na tulong nito sa aming
komunidad,” sabi ni Joan MontaΓ±ez, presidente ng Barug Kababaihan sa Trento,
Agusan del Sur. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
