TESDA, DOTr launch 'tsuper iskolar' program in Butuan
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- With the implementation of the government’s Public
Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Department of Transportation (DOTr)
also launched the “Tsuper Iskolar” Program as a way of stepping up their
efforts in helping those who are affected by the modernization program.
The
“Tsuper Iskolar” aims to provide skills training and additional knowledge to
the beneficiaries of the PUVMP, and even those who would want to become
entrepreneurs.
During
the launching held in Butuan City, different sectors understand better the
intention of the concerned government agencies, as well as the opportunities
which the “Tsuper Iskolar” program brings to the region.
“The
Tsuper Iskolar program is really a big help especially for those who would
venture into another field of work apart from the transport industry. With the
skills trainings to be provided by TESDA and DOTr, I’m sure many would benefit
from this scholarship program and would excel in their field of interest,” said
Elizalde Mission, operator of Balangay Transport Service Cooperative
(BALTRANSCO).
According
to Director Florencio Sunico Jr., spokesperson of TESDA, this is in line with
the scholarship program thru Memorandum of Agreement between the DOTR and TESDA
signed on December 11, 2018 for the stakeholder support mechanism component of
the PUVMP.
He
said, under the “Tsuper Iskolar,” beneficiaries will receive food and
transportation allowance while undertaking the skills training.
Atty.
Martin Delgra III, chairperson of Land Transportation Franchising and
Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said that the agency wanted to enhance the livelihood
of the transport sector with their families. Based on their monitoring,
Caraganons have positive feedback on the said program.
“We’ve
been receiving positive feedback from Caraga region’s stakeholders on this
program and we hope to help more. We also thanked the active support of the
Caraganons in this endeavor,” said Atty. Delgra.
Meanwhile,
TESDA-Caraga regional director Ashary Banto also bared that many have already
visited their provincial and regional offices for queries and signified their
interest to avail of the scholarship program.
The
official further said that TESDA has also been implementing other programs that
will address the needs of the different sectors in the region. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
800 AgNor residents benefit social services
By
Nora L. Molde
RTR,
Agusan del Norte, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- More than 800 residents of Barangays
Tagbongabong, San Antonio and Balang-blang in the municipality of Remedios T.
Romualdez (RTR) in Agusan del Norte benefited from the various social, dental,
medical and other services and assistance from the government through the
conduct of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) immersion conducted by
the provincial government of Agusan del Norte with the assistance from
different line agencies and partner stakeholders of the province, held at the
covered court of barangay Tagbongabong, here.
RTR
Mayor Richard Daquipil expressed his thanks to the provincial government for
conducting the PPOC immersion and for bringing the services to their
municipality.
During
the conduct of the PPOC immersion, Krizia Mae Mangadlao, a six-month pregnant
from Barangay Balang-balang, was thankful for receiving a buntis kit containing
supplies that will be used during her delivery.
Also,
senior citizen Rosalinda Mundia has availed of the free dental, medicines and
an eyeglass. She was thankful for conducting the said PPOC immersion in the
area.
Accordingly,
four barangays in the municipality of RTR, namely: Tagbongabong, Mahaba,
San Antonio and Balang-balang were identified as rebel-infested barangays.
(NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
'All-out' war vs NPAs yields 11 firearms in AgSur
By
Cpt. Aldim T. Viernes
PROSPERIDAD,
Agusan del Sur, Sept. 25 -- The 401st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army based
in Agusan del Sur has recovered 11 high-powered firearms, two low-powered
firearms, three anti-personnel mines and two NPA cadavers together with various
war materials as its campaign intensifies in the whole province a week after
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte called for an all-out war against the Communist
Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) on Sept. 19, 2019.
In
compliance with the directive of the Commander-in-Chief, the Armed Forces of
the Philippines also announced on Wednesday an “all-out” war against communist
rebels to finally end the five-decade-old insurgency problem in the country.
“With
the pronouncement of PRRD, I ordered all commanders under my brigade to double
their efforts to hit these NPA terrorists at all costs,” said Colonel Allan
Hambala, commander of 401st Infantry “Unite N’ Fight” Brigade in Agusan del
Sur.
Col.
Hambala added that these significant accomplishments of battalions under his
brigade are the results of the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 or the
whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict, and the high
state of morale of the troops knowing that the president fully supports the
Army’s mission on the ground.
Snowballing Number of
Surrender
On
Sept. 19, alias “Bong,” a 29 year old NPA medic, surrendered to 3rd Special
Forces Battalion in Bayugan City, bringing along with him one Cal.50 Sniper
rifle and one Cal. 45 pistol through a joint effort with the Philippine
National Police (PNP) Regional Mobile Force Battalion after having been
traumatized by an encounter with the government troops, where one of his
comrades was killed last December 2018.
This
was in addition to the earlier surrender of two NPA elements led by alias
“Sion” who disclosed an arms cache in the hinter area of Sitio Hugmakan, San
Juan, Bayugan City, leading to the recovery of one M16 rifle and three Caliber
30 Garand rifles. They are all members of the Manobo tribe who decided to
surrender because of continuous exploitation of the CPP-NPA in their tribal communities.
“We,
the Lumads cannot say 'no' to NPAs when tasked to be their couriers because we
will surely be killed. We were always threatened and coerced,” said alias Sion.
Another
NPA squad leader and two members of Militia ng Bayan (MB) from Bunawan Brook
also laid down their arms to the 75th Infantry Battalion on September 18 after
experiencing hardship and demoralization inside the communist movement. They
brought with them one M14 rifle, one Carbine rifle, two homemade shotguns, two
Anti-Personnel Mines (APM), detonating cords and subversive documents.
These
former rebels are now being processed by the Provincial Social Welfare and
Development Office at Government Center, Capitol, Patin-ay for the immediate
release of their financial assistance and psycho-social interventions under the
Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP), in which they are
entitled to receive livelihood and housing assistance, educational program and
other basic services of the government.
“We
at the Provincial Government are delighted of their surrender and hopeful that
more will follow. Rest assured that we will provide them the needed services
and benefits due to them through ECLIP. We also hope they are committed to do
their share and never to return again to rebellion,” said Arlene Sanchez,
Provincial Director, DILG, the lead agency on ECLIP and Amnesty Cluster of
Agusan del Sur.
Focused Military
Operations
Meanwhile,
two cadavers of NPAs were left behind after a 30-minute encounter between the
26th Infantry Battalion and an estimated 60 fully-armed NPAs in an uninhabited
part of Barangay Mahagsay, San Luis on Tuesday afternoon, resulting to the
recovery of two AK 47 rifles, one AR18 rifle attached with M203 Grenade
Launcher, magazines with live ammunitions, one APM, medical paraphernalia,
foodstuffs, seven back packs and voluminous subversive documents. The
government troops also seized the terrorists’ hideout with 50 improvised
shelters.
The
security operation was conducted after the military received reports from the
tribal communities in the area regarding the presence of NPAs roaming around
inside their ancestral domains.
Said
cadavers were brought to Poblacion, San Luis and received by the local
government officials for identification process and proper disposition. (CMO
Officer, 401st Brigade, PA/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Army commander visits Agusan, Surigao troops
By 1Lt.
Krisjuper Andreo J. Punsalan
PROSPERIDAD,
Agusan del Sur, Sept. 25 -- The Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment
(Airborne) commander, Brigadier General Lincoln Francisco T. Tagle, AFP made
his first official visit to one of his organic units in Mindanao to include the
3rd Special Forces (Arrowhead) Battalion (3SFBn) based in Barangay Noli,
Bayugan City, this province from Sept. 11 to 13, 2019.
His
visit boosted the morale of the 3SFBn which covers the areas of Bayugan City
and municipality of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur. The 3SFBn areas of operation
in Surigao del Sur covers the municipalities of Lianga, San Agustin, Marihatag,
Cagwait, Bayabas, and portions of San Miguel and Tago. 3SFBn is composed of the
7th Special Forces Company (SPARTANS) Company, 8th Special Forces (DRAGOONS)
Company, and the 9th Special Forces (HOUNDS) Company.
Lt.
Col. Joey Baybayan, commanding officer of 3SFBn, expressed his gratitude, “We
are thankful for your visit sir because your mere presence as our leader gives
us the impression that you care about the morale and welfare of our troops.
This alone inspires this unit to do its best towards the accomplishment of our
mission here in our area of operations,” he said.
Upon
arrival, BGen. Tagle paid a courtesy call to the 401st Infantry (UNITY)
Brigade. Not the casual and usual visit, he made his rounds to all company
headquarters and even went up the critical locations of CAA Patrol Bases to
include the Mabuhay Patrol Base in Mabuhay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur and
Janipaan Patrol Base in Janipaan, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur to see the
actual conditions of his troops.
Further,
he participated in the Bayugan City on Wheels in the hinter barangay of
Calaitan in Bayugan City to witness the convergence efforts of the local government
unit and the 3SFBn in line with the Whole-of-Nation Approach to end local
communist armed conflict in their area of operations.
On
the other hand, LTC Baybayan presented the former rebels and firearms recovered
from the successful combat operations and the influx of surrenders since the
start of the year.
BGen.
Tagle is proud of the unit’s performance and urged the troops to carry on the
good work and continue to improve. “While we accomplish our tasks, let us not
forget that this is not the end of the line. We will face far more challenging
and more difficult missions that's why we have to be ready at all times. Never
stop improving,” he said.
Currently,
the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) battalions of the Philippine Army are
strategically based in the critical areas of Mindanao particularly in Bukidnon,
Sulu, Basilan, and Cotabato. (3SFBn, PA/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
DOST, tutulungan ang mga kooperatiba sa Bayugan City
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD
NG BUTUAN, Setyembre 25 (PIA) -- Nais ng Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) na matulungan ang mga kooperatiba sa lungsod ng Bayugan, dahil madalas
ay single proprietorship at maliliit na korporasyon ang kanilang nabibigyan ng
tulong teknikal at pinansyal.
Ayon
kay DOST Sec. Fortunato Dela PeΓ±a, malaki ang potensyal ng mga kooperatiba na
umusad at mas mapalawak pa ang kanilang produkto gamit ang makabagong
teknolohiya, hindi lamang sa lungsod pati na sa ibang lugar.
“Patuloy
ang ating koordinasyon kasama ang lokal na pamahalaan at iba pang ahensiya
upang matulungan din natin ang mga kooperatiba ditto sa Bayugan City,” sabi ni
Sec. Dela PeΓ±a.
Lubos
naman ang pasasalamat ng lokal na pamahalan sa patuloy na koordinasyon ng DOST
upang masiguro ang pagbigay ng mga magagandang oportunidad sa lahat ng sektor
ng lungsod.
Hinimok
rin ni Mayor Kirk Asis ang lahat ng kabataan na maging aktibo sa paglahok
sa mga kompetisyon na may kinalaman sa Science and Technology.
Susuportahan
ng lokal na pamahalaan ang mga kabataang lalahok dito at bibigyan ng pinansyal
na ayuda. May nakalaang budget umano ang local government unit para dito.
“Suportado
naman ng lokal na pamahalaan ang mga aktibidad na tumutugon sa kapakanan ng mga
kabataan at mag-aaral dito sa Bayugan City,” pahayag ni Mayor Asis.
Kaugnay
nito, binigyang-diin ni Sec. Dela PeΓ±a na mahalaga ring matulungan ng lokal na
pamahalaan ang mga kabataang nais mag-review para sa DOST examinations tulad ng
Philippine Science High School Exam, maging sa mga mag-aaral na gustong
lumahok sa Math, Chemistry at Science quizzes, at mga inbentor sa lungsod na
lalahok din sa mga kompetisyon. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
