Caraga intensifies human-induced displacement preparedness
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 11 (PIA) -- The
members of the response cluster and Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council convened in this city to polish the comprehensive plan as
the basis for concrete response action and implementation of policy relating to
human-induced displacement.
The three-day workshop aims to review
and update the regional document where the interoperability of the established
response systems such as the cluster approach, emergency operations center and
incident command center will be integrated in the updated contingency plan.
Office of Civil Defense Caraga regional
director Liza Mazo puts a strong emphasis on the importance of following the
response protocols in addressing crisis not only caused by natural calamities
but including armed conflict.
“The formulation of this contingency
plan started in 2016 and we need to revisit and update it as this will be our
guide in responding well to an emergency and its potential humanitarian impact.
This will be useful especially now that we are intensifying our efforts related
to the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 70 of President Duterte,” said
Mazo.
Arthur CasiΓ±o, resource person, also
tackled the conflict sensitivity approach and ‘Do No Harm’ (DNH) principle.
He said the main call for the DNH is to
encourage the responding individuals or organizations to make sure that their actions
will not cause any problem.
According to him, there are practical
tools that focus on how organizations interact with conflict and how they can
work effectively in conflict contexts while helping to mitigate their negative
impacts on conflict, and support local capacities for peace.
“To do that we have to exercise
conflict sensitivity. It is good to note that state actors in Caraga region are
doing this and that I see a growing practice of the DNH principle,” CasiΓ±o
said.
Captain Aldim Viernes, civil-military
operations (CMO) officer of the 401st Brigade, Philippine Army who joined the
planning workshop, said the plan will be helpful in providing effective,
efficient, timely and well-coordinated response mechanisms in the event of the
occurrence of armed conflict in the region.
Mazo said the contingency plan and the
formulation of strategies are vital in doing appropriate actions and in
developing community resilience. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
DOTR, LTFRB step-up preparation for PUVMP
implementation in Caraga
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 11 (PIA) - The
Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and
Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are stepping up its preparation for the implementation
of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) in Caraga region.
Several units of the electronic and
solar modernized PUVs have been delivered recently in Butuan City and will
start operating at the designated routes including in other provinces of Caraga
this month of October.
During the PUV Caravan held in Butuan,
which was participated by the transport cooperatives in the region, the
operators and drivers interacted with the manufacturers from various companies
and have clarified their concerns on how to operate the modernized PUVs.
The representatives from LandBank and
Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) were also present to discuss further
with the transport sector the mechanism on the availment of the financial
assistance.
Jose Evagelous Lawenko, chairperson of
Diamond Transport Service Cooperative (DATSCO) stressed that thru the help of
the LTFRB, their loan application in the bank was fast-tracked. He also
explained the advantages they could get from PUVMP.
“The modernization would really give
convenience to the commuters. These PUVs are equipped with CCTV and could also
enjoy the free wi-fi and charging station for their cellphones,” said Lawenko.
Drivers in Butuan have also expressed
their take on the PUVMP. “This should not be implemented too soon as drivers
like us would no longer have a job. If this would really push through, we also
asked the government to provide alternative jobs for the affected drivers to
support their respective family,” said Nicasio Sabellano, pedicab driver.
“Modernization is good. However, what I
do not like is that all are required to be a member of a cooperative to be
qualified to avail the program. It gives us agony,” said Celedonio Goyocan, a
driver.
According to OIC-regional director
Maria Kristina Cassion of LTFRB-Caraga, the PUVMP is the largest
non-infrastructure flagship program of the Duterte administration. She said, it
is high time that commuters could experience a comfortable, convenient and
safer travel. And transport cooperatives have been very supportive of this
effort.
The official assured that by year 2020,
no old PUVs will be allowed to operate.
“Starting July 1, 2020, no old public
utility vehicles will be allowed to operate. We all know how serious we are in
the implementation of the program. Even before, we already have apprehended
several violators,” Cassion underscored. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Another AgSur town declares CPP-NPA persona non-grata
By 1Lt. Percival Carido
TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 11 –
The municipality of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur has denounced the communist NPA
terrorist and its allied organizations and subsequently declared them as
persona non-grata on Monday, October 7, 2019.
The declaration took effect when the
local legislative council headed by Vice Mayor Eric Rey G. Siohan passed and
unanimously signed Resolution No. 273 series of 2019 during the conduct of
their 9th Regular Session of 20th Sangguniang Bayan (SB) held at the SB Session
Hall of the said municipality.
The said resolution states that the
Communist Party of the Philippines – New people’s Army (CPP-NPA) and its
leaning organizations have long been identified with the main ideology of
replacing the democratic system of the government into communism.
The locals expressed that the presence
and activities of the communist terrorists have been a problem of the entire
nation and considered a threat to national security as they instill fear to
people in the communities, recruit new members and sow terror to investors as
well as killing members of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), barangay officials and
civilians who contradict their propaganda.
In a statement, the Municipal Mayor
Leonida P. Manpatilan said, “This is our contribution and our way of doing our
part in the intensified campaign of the national government to end the five
decades of communist armed conflict in the entire nation.”
“Rest assured that our municipality
will continue to project good governance by way of addressing the issues and
problems of the community in connection to the implementation of Executive
Order No. 70,” she added.
Likewise, Lt. Col. Romeo Jimenea,
commanding officer of 26th Infantry Battalion, said that the resolution is in
line with the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2018-211 or the Prohibition of
Support to Left-Wing Rebel Groups, and Executive Order No. 70, which creates
the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
“I commend the legislative bodies and
the whole municipality of Esperanza for initiating and signing resolution No.
273 and declaring the CPP-NPA as persona non-grata,” Jimenea added.
The official further said that
Esperanza is now prepared to attain long lasting peace and development and is
eager to participate in the socio-cultural and economic programs of the
government. This will give its people a chance to have better and peaceful
lives. (CMO officer, 26IB/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Mga senior citizens sa Butuan, humihiling ng libreng
gamot mula sa gobyerno, donors
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Oktubre 11 (PIA) -
Bagamat kompleto sa pang-araw araw na pangangailangan ang mga senior
citizens sa Por Cristo - isang pribadong bahay-tuluyan para sa mga abandoned
elderly, nanawagan ang mga ito ng libreng gamot para sa kanilang mga
karamdaman.
Dahil sa kanilang edad, mas
kinakailangan daw nila ngayon ang pag-aaruga at pagmamahal, lalo na at
karamihan sa kanila ay wala ng pamilya o pinabayaan na.
Sa pagbisita ng mga miyembro ng
Regional Inter-Agency Committee On Senior Citizens (RIAC-SC) Caraga sa Por
Cristo, nabigyan ng kasiyahan ang mga lolo at lola.
Ang mga ito ay nakatanggap ng libreng
personal hygiene kits at food packs. Nagsagawa rin ng blood sugar testing ang
Department of Health (DOH).
Isa si lola Remedios Ambal, 69 na taong
gulang na mula pa Gingoog City ang natulungan ng naturang aktibidad.
Masaya siya at may bumibisita sa kanila
mula sa ibat-ibang organisasyon upang magbigay ng donasyon at mga pagkain.
Hiling din niya na mabigyan din sila ng gobyerno ng mga libreng gamot para sa
mga sakit tulad ng hypertension, diabetes at iba pa.
Emosyunal namang ikinuwento ni lola
Remedios ang kanyang pangungulila sa kanyang pamilya na hindi siya kayang
bisitahin dahil sa kahirapan.
“Masaya kami at bumisita kayo rito sa
min. May mga panahong wala bumibisita sa amin, kaya nalulungkot din kami
ditto,” sabi ni lola Remedios.
Libreng gamot din ang hiling ni lolo
Alfredo Luna para rin sa kanyang arthritis. Kaunti lang ang gamot na naibibigay
ng Por Cristo sa kanila dahil na rin sa kakulangan sa budget, kaya nais niyang
magkaroon ng pangmatagalang suporta ng gamot para sa mga kasama niyang senior
citizens sa Por Cristo.
Ayon kay Susan Maestrado, home
supervisor ng Por Cristo, bagamat dumarami na ang kanilang mga pasyente,
sinisikap pa rin nilang maalagaan ng mabuti ang mga abandoned elderly at
maibigay ang kanilang pang-araw araw na pangangailangan.
Umaasa din siyang patuloy na magbibigay
suporta ang lokal na pamahalaan, maging ang ibang sektor na gustong tumulong.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa local na
pamahalaan ng Butuan at Agusan del Norte dahil sa buong suportang ibinibigay
nila ditto sa Por Cristo. Sana ay magpatuloy pa ang kaniolang pagbigay tulong
lalu na’t lumalaki din ang populasyon ng mga senior citizens sa center,” sabi
ni Maestrado.
Samantala, binigyang-diin naman ni Ana
Semacio, focal person for senior citizens ng dswd caraga ang patuloy na
pagbigay importansya ng mga anak sa kanilang mga magulang.
“Sa mga anak, dapat alagaan natin ang
ating mga magulang hanggang sa pagtanda nila, bilang sukli rin natin sa
kanilang pag-aalaga noong bata pa tayo hanggang sa ating paglaki,” pahayag ni
Semacio. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Selebrasyon sa Elderly Week gipahigayon
By Susil D. Ragas
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Oktubre 11 (PIA) -- Ang
buhatan sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) nagpahigayon sa
pagsaulog sa Elderly Filipino Week niadtong Oktubre 7, 2019 didto sa San Jose
Municipal Gym, ning probinsya.
Ang maong selebrasyon nagdala sa tema nga, “Healthy and
Productive Aging Starts with Me.”
Atol sa maong programa gipakita sa mga senior citizen
ang ilang kadasig ug kaabtik sa pagpartisipar sa kalingawan nga gipasundayag
para kanila, sama sa sayawitan, kuratsa, padula, ug uban pang mga kalingawan
nga ilang giapilan bisan pa sa ilang pangidaron.
Mahinumduman nga ang mga senior citizens usa sa mga
gitagaan ug prayoridad ni Gobernador Kaka Bag-ao nga matagaan ug ayuda ilabi na
sa ilang social pension.
Gitambungan ang maong kalihukan sa mga opisyal sa
lungsod sa San Jose nga gipangunahan ni Vice Mayor Felix Q. Portullano,
Sangguniang Bayan Members, Barangay Captain ug mga Senior Citizen sa 12
barangay nga sakop sa San Jose sama sa: Jacquez, Poblacion, Sta. Cruz, Luna,
Wilson, Mahayahay, Aurelio, Cuarinta, Don Ruben, Justiniana Edera, Matingbe ug
San Juan. (Dinagat-PIO/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
Mokabat 766 mag-uuma sa Dinagat Islands nakadawat sa CLOA
By Susil D. Ragas
SAN JOSE, Dinaat Islands, Oktubre 11 (PIA) -- Sa
katuyuan nga mahatagan ug pagmatuod ang yutang gitamnan sa mga mangunguma sa
probinsya sa Dinagat Islands, mokabat sa 766 ka mag-uuma ang nakadawat sa
Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) gikan sa Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR) niadtong Oktubre 9, 2019 didto sa Provincial Guest Center, San Jose,
ning probinsya.
Personal nga gitunol ni DAR Central Office Asec.
Milabel Cristobal ang maong CLOA ngadto sa mga mag-uuma kauban si DAR Caraga
Regional Director Leomides Villareal, DAR Region XI Regional Director Joseph
Orilla, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Victor Canda sa Surigao Del
Sur, kanhing Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) sa Dinagat Islands Jamil
Amatonding, ug ang representante ni Governor Kaka Bag-ao nga si Atty. Jan Perry
Eugenio, Vice Governor Nilo Demerey, ug mga Provincial Board Members.
Sa iyang mensahe si Atty. Jan Perry Eugenio namahayag
nga ang pagbaton og CLOA nagpasabot nga aduna nay pruweba o kamatuoran ang mga
mag-uuma nga ang yutang gitamnan ug giamoma ilaha na ug mao kini ang
pinakalig-on nga pruweba sa pagpanag-iya sa yuta.
Matud pa ni Atty. Eugenio, ang pagpanag-iya sa yuta
unang lakang lamang pero ang mas-importante nga lakang mao ang pagtikad ug
pagpalambo sa yuta para makab-ot ang atong panginahanglan sa agrikultura sa
atong probinsya.”
Gihangyo ni Atty. Eugenio ang DAR, Department of
Agriculture, National Irrigation Authority ug uban pang ahensya sa gobyerno nga
kanunay maghatag ug support services, credit facilities ug tanang suporta alang
sa mga mag-uuma ilabi na sa binhi, abono, irigasyon ug uban pa.
Gihangyo usab ni Atty. Eugenio ang mga mag-uuma nga
dapat amumahon ang yuta ug dili pasagdan, ug labaw sa tanan, dili dapat
ibaligya o ipaarkila ang maong yuta kay pwede kini ang maong hinungdan para
madiskwalipika ang usa ka benipisaryo. (Dinagat Islands-PIO/PIA-Dinagat
Islands)
LGU-Lianga, Army donate TV set in IP community
By 1Lt. Krisjuper
Andreo Punsalan
BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 11 –
The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Lianga, Surigao del Sur, in partnership with
the 9th Special Forces (Hounds) Company of the 3rd Special Forces (Arrowhead)
Battalion and the Diatagon Indigenous People’s (IP) community leaders have
donated and installed a television (TV) set with satellite TV subscription to
make the conflict-affected community of Sitio Simowao (Kilometer 9) in
Diatagon, Lianga, become aware of the current events and the government’s
programs through the national and local news. The TV is located at the social
hall of the sitio to cater all of its residents.
The Army and the LGU believed that in
this way, it could widen their perspectives towards facing the challenges
affecting their community. They also believed that this will liberate the
community from misinformation and with this, they can fully exercise their
right to self-determination because they will be given the liberty to decide
and comment based on the wide array of information they can obtain through
watching current events and relevant programs.
Lieutenant Colonel Joey Baybayan,
commander of 3rd Special Forces Battalion said conflict is often caused by
feeding any person with wrong information. “This wrong information can lead to
misunderstanding. This happens when Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) poison the
minds of the innocent people in the hinterlands. So, in our own little ways, we
address this cause of conflict hoping that it will make people believe that the
best way to address issues is to peacefully resolve it through the synergy of
the government and the community,” he said.
“This initiative maybe as simple as it
is but it can already provide the community a psychological barrier or shield
against the CNTs deceptive propaganda that tears the country apart,” added
Baybayan.
This is the first time in the sitio that
a television set becomes readily available for the locals. (CMO officer,
3SFBn/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
