PNP Caraga personnel learn LGBTQI's SOGIE
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 9 (PIA) --
Personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from the different police
provincial offices of Caraga region learned about the Sexual Orientation And
Gender Equality And Expression (SOGIE) during an orientation-seminar conducted
by the Ladlad Caraga Incorporated - a non-government organization composed of
the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community.
The participating PNP personnel
were briefed on how to become more gender-sensitive as law enforcers,
especially in handling cases with the concerned LGBTQI.
“We fully understand that aside
from men and women, we, as law enforcers should also protect the rights of the
LGBTQI community, and making sure that we do not violate their rights,” said
Police Master Sergeant Estaniel Galve, police community relation - PNCO,
Rosario Municipal Police Station, Agusan del Sur.
“As law enforcers, we practice gender
sensitivity and promote equality and we do not discriminate the LGBTQI. We
should also be careful in our decisions such as when handling cases involving
the LGBTQI,” said Police Staff Sergeant Helen Jane Cabalo, assistant women and
children protection desk/ asst. human rights desk - PNCO, Sta. Monica Municipal
Police Station, Siargao Islands.
According to Ysang Bacasmas,
chairperson of Ladlad Caraga, it is important for the LGBTQI community that the
public including the law enforcers understand better their situation.
Thru the help of the experts on
gender and development from various government agencies, the laws that protect
and uphold the rights of the said sector were also discussed.
With the recent issue on the SOGIE
bill, Bacasmas clarified that they do not insist passage of same-sex marriage
while they campaign only for gender sensitivity and equality.
Bacasmas added that their
organization has also scheduled next month another orientation-seminar on SOGIE
with the media practitioners in the region. This is to provide them with an
in-depth understanding about SOGIE, which they could also disseminate in their
respective programs and publications.
“We want to enhance network with
the media and we believe they could help prevent the spread of fake news about
the LGBTQI community,” said Bacasmas.
Meanwhile, the Ladlad Caraga also
continues to advocate for the anti-discrimination ordinance particularly in the
schools of Caraga. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
CSP Teams deployed in AgSur
By 1Lt. Roel Maglalang
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, Oct.
9 -- The local government unit (LGU) of Sibagat, together with the 23rd
Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga
conducted the send-off ceremony for the Community Support Program-Community
Action (CSP-ComAct) Teams held on October 8, 2019 at the headquarters, Charlie
Company, 23IB, Brgy. Poblacion, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur.
The deployment of the CSP teams is
in line with the Development Support and Security Plan “Kapayapaan” of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which aims to conduct development support
operations; sustain peace efforts; ensure security; and help maintain public
order to foster the foundation for economic and human development.
The activity symbolizes that the LGU,
PNP, AFP and other stakeholders are one in achieving conflict-resilient, as
well as disaster-resilient communities.
Mayor Ma. Liza L. Evangelista of
Sibagat, Agusan del Sur was the honored guest speaker of said ceremony.
“It is our pleasure to fully support
the program. You have been doing CSP, and the people with the local government
have also been doing their best in bringing the government closer to the
people. The lady mayor bared that she is thankful for this program and
hopefully, this will kick-off a big difference. "I am a believer of
Executive Order No. 70 and I believe that in everything we do in the
government, it has to be a whole-of-nation approach. There is always this
convergence of efforts; it is not always in the local government or from the
people, but with all the partner agencies as well," she said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Francisco L.
Molina Jr., commanding officer of 23IB, highlighted that “The CSP operation is
one of our means to help our local government units in addressing the peace and
security concerns of the communities and to deliver basic government services
especially in the far-flung and conflict-affected areas. It also aims to bring
our government closer to the people by delivering quality services down to the
grassroots.”
This event also formed part of the
implementation of the Executive Order No. 70 or the whole-of-nation approach to
end local communist armed conflict in the region. (CMO, 23IB/ PIA-Agusan del
Sur)
IPs join LGU, AFP for peace covenant in AgSur
By 1Lt.
Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan
TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 9
-- The members of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) from three tribal groups in the
municipality of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur unite as they joined the local
government unit of Esperanza and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
through 401st Infantry Brigade and 26th Infantry Battalion during the recently
held tribal forum.
The said activity was one of the
major highlights of the 2nd Nalandang Festival and 66th Founding Anniversary
celebration of Esperanza with the theme “Pagpukaw sa Kulturuhanong Kabilin
alang sa Pangkatibuk-ang Kaugmaran.” The celebration showcased the cultural
practices of the three major tribes, namely, Higaonon, Manobo and Banwaon, as
well as promote the potential tourism sites, native products, local talents,
beauty, and good local governance.
Municipal Mayor Leonida
Manpatilan, assisted by the Municipal Indigenous People’s Mandatory
Representative (IPMR) Victor Manpatilan led the event. Col. Allan Hambala,
401st Infantry Brigade Commander and Lt. Col. Romeo Jimenea, commanding officer
of 26th Infantry Battalion also attended the celebration, together with the
supreme tribal leaders along with 168 members and representatives from the
three tribal groups.
One of the major agenda discussed
was the planned declaration of persona non-grata against the Communist Party of
the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in the municipality of Esperanza.
“The IPs in Esperanza had already recognized the mayhem and disruption brought
about by these leftist radicals. As the chief local executive of this
municipality, it is my sworn duty to take necessary actions in support of the
national mandate to end local communist armed conflict,” said Manpatilan.
With the intensified
implementation of Executive Order No.70 which is the whole-of-nation approach
to end local communist armed conflict, every local government unit is given
responsibility to contribute to this national mandate. “It is overwhelming to
witness that our IP brothers and sisters from different tribal groups, unite to
support their LGU and the AFP to end the five decades of armed conflict in
order to achieve long-lasting peace and development,” Lt. Col. Jimenea said as
he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the attendees.
Likewise, Col. Hambala lauded all
the IPs for the decision and action they had done. “We have to work hand in
hand to resolve the root cause of armed conflict in order to achieve lasting
peace. These terrorist NPAs only bring violence and disorder to our
communities. We are one with you in your call for justice to all the chaos done
by these terrorists. They do not deserve a place in our community,” he said.
“Despite our differences in
religious affiliation, traditions, and cultures, we should all be united to
contribute to the success of EO No. 70 in eradicating the terrorist NPAs,”
Hambala ended. (CMO officer, 3SFBn/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
DA Caraga honors organic agriculture prime
movers
By Rhea Abao
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 9 -- The
Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga annually recognized the efforts of
individual farmers, organizations, and local government units' exemplary
contributions to the implementation of organic agriculture.
In the recently conducted 5th
Regional Organic Agriculture Congress last September 5-6 in Butuan City,
outstanding organic implementers were given recognition through the 2019
Regional Organic Agriculture Achievers Awards (ROAAA).
The ROAAA winners were named by
categories, such as the outstanding municipal/city local government units,
organic agriculture (OA) focal persons, agricultural extension worker, small
individual farmer, and organic farming family.
The city government of Bislig won
and received a plaque of recognition and ₱300,000 proposal-based agricultural projects. Bislig through the
leadership of former Mayor Librado Navarro is steadfast in pursuing the program
which is now being sustained by the present administration. The LGU of Bislig
is also being shortlisted to the National OA Search on the said category with
ongoing deliberation at the national level.
One of the major accomplishments
is the implementation of the program to the grassroots level specifically in
its vision to become the Model City for OA in the country by 2020.
Edgar Opalia from Alegria, Surigao
del Norte was also recognized as Organic Agriculture Focal Person while
Jenebelle B. Sasi of Trento, Agusan del Sur as Outstanding Agricultural
Extension Worker. Outstanding Organic Farming Family was given to Mr. &
Mrs. Romeo Estrella of Socorro, Surigao del Norte.
In the same occasion, Analyn P.
Dulpina from Burgos, Surigao del Norte was named as ROAAA Outstanding Small
Individual Farmer and at the same time the 2019 Outstanding Rural Woman in the
region.
The Outstanding Rural Woman Award
is in recognition of the vital role and valuable contribution of rural women in
ensuring food security and economic stability in rural areas. They recognize
individuals received a plaque of recognition and cash awards. (DA Caraga/PIA
Caraga)
Caraga RDRRMC tiniyak ang kahandaan sa
human-induced hazard
By Venus L. Garcia
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Oktubre 9 (PIA)
-- Isang komprehensibong plano na magsisilbing pamantayan sa mga nararapat na
hakbang at pagpapatupad ng polisiya hinggil sa human-induced displacement ang
binalangkas ng mga miyembro ng response cluster at regional disaster risk
reduction and management council sa rehiyon ng Caraga.
Layon ng regional contingency plan
for human-induced displacement workshop na i-review, i-update at isama sa
nasabing dokumento ang interoperability ng naitatag na response system gaya ng
cluster approach, emergency operations center at incident command system.
Binigyag-diin ni Office of Civil
Defense Caraga regional director Liza Mazo ang kahalagahan ng pagsunod sa
protocol sa pagresponde at pagtugon sa krisis hindi lamang tuwing may natural
na kalamidad kundi pati na rin sa armed conflict.
“Nasimulan natin itong contingency
plan for conflict-induced displacement noong taong 2016 dahil kinakailangan
nating magkaroon ng contingency plan sa bawat hazard at mahalaga ang paggawa ng
protocol sa pagresponde,” sabi ni Mazo.
Tinilakay din ni Arthur CasiΓ±o,
resource person ng nasabing three-day workshop, ang conflict-sensitivity
approach at ‘Do No Harm’ (DNH) principle.
“Natutuwa akong malaman na pinapraktis
ng mga responsableng mga responder at organisasyon dito sa rehiyon ng Caraga
ang Do No Harm principle,” sabi ni CasiΓ±o.
Kailangang daw sundin at iaplay
ang DNH at conflict-sensitivity framework. Dapat din daw maintindihan kung
paano harapin ang conflict at kung paano gawin ang mga hakbang sa mas mabisang
paraan habang pinagtutulungan na makontrol ang negatibong epekto nito.
Para kay Captain Aldim Viernes na
kasali sa nasabing workhop, mahalaga rin daw ang pagkakaroon ng konkretong
plano upang makagawa ng mga angkop na aksyon para matulungan ang mga mamamayang
maaring maapektuhan ng human-induced hazard.
Dagdag pa ni Direktor Mazo na
kaakibat din ang pagbuo ng mga istratehiya upang lalong mapatibay at mapalakas
ang kakayahan ng lahat na harapin at solusyunan ang human-induced disaster.
(VLG/PIA-Caraga)
DOTr, LTFRB puspusan sa paghahanda sa
implementasyon ng PUVMP; iilang units ng e-jeep dumating na sa Butuan
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Oktubre 9 (PIA)
- Puspusan na ang paghahanda ng Department of Transportation (DOTr) at Land
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) sa implementasyon ng
Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) sa rehiyon ng Caraga.
Sa katunayan, may ilang units ng
electronic at solar modernized PUVs ang dumating sa Butuan City at magsisimula
nang bumiyahe sa mga nakatalagang rota sa lungsod, maging sa ibang probinsya
ngayong buwan ng Oktubre.
Sa isinagawang PUV Caravan sa
lungsod ng Butuan na dinaluhan ng transport cooperatives sa Caraga, nakasama ng
operators at drivers ang manufacturers mula sa ibat-ibang kompanya kung saan
mas nabigyang-linaw ang concerns sa pag-operate sa modernized PUVs.
Dumalo rin ang mga kinatawan ng
LandBank at Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) upang mas maintindihan ng
transport sector kung papaano makakuha ng financial assistance.
Ibinahagi ni Jose Evagelous
Lawenko, chairperson ng Diamond Transport Service Cooperative (DATSCO) na sa
tulong ng LTFRB, naging mabilis din ang kanilang pagproseso ng loan sa bangko.
pinaliwanag din niya ang magandang benepisyo sa PUVMP.
“Sa ibang hindi kasali sa coop,
ang iniisip nila na mahal nga ang unit. Paano ba daw ang pagbayad o
downpayment. Wala namang down yan, hindi naman sila magbibigay ng down payment.
Tapos hindi naman sila magbabayad kahit piso, dahil base na rin sa automatic
per collection system, automatic din yung amortization doon sa bank kaya wala
silang babayaran. So ganyan kaganda ang modernization, kasi hindi sila
magbabayad pero kasama sila sa sharing ng kita,” paliwanag ni Lawenko.
Nagpahayag din ng reaksyon ang
ilang mga drivers. “Dapat sana hindi ito madaliin dahil mawawalan ng trabaho
ang mga drivers. Kung matuloy na ito, kailangang mabigyan din ng trabaho ang
mga drivers para may pangsuporta rin sila sa kani-kanilang pamilya,” pahayag ni
Nicasio Sabellano.
“Okay lang naman ang modernization,
wala namang problema doon kasi tama din naman 'yun. Ang hindi ko lang
nagustuhan yung kailangang maging miyembro ng kooperatiba ang lahat. Dagdag
perwesyo na aksi yun,” sabi ni Celedonio Goyocan, isa ring driver.
Ayon naman kay OIC-regional director
Maria Kristina Cassion ng LTFRB-Caraga, ang PUVMP ang pinakamalaking
non-infrastructure flagship program ng administrasyong Duterte. Napapanahon na
rin na maranasan ng publiko ang mas komportable at ligtas na biyahe. Suportado
naman ito ng mga transport cooperatives sa rehiyon.
Pagtitiyak naman ng opisyal na sa
taong 2020, wala nang matitirang lumang pampublikong sasakyan.
“Matapos ang taong 2020, wala na
talaga sila. Kasi sa July 1, 2020, wala nang lumang na mga public utility
vehicles ang papayagan. Alam naman nila kung gaano tayo kahigpit. Kahit nuon
pa, ilan na yong nahuhuli namin. Kaya alam din nila na magkakahulihan na sa
July 1, 2020,” sabi ni Cassion. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
