Saturday, December 28, 2019

Caraga EMB intensifies protection of Taguibo watershed forest reserve

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 28 (PIA) -- Underscoring the significance of implementing water quality protection and preservation of the Taguibo watershed as the primary source of potable water in Butuan City, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Caraga through the Taguibo River Water Quality Management Area (TRWQMA) Governing Board conducted a training on the Philippine Clean Water act of 2004.

It was attended by the local officials of the barangays near the Taguibo watershed and representatives from different government agencies.

“We have done a lot to preserve and protect our watershed. In fact we conducted our regular meetings and discussed the issues and concern of the communities especially those who are living near the watershed. We gather the inputs from the stakeholders and representative of the respective barangays and have developed action plans,” said Engr. Albert Arcamo, regional director of EMB Caraga.

Rogelio Dumadag, barangay captain of Taguibo, cited the need to intensify information campaign to make the public more aware that healthy watersheds are essential to the development and survival of the community.

Dumadag also asked the EMB to closely monitor the watershed area in order to resolve issues particularly on the improper solid waste disposal and lack of toilet facility in some households that affect water sources.

He also encouraged residents and nearby barangays to help in keeping the waterways clean and for the public to refrain from forest exploitation and inappropriate land use practices.

“Collective action and intensified efforts of the locals are needed. Everyone must exercise proper waste disposal; help in maintaining the surroundings clean; and to avoid illegal cutting of trees,” said Rogelio Dumadag, barangay captain of Taguibo.

According to Glenn Betco of the Butuan City Environment and Natural Resources, the conduct of said training is most beneficial in crafting a better watershed management plan.

This is to ensure improved access to clean and safe water and to maintain the water quality classification of the Taguibo river watershed forest reserve.

“This training is very helpful in order for us to learn more on how to gather significant data. We know that properly managed watersheds offer a multitude of ‘free’ benefits,” said Betco.” (VLG/MFC/PIA-Caraga)

Caraganon students awarded as model teens

 

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 28 -- Chosen students from various cities and provinces of Caraga region was awarded on this year’s Search for Adolescent Health and Development (AHD) Model Teens as part of this year’s AHD festival that was recently held at Robinson’s Place Butuan.

The Model Teen Awardees are students from public or private schools around Caraga region aged 10 to 19 years old, who exhibited great leadership qualities and academic achievements which are good examples for their fellow youth to emulate.

Having in mind that notable students who contribute in championing advocacies that focus on population and community service need to be recognized, the Local Population Offices endorsed their respective provincial/city model teens.

Embodying the essence of a Model Teen such as Academic Excellence, Community Service, Integrity and Professionalism, and Leadership. The chosen young students exhibited positive contributions in their localities that impacted their fellow youth to be on the same right direction as they are.

The Model Teens participated in environmental causes such as school clean-up to retain the cleanliness and prevent diseases that are caused by dirty surroundings in their respective schools. They also take part in environmental protection and preservation by advocating proper waste disposal and community clean-up as well as tree planting activities for a cleaner and greener future.

These youngsters are also making ways to educate their peers on responsible sexuality that could help their fellow youth prevent acquiring Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) due to unprotected sex.

These students also excel in academics and leadership. These students were able to balance their responsibility of bringing their school’s and locale’s name by representing it in regional and national competitions and contests, at the same time these students are also representing the entirety of their school’s student body by leading through being a Supreme Student Officers.

By showcasing their exemplary contributions, the following students are the recipients of the 2019 Search for Model Teen Awards:

• Leonard M. Himarangan of Agay National High School
• Jazmin Angelie K. Paclar of Agusan del Sur National Science High School
• Shiela Marie B. Sacro of Bayugan National Comprehensive High School
• Lloyd Dion M. Calusayan of De La Salle John Bosco College
• Sheinnetonette Anne K. Maglente of Agusan National High
• Cate Gwynette D. Echavez of Cabadbaran City National High School
• Rose C. Olaivar of Don Jose Ecleo Memorial National High School

The Model Teens accompanied by their advisers and population officers accepted their plaque of recognition that was handed to them by POPCOM Caraga Regional Director Alexander A. Makinano.

The Search for Model Teens was patterned to the AHD program of POPCOM Caraga that aims to contribute to the improvement and promotion of the total well-being of the adolescents by addressing issues related to sexuality and reproductive health and rights. (POPCOM Caraga/PIA Caraga)

Pangangalaga sa tubig sa Taguibo watershed, isinulong

By Venus L. Garcia

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Disyembre 28 (PIA) -- Sa harap ng pagnanais ng Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Caraga na mapabuti pa ang kalidad ng tubig sa Taguibo watershed na pinagkukunan ng supply ng tubig sa lungsod ng Butuan, isang training ang isinagawa ng Taguibo River Water Quality Management Area (TRWQMA) Governing Board alinsundo sa philippine clean water act of 2004.

Nilahokan ito ng mga opisyal ng mga barangay malapit sa Taguibo watershed at ng mga representante ng iba't ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan.

“Marami na po tayong nagawang hakbang upang maprotektahan at mapangalagaan ang Taguibo watershed. Regular ang ating meetings at pagtalakay sa mga isyu lalung-lalo na ng mga residenteng nakatira malapit sa watershed. Ang mga input nila ay nakapaloob na rin sa ating nagawang action plan,” sabi ni Engr. Albert Arcamo, regional director of EMB Caraga.

Ayon kay Rogelio Dumadag, punong barangay ng Taguibo, mahalaga ang information campaign at konkretong aksyon upang maipaalam sa mga residente ang kahalagahan ng naturang watershed.

Partikular na problema ngayon ang hindi tamang pagtatapon ng basura at kakulangan ng maayos na palikuran sa ilang mga bahay na nakakaapekto sa kalidad ng tubig.

Kaya nanawagan siya sa EMB na mapaigting ang pagbabantay at pagmomonitor sa lugar.

Hinikayat din niya ang kanyang mga kabarangay at karatig barangay na magtulungan para linisin ang mga konektadong daluyan ng tubig  dito.

   

“Kailangan nating magtulungan at hinihikayat ko ang lahat na sana ugaliin ang wastong pagtatapon ng basura; panatilihing malinis ang kapaligiran; at iwasan ang pagputol ng mga kahoy,” sabi ni Rogelio Dumadag, barangay captain of Taguibo.

Ayon naman kay Glenn Betco ng Butuan City Environment and Natural Resources na makatutulong ang nasabing training upang makabuo sila ng angkop na plano para maiwasan ang kontaminasyon at mapabuti pa ang water quality classification ng tubig na galing sa Taguibo River Watershed Forest Reserve.

“Makatutulong talaga sa amin ang training na ito dahil sa kaalaman na natutunan namin. Alam naman natin na maraming libreng benepisyo na mapapakinabangan sa maayos na pangangalaga ng watershed,” sabi ni Betco.” (VLG/MFC/PIA-Caraga)

Mga natatanging LGUs sa Caraga region, pinarangalan ng DOH-NNC

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Disyembre 28 (PIA) - Pinarangalan ng Department of Health - National Nutrition Council (DOH-NNC) ang mga natatanging local government units (LGUs) sa Caraga region na seryoso at puspusan ang pagpapatupad ng mga programa at serbisyo na nagtataguyod sa kapakanan ng mga bata lalo na ang pagsiguro ng tamang nutrisyon.

Ayon kay Dr. Gerna Manatad, OIC-administrative officer ng DOH-Caraga, taon-taon ay kinikilala ng ahensiya ang mga LGUs na patuloy sa kanilang dedikasyon sa pagbigay ng naaayon na programa para mawakasan ang malnutrisyon sa rehiyon.

Isang paraan aniya nila ito na mapasalamatan at makilala ang consistent LGUs na sumusuporta sa ginagawang hakbang ng gobyerno para sa sektor.

“Malaki ang ginagampanang tungkulin ng mga LGUs sa pagpapatupad ng mga programa upang mawakasan ang malnutrisyon at masiguro ang maayos na kalagayan ng mga bata, maging ng mga buntis at kanilang sanggol,” pahayag ni Manatad.

Isa si Solidad Garcia ng Barangay Baan, Butuan City sa mga naparangalan. Tinanggap niya ang award bilang Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar. Ibinahagi rin niya kung papaano sila nagkakaisa sa kanilang barangay tungo sa pagkamit ng maginhawang buhay sa pamamagitan ng tamang serbisyo sa nangangailangan.

“Iba-iba ang aming ginagawang hakbang at stratehiya upang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga residente sa aming barangay. Binibigyang-halaga talaga ng aming barangay ang iba’t-ibang sektor at sinusiguradong napapakinabangan nila ang mga serbisyo mula sa gobyerno,” sabi ni Garcia.

Samantala, nanawagan naman si Leah Vina Vargas, nutrition officer ng NNC-Caraga sa LGUs ng rehiyon na maging sensitibo sa pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan lalu na sa usaping pangkalusugan.

“Sana po ay magpatuloy pa ang ating mga local government units sa Caraga na maging sinsero sa paganap ng kanilang tungkulin sa bayan at maibigay ang nararapat na serbisyo sa publiko,” sabi ni Vargas. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)