Friday, January 31, 2020

BFP, NGO conduct annual int’l training to Caraga firefighters

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- In line with their mission to improve the disaster response in the region, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Caraga conducted a five-day international training camp beginning on January 20 at the Cabadbaran City Hall in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.

The said training is in partnership with the Firefighters for Christ (FFC) International, a non-profit organization that promotes better fire service by nurturing the personnel’s spiritual growth.

The 170 participants from the different provinces and disaster response agencies in the region were trained in forest firefighting, vehicle extrication, and swift water rescue by the thirteen FFC personnel with international-level training and experience.

Apart from the training, the organization will be donating equipment to the involved disaster response agencies.

“Our primary objective here is to help the fire service personnel in the Philippines improve the quality of service they give to the public whilst sharing the word of God,” said Joel Lindaman, head of the FFC Training Team.

For BFP Caraga Regional Director FSSupt. Romel Tradio, the participants will greatly benefit from the activity for not only will it broaden their knowledge in fire response, the training will also help them cope with their duties as fire service personnel by strengthening their faith.

“With the many stressors faced by our fire service personnel, maintaining one’s faith especially during operations is deemed as an effective way to not only muddle through their obligations but also better their service to the public,” he added.

The FFC International has been in partnership with the fire response agencies since 2013, after Typhoon Yolanda struck Tacloban City in Leyte. Through their continued partnership, the Philippines is now recognized as home to the largest fire service chapter in the world. (DMNR/VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Butuanon awarded as DSWD national best volunteer

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 31 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) awarded Lea Rebuta of Butuan City with the National Best Volunteer Award during the Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan (PaNata Ko sa Bayan) Awards at the DSWD Central Offcie, Batasan Complex, Quezon City.

Lea Rebuta, a resident of Taguibo, Butuan City, is a 4Ps parent leader-volunteer who dedicated nine years serving the 32 Pantawid members in her barangay. As inscribed in the program’s operation manual, a parent-leader is a point person, program beneficiary, and volunteer leader in a group of 25-30 household grantees.

“Pasalamat kaayo ko sa DSWD sa opurtunidad nga gihatag sa ako. Nahimo og wide scope ang akong pagserbisyo sa katawhan ug dili ko mahimong awardee kung wala ang Ahensya nagsuporta nako (I am elated and thankful for the opportunity that DSWD has given me. I was able to serve the community in a wider scope and I would not be an awardee if not for the support of the agency),” Rebuta said.

The PaNata Ko sa Bayan Awards is a spin-off from the Memorandum Circular No. 1 series of 2000 or the Gawad Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan (GAPAS).

Various awards are presented to the stakeholders who have contributed to the realization of the shared vision of empowering individuals, families, and communities.

One of the awards is the Salamat Po Award, a commendation of volunteers who have provided assistance in the Department’s delivery of services.

Rebuta was accompanied by her husband, Antonio, and Field Office Caraga Pantawid Pamilya Regional Program coordinator Crislea Celeste.

The recognition of the invaluable support of partner stakeholders is done every anniversary celebration of DSWD. This year’s 69th anniversary goes with the theme, “Social Integration: DSWD’s Major Thrust in Line with Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.” (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

P200M Siargao sports complex gym, dorm now completed

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Jan. 31 -- In time for a major sporting event to be hosted in Siargao Island this year, the sports complex gymnasium as well as the two-unit dorm constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Surigao del Norte 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) in Siargao Island are now complete and ready for public use.

The sports complex includes two courts, one for basketball event, equipped with a basketball backboard made of fiberglass, the other for badminton and volleyball with rubberized flooring. The entire building is fully air-conditioned with a unique ventilating system for the more than 300 spectators.

The construction of the sports complex gymnasium amounted to P150 million while the dorm amounted to P50 million.

The facilities are also useful in hosting sports events such as the Regional Meet in their island.

This is expected to boost tourism in the area, in addition to the island being the regular host of other international sports events such as surfing competitions and the annual International Game Fishing Tournament. (DPWH-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

DPWH SurSur completes Consuelo seawall

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 31 -- To provide protection to the people and properties along the seashores of Consuelo, Surigao del Sur, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Surigao del Sur 1st District Engineering Office (1st DEO) has constructed a Consuelo seawall located in Brgy. Consuelo, Surigao del Sur.

The seawall which has a total length of 302.4 lineal meters will now prevent flooding, storm surge, and strong water current from causing destruction in the said barangay with more than 1,000 residents.

“With the community always facing the threat of flooding and possible tsunami, the seawall is a welcoming relief of protection for the residents,” said DPWH Caraga Regional Director Pol. M. Delos Santos.

The construction of the seawall costs over P70 million which began in March 2018 and was completed on December 2019. (DMR/DPWH Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

TESDA Caraga, stakeholders extend disaster relief for Taal evacuees

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 31 -- With the recent Taal volcano eruption, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Caraga has extended their assistance to the victims, as well as other regional offices in the different parts of the country.

TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña has issued directives for regional and provincial offices and other operating units to provide necessities such as face masks, water, canned food, and other items that the agency can donate.

TESDA Region V (Bicol Region) immediately launched the ‘Operation Tabang’ with the help of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholars and professionals, and other TESDA Technology Institutions (TTIs).

As such, TESDA Caraga was able to donate one box of face masks and 11 boxes of food products from various training centers in the region.

Other agencies were able to donate other goods through the training-cum-production scheme implemented by the TTIs. The trainees of dressmaking and food production were able to produce face masks and perishable goods in large quantities.

TESDA Region II (Cagayan Valley), TESDA Bicol Region (Region V), and even the local government unit (LGU), Juban Training Center had a mass-produced biscuits, cookies, and face masks which were then transported to the regional offices of TESDA located in areas that cater evacuees of the said calamity.

In addition, TESDA Region III (Central Luzon) relayed 7.5 sacks of rice and other goods to TESDA Region IV-A (CALABARZON) of which were distributed in Cavite.

Donations from the Central Office were forwarded to the provincial offices in TESDA Batangas and Cavite. TESDA National Capital Region has also prepared clothes donations, boxes of facial masks, hygiene kits, water bottles and canned goods for the Taal evacuees.

Apart from goods, other regional offices offered to provide financial assistance. TESDA Caraga Regional Office and its province offices in Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Sur, TESDA Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), Region X (Northern Mindanao), and Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) pooled such donations as relief efforts.

Other institutions also took part in the delivery of relief operations and donated goods to the agency. The Sorsogon National Agricultural School and the San Francisco Institute of Science and Technology were able to render 6,900 face masks. (TESDA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

DSWD Caraga commended for 2019 social pension achievement

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Jan. 31 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Office commended DSWD Field Office (FO) Caraga for being the only field office in the country to serve 100 percent of its target beneficiaries for Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens in 2019.

DSWD FO Caraga received the commendation on January 17, 2020 during the consultation dialogue for the Supplementary Feeding Program and Social Pension Program at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.

Social Pension Program focal person Juvy P. Echavaria received the commendation on behalf of the FO personnel. Echavaria shared that she is very much elated with the commendation, saying that such achievement is a result of the untiring commitment of the management and staff, specifically the Social Pension Program Management Office, in serving indigent senior citizens in the region.

Echavaria added that the commendation is a motivation for the team to work even harder to reach its 170,000 target beneficiaries in 2020.

For 2019, DSWD Caraga was able to serve 143,774 Social Pension beneficiaries amounting to P840 million in all 73 local government units in the region.

A total of 29,176 beneficiaries were served in Agusan del Norte province; 35,324 in Agusan del Sur; 10,715 in Dinagat Islands; 30,468 in Surigao del Norte; and 38,091 in Surigao del Sur.

A series of payouts were conducted so that beneficiaries could claim their P3,000 stipend semesterly grants. A total of P6,000 was enjoyed by the beneficiaries for 2019.

The Social Pension program provides P500 grant to qualified indigent senior citizens as augmentation for their daily subsistence and other medical needs.

This is in line with the fulfillment of the government’s obligation to the most vulnerable sector through social protection, and for the full implementation of Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

Eligible for the program are senior citizens who are 60 years old and above; frail, sickly or with disability; no pension from government agencies or any other insurance company; no permanent source of income; and no regular support from their family for their basic needs. (DSWD Caraga/VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Gang members avail of free ‘gangnam’ skills training

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, 31 Jan. (PIA) -- More than 40 individuals who are former members of street gangs have benefitted from the free training courses granted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Caraga under the project “Gangnam” (NagkahiusAMi) or “gang na mabuti” of the Butuan City Police Station (BCPO).

Twenty-four of them who were previously involved in an all-out brawl and riots have already completed the training and were issued with the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAC) National Certificate (NC) I at II after passing the assessment for the first batch.

Another group of 21 adolescents who composed the second batch are also currently capacitating themselves with the skills in an ongoing TESDA training.

Some have also availed of the automotive servicing and driving courses as additional skills and option in seeking a job.

According to Colonel Canilo Fuentes, city director of the BCPO, the project Gangnam was penned to address the problems on criminality and gang violence in the communities.

“This is one of the best practices of the BCPO in solving the problem on gangsterism. We invited and talked to the gang leaders and members and offered the opportunities to save them from being hooked to gang-related activities. They were honed with the skills in welding for free through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between our office, the BCPO, and TESDA,” said Col. Fuentes.

Jason Cabal, who started to join the gang in his 20’s, was filled with gratitude for the significant intervention of the BCPO that has helped a lot in his lifestyle transformation.

“I’m very glad and thankful for this initiative of the PNP, especially the BCPO, because it has truly awakened me to quit from involving in gang culture. Now, I am more determined to do my job well to support my family,” emphasized Cabal.

Aside from receiving a regular net pay as an inventory clerk after undergoing the free trainings, Hanney Lou Quiamjot is now also earning an extra income from doing welding works.

“Through the project Gangnam, I was guided to change my life for good. Now, I will work hard to achieve my dreams and to convince all other gang members to leave their group and start a more meaningful life,” said Quiamjot.

Col. Fuentes said the project Gangnam is a proactive approach undertaken by their office and partner stakeholders to keep the gang members away from commission of crimes and to provide them guidance in their endeavor of transforming into law-abiding citizens.

Per record of the BCPO, there are 22 gangs and more or less 262 profiled members which means that there are hundreds more that have yet to be profiled on the basis that these profiles were gathered through the members being detained and arrested.

Accordingly, the members are composed of out-of-school youth, hardened law offenders, and the most alarming are the minor members who were involved in the commission of crimes.

It can be recalled that the project Gangnam was a brainchild of then city director PSSupt Albert G. Magno in which a Gangnam core group was created and conducted an immersion activity to engage with the gang members.

Other partner stakeholders have also continues pouring out their support, making the projects sustain its impact. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

CTF-ELCAC launched in Surigao City village

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- After the fall of Guerilla Front (GF) 16B due to the mass surrender of key leaders and supporters, the city government of Surigao launched the City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (CTF-ELCAC) on January 22, 2020 at Sitio Brazil, Barangay Mat-i, this city.

Sitio Brazil was formerly known as the Communist New People's Army Terrorist (CNT) stronghold.

It can be recalled that GF16B, which is led by Pablo Alcansar Logatiman aka Lukas, a native of Sitio Tugunan, Mabini, Surigao City, celebrated the CPP anniversary in the said area on December 2016.

The relentless efforts of Team Surigao del Note led by the provincial government, municipal and barangay level local government units, regional line agencies, civil society organizations, 30th Infantry (Python) Battalion and the whole police force in the province led by the Provincial Police Office, key leaders of GF16B like Commander RD and Commander NO NAME, and their Political Officer alias Wella, surrendered last year.

Their surrender further led to the surrender of other NPA regulars as well as members of the underground mass organizations of GF16B.

To sustain these gains, Team Surigao del Norte further institutionalized its whole-of-nation convergence through the launching of the Task Force ELCAC of Surigao City at Sitio Brazil, Mat-i.

This simple but very symbolic event was led by City Mayor Ernesto "Estong" Matugas Jr, together with the Surigao City Council, Barangay Local Government of Mat-I, national line agencies, Surigao City Police Office, and the 30th IB.

The activity was highlighted with the ceremonial turn-over of livelihood assistance (Cattle Dispersal) to five beneficiaries, distribution of hygiene kits to 120 households from Surigao Metropolitan Water District-Prime Waters and distribution of seedlings.

After the launching program, a “Serbisyo Caravan” immediately commenced providing basic services to the residents.

Said services included dental and medical services, free haircut, supplemental feeding, distribution of slippers and "Lice Alis" packs to the pupils of Lope R. Ruiz Memorial Elementary School, vaccination and deworming, issuance of appointment schedules for the filing of NBI clearance, and the extension of free legal consultation/services.

In his message, Mayor Matugas expressed his utmost gratitude to the partner stakeholders who supported the CTF-ELCAC launching.

“Everyone desires for peace, let us support the EO 70 or Whole-of-Nation Approach of our beloved President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his action to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Surigao City,” Mayor Matugas said.

Meanwhile, 30IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jeffrey A. Villarosa congratulated the Team Surigao City for bringing government services to Sitio Brazil, a Conflict-Affected Area (ConAA).

He said the Python Troopers will always be an active partner of Team Surigao City, Team Surigao del Norte, and the peace-loving residents of Sitio Brazil, the most important member of the team.

Villarosa enjoined the residents to be active participants towards their efforts to attain peace and development to their community and insulate their children, their families and their community from the deception and lies of the NPAs.

CTF-ELCAC was institutionalized during the joint City Development Council (CDC) and City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting through the approved joint Resolution No.4, s. 2019 dated September 16, 2019. (30IB, Philippine Army/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

San Luis – Binicalan road rehab, now 79% completed

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 31 -- Despite the challenges brought by unfavorable weather conditions, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has now accomplished 79 percent of the 8.24-kilometer San Luis-Binicalan Road in Agusan del Sur rehabilitation project.

The P147.75 million worth of project which is currently on its 4th phase of implementation is under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program which aims to provide ease of access for conflict-stricken communities in Caraga.

Funded under the CY 2018, the project started in October 2018 and is expected to be completed on March 2020.

“The constructed road traversing the area leading to Barangay Binicalan has already brought so many advantages for the locals. We are glad that they will soon utilize a wider and improved access road,” said DPWH Caraga Regional Director Pol M. Delos Santos.

He also assured that projects under the supervision of the regional office strictly conform to the standards and policies of the Department for quality and on-schedule delivery.

The road rehabilitation of San Luis-Binicalan Road is one of the five ongoing projects under CY 2018 PAMANA projects identified by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and implemented in various parts of the Caraga Region, particularly in remote areas of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur. (DPWH-13/JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Troops seize war materials after clash with CNTs in Tandag City

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 31 -- Military troopers seized firearms and ammunition after they engaged in a firefight with the members of the Communist New Peoples Army Terrorists (CNTs) on Thursday, January 30, 2020.

According to 36IB Civil-Military Operations Officer Lt. Jonald Romorosa, the incident happened around 12:30pm in Kapatagan, Palo 8, part of Barangay Buenavista in Tandag City when the troops of Charlie Company under 36th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat operation in response to the reports they received regarding the presence of CNT. As a result, the operating troops encountered about 15 fully armed CNTs.

The firefight lasted for 15 minutes. The CNTs then scampered to different directions, leaving some war materials and firearms. No casualties were reported on the government side while bloodstains were found at the escape route of the rebels.

Authorities recovered from the site one M16 rifle, one Garand rifle, live ammunition, landmines components and personal belongings.

According to 36IB Commander Lt. Col Jezreel Diagmel, the support they gain from the communities under their area of responsibility continues to grow in ending the local communist armed conflict. The official also expressed the army’s commitment to Surigaonons.

“It is my commitment to respond to the call of the peace-loving people of Surigao del Sur to preserve the peace and security in the province. We will never stop until communities and populace will experience the peace and progress that they are longing for,” Lt. Colonel Diagmel said.

Lt. Diagmel also called on the remaining CNT members to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law, and avail the Enhance Comprehensive and Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government.

“You have still a chance and live in peace together with your family,” Lt Col Diagmel said. (with a report from 36IB/PIA Surigao del Sur)

Various sectors tackle appropriate measures to curb insurgency in Caraga

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) - The regional and national government agencies, together with various sectors in the Caraga region and non-government organizations (NGOs), have convened recently in a forum and discussed the issues and concerns confronting the region, as well as the means and ways to address it.

This activity formed part of the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 or the whole-of-nation approach in resolving the different pressing issues in the communities, including the local communist armed conflict.

Terrorism and violent extremism were the two main issues identified by the group during the forum.

According to Joel Dizon, program manager of a non-government organization known as Equal Access International, there is a need to establish a messaging hub in the region, as this will serve as a platform for all the partner stakeholders in information sharing online; during radio programs and publications; and all other useful activities that will help increase the level of awareness of the people on various issues and concerns, particularly in curbing terrorism and violent extremism.

“We believe that the Messaging Hub would serve as a platform for all the involved stakeholders, where they could gather, raise, and discuss the issues and concerns, and be able to contribute in making solutions,” said Dizon.

The youth also plays a vital role in this effort to solve the insurgency problem in the region. Raxiey Adolfo, executive director of Surigao Youth Convergence underlined that the active involvement and participation of the youth in the government’s initiatives would have great impact to the development of the youth sector and the communities they live in.

Meanwhile, Erwin Mascariñas, a journalist and Caraga correspondent of Philippine Daily Inquirer and Union of Catholic Asian News, emphasized the roles and responsibilities of the media practitioners as influencers and active agents of change.

He also elaborated that the media should present their news stories in such a way that it would not cause further conflict or confusion to the populace. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

P23M increase recorded in LTO-Caraga’s revenue collection

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- With the strengthened effort and campaign of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Caraga in the different municipalities and provinces of the region, its revenue collection from January to November 2019 has increased to more than P23-million.

According to Director Nordy Plaza, from the collection revenue of more than P376-million in 2018, it has increased to P399 million in 2019.

Plaza added that in 2019, there is a total registration of 286,580 in motor vehicles and have issued 190,695 licenses.

Urbano Maglines, Jr., the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Caraga focal person for road safety believed that the law enforcement operations of the agency have greatly contributed to the increase of collection reaching to 7,411, which was higher compared to 5,884 operations in year 2018.

"We continue to intensify our programs and advocacy to ensure the welfare and safety of our motorists," cited Maglines.

Meanwhile, Director Plaza is optimistic that this figure would still increase considering that the agency is continuing its effort to further establish its law enforcement operations and sternly reminding all vehicle owners and drivers to renew their expired registrations and licenses. (JPG/NCLM, PIA-Caraga)

COMELEC holds PWD voting simulation

By Nora C. Lanuza

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- With the aim to create an electoral structure that is responsive to the needs and situation of the most vulnerable in our community - the persons with disability (PWDs), the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) through the offices of the Provincial Election Supervisor of Agusan del Norte and City Election Officer of Butuan City conducted voting simulation for PWDs at Libertad National High School, here.

“This is part of agency’s interventions to help our PWDs during elections,” said COMELEC Caraga regional director Atty. Francisco Pobe. It is one of the actions of the agency to teach them how to vote and also to get their sentiments to further improve our election system, Pobe added.

Among those who joined the voting simulation is Steven Arcinal, he was thankful for teaching them how to vote properly and correctly during elections.

Arcinal is also hopeful that the government will also help them (PWDs) on their other needs and that they can also get a job despite their physical conditions.

Also, COMELEC Commissioner Atty. Al Parreño said it is one way to assess the situation of PWDs, the election process, the system and the equipment used in voting. Based on the observations, the COMELEC will then facilitate a voting system that will suit to their needs.

Meanwhile, during the voting simulation held at the Libertad National High School in Butuan City, the COMELEC office also caters registration of voters for PWDs and youths who were not yet registered.

Saide endeavor is part of the constant effort of the COMELEC in promoting inclusive participation in exercising the right to suffrage. (NCL, PIA Agusan del Norte)

CTF-ELCAC launched in Surigao City village

By Susil D. Ragas