Monday, February 17, 2020

31 young FRs in Caraga surrender to Army

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) - Some 31 young former rebels have surrendered to the Philippine Army and are now ready to live a normal life back to their respective families.

During the coordination and processing of children involved in armed conflict by the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police (PNP), the young former rebels have learned about the benefits and assistance that they could avail from the government under the Enhanced - Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Of the 31 former rebels, two are minors while others have served the new people’s army for several years already.

According to Jason Ryan Lam of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Caraga, the government is ready to assist former rebels to return to normal, productive, and law-abiding way of life.

“Under the E-CLIP, the government ensures the provision of the needed services and programs for the former rebels. The issues and concerns are also being addressed, and with all these efforts of the government, no one will be left behind,” Lam said.

402nd brigade commander, Brigadier General Maurito Licudine bared that coordination with the parents and relatives of the surrenderees is ongoing, and necessary assistance for them is underway.

The official further urged the youths to be more responsible and prevent themselves from getting involved in illegal activities.

“Value this opportunity that is given to you as you return to your community and start a new life. The government is always here ready to help and assist you in your needs,” cited Licudine.

PNP-Caraga regional director Police Brigadier General Joselito Esquivel, Jr. also stressed to the surrenderees the value of respecting their parents and elders, and that they should serve as a role model to their peers.

“Always pay respect to your parents and elders, because that is very basic. Be nationalistic and always inculcate to your minds that there is only one government for all the Filipino people,” said Esquivel.

Meanwhile, regional director Manuel Orduña of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Region 10 also reiterated the vital role of the youths towards attaining lasting peace and sustainable development in the country.

He added that the successive surrender of the former rebels is a clear manifestation of the government’s fruitful efforts in  addressing the problem on insurgency. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

LGU-Butuan recognizes most child-friendly barangay for 2019

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) -- The local government unit here has been serious in its goal to establish a healthy and conducive learning environment for the children by capacitating the barangay officials and recognizing the Most Child-Friendly Barangay for the year 2019.    

In the said awarding ceremony, Barangay Baan Kilometer-3 was awarded as the “Hall of Famer," while Barangay Villa Kanangga was recognized as the grand winner for the Category B - Most Child-Friendly Barangay.

According to barangay chairman Venusto Clarito, Jr., the full support and cooperation of the local residents in the community activities, particularly those that promote the welfare of the children and youth, contributed much to the development of the barangay and its people.

“This award that we receive from the city government will serve as inspiration for us barangay officials to work better and do more for the benefit of our constituents, particularly the children and youth," said Clarito.

Golda Pocon, the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) officer bared that there have been significant changes of how the barangays create their programs and services that would better serve and benefit the children sector.

Also, city councilor Atty. Rema Burdeos emphasized that all sectors should work together to ensure protection of the children against any form of discrimination, violence and abuse.

“We all need to work together for our children and youth to have a better future and to ensure that they become responsible in life. In their young age, we should train them well,” said Burdeos.

With this, mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada also hopes that more barangays could sustain in providing the children of their basic needs, and be able to implement more valuable programs and services for the said sector. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Army seizes NPA hideout in Surigao Norte

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Feb. 17 (PIA) -- Troops of the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB), Philippine Army recently overran another Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) hideout in the hinterlands of Sitio Puhagan, Barangay Mahanub, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte.

The 30IB’s security operation has been conducted after receiving of reports from civilians that the CNTs were conducting extortion activities in the said area.

Civil Military Operation Officer Lt. Wilfredo Quilang said the enemy withdrew after 30 minutes of firefight resulting to the recovery of two anti-personnel mines, one bandoleer with seven magazines loaded with 150 rounds for AK47, 36 poncho tents, some personal belongings and other subversive documents. (30IB-Philipine Army/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PMO Surigao inaugurates new access gate

By Nole C. Nusog

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Feb. 17 (PIA) -- Instead of the usual flowers and chocolates, Surigaonons get some love in the form of vital infrastructure as the Port Management Office (PMO) of Surigao formally inaugurates its newly-refurbished access gate at the Port of Surigao on lover’s day here.

With a modern design inspired by ocean waves and paintwork dominated by light, airy pastel shades of blue and yellow, the new gate serves as the main access portal for vehicles traversing the picturesque city boulevard that matches the scenic ambience of the popular seaside promenade.

Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)-PMO Surigao acting port manager Froilan U. Caturla said the gate is primarily designated as the main entry and exit points for cargo trucks and as an exit route for disembarked passengers from ships docked at RORO Berth No. 1 and adjacent berths and the access facility has entry and exit gates each measuring six meters wide, more than enough to accommodate most cargo trucks and prime movers.

He said it is equipped with electronically controlled gate barriers for authenticated and safe vehicle access, closed-circuit television (CCTV) system with cameras installed at strategic points for 24/7 video surveillance monitoring complements a guardhouse for optimum security.

Caturla added that it is an improved version of the previous gate found to be prone to cause vehicle damage due to a limited turning path. The new facility is situated farther inside or around 18 meters from the access road and has a trailer turning radius of 22.9 meters which is more than adequate to safely maneuver an 18-wheeler tractor-trailer.

The Gate no. 1 improvement project is part of the initiatives of PPA general manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago to modernize port facilities and be at par with global standards.

The project started in October 2019 and was finished three months after, way ahead of the 180 days implementation schedule. (PPA-PMO Surigao/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

RDC Caraga appoints new co-chair, takes oath in Malacañan

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 -- The Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) appoints Engr. Epimaco M. Galero, Jr. as the new co-chairperson for the term 2020-2022 and took an oath before President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Malacañan Palace in Manila on February 6.

Engr. Galero, who also co-chaired the Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) of the council, served as a private sector representative (PSR).

Prior to his appointment, he held the same position from 2016 to 2019. He had previously served both as the IDC co-chairperson and PSR from 1998 to 2001, the latter of which he continued to serve since 2013.

His nomination for his current position was reopened during the council’s reorganizational meeting last August 23, 2019 in Butuan City.

Galero will work closely with Caraga RDC chairperson Agusan del Norte provincial governor Dale B. Corvera in setting and establishing the region as the fishery, agroforestry, mineral, and ecotourism (FAME) center of the country in 2022. (NEDA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

Student lauds Caraga cop for good deed

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 -- A Caraga female police officer was lauded after extending assistance to a student who suffered from an ankle injury on February 4, 2020.

Student-musician Kevin Wang, a junior in Holy Child Colleges Butuan, appreciated the help of Police Senior Master Sergeant Rhea N. Acas of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga though a Facebook post that immediately went viral.

Wang recalled that PSMsg Acas not only helped him find the nearest medical facility to tend his injury, but she also generously offered to pay for his medical bills and waited for his parents to fetch him.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga Regional Director BGen. Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr. commended the police officer for her act of kindness and benevolence, which proved her ‘devotion to service for the people and country.’ (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

DPWH sanctions contractor with delayed project

SURIGAO CITY, Feb. 17 -- Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar is reiterating warning against civil works contractors with delayed projects, following recent blacklisting of a contractor early this year.

May we once again remind all contractors of DPWH that we are pushing for the timely realization of our Build, Build, Build Program nationwide and we will not tolerate any unreasonable delay in our projects,” said Villar.

“This year, we have already barred St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corporation from participating in all government projects for the period of one year due to a much-delayed school building project in Indang, Cavite,” said Villar.

Villar issued the blacklisting of St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corporation through Department Order (DO) No. 20, series of 2020 signed last January 31, 2020 due to more than 15 percent negative slippage on the construction of a 4-storey school building project at Lumampong National High School – Indang Annex, Indang, Cavite.

“Let this be a warning that we will be banning more contractors who fail to deliver projects as stipulated in their contracts,” Villar added. (DPWH/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Caraga police under intensified ‘one strike, no take’ policy

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 -- Caraga police are now subjected to a stricter implementation of the “One Strike and No Take” policy, the campaign against illegal gambling across Caraga as per the directive of Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga regional director Brigadier General Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr. 

The said campaign is in accordance with the command responsibility of every police unit commander in the region especially in working for the decrease in cases of illegal activities in their respective areas.

“Unit commanders are directed to strictly enforce the campaign against corruption and crimes opposing public morals, particularly illegal gambling. This shall become a determiner in their individual performance evaluation reflecting their competence to continue leading their respective units," BGen. Esquivel said.

Accordingly, the existence of any illegal gambling activity within their area of responsibility shall result in the relief of the chief of police from their posts.

BGen. Esquivel has in turn urged the public to cooperate and inform the police authority of any activities pertaining to illegal gambling.

“We cannot accomplish this campaign without your help in eradicating all forms of illegal gambling,” he said. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

Bagong komisyoner at kinatawan ng wikang Tagalog ng KWF itinalaga

LUNGSOD NG SURIGAO, Surigao del Norte, Feb. 17 -- Si Dr. Arthur P. Casanova ang bagong komisyoner para sa wikang Tagalog ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino. Pinapalitan niya si Pambansang Alagad ng Sining Virgilio S. Almario. Ang kaniyang fultaym na pagkakatalaga ay may bisang pitong taon o hanggang 2027.

Isa siyang premyadong edukador sa larang ng wika at lingguwistika. Bílang manunulat, may higit 40 aklat na siya kabilang ang iba’t ibang kuwentong pambata na kinikilala bilang makabuluhang ambag sa larang ng edukasyon.

Nagpamalas din siya ng kaniyang talento sa teatro bílang artista at direktor ng mahigit na 50 dulang pantanghalan. Nagbahagi rin siya ng kaniyang kakayahan at kaalaman sa pag-arte sa teatro sa mga mag-aaral at guro bilang direktor sa mga acting workshop.

Sa kaniyang pagtahak sa larang ng wika, teatro, at edukasyon, nakatanggap si Dr. Casanova ng mga pagkilala mula sa iba’t ibang institusyon sa bansa kabilang ang Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, Metrobank Foundation, National Book Development Board, at marami pang iba. (Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Most child-friendly barangay sa Butuan, pinarangalan

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Pebrero 17 (PIA) - Dahil sa patuloy na pagpapatupad ng mga programang tumutugon sa karapatan at kapakanan ng mga bata, kinilala ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Butuan ang most Child-Friendly Barangay sa taong 2019.

Sa nasabing awarding ceremony, pinarangalan ang Barangay Baan Kilometer-3 bilang “Hall of Famer,” habang ang Barangay Villa Kanangga naman ang grand winner sa Category B - Most Child Friendly Barangay.

Ayon kay Barangay Chairman Venusto Clarito, Jr., malaking bagay ang buong suporta at kooperasyon ng mga residente sa mga aktibidad nito sa barangay para sa mga bata.

“Itong parangal na natanggap ng aming barangay ngayon ay magsisilbing inspirasyon sa amin para mas pagbutihin pa namin ang aming pagbibigay serbisyo sa mamamayan, alung-lalo na sa pagsiguro sa kapakanan ng mga bata,” pahayag ni Clarito.

Ayon kay Golda Pocon, ang City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) officer ng Butuan City, malaki na rin ang pinagbago ng mga barangay pagdating sa pagbuo at pagpapatupad ng kanilang serbisyo at programa para sa mga bata.

Binigyang-diin din ni City Councilor Atty. Rema Burdeos na kailangang magtulungan ang bawat sektor upang masiguro ang proteksyon ng mga bata laban sa diskriminasyon, karahasan at pang-aabuso.

“Gabayan po natin nang maayos ang ating mga kabataan sa komunidad nang maging maayos din ang kanilang paglaki at sila’y maging responsable,” dagdag ni Burdeos.

Umaasa naman si Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada na marami pang barangay ang sinserong tutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng mga bata at magpatupad ng mga inisyatibo na magpapaunlad sa sektor. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)