Cancellation of major
events not needed for COVID-19: Andanar
By
Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN
CITY, Feb. 18 (PIA) -- In his recent radio interview, Presidential
Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar was firm to
soothe the panic brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
around the globe, so long as the health protocols set by the Department of
Health (DOH) are strictly followed.
Sec.
Andanar reiterated the major points tackled during the Inter-Agency Task
Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) meeting
conducted on February 14 at the Presidential Guest House in the MalacaΓ±an
Palace, wherein the Resolution No. 5 lifting the travel ban in Taiwan has been
issued.
He
disclosed that among the other special administrative regions (SARs) of China,
Taiwan has zero cases documented for local human-to-human transmission of the
disease and was able to establish a protocol for COVID-19 whereas Hong Kong and
Macau failed to do so. In addition, among the said SARs, Taiwan holds the least
number of cases and mortality, with over 20 confirmed cases and one mortality
recorded.
The
task force might also reconsider lifting the travel ban in Macau, as it awaits
the Chinese region’s protocol countering COVID-19.
On the
issue concerning local tourism, Sec. Andanar said that there is no need to
cancel major festivities and events that will garner a huge crowd though he
cautions to strictly observe proper hygiene and cough etiquette set by the
Department of Health (DOH), such as practicing the proper handwashing technique
and coughing at a distance away from the crowd to avoid contaminating others.
He also
advises the public to be ‘honest with themselves’ and report to the nearest
health authorities if one can observe symptoms of the disease and has a travel
history in China.
“It is
our civic duty to maintain proper hygiene and follow health protocol set by the
national health agency. This is the best method to prevent the disease from
spreading across the country,” he added.
He also
reminded the public that the wearing of face mask should only be for front-line
employees and health workers and for individuals with a respiratory illness or
has diseases that can compromise the immune system.
At
present, there are about 137 persons under investigation (PUIs) admitted in the
country, around 387 have been discharged. From the three confirmed cases of
infected Chinese nationals in the country, two patients have recovered while
the death of the remaining patient has been reported.
For
local up-to-date information and status of COVID-19,
visit ncovtracker.doh.gov.ph. (DMNR/VLG/PIA-Caraga)
High ranking NPA
terrorist arrested
BUTUAN
CITY, Feb. 18 -- Joint government forces of Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 and
Philippine Army arrested a high ranking official of New People’s Army (NPA) who
has ten standing warrants of arrest during an enhanced police-military
checkpoint operation conducted along the national highway of Sitio Tagmalinao,
Brgy. La Purisima, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur on February 15.
Police
Brigadier General Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr, Philippine National Police
(PNP)-Caraga regional director, identified the suspect as Renan Ayad Cantos,
also known as Loki/Ronin/Sanjo, male, 30 years old, and a resident of Purok
Pagbahanan 2, Brgy. Poblacion, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur.
Cantos
is a former commanding officer of dismantled Guerilla Front 8, dismantled
Guerilla Front 14 of the communist terrorist group (CTG) under North Eastern
Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
Cantos
was charged with multiple attempted homicide under Criminal Case No. 10091,
frustrated murder under Criminal Case No. 10171, multiple attempted murder
under Criminal Case No. 9870, multiple attempted murder under Criminal Case No.
4574, murder under Criminal Case No. 4575, kidnapping and serious illegal
detention under Criminal Case No. 4611, robbery with violence and intimidation
of person under Criminal Case No. 6526, kidnapping and serious illegal
detention under Criminal Case No. 6527, kidnapping and serious illegal
detention under Criminal Case No. 6525, and arson under Criminal Case No. 3279.
Arrested
person was duly informed of his constitutional rights and was brought to
Cagwait Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.
“The
operation that led to his arrest is part of our aggressive and more intensified
campaign against insurgency and wanted persons. I am encouraging all our
brothers and sisters who are deceived by the Communist Party of the Philippines
(CPP) – New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists to surrender and return to the folds
of the law,” Esquivel said.
Esquivel
also reminded all private individual to include politicians and local chief
executives on the prohibitions of Republic Act 10168, otherwise known as the
“Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 and Section 3 of
Executive Order No. 773 series of 2009, directing regional, provincial,
municipal peace and order councils to apply moral suasion to and/or recommend
sanctions against local chief executives who are giving material and political
support to criminals and Communist Terrorist Groups.
These
legal provisions are further reinforced by the pronouncement of President
Rodrigo Roa Duterte that the local chief executives should not give ‘any aid’
to rebel, terrorist, and criminal groups as it would result to much distress,
embarrassment, even losing power over the police.
"The
government is offering its support through an Enhanced Comprehensive Local
Integration Program (E-CLIP) which provides several benefits like financial
assistance and livelihood program to former rebels and militiamen who
surrendered to the government," Esquivel said. (PNP PRO-13/PIA-Caraga)
Over 5K Caraga
farmers benefit from DA’s expanded cash assistance
By Rhea C. Abao
BUTUAN
CITY, Feb. 18 -- To help the rice farmers regain their capacity to continue
their production, various financial aids such as loan programs are available
for the farmers.
The
Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Credit Policy Council in partnership
with the Landbank of the Philippines already released ₱84.9 Million cash assistance to the rice farmers from the four provinces
in Caraga under the Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance (SURE-Aid)
Program.
Since
last October, a total of 5,661 rice farmers from the provinces of Surigao del
Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte including Butuan
City received a zero-interest loan of ₱15,000,
payable in eight years.
DA-Caraga
Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo together with LBP Caraga
North Lending Center Manager Linbert Fajunio and Municipal Mayor Richard
Daquipil led the second batch of cash card distribution to the 150 rice farmers
in the municipality of RTR, Agusan del Norte on February 14.
"The
DA continues to support the farmers. I am hoping that the cash assistance that
is given to the farmer-recipients must serve its purpose. This must be applied
to each rice farm and must not be converted to other things,” Monteagudo said.
The DA
together with its partner agencies and the local government unit will conduct
monitoring afterward to ensure that the assistance has truly served its
purpose.
Yolanda
D. Lozano, 55 years old, a rice farmer from P-2 Tagbongabong, RTR, Agusan del
Norte said that she is thankful for the government's support. She will use the
amount to purchase fertilizers and pesticides for her area.
"I
am very happy that I am one of the recipients of the SURE Aid Program. The
financers in our area offer a 20% interest rate in a ₱1,000 that I borrow. But the program's zero percent interest rate and
flexible paying terms is a big help for us to continue producing local rice,
she said.
SURE
Aid Program supports farmers affected by the low buying prices of palay as an
initial impact of the RTL implementation.
With
the assistance of the local government units, rice farmers who are farming one
hectare and below were identified and validated by the DA-Caraga to qualify and
receive the said assistance. (DA-Caraga RAFIS/PIA Caraga)
By Rechel D. Besonia
SAN
FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, Feb. 18 -- Just before Valentine’s day, the
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Agusan del Sur Provincial Office has shown
love and warmth to the farmer-beneficiaries by giving them not the usual
bouquet nor chocolates and teddy bears, but millions of peso worth of Farm
Machineries and Equipment (FME) held at DAR Provincial Office in San
Francisco, this province.
“Dako
gyud among pasalamat sa DAR sa pagsuporta sa amoang mga mang-uuma pinaagi sa
paghatag nila ug mga ekipo (We are thankful to DAR for supporting us through
the provision of these farm machineries and equipment),” said Emilia Eribal,
Chairman of Kahugpungan sa Malahutayong Mag-uuma Para sa Ekonomikanhong
Kalambuan (KAMMPE).
KAMMPE
along with nine other Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in
five municipalities of Agusan del Sur, Veruela, Trento, Bunawan, Sta. Josefa
and Loreto were among the recipient ARBOs of the said FMEs amounting to a total
of P17-million, of which P3.3-million is under the Climate Resilient Farm
Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP) and P13.7-million is under the
Project Convergence on Value Chain for Rural Growth and Empowerment (Project
ConVERGE).
Maximo
Gegato, Manager of Southern Agusan Seed Producers Cooperative (SASEPCO) said
that with the farm equipment they received, there will be efficient processing
of rice which would mean an increase in their income.
The
ceremonial cutting of ribbon, which signifies that the FMEs were formally
turned- over was led by Undersecretary of Foreign Assisted and Special Project
Office (FASPO) Bernie F. Cruz, Regional Director Leomides R. Villareal, Asst.
Regional Director Daylinda Paz Narisma, Asst. Regional Director for Operations
Agnes Dela Cerna, PARPO II Jamil P. Amatonding Jr. and PARPO II of Surigao del
Sur Leoncio C. Bautista Jr.
“We
always consider the welfare of our farmer-beneficiaries in consonance with
President Duterte’s mandate to pursue a more aggressive and genuine agrarian
reform program and ensure that you are provided with the needed support
services to increase your household income,” Usec. Cruz said to the farmers.
He also
added that with the cooperation of the ARBOs to take care of everything that
the government had given is very vital for the improvement of their
organizations.
In his
message, Director Villareal emphasized that the department will
always be there to help the farmers become self-sufficient and
sustain the productivity of their awarded lands.
Meanwhile,
PARPO Amatonding bared that with the provision of these equipment,
more than 3,000 farmers are expected to benefit from it. “We are aiming to
increase our reach in the years to come. We are also eyeing to resolve the
problem of hunger in the province by linking our farmer’s produce to available
institutional markets,” he added.
The
signing of the Trust Agreement and Handing of the Certificate of Turn-over and
Acceptance were also among the highlights of the day.
The
Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project is a project of DAR
intended to support the areas vulnerable to the impacts of climate change while
the Convergence on Value Chain for Rural Growth and Empowerment (Project
ConVERGE) is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) and the Government of the Philippines (GOP). (DAR-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
LGU, Army hold info
campaign, medical check-up to 2 SurSur schools
By Capt Jonald Romorosa
TANDAG
CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 18 – The local government unit (LGU) of San Miguel
in partnership with the 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion, Philippine Army
conducted a convergence awareness campaign to around 400 students of Sagbayan
National High School and Sagbayan Elementary School in San Miguel town, this
province, on Feb. 13, 2020.
The
said activity was a collaborative effort of the Community Support Program (CSP)
team of the Army’s 36IB and the Local Municipal Nutrition Office and Division
Health Team of LGU San Miguel, which aimed to intensify its information and
education campaign to the students.
During
the activity, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) Jessebel Esparagoza,
gave a lecture about Healthy Lifestyle, while Health Coordinator Mary Jane
Ongayo discussed and gave insights about teenage pregnancy and its consequence.
Meanwhile,
the 36IB troopers conducted the film showing and gave a lecture about the
Communist NPA Terrorists' (CNTs') deceptive tactics of recruitment to students
and youth sector.
The
activity was highlighted with a free haircut from the 36IB and free medical
check-up and dental services offered by the Division Health Team led by Medical
Officer III Dr. Andrew Lumang.
The
school also provided porridge as part of the Department of Education (DepEd)
School-Based Feeding Program to the students. (CMO-36IB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
18 FRs receive E-CLIP
assistance in SurSur
TAGO,
Surigao del Sur, Feb. 18 -- A total of 18 former rebels (FRs) received
government assistance through the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration
Program (E-CLIP) last week held at the Provincial Governor’s Office (PGO) in
Tandag City, a military official said.
According
to Capt. Jonald Romorosa, 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) Civil Military
Operations officer (CMO), the 18 FRs composed of 17 regular New People’s Army
(NPA), and one Militia ng Bayan (MB) member were coming from Sitio Ibuan,
Barangay Mampi, Lanuza, and Barangay Hinapuyan, Carmen, respectively.
Capt.
Romorosa said 17 of them identified as regular NPA members received P70,000.00
each, which comprised of livelihood assistance (P65,000.00), and cash
assistance from the provincial government (P5,000), while the lone MB member
received a total of P20,000.00 (P15,000.00 as livelihood assistance, and
P5,000.00 from the provincial government).
“The
activity conducted was part of the reintegration program given by the
government for them to start a new life as they return to the mainstream of
society together with their loved ones,” said Romorosa.
Lt.
Col. Jezreel Diagmel, 36IB Commanding Officer, said that the awarding of ECLIP
assistance to the 18 former rebels is a manifestation that the government is
sincere in its program to help the FRs to start and begin a new life together
with their family.
The
commander then called on the remaining Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) to
surrender and return to the folds of the law to avail the E-CLIP of the
government intended for them.
"Once
again, I am calling the remaining Communist NPA terrorist to surrender now, and
return to the folds of the law, avail the E-CLIP of the government and live
with peace," Ltc Diagmel said. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
22-km road project to
connect villages in Surigao Norte by 2022
The
road project which comprises of 22-kilometer road including four bridges,
namely Hubasan Bridge, Togonan Bridge, Sangay Bridge, and Anomar Bridge with a
total length of 194 linear meters, is now 39 percent completed.
Citing
a report from DPWH Caraga regional director Pol M. Delos Santos, the P815.9
million road project will connect Barangays Rizal, Togbongon, San Roque,
Poctoy, Serna, Mat-I, Mabini, and Anomar in Surigao del Norte.
“Upon
completion in 2022, the road will also serve as an alternate route of the
Surigao-Agusan Section of Daang Maharlika Primary Road, diverting the traffic
in the congested area,” said Secretary Mark A. Villar. (DPWH/PIA-Surigao
del Norte)
Caraga army welcomes new EastMinCom chief
BUTUAN
CITY, Feb. 18 -- Officers and personnel of the 402nd Infantry “Stingers”
Brigade, Philippine Army welcomed the newly designated commander of the Eastern
Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Major
General Jose Calingasan Faustino, Jr. for his visit in Barangay Bancasi, this
city on February 8.
This
was his first field visit to a Brigade in the EastMinCom area of responsibility
(AOR) since his assumption as the 12th commander of the EastMinCom last January
25.
Prior
to his designation, MGen. Faustino was the commander of the 10th Infantry
(Agila) Division where he led various operations that resulted in the dismantling
of different New People’s Army (NPA) units in Regions 11 and 12. He also
served as the former head of the 11th Intelligence Service Unit based in Davao
City and led the 35th Infantry Battalion and 501st Infantry Brigade.
The
Army officer was welcomed with a military arrival honors led by 402nd Brigade
commander, Brigadier General Maurito L. Licudine, together with Police
Brigadier General Joselito S. Esquivel, Jr., regional director of the Police
Regional Office 13 and the commanding officers of the OPCON Battalions and
commanders from tenant and attached units.
During
his visit, MGen. Faustino lauded the accomplishments of the 402nd Brigade
during the campaign updates provided by the unit from January to December 2019
wherein a total of 98 combat operations were conducted resulting in 80
encounters against the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army
Terrorists (CNTs) in guerilla bases and engagement areas.
The
traditional signing of guest book and a viewing of some of the captured,
confiscated, surrendered and recovered (CCSR) firearms of the Brigade during
the successful combat operations that neutralized CNTs in the region were also
part of the highlights of the event.
A
ceremonial tree planting activity was also conducted and led by MGen. Faustino
together with PBGen. Esquivel.
In his
message, MGen. Faustino stressed the importance of properly performing the
tasks and emphasized the participation of the AFP units in the Task Force to
End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) in view of the Executive Order
No. 70 as a solution for the more than five decades of insurgency problem in
the country.
“We are
optimistic of the security situation in our country. We have gained significant
headways but the challenge is how we can sustain our efforts. Hence, we need to
perform our tasks 100 percent and contribute to our campaign in our own little
ways. Our job is to protect the people and secure the land,” he
said.
Meanwhile,
BGen. Licudine said that the visit of the top commander of the whole Eastern
Mindanao Command is a big boost to the morale of the troops, particularly in
the pursuit to end the insurgency problem in Caraga.
"We
will perform in accordance with the guidance of the commander of the EastMinCom
particularly in our participation to the TF–ELCAC in sustaining the peace and
security in Caraga region,” he said. (402nd Infantry Brigade, Phil.
Army/PIA-Caraga)
Kaalaman sa pagtukoy
ng tamang impormasyon ibinahagi sa mga kabataan sa Butuan
By Nora
C. Lanuza
LUNGSOD
NG BUTUAN, Pebrero 18 (PIA) -- Ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng sapat na
impormasyon ay mahalaga lalo na kung ito ay tama at nakakatulong, ito ang
binigyang diin sa ginagawang Youth for Truth caravan na dinaluhan ng mga
kabataan, mag-aaral at mga student leaders sa Butuan City.
Sa
panahon ngayon, lalo na na ang banta ng coronavirus ay patuloy na tinututukan,
mahalaga lamang na magkroon ng tamang impormasyon ang mga tao.
Ayon
kay Elimelech Mendoza V, napakahalagang kaganapan ang Youth for Truth caravan
dahil na-equip silang mga kabataan kung paano lalabanan ang paglaganap ng fake
news lalo na sa social media na karamihan gumagamit nito ay gaya nilang mga
kabataan.
Masaya
din si RM David Martinote na naging bahagi siya sa napakahalang kaganapang ito,
ayon sa kanya usisain munang mabuti ang impormasyon bago ito i-share.
Nananawagan
din ni Butuan City SK federation president Zynph Zephanee Nietes sa kapwa
niyang mga kabataan na maging responsable at alisto sa mga impormasyong
masasagap sa social media na huwag ito basta-bastang ikalat.
Bilang
tugon din ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Butuan sa pagbibigay ng sapat na kaalaman
sa mga kabataan, ibinahagi din ni Nietes ang pagrerevitalize ng local youth
development plan ng lungsod.
Ang
nasabing caravan ay isa sa mga programa ng gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng
Presidential Communications Operations Office o PCOO sa pangunguna ni Secretary
Martin M. Andanar upang turuan ang mga kabataan na maging katulong sa
pagresolva ng paglaganap ng fake news.
Nagkaroon
ng break-out sessions ang mga ito depende sa kanilang interest at masayang
nakisali sa mga discussion ang bawat partisipante. Masaya naman si PCOO
director Vinci Beltran sa naging resulta ng caravan na dinaluhan na mahigit
isang daan at pitumpong kabataan. (NCLM/PIA Caraga)
