No COVID-19 case in
Caraga, says DOH regional chief
By Nora
C. Lanuza
BUTUAN
CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) -- While the region has no confirmed cases yet of the 2019
novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Department of Health (DOH) in Caraga said
only one person is under investigation (PUI) for manifesting flu-like symptoms.
DOH
Caraga Regional Director Dr. Jose R. Llacuna said his office with the help
of the Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Disease (EREID) Task Force, local
government units (LGUs) and other concerned agencies has intensified its
campaign to address issues and concerns on COVID-19 in the region.
Llacuna
called on Caraganons to continuously listen to the health advisories of the DOH
and verify sources of information for public order and safety.
As of
February 17, 2020, the DOH Caraga has only 12 patients under monitoring or
PUMs.
Llacuna
said, a total of 36 PUM cases were recorded in the region and 24 of these cases
have already completed the 14-day monitoring period. Because of this, he
emphasized to practice a healthy lifestyle, do the regular handwashing and
proper cough etiquette to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. “Our PUI is
recovering now with an only mild cough and no fever, the patient’s specimen was
already sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for a
confirmatory test,” he said.
Llacuna
has also commended the LGUs especially the surveillance officers for the
implementation and monitoring of the PUMs during their home quarantine.
Meanwhile,
the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Port Management Office of Agusan del Norte
has also seriously implemented the 14-day quarantine anchorage to one Chinese
vessel M/V Jin Shui in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte that arrived in the area on
February 7.
Port
Manager Mildred Padilla said, the 22 crew of the said vessel were all given
clearance by the authorities of the COVID-19 disease.
Padilla
said that on February 15, M/V Jin Shui has already sailed towards Tubay, Agusan
del Norte for the loading of Nickle ore from Agata Mining.
Also,
Padilla said that PPA Agusan with the help of the Rural Health Unit of Nasipit
is continuously monitoring COVID-19 and checking passengers coming into the
province using the non-contact thermometers. Passengers can also view the video
materials on COVID-19 in the televisions installed at the passenger terminal of
Nasipit for them to know, be aware and protect themselves from the disease.
(NCLM/PIA Caraga)
SurSur town sets up
checkpoint vs COVID-19
 |
| One of
the checkpoints established in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur along major highways
for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). (Photo credit: LGU HInatuan) |
BISLIG
CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 19 (PIA) -- A checkpoint was set up by the local
government unit of Hinatuan in entry point bound for Enchanted River,
one of the famous tourist destinations in the province, as a precautionary
measure against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Based on
the report, the setting up of the checkpoint was aimed to facilitate the
speedy tracking of persons who had traveled to countries affected by the
COVID-19 and those infected with the deadly disease.
The
members of the task force have already conducted a meeting on the matter
earlier to map out its strategies to prevent the entry of the tourists coming
from the places with identified cases of COVID-19.
Hinatuan
Vice Mayor Atty. Tito CaΓ±edo, Acting Mayor, signed the Executive Order No. 5
Series of 2020 last February 03, 2020, in the absence of Mayor Shem Garay,
imposing a temporary ban on tourists from China and other nations with COVID-19
cases from entering the tourism destinations and facilities in the Municipality
of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
Admission
at the checkpoint is from 8:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. with no early admission
allowed. (with a report from LGU-Hinatuan Information Office/PIA-Bislig
City)
Butuanons donate
blood to ensure enough supply in hospitals
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) -- More than 300 Butuanons have donated their blood during
a bloodletting activity held inside a mall here, in time with the Valentine's
Day celebration on Friday with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Agusan del
Norte-Butuan City Chapter.
Said
activity was aimed to ensure that there is enough blood supply for those who
would need it in any hospital in the city, including the office of Philippine
Red Cross local chapter.
The
number of individuals who donated their blood this year is higher compared to
last year.
Ronalyn
Nimez and Mary Grace Lava, both Criminology students, are among of those who
came early at the venue and participated in the bloodletting activity.
They
claimed that apart from their intention to help other individuals, donating
blood also gives several health advantages to them, as it helps in improving
cardiovascular health and reducing the risk of cancer, among others.
“I
really wanted to help other people who are in need of blood for their
medication. In this little way, I hope I could help them save their lives,”
cited Nimez.
“Donating
blood has a lot of advantages to our body, that’s why I don’t hesitate doing it
regularly,” said Lava.
According
to Israel Palero, station manager of 95.1 Love Radio in Butuan City, who also
initiated and organized the said activity, they wanted to help Butuanons in
need of blood and ensure that there is enough supply of it.
He
further stressed that as concerned media partner, they do not only provide
entertainment to the listening public, but also extend help to them.
“This
has been our second year for the bloodletting activity and we are optimistic
that more will be joining in this cause to help other people who are in need of
blood. We do not only give joy to people through entertainment, but we also
care and want to help them in any way possible,” Palero said.
Meanwhile,
officer incharge-administrator Alger Boter of the PRC Agusan del Norte-Butuan
City chapter called on the public to regularly donate their blood every three
months. He also emphasized that whoever needs one could directly visit their
office or in any hospital where their patient is to be confined.
“The
conduct of bloodletting activity really contributes a lot in sustaining enough
blood supply in the hospitals for the patients. I am calling on our
co-Butuanons to continue to support such activity and encourage others to do
the same. You can donate regularly every three months,” bared Boter.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
AgNor OKs ordinance
granting financial assistance to SK officials
By Nora
C. Lanuza
BUTUAN
CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) -- An ordinance authored by honorable Keefe Blue R. Leonar,
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation president, granting financial medical
assistance to all SK officials in the province of Agusan del Norte, has been
signed on Monday at the provincial capitol lobby, here.
The
said signing was attended by Governor Dale Corvera and other provincial
officials and witnessed by SK officials from the different municipalities and
city of the province.
Governor
Corvera, in his message, challenged the SK officials present to regularly
conduct activities for the betterment of the youth in the province.
In his
response, Leonar thanked the provincial government for supporting the SK
officials and members. “The financial assistance adds motivation to the SK
to perform more and be an active instrument for other youth to even do good,”
he said.
In the
Provincial Ordinance No. 544-2020, all SK officials (elective and appointive)
in the province of Agusan del Norte may avail of the financial assistance in
the maximum amount of P10,000 during their hospitalization. Also, the granting
of such assistance shall be based on the billing in excess of PhilHealth
deduction but not to exceed the P10,000.00 subject for evaluation by the
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, and only be availed once by
the SK officials.
The
province of Agusan del Norte has 167 barangays with 1,670 SK officials.
(NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
31 former rebels receive E-CLIP benefits
By 1Lt.
Miguel O. Borromeo
CABADBARAN
CITY, Agusan del Norte, Feb. 19 -- Thirty-one former rebels (FRs) who
already have surrendered to the 29th Infantry (MATATAG) Battalion (29IB),
Philippine Army recently received the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration
Program (E-CLIP) benefits at the headquarters of 29IB, Brgy. Del Pilar, this
city.
The
said benefits which have been given to the FRs included financial assistance,
food packs and personal hygiene kits. Before being given the benefits, they
were first subjected to some assessment and interview.
Sheryl
Ann C. Disucatan, the Regional Social Welfare development Officer encouraged
the FRs in her statement, “While there is life, there is hope. So, never lose
hope and keep on believing that change and a better day for every one of you
will surely come.
Remember
that taking up arms against each other will never be a good solution to any of
our problems. Yes, the government is willing to help, but the government will
not be there all the time for you, you need also to help yourself. Because the
change and help that you are all seeking will primarily start from YOU, and the
rest will just follow."
Rosalind
R. Sur, Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer reminded the FRs that
these E-CLIP benefits are government programs to help them, "So, please
plan and spend it well on things that will help and benefit yourself and your
family. I hope there will be more training sessions and programs that other
agencies will offer for your benefit," she said.
Lt.
Col. Isagani O. Criste, Commanding Officer of 29IB, said he was grateful and
happy to see how mindful the government is to its people especially in
fulfilling its promise to help those former rebels who have once lost their way
but have now found their way back. "This Enhanced Comprehensive Local
Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government is truly a blessing to our
brothers and sisters who are now willing to change for the better,” he said.
“And
yes, the government is doing its best to help and support its people. But I
hope you may realize also that not all the time will there be a government who
will look after all of your needs, a government that could always provide you
whatever you want in an instant. No, that doesn’t work that way because just
like us, our government isn’t perfect. But you and I know that we can do
something to support the government and more so can we do something to help
ourselves,” Criste ended. (CMO Officer, 29IB, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
SurSur LGU bans pigs,
pork products from areas affected by swine fever
BISLIG
CITY Surigao del Sur, Feb. 19 (PIA) -- The local chief of executive of
Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur has issued on Tuesday a temporary entry ban on live
pigs and pork-by-products from Luzon and African Swine Fever (ASF) affected
areas in Mindanao.
Based
on the report, Hinatuan Mayor Shem Garay, through an Executive Order No. 08
series of 2020, temporarily banned all live pigs, pork, and pork-related
products, and by-products whether fresh, frozen, processed or cooked from ASF
affected areas to prevent the spread of the swine disease and further protect
the local hog industry in the municipality.
Likewise,
the backyard hog raisers were prohibited from practicing swill feeding (locally
known as 'bahug' or 'lamaw') to prevent further spread of the deadly pig virus
as food leftovers may contain contaminated pork meat.
Mayor
Garay then urged the hog raisers, whether in small or commercial scale, to be
vigilant and encouraged to immediately report sick pigs or incidence of pig
mortality to the Municipal Agriculture Office.
“The
local government unit of Hinatuan will be adopting stringent measures to
prevent the invasion of the ASF in the municipality and protect the hog raisers
and the swine industry,” said Mayor Garay, in a press statement.
The
coordination meeting has already been conducted in the said municipality
participated by the concerned government agencies, barangay captains from the
24 barangays, and private individuals engaged in hog-related business. (with a
report from LGU-Hinatuan/PIA-Bislig City)
Rotary, ACE to host golf tournament for a
cause
By
Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN
CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) -- The Rotary Club of Butuan (RCB) has partnered with the
Association of Caraga Executives (ACE) and West Highlands Golf Club Inc. (WHGC)
for the conduct of the three-day 12th Caraga Executives Open (CEO) Golf
Tournament on May 15 to 17, 2020 at the West Highlands Golf Club in Brgy.
Bon-bon, this city.
This is
in line with the said organizations’ pledge to conduct at least one golf
tournament with WHGC every year for 2020 to 2022.
Accordingly,
tasking and designation of responsible personnel will be shared with the
organizations involved. The host gold club will facilitate the registration
before and during the tournament, including the scoring, and in tee-off times.
In addition, WHGC will be designating the marshals for the duration of the
event.
Partner
organizations are tasked with assigning a rules committee that shall organize
the rules of the play. Streamers and other advertising paraphernalia will
likewise be produced, with the approval of WHGC Golf Operation Ben Ramos and
Andy Bartolome.
The RCB
and/or ACE are given the authority to determine the placement and distance of
the pins, as well as the personnel who will serve as the hole-in-one witness
during the tournament but with the supervision of the WHGC golf operation
personnel.
WHGC
has offered to produce other equipment needed for the tournament, such as fore
caddies and hole markers, and ten units of golf carts, as well as two marshals
and additional personnel for the participants’ accommodation and partner
organizations are tasked to cover the expenses.
The
proceeds for this year’s tournament will be given to Balay Silongan, a shelter
house for street children situated in Brgy. Pinamungkulan, Butuan City.
(DMNR/VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Digging at the roots for better program implementation
By Vanessa P. Sanchez
As the
saying goes, to effectively solve problems, you have to dig at the roots.
Thus,
the Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for High Value Crops
Development Program (HVCDP) Evelyn G. LaviΓ±a conducted a ground-level
monitoring and evaluation of HVCDP implemented projects in the Caraga Region on
February 10.
LaviΓ±a
said that their role at the central office is to craft policies and guidelines
for the various programs and projects being implemented.
“We
want to ensure that the policies we make at the top will really fit the needs
of our stakeholders that is why we came here to personally interact with the
farmers and see the real scenario at the regional level. We also want to
see how the interventions are being implemented and if the recipients are
benefitting from it,” she said.
Moreover,
LaviΓ±a said they want to solicit inputs from the stakeholders themselves on how
the program can be improved further.
The
group visited the Sitio Antipolo Farmers Association of Buenavista, Agusan del
Norte, Inc. and the Simbalan Rubber Farmers Association, Inc. in Agusan
del Norte, the Agricultural Resource Center of the Office of the Provincial
Agriculture in Agusan del Sur, the Magkiangkang Multi-Purpose Cooperative
(MAMPC) in Bayugan. Agusan del Sur, the Farmers Alternative to Self-Reliance
Multi-Purpose Cooperative (FASRMCO), and the Km. 7 Farmers Producers
Cooperative in Butuan City.
Aside
from discussing their projects, Usec. LaviΓ±a also discussed to the farmers
about the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF), a lending
program of the DA that aims to increase the productivity of farmers and
fisherfolk by providing the necessary credit. Further, she shared about the
Kapital Access for Young Agripreneurs (KAYA) a lending program for farming
enthusiasts aged 18-30 years old which aims to bring back the interest of the
young generation to farming.
The
Undersecretary also emphasized to the farmers the importance of crop
diversification for improved productivity and increased income.
On the
other hand, Gerry Obsid, the Chairman of SAFABAI, a group of coffee growers
from Buenavista, Agusan del Norte said he was thankful that Usec. LaviΓ±a was
able to visit their place for them to see their situation.
“I
appreciate this initiative of the government, that they really came down to our
level because it shows their commitment to serving the farmers,” he said.
(DA-Caraga/PIA Caraga)
SMILE project
addresses off-grid islands’ power, dev’t needs
A Solar
ComMunity-Based Island Tourism and Livelihood Energizer Platform (SMILE
Project) was being piloted in four sites of this province which addresses the
islands’ power and development needs.
The
SMILE project, which is being funded by the European Union (EU), is aimed at
enhancing their capacity and resiliency against the impacts of climate change
by harnessing the power of technology, such as renewable solar energy that have
low-to-zero GHG emissions and connected to a resilient and efficient power
network to provide sustainable and adequate 24/7 electricity; provides
environmentally sound livelihood interventions to attain longer term human and
environmental resilience; and developing the islands’ eco-tourism potentials.
All
these were made possible by the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines
(WWF-Philippines), together with the University of the Philippines Asian
Institute of Tourism (UPAIT), Association of Isolated Electric Cooperatives
(AIEC) through its subsidiary, AIEC Missionary Green Energy Corporation (AIEC
MGEC), Siargao Electric Cooperative (SIARELCO), Dinagat Island Electric
Cooperative (DIELCO), the Municipality of Del Carmen, and Dinagat Province
Tourism Council, in cooperation with the local government units of the Province
of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands.
Small-scale
fishing communities often live a vulnerable existence. Physically, fishing is a
demanding job. It also solely depends on what nature can offer at a particular
time. And fishing is fraught with danger, even at the best of times.
In
these days where the global community is facing a climate emergency, fishing
resources, just like any other environmental resources that sustain households
and communities are on a steady decline due to overexploitation in some parts
that resulted to a diminishing supply. This put intense pressure on fishing
families and communities to make ends meet.
A
disruption in fishing is also a disruption in the community since fishing is
not just a livelihood, especially in the islands, but a way of life. And this
is more pronounced in the island-barangays of Anajawan, where 17 percent of
residents aged 15 years old and over are dependent on fishing; Cab-ilan (22
percent); Halian (25 percent); and Kanihaan (17 percent).
Anajawan
and Halian, located in the municipalities of General Luna and Del Carmen in
Siargao, Surigao del Norte, respectively; and Cab-ilan and Kanihaan, in the
municipalities of Dinagat and Libjo, both in the Province of Dinagat Islands;
have huge eco-tourism potentials but their lack of 24/7 electricity services,
isolation and climate vulnerabilities are hindering the economic opportunities
such as livelihood and their development.
They
are also very vulnerable to climate shocks. Identified climate change drivers
of risks are sea-level rise (SLR), storm surge, tropical storm, increasing air
and sea surface temperature and changing rainfall patterns. The risks also
include loss of adaptive capacity and ecosystem services on which lives and
livelihood of small island inhabitants depend.
Tourists
are already visiting these islands to surf, dive or snorkel, among others, but
due to lack of reliable 24-hour power and accommodation, there is hardly any development
going on in the communities.
An
essential part of sustainable eco-tourism is an eco-friendly accommodation that
combines conservation with relaxation, whose operations integrate
sustainability into its core. Eco-tourism is hailed as a more sustainable form
of tourism since the tourists aim to reduce their impact on the environment
while partaking in activities that immerse them in nature and promote the
conservation of the natural environment they have come to enjoy.
Eco-tourism,
according to the World Conservation Union, is an “environmentally responsible
travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and
accompanying cultural features, both past and present) that promote
conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active
socio-economic involvement of local peoples.”
Integral
to eco-tourism is the use of renewable energy in the project sites. In the case
of the SMILE project, a solar powerhouse will be constructed on each site.
Powering these powerhouses is an array of solar panels on the roofs of the
micro hotels which will also be constructed in the four barangays to accommodate
tourists.
With
such power plant, the islands become self-sufficient in terms of energy and
will no longer rely on GHG-emitting and noisy diesel-fueled generator sets that
disturb locals, tourists and guests, and also the wildlife. The islands then
have zero to low carbon emissions to help mitigate climate change.
(WWF-Philippines/VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Butuanons nagkaisa sa bloodletting
activity sa Araw ng mga Puso
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD
NG BUTUAN, Pebrero 19 (PIA) -- Mahigit 300 Butuanons ang nag-donate sa
isinagawang bloodletting activity sa lungsod ng Butuan kasabay ng selebrasyon
ng Araw ng mga Puso noong biyernes, katuwang ang Philippine Red Cross Agusan
del Norte-Butuan City Chapter.
Layon
nitong masigurong may sapat na supply ng dugo para sa mga mangangailangan na
mga ospital, maging sa Philippine Red Cross.
Tumaas
ang bilang ng donors ngayon kumpara noong nakaraang taon. Sina Ronalyn Nimez at
Mary Grace Lava, na pawang Criminology students ay kabilang sa mga maagang
nagpunta at nag-donate ng kanilang dugo.
Ayon sa
dalawa, maliban sa nakakatulong na sila sa iba, may kabutihang naidudulot rin
ito sa kanilang kalusugan.
“Gusto
ko talagang makatulong sa kapwa. Sa maliit na bagay at sa paraang ito, alam
kong marami ang makikinabang at buhay na masasagip,” ani ni Nimez.
“Mabuti
naman ang naidudulot na epekto sa katawan ng pagdodonate ng dugo kaya hindi ako
maghihinayang na tumulong sa kapwa ko,” pahayag ni Lava.
Ayon
kay Israel Palero, manager ng Love Radio Butuan na siyang nag-organisa sa
nasabing bloodletting, layun nilang makatulong din sa kapwa maliban sa
pagbibigay kasihayan sa mga ito.
“Pangalawang
taon na naming ginagawa ito kasama ang Philippine Red Cross at iba pang
stakeholders at masaya kami dahil dumarami rin ang sumusuporta at gustong
tumulong,” sabi ni Palero.
Hinimok
naman ni officer-in-charge administrator Alger Boter ng Philippine Red Cross
Agusan del Norte-Butuan City Chapter ang lahat na ugaliing magdonate ng dugo
kada tatlong buwan.
“Ang
pagsagawa ng bloodletting ay malaking tulong upang matugunan ang
pangangailangan ng mga pasyente sa ospital. Ugaliing mag-donate ng dugo kada
tatlong buwan dahil maliban sa nakakatulong na kayo sa ibang tao, may magandang
naidudulot rin ito sa inyong katawan,” ani ni Boter. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
