PCOO, AgNorte guv
dispel fake news on COVID-19
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 3 (PIA) -- Agusan del Norte Governor Dale B. Corvera
with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin
Andanar dispelled fake news amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
During the Laging Handa Network Briefing on April 2, Governor Corvera
clarified that the Malasakit Center in Butuan City was not used as a storage
facility for the donated medical equipment donated for hospitals and frontline
workers. This is in response to the circulating news that the Malasakit
Centers, particularly in Metro Manila, are taking in donations from private
donors and handing them out to its supposed beneficiaries with Senator
Christopher “Bong” Go’s name plastered on the items.
“The Malasakit Center is a one-stop-shop for indigent citizens who wish
to avail medical services without compromising their budgets and is not for
such purposes,” Sec. Andanar affirmed.
Further, the country’s top communications officer elucidated that anyone
who wishes to contribute through donations can give it directly to its chosen
beneficiaries. This, in turn, invalidates the viral posts pertaining to the
ransacking done to certain hospitals in Metro Manila due to the regulations imposed
by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
“Our function is to bridge the donors and frontline agencies and workers
and address the prevalence of shortage of needed medical supplies during this
pandemic,” he added.
The Caraga Regional Task Force on COVID-19 is actively combating the
spread of fake news on COVID-19 in the region.
RMN-DXBC Radio Anchor and Station Manager Ramil Bangues said that the
Cybercrime Unit of the police force in Caraga is constantly monitoring
different social media pages to immediately provide appropriate interventions
on the matter.
Governor Corvera also views the importance of the accessibility of the
communication lines between the national and local governments in effectively
carrying out the daily duties of the government.
He cited the Laging Handa Network Briefing program as manifestations of
accessible communication lines and lauded Sec. Andanar for creating the
program.
“The program is a great tool for local officials to make their concerns
and plight of the Filipinos in the southern part of this country known to the
whole nation and in turn enable awareness that maintains inclusivity,” the
governor expressed.
Legitimate information on the development of the country amid the
pandemic can be accessed through the Laging Handa and the PCOO pages on
Facebook, Twitter, and on YouTube. (PIA-Caraga)
SurSur worries
safety, lack of PPEs for frontliners
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Arpr. 13 -- Due to the ongoing threat posed by the
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and concern on the health situation of the
frontliners who still continue to serve the locals, the provincial government
of Surigao del Sur is worried about the depleting stocks of personal protective
equipment (PPEs) for the frontliners.
According to Governor Alexander Pimentel, there is scarcity in the
availability of PPEs to be used by the frontliners, hence, putting them at risk
as they do their operations in the field.
The Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center (ASTMMC), which is one of the
biggest hospitals in Caraga region situated in Tandag City, is in dire need of
additional PPE that would ensure the safety and protection of the medical
workers .
It is also one of the two hospitals identified by the Department of
Health to accommodate those patients under investigation in the region.
“Since the Caraga Regional Hospital is already full and could no longer
accommodate more, there are patients who have been referred to Adela Serra Ty
Memorial Medical Center for treatment, and our frontliners really need PPEs to
also ensure their protection,” said Pimentel.
Meanwhile, Dr. Eric Montesclaros, the provincial health officer
highlighted that Surigao del Sur remains to be negative from COVID-19.
The four-day work week for employees of the capitol and other local
government units is also implemented while the whole province is under the
preventive community quarantine. (JPG/NGBT/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga remains
steadfast amid health crisis, intensifies measures to remain COVID19-free
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 3 (PIA) -- Government officials in Caraga remain
vigilant despite having no positive cases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19).
In his interview in the Laging Handa Network Briefing on Thursday with
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar,
Regional Development Council (RDC) Chairperson and Agusan del Norte Provincial
Governor Dale B. Corvera enumerated the measures undertaken by the different
stakeholders to combat the spread of the disease in the region.
Recently, the RDC along with other line agencies activated the regional
task force dubbed as One Caraga Shield through the provisions of the Resolution
No. 7, Series of 2020. Its mandate is primarily to come up with a region-wide
guideline on the community quarantine and related measures that local
government units (LGUs) can adopt.
Spearheading the creation of the harmonized guidelines is the Caraga
Regional Task Force for COVID-19 and the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG).
“We want to maintain the integrity of Caraga as the only region in the
country that does not have any positive cases,” he added.
On April 1, the task force enforced the closing of all borders in the
region.
The governor also disclosed to Sec. Andanar that the supply of food for
the residents in the region, particularly in Agusan del Norte, is sufficient
since production has not stopped.
Furthermore, displaced workers in the region are continuously given
assistance through the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) of the
Department of Labor and Employment. Suspended workers or workers who follow a
flexible work arrangement resulting in reduced income but with formal
employment will be receiving P5,000 while individuals who qualify for the
Barangay Ko, Buhay Ko (BKBK) will be receiving P3,000 as their compensation.
Governor Corvera also highlighted the importance of a harmonious
relationship between the national government and the local government units to
address the current crisis, citing the importance of constant communication
among the different local leaders as key to the success of their daily
operations.
Caraga region is currently overseeing nine patients under investigation
(PUIs), seven of which are placed under strict home quarantine while the
remaining are currently admitted. Of the 7,804 persons placed under monitoring,
7,674 have completed their isolation period while 130 are still being
monitored. (FEA/DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
Hybrid rice model
farm increases yield of Butuan farmers
BUTUAN CITY, April 3 -- Rice farmers in Barangay Lemon, this city begin
to reap the benefits of planting hybrid rice.
Last year, 40 rice farmers in the city accepted the challenge to be
farmer-cooperators of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Caraga's Hybrid Rice
Model Farm Project.
The 76-hectare model farm is a collaborative project with the city
government of Butuan and nine private seed companies. It stages the nine hybrid
rice seeds such as M20-public hybrid, M51-Pioneer 79, M50-TH82, M78-Longping
937, M81-SL-19H, M46-Bigante Plus, Boiseeds 453, Syngenta NK5017, Ramgo-Kimbee
58.
The use of hybrid rice is an approach to improve the yield to more than
6-8 metric tons per hectare given that appropriate farming technologies and
good agricultural practices are applied.
"The department has been exploring all strategies to see to it that
we sustain food security especially now in the challenging time in our history.
The model farm will encourage more farmers to try and plant hybrid rice seeds
in the region," DA-Caraga, OIC-Regional Technical Director for Operations
Rebecca R. Atega said.
The farmer cooperators were provided with free hybrid rice seeds and
fertilizers. Aside from planting the nine varieties of hybrid rice, different
planting methods were demonstrated and rice mechanization was integrated.
"The department is establishing technology demonstration
(techno-demo) farms to give farmers the options to choose from with regard to
the most suitable hybrid rice variety to use," Atega said.
Sammy Barneso, 32, a rice farmer for five years shared his on-farm
experience planting hybrid rice for the first time.
He planted M46-Bigante Plus (hybrid) in one hectare and Rc300 (inbred)
in another hectare. Based on the recommendation he applied six bags of
fertilizers for the hybrid rice while three bags for the inbred variety.
"I am grateful for the result because there is a big difference in
the yield between the hybrid and inbred seeds. The result showed that I can
maximize my production through the help of the high yielding variety,"
Barneso testified.
His testing has shown significant yield advantage of hybrid rice over
the inbred rice. He harvested 90 bags or equivalent to 5.31 metric tons by
using Rc300 while 134 bags equivalent to 7.77 metric tons using M46-Bigante
Plus.
Based on the estimated production cost farmers need at least ₱25,000 for inbred while ₱35,000 for hybrid rice.
"With higher yield, hybrid rice production also translates to
higher gross returns. My gross income for inbred rice production is ₱90,000 while I earned ₱116,000 for the hybrid rice
production. Which has a difference of ₱26,000,
this is a big help for us," Barneso said.
Through his experience, Sammy Barneso is one of those who are now
convinced to use again the technology for the next cropping season.
Meanwhile, DA-Caraga Rice Program is now undergoing the data analysis
and impact assessment of the said model farm.
The region has 74,580 hectares planted with rice for the dry cropping
season (Sept. 2019 – March 2020) wherein 2,189 hectares were planted with
hybrid rice.
The Department is now on its clustering approach in promoting hybrid
rice and the city of Butuan has been one of the department's partners in
implementing the program.
"Hybrid rice can grow best when there is appropriate water and
fertilizer coupled with appropriate technologies. As part of our strategy
identifying areas for this matter is necessary. We are encouraging other
farmers, especially those areas who are good for hybrid rice production to
adopt the technology," said Marisa Garces, Rice Program Focal
Person.
For the continuous adoption of the technology this year, rice farmers in
the region's five provinces will receive 6,648 bags of hybrid seeds worth ₱33 million and 18,000 bags of fertilizers worth ₱22 million, Garces added. (DA Caraga/PIA Agusan del Norte)
POPCOM Caraga continues service amid
COVID-19 threat
By May
Ann O. Escobal
BUENAVISTA,
Agusan del Norte, April 3 -- The Commission on Population and Development
(POPCOM)-Caraga continues its information and services for the population
program amidst contagion, coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.
Regional
Director Alexander A. Makinano of POPCOM Caraga issued regional guidelines,
including the adoption of a four-day workweek and work-from-home, to ensure the
safety and health of the personnel without sacrificing the mandate of the
agency, primarily the coordinating arm for the country’s population management
program.
Under
the special work arrangement, they are now enforcing, regular function of the
agency will be done with adequate workforce to address the concerns of their
program partners and stakeholders, particularly the local population workers
and volunteers.
POPCOM
Caraga can be reached online through its official website,
http://caraga.popcom.gov.ph/; email addresses popcom_caraga@yahoo.com and
caraga@popcom.gov.ph; official Facebook account “PopCom Caraga” as well as through
mobile numbers 0945-221-7568 (Globe) and 0949-414-1541 (Smart).
POPCOM
Caraga is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. as personnel are assigned to
specific day schedule in compliance with POPCOM Central Office Memorandum No.
2020-195 dated March 16, 2020 and Civil Service Memorandum Circular No. 07,
series of 2020.
Noting
the social distancing measures against COVID-19 and continuously working for
the Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP), POPCOM Caraga is
encouraging population officers, local government units, and program partners
in the region to maximize the use of electronic media in coordinating,
communicating, and sending reports.
Meanwhile,
Dir. Makinano reminded everyone to continue to look after each other’s health
and safety.
“Let us
keep on seeking the Divine Intercession that this health crisis shall be over
very soon, and we’ll go back to the normal life in continuously serving the
Filipino families,” urged Dir. Makinano. (POPCOM Caraga/PIA Caraga)
