DOH Caraga announces
3 new COVID-19 cases
BUTUAN CITY, May 31 -– The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga
announces Sunday, three new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Reverse
Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed cases in Caraga. The
three new cases are Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and Locally Stranded
Individuals (LSIs) who arrived in the region on May 26, 2020.
All of the three cases have not manifested any signs and symptoms of
COVID-19. The two ROFs had their baseline RT-PCR test for COVID-19 on May 3 and
10 respectively, in Manila with negative results. They were accommodated in the
designated areas by their respective companies/OWWA until their scheduled
return in Caraga.
Meanwhile, the LSI stayed in an area with known local transmission for
two months. Upon arrival, rapid test was done by their respective Local
Government Units (LGUs) and they were all placed on strict quarantine in the
identified local facilities until today. They tested positive, thus swabs were
taken for RT-PCR confirmatory testing and sent to Southern Philippines Medical
Center (SPMC) Sub-National laboratory.
The first case is a 26-year-old male from Butuan City; second case is a
41-year-old male from Agusan del Sur; and the third case is a 37-year-old male
from Agusan del Sur. All of them have no pre-existing medical conditions such
as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma.
DOH Caraga is closely and continuously coordinating with the LGUs and
other concerned agencies in contact tracing activities, monitoring the
condition of all ROFs and LSIs, and in adhering to the standards set in cutting
the transmission of the said disease.
At the same time, 20 negative RT-PCR test results were also received for
the following cases: follow-up test of the 5th positive case, six suspect
cases and 13 probable cases.
“With the current developments especially in the implementation of
modified general community quarantine, we should not let our guards down. We
are appealing to everyone especially to our vulnerable groups (elderlies,
children, pregnant and lactating women and those with pre-existing medical
conditions), to continue to strictly observe all health precautionary measures
like regular hand washing, practicing cough etiquette and physical/social
distancing to safeguard our health. Again, as much as possible, stay at home
and go out only when necessary,” DOH Caraga Regional Director Jose R. Llacuna,
Jr. said. (DOH Caraga/PIA Caraga)
OCD-13 distributes
PPE sets, test kits to provinces
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, May 31 (PIA) -- Facing the threat of pandemic, the
Philippine government has taken steps to further strengthen its capability to
curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
In Caraga region, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) handled the
immediate distribution of the rapid test kits and personal protective equipment
(PPE) sets to the different provinces.
This batch is part of the OCD-procured rapid test kits received by
Caraga Regional Task Force chairperson Gov. Dale Corvera during the recent
visit of the National Action Plan Against COVID-19 chief implementer Sec.
Carlito Galvez, Jr. In the region.
According to OCD-Caraga regional director Liza Mazo, there are 17,800
rapid test kits and 2,000 sets of personal protective equipment that are now utilized
by the frontliners at health institutions.
“The OCD is tasked to lead the logistics cluster. President Rodrigo
Dutere signed the administrative order mandating our office to receive and
coordinate donations of medicines and medical supplies and equipment to the
government. Per Administrative Order 27, it also requires the transmission of
all donations to the national government or the Department of Health (DOH) to
the OCD for consolidation. For now, we are done with the delivery to the
provinces,” said Mazo.
The local government units in the region through their Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Office extend their gratitude for the support given by
the national government.
“The Agusan del Norte have already received 2,500 Rapid Test kits and
PPEs. We are really thankful for these,” said Jorge Vincent Pagaran, Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) manager of the Agusan del Norte province.
Mazo said, the OCS, as the secretariat of the National Task Group on
Resource Management and Logistics ensures the availability of resources,
supplies and facilities for the COVID -19 response operations of the
government.
Meanwhile, Mazo disclosed that they had catered more than 5,000
calls and requests from stranded individuals in the different areas of the
country.
Mazo added that even after the management of these requests was already
turned over to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-
Caraga, they still respond to queries and referred to the DILG for appropriate
intervention. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao
del Sur receives test kits, PPEs
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 31 (PIA) -- The Office of the Civil
Defense (OCD) in Caraga Region has distributed rapid test kits and personal
protective equipment (PPEs) in Surigao del Sur, an official from the Provincial
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said.
According to PDRRMO chief Abel de Guzman, the province was among
the recipients of the 5,250 rapid test kits and PPEs from OCD on May 12, 2020.
De Guzman said it will be distributed to the city governments of
Tandag and Bislig and Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center (ASTMMC).
Earlier this month, OCD has delivered medical supplies composed of 280
sets of PPEs; 52 face shields; 84 goggles; 2,400 pieces of gloves; and 11,080
face masks (2,780 pieces of KN95 masks, and 8,300 pieces of surgical face
masks).
The said medical supplies were distributed by the provincial government
to the ASTMMC, Andres Soriano Memorial Hospital, Isidro M. Orlan Memorial
Clinic and Hospital Inc., five district hospitals, four community hospitals,
and 19 local DRMM offices.
Last May 18, OCD delivered another set of medical supplies composed of
440 protective suits, 440 disposable isolation gowns, 440 headcovers, 440 KN95
masks, 440 goggles, and 440 surgical face masks.
Based on the report, the said supplies will be given to the Provincial
Health Office-PESU, Provincial DOH-Office, Andres Soriano Memorial Hospital,
five district hospitals, and four community hospitals of the
province. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
AgSur farmers
to get P125.8-M support under RRP
By Rhea Abao
BUTUAN CITY, May 31 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Caraga is
providing rice seeds and fertilizer subsidies to farmers in the region for the
wet cropping season.
Considered as the region’s rice-producing province, Agusan del Sur will
be getting P125.8-Million or 60 percent of the P207-Million allocated budget in
the region through the Rice Resiliency Project (RRP).
The project targets to increase local rice production through the use of
high-quality seeds and sufficient fertilization based on recommendations.
An estimated 30,000 rice farmers covering 32,277 hectares in the
province will benefit under the three subprojects - Rice Competitiveness
Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Enhanced, the Expanded Inbred Rice Production, and the
Expanded Hybrid Rice Production.
In time with the celebration of the Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Month,
DA-Caraga Regional Technical Director for Operations Rebecca R. Atega leads the
ceremonial turnover of the RRP interventions to Governor Santiago B. Cane, Jr.
of the Province of Agusan del Sur held at Datu Makapandong, Naliyagan Grounds,
Prosperidad last May 26.
The local government unit's participation in aligning their actions with
RRP is vital in the success of the implementation of the project.
“We are ready to help to make this project work. We are committed to
expanding our agriculture extension support for the benefit of our farmers here
in the province,” said Governor Cane.
According to DA Secretary William D. Dar, with the support mechanism
properly in place and the policy support laid on the ground, RRP will attain
its intended results.
In the region, around 60,000 rice farmers from the five provinces will
be assisted by the RRP. (DA-Caraga-RAFIS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
P62.5M to support ECQ
affected Caraga farmers, fisherfolk
By Fretcher Magatao
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, May 31 -- The Department of Agriculture
through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) allocates P62.5
million assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in Caraga whose incomes were
affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The loanable fund is under DA’s Ahon Lahat Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Kontra
sa COVID-19 or the Expanded SURE Aid and Recovery Project (SURE COVID-19).
This emergency and recovery credit assistance program would respond to
the needs of the marginalized small farmers and fisherfolk (MSFF) and
agri-fishery based micro and small enterprises (MSE).
Under the SURE COVID-19 loan program, eligible farmers and fisherfolk
may borrow up to P25,000 per household, with no collateral, zero interest, and
payable in 10 years.
“The fund would help our farmers and fisherfolk recover from their
losses during this quarantine period,” said DA-Caraga regional executive
director Abel James I. Monteagudo.
Monteagudo said that this initiative from the DA helps our food
producers continue their agri-fishery activities and contribute to a sustained
food production.
The available loanable fund for the region can cater to at least 2,500
farmers and fisherfolk and DA-ACPC targets to release the funds by the end of
May 2020.
On the other hand, eligible MSEs may avail of up to P10 million, zero
interest, and payable in five years. These enterprises may be a single
proprietorship, partnership, corporation, cooperative, or association.
DA will prioritize the MSEs that will supply the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita
outlets or the ones that participate the Kadiwa on Wheels that serve the
identified barangays in different municipalities and cities in the region.
The Kadiwa on Wheels is a DA-initiated marketing strategy where MSEs,
farmers’ and fisherfolk’s groups sell their produce directly to the place of
the consumers at reasonable prices.
DA-ACPC records a total of 10 MSE applicants so far from all over the
region. It taps its network of partner lending conduits to implement the SURE
COVID-19 loan program.
The partner conduits include rural banks, cooperative banks,
cooperatives, and viable non-government organizations (NGOs) and associations
that provide accessible and affordable credit to the borrowers in the
countryside. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
OCD-Caraga, namahagi
ng test kits, PPE sets sa mga probinsiya
By Venus L. Garcia
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, May 31 (PIA) -- Sa gitna ng banta ng pandemya,
tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang laban ng pamahalaan kontra coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19).
Kaya naman ay siniguro ng Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga ang
mabilisang pamamahagi ang rapid test kits at personal protective equipment o
PPE sets sa lahat ng probinsya ng Caraga.
Ang nasabing OCD-procured rapid test kits ay naideliver kasabay ng
pagbisita ni National Action Plan Against COVID-19 chief implementer Sec.
Carlito Galvez, Jr. nitong buwan ng Mayo sa rehiyon.
Ayon kay OCD-Caraga regional director Liza Mazo, umabot ng 17,800 rapid
test kits at 2,000 sets ng personal protective equipment ang naipaabot ng
ahensya at napapakinabangan na sa ngayon ng mga frontliner at health
institution.
“Ang OCD ay naatasan na pamunuan ang Logistics Cluster. Pinirmahan din
ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte and administratve order na nag-uutos sa aming
ahensya na tumanggap at mag-coordinate sa mga donasyon na medisina, medical
supplies at equipment sa ating pamahalaan. Sa ngayon ay tapos na tayo sa
pamamahagi sa mga probinsiya,” sabi ni Mazo.
Nagpapasalamat naman ang mga lokal na pamahalaan sa mga lungsod at
probinsiya sa rehiyon sa pamamagitan ng kanilang Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Office sa suportang natanggap.
“Kami sa Agusan del Norte ay nakatanggap nan g 2,500 Rapid Test kits at
PPE. Nagpapasalamat tao dahil malaking tulong din ito sa aming probinsiya,”
sabi ni Jorge Vincent Pagaran, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) manager
ng Agusan del Norte province.
Dagdag pa ni Mazo, ang OCD, bilang secretariat of the National Task
Group on Resource Management and Logistics ay sinisiguro nito ang availability
ng resources, supplies at pasilidad para for COVID-19 response operations ng
gobyerno.
Ayon kay Mazo, umabot na rin ng mahigit limang libong tawag na ang
kanilang natugonan galing sa mga stranded na indibidwal sa iba’t ibang parte ng
bansa. Bagama’t naiturn-over na sa Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG)-Caraga ang tungkulin ay patuloy pa rin anya ang kanilang
pagtanggap ng queries at ipapaabot nila ito sa DILG para sa mabilisan at tamang
aksyon.
Maliban pa sa puspusang COVID-19 response, patuloy na koordinasyon, at
pag generate ng daily situation report ay abala din sa paghahanda ang
OCD-Caraga sa tag-ulan lalo na’t kadalasang nakakaapekto ito sa agri-fishery
activities sa rehiyon. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Mining companies sa
Caraga, tumulong sa mga apektadong komunidad
By Venus L. Garcia
LUNGSOD NG SURIGAO, Surigao del Norte, May 31 (PIA) -- Sa gitna ng
pagsubok na nararanasan ng bansa dulot ng coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),
ang mining companies sa buong rehiyon ng Caraga ay nagtutulungan sa diwa ng
bayanihan.
Ito ay alinsunod na rin sa memorandum na inilabas ni Mines and
Geosciences Bureau (MGB) acting director Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano na
nagpahintulot na i-realign ang unutilized funds ng kanilang social development
and management program (SDMP) upang masuportahan ang apektadong mga komunidad.
Base sa rekord noong Mayo 27, umabot na sa mahigit P125 milyong piso ang
narealign ng 17 mining companies sa Caraga kung saan mahigit P106.8 milyon na
nito ang nagamit.
“Base sa nasabing guidelines ito ay naglalayong suportahan ang
apektadong impact at non-impact na mga komunidad dulot ng COVID-19,” sabi ni
MGB-13 regional director Glenn Marcelo Noble.
Kabilang sa naipamahagi sa mga mining at non-mining communities at
frontliners ay personal protective equipment, hygiene kits, disinfectants,
medical supplies, medicines, vitamins at medical apparatus, food supplies at
packs, assorted vegetable seeds, survival garden kits, service ambulance, truck
at mga banka.
Nakatanggap din ng relief packs ang indigenous peoples community na
Mamanwa.
Tutulong rin ang mga minahan sa pagpapatayo ng isolation rooms para
magamit sa lokalidad.
Nagsagawa pa ng disinfection sa mga host communities at pinapagamit ang
kanilang mga shuttle buses upang matugonan ang problema sa transportasyon ng
mga residente.
Sa munisipyo ng Claver, Surigao del Norte, natugonan din ang problema ng
mga magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng farm equipment.
Ang mga empleyado ng MGB-13 ay nag ambag-ambag din ng pera mula sa
kanilang sariling bulsa na umaabot ng P166,000 at ito ay ibinigay bilang cash
assistance sa Surigao del Norte Medical Society.
Samantala, ang isa sa pinakamalaking mining companies sa Surigao del
Norte ay nakapag-ambag na ng P8.1 milyon kung saan 7,000 na pamilya o 35,000 na
indibidwal ang nakinabang sa relief assistance. (SDR/VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
92 stranded OFWs,
nakauwi na sa kani-kanilang lugar sa Caraga region
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Mayo 31 (PIA) -- Sa tulong ng Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration (OWWA) Caraga at iba pang kinauukulang ahensiya, maayos
na nakauwi ang 92 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) na na-stranded sa National
Capital Region (NCR) at Cebu City mula pa noong Marso.
Ayon kay OWWA-Caraga regional director Ma. Irene Cambaling, dumaan sa
rapid testing at iba pang health protocols ang nasabing OFWs sa lugar na
kanilang pinanggalingan at nag-negatibo ang mga ito sa coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19).
Kaya agad namang isinaayos ng OWWA ang kakailanganing dokumento para
makauwi na sila sa kani-kanilang probinsya Caraga region.
Sakay ng M/V St. Francis Xavier ng 2Go Shipping, maingat na sinalubong
ang repatriated OFWs sa Nasipit Port, Agusan del Norte at isa-isang
dumaan sa health protocols sa tulong na rin ng mga kawani ng Philippine Ports
Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police
(PNP), at iba pa.
Lubos ang pasasalamat ni Algi Mark CasiΓ±ero, isa sa mga umuwing OFWs na
residente sa probinsya ng Surigao del Norte dahil sa tulong ng gobyerno at sa
pagsigurong ligtas ang kanilang pagbiyahe pauwi sa Caraga region. “Maraming
salamat sa ating gobyerno at hindi nila kami pinabayaan, at sa ayudang ibinigay
nila sa amin,” sabi niya.
Suportado naman ito ng mga local government units (LGUs) na naghanda ng
kani-kanilang sasakyan para sa OFWs na sabik nang makauwi sa kanilang pamilya.
Para naman sa iba pang stranded Caraganon OFWs na hindi alam kung saan
hihingi ng tulong, nanawagan si Dir. Cambaling na makipag-ugnayan ang mga ito
sa kanilang LGU upang mabigyan ng acceptance certificate at maari ring tumawag
sa hotline - 09173150590 ng kanilang opisina o magpadala ng mensahe sa kanilang
Facebook account upang makuha ang detalye ng mga ito.
Dagdag pa ng opisyal, may tulong na din na nakahanda ang Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE) at OWWA para sa bawat OFW na pansamantalang natigil
ang trabaho abroad dahil sa krisis na dulot ng COVID-19.
“Ang OWWA ay patuloy na tutulong sa mga kababayan nating OFWs na napauwi
muna dahil na rin sa banta ng COVID-19. Patuloy din ang ating koordinasyon sa
mga lokal na pamahalaan upang matutukan din nila ang kondisyon ng mga OFWs at
masigurong ligtas ang mga ito,” ani ni Cambaling.
Ang mga dumating na OFWs sa Caraga region ay muling sasailalim sa 14-day
quarantine batay na rin sa direktiba ng kani kanilang lokal na pamahalaan.
Samantala, inaasahan na marami pang OFWs ang uuwi sa Caraga region sa
mga susunod na araw. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
51 stranded
Hinatuanons return home
BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 31 -- The local government unit (LGU)
of Hinatuan facilitated and fetched again another stranded Hinatuanons on May
29.
Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) chief
James Soria personally met with them at the provincial boundary.
All of the 51 stranded individuals brought with them approved travel
authority from the Philippine National Police and medical certificate from the
City/Municipal Health Office, from their point of origin.
They were dropped off at the municipal quarantine facility for mandatory
14-day quarantine after the orientation by the personnel of the Municipal
Health Office (MHO) led by MHO chief Dr. Emelie S. Viola.
It can be recalled that the local government first staged the
Balik-Hinatuan: Oplan Sundo program on May 13 where 21 stranded Hinatuanons
from Davao City were fetched and returned home after the LGU strictly complied
to the protocols and processes of assisting the locally stranded individuals
(LSIs).
Mayor Shem G. Garay, who also met with the returnees at the quarantine
facility, stressed that Hinatuan is accepting the entry of LSIs coming from
outside the Hinatuan but on the staggered basis because of the limitations of
its quarantine facilities. (LGU-Hinatuan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Programang Balik
Probinsya ng gobyerno, dama ng mga Caraganon
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Mayo 31 (PIA) -- Sa mas pinaigting na implementasyon
ng Balik Probinsya Program ng gobyerno, dama ng mga Caraganon ang tunay na
hangarin ng pamahalaan na mapauwi na sa rehiyon ang mga nastranded nilang
kababayan sa ibang lugar ng bansa.
Sa sunod-sunod na pagdating ng mga Caraganon stranded local individuals
sa rehiyon mula sa National Capital Region at Cebu City, lubos ang kanilang
pasasalamat sa maayos at ligtas nilang pag-uwi, gayundin sa binigay na cash
assistance mula sa ibat-ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan.
“Maayos naman ang biyahe namin pauwi dito sa Butuan mula Cebu City, yun
nga lang marami talagang requirements at mahaba yung proseso,” pahayag ni Romeo
Aaguilar, isa sa mga na-stranded na taga Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
Ayon kay Freida Judith Milan, ang officer-in-charge/Zone Manager ng
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), maraming Caraganon ang dumulog sa
kanilang ahensiya para humingi ng tulong at agad naman itong tinugunan.
Ani ni Milan, ilang batches o grupo ng mga stranded local individuals na
rin ang kanilang natulungang makabalik sa kani- kanilang probinsya at kabilang
dito ay mga estudyante.
Patuloy din ang ibinibigay na suporta ng bawat lokal na pamahalaan sa
mga stranded local individuals na residente ng kanilang lugar.
Dagdag pa ni Milan, tumanggap din ng tig-3,000 pesos ang bawat isa mula
sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at 1,500 pesos naman
mula kay 1st district representative Lawrence Fortun para sa mga taga Butuan
City at Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.
Pagtitiyak din ni Milan, na ang lahat ng nagbalik-probinsya ay dumaan sa
health protocols ng Department of Health (DOH) at iba pang kinauukulang
ahensiya. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
MCCT beneficiary
shares SAP grants to needy
Today, the world is still filled with the horrors of the coronavirus
disease (COVID-19) pandemic. During this time of crisis, most people would only
care about their safety and food security. However, in a small purok in
Barangay Carpenito, lives a Mandaya woman who has a charitable heart for the
needy.
Robilyn, 29, is married to Marven Coralde since 2010. They are blessed
with four children namely Marbabes, Marlyn Rose, Mark Robven, and Marven Jr.
They have been living in the municipality of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur for 10
years already, but she is originally from Cebu City.
She did not finish any degree and was not able to secure a decent job.
Her husband is currently working in Laguna as a construction worker earning a
minimum wage of P7,000.00 a month. Thus, she has to attend to the needs of
their four children alone; but she doesn’t see this as a burden.
“Usahay naay mga panahon nga lisod. Pero kung unsa ang mapadala sa akong
bana, amo kining paiguan para sa mga panginahanglanon, labi na sa mga bata
(There are times when it gets really hard. But whatever my husband sends us, we
make sure we budget it properly, especially to address our children’s need),”
she shared.
As a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for 4
years now, Robilyn ably manages their resources well. But the coming of
COVID-19 is a different story. Due to the strict implementation of the enhanced
community quarantine in almost all Regions, her husband cannot immediately
provide their needs like before because his work was affected.
Fortunately, the National Government timely actions, especially in the
implementation of the Emergency Subsidy Program (ESP) under the Social
Amelioration Programs (SAP), they were able to survive. All 4Ps beneficiaries
were automatically covered by the program as eligible recipients of the said
subsidy. This was a breather to Robilyn, who during the time of the declaration
of community quarantine mid- March, was so worried of the welfare of her
family.
After withdrawing the subsidy amounting to P3,650 (rice subsidy and
health grant not included), she immediately bought groceries and a sack of
rice. Her close neighbors, who happened to be members of the program too, told
her to save a portion of the subsidy because the community quarantine might be
extended. Little did they know that she was up to something remarkable.
From what Robilyn bought, she packed 3-5 kilos of rice, coffee,
sardines, and noodles. After that, she gave it to their neighbors who were
greatly affected by the quarantine. When asked why she did it despite being
needy herself, she said it was just right sharing her blessings.
It is just so ironic that those who have less, and are also affected by
the pandemic would be the ones to selflessly share the little that they have.
It is amazing how those who are less fortunate in life – those who have less,
are actually the ones who give more.
“Nabati nako ang ilang kalisod. Wala ko naguol sa mga ginikanan kay
mukaon man sila og bisan unsa. Ang akong gikagul-an ang ilang mga bata. Mao nga
nakadesisyon mi sa akong bana nga mutabang sa mga naglisod bisan sa gamay nga
pamaagi (I felt their struggles. I am not worried of the needs of the
adults/parents, but I worried about the children. That’s why my husband and I
decided to help them even in our own little way),” she ended with a smile.
(Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Hitting the mark with
the right click
What started as a passion for fixing things turned a small-scale
computer technician into an owner of a multi-brand authorized service center in
the city.
Born in Samal Island, Davao del Norte, Richard Y. Talisic had a
childhood that revolved around electronics and computers. Growing up to a
father who is a former trainer of then National Manpower and Youth Council, he
started repairing computers and doing electrical works to earn money for his
school needs at 17. He eventually worked as a computer technician at Computer
World Marketing in Davao City for 5 years before moving to Tandag City, Surigao
del Sur in 1997 to be with his wife, Vilma Rose.
Taking the first step
At the early years of marriage, the couple struggled financially not
having enough money and savings to sustain their daily needs. To support his
family, Richard took odd jobs fixing computers and home appliances of their
neighbors and friends. The high demand for computer technicians at that time
gave Richard good pay enough to afford a small space to rent. This prompted the
couple to start their own service center in 2013 with a five-thousand peso
capital.
With the establishment of their center, more customers started availing
of their services. Vilma involved herself in the business as head of the
operations. But with her lack of knowledge in managing a business, she decided
to seek the help of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
It was in the year 2014 that Ryt Click Electronic Parts &
Services was finally registered.
No gains without pain
Like any other start-ups, there were challenges faced by the couple in
running their business.
As Richard got hired as Medical Equipment Technician at Caraga Regional
Hospital in Surigao City, he lost focus and time for the center. There were
delays in the servicing and this caused damage to their reputation and loss of
their major clients. They also had to deal with customers’ attitudes and
demands for immediate actions on their requests. To resolve these issues, they
hired technical staff to assist in the servicing and sale of electronic parts.
However, the business operation and management became too complicated
for them since they lack sufficient knowledge in effectively running a
business. They started incurring losses and the employee turnover was quite
high.
This experience motivated Vilma Rose to participate in the first batch
of DTI’s Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) Program. Through the coaching and mentoring
sessions with the Angelpreneurs, she learned the strategies and techniques in
business management. She even came up with an improvement plan to guide her in
making major decisions for the company.
The turning point
Guided by their mantra, “our unhappy customers are our greatest source
of learning,” they eventually got back the trust and loyalty of their customers
by ensuring customer satisfaction with every service.
They finally got their big break in year 2016 when Ryt Click Electronic
Parts & Services became an Authorized Service Center in Samsung Electronics
Philippines Corporation. It was soon followed by certifications from LG
Electronics and Concepcion Carrier Air Conditioning Company in 2018 and just
recently from Koppel, Inc. These boosted their company image as the most
preferred service center in the locality. With this distinction, they were able
to penetrate other markets reaching as far as Surigao City taking up 30% of
their total market share.
They have now expanded their products and services to include
direct-to-home satellite TV installation and repairs, air conditioning
installation and repairs and e-loading services.
Looking forward
Today, the company has a total of 10 employees, five of whom are administrative
staff and five are trained brand technicians.
”Gusto nako nga mo-expand dyud mi and maka-construct og own building
namo conducive para sa among mga customers ug mga empleyado (We wish to expand
this business and construct our own building that is conducive for our
customers and employees),” Vilma said.
Vilma is grateful for the assistance of DTI-Surigao del Sur from the
start of their business until today.
“You are God’s chosen people to help and assist small entrepreneurs like
us,” she said, adding that they will continue to operate to generate jobs
and help the community. (DTI Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
