LGU-Surigao Norte to
assist stranded Surigaonons
By Venus L. Garcia
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, May 7 (PIA) -- For the stranded
students, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and seafarers who hold up hope of
returning home to the areas in Surigao del Norte province, Gov. Francisco
“Lalo” Matugas assured during the Laging Handa Network Briefing today that the
province is making ready of its facilities for the arriving locals.
Matugas said the provincial government is on the works in providing
necessary interventions. He advised the stranded persons to contact their
respective municipal mayors and relay their concerns for verification,
arrangement, and provision of the needed financial support.
The local government of Surigao del Norte opts to approach the matter
systematically, identifying and verifying these individuals so as to ensure
that the interventions will be served to the rightful recipients.
“The LGU is willing to extend support and accommodate their safe return.
It is very timely also because as we shifted to the general community
quarantine (GCQ), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has proposed the
Hatid-Estudyante program. We know that the parents of these students are much
worried already about their situation, so just please coordinate with the LGU
and contact the DOTr Emergency Operations Center through the hotline numbers
provided posted on their official Facebook page,” said Matugas.
While the delay has caused apprehension, Matugas assured the public that
they are continuously working on the matter. He said that protocols are in
place wherein arriving residents will be required to undergo a rapid test and
be housed in a prepared facility before going back to their respective homes.
(VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Agusan
Norte youths unite vs COVID19
By Nora C. Lanuza
BUTUAN CITY, May 7 (PIA) -- With the aim to prevent the coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) from spreading, youths of the province of Agusan del
Norte have united their efforts to fight the said pandemic.
Keefe Blue R. Leonar, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President
of the province of Agusan del Norte said during the Laging Handa Network
Briefing hosted by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)
Secretary Martin Andanar that they have supported the efforts of the provincial
government not just in the fight against the virus but also in other activities
that could make them responsible citizens in the future.
Leonar said SK members and officials in the different municipalities
have assisted the local government units in the distribution of relief packs to
qualified families and households.
According to Leonar, they have also distributed a total of 5,500 pieces
of face masks to the 10 municipalities and in Cabadbaran City through the
concerned local SK officials and members and helped in the distribution of food
packs to frontliners manning the checkpoints.
He said that all the local government units in the Agusan del Norte have
received 500 pieces of face masks intended for their frontlines, barangay
health workers, barangay tanods and other individuals involved in the fight
against the disease. They also distributed IEC materials to different
areas, added Leonar.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the SK members and officials of the
province, saying that in this time of crisis, they were cooperative and
supportive in the initiatives of the federation. He was also thankful to the
provincial and municipal officials led by Governor Dale B. Corvera for their
guidance and assistance in performing their tasks.
"We cannot perform our duties and responsibilities as SK members
without the guidance of our officials. We cannot be as responsible as we are
now, without them," Leonar said. He also called on his fellow youths to be
a responsible and be productive even this time of crisis.
Also, in order to make the youth more productive during the quarantine
period, Leonar said that the SK Federation of the province of Agusan del Norte
in partnership with the Agusan Up Coordinating Center also helped in the
distribution of seeds to the different the municipalities of the province. The
municipal SK Federations have also established the "Gulayan ng
Kabataan" in their respective areas.
On May 1, Governor Dale B. Corvera through Executive Order No. 23 now
placed the province of Agusan del Norte under general community quarantine with
no confirmed COVID-19 case. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
DSWD chief asks LGUs
to help protect SAP implementers in barangays
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, May 7 (PIA) -- Amid the threat posed by the coronavirus
disease (COVID-19) in the country, the government never ceases to provide
assistance to the affected families from the national down to the regional and
barangay levels.
However, the field workers from the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) Caraga who conducted the cash distribution for the Social
Amelioration Program (SAP) in the barangays have encountered challenges and
received threats from the locals particularly those who were not included in
the list of target beneficiaries.
During the Laging Handa Network Briefing on Thursday, May 7 hosted by
Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office
(PCOO), Secretary Rolando Bautista of DSWD said that the central office was
aware of the situation and has coordinated with the law enforcement agencies
for their safety and security in the field.
Citing the recent incident involving a social welfare development
officer in Siargao Island who was almost killed by a senior citizen who
insisted to be part of the list of SAP beneficiaries, Sec. Bautista clarified
that the legal action has been taken against the suspect/perpetrator.
He further asked the local government units in Caraga to also help
protect the DSWD/MSWD personnel who courageously travel even the farthest
barangays just to conduct the payouts to the beneficiaries affected by the
COVID-19 pandemic.
“Let us help the local social welfare development officer and the rest
of the DSWD personnel and support them as they continue to perform their duties
and responsibilities in the barangays. We contacted the Philippine National
Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to provide
security for our frontliners,” bared Bautista.
Meanwhile, Sec. Bautista revelaed that P81.7-billion fund was already
downloaded to some 1,518 local government units nationwide, which means that
99.57 percent of the budget were already distributed to the LGUs. “There is
already a total of P75.2-billion distributed to 13.6 billion beneficiaries
under the Social Amelioration Program,” he said.
It was also learned that per latest report of DSWD-Caraga, of the 73
LGUs, there are 73 LGUs or 100% that have already conducted payout with a total
number of 304,223 beneficiaries served amounting to ₱1,521,115,000.00 or a total of 99.71 percent. As for Pantawid Pamilya,
there were 6,030 households paid through the DSWD Special Disbursing Officers
in 70 cities/municipalities.
Further, there were seven LGUs that have already submitted their
liquidation report to the field office. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
AgSur youths respond
to crisis situation on COVID-19
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
This was the statement of Doreen Pamile Miro-Daigdigan, Sangguniang
Kabataan (SK) Federation President of Agusan del Sur, as she joined the Laging
Handa Network Briefing hosted by Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential
Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Thursday, May 7.
Daigdigan cited the SK Federation in the province has conducted donation
drive through their Facebook account, wherein they encouraged people to donate
goods and other items that would help locals from their daily needs.
“We solicit donations from the private sector and other individuals to
provide medical and food supply for the people who are greatly affected by the
COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.
She added that information drive on COVID-19 is ongoing in the different
barangays so that people will remain well-informed about the disease and how
the government address the pressing issues and concerns, as they obey the
“stay-at-home” policy to avert the spread of the disease.
“We maximized the dissemination of the information from the Department
of Health by translating it to local dialect (Cebuano) for people to have
better understanding on COVID-19,” said Daigdigan.
Meanwhile, to address the needs of the senior citizens or elderly
persons, Daigdigan highlighted that the SK chairpersons in the barangays have
distributed medical and hygiene kits. “We have volunteers who also helped in us
repacking these relief goods to the locals,” she said.
She also highlighted the important role of the youths in taking care of
their families so that they would remain safe and protected against the spread
of the disease, instead of going outside their house for personal enjoyment and
recreation.
The lady SK Federation president further expressed her thanks and
appreciation to all the frontliners in the province who continue to provide the
needed services to the people affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, and
acknowledged all the working officials not only in Agusan del Sur but also in
Caraga region in general for continuously implementing the policies and
measures so people can survive the crisis situation. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Surigao Norte beefs
up agri sector amid pandemic
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY, May 7 (PIA) – To maintain the unhampered production of food
supply for the locals, Surigao del Norte continues to boost local agriculture
through food production programs initiated by the local officials.
In an interview with Surigao del Norte Provincial Governor Francisco
Matugas during today’s Laging Handa Network Briefing with Presidential 
Communications Operations Office
(PCOO) Sec. Martin Andanar, the governor bared that they created projects to
boost the province’s agriculture amid the pandemic.
Communications Operations Office
(PCOO) Sec. Martin Andanar, the governor bared that they created projects to
boost the province’s agriculture amid the pandemic.
One of these is the “Hardin sa Pagbabago,” which promotes backyard
gardening, urging locals to grow their own food as the health crisis continues.
The provincial government has initiated the distribution of seedlings. Idle
lots will be used for the said purpose.
Governor Matugas credits the program to the chief of police of General
Luna in Siargao Island PCapt. Wise Vicente Panuelos, who initially launched the
program in the General Luna town.
The provincial government is now aiming to have the program implemented
across Surigao del Norte.
“I see that the program is very successful hence our goal to have this
implemented in the entire province,” the governor added.
The provincial government has also allotted P10million to purchase rice
produced by local farmers. Governor Matugas added that they have released
P2million to purchase harvested rice in case the demand fluctuates.
The governor also expressed that they are looking forward to establish a
local farm tourism.
In addition, local fishing operations are now thriving after a momentary
suspension due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)
in Caraga region. Siargao Island is now supplying fish and fish products to
Surigao City, the province’s mainland. Livestock distribution is also being
implemented.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Sec. William Dar lauded the governor for
their efforts to amp up their local agriculture. The department is in full
support of their initiatives and stated that the DA regional office in Caraga
will provide necessary assistance to both their backyard gardening program and
livestock distribution, with DA Caraga Regional Executive Assistant Abel
Monteagudo facilitating the said initiative.
Apart from the cash assistance provided by the agency to over 1,000
farmers in Surigao del Norte, DA will provide certified seeds and fertilizers
through their National Rice Program, which aims to sustain technology-based
rice production. Training will also be provided for the farmers.
They are also focused on helping local and commercial farmers to support
their livelihood. After the “Kadiwa on Wheels,” the department launched the
eKadiwa, a digital marketing application to enable the selling of agricultural
products online.
Sec. Dar has expressed the willingness of the department to help the
initiatives in the agriculture sector by local governments to secure the
continuous production of food supply. The pandemic has definitely compelled the
government further to push for the implementation of the “Plant, Plant, Plant”
project.
To ensure effective implementation, they will establish an integrity
circle to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the programs.
“The agriculture sector is one of the pillars of our economy. We are
doing whatever we can to maintain the movement of our agriculture, from
creating food production programs to enhancing transparency and good
governance. We wish for our camaraderie to continue to attain success in
implementing our projects,” the secretary added. (DMR/PIACaraga)
Mga Caraganons abala
sa pagtatanim ng gulay habang ipinapatupad ang community quarantine
By Nora C. Lanuza
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Mayo 7 (PIA) -- Naniniwala ang mga Caraganons na
malaki ang tulong ng pagtatanim ng gulay sa bakuran para magkaroon ng sapat na
pagkain ngayong patuloy ang banta ng coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Habang nasa bahay, sari-saring gulay ang kanilang
pinagkakaabalahan na itanim, gaya ng talong, kamatis, ampalaya, okra at marami
pang iba.
Tulad na lamang ni Danny Garces, na naapektuhan ang trabaho bilang
seaman dahil sa COVID-19 pandemic. Si Garces ay nakatakda sanang bumalik noong
buwan ng Marso pero hindi ito naging hadlang upang siya ay kumita ang naging
abala sa pagtatanim.
Para naman kay Romer Amante, isang empleyado ng gobyerno, ginawa niyang
produktibo ang kanyang oras pagkatapos ng kanyang trabaho lalo na sa araw ng sabado
at pati na rin linggo. Ayon sa kanya, bilang isang empleyado,
napakahalaga ng pagtatanim ng gulay.
Maliban kasi sa makakakain ng presko at masustansya gulay, makakatipid
ka pa dahil hindi na kailangan pang bumili nito.
Samantala, abala din ang Department of Agriculture Caraga sa pamimigay
ng seedlings sa mga gustong magtanim. At upang mas makaengganyo magtanim,
nagsagawa na rin ng kompetisyon ang nasabing ahensya at sa mga gustong sumali,
magpapadala lang ng larawan ng kanilang taniman at pipiliin ng ahensya kung
sino ang mananalo at bibigyan ng kaukulang premyo ang mga ito.
Dahil sa programang 'plant, plant, plant program' ng DA bilang
interbensyon, maraming pinoy ang naging positibo na magkakaroon ng sapat ng
pagkain kahit paman nasa COVID19 crisis ang lahat.
Maliban sa DA, namigay din ang probinsya ng Agusan del Norte sa
pamamagitan ng Provincial Agriculture Office at Agusan Up Coordinating Center,
ang Butuan City Agriculture Office at ng iba pang probinsya ng mga pananim na
gulay. (NCLM/PIA Caraga)
Agusan del Norte
nagpahiluna na sa COVID-19 recovery plan
DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Mayo 7 -- Kasamtangang nagpahiluna na ang Agusan del
Norte, ubos sa kadumalahan ni Gov. Dale B. Corvera, sa “COVID-19 Recovery Plan”
niini.
Sa tigum sa mga hepe sa opisina nga gipangunahan ni Provincial
Administrator Gerry Joey Laurito, gisugdan na pag-assess ang kahimtang sa
probinsya, preparasyon sa pagmontar sa tulo ka hugna nga plano sa gitawag nga
'Response, Mitigation and Transition to New Normal.'
Sa maong tigum gitan-aw sa mga nagpadagan sa mga opisina sa probinsya
ang nahimong impact nga dala sa Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), ilabina sa
mga nahimong problema niini.
Gitan-aw usab nila ang nahimong problema sa matag sector sama sa
agrikultura, edukasyon, employment, social, health, social protection ug
economic nga maoy himoan og aksyon sa maong plano.
Padayon pa og himo ang matag opisina sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka assessment
ug inisyal nga plano karon ug hiusahon kini sa sunod nga tigum. (K. Decamota,
Agusan up, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
