Sen. Go provides aid
to fire victims in Butuan City
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 16 -- The team of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go
distributed food packs, cash assistance, masks, face shields, vitamins, medicines,
and meals to 69 fire victims from Barangays San Ignacio, Doongan and Dumalagan
in this city on Wednesday, October 14.
The fire incidents in these barangays happened on different dates.
“Mayroon akong kaunting ipinadala na financial assistance sa inyo.
Mayroon din akong food packs na ipinadala, masks, at face shields kaya suotin
ninyo ang mga 'yan dahil delikado pa ang panahon sa ngayon. Kailangan
mag-social distancing tayo at maghugas ng mga kamay, at kung hindi naman
kinakailangan ay 'wag ng lumabas ng mga bahay,” Go told the beneficiaries.
The team also handed out bicycles to selected recipients to help them in
their daily commute to work. They also provided tablet computers to other
individuals to be used for the online classes of their children.
“Mayroon din akong ipinadala riyan sa inyo na bisikleta para magamit
ninyo sa trabaho. Mayroon din akong ipinadala na mga tablets diyan para magamit
ng mga anak ninyo. Sa mga bata na nakikinig ngayon, mag-aral kayo nang mabuti
dahil ito lamang ang tanging kasiyahan ng inyong mga magulang,” he added.
The National Housing Agency also identified 52 out of the 69
beneficiaries for their Emergency Housing Assistance Program. Assistance will
be provided to help fire victims buy materials to build their new home.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health provided hygiene kits, vitamins,
food packs, and containers, while the Department of Social Welfare and
Development also distributed financial assistance to the beneficiaries.
In addition, the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor
and Employment, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
profiled and assessed potential beneficiaries for their Pangkabuhayan sa
Pagbangon at Ginhawa Program, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating
Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program, and Training and Scholarship,
respectively. (OSBG/PIA-Caraga)
Army welcomes newborn
baby of former NPA Amazon
By 1Lt Roel T. Maglalang
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, Oct. 16 -- An 18-year-old pregnant former
member of the New People’s Army (NPA) amazon successfully delivers her first
baby on October 9, 2020 at the Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital in Barangay
Libertad, Butuan City.
It was late in the evening when Alias Wena felt the pain in her tummy as
a sign that she will be giving birth to her first baby. She was then assisted
by the troops of the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23rd IB), Philippine
Army and immediately brought to the hospital.
Alias Wena (true name withheld for security reason) serves as the Squad
Medic of SYP SIKOP, Guerrilla Front-4A, North Central Mindanao Regional
Committee (NCMRC) for nearly two years. She was lured and recruited by the
Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) at the young age of 16. She had big dreams in
life but realized that she could not finish her studies because of poverty. To
pursue her dreams, she applied as a working student and studied at Buenavista
National High School in Agusan del Norte.
Unfortunately, she was not able to finish her schooling because the
leaders of the CNTs destroyed her life and killed her dreams and ambitions. She
was easily lured by the CNTs also because her father and her two other brothers
were also active members of the armed group. In other words, her entire family
was ruined by the CNTs by taking the most important foundation of their family
which was her father-the person who should guide, protect, take care and look
after them while they grow.
Alias Wena together with her companion Alias Apay who was also pregnant
was rescued by the troops of 23IB in Barangay Guinabsan, Buenavista, Agusan del
Norte way back May 16, 2020. They then stayed inside the Masigasig Happy Home
and were assisted and monitored by the FR NCO especially during their prenatal,
ultrasound, and other necessary activities to make sure that they will deliver
their babies healthily. The unit also made sure that they can avail of all the
assistance and benefits offered by the government for the FRs.
Alias Wena thanked the government especially the PSWD, PLGU Agusan
Norte, and the 23IB, and other line government agencies who never failed to
extend assistance to them especially to her who is bearing her first child. She
needed a peaceful environment, nutritious foods, and must not be stressed as
being pregnant is so sensitive to stressful environments. Unfortunately, her
husband, who was also a member of the CNT, already passed away. She needs to
stand on her own but luckily, the government is always ready to help her anytime.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C Paulo, the Acting Commander of 23IB
happily welcomed the newborn baby. He expressed gladness upon knowing the baby
was successfully and healthily delivered despite the pandemic that we are
facing.
“I am glad that another blessing enters inside our Battalion. While the
NPAs are only good in destroying families, your army and the government will
mend what the NPAs have broken especially the families,” Paulo said.
He added that Alias Wena was one of the survivors in the encounter that
transpired in Sitio Likudon, Brgy Kamanikan, Gingoog City way back May 10,
2020, wherein 15 NPA combatants were killed in action and Alias Nady (their
comrade), a pregnant NPA Amazon was one of the casualties.
“Indeed, coming back to the folds of the law is the most wonderful thing
that the FRs can give to themselves especially for the Amazon because it is so
dangerous for them. You are destined to be the light of your families to guide
your children. You are not supposed to be suffering in the mountains to fight
against the government without gaining any profit,” Paulo said. (CMO Officer,
23IB, 4ID, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
DBP backs public
transport sector recovery
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 16 -- State-run Development Bank of the Philippines
(DBP) is working with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in coming up with
financial interventions to help the transportation sector get back on track
after reeling from the ill-effects of the pandemic, a top official said.
DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel G. Herbosa said the
assistance includes government subsidies to public utility vehicle (PUV) operators
to cover revenue gaps during the period when a temporary ban on PUVs were
imposed as part of community lockdowns.
“DBP is one with the DOTr and LTFRB in finding suitable and sustainable
solutions to assist the transport sector as it steadily begins to recover from
the devastating losses spawned by this pandemic,” Herbosa said.
DBP is the seventh largest bank in the country in terms of assets and
provides credit support to four strategic sectors of the economy –
infrastructure and logistics, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs),
social services and community development, and the environment.
The bank’s assistance to the transport sector would be implemented
through its Rehabilitation Support on Severe Events (RESPONSE) program, which
extends financing support for the rehabilitation efforts of both public and
private firms adversely affected by calamities such as the latest national
public health emergency.
As of end-June, DBP has provided a total of P19.16-billion in credit
assistance and payment deferment under DBP RESPONSE, which benefitted 606
clients of which 19 clients are from the transport sector.
Herbosa said DBP recognizes the essential role of the transport sector
in the country’s economic recovery as it caters mostly to workers belonging to
the MSME sector, which is considered the backbone of the local economy.
He said industry stakeholders should collaborate and muster the needed
resources to implement innovative approaches and adapt to new regulations to
ensure the health and safety of commuters.
“This an opportune time for the public transport sector to examine its future role in the country’s mass transportation system while optimizing available resources to meet the growing demand for cleaner and more efficient modes of transport,” Herbosa said. (DBP/PIA Caraga)
