Butuan City farmers
benefit from the National Rice Technology Forum
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) -- The local government units of Caraga
region have started determining the variety of hybrid and inbred rice suitable
for planting in the different areas of the region.
A 100 hectares of rice paddy was utilized as demo farm during the
conduct of 11th national rice technology forum.
Twenty six variety of hybrid and inbred rice were planted for farmers to
know the best variety of grain that could also bring higher productivity.
Director Abel James Monteagudo, regional director of the Department of
Agriculture (DA) Caraga, stressed the need for the farmers to innovate and
learn the new trend in farming. “We will assess what variety would best fit and
be applied in the kind of soil that you have in your farm,” he said.
Joean Casison was grateful to have joined the forum for she was able to
learn the techniques, appropriate variety, and technology she could use in her
farm.
“We are now gearing towards producing hybrid rice because we have seen
its best result, which is far different from the inbred,” bared Casison.
Meanwhile, Ebenezer Basco of the Rice Technology Productivity,
Incorporated also urged the farmers to produce hybrid rice and maximize the use
of technology in farming.
“Our local government unit and the Department of Agriculture, together
with other stakeholders and private sector are working closely to resolve all
the issues and challenges in the field of agriculture in order to achieve
higher productivity and income,” Basco said.
DA Secretary William Dar is also optimistic that agriculture will be of
great help in uplifting the lives of the people in the country amid the
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
OWWA-Caraga assists
more than 6K returning OFWs
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 -- Amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) – Regional Welfare
Office Caraga continues to provide assistance to the returning overseas
Filipino workers (OFWs) upon their arrival at the Bancasi Airport and other
nearby port of entries in the Caraga region.
Of this number, 1,449 are residents of Butuan City; 1,271 from Agusan
del Norte; 1,065 from Agusan del Sur; 1,153 from Surigao del Norte; 1,346 from
Surigao del Sur; 138 from Dinagat Islands; and 115 from Misamis Oriental
(Region X).
The said OFWs strictly observed all the health and safety protocols
before they were allowed to board the plane and vessel that includes negative
Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test result to
mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The concerned local government units (LGUs) of the returning OFWs in the region were informed and coordinated beforehand in order to prepare their respective quarantine facilities and transport services that will ferry the OFWs from Butuan City going to their respective localities subject to the minimum health standards required in their area.
All returning OFWs are provided with free meals, food packs,
transportation assistance, and accommodation for those who need to wait for
their arranged transport service.
Apart from the repatriation of displaced and distressed OFWs, more than
ten human remains/cremains of deceased OFWs from Caraga region have also been
repatriated in coordination with their next of kin. Financial assistance for
the surviving dependents of the deceased OFWs was provided especially those
with active OWWA membership at the time of death.
The repatriation assistance was successfully provided through the
support and coordination with the members of the Regional Task Force (RTF) for
COVID-19 One Caraga Shield.
Also, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the OWWA Caraga
have so far released a total of P24,850,000 cash assistance to 2,485 approved
and qualified beneficiaries of the DOLE-AKAP for OFWs in the Caraga region, as
of November 4, 2020.
The OWWA-Caraga is expecting an influx of Caraganon OFWs for the next
days as the Yuletide season nears. The agency is continuously on standby 24/7
for any developments regarding their repatriation. (OWWA-Regional Welfare
Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
PSA starts 2021 quarterly fisheries survey
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 -- The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will
conduct the January 2021 round Quarterly Fisheries Survey.
According to PSA Caraga regional director Dr. Rosalinda Apura, the
survey aims to generate volume and value on Commercial Fisheries, Marine
Municipal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, and Aquaculture production by species
and by quarter at the national, regional, and provincial level.
Apura said that the statistics generated through the conduct of these
surveys serve as input to the compilation of national accounts, researches and
studies, estimation of the performance of agriculture, policymaking, and
program implementation.
“There will be hired Statistical Researchers (SRs) who will visit the
sample fish landing centers for commercial and municipal fisheries as well as
selected sample aqua farm operators and inland fishing households to generate
fisheries outputs,” Apura said.
During the data collection, the PSOs are encouraged to ensure that the
hired SRs and/or Field Supervisors are practicing proper social distancing from
their respective respondents to avoid possible contamination with coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Also, Apura enjoins PSOs to explore the use of phone, email, and other
creative ways to collect information needed in the surveys.
Apura also ensures that all the data and information collected by the
hired SRs from sample fishermen and aqua farms shall be kept strictly
confidential and shall not be used for purposes of taxation, investigation or
regulation as provided under Article 55 of Republic Act 10625. (NCLM/PSA/PIA
Caraga)
DA Caraga’s projects
help in fostering peace, development
By Aurelius P. Arais
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) - Caraga's
interventions have been recognized in the recently concluded Peace and
Development Expo in the city.
The activity is the culmination of the week-long series of events in
Capacitating Urban Communities for Peace and Development (CUCPD) for the city
of Butuan on October 26-30, 2020.
As an active partner in the Whole-of-Nation Approach, the DA-Caraga
together with the other regional line agencies showcased and extended
respective services during the said activity.
Spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional
Office and the City Interior and Local Government Office of Butuan, the
activity was participated by different sectors such as the youth and students,
urban poor, labor, transport, and women.
DA-Caraga extended its services to the participants through the giving
of vegetable seeds for backyard gardening, IEC materials, and facilitating
technical consultations.
Regional Director Lilibeth Famacion of DILG-Caraga underscored the
contribution of each participating agency in attaining peace in the region, especially
in the conflict-affected areas.
“We commend the effort of the DA in implementing farm to market roads
(FMR) and other interventions that bring development in the serviced areas,”
she said.
DA-Caraga is closely working with various local government units in
addressing the needs of their farming constituents such as the provision of
farm inputs, machinery, FMR, technical support, and more through DA’s banner
programs and special projects.
Director Famacion is the chairperson of the Caraga Regional Task Force
to End Local Communist Armed Conflict Technical Working Group (RTF-ELCAC TWG).
The Whole-of-Nation Approach aims to attain inclusive and sustainable
peace as embodied in Executive Order 70 issued by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
through the creation of a National Task Force (NTF) that will take the lead in
institutionalizing a national peace framework. (DA Caraga/PIA Caraga)
Army, LGU conduct
consultation, dialogue for peace and development in AgNor community
By 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, Nov. 11 -- The troops of 23rd Infantry “Masigasig” Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army together with the local government unit (LGU) of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte and the local officials of Barangay Durian conducted a peace and consultation dialogue with the residents on November 6, 2020.
The activity was aimed to discuss the primary issues and concerns of the
residents particularly on land, the recruitment of the Communist Terrorist
Group (CTG) among the youth, the peace, and order situation and other related
matters. It was attended by the identified local supporters of the Communist
Party of the Philippines (CPP), the National Democratic Front (NDF) and its
armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA). The said supporters are known for
providing food, finances, information on the whereabouts of the government
forces, and other forms of support to the NPA.
During the open forum, some residents openly voiced their concerns about
the security situation in their barangay. They admitted to being forced to
support the NPA because of fear. The residents added that for a couple of
times, they were threatened by NPA combatants and warned of repercussions once
they decline to give support to the communist movement. Residents said most of
those who experienced harassment and intimidation from the NPA are those
residing in the remote areas of the barangay.
Las Nieves Mayor Avelina S. Rosales assured the residents of Durian of
the continuing support of the LGU, the line agencies, and the Army. She also
thanked the 23rd IB troopers for protecting and saving the residents of Durian
from the threats of the CPP-NPA. She also assured the residents of the constant
delivery of basic services and livelihood opportunities to address the
different issues that are being exploited by the NPAs.
“Together, we can build a strong, peaceful, and resilient community here
in Durian. Rest assured that your LGU, the Army, and the line agencies of the
government will continue to deliver development interventions for the residents
of Barangay Durian,” Rosales said.
Rosales also asked the residents to do their duties and
responsibilities, emphasizing that defeating the insurgency is a shared task of
the stakeholders and the community members. She added that residents are also
bound to protect their community from the encroachment of the CPP-NPA.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the Acting Commanding Officer
of 23IB, expressed optimism that the residents will eventually defeat communism
and terrorism with the support of the different stakeholders in Las Nieves and
the province of Agusan del Norte. He also thanked the barangay council of
Durian for their continuing support to the unified efforts to defeat the
insurgency in the area. (CMO Officer, 23IB PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Mga dating rebelde sa
Agusan del Norte magkakaroon ng sariling bahay
By Nora C. Lanuza
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Nobyembre 11 (PIA) -- Mahigit 100 mga dating rebelde
sa probinsya ng Agusan del Norte ang magkakaroon na ng sariling bahay mula sa
1.4 hectares na lupaing bigay ng San Roque Metals, Incorporated (SRMI) sa
probinsya.
Emosyonal na nagpasalamat si alyas Kris ng malamang isa siya sa
makikinabang sa gagawing bahay. Ayon sa kanya sensiro ang gobyernong tumulong
sa kagaya nila upang makapagbagong buhay.
Sa ginawang turn-over at ground breaking ceremony, nagpasalamat si Gobernador
Dale B. Corvera sa SRMI sa pamamagitan ng kanilang representante na si Ryan
Culima sa bigay na lupain at ibinalita din nya na sisimulan na ang
pagpapatayo ng kanilang mga bahay at binigyang badyet ng probinsya ng tig
P450,000 ang bawat bahay na itatayo para sa mga dating rebelde.
Dahil na din sa tumataas n na bilang nga mga nag-susurender sa 29th at
23rd Infantry Battalions na nakabase sa probinsya, personal na tinutukan ni 2nd
district Rep. Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba ang paghanap ng lupain upang
doon itatayo ng mga bahay para sa mga dating rebelde.
Dahil sa mabibigyan na ng kani-kanilang bahay ang mga dating rebelde,
tinatawagan ni Rep. Matba ang iba pang mga myembro ng NPA na magbalik loob na
sa gobyerno ng makapagbagong buhay na rin.
Ang nasabing lupain, kung saan itatayo ang mga bahay ay matatagpuan sa Barangay Del Pilar sa lungsod ng Cabadbaran. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
