Bislig SK forms
council for youth development
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 25 (PIA) -- In addition to doing their part in helping
the youth cope with the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Bislig City, Surigao del
Sur pursued other initiatives to cultivate local youth development by forming a
local youth council.
“The council was formed to tackle various youth development concerns such
as health, education, and other centers of participation for youth
development,” SK Federation President and SK –Brgy. Poblacion chapter
chairperson John De Jesus said during his guesting in the ‘Bisaya Gyud’ program
with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin
Andanar on Saturday, November 14.
Through the council, concerns such as sports development and issues
faced by youth learners with the resumption of classes will be given greater
attention.
The youth leader also made mention of their initiatives for the city’s
residents in response to the pandemic. Each SK chapter used their funds to
produce and distribute relief goods. As support for the implementation of
distance learning, reams of bond papers and school kits were donated to schools
in the city.
“Majority of students in the city opted for modular learning which is
why we provided these items to our schools,” the SK president said.
Upon the conclusion of the segment, De Jesus imparted to the youth the
importance of remaining resilient amid the health crisis.
“We have to come to terms with the changes that have taken place in this
new normal and never make it a hindrance to our pursuits in life, especially
those involved in helping our countrymen. Life must go on even when facing this
adversity,” he said.
‘Bisaya Gyud’ is a weekly public service and entertainment program
hosted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary
Martin Andanar aired on select radio stations across the country and streamed
live on its official Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/
bisayagyudph, every Saturday.
The program was initially launched to provide assistance to
underprivileged Bisaya and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). At the height of
the pandemic, the program also devoted its episodes to addressing various
issues of the Bisayas concerning the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic.
Its 'Operation Tabang' is launched to extend medical and food assistance
to Bisaya all over the country, especially those who suffered greatly due to
the health crisis. The program also launched its Bond Paper Gift project, which
aims to assist schools in rural areas in effectively implementing distance
learning by providing reams of bond papers to be used for the production of
learning materials.
The program also explores Bisaya music and artists, and features Bisaya
success stories. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte town
mayor welcomes former rebels in LASICAM villages
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Nov. 25 (PIA) -- A total of nine members of the New People’s Army (NPA) regulars together with 22 Milisya ng Bayan members voluntarily surrendered without firearms to the Community Support Program (CSP) team of the 30th Infantry (Fight On) Battalion (30IB), Philippine Army in Barangay Camam-onan, Gigaquit town on November 22, 2020.
The LASICAM (Lahi, Sico-sico, Camam-oman) complex can be considered as
one of the bastions of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in the area.
The surrenderees were members of the Sandatahang Pampropaganda sa Platun
(SPP) 16C, Guerilla Front Committee (GFC) 16, Northeastern Mindanao Regional
Party Committee (NEMRC) under Roel T. Neniel aka “Jacob” operating in LASICAM
complex.
A formal surrender ceremony was held during the Grand Pulong-Pulong
(GPP) officiated by Gigaquit Mayor Chandru T. Bonite with the presence of
around 200 individuals of the Mamanwa tribe from the hinter areas of LASICAM.
In his message, Mayor Bonite welcomed the surrenderees and promised that
LGU Gigaquit will provide support to them and will take every effort in seeking
further assistance from other government agencies for the support that could be
provided to the surrenderees and their families.
“Isip injo Mayor, Nalipay ko kay inyo gidawat ang programa sa atong
gobyerno alang sa kalinaw. Manghinaut ko nga sugod karon, magtinabangay ta aron
makab-ot nato ang atong gipangandoy nga kalinaw ug kalamboan dire sa LASICAM
(Being your Mayor, I am very glad that you truly accepted the program of the
government towards attaining a lasting peace. Henceforth, let us help each
other to achieve lasting peace and progress here in LASICAM)," Mayor
Bonite said.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Philippine Army especially to the
30IB for ensuring the safety and security of his constituents and as a great
partner in progress and development in the area.
Jonas, one of the surrenderees who was recruited way back in 2016,
expressed his disappointments and frustrations to the leadership of the CTG.
“Puro kabakakan, igo ra me sologoon sa suyod wala jud kaugmaon, nag
ingon sila nga naay suporta nga ila ihatag sa amo pamilya pero suyod sa tuyo ka
tuig nako sa organisasyun, bisan sentimo wayay nadawat among pamilya (Nothing
but all lies, we were used just like slaves inside, no future, they said they
will support our family but for the past three years in the organization, not
even a single cent was given to our family),” said Jonas.
He also thanked the soldiers of 30IB for their assistance. “Magpasalamat
me sa 30IB sa ilang pagkamaayo, sila ang nitabang aron kmi makamata sa
kamatuoran (Thanks to 30IB, we owe our new lives to them for their kindness.
They helped us realized the truth)," he added.
Meanwhile, on his part, 30IB Commanding Officer Lt. Colonel Ryan Charles
Callanta, assured that they will ensure that the surrenderees had made the
right decision to avail the E-CLIP program and benefits of the government not
only to help them start their new and peaceful lives but to show them how
serious the government in its quest for “peaceful reconciliation."
“I also commend the efforts of our soldiers doing the Community Support
Program for a job well done. Thus, we are expecting an avalanche of
surrenderees in the coming days or weeks, and we will peacefully welcome them,”
Lt. Col. Callanta said. (30IB, Philippine Army/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Construction of dike in Agusan Norte town continues
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 25 -- The Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH) is undertaking the construction of a dike that will protect the long
stretch of a tertiary road leading to the municipal proper of Magallanes,
Agusan del Norte.
“The construction of flood control infrastructure has always been one of
the priority projects greatly considered by the Department especially in areas
that are more susceptible to overflowing of river and flooding,” said Secretary
Mark Villar.
In 2019, DPWH Agusan del Norte District Engineering Office implemented
the construction of a 455 linear meter dike with concrete revetment along
Pandanon-Magallanes Road, completed last May 2020, and 120.4 linear meters
continued this year under the CY 2020 Regular Infrastructure Program.
In addition, another concrete dike with a length of 400.3 linear meters
is being constructed across the 2019 dike project not only to protect the road
from scouring due to the high rise of water and strong river current, but most
importantly protecting the residents living nearby.
The municipality of Magallanes in Agusan del Norte is surrounded by
mountains and bounded by the two rivers, Baug and Agusan River. The elevation
of the area is below sea level, the town center is in the river delta, and the
people living along the coastal areas are always endangered by the threats of
rising water from the rivers and flash floods during heavy rains and typhoons.
“We used to be really terrified whenever there’s a typhoon because our
area is prone to storm surge. We are really thankful for this dike project
because our homes are now protected and we can live in peace,” says Chelsea
Lavador, resident of Barangay Caloc-an, Magallanes.
The ongoing project is targeted to be fully completed by February 2021.
(DPWH/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Isang NGO, nagdonate
ng bond papers at printers sa mga paaralan sa Butuan
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Nobyembre 25 (PIA) -- Isang international charity
organization ang namahagi ng 860 reams of bond papers at 18 units ng printers
sa 18 na elementary at secondary na paaralan sa lungsod ng Butuan bilang
suporta sa implementasyon ng blended learning.
Ang Red Dog Book Drive (RDBD), USA ay isang international charity
organization na binuo ng Filipino community sa Estados Unidos. Layon nitong
makatulong sa mga kababayan nila sa Pilipinas. Nagsimula ang charity ng
layuning maitaguyod ang literacy sa mga kabataan sa Butuan City at noong 2013,
namahagi sila ng mga libro sa iba’t-ibang benepisyaryo sa lungsod.
Patuloy ang pamamahagi ng tulong ng RDBD, USA. Sa kasalukuyan,
nakatutuok sila sa pagsagot ng mga pangangailangan ng mga paaralan sa syudad.
Dahil sa kakulangan ng kagamitan, naisipan ng event organizer na si Joy Buque
na magbigay ng bond papers at printers, lalo na sa mga paaralang itinayo sa mga
malalayong lugar.
“Ilan sa ating mga benepsyaryo ay nagkakaproblema sa paggawa ng mga
printed learning modules. Nais namin na tulungan sila sa problemang ito at
kahit papaano ay maibsan ang mga suliranin ng mga gurong nagsasakripisyo upang
maipatuloy lang ang pamamahagi ng learning materials,” aniya.
Makikita ang bakas ng kaligayahan sa mga mukha ng mga punong guro nang
dumalo sila sa turnover ceremony noong Martes, Nobyembre 24, sa Riverside
Central Elementary School sa Brgy. Baan Riverside, nang matanggap nila ang mga
donasyon.
Lubos itong ikinatuwa ng punong guro ng Pinamungkulan Elementary School
na si Edna Barbajo. Aniya, gagamitin nila ito sa pamamahagi ng modules sa
lagpas 600 na estudyante sa kaniyang paaralan.
“Malaki ang pasasalamat po namin. Malaking tulong na po ang mga ito sa
amin lalo na po’t wala na po kaming kagamitang panggawa ng modules.”
Noong Agosto, namahagi ang charity ng 675 reams ng bond paper at 14
units ng printers sa Senior High program ng Agusan National High School, sa
tulong ng mga alumni ng naturang paaralan. Nabigyan din ng laptop ang tatlong
estudyanteng may pinakamalaking marka ng bawat strand. Bukod dito, dalawang
estudyante sa Brgy. Bading na nasa ika-anim na marka ang nakatanggap din ng tig
isang unit ng laptop.
Patuloy ang pagdating ng mga donasyon kung kaya’t nakapagbigay na naman
ang charity ng 350 reams ng mga bond paper at 14 units ng mga laptop sa sampung
eskwelahan sa syudad noong Oktubre.
Pinuri naman ng lokal na pamahalaan ng syudad ang mga inisyatibo ng
grupo.
“Tiyak na magiging masaya na ang pasko ng ating mga guro dahil sa
kabaitang ipinakita ng RDBD, USA. Malaki din ang pasasalamat ng city government
sa inyo. Asahan niyo na andito lang kami para suportahan ang inyong
adbokasiya,” sabi ni City Councilor Cromwell Nortega.
Plano pa ng RDBD, USA na magsagawa ng ibang pang donation drive para sa
iba pang mga paaralan sa syudad. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
NGO donates bond papers, printers to Butuan schools
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 25 (PIA) -- An international charity donated a total
of 860 reams of bond papers and 18 units of printers to 18 elementary and
secondary schools, this city, in support to the implementation of blended
learning.
The Red Dog Book Drive, USA is an international charity founded by the
Filipino community in the United States that aims to lend help to their
'kababayans' in the Philippines. The charity started out with the goal of
promoting literacy among children in Butuan City and in 2013, they
donated books contained in eight balikbayan boxes to various
recipients in the city.
Their cause continues to evolve with the pressing societal issues that
Filipinos face daily and currently, the charity decided to assist schools in
the city. With educators facing a lack of resources to produce learning
materials for students, event organizer Joy Buque saw the need to spearhead a
donation drive to aid them with their needs in the implementation of
distance learning.
“Some of our beneficiaries are in a remote place and their having a
problem about their printing, their modules for the learners. It's a big help
for them to print out their modules especially for the teachers.”
Smiles are etched in the faces of school heads and teachers who attended
the turnover ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the Riverside Central Elementary
School in Brgy. Baan Riverside, as they receive the donated items.
Pinamungkulan Elementary School principal Edna Barbajo was glad to have
her school as one of the beneficiaries. The bond papers and printer they
received will be used to produce printed modules for over 600 students enrolled
at the school.
“I feel grateful and relieved for the donated items. This is a huge help
to us especially since our resources have been exhausted in the production of
previous batches of modules,” she said.
In August, the charity, with the help of the school alumni, previously
turned over 675 reams of bond paper and 14 units of bond papers to Agusan
National High School to support its students enrolled in the Senior High
program. They also donated laptops to the three highest-ranking students in
each strand. In addition, two students in 6th grade in Brgy. Bading were
each given a single unit of laptop.
Donations kept coming and in October, they were able to turnover 350
reams of bond papers and 14 units of printers to ten schools.
The city government lauded the efforts of the group. City Councilor
Cromwell Nortega highlighted of the efforts of the group and vowed to support
them in their endeavour.
“Christmas in this pandemic will definitely not be so lonely anymore for
our educators who received the kindness of the charity which the city
government is truly thankful for. We will continue to support you in your
advocacy to help our children in ways we can.”
The charity plans to make donations to other schools that are yet to
receive their aid. Joy Buque hinted that they are still looking for sponsors
for their future projects. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
Mahigit 500 Agusanons nakinabang sa 'Amumang Agusanon' program
By Nora C. Lanuza
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Nobyembre 25 (PIA) -- Laking tuwa at pasalamat ni
Jerry Daal Escobilla, ang punong barangay ng Olave sa bayan ng Buenavista,
Agusan del Norte dahil sa natanggap na tulong mula sa probinsya. Ayon sa kanya,
malaking tulong ito sa kanila dahil binigyan sila ng importansya ng gobyerno na
maiangat ang kanilang pamumuhay at hindi sila pinabayaan nito.
Sa pagtutulongan ng probinsya, local government unit ng Buenavista, at
23rd Infantry Battalion (IB), Philippine Army, mahigit 500 residente ang
nakinabang sa serbisyong hatid kung saan nakatanggap sila ng relief packs na
naglalaman ng vitamins para sa mga bata at buntis, canned goods, hygiene kits
at marami pang iba.
Ayon kay 23rd IB Lt. Col. Julius Cesar Paulo, layunin ng nasabing
programa na mawala (eliminate) ang insurhensya at mapabuti ang peace and order
sa lugar.
Siniguro din ni Escobilla na magbibigay sila ng suporta sa gobyerno upang
tuluyang mawala ang insurhensya sa lugar at mabuhay ng tahimik ang mga
residente dito.
Ang nasabing serbisyo ay kabilang sa mga aktibidades sa anibersaryo ng
Agusan Up, ang eight-point development agenda ni Gobernador Dale Corvera ng
Agusan del Norte.
Samantala, lubos din ang suporta ni Gob. Corvera para maipasa ang badyet ng NTF-ELCAC upang tuluyan ng mawala ang insurhensya sa bansa, magpalabas din ang gobernador ng Provincial Resolution upang maisali sa General Appropriations Act for CY 2021 ang pondo para sa mga barangays sa ilalim ng Retooled Community Support Program na tig-20 million pesos bawat isa. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
