Bisliganons virtually
celebrate city's centennial anniv
By Nida
Grace P. Barcena
BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 11 (PIA) – The Bisliganons commemorated the centennial years of the city in time of the New Year’s day through a virtual program and showed that the pandemic was not a hindrance for them.
The
celebration was anchored on its theme: “Celebrating life and heritage with
thanksgiving,” as they wanted to be reflected in the new generations.
In a
video presentation, the origin of the people, the treasure of its heritage and
richness of their culture, the tradition, and the natural resources were
highlighted, and elaborated, to recall how the city of Bislig begun, struggled
during the darkest hour, and how the community slowly rise again to present
situation.
According
to Mayor Garay, Bislig was inaugurated on January 1, 1921, as the new
municipality, after separated from its mother municipality of Hinatuan.
"Founded
on December 28, 1920, by virtue of Executive Order No. 62 issued by Governor-General
Francis Burton Harrison with the late Primitivo Castillo as the first Municipal
President,” Mayor Garay said.
Garay
added, that on January 1, 1921, the inauguration of the new municipality of
Bislig was celebrated.
In July
2000, another milestone in the life of the municipality of Bislig was uncovered
by its conversion into a component city. By virtue of Republic Act 8804, it was
unanimously approved by the people in a plebiscite on September 18, 2000.
The
biggest paper industry in the nation as well as in South Asia known as Paper
Industries Corporation of the Philippines (PICOP) was the source of livelihood
of most people in the area, established in 1963. The productive years of its
operations through the years had significantly contributed to the development
of the socio-economic conditions of the municipality of Bislig.
In
2006, the local economy of Bislig City has affected as PICOP now PRI Resource
Incorporated (PRI) operations shutdown. It was a great loss to the community as
the problem of unemployment surfaced.
Bisliganon’s
by nature stood up, according to Mayor Garay, to resolve and confront the
problems by pursuing some recovery measures like programs, projects, and
activities that from time-to-time regain the economic statute of the city.
“We
hope to invite investors, and we hope that economic progress will come into our
district,” said Rep. Pimentel.
Meanwhile,
the “Sindac Anib” of Andres Soriano Colleges of Bislig added the colors to the
celebrations as they showcased their talents through a video presentation. The
Sindac Anib won in a Kadayawan Festival, Indak-indak sa Kadalanan sa Davao
City, and proclaimed as 2nd place during the Bonok-bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw
Festival in Surigao City. (DMNR/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
LGU, biz owners unite
with Army vs NPA extortion in Butuan
By Maj.
Francisco Garello, Jr.
BUTUAN
CITY, Jan. 11 – The local government unit and business owners in this city
expressed their commitment to the Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade against the
Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic
Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) extortion activities during the Stakeholders Security Forum
on Peace and Development held recently at Y-Hotel, Montilla Boulevard,
here.
A total
of 16 business owners belonging to the Butuan City Chamber of Commerce (BCCC)
and Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce Association Incorporated (FCCCAI)
participated in the said forum showing their support to finally put a stop to
the CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT) extortion activities in the city.
The
forum was aimed to educate the participants on the NPA extortion scheme,
embolden the business owners to stop yielding to the CNT’s extortion demands
and institute efforts to synergize collaboration in ending the CNT extortion
activities.
Rey
Desiata, the City Administrator of Butuan City; Director Charissa Guerta, CLGOO
of Butuan City; Brigadier General Maurito Licudine, 402nd Brigade Commander;
Lt. Col. Julius Cesar Paulo Jr, 23IB Commanding Officer; and representatives
from Police Regional Office-13 and Butuan City Police Office attended the said
event.
It can
be recalled that last July 18, 2020, a total of 25 contractors and construction
firm owners and security officers, together with the provincial government of
Agusan del Norte led by Governor Dale Corvera and the 4th Infantry Division led
by Major General Andres Centino, also gathered for the same purpose and
presented actions to end the communist terrorist group (CTG) extortion
activities in the province.
During
the presentation on the CTG extortion scheme in the said forum, Captain Daryl
Secong, Operations Officer of the 402nd Brigade, bared that an average of
P15,000.00 to P20,000.00 have been extorted from various establishments in Butuan
City on a monthly basis.
“This
is about Php9,380,000 in a year which unfortunately contributed to the growth
and sustainment of the strength of the CPP-NPA Terrorist operating in the area.
We appeal for your participation in our effort to drastically decrease, or even
stop, the NPA fund generation,” Capt. Secong urged business owners.
The
disclosure of the amount of collected extortion money from business owners in
Butuan City and other areas in Agusan del Norte were supported by the
revelation of alias ‘Ka Lyn-lyn’ during the forum. She was a former ‘tax
collector’ and designated extortionist of Guerilla Front (GF) 21 of the North
Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) who surrendered to the Police
Regional Office 13 sometime on June 2020.
BGen.
Licudine underscored that the surrender of alias Lyn-lyn as another fatal blow
to the terrorist group resource generation scheme after several of its Finance
Officers conducting extortion activities in Agusan del Norte and some parts of
Caraga Region were either captured or killed by the joint law enforcement
operations of the Philippine Army and the PNP.
“The
extortion capacitates the NPA to perpetrate atrocities. From CY 2010 to date,
there are 166 government troops have paid the ultimate sacrifice and 113
innocent civilians were mercilessly murdered and violated by the treacherous communist
terrorists all because someone decided to pay one peso to the NPAs,” BGen.
Licudine said.
On
October 22, 2020, three revolutionary tax collectors under GF4A were
apprehended by the joint elements of 23IB, Magallanes MPS, ADN PIU and ADNPMFC.
The apprehended personalities were the resource and fund generating team of
GF4A. They received and collected the money extorted by Jelan Pinakilid alias
‘Baking’, Finance Officer, GF-4A, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee
(NCMRC) thru the use of money transfer (Palawan Pawnshop) several times in
Magallanes Municipality.
Meanwhile,
the officials of the two business chambers of Butuan City who were present
during the forum offered their assurance of support and cooperation not to give
in to the threats and intimidations of the CTGs.
Likewise,
Desiata pledged on behalf of Mayor Ronnie Vicente C Lagnada to continue working
with the business owners. He assured that the LGU-Butuan recognized the
pressing problem and shall collaborate with the Philippine Army and PNP to
touch base with the establishments that were extorted by the CTG.
“We
also urge our colleagues in the Task Force ELCAC and our politicians, to please
synergize effort in order for us to prevent NPA extortion activities in the
locality. Let us educate companies, business owners and fellow politicians that
paying extortion to the NPAs will empower more our common enemy, impede
economic growth and will only bring more suffering to our constituents,”
Desiata ended. (CMO, 402ndBrigade/PIA-Caraga)
Former rebels in Agusan del Norte receive assistance from PSWDO
By 1Lt.
Roel T. Maglalang
BUTUAN
CITY, Jan. 11 -- Former rebels (FRs) who are staying at the halfway house
inside the headquarters of the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB),
Philippine Army recently received assistance from the Provincial Social Welfare
and Development Office (PSWDO) of Agusan del Norte. The distribution was held
at the headquarters of the 23rd IB in Jamboree Site, Purok 6, Barangay
Alubihid, Buenavista. The FRs received one sack of rice, food packs containing
assorted canned goods, noodles, coffee, and other basic needs.
The
distribution activity served as gift-giving by the PSWDO and the 23rd IB
troopers, especially during the Christmas season. The FRs were thankful for the
graces they received, saying that their Christmas was already complete and full
of joy.
Alias
Benon was glad upon receiving his gift, saying that the government has made his
family happy this yuletide season.
Silver
Joy Tejano, PSWDO Provincial Director, gave an inspirational message to the FRs
during the distribution activity. “We are always happy to present simple
assistance to you especially in this season of giving. E-CLIP was designed to
help the former rebels who left the armed struggle and it was created in order
to help the FRs to start living normally. We hope that all the assistance
you’ve received will help you begin your new journey. May you help our government
to end insurgency so that everyone will be given a chance to reach their dreams
and ambitions,” Tejano said.
Lt. Col.
Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the Commanding Officer of 23IB, was so glad that the
FRs' lives were transformed.
Activities to enlighten villagers on NPA terror activities conducted in Agusan del Norte
By 1Lt.
Roel T. Maglalang
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, Jan. 11 -- The troopers of the 23rd Infantry “Masigasig” Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army in coordination with the local government unit (LGU) of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte and the Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted series of consultations and dialogues to provide enlightenment to the residents in the area on the realities of the terroristic acts being done by the communist New People’s Army (NPA).
The
series of activities were designed to address the issues and concerns of
residents, particularly on the peace and order situation, the presence of NPA,
livelihood, and the plans and programs of the government to bring more
developments in the area.
During
the activities, the FRs shared their past experiences, especially the hardships
they had gone through while they were still part of the communist movement.
Alias
Reyman encouraged the residents to be united against the NPA terrorists by
denying them entry into communities.
During
the series of activities, the residents themselves admitted of providing
support to the NPAs due to fear and intimidation. They said the NPAs usually
terrorize residents whenever they are in the community and forcefully
submitting the residents to their wills and demands for money, rice, and other
necessities.
One of
the barangay officials said that each resident is aware of their roles and
responsibilities in promoting peace and development in their respective
communities in relation to the implementation of Executive Order 70 (EO70) or
the Whole-of-Nation Approach to end the local communist armed conflict. The
barangay officials also expressed gratitude to the 23rd IB and the LGU of Las
Nieves for the continuing protection they provide to the communities.
Lt.
Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the commander of 23rd IB lauded the participation
of the different barangay councils of Las Nieves that made the activities
successful.
“Your
participation in our activities manifested your true intention of freeing and
saving your barangays from the influence of the Communist NPA Terrorists
(CNTs),” Paulo said.
He also
asked the villagers of Las Nieves to cut their ties with the CNTs and work with
the government to address the peace and security concerns in their barangays.
“The
absence of cooperation and unity among us has worsened the problem of
insurgency. Let us work together to support all government initiatives and
facilitate the delivery of programs, projects and services in your communities.
Help us by simply providing timely and accurate information on the CNT presence
so that we can protect you against their threats. Winning the war against
insurgency can only be achieved through combined efforts of the barangay
residents and the line agencies of the government,” Paulo said.
With
the implementation of EO70, Paulo said government services can now easily be
implemented even in the remotest villages of Las Nieves and in the province of
Agusan del Norte.
He also
reiterated his call to the remaining CNTs in the area to surrender peacefully
to the government.
“I urge
you to abandon the CNT movement, reject its false ideology, lay down your arms
and the government will help you as you go on another journey towards the right
path of life,” Paulo said. (CMO Officer, 23IB PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Mga stakeholder sa Caraga
pinarangalan sa epektibong pagpapatupad ng RCSP
By
Venus L. Garcia
LUNGSOD
NG BUTUAN, Enero 11 - Pinarangalan ng Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) Caraga ang mga lokal na pamahalaan sa rehiyon na naging
aktibo at epektibo sa paghatid ng basic services sa komunidad lalung-lalo na sa
mga malalayong lugar at conflict-affected areas.
Kabilang
naman sa mga finalist ang mga bayan ng Loreto at Rosario ng Agusan del Sur at Gigaquit
ng Surigao del Norte.
Kinilala
rin ang bayan ng Lianga, Surigao del Sur dahil sa kanilang Social Protection
Program for Indigenous Peoples (IP) children at ilang civil society
organization (CSOs) kabilang ang Kitcharao Tricycle Operators Drivers
Association sa kanilang kontribusyon.
Maliban
sa Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga at iba pang partner agency, ang
mga yunit ng Philippine Army Caraga region ay tumanggap din ng parangal dahil
sa mahalagang papel na kanilang ginampanan sa pagbibigay prayoridad at
konkretong solusyon upang malutas ang problema ng insurhensiya at terorismo.
“We are
thankful for recognizing the efforts of the Philippine Army in Caraga. We are
motivated to engage partner stakeholders and commit our endeavors to end this
insurgency problem. Your army is always committed to serve the people and to
secure our land. And as part of our commitment, we continue to better engage the
civilian populace in order to really address the problem on local communist
armed conflict dito sa rehiyon,” sabi ni Major Francisco Garello,
Jr., civil-military operations (CMO) officer ng 402nd Infantry Brigade.
Ayon
naman kay DILG-Caraga assistant regional director Donald Seronay, patuloy
nilang paiigtingin ang kanilang kampanya laban sa insurhensiya upang maihatid
ang kapayapaan at pag-unlad sa lugar.
“This
is our approach of encouraging, motivating, and inspiring the local government
units and our partners for the implementation of RCSP-related activities,”
ani Seronay.
Ipinaabot
naman ni DILG-Caraga regional director Lilibeth Famacion sa mga partner
stakeholders ang kanyang pasasalamat dahil sa patuloy na suporta upang makamit
ang hinahangad na tunay na kapayaaan at kaayusan sa komunidad sa pamamagitan ng
Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP).
Sa
pamamagitan ng RCSP awarding ceremony, layon nitong himukin ang mga LGU at
implementing partners na pagbutihin pa lalo ang serbisyo sa mamamayan.
(VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Apektadong pamilya sa TD Vicky midawat ug ayuda gikan sa gobyerno
DAKBAYAN
SA BUTUAN, Enero 11 -- Pipila ka ahensya sa gobyerno, uban sa mga lokal nga
pangagamhanan ang nagpaabot sa mga ayuda ug serbisyo sa mga apektadong pamilya
sa Tropical Depression (TD) Vicky sa mga lugar sa rehiyon sa Caraga.
Isa ang
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sa mga naghatag ug
pasiunang serbisyo sa mga pamilyang apektado sa nahisgutan nga bagyo. Naghatag
ang ahensya ug P3,000 pinaagi sa Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations
(AICS) sa mga pamilyang nabahaan.
Gipangunahan
ni DSWD Undersecretary for Operation Aimee Torrefranca-Neri ug OIC-Regional
Director Ramel F. Jamen ang mga kawani sa DSWD sa pagbisita na usab sa mga
munisipyo sa rehiyon, partikular ang San Miguel ug Barobo, Surigao del Sur
kaniadtong Huwebe, Enero 7, aron ipaabot ang serbisyo ngadto sa katawhan.
Gusto
ipahibalo sa ahensya alang sa mga apektadong pamilya nga aduna pa'y assessment
sa mga pamilya nga wala pa nahilakip sa kwalipikadong pamilya nga makadawat
sa ayuda, hilabi na ang mga pamilya nga adunay mga panimalay nga partially ug
totally damaged.
Alang
sa mga lugar nga wala pa nahatagan sa maong ayuda, ang DSWD magpahibalo,
pinaagi sa inyong mga local government unit (LGU) sa mga skedyul sa inyong mga
lugar.
Ang DSWD kanunay nga makig-koordinar sa mga lokal nga pangagamhanan ug uban pang ahensya aron masuta gayud ang mga apektadong mga indibidwal, pamilya, ug mga komunidad nga angay mahatagan ug serbisyo. (DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)
