Sison town promotes ecotourism sites
By
Venus L. Garcia
Derived
from its ancient name “Bugsukan,” which means “to tie or bind together,” the
municipality of Sison in Surigao del Norte shaped the nature of its people to
unite and sectoral groups to amalgamate, pushing the same interest for
development, urban productivity, and ecotourism promotion.
Through
the years, the residents enjoyed the abundance of its natural resources and
beauty of rolling hills, medium-sized plains and valleys, crystal-clear
mountain springs, waterfalls, and small lagoons, which characteristically are
desirable factors for agriculture and ecotourism.
According
to Mayor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia, who guested in the Laging Handa Network
Briefing, the town has an Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share of P76 million
which is comparatively low compared to other towns and city in the Surigao del
Norte province. However, she said that this did not hamper the delivery of
needed services to its residents and the improvements in the area.
The
local government unit (LGU) of Sison takes pride in its Kanyagtiw Mountain
Range, where visiting tourists can enjoy trekking, mountain climbing, and
exploring nature. It is one of the highest mountain peaks in Surigao del Norte,
located in Barangay Gacepan, Mayag and Ima, which is suited for mountaineering
sports activities.
“It
offers different unique species of flora and fauna. We also have our tallest
falls and busay,” Paronia mentioned.
As
featured in the provincial website, the municipality of Sison is also unrivaled
in offering a range of destinations and tourist spots such as
the Mabuhat Hot Spring, situated in Hanagsaan River. Locals claimed its
therapeutic effect because of its sulfuric water substance and its hot to
lukewarm water.
The
mini-lagoon found in the foot of Mount Piakle, Upper Patag is also known for
its crystal-clear and cool water even during hot summer. It would be a perfect
place for boating, picnics and other passive recreational activities.
Paronia
however said that with the unprecedented global health crisis due to COVID-19,
tourism flows have also been heavily affected
by restrictions on the movement of people, but she assured to give
the best service and hospitality it can offer to their guests once a certain
level of tourism activities can be allowed in this ‘new normal.’
“Being
a fifth class municipality, the local government is still able to deliver
equitable and quality services to the people. Our main source of income is
agriculture. Top most is the rice and we also have high-value crops such as
coconut, fruit trees, bananas, industrial falcata, corn and also livestock,”
Paronia said.
The
mayor said they are still fostering networks to tap additional funding sources
for ecotourism site development. (Venus L. Garcia/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Bukidnon schools
receive aid from ‘Bisaya Gyud’ program
By
Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN
CITY, Jan. 26 (PIA) -- Lending aid to teachers in sustaining the implementation
of distance learning, the Bisaya Gyud program donated reams of bond papers to
La Fortuna Elementary School in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.
‘Bisaya
Gyud’ is a weekly public service and entertainment program hosted by the
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar.
Initially launched to help underprivileged Bisaya Overseas Filipino Workers
(OFWs), the program’s scope has progressed to serving Bisaya Filipinos
nationwide since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic,
delivering grassroots information on the efforts of local and national
governments to address the people’s needs during the health crisis whilst
launching their own initiatives through the ‘Operation Tabang.’
Under
its Operation Tabang – Bond Paper Gift Project, the program donates reams of
bond papers to disadvantaged schools in the Kabisay-an areas in the
country as aid for the implementation of blended learning amid the COVID-19
pandemic.
School-In-Charge
Nicodemos Oculares expressed gratitude on behalf of the school staff and
students to the Bisaya Gyud team for their generosity.
“Nagapasalamat
ako sa Bisaya Gyud Program na sa taliwala man sa kadaghan sa mga tulunghaan nga
nahisakop ani nga division, usa kami na napili nga recipient sa gasa sa
pagpanghatag ug bond paper [I am thankful for the Bisaya Gyud Program for
choosing our school, among the many schools that belong to our school
division, as a recipient of their blessing],” the school head said.
Meanwhile,
teachers continue to overcome the challenges of pursuing education in the new
normal. For Teacher Jessebel Cabugwason, her greatest concern is not being able
to attend to the learning needs of her students.
“Sa
normal ang education nato, maka face-to-face ta sa atong mga bata then maka
focus ta sa ilahang learning needs unlike karon sa new normal. Murag di gyud
kaayo accurate ang kuha sa mga bata ug mahulog na dili ilaha gyud bitawng
achievement kay gitabangan man sila sa atong mga parents. [In the normal
education setting, we are able to consult with our students face-to-face and
focus on their learning needs, unlike in the new normal setting. And because
they are now forced to become more dependent on their parents, they somehow
cannot achieve and acquire accomplishments on their own],” the teacher said.
Amid
this, the elementary school teachers will through the challenges, with parents
actively lending their cooperation for the students’ sake. But while they
manage to maintain resilience in carrying out their duties perfectly, teachers
in La Fortuna continue to yearn for the day the pandemic will end, where life
in the school campus would be normal once again.
“Sa
karon unta, among gihope na sana ma end na gyud ning pandemic kay miss na namo
magteach sa mga bata kay mao man gyud na ang amoang vocation [Right now, we
hope for the pandemic to end. We miss teaching our kids, which is what our
vocation is all about],” Teacher Jessebel stated.
The
‘Bisaya Gyud’ program is aired every Saturday on select radio stations across
the country and streamed live on its official Facebook page,
https://www.facebook.com/bisayagyudph.
Apart
from providing grassroots information on the pandemic, the program also
explores Bisaya music and artists, and features Bisaya success stories.
(DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
PMO Surigao joins zero waste month clean-up drive
By NC
Nusog
SURIGAO
CITY, Surigao del Norte, Jan. 26 (PIA) -- In support of advocacy efforts for
zero waste, the Port Management Office (PMO) of Surigao joined a multi-sectoral
‘Clean-Up’ Drive to celebrate January as "Zero Waste Month."
With
the theme “Engaging Response to the Changing Environment,” the PMO joined other
agencies and barangays in the city for the early morning clean-up activity on
January 22, 2021.
For its
part, the PMO Surigao contingent worked on areas near the port of Surigao.
Wielding
broomsticks, sacks (to contain waste/debris) and other cleaning implements,
around 34 PMO Surigao personnel participated in cleaning up its designated
area.
Presidential
Proclamation No. 760 has designated January as ‘Zero Waste Month’ which defined
Zero Waste as an advocacy that promotes the designing and managing of products
and processes to avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and
materials. (PMO-PPA Surigao/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Agusan del Norte town villagers denounce, abandon NPA terrorists
By 1Lt.
Roel T. Maglalang
BUENAVISTA
Agusan del Norte, Jan. 26 -- The members of the Milisya ng Bayan (MB) and
Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) in Las Nieves town in Agusan del Norte
have withdrawn their support from the Communist New People's Army (NPA)
Terrorists (CNTs) and pledged their allegiance to the government. The
withdrawal of support to the CNT movement was done during the mass surrender
ceremony conducted on January 21, 2021, in Barangay Casiklan, Las Nieves.
The MB
and UGMO members decided to abandon the cause of the CNT and return to the fold
of the law after the series of peace consultation and dialogues made by the
troopers of the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB) with the support of
the local government unit (LGU) and different line agencies of the government.
The series of dialogues started on December 12, 2020, where residents were
asked to ventilate the main issues in their communities, especially on the
concerns of peace and order and the presence and recruitment of the CNT members
in their communities.
Five
members of MB and 448 CNT mass supporters under the existing UGMO in Barangay
Casiklan have withdrawn their support to the communist movement and pledged
allegiance to the government of the Republic of the Philippines during the said
activity last Thursday. The residents said they could no longer endure the
harassment, extortion, and recruitment of the CNT members in their community.
Aside from the daily dose of terrorism, the residents said the CNTs blocked the
development programs and projects of the government that resulted in the
underdevelopment of their community. The absence of development initiatives,
they said, caused privations and poverty among the residents.
Alias
“Berto”, a former rebel who hails from Casiklan shared his experiences and
difficulties when he was still supporting fully the communist movement.
“Nag
sige ko og balhin ug puy-anan ug kanunay nagdagan dagan ug tago tungod sa
kahadlok nga madakpan sa mga kasundalohan. Mao pag abot sa mga sundalo diri sa
barangay, nag desisyon gyod ko nga mag surrender na sa sabakan sa atong
gobyerno. Dako ang akong kalipay nga ang atong gobyernmo nia na mitabang
pagsulbad sa kalisod sa atong barangay. Mao nga magtinabay ug maningkamot kita
sa pagsalikway sa mga dautang binuhatan sa mga NPA kay dako kaayo ang kahasol
nga ilang gidala sa atong komunidad (I don’t have permanent address to stay, we
keep on running, because we are afraid that the miitary will caught us, that’s
why I have decided to surrender. I am happy that our government is helping us
to start a new life)," Berto said.
Provincial Director Rey Cueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Agusan del Norte (TESDA-ADN) witnessed the mass surrender on Thursday and extended his compliments to the residents for reaching such a decision. Cueva said TESDA, in partnership with the 23IB and the LGU, provides support to the residents in the area, particularly in the field of honing their technical skills for increased productivity.
“Part
of our mandate is to develop self-reliant, resilient, productive, and
sustainable communities through the implementation of harmonized and culturally
responsive development training programs. TESDA, as the head office on Poverty
Reduction Livelihood Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the National Task Force to
End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), in partnership with LGU of Las
Nieves and the 23IB, commits several livelihood training in your barangay to
uplift the lives of the residents,” Cueva said.
Las
Nieves Mayor Avelina S. Rosales cited the courage of the residents of Casiklan
in condemning the CNT and making a turn to the right path for the good future
of their community.
“As you
chose to start living a new life, I am sure that you will never regret the
decisions you made today because in the coming years, you will reap the good
fruits of progress and development not only for your family but including your
whole community and our nation. You were just victims of the CNTs who destroyed
your future and your families. No one will be responsible for solving our own
problems, we need to make a move in order to get away from poverty,” Rosales
said.
Jerry
S. Laurito, the provincial administrator of Agusan del Norte who represented
Gov. Dale B. Corvera during the activity also recognized the bravery and
resolve of the residents to cut their ties from the terrorist movement and
embrace new lives with the government.
“This
activity is not only for the AFP, PNP, the LGU, and the line government
agencies. This activity is designed for you, for the people of this barangay,
who wished to live normally and peacefully. Armed conflict is a hindrance to
development and progress because it disturbs our daily livelihood activities,”
Laurito said.
He
added that the government is always ready to find solutions to the problems of
barangays through the provisions of programs and services.
“With
the help of TESDA, who works with the 23IB and the LGU, we will develop
livelihood projects in your barangay, especially agricultural production in
order for you to have a sustainable livelihood and help our government in
recovering the status of our economic system. Kay kung walay kalinaw, walay
kalambuan," Laurito said.
Lt.
Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the commander of 23IB thanked the members of the
council of Casiklan for the trust and cooperation they bestowed to the Army and
the line agencies of the government. He also commended the local residents for
their help in ending the local communist armed conflicts in Casiklan.
“For
over 52 years, thousands of villagers were seduced by and recruited by the NPA.
But what accomplishment or contributions, especially in terms of economic
development, the NPA had brought and implemented in Casiklan? Nothing. Wala
sila'y naitabang kaninyo sulod sa pipila ka tuig nga pasalig ug pagpangilad,”
Paulo said.
He
emphasized that the 23IB is thankful that finally, the people of Casiklan
realized the grand deceit and trickery of the NPA movement.
“Dako
ang among pasalamat kay gisalikway na ninyo ang mga teroristang NPA ug
boluntaryong mibalik sa sabakan sa panggamhanan,” Paulo said.
The
mass surrender of the residents of Casiklan will also push down the NPA
movement in the area given that they have lost a community where they extort
support for food and finances.
“The
NPA will suffer more from hunger and exhaustion as the people will no longer
welcome them in this community. They can no longer extort money and ask food
supplies to support their daily needs,” Paulo said.
Without the support of the local populace, politicians, business owners, and other supporters, the CNT will eventually die in Agusan del Norte, Paulo emphasized. (CMO Officer, 23IB PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
LGU Tubajon
mipahigayon og orientation alang sa mga barangay
SAN
JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Enero 26 (PIA) – Ang lokal ng pangagamhan sa probinsya
pinaagi sa Provincial Health Office mipahigayon og orientation alang sa mga
Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) niadtong Enero 22, 2021 didto sa Barangay
Sta. Cruz, Tubajon, ning probinsya.
Ang
maong orientation usa ka programa sa probinsya ubos sa pagdumala ni Gobernador
Kaka Bag-ao aron matutukan ang health sa mga kabataan ilabi na kadtong bata nga
nahisakop sa malnutrition.
Atol sa
maong panagtigum, gipakita ni Provincial Health Office (PHO)
Nutritionist/Dietitian Lindsley L. Go ngadto sa mga barangay nutrition scholars
ang saktong pamaagi sa pagkuha sa timbang, gintas-on sa bata lakip na ang
mid-upper arm circumference, ug pag-test sa hupong o edema aron mahibal-an kung
normal ba ang kahimsog sa panglawas sa bata base sa ilang edad.
Pagkahuman
sa gihimong orientation, gipadayag nila Provincial Health Officer Dr. Jillian
Francise Lee ug Nutritionist Go ngadto kang Tubajon Municipal Mayor Simplicia
Pedrablanca ang ilang plano nga magpahigayon og feeding kung makumpleto na ang
lista sa malnourished children sa naasoy nga lungsod pinaagi sa mga karinderya
nga anaa sa ilang lokalidad ug didto i-enroll ang bata aron dali nga ma-monitor
ang ilang gikaon nga healthy recipe.
Hugot
kining gisuportahan ni Mayor Pedrablanca aron nga mokunhod na ang malnourished
children sa ilang munisipyo ug mamahimong himsog ang ilang kabataan.
Gipangitaan
usab ni Mayor Pedrablanca og pondo ang mga barangay nutrition scholars aron nga
madungagan ang quarterly allowance niini. (Dinagat Islands-Provincial
Information Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
DOH, LGU Dinagat Islands
nanguna sa ULAP BIDAngLokal forum on COVID-19 vaccination deployment
SAN
JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Enero 26 (PIA) -- Giklaro sa mga opisyal sa
nagkalain-laing local government units ang tanang detalye ug kumpletong
impormasyon mahitungod sa coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine
deployment pinaagi sa ikaduhang online consultative meeting sa ULAP BIDAngLokal
Forum o ang gitawag nga 'A DOH-DILG-LGUs Dialogue Series' niadtong Enero 19,
2021 didto sa Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Office, ning maong
lungsod.
Kini
nga programa gihan-ay alang sa pakigbahin sa kahibalo, pagpalambo sa kapasidad,
ug padayon nga koordinasyon ug kolaborasyon diin usa kini sa pinakamaayong
pamaagi nga nag-alagad ngadto sa national ug lokal nga aduna'y pakigtimbayayong
sa health emergency management.
Gipasabot
niini ang nagkadaiyang proseso ug sistema sa kasamtangang gihimo nga mga
preparasyon sa Department of Health (DOH) ug Food and Drugs Administration
(DFA) kabahin sa national deployment and vaccination plan, emergency use
authorization (EUA), negotiation and procurement, master-listing and
prioritization ug lakip na niini ang hiniusang proseso sa kinatibuk-ang pamaagi
sa gobyerno sa pag-implementar sa nationwide vaccination.
Giasoy
ang tanang istratehikong pamaagi sa mga gikinahanglan nga ikonsidera ilabi na
ang mahitungod sa kaluwasan, seguridad, kalidad, ug ka-epektibo sa nagkadaiyang
vaccine alang sa pagpukgang sa COVID-19.
Lakip
na usab nga gituki ang nagkalain-lain nga mga scientific evaluation, pagproseso
sa procurement and financing, production, shipment and storage, distribution
and deployment sa vaccine, ug sa ipahigayon nga assessment, evaluation, ug
monitoring sa mga katawhan.
Paninguha
niini nga luwas, patas, ug mahimong cost-effective immunization ang 60-75% nga
mga Pilipino, pagbalik sa dagan sa ekonomiya, normal nga kinabuhi sa katawhan,
ug malungtaron nga immunization program sa Pilipinas.
Dugang
pa, gipadayag sa mga nagkadaiyang resource speakers sa DOH ug FDA ang mga
konsepto og inisyatibo sa pag-pangandam alang sa ipahigayong nationwide
vaccination diin han-ay niining napasabot ang mga patakaran sa masterlisting,
microplanning, mapping of vaccination sites and team, human resource management
training, ug vaccine administration policies.
Lakip
na niini ang pagpahigayon ug mga trainings, maghatag sa insakto mga impormasyon
sa komunidad, pagdevelop sa haom nga mekanismo nga aduna'y koordinasyon sa mga
pasilidad sa matag LGU. Paghimo ug tukmang master-listing sa prioritization
list ug kompletong kinatibuk-ang datos ngadto sa system sa COVID-19 Electronic
Immunization Registry.
Gitambungan kini sa panggamhanang probinsyal ilalom sa pagdumala ni Gobernador Kaka Bag-ao pinaagi sa Provincial Health Officer ug Provincial Planning and Development Office. (Dinagat Islands Provincial Information Office/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
