88 FRs receive E-CLIP
incentives, benefit packages
By Nora
C. Lanuza
BUTUAN
CITY, Apr. 19 (PIA) -- A total of 88 Former Rebels (FRs) operating in the
province of Agusan del Norte (86) and Butuan City (2) have received their
Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) incentives and
benefit packages during the recently held Demilitarization of Surrendered
Firearms and ECLIP Awarding held at Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Philippine National
Police (PNP) grounds here.
Department
of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Agusan del Norte provincial
director and Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) head secretariat Ellen
Vee Chua has successfully coordinated the awarding of the FRs. She said, each
FR received P15,000.00 immediate assistance and P50,000.00 livelihood
assistance from the DILG; and P10,000.00 cash assistance from the
Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Aside
from the financial assistance, the FRs were also given hygiene kits, first aid
kits/medicines, and jerry cans from the Department of Health; vegetable seeds
from the Department of Agriculture; and food packs from Jaime V. Ongpin
Foundation, Inc. through the PNP.
Maria
Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba, representative of the second district of
Agusan del Norte, encouraged the FRs to use wisely what they have received to
become a productive and to live in harmony with other Filipinos, with peace of
mind.
Meanwhile,
220 surrendered firearms were also destroyed using a metal chainsaw during the
event.
According
to Agusan del Norte Governor Dale B. Corvera, PPOC chairperson, the
demilitarization is a symbol of the weakening of the NPAs.
The
event is part of the province of Agusan del Norte's effort to end local
communist armed conflict in the area. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
11-ft long saltwater croc found in Bislig City
BISLIG
CITY, Surigao del Sur, Apr. 19 (PIA) -- An 11-feet long saltwater crocodile was
caught in one of the fishponds on April 12, 2021, by the residents in Barangay
Pamanlian, this city.
Bislig
City Administrator Romulo Gray revealed that there was already a sighting of a
crocodile in one of the piers in Bislig City almost two years ago.
The
report said the captured saltwater crocodile was the first to happen in the city.
Meanwhile,
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-CENRO-Bislig bared
that the said crocodile weighs approximately 250-300 kilograms.
The
huge reptile was under the custody of Barangay Pamanlian headed by Barangay
Captain Jennifer Magno before it was handed over to the Pag-asa Farms Wildlife
Resource Center in Kapalong, Davao del Norte on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.
It was
transported and assisted by the local government unit of Bislig
City-Environment and Natural Resources Office (City-ENRO) under the
administration of Mayor Florencio Garay, DENR-CENRO Bislig, and the barangay
Council of Pamanlian, it was learned. (with a report from
CIO-Bislig/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
AgSur 47 FRs receive
financial assistance from DSWD-Caraga
TALACOGON,
Agusan del Sur, Apr. 19 -- As intended beneficiaries of the Executive Order 70
(EO70), a total of 47 former rebels (FRs) from the Province of Agusan del Sur
received financial assistance amounting to PhP10,000.00 each from the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga held on April 15,
2021 at the Naliyagan Cultural Center in Barangay Patin-ay, Prosperidad, this
province.
The
EO70 is a government policy on "Institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation
Approach to End Local Communists Armed Conflict" (ELCAC) in attaining
inclusive and sustainable peace in our country which aims to address the root
causes of insurgency to end local armed conflict in the countryside.
The
said FRs are previous members of the New People's Army (NPA) who voluntarily
surrendered to the Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine National Police (PNP)
units operating in the province through the enormous support and collaboration
of the Provincial Task Force-ELCAC of AgSur headed by Governor Santiago B. Cane
Jr., with the different concerned line agencies.
"The
government will always be there to assist our former rebels in terms of
financial and livelihood assistance for their reintegration in mainstream
society. With that, we believe that they can contribute as good citizens for
the prosperity and progress of the whole province of AgSur," Cane said.
Also,
said FRs already received benefits during the Enhanced Comprehensive Local
Integration Program (E-CLIP) Awarding last December 28, 2020. E-CLIP is a
government program intended for the re-integration of all members of the
CPP-NPA-NDF who will support the peace negotiation program of the government
and ultimately lay down their arms to the fold of law.
The
COVID-19 health protocols were strictly observed during the said awarding. They
also received hygiene kits and other basic household materials.
Meanwhile,
Brigadier General Allan D. Hambala, commander of 401st Infantry (Unity)
Brigade, Philippine Army, expressed his appreciation to partner agencies for
their unending and generous support for the FRs. "As our peace partners,
we appreciate your efforts for working hand in hand with us in the security
sector in serving various initiatives to help sustain the needs of the former
rebels for them to be reintegrated back to the community, be with their
families, and start over with their new lives especially in this pandemic
crisis," he said.
"Congratulations
to our former rebels who have just received assistance from the government. To
our brothers and sisters who are still on the ranks of the CPP-NPA, surrender
now and start over. The government is always ready to welcome you," added
BGen. Hambala. (26IB, PA/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
DSWD, RCWC Caraga
launch 'MaCaragaBata' stream channel
BUTUAN
CITY, Apr. 19 -- The Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC)
Caraga, chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
launched the first episode of its monthly live streaming platform dubbed as
MaCaragaBata, recently.
The
MaCaragaBata aims to discuss, evaluate, and analyze the current status and
rights of Filipino Children, particularly in Caraga Region. The launching of
the monthly streaming platform was intentionally inaugurated in March to better
address the issues and concerns faced by children, especially girls since March
is considered as Women’s Month.
On its
first episode, the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA) and DSWD FO
Caraga highlighted this year’s Girl-Child Week Celebration with its local theme
“Isulong: Tamang Pagkalinga sa mga Batang Babae sa Panahon ng Pandemya.” With
the government’s effort to address the issues of equality and opportunities of
girl children, while embodying the 1995-2025 Philippine Plan for
Gender-Responsive Development, the government issued Proclamation No. 759,
signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos, declaring the fourth week of March
as the Girl-Child Week.
The
MaCaragaBata stream channel was hosted by the RCWC-Caraga Secretariat, Raffy
Vigil, together with Cristal Urot, Social Welfare Assistant (SWA).
Distinguished guests from different sectors were invited to better help the
audience understand the rights of every girl child, these were Cheryl Jen
Pahal, SWO II of the Home for Girls (HFG) Caraga, Sis. Marilou Besere, Center
Head of the Gesu Eucaristico Children’s Incorporated and Ma. Erlinda Aguila,
Policy and Planning Division Officer-in-Charge of the Council for the Welfare
of Children.
The
stream channel also served as an avenue for the HFG-Caraga and Gesu Eucaristico
Children’s Incorporated to reach for individuals who are willing to give
assistance, for the benefit of the children in the centers.
Aguila
of CWC, also discussed the Socio-Ecological Model for Physical Abuse and Sexual
Abuse in the Home and Community of the Philippines. To address these
situations, she also shared the Key Strategies for Effective
Discipline/Parenting that of help for the parents and/or guardians.
With
the hope to increase the understanding of each the public on the rights of
every child, DSWD FO Caraga and RCWC encourage the audience to keep posted on
their different social media sites and websites for the updates on the next
episode of MaCaragaBata. (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
TESDA provides interventions to address socio-economic condition in Agusan del Norte PDZ
By Robert
E. Roperos
BUTUAN
CITY, Apr. 19 – In support to the implementation of Executive Order 70
institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach, the Agusan del Norte
Provincial Office of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA) has provided interventions to address the socio-economic condition in
Brgy. Camagong, Nasipit town, one of the Peace and Development Zones (PDZs) in
the province.
During
the orientation made by Provincial Director Rey M. Cueva to TESDA Sec. Isidro
S. LapeΓ±a during his visit to Sitio Minbahandi on Tuesday to grace the event,
he said that different training qualifications were provided to the three
sitios of the said barangay, namely: Prepare Land, Prepare Organic Concoction,
Tilapia Culture in Pond, Operate Fish Nursery, Food Processing, Small Engine
Repair and Maintenance, Prepare Bakery Products, and Basic Solar Power
Installation.
A total
of 161 residents from Sitio Hinandayan availed the trainings and received
Certificate of Training Completion from Sec. LapeΓ±a. There are 277 local
residents of Sitio Minbahandi also received the same certificates while 143
graduates from Sitio Salaysayon were able to finish the trainings.
In his
message, Sec. LapeΓ±a enjoined those who are still in the fold of the insurgents
to withdraw their support and experience the benefits of what the government
has offered to transform their lives and live it to the fullest.
Sec.
LapeΓ±a was in Sitio Minbahandi to inaugurate the Busilak Enterprise Village and
graced the graduation of 581 TESDA trainees who are residents of Sitios
Hinandayan, Minbahandi and Salaysayon, all of Brgy. Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan
del Norte.
Also
gracing the events are TESDA Deputy Director-General for TESD Operations Lina
C. Sarmiento, and TESDA Executive Director for Administrative Services Juliet
O. Orozco.
TESDA-Caraga Regional Director Tarhata S. Mapandi, who leads at the regional
level in the implementation of Priority Barangay Development Program through
Sustainable Enterprise Development focusing on Agriculture and its added value
chain interventions under EO 70 Framework was also there to witness this
another milestone of TESDA-Caraga.
Meanwhile, Agusan del Norte Provincial Governor Dale B. Corvera, Nasipit
Municipal Mayor Enrico R. Corvera, and provincial directors of the different
member-agencies of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster
(PRLEC) were also in attendance. (TESDA Caraga/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Farmer orgs receive ₱7.4-M farm machinery
BUTUAN
CITY, Apr. 19 -- Department of Agriculture (DA)-Caraga Regional Executive
Director Abel James I. Monteagudo turned over to Farmer Organizations in
Rosario, Agusan del Sur the farm machinery worth ₱7.4
million under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
RCEF
Mechanization Component is implemented by the DA-Philippine Center for
Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) in partnership with DA
regional office.
Dir.
Monteagudo encouraged the farmer-beneficiaries to be responsible and make use
of the interventions that they receive from the DA.
Among the beneficiaries were Bayugan 3 Muyong Unity Farmers Assoc., Bayugan 3 Irrigators Association Inc., and Wasian-Luay Farmers Irrigators Association Inc. each received a four-wheel-drive farm tractor while the Limbatangan Farmers Irrigators Association Inc. received one unit of four-wheel drive tractor and one unit of rice combine harvester. (DA-CaragaI/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte solon
highlights early vaccination
By
JParada
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Apr. 19 – Rep. Francisco Bingo Matugas of the First Congressional District of the province stressed the need to expedite the immunization rollout for resort operators and business people in Siargao Island.
In his opening statement during the consultative meeting on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Rep. Matugas explained the significant relationship between accelerated procurement of vaccines and economic recovery.
According to Matugas, giant think tanks prefer Moderna, which is the number one brand in the world.
“President Duterte has allowed private enterprise and conglomerates to have free rein in the purchase of the vaccines. That is why we need to get our acts together,” said Rep. Matugas.
While the business sector has been included in the priority list, Rep. Matugas said that the enlistment of teachers and social workers is a welcome development.
Moreover, Rep. Matugas said that in light the surge of new variants in the National Capital Region bubble plus areas, tourism in the island has suffered a great deal.
Over the past couple of weeks, the airline industry has faced about 80% of backlash, citing the cancellation of bookings, added Rep. Matugas.
"As such, resorts and hotels duly accredited by the Department of Tourism also grappled with canceled reservations," he said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Matugas said that the provincial government is now preparing for the ground-breaking of the Siargao Island Medical Center.
“The Siargao District Hospital is now in a transition period. Soon, we will be turning over the facilities to the national government through the Department of Health," said Rep. Matugas.
With the conversion of the island’s medical facility, Rep. Matugas revealed that its budgetary allocation will increase from 39 million to 600 million in pesos.
In addition, manpower complement will also be augmented from 89 to 250.
“It is imperative that the hospital will pave way for COVID-19 isolation ward,” said Matugas. (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
DA Caraga guarantees cassava farmers sales thru marketing agreement
By Zenny G. Awing
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Apr. 19 -- To assure the establishment of a cassava market, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Caraga through the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) updated the marketing agreement between the A&M Multi-purpose cooperative (A&M) in Dinagat Islands and Fatima Multi-purpose Cooperative (FMPC) in Leyte.
The marketing agreement crafted during the DA-PRDP planning stated
that A&M can potentially supply cassava granules to FMPC. Subsequently, as
A&M reached FMPC’s proposed cassava volume, DA-PRDP intervenes to finalize
the documents.
A visit by the Investment in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and
Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) or Enterprise Component in FMPC on April 6-8 at
Region-8 ensured that the marketing agreement will then be signed to proceed
with the delivery of A&M’s produce.
The DA-PRDP inculcates the importance of forging a formal
marketing agreement where both parties remain grounded and protected. This
provides in-depth detail of the product’s volume, quality, and delivery
frequency.
The marketing agreement guarantees A&M’s produce will be
purchased and FMPC will get the required volume of cassava granules.
“Cassava is not only a staple food but a primary commodity. We in
DA-PRDP are like supporting actors for the success of this project. With this,
we make sure to establish a market for the produce of the A&M to make it
profitable,” Lynn A. PareΓ±as, DA-Caraga PRDP I-REAP Component Head said.
Furthermore, the signed document is one way of educating the
farmers to exercise their rights and authority especially when it comes to bulk
orders.
“During investment forums, we bring in personnel from the industry
itself including San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI). Through this, they will have a
picture of the coops’ needs. These forums built a close partnership with the
SMFI which also allowed us to connect to FMPC, one of their cassava granules
suppliers,” she added.
A&M cooperative agreed to supply 10 metric tons or 10,000
kilograms of cassava granules per month with a buying price of P11/kg to FMPC.
This will then be delivered by FMPC to SMFI to be processed as feeds.
“I-REAP assures that cassava granules consolidation and marketing
are viable considering the market. Even if the project reaches its term, the
enterprise can still continue, and support from DA will always be there,”
PareΓ±as guaranteed.
Moreover, I-REAP plans to organize a field visit for the staff of
A&M to the facilities of FMC to expose them to the coop’s process and give
them a hands-on experience of the machines used. Also, a prospect production
training which will be funded by I-REAP in partnership with FMC will happen in
Dinagat Islands for the cassava farmers of A&M.
“For now, as the project progress, we also continue the capability
building, institutional development, and other related engagements with
A&M,” PareΓ±as asserted.
The MOA that will be signed in May serves as the go signal for the
maiden voyage of A&M’s high-quality cassava granules. This will be
tentatively transported to Matalom Leyte, then directly delivered to SMFI BMEG
Plant in Ormoc City. (DA-PRPD13/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
Gob. Corvera
gipaneguro ang padayon nga serbisyo sa mga hilit nga lugar sa probinsya
By Shena
Mae Pabia
DAKBAYAN
SA BUTUAN, Abril 19 -- “Sinugdanan pa lang kini. Adunay mga programa nga
gimugna aron sa kanunay naay gobyerno nga maghatag kaninyo og serbisyo.”
Kini
ang gipaneguro ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera sa mga komunidad sa Indigenous Peoples
(IP) sa Sitio Minbahandi, Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte ug mga kasikbit
niini nga mga sitio atol sa AguSerbisyo nga gipadangat ubos sa AGUSAN UP! - ang
kampanya sa pagpalambo sa iyang administrasyon kaabag ang buhatan ni Kong.
Angel Amante-Matba.
Nasulti
kini sa gobernador human niya makita ug ang kahimtang ug makatulog ug usa ka
gabii ning maong hilit nga komunidad sa mga Higaonon ug pipila ka halin nga
nanginabuhi ug nahimong kabahin na sa lugar.
“Samtang
gaina nga paingon mi dinhi, nag tan-aw tan-aw ko sa kabukiran, nag-ingon ko sa
akong mga kauban nga kinsay magdahum nga naa pa diay mga tawo nga nagpuyo
niining dapita,” matud ni Gob. Corvera.
Ang
giagian ni Gob. Corvera dinhi mao ang 18 kilometros nga dalan diin maabot ang
sitio Minbahandi sulod sa kapin sa usa ka oras. Gisugdan na pagsemento ang
maong dalan sa nasudnong panggamhan apan taas pa ang lubakon ug tungason nga
parte nga 4x4 lang nga klase sa sakyanan ug “skylab” lang makasugakod pag-agi
niini.
Sa
maong kahimtang, mikomenter si Gob. Corvera nga mangitag igong pundo aron
masugdan pod ang kalsada gikan sa Minbahandi sugat sa gipundohan karon sa
nasudnong paggamhanan gikan sa national highway sa sentrong bahin sa Camagong.
Gawas
niini, padayon usab nga ipaabot sa mga IPs sa maong lugar ug uban pang IPs sa
probinsya ang mga outreach activities isip kabahin sa AguSerbisyo ubos sa
Amomang Agusanon Flagship Program sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo ni
Gob. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kong. Angel Amante-Matba ug mga nasudnong
ahensya.
Gilusad
usab sa gobernador sa maong okasyon ang “CADT OG-KAAGPAS” (Pinulongang Higaonon
sa CADT Express) ubos sa AGUSAN UP! gihapon. Ubos niini tutokan ang suporta sa
pagpananum sa kayutaan sa mga IPs ug pagproseso sa abot niini alang sa ilang
ekonomikanhong paglambo.
Padayon
usab ang pagpadangat og sebisyo ubos sa Immersion Program sa Peace and Order
Council sa Agusan del Norte diin si Gob. Corvera ang chairman ug gipadagan sa
Department of Local Government (DILG) kaabag ang nagkalain-laing nasudnong
ahensya.
Dili
usab mohunong ang mga pagbansay sa kahanas sa mga lumulupyo sa lugar aron sila
makatrabaho o makamugna og mga barangay enterprises nga gipahiluna sa Technical
Eduation and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) ug partner nga mga ahensya
niini.
Walay
usab puas ang mahimong tabang sa Department of Trade and Industry sa pagpalambo
og mga produkto ug negosyo sa mga IPs apil na ang pagpadangat og mga shared
service facilities (SSF) aron ma-proseso ang mga abot sa uma sa mga IPs ug
pagpangamoanya alang sa investment alang sa paspas nga paglambo sa ekonomiya.
Makanunayon
usab ang pagbantay sa kapolisan ug kasundalohan alang sa kahusay ug kalinaw.
Sa
samang okasyon gipaneguro usab ni Mayor Rico Corvera sa Nasipit nga pakusgon pa
gyod niya ang serbisyo sa lungsod ubos sa Renewed and Intensified Commuity
Outreach (RICO) niyang programa.
Sa kinatibuk-an, 675 ka lumulupyo sa maong mga komunidad ang naabot sa nagkalain-laing serbisyo sa maong duha ka adlaw nga pakiglambigit sa mga personahe sa gobyerno sa pagpanguna ni Gob. Corvera ning usa sa mga hilit nga komunidad sa probinsya aron mapaabot ang makanunayong serbisyo aron moangat ang kahimtang sa ilang pagpuyo. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
