Sibagat LCE highlights importance of master plan for vaccination program implementation
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY, May 24 (PIA) – Mayor Maria Liza Evangelista of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur
highlighted the significance of having a municipal master plan in the
implementation of the government’s vaccination program to ensure that the
vaccines are given to the eligible priority groups and consumed as targeted.
The
lady mayor also revealed that the health personnel in their municipality, along
with the barangay health workers went around to do information dissemination as
there had been mixed reactions and perspectives about the vaccines -- there are
people who are very positive about it and there are also people who are afraid
not knowing the after-effects of the vaccine.
“We are
capacitating our health workers and divided them into teams for the arrival of
the vaccine; so far, it's manageable. There were already 987 who received their
first dose. We continue to implement the guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task
Force against COVID-19 up to the region and province especially that we are in
between two cities (Butuan and Bayugan), so most of our residents' transactions
are in the city,” bared Evangelista. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Cultural properties display opens in Surigao City
By
Venus Lim-Garcia
SURIGAO
CITY, Surigao del Norte, Mayo 24 (PIA) – As part of the celebration of the
National Heritage Month, the Surigao City Tourism and Cultural Affairs opens
the first-ever cultural properties exhibit dubbed as “Mga Kabilin Surigaonon.”
It aims
to create more awareness and interest in the artifacts of cultural and
historical value that played a crucial part in bringing history
to life.
The
exhibit is also one way of promoting and preserving local cultural property and
rendering it accessible to Surigaonons so that its significance will become
part of the lives
of
people who also may gain consciousness of their own cultural identity and dignity.
“We
make it a point that people, especially the Surigaonons will become more aware
of our heritage. We do encourage them to preserve our heritage that’s why
we intend to showcase or display some of the Surigaonon cultural properties
which we have discovered during our cultural mapping in the different barangays
of the city,” said Roselyn Armida B. Merlin, head of the Surigao City Tourism
Office.
Included
in the display are tadjaw, banga, and other heritage properties and items that
were kept and preserved by the Surigaonons for more than 50 years already.
“This
has become a treasure of Surigaonons. So, we do encourage people to come and
visit these display at the Luneta Park at the ground floor of Surigao Reading
Hub Center,” ani Merli.
Part
also of the celebration of the Heritage Month was the painting competition
among high school students.
The
“Pintal Surigaonon” was joined by the contenders from the Canlanipa National
High School, Taft National High School, Surigao City National High School, and
Caraga Regional Science High School.
Meanwhile,
an online songwriting competition was also held for elementary students from
several participating schools which include Navarro Memorial Central Elementary
School, B. Vasquez Memorial Central Elementary School, Talisay Elementary
School, Special Science Elementary School, Surigao City Pilot School, at
Mariano Memorial Elementary School.
“As
young Surigaonons, we are happy and grateful because this exhibit has showcased
our rich tangible cultural heritage. Magandang paraan ito para mas lalo pang
mapahalagahan ang mga ito,” said Bruce P. Custodio, a student of NEMCO.
With
the ongoing pandemic, the local government unit of Surigao City is reminding
the public to constantly practice the minimum health standards as the best
defense against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). (VLG/SDR/PIA-Surigao del
Norte)
Loreto SKs advocate
anti-terrorism activities in AgSur
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY, May 24 (PIA) – During the Network Briefing News aired on Friday, the
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in the municipality of Loreto in Agusan del Sur
expressed their support for the government’s efforts in ending local communist
armed conflict in the province.
Nicka
Juliet Rafanan, SK Federation President of said municipality bared that there
is a need for the youth to understand better the disadvantages of joining the
communist terrorist group. She elaborated on the negative impacts of the
terroristic acts in society.
“This
is very important because some barangays here are under monitoring for
terrorist presence because some youth are easily recruited. Others really lack
the right knowledge on the government’s programs and services that’s why they
are easily deceived by the communist group,” said Rafanan.
She
further recognized the efforts and initiatives of the concerned government
agencies in reaching out to the sector to provide for their needs and promote
their rights and welfare. “The government has been constantly reaching out to
the youth particularly in the far-flung barangays and we as young leaders in
our municipality really support this kind of activities which could help
improve the way of life of our constituents,” she underscored.
When
asked about their counterpart in the implementation of the government’s
vaccination program, Rafanan revealed that many of the target priority sectors
in their municipality expressed that the vaccination is really helpful to
protect them from the transmission of the deadly virus. The information
campaign of the LGU is also intensified and the SKs are active in the advocacy
in their respective barangays.
“As to
the preparation for the vaccination by the SK councils here in Loreto, it
went well. Many got vaccinated, almost all SK chairpersons and they only
felt minimal side effects. Since the Rural Health Unit of Loreto also conducted
an information dissemination campaign in our barangays, most of the youth here
are willing to get vaccinated,” cited Rafanan.
Meanwhile,
on the increasing number of teenage pregnancy, she emphasized the need to gear
up information drive efforts on sex education among youth and other activities
that will enhance their interest and become more productive academically and in
other curricular activities.
“We
give the youth awareness on sex education through an information education
campaign and give them activities for team building. We also conduct guidance
counseling so they can fight off negative or unhealthy thoughts,” she said.
(JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Gov’t agencies
enhance 2022-2025 work plan for Filipino Family
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY, May 24 (PIA) -- In order to make the regional plan for the Regional
Inter-Agency Committee on Filipino Family (RIAC-FF) and Regional Committee for
the Welfare of Children (RCWC), the members of the two committees from various
government and non-government entities are set to convene on May 27-28, 2021
for its Capability Building and Strategic Planning at Amontay Beach Resort,
this city.
According to DSWD-Caraga regional director Ramel Jamen, with this activity, the
members would be able to discuss different relevant issues and concerns of the
two sectors considering the COVID-19 pandemic and provide resolutions to it.
“The focal persons will prepare important information concerning Filipino
families such as the data, situational analysis, and the like. A list of the
PPAs which can be included in the unified and harmonized plan will also be
presented,” cited Jamen.
Jamen added that the two committees continue to promote the welfare of the
Filipino family and the children, hence, they will establish a rolling work
plan for 2022-2025.
“We are always thankful for the active support of our partner stakeholders in
the implementation and monitoring of the programs and services intended for the
two sectors,” Jamen said. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
AgSur LGU revives Abaca industry, expands production
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY, May 24 (PIA) -- As Sibagat, Agusan del Sur envisions to become an organic
agricultural land municipality, Mayor Maria Liza Evangelista also wanted to
revive the Abaca production and has plans to expand it.
She
added that currently, the municipality has a little more than 6,000 hectares of
Abaca. “We really want to revive it and really expand production. We are the
capital in terms of Abaca. We also give support to the women who used to weave
'sinamay' products, and produce fine fabrics called Abaca Pinukpok,” she said.
“Our
vision is for Sibagat to be an organic municipality. Since we started our
advocacy in 2017, the feedback from farmers has been positive. As of now, we
have 4,000 hectares of agri land and this is what we are targeting to be
converted into an organic agricultural land,” elaborated Evangelista.
The
mayor further said that since 2016, they studied the assets of Sibagat to
identify what they could show to the rest of the country. “We are rich in
natural resources so we drafted the Municipal Tourism Development Plan. We've
identified two waterfalls with eco-tourism potential, and hopefully, the
construction of the road leading up to them will start this year. We're also
giving out capability building on what can be manufactured here, and we're targeting
to have it developed by 2023 or 2024,” she underscored.
The
economy of Sibagat in the province of Agusan del Sur is dependent heavily on
subsistence agriculture. Its major agricultural products are coconut, corn,
coffee, cacao, fruits, vegetables, and root crops. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Public urged to be
cautious vs COVID-19
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY, May 24 (PIA) – As she shared how Sibagatnons strive to survive from the
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Mayor Maria Liza Evangelista of
Sibagat, Agusan del Sur during the Network Briefing News aired on Friday urged
everyone to be cautious and follow the minimum health standards to prevent
further spread of the deadly virus.
“With
this ongoing health crisis, let us help and protect each other. We have 36
COVID-19 positive cases; 2 are active; and 1 death case. We should always be
cautious in everything that we do and help ourselves. We reinforce the
information dissemination, education and we institutionalized through a local
ordinance the minimum health protocols like using face masks, face shield, and
social distancing,” she said.
The
municipality of Sibagat is a 1st class municipality in the province of Agusan
del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of
30,442 people. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
OWWA-NRCO opens
Business Plan Competition for Seafarers 2021
BUTUAN CITY, May 24 – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration – National Reintegration for OFWs (OWWA-NRCO) Caraga invites Caraganons to join the special edition of this year’s contest which was renamed as The OWWA-NRCO Business Plan Competition. The Competition is open to all interested seafarers and their families intending to venture into start-up business while staying for good in the country.
Prizes
will be the following: a) Top 1 : Php 150,000.00; b) Top 2-6 : Php 100,000.00 x
5 = Php 500,000.00; c) Consolation Prizes (Ranks 7-11): Php 20,000.00 x 5 = Php
100,000.00. Special Awards are the: d) Viewer’s Choice Award: 10,000.00
(Poster), and e) Bagong Tuklas Award: 10,000.00.
There
should be one contestant, one entry. All submissions must be sent
to nrco.bpc2021@gmail.com on or before June 30, 2021. Confirmed
contestants will undergo the Mentoring Round through an online platform.
Seafarers can join solo, pair or group (3-5 members). Active or inactive
(maximum of 5 years) seafarers are welcome to join.
For the
seafarers who are currently on duty and are unable to attend presentation and
coordination activities related to the Competition, including attendance to the
mentoring session, must have at least one official representative, (must be an
immediate family member) who will handle all the tasks and activities required
in the Competition.
· Content of the proposed business including business idea and social purpose - 30 points
· Impact on the community - 20 points
· Financial viability - 30 points
· Clarity and presentation of the business - 10 points
· Drive and determination of the business owner-entrepreneur - 10 points
· TOTAL = 100 points
The judges will choose the first Top 11 market pitches to advance to the Final Round. The Top 11 will re-submit an enhanced or reformulated business plan in preparation for the Final Round which will also be conducted through an online platform.
The
public, through the NRCO Facebook page, can also participate in the voting who
among the contestants has the most “catchy poster”. The contestant with the
most number of votes shall win the Voter’s Choice Award. The freshest and most
innovative business idea will be awarded the Bagong Tuklas Award. Each will be
given 20 minutes: 10 minutes for the pitching, and 10 minutes for the Question
and Answer.
Meanwhile,
winners will be announced thereafter. Certificates and/or cheques will be
forwarded to the RWOs. RWOs will award them to their winners. A post-evaluation
activity will be conducted by the RWOs, including the monitoring of businesses
of the winners. The Top 11 are expected to pursue their business plan
proposals. An agreement will be signed between the OWWA and finalists regarding
this matter.
To register click the link below:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/.../_2021OWWANRCOBUSINESSPLA...
For
more information, the OWWA can be reached at telephone number (085) 815-1894
and cellphone numbers 09503057533 (TNT) / 09551884858 (TM).
(OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Focal persons update regional plan for RCDA, RIAC-SC Caraga
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, May 24 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) being the chair of the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA) and Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Senior Citizen (RIAC-SC) will convene its members from the different government agencies, private sector, academe and non-government organizations for the two-day Capacity Building and Strategic Planning activity scheduled on May 25-26, 2021 at Amontay Beach Resort, this city.
This
meeting is in time with its 2nd quarterly meeting and participants are divided
into two – those at the venue physically and other via Zoom platform. This is
to ensure that health protocols are observed during this time of the COVID-19
pandemic.
According
to DSWD-Caraga regional director Ramel Jamen, this activity aims to capacitate
members on the committee functions; map the committee’s concerns, existing
responses, and resources in the regional context; establish committee rolling
work plan for 2022-2025; and discuss issues and concerns and update the plan of
activities of RCDA and RIAC-SC for the 2nd quarter.
“The
committee members wanted to ensure that our regional plan is relevant and
timely of the needed responses and intervention that would continually promote
the welfare of the persons with disability and the older person amidst the
COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jamen. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
POPCOM pushes reliable database against COVID-19
By Matt Joe Ian F. Gonzaga
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, May 24 -- The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) of Caraga advances the Registry of Barangay Inhabitants and Migrants, or RBIM, to the barangays in the region as a baseline of managing responses against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in household level.
POPCOM
is offering help to create community-based information and profile system for
each barangay in the region through the RBIM. POPCOM developed RBIM and the
Demographic Vulnerability Tool to assist Local Government Units in managing
their responses to any pandemic, including COVID-19.
The
Registry of Barangay Inhabitants and Migrants is also a tool for monitoring
internal migration for growth planning and policy formulation purposes. During
the profiling process, basic information such as migration data, health
indicators, employment variables, and household information is gathered.
As of
press time, 86 barangays of Butuan City, 25 barangays of Buenavista, and for a
few barangays in the region have already after the agency’s face-to-face and
online workshop forwarded by POPCOM Caraga.
Lately,
the municipalities of Bacuag and Sison in the province of Surigao del Norte
have submitted a letter of intent to the Commission for the conduct of training
and seminars on the Barangay Inhabitants and Migrants Registry. (POPCOM
Caraga/PIA Caraga)
Population program addresses local population issues
By Matt Joe Ian F. Gonzaga
BUENAVISTA,
Agusan del Norte, May 24 -- The Commission on Population and Development Caraga
(POPCOM) came out with the 2020-2022 thrust of the Philippine Population
Management or PPMP to primarily address key population issues in their
locality.
In the
full implementation of Supreme Court Mandanas-Garcia Ruling, POPCOM Caraga took
the lead in preparing the necessary financial and logistical assistance to LGUs
to ensure the long-term implementation of its key strategies, particularly at
the grassroots level.
POPCOM
Caraga Regional Director Alexander A. Makinano expresses his gratitude to local
government units that took the initiative in ensuring the agency's program
mandate has a solid foundation and encourages all local chief executives and
population officers to continue their duties and responsibilities in promoting
empowered families and communities.
The
Philippine Population Management Program enables couples to achieve their
desired number and spacing of children while adhering to the demands of
responsible parenthood. POPCOM is campaigning that If every Filipino family
becomes well-planned, they will have a greater opportunity and capacity to
innovate for each family member's well-being and development. Each Filipino
becomes a more empowered human resource as a result.
The
PPMP will be pursued through the main program components of: Responsible
Parenthood and Family Planning (RP-FP), Adolescent Health and Development, and
Population and Development (POPDEV) Integration. (POPCOM Caraga/PIA Caraga)
Mahahalagang pamana
ng Surigaonon tampok sa exhibit sa Surigao City
By
Venus L. Garcia
LUNGSOD
NG SURIGAO, Surigao del Norte, Mayo 24 (PIA) -- Tampok sa pagdiriwang ng
National Heritage Month sa Surigao City ang cultural display na pagbabalik
tanaw sa mga mahahalagang pamana ng Surigaonon.
Nais
ipabatid ng Surigao City Tourism and Cultural Affairs sa publiko ang
kahalagahan ng mga lumang kagamitan na naging malaking parte noon ng buhay ng
mga Surigaonon.
Layunin
ding palakasin at palawakin ang kamalayan sa pangangalaga at promosyon ng
kultura ng Surigao, at pagkakakilanlan ng kulturang Pilipino.
“We
make it a point that people, especially the Surigaonons will become more aware
of our heritage. We do encourgae them to preserve our heritage that’s why we
intend to showcase or display some of the Surigaonon cultural properties which
we have discovered during our cultural mapping in the different barangays of
the city,” sabi ni Roselyn Armida B. Merlin, hepe ng Surigao City Tourism
Office.
Kabilang
sa cultural display ang ‘tadjaw,’ mga banga, at iba pang heritage properties at
items na iniingatan at nai-preserve ng mga Surigaonon sa mahigit limampung taon
na.
“This
has become a treasure of Surigaonons. So, we do encourage people to come and
visit these display at the Luneta Park at the ground floor of Surigao Reading
Hub Center,” ani Merlin.
Bahagi
ng selebrasyon ng heritage month ang kumpetisyon sa pagpinta para sa mga high
school students.
Ang
“Pintal Surigaonon” ay sinalihan ng mga contender galing sa Canlanipa National
High School, Taft National High School, Surigao City National High School, at
Caraga Regional Science High School.
Samantala,
isang online songwriting competition naman para sa mga elementary students na
sinalihan ng mga kalahok ng Navarro Memorial Central Elementary School, B.
Vasquez Memorial Central Elementay School, Talisay Elementary School, Special
Science Elementary School, Surigao City Pilot School, at Mariano Memorial
Elementary School.
Sa
gitna nitong pandemya, pinapaalalahanan muli ng lokal na pamahalaan ng surigao
ang publiko na patuloy pa rin sa pagsunod sa health protocols. (VLG/Susil D.
Ragas/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
36 ka personahe sa kapitolyo, migradwar sa Psychological First Aid
DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Mayo 24 -- Katloan og unom ka personahe sa
probinsyal nga panggamhan sa Agusan del Norte ang migradwar sa tulo ka adlaw
nga Psychological First Aid Training and Coping Strategies on COVID-19 pandemic
nga gihimo sa syudad sa Butuan.
Gitambongan usab kini ni Board Member Elizabeth Marie R. Calo isip
representante ni Gobernador Dale B. Corvera.
Tumong sa maong pagbansay nga naay mga tawo sa kapitolyo nga naay
katakus pagtabang nga mahupay ang kahingawa sa mga pasyente sa COVID-19. Ang
ideya mao nga mokontak sila sa mga natakbuyan sa maong sakit, naka-quarantne
man o wala, pinaagi sa cellular phone o digital phone aron pangutan-on sa ilang
mga nasinati ug makatambag aron makasugakod sila sa posibleng anxiety disorder
o depresyon.
“Dakung tabang ug additional knowledge sa amo na nakaapil sa training para makatabang sa mga tao nga nag-need og help labi na pag naa silay bation nga mental disorders,” sumala pa ni Nibika May Calixtro, personahe sa AGUSAN UP! Coordinating Center nga partisipante sa maong pagbansay. (Shena Mae Pabia, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
