Sea, sand and sun in
Danawan
By
Venus L. Garcia
Are you
looking for a snorkeling adventure? Look no further.
Your next underwater exploration is calling and waiting for you.
Whether
you're an avid snorkeler looking for a big adventure, or consider yourself a
beginner, Danawan Island in Barangay Danawan, Surigao City offers the best
experience of witnessing the parade of thriving marine life as you hover above
the colorful patches of abundant coral reefs.
“Danawan
island is one of the island barangays in Surigao City. It’s only a half an hour
drive from the city proper via ‘bangka’ (or various native watercrafts). This
year, Danawan island became one of the priority attractions that the City
Tourism Office has been trying to promote because we see its potential for
tourism,” said Roselyn Armida Merlin, department head of the Surigao City Tourism
Office.
In the
island, the pristine seawater, fresh wind blown from the sea, and other several
activities such as the regulated leisure fishing certainly provide a breathing
space. However, due to the pandemic and stricter implementation of travel
protocols nowadays, the visits are limited only to local tourists until such a
time that the international or even unrestricted domestic tourism activities
resume.
“Its
mountainous area has a six-hectare man-made forest and also a good trekking
site. And if they don’t feel like snorkeling or fishing, or if they just simply
want to see and be on the island then they can enjoy witnessing the beautiful
daybreak that can bring joy into their mundane life,” said Merlin.
The
groundbreaking of the Tourism Pavilion and the oath-taking of the newly-elected
officers of the Association of Danawan Island Community-Based Tourism
highlighted the occasion and a much more improved Danawan island adventure
package was introduced.
Meanwhile,
20 sets of snorkeling gears, 10 camping tents, and 15 life jackets were turned
over to the Danawan Tourism Council, while 31 first aid kits were also
distributed to the lifeguards and community guides.
Prior
to the relaunch of the Danawan tourist attractions, a five-day training on
standard first aid and basic life support was conducted by the Coast Guard
Station - Surigao del Norte.
It
aimed at preparing and providing the residents with the right knowledge on
how to appropriately respond during emergencies and calamities.
The
encounter with nature’s diversity and underwater safari will certainly be an
unforgettable experience in Danawan island.
According
to Merlin, the City Tourism Council and the Department of Tourism (DOT)
Regional Office had already talked about the plan on rural tourism in the said
place.
“The
community, the people in the area are also very hospitable. You will experience
rural tourism, that is why Danawan island is perfect for piloting rural
tourism. If you want to experience rural life, it could be the best place kasi
walang sasakyan doon you can’t even see a single motorcycle in that island
barangay pero marami silang mga bangka. Life is simple in the area and then its
really very safe,” described Merlin.
The
Surigao City Tourism Office also shared the top 10 wonderful tourist spots in
the city to add to the summer bucket list. These are the Mabua Rock and Stone
Beach, Looc Bebble Beach, Silop Cave Complex, Day-asan water village, Surigao
river, Pagkawasan beach, Buenavista cave, Sagisi beach, Battle of Surigao
Strait Memorial and Museum, and Danawan island, and a bonus destination at
Alegria Bats Sanctuary.
Also,
as part of their observance of the National Heritage Month of this year, the
local government unit of Surigao City and City Tourism Office ensured to keep
the locals aware of their heritage assets.
“We
make sure that everyone will be aware of and is encouraged to preserve our
heritage. So, we have a simple showcase of Surigaonon cultural properties that
were discovered during our cultural mapping in the different barangays in the
city. There, you can see in our display a tadyao, banga, and other heritage
items that were kept by Surigaonons for more than 50 years, making them part of
the great treasures of Surigaonons,” said Merlin. (Venus L.
Garcia/SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
OCD-13 conducts PSCP training
By
Venus L. Garcia
SURIGAO
CITY, Surigao del Norte, May 11 (PIA) -- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD)
Caraga recently conducted a five-day online blended training course on Public
Service Continuity Planning (PSCP).
A total
of 51 participants completed the 31 technical training hours course and were
awarded with a certificate of completion.
The
technical personnel of OCD Caraga and the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) Caraga served as the trainers/facilitators of the online blended
training course.
The
said training is one of the capacity-building activities identified by OCD
Caraga in its Annual Plans and Budget (APB) for 2021.
In her
message during the opening program, OCD Caraga regional director Liza Mazo
pointed out the importance of ensuring the continuous delivery of quality
public services during an emergency, disaster, or any other disruption.
“As the
entire nation continues its battle against COVID-19, OCD Caraga deems it
necessary that PSCP shall be developed by the national/regional line agencies
and local government units (LGUs) to guarantee the continuity of their
operations amidst the pandemic,” she emphasized.
With
the newly-trained PSCP champions of Caraga region and with the existing public
health emergency, all government entities are expected to start implementing
public service continuity management as a relevant mechanism to address and
reduce the impact and adverse effects to their service delivery and continue to
perform their essential functions. (VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
AgSur LCE vows to
fast-track establishment of IP tribal house
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY, May 11 (PIA) – The local government unit of San Luis, Agusan del Sur is
gearing up its efforts to fast-track the construction of the tribal house for
the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the municipality.
During
the Network Briefing News on Monday, Mayor Phoebe Corvera emphasized that the
LGU wanted to help and assist the IPs especially those who are in
geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) and need to travel far
just to reach the town proper.
“We are
hoping for it to be finished this year because IPs really need to use it since
they are from GIDAs. They need to travel for four hours to get there; our fare
costs as much as a plane ride. They can use the tribal house whenever they need
to stay here or if they need to accompany a patient,” bared Corvera.
When
asked about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in the
municipality, Mayor Corvera revealed that the LGU has already conducted mass
testing since Friday and they no longer have active cases.
“On
April 2021, the second surge of San Luis started but we were able to manage the
local transmission. We have active contact tracers so we could contain
everyone, with the help of the team in the LGU, they are very focused in
monitoring,” Corvera said.
Also,
in the implementation of the government’s vaccination program, Corvera
underscored that prior to the vaccination, the LGU has conducted series of
information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns in the barangays to
let them know of the advantages of the vaccine against the deadly virus.
“In the
beginning, the LGU had difficulty because there was a lot of resistance, yet
after strengthening the information campaign about the vaccination in the
barangay, people have become optimistic and we are one with the provincial
government in our target to achieve the 70 percent herd immunity,” said
Corvera.
The municipality
of San Luis is a 1st class municipality in the province of Agusan del Sur,
Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 32,109
people.
San
Luis was created into a municipality on June 15, 1968, when the barrios of San
Luis, Santa Inez, Nuevo Trabajo, Cualision and Baylo were separated from the
municipality of Esperanza and constituted into the new town, through Republic
Act 5262. Since the 1970s, the town's economy has been largely based on logging
industries. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Linking seaweed growers
org to financing institution
BUTUAN
CITY, May 11 -- The Hinatuan Seaweed Producers Association (HSWPA) has
officially forged a financial partnership with the Mangagoy Farmers Fisherfolks
and Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MAFFISCO-MPC) through the assistance
and facilitation of the Fisheries Coastal Resource and Livelihood (FishCORAL)
Project.
With
the P1 million credit line financial assistance from MAFFISCO-MPC, the HSWPA
has now the opportunity of buying unlimited RDS and could ship to CEAMSA Asia
even at least twice a month.
Department
of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Caraga OIC
Regional Director Nilo Selim Katada, together with Hinatuan Mayor Shem Garay
and FishCORAL Project Manager Rolando Leopoldo, witnessed the execution of the
Memorandum of Agreement between the HSWPA and MAFFISCO-MPC on May 5 in Mangagoy,
Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
The
HSWPA is one of the beneficiaries of the FishCORAL Project. With the project,
seaweed farmers in Hinatuan who were used to dry their seaweeds on the ground,
are now using the solar dryer provided for them by the FishCORAL Project, thus
improving the quality of the drying of their seaweeds. (DA-BFAR
Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
PNP Caraga to hire
100 new cops
By PMaj. Dorothy M. Tumulak
BUTUAN CITY, May 11-- The Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 is calling on all highly qualified and worthy individuals to become part of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as hiring continues to fill up the 100 quota for Attrition Recruitment under PNP CY 2021 Recruitment Program.
“PRO13’s
recruitment will be based on qualifications and not on 'palakasan or padrino
system' because we will choose only the best for the PNP and for the Filipino
people,” said PBGen. Romeo M. Caramat, Jr., Caraga police director.
The
attrition recruitment quota is intended to replace uniformed personnel losses
due to separation from service such as retirement, resignation, death,
dismissal from service, and absence without leave.
Applicants
shall reach the website: www.recruitment.pnp-dprm.com to file their application
through the PNP Online Recruitment Application System (PNP ORAS), a web-based
and central recruitment application system.
Applicants
must possess a formal baccalaureate degree from a recognized learning
institution; has eligibility (NAPOLCOM Entrance, CSC or PRC); has no criminal
record; good moral character; and a height of at least 1.62 centimeters (cm) or
5’4” for male and 1.57 cm or 5’2” for female.
Mandatory
requirements for the application are duly accomplished Civil Service Commission
Form 212; Birth certificate authenticated by Philippine Statistics Authority;
report rating of eligibility authenticated by issuing authority; two pieces
“2x2” colored pictures indicating the applicant’s name; Transcript of
Scholastic Records and Diploma duly authenticated by the school registrar;
Clearances issued by Barangay and the PNP or National Bureau of Investigation;
Certificate of Good Moral Character issued by the applicant’s collegiate
school; medical certificate issued by local health officer; and copy of two
government-issued IDs.
Applicants
would undergo a series of tests or examinations such as psychological,
psychiatric, physical, mental, and dental.
“These
will be done in stages and the results will be carefully evaluated by our
competent selection and recruitment board,” RD Caramat, Jr. said. (PIO,
PRO13/PIA Caraga)
PopCom conducts family planning monitoring on AgSur households
By Charina
May Lagunde
BUTUAN
CITY, May 11 - The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) Caraga
continues its thrust of enabling Filipinos to access information and services
on responsible parenthood, family planning, and reproductive health and rights.
This,
despite the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the region.
Anent
to this, the program assistants of POPCOM Caraga, together with the staff of the
Municipal Population Offices (MPO) and Rural Health Units (RHU), conducted its
regular household visitation and monitoring to the family planning households
in the municipalities of Sibagat, Rosario, La Paz, Veruela, and Loreto in
Agusan del Sur.
The aim
of these household visitation and monitoring is to check on the status of
family planning (FP) users, and to closely monitor the implementation of FP
programs at the household level. Standard health and safety protocols were
observed during these visitation and monitoring.
Under
the said monitoring, there are about 46 couples who became active users and
advocates of various FP methods in the said municipalities of Agusan del Sur.
With this number, 15 of them have expressed their satisfaction with the
different modern family planning methods. Also, 23 couples have been
successfully referred to and served with various FP methods, from traditional
methods to the modern FP method of their choice.
At
present, POPCOM Caraga is rolling-out these regular household visitation and
monitoring in other provinces of the region. (POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
'Business Unusual' Program challenge to LGUs: build youth-friendly communities
BUENAVISTA,
Agusan del Norte, May 11 -- The Challenge Initiative (TCI) in the Philippines
began its “Business Unusual” Program, challenging the local government units to
commit in building adolescent and youth-friendly communities to reduce unwanted
teen pregnancies.
This is
a joint initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and
Reproductive Health (Gates Institute), Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), in
collaboration with the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), the
program aims to energize the LGUs in developing key programs on family
planning, adolescent sexuality, and reproductive health (ASRH) in the
grassroots level.
Part of
the challenge, TCI will provide technical assistance to participating LGUs in
adopting proven intervention methods, with the end goal of replicating global best
practices in building youth-friendly communities.
In the
Philippines, the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Puerto Princesa, and Dipolog were
the first LGUs to have undergone the TCI stages. At present, these LGUs are now
up for the fourth (4th) and final phase of the approach.
Here in
Caraga region, the POPCOM-Caraga is taking the lead in inviting LGUs to
shape-up for the challenge. (Charina May Lagunde, POPCOM Caraga/PIA Caraga)
122 rookie police finish Public Safety Basic Recruit Course
By
PMaj. Dorothy M. Tumulak
BUTUAN CITY, May 11 -- A total of 122 new police officers graduated from their Public Safety Basic Recruit Course (PSBRC) at the Regional Training Center 13 today.
The
"SIDLAK-ALAB” Class of 2020-04 will carry on the organization’s mandate to
enforce the law, prevent and control crimes, maintain peace and order, and
ensure public safety and internal security with the active support of the
community.
Police
Regional Office13 Chief of Regional Staff, Police Colonel Jose D. Manalad, Jr.
represented PRO13 regional director Police Brigadier General Romeo M. Caramat,
Jr. as the guest of honor and speaker.
Patrolwoman
Ana Mae F Zafra, who hailed from Veruela, Agusan del Sur topped the class with
92.41% rating while Patrolwoman Felmar A Dumaum from Las Nieves, Agusan del
Norte ranked second with 91.75% and Patrolwoman Manuela M Panaligan from
Tagbina, Surigao del Sur placed third with 91.49%.
The 93
patrolmen and 29 patrolwomen finished the six months basic training program and
will be turned-over to Regional Special Training Unit 13 to undergo Public
Safety Field Training Program (PSFTP) for another six months where they will be
stationed in the different police stations in the region.
“You
will be soon facing the real world of policing works where there is no room for
mistakes. Never engage yourself in any illegal activities, and whatever trials
you face in life, in your family, and in your profession, always call on the
Lord for guidance. In times when fate tests us, only He will give us the
strength to continue to fight,” RD Caramat, Jr. reminded the graduates.
He also
reiterated the Chief PNP, Police General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar’s message to
PNP personnel that when a police officer does the right thing, everyone
benefits but when they do wrong, everyone also suffers. (PIO, PRO13/PIA Caraga)
SurSur LGUs intensify drive vs teen pregnancy
By Charina May Lagunde
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 11 -- Four local government units (LGUs) of Surigao del Sur have strengthened their campaign on Adolescent Health and Development Program (AHDP) to curb unwanted teen pregnancy in their area.
In the
reports submitted to Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) Caraga
Region, these are the municipalities of Tagbina, Barobo, San Agustin, and
Lingig, all of this province, following the strict health and safety protocols
have conducted AHDP Sessions with 258 youth participants, out of which, 115
were male and 143 were female.
The
population workers together with their partners shared their expertise on topics
ranging from adolescent sexuality to reproductive health and rights. The
central theme to this advocacy was the discussions on teenage pregnancy, its
truths and myths, and how to prevent the same.
Meanwhile,
POPCOM Caraga reported 2,337 cases of teen pregnancy aged 15-19 for the first
quarter and 2,081 for the second quarter respectively both year 2020.
POPCOM
vows to continue its push towards curbing out unwanted teenage pregnancy in the
region, despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic. (PopCom Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Cabadbaran mohatag economic welfare assistance alang sa JO ug COS
DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Mayo 11 -- Ang Sangguniang Panlalawigan sa Agusan
del Norte nag-apruba bag-ohay pa lamang sa City Ordinance No. 2021-004 sa
Sangguniang Panlungsod sa Cabadbaran, ning lalawigan, “Granting Economic
Welfare Assistance to Job-Order (JO) and contract of service (COS) workers of
the City Government of Cabadbaran atol sa ilang ika 87th nga sesyon regular.
Ang mga JOs ug COS makadawat sa economic welfare assistance sa kantidad
nga Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) matag bulan ug ihatag matag Disyembre sa tuig,
Kwalipikado modawat matag bulan ang mga JOs ug COS nga nakahatag 4 ka bulan nga
serbisyo ug kadtong wala makaabot og upat (4) ka bulan mahatagan apan
pro-rate.
Ang maong ordinansa, nga gipangamahanan ni Sangguniang Panglungsod
Member Alan M. Asio, gipatin-aw ang makahuluganon nga katuyoan sa Sangguniang
Panlungsod sa Cabadbaran ang hinungdanon nga papel sa tanan nga mga trabahante
sa padayon nga pag-uswag niini, ug pinaagi niini maila, gipasalamatan ug
gigantihan ang ilang paghago pinaagi sa paghatag kanila usa ka tabang pinansyal.
Ang pagpatuman sa City Ordinance isip tubag sa hangyo ni City Mayor Judy
Chin Amante nga ipaabot ang tabang pinansyal sa mga JOs ug COS nga gikonsidera
ang hinungdanon nga papel ug kontribusyon sa padayon nga paghatud sa mga
serbisyo sa LGU, sa ingon giila ang pagdayeg ug pagganti sa ilang kahago
pagtrabaho sa pag-agi sa nasangpit nga ordinansa sa lungsod.
Gi-aprobahan
ang maong ordinansa pinaagi sa Sanggunian Resolution No. 201-2021, sa
pagpangamahan ni Provincial Board Member Virgilio R. Escasiñas, Jr. tsirman sa
Committee on Human Resource Development, Labor and Employment kauban ang mga
co-authors nga si Board Member Elizabeth Marie R. Calo ug Board member Rodulfo
A. Pitogo. (Jessica O. Mellejor, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del
Norte)
Plastic pollution gihingusgan nga mapugngan sa City ENRO ning panahon sa pandemya
DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Mayo 11 -- Ning panahon sa pandemya mas midaghan ang basura gikan sa disposable products sama sa plastic face masks, hand sanitizer bottles ug alcohol nga kasagarang makita sa kalsada ug sa mga dagat. Epekto usab sa gipatumang social distancing ang pagbaha sa mga produktong gina deliver kada adlaw sa mga panimalay sama sa gipangputos sa pagkaon labi na kay kadaghan sa mga tawo ga online shopping ug mas pilion ang take out services aron makalikay nga mataptan sa Covid-19.
Ilawom
sa balaud, gidili ang paggamit og plastic isip packaging material ug sudlanan
sa dry goods, paggamit og plastic pouches ug drinking straws alang sa mga
imnonon sama sa softdrinks juice, gulaman ug uban pa.
Wala na
usab gitugot ang paggamit og mga plastic flaglets ug "banderitas" sa
mga okasyon. Gi-engganyo sa syudad ang paggamit og eco-bags aron dili na
modaghan ang plastic pollution. (Butuan City PIO/PIA Agusan del Norte)
‘Danawan island adventures,’ muling inilunsad ng Surigao City
By
Venus L. Garcia
Hanap
mo ba ay snorkeling destination? At balak mong umikot sa malawak na
dalampasigan, na puno ng pinong buhangin? Gusto mo ring makakita ng makukulay
na isda at coral reefs?
Isali
na sa inyong summer bucket list ang mas pinabuti at pinagandang ‘Danawan Island
Adventures’ sa barangay Danawan, lungsod ng Surigao.
“Ang
Danawan island ay isa sa mga island barangays ng Surigao City. Kalahating oras
lamang ang layo nito galing sa city proper sakay ang bangka. This year, Danawan
island became one of the priority attractions that the City Tourism Office has
been trying to promote because we see its potential for tourism,” sabi ni
Roselyn Armida Merlin, hepe ng Surigao City Tourism Office.
Nag-aalok
din ang isla ng iba pang libangan gaya ng regulated leisure fishing ngunit
dahil nga sa patuloy na pandemya ay limitado pa rin muna sa mga local tourist
ang pagbisita sa nasabing lugar.
“Ang
mountainous area nito ay may mahigit anim na ektaryang man-made forest and also
a good trekking site so pinu-promote din namin ito. Kung di naman nila gusto
mag snorkeling or mag fishing, or if they just want to see the island pwede rin
nilang i-experience ang sunset or sunrise watching,” dagdag pa ni Merlin.
Naging
sentro ng muling paglunsad ang groundbreaking ng Tourism Pavilion at panunumpa
sa tungkulin ng mga bagong opisyales at miyembro ng Association of Danawan
Island Community-based Tourism.
Kasabay
din sa nasabing okasyon ang turn over ng 20 sets snorkeling gears, 10 camping
tents, at 15 life jackets sa Danawan Tourism Council, at 31 pirasong first aid
kits naman ang pinamigay sa lifeguards and community guides.
Bago pa
man muling binuksan ang Danawan, ay isang five-day training on standard first
aid at basic life support ang isinagawa sa tulong ng Coast Guard Station -
Surigao del Norte.
Layunin
nitong ihanda at mabigyan ng tamang kaalaman ang mga residente sa pag-responde
sa anumang kalamidad at sakuna.
Ang
paningin sa kagilas-gilas na underwater ecosystem ay tunay na hindi
malilimutang karanasan sa Danawan island.
Ayon
kay Merlin napag-usapan na rin anya nila ng Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga
ang planong rural tourism sa nasabing lugar.
“The
community, the people in the area are also very hospitable. You will experience
rural tourism, that is why Danawan island is perfect for piloting rural
tourism. If you want to experience rural life, it could be the best place kasi
walang sasakyan doon you can’t even see a single motorcycle in that island
barangay pero marami silang mga bangka. Life is simple in the area and then its
really very safe,” sabi ni Merlin.
Ibinahagi
rin ng Surigao City Tourism Office ang sampung magagandang lugar ng lungsod na
pwedeng puntahan. Ito ay ang Mabua Rock and Stone Beach, Looc Bebble Beach,
Silop Cave Complex, Day-asan water village, Surigao river, Pagkawasan beach,
Buenavista cave, Sagisi beach, Batttle of Surigao StraitMemorial and Museum, at
syempre pa ang Danawan island, at may bonus pa na Alegria Bats Sanctuary.
Samantala,
bahagi ng kanilang observance ng Heritage Month ngayong buwan ng Mayo ay
siniguro rin ng lokal na pamahalan ng Surigao City and City Tourism Office na
mamulat pa lalo ang mga Surigaonon sa mga heritage assets nito.
“We
make sure that everyone will be aware of and is encouraged to preserve our
heritage. So, we have a simple showcase of Surigaonon cultural properties that
were discovered during our cultural mapping in the different barangays in the
city. There you can see in our display a tadyao, banga, and other heritage
items that were kept by Surigaonons for more than 50 years, making them part of
the great treasures of Surigaonons," sabi ni Merlin. (Venus L.
Garcia/SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Listahanan Heroes:
Compassion to serve overshadow hardships
People
are thirsty for the services from the government –- quality services that would
help uplift their lives especially in this time of pandemic where crisis is
being felt all over the world. Every program or service, whether how big or
small it may be, during dire times, would eventually be appreciated by those
who need them the most.
Just
like other offices in the government, the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga unceasingly provided undeniable
intervention to poor people who are greatly affected by the coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19). From the higher officials down to the staff and field workers
in every municipality, they team up to get the work done quickly especially in
providing timely services to the people.
However,
there are field workers who, even in the midst of the pandemic, continue to do
their job but are not recognized due to the fact that people are focusing on
cash and goods provision for their needs.
DSWD
Listahanan enumerators, those seen doing the rounds in poor communities in
their blue vests and carry along their attaché cases with essential documents –
they are the silent heroes of the department. They visit and interview
households, even in the far-flung areas, to collect pertinent data for the
Listahanan Database of poor households. And no matter how near or far they go,
every completed assessment would earn them fifty (50) pesos – yes, Php50.00 for
every completed form.
50
pesos every household
In line
with the Executive Order (EO) 867, the conduct of household assessment is done
every 4 years. Thus, the department hires Area Supervisors, Enumerators,
Encoders, and Verifiers who will serve as front liners in carrying out the
implementation at the regional level during the validation and finalization
phase of the Listahanan. Each of them has different roles and functions but
everyone serves an important role in the completion of the 3rd Round Listahanan
household assessment.
Among
those field workers, the enumerators are likely to be in the field most often.
They are the ones who visit households and interview eligible respondents or
household members even in the far-flung areas. They are not sitting in an
air-conditioned office, rather, they are in the field enduring the scorching
heat of the sun, or the unpredictable weather.
“Bisan
gamay ra ang 50-pesos matag interview, andam nako adtoon ang mga lugar bisan
unsa kalayo ug kakapoy. Wala nako isipa ang kantidad tungod kay andam ko mo
serbisyo sa mga tao nga nagkinahanglan kay sa kana nga pamaagi nakatabang ko.
(Even though Php50.00 is a small amount for every interview, yet, I am ready to
visit the households despite distance and exhaustion. I am ready to give my
service to the people who are in need because in that way I can help them),”
Leziel Hayagan, enumerator assigned in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, said.
Moreover,
the team assigned in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur had a dreadful experience in
going to remote areas in exchange for the Php50.00 they will earn for every
completed household assessment, but this did not stop them to do their job.
“Kung
nagtan-aw lang mi sa kantidad nga 50 pesos nga among madawat human sa
interview, dili mi mu-risgo sa among kinabuhi labina na kadtong nitabok mi sa
suba nga grabe ka dako ug kasulog sa tubig. Maskin ang barangay officials sigeg
pangutana sa amoa kung mudayon mi tungod sa ka-delikado sa tubig. Apan,
disidido kayo mi nga nitabok padulong sa komunidad bisan aduna mi kahadlok. (We
are not after the 50 pesos we will receive after the interview, because if we
did, we will not risk our lives in traversing the strong current and chest-deep
water in the river. Even the barangay officials asked us many times if we will
go further, still, we decided to traverse going to the community even though it
was frightening),’’ Cristopher Cabellero, enumerator assigned in Esperanza,
narrated.
The
said municipality has 47 barangays of which 14 are categorized as
Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) due to physical and
socio-economic factors such as challenges for transportation, presence of
vulnerable sectors, unreachable and underserved communities.
Using
the Household Assessment Form (HAF), the interview will last about 15-20
minutes depending on the family size. Information collected would range from
socio-economic status, household roster, and health status are collected and
inputted on the HAF. This information is very vital as these will become the
basis for the computation that would determine whether a family falls under the
category of Poor or Non-poor household.
Reaching
unreached people
A long
walk along mountain trails, muddy roads, a lengthy drive in a skylab
(motorcycle with wings), or a wet bamboo raft ride under the heat of the sun or
pouring rain was a journey towards giving hope to poor families for the
Listahanan enumerators. These are common scenarios experienced by the
enumerators every day during the Listahanan household assessment in the region.
One of
the most important responsibilities of an enumerator is to reach the
unreachable households. Every household missing out on the assessment would
mean they will miss the chance to be included in the list of poor households
who will be served or will enjoy the anti-poverty programs of the government.
This has been emphasized by the Department during the series of trainings for
the field workers. And, this has been proven by the enumerators since day 1 up
until the end of each validation activity.
“Gi-assign
ko sa akong Area Supervisor sa Barangay Rajah Cabungosoan apan sa dihang
nakabalo akong papa nahadlok siya tungod sa ka-delikado ug kalayo sa area. Pero
walay nakapapugong sa akoa nga nipadayon sa maong dapit bisan nibati ko og
kahadlok. Pag-abot nako sa dapit, halos kalasangan among naagian og kung naay
balay, labaw pa sa social distancing. Naa pay isa ka balay nga kapig usa ka
oras among gi-biyahe sakay ang habal-habal nga miagi sa grabe ka-batohon nga
dalan para lang ma-interview. Pero sa dihang niabot mi, grabe ang kalipay ni
Tatay kay naay taga DSWD nga niabot sa ilang lugar. Nahuman nako ang interview
nga aduna poy kalipay sa akong kasing-kasing. (My Area Supervisor assigned me
in Barangay Rajah Cabungsoan but when my father knew about my area of
assignment, he was afraid of the danger it might bring considering the distance
and the place itself. Yet, no one can stop me from doing my job, and even I was
also frightened. When I arrived, all there was are forest covers and houses
were too far from each other. There is one household where we travelled more
than an hour on habal-habal just to conduct an interview. When we arrived,
immeasurable joy was felt by Tatay after seeing that DSWD workers visited him.
I ended the interview with a joy in my heart too,” Tessa Castro, enumerator
assigned in Lingig, Surigao del Sur, shared.
Glimmer
of Hope
The
smile in their eyes and the gladness on their faces were common scenarios
witnessed by the enumerators as they were welcomed by the households especially
those who are living in far-flung areas where public transportation is
inaccessible.
A
Manobo resident testified how he is grateful for DSWD-Listahanan workers who
gave priority to LUMAD people living in Agusan del Sur.
“Pasalamat
mi kay bisan unsa kalayo sa among dapit, naka abot mo para makita lang mi.
Salamat sa inyong paghatag pagtagad. (We are thankful that you came just to see
us despite the distance of our place. Thank you for valuing us),” Jomix
Manpinsahan, a Manobo resident of Sitio Kalampayan, Barangay Kasapa II, La Paz
Agusan del Sur, shared.
Another
testimony from an enumerator whom, despite the exhaustion, experienced going to
places she never visited before, not even thinking that family lives in such
areas. She witnessed the joy and hope of the households she interviewed.
“Sa
akong pagka-enumerator, nakita gyud nako mismo ang kahimtang sa pamilya nga
wala nako damha nga naa pa diay magpuyo niining dapita tungod sa kalayo ug
kalisod sa mga dalan unya pila pa ka oras among gibiyahe ug gibaklay. Nakita
pud nako ang kalipay sa matag pamilya ug paglaum na unta maapil sila sa mga
pamilyang kabus. (Being an enumerator, I have personally seen the different
economic statuses of the households that I’ve never thought existed because of
the distance and difficulties of traveling to their places. I have also
witnessed the joy in their faces as they saw with hopes to be included in the
list of poor households),” Sandra Bacocho, enumerator assigned in San Miguel,
Surigao del Sur, shared.
These are the DSWD-Listahanan field staff, an example of truly devoted workers who work even in the midst of the pandemic just to make sure that every household will be assessed; not mindful of the challenges they face for Php50.00 they would earn per completed household assessment. (Social Marketing Section, DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
