Caraga Infocus - December 1 - 7, 2018 by Caraga InFocus

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87

Contents An Electronic News Magazine of Philippine Information Agency Caraga

December 1 - 7, 2018

Volume II, No. 88

Dayalogo ng ibat-ibang sektor, nakitang epektibong paraan sa pagpapanatili ng maayos, mapayapang pamumuhay

SSS News: Retiree-pensioners urged to avail of SSS pension loan

DOE News: Palawan, DOE sign ‘DREAMS’ program on renewable energy

Regional News 9

Mga kabataan sa Caraga region, nagbahagi ng kanilang ibatibang kultura at karanasan

Provincial News

Mindanao News

AgNor contenders champ in reg’l. consumer quiz bowl

6th Children’s Congress idinaos sa Tandag

Zambo Sibugay town celebrates 39th founding anniversary

CDO cops deny mauling claim in viral FB post

National News Senate consensus on PH-Chi19 na WPS exploration deal not needed

PRRD approves First 1,000 Days law

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88

News Briefs • PIA CARAGA: The Securities and Exchange Commission - Gender and Development (SEC-GAD) Investor Information Seminar is held today, Dec. 4, 2018 at Watergate Hotel, Butuan City. Said activity is in partnership with the local government of Butuan & DTI Caraga. Representatives from the business sector, cooperatives & associations in the region are attending the seminar.

• PIA AGUSAN DEL NORTE: The Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte headed by Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba together with 402nd Brigade Commander BGen Franco Nemesio M Gacal AFP and 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion under Ltc Francisco L Molina Jr. and other key stakeholders, conducted Ground Breaking Ceremony for the construction of Manpower Development CenterHalfway House for the Former Rebels of Agusan del Norte at the 402nd Brigade, Bancasi, Butuan City. (1Lt roel Maglalang, CMO Officer 23IB PA)

• PIA AGUSAN DEL SUR: (PUBLIC ADVISORY) As the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Butuan Branch promotes public awareness of the BSP’s Clean Note and Coin Policy Program, the BSP calls on the public to support & join in the PISO CARAVAN scheduled 10am to 4pm at San Francisco Integrated Bus Terminal, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. The caravan calls the public to exchange their unfit and mutilated banknotes in the Currency Exchange Counter to be established in a particular area in the terminal.

• PIA SURIGAO DEL NORTE: The Prov’l Police Office of Surigao Norte led by Deputy Prov’l Dir. for Operation PSupt. Rudy L. Elandag conducted the Police Information and Continuing Education (P.I.C.E.) to its personnel held at Surigao Norte PPO lobby, Surigao City. (PPO-SDN)

• PIA SURIGAO DEL SUR: 20 former rebels (FRs) under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) undergo a 3-day training on Basic Haircutting at the 36IB headquarters, Brgy. Dayoan, Tago, Surigao del Sur. Said activity is to provide an alternative sustainable livelihood to FRs & IPs. Participants will receive the starter tool kit upon completion of the training. (Source: 36IB)

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87

COVER STORY

Dayalogo ng ibat-ibang sektor paraan sa pagpapanatili ng m pamumuhay By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN (PIA) - Naging makulay at makabuluhan ang pagtitipontipon ng ibat-ibang sektor sa Caraga region sa pagbubukas kamakailan sa selebrasyon ng Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) ngayong taon dito sa lungsod na alinsunod sa temang “Peace through Dialogue: Our Destiny.” Ayon kay Rev. Fr. Carlito Clase ng Diocese of Butuan at executive director ng Caraga Conference for Peace and Development, epektibong paraan pa rin ang pagsasagawa ng dayalogo o pakikipag-uusap sa ibat-ibang sektor ng lipunan sa pagresolba ng anumang hindi pagkakasundo.

Dagdag pa ni Fr. Clase, mas lumalalim ang magandang samahan at pakikitungo ng bawat sektor at mas naging madali at magaan ang pagtipon sa kanila para sa usaping pangkapayapaan at sa pagsagawa ng ibat-ibang aktibidad na magdudulot ng kabutihan sa lahat ng sektor. Pakiusap naman ni Datu Kailingan Cesar Asapon, Higaonon tribal leader mula Misamis Oriental, na sana ay patuloy ang gabay at tulong ng mga ahensya ng pamahalaan sa ip community.

“Kung ano man yung dapat sa

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88

r, nakitang epektibong maayos, mapayapang katutubo na makatulong sa pamumuhay ng katutubo hindi lang sa peace and order, sana mapaabot natin sa mga ahensya at tutulong sila sa mga katutubo,â&#x20AC;? sabi ni Datu Asapon.

COVER STORY

sektor.

Samantala, binigyang-diin naman ni Brigadier General Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander ng 402nd brigade, na mahalaga ang peace and development Ipinahayag din ni Atty. Nadjma initiatives sa local level at pagtugon sa ibatAmeril Naga, regional director ng National ibang isyung nagdudulot ng insurgency o Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) kaguluhan sa rehiyon. Caraga, na nagiging aktibo na ang Muslim community sa rehiyon sa peace May pagkakaiba man sa kultura, and development efforts ng pamahalaan, nagkakaisa naman sa hangaring patuloy na maging sa mga aktibidad kasama ang madama sa bawat isa ang tinatamasang iba pang sektor. Umaasa din siya na mas kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa buong mapalakas pa ang koneksyon ng mga Mindanao. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Caraga Infocus â&#x20AC;˘ December 1 - 7, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Volume II, No. 87

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88

SSS

Retiree-pensioners urged to avail of SSS pension loan By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Retiree pensioners in the province may now avail of the new financial assistance program of the Social Security System (SSS).

needs. “So far, there are now 19 retirees from Antique that have applied for the loan,” he said.

Phillip M. Lucero, SSS Antique branch manager, said in a press conference Tuesday that they are encouraging retirees to avail of the Pension Loan Program (PLP). “The PLP is aimed to provide financial aid to SSS retiree pensioners by way of low interest loan,” he said.

The maximum loanable amount is PHP32,000 with a 10 percent interest per annum. The amount of PHP32,000 has been aligned with the existing maximum loanable amount of salary loan for SSS active members.

Lucero said that the PLP is in response to the clamor of pensioners and senior PLP was piloted in the Visayas citizens such as the Federation of Senior particularly in Iloilo last August 15 and in Citizens Association of the Philippines to Antique last October. provide pension loans for their financial

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87

SSS Those who could qualify are retiree pensioners who are 80 years old or below at the end of the month of the loan term, must have deductions such as outstanding loan balance, benefit overpayment payable to SSS, etc. from his/her monthly pension, must have no existing advance pension under the SSS Calamity Package, must be receiving his/her regular monthly pension for at least six months and status of pension is active.

member who has paid at least threemonthly contributions in the 12-month period immediately preceding the semester of her childbirth or miscarriage shall be paid a daily maternity benefit equivalent to one hundred percent of her average daily salary credit for sixty days or seventyeight days in case of caesarean delivery. Aside from students’ membership, the SSS is also encouraging job orders in different institutions to apply for membership.

There are currently 38,864 SSS members in the province of Antique. Lucero said job orders working in government institutions are usually not No figure is available though as to covered by the Government Service how many retiree pensioners from the Insurance System (GSIS), but they could province could avail of the loan. apply for membership with the SSS through the KALTASSS-collect program. Meanwhile, graduating students who have already started their micro businesses “As of October 2018, there are now are encouraged to enroll with the SSS to 165 job orders from the local government of avail of benefits being enjoyed by the Hamtic, 154 from the University of Antique regular members. Main Campus, and 75 from University of Antique Tibiao Campus that had been Lucero said they may start paying members of the SSS,” he said. their contribution of only PHP220 per month which is lower compared to that being The job orders, once they become paid for by voluntary and self-employed SSS members, can avail the benefits being members. provided for them, Lucero said. (PNA) “The voluntary and self-employed members pay PHP330 per month but for the students they only pay PHP220 per month as their contribution,” he noted. Lucero said students may just fill up the form at the SSS Antique office in San Jose de Buenavista Dalipe Tradetown and pay their contribution so that they could avail of benefits such as on maternity leave when the female student gets pregnant, disability and sickness and also to avail of loan.

For the maternity leave, a female

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88

REGIONAL NEWS

Mga kabataan sa Caraga region, nagbahagi ng kanilang ibat-ibang kultura at karanasan By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN (PIA) Masayang ibinahagi ng mga kabataang Muslim, kristiyano at lumad ang kanikanilang kultura at karanasan sa isinagawang Youth Peace Forum dito sa lungsod kamakailan.

Ang nasabing Youth Peace Forum ay parte sa selebrasyon ng Mindanao Week of Peace ngayong taon na nilahokan ng mga partisipante mula sa ibat-ibang probinsya ng Caraga region at kalapit na rehiyon sa Mindanao.

kapayapaan at maayos na komunidad sa kanilang henerasyon.

Sinabi naman ni Jana Jean Dacobor, regional coordinator ng Bishops-Ulama Conference Youth Desk - Mindanaw Tripartite Youth Core, na malaki ang ginagampanang tungkulin ng mga kabataan sa pagpapalaganap ng

Isa na namang makabuluhang taon ang pagdiriwang ng Mindanao Week of Peace sa Caraga region na puno sa mayamang kultura ng mga Mindanaoans. (PIA-Caraga)

Samantala, ibinahagi naman ni Kier Kilo-kilo, 17 taong gulang at isang kristiyano mula sa bayan ng Sibagat, Agusan del Sur ang kanyang interes sa pagdalo sa Ayon kay Fr. Mart James Presillas nasabing youth peace forum nang mas ng Commission on Youth and Religious maintindihan ang kultura ng iba pang Organizations - Diocese of Butuan, kabataan. ang nasabing forum ay naka-pokus sa pagtataguyod ng isang matiwasay at “Sumali po ako sa forum na ito mapayapang pag-uusap o dayalogo ng upang mas may malaman ako about sa mga kabataan sa kanilang paniniwala at mga Manobo o lumad kasi wala akong kultura. masyadong alam sa mga kagaya nila at upang mas maintindihan ko ang Umaasa rin si Fr. Presillas na mga kultura nila, ang mga kaibahan at maibabahagi rin ng mga partisipante ang kaparehas ng lumad at muslim,” sabi ni kanilang natutunan doon sa kanilang lugar. Kilo-kilo.

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88

DOE

Palawan, DOE sign ‘DREAMS’ program on renewable energy By Celeste Anna Formoso

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- The Palawan government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) here with the Department of Energy (DOE) for the “DREAMS” program, which seeks the mainstreaming and market sustainability of renewable energy.

partnership project among the DOE, UNDP, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and five Palawan municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the promotion and facilitation of commercialization of renewable energy (RE) markets.

DREAMS stands for “Development of a Renewable Energy Applications Mainstreaming and Market Sustainability.” Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez signed the MOU on Wednesday with DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella, DOE DREAMS national project director Mylene Capongcol, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) country director Titon Mitra.

“This is a way on how we can integrate responses to answer the energy needs of the province. What we have observed before in the past forums was that everyone has individual plans that were not integrated together. We should understand that we only need efficiency in energization. Let’s not waste our resources because this is for you,” he said in the local vernacular.

In Palawan, the DREAMS will be Fuentebella said DREAMS is a implemented in the towns of Cagayancillo,

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87

DOE Aborlan, San Vicente, Brooke’s Point and Balabac. In the Philippines, its pilot sites are For his part, Governor Alvarez thanked Palawan and Iloilo. the DOE and its partners for including Palawan and the five municipalities in the Fuentebella said the program is DREAMS program. expected to help local government units (LGUs) provide power to 20,000 Filipinos, “We are very happy that Palawan including Palawan residents, who live in is included in the implementation of this off-grid areas in the country. program. We have to capture energy to support the areas in the province. This is very This will be achieved through four promising and it will be able to increase components: enforcement of a supportive the power capacity all over. No province policy and regulatory environment for will succeed without 24/7 power supply,” leveraging investments in RE development Alvarez said. and applications at the local level; strengthened institutional capacity that The program had been allocated the can lead to stepped-up RE investment; amount of USD44 million by the partners an increased share of RE-based power to be used to reduce the GHG with the capacity; and enhanced RE projects commercialization of RE markets. and successful replication of proven and emerging technologies. It started in 2017 and will be implemented until 2022 by linking the LGUs Fuentebella added that the DREAMS to RE developers, investors from the public will assist the LGUs in planning their local and private sectors, and technical experts. energy initiatives so investors will visit their (with reports from Aira Genesa Magdayao/ municipalities that have available power PNA) resources.

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88

PROVINCIAL NEWS

AGUSAN DEL NORTE

AgNor contenders champ in reg’l. consumer quiz bowl By: DTI Agusan del Norte

BUTUAN CITY -- Contestants from the province of Agusan del Norte dominated Butuan City Division Quiz winner Nicell this year’s Consumer Quiz Bowl. Mae G. Socorro of Butuan City School of Arts and Trades also joined the regional tilt Rodrigo J. Arriba, Jr. of Carmen and placed 7th out of 12 contestants. She National High School who earlier topped was coached by Myra H. Trazares. the Agusan del Norte Division-Level Quiz, was hailed Regional 1st place winner. The division level quiz bowls were held last October 12 (Butuan City Division), This is a back-to-back win of Arriba October 16 (Cabadbaran City Division), and his coach Mindalita S. Sodicta having and October 17 (Agusan del Norte Division). gotten the top spot in last year’s contest, as well. The regional contest, on the other hand, was done October 30 at the Atrium Meanwhile, Jeanalyn T. Tiempo of of Robinsons Place Butuan. Calamba National High School from the Cabadbaran City Division got 3rd place. The annual consumer quiz bowl She was coached by Jehainie S. Ponce. both at the division and regional levels were conducted in partnership with As top three winners both Arriba the Department of Education and the and Tiempo received medals, certificates, participating secondary schools. (PIAtokens and cash prices of Php 5,000.00 and Agusan del Norte) Php 3,000.00, respectively.

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87

PROVINCIAL NEWS

SURIGAO DEL SUR

6th Children’s Congress idinaos sa Tandag By Nida Grace P. Barcena

LUNGSOD NG TANDAG, Surigao del Sur – Matagumpay na idinaos ang 6th Children’s Congress ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Tandag sa pangunguna nga City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Office at pakikipagtulungan ng local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) kamakailan sa Tandag City Gymnasium.

Dinaluhan ito ng mga estudyanteng kabataan mula sa iba’t ibang paaralan ng nasabing syudad na umabot halos sa isang libo ang dumalo, ayon pa kay Tessie Buniel, ang hepe ng CSWD office dito. Nakinabang naman ang mga dumalong kabataan ng libreng konsulta partikular na ang wastong pamamaraan sa pag-aalaga ng mata at bitamina na pinamahagi ng City Health Office (CHO).

sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng mga mahahalgang bagay na naiambag ng lokal na pamahalaan para sa mga kabataan. Ibinihagi din ni Mayor Pimentel ang nakamit na tagumpay bilang nag iisang “city awardee” ng Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) ng DILG kamakailan sa pangatlong magkakasunod na taon.

Dahil sa nakamit na tagumpay, Bukod pa dito, namigay din ng libreng naging bahagi nito ayun pa sa opisyal “ice-cream, cold choco at pop corn” sa ang mga programa at suporta nito para mga kabataan mula sa iba’t ibang sektor sa sector ng kabataan. na sumuporta sa nasabing aktibidad. Bukod pa dito, napag-alaman din na Ang okasyon ay idinaos kasabay ng isa sa mga lokal na pamahalaan ng Surigao pagdiriwang ng 26th National Children’s del Sur ang Tandag City na ginawaran ng Month nitong buwan ng Nobyembre na Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance may tema na, “Isulong: Tamang Pag- mula sa Department of Social Welfare aaruga Para sa Lahat ng Bata,” kung saan and Development (DSWD) kamakailan sa ibinahagi ni Mayor Alexander Pimentel ang Butuan City. (PIA-Surigao del Sur) kanyang “State of the Children Address”

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88

PHOTO GALLERY

Culmination Program

Mindanao Peace of Week 2018 “Peace through Dialogue: Our Destiny” Culmination Program St. Peter College Seminary, Ampayon, Butuan City

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87

MINDANAO NEWS

Zambo Sibugay town celebrates 39th founding anniversary

By Ely Dumaboc

DIPLAHAN, Zamboanga Sibugay -- The local government here has lined up several activities to mark the celebration of its 39th founding anniversary.

outreach program on Dec. 12; Indigenous People’s Day, Dec. 13; Department of Education night, Dec. 14; local government unit night, Dec. 15; Anak Mindanao Day, Dec. 16; Sangguniang Kabataan night, Dec. 17; Basakan Beauty Pageant, Dec. 18; and, Basakan festival street dance showdown and competition, December 19.

Mayor Lycel Castor-Tan said Wednesday the highlight of the anniversary celebration is the “Basakan Festival”, which seeks to recognize the effort of the farmers in making this town as the province’s “Rice Bowl”. The mayor said the winners in the Basakan Beauty Pageant will receive cash “We are promoting this ‘Basakan prizes -- first place, PHP15,000; second, Festival’ to look back where we came from PHP10,000; and, third, PHP5,000. and always value the primary source of income of our locality, which is ‘Basakan’ She said Senator Juan Edgardo (rice fields),” Tan said. Angara and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” She said the celebration kicked off Go are expected to grace the culmination with a Fun Walk on Dec. 1, followed by the activity of the town’s 39th anniversary. opening of ball games, field demonstration by grade school pupils, and the switch-on Diplahan, which comprises 22 of the lights at the town hall. barangays, is a third-class municipality of the province with a population of 32,428 Other activities include a medical as of the 2015 census. (PNA)

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88

MINDANAO NEWS

CDO cops deny mauling claim in viral FB post By Jigger Jerusalem and Ercel Maandig

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A video and photos of a young man covered in blood and who appeared to have been mauled have gone viral on social media, prompting the police here to issue a strong denial that some of its officers were behind the manhandling.

Insp. Mario Mantala Jr., Macasandig police station commander, said the Facebook posts are “not true and it was only merely fabricated by evil minds.”

The video shows Pagula sitting inside the sidecar of a motorcycle-powered “motorela” being slapped by a person whose face was not shown.

“The viral post on Facebook, with negative comments against the personnel of Police Station 9, is not true and was merely fabricated by evil minds,” the police official said.

Mantala said Pagula was arrested by the police following a robbery outside a convenience store in Macasandig at about A certain “Hostado Abogado” 7:40 p.m. on November 29. posted the video and photos on Facebook, accusing police personnel stationed in He said police authorities are also Barangay Macasandig of beating Janbert looking into bringing charges against Pagula, 23, a resident of Opol town, Misamis Facebook users who accused them of Oriental. police brutality.

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87

MINDANAO NEWS policemen of beating him, saying it was Mantala said Pagula was with a group the villagers who manhandled him. of men who allegedly robbed a 22-year-old female and took her cell phone and some Pagula told investigators that about cash. 30 residents, whose identities have yet to be known, took turns in mauling him. During the pursuit operation at Upper 20th St. in Barangay Nazareth, police said Mantala said Pagula will be facing Pagula was arrested by concerned citizens charges for robbery and possession of who turned him over to authorities. illegal weapon. Meanwhile, Supt. Surki Sereñas, Police Police said Pagula was mauled by the Regional Office 10 (Northern Mindanao), villagers, sustaining multiple injuries before said they will investigate the incident. he was handed to the law enforcers. “The victim may have been involved Pagula admitted he was with the two in the commission of crimes, but we other suspects when the robbery happened should not put the law in our hands. We but denied he took part in the crime. are not barbarians. Whoever did it will be accountable, whether the police or The suspect also cleared the bystanders,” Sereñas said. (PNA)

Photo Courtesy of Davao Today

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88

NATIONAL NEWS

Senate consensus on PH-China WPS exploration deal not needed By Benjamin Pulta MANILA -- There is no need at this time for the Senate to review the Philippines’ recently-signed agreement with China on oil and gas development in the West Philippine Sea, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Wednesday. Guevarra stressed the Memorandum of Understanding signed during the recent state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping does not require concurrence of the Senate under the 1987 Constitution. “It’s not a treaty, and therefore does not require any Senate concurrence or review,” the DOJ told reporters following concerns raised by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto who called for a review of the MOU.

international or domestic law.” “It’s just an MOU, it’s non-committal, non-obligatory, and non-binding from a legal standpoint. It’s a mere expression of mutual desires,” he added.

The Chinese government has identified China National Offshore Oil Corporation as the Chinese enterprise for each working group, while the Philippines has designated the Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation as the “There are no sovereignty issues Philippine enterprise. whatsoever as the MOU merely expresses a mutual desire to agree on specific The MOU said the “two governments cooperation arrangements within 12 will endeavor to agree on the cooperation months,” he said. arrangements within 12 months.” Guevarra explained the agreement expressly stated that it “shall be without prejudice to the respective legal positions of the two governments and does not give rise to any rights or obligations under

It also provides that the “Memorandum of Understanding does not create rights or obligations under international or domestic law.” (PNA)

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87

NATIONAL NEWS

PRRD approves First 1,000 Days law By Jelly Musico

MANILA -President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the First 1,000 Days Law which seeks to scale up nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life. Known as “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act,” Republic Act 11148 was signed by Duterte on Nov. 29, providing proper maternal and child health care program to prevent stunted growth of children.

enforcement of Executive Order 51 or the “Milk Code,” and Republic Act 10028, or the “Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009,” which promotes optimal infant and young child feeding and maternity protection.

Under the First 1,000 Days Law, the government is mandated to prioritize the nutrition of pre-pregnant, pregnant and lactating women, infants and young children.

Several groups hailed the signing of new law with Save the Children Philippines reportedly saying that the measure will ensure children of poor families of access to government’s quality health and nutrition services.

It will also provide comprehensive strategy to address health and nutrition of children and institutionalize and scale up investment plans for health and nutrition in the regional and local development units. The Senate unanimously approved the measure, or Senate Bill 1537 known as “Healthy Nanay and Bulilit Act”, in March this year while the House of Representatives passed it in September last year.

In an ABS-CBN news report, the group claimed some 95 children below 5 years old die every day due to preventable diseases caused by undernutrition. The group said there are also at least 3.6 million stunted children in the country.

In its Facebook post, National Nutrition Council said the new law will provide According to Senator Ralph Recto, support and training for mothers on how at least PHP17 billion will be needed to to ensure her and her child’s health and implement the 1,000 days program which nutrition. will inoculate 2.7 million pregnant women against tetanus and diphtheria. The barangay health workers will also undergo training to be conducted by the The new law seeks to strengthen the Department of Health. (PNA)

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87

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EDITORIAL BOARD Executive Editor

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VENUS LIM GARCIA Layout Artists

JOHN CHARLES B. MALAZARTE RONNIE E. MADANGUIT Contributors

JENNIFER P. GAITANO Agusan del Sur

NIDA GRACE B. TRANQUILAN Surigao del Sur

SUSIL D. RAGAS

Surigao del Norte/Dinagat Islands

PNA DTI AGUSAN DEL NORTE ANNABEL CONSUELO PETINGLAY CELESTE ANNA FORMOSO AIRA GENESA MAGPAYAO ELY DUMABOC JIGGER JERUSALEM ERCEL MAANDIG BENJAMIN PULTA JELLY MUSICO Business Managers

ZARINA O. LASTRA REGAL C. ORIBIA Photographer

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Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87

Caraga Infocus • December 1 - 7, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88