Caraga InFocus –Volume VI, No. 51

The rise afTer OdeTTe

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

When Super Typhoon “Odette” struck the country in the afternoon of December 16, 2021, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Roseller Balacuit said he and the rest of the locals of San Benito town did not think much of it.

In fact, the entire town expected the weather disturbance which typically accompanied the holiday season.

“Buntag sayo kadtong (December) 16, nagconduct pa gani kami iban ang PNP (Philippine National Police), nagpa-evacuate

pa kami atong mga tao nga wa pa mi-evacuate. (Early in the morning of December 16, we were still able to conduct with the PNP the evacuation of residents who had not yet evacuated),” Balacuit recounted.

In broad daylight, strong

the island at 1:30 p.m. With maximum sustained winds going 190km/h and gustiness of 240km/h maximum, the entire island of Siargao, the nation’s surfing capital, was now just debris and rubble. The destruction was also felt in mainland Surigao del Norte, where 12 more municipalities and the lone city were left to pick up what Odette brought – severely damaged infrastructure, uprooted trees, toppled power lines,

and casualties.

Odette would later on unleash the same wrath onto the neighboring Province of Dinagat Islands then to Southern Leyte, Bohol, and Cebu, where more casualties and damages were reported.

Unity under state of calamity

Just three days after the landfall, the entire province was under a state of

calamity.

In the second smallest municipality in Surigao del Norte’s first district, San Benito recorded 7,833 individuals or 1,813 families affected coming from its six barangays. Eleven were reported injured. San Benito is just one of the two municipalities in Siargao Island to have reported zero deaths, the other being Burgos.

The storm surge that came

winds were felt in the town as the super typhoon neared Siargao Island, where the town is situated. Hours later, past 1:00 p.m., the winds stopped. Locals, particularly fisherfolk who evacuated near their residence, went back to

their homes for a while, thinking the super typhoon had passed by. Of course, Balacuit had to order them to go back to ensure their safety. Approximately 15 minutes later, winds began to blow

harder, indicating that the typhoon’s eye is now at the island.

San Benito, along with the eight other municipalities in Siargao Island, felt the super typhoon’s wrath when it made landfall in

with the Odette caused the majority of the damages in Siargao, particularly in communities in the coastal areas along the eastern seaboard municipalities such as Burgos and Pilar. The island accounted for the 169,155 affected

individuals in the province and 20 of the total number of fatalities.

Surigao del Norte recorded more than half a million residents affected by the devastation brought by the super typhoon,

its Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported, with 60,288 families displaced, 1,361 injured and 28 dead. The province incurred P51.45 billion worth in damages, affecting the

social sector the most.

Then-President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Proclamation No. 1267 declaring Caraga Region and five other regions of the country under state of calamity and signaled the immediate response for all areas affected by Odette. This prompted all government agencies and stakeholders to employ the whole-of-nation approach in its disaster response operations once more to ensure that aid would reach those in need.

This approach was very much present in San Benito, where each and every single one

of its residents joined hands to help with the local government unit’s response and others that came their way.

“Wa na’y color sa politika nga giila ang mga tao. Isig tabang na ang mga tao kay importante makakaon ang mga tao (The people did not recognize different political colors anymore. They helped so that they could eat),” Balacuit quipped.

The first three days of the aftermath were the hardest, the local official shared. Access to basic necessities such as food and potable and drinking

water was tight while each family was left on their own to figure out a way to rebuild their homes.

As the days went on, the MDRRMO along with groups of volunteers that they managed to create went on to strategically ensure the logistical needs for these basic necessities. Even private groups and establishments lent their vehicles to carry the goods provided by the national government and benefactors that were unloaded in Dapa town.

One of the first to respond from outside the town is the international

humanitarian group Task Force Kasandag which mobilized efforts to help the local government unit efficiently carry out its assistance to its people. Some individuals also offered their spare lots for displaced families, where they were able to relocate and build their new homes.

Concerned government agencies in partnership with international nongovernment organizations reached priority sectors to help with their livelihood in particular the agriculture and fisheries sectors, the primary source of income and livelihood of the locals. But Balacuit gave credit to

the residents themselves for taking the initiative to lessen the human casualties in this particular disaster.

“Maylang gali ang mga tao kay daan na namo na-train ug earthquake ug tsunami drills so may idea na sila asa sila nga area muadto ug mutaas ang dagat. Ang uban, kadaghanan didto sa isla, adto sila mutago sa mga caves (Good thing we trained our people during earthquake and tsunami drills so they already have an idea on where to go in case sea levels rise. As for others, those in the island were taught to seek shelter in the caves),” he elaborated, referring

to the families in Sitios Alvarez, Kampingganon, and Pitogo, all identified as high-risk areas for storm surge.

After two months of continuous camaraderie, San Benito was beginning to get up on its feet, shared Balacuit, and continues to recover to this day.

Conquering climate change

Roselle Balacuit himself believes there is a reason why Odette struck the bustling Siargao. It wasn’t a simple superstitious belief however. Rather, he perceives this to be

concrete evidence of the worsening climate crisis in the world.

Prior to his current assignment, Balacuit served as the municipal environment and natural resources officer from 2012 until 2015, during which he has campaigned for proper solid waste management and reducing single plastic use.

“Kadto na klase na bagyo, natural man gyud to gumikan sa ga-increase atong global temperature. Mao bitaw gyud na, kadtong sa MENRO (Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office) pako, daan na gisultihan ang mga tao nga imanage gyud ang mga basura, dili magsunog-sunog ug basura. (That kind of typhoon was a natural reaction to our increasing global temperature. That is why when I was still working at the MENRO, we told people to manage their waste and prohibit burning them),” the official shared.

panels in the LGU.

As for climate change adaptation efforts, the official said his office is seeking the assistance of concerned government agencies to provide interventions for those involved in the agriculture and fisheries sectors especially fisherfolk to improve their livelihood, promote safe and sustainable fishing, and discourage them from engaging in illegal fishing.

Programs geared towards preserving marine protected areas in the town will also be implemented.

“Kadtong Odette, usahay makaingon ta nga tungod to sa atong binuhatan nga pag-abuser sa atong kinaiyahan. (With Odette, at times we could say that it was because of our own doing, that we abuse our environment),” Balacuit remarked.

A better year ahead

and its stakeholders and even those with kindred hearts who went out of their way to extend different forms of help in their own ways fasttracked the rehabilitation of Siargao Island.

In September, surfing cups in the island and even in mainland Surigao del Norte resumed, bringing surfing enthusiasts and tourists together following Odette’s blow. This marked the island and the entire province’s steady recovery amid the existing challenges in the super typhoon’s aftermath and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

News Briefs

Telecommunications companies will begin selling deactivated prepaid SIM cards on December 27, 2022 following the release of the implementing rules and regulations of the Republic Act (RA) 11934 or the SIM Registration Act.

Now as the MDRRMO, Balacuit is pushing for green practices in the LGU, beginning with the use of solar panels as a source of electricity. By next year, they intend to allocate P1 million to install solar

For the entire year, disaster response and rehabilitation were prioritized by all sectors involved in the hard-hit areas in Caraga Region. The road to recovery is never smooth, yet the continuous camaraderie between the government

With optimism, Siargao Island, through its LGUs, is determined to implement more programs and projects to establish a disaster-resilient isle. The same is being endeavored by the national government for the island in the coming years. This, coupled by the continuous efforts of the international and local stakeholders and other sectors, Siargao is on its way to faster recovery, as well as the rest of the province and the entire Caraga Region.

2023 is surely a promising year for Siargao Island. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)

xx Courtesy call of Colonel Jonathan Obena, newly-installed commander of 15th Regional Community Defense Group (15RCDG), together with Major Frances Belarmino, Director of 1501st Community Defense Center (1501CDC) to Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga Regional Director Venus Garcia, together with Assistant Regional Director Renelle Escuadro.

Through Proclamation No. 126, then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared the month of December as “Rizal Month” after deeming Rizal Week (December 23 to 30) and Rizal Day (December 30) as insufficient “to accommodate all activities to give due recognition to Dr. Rizal’s martyrdom in order to attain their full impact to the nation.”

The Producer Price Index (PPI) for manufacturing posted an increase of 7.2 percent in October 2022. This annual rate is a slowdown compared to the annual increment of 7.5 percent last September 2022. In the same month of the previous year, the PPI grew at an annual rate of 0.6 percent.

DSWD CARAGA SHARES FACTS, RESULTS OF LISTAHANAN 3 DATABASE

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga shared the results of the Listahanan 3 Household Assessment, during its launching on December 13, 2022 at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, this city.

On behalf of DSWD Field

Office Caraga Regional Director Mari-flor DollagaLibang, Assistant Regional Director for Operation Jean Paul Parajes, bared that the total number of poor individuals based on Listahan 3 results is 1,440,474 or 60.4% of the total number of assessed individuals in the region. This is lower by 0.5%

compared with the 2015 household assessment of 1,421,668 or 60.9%.

“The average household size among poor households in the region has decreased from 5.5 in 2015 to 5.3 in 2019. Declared household heads among the poor households in the region are mostly males with 84.1% and a median age of 41. Four out of five of these household heads are employed and engaged in elementary occupations with 38.3%,” said Parajes.

Data also showed that more than nine in every 10 poor households with

children already have access to sanitary toilet facilities. Almost threefourths of the poor households with children have access to a safe water source.

ARDO Parejes also expressed his dismay over the result which says

that the magnitude of poor working children is recorded at 3,619 or 0.7% of the total poor children in the region aged 5 to 17 years old. “Almost all or 91.4% of these poor working children are not attending school for School Year 2019 to 2020,” he said.

It was learned that for the 2019-202 school year, nearly half or 47.9% of the poorest youth aged 15 to 24 are not attending school. Prevailing cases are mostly observed in the province of Agusan del Sur with 50.1%, followed by the City of Butuan having 49.2%.

than 60% of these poor youth are unemployed, and that they are more likely to be females at 65.9% than males at 34.1%,” Parajes added.

“About two in every five poor youths aged 15 to 24 years old who are not attending school are married or have a common-law partner. More

Also, about seven in every 10 poor women aged 18 to 24 years old are not attending school. The majority of them are not employed at 81.2% and are living with their commonlaw partners at 46.4%.

Listahanan is an information management system that identifies who

and where the poor are in the country. It seeks to gather relevant and meaningful data about poor households. “The data collection phase was implemented following the strategy of situation or total enumeration in all rural-classified barangays and pockets of poverty in all urbanclassified barangays. Pockets of poverty refer to areas in the barangay where clusters of poor households reside,” explained Parajes. (JPG/ PIA-Caraga)

AGSUR ROTC CONDUCTS TESTIMONIAL PARADE, REVIEW

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) of Agusan del Sur under the administration of 1502nd Community Defense Center (1502CDC), 15th Regional Community Defense Group (15RCDG), Reserve Command (RESCOM), Philippine Army (PA), conducted a Testimonial Parade and Review, in honor of Colonel Diosdado E. Peji, Commander of 15RCDG, held on December 3 at the Philippine Normal University (PNU) - Mindanao, Parade Ground, Barangay Baba, Prosperidad, this province.

The activity was conducted

successfully with the involvement of various ROTC Units including the PNUMindanao – activated; Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT) – activated; and Saint Francis Xavier College (SFXC)affiliated.

Meanwhile, Col Peji is the 9th Group Commander of the 15th RCDG, RESCOM, PA, and has served honorably in the Armed Forces of the Philippines for 32 years, six (6) months, and 13 days. (2Lt Adones L Apilada, Executive Officer, 1502 CDC, 15RCDG/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)

THEFT SUSPECT APPREHENDED IN SURIGAO CITY

Police authorities of the Surigao City Police Station (CPS) served the warrant of arrest to a mugger in Surigao City Custodial Facility, Surigao City on Tuesday, December 20.

charged with theft from one of the drug stores in the city.

with a recommended bail bond of Php3,000.

Provincial Director Laudemer M. Laude identified the accused as a 21-year-old Tracy Vibar Lumpay, alias Paula, a resident of P-5, Barangay Canlanipa, Surigao City.

Citing the report from Surigao City PS, Lumpay was arrested on December 14, 2022 and

While in detention at the Surigao City PS Custodial Facility, Lumpay was served an arrest warrant for her previous charge of the same crime, which she committed in August 2021.

Lumpay was apprehended by virtue of a bench warrant of arrest for theft docketed under Criminal Case No. 21-19868 issued by MTCC Branch 2, Surigao City, dated April 20, 2022,

“We will constantly exert efforts and assure everyone in our jurisdiction who is violating the law will face their charges. The SDN PNP will remain vigilant and dedicated to the service of the community,” Police Colonel (PCol) Laude assured.

Lumpay is presently under the station’s custody for proper disposition. (SDNPPO/ PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Sa kinatibuk-an naay 2,210 tanan ang nakatrabaho ubos sa programang TUPAD sa tulo ka hugna gamit ang pundo nga nakalap ni Kongresista Corvera sa unang kapin sa lima ka bulan sa iyang termino. Libuan pa ang nakatakdang makatrabaho ubos sa programa sa tuig 2023.

LAUNCH LIBAS SUD

In support of the government’s initiative to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) headed the call of the women in Libas Sud, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur to be productive in the community and earn income to support their families.

member of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) - National Task Force - ELCAC in the province of Surigao del Sur recently launched. The realization of the project is a result of the collborative efforts of the DOST, PRLEC, Barangay Libas Sud Council, and the Local Government Unit of San Miguel.

Women’s Association during the Peace/ Serbisyo Caravan.

Under DOST’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology Program, DOST-Surigao del Sur initiated the establishment of a bakeshop in Barangay Libas Sud, being a

DOST Surigao del Sur Provincial Director Caressa “Ching” Lim turned over the equipment to Mayor Michael Corilla, Punong Barangay Charlito Intas, and the Libas Sud

The DOST looks forward to seeing the community produce new innovative products using the raw materials/ resources available in the locality. The government agencies behind the program implementation believed that the products that will be produced by the women managing the bakery have high market potential that will reach the neighboring municipalities. (NGPB/ DOST/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Nakompleto sa Lunes, ang payout sa 850 ka nakatrabaho sa 3rd batch sa Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) nga programa sa Department and Labor and Employment (DOLE) sa pakigtambayayong sa buhatan ni Kongresista

Dale B. Corvera. Nahuman kini human nasweldoan ang 107 nga nakatrabaho sa Nasipit ug 55 sa Carmen. Una na nga nasweldoan ang mga nakatrabaho sa syudad sa Cababdabran ug ubang mga lungsod niining semanaha ra usab.

Ubos sa TUPAD makatrabahao ang usa ka displaced o disadvantaged workers sa tag Php350 ang adlaw. Kadaghanan sa benepisyaryo sa programa sa distrito ni Kongresista Corvera nakatrabaho sulod sa 15 ka adlaw.

Tan-aw ni Kongresista Corvera nga daku kaayong tabang ang maong temporaryong trabaho sa mga unemployed o underemployed nga mga residente sa distrito, hinungdan sa iyang paningkamot nga makapatuman og tulo ka hugna niini sa mubong panahon. (Agusan del Norte 2nd Congressional District Office/PIA Agusan del Norte)

OFW FAMILY DAY HANDOG

NG OWWA CARAGA

Mahigit tatlong daang Overseas Filipino Workers o OFWs ng Caraga region at ang kani-kanilang pamilya ang masayang dumalo at nagdiwang sa inihandang OFW Family Day ng Overseas Workers Welfare Adminsitration o OWWA Caraga na ginawa sa Butuan City, kung saan aktibo silang nakipaghalobilo at sumali sa inihandang aktibidades ng ahensya. Ito’y isang tribute sa mga OFWs, maging sa mga nagbabakasyon lang o maninirahan na sa bansa.

Tiniyak ni OWWA Caraga OIC-regional director Ma. Ireen C. Cambaling

na patuloy ang kanilang suporta sa kanila at hangad nito ang kanilang kapakanan. Anya, napakalaki angtulong na naibigay ng mga OFWs sa ating bansa at karapat-dapay lamang na bigyan sila ng kahalagahan.

Hindi din inakala ni Mefraim Griel Wenceslao ng Barangay Florida, Butuan City na mabigyan siya ng tulong ng OWWA. Si Wenceslao isang taon lamang sa Qatar at tinulungang makabalik sa Pilipinas dahil na din sa banta ng COVID-19 sa kanyang

buhay. nakatanggap sya ng puhunan upang makapagsimulang muli.

Masaya din si Annalie Apas ng Barangay Ong Yiu, Butuan City, isang returning OFW mula sa Saudi Arabia na nakapagcelebrate cya kasama ang kapwa nya OFWs at pamilya.

Sa ginawang OFW Family Day, binigyang papuri ang mga OFWs, nakisaya sa iba’t ibang kasiyahan, at paligsahang inihanda at nakatanggap din sila ng mga regalo mula sa OWWA at partner agencies. (NCLM, PIA Caraga)

30 KA MGA

REBELDE, MAMUYO SA MALINAWONG KINABUHI PINAAGI SA

KANHING

DERADICALIZATION PROGRAM

Laing 30 ka mga kanhi rebelde na usab ang nakahuman sulod sa upat ka adlaw nga Deradicalization nga programa sa Panggamhanang Probinsyal sa Agusan del Norte kaniadtong Disyembre 12-16 sa Halfway House, Bancasi ning dakbayan.

Ang deradikalisasyon kabahin sa programa sa kagamhanan nga gituyo alang sa mga former rebels (FRs). Kini gipasiugdahan sa Philippine Army sa pakigtambayayong sa Probinsyal nga Panggamhanan pinaagi sa buhatan sa Provincial Social

Welfare and Development (PSWD) aron matul-id ang mga ideolohiya ug doktrina nga gitanom niini sa ilang kanhing kasundalohan. Personal nga mitambong si Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante sa katapusang adlaw sa ilang pagtudlo.

Daku ang kalipay ni Gob. Amante nga nakahuman ang mga kanhi rebelde sa maong proseso tungod kay alang kaniya mao na ang sinugdanan sa pagkab-ot sa tinguha nga kausaban sa probinsya ingon man sa nasud.

“Ang pag uban nato, tinudanay gyud. Kung unsa tong mga kasaypanan nato sa una, kalimtanan na nato toh, dli na nato balikan ang sayop. Nakalingkawas namo, ayaw na isugal ug balik ang inyong kinabuhi” matud pa sa Gobernador.

Ang maong aktibidad naglakip sa pagtudlo ug livelihood trainings aron mahimong andam ang mga kanhi rebelde alang sa ilang reintegration ngadto sa “mainstream society.” (Karen Decamotan, hulagway kuha ni RFA, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

ADN Senior Citizens’ Federation, nakadawat ug pahalipay ug pondo kang Gob. Amante

Dakong kalipay sa kapin duha ka gatos ka miyembro sa Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines (FSCAP) human nakadawat ug tag Php50,000 matag usa ka pederasyon sa tibuok Agusan del Norte isip pahalipay sa mga senior citizens sa pagsaulog sa kapaskohan ug laing dugang nga Php200,000 sa tuig 2023 alang sa galastuson sa pagpadagan ug aktibidades sa ilang pederasyon gikan kang Gobernador Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante.

Kini ang gi-anunsyo ni Gob. Angel Amante sa nahitabong Annual General Assembly of FSCAP ug OSCA, kagahapon adlawa, Disyembre 19 sa E&G Hotel and Convention Center.

Sa maong kalihokan, nakita sa Gobernador nga adunay kakulangon sa pundo ang matag munisipyo ug ciudad

base sa mga yangungo sa mga lideres sa matag pederasyon sa senior citizens hinungdan nga gi-aksyonan dayon kini ni Gob. Amante.

Alang sa Gobernador, bisan paman sa taliwala sa pangidaron, dili babag nga dili makahatag ug pagpakabana sa komunidad. Matod pa ni Gob. Amante, daku ang kabahin sa mga senior citizens nga mapasa ang ilang kaalam sa bag-ong henerasyon alang sa paguswag sa komunidad.

“Kung sa medalya pa ni, kamo ang gold medalist” sumala pa ni Gob. Amante.

“In all honesty, wala mi kung wala mo. You invested in our municipalities. Ang wisdom ug experience does not come overnight, but each one of you has lived it. Mismo kamo, living witnesses” paambit sa Gobernador.

Gawas sa mga pahalipay nga gihatag ni Gob. Amante, naghugyaw usab sa kalipay ug nagpakita usab ang mga katigulangan sa ilang talento pinaagi sa indigay sa pag sayaw ug pag kanta.

Sa kinatibuk-an, nasakmit sa Munisipyo sa RTR ang kadaugan sa Daygon Contest nga adunay Php10,000 nga pa premyo, Boogie ug ChaCha nga adunay Php5,000 matag usa ka kontest. Nakadawat usab ang laing munisipyo ug ciudad ug Php5,000 ug Php1,000 isip Consolation Prizes sa tanan pa-kontest.

Gitapos usab ang maong programa sa pag-pili ug bag-ong sakop sa opesyales sa Provincial Senior Citizens Federation Officers alang sa 2022-2025. (Karen Decamotan, hulagway kuha ni RFA, LGU Agusan del Norte)

Balaudnon nga magmugna og Multi-Species Marine Breeding Farm ug Hatchery sa Cabadbaran ug Carmen, gipasaka ni Kongresista Corvera

Gipasaka ni Kongresista Dale B. Corvera ang mga balaudnon nga magpahiluna og multispecies marine breeding farm ug hatchery sa Syudad sa Cabadbaran ug sa lungsod sa Carmen, Agusan del Norte.

Ipatuman ang maong proyekto sa pagpanguna sa Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Gipahiluna ang maong mga balaudnon, House Bill Numbers 6689 ug 6690, ang maong mga proyekto alang sa gikinanghlang fingerlings pagpataas sa produksyon sa isda sa probinysa sa Agusan del Norte.

Ang proseso sa pagpahiluna sa maong proyekto mao nga mo-komiter ang Local Government Unit og luna sa yuta alang sa hatchery unya tun-an kung haum ba kini alang sa maong proyekto. Kung haum, himoan kini og feasibility study. Kung mopasar kini sa pagtuon, ipatuman sa BFAR ang proyekto ug i-turn over kini sa Syudad sa Cabadbaran

ug sa lungsod sa Carmen human ang duha ka tuig. Mahinumdoman nga bag-ohay pa lamang nagkasabot ang Congressional District Office ni Kongresista

Corvera ug mga lokal nga panggamhanan sa Cabadbaran ug Carmen nga ipahiluna ang maong proyekto sa ilang tagsatagsa ka lugar. Miagi na usab kini sa mga panagshisgut sa BFAR ingon man sa Butuan Bay Development Alliance. (Agusan del Norte 2nd Congressional District Office/PIA Agusan del Norte)

MINDANAO NEWS

A giant Thailand agriculture firm is set to pour in additional PHP1 billion worth of investments in the poultry and livestock sectors of Central Mindanao.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, former agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Thailand’s largest agricultural conglomerate, Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP) Foods Philippines, will invest particularly in the agriculture sector.

“When a big corporation invests PHP1 billion in poultry and hogs despite the threat of African swine fever and bird flu, they deserve to be supported, especially since they are sourcing their raw materials from local farmers,” he said.

CP Foods Philippines Senior Vice President Sompong Rojanaadisorn, the head of

Thai firm set to pour in add’l P1-B investments in C. Mindanao

Livestock Feed Mill based in Polomolok, South Cotabato, said the firm needs several agricultural products for their feed mill processing.

The needed products include corn, which must be clean and dry with 14 percent moisture content; sorghum clean and dry (13 percent moisture content; and cassava in cube cuts (14 percent moisture content).

For corn production, Bayer Philippines was tapped to supply quality seeds.

“While our company, Southseas Agri-Aqua Ventures Inc., is mainly involved in sorghum production, we could only start contributing to this program when we have reached a planted area of 500 hectares per month,” Piñol said.

For the cassava cube cuts requirements, he said cassava production farmers in North Cotabato would supply the needs of CPF Phils. Feed Mill.

Piñol earlier said CP Group pledged to make additional investments in the Philippines in aquaculture, rice, and swine production, following a meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Bangkok, Thailand.

CP Group officials expressed interest in collaborating with the Philippines in swine, rice, corn, and aquaculture, as well as developing the value chain of those industries to link them to local consumers.

CP Group is Thailand’s largest private company with a USD$2 billion investment in the Philippines. (PNA/Che Palicte)

AGRI INVESTMENTS. Former agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol bares Thursday (Dec. 22, 2022) that Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines is set to pour in PHP1 billion worth of investments in the poultry and livestock sectors in Central Mindanao. The CP agricultural conglomerate currently has a USD$2 billion investment in the Philippines. (PNA file photo)

MinDA to leverage ZamPen RE projects with HDF Energy

The Hydrogene de France (HDF) Energy’s initial investment cost to build the Hydrogen Power Plant in Olutanga Island comes with a huge amount for a 45-megawatt output power plant, as they are expanding to municipalities of Sibuco, Sirawai, Siocon and Baliguian (Triple SB) in Zamboanga del Norte, Zambo Ecozone, and ZAMCELCO for Zamboanga City.

Starting January 23, 2023, technical studies and tests will be done on the 17-hectare land to include a geotechnical survey, hydrological survey, and an environmental survey. The geotechnical survey

includes elevation, soil test, and flood analysis. Meanwhile, the hydrological survey and study include ground water depth, source and sea water distance, and hydrogen component of sea water. The environmental study is focused on tree tagging, flora and fauna, air, water, and soil components.

As the Zambo Ecozone and ZAMCELCO expressed interest in a power supply agreement with the Green Hydrogen Technology, the Zambo Ecozone will facilitate the 50-hectare land requirement in the Ecozone, while ZAMCELCO will also facilitate the land requirement

in Vitali, Zamboanga City. On the contrary, HDF Energy Philippines Holdings, Inc. said that the solar farm of the OLTAMA Bulk Water Project with a Desalination Facility, is eyed to be established in Olutanga Island will adopt the “Agri-Voltaic” modern farming method for highvalue crops.

The same also signified interest in investing in the Mindanao Development Authority’s Digital Transformation Program, specifically for the “Smart Regional Center of Region IX in Pagadian City” to power up the green building of AMOWestern Mindanao.

NATIONAL NEWS

MinDA Western Mindanao Area Management Office Development Management Officer Cecille La Plana discussed major RE projects for Zamboanga Peninsula with representatives of Zamboanga del Norte’s Triple S-B Alliance, Zambo Ecozone, and ZAMCELCO during a meet on 15 December 2022.

PBBM FOSTERS SPIRIT OF UNITY DURING RIZAL PARK

GIFT-GIVING EVENT

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday fostered the spirit of unity during the holiday season as he distributed Christmas gifts and livelihood support to children and families in Metro Manila.

Speaking during the “Pangkabuhayan at Pamaskong Handog ng Pangulo at Unang Ginang sa Sambayanang Pilipino” at the Open Amphitheater in Rizal Park, Manila, the President said the country could weather the present challenges if Filipinos unite and work together.

“Kaya’t kailangan naman, lahat sinasabi ko, kahit papaano kahit na naghihirap tayo ngayon, kahit mayroon pa rin pandemya nang konti, ‘yung ekonomiya ay dahan-dahan pa lang bumabalik at kahit papaano ay nakakaraos pa rin tayo, ngunit hindi mangyayari ‘yun kung hindi po tayo magtulungan,” President Marcos said.

“Ito ‘yung aking sinasabi dati pa na lahat dahil sa mga pangyayari ay talaga naman tayong mga Pilipino ay may pinagdaanan, ngunit naisagot natin, naharap natin lahat ng hamon na dumating dahil nandiyan ‘yung buhay ng Pilipino at tayo naman ay matibay, tayo naman ay matapang. Ngunit, hindi natin magagawa ito kung ‘di tayo nagtutulungan, kung ‘di tayo nag-iisa,” the chief executive added.

children could feel the spirit of Christmas, by assisting their families.

Through the gift-giving event, Marcos said families could have some respite during the holidays and feel that there’s a brighter future despite the present challenges.

mas maliwanag kaysa pinagdaanan natin,” hthe President noted.

mula alas siyete ng gabi, hanggang mga 4:30 ‘pag Simbang Gabi na,” the President said.

Emphasizing that Christmas is for children, President Marcos said his government organized Thursday’s event so

“So gumawa kami ng kaunting event, ng ganito para naman masabi natin [na] sana naman ay lahat ng Pilipino makaramdam ng Christmas spirit, makaramdam ng Pasko at kahit papaano, ay makikita natin na ang kinabukasan ay magiging

At the same time, Marcos once again invited the public to go to Malacañang for the Simbang Gabi and Christmas Tree and parol viewing after he announced the opening of the Palace grounds to ordinary people.

“‘Yung mga bata, I’m sure masisiyahan at may konting pakain. Kaya’t welcome kayong lahat. Bukas na ang Palasyo,” he added.

Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the “Pangkabuhayan at Pamaskong Handog ng Pangulo at Unang Ginang sa Sambayanang Pilipino” caravan is intended for street dwellers and IP beneficiaries, according to the DSWD.

“Aanyayahan ko rin pala kayo [dahil] binuksan namin ang Palasyo, ang Malacañang para ‘yung mga nag-aantay magSimbang Gabi pwede mag-standby muna doon sa amin… So nakabukas

Some 400 children and 574 individuals and families, including several members of indigenous people (IP) groups, received Christmas gifts from the President during the event. Spearheaded by the Department of

Each adult beneficiary receives 6 kilograms of rice, other grocery items, hygiene kits and cash assistance from the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. Each child beneficiary receives food packs and gift packs containing toys and books.

In order to reduce firecracker injuries, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday urged local government units (LGUs) to set up a common area for fireworks display to welcome the New Year.

“Ang gawin na lang natin ay I will enjoin the LGUs, instead of allowing our people to have their own firecrackers, gumawa na lang kayo ng magandang fireworks display para sa inyong mga constituent,” Marcos said in a chance interview after leading the distribution of Christmas gifts and livelihood aid to children and families in

PBBM CALLS ON LGUS TO SET UP COMMON AREA FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY TO REDUCE INJURIES

Manila.

Marcos warned Filipinos about the dangers and health effects of firecracker use, particularly those that result from reckless and indiscriminate use of dangerous firecrackers.

“Huwag muna tayong magpaputok at alam naman natin kung minsan delikado ‘yan. Lalo ngayon at maglalabas sila ng mga paputok na hindi natin alam kung saan galing, kung maayos ang pagkagawa,” Marcos pointed out.

The Department of Health

(DOH) earlier noted a downward trend in firecracker-related injuries in the country, citing figures in recent years.

DOH Officer-in-Charge (OIC) and Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, in a forum on Tuesday, said 122 cases were recorded in 2020, while 128 were reported last year.

The Philippine National Police, for its part, ramped up efforts to conduct cyber patrol, confiscation and destruction of banned firecrackers and pyrotechnics to protect the public.

KADIWA NG PASKO, RESPONSE TO NATURAL DISASTERS, FREE RIDES, AMONG STRONGLY APPROVED NATIONAL PROGRAMS OF

PBBM ADMIN – SURVEY

“Kadiwa ng Pasko,” response to national disasters, free rides and support for the poor are the top most approved national programs extended by the Marcos government to Filipinos, according to the results of the latest PUBLiCUS survey.

Based on the PAHAYAG 2022 End of the Year Survey (P-EOY 2022), conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. from November 25-30, 2022, 84 percent of respondents said they approve or strongly approve of the launching of “Kadiwa ng Pasko,” a national caravan selling basic goods at reduced prices.

The survey also found that 8 in 10 Filipinos approved the government’s response to natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes, as well as the implementation

of hybrid work arrangement.

The government’s Libreng Sakay Program at the EDSA Bus Carousel and the valueadded tax (VAT) exemption on electricity and water also gained strong public backing with 80 percent of the respondents approving the programs.

The launching of various infrastructure projects by the Marcos administration under “Build Better More” such as Farm-to-Market Roads (FMR), Samal Island-Davao City Bridge, Central Luzon Link Expressway and subway were well-supported with 78 percent of the respondents approving or strongly approving them.

Government support for the marginalized sector also gained public backing with 77 percent of the respondents

approving the program.

Other issues given high approval by the public include fighting criminality/ improving defense, collaborating to improve internet speed, resumption of face-to-face classes under a hybrid setup and optional outdoor masking.

PureSpectrum, a US-based panel marketplace with multinational presence, randomly sampled 1,500 registered Filipino voters who participated in the PAHAYAG 2022 End of the Year Survey.

The survey has a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.

PAHAYAG is an independent and non-commissioned national purposive survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc.

PBBM VOWS TO CONTINUE BUILDING HOUSING COMMUNITIES UNDER ‘PAMBANSANG PABAHAY

PARA SA PILIPINO’ PROGRAM

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed Wednesday to continue breaking ground for the administration’s ambitious housing project to provide ordinary Filpinos with decent housing complete with basic amenities and facilities.

“I’m glad that we are continuing. This is not the first groundbreaking that I have attended. I hope… I know it will not be the last, and that we will continue to break ground in different parts around the country para naman ‘yung ating pinapangarap na one million homes a year,” President Marcos said during the groundbreaking of the Palayan City Township Housing Project in Nueva Ecija.

“One million homes a year, pagka naabot natin ‘yun, at least napakalaking bagay na ‘yan na nabigyan natin ng solusyon ang problema ng bahay ng ating mga kababayan,” the chief executive pointed out.

According to the President, the administration’s concept is to provide families with shelter not only for poor residents but also for employed people who

struggle to have decent housing.

Housing agencies and developers must consider providing their housing projects with facilities and necessities like water, power, schools, markets as well as transport hubs, Marcos said.

“Yun ang mga dapat — hindi dapat makalimutan at kaya’t ito ating ginagawa, ganoon ang ating sinusundan. And I hope that we will continue at this rate at kailangan na kailangan talaga natin gawin ‘to but this is one of the many actually that we are going to break ground,” Marcos said.

The President expressed his gratitude to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and to the Palayan City local government for their efforts in spearheading the housing project, stressing that collaboration is necessary for ventures like shelter projects.

President Marcos also thanked all other local government units (LGUs) and emphasized their crucial role in ensuring the success of the government’s major housing program.

LGUs usually identify suitable

lands, select qualified beneficiaries and ensure the livability of the houses and communities that will be built.

The 11-hectare Palayan City Township Housing Project is part of President Marcos’ Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program aimed at addressing the country’s housing needs by building 1 million houses each year in the next six years.

Under the three-phase project, 5,100 housing units will be built, with support infrastructure such as an elementary school, livelihood center, administrative offices, a central park, basketball court, a mini market and hawker area, aquaponics area, sewage treatment plant and materials recovery facility.

Construction will commence in April next year with the project’s phase 1, with 2,500 housing units seen to be finished in 2024.

Joining the President in Nueva Ecija were DHSUD Secretary Jose Acuzar, Sen. JV Ejercito, House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Palayan City Mayor Viandrei Nicole Cuevas.

PBBM VETOES SOME PROVISIONS OF 2023 NATIONAL BUDGET

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vetoed several provisions of the 2023 National Budget, or the Fiscal Year 2023 General Appropriations Act (FY 2023 GAA), which he said are not related to the newly approved appropriations and could amend substantive laws.

Among those vetoed by the President are the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), Special Provision No. 1, “Use of Income,” Volume 1-A, Page 1157.

According to the President’s veto, the subject income already forms part of the revenue and financing sources of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 National Expenditure Program, which he submitted earlier to Congress pursuant to the mandate under Section 22, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, requiring the chief executive to submit to Congress within 30 days from the opening of every regular session, as the basis of the general appropriations bill, a budget of expenditures and sources of financing, including receipts from existing and proposed measures.

Relatedly, Section 65 of Presidential Decree No. 1445 (Government Auditing Code of the Philippines), as reiterated in Section 44, Chapter 5, Book VI of Executive Order No. 292, series 1987 (Administrative Code of 1987), provides that unless otherwise specifically provided by law, income accruing to the agencies by virtue of the provisions of the law, orders and regulations shall be deposited in the National Treasury or in any duly authorized government depository and shall accrue to

the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund of the government.

“Further, Section 66 of PD No. 1445 and Section 45, Chapter 5, Book VI of EO No. 292 prescribe that receipts shall be recorded as income of Special, Fiduciary or Trust Funds or Funds other than the General Fund only when authorized by law,” the presidential veto stated.

It is noteworthy, the President said, that the NLRC is not granted authority to use its income under existing laws.

“Further, the funding requirements for the operations of the NLRC are already fully provided under its budget under this Act,” Marcos said.

Also vetoed was the Department of Education (DepEd)-Office of the Secretary (OSEC), Special Provision No. 4, “Revolving Fund of DepEd TV,” Volume I-A, Page 197, considering that there is no law authorizing the DepEd to establish a revolving fund for the purpose.

Moreover, the DepEd TV is not a business-type activity of the

DepEd, which may be considered within the contemplation of the General Provision on Revolving Funds in the FY 2023 GAA, which permits the establishment of a revolving fund from receipts derived from business-type activities.

The President also vetoed the proviso “in no case shall the appropriations be utilized to change the tourism campaign slogan” under Department of Tourism (DOT)-OSEC, Special Provision No. 4, “Branding Campaign Program,” Volume I-B, page 313, inasmuch as it intends to limit the exercise of the functions of the Executive Branch in implementing RA No. 9593 (The Tourism Act of 2009).

The President explained that under RA No. 9593, the DOT is mandated to be the primary planning, programming, coordinating, implementing and regulatory government agency in the development and promotion of the tourism industry, both domestically and globally. It is tasked to promote tourism as an engine of socioeconomic and cultural growth in the country.

Daily average of new Covid-19 cases down by 25%

The daily average of new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases has decreased by 25 percent from Dec. 19 to 25, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

verified deaths. Of the additional deaths, the DOH said 24 happened from Dec. 12 to 25.

ICU beds are utilized.

From 1,082 per day recorded from Dec. 12 to 18, the number went down to 813 daily in the recent week.

The latest case bulletin showed that there were 5,690 new cases and 172

In the same period, three cases were added to the tally of severe and critical infections, which also went down to 516 from the previous week’s 592.

Only 19.1 percent or 451 out of the 2,367 intensive care unit (ICU) beds are in use, while 17.6 percent or 3,324 of 18,935 non-

To date, about 73,756,732 or 94.44 percent of the country’s target population (78,100,578) are vaccinated against Covid-19, including 79.44 percent of 8,721,357 senior citizens.

As of Dec. 25, a total of 21,145,843 have received booster shots out of the fully vaccinated population. (PNA)

A teenage boy receives his Covid-19 vaccine. (PNA photo by Gil Calinga)

NCR COVID-19 POSITIVITY RATE DOWN TO 11.5%

The positivity rate or the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the National Capital Region (NCR) further decreased to 11.5 percent as of Dec. 24.

The region’s positivity rate a week ago, on Dec. 17, was 13.9 percent.

“In Luzon, significant

increase in positivity rate observed in Albay, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, Pampanga,”

OCTA Research Group fellow Dr. Guido David said on Twitter.

41.7 percent from 26.2 percent; and Pampanga, 17 percent from 12.5 percent.

NCR COVID POSITIVITY RATE

DIPS TO 13.9% AS OF DEC. 17

The positivity rate or the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the National Capital Region (NCR) decreased to 13.9 percent as of Dec. 17.

Zambales,” he said on Twitter.

As of Dec. 24, Albay province’s positivity rate went up to 35.4 percent from 23.3 percent; Ilocos Sur, 44.8 percent from 30.6 percent; Kalinga,

As of Dec. 25, the top five areas with the most number of cases include NCR with 225 cases, Cavite with 45, Laguna with 40, Rizal with 38 and Cebu with 22. (PNA/Ma. Teresa Montemayor)

OCTA Research Group fellow Dr. Guido David on Monday said the figure is a 0.5-point decrease from 14.4 percent rate in the region as of Dec. 10.

“It looks like the BQ.1 wave is receding in time for a Happy Holiday. In the rest of Luzon, increase in positivity rates were observed in Bataan, Laguna,

As of Dec. 17, the other areas with decreased positivity rates include Albay with 23.3 percent from 34.6 percent; Camarines Sur with 32.9 percent from 39.2 percent; Ilocos Sur with 30.6 percent from 36.9 percent; Isabela with 39.7 percent from 40.5 percent; Kalinga with 26.2 percent from 57.9 percent; Nueva Ecija with 37.2 percent from 49 percent; Rizal with 23.8 percent from 23.2 percent; and Tarlac with 23.9 percent from 23.6

percent. Outside Luzon, an increase in positivity rate was observed in Misamis Oriental with 13.8 percent from 9.8 percent.

High positivity rates in Aklan (23.8 percent), Palawan (23.6 percent), and Zamboanga del Sur (26.1 percent) were also observed.

Meantime, low positivity rates were reported in Capiz (5 percent), Davao del Norte (1.7 percent), Iloilo (4.4 percent), and South Cotabato (4 percent). (PNA)/ Ma. Teresa Montemayor

People walk at a pedestrian crossing in Manila. (PNA photo by Alfred Frias)

(PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

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