Volume V, No. 53 December 25-31, 2021
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REGIONAL NEWS BUTUANON YOUTH RECEIVE CASH ASSISTANCE UNDER DOLE-TUPAD NUTRITION CLUSTER MOVING RESPONSE FOR TYPHOON RAVAGED AREAS IN CARAGA REGION 12 SHARES ‘PAMASKONG HANDOG’ TO RESIDENTS IN CARAGA DA-BFAR GIVES AID AFTER TYPHOON ODETTE HITS SURIGAO NORTE, PDI DBP LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS CARAGA RDRRMC BUKAS PARA SA MGA SEKTOR NA NAIS MAGBAHAGI NG KANILANG DONASYON SA LUGAR NA APEKTADO NG TYPHOON ODETTE
PROVINCIAL NEWS DISTRIBUTES BNS KITS TO 19 NNC-CARAGA SURIGAO NORTE LGUS PHP7M AYUDA PARA SA MGA FRS, 20 MAHIGIT IPINAMAHAGI SA AGUSAN DEL NORTE
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PHILIPPINE ARMY CAPTURES NPA HIGHPOWERED FIREARMS IN AGSUR DAR TURNS OVER P16M PRDP SUBPROJECT IN SURSUR TOWN
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CONTENTS
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COVER
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NATIONAL NEWS NEXT PRESIDENT, LAWMAKERS SHOULD WORK TO REPEAL LAW PREVENTING QUICK POST-CALAMITY RESPONSE, SAYS PRESIDENT DUTERTE GOV’T VOWS TO GO AFTER PROFITEERS IN TYPHOON-AFFECTED AREAS
COVID-19 NEWS
PH RECEIVES LAST BATCH OF GOV’T-PROCURED VACCINES FOR 2021 GOV’T PROCURES 15M PFIZER DOSES FOR CHILDREN AGED 11 AND BELOW FILIPINOS URGED TO GET VACCINATED AS PH LOGS 4TH OMICRON CASE
MESSAGE OF PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY MARTIN ANDANAR ON RIZAL DAY We join the whole Filipino nation in commemorating the 125th anniversary of the martyrdom of our national hero, Gat Jose Rizal. Dr. Rizal dedicated his life in service to his fellowmen. It was by being a philanthropist, physician, and novelist that Dr. Rizal influenced and inspired the consciousness and national identity of the Filipino people up to this day. As a beacon of hope, unity, patriotism, valor, and service to the country, may Dr. Jose Rizal’s legacy be a source of inspiration and determination for us to collectively respond and address the many social ills, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic that our country is currently facing and enduring. Let us continue to be inspired by and to embody the values and principles that defined Gat Jose Rizal - his love for our country, his compassion for others, and his intellectual prowess - as we collectively heal, recover, and rise as one nation from all these difficulties and challenges. May everyone have a safe and meaningful commemoration of Rizal Day!
- SEC. MARTIN M. ANDANAR
Andanar seeks public su on additional relief assis for typhoon victims Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Tuesday called for solidarity among Filipinos as families in Visayas and Mindanao recover from the damages of Super Typhoon Odette. In an interview, he bared that the Northern Mindanao Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTFELCAC 10) has initiated a donation drive for typhoon victims dubbed as the “Bangon VisMin Typhoon Odette Donation Drive”. The said initiative will help send additional relief assistance
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to the affected families in Regions 7, 10 and Caraga. “Tulungan po natin ang ating mga kababayang lubos na naapektuhan ng malakas na bagyo sa Visayas at Mindanao. Halos lahat tayo ay nakaranas na kung gaano kahirap kapag nasalanta ng bagyo. [Let’s help our fellow Filipinos in Visayas and Mindanao. Most of us know how difficult it is to be hit by a strong typhoon. Secretary Andanar is also the designated Cabinet Officer for Caraga INFOCUS
Regional Development and Security for Northern Mindanao. According to the latest report by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 10 (DSWD-10), there are more than 20,000 families affected in Region 10, with at least 4,700 families still in evacuation centers.
upport stance
of family food packs. According to Secretary Andanar, the PCOO is also responding to affected families in areas in Caraga region, including Surigao City, Siargao Islands, and Dinagat Islands that were not spared from the havoc of Super Typhoon Odette.
He said that electricity and communication remain difficult in the said areas, DSWD-10 is currently while logistics for the conducting their Rapid transport of family food Damage Assessment and packs and in-kind donations Needs Analysis (RDANA) are already making their in order to provide details routes to communities on services needed to be including impassable areas turned over to affected such as Burgos, San Isidro, LGUs, including the provision and Pilar in Siargao.
Andanar
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December 25-31, 2021 |
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News Briefs Last week, Philippines UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Gustavo González met communities hit by #TyphoonRai #OdettePH. They are determined to rebuild their lives, but they need help. Here’s how humanitarian partners plan to support the government response https://bit.ly/3pw7Moi (United Nations OCHA Philippines) xx
The Caraga RDRRMC, chaired by OCD Caraga regional director Liza Mazo, handed over the certificate of commendation to the team members from the different government agencies in Regions 11 and 12 who were deployed in the province of Dinagat Islands to conduct a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) from Dec. 22-27, 2021, during exit conference at the Emergency Operations Center in Butuan City. The 380 youth beneficiaries of the Tulong Hanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program in Butuan City are from the following barangays: Banza (35); Bobon (35); De Oro (35); Golden Ribbon (75); Lemon (35); Mahay (36); Mahogany (35); Maug (35); Tagabaca (34); and Tiniwisan (36). The national government has granted a total of PhP1.2 million for the beneficiaries in Butuan City, wherein each will be given PhP3,200. The Philippine government is encouraging South Korean firms to consider investment opportunities in the country and take advantage of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries targeted to be signed next year.
REGIONAL NEWS
Butuanon youth receive cash assistance under DOLE-TUPAD of the youth in the list of beneficiaries of the TUPAD program Providing such assistance to the youth is important, Chiang said, since a significant portion of the workforce in the city comprises students who work part-time. Some 380 youth have received cash assistance under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)’s cash-for-work assistance program, Tulong Hanapbuhay Para sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD). Select full-time students and students who work part-time from Barangays Banza, Bobon, De Oro, Golden Ribbon, Lemon, Mahay, Mahogany, Maug, Tagabaca, and Tiniwisan gathered at the Brgy. Golden Ribbon covered court on Monday, December 27, to receive cash assistance amounting to PhP3,200. The national government has allocated PhP1.2 million for the said batch of beneficiaries, and was
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benefited by 75 youth residents from Brgy. Golden Ribbon; 35 youth residents from each of the Brgys. Banza, Bobon, De Oro, Lemon, Mahogany, and Maug; 36 youth residents from Brgys. Mahay and Tiniwisan; and 34 youth residents from Brgy. Tagabaca. The initiative is spearheaded by former Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federated president and current Brgy. Golden Ribbon SK chairperson Engr. Wen Kok Lim Chiang II, who, along with SK leaders in other parts of the country, lobbied the Office of the President through Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, DOLE secretary Silvestre Bello III, and USec. Victor Del Rosario for the inclusion
“Majority po sa mga kabataan at nagtatrabaho. Kahit sila din po ay naaapketuhan sa pandemiya, sa sakuna, so nagpapasalamat po talaga kami dahil yung allocation for the last quarter sa TUPAD, nabigay po sa mga kabataan natin. (Majority of our youth are working. They are also affected by the pandemic and disasters so we are thankful that the allocation for the last quarter for the TUPAD [program] was given to our youth),” he said. Among the beneficiaries is the son of Leogina Sacro, a resident of Brgy. Tiniwisan, who is relieved that her son is able to receive an ample amount of money amid the ongoing health crisis. Her son, a 15-year-old student, worked part-time
Caraga INFOCUS
as a helper for her relatives. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, her relatives had to lay him off since they also began struggling financially. This, coupled with the death of her husband, who was one of the providers of the family, made their current situation even more challenging. They are now relying solely on her eldest child, who works as a driver for a public utility vehicle. “Kahit papaano po, malaking tulong po ito sa amin, sa aming lahat. Salamat po sa lahat ng nagtulung-tulongan para sa mga naapektuhan sa pandemiya. (This is a big help to us somehow. Thank you to all those who worked together to help those who were affected by the pandemic),” said Sacro. SK chairpersons of participating barangays have also shared the same sentiment and feel grateful as well that their constituents are being helped by the national government. “We are very thankful that the government gave us a chance to work and earn money to help pay for our daily expenses. We are happy to know that they are taking care of us
Caraga INFOCUS
through this program. We are also having a hard time coping with this pandemic and we’re thankful that we were not overlooked,” said Chrisna Jane Ebale, SK chairperson of Brgy. Maug. While the next scheduled provision of cash assistance is yet to be determined, Chiang has said that the DOLE-Caraga has assured them that this will not be the only time the youth will be given cash assistance under the said program. “Dahil sa limitado lang yung slots natin, hindi kayang mabigyan ang lahat ng 86 barangays sa syudad. Hopefully in the future, mabigyan po natin yung ibang barangays. (With the limited slots, we cannot provide for the 86 barangays in the city. Hopefully in the future, we can also include other barangays as well),” said the youth leader. Chiang has likewise urged his fellow youth to actively take part in rallying for support for youth-led initiatives, reminding them that help will always be given to them if they also persist in seeking it.
level, ang ating mga Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), kasi nasa kanila po ang inisyatibo na humingi ng budget sa national government. (We just need to approach the government especially on the barangay level [through] our Sangguninang Kabataan (SK) since they can initiate requests for a budget from the national government),” said Chiang. “Aminado po na hindi sufficient ang pondo on the barangay level kaya po we really need to strengthen our ties with the national government kasi may mga programa pong pwede pala natin maexplore, kagaya nitong TUPAD, na pwede din pala makatulong sa mga kabataan. (The funding in the barangay level is admittedly not sufficient so we really need to strengthen our ties with the national government because there are programs we can actually explore, such as the TUPAD, and use it to help the youth),” he added.
“Rest assured that marami pang mga programa para sa mga kabataan from the “Help will always be national government. (Rest available to each and assured that the national everyone. We just need to government has a lot of approach the government programs for the youth).” especially on the barangay (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
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Nutrition Cluster moving response for typhoon ravaged areas in Caraga the related policies with regards to response made by the provincial government to areas of Surigao City, Dinagat Islands, and Siargao Island.
The Nutrition Cluster response team convened for widen support and partnership on Monday, December 27, 2021 via a blended meeting at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city. In a quick but meaningful meeting, officer-incharge Nutrition Program Coordinator Nino Archie Labordo shared to the group the post-Typhoon Odette situation, particularly on nutritionrelated concerns in the ravaged areas of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands. Providing responses are
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members of the cluster which include updates from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on prize freeze, Department of Health (DOH) on commodities available, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on the progress of responses, and the Breastfeeding Nanays in Caraga on the online information drive. On the other hand, the local government unit of Tandag City shared the response they forwarded to areas affected that include water and food. Also, the province of Surigao del Sur shared
Meanwhile, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative Amina Lim shared that augmentation for readyto-use therapeutic food (RUTF) is coming. She has requested for the distribution plan and the logistic strategies. Christine Zyra Abalos of the Samaritan’s Purse also mentioned the need for human resource augmentation to the affected areas including nurses, doctors, and nutritionist dieticians. The Nutrition Cluster will be monitoring progress and coordinating nutrition-related response services in the areas most affected by Typhoon Odette in Caraga region. (NNC-Caraga/PIACaraga) Caraga INFOCUS
Region 12 shares ‘Pamaskong Handog’ to residents in Caraga
A team from Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) composed of representatives from various national government agencies led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILGXII) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XII personally turned-over food and non-food items to the DSWD Field Office Caraga, represented by OIC-Regional Director Ramel F. Jamen, as additional aid for the affected families of Typhoon Odette in the region.
national government agencies, private entities, non-government organizations, pooled in resources to augment the needs of the affected families.
The team sent a 24-vehicle strong convoy After seeing the damage to Butuan City, which of the onslaught of arrived around 9:00 p.m. Typhoon Odette, on December 28, 2021. members of the Regional They then secured the Inter-Agency Task Force food/non-food items at for Management of the DSWD warehouse Emerging Infectious and at the DSWD Field Diseases (RIATF-EID) Office in Butuan City. XII decided to come together to contribute In his message on for donations intended behalf of the Region XII for the victims in contingent, Ian Jon S. Caraga. The initiative Clemente, LGOO IV of yielded good results as DILG XII, said during the Caraga INFOCUS
turn-over ceremony held at the OCD Emergency Operations Center at the Go Hotels, Butuan City, that the initiative is fueled by the Filipino spirit of Bayanihan. The RIATF-XII led the initiative with the objective of showing oneness with the Filipino people, especially those severely affected. OIC-RD Jamen also expressed in his acceptance message his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the donation drive of Region XII, saying that he is grateful for the act of kindness from the people of SOCCSKSARGEN. He December 25-31, 2021 |
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said that it was safe to say that he represents the people of Caraga in extending appreciation and recognition to the different offices and groups who extended help to the victims. DSWD FO XII has sent their second batch of augmentation to the region. Some 5,000 family food packs (FFPs), and boxes of water, canned goods, hygiene kits, and other non-food items were part of the delivered goods. FO XII also previously sent 8,000 FFPs distributed to Surigao del Norte and Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI).
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The food/non-food items will now be repacked in preparation for another round of distribution to the affected families in the region, especially the most affected areas in Surigao del Norte and PDI. Listed are the Agencies/ Organizations/Groups that sent in donations: RD Foundation (General Santos City); National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) XII (Koronadal City); Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOHCHD) SOCCSKSARGEN
(Cotabato City); SOCCSKSARGEN General hospital (Surallah, South Cotabato); various personnel of DILG XII (Koronadal City); BULIG Tacurong Volunteer Organization thru Tacurong CDRRMO (Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat); DSWD Field Office XII (Koronadal City); Department of Science and Technology (DOST) XII (Koronadal City) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) XII’s relief efforts – Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), Sarangani Chamber, DTI Employees (Koronadal City). (DSWD-Caraga/ PIA-Caraga) Caraga INFOCUS
DA-BFAR gives aid after Typhoon Odette hits Surigao Norte, PDI The Department of Agriculture (DA) together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) handed over aid for the local farmers and fisherfolks of Surigao del Norte and the Province of Dinagat Islands, days after the Typhoon Odette lambasted Southern and Central Philippines on December 16, 2021. On December 24, 2021, DA-BFAR Caraga formally received various materials, equipment, and primary commodities donated by different BFAR regional offices after the typhoon struck many provinces of the Philippines, including Dinagat Islands, Siargao Island and the rest of Surigao del Norte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, parts of Cebu, Palawan, and islands in surrounding waters. These also include marine engines and other primary materials essential for the restoration of their damaged boats and fishponds. These materials will be given to the seriously affected typhoon victims in the fishery sector. DA-BFAR national director Commodore Eduardo B. Gongona expressed his sympathy to all Surigaonons
Caraga INFOCUS
and Dinagatnons as the typhoon caused incalculable damage both in agriculture and fishery sector. “The government has laid plans and is currently acting on it now as to the support and total rehabilitation of the damages caused by the typhoon,” Director Gongona added. In his message, DA Undersecretary for Regulations and Infrastructure Engr. Zamzamin I. Ampatuan underscored the importance of mangrove forests in providing a vital buffer against the impacts of natural disasters caused by climate change. “May this typhoon leave
us a lesson, and we must learn from it. This is an urgent call for mangrove habitat restoration for it will really protect us from any danger caused by natural disasters and decrease the potential risk of massive typhoon damage. This will also help us to develop a natural culture of typhoon resiliency,” said Usec. Ampatuan. DA-BFAR Regional Director Usop D. Pendaliday Jr. also expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the quick response and support coming from the different regions for the Caraganons. He also assured that the materials will be delivered to the respective recipients in no time. (BFAR-Caraga/PIACaraga)
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DBP launches new program for renewable energy projects Under the SMPP program, qualified borrowers are entitled to a maximum loanable amount of up to 60% of the total project cost for projects located in Luzon, and up to 50% for projects in the Visayas. Reimbursement of eligible solar merchant power projects may also be availed of provided the completed project does not exceed one State-owned tenor of up to 12 years year from date of project Development Bank of with a one year grace completion. the Philippines (DBP) has period on principal Herbosa said the new launched a new loan payment. program is expected program to expand “DBP is ready to provide to contribute to the support for utility-scale financing to viable solar National Government’s solar power developers power developers for goal of increasing solar in the country and their capital expenditures photovoltaic capacity bolster investments in the such as the construction in the country from 2.16 renewable energy sector, or expansion of their Gigawatts (GW) in 2020 to a top official said. infrastructure facilities, 15.29 GW in 2030. acquisition of machinery As a bank for the Contributed photo and equipment, among environment, DBP aims DBP president and others,” said Herbosa. to boost investments chief executive officer DBP is the fifth largest in the green energy Emmanuel G. Herbosa bank in the country sector and proactively said the bank’s Solar in terms of assets and support the national goal Merchant Power Plant provides credit support for renewable energy (SMPP) Financing Program to four strategic sectors to account for 35% of aims to provide funding of the economy – the country’s power support to solar power infrastructure and logistics; generation mix by 2030, developers intending to micro, small and medium as set in the Philippine sell electricity through enterprises; environment; Energy Plan (2018-2030), the Wholesale Electricity social services and he added. (DBP/PIASpot Market with a longer community development. Caraga)
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Caraga INFOCUS
Caraga RDRRMC bukas para sa mga sektor na nais magbahagi ng kanilang donasyon sa lugar na apektado ng Typhoon Odette Bagamat patuloy ang gobyerno sa pagbibigay ng relief assistance sa mga lugar na lubhang naapektuhan ng Typhoon Odette partikular na sa Surigao City, Siargao Island at Dinagat Islands, binigyang-diin ng Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) na handa ang emergency operations center (EOC) na tumanggap ng tulong o donasyon mula sa iba’t-ibang sektor. Isa na dito ang PDRRMO ng South Cotabato na malayo pa ang biniyahe papuntang Butuan City sakay ng malalaking truck na may lamang ayuda bilang tulong sa mga apektadong residente. Ayon kay Rolly Doane Aquino, PDRRMO ng South Cotabato, dala nila ang mga food at non-food items para sa mga residente ng apektadong lugar sa rehiyon at may cash assistance din na nagkakahalaga ng P100,000 na kanilang ibibigay sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Surigao City upang maibahagi rin sa mga residente. “Hindi tinamaan ng Typhoon Odette ang South Cotabato o ang Region 12 kaya sa tingin namin nararapat lang din na tumulong kami sa mga kababayan nating mga Filipino na lubhang naapektohan. Patuloy po ang tulong na ibibigay natin sa Surigao del Norte at Dinagat Islands,” dagdag ni Aquino. Ayon kay RDRRMC chairperson at Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Caraga regional director Liza Mazo, may mga organisasyon at pribadong sektor na ang nakikipag-ugnayan sa kanila para sa agarang paghatid ng mga food at non-food items at maayos na distribusyon nito sa mga apektadong lugar ng rehiyon. Target din ng Council na masiguro ang long term
Caraga INFOCUS
Mazo
assistance hanggang sa makabangong muli ang mga apektadong residente. “Patuloy ang pagtulong ng gobyerno sa mga lugar na apektado ng Typhoon Odette sa Surigao City, Dinagat Islands at Siargao Island ng Surigao del Norte at hindi ito tumitigil. Subalit, bukas rin po ang ating gobyerno sa pagtanggap ng mga donasyon mula sa iba pang sektor na nais magbahagi ng tulong sa mga residente. Maaari lang po silang tumawag sa hotline numbers ng OCD Caraga para magabayan rin po naming sila sa relief operations,” ani ni Mazo. Tiniyak din ni Mazo na patuloy ang koordinasyon ng iba’t-ibang ahensiya para sa kaukulang tulong tulad ng pabahay, sanitation, tubig at kuryente sa mga apektadong lugar. Sa pamamagitan ng EOC, mas nagiging madali rin ang pagtanggap ng mga ahensya sa concerns ng local government units at agad na napag-uusapan at natutugunan ang mga ito. Samantala, nanawagan din si Mazo sa mga gustong mag-volunteer sa relief operations na makipag-ugnayan sa Caraga RDRRMC. (JPG/ PIA-Caraga)
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
NNC-Caraga distributes BNS kits to Surigao Norte LGUs
The National Nutrition Council (NNC)-Caraga has distributed kits for the barangay nutrition scholars (BNS) in areas of Surigao del Norte affected by Typhoon Odette on December 22-24, 2021. The BNS kits are part of the personal protection against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) while the BNSs are on duty. Items included in the kit are facemasks, alcohol and shield. Caraga INFOCUS
Areas visited by NNC wherein kits were provided are the municipalities of Sison, Placer, Bacuag, Gigaquit, Claver, Tubud, Alegria and Surigao City. According to Niño Archie Labordo, OIC-regional nutrition program coordinator, the visit also monitored the postdisaster situation and presence of evacuation areas. Except for Surigao City, residents of most LGUs with evacuation centers have returned back home after 72
hours post-disaster. “NNC is hopeful to visit the LGUs in Dinagat and Siargao Islands to meet with the nutrition networks and provide necessary responses,” said Labordo. The BNS, as members of the nutrition cluster at the LGU level, will help assess and monitor nutrition status of vulnerable groups particularly the children and the mothers. (LVPVargas/ NNC-Caraga/PIACaraga) December 25-31, 2021 |
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Mahigit PhP7M ayuda para sa mga FRs, ipinamahagi sa Agusan del Norte Mahigit PhP7.3 milyong halaga ng ayuda sa ilalim ng Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) ng gobyerno ang ipinamahagi sa mahigit 100 former rebels (FRs) sa Agusan del Norte. Ang mga FRs ay tumanggap ng Sustainable Livelihood Assistance (SLP) at puhunan para sa mga asosasyon na mula sa conflict-vulnerable areas. Isa si Marcelo Tejano na tumanggap ng SLP assistance galing sa DSWD sa tulong na rin ng lokal na pamahalaan. Balak niyang gamitin ang pera sa kanyang sakahan at sa pagpapatayo ng kanyang sariling electrical shop bilang kabuhayan kasama ang kanyang pamilya. Nakapagtapos na rin siya ng TESDA trainings na kanyang ginagamit sa kanyang pagbabagong buhay. Maliban sa SLP, 30 FRs din ang tumanggap ng tig-sampung libong piso sa ilalim ng Assistance to
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Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) ng DSWD.
vulnerable areas ang binigyan ng puhunan, lima sa bawat bayan Si alyas Mikay naman, ng Las Nieves, Jabonga taga Butuan, na mahigit at Kitcharao sa mga isang taon sa kilusan bilang nabigyan ng puhunan. isang medic sa Guerilla Front 4A, ay nabigyan Nagpaalala din si rin ng tulong sa ilalim ng Governor Dale Corvera AICS. Emosyonal niyang na gamitin nila ng isinalaysay ang kanyang maayos ang kanilang naranasang hirap habang mga natanggap na siya ay nasa kilusan pa. tulong. Patuloy aniya ang Laking pasalamat niya gobyerno sa pagtulong dahil nakasama siya sa upang tuluyan nang binigyan ng ayuda. wakasan ang insurhensiya sa probinsya at ng buong Labing -limang asosasyon Pilipinas. (NCLM/PIAdin mula sa conflictAgusan del Norte) Caraga INFOCUS
Philippine Army captures NPA high-powered firearms in AgSur Four assorted high-powered and low-powered firearms with ammunitions were captured by the troops of the 26th Infantry Battalion (26IB) under the operational control of 403rd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, during an encounter with more or less 15 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels while conducting focused military operations (FMO) at Sitio Mentakee Brgy. Binicalan, San Luis of the province on December 26, 2021. The encounter transpired at around 11 o’clock in the morning and lasted for 10 minutes which resulted in the capture of one M79 grenade launcher, one M16 rifle, one Caliber 45 pistol, one Caliber 38 pistol, three magazines with ammunition and one civilian bag. The NPA is considered as the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and it is believed that they will increase hostilities through attacks against the government especially the security forces, telecommunication facilities, plantations, and other agroindustrial sites.
Caraga INFOCUS
The presence of the armed group who are members of the HQS LOADER, SRC2 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee was compromised by a concerned civilian informant confirming their location, to which the military forces immediately responded through the conduct of intensified military operations in order to suppress their atrocities and gatherings in connection with their 53rd founding anniversary.
residents of Brgy. Binicalan for their active support and cooperation that led us to disrupt their planned atrocities. The 26IB is on high alert through increased patrols, checkpoints, and strengthened security in its area of operations to prevent the NPA’s threat of violence during its anniversary. We have deployed our troops for an intensified military operation. We will not allow these terrorists to mark their anniversary with any atrocities,” said Goce.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Reynald Romel A. Goce, commanding officer of 26IB, expressed his gratitude to the concerned residents of Brgy. Binicalan for their active support and cooperation to the government troops.
“The capture of the rebels’ firearms only shows that the CPP-NPA is weakening and the AFP has continued its duty to end the conflict. The government is winning the war against these terrorists and we will not allow them any room to celebrate their anniversary,” Goce added. (2Lt Cecille C. Tappa, CMO Officer, 26IB, PA/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
“Indeed, the terrorists were desperate to conduct terrorist attacks to harass the community and I thank the
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DAR turns over P16M PRDP subproject in SurSur town
The CARCANMADCARLAN AgriBased Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CAMPCO) formally received the Bangus Production and Marketing Enterprise, which was recently turned over by Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary William D. Dar in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. The P16.55 million-worth project is composed of two circular or Norwegian-type fish cages with a 10x10x5m size located in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, under the DAPhilippine Rural Development Project Enterprise Component. The cages will house a total of 270,000 ‘garungan’ or
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fingerlings. CAMPCO, as the lead target proponent group (PG), will also supervise the enterprise and act as the consolidator of all fresh bangus produced by the four other cluster PG members. “We are happy to be here in Prosperidad to personally witness and hand over this assistance and projects from the DA. We also want to emphasize that this is just the beginning of government assistance as we will be pouring more projects for our farmers and fisherfolks,” said Secretary Dar. Caraga INFOCUS
Dar added that through PRDP, more LGUs will be provided projects supporting the local commodities of the area.
the 1st year and income enterprise beneficiaries by 8.34%, from P82,800 to P89,703.91 in year 1 up to P79,727.54 in year 10.
With fishing as the primary source of livelihood in Cantilan, the project will help alleviate and improve the standard of living of the 595 fisherfolkbeneficiaries under CAMPCO and their households.
“With the help of our local government units, the DA will not give up and together we will uplift our economy, our agriculture, and our country so farmers and fisherfolks will prosper,” said Dar.
Through the improved access to DA services, PRDP envisions to increase the number of bangus producers by at least 5% annually and women participation in the enterprise by at least 10% and raise the householdbeneficiaries income by at least 34%, from P252,000 to P335,753.63 in
Dar, together with the Regional Executive Director Ricardo Oñate Jr., Governor Santiago B. Cane Jr, the LGU and DA partner agencies, have also turned over other DA projects and cash assistance to the farmers and fisherfolk in Agusan del Sur. (Zenny G. Awing, PRDP Info/ACE Caraga/PIASurigao del Sur)
Caraga INFOCUS
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NATIONAL NEWS
Next President, lawmakers should work to repeal law preventing quick post-calamity response, says President Duterte
Congress, if they want to, or the next President, may I advise: try to repeal the law so that government --- there is already the warning, hindi na kailangan ng assessment,” he said. President Duterte declared a state of calamity on the areas affected by Typhoon Odette on December 21 under Proclamation No. 1267. A declaration of a state of calamity expedites rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts of the government as well as the private sector.
Next President, lawmakers should work to repeal law preventing quick post-calamity response, says President Duterte Congress and the next administration should exert effort to repeal the law hindering the immediate declaration state of calamity to save lives and ease the misery of the people, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has said. During his weekly “Talk to the People” Monday night, President Duterte blamed a law that hindered him from immediately declaring a state of calamity in areas devastated by Typhoon Odette. According to the President, a law covering the chief executive’s power to declare a state of calamity is based on the assessment and evaluation by disaster agencies on the
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ground. “Ang problema ‘yung assessment pati ‘yung evaluation or even just the declare, maghintay ng report ‘yan… bago ako makagalaw,” he said. “And that is really so many provisions in the law that would hinder government to just act immediately because I said there has to be --- before the declaration, there has to be an evaluation and the assessment of damage,” he added. For better post-calamity response, the President advised Congress and the next President to repeal the current law governing state of calamity declaration by the President. “That law should be changed. And it behooves upon this
It imposes price control on basic goods and commodities and directs all departments, local government units, and government’s uniformed forces to do their part in relief and rescue operations, among others. Based on the latest National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) situation report, the typhoon left 389 deaths, 1,146 injuries, and 64 missing individuals. The typhoon also affected over 4.2 million people or one million families, displaced 570,906 residents, and damaged 506,404 houses. Authorities put the damage to agriculture and infrastructure at P5.3 billion and P16.7 billion, respectively. PND
December 25-31, 2021 |
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Gov’t vows to go after profiteers in typhoonaffected areas
also received reports that some traders raised the price of power generator sets. Consequently, all the reported profiteers were immediately referred to the authorities, the trade chief said.
Traders and businesses unreasonably jacking up prices of basic goods and construction materials in areas devastated by Typhoon Odette will be held accountable, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte warned Monday. “I am just giving you the warning na ‘pag nahuli kayo ng DTI or nahuli kayo ng pulis --- ang pulis because the jurisdiction dito sa putting a cap on the prices of goods belongs to --- and even building materials, nasa sa iyo,” President Duterte said in his televised weekly Talk to the People. “So nandito ka man, tell us if there has been a violation or violations during this time because we can identify them and the Philippine National Police, we will ask them to arrest the hoarders and people who are taking
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|December 25-31, 2021
advantage of the situation,” President Duterte said after hearing the report of Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez. Lopez told the President that there is an existing price freeze in areas hit by the typhoon, insisting that the prices of commodities prior to the pandemic and the typhoon should remain the same. “The day after, and I think mga hanggang two days after, habang nagkakagulo pa rin, marami ho talagang na-report na nag-price increase, na nagsamantala,” Lopez said. “In fact, ang order ko po sa ating mga kasama na ‘yung mga enforcers natin ay talagang mag-aresto ng overpricing.” Lopez also said that many profiteers were apprehended in Bohol and Cebu, and they
“Base sa mga ni-report sa atin, mga 50 na explanation letters, 50 na inquiry letters, at iyong kasunod noon ay kaso pagka ito po ay hindi talaga sa atin in-explain ‘yung pagtaas nung presyo na ‘yun,” he pointed out. “But after po na-apprehend sila, actually ho, Mr. President, kino-correct ho nila ‘no. So tayo ho talaga nakatutok doon sa mga nabalitaan natin na mayroong mga pagincrease ng presyo,” There were also reported increases in fuel prices in several areas, with some doubling or tripling the price to between P120 to P180 per liter, according to Lopez. But after the traders were reprimanded, Lopez said the fuel price in Maasin City; Macrohon, Southern Leyte; and even in the Caraga region now ranges below P56 to P50 per liter. “Ibig sabihin, ito ho ay after nagkaroon tayo nang pagsupil doon sa mga nagviolate ng mga presyo,” he said. PND
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PH receives last batch of gov’tprocured vaccines for 2021 vaccines.
“It’s an honor to be a small part of the solution to this horrible pandemic here in the Philippines and to see the IATF and all the officials here handle it so well,” he said.
LAST SHIPMENT FOR 2021. Airport workers unload the boxes containing 609,570 doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine at the NAIA Terminal 3 Bay area on Thursday night (Dec. 30, 2021). The last shipment for this year completes the country’s supply deal for 40 million doses from Pfizer. (Screengrab from FB Live)
Amid the upward trend in confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 cases in the Philippines, the national government on Thursday night received the last shipment of Covid-19 vaccines for the year — 609,570 doses of Pfizer.
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an interview with reporters.
The Pfizer vaccines, which arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 just before 9 p.m., complete the country’s supply agreement for 40 million doses from the US drug maker.
Aside from the 40 million Pfizer doses procured by the government, Herbosa said the US has also donated more than 26 million doses of Pfizer to the Philippines. “This last shipment, ladies and gentlemen, completes all the procurements of the Philippine government for the year 2021,” he added. To date, Herbosa said the Philippines has more than 210 million doses of vaccine.
Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, special medical adviser of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19, thanked the United States (US) government for their assistance in the delivery of the vaccines. “We’d like to thank the US government for their assistance for the delivery of about 40 million doses of vaccines, which we had procured,” he said in
Of this number, 138 million were procured by the government while the rest were donated by different countries to the Philippines through the COVAX Facility. Michael William Leach, US Embassy consul, praised the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases for its effort to procure Covid-19
|December 25-31, 2021
Herbosa emphasized the need to boost the Philippines’ vaccination drive after the country logged 1,623 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday — the highest single-day tally since November 21. As of Thursday, the country has more than 2.8 million confirmed Covid-19 cases, more than 2.7 million recoveries, and 51,373 deaths. “(It is) very important because our cases are rising. We are reminding people to get vaccinated, we are reminding people to get their booster doses,” he said. He also encouraged the public to continue adhering to minimum public health standards as the country welcomes the New Year. “We do hope that people will be more careful as we greet the New Year and say goodbye to 2021 and meet 2022, please continue to observe minimum public health standards, wear the face mask, congregate with only vaccinated people. If you’re going to hold a party on New Year’s Eve, make sure it’s outdoors like this and observe social distancing,” he added. (PNA/Azer Parrocha)
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Gov’t procures 15M Pfizer doses for children aged 11 and below A health official announced that the government has already procured additional 15 million doses of United States-made Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to boost the inoculation of children in the country by 2022. Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, the special medical adviser of the National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19, said these Pfizer doses are slated to be delivered in January and February next year. “We’re doing very well. We’re preparing for the booster doses and the second doses for the arrival of Omicron and we continue to procure. We procured 15 million doses of Pfizer for children which will arrive in January and February,” Herbosa said, as he welcomed another delivery of 367,380 Pfizer doses at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday night. Once these Pfizer deliveries have arrived in the Philippines, Herbosa said the government will start vaccinating children ages 5 to 11 years old. The government eyes at least 13.5 million recipients of lower dosages of the Pfizer vaccine under this age bracket. “In the meantime, we’re catching up and trying to hurry up with the vaccination to increase the [number] of fully vaccinated in the Philippines so that we can be ready for the arrival of the Omicron variant,”
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DOSE OF HOPE. A forklift operator loads the shipment containing doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine into a delivery truck at the NAIA Terminal 1 in Parañaque City on Tuesday (Dec. 28, 2021). National Task Force (NTF) chief, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship, and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, were among those who welcomed the arrival. (PNA photos by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)
Herbosa added. The government also welcomed the arrival of 1,981,500 doses of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines on Wednesday and 2,005,300 on Tuesday, procured by the private sector. Private sector ‘unwavering’ support In a statement, NTF chief implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., cited the “unwavering” support of the private sector in the expansion of the national Covid-19 vaccination program leading to economic recovery. “Through your efforts, we have been able to significantly
expand our vaccine rollout, especially to our essential workers who are playing a key role in our nation’s economic recovery,” Galvez said. The latest data from the National Covid-19 vaccination dashboard showed a total of 107,277,506 coronavirus doses have been administered nationwide, with 48,647,158 Filipinos were fully protected against the dreaded disease and 1,614,505 individuals have received added protection. The Philippines has so far received 208,792,740 doses of Covid-19 vaccines, both procured and donations, since February this year. (PNA/ Lade Jean Kabagani)
December 25-31, 2021 |
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Filipinos urged to get vaccinated as PH logs 4th Omicron case A health official on Monday night reiterated the need for the Filipinos to avail themselves of the Covid-19 vaccination program now that a fourth case of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) coronavirus variant has been detected in the country. Welcoming the arrival of Air Hong Kong Flight LD 456 carrying some 1,187,550 doses of PfizerBioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City, National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 medical consultant, Dr. Ma. Paz Corrales, emphasized that “vaccination is an added protection for all the Filipinos.” “As you all know, we already have four cases of Omicron variant now, we should urge more to get vaccinated in preparation for its possible spread in the country,” Corrales said. Citing that the highly
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|December 25-31, 2021
MORE PFIZER DOSES. Airport personnel offload cargoes containing 1,187,550 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Monday night (Dec. 27, 2021). The newly delivered shipment is part of the government-procured Covid-19 vaccines through the Asian Development Bank. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)
transmissible Omicron variant is now spreading in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, Corrales encouraged those who have yet to receive their primary doses and those who are now qualified for booster doses to get their respective Covid-19 shots. The newly delivered shipment is part of the government-procured Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines
through the funding of the Asian Development Bank. “We were able to jab [over] 47 million Filipinos already despite the onslaught of the recent typhoon. We are all trying our best, especially in the typhoon-stricken areas to vaccinate as many Filipinos as we can,” Corrales said. (PNA/ Lade Jean Kabagani) Caraga INFOCUS
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