Volume V, No. 50 December 4-10, 2021
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REGIONAL NEWS
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CARAGA STAKEHOLDERS CELEBRATE INT’L DAY OF PWDS DTI-13 TO LAUNCH BUY CARAGA BY CARAGA TRADE FAIR 4PS CARAGA TO REGISTER 12K POTENTIAL BENEFICIARIES FOR SET 11 DSWD FIELD OFFICE SEALS PARTNERSHIP WITH DTI-CARAGA DSWD DELIVERS CFS, WFS KITS TO CARAGA LGUS OBRA-MAESTRA NG ISANG PINTOR, NAGING INSPIRASYON SA KABILA NG COVID-19 PANDEMIC SA ISANG EXHIBIT SA BUTUAN CITY
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PROVINCIAL NEWS TURNS-OVER P152M FMR IN AGSUR 16 DA-PRDP TOWN CARAGA PROVIDES P172M TO CCAM 18 DSWD BENEFICIARIES CARAVAN ALANG SA KATAWHAN 19 SERBISYO GIHATOD SA LUNGSOD SA SAN FRANCISCO,
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AGSUR
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RIVER BANK, SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT GITURN-OVER SA AGNOR AGUS BLEND MIDAGAYDAY SA BUTUAN TRIBONG HIGAONON NAGBANSAY SA GAP PAGPANGHATAG OG INCENTIVES SA CDWS SA AGUSAN NORTE NAGPADAYON; 41 NAKADAWAT SA CABADBARAN CITY GRAIN DRYERS GI-TURN OVER SA PROBINSYA NGADTO SA COOP SA LAS NIEVES PAGBANSAY SA COFFEE PRODUCTION GIPAHIGAYON SA AGUSAN DEL NORTE WORLD BANK LAUDS BAROBO’S ‘BANGUS’ PRODUCTION 2 FEMALE MINOR NPA MEMBERS SURRENDER IN SURSUR PMO-SURIGAO HOLDS BLOODLETTING ACTIVITY, FLU VACCINATIONS WITH LOCAL HEALTH OFFICE
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19 P5M UPGRADED NATIVE CHICKEN MULTIPLIER FARM TO RISE IN DINAGAT ISLANDS ORIENTATION SA IMPLEMENTASYON SA TUPAD PROGRAM GIPAHIGAYON SA LUNGSOD SA LORETO UG TUBAJON
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MINDANAO NEWS PIÑOL TO PUSH FOR MINDANAO PROJECTS COMPLETION
ICYMI | INTEGRATING GLOBAL CLEAN ENERGY AGENDA IN THE AGRI SECTOR
NATIONAL NEWS
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SECRETARY ANDANAR LAUDS SUMILAO LGU FOR ACHIEVING COMMUNITY IMMUNITY
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SECRETARY ANDANAR: DUTERTE ADMIN WILL FIGHT WITH LGUS VS. PANDEMIC EFFECTS UNTIL END OF TERM
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MAYOR SARA NOT KEEN ON IMPOSING A ‘NO VACCINATION, NO ENTRY POLICY’
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CONTENTS
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INFOCUS
COVER
Caraga
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MAYOR SARA GEARS FOR STRONGER AUTONOMY TO BOOST LGUS’ CRISIS RESPONSE POTENTIAL
COVID-19 NEWS DOLE SAYS 17M WORKERS NOW FULLY VACCINATED VS. COVID-19
‘BAKUNAHAN’ SUCCESSFUL AS PINOYS UNITE VS. PANDEMIC GO HAILS MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS’ ROLE IN FIGHT VS. COVID-19
DA chief delivers P159.6M to Caraga farmers
The Department of Agriculture (DA) pushes to pursue an inclusive and holistic approach to accelerate the transformation of Philippine agriculture under the One DA Reform Agenda key strategies. In doing so, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar takes the lead in the distribution of the PhP159.6 million financial assistance and
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agri-fishery projects to Caraga farmers, fishers, and local government units (LGUs) on December 7, 2021, held in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. “The agency envisions a food-secure Philippines with prosperous farmers and fishers. To do this, all programs and projects are aligned to the four pillars of the OneDA Reform Agenda: Modernization,
Consolidation, Industrialization, and Professionalization will be in partnership with the LGUs,” said Dar. Secretary Dar emphasized the vital role of the LGUs in increasing productivity and profitability at the local level through agri-fishery extension services. As the DA continues on its nationwide roll-out of the Rice Competitiveness Caraga INFOCUS
M financial aid, projects Enhancement Fund Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) Program, the DA Chief handed the Interventions Monitoring Card to the 1,844 Prosperidad rice farmers as they represent the 16,037 farmerbeneficiaries in the Province of Agusan del Sur. With a total amount of PhP81.3 million, eligible rice farmers tilling two hectares or less received PhP5,000 cash assistance that can augment farmers’ production needs.
farmers and fishers. With this, 15 Farmers’/ Fishers’ Cooperative and Association (FCA) was granted a working Elmer D. Buquil, a rice capital with a total farmer in Barangay San amount of PhP9.7 million Rafael, Prosperidad, through the Enhanced Agusan del Sur Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita expressed his gratitude Inclusive Food Supply for the RCEF-RFFA. Chain Program. This will “I will use the P5,000 cash equip the FCAs as a assistance as additional reliable food commodity working capital for supplier to sustainably my 1.5 hectares this operate Kadiwa Retail cropping season. This is Stores in their locality. a big help for me,” said Buquil. Hauling and delivery activities is now easier Part of the key strategies to Carrascal, Cantilan, is to intensify the postMadrid, Carmen, Lanuza harvest, processing, (CarCanMadCarLan) logistics, & marketing Agri-based Multi-Purpose support among the Cooperative (CAMPCO) Caraga INFOCUS
in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, Sumilihon-Taguibo Farmers Association in Butuan City, Bayugan Achievers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BAMPCO) in Bayugan City, and Local Government Unit of Cabadbaran City as each received one unit of refrigerated vans with a total amount PhP10.96 million. BAMPCO Manager Grace P. Ostique said that the refrigerated van is a big help for the operations of their Organic Trading Post. “We are excited to use the vehicle as this will help us reach more communities to offer our December 4-10, 2021 |
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affordable and fresh produce,” said Ostique. CAMPCO also received the Bangus Production and Marketing subproject amounting to PhP16.55 million under the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project Enterprise Component. On top of that, to increase harvest efficiency among Caraga rice farmers the DA Chief also led the turnover of 14 units of recirculating dryers amounting to PhP37.3 million to LGUs in the region. The facility will be operated by the LGUs through their identified Farmers’ Cooperative and Associations (FCA). The mobilization and empowerment of partners, the LGUs and rice farmers with additional post-harvest
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recirculating dryer with generator set funded by the DA’s Corn Program. The cooperative took part in the Bayanihan Agri Clusters and is now reaping the various interventions from free seeds and farm inputs, financial, mechanization, and market support.
facilities are bound to contribute to greater Moreover, Secretary profits and deliver quality Dar handed the check rice to consumers. to 174 coconut farmers amounting to PhP848,535 The recipients of the in the region under the recirculating dryers DA-Philippine Coconut are the following: Authority’s various Municipalities of San projects. Agustin, Marihatag, Lanuza, Madrid, Secretary Dar was Hinatuan, San Miguel, assisted by Assistant Tago, and Bislig City Secretary for Strategic in the Province of Communications Noel Surigao del Sur as well Reyes, DA-Caraga as municipalities of Regional Executive Prosperidad, Bunawan, Director Ricardo M. Rosario, Talacogon, and Oñate, Jr., Regional San Francisco in the Technical Director for Province of Agusan del Operations Rebecca Sur and Cabadbaran R. Atega, Regional City in Agusan del Norte. Technical Director for Research, Regulations, In addition, Kangyat and ILD Nicandro M. Multi-Purpose Navia, Jr., Agusan del Cooperative, a corn Sur Governor Santiago clustered organization B. Cane, and other in Talacogon town will government officials in gain more benefits the distribution of the from the commodity’s various projects. (DAvalue chain through Caraga/ PIA-Agusan del the PhP3 million worth Sur) Caraga INFOCUS
News Briefs The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking is set to commemorate the International Day Against Trafficking this December 2021, with the theme “Modern-day slavery during the New Normal: Challenges, Priorities, and Perspectives” xx
In line with the annual observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and National Human Rights Consciousness Week, the Regional Development Council’s Regional Gender and Development Committee (RDC-RGADC) through the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) spearheads the conduct of the Safe Spaces Forum via Zoom platform. This activity is participated by various local government units in the region with the aim to encourage LGUs to localize the provisions of R.A. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act. The provincial government of Agusan del Norte donated a 1,000 sqm lot located at Barangay Sanghan, Cabadbaran City to the Bureau of fire Protection (BFP) Agusan del Norte for their typical building and other future development projects. The deed of donation was signed by governor Dale B. Corvera and BFP regional director SSupt. Fred L Trajeras, Jr., witnessed by the Provincial Peace and Order Council members at Almont Inland in Butuan City.
The Department of Education issues DepEd Memorandum No. 85, s. 2021 or the Preparations for the Implementation of the Expanded Phase of Face-to-Face Classes. This issuance is to disseminate guidelines to all public and private schools nationwide for the further preparations for the implementation of the expanded phase of face-to-face classes targeted to commence in early 2022.
REGIONAL NEWS
Caraga stakeholders celebrate Int’l Day of PWDs
Stakeholders from various sectors in Caraga region took their part in the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disability (PWDs), which is celebrated around the globe every 3rd of December. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, through its Sectoral Unit, with other sectors united in commemorating this yearly celebration. DSWD-Caraga regional director Ramel Jamen bared that the Caraga INFOCUS
observance of the International Day of PWDs aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities. “It seeks to increase awareness and advocate for the integration of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development,” he said. Today, the world has adjusted itself to the “new normal,” bringing about big changes to
the lives of PWDs. This year’s theme “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable postCOVID-19 world” highlighted the vital role of PWDs in creating an inclusive and accessible new normal for PWDs. The theme also urged the Filipino people to empower PWDs to take the lead in policy formulation, implementation and advocacy for disability inclusion. (DSWDCaraga/PIA-Caraga) December 4-10, 2021 |
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DTI-13 to launch Buy Caraga By Caraga trade fair Caraga” was institutionalized last 2012 and has become a trademark of DTICaraga. The trade fair was organized to provide a venue for local entrepreneurs, processors and producers to showcase their products and access linkage to address the market side of entrepreneurship. In this Christmas edition, at least 182 exhibitors coming from the different provinces in the region will showcase their best products. A booth featuring kakanin delicacies will also be highlighted to show the Christmas spirit.
A week-long trade fair dubbed as “Buy Caraga By Caraga: 2021 Christmas Edition” will be conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)Caraga on December 4 to 10, 2021, from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm at SM City
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Butuan. The said regional trade fair conducted twice a year is a local exhibition of the best food and non-food products exclusively produced in Caraga Region. “Buy Caraga by
Meanwhile, the Invest in Caraga will also be conducted simultaneously with the trade fair. It is an industry exhibit and a showcase of investment opportunities in different industry clusters in Caraga. (MCeledeña/ DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga) Caraga INFOCUS
4Ps Caraga to register 12k potential beneficiaries for Set 11 In accordance with the National Advisory Committee (NAC) Resolution No. 43 of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which institutionalizes the replacement policy of the 4Ps households to continuously achieve the department’s physical target of 4.4 million households, a total of 425,063 households were identified to be potentially eligible for registration to the program “This is upon completion of the Eligibility Check Routine process for Set 11,” Gemma Gabuya, 4Ps National Program Manager, stated in the memorandum to the Field Offices. In Caraga, a total of 12,078 households with the lowest proxy-means test (PMT) score shall be registered following the 2015 Listahanan database, and the Enhanced Registration Process (ERP) of the Beneficiary Data Management System. The ERP involves strengthening the validation of the household identity based on the documents they will present, end-to-end duplicate validation, and verifying the encoded data of the beneficiaries at the local level using the offline
Caraga INFOCUS
registration process or the physical registration.
the following year (JanuaryFebruary).
The coordination and planning with the local government units are ongoing, and targeted to be finished in the 2nd week of December. After this, the posting of the identified list of households for validation will be facilitated, and the conduct of registration shall commence during community assemblies and/ or house-to-house approach.
4Ps Caraga enjoins all identified potential households posted in their respective barangays to register online, and submit the complete requirements to https://bit. ly/4PsCRGRegistration and/ or visit a City/Municipal Link Officer in their area for assistance.
Moreover, the replacement policy is also placed through the approved DSWD MC No. 12 series of 2019, or the Implementing Guidelines on the Replacement of 4Ps HHs to Reach the Annual Household Coverage. Thus, the slots are vacated come year-end, and set registrations are approved by the Regional Director during the first two months of
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps is a human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transfer to poor and eligible households to improve their health, nutrition, and education, and is implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (Social Marketing Section/ DSWD Field Office Caraga/ PIA-Caraga)
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DSWD Field Office seals partnership with DTI-Caraga The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)Caraga for a livelihood convergence project. Through the DSWDSLP, 412 profiled beneficiaries of the DTI-Pangkabuhayan para sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Project will be provided with the Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG). LAG is a recovery program implemented by the DSWD which offers financial assistance to low-income families whose livelihoods were affected by the imposition of the community quarantine. The grant serves as the program participants’ seed capital fund to finance their small businesses.
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Set to transpire from December 2021 until December 2023, this convergence initiative project shall cover a total of 14 cities and municipalities in the region. Present during the MOU signing were OIC-Asst.
Regional Director for Administration Ramil Taculod, DTI Caraga Regional Director Gay Tidalgo, DTI OICAsst. Regional Director Brenda Corvera, and SLP Regional Program Coordinator Mary Ann Manla. (DSWD-Caraga/ PIA-Caraga) Caraga INFOCUS
DSWD delivers CFS, WFS kits to Caraga LGUs To address the specific needs of both displaced women and children affected by disasters, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga has provided Women and Child Friendly Space Kits to the LGUs of Bayugan City, Surigao City, and Tandag City on November 18, November 23, and November 24, respectively.
70 pieces of cartolina, a flashlight, 10 floor mats, two white board erasers, one box of ballpens, The distribution of both kits 12 boxes of crayons, 24 aimed to provide a more permanent markers, five systematic, organized, reams of bond papers, and gender-responsive 10 pieces of curtains, way of delivering services. two pieces of big stickers The Child Friendly Space for storage boxes, 30 (CFS) Kit is composed of pieces of small stickers for three chess boards, five monoblock chairs, two jumping ropes, 12 puzzles, pieces of small stickers for 12 flash cards, 48 boxes of monoblock tables, and pencils, 30 stress balls, 24 one piece of small sticker glues, seven bond papers, for white board. two floor mats, stickers, and children’s books. According to regional director Ramel Jamen, Meanwhile, the Women the department has Friendly Space (WFS) Kit deeply acknowledged has a composition of the the need to address the following: seven boxes of traumas and anxiety to pencils, 50 white board the internally displaced markers, two record individuals (IDPs), books, one solar lamp, especially to children, Caraga INFOCUS
caused by disasters and other calamities. “Along with the objective of meeting their needs holistically, it is deemed imperative to prioritized aiding the healing of these traumas. Activities and other interventions are provided to meet such causes,” he said. Moreover, special needs of women in evacuation camps are also among the department’s objectives. These include increasing the awareness among women and the community at large, on issues related to wellbeing, women’s rights, sexual and reproductive health, and gender based violence. (DSWDCaraga/PIA-Caraga) December 4-10, 2021 |
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Obra-maestra ng isang pintor, naging inspirasyon sa kabila ng COVID-19 pandemic sa isang exhibit sa Butuan City Temang “Pagkakaisa ng bawat pamilyang pilipino sa kabila ng coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic” ang naging inspirasyon ng isang pintor sa Butuan City. Sa kanyang Solo Art Exhibit, pinamagatan ni Ronnie Rudinas ang kanyang mga obra ng ‘Konektado’. Ipinahayag ni Rudinas, isa sa mga tanyag at kilalang pintor ng lungsod, sa kanyang mga makukulay na kwadro ang kahalagahan ng pagtutulungan at pagkakaisa para malampasan ang ano mang hamon, lalo na ngayong may pandemya. “Konektado tayong lahat sa mata ng Diyos, maging sa sa ating mga pinagkukunang-yaman. Itong exhibit na ito ay
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para sa lahat na mga art lovers. At para naman sa mga gustong bumili ng aking mga naipinta, hanggang sa Desyembre 11 tayo dito sa Buongusto Restaurant sa Butuan City,” ani ni Rudinas. Naging tanyag na rin si Rudinas sa iba’t-ibang rehiyon ng bansa dahil na rin sa makabagbagdamdaming mensahe ng kanyang mga obra. Maliban sa pagiging pintor, isa ring banker si Rudinas; isang ama at asawang nagsusumikap na malampasan ang mga hamon sa buhay at ang panganib na dulot ng COVID-19.
Hinikayat din ni Rudinas ang mga kabataang may interes sa pagpipinta na mas pagbutihin pa ang kanilang gawa at patuloy na magbigay inspirasyon sa pamamagitan ng kanilang obra maestra. “Patuloy po tayong maging inspirasyon sa iba. Sabi nga ni Salvador Dale, ang totoong artist ay ‘yung nakakabahagi ng mabuting emosyon sa iba at nagiging inspirasyon ito sa kanila na mas maging mabuting tao,” banggit ni Rudinas. (JPG/PIACaraga) Caraga INFOCUS
PROVINCIAL NEWS
DA-PRDP turns-over P152M FMR in AgSur town
The local residents in the municipality of San Luis, Agusan del Sur, and neighboring barangays welcomed a merry December 1 as the 9.32km farm-to-market road was turned-over by the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rural Development Project Caraga (DAPRDP). The road covering Barangays Mahapag, Muritula, and Doña Maxima provides
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an easy flow of transportation for farmers’ goods, particularly rubber and primary services. Moreover, the concrete road reduces average travel time from 20 minutes to 10 minutes in transporting cup lumps, reducing post-harvest losses and transportation costs, thus increasing farmers’ income.
farmer, I experienced the struggle of getting our products into the market. Sometimes my products will be rotten on my farm due to the difficulty of delivering our goods. This is a dream come true and a wonderful gift to us. On behalf of the farmers here in San Luis, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the agencies and our local government “Since 1972, we have unit who hand in hand been dreaming of this helped in delivering road. As a resident and a this huge present,” said Caraga INFOCUS
Jaime R. Madanlo, punong barangay of Doña Maxima. Starting at Brgy. Mahapag and ending at Brgy. Doña Maxima, the road has the classification of provincial road connecting to the national road at the municipality of San Luis. Buyers can now come in and out of the barangays, making it easier for farmers to sell products at a higher price. According to the Doña Maxima barangay captain, this inspired farmers in the area to plant more crops. “If before you could see vast untilled lands here, now, as you traverse along the concrete roads, various crops are seen planted along the way. Aside from rubber, falcata, coconuts, and more crops are planted here,” said Madanlo. Furthermore, the local government officials also encouraged each other to craft policies to maintain their roads. “As the officials, we will do our part to maintain our roads, away from Caraga INFOCUS
abuse. I ask for 100% support from my fellow constituents and officials to keep our road clean and peaceful,” said barangay captain of Muritula, Anggaman A. Escalicas. Ricardo M. Oñate, the DA-Caraga Executive Director, assured that the government always listens to the concerns of the communities, especially the farmers and fisherfolk. He also mentioned that DA
together with the LGUs will help farmers prosper, thus more partnership will be expected in the future. DA-PRDP head Ricardo M. Oñate, together with Agsuan del Sur Governor Santiago B. Cane Jr, and San Luis Municipal Mayor Phoebe L. Corvera led the cutting of the ribbon with the PRDP Regional Project Coordination, LGU, and barangay officials. (DA-Caraga/ PIA-Agusan del December 4-10, 2021 |
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DSWD Caraga provides P172M to CCAM beneficiaries As of November 26, 2021 data, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga has disbursed a total of Php172,706,400 to 71,961 Risk Resiliency Program-Climate Change Adaptation and MitigationDisaster Risk Reduction (RRPCCAM-DRR) beneficiaries for this year. Through the Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD), the implementation of the RRP-CCAM-DRR has been running for four years. Since its implementation, the project has benefited 66 municipalities and six cities in the region. This totaled to 218,132 beneficiaries in the amount of Php523,516,800. Felipa Goloran, Punong Barangay of Sabang, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur expressed her delight when asked about the project implementation in their locality. “Dako kaayo among pasalamat sa RRP-CCAM sa DSWD kay naapil mi diri. Dako kaayo ug tabang ang Cash-for-Work kanamo diri labi na karon nga uso napud ang ting-ulan ug
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baha, wala mi abot sa among pagpanginabuhi samot na kay pandemya pa gyud (We are greatly thankful for the RRP-CCAM project of DSWD. The Cashfor-Work made a way for us to generate income, especially these rainy days where there’s scarcity of our livelihood. Not to mention the pandemic we are struggling now),” Felipa stated. The RRP-CCAM-DRR is a national program which aims to strengthen the resiliency of both natural systems and the urban built environment, as well as reinforce the adaptive capacities of vulnerable groups and communities in the country. The program utilizes the Cash-forWork (CFW) modality to implement the different projects and activities related to Environmental
Protection, Support to construction or repair of small-scale community infrastructure, and Livelihood projects. The beneficiaries of RRP-CCAM-DRR CFW rendered ten (10) days community work related to preparedness, mitigation, climate change adaptation including hunger mitigation and food security projects. Meanwhile, the prioritization of the LGU recipients follows the following criteria: provinces located in the 18 Major River Basins (MRBs) and ten Principal River Basins (PRBs) identified priority by the DENR, among the 24 provinces that have high poverty incidence, and lastly, provinces that are vulnerable to shocks and disasters. (DSWD-Caraga/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Caraga INFOCUS
Serbisyo Caravan alang sa katawhan gihatod sa lungsod sa San Francisco, AgSur Gipasiugdahan na usab ang usa ka Serbisyo Caravan sa Barangay Alegria sa lungsod sa San Francisco, Agusan del Sur aron mapaabot ang nagkadaiyang serbisyo sa gobyerno ngadto sa ilang dapit. Kin inga inisyatibo gipangunahan ni Mayor Solomon T. Rufila aron maserbisyuhan ang mga katawhan sa lungsod. Ang nasangpit nga programa gipahigayon sa Purok 2, Alegria Evacuation Center adlawng biyernes, Disyembre 3, 2021. Hatod sa Serbisyo Caravan ang nagkadaiyang serbisyo sa nagkadaiyang opisina sa local government uniy. Ang Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) nag apod apod og food packs para ngadto sa mga Senior Citizen, apil na ang Complete Hygiene kit, fivekilo rice ug food packs alang sa mga benepisyaryong lumulupyo. Naghatod usab og bag.ong wheelchair nga personal gitunol ni Mayor Rufila sa usa ka Senior Citizen sa barangay nga mao si Mrs. Rosita Nilo. Kauban usab ni Mayor
Caraga INFOCUS
Rufila ang Nutrition Office sa pagpangapod-apod og arozcaldo, tsinelas ug libreng gupit.
ang Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ1) nga nagpahigayun og libreng gupit.
Naghanyag usab ang LCR og libreng birth registration ug libreng art kits. Naghatod usab ang Agriculture Office og libreng pagparehistro sa ilang binuhing kabaw, apil ang animal deworming, anti-rabies, vitamin supplementation alang sa binuhing mga hayop ug libreng benhi sa gulay ug prutas. Gihatag usab sa Rural Health Unit (RHU) ang libreng health consultation, tuli, ug bloodletting activity.
Sa mensahe ni Mayor Rufila subli niyang gipahinumduman ang mga lumulupyo sa importansya og sa benipisyo sa taong bakunado sa coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) og giawhag ang wala pa nabakunahan nga dili magsayang sa panahon og magpabakuna na. Gitumbok usab nya ang importansya sa pagsinabtanay og pagkahiusa sa tanan para sa daling pag uswag sa atung lungsod.
Inubanan usab sa partner nga Civil Society Organization (CSO) nga mao ang Rotary Club of Central San Francisco nga nagdala og ‘Handog Pamaskong Regalo’ alang sa mga lumulupyo kauban
Nasayran nga ang Barangay Alegria ang ika-12 nga barangay nga naadtoan sa Serbisyo Caravan karon nga tuiga 2021. (LGU-San Francisco/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)
December 4-10, 2021 |
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River bank, school building project giturn-over sa AgNor
Gipangunahan nila Gob. Dale B. Corvera, Kong. Angel Amante-Matba ug Bise Gob. Ramon AG. Bungabong ang pagturnover sa probinsya ngadto sa hingtungdang barangay niadtong Disyembre 2 ang nahuman na nga New Bohol Riverbank Slope Protection sa Sitio New Bohol, Sangay ug ang duha ka unit sa twoclassroom school buildings sa Sitio Calayagon, Malapong, tanan sa Buenavista, Agusan del Norte sa magkalahing seremonyas. Ang P17,989,951.01 nga riverbank slope protection gipundohan ubos sa 5% Calamity Fund samtang ang P6,413,172.82 proyektong eskwelahan gipundohan gikan sa Special Education Fund (SEF) sa probinsya.
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Sa iyang mensahe, gipadayag ni Gob. Corvera ang iyang kalipay sa nga nahuman na ang maong mga proyekto ug makabenepisyo na ang ang mga lumulupyo ning maong mga hilit nga lugar. “Ang probinsya, (bisan) sa kadaghan sa problema, dunay kasingkasing nga mohatag og dakung pagtagad kaninyo labi na kamo nga nia nagpuyo niining suok nga dapit,” sumala ni Gob. Corvera. Sa bahin sa mga lumulupyo, mapasalamaton si Roldan Dalagan, punong barangay sa Brgy. Sangay, nga sa kadaghang proyekto nga naka linya sa probinsya apan usa ang Riverbank Slope Protection ang gihatagan og prayoridad.
Ang slope protection usa sa mga prayoridad sa probinysa ubos sa envrionmental development program niini nga mao ang “Lunhanw’ng Agusan” ug ang pagimprove sa pasilidades sa pagtungha kabahin sa social development program nga mao ang “Amomang Agusanon” ubos sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo sa administrasyon ni Gob. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kong. AmanteMatba. Kalabot usab kini sa hiniusang pagpadangat og nagka lain-laing serbisyo sa lokal man o nasudnong ahensya ubos sa “Wholeof-Nation approach” nga gimando ubos sa Executive Order No. 70. Mitambong usab sa maong okasyon sila si Board Members Francisco Chan ug Dick Victor Carmona, Col. Adonis Ariel Orio sa 402nd Brigade, PCol Martin Gamba nga gi representahan ni Lt. Col Ian Rosales sa ADN-PPO, Lt. Col Julius Cesar Paulo sa 23rd IB, mga barangay officials ug representate sa Reyrose Construction. (Shena Mae Pabia, Ydheil Zagado ug Reymar Reyes, LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIAAgusan del Norte)
Caraga INFOCUS
Agus Blend midagayday sa Butuan
Bislig City; Kahayagan Coffee sa MabuhayKahayagan Coffee Growers Cooperative sa Surigao del Sur; ug Cahifo Coffee sa Calabuan Higaonon Farmers Association sa Agusan del Sur.
Midagayday ang “Agus Blend” sa SM City Butuan sa gipahigayon sa Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) nga “Buy Caraga, By Caraga Christmas Edition Trade Fair” sugod niadtong Disyembre 4 hangtud 10.
Isip kabahin sa kalihukan, nagpahigayon adtong Lunes, Disyembre 6, og libreng Coffee Tasting ang DTI lakip na og pagpakita sa katawhan sa mga pamaagi ug proseso sa pag-brew sa kape.
Ang Agus Blend, mao ang kape sa proyektong “Coffee Net,” usa sa mga 15 ka Core Processing Projects ubos sa Process! Process! Process! Project sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa ekonomikanhong pagpalambo sa probinsya ilawom sa administrasyon ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kongw. Angel Amante-Matba.
Apil sa mga kape nga gi-display sa maong trade fair ang produktong kape sa mosunod nga mga organisasyon sa mag-uuma mao ang: Simbalan Integrated Farmers Association Inc. (SIFAI) ug Sitio Antipolo Farmers Association of Buenavista, Inc. (SAFABAI) sa Buenavista ubos sa “Coffee Net” network; Mabog Coffee sa Mabog Agricultural Industrial Producers Association sa
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Aduna usab mga nagkalain-laing produkto nga gama gikan sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte ingon man sa Caraga Region ang naka-display sa maong trade fair ug mamahimong bisitahe ang maong booth. (Karen Kei Decamutan, LGU-Agusan del Norte/ PIA-Agusan del Norte)
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Tribong Higaonon nagbansay sa GAP
Gihimo niadtong Biyernes, Disyembre 3, ang pagbansay kalabot sa Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) sa mga sakop sa tribung Higaonon sa Sitio Balaatan, Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. Ang maong kalihukan, apil na ang uban nga mga pagbansay kalabot sa pagdumala sa uma ug pagpalig-on sa ilang organisasyon, apil sa kinahanglang agian sa mga sakop sa organisasyon nga nagsilbing partner sa
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probinsya pagpatuman sa magkaluhang mga proyektong Plant! Plant! Plant! ug Process! Process! Process! ubos sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo sa administrasyon ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kongw. Angel Amante-Matba. Mosuma sa 25 ka mga miembro sa tribung Higaonon sa Balaatan Naamulan Higaonon Tribal Farmer Cooperative ang mitambong sa maong pagbansay.
Alang sa mga tribung Higaonon, daku ang mahimong tabang sa maong pagbansay aron mahimo silang hanas sa ilang mga buluhaton pagpaangat sa kahimtang sa pagpuyo sa mga sakop sa tribu. Padayon ang paghimo sa samang mga pagbansay sa mga sakop sa uban pang mga organisasyon sa laing mga lugar sa mosunod nga mga adlaw. (Karen Kei Decamutan, LGUAgusan del Norte/PIAAgusan del Norte) Caraga INFOCUS
Pagpanghatag og incentives sa CDWs sa Agusan Norte nagpadayon; 41 nakadawat sa Cabadbaran City Mosuma sa 41 ka Child Development Workers (CDW) sa syudad sa Cabadbaran ang nakadawat og yearend cash incentives gikan sa probinsyal nga panggamhanan sa pagpang-apod-apod nga gipangunahan ni Provincial Governor Dale B. Corvera inubanan ni Cabadbaran City Mayor Judy Chin-Amante, kagaina, Disyembre 6. Ang matag CDW nakadawat og tag Php6,000 gikan sa provincial government ug gipun-an kini ni Gob. Corvera gikan sa iyang personal nga kuwarta og tag PhP1,000. Ang pagpanghatag og year-end cash incentives ngadto sa mga CDW kabahin sa inisyatiba sa buhatan sa Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) ubos sa programa sa Early Childhood Care and Development aron madasig ang mga lumilihuk sa pagatiman sa kabataan sa probinsya. “Nakita nako nga ang mga day care workers daku kaayo og contribution sa development sa atong mga
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kabataan labi na sa hilit-hilit nga lugar nato sa atong probinsya,” sumala pa sa gobernador. Sa mensahe ni Gina C. Munion, gipadyag niya ang dakung pasalamat isip CDW Federation President sa probinsya. Iyang dugang nga bisan tinuig ang cash incentives nga ilang madawat apan daku na kini og bili alang kanila. Sa kinatibuk-an, naay 260 ka mga Child Development Workers ang probinsya. Mitambong usab sa maong okasyon sila SP member Joan Monding isip Committee Chair on Social Services, CSWDO Josephine Demoral,
mga personahe sa PSWD ug CSWD. Mahinumduman nga gisugdan ang pang apod-apod og Year-end cash incentives niadtong Disyembre 1 sa RTR, Disyembre 2 sa Nasipit, Disyembre 3 sa Las Nieves. Himoon usab sa mosunod nga mga adlaw ang pagpadangat sa maong incentives: Disyembre 7 sa Buenavista; Disyembre 9 sa Magallanes; Disyembre 10 sa Carmen; Disyembre 13 sa Santiago; Disyembre 14 sa Jabonga; Disyembre 16 sa Tubay; Disyembre 17 sa Kitcharao. (Shena Mae Pabia, LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
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Grain dryers gi-turn over sa probinsya ngadto sa coop sa Las Nieves Gi-turnover sa probinsyal nga panggamhanan sa Agusan del Norte niadtong Nobyembre 26 ang duha ka unit nga grain dryers ngadto sa Maningalao-Lingayao Agriculture Cooperative (MALICO) sa Purok 3, Lingayao, sa Las Nieves. Nagkantidad ang maong mga himan sa mosuma sa P3.5 milyones. Gipundohan usab sa municipal nga panggamhanan sa Las Nieves ang nagkanditad og Php3.2 milyones nga multipurpose building ug ang galastuhan sa installation giako sa Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative (ANECO). Ang paghatag sa mga ekwipo ug suporta ngadto sa mga mag uuma kalabot sa pag amoma ubos sa progamang Food Security Enhancement sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo sa administrasyon ni Gov. Dale B. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kongresista Angel Amante-Matba. Gipatuman ang maong proyekto sa Provincial Agriculuture Office (PAO).
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Kini gihimo isip tabang sa dugay na gipangandoy sa mga mag-uuma sa Las Nieves nga mas mapadali ang ilang proseso ug produksyon sa mais ug humay ilabina diha sa mas mapadali ang pagpauga niini. “Ing-ana ka dako og tabang sa ila… Kini nga dryer pinaka importante gyud ni siya, tungod kay panahon nga ting ulan ang mga farmers dili na maglisod sa pag pauga sa ilang mga produkto sama sa mais ug humay” sumala ni Miguelito D. Velasco, ang Provincial Corn Coordinator sa PAO. Sumpay ni Velasco nga napili ang maong kooperatiba tungod sa tibuok probinsya kini nga grupo ang unang nahimong cluster ug pasar sa qualifications, lakip niini ang kadak-on ug kalapdon sa ka-maisan/humayan
nga nag produce og dako nga volume sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte. Ang MALICO adunay duha ka organisasyon nga mosuma sa kapin kon kulang 160 ka miyembro. Gitambungan ang maong okasyon ni Provincial Administrator Gerry Joey S. Laurito isip representante ni Governor Dale B. Corvera, Provincial Agriculturist Alvin Aclan, Board Member Vergilio R. Escasiñas isip Chairman sa Committee on Agriculture, Mayor Avelina S. Rosales, Barangay Lingayao Captain Hon. Ramon Olor, Sr., SP members, mga personahe sa Department of Agriculture (DA) ug ANECO ug Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). (Shena Mae Pabia ug Anthony Antoquia, LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIAAgusan del Norte)
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Pagbansay sa coffee production gipahigayon sa Agusan del Norte
Gihimo sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte pinaagi sa AGUSAN UP! Coordinating Center kaniaadtong Lunes, Nobyembre 29, ang una sa sunod-sunod nga coffee production training sa Sitio San Jose, Durian, Las Nieves. Ang naay 20 ka miyembro nga asosasyon sa San Jose New Life Farmers Association nga gipangulohan ni Bongato Arnelio ang mitambong sa pagbansay. Gitudloan ang mga maguuma sa maong pagbansay sa hustong pamaagi pagpananum og kape ug sa pagmentinar niini. Mahinumduman nga gibansay ang mga sakop sa maong asosasyon sa Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) ug Farm Planning milabayng bulan. Ang paghatag og
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pagbansay sa mga maguuma sa pagtanom og kape kabahin sa paninguha nga makatanum og kape sa 3,000 ektarayas pag-abot sa tuig 2027. Ang maong 3,000 ektaryas nga gipunting tamnan og kape kabahin usab sa gipunting nga 125,000 ektaryas nga matamnan og siyam ka priority high value crops ubos sa Plant! Plant! Plant! sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo sa administrasyon ni Gob. Dale Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kong. Angel Amante-Matba.
Process! Process! Project sa AGUSAN UP! gamit ang kape mao ang “Coffee Net”, usa proyekto nga mo-proseso og soluble o instant coffee ug mopalambo usab og merkado alang sa liso ug ground coffee sa mga maguuma sa kape sa probinsya. Himoon ang sunod nga pagbansay ugma Disyembre 2 sa Buenavista, Disyembre 6 sa Santiago, Disyembre 9 sa Jabonga ug Disyembre 15 sa Kitcharao.
Kaabag sa maong pagbansay ang Rural Agro Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development Pinaagi sa maong mga (RAPID) and Growth Project plantasyon isip tinubdan sa buhatan sa Department hilaw nga materyales, of Trade and Industry (DTI)gipunting nga motumaw ang Agusan del Norte. (Shena mga processing activities. Mae Pabia ug Rotchelie Salas/Saralee Diez, LGUUsa sa mga processing Agusan del Norte/PIAprojects nga gipahiluna Agusan del Norte) karon ubos sa Process!
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World Bank lauds Barobo’s ‘bangus’ production leader said. The Bangus Production and Marketing Enterprise subproject amounting to P1.4 million provided additional 30,000 garungan or fingerlings, feeds, and expansion of fish pens paving the way towards increased production and improved market quality of bangus in Barobo.
With its prospering bangus production, the Anunang Gamut Fishermen Association (AGFA) of Barobo, Surigao del Sur was lauded by the World Bank, the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project’s (DA-PRDP) primary fund source during the 13th World Bank Mission. The featured proponent group of the Enterprise Component in Mindanao under the PRDP Caraga showcased how they sustained and improved their project since the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) funding in 2011 up to the present. “Despite the challenges, we remained dedicated to our goal to make this association
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a prosperous one. We never gave up on this and now we are very pleased to see how far we have come,” Manuel Cahilis, AGFA chairperson said. World Bank consultants recognized the efforts of AGFA saying that the association has impressively improved its project and will succeed in the coming years. “Thank you for showcasing your enterprise. It’s good to see the progress that you have done from MRDP up to PRDP - all the developments and the greater work that you have been doing. We are looking forward to seeing your enterprise in person and tasting your Bangus,” Eli Weiss, World Bank task team
Fingerlings are reared in 10x15m growing pens. Initially, the production only involved a 400-square meter area within the Municipal Mariculture Park of Barobo Bay. However, the area was doubled to accommodate a total of three pens and considerations for future expansion. Jim Hancock, Natural Resource Management Officer of Food Agriculture Organization also noted that the bangus deboning and bottling is a great valueadding business for the group and their community, thus encouraging them to pursue their plans. Finally, AGFA assured that their group will continue to go beyond the horizons and achieve a flourishing bangus production and marketing in Barobo. (DA-RFO XIII, RAFIS/ PIA-Caraga)
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2 female minor NPA members surrender in SurSur Two female minor members of the New People’s Army (NPAs) voluntarily surrendered along with their firearms to 75th Infantry “Marauder” Battalion on December 3 and 4, 2021. The surrenderees, ages 16 and 17, were both residents of the interior municipality of San Miguel town of this province, particularly in Barangay Bolhoon, and Barangay Carromata respectively. One of the minor NPA members, “Danica,” was a student of the Tribal Filipino Program in Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS) and Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV), a CPP-NPANDF-affiliated school. She was only 16 when she was recruited and joined the armed group in September 2020. The TRIFPSS and ALCADEV were ordered closed by the Caraga Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) Caraga INFOCUS
during the current administration. The report stated that Danica lay low after she was wounded on her upper left arm in the encounter with the Special Forces Battalion last December 2020. The other member, “Gang-gang,” who was only a 14 years old when she was recruited by the communist-
terrorist group. She was in 2nd Grade when she left her family to find a job that time but was instead recruited by the NPA. After years of experiencing life with the CTG, she decided to surrender to the Philippine Army due to exhaustion. “Nagpasalamat ko sa mga sundalo kay ila akong gitabangan December 4-10, 2021 |
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karon. Dili diay tinuod na berdugo ang mga sundalo. Nagsurrender ko kay gusto nako malimpyo ang akoang pangalan ug dili nako mahadlok na magsigeg tago-tago (I thank the soldiers for helping me now. Soldiers are not real executioners. I surrendered because I wanted to clear my name and not have to constantly go into hiding),” Danica said, as she goes back to the mainstream society and live peacefully. The report from the
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military said that this act is a clear violation of human rights and International Humanitarian Law. Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Jelson Buyuccan, Commanding Officer of the 75IB, assured the safety of the two minor females and life normally. “Tutulungan namin itong sina Danica at Gang-gang na mamuhay ng normal at payapa kasama ang kanilang mga pamilya. Kasama sa
kanilang boluntaryo na pagsuko ay atin silang i-enrol sa Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) na programa ng gobyerno para sa ating mga kasamahan na nagbalik-loob. (We will help Danica and Gang-gang live normally and peacefully with their families. Along with their voluntary surrender, we will enroll them in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) program for our fellow converts),” Lt. Col Buyuccan said in a press statement. The highest official of the 75IB urged other rebels not to hesitate to come down and surrender their weapons and join the folds of the government. Together with the Local Government Units (LGUs) and other stakeholders, the 75IB will always support the government’s endeavor in eradicating the insurgency through the various programs of the TF-ELCAC, Lt. Col. Buyuccan said. (75th Infantry Battalion, PA/ PIA-Surigao del Sur) Caraga INFOCUS
PMO-Surigao holds bloodletting activity, flu vaccinations with local health office
The Port Management Office of Surigao (PMO Surigao) of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has partnered with the Surigao City Health Office to conduct a bloodletting activity to augment the dwindling blood supply amid increasing demand from patients suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Around 40 blood donors, including port police operatives, PMO employees, dockworkers and outsourced personnel and Philippine Caraga INFOCUS
Navy reservists from the 72nd Naval Group Reserve had volunteered and donated during the one-day event held recently at the PreDeparture Area of the Port of Surigao Passenger Terminal Building. “This blood donation drive is PMO Surigao’s response to the call of the local health authorities to provide life-giving blood. In this season of love, peace and joy, there is perhaps no better way to show our compassion and love for our fellow Filipinos than by donating one’s
own blood,” said PMO Acting Port Manager Froilan Caturla. Meanwhile, the City Health Medical Team also administered onsite around 100 doses of influenza vaccines to willing and qualified individuals. The bloodletting and flu vaccination activity was organized by PMO Surigao’s Administrative Division, in partnership with the City Health Office of the Surigao City Government. (PPA-PMO Surigao/PIA-Surigao del Norte) December 4-10, 2021 |
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P5M upgraded native chicken multiplier farm to rise in Dinagat Islands Serving as an eligible source of quality poultry stocks in the island, the Department of Agriculture (DA) - Caraga through its Livestock Program has recently granted the Provincial Government of Dinagat Islands an upgraded native chicken multiplier breeder farm amounting to PhP5 million. The intervention lodged under the Bayanihan Act II Stimulus Package for Agriculture intends to give support to the Dinagatnons whose livelihood were affected by the pandemic, which also include returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and the farmers and fisherfolks in the island. Regional Livestock Program Coordinator Jekem Sanchez together with Dinagat Islands Governor Arlene “Kaka” J. Bag-ao led the ribbon cutting held at Barangay Justiniana Edera, Municipality of Dinagat, where the site of the upgraded multiplier farm will be established. The multiplier farm will be operated by the provincial local government and will hold the responsibility of raising chicken breeders and produce stocks that would be made available for the recipients. Fifty percent of the stocks produced will be provided for free to the identified beneficiary and institution in the first three
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years or until the investment cost is fully repaid in the value of products provided as livelihood. Moreover, the provincial local government shall also provide the technical assistance to the chosen beneficiaries in order for the project to flourish and ensure its sustainability, and the farm will also be made available as a site of training and learning facility for students, farmers, women, and interested individuals. The intervention is divided into four components that include the breeder component where 400 heads of breeder hens and 100 heads of breeder rooster will be procured to supply the identified direct buyer. The supplies components will allocate for the cost of feeds, supplements, veterinary drugs, and biologics for the
starting operation needs of the farm. The farm facilities components include the housing establishment such as breeder house, brooder house, grower house, among others. Machinery and equipment components will procure incubators, hatchers, generator sets, and brooder equipment. According to Livestock Coordinator Jekem Sanchez, all requests made by the identified beneficiaries in the province will go directly to the provincial government through its Provincial Veterinary Office. “This is in preparation of the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling where our LGUs in the province no longer have to request to the regional office, hence, they can ask directly to our province for faster processing of a request of interventions.” said. Sanchez. (Kent Warren H. Fugoso, DARAFIS-Caraga/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
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Orientation sa implementasyon sa TUPAD Program gipahigayon sa lungsod sa Loreto ug Tubajon Gisugdan na ang 5th implementation sa citizen partners alang sa Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Displaced/Disadvantaged (TUPAD) workers sa lungsod sa Loreto ug Tubajon pinaagi sa Provincial Labor, Employment, and Manpower Office (PLEMO). Adunay mikabat sa 100 ka citizen partners sa TUPAD sa lungsod sa Loreto ug 100 usab ang sa lungsod sa Tubajon diin giusa-usa pagpasabot sa DOLE ang mga guidelines sa TUPAD nga angayang sundon sulod sa 10 ka adlaw sa ilang pagtrabaho. Atol sa gihimong pagbansay-bansay, ang nasangpit nga mga citizen partners mipirma usab sila sa ilang kontrata ug gihatagan sa ilang ID with QR code isip pamatuod nga sila TUPAD workers. Dakong kalipay sa mga citizen partners nga nipasar ug nahimong kwalipikado base sa guidelines nga gipatuman sa Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Caraga INFOCUS
Sa iyang mensahe, gipasabot ni Gobernador Kaka Bag-ao kung asa gikan ang pondo sa maong programa ug kung nganong naghatag sila og pondo gumikan sa nakita nilang pagpaningkamot ug pagkugi sa mga Dinagatnon taliwala sa pandemya sa COVID-19 nga nasinati. Gidasig usab sa gobernador ang mga citizen partners sa pagpabakuna aron makab-ot na sa mga naasoy nga barangay ang herd immunity aron anamanam na nga mabalik sa normal ang lihok sa katawhan ug aduna na’y proteksyon ang matag usa.
Ang TUPAD program gipondohan ni Senator Joel Villanueva gumikan sa hangyo ni Gobernador Bag-ao nga kanunay ang pagprayoridad sa pagtabang sa mga katawhan ug mahatagan og trabaho ang mga Dinagatnon ilabi na kadtong naglisod sa pagpangita’g trabaho ug labing apektado tungod sa pandemya sa COVID-19. Mitambong sa maong aktibedades si ex officio Board Member Absalon Colandog (Philippine Councilors League), ug ang mga opisyal sa barangay Diaz ug Roxas. (Dinagat Islands-PIO/PIADinagat Islands) December 4-10, 2021 |
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MINDANAO NEWS
Piñol to push for Mindanao projects completion organized the Davao del Norte Infrastructure Monitoring and Advisory Group (IMAG) to oversee major infrastructure projects, including the Davao CitySamal Island Bridge.
Former Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol (PNA file photo)
Former Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said on Saturday he will push for the completion of the projects for Mindanao should he be given a chance for a Senate seat in the coming 2022 polls.
project is having a problem on road right-of-way and delay on its bidding process. The PHP23 billion bridge project was supposed to break ground in July last year but was canceled due to the pandemic.
“This is one of the advocacies that I will embrace -- the completion of the committed projects for Mindanao. We need a Mindanaoan who came from an inferior area which understands its need,” he said citing the major projects -- Davao-Samal Bridge connector and Mindanao Railway Project.
With a length of about 2,830 meters, the bridge would provide a vital link to trade and tourism for both areas through reduced transport costs and faster flow of people, goods, and resources. Conceptualized 40 years ago, the bridge project has been identified as among the big-ticket infrastructure initiatives under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
In a radio interview, Piñol said the Samal bridge
In February this year, the former MinDA chair
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Piñol earlier said the organization of the Davao del Norte IMAG was agreed upon during the meeting between MinDA, government officials, and project engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) involved in the Davao-Samal Bridge project. “The Davao del Norte IMAG will be the first of the monitoring groups to be organized in the different provinces of Mindanao to monitor the progress and development of key infrastructure projects, many of which have suffered delays,” he said. Piñol said the IMAG proved to be a “very effective mechanism” in giving stakeholders greater involvement in the monitoring of major infrastructure projects via quarterly meetings where all members, especially the construction company, report on the progress of the project. (PNA/Che Palicte)
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ICYMI | Integrating global clean energy agenda in the agri sector MinDA Deputy Executive Director Asec. Romeo Montenegro presented Mindanao’s initiatives to improve access to clean and sustainable energy sources for agriculture productivity among marginalized and underserved communities in yesterday’s technical session on “Decentralized Renewable Energy Solutions for Agrifood and Water Sectors” of the 5th International Off-grid Renewable Energy Conference (IOREC). Capitalizing on Mindanao’s strength in its agriculture and fisheries sectors, Montenegro cited MinDA’s efforts to push for ramping up of electrification in the remote and off-grid areas of the island region that are also producing a sizeable output of the country’s food requirements. Several initiatives with its development partners include the MinDA Water Supply Program using solar-power irrigation and water systems in partnership with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP); EU-funded Renewable Energy Technology to Increase ValueAdded of Seaweeds in TawiTawi (RETS) Project in partnership with UNIDO; and also EU-funded Integration of Productive Uses of Renewable Energy for Inclusive and Sustainable Energization in Mindanao (I-PURE Mindanao)
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Project, in collaboration with the National Electrification Administration (NEA). While Mindanao sees a promising future with the agriculture and fisheries sectors as significant drivers of economic growth, it is struggling with the irony that many farm and fishing communities still lack access to electricity to improve productivity and value adding. “Across the 26 million population in Mindanao, around 1.4 million households are still without electricity, especially in off-grid, rural yet agriculturally productive areas,” Montenegro said. With this reality at hand, he pointed out the importance of integrating renewable energy in the agriculture value chain as strategies to achieve food security and foster countryside development.
Along this line, he underscored how this could support the island region’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Lastly, he urged for the cooperation and synergy of all the stakeholders to contribute to the energy transition agenda. “This is definitely going to be a challenge and a difficult task, but as long as we hold together as one, the energy transition can be realized,” he added. Organized by the Dubai-based International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in partnership with the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), the 3-day international virtual event aims to provide an avenue for both public and private sectors to share their countryspecific success stories and best practices in the off-grid RE deployment and in narrowing energy disparity.”
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NATIONAL NEWS
Secretary Andanar lauds Sumilao LGU for achieving community immunity Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday lauded the municipal government unit of Sumilao for being the first in Bukidnon to achieve community immunity against COVID-19. Secretary Andanar attended a turnover ceremony of health kits and gift baskets to women frontliners here, where Mayor Jose Antonio Villo told him that 76% of their population eligible for inoculation were vaccinated already. “Congratulations, Mayor Villo. This is really a good leap of development, especially that we are looking at celebrating a better Christmas this year with the intensified rollout of vaccination drives in all LGUs across the country,” Secretary Andanar said. The turnover ceremony is part of the PCOO’s Gender and Development Program which supports the 18 Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women. They identified women frontliners that would receive gift baskets from the local government units of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental this week. Included LGUs are Cabanglasan, Impasug-
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ong, and Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon; and Medina, Talisayan, and Sugbongcogon in Misamis Oriental.
government and President Duterte’s support is firm in order for us to achieve herd immunity against the COVID-19],” he added.
The PCOO chief also commended the women attendees for working hard along with everybody in responding to the impacts of the pandemic in their respective communities.
LGU supports continuity of the SBDP
“Saludo ko sa inyong mga sakripisyo, ilabi na karun sa panahon sa pandemya, kung aha gihatagan ninyo og pagtagad ang tawag sa serbisyo publiko [I salute you for the sacrifices you have done, especially in this time of the pandemic, where you responded to the call for public service],” he said. “I also would like to assure you nga ang national government ug si Presidente Digong, hugot ang suporta aron makab-ot na nato ang herd immunity batok COVID-19 [I also would like to assure you that the national
At the same event, Mayor Villo also expressed his gratitude to the Duterte Administration’s antiinsurgency drive and hoped that the program of the task group will continue to be implemented in the coming years. Sumilao, Bukidnon is among the municipalities in Region 10 with barangays who benefitted from the banner program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP). A total of 119 conflict-free barangays in Northern Mindanao were given projects under the SBDP this year. ###
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Secretary Andanar: Duterte admin will fight with LGUs vs. pandemic effects until end of term Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Tuesday assured local officials that the Duterte administration will not leave them in the fight against the ill effects of the COVID-19 pandemic until the end President Rodrigo Duterte’s term next year. In his brief engagement with officials of the local government here, Secretary Andanar stressed that having a President who comes from Mindanao and has a good track record in political leadership was a key factor which enabled President Duterte to effectively lead the country.
for them to work with the national government and intensify campaigns to encourage more of their constituents to get vaccinated.
“Naa mi diri karon para i-assure si Mayor and the rest of the LGU officials that the President will continue to do his job nga paninguhaon nga makab-ot nato ang proteksyon batok COVID-19 [We are here to assure the Mayor and the rest of the LGU officials that the President will continue to do his job to ensure that we will reach protection against the COVID-19],” he said.
“Mangayo lang ko’g assurance pud ug suporta kay unom nalang ka bulan ang nabilin sa Duterte administration ug importante ni para sa recovery sa atong nasud gikan sa negative na epekto sa pandemya [I am asking for your assurance as well and support because we only have 6 months remaining and this is important for the recovery of our country from the negative effects of the pandemic],” he added.
He also sought the continued support of the LGU in the remaining months of the administration. He asked
On the same engagement, Kibawe Mayor Reynaldo Ang Rabanes said that it was during the current
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administration that they felt closer to the national government and connected to the Office of the President, which provided them with much easier access for support on their requests for funding on various projects. “Taliwala nga layo kayo ta sa mga sikat nga lungsod pero naa diha ang presensya nga mura ba’g ato lang sila nga makab-ot. Mao na’y gitawag nga usa ka Duterte legacy kay lahi ra gyud ang pag-alaga sa atong mga gagmay nga lungsod [Even though we are far from from those known cities we can still feel the presence in such a way that we can easily reach out. That’s what you call a real Duterte legacy because there’s attention given to small towns like us],” he said.
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Mayor Sara not keen on imposing a ‘No Vaccination, No entry Policy’ Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte is not keen on imposing a “No Vaccination, No Entry Policy” as this would severely affect the local economy. In her weekly program on Davao City Disaster Radio, Mayor Sara said the “No vaccination, no entry” could severely affect the local economy which has been severely affected since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. ‘Sa atoa wala pa ta sa ingon ana because it will severely affect the local economy (Here in Davao City, we do not have such rule because it will severely affect our local economy),” the mayor said. The mayor noted that even at the start of the pandemic last year the city did not require testing or vaccination requirements for land travel, except for air travellers who were required to present a valid negative RT-PCR test before boarding at the port of origin. She said the test before travel was required through the issuance of an executive order to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the city through air travel. Other than that, she said the city government did not
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require anything else. “It will still be the same this year. We still need to balance our local economy and the movement of goods and people. So we do not have that discussion on no vaccination, no entry in Davao City,” the mayor said. Mayor Sara, however, said the business establishments may implement guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals because they would have a legal basis. Under Alert Level 2, some establishments and activities are allowed to operate or be undertaken at a maximum of 50 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and those below 18 years of age, even if unvaccinated, and 70 percent outdoor venue capacity. Recall that Mayor Sara
on her October 25, 2021 statement, said that the city will “put on hold” the regulation for fully vaccinated individuals because vaccination cards can be easily faked. She said that the city will wait until records in VaxCertPh, the online database for vaccinated individuals, are ready. “Vaccination card is only a reminder for the second dose and the details of the vaccine. It cannot be used to verify vaccination status,” she said. According to Mayor Sara, the city government is only short of 140,945 vaccinated individuals to reach herd immunity for the first dose. She hoped that the city will be able to reach its target number for herd immunity before the year ends. CIO
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Mayor Sara gears for stronger autonomy to boost LGUs’ crisis response potential Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte is pushing for stronger local autonomy to boost the potentials for the local government units in responding to a crisis. In her recent talk during the 2021 Regional Planning of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) at SMX Convention Center, Lanang, Davao City, Mayor Sara said that a stronger local autonomy is a viable tool to harness the potential of the local government units in addressing situations such as the coronavirus pandemic. “I have personally seen the value and the benefits of strengthening local autonomy, especially now at the age of COVID-19. Our local government units need the financial stability and operational capacity to sufficiently respond to crisis without sacrificing funding for priority programs and projects. I joined the League of Municipalities of the Philippines in the call to push for income reclassification of municipalities,” she said. As to the implementation of the Mandanas Ruling that increases the share of the national government tax revenue transferred to local governments, Mayor Sara said the government must make
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sure that the implementation should be equitable that no municipality, regardless of classification is excluded from national government assistance. The country will start implementing the Mandanas Ruling in 2022. She added that the implementation of the ruling should be rationalized to take into consideration the absorptive capacity of municipalities to adopt devolved functions and personnel. “The increase in National Tax Allotment (NTA) can only truly effect meaningful change in our local government units if regulations on the utilization of the 20 percent development plan are liberalized, so as not to be prohibitive to priority programs and projects that will have the maximum impact on the welfare of our people. The empowerment
of local government units, and especially financially challenged municipalities can only bode well for our country,” she said. According to Mayor Sara, no municipality should be left behind as one municipality’s success replicated to 1,400 municipalities across the archipelago will usher in an age of economic prosperity that is equitable, and inclusive, resulting in the upliftment of our nation as a whole. “We should leave no municipality behind in our national agenda for peace and progress. Today, this gathering tells us that local government units are coming together crossing political lines to pursue a common purpose, to build a stronger nation, so that the Filipino people may enjoy stability, security, and a prosperous way of life,” she said. CIO
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DOLE says 17M workers now fully vaccinated vs. Covid-19
(File photo)
There are now 17 million workers that are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 following the successful first national vaccination drive held last week, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Wednesday. “Because of the vaccination days program more people especially workers were vaccinated,” Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay said in a television interview. “From 10 million prior to 3-day vaccination program, we now have 17 million fullyvaccinated workers.” Caraga INFOCUS
Tutay said there are still more workers who need to be inoculated against the dreaded virus. “This is a big deal (the number of fully vaccinated) but if you look at the labor market there is much more to be vaccinated,” she said.
hold another national vaccination drive from Dec. 15 to 17, hoping to boost its target to fully vaccinate 54 million Filipinos by yearend.
“I think by December 31 of 2021 we are all confident that we will surpass the 54 million fully vaccinated, especially if The Department of we get the same support Health (DOH) earlier or even much more reported that it has support for the second administered over 10 round ng Bayanihan, million doses of Covid-19 Bakunahan,” acting vaccine during the first presidential spokesman “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” Karlo Nograles said in vaccination days from an interview over CNN Nov. 29 to Dec. 3. Philippines’ The Source on Wednesday. (PNA/ The government is set to Ferdinand Patinio) December 4-10, 2021 |
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‘Bakunahan’ successful as Pinoys unite vs. pandemic administered during the three-day drive, with some local government units stretching it for two more days.
(File photo)
Filipinos united against the Covid-19 pandemic deserve most of the credit for the success of the national “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” vaccination drive.
because they really came in droves, Mayor, noon pong (on) November 29 to December 1,” Dizon told President Rodrigo Duterte in the pre-recorded Talk to the People aired Tuesday.
Secretary Vince Dizon, Presidential Adviser for Covid-19 Response, said vaccination continues and warned those who have yet to get jabbed that the new coronavirus variant, Omicron, may be after them.
As for the unvaccinated, Dizon said “they could be the target of the Omicron”.
“Mr. President, it’s also is I think very important, to note that I think our kababayan (countrymen) also deserve a lot of credit
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“Sila po ang hahanapin nung bagong variant kaya dapat po magpabakuna na sila (The new variant will look for them so they have to be vaccinated),” he said. Dizon reported about 8.1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines were
“However, since we expanded and lengthened the days, umabot po tayo ng 10.1 million in five days, our highest average,” he added. “I think each and every Filipino needs to be proud dito sa nagawa po natin ‘no itong nakaraang linggo (of our endeavor last week).” The government will hold the second round of the nationwide inoculation from December 15 to 17 to help the country achieve its goal of at least 54 million fully vaccinated Filipinos by the end of the year. The latest data from the national Covid-19 vaccination dashboard showed the Philippines has administered 92,752,986 doses nationwide, with 38,699,023 fully vaccinated and 561,125 with booster or additional shots. (PNA/ Lade Jean Kabagani) Caraga INFOCUS
Go hails medical technologists’ role in fight vs. Covid-19 Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has recognized the critical role that medical technologists play in helping the country effectively respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. In a speech during the final day of the 57th Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET) Annual Convention held virtually from Dec. 1 to 4, Go expressed gratitude to the medical technologists and other health workers who continue to serve bravely on the frontlines against the global health crisis. “Sa lahat ng front-liners, maraming salamat mula sa amin ni Pangulong [Rodrigo] Duterte. Hindi matutumbasan ng kahit ano ang inyong sakripisyo… Lalo na ngayong pandemya, kailangan ng mga Pilipino ang inyong kadalubhasaan sa pagbibigay ng maaasahang mga pagsusuri upang masugpo ang Covid-19 at iba pang sakit (To all our front-liners, President Duterte and I would like to express our sincerest appreciation to you. Nothing can match your sacrifices. Filipinos need your expertise in providing reliable tests to curb the Covid-19 pandemic and other diseases),” Go said. Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health
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Senator Christopher “Bong” Go (File photo)
and Demography, vowed to push for policies that will augment and strengthen the national health workforce, noting the sheer number of Covid-19 tests that medical technologists must conduct on a daily basis. “Napakahalaga lalo na ng papel ng mga medical technologists sa ating pagsisikap na mabigyan ng malusog at ligtas na pangangatawan at kinabukasan ang ating mga kababayan (The role of medical technologists in our efforts to keep our people health is very important),” he said. He also lauded PAMET for its efforts to raise the standards and visibility of clinical laboratory science in the country. The pandemic, he said, has highlighted a critical need for
more medical technologists to manage the high volume of tests. To address this shortage, Go had earlier successfully pushed for the inclusion of all frontline personnel of the Professional Regulation Commission and board examiners in the A4 priority group of the Covid-19 vaccination program, without prejudice to the previously identified priority sectors. “Kaya naman pinupuri ko ang PAMET sa patuloy na pagsulong ng laboratory science sa bansa sa loob ng halos 60 taon. Nagtitiwala ako na patuloy ninyong susundin ang pinakamataas na pamantayan sa inyong propesyon upang maihatid ang maayos na serbisyo na nararapat sa bawat Pilipino (We commend PAMET for continuously pushing
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laboratory science in our country for 60 years now. We hope that you’ll continue to follow the high standard of your profession to deliver proper services that Filipinos deserve),” he said. Fixed monthly risk allowance Go reaffirmed his commitment to push for the passage of Senate Bill 2421 which seeks to provide health workers with a fixed monthly Covid-19 Risk Allowance for the duration of the current state of emergency in lieu of the special risk allowance and other financial compensation granted under the Bayanihan 2. The bill, which Go authored and co-sponsored in the Senate, specifically seeks to give all health workers deployed in “high risk areas” a monthly allowance of PHP9,000 while those in “medium risk areas” and “low risk areas” will be provided PHP6,000 and PHP3,000, respectively. “Sa ilalim ng panukalang ito, mas maraming health workers ang makakatanggap ng [allowance]. Hindi na ito limitado sa mga directly exposed sa Covid-19 patients… Gaya ninyong medical technologists, hindi man kayo direktang exposed kayo naman ang nagsusuri ng mga specimen kaya dapat lang na kasama kayo sa makatanggap (Under this proposal, more health workers will get allowance. This is not only limited to those exposed to Covid-19 patients. Like them, medical technologists,
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though you’re not directly exposed, you’re examining specimen so you must also be included),” he said. He promised to ensure that the Department of Health has sufficient funds in 2022 for the continuous provision of risk allowances and the implementation of Duterte’s directive that increased the salary grade of Nurse 2 positions from SG (salary grade) 15 to SG 16. Given the crucial role of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City, Go likewise pledged to back additional funds for the institute, which was the pioneer Covid-19 testing facility in the country. “Hindi man mababayaran ng kahit anong halaga ang inyong buhay, mahalaga pa din ang pagkikilala sa sakripisyo ninyo … kaya naman nung may na-delay na cash assistance ng mga namatayan ng front-liners ay sinumbong ko ito kay Pangulo. Nakasuhan at nasuspendido ‘yung mga opisyales na nagpatagal nito (Though one’s life is priceless, it is still important to recognize your sacrifices…that is why when there was delayed cash assistance to deceased front-liners, I reported it to the President. The officers who delayed it were charged and suspended),” Go said. Avail Malasakit Center services Go reminded all sick and
injured health workers to avail of the services of the 149 Malasakit Centers nationwide. The center aims to reduce a patient’s hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses through existing medical assistance programs. He also recognized the string of promising developments on the vaccine front in recent weeks and called on PAMET’s local chapters to support the government’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign to help the country achieve herd immunity. The Philippines has so far obtained an estimated 146 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, including 90.6 million that have been successfully administered as of Dec. 3. There are now 37.6 million fully vaccinated Filipinos. “Sana patuloy din namin kayong maging kasama at katuwang sa aming mga adhikain ng Pangulo para sa ikabubuti ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino (I hope you’ll continue to be our partner in our President’s aspirations for the betterment of the lives of every Filipino),” he said. The ceremony was also attended by PAMET national president Rommel Saceda, national vice president Felicisimo Martinez Jr., executive secretary Ma. Rita Sebastian, national treasurer Evangeline Castillo, national auditor Marites Go and national PRO Mark Nava, among others. (PR)
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