AGSUR TOWN HIGHLIGHTS CULTURE OF UNITY AMONG LOCALS

AgSur town highlights culture of unity among locals

assistance to help them By Jennifer P. Gaitano cope with the damages brought about by the typhoon Odette recently.

The local government unit of Veruela in the province of Agusan del Sur highlighted how its locals are united in one despite belonging to different ethnic groups.

During the Network Briefing News on Friday, Veruela vice mayor Edgar Brigole bared that the municipality can be found at the southern part of Agusan del Sur and can be reached by bus or public and private vehicles. From Davao City, it may be reached by passing through Trento crossing Cuevas going to Santa Josefa and then Veruela.

“We are made up of 50% Manobos, 30% Cebuanos, 10% Ilocanos, and 10% Ilonggos,” he added. the locals have been very supportive of the government’s efforts and initiatives for the benefit of the majority. During this time of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many have heeded to the government’s call to get the jab and be protected against the spread of the virus.

“As of February 16, Veruela has fully vaccinated 20,187 individuals out of its 46,583 population and we continue to strengthen our vaccination team and frontliners,” he said.

When asked about the development in agriculture in the municipality, Brigole said that local farmers were given the needed support including financial “Last January 17, we experienced flooding and almost 6,524 hectares were affected in Veruela. Almost 75% of the population of Veruela are planting rice. The LGU and provincial government has extended support to farmers whose fields were affected by the flood; we gave them cash assistance and seeds,” said Brigole.

The official further said that they also promote “lamayo”, a semi-dry tilapia of which the processing was taught to the local farmers by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Brigole also underscored that their municipality has a lot to offer when it comes to tourist spots.

“We have the Sinobong Falls in Barangay Sinobong. There’s also the ongoing construction of a zip line in an Eco Park, and we also have the Balete Cave in Barangay Sisimon. For those who love fruits, our place is known to have durian and mangosteen,” he said. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

SK in AgSur town intensify cleanup drive, promote communal garden in the communities

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

Amid the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) along with the youth in Barangay Hawilian in the municipality of Esperanza are taking steps to promote cleanliness and create communal gardens down to the puroks.

SK chairperson Honie Rose Nacorda bared that this month, they have been visiting different puroks in their barangay and conducting cleanup activity dubbed “Alay Pulot”, including the cleaning of their multipurpose building.

“We are focusing on “Alay Pulot” and our communal garden because we’re only allowed to do a few activities and only up to 50% of the participants are allowed to do such activity,” Nacorda said.

Along with the cleanup drive, they also intensify promotion of the government’s vaccination program. “Before, the people were resistant to the vaccination program but the local government unit has found ways to convince them and explain to them the importance of vaccination. We now have fully vaccinated about 70% of those aged 12 years old and above and more are getting vaccinated,” she added.

Nacorda further said that the youth now are able to adjust and adapt to what has been happening, hence, they were able to shift and conduct more virtual activities through social media. (JPG/PIAAgusan del Sur)