20 minute read
DIGITAL LEARNING SUPPORT AMID THE PANDEMIC
With the distinctive rise of e-learning, whereby teaching and instructions are undertaken on digital platforms, the local government unit (LGU) of Surigao del Norte guarantees to provide appropriate support to the learners through its “Tablet Ko, Kaugmaon Mo” project as aligned in the “Padajon an Edukasyon” program of Gov. Francisco Matugas. Even with the sudden shift from classroom to online learning due to the pandemic, the governor still affirms the importance of education. That even with the inevitable disruption of normal classes, he puts priority of assisting students to keep up with the demand of digital schooling. Some 350 Senior High School students of Surigao Norte National High School (SNNHS) under the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand have received each a tablet computer to make their learning easier. Assistant provincial administrator Simeon Vicente Castrence, representing Gov. Matugas, handed over the devices to the student beneficiaries during a turnover activity recently held at the SNNHS. This was also attended by Department of Education (DepEd) – Surigao del Norte Schools Division Superintendent Teresa Real, faculty and staff of SNNHS led by school
By Venus L. Garcia
Advertisement
principal Jose Gil Escabal. C a s t r e n c e expressed that the said undertaking is in response to the daunting challenges and to the needs of the students for them to continually comply with the school requirements in an unprecedented environment. He said this gesture of the governor exemplified the kind of leadership that the local government unit (LGU) of Surigao del Norte province has. “It showed the importance of education in the lives of every Surigaonon. You see, this is how education goes far beyond what we can read in a textbook, by learning to be compassionate, generous, and kind to others,” he enunciated. For her part, Nicole Jay Villalobos, a Grade 12 student of SNNHS, was delighted for the gadget he obtained as this is most useful for her learning. “This is truly a great help not only for us students but for our parents as well. This lessens the burden of thinking where to find money to buy or where to rent every time we needed to go online for our lessons,” she said. Meanwhile, Real also expressed her gratitude to the LGU-Surigao del Norte for the continued support to the agency especially to the students. This, she said, is a supplement to their Network Academy Project. There are, however, other challenges to overcome in the transition from face-toface classes to offline learning, e-learning, and other modalities being introduced. These might be the catalyst to create a new and more effective education system during this new normal. (Venus L. Garcia/PIA-Caraga)
SK FEDERATION OF SISON UNDERSCORES YOUTH COOPERATION TO FIGHT COVID-19
To motivate the young individuals in the municipality of Sison, this province, to be mindful in getting involved in the local community’s effort to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19, its Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation launched several activities where participants were responsive to the message of cooperation it conveyed. Sharing the highlights of accomplishments of the Pambayang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan ng Bayan ng Sison during the recent Laging Handa Network Briefing, Warren Maitel, SK president, bared that the COVID-19 pandemic has never cumbered their group from carrying out their youthful responsibility in the communities. In celebration of the Linggo ng Kabataan in August last year, they had organized various contests in different categories with a theme, “Youth engagement for Global Action.” It allowed the youth to showcase their talents and impart their ideas despite the pandemic, following COVID-19 safety protocols. The competitions allowed the contenders to try something new and take up challenges to reduce their boredom and stress during the pandemic through informative social media platforms and literary works.
By Venus L. Garcia
“The events were centered on the online competition highlighting the talents, creativeness, and skills of the young Sisonians. These include the spoken word poetry competition; poster making contest; mobile photography contest; TikToKabataan Challenge; “Istorya Quarantine” essay writing contest; creative face mask design contest; video making contest; and song cover contest,” said Maitel. In December also, many had joined in the ‘Light a Tree’ event that they spearheaded. It was made more fun with the Jingle Bell Rockout contest, lantern making contest; and vlogging contest. The activities were aimed at strengthening youth involvement from the twelve barangays of Sison as well as to promote skillfulness and ingenuity. “Throughout this pandemic, we are also thankful to the local government unit of Sison for supporting our endeavors, in mobilizing the young people as a catalyst of sustainable development, and for involving us in building resilience. Pagtutulungan ang susi para malampasan natin ang mga pagsubok lalo na nang pandemya,” Maitel underscored. (VLG/ PIA-Surigao del Norte)
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales “This administration will not stop delivering equality and equitable public services and better governance.” This was the statement of Sison town mayor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia on the local government’s efforts to address and end insurgency in their area. In her guesting in the Laging Handa Network Briefing episode today, January 22, the local official hinted some of their plans to address pressing concerns on insurgency, particularly on infrastructure. “Yung concreting of roads… yun talaga ang main concern dito sa amin since there are still [some] dilapidated roads in Sison na nagpapahirap for the transportation of our agricultural products,” the mayor said. They plan on using their Assistance to Municipalities funds for last year from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to construct local access roads. The mayor hinted that the project is in preparation for their housing project for local farmers. Last week, the local government was able to implement the Community Support Program (CSP) in Brgy. Ima after having been cleared from the influence of communist terrorist groups, which required neutralizing more than 100 residents who supported the leftist cause. “Plan namin po na pagbutihin talaga yung services namin. We have to package all our services and bring them to the grassroots level. Yun talaga yung aim namin,” Mayor Fetalvero-Paronia said. As they continue to pursue the fight against
SURIGAO NORTE TOWN EYES PROGRAMS VS INSURGENCY
insurgency, the local government is also hopeful for the establishment of the Provincial Mobile Force Company in their town to better equip the local police force. A hectare of land was donated for such a project. Ending insurgency is paramount to what the town mayor has envisioned for Sison, which is to transform it into the main government hub in the province. The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has already established its provincial office in the area. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) provincial office is expected to establish its own office in the town as well. Next on that list is, hopefully, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) office, she said. “[In] the soonest possible time, Sison will soar high and rise among the municipalities here in Surigao del Norte after masolve namin ang insurgency. We have a lot to offer here. Malaki po yung future ng Sison na we will be able to surpass all these things,” said Mayor Fetalvero-Paronia. (DMNR/PIACaraga)
SURIGAO NORTE TOWN UPBEAT ON LOCAL VACCINATION PROGRAM
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales The local government of Sison town in Surigao del Norte is “hopeful” to have its people vaccinated in time for the vaccine rollout of the national government next month. Municipal Mayor Klarissa Fetalvero-Paronia said during the Laging Handa Network Briefing episode today, January 22, that while funding is a great concern, they are identifying possible sources of funds to implement the program. “Being the poorest town in the province, we are trying to gather resources especially from our DRR (Disaster Risk Response) funds for this quarter. But we still have to establish that first. Above all, we want the marginalized sector to be addressed first,” she said. The indigenous people (IP) communities and the vulnerable sectors such as the elderly, the disabled, and pregnant and lactating women will be among the first to receive the vaccines. The local official is optimistic that they can carry out vaccination for its people with the help of national government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) that can help them in their endeavour, as well as the provincial government of Surigao del Norte. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
YOUTH GROUPS IN SISON ADVOCATE AGAINST INSURGENCY
By Venus L. Garcia With the continuing armed attacks and threats by the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) that affect communities especially the most vulnerable sectors including the youth, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of the municipality of Sison in this province is relentless in pushing for activities and creating a holistic approach aimed at weakening the insurgents. In his guesting during the Laging Handa Network Briefing on Friday, Warren Maitel, SK federation president, emphasized the significant role of the youth in nation-building and in the fight versus insurgency. “Patuloy po ang SK ng Sison sa pagpapatupad ng iba’t ibang aktibidad para sa mga kabataan para hindi sila ma-recruit ng New People’s Army (NPA) at hindi nila maramdaman na left behind sila. Kasama rin diyan ang malawakang information drive laban sa droga at terorismo,” Maitel said. He said that getting them involved in the local community can boost their confidence and self-esteem and would help them to become empowered to assert and claim their human rights out from knowing the legal and social implications. Maitel also urged the young individuals in their locality to continue with what they have started doing as a contribution to the community or even in enriching themselves. “Ipagpatuloy natin ang ating nasimulan sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan. Sa mga
mag-aara, laban lang. Kung mayroon kayong gusting sabihin o tulong, just contact SK Sison sa mobile phone at FB page/messenger ko para matulungan kayo lalo sa panahon ngayon,” he said.
The SK federation of Sison also plans to carry on the programs that were not implemented in the previous year primarily of health and education. “Nariyan po yung provision of school supplies. Gagawa rin tayo ng Youth Leadership Summit at sports activities kung ma-lift na ang pandemic. Mahalaga rin ang pagsasagawa seminar on mental health,” said Maitel. The SK members are also thankful to the local government unit of Sison for the scholarship grants and other assistance to the students. Maitel recounted the efforts of the LGU led by Mayor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia in keeping their area safe and secure despite the presence of the CTG. For her part, Mayor Paronia expressed her gratitude to the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police. “Last week. We had our community support program in Brgy. Ima and they have been cleared. This time, kailangan paigtingin at pagbutihin talaga yung sevices naming and bring them to the grassroots level,” she said. (VLG/PIASurigao del Norte)
SISON TOWN PROMOTES ECOTOURISM SITES
Derived from its ancient name “Bugsukan,” which means “to tie or bind together,” the municipality of Sison in Surigao del Norte shaped the nature of its people to unite and sectoral groups to amalgamate, pushing the same interest for development, urban productivity, and ecotourism promotion. Through the years, the residents enjoyed the abundance of its natural resources and beauty of rolling hills, mediumsized plains and valleys, crystal-clear mountain springs, waterfalls, and small lagoons, which characteristically are desirable factors for agriculture and ecotourism. According to Mayor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia, who guested in the Laging Handa Network Briefing, the town has an Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share of P76 million which is comparatively low compared to other towns and city in the Surigao del Norte province. However, she said that this did not hamper the delivery of needed services to its residents and the improvements in the area. The local government unit (LGU) of Sison takes pride in its Kanyagtiw Mountain Range, where visiting tourists can enjoy trekking, mountain climbing, and exploring nature. It is one of the highest mountain peaks in Surigao del Norte, located in Barangay
By Venus L. Garcia
Gacepan, Mayag and Ima, which is suited for mountaineering sports activities. “It offers different unique species of flora and fauna. We also have our tallest falls and busay,” Paronia mentioned. As featured in the provincial website, the municipality of Sison is also unrivaled in offering a range of destinations and tourist spots such as the Mabuhat Hot Spring, situated in Hanagsaan River. Locals claimed its therapeutic effect because of its sulfuric water substance and its hot to lukewarm water. The mini-lagoon found in the foot of Mount Piakle, Upper Patag is also known for its crystal-clear and cool water even during hot summer. It would be a perfect place for boating, picnics and other passive recreational activities. Paronia however said that with the unprecedented global health crisis due to COVID-19, tourism flows have also been heavily affected by restrictions on the movement of people, but she assured to give the best service and hospitality it can offer to their guests once a certain level of tourism activities can be allowed in this ‘new normal.’ “Being a fifth class municipality, the local government is still able to deliver equitable and quality services to the people. Our main source of income is agriculture. Top most is the rice and we also have high-value crops such as coconut, fruit trees, bananas, industrial falcata, corn and also livestock,” Paronia said. The mayor said they are still fostering networks to tap additional funding sources for ecotourism site development. (Venus L. Garcia/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
PMO SURIGAO JOINS ZERO WASTE MONTH CLEAN-UP DRIVE
By NC Nusog
In support of advocacy efforts for zero waste, the Port Management Office (PMO) of Surigao joined a multi-sectoral ‘Clean-Up’ Drive to celebrate January as “Zero Waste Month.” With the theme “Engaging Response to the Changing Environment,” the PMO joined other agencies and barangays in the city for the early morning clean-up activity on January 22, 2021. For its part, the PMO Surigao contingent worked on areas near the port of Surigao. Wielding broomsticks, sacks (to contain waste/debris) and other cleaning implements, around 34 PMO Surigao personnel participated in cleaning up its designated area. Presidential Proclamation No. 760 has designated January as ‘Zero Waste Month’ which defined Zero Waste as an advocacy that promotes the designing and managing of products and processes to avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials. (PMO-PPA Surigao/PIASurigao del Norte)
PMO SURIGAO CUSTOMERS WIDELY ACCEPT E-PAYMENT SYSTEM
By Susil D. Ragas
Customers at ports under the Port Management Office (PMO) Surigao has apparently adopted the e-Payment “cashless” system, enabling them to be among the top PMOs in the country with the highest number of online payment transactions. PMO Surigao Acting Port Manager Froilan Caturla said that since the e-Payment system was launched, all Permit to Operate (PTO) and Philippine Port Authority (PPA) Accreditation fees were paid through the online facility. “We have encouraged our customers to avail the online system, and at times even went our way to assist them in making online payments,” Caturla added. Rolled out at PMO Surigao in the 3rd quarter of 2020, the PPA Electronic Payment System or e-Payment is initially made available for clients paying for Port Ancillary Services Permit fees as well as PPA Accreditation fees. Accessible through the Electronic Payment Portal (EPP) at the PPA website, the e-Payment is integrated with the PPA’s other online systems such as eAS, ePMS, iPORTS and also linked to Cargo Handling Operator (CHO) and Private Port Operators’ (PPO) online systems. (NC Nusog, PMO-PPA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
PDI TOWN ALLOCATES P1.6M FOR COVID-19 VACCINE
By Jessica O. Mellejor
The local government unit (LGU) of Libjo town in the province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) earmarks an initial fund amounting to P1.6 million for the procurement of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. Libjo town Mayor Sonny Llamera said that the said fund is ready once the vaccine becomes available and hopes that all his constituents will be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. He sought the assistance of the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force to help the LGU in the procurement process. According to Mayor Llamera, for the LGU to procure, there has to be an agreement among the national government, LGU, and the manufacturer. PDI Governor Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao also issued an executive order making vaccine procurement a top priority of the LGU. Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Libjo town encourages the punong barangays to update their registry of barangay inhabitants as a preparation for the vaccine program roll-out of the national government, which is set to commence in the 2nd or 3rd quarter this year. (DILG-Libjo/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
LGU SISON URGES LOCALS TO BE BLOOD DONORS
The Rural Health Unit of the municipal government of Sison strongly encouraged the locals to participate in their regular blood donation program to help maintain the sufficient blood supply and prevent shortages as concerns about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) persist not only in Caraga region but in the communities across the country. “We’ve seen the importance of having enough blood supply especially during this challenging time. So, despite of the pandemic, we still conducted our bloodletting program last year,” said Mayor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia of the local government unit (LGU) of Sison as she guested at the Laging Handa Network Briefing on Friday. She said they were able to facilitate more than 90 blood donors through a Mobile Blood Donation program in their town. “We’re very thankful
By Venus L. Garcia
to our brave blood donors for their kindness and willingness to donate blood. This campaign must be sustained, as it is one of the necessary preparations for public health emergency. You don’t have to be a doctor to save lives. Just donate blood. It’s safe, it’s simple and it saves lives!” underscored Mayor Paronia. For this initiative, Sison was declared as the Blood Hero LGU of the Week by the Department of Health – Center for Health and Development (DOHCHD) Caraga being the first LGU to conduct the said program. LGU-Sison also received a certificate of commendation from the Caraga Regional Hospital for the promotion of blood donation. “Donating blood is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood. Let’s help in making blood accessible to everyone,” said Mayor Paronia. Republic Act No. 7719, also known as the National Blood Services Act of 1994, promotes voluntary blood donation to provide a sufficient supply of safe blood banks. This act aims to inculcate public awareness that blood donation is a humanitarian act. (VLG/ PIA-Surigao del Norte)
CARAGA’S MOST WANTED PERSON FALLS TO GOV’T AUTHORITIES
The composite team of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Army successfully arrested Marcel N. Tejero also known as “Loloy Tejero,” the most wanted person in the regional level on January 15, 6:00am, at Sitio Camangahan, Brgy. Ban-as, Lianga, this province. The team was composed of Lianga Municipal Police Station (MPS), 1st Surigao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), Regional Intelligence Division 13, Regional Intelligence Unit 13, and intelligence operatives of the 75th Infantry Battalion (75IB), and 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn), Philippine Army. Based on the report, the suspect has standing warrants for three counts of murder, three counts of destructive arson, grave threats, grave coercion, robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons. Tejero, accordingly, was a member of the Magahat/Para-military group, involved in the killing of Ernesto Samarca, Dionel Campos, and Juvello Senzo, burning of ALCADEV (Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, Inc.) and robbed the victims in Km. 16, Sitio Hanayan, Brgy. Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur last Sept. 1, 2015. Tejero and five other most wanted in the region have a monetary reward amounting to P1.2 million under DILG Memo Circular No. 2015-136 dated Nov. 23, 2015, it was learned. (NGBT/ PIA-Surigao del Sur)
PHILSYS STEP 1 PRE-REGISTRATION INUMPISAHAN NANG IPATUTUPAD SA SURSUR
Inumpisahan na nang Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) sa lalawigan ng Surigao del Sur ang pagpapatupad ng Step 1 Pre-registration, alinsunod para sa pagpapatupad ng Republic Act (RA) No. 11055 o Philippine Identification System Act sa bansa. Napag-alaman mula kay PSA Chief Statistical Specialist Ruel Dres, prayoridad nito sa kasalukuyan ang mga nasa liblib o nasa malalayong barangay na inumpisahan noong Enero 18 ng kasalukuyang taon.
Ang Step 1 pre-registration ay naglalayong itala ang demograpikong impormasyon at itakda ang susunod na appointment para sa mga magpaparehistro upang maayos, ligtas at mas mabilis na Step 2 Registration. Napag-alaman mula sa opisyal na ang lahat ng mga magpaparehistro sa
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
PhilSys ay kailangan dumaan sa preregistration at registration process. Ito umano ang pagbahay-bahay ng Philippine Statistics Authority sa napiling lowincome household heads upang kolektahin ang kanilang demographic information at maibigay ang nakatakdang petsa at oras ng pagrehistro sa PhilSys. Base sa huling ulat ng pagsubaybay (Enero 25), umabot na sa 10,813 ang mga nagparehistro sa buong lalawigan. Ang Philippine Identification System o PhilSys ay nagsisilbing patunay ng pagkakakilanlan ng mga Pilipino, layunin umano nito na gawing simple, ligtas at amaayos ang mga transaksyon sa gobyerno at pribadong sector. Dagdag pa ni Dres, lahat ng kanilang mga field personnel na kumukuha ng mga datus ay sumusunod sa mga health protocol gaya ng pagsuot ng facemask, face shield, alcohol at pag-obserba ng physical distancing sa gitna ng pandemyang kinakaharap sa buong bansa. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
CSP NG 75TH IB NAGING MATAGUMPAY SA NAKALIPAS NA TAON
By Raymond Aplaya
Maliban sa pagpapaigting ng kanilang combat operation, tututukan rin ngayong taon ng 75th Infantry Battalion (75IB), Philippine Army ang kanilang Community Support Program (CSP) sa mga komunidad na kanilang nasasakupan kung saan kilala nang tagasuporta ng rebeldeng New Peoples Army (NPA). Inihayag ni Lt. Col. Jeffrey Villarosa, Battalion Commander ng nasabing army battalion, na bagama’t maituturing na naging matagumpay ang nasabing programa sa nakalipas na taon, mas paiigtingin pa rin nila ang pagsasagawa nito ngayong taon sa pamamagitan ng mga Grand Pulong – Pulong o Serbisyo Caravan sa mga kinokonsiderang focused areas o mga lugar na mataas pa rin ang impluwensya ng mga komunistang grupo. Dagdag pa ni Col. Villarosa, na patuloy ang kanilang isinasagawang pagpapaunawa para sa mga naninirahan sa nasabing mga komunidad sa totoong problema ng bansa kungsaan dapat umanong maiintindihan na hindi solusyon ang armadong pakikibaka. Kaugnay nito, nagpapasalamat na lang si Col. Villarosa sa positibong tugon ng mga naninirahan sa nasabing mga komunidad dahil sa unti - unting pagputol nang kanilang suporta sa mga rebelding grupo. Ito umano ang isa sa mga magagandang resulta na naidudulot ng Whole–of–Nation Approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict kung saan marami na umanong mga rebeldeng NPA ang sumuko at muling bumalik sa pamahalaan. (DXJS RP Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
