Various sectors tackle appropriate measures to curb insurgency in Caraga

Various sectors tackle appropriate measures to curb insurgency in Caraga Regional News

BUTUAN CITY - The regional and national government agencies, together with various sectors in the Caraga region and nongovernment organizations (NGOs), have convened recently in a By Jennifer P. Gaitano forum and discussed the issues and concerns confronting the region, as well as the means and ways to address it.

This activity formed part of the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 or the whole-of-nation approach in resolving the different pressing issues in the communities, including the local communist armed conflict.

Terrorism and violent extremism were the two main issues identified by the group during the forum. According to Joel Dizon, program manager of a non-government organization known as Equal Access International, there is a need to establish a messaging hub in the region, as this will serve as a platform for all the partner stakeholders in information sharing online; during radio programs and publications; and all other useful activities that will help increase the level January 25-31, 2020 Caraga Infocus 10

of awareness of the people on various issues and concerns, particularly in curbing terrorism and violent extremism.

“We believe that the Messaging Hub would serve as a platform for all the involved stakeholders, where they could gather, raise, and discuss the issues and concerns, and be able to contribute in making solutions,” said Dizon.

The youth also plays a vital role in this effort to solve the insurgency problem in the region. Raxiey Adolfo, executive director of Surigao Youth Convergence underlined that the active involvement and participation

Regional News of the youth in the government’s initiatives would have great impact to the development of the youth sector and the communities they live in.

Meanwhile, Erwin Mascariñas, a journalist and Caraga correspondent of Philippine Daily Inquirer and Union of Catholic Asian News, emphasized the roles and responsibilities of the media practitioners as influencers and active agents of change.

He also elaborated that the media should present their news stories in such a way that it would not cause further conflict or confusion to the populace. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

DICT provides more free wifi sites in Caraga

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY - Thousands of Caraganons are benefiting of the free WiFi access under the Free Wifi For All Project of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in Caraga region.

Based on the data of DICT, in 2019, there are some 105 free WiFi sites already installed and this will be increased, as the installation is ongoing to ensure free wifi connection in public places.

For Butuan City, there are 84 sites installed with free WiFi connection, including other parts of Agusan del Norte. Four sites in Agusan del Sur, 13 in Surigao del Norte and four in Surigao del Sur.

As one of the recipients of the said project, Mayor Judy Amante of Cabadbaran City was grateful as government employees were given the best opportunity for internet connectivity to communicate with stakeholders and for faster and improved services through online transactions. January 25-31, 2020 Caraga Infocus 11

“This is really a good project of the government, and this is what I really wanted to see that people are enjoying the free WiFi access and they’re able to connect with their family or even for students in their researches, and workers in their daily reports,” cited Amante.

Abril Romano, a Cabadbaranon also expressed her gratitude to the government for providing them the free WiFi internet connection.

“I’m thankful that sending reports in our office is made easier because of the aid of this free WiFi access. We are also on track of the different issues and news that we are able to see online,” said Romano.

According to Director Evamay Dela Rosa of DICT Mindanao Cluster 2, the province of Agusan del Norte will have more than 200 free WiFi services. Engr. Lawrence Salang, provincial officer of DICT-Agusan del Norte also stressed that the agency was giving due attention to the installation of free WiFi for the provinces of Siargao Island and Dinagat Islands.

Meanwhile, Agusan del Norte Governor Dale Corvera reminded all the end-users to use the free WiFi responsibly and to maximize its use in a more appropriate manner.

The free WiFi connection available in public venues can be a solution for people who could not afford home broadband connections. It also promotes empowerment of every Filipino by having access to online information and other digital platforms. (JPG/VLG/NCLM, PIA-Caraga) January 25-31, 2020 Caraga Infocus 12

P23M increase recorded Regional News

in LTO-Caraga’s revenue collection BUTUAN CITY - With the strengthened effort and campaign of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Caraga in the different municipalities and provinces of the region, its revenue collection from January to November 2019 has increased to more than P23-million. By Jennifer P. Gaitano

According to Director Nordy Plaza, from the collection revenue of more than P376-million in 2018, it has increased to P399 million in 2019.

Plaza added that in 2019, there is a total registration of 286,580 in motor vehicles and have issued 190,695 licenses.

Urbano Maglines, Jr., the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Caraga focal person for road safety believed that the law enforcement operations of the agency have greatly contributed to the increase of collection reaching to 7,411, which was higher compared to 5,884 operations in year 2018. “We continue to intensify our programs and advocacy to ensure the welfare and safety of our motorists,” cited Maglines.

Meanwhile, Director Plaza is optimistic that this figure would still increase considering that the agency is continuing its effort to further establish its law enforcement operations and sternly reminding all vehicle owners and drivers to renew their expired registrations and licenses. (JPG/NCLM, PIA-Caraga) January 25-31, 2020 Caraga Infocus 13

Butuanon awarded as DSWD national best volunteer Regional News

BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) awarded Lea Rebuta of Butuan City with the National Best Volunteer Award during the Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan (PaNata Ko sa Bayan) Awards at the DSWD Central Offcie, Batasan Complex, Quezon City.

Lea Rebuta, a resident of Taguibo, Butuan City, is a 4Ps parent leadervolunteer who dedicated nine years serving the 32 Pantawid members in her barangay. As inscribed in the program’s operation manual, a parent-leader is a point person, program beneficiary, and volunteer leader in a group of 25- 30 household grantees.

“Pasalamat kaayo ko sa DSWD sa opurtunidad nga gihatag sa ako. Nahimo og wide scope ang akong pagserbisyo sa katawhan ug dili ko mahimong awardee kung wala ang Ahensya nagsuporta nako (I am elated and thankful for the opportunity that DSWD has given me. I was able to serve the community in a wider scope and I would not be an awardee if not for the support of the agency),” Rebuta said. The PaNata Ko sa Bayan Awards is a spin-off from the Memorandum Circular No. 1 series of 2000 or the Gawad Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan (GAPAS).

Various awards are presented to the stakeholders who have contributed to the realization of the shared vision of empowering individuals, families, and communities.

One of the awards is the Salamat Po Award, a commendation of volunteers who have provided assistance in the Department’s delivery of services.

Rebuta was accompanied by her husband, Antonio, and Field Office Caraga Pantawid Pamilya Regional Program coordinator Crislea Celeste.

The recognition of the invaluable support of partner stakeholders is done every anniversary celebration of DSWD. This year’s 69th anniversary goes with the theme, “Social Integration: DSWD’s Major Thrust in Line with Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.” (DSWDCaraga/PIA-Caraga) January 25-31, 2020 Caraga Infocus 14

POPCOM-Caraga accomplishments in 2019 assessed Regional News By May Ann O. Escobal

BUTUAN CITY - The validating team of the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) headed by the Deputy Executive Director Lolito R. Tacardon expressed satisfaction on the performance as contributions of POPCOM Caraga in carrying out the strategic thrusts of the Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP).

POPCOM Caraga once again overwhelmed with the positive upshots of the validation for its program accomplishments in 2019, as conducted on Thursday, January 23, by the team from POPCOM Central Office composed of eight select POPCOM senior officials, headed by DED Tacardon. Tacardon and his team recognized the initiatives and intensive efforts of POPCOM Caraga headed by Director Alexander A. Makinano, along with its regional and local program partners that has tremendously strengthened the implementation of the PPMP, as well as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law in January 25-31, 2020 Caraga Infocus 15

the different communities in the region, after having validated the agency’s outputs of its Organization Performance Commitment and Review (OPCR) targets in 2019 for the four major program components of the PPMP, namely: Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP), Adolescent Health and Development (AHD), Population and Development (POPDEV) Integration, and Special Population Group (SPG).

The team was tasked to validate all reported accomplishments of regional offices and divisions of POPCOM.

On their part, Dir. Makinano echoed gratitude to all its program partners from the local government units, regional line agencies, particularly the Regional Development Council (RDC) through the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Health (DOH). The media, academe, faithbased organizations and stakeholders from various sectors in the community worked as well with the agency in accomplishing all its targets, as pointedout by Director Makinano.

In pursuit of better quality of life for every Filipino family, POPCOM Caraga aims to achieve more in 2020 and beyond by continuously intensifying its localized implementation of various interventions, as strategies in attaining the objectives of the PPMP, gearing towards a “Matatag, Maginhawa, at Planadong Pamilyang Pilipino.” (POPCOM-13/PIA-Caraga)

disaster relief for Taal evacuees

BUTUAN CITY - With the recent Taal volcano eruption, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Caraga has extended their assistance to the victims, as well as other regional offices in the different parts of the country.

TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña has issued directives for regional and provincial offices and other operating units to provide necessities such as face masks, water, canned food, and other items that the agency can donate.

TESDA Region V (Bicol Region) immediately launched the ‘Operation Tabang’ with the help of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholars and professionals, and other TESDA Technology Institutions (TTIs).

As such, TESDA Caraga was able to donate one box of face masks and 11 boxes of food products from various training centers in the region.

Other agencies were able to donate other goods through the trainingcum-production scheme implemented by the TTIs. The trainees of dressmaking and food production were able to produce face masks and perishable goods in large quantities.

TESDA Region II (Cagayan Valley), TESDA Bicol Region (Region V), and even the local government unit (LGU), Juban Training Center had a mass-produced biscuits, cookies, and face masks which were then transported to the regional offices of TESDA located in areas that cater evacuees of the said calamity.

In addition, TESDA Region III (Central Luzon) relayed 7.5 sacks of rice and other goods to TESDA Region IV-A (CALABARZON) of which were distributed in Cavite.

Donations from the Central Office were forwarded to the provincial offices in TESDA Batangas and Cavite. TESDA National Capital Region has also prepared clothes donations, boxes of facial masks, hygiene kits, water bottles and canned goods for the Taal evacuees. Apart from goods, other regional offices offered to provide financial assistance. TESDA Caraga Regional Office and its province offices in Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Sur, TESDA Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), Region X (Northern Mindanao), and Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) pooled such donations as relief efforts.

Other institutions also took part in the delivery of relief operations and donated goods to the agency. The Sorsogon National Agricultural School and the San Francisco Institute of Science and Technology were able to render 6,900 face masks. (TESDA-Caraga/PIACaraga)

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