Agusan Sur solon advocates orphans empowerment
COVER
CONTENTS
Volume 1, No. 16
7 8 9 11 12
16 -22 July 2016
REGIONAL NEWS PopCom Caraga hails Duterte’s policy on FP CHED Caraga invites HEI heads to avail leadership dev’t programs NYC partners with PIA for SK, Barangay elections advocacy campaign HIV rate in Caraga on the rise PRO 13 awards outstanding PROs, joins 21st PCR Month kick-off ceremony
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PROVINCIAL NEWS 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 28 29 30 31
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Agnor guv prioritizes safety, well-being of children, senior citizens DAR AgNor distributes land titles during CARP anniversary celeb AgNor demo farm gets boost 1,000 drug personalities in Bayugan City surrender AgSur 4Ps IP-beneficiary, an active peace advocate Agusan Sur solon grants P10M to STEP Over 500 drug peddlers, users surrender in Mainit PPA-Surigao ‘negative’ in drug test, first GOCC to submit to dope check Surigao Norte women micro entrepreneurs join entrep and customer service seminar DAR spearheads landowners forum and investment counseling in SurSur Rebels torch container van’s gen set in San Agustin town
MINDANAO NEWS
25th MinBizCon to expand business opportunities
NATIONAL NEWS
Dureza: Peace roadmap to pave the way for federalism Senate Bill pushes for 150 Days Maternity Leave COMELEC calls on public: Avoid long queues, register early
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News Briefs Nearly all Filipinos (91%) express trust in President Rodrigo Duterte and practically no one distrusting him (0.2%), according to the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted from July 2 to 8, 2016 using face-to-face interviews.
As expressed by Cong. Tina Plaza, 1st Distict representative of Agusan del Sur during the recently concluded tete-a-tete and interaction with the abandoned children sheltered at the Bahay Silongan in Butuan City, nothing is more fulfilling than doing out something from what she has for the less fortunate people. She enunciated further that investing on the children’s growth and future is one key to raising good citizens. Thus, it is important to nurture well these kids for them to help build a better nation, she added. DTI Butuan City/Agusan del Norte Provincial Office-Consumer Welfare Division spearheaded the destruction of confiscated non-conforming products forfeited on Wednesday, July 20 at 1PM at Barangay Doongan. The non-conforming products destroyed are plywood, Christmas lights, outlets, switches, DVD players, electric irons, extension wires, stand fans, desk fans, rice cookers, monobloc chairs, lighters, CFLs, helmets, receptacle, and others.
The province of Surigao del Norte is experiencing tourist arrival increase in the last 3 yrs. The increase per record, averages 10 to 12 percent annually for the last 3 yrs. Based on the data released by the Dept of Tourism, the province has the most number of foreign arrivals & foreign residents among the provinces & cities in Mindanao.(John Glenn Platil, PGO-SDN)
Cover Story
Agusan Sur solon advocat e
B
eyond performance of duties while holding public office and ensuring appropriate actions to its regular responsibilities, Cong. Ma. Valentina Plaza, 1st district representative of the province of Agusan del Sur, has personally committed her moral obligation of empowering juveniles, especially those who are deprived from parental care and support.
By: Venus L. Garcia
moments with the 17 children housed at the Bahay Silongan, a home for the abandoned children managed by the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady Fatima since 1995, situated in Sitio “Proper growth and development, Dalingdingan, Brgy. Pinamanculan, positive guidance and correct Butuan City. discipline are among the essentials in bringing up a child to make him the Just recently, she generously best person that he can be. I find great treated them for a free meal and snacks satisfaction of devoting part of my and proceeded to the cinema to let time for these children because they them enjoy and experience the simple deserve particular regard and support pleasures of life by watching a movie. to let them feel their self-worth, helping For her, a sincere gesture of kindness them build their self-confidence. They and benevolence is one manifestation too are entitled to learn the valuable of love and care especially to the life skills – and that is empowerment,” deprived young individuals who expressed Cong. Plaza. needed more of the support. Accordingly, it is also her way of “Nothing is more fulfilling than extending more of her services to the doling out something out of our own community. She usually spent valuable volition to share
CARAGA INFOCUS
REGIONAL NEWS
This is just among the top priorities that draw her extraordinary interest aside from education, clean water and health advocacies.
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16 - 22 JULY 2016
es orphans empowerment what we have for the less fortunate tasks, the children are also sent to people,” expressed Cong. Plaza. school for proper education. Plaza enunciated further that investing attention, nurturance and compassion on the children are keys to raising good citizens. “Thus, it is important to nurture well these kids for them to help build a better nation,” she added.
“Thank you for the constant support from our benefactors who contributed much in the sustenance of the regular needs of the children and institution,” said Abul. (VLG/PIACaraga)
CARAGA INFOCUS
Meanwhile, Ester Abul, a social worker of the Bahay Silongan disclosed that aside from the home life training such as doing the assigned household
REGIONAL NEWS
In his excitement and elation, Mark Felizanta, an 11-year old orphan, conveyed a quick display of gratitude by telling how grateful he is to have found his new family. “I used to stay at the streets without minding the scorching heat of the sun, fighting each day to survive. Now, I’m very thankful because I get to experience a normal child life being taken cared of by our house parents,” he said.
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Photo Gallery BCPO Officials’ visit to PIA Caraga Regional Office
CARAGA INFOCUS
REGIONAL NEWS
20 July 2016
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REGIONAL NEWS PopCom Caraga hails Duterte’s policy on FP BUTUAN CITY, – The regional office here of the Commission on Population (PopCom) is on high hope on the future direction of the population program with the strong support coming from the incoming President, His Excellency Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Family Planning program and its implementations must be transferred to the PopCom including the stocking and distribution of contraceptives/supplies. Finally to encourage couple to limit their children, the government must consider giving incentives in the form of the following: a. one child: free education from elementary to college; b. two children: free education from high school to college; and c. three children: free education from elementary to high school.
Review the withholding tax on compensation and of personal and Few days after the election, additional exemptions. Take measures President-elect Duterte expressed his 16 - 22 JULY 2016
REGIONAL NEWS
Tax discount or any form of tax incentive shall be given to parent/s with only 1 to 3 children. However, said benefits will be forfeited once the couple will already be having children beyond the limit of three. Orientation and information regarding the matter shall be done during the couples’ PreMarriage Orientation-Seminar.
and modify some existing provisions that would encourage couples to limit their children to not more than three.
CARAGA INFOCUS
PopCom Caraga through regional director Alexander A. Makinano has various recommendations to the next administration which hopefully can contribute to the full blast implementation of the programdown to the grassroots level, to wit:
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strong support to the Family Planning percent Population Growth Rate (PGR) Program of the government and will of 2010. strictly implement said program to push his economic growth agenda. Caraga’s population last year reached to 2,596,709. This shows an In addressing the country’s increase of about 200,000 from 2010 ballooning population, Duterte’s census of population by the Philippine stance can be considered another Statistics Authority. Population development for the Philippine program advocates are all positive Population Management Program that with the pronouncement of (PPMP). president-elect Duterte, his strong support to FP, the population As revealed in the 2015 Census of program will be strengthened and Population, more than 8 million Filipinos a comprehensive approach to were added to the population, in just reduce unmet need for modern five years since 2010. Results of the family planning, especially among 2015 census show the population grew poor families will be institutionalized. 1.72 percent last year, down from 1.9 (PopCom-Caraga)
CHED Caraga invites HEI heads to avail leadership dev’t programs
CARAGA INFOCUS
REGIONAL NEWS
By: Nora C. Lanuza Molde
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BUTUAN CITY, – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in Caraga invites presidents and chancellors of the private higher education institutions (HEIs) to take part in the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Top Management Program. 16 - 22 JULY 2016
According to Engr. Ramil A. Sanchez, chief education program specialist of CHED Caraga, the program will help uplift the competencies of HEIs top management/heads. The program also focuses on institution-building, resource mobilization and academic management specifically for Private HEIs, he said. Those qualified can apply to the Leadership Development Programs under the Professional Advancement and Postdoctoral Study Grants for full tuition coverage.
“It is a program in line with the
efforts of the Commission’s K to 12 Transition Program,” said Engr. Sanchez. The Leadership Development Programs also support HEI faculty and staff in leadership positions pursuing development programs by reputable institutions in the country or abroad. For more information, they may refer to CHED Memorandum Order 25, series of 2016 for application guidelines and download requirements at https://chedk12.wordpress.com/ profaddownloads/. (NCLM, PIACaraga)
NYC partners with PIA for SK, Barangay elections advocacy campaign
BUTUAN CITY – The National Youth Commission (NYC) has partnered with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga for the advocacy campaign on Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and Barangay Elections in October 2016. 16 - 22 JULY 2016
CARAGA INFOCUS
REGIONAL NEWS
By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
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REGIONAL NEWS CARAGA INFOCUS
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Jigs Pasamba, Presidential Staff Officer IV/Northeastern Mindanao Clusterhead of NYC said that the commission, together with the member agencies of the Regional Youth Advisory Council (RYAC) will coordinate with PIA in the information dissemination of advocacy materials to the different sectors along with media partners.
as SK, is a council for youth in each barangay in the Philippines. It was put “on hold”, but not quite abolished, prior to the 2013 barangay elections. In January 2016, the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law was signed into law, which made some significant changes to the SK and schedules new elections for October 2016.
“Many of our youths do not have that enough knowledge about the SK. And with the coming SK and barangay elections, there is a dire need for us to intensify our campaign on SK so our youths will see the advantage of being in the political field. It is important that they get involve and let their voices be heard, as they are the future of our next generations,” expressed Pasamba.
The SK Chairman leads the Sangguniang Kabataan council. A Local Youth Development Council (LYDC) composed of representatives of different local youth groups supports the SK and its programs. (JPG/PIACaraga)
Pasamba also highlighted that with PIA as partner, the advocacy campaign on SK and barangay elections will be inculcated among young ones. She also revealed that those (youths) who will be interested to join the political arena will undergo trainings so they will be equipped on parliamentary procedure of governance, among others. Meanwhile, the PIA Caraga headed by regional director Abner Caga also expressed its commitment to provide continued communication support to NYC, RYAC and other concerned agencies for the same purpose. Sangguniang Kabataan (“youth council” in English), commonly known 16 - 22 JULY 2016
HIV rate in Caraga on the rise
“The Philippines and Caraga Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Registry has reported an increase of such cases in the recent years. The strategy to address the epidemic is reflected in the 5th Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) to ensure that the health sector’s program is aligned with the Universal Health Care Framework and 5th AMTDP),” said officer-in-charge of Butuan City Health 16 - 22 JULY 2016
Office Joyce Hidalgo, MD. According to her, the city is the top most contributor in the region with 100 cases. “The Department of Health, along with its partner stakeholders, should not lay passive on this matter,” said Hidalgo. With this, the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga – HIV and AIDS Program will conduct an HIV AIDS Core Team (HACT) meeting on July 8, 2016 at the Luciana Convention Center, here. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
CARAGA INFOCUS
BUTUAN CITY – As per latest National Epidemiology Centrex update, Caraga region now has 268 HIV cases in total based from the first diagnosed cases in 1995 up to May 2016 and still on its running count.
REGIONAL NEWS
By: Venus L. Garcia
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PRO 13 awards outstanding PROs, joins 21st PCR Month kick-off ceremony By: SPO1 Zena M Panaligan
CARAGA INFOCUS
REGIONAL NEWS
Photo from Adnppo PIO’s
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BUTUAN CITY - The Police Regional Office (PCR) 13 joins in the observance of 21st Police Community Relations (PCR) month kick-off ceremony during the traditional Monday flag raising ceremony which was held at RHQ Grandstand, Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Libertad, this city with this year’s theme “Matatag na Ugnayan, Ligtas na Pamayanan.” One of the highlights during the culmination activity is the awarding and giving of recognition to the deserving police personnel, units and offices, and local government unit leaders who immensely contributed and supported the conduct of various police community relations activities.
The
following
awardees
Outstanding Police Provincial Office – Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office (PPO), Outstanding City Police Station/Municipal Police Station – Bayugan City Police Station, Outstanding Senior Police Commission Officer - PSupt. Reynante Sibayton (chief of police, Bayugan City Police Station), Outstanding Junior Police are Commission Officer – PInsp. June 16 - 22 JULY 2016
Hontanosas (OIC Cagwait Municipal Police Station), Outstanding Senior Police Non-Commission Officer - SPO1 Rey Gabrielle B Maderal (BCPOStation 1), Outstanding Junior Police Non-Commission Officer- PO2 Goldie Lou S Yu (PCR PNCO Barobo MPS) and Outstanding Local Chief Executive – Hon. Kim Lope A Asis (Mayor of Bayugan City).
Caraga, stressed that “In fighting crime, so long as the community is not ours by heart and soul, our hands will always be awash with continuous supply of crime.”
He also emphasized that winning the community demands patience, understanding, love, and dedication to service and without these the Philippine National Police will end up a In his message, Atty Maximo mere stranger to the community, and Lasaca I, regional director of National crimes would continue to proliferate. Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) (PNP-Caraga)
Photo Gallery
25th Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) 2nd Steering Committee Meeting
CARAGA INFOCUS
REGIONAL NEWS
Governor’s Mansion, Capitol Compound, Surigao City 15 July 2016
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Photo Gallery 2016 Search for Best Performing Anti-Drug Abuse Councils Municipality of Santiago 20 July 2016
CARAGA INFOCUS
REGIONAL NEWS
Municipality of Tubay 18 July 2016
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PROVINCIAL NEWS Agnor guv prioritizes safety, well-being of children, senior citizens
Governor Matba during her State of the Province Address held recently bared that to ensure the safety of children, day care workers of the province were trained on the “Safety of Young Children” during calamities
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and emergencies. In 2015, the province’s day care program has served a total of 10,842 enrollees through the efforts of the day care workers and has distributed 235
CARAGA INFOCUS
BUTUAN CITY – Agusan del Norte governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba has prioritized the safety of children and senior citizens in the province.
PROVINCIAL NEWS
By: Nora C. Lanuza Molde
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story big books to the day care centers Citizens have already received various in the province, said governor Matba. assistance, to include burial assistance, Lakbay-Gana and the Integrated Social According to governor Matba, Development Assistance Program the Local Council for the Protection of (ISDAP) with a total cost of 2,279,520. Children (LCPC) and the Annual Search for Child Friendly Local Government Also, recognizing the contributions Units (LGU) were institutionalized as of the Senior Citizens in the province, mechanisms of eradicating violence a total of P67,160,500 were given to against women and children. 11,222 indigent beneficiaries as their Social Pension. “We take pride on the achievement of the city of Cabadbaran in getting “It was remarkably a worthy the 1st place award for ‘Child Friendly, recognition of the contributions of the City/LGU’ in year 2015,” she said. Senior Citizens in transforming Agusan Meanwhile, on the social services del Norte into what it is now,” governor of the province, some 1,533 Senior Matba said. (PIA-Agusan del Norte)
DAR AgNor distributes land titles during CARP anniversary celeb
CARAGA INFOCUS
PROVINCIAL NEWS
By: Gil E. Miranda
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BUTUAN CITY - A group of farmerbeneficiaries in the province Agusan del Norte received a total of 73 hectares of land titles during the kick-off ceremony of the annual celebration of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) held at Robinsons Place. 16 - 22 JULY 2016
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Caraga regional director Julita A. Ragandang and Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Andre B. Atega of DAR Agusan del Norte personally handedover the certificate of land ownership awards to the beneficiaries.
agrarian reform beneficiaries in the region.
Record shows that land acquisition and distibution in the province as of December 31, 2015 has an overall accomplishment of 92 percent, or a distribution of 39,832 Ragandang said that DAR has hectares out of the total scope of committed to ensure positive gains 43,216 hectares. (DAR-Agusan del in the fight against rural poverty of all Norte)
AgNor demo farm gets boost
By: Aimee B. Sienes
XIII through Sanggunian Resolution No. 125-2016, authored by Provincial Board Member Antidio B. Amora.
Said MOA stipulated the terms and conditions, as well as the responsibilities of the two agencies relative to the For its immediate implementation, provision of said farm equipment under the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of its High Value Crops Development Agusan del Norte recently authorized Program. Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba to sign the This would further boost the Memorandum of Agreement by and production of high values crops in the between the province and the DA-RFO province. (LGU-Agusan del Norte) 16 - 22 JULY 2016
CARAGA INFOCUS
These farm equipment known as a one power sprayer and a one knapsack sprayer, will be utilized by the Provincial Agriculture Office for the Demonstration Farm of the province under the High Value Crops Development Program.
PROVINCIAL NEWS
BUTUAN CITY - The provincial government of Agusan del Norte, in its thrust to further improve its farming, production and harvest, got a hand from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office XIII (DA-RFO XIII) as it provided farm equipment for the Demonstration Farm of the province.
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1,000 drug personalities in Bayugan City surrender By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
CARAGA INFOCUS
PROVINCIAL NEWS
BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur – In line with the implementation of the Project Double Barrel dubbed “Project Tokhang” of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bayugan City Police Station has recently recorded some 1,000 drug users and pushers-surrenderees of said city.
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It was learned that the city has the highest number of drug users and pushers surrenderees so far among other municipalities and cities in Caraga region.
the city personally accompanied and assisted the surrenderees who also took their oath in front of Mayor Kim Lope Asis, that they (surenderees) will no longer use illegal drugs.
According to PSupt. Reynante Sibayton, chief of Bayugan City Police Station, with the recent number of surrenderees, it is an indication of its intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
The mayor also encouraged the surrenderees to change their lifestyle for good and find another livelihood that is legal. He also expressed his support to the programs of the government that addresses the rehabilitation and livelihood of the drug users. (JPG/ Based on the said police station’s MGBO/PIA-Caraga) report, the 43 punong barangays of 16 - 22 JULY 2016
AgSur 4Ps IP-beneficiary, an active peace advocate By: Ryan M. Tapayan
BUTUAN CITY - “Peace should start from within. When you do something, do it gently and with love. This simple gesture will manifest accordingly and would eventually live a footprint to everyone’s heart. Not for your own benefit, but for your kin and everyone around.”
She was one of the resource persons tasked to discuss responsibilities of a parent leader during the latest Capability Building for Parent Leader’s Training held recently in one of the convention halls here. “Thanks to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program though the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Indigenous People (MCCT-IP) for giving us an idea through the monthly conducted Family
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Development Session (FDS) that unity through peace is achievable and can happen if all of us will work for it,” she stressed. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)
CARAGA INFOCUS
PROVINCIAL NEWS
This was the statement shared by Jocelyn B. Navarro, 44, an Indigenous People (IP) partner-beneficiary from Purok 8, Barangay Mat-e, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. Jocelyn is a peace advocate and has been serving as a frontline representative of their tribeManobo. Raised and educated in Luzon, and finished her undergraduate degree on Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Saint Anthony College of Baguio City.
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Agusan Sur solon grants P10M to STEP By: Jemuel Bryan G. Libarios
BUTUAN CITY – “Some P10 million worth of scholarship slots will be allocated to the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) in Agusan del Sur.”
CARAGA INFOCUS
PROVINCIAL NEWS
Photo from Jerry Salino
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This was the statement of TESDACaraga’s former regional director Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. during the provincial launching of the STEP held recently at the Kim Lope Asis Memorial Gymnasium in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.
are studying in 14 different educational institutions this year offering 16 courses with free training. The scholars will also be receiving allowance and tool kits.
According to Sunico, the program aims to enlighten the minds of TESDA scholars/trainees that they may strive Sunico, who is now the regional and will be able to reach their dreams in director of TESDA Central Visayas, life through the help of services offered said the STEP program is the single by TESDA. biggest training program in Caraga region for which the grant was made In attendance during the said the possible through the support of Cong. event are officials and personnel from Valentina G. Plaza of the first district of five Local Government Units (LGUs) the province. of Agusan del Sur namely: Bayugan City, Sibagat, San Luis, Talacogon He explained the grant is for the and Esperanza. (TESDA-Caraga/PIAassistance of the 685 Agusanons who Caraga) 16 - 22 JULY 2016
It was learned that the municipality of Mainit has the highest number of surrendered drug users and drug peddlers, so far in the province.
other stakeholders. On her part, Mayor Crisanta Mondano encouraged all those who took their pledge for change to take the chance and opportunity to start a According to DILG Mainit new life with their family. Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Welivie C. Diola, “To the youth, we only have the mass surrender of drug users and one life, a precious gift given to us, so pushers is a joint effort of the local please don’t waste your life on drugs, government unit of Mainit, Department go back to school and build your of the Interior and Local Government future,” Mondano said. (SDR/PIA(DILG), Philippine National Police and Surigao del Norte) 16 - 22 JULY 2016
CARAGA INFOCUS
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, – More than 500 selfconfessed drug peddlers and drug users voluntarily surrendered during the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) meeting held recently at Kasili Convention Hall in Mainit town.
PROVINCIAL NEWS
Over 500 drug peddlers, users surrender in Mainit By: Susil D. Ragas
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PPA-Surigao ‘negative’ in drug test, first GOCC to submit to dope check
CARAGA INFOCUS
PROVINCIAL NEWS
By: Eugenio “Jun” Lira, Jr.
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SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - The employees of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), this city, posted a negative result during a surprise drug test conducted by the PNP Crime Laboratory, said P/Supt Norman Jovita on Saturday. He said the drug-testing activity Port of Surigao where 25 permanent was conducted on July 14, 2016 at the employees voluntarily submitted port agency’s main office inside the themselves for the checkup.
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He said that aside from the three guards who tested positive, another three guards voluntarily confessed of being “shabu users” also.
“We made the surprise drug tests for PPA-Surigao employees upon the recommendation of PP/Supt Froilan Caturla and everyone in the Senior Staff composed of division managers welcomed it. We’re happy to know the result that all of us were found negative,” Padilla said.
During an interview conducted on July 8, 2016, Caturla said they requested the PNP Crime Laboratory “to ensure that we have credible drug test results. It is because our PPA-hired guards are in the forefront who are in direct contact with the riding public and port clientele who use our ports, hence, the need for them to undergo drug tests considering that usage of prohibited drugs would likely result to mental health problems which may cause anti-social personality disorder that can affect their decision-making and/or public relations.”
PP/Supt Caturla revealed he made the recommendation for the immediate drug tests of PPA officials and employees after three security guards detailed in the port tested positive for the use of illegal substance known as “shabu” during a series of surprise drug tests conducted by the PNP Crime Laboratory on PPA-hired security guards during the period July 5 – 12, 2016.
PPA-Surigao’s jurisdiction comprise the Ports of Surigao and Lipata in Surigao City; Port of San Jose in Dinagat Province; Ports of Dapa, Del Carmen and Santa Monica in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte; Ports of Cantilan, Tandag, Aras-asan, Lianga, Lawigan and Tabon in Surigao del Sur. About 106 guards are deployed in the said ports, it was learned. (PPASurigao/PIA-Caraga)
Port Manager Mildred Padilla disclosed the drug testing activity was in compliance with the new administration’s directive for the mandatory drug testing of all government employees.
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
“Those guards are not employees of PPA. They were supplied to our office by the security services contractor based on the security contract entered by and/or between PPA-Surigao and the said contractor. They were replaced already,” Caturla stressed.
CARAGA INFOCUS
“PPA employees were receptive during the drug tests led by Port Manager Mildred Padilla and PP/ Supt. Froilan Caturla of the Port Police Division. Per records we have, for the entire Surigao del Norte, PPA-Surigao was the first agency belonging to the category of government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to undergo the said examination. Probably, they are also the first GOCC to do so in Caraga Region,” P/Supt Jovita said.
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CARAGA INFOCUS
PROVINCIAL NEWS
Surigao Norte women micro entrepreneurs join entrep and customer service seminar
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SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - A total of 27 women entrepreneurs in the city joined the Entrepreneurship cum Customer Relationship Management Seminar (SMERA) on July 1, 2016 held at the Training Room of City Negosyo Center, DTI Surigao del Norte provincial office here. DTI Surigao del Norte provincial director Celestino L. Negapatan said that the one-day activity aims to capacitate the women participants with the basic knowledge in entrepreneurship as well as radically upgrade their current customer standards. He explained that SMERA is a continuous learning program that equips micro, small and medium enterprise with knowledge, skills and capabilities
to become more competitive in the domestic and global markets. “This activity forms part of our continued support for existing and aspiring entrepreneurs and our efforts in addressing the call of the government for inclusive growth and poverty reduction by providing opportunities for learning to various sectors like women, youth, farmers, indigenous people,� Celestino said. (SDR, PIA-Surigao del Norte) 16 - 22 JULY 2016
DAR spearheads landowners forum and investment counseling in SurSur By: Nida Grace P. Barcena
from the line agencies like Provincial Assessor’s Office, Provincial Treasurer’s Office and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) – Land Valuation Office gave some inputs that enlightened the landowners in terms of tax clearances and fees including the mode of valuation on their properties applied The said activity serves as the for VOS. venue for the landowners in discussing issues with DAR and line agency officials It was also learned that the on matters relating to the processing of representative from Department of their covered landholdings. Trade and Industry (DTI) gave an orientation and encouragement on Yu said that the representatives how to invest and engage in business 16 - 22 JULY 2016
CARAGA INFOCUS
According to DAR Information Officer Myra Yu, the participants in the said forum were all landowners whose landholdings were covered under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program through Voluntary Offer to Sell (VOS).
PROVINCIAL NEWS
LIANGA, Surigao del Sur - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office of Surigao del Sur recently conducted the Landowner’s Forum and Investment Counseling held at Brgy. Kansilad in this town.
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related to agricultural production thus agency of CARP as mandated under maximizing their retention areas. Republic Act (R.A.) 6657 and amended by R.A. 9700 to cover and distribute Meanwhile, Provincial Agrarian private agricultural lands. The office is Reform Program Officer II Benjamin M. just following what is stipulated in the Mataksil made clarifications with the laws, he added. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del landowners that DAR is an implementing Sur)
Rebels torch container van’s gen set in San Agustin town By: Nida Grace P. Barcena
CARAGA INFOCUS
PROVINCIAL NEWS
SAN AGUSTIN, Surigao del Sur – Around 15 fully armed men reportedly flagged down and burned the generator set of a container van owned by Rosendo Casino while traversing the national highway in Barangay Salvacion here on Wednesday, July 13.
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Initial report from the Police Provincial Police (PPO) revealed that the said container van was loaded with bananas from the DOLE warehouse in Tabon-tabon, Tago town heading for Davao City. While traversing the said place, the said container van was flagged down by the fully armed men who introduced themselves as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
national highway. Few minutes after, the suspects reportedly fled to the mountainous area of Purok 6, Barangay Salvacion, while the San Agustin Fire Station personnel arrived and declared fire out around 1:00 p.m. on the same day.
The Police Provincial Saftey Company based in Tagmalinao, Cagwait and the Philippine Army immediately conducted hot pursuit The rebels accordingly instructed operations to run after the lawless the driver to separate the tractor head armed group. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del and park along the center of the Sur) 16 - 22 JULY 2016
Photo Gallery
NDPR Week Celebration: Training-Workshop
“Managing the Behavior of Children with Learning Ability” July 21, 2016 @ Prince Hotel, Butuan City
Department of Trade & Industry - Agusan del Norte Disposal/Destruction of Forfeited Non-conforming Products
CARAGA INFOCUS
PROVINCIAL NEWS
20 July 2016
16 - 22 JULY 2016
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MINDANAO NEWS 25th MinBizCon to expand business opportunities By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY – The 25th Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) set on August 24-26, 2016 is expected to expand business opportunities with this year’s theme “Mindanao: ASEAN’s Emerging Economic Hub.”
CARAGA INFOCUS
MINDANAO NEWS
Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president and conference director Concepcion Paqueo highlighted that Mindanaoans are celebrating the silver anniversary of MinBizCon in the country’s mining capital – Surigao del Norte in Caraga region. The three-day conference will be held at the Philippine Gateway Hotel in Surigao City.
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“This year’s theme underscores the conference’s objective to tackle business issues and policies that undermines development, identify solutions to address these bottlenecks and pass appropriate rsolutions aimed to position Mindanao as the next growth area in the ASEAN. This Mindanao Policy and Program Agenda will then be endorsed to His Excellency Rodrigo Duterte as input to the sixyear Mindanao Development Plan,” Paqueo reiterated.
investors, business leaders, policymakers, dignitaries and Cabinet Secretaries of the new administration, micro/small/medium enterprises, Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Mindanao, industry players, mining companies, contractors, and heavy equipment companies and other allied services, and business professionals and students are attending the said conference.
Among the guest speakers invited for the said event are National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director-general Ernesto Pernia; Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairperson and secretary Luwalhati Antonino; Dr. Felipe Medalla from the monetary board of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary Emmanuel Pinol; Department of Finance secretary Carlos Dominguez; and World Bank It was also learned that around senior economist Dr. Karl Kendrick 800 -1,000 delegates which comprise Chua. (PIA-Caraga) 16 - 22 JULY 2016
NATIONAL NEWS Dureza: Peace roadmap to pave the way for federalism
“This will cover our engagements with the Bangsamoro and the CPP-NPANDF, and then, of course, our effort to do closure to the agreements with the other rebel groups like the Cordillera
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People’s Liberation Army and the RBB,” Sec. Dureza said. Under the Duterte administration, the peace process with communist and Muslim rebels will not only be inclusive and committed to all signed peace agreements, but will also be consistent with planned reforms. “We are now in the process of implementing the peace agreements that have been signed, first, in 1996 with the Moro National Liberation
CARAGA INFOCUS
Work on a proposed Bangsamoro enabling law will be done simultaneously with the effort to install a federal system of government, Dureza said, adding that the mechanism is aimed at setting up a federal state of the Bangsamoro and will proceed towards a nationwide federal setup.
NATIONAL NEWS
MANILA - In a meeting in Malacañan on Monday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte approved the new “Roadmap to Peace” that will address issues with various rebel groups, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza announced during a press briefing on Tuesday.
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Front of Nur Misuari; then, we have the recent CAB or the Comprehensive Agreement for the Bangsamoro with the MILF; and, of course, we have also to deal with the governance unit called the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao covered by Republic Act 9054. Perhaps we can put also in the same level the concerns of the IPs or the Lumads as covered by the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act,” Dureza said.
branch would be a very important component of our work for peace because the executive department, which I represent, would merely sign an agreement. But we know very well that implementation of an enabling law will have to come through Congress and that Congress should approve it,” Dureza explained. The Peace Roadmap is going to pick up the pieces that were left off from the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), which was tasked to come up with a draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). The BTC will be recomposed under the Roadmap as approved by President Duterte.
CARAGA INFOCUS
NATIONAL NEWS
In the same Malacañan meeting, PRRD also approved the resumption of peace talks with the CPP-NDF-NPA. The panel headed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III led in the oath taking of the new panel members. The formal talks with the communist rebels have been set on August 20 to 27 this year. The all-Moro BTC will be mandated to do two things: to draft a more Also present in the said meeting inclusive proposed enabling law that were the two presumptive leaders of will be filed with Congress in lieu of the Congress: Senator Aquilino Pimentel III BBL; and to propose amendments to and Representative Pantaleon Alvarez. the Constitution as originally stated in “We thought that the legislative the mandate of the BTC. (PND)
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Senate Bill pushes for 150 Days Maternity Leave
QUEZON CITY With the hope to par the country’s maternity law with the international standards, ‘Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2016’ was filed at the Senate.
(Photo courtesy of the United Nations Population Fund)
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Senate Bill No. 205 or otherwise known as the ‘Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2016’ seeks to advance a longer maternity leave and expanse the benefits of maternal workers. According to Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros, the filer of the said bill, the proposed bill aims to be ‘responsive to the everyday realities of working women.’ It hopes to provide maternal workers in the public and private workers, married or not, 120 days of maternity leave, and an additional 30
days for single mothers. Currently, the Philippines maternity leave law states that women workers may take a maternity leave of 60 days pay, 78 days pay for women who undergo caesarian deliveries. Whereas, the International Labor Organization (ILO) mandates a standard minimum set of 98 days for maternity leave. “The government must carry a new and progressive perspective on how it responds to women workers’ pre and postnatal health care needs,” said Hontiveros in her statement. (PIA/SarahGalvez)
COMELEC calls on public: Avoid long queues, register early
The figures include registrants for the SK Elections aged 15-30 years old and Barangay Elections aged 18 and above. “Our message to the public: Register early to avoid long lines at registration centers at the final days of the registration period,” said Jimenez. He stressed that COMELEC offices are open even on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays to accommodate the broadest number of registrants.
According to a report submitted by COMELEC NCR Director Atty. Jubil Surmieda, on July 15, 2016, the first day of voter registration, the turn-out in the whole Metro Manila was 10,047. On the second day, 9,808 registered. The registration period for the The third day, which was a Sunday, Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan the registration turnout was 13,648. (SK) Elections will end on July 30, 2016. 16 - 22 JULY 2016
CARAGA INFOCUS
This after the COMELEC National Capital Region marked a significantly low turnout of registrants in the National Capital Region (NCR) in the first three days of voter registration in connection with the October 31, 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections.
NATIONAL NEWS
MANILA, - The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) urged the public to register now so as to avoid long queues at COMELEC local offices during the last few days of the registration period.
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Photo Gallery Regional Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council (RDRRMC) Caraga Region 2016 National Disaster Consciousness Month Disaster Risk Reduction Management-Climate Change Adaptation DepEd Regional Office 21 July 2016
Essay Writing Contest
CARAGA INFOCUS
NATIONAL NEWS
Quiz Bee
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