CONTENTS Caraga Infocus
18 - 24 July 2020
8 10 11
Volume IV, No. 30
REGIONAL NEWS RTF-ELCAC holds stakeholders forum, reviews PPAs in villages under retooled CSP Caraga cops arrested drug personalities in buy-bust ops DILG allows back-riding on motorcycles, conditions set
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RTF-ELCAC holds stakeholders forum, reviews PPAs in villages under retooled CSP
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Caraga cops arrested drug personalities in buy-bust ops
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DA Caraga turns over 50 cattle to Agusan del Norte provincial stack farm
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AgSur youth leaders share face masks, relief packs to villagers
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Gov’t mitigates Covid-19 impact on most vulnerable sectors
47 PCOO, PIA, DICT launch unified website for COVID-19 info
14 15 17 18 20 21 22 23 25 26 28 32 33 36 38 40 42 44 47 49 50 51
PROVINCIAL NEWS New TESDA chief in Agusan del Norte assumes post DA Caraga turns over 50 cattle to Agusan del Norte provincial stack farm Pagpalambo sa organikong agrikultura sa Carmen ipatuman Organic agri training sa mga kanhing rebelde gipahigayon sa PAO AgSur farmers thankful after receiving aid from DA’s RRP AgSur youth leaders share face masks, relief packs to villagers Cops slam another ruthless killing of NPA in Surigao City Tourist guide in Siargao Island nabbed for peddling cocaine P133-M farm-to-market roads to start in Surigao Norte Surigao Norte guv bares provincial response to pandemic NPA using front groups to spread lies vs. Army: IP leaders
MINDANAO NEWS
‘Mindanao Vegetable Derby’ in Bukidnon set in August MinDA to put up storage complex for Mindanao corn farmers
NATIONAL NEWS PCOO pushes for inclusion of FOI bill in priority legislation Duterte okays limited face-to-face classes in low-risk areas Palace sticks to DSWD’s word to finish SAP 2 release this month Gov’t mitigates Covid-19 impact on most vulnerable sectors DA releases P2.6-B loans under SURE aid program
COVID-19 NEWS PCOO, PIA, DICT launch unified website for COVID-19 info Covid-19 not comparable to other diseases: health expert Locally-made Covid-19 test kit okay for commercial use: DOH US donates P14.8-M PPE to PGH, medical facilities
DOH Caraga announces new COVID-19 positive cases
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he Department of Health (DOH) Caraga announced on Tuesday, 121 RT-PCR (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) results received from Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), and Northern Mindanao TB Reference Center (NMTBR) sub-national laboratories. Of the said RT-PCR results received, 91 tested negative while 30 turned positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus.
based Test or with relevant travel and exposure to COVID-19 areas. These are cases from different quarantine facilities and hospitals in the region.
The negative RT-PCR results are As mentioned above, 30 samples from the suspect cases, probable cases and high-risk individuals who either have are new RT-PCR confirmed positive turned positive in the Rapid Antibody- results for COVID-19.
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Of the 30 new cases, 60% (18) are Locally Stranded Individuals, 26.67% (8) are Returning Overseas Filipinos, 10% (3) are residents of an area declared with local transmission and 3.33% (1) with a history of travel to Cagayan de Oro. As to sex distribution, 56.67% are males while 43.33% are females. For age group, 36.67% belong to ages 20-30 years old. Cases are distributed in the following areas: Butuan City (11), Carmen, Agusan del Norte (4), Bayugan City (1), municipalities of Agusan del Sur- Bunawan (1) and San Francisco (1); Surigao City (2), municipalities of Surigao del Norte Alegria (1), Bacuag (3), Pilar (1), Placer (1), Sison (1) and San Isidro (1); Bislig City (1), Lingig, Surigao del Sur (1).
months or below 5 years old from this dreadful and debilitating immunizable disease. The campaign will end on August 2, 2020, with the hope that we will achieve the 95% national target. As of July 20, 2020, the partial vaccination coverage of the region is 27.14%. We can only get the target if we work together.
“We strongly remind the public to practice the minimum health standards. Let us BIDA Solusyon to COVID-19: B-bawal walang mask, I-isanitize ang kamay, D-distansya ng isang metro and A-alamin ang totoong impormasyon,” Health workers will observe the DOH Caraga Regional Director Jose R. proper health protocols to ensure Llacuna, Jr. said. safety of the vaccination team and the community by wearing Personal Twenty-four of the new cases Protective Equipment (PPEs) like face are asymptomatic while six cases masks and face shields, gloves and have exhibited signs and symptoms. regularly wash or sanitize their hands Moreover, all cases are placed, as they conduct the house to house admitted and isolated at designated strategy. Remember, there was quarantine and treatment facilities already a polio outbreak before the region-wide for monitoring and COVID-19 pandemic,” the health chief management. concluded. “At the same time, we have already resumed our Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio campaign. Let us protect our children especially those aged 0-59
To date, Caraga region now has a total of 245 COVID-19 confirmed positive cases. (DOH Caraga/PIA Caraga) July 18-24, 2020 |
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News Briefs For 2019, DILG Caraga was able to implement the Retooled Community Support Program in various stages of implementation to 79 barangays out of 80 for FY 2019 CTG affected barangays in the region. xx
In intensifying the fight against the pandemic, the members of the Caraga Regional Task Force for COVID-19 One Caraga Shield convened today, July 22, via a teleconference to discuss updates, address issues and concerns, and tackle the specific agenda that needs appropriate action. Chairperson and Agusan del Norte Gov. Dale Corvera presided the meeting. He thanked the participants, as their regular attendance is a true manifestation of support to the efforts in cushioning the impact of the COVID-19.
The RTF for COVID-19 One Caraga Shield concurred for the declaration of four (4) barangays in Butuan City, namely Baan Km. 3, Bayanihan, Buhangin, and Libertad under a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), effective today, July 22 to August 5, 2020.
RTR, Agusan del Norte Municipal Mayor Richard P. Daquipil has approved Executive Order No. 33, s, 2020 , allowing the motorcycle pillion riding or back riding within the territorial jurisdiction of the Mun. of Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte.
REGIONAL NEWS
RTF-ELCAC holds stakeholders forum, reviews PPAs in villages under retooled CSP
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
The members of the Regional Task Force To End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in Caraga region continue to address the pressing issue on insurgency and intensify campaign against the terrorist Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPPNPA). This effort continues even amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, where the government ensures the safety and protection of its people.
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A stakeholders forum was initiated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga with the aim to visit and review the assistance extended by the local government
units, as well as the priority projects, programs and activities which are lined up for implementation in the barangays under the retooled community support program that need immediate action and response.
under the Community Support Program (CSP).
Meanwhile, concerned government agencies also took part in the workshop and shared their proposed programs, projects, and In the said forum, DILG-Caraga activities that could be implemented regional director Lilibeth Famacion in the conflict-affected barangays of urged all the members of the task Caraga region. force to strengthen its strategies and mechanism in solving the problem on These include the Department insurgency in order to fully attain lasting of Public Works and Highways peace and development in the region (DPWH), Department of Agriculture despite the ongoing threat posed by (DA), Technical Education and Skills the COVID-19 pandemic. Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Social Welfare and Major Francisco Garello, Jr., the Development (DSWD), Bureau of civil-military operations officer of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), 402 Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army Philippine Army and other members of also presented the different projects the task force. (JPG/PIA-Caraga) July 18-24, 2020 |
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Caraga cops arrested drug personalities in buy-bust ops By PMaj. Renel E. Serrano
Butuan City police operatives arrested two illegal drugs personalities during a series of police operation on July 12, 2020. Hamza Cayan, 20 years old, was under arrest through a buy-bust operation in Purok 3, Barangay Baan, Butuan City around 11:45 in the morning. Drug Enforcement Unit of Butuan City Police Stations 1 and 2, together with Butuan City Intelligence Branch and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga, confiscated two pieces of heat-sealed sachet containing shabu
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weighing 0.5 grams with Dangerous Drugs Board value of P5,900. Also, at around 8:39 in the evening on the same day, the Drug Enforcement Unit operatives of Butuan City Police Office, Butuan City Police Station 3, Butuan City Mobile Force Company with PDEA Caraga arrested Joemari Cupay Lara, 22 years old, in Purok 2,
Barangay Libertad, Butuan City through a buy-bust operation. Confiscated from Lara’s possession and control are four pieces of heat-sealed sachets of shabu weighing four grams with Dangerous Drug Board value of P27,200. Brigadier General Joselito Esquivel, Jr., regional director of Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga, said that arrested persons were charged
for violation of R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and now detained at the police custodial facilities in Butuan City. BGen Esquivel, Jr. stressed that PNP Caraga’s campaign against illegal drugs will be relentlessly pursued in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to eradicate all forms of illegal drugs. (PIO, PRO13/PIA Caraga)
DILG allows back-riding on motorcycles, conditions set By Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued on July 15, 2020, the advisory entitled “Back-Riding on Motorcycles” informing local government units (LGUs) that back-riding on motorcycles shall be allowed anew but subject to certain conditions. As specified to be strictly followed, the motorcycle back-riding shall be allowed for couples living in the same household. Valid identification (ID) card shall be presented as proof that said persons are living together or are married to one another or have any relation to one another, such as common law marriage, boyfriend and girlfriend.
implementation such as putting a safety barrier/shield with a design duly approved by the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for COVID-19 and must be placed between the driver and the passenger.
The persons riding on motorcycles shall observe the minimum public health standards set forth by the Department The LGUs are also tasked to of Health (DOH), such as the wearing of monitor in order to ensure its proper face masks. July 18-24, 2020 |
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The riders shall also observe all road safety measures during their ride to include the donning of appropriate motorcycle safety headwear or crash helmets. Coordination of the LGUs and the local Philippine National Police (PNP) offices is encouraged. This is in consonance to PNP memorandum dated July 9, 2020 entitled “Motorcycle
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Pillion Riding or Back-Riding” which was issued pursuant to the pronouncement of Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) Eduardo M. Año and the supporting statement of Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque on July 9, 2020. It includes the prototype submitted by governor Arthur Yap of Bohol province. (LGOO VI, DILG-13/ VLG/PIA-Caraga)
PROVINCIAL NEWS
New TESDA chief in Agusan del Norte assumes post By Robert E. Roperos
The new provincial director of TESDA-Agusan del Norte Provincial Office has assumed his position recently. As per TESDA Order 242 series of 2020 issued by Sec. Isidro S. LapeĂąa, Dir. Rey Cueva, Provincial Director of TESDA-Surigao del Sur Provincial Office is reassigned to Agusan del Norte Provincial Office while Acting Provincial Director Liza B. Budtan is reassigned back to her position in the Caraga Regional Office as Chief of the Regional Operations Division. In his message during the turn-over ceremony held recently at the Regional Office, TESDA-Caraga Regional Director Ashary A. Banto expressed his sincerest thanks and gratitude to the services rendered by Acting PD Budtan for eight months. He likewise welcomed Dir. Cueva to his new assignment in Agusan del Norte Provincial Office. It can be recalled that Dir. Cueva was assigned as OIC Regional Director of TESDA-Caraga Regional Office in 2016 while on concurrent capacity as Provincial Director of the Surigao del Sur Provincial Office.
assigned at the Office of the Deputy Director-General for Communities and Local Government Unit Services (ODDGCLGUS) is also reassigned as the new Provincial Director of TESDA-Surigao del Sur Provincial Office replacing Dir. Cueva.
In a related development, TESDADinagat Islands Provincial Director Engr. Florante L. Herrera was reassigned to the ODDG-CLGUS while Dir. Talib Meanwhile, as part of the R. Bayabao from ODDG-CLGUs is reassignment of TESDA-Caraga officials, replacing Dir. Herrera. (TESDA Agusan Dir. Julius Sol O. Jamero who was del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
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DA Caraga turns over 50 cattle to Agusan del Norte provincial stack farm By Kent Warren Fuguso
To create a breeding source of livestock animals in the province of Agusan del Norte, the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Caraga through its Livestock Program turns over 50 heads of cattle to the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) held at the Capitol Grounds, recently. DA Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo led the turnover ceremony and graced by Board Member Committee Chair on Agriculture Virgilio Escasiñas Jr., Jabonga Municipal Mayor Napoleon Montero, Provincial Agriculturist Alvin Aclan, and Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Belen Aruelo.
“We, in the Department of Agriculture – Caraga is here to perform our mandate which is to help and elevate the agriculture sector in the region. Especially in this pandemic, the need to produce more including livestock and poultry is vital in ensuring food sufficiency. Our efforts have doubled today to address the needs of our LGU’s and provinces with regard July 18-24, 2020 |
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in the province, which will benefit multiple livelihoods in the livestock sector especially the farmers. “Through the proposed regional stock farm, it will really help our farmers that were greatly affected by many adversities, to livestock,” Monteagudo said. especially now. If we provide livestock The limited stocks of livestock sources, this can help them,” he and its by-products pushed the added. province of Agusan del Norte through Twenty of these cattle will be the Agusan Up and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Agriculture Committee managed by the PVO through their to request support from DA-Caraga on provincial stock farm, 15 to the chosen the emerging issues in the province’s multiplier farm in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, and the other 15 to another livestock sector. multiplier farm in Jabonga, Agusan “As the Committee Chair on del Norte. The cattle given are heifers Agriculture, I can really see that we or female cattle that have not had are lacking in livestock products. I any offspring. With an age range of spoke with our Provincial Agriculturist; 18-24 months, weighing 180 kilograms we really need a large supply because (kg.) each. this will contribute to the economy of Provincial Agriculturist Alvin our province. Through this, we can produce dairy products, meat, and Aclan also stressed that the 50 cattle help the dispersal for our farmer’s are the initial distribution of DACaraga to the Province of Agusan livelihood,” said Escasinas Jr. del Norte specifically to the recipients The initial 50 cattle released by from LGUs of Jabonga and Las Nieves DA-Caraga, according to Escasinas, since they already have the facility will be a stepping stone for the province and full plans and programs on of Agusan del Norte for their proposal running the production. (DA-13 RAFIS/ of creating the Regional Stock Farm PIA Agusan del Norte)
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Pagpalambo sa organikong agrikultura sa Carmen ipatuman By Ramil L. Pasco
Ipatuman na sa lungsod sa Carmen, Agusan del Norte ang Municipal Ordinance No. 21-2020 nga nag-organisar, nagpasiugda, ug pagpalambo sa organikong agrikultura sa maong lungsod human kini gi-
aprobahan ug gideklarang balido sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan sa Agusan del Norte bag-ohay pa lamang. Ang maong lakang nga gipangamahanan ni Vice Mayor Ramon M. Calo, tumong niini nga mapauswag ug mapalambo ang malahutayong paggamit sa agricultural biodiversity sa sektor sa agrikultura sa lokal nga panggamhanan aron hatagan og gahum ang mga mag-uuma sa agrikultura sa maong munisipyo, lakip na ang value chain farmers alang sa organic agricultural products.
Nauyonan kini sa SP tungod kay ang maong ordinansa nahisubay sa R.A. 10068, �An act providing for the development and promotion of organic agriculture in the Philippines and for other purposes�. Subay usab kini sa Section 16 sa Local Government Code of 1991, nga nagtugot sa Sanguniang Bayan ingon July 18-24, 2020 |
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man nga mag babalaod sa munisipyo aron maghimo og mga lakang alang sa kinatibuk-ang kaayohan sa munisipyo ug ang mga nalangkob niini ug alang sa usa ka epektibo nga lokal nga gobyerno.
implementation of organic farming in the provinces of Agusan del Norte�.
Ang maong lakang gipalabang ug naaprobahan pinaagi sa Sangunian Resolution No. 290-2020 sa pagpanguna ni Board Member Virgilio R. EscaseĂąas, Alayon usab kini sa Provincial Jr., tsirman sa Committee on Agriculture Ordinance No. 292-2012, “An ordinance and Agrarian Reform. (LGU Agusan del institutionalizing the promotion and Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Organic agri training sa mga kanhing rebelde gipahigayon sa PAO
Kapin 29 nga kanhi mga rebelde ang mitambong sa gipahigayon nga Organic Agriculture Training kaniadtong Hulyo 8-10 didto sa 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB), Philippine Army sa Barangay Del Pilar, syudad sa Cabadbaran.
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Kini gipangunahan sa lokal nga panggamhanan sa Agusan del Norte pinaagi sa Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) ug 29IB. Ang nasangpit nga mga kanhi rebelde naggikan sa lungsod sa Kitcharao, Tubay, Jabonga, Santiago ug Cabadbaran nga mibalik sa sabakan sa gobyerno ug mitambong sa gipahigayon nga pagbansay.
paggamit sa natural nga pamaagi sa pagpanguma. Gitudlo ang pagprepare sa mga nagkalain-lain nga organic fertilizer nga naggikan sa mga produkto sa agrikultura sama sa Indigenous Microorganism (IMO), Fish Amino Acid (FAA) o Kuhol Amino Acid (KAA), Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ), Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ), Oriental Herbal Nutrients (OHN) ug actual nga paghimo sa Vermi Tea.
Tumong niini nga mahatagan sila og dugang kaalam sa pag-cultivar ug paggamit sa organikong pamaagi sa pagpananom.
Pinaagi sa hugot nga supporta sa mga opisyal sa probinsya ug sa 29IB nga sila 2nd Lieutenant Roselyn M. Matulac ug CMO Capt. Miguel O. Borromeo ang maong aktibidad Ang maong aktibidad subay nahimong magmalampuson. kini sa Republic Act 10068 o “An Act Providing for the Development and Nahimong resource speakers Promotion of Organic Agriculture in sila Provincial Organic Agriculture the Philippines and for other Purposes.� Focal Person Julius Cesar A. Lomarda ug Oscar S. Tuyor, kanhi Supervising Gidasig usab ang mga Agriculturist ug uban pang mga partisipante nga mibalik sa sabakan opisyales sa PAO. (LGU Agusan del sa panggamhanan diha sa Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte) July 18-24, 2020 |
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AgSur farmers thankful after receiving aid from DA’s RRP By Jennifer P. Gaitano
The Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga, in partnership with the local government units in the province of Agusan del Sur has started the delivery and distribution of the subsidized inbred certified seeds in the region. This intervention is part of the agency’s “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Kontra COVID-19,” or the Plant, Plant, Plant Program under the Rice Resiliency Project (RRP). Of the total P8.5-billion national funds for the RRP, P207 million was allocated for Caraga region. Around 60,000 local rice farmers in the region will benefit from this intervention provided by the government. Three subprojects under RRP are also implemented which include the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, the Expanded Inbred Rice Production, and the Expanded Hybrid Rice Production. Zenaida Quimno from Barangay Poblacion in the municipality of Rosario, Agusan del Sur was one of the farmer-beneficiaries who actively make use of the inbred
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certified seeds and fertilizers from DA. “DA has greatly helped us make our work easier and we are able to produce more and earn more,” cited Quimno. The said project targets to increase local rice production through the use of high-quality seeds and sufficient fertilization based on recommendations. Aside from the free rice seeds, farmers are also given two bags of fertilizers. To avail of free inputs, farmers must be listed in the Registry System For Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). The government continues to provide such assistance to the farmer sector to help them cope with their daily needs especially during this time of the pandemic. (JPG/PIACaraga)
AgSur youth leaders share face masks, relief packs to villagers By Jennifer P. Gaitano
While the local government unit of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur provides the needed services, programs and assistance to the affected local residents during this time of the pandemic, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Municipal Federation also conducts activities to support the government in helping fellow Agusanons. “The SK Federation here in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur promotes the importance of backyard gardening and even farming. This would not only help them provide their daily consumption but also helping others who have less to consume during this
pandemic,� says John Carlo Perez, SK municipal federation president of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. Apart from that, the SK Federation also realigns their funds in order to provide relief assistance to the locals July 18-24, 2020 |
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of the 47 barangays especially those up until now, there are still those who in the far-flung areas. do not know how to use the computer and other technologies,” shares Perez. Perez cites that they opt to Perez also calls on the youths to actively reach out to the youths and teach contribute to the development of them how to use the computer and the region even during this time of other gadgets which are useful in pandemic. “Let us all unite, instead communication. of adding to the problems faced by our government. Follow the laws, “We want to push through our protocols and help prevent the spread plan to conduct activities that would of the virus. We need each other for us intensify computer literacy among to survive these trying times,” he says. the youths and young adults because (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Cops slam another ruthless killing of NPA in Surigao City By PMaj. Renel E. Serrano
Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 strongly condemned the acts of the New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists who murdered another two innocent civilians in Sitio Tabasngan, Mat-i, this city, on July 11, 2020.
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Brigadier General Joselito Esquivel, Jr., regional director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga, identified the victims as Jandi Limbona, 23 years old, a farmer, and Noel Estampa, 49 years old, a barangay Tanod. They are both residents of the said place.
bodies which claimed their lives while their companions managed to fled straight away after they were ordered by the assailants to leave. “We will be working with our force multipliers and the intelligence community to help us track down these godless individuals. The full force of the law shall give justice to the victims and their family,” BGen. Esquivel said.
Investigation revealed that the victims, along with their five companions, were at the mountainous area to cut lumber when the fully armed NPA members appeared and The government’s security forces shot them at around 10:00 a.m. launched a joint operation to capture The victims sustained gunshot those responsible for the killing. (PIO, wounds in the different parts of their PRO13/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Tourist guide in Siargao Island nabbed for peddling cocaine By PMaj. Renel E. Serrano
The Caraga cops arrested a tourist guide and seized P10,000 worth of cocaine following a buy-bust operation in Siargao Island on July 14, 2020. Police Brigadier General Joselito Esquivel Jr., regional director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga, identified the drug suspect as Karl Remlie Lozada Subayno also known as “Remlie,” 32 years old, a tourist guide, and a resident of
Barangay 3 Poblacion, General Luna, Surigao del Norte. The buy-bust operation was conducted around 12:03 a.m. in Brgy. 3 Poblacion after the personnel of General Luna Municipal Police Station July 18-24, 2020 |
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received a report that a certain tourist A case for violation of Section guide is involved in drug peddling in 5 and Article II of the R.A. 9165 the area. also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 was Investigation disclosed that being prepared for filing in court Remlie is a newly identified illegal against the arrested drug suspect. drug personality and considered as a street-level individual (SLI). BGen. Esquivel urged the active support and cooperation of other The operating personnel confiscated one sachet of suspected law enforcement agencies, local cocaine weighing one gram with a government units, and the members market value of P10,000; one genuine of the community in the PNP’s fight one thousand peso bill as marked against criminality and illegal activities money and ten boodle money; one even during at this time of the Huawei black cellphone; one lighter; pandemic due to coronavirus disease and a cash amounting to P4,845 in 2019 (COVID-19). (PIO, PRO13/PAdifferent denominations. Surigao del Norte)
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P133-M farm-tomarket roads to start in Surigao Norte
By Alexander Lopez
The Department of Public Works and Highways in Caraga Region (DPWH-13) said the agency, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture in the area (DA-13), is set to begin the construction of farmto-market roads (FMRs) worth PHP133 million in the province of Surigao del Norte.
In a statement Monday (July 20), DPWH-13 said the 10 FMRs will be implemented by the DPWH Surigao del Norte 2nd Engineering District Office in the third quarter of the year, as announced by DPWH Secretary Mark Villar recently.
to be more prosperous while inclusive growth will be realized in the localities and will mirror the national economy.
DPWH-13 Director Pol Delos Santos said the FMRs will further boost agricultural production in the province and reduce the handling cost and Villar was quoted in the ease the transport of farm products to statement as saying: “We are realizing market centers in the area. the promise of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to the Filipino people that he The FMRs will be constructed in will strongly support the development the towns of Claver, Gigaquit, Alegria, of agriculture as the main economic Bacuag, and Malimono, Delos driver of the country and uplift the Santos said, adding that a series of condition of the farmers.� consultations have been conducted to inform the residents and landowners With the improved infrastructure, to iron out road-right-of-way issues. Villar said farmers will be empowered (PNA) July 18-24, 2020 |
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Surigao Norte guv bares provincial response to pandemic By Alexander Lopez
Surigao del Norte Gov. Francisco Matugas said the provincial government has fulfilled its mandate in protecting the health of residents amid the threats of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). “As the Pandemic has brought adverse impacts in practically all aspects of our lives, we made sure that our HEALS Programs are responsive to the present needs, integrating every program in our Covid-19 related measures,� Matugas said during his
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State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Monday (July 20) at the Provincial Capitol in Surigao City. HEALS stands for Health, Education and Environment, AgriAquaculture, Livelihood and Tourism
and Social Service. Matugas said that among the proactive measures implemented by the provincial government to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the area include the organization of the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force to help craft policies and action response against the pandemic, the establishment of Command Centers, the implementation of checkpoints in provincial borders, the strengthening of field surveillance through the establishment of testing centers, and the readiness of the health care system in the province.
He said that a total of PHP162,000 financial assistance was provided to 81 stranded students and workers from Surigao del Norte during the lockdowns and PHP14 million of medical assistance to residents aged 80-years-old above and to 4,750 senior citizens in the province.
“A total of 170,598 families who are members of the informal sector, vulnerable groups, 4Ps beneficiaries, and IPs (Indigenous Peoples) in the province received food packs through the ‘Hatud Hinabang Gikan Sa Kapitolyo’ program amounting to more than PHP44M from the Bayanihan Fund and PHP31M from the Provincial A total of six provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management government-managed quarantine (PDRRM) Fund,” Matugas said. facilities were also established in During the pandemic, the the area that already catered to 430 Returning Overseas Filipinos provincial government also provided (ROFs) and 10,249 Locally-Stranded support to various sectors that provided the province with various Individuals (LSIs). types assistance to fight Covid-19. “We have welcomed and treated our LSIs and ROFs which include our OFWs and seafarers with utmost care as they are all our brother and sister Surigaonons,” Matugas said.
These include, he said, the PHP4.858 million total honoraria to 3,599 Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), PHP6.673 million honoraria to 4,449 Barangay Tanods, PHP6.7 million aid to the 335 barangays in the He added that some 10,715 province at PHP20,000.00 each. Rapid Antibody Tests (RAT) from the six testing booths have already been A total of PHP22.4 million aid was conducted for priority personnel, LSIs, also provided to 4,498 rice farmers in and ROFs. the province with the support of the Department of Agriculture and PHP5.4 Matugas also cited the provincial million to 1,555 college, senior high, government’s effort to ease the social junior high, and elementary students and economic impact of Covid-19 on through the funds provided by the the residents in the area. Department of Social Welfare and July 18-24, 2020 |
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Development. “A total of PHP17 million aid to 4,801 Surigaonons through the DOLE’s (Department of Labor and Employment) TUPAD and BKBK Emergency Employment Program for March to June was made possible through the support of Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Senator Bong Go and Congressman Francisco Jose F. Matugas,” the governor said.
private sector in the fight against Covid-19.
“As of June 30, 2020, we have obligated an amount of more than PHP34.9 million from the PHP47 million we have received under the Bayanihan Grant to provinces by the national government. This amount has been used to assist in the operation of the provincial and district hospitals responding to the crisis, and for the maintenance of duly established He also expressed gratitude to provincial checkpoints related to the support of the municipal mayors, Covid-19,” Matugas said. (PNA) government line agencies and the
NPA using front groups to spread lies vs. Army: IP leaders By Alexander Lopez
Two Indigenous People Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) in Surigao del Sur province lambasted the communist New People’s Army (NPA) for “spreading lies and unsubstantiated information” on the Philippine Army. Datu Rico H. Maca, the IPMR of San Miguel town, and Jawudon Jumar Bucales of Lianga, issued a joint statement Monday (July 20) warning tribal communities in Surigao del Sur of “another wave of disinformation” allegedly being perpetrated by the NPA through its “front organizations”.
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Maca and Bucales said some of the NPA’s legal fronts include the Save Our Schools (SOS) Caraga and Sinag. “SOS Caraga and Sinag spread fake news on their Facebook Pages on Friday (July 17) citing false accusations saying that the military is abusing the
Hawudon Jumar Bucales, the Indigenous People Mandatory Representative of Lianga, Surigao del Sur. (PNA file photo)
minorities in Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao Manobo tribe. del Sur,” the two tribal leaders said. They added that some tribal They said the military operations families temporarily left their residences conducted recently by the Army’s 3rd to ensure their safety from the attack of Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) were the NPA. aimed to secure IP communities and verify the reports of the plan of the The IP leaders said the local NPA to destroy the newly-constructed government of Lianga and the 3SFBn IP school in Sitio Simuwao, Diatagon. immediately attended to the needs of the 39 families who left their homes. “There was a military operation conducted to verify information that “The problem with SOS-Caraga, elements of the Communist NPA Sinag, Karapatan-Caraga, MAPASU Terrorists (CNTs) are planning to burn the (Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa new IP school in Sitio Simuwao. The plan Sumusunod) and other CNT-linked of the CNTs also inflicted fear among organizations is that they tolerate the the members of the Manobo tribe in wrongdoings and terroristic attacks of the area, especially the children,” said the CNTs,” the IP leaders said. the two IP leaders, who belong to the MAPASU, an IP organization in July 18-24, 2020 |
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Lianga, Surigao del Sur, has long been accused by the military of having connections with the NPA, an allegation the group has repeatedly denied. Meanwhile, Maca and Bucales also accused SOS-Caraga and the other left-leaning organizations of “playing silent every time the NPA rebels kill innocent IP leaders and create noise when government troopers perform their constitutional mandate to end the local communist armed conflict through combat operations”. “They bark like dogs when government troopers perform their tasks to secure communities and our said it foiled the NPA’s plan to burn the people from the constant threats of the newly-built Department of Education (DepEd) IP school in Sitio Simuwao, CNTs,” the tribal leaders said. Diatagon Another IP leader, Datu Pursuit operations of the 3SFBn Constancio Duhac, the Manobo tribal chieftain of Lianga, said they will also led to the recovery of two dead push for the blacklisting of left-leaning bodies of NPA rebels in Andap Valley Complex on Sunday (July 19), the Army organizations in their ancestral lands. unit said. “We are also asking President One of the dead bodies was Rodrigo R. Duterte to make a decisive action against these organizations for later identified as Marcelino Navarro boosting the morale of the CNTs and y Tampos, alias “Marsing”, the deputy acting as fronts of these terrorists during secretary and head of education and propaganda of the NPA’s North combat operations,” Duhac said. Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee 1Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, (NEMRC), according to 3SFBn. 3SFBn civil-military operations officer, Punsalan said the government said in a separate interview Monday that the “spread of black propaganda” troops also recovered high-power ammunition, subversive against the military by the NPA’s “allied firearms, organizations” is aimed at causing documents and personal belongings of the fleeing NPA rebels near the alarm among communities. site where the dead bodies were On Saturday (July 18), the 3SFBn recovered. (PNA)
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MINDANAO NEWS
‘Mindanao Vegetable Derby’ in Bukidnon set in August By Prexx Marnie Kate Trozo
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the local government of Bukidnon, is gearing for “Mindanao Vegetable Derby” slated in August this year.
Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Emmanuel Piñol. (PNA file photo)
In a Facebook post on Friday, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the program aims to improve the quality of vegetables and productivity of farmers in the 50,000-hectare vegetable and highvalue crop area of Mindanao.
Governor Jose Maria Zubiri said that “Vegetable Derby” would bring the province’s vegetable industry to a higher level in terms of productivity and quality. According to Piñol, the event will culminate on the first week of December to coincide with the Bukidnon’s hosting of the first-ever “Vegetable Festival” in the tribal areas of Talakag, Impasugong, Sumilao, and Lantapan.
“All major seed companies in the country, including organic fertilizer and soil nutrient suppliers and irrigation equipment dealers, are invited to an actual field demonstration which will allow highvalue seeds companies to showcase the field performances of seeds and planting He said each town will be given materials,” he said. a specific area that they could use to
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plant and propagate their vegetables or “Fertilizer or soil nutrients companies will also be allowed to showcase their showcase their technology. products and outstanding performances “Companies whose vegetable will also be acknowledged and given seeds or planting materials would yield citations,” he said. the highest production will be declared Piñol urged interested vegetable champion with different categories,” growers to join the event and get in touch Piñol said. with the MinDA office in this city and coordinate with focal person Genevieve The MinDA chief added that Bangcaya via mobile number 0939-919awards such as Carrot King, Broccoli King, 1675. Cabbage King, and others will be given to companies whose seeds will show “The deadline for the submission of validated outstanding production and intent to participate will be the last week quality. of July 2020,” he said. (PNA)
MinDA to put up storage complex for Mindanao corn farmers By Prexx Marnie Kate Trozo
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will propose the establishment of “corn storage complexes” using the modern silo systems equipped with dryers in the four major corn-producing regions of Mindanao: Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Central Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Region. In a statement on Monday, MinDA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the corn facilities will be owned by the corn farmers’ cooperatives which will be linked by MinDA to financing institutions for their operating capitals.
areas, Piñol said farmers would be able to deliver their produce to their respective cooperatives, which in turn will store the harvests under a system similar to the sugar quedan.
This will give corn farmers leverage With the corn storage complex in the pricing of their products as they strategically placed in corn-producing could hold on to their stocks and wait for a July 18-24, 2020 |
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better price or enter into direct marketing Piñol said MinDA planning staff will agreements with institutional buyers, such work on the details of the program with as feed mills. the help of the corn farmers’ associations prior to its inclusion in the list of projects for Piñol recalled that when his father funding under the EU Fund Grant. was still a member of the Provincial Board of North Cotabato in the late 80s, he led “This will improve their income, farmers to the halls of the Senate to ask for increase their productivity, and address legislative action on the unfair and unjust poverty in the agriculture sector, practice by traders to drop the buying especially among corn farmers,” he price of corn during peak harvest season. said. At that time, Cotabato corn farmers of Cotabato -- especially the Arakan Valley -- either dumped their harvests by the side of the road or burned their corn to show their displeasure at the seeming inability of the government to help and protect them.
Meanwhile, Piñol bared that during his visit to Bukidnon last week, Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri warned that corn farmers in the province could suffer from very low buying prices as the province expects bumper harvest from over 100,000 hectares of production area.
“Today, 40 years after that futile corn crusade waged by my father and the corn farmers, I see light at the end of the tunnel. This ray of hope is provided by the PHP2.1 billion grant fund by the European Union (EU) Delegation to the economic development of Mindanao which will be managed by MinDA,” he said.
Bukidnon is a huge corn-producing province in Northern Mindanao, the country’s second-biggest producer of corn after Cagayan Valley.
Piñol said that among the priority projects that MinDA has identified following a consultation with stakeholders is the establishment of post-harvest and storage facilities for both rice and corn in Mindanao. “For our intervention for corn farmers, I have designed the Mindanao Corn Development Program which will involve the participation corn farmers associations and cooperatives, the private sector and the government through MinDA using the EU Grant Funds,” he said.
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“The drastic drop in the price of corn during peak harvest season has always been a problem for corn farmers in Mindanao for as long as I could remember. The buying price of corn in Mindanao goes up to as high as PHP20 per kilo offseason too as low as PHP8 at peak of harvest,” Piñol said. He added that traders take advantage of the absence of drying and storage facilities and set the prices at very low levels and since they own warehouses and drying facilities, they hoard the stocks and release these to the market during the off-harvest season thus making a killing. (PNA)
NATIONAL NEWS
branches of government by Congress passing legislation on access to information which will mandate the disclosure of government information in the interim,” he said in a statement.
SEC. MARTIN ANDANAR PCOO
NEWS CORNER
PCOO pushes for inclusion of FOI bill in priority legislation The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) is pushing to have the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill included in President Rodrigo Duterte’s list of “urgent” measures this year. In 2016, Duterte signed an executive order on the implementation of the FOI in the executive branch. However, an FOI measure remains pending in the Congress.
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committed FOI across
“We have also requested the issuance of a certification of the FOI as an urgent legislative measure by the Office of the President or the inclusion of FOI as part of the President’s legislative agenda for this year 2020,” he added. The FOI was first filed during the 12th Congress, but it has been bypassed. In December 2019, Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas filed House Bill 05776 also known as the FOI Act of 2019 which has adopted the features proposed by the PCOO. Among the salient features of the bill are crafting a mechanism that will refer and transfer requests to appropriate agencies that should address the said request, and creation of a records management system.
An oversight body or the FOI Commission will also be established, along with the creation of a central appeals and review committee (CARC) for all FOI compliant agencies to in the three major branches of the all government -- Executive, Legislative
PCOO Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan said the agency is boosting efforts to implement access to information at the local level. “PCOO institutionalize
He explained that aside from drafting an administrative version of the FOI bill that was presented in the Congress, the PCOO is also requesting the Office of the President to certify it as an urgent bill.
PCOO Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan (File photo)
and Judiciary.
can request any information about government transactions and The Office of the Ombudsman operations by presenting proof of will also have the power to review the education to the concerned state decisions from the CARC. office or lodging queries online through the official website www.foi.gov.ph. “It is important that the FOI law be passed as soon as possible to An FOI request can be made empower our citizens for government before all government offices under participation by requesting information the executive branch, including and to make our bureaucracy even government-owned or -controlled more open,� Ablan said. corporations (GOCCs), and state universities and colleges (SUCs). On July 23, 2016, the President signed Executive Order (EO) 2 on FOI that Requesting parties can have allows all Filipinos to obtain documents access to information, official records, and records from public offices, in an public records and documents and effort to promote transparency in the papers on official acts, transactions government under his watch. or decisions, as well as government research data used as basis for policy Under EO 2, a Filipino citizen development. (PNA/Azer Parrocha) July 18-24, 2020 |
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Duterte okays limited face-to-face classes in low-risk areas By Azer Parrocha
President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the proposal to allow limited faceto-face (F2F) classes in areas with low-risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infection for as long as minimum health standards are in place.
F2F CLASSES. Learners at Bayas Elementary School in Estancia town, Iloilo province participate in a class discussion in this file photo taken on January 6, 2020. Pres. Rodrigo Duterte has approved the proposal to allow limited face-to-face (F2F) classes in areas with low-risk of coronavirus disease infection for as long minimum health standards are in place. (Photo courtesy of DepEd-Iloilo)
In a taped meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) aired Tuesday morning, Duterte gave Education Secretary Leonor Briones the go signal to allow limited F2F classes in areas under the least restrictive modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
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Briones said limited F2F classes would be allowed only if schools are amenable to the idea of holding inperson classes at least once or twice a week; if school facilities are in a good state; if schools meet minimum health standards; and if the host local governments are ready to support the schools financially.
She noted that a number of local governments have sent requests to allow limited F2F classes such as Siquijor, Dinagat Islands, Siargao, and other areas with almost zero cases of Covid-19.
Senators Nancy Binay and Imee Marcos, Batanes lone district Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. and Davao Del Norte (1st District) Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez have pushed for limited F2F classes saying it would close inequality gaps.
The President responded by saying he supported Briones’ suggestion as long as limited F2F classes were strictly regulated.
Private school associations such as Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) and Federation of Associations of Private School “I’m with you on this. Let’s try to Administrators (FAPSA) have also make ourselves productive even how been pushing for the same. constricted the times are,” Duterte said. Duterte admitted that the education On Friday (July 17), Duterte signed sector is one of the sectors the national Republic Act 11480 which allows the government is most concerned about opening of classes beyond August. in light of the health crisis. The Department of Education “Sa education, isang sector ‘yan (DepEd) earlier scheduled the school na worried kami (Education is one of the opening on Aug. 24, 2020 and the end sectors we are most worried about),” of the school year on April 30, 2021. he said. Malacañang said the new law He emphasized the importance gives the Executive Department, of allowing learning to continue, particularly the DepEd, “flexibility” in especially as it will affect the future of deciding how to adjust the school students. calendar. However, the decision to set a different date for the start of the “Alam mo ang edukasyon, school year will depend on Briones. kinabukasan ng mga bata ‘yan (You know, the future of children depends In May, Duterte rejected the on their education). They have to finish resumption of F2F classes until a a course para mabuhay sila (so that vaccine against Covid-19 becomes they can live),” he said. available. “I know the apprehensions of Secretary Briones pero maghintay kayo, maghintay na lang (but just wait),” he added.
Several
lawmakers
Whether the opening of classes would be moved or not, Briones said the DepEd is set to implement distance learning strategies with TV and radiobased instruction as well as modular namely and online learning. (PNA) July 18-24, 2020 |
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Palace sticks to DSWD’s word to finish SAP 2 release this month By Azer Parrocha
File photo
MANILA – Malacañang is holding on to the assurance made by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to finish the distribution of the second tranche of cash aid under the government’s social amelioration program (SAP) by the end of July. Presidential Spokesperson Harry cash aid has been quite “slow” but will Roque admitted that even Palace rely on the agency’s promise to finish agrees that the DSWD’s distribution of by the end of the month.
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“Mabagal po talaga, masasabi ko po na nabagalan din ang Palasyo sa proseso ng pangalawang tranche (It’s really slow, I can say that the Palace also finds the distribution of the second tranche slow),” he said in a virtual Palace briefing on Monday.
Mobility and transportation, he said, are constraints in reaching geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas.
He, however, noted that some payouts might extend to August due to mobility, security, and health factors that may hamper the distribution of the second tranche subsidy.
Only 12 million of the 18 million beneficiaries of the first SAP aid will get the second tranche. They will be joined by five million waitlisted beneficiaries. (PNA)
“These are islands, municipalities, barangays, or upland areas, which might take more than a day or two to Currently, Roque said the reach,” he said. department has already disbursed PHP20.1 billion emergency cash He emphasized that that subsidies to 3.37 million beneficiaries for delivering subsidies to conflict-affected the second tranche. He is hopeful that areas or those with security threats may the DSWD will be able to finish releasing require systematic coordination and the cash aid in the next two weeks. planning with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National “Ang sabi po ng DSWD hanggang Police to ensure the safety of the SAP katapusan lang po ng Hulyo and we implementors. will hold—the Palace will hold DSWD to that (The DSWD said that they will be Pamonag said another major distributing the cash aid until the end factor is the public health threat of July and we will hold the DSWD to posed by the coronavirus disease that),” he said. 2019 (Covid-19) to the DSWD social workers and personnel, as well as their In a congressional hearing on clients. Thursday, DSWD Undersecretary Danilo Pamonag said the agency is targeting The SAP allows the national to complete the distribution of the government to distribute temporary second tranche of cash aid by the end cash assistance worth PHP5,000 to of July. PHP8,000 to low-income families who have been most affected by the “I would like to inform this body Covid-19 crisis. that we hope to complete the payouts for (the) second tranche through a About 18 million poor households combination of digital and direct have received the first tranche of payouts by the end of July,” Pamonag emergency subsidies under the told lawmakers. program.
July 18-24, 2020 |
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Gov’t mitigates Covid-19 impact on most vulnerable sectors With the country’s most vulnerable sectors reeling from the economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Wednesday said the government is pouring all its resources into assisting the sectors in need -- the poor, youth, displaced workers and struggling farmers.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (File photo)
Speaking at the third Pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) activity organized as a prelude to the fifth state of the nation address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, Nograles lamented that “as in any natural disaster, it is society’s most vulnerable sectors that have borne the brunt of this pandemic: our farmers, our youth, our poor.”
and painful. Some families do not have food, some cannot send their children to schools),” Nograles said.
Nograles said the government recognizes the problem and this is why Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista emphasized the need for all government agencies to unite and help the Filipinos recover from the impact of “Matindi, malawak at masakit the health crisis. ang epekto ng Covid-19. May mga pamilyang di makakain. May mga “Malinaw po ito sa ibinuhos na pamilyang di makakapag-paaral (The pondo para magbigay ng ayuda impact of Covid-19 is extreme, massive, at para matulungan ang ating mga
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kababayan (This is clearly shown by the “Meanwhile, the Department of funds being allotted by the government Agriculture released cash subsidies to to help our countrymen),” he said. over a million affected farmers and fisherfolk amounting to PHP5 billion,” he He said Bautista reported that added. over PHP106 billion from the social amelioration program (SAP) was He said the Government Service distributed to more than 19 million low- Insurance System (GSIS) has introduced income families as the first tranche of a new PHP30,000 computer loan financial assistance amid the Covid-19 program to help its members in light of pandemic. the shift to distance learning or online classes. “Bukod po dito, naglaan din ng pondo ang gobyerno para sa ating “In addition to this, in September, mga manggagawa, mga magsasaka, the GSIS will launch an educational loan at mga estudyante (Aside from this, the program for its members to help them government has also set aside funds pay tuition and other school fees for for workers, farmers, and students),” he their nominated student-beneficiaries,” said. he added. Nograles cited the 479,000 applications approved by the Social Security System for calamity assistance amounting to PHP7.5 billion.
Nograles explained that to address the struggles of private schools, private educational institutions can also seek help from the Land Bank of the Philippines’ “study now, pay later” “To date, it has released PHP1.7 lending program. billion to 102,500 borrowers. It has also He reported that since the launched a program for laid-off workers, and since the start of the lockdown, program’s launch two months ago, over 80 educational institutions it has already approved 6,300 nationwide have expressed interest applications totaling PHP84.4 million. To in accessing this credit facility, and date, SSS has released PHP76.2 million as of the beginning of this month, the worth of benefits to 5,740 applicants,” bank has approved loan applications he added. totaling PHP260 million. The Department of Labor and Employment, according to Nograles, has also extended financial aid worth PHP6.4 billion to over 1.18 million displaced employees in the formal and informal sectors of the economy, including returning OFWs.
“Ito ang iilan sa mga hakbang ng gobyerno para matugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga naghihirap na kababayan (These are some of the steps the government has taken to meet the needs of our suffering countrymen),” Nograles said. (PR) July 18-24, 2020 |
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DA releases P2.6-B loans under SURE aid program By Filane Mikee Cervantes
Agriculture Secretary William Dar
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has released more than PHP2.6 billion worth of loans under the Expanded SURE Aid and Recovery Project for micro and small enterprises (MSEs), and small, marginal farmers and fishers adversely affected by the quarantine measures due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. During the third Pre-State of the Nation Address (Pre-SONA) forum on Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the agency, through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council
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(ACPC), has released to its partner lending conduits PHP1.12 billion in loans for eligible farmers and fishers and PHP1.5 billion for MSEs.
Dar said as of date, PHP767 million was lent to some 30,699 small, marginal farmers and fishers, while PHP646 million was lent to 93 enterprises engaged in agriculture and fisheries production.
The RFFA Program is an unconditional cash transfer program which aims to give PHP5,000 financial assistance each to rice farmers tilling 0.5 to 2 hectares of land in 33 provinces nationwide.
Under the SURE Covid-19 loan program, eligible farmers and fishers may borrow up to PHP25,000, with no collateral, zero interest, and payable in 10 years.
Meanwhile, Dar noted that the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita direct marketing program has recorded a total sales of PHP5.5 billion nationwide.
Eligible MSEs may avail of up to PHP10 million, zero interest, and payable in five years. A micro or small enterprise may be a single proprietorship, partnership, corporation, cooperative or association. Aside from the loan program, Dar said the DA has also extended financial subsidy to rice farmers (FSRF), with a total of 591,246 beneficiaries benefitting from this pandemic relief. The PHP5,000 cash subsidy is part of the DA’s initiatives to assist small rice farmers, who plant one hectare or less, located in 24 provinces not covered under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program.
Some PHP2.24 billion worth of produce were bought by local government units under the same direct marketing program. “Sinisiguro po natin na meron tayong sapat na pagkain (We want to make sure that we have enough food) during the pandemya (pandemic) and we would like to believe that we can survive and we can reboot again Philippine agriculture with the help of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Dar said.
Dar urged the Filipinos to be resilient and turn challenges into opportunities “to survive and move forward towards a food secure and more resilient Philippines with The PHP3-billion FSRF fund is prosperous farmers and fishers”. earmarked under the 2020 General Appropriations Act. “I would like to conclude by saying that no amount of pandemic For the RFFA, Dar said another and or impacts of climate change PHP3 billion was allocated and some can slow us down. No lockdown can 597,404 beneficiaries benefited from really delay our activities in farming this amelioration program. and fishing,” he added. (PNA) July 18-24, 2020 |
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PCOO, PIA, DICT launch unified website for COVID-19 info
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), will launch Monday the Laging Handa Unified Website in its beta version, harmonizing all information from different sources and giving the general public easier access to information. Partner developer Dashboard Philippines created a Content Management System (CMS) and administrative interface for the unified website, which is powered by the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA), for easier and efficient interface. The DICT also ensures the security and privacy of the website against July 18-24, 2020 |
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internal and external threats.
contains list of government projects which aims to help the country rise as As recommended by the Inter- one. Agency Task Force Technical Working Group for Anticipatory and Forward There are sections explaining Planning, the Laging Handa Unified guidelines for the incoming school Website will be designated as an year, the Balik Probinsya program, official platform for all Covid-19-related small business wage subsidy programs, matters. and the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act accomplishment and transparency The website features the 4Ks: tracker. Kalusugan, Kabuhayan, Kaayusan, Kinabukasan -explaining the The website also contains government’s whole-of-nation frequently asked questions (FAQs) approach in beating the pandemic. regarding Covid-19. It also acts as a guide to direct the It also features government public to the information they need to resolutions, issuances, memorandum, acquire based from the 4Ks. and guidelines. “Kalusugan” provides epidemiological data of Covid-19 cases, Covid-19 case maps, advisories and issuances from the Department of Health.
It also contains news, presidential briefings, and Laging Handa briefings.
PIA Director-General Ramon L. Cualoping III emphasized the importance of having a unified message “Kabuhayan” Tab contains and a streamlined communication direct links to other government platform such as Laging Handa. programs which are relevant to jobs, cash assistance, and other economic “The Laging Handa Unified Website advisories and safety nets. will provide accurate information in the time of Covid-19. This will fight fake “Kaayusan” Tab provides news and disinformation that only practical information for interzonal foster panic in people,” Cualoping and intrazonal guidelines, timeline said. “This is in line with our mandate as of government policies and actions, government communicators. We will and #DismissDisinformation, which Explain, Explain, Explain, until we kill the debunks unverified reports and other virus called fake news.” forms of disinformation that may affect the overall unified response to the The website can be accessed Covid-19. thru: <laginghanda.gov.ph>, <wehealasone.gov.ph>, or <covid19. Finally, the “Kinabukasan” Tab, gov.ph>. (PR)
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Covid-19 not comparable to other diseases: health expert By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is not comparable to other diseases, a health expert said Monday. In a Covid-19 virtual presser, UP Covid-19 Pandemic Response Team member Dr. Darwin Bandoy said researches providing “simple comparisons with other diseases could be misleading”.
ganitong lang porsiyento tapos ikocompare nila sa Covid-19. Hindi po nila napapansin na ang datos na iyon ay for one year, wala pa pong one year ang Covid-19, bago palang natin nakukuha ang data, so may mga improper comparison na nagsisilbi sa mga tao na “Halimbawa, sasabihin nila ang baliwalain nila (For example, they’ll say namamatay sa ganitong sakit ay only such percent died from a certain July 18-24, 2020 |
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disease and then they’ll compare it with Covid-19 deaths. They don’t notice that it is one year worth of data, and Covid-19 hasn’t been around for a year, Covid-19 data are fairly new, so there are improper comparisons influence people to ignore the severity of Covid-19), Bandoy added. Citing the impact of the disease on the American healthcare system, Bandoy reiterated that Covid-19 is a deadly disease.
Bandoy also warned the public against wrong computation of Covid-19 recovery rate circulating in the social media. “May nag-call ng attention ko na may nagshe-share ng recovery rate. So, unang-una po pabayaan natin sa mga may valid na training dito, ‘yung mga epidemiologist na nakakaintindi (Someone called my attention about this recovery rate being shared. Firstly, leave this to those who had proper training, the epidemiologists),” he said. He added that sharing the computation of Covid-19 recovery rate by persons who do not have proper training would lead to confusion.
“Makikita po natin iyan sa America na napupuno po ang mga ospital, America na po ‘yun, mas lalo po kung medyo limitado ang ating healthcare capacity dito sa Pilipinas (Hospitals in America are full because To date, there are 68,898 confirmed of Covid-19, what more if we have limited healthcare capacity here in the Covid-19 cases, with 23,072 recoveries and 1,835 deaths nationwide. (PNA) Philippines),” he said.
Locally-made Covid-19 test kit okay for commercial use: DOH By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday said GenAmplify version 2, a locally-made reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test kit is now ready for commercial use. “After several months of collaboration, we are proud to say, GenAmplify version 2, the country’s very own PT-PCR test kit, is finally ready for commercial use,” the DOH said in a statement.
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Tek team for their “commitment to excellence and safety, as they worked closely with our independent laboratory expert panel in addressing key issues of version 1 of GenAmplify.”
Earlier, Department of Science DOH lauded the Manila Health and Technology (DOST) Secretary
| July 18-24, 2020
Fortunato dela Peña said the test kit passed the confirmatory testing conducted by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and the Committee on Laboratory Expert Panel. Dela Peña added that the DOSTPhilippine Council for Health Research and Development created the test kit. “As with other medical products and devices, performance of the kit will be regularly monitored,” DOH said. (PNA)
US donates P14.8-M PPE to PGH, medical facilities
The United States, through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and in coordination with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is distributing PHP14.8 million (USD300,000) worth of regionally-manufactured personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) treatment centers across the Philippines. July 18-24, 2020 |
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This latest donation brings overall US government assistance to the Philippines’ Covid-19 response efforts to nearly PHP981 million (USD19.8 million).
Dr. Robert Pope, Director of DTRA’s Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, said they are proud to support “brave Filipino medical workers to ensure they are safe and healthy while providing essential medical care US Ambassador to the Philippines to those affected by this deadly virus”. Sung Kim said the delivery of the PPE demonstrates the ongoing US “We value our longstanding commitment to the Philippines to partnerships in the Philippines. One contain the Covid-19 pandemic. day, we will look back on these events and know that our partnership helped “During this month, which began enable a robust response that saved with a commemoration of Philippine- lives and prevented further contagion American Friendship Day, we are in the Philippines and surrounding honored to support our Filipino friends, region,” Pope added. partners, and allies with the PPE they need to assist communities confronting The PGH and the US Department the pandemic,” he said. of Defense have a long history of mutual support dating back to World War II. Recipients for this donation were During the War, Filipino and American determined by a needs assessment medical personnel worked together to based on pandemic infection rates, treat soldiers and civilians during the current PPE supply levels, and projected Battle of Manila, following the liberation future needs. The US will continue to of PGH through joint US-Philippine effort. support Filipino front-line workers. (PR)
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| July 18-24, 2020
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