Caraga InFocus – June 19-25, 2021 by Caraga InFocus

Volume V, No. 26 June 19-25, 2021

REGIONAL NEWS

8 9 11 12 14 17 18 19 20 PROVINCIAL NEWS 22 24 26 27 28 30 31 32 33 34

PSA LAUNCHES STEP 2 REGISTRATION FOR PHILSYS IN BUTUAN CITY DA, MEDIA GEAR UP INFO DRIVE VS ASF IN CARAGA REGION

DA CARAGA CAPACITATES LGUS, MEDIA PARTNERS ON ASF DSWD CONTINUES TO DISTRIBUTE CASH CARDS FOR UCT SOCIAL PENSIONERS

KALAHI-CIDSS’ CASH-FOR-WORK TRAINS LOCAL RESIDENTS TO MAINTAIN THE CONDUCT OF BAYANIHAN-PAHINA ACTIVITY LOCAL LGBTQ GROUP CELEBRATES PRIDE MONTH 2021 DEPED-CARAGA TO CONDUCT CANNED JINGLE COMPETITION U.S. MILITARY DELIVERS P183M WORTH OF WEAPONS, EQUIPMENT TO AFP

RTWPB CARAGA CONDUCTS ORIENTATION ON PRODUCTIVITY TOOLBOX

PCIC, NMIS CARAGA URGE HOG RAISERS TO INSURE PIGS

SURIGAO NORTE AGRARIAN ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPLY FARM PRODUCE TO JAILS, HOSPITALS 18 PDI FOOD PRODUCERS UNDERGO OTOP ACT SESSION ON FOOD PACKAGING

DTI DISTRIBUTES LIVELIHOOD KITS TO MSMES IN SURIGAO NORTE TOWN ‘RUN FOR COMFORT’ PROJECT BENEFITS 4PS BENEFICIARIES IN TAGANA-AN

NPA NANUNOG NG CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT; LANUZA MPS, POLICE MOBILE FORCE COMPANY PATROL BASE SABAY NA PINAPAPUTUKAN

SURSUR IMPLEMENTS AWA FOR CAPITOL EMPLOYEES PAGBABAKUNA SA TANDAG TULOY PA RIN SA GITNA NG HAMON NG PANDEMYA DULOT NG COVID-19 203 AKTIBONG KASO SA COVID-19, NAITALA SA LUNGSOD NG TANDAG COMELEC REGISTRATION IPINAGPALIBAN SA LUNGSOD NG TANDAG

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AGNOR GUV PRIORITIZES DEVELOPMENTS IN FARFLUNG AREAS ARMY JOINS PACT TO ADVANCE COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE VILLAGE IN AGNOR ASF INFORMATION CARAVAN GOES VIRTUAL IN AGUSAN NORTE EKIPO ALANG SA ‘BEYOND RICE’ PROJECT SA RTR NAGSUGOD NA OG PANGABOT CASH FOR WORK DIHA SA PAGPANANUM OG KAHOY HIMOON SA RTR VLOG, TIKTOK KOMPETISYON NAGMALAMPUSON AGNOR UG 7 KA MGA AHENSYA MIPIRMA MOU ALANG SA VEGETABLE DERBY DA-CARAGA, AGUSAN UP INK MOU TO BOOST HIGH-VALUE CROPS PRODUCTION IN AGUSAN DEL NORTE SADOW FESTIVAL GIPAHIGAYON SA AGUSAN NORTE AGSUR STAKEHOLDERS JOIN 1ST SOUTHEAST ASIA RUBBER-BASED CROPPING PRODUCTION FORUM MGA IP LEADERS SA SURSUR NANAWAGANG ITIGIL NA NG CPPNPA-NDF ANG PANG-AABUSO AT PAGKAKALAT NG MALING IMPORMASYON SA KANILANG TRIBU DAR, LGU INK MOA FOR LINKSFARMM PROJECT IN AGSUR TOWN

MINDANAO NEWS MINDANAO’S FIRST PLANETARIUM PROJECT TO FINISH IN AUGUST MINDA EXPANDS EXPERIMENT ON IRRIGATED UPLAND RICE FARM

NATIONAL NEWS ANDANAR REMEMBERS LATE PA ON FATHER’S DAY IPS WON’T BE LEFT BEHIND AMID COVID-19 VAX DRIVE: ANDANAR

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CONTENTS

INFOCUS

COVER

Caraga

PCOO-FOI JOINS 12TH INT’L MEET FOR INFO EXECS

DISPLACED WORKERS IN CALOOCAN CITY RECEIVE AID FROM BONG GO AS HE ASSURES THEM OF GOV’T SUPPORT TO OVERCOME PANDEMIC, URGES THEM TO GET VACCINATED STATEMENT OF SEN. BONG GO

BONG GO CONTINUES TO EXTEND ASSISTANCE TO UNDERPRIVILEGED COMMUNITIES AS HIS TEAM DISTRIBUTES RELIEF TO HUNDREDS OF INDIGENTS IN CALUMPIT, BULACAN TODA MEMBERS AND MARKET VENDORS IN CAIBIRAN, BILIRAN RECEIVE AID FROM BONG GO IN SUPPORT OF ESSENTIAL SECTORS AMID ONGOING PANDEMIC; URGES THEM TO AVAIL OF VACCINES BONG GO CONGRATULATES MANILEÑOS ON 450TH ANNIVERSARY OF MANILA CITY’S FOUNDING; VOWS CONTINUED SUPPORT AND UNTIRING SERVICE FROM DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION COVID-19 FIELD HOSPITAL IN MANILA CITY OPENS AS BONG GO VOWS TO PUSH FOR ENHANCEMENT OF HEALTH FACILITIES NATIONWIDE NOGRALES SHARES ANTI-HUNGER PROGRAM SUCCESSES DURING 8TH REGIONAL PRE-SONA EVENT GORDON REITERATES RECOMMENDATION TO CONDUCT SWAB TESTING 5 OR 7 DAYS UPON ARRIVAL FOR RETURNING OFW, OVERSEAS FILIPINOS VACCINE CZAR REPORTS SMOOTH VACCINATION DRIVE AS MORE COVID-19 JABS ARRIVE QUARANTINE, HEALTH PROTOCOLS MUST STAY TO PREVENT NEW SURGE — PRESIDENT DUTERTE

COVID-19 NEWS 16-M COVID-19 VAX DOSES CLEARED SINCE FEBRUARY: BOC PRRD WON’T ‘GAMBLE’ KIDS’ HEALTH WITH F2F CLASSES NO ‘FAVORITISM’ IN DISTRIBUTION OF PFIZER VACCINES: DOH

DOE assures unhampered op of businesses in Siargao Islan

GENERAL LUNA, Siargao Island - Department of Energy Alfonso Cusi has expressed his support for local businesses in Siargao who are struggling to process their documentary prerequisites to operate, and will assist them in extending their temporary lighting permits. Business owners and investors in the town of General Luna, Surigao del Norte have sought help from Presidential

| June 19-25, 2021

Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on the sidelines of the Aid and Humanitarian Operations Nationwide (AHON) Convergence Program launch in Siargao Island last week.

businesses there.

On Friday, June 18, 2021, Secretary Andanar handed over the letter of appeal of the SIBO to Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, outlining their concern over the approaching termination date of The Siargao Island their temporary lighting Business Organization permits. The group (SIBO) met with Secretary has appealed for an Andanar on June extension on this. 12, 2021 about their concerns on the red Their temporary lighting tape in the processing of permits granted by permits in setting up their the Siargao Electric Caraga INFOCUS

perations nd

Cooperative (SIARELCO) are expiring on July 17, 2021 and yet their building permits are yet to be issued despite complying with the LGU’s documentary requirements. More than 200 business owners and investors in General Luna are in a predicament because of this. The issuance of a building permit is required to process permanent electrical lines.

applying for permanent electrical lines.

During the meeting Energy Secretary Cusi and Secretary Andanar SIBO also raised their responded positively to concerns on the required their appeal, saying they high-priced minimum will be coordinating with electrical rate for those SIARELCO on the matter. establishments that have bought their own “Makakaasa po kayo transformers in order na sa tulong ng DOE, to have permanent gagampanan po electrical lines. agad namin yan at sisiguraduhin po namin According to the letter, na hindi na po kayo these businesses have magkakaroon ng abala to pay their monthly bill (We assure you that “starting from P25,000 DOE will help. We will up to P80,0000 and immediately respond more” even if they to this and make sure have not consumed you won’t have any much electricity for that problem regarding this),” period. They are also Secretary Cusi said. seeking clarifications for the correct process for Secretary Andanar Caraga INFOCUS

assured business owners that the government is ready to aid them as they recover from the pandemic. “Itong mga establisyementong ito, kagaya din ng ibang negosyo, ay apektado din ng pandemya kung kaya hanggat kaya ay bigyan natin ng tulong. Paraan din para tulungan na makabangon ang ekonomiya [These establishments, like other businesses, are affected by the pandemic as well. That’s why as long as we can, we should help them. This is also a way of helping the economy recover],” he said. (PCOO/PIA-Surigao del Norte) June 19-25, 2021 |

News Briefs (INFOcus) The Swine Repopulation Insurance Program of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) - an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA) contains relaxed features of the agency’s regular livestock insurance program, including the discounted premiums to commercial hog raiser, increased indemnity payment for hog losses and inclusion of culling or destruction of swine due to African Swine Fever (ASF) as ordered by the government as compensable peril. xx

PCOO Usec. Lorraine Badoy emphasized the anomalies and corrupt activities of the CPP-NPA-NDF which they present as for the poor and the minorities. She said during her interview over RMN DXBC Butuan this evening that the said communistterrorist groups use disasters and pressing social issues to exploit money from organizations in the guise of a fundraiser for affected residents. Usec. Badoy furthered that these funds never reach their intended beneficiaries, which are the indigenous peoples, but rather to the pockets of the highranking officials of the CTGs and to fund communist terrorist activities.

Arbor Day is also called Tree Planting Day. This is one way of promoting a healthier ecosystem. As we celebrate this environmental event today, we encourage everyone, young and old alike, to be responsive to the need of our environment. Let us plant trees and engage in other relevant activities to help lower our greenhouse gas emissions. (EMB-13) Ikaw, Ako, Tayo ang Kalikasan! #GenerationRestoration (VACCINATION ROLLOUT UPDATE) DOH Caraga reports 152,516 individuals vaccinated in the region as of June 24, 2021. Vaccination is still ongoing in the different identified sites regionwide. #BeVaccinated #ResBakuna

REGIONAL NEWS

PSA launches Step 2 registration for PhilSys in Butuan City

SM City Butuan will last for a year, and targets to accommodate at least 540 registrants per day. Registrants may register online for ease of transaction through https://register.philsys.gov. ph/.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Caraga officially launched the second step of registration for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) on Monday, June 21, 2021, in Butuan city.

identification system for every Filipino.

“With PhilSys, public and private transactions will be made seamless, safe, and efficient through a singular and formal identification system. PhilSys will also A registration center was boost and ease the established at SM City delivery of services by Butuan at the third level to improving the public’s accommodate registrants access to financial, who wish to complete social protection, health, the second step of the education, and other registration. government services,” he said. PSA Caraga Chief Statistical Analyst Reynelo According to Frank Magno said that amid Nicol Marba, Public the pandemic, the Relations Officer of SM government is striving City Butuan, the PhilSys to create a systematic Step 2 Registration at

| June 19-25, 2021

“Being a staunch supporter of safe community building, SM City Butuan aims to provide a convenient avenue for Butuanons to file for their ID,” said Marba. The PSA is targeting around 1.8 million Caraganons to register for the national ID system, with 415,800 from the vulnerable sectors, lowincome households, and those without access to the internet. In Butuan City, a total of 91,659 residents from 37 barangays have already completed the step 1 of the three-step registration process. (Doreen Mariel Rosales/FNMarba/SM City Butuan/PIA-Caraga) Caraga INFOCUS

DA, media gear up info drive vs ASF in Caraga region

The Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga, in partnership with the media practitioners from the different provinces of the region converged their efforts to intensify information drive against the African Swine Fever (ASF) cases and discussed security measures to help hog raisers and farmers.

media in propagating relevant information and updates to the public through their respective platforms. “We recognized the active support of the media to DA’s advocacy campaign and in the implementation of our programs and projects for our target beneficiaries,” she said.

to the barangays.

Emmylou Presilda, chief of Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) of DACaraga emphasized during the virtual briefing on Swine Mortality Insurance held on Friday, the vital role of the

Jekem Sanchez, livestock program focal person of DA-Caraga urged the media partners to constantly disseminate relevant information and updates on the prevention of the ASF in the municipalities down

As he encouraged hog raisers and farmers to apply for the insurance program of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Ernesto Chaves of PCIC revealed that the insurance

Caraga INFOCUS

The Agriculture Offices in the provinces along with the Bantay ASF Task Force of the region are regularly monitoring those areas with ASF cases. Needed assistance to the affected swine raisers, insured farmers were also provided.

June 19-25, 2021 |

program specifically aims to provide insurance coverage to the backyard and commercial hog raisers who continue with hog farming and help mitigate risk to their investments.

compensable peril. These features were adopted in recognition of the urgency of the situation the hog industry is currently in,” bared Chaves.

Chaves cited that the PCIC has allotted “In support of the DA’s P600,000,000 from its effort, the PCIC, an current budget for this attached agency of program. The amount DA has designed the shall be used either Swine Repopulation as insurance premium Insurance Program. It subsidy or indemnity contains relaxed features payment for the assured of the agency’s regular Registry System for Basic livestock insurance Sectors in Agriculture program, including the (RSBSA) listed hog raisers. discounted premiums to The DA will provide commercial hog raiser, additional funds if increased indemnity needed. payment for hog losses and inclusion of culling “These policies shall or destruction of swine apply only to the current due to ASF as ordered situation with regard by the government as to ASF infection and

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shall remain effective until such time that hog industry and the market will have stabilized or solutions or treatment to the disease shall have been developed,” Chaves added. Meanwhile, Dr. Bernadette Montenegro, action officer of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) Caraga, also underscored the need for immediate depopulation of pigs infected by the ASF to control the spread or even completely eradicate the ASF in the region. She also called on the hog raisers and traders to cooperate and not to sell live or dead pigs or pork products infected with the said viral disease. (JPG/PIA-Caraga) Caraga INFOCUS

DA Caraga capacitates LGUs, media partners on ASF Another batch of ASF Prevention and Control virtual forum was held on June 24-25 for the four remaining local government units (LGUs) in the province of Agusan del Norte and media partners from the four provinces of the region. The virtual forum hosted by the DA- Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) aims to strengthen information dissemination and public awareness about the diehard virus, especially in the LGUs, elaborating also the role of every barangay on the prevention and containment of such virus is detected. On June 24, SB Members, Punong Barangays, Barangay Committee Chairperson in Agriculture, Municipal Agriculturists, and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Operation Officers from the Municipalities of Jabonga, RTR, Tubay, and Santiago in Agusan del Norte participated the forum.

Caraga INFOCUS

On June 25, media partners including the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) provincial managers in the four provinces attended the event.

ensure that hog raisers will be encouraged to report affected pigs and to halt the spreading of the virus.

Moreover, swine raisers in the Caraga region are encouraged to avail the Presenting the Swine Mortality free insurance coverage Insurance of the Philippine of PCIC by registering to Crop Insurance Corporation the Registry System for (PCIC), Insurance Underwriter Basic Sectors in Agriculture of PCIC – Northern (RSBSA) and visiting their City/ Mindanao Ernesto Chavez Jr. Municipal Agriculture Office underscored the necessity of to fill up the PCIC Livestock availing the free insurance Application Form and filled coverage of PCIC on or some necessary documents. before June 30, 2021, since it will be a safety net for The virtual forum is one of the the swine raisers especially efforts of the Regional ASF with the rising ASF cases Task Force, spearheaded in the region. Without by its communication team the insurance, the swine to intensify awareness and affected will no longer be strengthen cooperation accommodated. among agriculture stakeholders in the region. As per Memorandum from This is in coordination with the the Agriculture Secretary Department of the Interior William D. Dar, hogs culled and Local Government due to the ASF starting July (DILG)-Caraga, Provincial 1, 2021, will be shouldered Veterinary Office of Agusan only by the PCIC. The payout del Norte, National Meat for every pig that contracts Inspection Service (NMIS)ASF has doubled from the Caraga, and the PCIC – original P5,000 to the current Northern Mindanao. (DA P10,000. This is one way to Caraga/PIA Caraga)

June 19-25, 2021 |

DSWD continues to distribute cash cards for UCT social pensioners

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, in coordination with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) started the cash card distribution under the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT)-Social Pension beneficiaries in select municipalities of the region.

| June 19-25, 2021

(C/MSWDO), and The Department has Office of the Senior continually coordinated Citizens Association with the Department officials in facilitating of Budget and the preparation of Management (DBM) and the distribution and LBP while waiting for the in explaining to the funds to be downloaded beneficiaries the delay and for the preparation of the schedules. of the cash cards. DSWD has also coordinated The DSWD has with the City/ Municipal distributed cash Social Welfare and cards to 2,531 social Development Offices pension beneficiaries in Caraga INFOCUS

Buenavista on May 18, 20, and 21. But there are remaining 605 unclaimed cash cards due to the unavailability of the beneficiaries. Around 622 out of the 1,752 beneficiaries also received their cards in the municipality of Las Nieves on June 10. The rest have received their cards during the 2nd batch distribution on June 17, 2021. The field office has posted a schedule for the municipalities/cities in Agusan del Norte, but due to the strict implementation of Local Government Units (LGUs) placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), these schedules have been deferred. According to OICUCT Head Adelito T. Mendoza, the field office targets to complete the distribution of all cash cards to Social Pension and Listahanan beneficiaries in October this year. “There are additional cash cards coming in the region from the LBP Central Office. Caraga INFOCUS

These cash cards will be distributed as soon as possible as the Department targets to complete the distribution before the year ends,” said Mendoza. As per LBP guidelines during the distribution, the beneficiaries need to personally secure the cash card and bring any valid ID as proof of identification. If unable to be present for the scheduled distribution, another schedule will be set for them to secure

their cards. UCT is the biggest tax reform mitigation program of the government to address the effects of the TRAIN law. It seeks to provide cash grants to poor households who may not benefit from the lower income tax but may be adversely affected by the rising prices of goods and commodities. (Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIACaraga) June 19-25, 2021 |

KALAHI-CIDSS’ cash-forwork trains local residents to maintain the conduct of Bayanihan-Pahina activity Months after the completion of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa KahirapanComprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services’ (KALAHI-CIDSS’) cashfor-work (CFW) project in Barangay Mahayahay, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, residents are still maintaining the cleanliness of their village through the conduct of monthly BayanihanPahina (cleaning) activity.

to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases. The CFW, which is a subproject of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) KALAHI-CIDSS PAMANA Indigenous PeopleCommunity-Driven Development (IP-CDD) in Barangay Mahayahay, was completed on March 17, 2021.

The said subproject Barangay Mahayahay costs P1,017,820, most of residents conducted the which were paid to the regular Pahina activity to beneficiaries/workers maintain the cleanliness in the said barangay. in their vicinity in an effort It benefited 612

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households, who were paid by the program on a daily basis for work rendered for four or five days. Work includes clearing of barangay roads, declogging of canals, and eliminating garbage in the surroundings. Residents also dug compost pits and built garbage bins for proper waste disposal. They also installed signage or placards to remind residents to dispose their trash properly. Keen on keeping the tidiness of their village, Caraga INFOCUS

residents committed to participate in the said cleaning activity every last Friday of the month. What is CFW? Cash-for-work (CFW) is a short-term intervention to provide temporary employment to distressed individuals who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents are temporarily employed to clean and sanitize public places and offices, communal livestock and/or vegetable/fruit gardening/farming, repacking of goods, clearing of vital roads, among others. In exchange for the work rendered, program recipients are provided with cash to meet their requirements for food and other basic necessities. CFW is one of the subprojects eligible for funding under Disaster Response Operation Procedure (DROP), which allows the KALAHICIDSS-covered areas to shift its operations from regular developmental Caraga INFOCUS

activities into a disaster response modality to immediately address issues related to early recovery.

Not just the Lumads’ surroundings were cleaned but including those areas occupied by the Bisaya),” Jok said.

KALAHI-CIDSS or KapitBisig Laban sa Kahirapan - Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services is one of the poverty alleviation programs of the government being implemented by DSWD.

“Dako kaayo epekto sa amo ang pandemya. Pang-uma na lang gyud amo pangita kay wala man lain, bawal man mo dayo. Daghan kaayong salamat sa DSWD kay tanan among panginahanglanon nasulbad (The pandemic has a huge effect on us. We only relied on farming for a living as we were not allowed to travel to work. Thank you so much DSWD for meeting all our needs),” he added.

Fruits of labor Barangay Mahayahay Community SubProject Management Committee chairperson Junjun A. Jok, 35, a Mamanwa tribe member, said that the CFW had really helped them in making both ends meet during the pandemic and at the same time clean their barangay.

Jessa B. Galban, a 26-year-old Mamanwa woman, also expressed her gratitude to the CFW of KALAHI-CIDSS. “Dako ang tabang ang cash-for-work sa “Dako kaayo katabang amo kay panahon sa ang cash-for-work pandemic kay nag-lisud para sa among mi. Nagpasalamat ko panginahanglanon. sa KALAHI kay dghan Sa amo pud palibot, akong nakat-unan ug nahinlo. Dili lang sa daghan pud project gisakupan namo nga gi-ahatag sa amo (The mga Lumad o mga tribu, cash-for-work was a apil pud ang mga Bisaya big help for us as we (Cash-for work had really have struggled so much helped us on our needs. during the pandemic. June 19-25, 2021 |

I’m grateful to KALAHI for I have learned a lot as well as for the many projects given to us),” she said. “Gipalit namo bugas, sud-an, ug unsa among kinahanglanon (We bought rice, grocery, and other essential items),” Galban said when asked how she spent the hard-earned money she got from the KALAHI-CIDSS’ CFW. Challenge ahead Mahayahay barangay chief Mario Magsanay challenged the residents to continue their monthly Bayanihan-Pahina activity. “Dili ta maluya kung ang uban dili makaparticipate tungod kay kaugalingon nato ning pagtabang sa atong komunidad (We should not get discouraged

| June 19-25, 2021

when others won’t be able to participate in the activity since this is our contribution to the community),” Magsanay told members of his community.

“Ang KALAHI nakatabang gyud kanato. Simple ra nga trabaho nato, sweldohan ta. Ato gyud ning padayunon.

Atong ipakita sa taga“Ang atong goberno KALAHI nga ang project adunay kahinangawa wala na kawang. Ato nga mo-angat gyud ang ning ipadayon kada atong komunidad sama buwan. Mao na akong sa kalimpyo, kalinaw. challenge sa inyo mga Kining pagpanghinlo kaigsuonan: manghinlo kada adlaw ni. Dili kay gyud ta (KALAHI has manghinlo ta kung really helped us. dunay activity. Mao ma nay sakit sa Pilipino, We were given cash kung naay bisita, abtik in exchange for a dayun manghinlo (The simple work. We should government really continue this activity has a goal to raise the every month. Let us standard of living of show to the KALAHI everyone including the staff that the [cash-forcommunity in terms of work] project didn’t go cleanliness and peace. to waste. Thus, this is my Cleaning is a daily chore. challenge to you: we We should be cleaning should clean our village our surroundings even if regularly),” the village there is no activity and leader told residents of not just if there are visitors Barangay Mahayahay. in our barangay),” he (DSWD-Caraga/PIAsaid. Caraga) Caraga INFOCUS

Local LGBTQ group celebrates Pride Month 2021 By Doreen Marielle Rosales

Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) community in Agusan del Norte joined the entire world in celebrating the 2021 Pride Month Celebration held on June. Festivities were launched by GARBO – Agusan del Norte, a LGBTQ group supported by the provincial government of Agusan del Norte which is founded by its employees. “For this year’s celebration, we copied the theme from the New York City Pride, which is “The Fight Continues,” said GARBOADN co-founder Christian Rey Cloma. Various competitions were launched such as the ’Drag Up Your Life’ Makeover Challenge, where participants are challenged to come up with their most creative drag look; the ‘Talentadong Ka-Garbo’ Pop Dance competition; and the GARBO Short Film Competition, where storytellers are given the chance to portray in the film their own interpretation of the theme. More or less 50 community

Caraga INFOCUS

members from the ten municipalities and one component city of the province joined the competition, the youngest being 15 years old. Winners of each challenge will receive a cash prize as big as P15,000 and other freebies. The top three winners of the makeover challenge will win P7,000, P5,000, and P3,000, respectively, while three others will receive a consolation prize of P1,500 while the winning entries of the talent competition will win P5,000, P3,000, P2,000, respectively and a consolation prize of P1,000 will be given to succeeding three entries. For the short film competition, three entries receiving top ratings from the judges will receive P15,000, P10,000, and P7,000,

respectively while three more entries will receive a P3,500 consolation prize. As of writing, entries have now been deliberated by the panel of judges and will be announced on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 6PM PST. Entries are posted at the group’s official Facebook page, https:// www.facebook.com/ GARBOAGUSAN. GARBO-ADN was founded by Mr. Elly Navarroza, Jr. and Mr. Cloma who are co-workers at the Human Resource Department of the Provincial Government. They marked the group’s founding by launching its first Pride event for last year’s Pride Month celebration. (DMNR/ PIA-Caraga)

June 19-25, 2021 |

DepEd-Caraga to conduct canned jingle competition By Jennifer P. Gaitano

In time with the 26th Anniversary of the Department of Education (DepEd), the Caraga regional office will be spearheading the conduct of canned Jingle Competition to all its personnel regionwide on July 14, 2021, thru an online platform. According to DepEd Caraga Regional Director Dr. Evelyn Fetalvero, every July of each year, DepEd Caraga celebrates its founding anniversary

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wherein all community stakeholders and partners in the region are recognized as part of the success of the department in its operations from 1995 up to the present date. “This year, DepEd Caraga continues to recognize the contribution of its stakeholders and partners by having a regionwide virtual 26th Year Anniversary celebration on July 1216, 2021 with the theme:

Celebrating Synergy for LID-19 Pandemic,” she said. Fetalvero added that this celebration is an act of appreciation for all the efforts, cooperation, and commitment of all the people behind the success of DepEd Caraga operation, in making a difference in the lives of the learners, their parents, and their communities for the last 26 years. (JPG/PIACaraga) Caraga INFOCUS

U.S. military delivers P183M worth of weapons, equipment to AFP

The officials from the Joint United States Military Assistance Group - Philippines (JUSMAG-P) delivered P183 million ($3.8 million) worth of weapons and equipment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Clark Air Base on Monday, June 21.

AFP’s counterterrorism and maritime security capabilities. “The United States will continue to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ capacity building efforts through joint training and key military equipment transfers. Our mutual security collaboration remains a cornerstone of a free and open IndoPacific,” said JUSMAGPhilippines Chief and Senior Defense Official to the Philippines Col. Stephen Ma.

The delivery, funded by both Philippine national funds and United States (U.S.) grant assistance, included nine M3P .50 caliber heavy machine guns, 10 mortar tubes, and other equipment. It is intended to enhance the The Philippines is the Caraga INFOCUS

largest recipient of U.S. military assistance in the Indo-Pacific. Since 2015, the U.S. has provided more than P48.6 billion ($1 billion) in security assistance to the Philippines. This year, the United States and the Philippines are commemorating 70 years since the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty, and this delivery continues the United States’ longstanding commitment to our Filipino allies. (U.S Embassy in the Philippines/PIA-Caraga) June 19-25, 2021 |

RTWPB Caraga conducts orientation on productivity toolbox

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) Caraga in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Surigao del Sur and National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) Caraga recently conducted a Webinar on Productivity Toolbox Orientation participated by 66 workers from different provinces of Caraga Region. According to RTWPB Caraga Board Secretary Earl Dela Victoria,

| June 19-25, 2021

different topics were discussed to help participants improve their performance and become more productive. The NCMB Caraga discussed the Grievance Machinery while the Employees Compensation Commission shared their programs and services to the participants. Dela Victoria said that productivity is very important and he encourages business owners and their workers

to be more competitive and have always a positive work value. The productivity toolbox features the different productivity training programs and technical assistance to improve the capability and motivation of employees and enterprises to adopt productivity technologies for continuous improvement toward enterprise development and growth. (RTWPB Caraga/ PIA Caraga) Caraga INFOCUS

PROVINCIAL NEWS

PCIC, NMIS Caraga urge hog raisers to insure pigs By Venus L. Garcia

To safeguard the interests and investments of local hog raisers and industry players, Dr. Bernadette Montenegro, action officer of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) Caraga, and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation is encouraging them to avail of the regular livestock insurance program. This is in support to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA’s) effort in recognition of the urgency of the situation the hog industry is currently in especially with the seasonal prevalence of the African swine fever (ASF). Backyard and commercial swine raisers are urged to have their stocks insured, as these insurance packages will help protect their livelihoods in case their farms are affected by the ASF. Dr. Montenegro also underscored during a virtual briefing on Swine Mortality Insurance hosted by the DA-Caraga on Friday the need for immediate depopulation of pigs infected by the ASF to control the spread or even completely eradicate the ASF in the region. She also urged the hog raisers and traders to cooperate and not to sell

| June 19-25, 2021

live or dead pigs or pork products infected with the said viral disease. Hog raisers can apply for insurance online on the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) website or visit any of its regional offices, provincial extension offices, and service desks. “Hog raisers must take advantage of the government’s free insurance coverage which is part of DA’s broader goal under the hog repopulation program,” said Dr. Montenegro. The intended beneficiary-participants of the Swine Repopulation Insurance Program of the DA-PCIC are backyard Caraga INFOCUS

swine raisers listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), farmers cooperative or associations, commercial farm operators, local government units, state colleges and universities. Based on the minimum requirements for the Swine Repopulation Insurance Program, the provincial and municipal governments that have jurisdiction over the farms of these beneficiaries must have adopted harmonized ordinance relevant and pertaining to the prevention and control of ASF. The municipal government must have prepared and is implementing and regularly updating a Municipal ASF Control and Prevention Plan aligned with the regional initiatives of the DA Regional Field Office, the PCIC said.

additional fund, if needed. For backyard swine raisers/ smallholders, the premium subsidy under the Swine Repopulation Insurance Program shall be 100% of the premium cost or full premium subsidy, while for commercial swine raisers, the premium subsidy shall be at such rate of the premium cost as may be agreed upon by the DA and PCIC.

In addition to the minimum requirements for the Swine Repopulation Insurance Program, the local government must have organized the Bantay ASF sa Barangay; the hog farms are registered with the local government unit; operations must be compliant with Biosecurity Level 1 standards; and farmers, or in case of commercial farms, owners and staff have been trained in biosecurity procedures.

Swine Repopulation Insurance Program includes the following policy condition: Hog raiser farm should be in an area cleared for repopulation or in the green zone; hog raiser must be a registered practitioner of the biosecurity under the Bantay ASF Program; the insured shall be the sole owner or co-owner of the livestock subject for insurance coverage; the insured livestock should remain within the premises of the farm of the insured; and the hog farm must be supervised by a hog technician or a veterinarian.

The PCIC has allotted P600 million from its current budget for the Swine Repopulation Insurance Program. The amount shall be used either as insurance premium subsidy or indemnity payment for assured RSBSA listed hog raisers. The DA will provide

The responsible agencies are continuously monitoring the status of ASF in the entire region wherein pigs are recently detected to have been infected in barangay Florida, Butuan City. (VLG/PIA-Suriao del Norte)

Caraga INFOCUS

June 19-25, 2021 |

Surigao Norte Agrarian organizations to supply farm produce to jails, hospitals Three agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) in Surigao del Norte have forged marketing contracts with government institutions under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) project through the provincial office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DTI) in Surigao del Norte. The San Pedro Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (SPARBECO) of Alegria town has recently renewed its marketing contract with the Caraga Regional Hospital (CRH).

and continued its patronage of their wellmilled rice and it meant that they will have a sure additional income for their farmer-members and the cooperative as a whole. Meanwhile, the Mabini Agrarian Under the said contract Reform Beneficiaries SPARBECO will supply Cooperative the hospital with 10 sacks (MABARBECO) of of well-milled rice every Surigao City forged a week for one year. deal with the provincial Dionesia M. Gonzales of office of the Bureau of SPARBECO said that they Jail Management and are happy that CRH has Penology (BJMP) in the renewed agreement province for the former

| June 19-25, 2021

to provide the latter assorted vegetables for its detainees for a period of one year. MABARBECO chairperson Resituto B. Tenazas, Jr. was delighted and said the agreement came at the right time, they do not have to worry anymore about where to sell their farm produce because they have a ready market. The Villaflor Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Caraga INFOCUS

Association (VARBA) of Gigaquit town has also signed a oneyear contract with the BJMP in Surigao City to source food from farmerbeneficiaries and supply their facility with assorted vegetables also. Jenita P. Larong, chairperson of VARBA, thanked the management of DAR Surigao Norte for providing them the said opportunity even if their organization is still very young. “This contract served as a challenge for us to apply all the skills and learnings that we have acquired from our Farm

Business School,” Larong said.

L. de Guzman said the marketing agreements with the ARBOS and On her part, DAR-Surigao the institutional buyers del Norte Provincial will definitely help the Agrarian Reform Program agrarian farmers by Officer Maria Elizabeth boosting their household incomes while at the same time improving the provision of food in their detention centers and hospital. Under EPAHP project, the DAR aimed to partner with different government agencies to provide assistance to its assisted agrarian organizations and farmer-beneficiaries through direct market linkages and access to programs and funding. (Daryll M. Tumbaga, DAR-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Caraga INFOCUS

June 19-25, 2021 |

18 PDI food producers undergo OTOP ACT session on food packaging

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Dinagat Islands has recently conducted the 2021 One Town, One Product (OTOP) Next Gen Assessment, Consultation and Triage (ACT) Session on Food Packaging.

enable the local food producers in the province to achieve new packaging and label designs.

He said that OTOP NextGen program of DTI aims to provide assistance and capacitate the micro, According to DTI Dinagat small and medium Islands Provincial Director enterprises (MSMEs) by Elmer M. Natad, the scaling up their products assessment consultation in the areas of design, triage session on quality, volume, and food packaging will among others.

| June 19-25, 2021

Around 18 food producers from various business establishments in Dinagat Islands participated in the said session. The two-day activity was conducted via Zoom platform and one-onone consultations were made online with the resource speaker Mr. Raynor Zuleta of Raynor of Design Concepts from Manila. (DTI-PDI/PIADinagat Islands) Caraga INFOCUS

DTI distributes livelihood kits to MSMEs in Surigao Norte town The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Surigao del Norte through the Livelihood Seeding ProgramNegosyo Serbisyo Sa Barangay (LSP-NSB) has recently distributed SariSari Store livelihood kits in San Francisco (Anaoaon) town, this province. DTI Surigao del Norte Provincial Director Arnold Faelnar said the LSP-NSB is a program of the DTI that allows a wider reach of business development assistance by bringing government services closer to the people through partnerships between relevant local government units and the agency.

He said it is designed to provide livelihood opportunities and support the existing micro-enterprises affected by natural and human-induced calamities including health disasters arising from epidemics and pandemics.

Director Faelnar further said that it provides aid to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in order to cope and bounce back from the negative effects of the pandemic on the economy and the program also aims to develop awareness about the agency’s programs and services and expand reach to the business sector. A total of five existing MSMEs from Barangay Macopa are the beneficiaries of the kits being distributed by the Negosyo Center - San Francisco. (DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Caraga INFOCUS

June 19-25, 2021 |

‘Run for Comfort’ project benefits 4Ps beneficiaries in Tagana-an By Venus L. Garcia

A fun run activity or a ‘Color Me Run’ dubbed as ‘Run for Comfort’ paved the way in providing access to clean and comfortable sanitary toilet facility in the town of Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte. Many of the households under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps in barangay Patiño, Tagana-an have benefitted from the proceeds of the fun run activity by installing

| June 19-25, 2021

devices for individual convenience in the sanitary disposal of body wastes. This is an initiative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) - Surigao del Norte Provincial Operations Office, with the support of the local government unit of Tagana-an, Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

“May 11 households na ang nakinabang sa nasabing proyekto o inisyatibo na Run for Comfort. Kaya maraming salamat kasi ‘yong LGU Tagana-an ay talagang sumusuporta para maisakatuparan ito. Kung wala lang sanang pandemic ay tuloy-tuloy sana ang ating aktibidad para makalikom ng sapat na pondo para mas marami ang matulungan,” said Shalom Dapar Sumaguila, provincial link of the Surigao Caraga INFOCUS

del Norte 4Ps. The project also aims to encourage the 4Ps beneficiaries to establish their own comfort room in their houses which is essential to good health, clean environment, growth and development, and in order to avoid the harmful effects of unsanitary toilet open defecation. “Nang dahil sa initiative po na ‘yon may plano po ng provincial office ng DSWD Pantawid Pamilya na gawin yon

provincialwide para mas malaki ang malilikom natin na pondo para masolusyunan ang problema ng open defecation lalo na sa mga coastal areas. So, siguro pagkatapos ng pandemic gagawin natin ‘yon, i-replicate

natin para talagang mas marami pang pamilya ang matutulungan,” said Sumaguila. The DSWD reminded the 4Ps beneficiaries to properly utilize the cash grants intended to address their daily basic necessities. Meanwhile, Mary Jane Digma, a resident of barangay Patiño and a recipient of the toilet facility project is grateful for the kind of aid provided to her family as they had long been wanting to put up their own clean and comfortable sanitary toilet. The ‘Run for Comfort’ project is an entry of Tagana-an for the 2021 Search for Best 4Ps Initiative of the DSWD Caraga. (VLG/PIASurigao del Norte)

Caraga INFOCUS

June 19-25, 2021 |

NPA nanunog ng construction equipment; Lanuza MPS, Police Mobile Force Company Patrol Base sabay na pinapaputukan bahagi ng bayan ng Lanuza, 43 km hilaga ng Tandag City. Gayunman, ayon sa police director, bigong magapi ang police station pati ang patrol base. Wala rin aniyang napahamak sa panig ng pamahalaan.

CARAGA PULIS PIO

Tuwirang kinumpirma ni Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO) Provincial Director (PD) Col. James Goforth na mistulang nagpakita na naman ng pangil ang komunistang teroristang grupo sa Surigao del Sur kagabi, Hunyo 24. Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng ginawang panununog ng construction equipment at pagpapaputok sa Lanuza Municipal Police Station (LMPS) pati sa

| June 19-25, 2021

patrol base ng 2nd Surigao del Sur Police Mobile Force Company sa parehong lugar. Ani Goforth, ang insidente ng karahasan ay nangyari nang sabayan dakong alas 9:00 ng gabi kagabi. Ang mga sinilabang gamit pangkonstruksiyon ng MR1 Construction ay napag-alamang pag-aari ng isang nagngangalang Paulo Lopez at matatagpuan sa bulubunduking

Samantala, agad namang inalerto ang lahat ng mga karatigpolice station at inatasang magsagawa ng kaukulang checkpoints sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa army counterparts. Dagdag nito ay pinabubusisi rin ang mga pagamutan at clinics sa hinalang may naisugod na pasyente resulta ng pakikipagbakbakan ng mga tropa ng gobyerno bunsod ng pangyayari. (Greg Tataro, Jr., DXJS RP-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur) Caraga INFOCUS

SurSur implements AWA for capitol employees By Nida Grace P. Barcena

Governor Alexander Pimentel

Due to the implementation of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in the entire province, the provincial government of Surigao del Sur has implemented an alternative work arrangement (AWA) effective June 16, 2021 up to June 30, 2021, in order to safeguard employees’ health while they are actively working. Provincial Human Resource Management Office chief Ace Orcullo Caraga INFOCUS

said the implementation of the skeleton work was based on the Memorandum No. 112-2021 released by Governor Alexander Pimentel. However, Orcullo said the provincial department heads were also given an option to either implement such or not, as long as the functions and services rendered by their respective departments will not be hindered. Some of the

departments, accordingly, applied the skeleton force, of which the employees were divided into teams. As of press time, Orcullo said all the department offices are now open, and on their regular operation to render their services, after some of the offices were previously on lockdown, and employees were isolated inside their office as part of the protocol in order to contain the transmission of COVID-19. (PIA-Surigao del Sur) June 19-25, 2021 |

Pagbabakuna sa Tandag tuloy pa rin sa gitna ng hamon ng pandemya dulot ng COVID-19 Ni Nida Grace P. Barcena

Malaking hamon ang kinakaharap ng mga health workers na kasali sa pagpapatupad ng vaccination rollout sa lungsod, lalo pa at napabilang na ang Tandag City na may local transmission at isa na ring kinukonsederang high risk base sa bilang ng mga nagpositibong kaso sa lugar. Sa panayam sa Radyo PilipinasTandag kay Dr. Ruth Arraz, hepe ng City Health Office, apat sa kanilang empleyado ang kasalukuyang sumasailalim sa kwarentina matapos mapag-alaman na may “first generation contact” ang mga ito sa nagpositibo sa coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Inamin din ng opisyal na nabawasan din sila ng mga Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) na tumulong sa kanila sa vaccination centers, sa kadahilanan na rin na pinabalik na sila sa kani-kanilang barangay na merong mataas ang kaso sa COVID-19 para gawin ang kanilang mga tungkulin bilang mga “contact tracers.” sumunod sa mga safety protocol. Patuloy rin ang maayos na Sa kabila sa hamon ng pandemyang koordinasyon sa local inter–agency kinakaharap dulot ng COVID-19, task force against COVID-19 para sa patuloy pa rin aniyang ipapatupad maayos na implementasyon sa buong ang pagbabakuna, at maayos na syudad. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

| June 19-25, 2021

Caraga INFOCUS

203 aktibong kaso sa COVID-19, naitala sa lungsod ng Tandag By: Nida Grace P. Barcena

Umabot na sa 203 indibidwal ang naitalang aktibong kaso na nagpositibo sa coronavirus disease 2019 o COVID-19 sa syudad ng Tandag, base sa ipinalabas nilang situational report ng lokal na pamahalan ng syudad noong Hunyo 23 ng kasalukuyang taon. Base sa pinalabas na Situational Report No. 74, simula ng pandemya, nakapagtala na ang syudad ng 805 na kumpirmadong nagpositibo, kung saan 203 nito ang mga aktibong kaso, 586 ang mga gumaling Caraga INFOCUS

na (recovered), samantalang 19 naman ang namatay. Napag-alaman na ang mga naitalang aktibong kaso ay nagmula sa mga sumusunod na barangay: Telaje (48), Mabua ( 32 ), Bag – ong Lungsod ( 20 ), San Agustin Sur ( 20 ), Awasian ( 19 ), Rosario ( 19 ), Dagocdoc ( 18 ), Bongtud ( 8 ), San Agustin Norte ( 8 ), Buenavista ( 4 ), Bioto ( 3 ), Salvacion ( 3 ), ug San Isidro ( 1 ). Sa kabuuang 203 na mga aktibong kaso, 132 nito ang Asymptomatic, samantalang 71 ang may mga sintomas.

Kasalukuyan sumasailalim sa istriktong kwarentina sa kanilang mga bahay ang 132 na mga indibidwal, 37 ang nasa quarantine facility, 32 ang nasa Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center, (ASTMMC), at dalawa (2) ang nairefer sa ibang health facility. Samantala, umabot naman sa 1, 978 ang mga suspetsadong mayroong kaso ng COVID-19 sa kasalukuyan na patuloy na minomonitor nga mga health workers sa nasabing syudad. (PIASurigao del Sur) June 19-25, 2021 |

Comelec registration ipinagpaliban sa lungsod ng Tandag By: Nida Grace P. Barcena

Dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng datos ng mga nagpositibo sa coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), kasalukuyan ipinagpaliban ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) Tandag City Office ang pagparehistro, pati na rin ang nakatakdang “satelite registration” sa mga barangay na sakop nito, matapos sumailalim sa Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) ang buong lalawigan ng Surigao del Sur simula Hunyo 16 hanggang Hunyo 30 ng kasalukuyang taon. Sa panayam kay Tandag City Election Officer Florephi Botona, ang pagpaliban ay naayon sa ipinapalabas na resolusyon ng kanilang opisina kung saan iniutos nito ang pagpapatupad ng work-from-home scheme sa lahat ng mga manggagawa

| June 19-25, 2021

o empleyado nito, na nagdeklara ng Enhanced Community Quarantion (ECQ) o di kaya ang MECQ.

na dapat pa nilang puntahan. Kabilang sa mga nakanselang satellite registration ang Barangay Bioto na Napag-alaman mula kay nakatakda sana noong Botona na sarado na Hunyo 18, at Barangay ang kanilang tanggapan Quezon noong Hunyo simula sa unang araw 19. ng pagpapatupad ng MECQ sa buong syudad. Dagdag pa ni Botona, kasama din na Kinumpirma din niya ipinagpaliban ang ang pansamantalang Barangay San Agustin Sur pagkansela ng mga na nakatakda sa Hunyo nakatakdang satelite 25, at ang Barangay San registration sa mga Agustin Norte sa Hunyo natitirang barangay 26. (PIA-Surigao del Sur) Caraga INFOCUS

AgNor guv prioritizes developments in far-flung areas By Nora C. Lanuza

“Sleeping with the people,” this was the phrase that Governor Dale B. Corvera describes how the provincial government of Agusan del Norte works to realize its desire to provide Agusanons, especially those in the far-flung areas to have a satisfying life.

Camagong in the Municipality of Nasipit together with the chiefs of the provincial offices and concerned municipal as well as partner national government agencies. “This act (sleeping with the people), which we have done twice in the last couple of months, embodies the essence In his recent Governor’s of what we have been Report, Governor doing since I took Corvera narratesd how office as your provincial he interacts with the governor two years ago people in Sitio Bokbokon, and what we intend Barangay Lawanlawan to attain to realize our in the municipality of desire for a satisfying life Las Nieves and Sitio for every Agusanon,” he Mimbahandi, Barangay says. Caraga INFOCUS

Governor Corvera says that by visiting the areas (Bokbokon and Mimbahandi) – that are considered as hotbeds of the insurgency, they made them feel the warmth of the caring presence of the government that at times been absent in their lives. “By sleeping in these areas we showed them that the government is with them in their quest for peace to reign, and by eating with them, we imparted the message that the government is around to flex their economic prowess for them to reinvigorate June 19-25, 2021 |

Efficient Service and Effective Governance towards a Progressive and Sustainable Environment.”

and accelerate growth for everyone to live a life of abundance,” says Governor Corvera. During their visit in the areas, different social services, medical/dental services, distribution of food packs and other services were provided to the residents in the area in partnership with different concerned government agencies. A dialogue was also conducted to know the needs of the residents and to gain support in combatting insurgency in the area. Also during the visit, the members of the New People’s Army and residents supporting the terrorist movement have surrendered and withdrawn their support to the terrorist groups. Despite the threat of

| June 19-25, 2021

COVID-19, Governor Corvera with the support of the province’s second district Representative Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. AmanteMatba continues to provide assistance for development to the different areas in the province through the AGUSAN UP, the eightpoint development agenda of the province. For every Agusanon to live a satisfying life, Governor Corvera says, his administration has adopted the long-drawn vision of the province as a stepping stone. The vision desires for the province to arrive at the following conditions by 2027: “The Agricultural Processing Center and Industrial Estate Zone in the Caraga Region driven by Godly,

Also, Governor Corvera says that in order to arrive at the conditions desired in the above vision, the strategic directions for economic, social, infrastructure, environmental development and development governance should be set. Governor Corvera says that his administration embarks on the AGUSAN UP! Development Campaign as its core process. It is being implemented through its four flagship programs, namely: Amomang Agusanon for social development concerns, Agus 3Ps or Plant and Process for Prosperity for economic development concerns, Lunhaw’ng Agusan for environmental development concerns and Hiniusang Lihuk Agusan for development governance and people empowerment concerns. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte) Caraga INFOCUS

Army joins pact to advance Community Enterprise Village in AgNor

A joint pact that will ensure the sustainability of Community Enterprise Village for the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) has been formalized with the recent signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte, Local Government Unit (LGU) of Nasipit, and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority of Agusan del Norte Caraga INFOCUS

(TESDA-ADN) held in Barangay Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. The MOA was signed by the members of Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTFELCAC) of Nasipit headed by Mayor Enrico Corvera, TESDAADN Provincial Director Rey Cueva, Lt. Col Julius Cesar C Paulo, commanding officer of 23IB, PMaj. Limen A. Magdadaro, chief of police, Nasipit, and the

members of people’s organizations (POs). Under the MOA, the signatories pledge their commitment to handle and manage the Busilak Enterprise Village well. It also aims to enjoin the cooperation and commitment of the LGU of Nasipit, various National agencies, the 23IB, PNP, and the POs to ensure the sustainability of the said project. It can be recalled that the launching of Busilak Enterprise Village was June 19-25, 2021 |

conducted in time with the conduct of PPOC Immersion last April 12 to 13 2021 in the same sitio. It is a collaborative effort between the provincial government of Agusan del Norte, LGU of Nasipit, 23IB, PNP, and national agencies, to the Indigenous Peoples that once suffered from the armed conflict brought by the Communist NPA Terrorist (CNTs) for almost five decades. The establishment of the community enterprise village paves the way to address the issues commonly exploited by the CNTs in the communities considered as geographically isolated, disadvantaged and conflict-affected areas (GIDAS). Datu Talagsaon Jimbo Mansiguinda, the tribal leader of Sitio

| June 19-25, 2021

Mimbahandi, is thankful to the government for the assistance and assures that they will nurture the said project. Meanwhile, 23IB commander Lt. Col. Julius Cesar Paulo emphasized the importance of helping uplift the economic lives of the people in communities. The issue on poverty, he added, has been manipulated by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA) and political arm the National Democratic Front (NDF) in deceiving the people to hate the government. “Insurgency cannot be addressed solely by the use of arms but through the collaborative efforts

of various government agencies in providing responsive and sustainable development programs to the people and their communities,” Paulo said. He also assured the IP leaders in Barangay Camagong of the continuing support of the 23IB in all their development undertakings. “With its desire to bring the public service to the people, the 23IB will continue to engage in various program and we can assure that the livelihood opportunities that we are providing them will be put in place, thus, it will be sustained,” Paulo said. (2Lt. Angel Grace M. Sebelina (INF) PA, Acting CMO Officer, 23IB PA/PIA Agusan del Norte) Caraga INFOCUS

ASF information caravan goes virtual in Agusan Norte

Considering the recent limitations brought by the pandemic which prohibits the usual face-to-face Information Caravan, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga Information Section held a Virtual Forum on African Swine Fever Prevention and Control for the province of Agusan del Norte in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Caraga INFOCUS

The forum aims to strengthen information dissemination and public awareness about the die-hard virus especially in the Local Government Units (LGUs) of the province, elaborating also the role of every barangay on the prevention and containment if such a virus is detected.

City, municipalities of Buenavista, and Carmen. On June 18, it was participated by the municipalities of Las Nieves, Kitcharao, Nasipit, and Magallanes. On June 24, another virtual forum is set to happen for the municipalities of Jabonga, R.T.R., Tubay, and Santiago.

The virtual forum started last June 17 with participating municipal and barangay officials of Cabadbaran

Topics discussed during the forum included ASF Prevention and Control presented by Dr. Jayen Daladar of the DAJune 19-25, 2021 |

Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL), Swine Mortality Insurance presented by Roy Arthur Alamban of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) - Northern Mindanao, and ASF Contingency Plan presented by Dr. Belen Aruelo of the Provincial Veterinary Office of Agusan del Norte. Present as well is Dr. Bernadette Montenegro of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) - Caraga serving as one of the panelists in the forum.

target participants of the caravan are members of the Sanggunian, Punong Barangay and its chairperson in Agriculture, and municipal agriculturists since they are at the forefront in the management, prevention, and control of the spread of the virus once present in their area of responsibility.

The virtual forum is one of the efforts of the Regional ASF Task Force, spearheaded by its communication team to intensify awareness and strengthen cooperation According to DA Caraga among agriculture - Information Chief stakeholders in the Emmylou Presilda, the region. Last April, an on-

| June 19-25, 2021

site Information Caravan on ASF also covered 12 municipalities in the province of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur. Moreover, President Rodrigo R. Duterte in his Proclamation No. 1143 inked on May 10, 2021, has placed the entire country under a state of calamity for one year due to the ASF outbreak. The said declaration will allow the national government and LGUs to utilize the Quick Response funds in their efforts to contain the continuing spread of the ASF. (Kent Warren H. Fugoso, DA-RAFIS13/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Caraga INFOCUS

Ekipo alang sa ‘Beyond Rice’ project sa RTR nagsugod na og pangabot Nagsugod na og pagpangabot ning semanaha ang mga himan pangproseso sa “Beyond Rice,” ang core processing project sa lungsod sa RTR nga tabangan pagpahiluna sa mga tiggama og kakanin, sa Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), sa munisipyo ug sa probinsya ubos sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo sa administrasyon ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kong. Angel Amante-Matba. Ang unang nangabot isip kabahin sa Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project sa DTI mao ang mga himan sa pagluto sa kakanin – bibingka, puto, budbod, biko, uban pa. Kulang pa kini sa gas oven ug table top vacuum machine apan mangabot na kini sa bulan sa Hulyo.

sa RTR nga magsilbi usab nga roadside rest stop diin maka-snack o makapabalot og baon o sinugatang kakanin ang mga biyahero sa Butuan, Cabadbaran, Surigao ug ubang dapit sa Caraga ingon man sa motabok sa Lipata sa Surigao ngadto na sa Visayas ug Luzon.

Niini, gitakda nga magtigum ang mga stakeholders sa maong proyekto sa idakduhang seman sa Hulyo aron maplastar ang mosunod nga mga lakang.

Magsilbi usab nga tigtumod ang proyekto sa mga inadlaw-adlaw nga stock sa kakanin sa mga kan-anan sa Butuan, Cabadbaran, Surigao ug ubang mga lungsod sa Caraga.

Sa inisyal nga plano ipahiluna ubos sa proyektong “Beyond Apil usab sa ipahiluna sa proyekto mao ang Rice” ang processing center sa kakanin daplin sa highway paggama og rice wine ug

Caraga INFOCUS

beer. Tumong sa proyekto nga makamugna ang mga maguuma sa humay sa RTR og lain pang mga produkto gikan sa bugas niini mismo alang sa dugang kita. Mahinumdoman nga gihimo ang kakanin cooking contest sa RTR sa miaging tuig aron motumaw ang labing maayong pagkaluto nga maangayan merkado. Gisundan kini sa tasting nga gihimo atol sa 54th Araw nga Agusan del Norte niadtong Hunyo 17. Kabahin kini sa proseso sa product development nga padayong himoon sa mosunod nga mga adlaw. (Agusan Up/PIA Agusan del Norte)

June 19-25, 2021 |

Cash for Work diha sa pagpananum og kahoy himoon sa RTR Gipahigayun niadtong Hunyo 24, 2021 ang oryentasyon sa mga benepisyaryo sa cashfor-work program sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) nga giimplementar kaabag ang munisipyo ug ang probinsya sa barangay sa San Antonio, Balangbalang ug sa Tagbongabong, RTR.

Matud pa sa kapitan sa Barangay San Ang maong oryentasyon Mosuma sa 540 ka Antonio, daku ang gitambungan sa mga residente sa RTR ang iyang pasalamat sa benepisyaryo, mga makabenepisyo niini. higayon nga bisan sa opisyal sa barangay pandemya ug kalisud sa nga gipangunahan Ubos sa program panahon karon dakong sa kapitan, personahe makatrabaho ang mga tabang ning programa sa Department of benepisyaryo sulod sa sa panginabuhian sa Social Welfare and napulo (10) ka adlaw ug iyang katawhan. Bisan Development ning sweldohan sila og 240 kung pipila lang ka rehiyon ug sa mga pesos matag adlaw. adlaw ang trabaho personahe sa AGUSAN apan daku kining UP alang sa probinsya. Ang mahimong trabaho tabang sa makatrabaho sa mga benepisyaryo niini ug tabang diha Kining programa mao ang pagpananum sa pagpabaskug sa kabahin sa tinuig nga og mga kahoy sama kinaiyahan. (Jessa cash-for-work program sa fruit trees nga Mindajao ug Nibika ubos sa Risk Resiliency rambutan, durian, santol, Calixtro, LGU Agusan del Program-Climate mangga ug kahoy nga Norte/PIA Agusan del Change Adaptation and mahogany. Norte)

| June 19-25, 2021

Mitigation sa DSWD.

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Vlog, tiktok kompetisyon nagmalampuson Nagmalampuson nga gipahigayon niadtong Hunyo 16 ang mga aktibidadies alang sa ika-4 nga adlaw sa kasumaran sa 54th Araw ng Agusan del Norte ug 7th SADOW Festival pinaagi sa Araw ng Agusan TV. Kabahin sa mga kalihokan nga gihimo mao ang: Vlog your Spot diin adunay 23 ka mga entries ug Tiktok ta Agusanon nga adunay 25 ka mga entries. “Probinsya ko, Ipasigarbo ko” ang tema sa Vlog your Spot samtang sa tiktok kids and teens category adunay tema nga “Be safe, Be creative in the comfort of your own home”; sa adult category adunay tema nga “Sa Bakuna, Luwas ta Bai!” ug sa Group category mao ang “Inspired by Sadow Festival Song.” Nahimong mananaog sa nasangpit nga kompetisyon mao ang mosunod: • Vlog Your Spot 1st Place- Municipality of Tubay- P 35,000.00 2nd Place- City of Cabadbaran- P 25,000.00 3rd Place- Municipality of Santiago- P 20,000.00 • Tiktok Kids Category 1st Place- Municipality of Santiago- P 5,000.00 2nd Place- Municipality of Carmen- P 3,000.00 3rd Place- Municipality of Magallanes- P 1,500.00 • Tiktok Adult Category 1st Place- Municipality of Carmen- P 5,000.00 2nd Place- Municipality of Santiago- P 3,000.00 3rd Place- Municipality of RTR- P 1,500.00 • Tiktok Teens Category 1st Place- Municipality of Magallanes- P 5,000.00 2nd Place- Municipality of Santiago- P 3,000.00 3rd Place- Municipality of RTR- P 1,500.00 • Tiktok Group Category 1st Place- Municipality of Magallanes- P 10,000.00 2nd Place- City of Cabadbaran- P 8,000.00 3rd Place- Municipality of Carmen- P 5,000.00 Sa mensahe nga gipadayag ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera matod pa niya nga “Padayon kita sa pagbuhat og mga estorya sa daghan pang tourist spot sa probinsya apan palapdan pa nato ang atong maabot, himoon pa nato ubang narratives kalabot sa nagkalain-laing aspeto sa pagpalambo, putingan ta nga mas daghan pang tao ang maenganyo pagsalmot sa kalihokang pangkalamboan.” Sa laing bahin, gipahigayon usab anang adlaw ang “Kulturang Agusanon, Ipasigarbo ko” diin gipakita ang nagkalain-laing tradisyon ug kultura sa mga Indigenous Peoples (IP’s) sa Agusan del Norte nga mao ang Higaonon, Mamanwa ug Manobo pinaagi sa Awit ug Sayaw. Ang maong kalihokan adunay tema nga “Padayong hiniusang Buntugon ang Pandemya, Ipalambo ang Ekonomiya.” (Justine Perez, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Caraga INFOCUS

June 19-25, 2021 |

AgNor ug 7 ka mga ahensya mipirma MOU alang sa vegetable derby

kinahanglan alang sa nurseries ug technical interventions ug ang MinDA maoy responsable sa sourcing of prizes sa gidugayon sa derby. Ang demonstration farm nahimutang didto sa syudad sa Cabadbaran, lungsod sa Santiago, Kitcharao ug Las Nieves.

Ang lokal nga panggamhanan sa Agusan del Norte mipirma sa usa ka Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) kauban ang Department of Agriculture (DA)Caraga, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) ug ang private seed companies alang sa conduct of vegetable derby sa probinsya.

Capitol Compound, Butuan City. Mapasalamaton si Gobernador Dale Corvera sa mga ahensya nga misuporta sa agricultural development initiatives sa probinsya ubos sa programang AGUSAN UP!.

Pinaagi sa maong MOU, ang seed companies maoy mohatag sa Ang nasangpit nga kinahanglanon nga mga MOU signing personal liso ngadto sa nagkalainnga gipangunahan laing grupo sa mag-uuma ni Provincial Governor alang sa vegetable Dale B. Corvera ug DAproduction nga naidentify 13 Technical Director sa demonstration farms Rebecca Atega niadtong sa probinsya samtang Hunyo 16 didto sa ang DA-13 mohatag sa Provincial Training Center, mga materyales nga

| June 19-25, 2021

Saksi sa maong pagpirma sila Sec. Emmanuel F. Pinol sa MinDA nga girepresentahan ni Jun Piong, Provincial Administrator Gerry Joey S. Laurito, Las Nieves Mayor Avelina S. Rosales, Provincial Board Member Virgilio R. Escasinas, Jr., Officer-in-charge of Provincial Agriculture Office Alvin P. Aclan ug uban pang mga kawani sa nagkalain-laing ahensya. Ang nasangpit nga MOU signing usa sa mga tipik nga mga kalihokan sa ika-54th Araw ng Agusan del Norte. (Justine L. Perez, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte) Caraga INFOCUS

DA-Caraga, Agusan Up ink MOU to boost high-value crops production in Agusan del Norte

More local veggies to come. This, as the Vegetable Derby in Agusan del Norte kicks off with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) held between the Department of Agriculture - Caraga, Agusan Up, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and Private Seed Companies on June 18 at the provincial capitol. Caraga INFOCUS

The Vegetable Derby, originally initiated by the MinDA, aims to stimulate economic development, particularly through HighValue Crops Production. It was localized by the province of Agusan del Norte through its flagship program called Agusan Up to explore, focus, and build up potential areas for commercial vegetable growing in the whole province of Agusan del Norte.

of our neighboring regions, this MOU is not just a mere sheet of paper, the stakeholders are duty-bound to perform the tasks to alleviate the vegetable production and initiate an economic recovery in the agriculture sector of the province,” Committee Chair on Agriculture Provincial Board Member Vergilio Escasinas Jr. said.

Five (5) private seed “Inspired by the initiatives companies participated June 19-25, 2021 |

such as East-West Seeds, Seedworks Philippines Inc., Allied Botanical Corporation, Pilipinas Kaneko Seed Company, and Ramgo International. Cited on the term of reference, these companies will provide the necessary seeds for the demonstration farm. DA - Caraga, in its end, will provide materials needed for the nursery, including concerns on irrigation, especially in the testing site. MinDA will be responsible for the sourcing of prizes for the duration of the derby. The province of Agusan del Norte, in its end, is responsible for providing logistics,

| June 19-25, 2021

labor, and support to the participating stakeholders. Agusan del Norte Governor Dale B. Corvera expressed his gratitude to the Department for its utmost support to its flagship program which greatly emphasizes agricultural development in the region such as its Agus 3Ps or Plant and Process for Prosperity.

explore potential areas for vegetable production so that our people will no longer have to source from other places,” Gov. Corvera said.

The demo farm and/ or site of the Vegetable Derby has already been utilized by the seed companies to assess its agro-climatic conditions. Ten (10) commodities of high-value crops from different seed companies have been “We developed Agusan included for the pilot Up centering on our testing. Three months vision of rising Agusan del after its launching, a Norte as an Agri-Forest field day will be held to Province and Economic showcase the product Processing Zone of of the competition. (Kent Caraga by 2027, and Warren H. Fugoso, DAthrough this Vegetable RAFIS13/PIA Agusan del Derby, we will be able to Norte)

Caraga INFOCUS

Sadow festival gipahigayon sa Agusan Norte Subay sa gipahigayon nga 54th Araw ng Agusan del Norte, selebrasyon usab kini sa ika pito nga Sadow Festival diin adunay gipahigayon nga presentasyon pinaagi sa video sa nagkalain-laing tribu sa Manobo, Mamanwa ug Higaonon sa nagkalain laing lungsod nga nagpakita sa ilang kultura pinaagi sa usa ka sayaw o ritwal, community dancing ug uban pa. Gihimo ug gitawag kini nga Kulturang Agusanon, Ipasigarbo ko! Matod pa ni Gobernador Dale B. Corvera sa iyang gipaabot nga mensahe, “Mga minahal kung Agusanon niining pagsaulog nato sa 54th Founding Anniversary sa Agusan del Norte gidapit ta ang tanan nga apil sa atong dayan dayan ang kultura nga nahimong gipasikaran kung unsa man ang nahimo tang mga buhat karon ihamtang ning mga taknaa ang mga sayaw ug awit nga himuan sa mga kaigsuonan tang Mamanwa, Manobo ug Higaonon ang tulo ka tribu sa probinsiya nga maoy kagikan nga kaliwat sa daghang mga Agusanon.” Dugang pa sa gobernador nga gikan sa ilang mga awit ug sayaw mabasa unta sa mga katawhan ang gipadayag nilang nga mensahe, “ang hunahuna, baroganan ug mga hagit

Caraga INFOCUS

ug gikan niining tanan mahimo untang uban kita kanila sa mga pangadoy ug hiniusang paglihok pagkabot sa paninguha isip usa ka katilingban.” Tungod sa pandemya karon adunay gipaabot ang mga tagsa tagsa ka mga tribu nga mga mensahe. Matod pa sa usa ka lider sa mga Higaonon, “Bulawanong hiyas sa tribong Higaonon kinaiya nga angay huptan sa matag isa bisan unsa pa ang atong kagikan kultura ug tradisyon sanglit ang pagpasalamat usa ka matang sa pagpadayag sa lunsay natong pagkatawo. Sa bisan unsang okasyon di makalimtan sa mga kaigsoonan natong Higaonon ang pagpasalamat sa paghalad og sayaw agi’g pagpasalamat ngadto sa Ginoo.” Ug matod pa usab sa

mensahe ni Bae Nene Caples Rebollo, usa ka Manobo, nga pabiling mapasigarbohon nga ipaabot didto sa presentasyon nga tinuod pa nga buhi ang kultura sa mga tribong komunidad sa puting bato. “Ang amo nga panggamhanan, awhag namo nga kini among kultura nga dili kini mawala tungod kay sinunod kini namong kultura hangtod sa mga sumosunod sa among mamanwa mao gyod ni among mabuhat tradisyon nga kini dili mawala ang pagka mamanwa sa tribo diring dapita,” matud pa usab sa tribong Mamanwa sa ilang mensahe. Nahimong masadya pa ang kalihokan tungod sa daghan pang mga aktibidadis. (Jessica O. Mellejor, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

June 19-25, 2021 |

AgSur stakeholders join 1st Southeast Asia Rubber-Based Cropping Production Forum

Rubber farmers, researchers, students, and other rubber industry stakeholders from all over Southeast Asia converge recently for the 1st Southeast Asia Rubber Based Cropping Production Forum via Zoom platform.

anchored on the theme “Sustainable Rubber-based Farming Systems in Southeast Asia: Challenges and Opportunities for Research, Development and Extension for Empowering Small-hold Farmers.”

The forum was hosted by the province of Agusan del Sur in coordination with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). Said forum was

Keynote Speaker Department of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said that the Philippine Rubber Industry has massive potential for growth and its development

| June 19-25, 2021

is among the most farreaching investments the Philippine Government can make in the bid to promote equitable prosperity across the islands. The forum served as an avenue for rubber industry stakeholders to learn and also to share technologies on rubber production. Currently, there are 700 attendees to the forum. (DA-RFO XIII, RAFIS/PIA-Agusan del Sur) Caraga INFOCUS

Mga IP leaders sa SurSur nanawagang itigil na ng CPPNPA-NDF ang pang-aabuso at pagkakalat ng maling impormasyon sa kanilang tribu Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano

Matapang na humarap ang mga Indigenous People-leaders ng Surigao del Sur sa isang virtual press conference kasama ang mga bumubuo sa National Task Force – Ending Local Communists Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) at mga media practitioners. Ibinahagi ng mga ito ang kanilang tunay na Caraga INFOCUS

sitwasyon sa ginagawa ng Communist Party of the Philippine – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPPNPA-NDF) sa kanilang lugar. Nanawagan si Datu Constancio Duhac, municipal tribal chieftain ng Lianga, Surigao del Sur na bigyang hustisya ang

pagkamatay ng tatlong IPs na pinaniniwalaang miyembro ng teroristang grupong NPA, kung saan isa dito ay menor de edad. “Mayroon din kaming sariling imbestigasyon para malaman talaga kung ano ang totoong nangyari maliban sa mga nakuha naming impormasyon mula sa June 19-25, 2021 |

social media. Kasama ang Provincial Tribal Council, magtutulungan kami para malaman ang totoo,” ani ni Duhac. Ayon naman kay Datu Rico Maca, ang Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR) ng San Miguel, dapat itigil na aniya ng CPP-NPA-NDF ang pangrerecruit, paggamit at pangbibiktima sa mga IPs lalo na sa mga kabataan para sa kanilang personal na interes laban sa pamahalaan. “Sana naman tigilan na nila ang pagkalat ng mga maling impormasyon kasi

| June 19-25, 2021

kami na nga po ang namatayan, kami pa ‘yung parang inaapi sa sitwasyon na ito. Irespeto po sana nila ang customary laws ng tribu,” tugon ni Maca. Nagpasalamat din si Maca sa 3rd Special Forces Battalion sa kanilang pagtulong sa lahat ng gastusin ng mga namatayan at sa maayos na pagembalsamo sa mga biktima. Binigyang-diin naman ni Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy, National Task Force – Ending Local

Communists Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson ang masamang idinudulot ng mga paglabag ng CPPNPA-NDF sa International Humanitarian Law. “Madami pang mga batang katutubo na pinaghahanap ngayon dahil sa kagagawan ng mga grupong terorista. Maraming mga magulang ang hanggang ngayon, hindi nakakatulog ng maayos sa gabi dahil pinaghahanap pa nila yung anak nila na ginagamit ng mga New People’s Army para sa kanilang katiwalian,” banggit ni Badoy. (JPG/ PIA-Agsuan del Sur) Caraga INFOCUS

DAR, LGU ink MOA for LinkSFarMM project in AgSur town The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Agusan del Sur, together with the local government unit (LGU) of Prosperidad, and Ago Magsaysay Agrarian Reform MultiPurpose Cooperative (AMARBEMCO) - a recipient Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) Organization of LinkSFarMM project, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for rubber production on June 16, 2021, at the Conference Hall, Prosperidad, this province. Linking Smallholder Farmers to Market with Microfinance (LinkSFarMM) project is a partnership project that links Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries to better market connections, integrates the supply chain and utilizes the eight steps in agro-enterprise clustering approach to increase the production and income of ARBs and their household through agricultural extension, marketing assistance, and capacity building. Also, it will help in transforming the Caraga INFOCUS

farmers into entrepreneurs by developing their products. In his message, Prosperidad Municipal Mayor Frederick Mark Mellana, challenged the farmers to dream big. “Take advantage of the opportunity and implement the project to its full potential. We are just here to support you as you venture into another milestone,” he said. In his response, AMARBEMCO Chairperson Bebylyn Villarta thanked DAR for helping rubber farmers like them to have a better market for their produce. “Salamat sa DAR sa pagsalig ug tabang para kanamo nga mga mag

uuma sa rubber. Amo gayud paningkamotan nga kami molambo pinaagi sa inyong mga tabang (Thanks to DAR for the trust and the help extended to us, rubber farmers. We will work hard to improve our lives through your help),” she said. “Farmers are the true heroes especially at this time of pandemic and the department had continuously find avenues to help them in becoming self-reliant. I am hoping that the farmers in Prosperidad will emulate us by taking the government’s assistance seriously,” underscored PARPO II Jamil Amatonding, Jr. (Rechel D. Besonia, DAR-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur) June 19-25, 2021 |

MINDANAO NEWS

Mindanao’s first planetarium project to finish in August

planetarium in Misamis Oriental that a second facility will also be built in Davao City. One of the objectives of the said facility is to boost and enhance the students’ learning in the field of science, especially in learning planets, constellations and other astronomical objects.

PLANETARIUM. Ongoing construction of the first planetarium facility in Mindanao located in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental province. The provincial government announced on Wednesday (June 23, 2021) the facility will be finished by August this year. (Photo courtesy of Misamis Oriental Provincial Information Office)

The first planetarium facility in Mindanao that costs PHP50 million will be finished by August, according to the provincial government of Misamis Oriental on Wednesday. Lawyer Cerilio Neil Pacana, the provincial legal officer, said the planetarium located in El Salvador City, was initiated by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOSTPAGASA). “As projected, in the second or third week of August, the planetarium will finish its construction provided no hindrance will be encountered along the way of the construction

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such as calamity or work stoppage as ordered by the national government,” he said. Pacana said the Planetarium Observatory is a national governmentfunded project and the provincial government. The provincial legal department facilitates the materialization of the establishment of the project by working on the documents to be secured from the office of the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) considering that the area is a public land. PAGASA Administrator Vicente Malano said during the groundbreaking of the

Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano said the planetarium will bring the audience into the wonderful scenery of celestial bodies. He also believed that the said attraction would also encourage more local and foreign tourists to visit the province, especially if the situation gets normal after the pandemic. The planetarium will feature a large dome-shaped projection screen that visualizes constellations, planets, and other celestial objects that will appear in three-dimensional perspectives. PAGASA hopes the planetarium would spark interest among young people to pursue sciencerelated degrees. (PNA/ Franck Dick Rosete)

June 19-25, 2021 |

MinDA expands experiment on irrigated upland rice farm

The Mindanao Development Authority advocacy to address rural poverty and improve food production explores the potentials of upland rice farming as it establishes 10 demo areas using Israel’s pressurized irrigation and fertigation technology. With just a measly budget of P500,000 taken from its very limited funds, MinDA will work with Local Government Units, the Philippine Rice Research Institute and a private rice seeds company, US Seedworks for the project. Using the Israeli technology on Pressurized Irrigation and Fertigation, MinDA will introduce modern Upland Rice Farming using Hybrid Seeds and the indigenous upland rice varieties.

| June 19-25, 2021

The demonstration farms will be about 1,000 square meters each and will be established in the traditional rice farming areas of Cenrtral Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Caraga, Zamboanga Region and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. Each of the demonstration farm will have a Pressurized Irrigation and Fertigation Facility which will provide water and fertilization in a scientifically progammed schedule. Asst. Secretary for the BARMM Dr. Sailila Abdula, former executive director of PhilRice and now head of the Midsayap Field Office, will lead

the technical team which will supervise the demonstration farms. The estimated yield, cost and income will also be included in the study to be conducted by both PhilRice and the MinDA technical team. US Seedworks whose hybrid upland rice seeds, Tatag TH 82, had been selected to be used in the demo farm had committed its full support to the project by donating seeds and inputs. It will also sponsor the installation of one unit of Pressurized Irrigation and Fertigation in one of the demonstration areas. The planting in the Caraga INFOCUS

demonstration farms will start towards the end of July and early August when the traditional upland rice farms had been harvested. MinDA aims to establish in this project that with modern upland hybrid rice seeds and pressurized irrigation and fertigation, traditional upland rice farmers could plant a second crop. This program is something that I thought of even when I was still Secretary of Agriculture but it never took off when I resigned two years ago. Recently, after participating in the International Webinar on Pressurized Irrigation and Fertigation in Tropical Regions conducted by Israel’s Mashav for 16 countries, I decided to start a small demo area in my farm in Kidapawan City.

successful.

While I funded the demo farm myself, I asked PhilRice and MinDA to help document the progress of the project.

Since upland rice farming is dependent on rains and indigenous rice varieties are used, the yield is a maximum 2 to 2.5-metric tons per hectare.

Later, US Seedworks which produces TH 82 volunteered to help knowing of the marketing potentials for their products should the project prove Caraga INFOCUS

Traditional upland rice farming in Mindanao starts February to March in time with the rainy season and the harvest of upland rice varieties like Dinorado and Hinumay is done June to July.

US Seedworks’ Tatag TH 82 which had been field tested in dry seeding in Central Mindanao when I was Secretary of

Agriculture had recorded harvests of up to 10-metric tons per hectare. In the off-season Upland Rice Farming Demonstration to be conducted by MinDA, TH 82 will be planted side by side with the indigenous rice varieties for a comparative study. With vast upland areas which are largely unutilized, especially in the Indigenous People’s Ancestral Domains, MinDA believes that modern upland rice farming could provide food security and income for Mindanao’s poor rural farming families. (MinDA) June 19-25, 2021 |

NATIONAL NEWS

Andanar remembers late pa on Father’s Day

“Papa, a month after your passing we plant a tree in your honor at the Arroceros Forest Park in the City of Manila,” he said in a Facebook post. The older Andanar died on April 22 at the Veteran’s Memorial Medical Center due to liver cancer.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar (right) with his late father, former Interior undersecretary and special envoy to Malaysia Wencelito Andanar. (Photos courtesy of Martin Andanar)

On his first Father’s Day without his dad, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar took to social media a message to honor his father’s memory.

you dreamt of and who you are to me. I thank you for your humble public service legacy and I assure you that I will live by it. Happy Father’s Day up above with our Greatest Noble Creator!” he said.

In a Facebook post, Andanar greeted his late father, former Interior undersecretary and special envoy to Malaysia Wencelito Andanar, happy Father’s Day.

He also shared photos during his father’s oathtaking as special envoy dated September 12, 2018.

“When I looked at the mirror this morning I saw a clearer reflection of you, a deeper understanding of who you were, what Caraga INFOCUS

Last month, the younger Andanar honored his father’s memory by planting a tree in his name at the Arroceros Forest Park in Manila.

He served as officerin-charge governor of Surigao del Norte from 1986 to 1988. Consequently, he served as the chairman of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) from 1982 to 1992. During the administration of President Corazon Aquino, he was appointed as a presidential assistant from 1989 to 1992. He also served as undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government from 2001 to 2007. In 2018, he was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as Special Envoy to Malaysia. (PNA/By Azer Parrocha) June 19-25, 2021 |

IPs won’t be left behind amid Covid-19 vax drive: Andanar

File photo

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar assured the indigenous peoples (IPs) that they would not be cast out amid the national government’s coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) immunization drive. During the Cabinet Report on “The New Normal” on Friday, Andanar said President Rodrigo Duterte has a

| June 19-25, 2021

clear policy that no one will be left behind, as the government intends to vaccinate Filipinos against Covid-19. “Tama si Presidente, dapat walang maiiwan, dapat walang iwanan. Kasama na diyan ang ating kapwa Pilipinong palabas ng bansa upang maghanapbuhay, ang ating mga kapwa Pilipinong nasa indigenous cultural communities

at ang ating mga kapwa Pilipinong nasa Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (The President is right that no one should be left behind. Filipinos who are leaving the country for work, members of the indigenous cultural communities and living in geographically-isolated and -disadvantaged areas should also be given priority),” Andanar said. Caraga INFOCUS

Andanar said members of IP communities, as well as those residing in geographically-isolated and -disadvantaged areas, should grab the opportunity to get inoculated with Covid-19 vaccine shots.

Covid-19 vaccine apprehension, Cachola said community service centers are ensuring the smooth delivery of basic health services to indigenous cultural community amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Kung hindi protektado ang nakakarami sa atin, patuloy din na mananatili ang banta nito sa nakakarami (If many of us are not protected, [Covid-19] will remain a threat to us),” he said. “Kaya ang muling paalala po natin: Kapag pagkakataon na ninyo, kapag turn na ninyo magpabakuna na (That’s why our reminder is, if it’s your turn then get vaccinated).”

“Doon sa service center, doon sa ating parang opisina sa baba, doon po nagtitipun-tipon para po magkaroon ng mga pagpapaliwanag regarding sa Covid at saka sa vaccination (Health workers in service centers are holding a meeting on how they could explain the threat posed by Covid-19 and the importance of vaccination),” she said.

Dr. Angelica Cachola, medical officer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), said some IPs were initially hesitant to receive the Covid-19 vaccine jabs. Despite this, there are still members of the indigenous community who want to avail of the vaccine, Cachola said. To allay the IP’s initial Caraga INFOCUS

Cachola said the NCIP is also coordinating with local government units for the possible establishment of a “halfway house” to accommodate IP members who want to get vaccinated but are far from health centers. “Kung hindi kaya na puntahan o magawan ng mga paraan ang mga ganito, may mga ginagawa din tayo tulad ng halimbawa, may

mga bahay na tutuluyan nila kapag bumababa mula sa kanilang ancestral domain (For those who are far from health centers, we are making a way to reach them by establishing a temporary house for those leaving their ancestral domain),” she said. The Philippine government’s goal is to inoculate up to 70 million this year to achieve population protection. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Monday said around 10 percent of the target population for the country to achieve population protection have already been vaccinated against Covid-19. On June 2, National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. expressed confidence that the government’s population protection target is still achievable by the end of the year. (PNA/Ruth Abbey GitaCarlos) June 19-25, 2021 |

PCOO-FOI joins 12th int’l meet for info execs The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), through its Freedom of Information– Project Management Office (FOI-PMO), participated and presented in the two-day closed session of the 12th International Conference for Information Commissioners (ICIC) held virtually last June 23-24, 2021. PCOO Undersecretary Kristian Ablan represented the Philippines as head of the authority of the Freedom of Information-Project Management Office (FOIPMO) in the country. The ICIC Governance Working Group and Secretariat under the United Kingdom Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) led the two-day closed session, which was held virtually via MS Teams. The ICIC member countries approved and adopted two resolutions during the closed session. Regional updates from other FOI counterparts were also showcased to recognize the best practices and innovations in the field of access to information. Ablan presented the Philippines’ progress and accomplishments,

| June 19-25, 2021

(Photo courtesy of PCOO)

highlighting the extensive efforts of the FOI-PMO in its communication and capacity-building endeavors. “Over the past years, our team has increasingly focused on the need to meaningfully engage with our primary clients and other stakeholders as we implement the FOI Program,” Ablan said during the regional update session. “We strive to build the capacities of FOI Officers of various government agencies, local chief executives and staff of local government units, librarians, and representatives from civil society organizations and other institutions; we try to bring the FOI Program closer to the public for maximum engagement,”

Ablan added. He said the ICIC’s accreditation of FOI-PMO as a member in February 2020 is significant since it allows the FOI-PMO to engage in promoting access to information in a global community. There are now 64 accredited ICIC members globally. The Philippines, represented by the Presidential Communications Operations Office’s FOI-PMO, is one of the six Asian nations certified by the ICIC and the only Southeast Asian country member thus far. ICIC is a permanent and worldwide network of information commissioners, ombudspersons, and proponents of access to information. (PR)

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Displaced workers in Caloocan City receive aid from Bong Go as he assures them of gov’t support to overcome pandemic, urges them to get vaccinated Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains committed to help more Filipino workers who lost their jobs or whose livelihoods have been adversely affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In coordination with concerned agencies, his team extended additional aid to hundreds of displaced young workers in Caraga INFOCUS

Caloocan City on Tuesday, June 23. With necessary safety and health protocols in place, 612 beneficiaries received meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins in an activity held at the Caloocan City High School. Beneficiaries were divided into smaller batches to ensure a well-coordinated and

efficient distribution. Some recipients were also given new pairs of shoes and bicycles that they can use. Furthermore, others also received computer tablets to give their children convenient access to educational materials amid the ongoing crisis. Apart from the assistance June 19-25, 2021 |

given by Senator Go, the Department of Social of Welfare and Development extended financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries. Likewise, the Department of Labor and Employment extended aid through their Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers program. Rolando Sugui, one of the TUPAD beneficiaries, shared how he lost his source of income due to the pandemic and conveyed his

| June 19-25, 2021

appreciation towards Senator Go for bringing assistance to their community. “Kahit maliit na biyaya, malaking tulong para sa aming mahihirap na maliit lang ‘yung kinikita. At sa mga food packs, napakalaking tulong para sa amin, para sa mga anak ko. Maraming, maraming salamat na kahit papaano naaalala kami,” Sugui said. Meanwhile, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go reiterated his appeal to the

beneficiaries and the general public to support and trust the national vaccination program and get inoculated as soon as possible to protect them from COVID-19. “Kapag nandiriyan na po kayo sa priority list, magpabakuna na po kaagad kayo. Ang bakuna po ang susi o solusyon upang unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna, huwag ho kayong matakot sa Caraga INFOCUS

bakuna. Matakot ho kayo sa COVID-19,” he emphasized. Go, then, reminded them to stay vigilant and cooperate with authorities in implementing the necessary health preventive measures even after vaccination, such as observing proper hygiene, wearing of masks and face shields when in public, maintaining social distance, and avoiding unnecessary travels, to prevent the further spread of the virus. Meanwhile, Go also offered additional assistance to the beneficiaries in need of medical attention. He reminded them that they may conveniently seek medical assistance at Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital where there is a Malasakit Center ready to assist them with their hospital and other medical related expenses. Established in 2018, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together the DSWD, Department of Caraga INFOCUS

Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to provide poor and indigent patients with access to medical assistance programs. “Mayroon na ho tayong 120 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong po sa mga poor and indigent patients, zero balance po ang target po ng Malasakit Center,” said Go. To help the city boost economic opportunities and improve public service delivery, Go also extended his support for several infrastructure projects such as the construction of multipurpose buildings in Brgy.

171 and Brgy. 175. He, then, concluded his message as he expressed his gratitude towards Representative Along Malapitan, Undersecretary and Executive Director of the Council for the Welfare of Children Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan, Vice Mayor Maca Asistio, and many others, for their continued service to help their constituents recover from the challenges due to the global pandemic. The team of Senator Go conducted similar distribution activities for 200 recipients on June 2, and for 357 beneficiaries on June 14 in North and South Caloocan. June 19-25, 2021 |

Statement of Sen. Bong Go RE: Healthworkers’ Allowances Bilang Chair ng Senate Committee on Health, umaapela ako sa concerned agencies na siguraduhing walang pending pa na allowance at iba pang mga benepisyo para sa ating mga health workers. Huwag na dapat patagalin at ibigay na ang nararapat sa kanila. Dahil ang effectivity ng funding provisions ng Bayanihan 2 Law ay inaasahang mag-e-expire ngayong Hunyo 30, siguraduhin dapat ng mga ahensya na ma-release ang pondo, maimplementa ang mga programang nakasaad sa batas, at hindi masayang ang oportunidad na may makabenepisyo rito. Pinaghirapan namin sa Kongreso na maipasa ang batas na ito kasama ang mga benepisyong dapat matanggap ng mga health workers. Walang katumbas ang sakripisyo nila at ang iba ay nagbubuwis pa ng buhay upang proteksyunan at makapagserbisyo sa kapwa. Bilang mambabatas, hindi po tayo papayag na may kapabayaang mangyayari lalo na pagdating sa dapat na maayos na pag-implementa ng mga batas. Nasa gitna pa tayo ng pandemya at hindi pwede ang papatay-patay sa gobyerno. Ni piso at ni isang minuto ay hindi dapat masayang dahil buhay ang kapalit nito. Magtulungan tayo at huwag patulugin ang trabaho. Walang tigil dapat ang serbisyo lalo na sa panahon ngayon na nangangailangan ang mga Pilipino.

SEN. BONG GO 64

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June 19-25, 2021 |

Bong Go continues to extend assistance to underprivileged communities as his team distributes relief to hundreds of indigents in Calumpit, Bulacan On Tuesday, June 22, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent his team to distribute assistance to hundreds of disadvantaged recipients in Calumpit, Bulacan as part of the Senator’s dedication to help in the recovery of communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To safeguard the 750 beneficiaries who were in attendance

| June 19-25, 2021

during the distribution activity at Calumpit Sports Complex, Go’s team strictly enforced the necessary health protocol and grouped the recipients into smaller batches as they handed out meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to each indigent recipient. Go sent new pairs of shoes and bicycles to selected recipients that would help them

for a more hasslefree commute amid the limited public transportation options. The Senator, in his video message, acknowledged the challenges faced by particularly poor students. Some beneficiaries, then, received computer tablets that are intended to aid their children so that they can participate Caraga INFOCUS

better during their classes gratitude towards under the blended Senator Go for his learning set-up. continuous efforts to support poverty-stricken Furthermore, communities at times of representatives from crisis. the Department of Social Welfare and “Isang napakalaking Development extended pasasalamat po mula additional support to po sa may sektor ng the recipients as they kapansanan sa ating granted them with mahal na Senador financial assistance Bong Go at sa ating through their Assistance mahal na Presidente. to Individuals in Crisis Napakalaking tulong Situation program. po ang inyong ipinagkaloob sa amin In an interview, Melissa sa ngayong panahong Sangil, a 45-year-old ito ng pandemic. Ito beneficiary, shared her ay makakatulong ng hardships during the malaki, hindi lamang COVID-19 pandemic po sa aming mga sarili, and expressed her kundi sa buong pamilya

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po ng bawat isa sa amin,” Sangil said. As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go reminded the beneficiaries to continue adhering to the health preventive measures forwarded by government, such as frequent washing of hands, wearing of mask and face shield when in public, observing social distancing, and avoiding non-essential travels, to further prevent the spread of the virus. “Ang bakuna po ang susi at solusyon para untiunti na nga po tayong

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makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay katulad po noon kung saan po mayakap natin ang ating kapwa Pilipino. At napakaimportante po ma-attain natin ‘yung herd immunity sa community para po hindi na kumalat ang sakit na COVID-19,” Go expressed. The Senator extended additional assistance to beneficiaries with medical concerns as he also advised them to visit Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City or Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria town where there are Malasakit Centers ready to assist them with their hospital bills.

| June 19-25, 2021

The Malasakit Center program, an initiative of Go, is a one-stop shop wherein particularly poor and indigent patients may seek medical assistance from various government agencies, namely the Department of Health, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Go, then, mentioned numerous infrastructure projects that aim to support the economic advancement of Calumpit, such as the construction of slope concrete river walls along Meysulao, Meyto, Bulusan, Sta. Lucia, and many others. The Senator concluded his message by recognizing Representative Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, Governor Daniel Fernando, Vice Governor Willy Sy-Alvarado, Mayor Jessie De Jesus, Vice Mayor Victor de Belen, and other local government officials for their massive contribution to their community amid the global pandemic. Caraga INFOCUS

TODA members and market vendors in Caibiran, Biliran receive aid from Bong Go in support of essential sectors amid ongoing pandemic; urges them to avail of vaccines

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued his pledge to help more sectors greatly affected by the national health crisis as he sent aid to hundreds of market vendors and Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association members in Caibiran, Biliran. Go also renewed his appeal to Filipinos, particularly those in the priority list of the national vaccination program such as essential Caraga INFOCUS

sectors belonging in the A4 category which includes transport and market workers, to get vaccinated at their nearest vaccination sites so they can be protected against COVID-19. “Paigtingin pa natin ang vaccine rollout at suyurin natin ang mga pamamahay ng mga kababayan nating hindi makapunta sa vaccination sites upang masigurong mabigyan

sila ng proteksyon laban sa sakit at walang maiiwan tungo sa muling pagbangon ng ating bansa,” he earlier said. The team of Senator Go conducted a twoday distribution activity at Brgy. Manlabang Covered Court on June 20 and 21, and grouped the 758 beneficiaries into smaller batches to ensure the safety and efficiency of the operation. Go’s staff handed out June 19-25, 2021 |

meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to the recipients while they strictly enforced the necessary safety and health protocols to prevent the further spread of the virus.

acknowledged several government agencies for supporting the vulnerable sector and helping them recover amid crisis situations.

Each beneficiary was given financial assistance A few recipients from the Department received new pairs of of Social Welfare and shoes and bicycles that Development as part they can use to help of their Assistance to ease their commute Individuals in Crisis situation considering Situation program. More that access to public so, the Department of transportation is very Trade and Industry and limited. the Technical Education and Skills Development Furthermore, some Authority conducted beneficiaries were given an assessment for computer tablets that qualified individuals who aid their children in can benefit from their conveniently accessing respective livelihood and educational materials for scholarship programs. their classes under the blended learning set-up. Jessa Estrada, a 31-yearold beneficiary, shared Go, in his video message, the challenges that

| June 19-25, 2021

they are experiencing because of the global pandemic as she gratefully expressed how the assistance given by Senator Go and his team will very much help their community. “Maraming salamat po sa assistance na binigay niyo po sa amin, Senator. Malaking tulong na po sa amin ito sa aming pang araw-araw na pagkain. At para po kay President Duterte, maraming salamat po at ginagabayan niyo po kaming mahihirap,” said Estrada. Aside from the aid distributed, the Senator offered additional assistance to the beneficiaries with health concerns as he advised them to visit Caraga INFOCUS

the Malasakit Center in Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval capital town if they may need medical attention. The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where concerned agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, work hand-in-hand to help poor and indigent patients to reduce their hospital bills to lowest amount possible. “Mga kababayan ko, mayro’n na po tayong 120 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong po sa inyo. Lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa Biliran Provincial Hospital sa Naval, Biliran,” Go said.

Brgy. Binohangan, and construction of a multipurpose building in Brgy. Kawayanon.

Brigido Caneja, Mayor Rhodessa Evita, Vice Mayor Linda Baleyos, and many others.

As the Senator is dedicated to accelerating the economic progress in various regions, Go extended his support for various infrastructure projects, such as the construction of an evacuation center in

He, then, recognized the local government officials for their immeasurable service to their community amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the officials were Representative Gerardo Espina, Governor Rogelio Espina, Vice Governor

“Mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang po tayo. Sino ba namang magtutulungan kung hindi tayo lang po kapwa nating mga Pilipino? Magbayanihan po tayo, magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” Go ended.

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June 19-25, 2021 |

Bong Go congratulates Manileños on 450th anniversary of Manila City’s founding; vows continued support and untiring service from Duterte administration Bong Go congratulates Manileños on 450th anniversary of Manila City’s founding; vows continued support and untiring service from Duterte administration Senator Christopher “Bong” Go extended his warm congratulations on the 450th anniversary of the founding of the City of Manila during the unveiling ceremony of two commemorative stamps launched by the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost)

| June 19-25, 2021

to mark the event. The ceremony he personally attended was held at the Manila Central Post Office, also home to PHLPost, at Liwasang Bonifacio on Thursday, June 24. In a speech, Go spoke of the city’s legacy and the indelible mark it has made on the history, culture and society of the Philippines. He praised the resilience of its people in times of crisis, saying that it is a testament

to their character and the quality of their leaders. “Throughout its long, rich and colorful history, the City of Manila has not only been a center of trade, commerce and learning but also an enduring beacon of cosmopolitanism in the country, a place where all people are welcomed and diversity is both celebrated and encouraged,” began Go. “It is no wonder that,

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despite all the difficulties and challenges it had to endure from wars, occupations and even pandemics, the people and the City of Manila itself continue to thrive and grow both in number and significance,” he said. The first of the stamps features the iconic clock tower of the Manila City Hall, the “seat of power of the local government and the epicenter of the day-today undertaking of the city administration”. The second stamp features the rehabilitated William A. Jones Memorial Bridge, commonly known as the Jones Bridge, in Binondo which symbolizes the “emergence of the old city to meet the challenges of (the) modern-day and keep up with the changing times”. During the ceremony, Senator Go and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea also turned over the Conservation Management Plan manuscript for the historic postal building to the local government, as represented by Mayor Francisco Domagoso and Vice Mayor Honey LacunaPangan. Go reiterated his commitment to support efforts to protect the

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welfare and push for a more prosperous and comfortable life for Manileños.

his firm confidence in the present leadership of the city and their ability to steer Manila to greater heights.

“I am very excited at the direction that Manila is heading towards, 450 years since its establishment, as well as the myriad possibilities it has opened for both its residents and the entire nation,” he continued.

“Mayor Isko Moreno, pare maraming salamat ha at basta tayo, sa pagseserbisyo sa ating kapwa Pilipino, magkasama tayo. Magkasama naman tayo noon, bago ka pa naging mayor magkasama tayo sa mga patay, sa mga nasunugan… basta sa pagseserbisyo at sa kapakanan ng ating kapwa Pilipino — magkasama tayo diyan,” Go told Mayor Domagoso in his speech.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank and recognize the people and local officials of Manila, led by Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, for his leadership in transforming and equipping the city to take on the future. May the launching of this commemorative stamp be the start of even greater things for the city … and the rest of the country,” he added. The Senator expressed

“Nakaka-proud po ‘yung ginagawa mo sa siyudad ng Maynila… gaya nga ng sinabi ko kanina, magtulungan tayo. Huwag muna pag-usapan ‘yung pulitika sa ngayon. Ang importante malampasan muna natin itong pandemyang ito. At tama ‘yung sinabi mo kanina, na

June 19-25, 2021 |

bakuna po ang solusyon,” Go added.

hindi namin kaya gawin,” vowed Go.

a better and safer Philippines.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go reiterated his appeal for the public to trust and support the national vaccine program in order to overcome the pandemic.

“Kung may natutunan man ako sa kanya (Duterte) ito ay mahalin mo iyong kapwa, unahin mo ang interes nila at hinding-hindi ka magkakamali. Seventysix years old na si Pangulo at wala siyang ibang hangarin kundi ang kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino. Asahan niyo na hanggang sa huling araw ng aming termino, magseserbisyo kami sa abot ng aming makakaya,” he ended.

“Ulitin ko lang po, itong kampanya laban sa iligal na droga, laban sa kriminalidad, at sa korapsyon ipagpapatuloy po namin ito hanggang sa huling araw po ng aming termino... Tulungan n’yo rin po ang ating gobyerno. Hindi namin kayang gawin itong mag-isa,” Go said.

“Kaya po nakikiusap kami sa inyo ni Mayor Isko, huwag niyo pong sayangin ‘yung oportunidad na magpabakuna ‘pag nasa priority list na po kayo… huwag niyo pong sayangin dahil pinaghirapan po ito ng gobyerno natin… Kung ano pong bakuna ‘yung nandidiyan sa harap niyo, magpabakuna na ho kayo,” he appealed. Ending his remarks, Go once more encouraged the nation to put aside politics as the country continues to grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. He called on its leaders to work together to find solutions to the country’s problems and ensure a better future for its children. “Bukas ang tanggapan namin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte para magserbisyo sa inyo. Kung mayroon kayong kailangang tulong, magsabi lang kayo. Gagawin namin ang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya. Makakaasa kayo na hindi kami mangangako ng

| June 19-25, 2021

The ceremony was also attended by the Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio, Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Chair Greco Belgica of the Presidential AntiCorruption Commission, President Vince Dizon of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, PAGCOR President Fred Lim, GSIS President Rolando Macasaet, PNR General Manager Junn Magno, and Chair Angelito Banayo of Manila Economic and Cultural Office, among others. Meanwhile, Go also assured Filipinos that the Duterte administration continues to intensify its fight against corruption, criminality and illegal drugs in order to provide future generations

“Kailangan rin huwag kayong matakot. Magsumbong kayo, pwede n’yong isumbong kay Mayor, isumbong n’yo (sa PACC), o sa amin po, makakarating ‘yan kay Pangulong Duterte. Kawawa po ang ating bayan kung mapupunta lang po sa nakaw...,” he added. Go also commended the efforts of law enforcers in the efforts to further protect lives of Filipinos especially amid the ongoing pandemic. “Hindi ko po nakakalimutan ang ating mga kapulisan. Maraming salamat po sa inyong serbisyo sa panahong ito. Ang pulis ngayon iginagalang, nirerespeto... Tanungin n’yo na lang po ang inyong mga anak kung nakakalakad ho ba sila sa gabi, nakakauwi ho ba sila, at mayro’n ba kayong peace of mind na nakakauwi silang hindi po nababastos,” he shared.

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COVID-19 Field Hospital in Manila City opens as Bong Go vows to push for enhancement of health facilities nationwide

In line with the government’s efforts to enhance, capacitate, and build more health facilities nationwide in order to cope with the increasing demands for medical care caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go commended the inauguration of the Manila COVID-19 Field Caraga INFOCUS

Hospital on Thursday, June 24 which he personally attended together with key national and local officials. Located at Burnham Green in Rizal Park, the Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital has a 344-bed capacity and was built to help decongest the city’s six district hospitals

as it will cater to mild to moderate COVID-19 patients. The 4,402-square-meter hospital was allotted PhP154 million for construction and was completed after 52 days, eight days ahead of its 60-day target, since it broke ground on April 20. Senator Go, in his June 19-25, 2021 |

remarks personally delivered during the ceremony, conveyed his gratitude and sincere appreciation to the Manila City government, headed by Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagosa and Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” LacunaPangan, for their hard work and dedication to establish the facility. He also acknowledged the challenges faced by private and public hospitals in addressing the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senator consistently pushed for the national government to construct and build more similar modular hospitals and health facilities to overcome the national

| June 19-25, 2021

health crisis.

that the construction of the COVID-19 Field “When the COVID-19 Hospital is just one of pandemic struck our the many efforts of country, our hospitals the government in and healthcare facilities coordination with LGUs were caught off-guard to strengthen the health due to years and years system and access of oversight and neglect. to healthcare in the Dahil dito, marami po country. sa ating mga pasyente ang napilitang pumila As the Chair of the ng ilang oras sa ating Senate Committee on mga health facilities,” Health, Go reassured expressed Go. that he will continue to push for more measures “Kaya naman natutuwa that would provide po ako ngayon dahil convenient access to ang ating mga lokal na healthcare particularly pamahalaan ay patuloy for poor and indigent na nag-aambag sa patients. panawagan nating ito. Nagpapasalamat po Go, then, cited the ako sa kontribusyong ito recent passage of the ng Lungsod ng Maynila,” 13 local hospital bills he Go added. sponsored, which seek to boost the capabilities The Senator mentioned of various local health Caraga INFOCUS

facilities. The Senator vowed to pursue similar measures that will improve the delivery of health services, especially in remote areas. “Nakaka-inspire po ang inyong ginagawa at natutuwa po ako sa direksyon na tinatahak ng Maynila at ng ating bayan ngayong may mga opisyal po tayong tulad ninyo na, tulad ko, ay handang magbigay ng serbisyong ora-mismo para sa taumbayan,” said Go.

the ceremony were Department of Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., National Task Force Against COVID-19 Deputy Chief “Sa panahon ng Implementer Vivencio pandemya, mahalaga B. Dizon, National “The more that we po talaga ang patuloy Parks Development are grappling with this na pagtutulungan Committee Executive pandemic situation, the para mapigilan ang Director Cecile more we should invest pagkalat ng COVID-19 Lorenzana-Romero, in health. This is the right at maalagaan ang ating Metropolitan Manila time and the best time mga kababayang may Development Authority to do it. Bawat minuto sakit,” said Go. Chairman Benjamin na dumadaan, buhay “Benhur” Abalos Jr., po ang nakataya,” he “Kaya sana ngayon and MMDA General added. huwag po muna tayong Manager and Undersecretary Jose As the Manila COVID-19 mag-usap ng pulitika at intriga. May panahon Arturo S. Garcia Jr. Field Hospital aims to po para diyan. Sa ease the burden of ngayon, magkaisa at Earlier that day, Senator medical frontliners, magbayanihan po Go also attended the Senator Go recognized muna tayong lahat para Stamp Launch and their hard work while malagpasan natin ang Ceremonial Hand they continue to risk pandemyang ito,” Go Over of Conservation their lives in ending the ended. Management Program national health crisis. Manuscript at Manila Central Post Office. He, then, appealed to all Also present during Caraga INFOCUS

government officials to continue working handin-hand to achieve herd immunity and to build a more resilient nation against emerging threats to the health of Filipinos.

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Nograles shares anti-hunger program successes during 8th Regional Pre-SONA event

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles led participants in the 8th leg of the Kasama sa Pamana: Regional Pre-SONA Series in San Fernando, Pampanga last June 22, 2021, together with PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar, CORDS for Central Luzon and Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., PIA Director General and PCOO Undersecretary Ramon Cualoping III, as well as DOH -Region III Regional Director Dr. Corazon Flores who all served as speakers

| June 19-25, 2021

during the event. The Pre-SONA gathering was being conducted in various regions as part of preparations for the sixth and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte this coming July 2021. Its main objective is to inform constitutents of the various achievements of the administration, including plans for the remainder of the President’s term. The event also serves

as an opportunity to report measures being undertaken to address the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic under the National Vaccination Deployment Plan (NVDP). In his speech, the Malacañang official enumerated the successes of Task Force Hunger, which he heads, particularly in Central Luzon where malnutrition was being prioritized as part of a comprehensive “whole-of-government approach” through the Caraga INFOCUS

National Food Policy. “We launched the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) program to solve hunger and malnutrition, to ensure food security, and to reduce poverty incidence in cities and in rural areas. Through EPAHP, we’ve been able to link farmers to institutional buyers from LGUS and government nutritional needs of offices which use the products for their feeding pregnant women and programs,” the Cab Sec young children. explained. He added that last March 31, 2021, 3,890 Nograles mentioned Agrarian Reform that just recently, Beneficiary (ARBs) from the Task Force, DAR Central Luzon were and the National given farm productivity Nutrition Council assistance, with many signed an agreement receiving supplemental to collaborate for the food packs and non-

food items. “We’ve been closely coordinating with development partners from the private sector such as Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG) which is composed of private sector advocates who are equally passionate in the antihunger advocacy. Our expanding network includes the academe, civil society, people’s organizations and various stakeholders’ group who all believe in our #ZeroGutom advocacy.” “Kailangan natin magtulungan. We can most effectively fight hunger if we work together,” the Cabinet official stressed.

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June 19-25, 2021 |

Gordon reiterates recommendation to conduct swab testing 5 or 7 days upon arrival for returning OFW, overseas Filipinos

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Senator Richard J. Gordon restated his proposal to the InterAgency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) that all incoming overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and returning Philippine residents who have been

| June 19-25, 2021

fully vaccinated abroad or in the Philippines be sent directly for home quarantine upon their arrival and then be tested for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the fifth or seventh day.

Gordon officially sent the recommendation to IATF Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. on June 14 and stressed that the required 14-day quarantine period for returning Filipinos “will cause a drain on their Caraga INFOCUS

resources and take away from the time they are planning to spend with their families from whom they have already been separated for years.” “We want our fellowmen who are coming home to the Philippines to be with their families as soon as they arrive, and we want to lessen the financial and emotional expense that they are who are not OFW dealing with during these difficult times,” said or OWWA member, they need to pay for Gordon. everything. Ang laking Gordon mentioned that pera ng nagagastos nila bago pa makauwi one of his former staff, sa kanilang pamilya who is a land based at malaking gastos din OFW, recently arrived para sa gobyerno,” said from Spain. Upon arrival Gordon. in Manila, she was checked-in at Sofitel and was swabbed on the seventh day. However, she received the result of her RT-PCR test on the ninth day of her quarantine and checked out only on the tenth day. “It took ten (10) days for her to be able to go home to her family. Ten (10) days were wasted. She is fortunate that the government paid for her hotel accommodation and food, but for those Caraga INFOCUS

During the deliberation on the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program on June 15, Gordon also urged the IATF to allow the local government units to implement their own policies for returning overseas Filipinos, specifically OFWs, provided that local officials will take full responsibility in ensuring their people’s safety by instigating strict health protocols.

Gordon

“I always say, closer is better. In Florida in the United States, a federal judge granted the state’s request to block the CDC’s rules on cruise ships after it paralyzed the cruise industry and caused a major loss in Florida’s economy. It is a major victory for the state as their livelihood depends on cruise industry. I hope we can do that in our country and start the recovery of our economy.,” he said. “Our Local Government Code says that local governments have local autonomy and may therefore, enforce laws in their jurisdictions in cases of epidemics, pestilence and other widespread health dangers,” he added. June 19-25, 2021 |

Vaccine czar reports smooth vaccination drive as more COVID-19 jabs arrive

Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (PAPRU) and National Task Force against Coronavirus Disease-2019 (NTF COVID-19) chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. gives updates to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during the meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on June 21, 2021. JOEY DALUMPINES/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The government’s vaccination strategy is going well with a steady supply of vaccines and aggressive daily vaccination, the country’s vaccine czar said on Monday.

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In his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the country has breached the eight million mark of administered doses last week, putting Philippines

in second place among Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries for the most administered vaccine doses daily, 13th in the entire Asia, and 31st among 200 countries. Caraga INFOCUS

Galvez, who is also the National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer, said that the Philippines has successfully closed a deal with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, securing 40 million vaccine doses. The vaccine czar said the supply agreement with Pfizer is “one of the best” deals that the Philippine negotiating team has finalized. Additionally, the Philippines is expecting to receive another four million vaccine doses before the end of June. China’s Sinovac Biotech will deliver 1.5 million doses on June 24, while Moderna is also expected to send vaccine shipment on June 27. On the same month, the country may also receive vaccine doses donated by the United States as well as AstraZeneca doses from World Health Organization-led COVAX facility. For July, the Philippines may receive 4.5 to six million doses from Caraga INFOCUS

PNA

Sinovac, a total of four million doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca from COVAX facility, and at least one million doses of Sputnik V from Russia. The country will continue to receive a steady supply of vaccines in the next quarter, Galvez said. Local government units (LGUs) are scaling up their daily capacities, particularly in the rural areas and in highly urbanized cities, Galvez reported. “At nakakatuwa nga po dahil kasi ‘yong ibang mga LGU talaga

they are increasing their capacity and they are mobilizing all the different stakeholders,” he told the President. The government has so far vaccinated 96 percent of the country’s healthcare workers, with 1.5 million getting the first jab. More than one million healthcare workers are now fully vaccinated. The number of senior citizens and those with comorbidities receiving COVID-19 shot has also increased, with two million for each category. PND June 19-25, 2021 |

Quarantine, health protocols must stay to prevent new surge - President Duterte Filipinos have to continue abiding quarantine protocols and wearing of face masks and face shields to prevent a second wave of infections with the Delta variant, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said Monday night. In a meeting on government’s COVID-19 interventions, President Duterte said all safety measures must stay in place to prevent community transmission of the Delta variant which has the potential to cause a second wave of infections in the country, being four times more contagious than the original virus. “So I cannot afford to place the nation, the national interest of the Republic by just, you know, sometimes adopting this and being lenient to this. I said, I know that it is a very tedious, if you may, but it is really to prevent a

| June 19-25, 2021

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on June 21, 2021. SIMEON CELI/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

disaster of our nation,” he said. Noting how other Filipinos have expressed hope to go mask-free, the President said the country may not be ready to do away with both face masks and face shields, saying that it’s a small inconvenience and a “very small price to pay” rather than risk a second wave of infections over the Delta variant. The initial coronavirus

surge in the Philippines exhausted the country’s resources, he said, noting why the government is doing all it can to prevent a second wave of infections from happening. According to the President, a second surge would be disastrous for the country. “Iyong nangyari sa ating, ‘yong first wave, it has depleted really the resources of government. Now, another one Caraga INFOCUS

would be disastrous for this country. That is why the stricter you are, the better,” he said. On the other hand, Task Force on COVID-19 Variants member Dr. Anna Ong-Lim, who was also present during the meeting, cited several studies that prove the use of face shields can prevent 78 percent of infections by blocking droplets or aerosol particles from entering the eyes. For example, a study conducted in India revealed that health workers who didn’t use face shields while going house-to-house in communities got infected with COVID, while those who used face shields while performing houseto-house tasks remained healthy. Likewise, the Ong-Lim said several studies also determined that the use of face masks can reduce up to 85 percent of COVID-19 infections; while physical distancing can help reduce infections by 82 percent. “Wala pong nag-iisang intervention na puwede Caraga INFOCUS

pong magbigay ng buong proteksyon. But of course, ‘pag pinagsasama-sama po natin ‘to nakakatulong. And this is what we advise in our minimum public health standards as necessary for mitigation of transmission of COVID-19,” she said.

the more reason why we should police our borders po kasi it only takes one variant to get in and then puwedeng mag-India-like surge po tayo kasi mataas po talaga ‘yong number of people na kayang i-infect ng isang taong mayroong Delta variant,” he said.

Moreover, Dr. Edsel Salvana said in order to protect Filipinos from the Delta variant, arriving individuals must abide the “10 plus 4” quarantine strategy of government, noting that this quarantine setup has been scientifically proven to reduce coronavirus infections.

Loosening quarantine protocols has been proven to cause a surge, Salvana said, citing the case of Taiwan who faced a surge in infections despite initially managing COVID-19 well, after shortening the quarantine period of their pilots from five to three days.

The 10 plus 4 strategy requires people to undergo 10-day quarantine in a government facility upon arrival and spend 4 days home quarantine right after, while testing is done on the 7th day, he said.

Salvana noted that 17 persons have arrived in the country with the Delta virus but the existing quarantine protocols have prevented its transmission. “Our quarantine recommendations are going to protect our borders,” he stressed.

According to the health expert, the Delta variant can infect up to eight persons in contrast to the The health expert also original virus which could noted that individuals only infect two individuals. who have received only one shot of the vaccine “The Delta variant is really may still get infected by very scary and this is all the Delta variant. PND June 19-25, 2021 |

16-M Covid-19 vax doses cleared since February: BOC Over 16 million doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines from four countries have arrived in the country since February, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Thursday. In a statement, the bureau said the Port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has approved the release of the vaccines in the last four months. “As of today, more than 16 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been processed and released by the BOC-Port of NAIA since February 2021,” it said. Out of the number, 11 million are Sinovac vaccines from China. The latest China-made vaccines numbering 2 million doses arrived at NAIA Terminal 2 via Cebu Pacific Air Flight 5J-671 on Wednesday. The Sinovac vaccines were immediately precleared upon submission Caraga INFOCUS

(Photo from BOC-Port of NAIA)

of all pertinent documents by the consignees to the BOC through the OneStop-Shop at the port.

country are from the US (Pfizer-BioNtech), United Kingdom (AstraZeneca), and Russia (Sputnik V).

Upon arrival, the Covid-19 vaccines were immediately loaded in reefer vans and were transported to Pharmaserve Cold Storage Facility in Marikina and Glacier Megafridge Inc in Paranaque, while being under guarded by the Customs-NAIA CoVax Task Force and other enforcement agencies.

The Ports of NAIA, Davao, and Cebu continue to conduct inter-port briefings with other agencies, to ensure the supply and expeditious facilitation of vaccines in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Aside from China, the vaccines used in the

The BOC assumes an essential role in ensuring the facilitation of Personal Protective Equipment, medical supplies, and vaccines. (PNA/Ferdinand Patinio) June 19-25, 2021 |

PRRD won’t ‘gamble’ kids’ health with F2F classes Even as the Philippines breached the 8 million mark of administered doses of Covid-19 vaccine, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he would not “gamble” school children’s health by allowing the resumption of face-to-face (F2F) classes. In his pre-recorded meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and some Cabinet members in Davao City, Duterte thumbed down the proposal of the Department of Education (DepEd) to resume F2F classes even in areas with low risk of Covid-19 transmission, citing the threat posed by the Delta coronavirus variant (B1617). “Dito sa face-to-face (This face-to-face classes), I think I am not inclined to agree with you. I’m sorry but mahirap (it’s difficult). I... I cannot... I cannot gamble on the health of the children. I hope you’d understand,” he told DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones who attended the meeting via Zoom. Briones, for her part, said her department fully accepts Duterte’s decision and acknowledged that it is best to abide by the professional knowledge of the medical

| June 19-25, 2021

experts. ‘Very well-informed decision’ “There is really no problem, Mr. President,” Briones said. She also assured that the DepEd will stay prepared for the possible reopening of classes just in case Covid-19 cases decrease. Briones described Duterte’s decision to reject the resumption of in-person classes as a “very wellinformed” decision. “Listening to the briefing and listening to your decision, we don’t have any reservations because we all know the effect, especially the idea, Mr. President of having our children vaccinated because we are told our children are now more prone and perhaps are vulnerable and we would not want to risk 27 million children,” she said. Following Duterte’s decision,

(Photo courtesy of ppp.gov.ph)

Briones said DepEd would use technology to deliver classes for the upcoming school year.

For the school year 2020 to 2021 which opened in October 2020, the DepEd conducted classes through online learning, modular learning, TV and radiobased instruction, and blended learning which is a combination of two or more methods of learning. Health experts earlier warned that new coronavirus variants were affecting more children. National Task Force against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said half of the 40 million Covid-19 vaccines developed by US pharmaceutical company Pfizer will be used for children under the 12 to 15 age bracket. (PNA/Azer Parrocha)

Caraga INFOCUS

No ‘favoritism’ in distribution of Pfizer vaccines: DOH A health official on Monday said there is no favoritism in the distribution of Pfizer vaccines refuting allegations that Davao received most of the American-made jabs delivered to the country. In an online media briefing, Health Undersecretary Abdullah Dumama noted that Cebu and Davao each received 210,000 Pfizer vaccine doses. “At hindi po ito para sa Davao City lang, sa Davao Region din po ito at mga karatig pook na mayroong pangangailangan sa Pfizer (And this is not for the Davao City only, this is also for the Davao Region and nearby areas needing Pfizer vaccines). Nabigyan lamang po tayo ng ganito kalaki kung sa palagay ninyo ito ay malaki, sapagkat tayo ay may capability, mayroon na po tayong ultra-low temperature freezers dito (We received this much because we have the capability, we have ultra-low temperature freezers here),” he added. Dumama was responding to reports that Davao has been receiving most of the Pfizer vaccines. He also said that any Davao Region resident can get Pfizer vaccines from Davao

Caraga INFOCUS

File photo

City if they need to. In the same media briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire explained the “no wrong door” policy where nonresidents of Davao City may be vaccinated there if they have gone to the area and if they are eligible for Covid-19 inoculation. Vergeire reported there are only five regions that are yet to receive Pfizer vaccines due to the absence of ultralow temperature freezers for storage. These regions include the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Caraga, Soccsksargen, Bicol. and Mimaropa. “Lalo na nga po don sa magandang balita ni

(National Task Force Against Covid-19 Chief Implementer) Secretary (Carlito) Galvez na darating na 40 million, we are ensuring na lahat ng rehiyon, wala pong paborito, base lamang po sa pangangailangan, base lamang po sa (As for Secretary Galvez’s good news that there are 40 million [doses] arriving, we are ensuring that all regions, no favorites, just based on the need, based on the) prioritization framework,” Vergeire said. On Sunday, Galvez announced that the Philippine government has made its biggest vaccine procurement for this year with the signing of a supply agreement for 40 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. (PNA/Ma. Teresa Montemayor)

June 19-25, 2021 |

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Caraga InFocus – June 19-25, 2021

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IPS WON’T BE LEFT BEHIND AMID COVID-19 VAX DRIVE: ANDANAR

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ANDANAR REMEMBERS LATE PA ON FATHER’S DAY

MINDANAO’S FIRST PLANETARIUM PROJECT TO FINISH IN AUGUST

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EKIPO ALANG SA ‘BEYOND RICE’ PROJECT SA RTR NAGSUGOD NA OG PANGABOT

ASF INFORMATION CARAVAN GOES VIRTUAL IN AGUSAN NORTE

ARMY JOINS PACT TO ADVANCE COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE VILLAGE IN AGNOR

AGNOR GUV PRIORITIZES DEVELOPMENTS IN FARFLUNG AREAS

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203 AKTIBONG KASO SA COVID-19, NAITALA SA LUNGSOD NG TANDAG

COMELEC REGISTRATION IPINAGPALIBAN SA LUNGSOD NG TANDAG

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PCIC, NMIS CARAGA URGE HOG RAISERS TO INSURE PIGS

DTI DISTRIBUTES LIVELIHOOD KITS TO MSMES IN SURIGAO NORTE TOWN

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NPA NANUNOG NG CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT; LANUZA MPS, POLICE MOBILE FORCE COMPANY PATROL BASE SABAY NA PINAPAPUTUKAN

18 PDI FOOD PRODUCERS UNDERGO OTOP ACT SESSION ON FOOD PACKAGING

SURIGAO NORTE AGRARIAN ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPLY FARM PRODUCE TO JAILS, HOSPITALS

RTWPB CARAGA CONDUCTS ORIENTATION ON PRODUCTIVITY TOOLBOX

DEPED-CARAGA TO CONDUCT CANNED JINGLE COMPETITION

U.S. MILITARY DELIVERS P183M WORTH OF WEAPONS, EQUIPMENT TO AFP

PSA LAUNCHES STEP 2 REGISTRATION FOR PHILSYS IN BUTUAN CITY 8

LOCAL LGBTQ GROUP CELEBRATES PRIDE MONTH 2021

KALAHI-CIDSS’ CASH-FOR-WORK TRAINS LOCAL RESIDENTS TO MAINTAIN THE CONDUCT OF BAYANIHAN-PAHINA ACTIVITY

DSWD CONTINUES TO DISTRIBUTE CASH CARDS FOR UCT SOCIAL PENSIONERS

DA CARAGA CAPACITATES LGUS, MEDIA PARTNERS ON ASF

DA, MEDIA GEAR UP INFO DRIVE VS ASF IN CARAGA REGION