Caraga InFocus – June 5-11, 2021 by Caraga InFocus

Volume V, No. 24 June 5-11, 2021

REGIONAL NEWS

9 11 13 15 17 18 20 21 23 PROVINCIAL NEWS 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 34 35 36 37 38

DOH REPORTS 21 NEW COVID-19 VARIANTS IN CARAGA

NDA HOLDS ‘2ND GAWAD DAIRY AWARDS’

OWWA-CARAGA CELEBRATES 2021 MIGRANT WORKERS’ DAY

FATHER TAKES BRAND-NEW STEPS AMIDST LOWER LIMB AMPUTATION COPS NAB 2 SUSPECTS IN CARAGA BUY-BUST, SEIZE P28K WORTH OF SHABU CARAGA DRUG BUST NETS PUSHERS, 54K WORTH OF SUSPECTED SHABU SEIZED

DSWD-13 PUSPUSAN ANG PAMIMIGAY AYUDA SA MGA NASALANTA NG BAGYONG ‘DANTE’ 960 DRIVERS SA BUTUAN NAKADAWAT OG LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE GRANT

GECS-MOVE MAGAGAMIT NA NG MGA KINAUUKULANG AHENSIYA NG PAMAHALAAN SA CARAGA REGION POPCOM-13 HOLDS REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ORIENTATION AMONG SSCT STUDES, TEACHERS

POPCOM CARAGA PROMOTES RBIM

PFDA JOINS FARMERS, FISHERFOLK CELEBRATION

DEPED DINAGAT ISLANDS NAKADAWAT OG DUPLICATING MACHINES

P400K ILLEGALLY CUT LOGS SEIZED IN CARAGA MOKABAT 995 BUNDLE SA ‘TIGER GRASS PANICLE’ GITUNOL NGADTO SA MGA MAG-UUMA SA LIBJO

INFO DRIVE SWAYS MORE FARMERS TO PLANT SOYBEAN IN SURSUR DOLE-TUPAD PAYS P22.8M TO SURSUR WORKERS AFFECTED BY TS AURING

39 41 43 46 48 50 52 54 56 57

SURSUR LGU CELEBRATES 25TH KALIGUAN FESTIVAL DUGANG BAKUNA SA COVID-19, NADAWAT SA SURIGAO DEL SUR

DEPED BISLIG GIPANGANDAMAN NA ANG PAGPAILAWOM SA MECQ SA TULO KA MGA BARANGAY SA MAONG SIYUDAD NCIP CARAGA CONDUCTS COMMUNITY VISIT TO LORETO TOWN’S ICCS/IPS

59 61 63

ARMY UNCOVERS NPA IED CACHE IN AGUSAN DEL SUR PRIORITY SECTORS IN AGSUR TOWN SUPPORT LGU’S VACCINATION PROGRAM BANANA FARMING PLANTS HOPE OF PROGRESS IN VERUELA TOWN OF AGSUR DA REVEALS WHICH CACAO VARIETY PERFORMS BEST IN CARAGA REGION 319 MIGRADWAR SA MGA PAGBANSAY ALANG SA TRABAHO UG PANGINABUHIAN ‘ENTREPRENEURIAL FARMING TRAINING GIHIMO ISIP PAGPANGANDAM SA PAGLUNSAD SA PROYEKTONG ‘FOOD BASKET’ SA KITCHARAO PROBINSYA IPAHILUNA NGA MAPLASTAR ANG PAGPUYO SA MGA RESIDENTE SA MGA SITIO SA BRGY. BANGONAY SA JABONGA SEEDLING ALANG SA ‘MAPADAYONONG TISUK’ GISUGDAN NA OG APOD-APOD SA MGA MAG-UUMA

MINDANAO NEWS MINDA’S OFFICIAL PRESS STATEMENT ON POWER AND ENERGY SECURITY IN MINDANAO 2ND MINDA VEGETABLE DERBY STAGED IN FORMER BATTLEFIELDS

NATIONAL NEWS

A4 GROUP VACCINATION CRUCIAL TO ‘SEAMLESS’ FUNCTIONING OF SOCIETY ANDANAR STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS’ COORDINATION GOV’T NOT BEHIND SPAM TEXTS URGING PINOYS TO GET VACCINATED

72 73

64 65 66 67 68 69 71 72 73 75 76 78 81 82

CONTENTS

INFOCUS

COVER

Caraga

GORDON CO-AUTHORS BILL AMENDING SPECIOUS TAX HIKE ON PRIVATE SCHOOLS ON CEBU’S SWAB UPON ARRIVAL POLICY ON THE KILLING OF KIETH AND NOLVEN ABSALON

GORDON TO FILE MEASURE THAT LEGISLATES WAGE ADJUSTMENTS FOR NURSES

CELEBRATING 46 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC TIES, CHINA, PHILIPPINES VOW TO COOPERATE FURTHER PHL MADE GAINS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUGS, COMMUNIST INSURGENCY, SAYS PRESIDENT DUTERTE PRESIDENT DUTERTE KEEN ON RETIRING, WANTS DAUGHTER NOT TO SEEK PRESIDENCY GET COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOT, PRESIDENT DUTERTE TELLS FILIPINOS

PHL BREACHES 6 MILLION MARK OF ADMINISTERED COVID-19 VACCINE DOSES — VACCINE CZAR PRESIDENT DUTERTE CONDEMNS RECENT NPA ATTACK IN QUEZON

GOV’T MAY CARRY OUT STRICTER MEASURES IF PEOPLE KEEP DISREGARDING HEALTH PROTOCOLS, PRESIDENT DUTERTE WARNS

COVID-19 NEWS PH HITS 6M MARK IN COVID-19 JABS ADMINISTERED VAX SUPPLY TO BE INCREASED IN AREAS WITH HIGH COVID CASES FIND TIME TO GET 2ND JAB, DUTERTE APPEALS TO PINOYS

‘AHON’ convergence program launched in Siargao National government agencies gathered here from June 9-11, 2021, to bring social services closer to the people, as part of the response to assist families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide updates for other local projects to aid communities. The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) led the series of ceremonial launching for the Aid and Humanitarian Operations Nationwide (AHON) Convergence Program through the distribution of DSWD’s Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG) and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) to identified individuals. The AHON Convergence Program is an interagency initiative to pour necessary aid to the most affected communities in times

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Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Anda (AHON) Convergence Program in the town of San Benito, Surigao del Norte on W

of calamities and emergencies, including the pandemic. This is pursuant to Executive Order No. 137 signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on May 24, 2021, which accelerates and harmonizes aid and humanitarian operations of the national government

during disasters and emergencies. The convergence program kicked off in the town of San Benito, followed by Sta. Monica, Burgos, and General Luna in Surigao del Norte. The national government distributed livelihood grants worth a total of P1.5 million to 109 Caraga INFOCUS

m of Duterte administration to their respective Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs), who are the first responders to the pandemic.

anar joined the launching of the Aid and Humanitarian Operations Nationwide Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

beneficiaries in San Benito on June 9; P1.5 million to 148 beneficiaries in Sta. Monica on June 10; and P2.25 million to 169 beneficiaries on June 11. The DSWD also distributed financial assistance worth P300,000 to 100 residents in Burgos on June 11, under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS). Caraga INFOCUS

Aside from financial assistance from the DSWD, the PCOO also turned over Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) sets and Laging Handa information, education and communications (IEC) materials about the national COVID-19 vaccination program, to the local government units (LGUs) to support

“Inin mga hinabang diri karun nga ipanghatag sa ijo ang magpamatood nga ang ijo gobyerno - ang administrasyon ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte - padajon sa paghatod sa serbisyo publiko nga tinudanay nga malasakit sa katawhan. Segun kini sa giingon ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte nga bringing the government closer to the people (This assistance that will be given to you today is proof that your government - the Duterte administration - continues to deliver a public service with genuine concern for the people. This is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s marching order of bringing the government closer to the people),” PCOO June 5-11, 2021 |

Secretary Martin Andanar said. The PCOO chief also said that through the AHON convergence program, LGUs will have better access to the programs of the government in times of crisis. DSWD Assistant Secretary Victor Neri, meanwhile, urged the beneficiaries to use the grant wisely, and assured them that the national government is ready to respond to the needs of all Filipinos.

habang nandyan po ang Presidente nakaupo sa Malacañan- ay tuloy-tuloy lang po ang ating mga programa (Floods, earthquakes, fires, volcanic eruptions, calamities, poverty, health, businesses, while the President is there in Malacañan, our programs will continue),” he added.

Other agencies in the AHON Convergence Program include the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment “Yan po ay isang batas (DOLE), Department of ng Presidente. Ibig Trade and Industry (DTI), sabihin lang po na kapag Technical Education Skills mayroong kalamidad Development Authority at nangangailangan po (TESDA), Department kayo, ay darating po of Agriculture (DA), kaming lahat po, kaming the Department mga ahensya, sabayof Information and sabay sa inyo. Kami po Communications ang bababa sa inyo Technology, the (This is the order of our Philippine Charity President. It means that Sweepstakes Office, and in times of calamities and the Office of the Special in times of need, we will Assistant to the President be here to help, all the (OSAP). agencies will converge to help),” Asec. Neri said. Local chief executives of the benefitting town “Baha, lindol, sunog, expressed their gratitude pagputok ng bulkan, for the response of the kalamidad, kahirapan, national government livelihood, health, in augmenting their entrepreneurship, efforts to provide for their

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constituents. “Thank you very much, President Duterte for bringing these assistance to the people of General Luna. Through this AHON program, we can now request for aid with immediate response from the national government,” General Luna mayor Cecilia Rusillon said. In a separate meeting, Poblacion 2, Borgus barangay captain Roger Pomoy detailed how the intervention of national government officials have helped lobby their proposed programs for the barangay, including Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and PCOO Secretary Andanar. “I hope that these efforts will continue and that everyone will maintain their cooperation for the welfare of more people in Burgos. We have longed pushed for our programs to be funded and implemented here and with your interventions, it is finally here,” said Pomoy. (OSEC Media/PCOO/PIASurigao del Norte) Caraga INFOCUS

News Briefs Caraga stakeholders are actively attending National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) - Regional Vaccination Operations Center (RVOC) virtual Meeting via Zoom platform. Updates on the COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment and Vaccination Program are discussed during the said meeting. xx

As reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Philippine economy improved in the first quarter of 2021 with a slower contraction of 4.2% from an 8.3% decline in the fourth quarter of 2020. On a seasonally-adjusted quarter-onquarter basis, the economy grew by 0.3%. The latest economic performance shows the limit of economic recovery without any major relaxation of the country’s quarantine policy. The Duterte administration’s economic managers said that, “once the present spike is over, we can implement quarantine relaxations in a phased approach to boost our recovery this year.” (DOF)

In these tough times, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has emerged as a key means of both resolving challenges caused by the pandemic and responding to the new reality of everyday life. It has played a huge role in connecting people and making the world revolve despite the lockdowns and stay-at-home orders. The local government unit of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte spearheaded the conduct of Creating Unified Monitoring of Barangays and Agency’s Performance (CUMBAP) per Mun. Ordinance No. 027-2020.

REGIONAL NEWS

DOH reports 21 new COVID-19 variants in Caraga outside their area and eight are close contacts of previously confirmed cases. Currently, out of the 21, eighteen (18) are already asymptomatic and back to their normal daily routine, while one is still recovering at home.

Cassion

The Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health Development Caraga on June 4 reports the 21 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) variant cases in the region based on the latest results of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) received from the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center. Of the samples sent, 13 samples tested positive for B.1.351 (first detected in South Africa), seven for B.1.1.7 (first detected in UK) and one for P.3 (first detected in the Philippines). Caraga INFOCUS

The confirmed B.1.351 cases are locals of the following areas: Bislig City (7), Lianga, SDS (4), Cortes, SDS (1) and Tandag City (1). While the confirmed B.1.1.7 cases are from Barobo, Surigao del Sur (2), Butuan City (2), Esperanza, Agusan del Sur (1), Lianga, Surigao del Sur (1) and Madrid, Surigao del Sur (1). The confirmed P.3 variant case is a resident of Tandag City. Initial investigation showed that among these 21 variant cases, 13 have no travel history

Two cases with the B.1.351 variant died while admitted in the hospital - one (1) from Bislig City and another from Cortes, Surigao del Sur. The concerned local health authorities, in close coordination with DOH CHD-Caraga are currently implementing the mandatory quarantine and control measures including rigorous tracing of the 1st - 3rd generation close contacts and reswabbing of confirmed cases with COVID-19 variants, per DOH DM 2021-0128. “With the increasing cases and continuous emergence of COVID-19 June 5-11, 2021 |

variants of concern in the region, we are appealing to the Caraganons to strictly adhere to the health protocols and minimum public health standards,” said DOH Caraga Regional Director Cesar Cassion.

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“We also strongly encourage immediate vaccine uptake once the vaccines are available to your respective priority eligible group. Let us remember that by following these health measures, transmission

across population and further mutation of COVID-19 can be prevented. So, let us continue to be vigilant and work together to end this pandemic,” he added. (DOH Caraga/ PIA Caraga) Caraga INFOCUS

NDA holds ‘2nd Gawad Dairy Awards’

The Department of Agriculture-National Dairy Authority (DANDA) did not let the current health adversity hamper them from acknowledging the outstanding dairy farmers and entrepreneurs in the Philippine dairy industry this year.

existing and prospective dairy players, the 2nd Gawad Dairy Awards was graced by none other than its Administrator Marilyn Mabale together with DA Secretary William Dar and Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Chair Senator Cynthia Villar.

and immunity in order to fight COVID-19. The role of dairy farmers is then particularly important since they provide immunity-boosting fresh milk to every Filipino family’s table,” she said.

Mabale continued by saying that “With all these challenges The second Gawad nowadays, there is no Dairy Awards was During her speech, better way to handle this conducted on May 27, Administrator Mabale than to work together 2021 via Webex and it said that the dairy as one. Congratulations was the first-ever virtual industry is currently to all the Gawad Dairy awarding ceremony that facing challenges Awardees and may this was spearheaded by brought about by the serve as an inspiration the government’s dairy pandemic. However, she and extension of your industry arm. believed in the promise excellence to others.” of a better and brighter Aiming to uphold dairy future. “We need to Secretary Dar also farming and to inspire strengthen our health delivered his words Caraga INFOCUS

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of appreciation and insight. “The Gawad Dairy Awards would have not been possible without the significant contributions of the dairy farmers in providing the Filipinos quality dairy products,” he said. He added that through the government’s ongoing dairy development programs, the DA-NDA looks forward to a future where farmers are happy with their income from dairying; milk processing plants are run by capable dairy technicians; and local consumers delight in the availability of affordable milk right in their communities. Meanwhile, Senator Villar shared her deepest gratitude to all dairy farmers and players. “The NDA is one with the national government’s goal to develop and strengthen the country’s dairy industry. It is such a great opportunity to have this annual Gawad Dairy Awards so that all the efforts of Philippine dairy farmers and entrepreneurs will never be forgotten,” she said.

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Three Major Awards

Complete Recording System” was awarded NDA has presented three to Engr. Roger Navarro major awards during of Claveria, Misamis the virtual ceremony. Oriental; Mr. Frank Lloyd The “Farmer with Dairy Gargar of Claveria, Milking Herd with the Misamis Oriental; Mr. Highest Average Milk Jayruvic Vicoy of Yield” was awarded to Consolacion, Cebu; Mr. Jose Tapay, Jr. of and Mr. William Alin of Lipa, Batangas. Consolacion, Cebu. Meanwhile, the “Farmer with Dairy Herd with Shortest Average Calving Interval” was awarded to Mr. Benjamin Lao of Bansalan, Davao del Sur. Finally, the “Most Prompt in Fulfilling Financial Obligations as a Dairy Farm Partner” was awarded to the Provincial Government of Camiguin. The 2nd Gawad Dairy Awards also presented 10 citations to excellent dairy farmers and outstanding dairy entrepreneurs. The “Farmer with Biggest Herd Size and Highest Milk Production in 2020” was awarded to Ms. Milagros How of the Universal Harvester Dairy Farms, Inc. in Maramag, Bukidnon. The “Farmers with

Meanwhile, the “Indigenous People Engaged in Dairy” was awarded to Mr. Rolando Melendez of Impasugong, Bukidnon; Mr. Melencio Lomanoy of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; and Mr. Joy Angcod of Impasugong, Bukidnon. Also, the “Food Safety Compliant NDA-Assisted Dairy Farms” was awarded to Mallig Dairy Farm in Mallig, Isabela and Unified Engineering Workers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (UEWMPC) Dairy Farm in Polomolok, South Cotabato. Each awardee was given the chance to deliver an acceptance speech and all of them received plaques of recognition and some tokens from the NDA. (DA-NDA/PIA-Caraga) Caraga INFOCUS

OWWA-Caraga celebrates 2021 Migrant Workers’ Day

As the country marks the 26th year celebration of the 2021 Migrant Workers’ Day on the 7th day of June since the commemoration of the Republic Act 8042 or known as the Migrant Workers Act of 1995, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) together with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) hosted a virtual celebration to pay tribute to the Filipino migrant workers all over the world for their heroic Caraga INFOCUS

contributions amidst this trial time of the pandemic. Part of the virtual celebration was the ‘Resbakunado Townhall Meeting’ in connection with the ongoing vaccination against COVID-19 virus campaign spearheaded by the Department of Health (DOH), which was attended by OWWA employees from the different Regional Welfare Offices. Another highlight of the event

was the back-toback Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing led by DOLE thru Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, and OWWA together with the National Housing Authority (NHA), National Commission on Muslim Filipinos NCMF), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to provide OFWs who were displaced by the pandemic with employment opportunities in the DOTr through seamless June 5-11, 2021 |

reintegration. Through this agreement, the DOTr will provide OWWA with a list of vacant positions and skills required where an OFW can apply for work. In line with this celebration, OWWA Caraga took part in the virtual ceremony by awarding the financial assistance grant in a form of a cheque with the presence of the OICRegional Director, Ma. Ireen C. Cambaling, to the beneficiaries in Caraga region under the various programs of the agency, which includes five (5) recipients of Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH), two (2) recipients of Project EASE, one (1) scholar under Educational Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), one (1) recipient of Welfare Assistance Program – Bereavement (WAP), and another one (1) recipient of Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP). A total of ten (10) beneficiaries were present who hold valid color-coded passes, and the awarding only lasted 10 minutes as we adhere

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to the minimum health standards, protocols, and guidelines, hence, restriction to the number of attendees and social distancing were strictly observed. Afterward, the beneficiaries then headed back to their respective homes. The virtual celebration successfully wrapped up with ‘Kumustahan with OFWs’ wherein OFWs from around the world got a chance to share their experiences and inspiring stories in overcoming the challenges as a migrant worker. They also

conveyed their utmost gratitude as beneficiaries of the programs and services of OWWA, not only them who benefited but it also aided their family back home especially in this time of the global pandemic. A total of one hundred twenty-four (124) participants joined the 2021 Migrant Workers’ Day celebration via Zoom Meet. This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “Salamat sa tibay, galing at pagmamalasakit mo, Kabayan.” (OWWACaraga) Caraga INFOCUS

Father takes brand-new steps amidst lower limb amputation

is the main course for most of the meals for the Nunez family. On his way home, Christopher was called upon by his brother and his friend to join him for some drink. With hopes that a sip of alcohol might mend a little of his worries, he decided to stop by and somehow spent time with them.

Father takes brand-new steps amidst lower limb amputation Norevic Nunez will never forget the traumatizing incident her husband had back in March 6, 2021. It was around five in the afternoon when Christopher, Norevic’s husband, was on his way home after a long days work. While staring blankly at the distance, Christopher thought that their life has never been easy having no stable income being a farmer. Most of the time, they prefer to buy corn rice and could only afford for

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better quality, once their 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) allowance becomes available. Christopher and Norevic, together with their four beautiful children have been beneficiaries of the 4Ps of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for almost six years. Christopher freed a deep sigh pondering that they might have “Ginamos” again for supper. “Ginamos” a supposed side dish for other Filipino families

At around seven in the evening, Christopher and his younger brother decided to go home. Being completely sane, Christopher peered on the other side of the road and saw his neighbor who was completely drunk holding a bolo. Christopher remained at ease and continued walking. Never did he thought that this neighbor, whom he considered as his good friend, would do them harm. Without hesitation, his neighbor ran towards them and attacked Christopher and his brother with the wooden handle of the bolo. Both Christopher and his brother scrambled along the road to escape the deranged drunk, but due to having

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been hit hard on his back, Christopher wasn’t able to get up at once. His brother was dexterous enough to run and ask for help. Meanwhile, Christopher was ceaselessly hacked by his neighbor with a bolo. Norevic was crying while telling the story to one of the staff of DSWD. “Kung wala nabali ang sundang, iya pa daw unta gulgolon ang liog sa ako bana. Mao na ingon sa iyang manghud atubangan sa mga pulis ug sa mga tanod (If the bolo had not been broken, he would have slashed my husband’s neck. That’s what his brother told the police and the Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO),” she recalled while her tears continue to shed.

Christopher was all smiles. Seeing his children made him beam with delight – he was beaming with new hope. Amid all these challenges, Norevic remains grateful for her husband’s second life. “Ako karon nagkuha og kusog ug pagsalig sa Ginoo. Kabalo ko nga dili me Niya pasagdan (God is the source of my strength and I trust him, I know that he will never forsake us),” she said.

recommended her to avail the Php 5,000.00 cash assistance and a family food pack. Furthermore, in coordination with the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA) of DSWD, Norevic was provided with the list of requirements from which she can avail an assistive device for her husband for easier mobility. Eventually, Norevic and Christopher opted to have a wheelchair.

Now, Christopher is still Because of the gruesome recovering physically and incident, Christopher, the emotionally. In spite of all sole provider of the family, that, Christopher remains can no longer work leading grateful and hopeful. a more serious financial Having a wheelchair situation to the Nunez enabled Christopher to family. With this, Norevic has take brand-new steps. to play the role of being a Despite his current provider in the family. Along boundaries, he aspires that Christopher’s left elbow and these lines, she accepts these brand-new steps right knee were severely any kind of job that would he is about to take will injured leaving him no help her feed her family. But lead a fuller life amid the choice but to undergo being in the most difficult challenges he is in. amputation. A week after time of their life, Norevic the surgery, Christopher can barely afford to DSWD understands that was discharged and was purchase all the medicines losing a limb or two is strictly recommended to that her husband has to undeniably a major take his home medications. take. emotional and physical Since Christopher belongs burden not only for the to the indigent member Soon enough, she sought family but for the victim as of the community, he was the medical assistance well. By means of assistive given the No Balance Billing of the DSWD through the devices, the Department (NBB). Assistance to Individuals shows its efforts to ensure in Crisis Situations that even those with Norevic was worried (AICS). Fortunately, all problems of mobility, just thinking that her husband the medicines in the like Christopher, will still might be in deep sorrow prescription amounting to be able to freely and after all he’s been through. Php 3,532.00 was covered. fully function within their Surprisingly, when they The social worker who limitations. (DSWD-Caraga/ came back to their house, accommodated Norevic PIA-Caraga)

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Caraga INFOCUS

Cops nab 2 suspects in Caraga buy-bust, seize P28K worth of shabu weight of 2.2 grams with a Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) value of P25,960; drug paraphernalia; and P5,000 bill as marked money. Also, another buy-bust operation was conducted by Bunawan Municipal Police Station and 1303rd Mobile Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13 that resulted in the arrest of Anchor Joy V. Sancio, 24, and a resident of Purok P-1, Barangay San Teodoro, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.

The Caraga police confiscated P28,960.00 worth of methamphetamine or commonly known as “shabu’ and apprehended two dealers during a separate buy-bust operation in the region on June 7, 2021. Police Regional Office 13 regional director BGen. Romeo M. Caramat, Jr. said the antidrug operation was conducted in Purok 2, Barangay Agao, Butuan City around 11:45 in the evening by Butuan City Police Station 1, City Intelligence Unit-City Drug Enforcement Unit and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) RO13 that led to the arrest of Israel Evanoso, also known as “Eng-Eng,” 23 years old. Eng-Eng is a drug surrenderee in 2018 and listed as Regional Top Priority Target as a High-Value Individual (HVI). Authorities confiscated two sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated

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Sancio was arrested for possessing two pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu with an estimated weight of 0.2542g and DDB value of P3,000; buy-bust money of P1,000, and drug paraphernalia. The arrested persons are now detained at the custodial facility of the arresting unit as cases for violating provisions of the Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Acts of 2002 are being prepared against them and Violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code” (Resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person) for Evanoso. “We recognize the effort of our policemen particularly for the successful buy-bust operation which resulted in the arrest of the drug personalities, and confiscation of illegal substance,” said BGen. Caramat (PMaj. Dorothy M. Tumulak, PRO13 PIO/PIACaraga)

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Caraga drug bust nets pushers, 54k worth of suspected shabu seized Edradan was entrapped by joint personnel of Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), Surigao City Police Station, Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Surigao del Norte Provincial Field Unit in Purok3, Barangay San Juan, Surigao City yesterday (June 9) around 7:00PM.

Authorities seized a total of Php54,280 of suspected shabu and arrested two individuals in a separate buybust operation in Cabadbaran City and Surigao City in two days operation. Police Brigadier General Romeo M. Caramat, Jr., Regional Director of

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Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 identified the arrested suspect as Junnel Bantilan Edradan, alias Jun, 26 years old, male, single, jobless, and resident of Purok 2, Sitio Lumaban, Barangay Rizal, Surigao City. Edradan was listed as the Top 10 priority HighValue Individual (HVI) of Surigao del Norte.

Authorities confiscated during the operation were: gray sling bag containing Php500 bill marked money; black keypad mobile phone black; cash money amounting to Php150 in the different denomination; a small transparent plastic sachet containing a white crystalline substance of suspected shabu bought by the operative who acted Caraga INFOCUS

heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu with an estimated weight of two grams and an estimated Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) value of Php23,600. The body search conducted on the arrested persons was witnessed by barangay officials, representatives from the media, and from the Department of Justice. as poseur-buyer with an estimated weight of 0.834 grams with a street price value of Php9, 841.2; and four pieces plastic sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated weight of 2.6 grams worth Php30,680. On the other hand, another buy-bust operation was conducted by Cabadbaran City Police Station in coordination with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 13 with Pre-operation Control number 30003-0620210057 on June 10 around 1:55AM which resulted in the arrest of Kevin John Caraga INFOCUS

Arong Sasil, 24 years old, male, single, jobless, a resident of Purok-2, Brgy.1, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte. Sasil was a drug surrenderee in his barangay in July 2015 and was listed in the former People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) in Cabadbaran City. Confiscated in the possession of Sasil during the operation were: 500-peso bill with serial number KW378610 held as marked money; cash money amounting to Php842 in different denominations; and two pieces of small

RD Caramat commended the operating troops for a job well done and said that PNP PRO13 will continue its unwavering efforts to eradicate all forms of illegal drugs within the region and will keep on reinvigorating its anti-criminality campaign. “These operations were done successfully with the active support of the community in the continuous implementation of anti-drug campaign of Caraga Police across the region,” he concluded. (PMaj. Dorothy M. Tumulak, PIO, PRO 13/PIA Caraga) June 5-11, 2021 |

DSWD-13 puspusan ang pamimigay ayuda sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong ‘Dante’

Matapos ang pananalasa ng bagyong “Dante” sa Caraga, tuloy-tuloy na ang pamimigay ng ayuda ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga sa mga residenteng labis na apektado sa pananalasa ng bagyo. Sa pinakahuling tala ng DSWD, may 4,584 na pamilya o 18,330 displaced individuals sa buong Caraga region. Umabot na ng 1,301 family food packs na nagkakahalaga ng mahigit limang daang libong pisoang naipamahagi na bilang augmentation support sa lokal na

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pamahalaan ng Butuan noong Miyerkules. May mga nakahanda pang 5,853 family food packs sa rehiyon kung saan ang 1,300 nito ay nasa Surigao City, 956 sa Tandag City, at ang iba naman sa DSWD regional warehouse sa Butuan City. “Also, we have raw materials worth P2,151,627.30 and a standby fund of P3 million is already prepared,” sabi ni Marko Davey Reyes, regional information officer ng DSWD Caraga. Sa kasalukuyan ay mayroon din anyang non-food items kagaya ng family, hygiene,

kitchen at sleeping kits at iba pang essential items na nagkakahalaga ng mahigit P19, 417,180.59 ang nakaimbak sa iba’t ibang warehouses at handang ipamimigay sa lgus na nangangailangan ng karagdagang suporta. Tiniyak ng DSWD na may sapat na pondo ang ahensya sa disaster response operations. “We will continue to work with the local government units for any support that we can give. Ang DSWD ay patuloy po na aalalay sa ating mga kababayan lalung-lalo na tuwing may kalamidad,” ani Reyes. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

Caraga INFOCUS

960 drivers sa Butuan nakadawat og livelihood assistance grant

makasugakod sa kalisod. May gani kay nakadrive ra siya og motorized tricycle via Barangay Pianing to Barangay Taguibo.

Nakadawat og Livelihood Assistance Grant ang transport sektor ning dakbayan nga gilangkuban sa mga drivers sa multicab, van ug mini bus nga labing naapektuhan sa pagsugod sa pandemya.

Lawrence “Law” Fortun sa pakigtambayayong sa DSWD, ug LGU Butuan pinaagi sa CSWD og pinansyal nga tabang alang sa mga drivers.

Usa sa nakadawat ang driver kaniadto sa van nga si Wilbert Quimno taga Barangay Ang uban sa mga drivers Ampayon. Alang wala na nakadrive niya, lisud ang iyang balik tungod kulang kahimtang adtong wala na ang kitaon labi na siya nakadrive labi pa pa nga katunga na nga tulo kabuok iyang lang sa kapasidad sa anak. Naningkamot mga pasahero ang nalang sila sa iyang pasakyon. Adlawng asawa nga makatukod Biyernes, nang apud og gamay nga tindahan apod ang buhatan ni 1st gamit ang gamay’ng District Representative puhunan aron Caraga INFOCUS

Dako na kaayong tabang ang P5,000 nga iyang nadawat tungod kay makadugang na kini sa iyang nasugdang sari sari store aron dili na makapangutang pa. “Ako ni siyang idugang puhunan sa akong sari-sari store nga gamay, dako kaayo akong pasalamat kang Congressman Lawrence Fortun dako ni kaayong tabang sa among mga pobre dako na kaayo ni nga kantidad sa amoa,” dugang ni Quimno. Sumala ni Congresssman Fortun ang livelihood assistance grant usa ka programa sa DSWD ug gipaningkamutang sa iyang buhatagn nga makaaccess og pondo gikan sa nasudnong panggamhanan. June 5-11, 2021 |

“Nahatagan og attention ang atong yangungo nga hatagan og livelihood assistance ang atong transport sector sa Butuan City. Ug ang identified benipisyaryo niini kadtong hardly hit by the pandemic. Ang inisyal nato giidentify mao ang transport sector kay isa man sila sa labing naapektuhan kay sa pandemic munaog ang economic ang naandang aktibidades nakunhod example walay klase kay nag online class daghan sa mga trabahante nag work from home, restaurant ug establishments nga dili full ang operations so dako kaayo ang nabawas sa population nga nigawas sa ilang balay para sa usual activities ug kong wala na ang hardly hit niana ang transport sector kay walay pasahero. So giidentify nato ang transport sector nga isa sa pinaka vulnerable ug hardly hit by the pandemic,” matud pa ni Fortun. Dugang pa ni Fortun nga paningkamotan sab sa buhatan

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nga mahatagan sa susamang programa ang PWDs, Solo Parent ug mga Stranded Individuals didto sa Luzon ug Visayas. Giklaro ni DSWD OIC Regional Director Ramel F. Jamen nga dili pareho ang kantidad sa mga nadawatan sa mga drivers tungod subay kini sa gipahigayong assessment sa transport sector sa tabang sa barangay, CSWD ug buhatan sa DSWD ug muagi sab sa validation ang mga benipisyares. “Una ang livelihood sa ila nagsumikad, ilang proposal nagpasabot nga ila nang naandan for so long nga time sa ilang pamilya pero karon nga panahon

ni lower ang ilang kita. Pananglitan dunay nagnegosyo og produksyon sa gulayan ug meat vending namaligya og karne natural gulayan ug namaligya og karne duna gyoy kalainan sa amount nga gikinahanglan para sa puhunan diha ang gibasihan mao nagkalain-lain ang ilang amount nga nadawat,” dugang ni Jamen. Ang Livelihood Assistance Grant kun LAG usa ka programa isip recovery program nga tabang sa paghinay sa panginabuhian ug sa uban nga nawad-an og panginabuhian nga anaa sa transport sector. (Butuan City PIO/PIA Agusan del Norte) Caraga INFOCUS

GECS-MOVE magagamit na ng mga kinauukulang ahensiya ng pamahalaan sa Caraga Region By Jennifer P. Gaitano

Para kay Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Caraga regional director at chair ng Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Liza Mazo, isa itong katuparan sa matagal nang inaasam at hangarin ng RDRRMC na magkaroon ng consolidated communication system para mas maging makabuluhan ang mga ginagawang hakbang at disaster response ng ibat-ibang ahensiya. Hindi na bago sa mga Caraganon na madalas itong madaanan ng bagyo kada taon. Pinagtibay ito ng mga karanasan kung saan mas lumawak pa kanilang paghahanda sa paglipas ng panahon. Kaya malaking bagay rin ang pagdating sa rehiyon ng Government Emergency Communications System – Mobile Operations Vehicle For Emergency (GECS-MOVE) Project sa pamamahala ng Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Sa pamamagitan ng GECS-

Caraga INFOCUS

MOVE, mas madaling malaman at makita ang tunay na sitwasyon ng apektadong komunidad tuwing may bagyo o sakuna dahil sa high-tech na communication system nito, at magiging madali ang pagbibigay ng gobyerno ng nararapat na aksyon at tulong sa lugar. Binigyang-diin ni DICT Undersecretary Alan Silor, ang kahalagahan ng komunikasyon at pagkakaroon ng matibay na telecommunications infrastructure sa tulong ng GECS-MOVE.

Inaasahang makapagbibigay pa rin ng video at image data and mga responders sa ground zero areas sa tulong ng GECS-MOVE Hub. Ang MOVE Motorbike naman ay agad na magagamit para mapuntahan ang mga lugar na lubhang naapektuhan ng sakuna. Sa proyektong ito, kaagapay ng DICT ang World Food Programme (WFP), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), at iba pang kinauukulang ahensiya. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

June 5-11, 2021 |

PROVINCIAL NEWS

POPCOM-13 holds reproductive health orientation among SSCT studes, teachers The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) Caraga will enhance the skills among teachers and students of Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT) on making responsible choices, pertaining to their reproductive health through a wholesome development strategy. POPCOM Caraga maintains its focus on the development of today’s young generation despite the current health crisis by leading an online training for SSCT teachers and students on June 10 using its Adolescent Health and Development Program communication module known as Sexually Healthy and Personally Effective or SHAPE. The SSCT teachers and students will be part of the daylong online orientation in Caraga INFOCUS

which they will increase their awareness and understanding of adolescent and youth development and help them avoid teenage pregnancy.

Program Angelita B. Antonio, together with Information Officer I May Ann Escobal, will preside over the Sexually Healthy and Personally Effective (SHAPE) module training.

Participants will hear messages from Maria Fe Guerra, director of the Student Affairs Office, and POPCOM Caraga regional director Alexander A. Makinano.

The Commission has put up a yearlong lineup of various events and initiatives in partnership with different institutions and for local government units in the development of adolescents and youth across the region. (POPCOM Caraga/PIA Surigao del Norte)

POPCOM Caraga Information Officer II and focal person of the Adolescent Health and Development

June 5-11, 2021 |

POPCOM Caraga promotes RBIM The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) Caraga continues to promote the implementation of the Registry of Barangay Inhabitants and Migrants (RBIM) in the municipality of Bacuag, Surigao del Norte despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mandatory compliance by local government units (LGUs) aims to develop a community-based information and profile system for each barangay in the area through the RBIM, and this endeavor is in line with the Philippine Population Management Program’s objectives. The RBIM is intended to assist LGUs in managing their response to any pandemic such as the COVID-19. Ricky Namion, Planning Officer I of the POPCOM Caraga, and Precious Kinazo, Project Evaluation Officer I, facilitated the three-day orientation and training in relation to the implementation of the Registry of Barangay

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Inhabitants and Migrants or RBIM for the nine barangays of LGU Bacuag namely, Brgy. Poblacion, Cabugao, Pautao, Cambuayon, Dugsangon, Campo, Sto. Rosario, Payapag, and Pungtod on May 25-27, 2021. The training covered the population development concepts concerning internal migration and elaborated the positive outcomes of the RBIM rollout throughout the municipality, which will aid the local government units in responding to a variety of population issues, including the spread of the COVID-19. Perla Quisido, Surigao del Norte Provincial Population Officer, highlighted the idea of Population Development and the consequences of internal migration on the

fast expansion of settlers, particularly in tourism hotspot regions. During the training and orientation on the implementation of the RBIM, Municipal Councilor Cedric Tantoy and Municipal Administrator Karen Egay emphasized the need of developing a population database to facilitate the integration of initiatives and resolutions that benefit the community and to raise awareness about population and migration. Upon the implementation of RBIM, each household will be profiled from June through August, with data analysis beginning in October for presentation to the local chief executives and the Commission. (POPCOM Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Norte) Caraga INFOCUS

PFDA joins farmers, fisherfolk celebration The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), together with all its Regional Fish Ports (RFP), took part in the double celebration of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Month with the theme “May Pandemya Man o Wala, Magsasaka’t Mangingisda, Maasahan ng Bansa” and the 21st National Fisherfolk Day on May 31, 2021. These events aim to give recognition to the role and contribution of our fisherfolks in the sustainable development and management of our fishing communities. This year, despite the constant looming dangers brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather conditions, the fisherfolks continue to ensure that there will be enough food for everyone. They remain as the capeless heroes fighting against hunger and towards food security. Caraga INFOCUS

To celebrate these momentous occasions, the PFDA, through its Public Information Division, developed and produced a tribute video entitled “Paglaot: Pagpupugay sa mga Mangingisdang Pilipino.” The video aims to honor and extend gratitude to the valiant fisherfolk for their hard work, commitment, and dedication to help the Philippine economy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this video, the agency will take you

on a journey about the bittersweet life of a fisherfolk. Every common misconception and the true essence of being a fisherfolk were showcased in the video to enlighten everyone about the real situation of those who give every Filipino food on their plates. To watch this tribute video for the outstanding fisherfolk, you can visit PFDA official Facebook page. (Mark Angelo N. Perez/DA-PFDA, Public Information Division/PIASurigao del Norte) June 5-11, 2021 |

DepEd Dinagat Islands nakadawat og duplicating machines Ang buhatan sa Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division sa lungsod sa Dinagat Islands nakadawat og duplicating machines gikan sa provincial government bag-ohay pa lamang. Gi-award ug gi-turnover sa probinsya sa pagpangulo ni Gobernador Kaka Bagao ngadto sa Division Office nga gipangunahan ni Curriculum Implementation Division (CID) Chief Lope C. Papelleras ang usa ka set sa duplicating machines nga naglangkob sa 1 unit collator, 1 unit perfect binder, 1 unit cutter guillotine with electromechanical cutter, 2 units Epson Workforce Pro WFC869R, ug 4 units Blue PS -350 Digital Duplicator. Ang maong duplicating machines napalit gikan sa pondo sa Special Education Fund (SEF) CY 2019 Savings og SEF CY 2020 Reprogram ug 1% Local Council for the Protection of Children (LPCP) 2020 fund nga nikabat ug P2,494,444.00

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isip usa ka alternatibong pamaagi sa pagtudlo aron makabenipisyo ang mga estudyante ug magtutudlo sa probinsya alang sa giatubang nga pandemya.

pagpanalipod sa mga vulnerable sectors ug mga kabatan-onan.

Gitambungan ang kalihukan nila Provincial Administrator Aimee A. Jimeno, Provincial Planning Kini nga inisyatibo mao and Development ang pagpanag-iya sa mga Coordinator Jorge C. tawo nga gipasiugdahan Daligdig, Provincial ug nahuman pinaagi Community Affairs Officer sa probinsya isip usa ka katumanan sa panagsama Jay G. Benitez, Provincial General Services Officer nga panan-aw ug sukaranan sa pagdumala, Angela Elago, ug mga personahe gikan sa ilabina ang paghatag Department of Education og gahum sa mga tawo (DepEd) Schools Division pinaagi sa pagpadayon sa pagpaningkamot Office. (Dinagat Islandsalang sa pagprotektar ug PIO/PIA-Dinagat Islands) Caraga INFOCUS

P400k illegally cut logs seized in Caraga The Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), intensifies its efforts in protecting the environment and apprehended four timber poachers and confiscated illegally cut logs worth P427,500 on June 7, 2021. Police Regional Office 13 regional director BGen. Romeo M. Caramat, Jr. commended the joint operations of PNP personnel and DENR who intercepted three wing van trucks bearing plate numbers NGP 4428, RHT 685, and CBN 3740 loaded with undocumented forest products in different dimensions. The volume of the forest products was estimated to 2,000 board feet and an estimated market value of P200,000. According to BGen. Caramat, the intercepted cargoes were covered with huge sacks of rice hull. The joint personnel of Surigao City Police Station, PNP Maritime, Port Police, DENR, and Philippine Coast Guard conducted an anti-illegal logging operation in the Port of Lipata in Barangay Lipata, Surigao City. They arrested Renz Piano Cabayao, 31, single, driver,

Caraga INFOCUS

and a resident of Barangay Alibonan, Calinog, Iloilo City; and Rogelio Tan Doble, 55, self-employed, married, and a resident of Barangay San Antonio, Agdao, Davao City while their associates are at large and managed to evade arrest. On the other hand, operatives of Butuan City Police Station 4, Sibagat Municipal Police Station, Agusan del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company and DENR-Sub Monitoring Office in Barangay Ampayon, Butuan City flagged down a reported white Isuzu Wing Van traveling from Esperanza, Agusan del Sur to Butuan City in Purok 1, Brgy. Ampayon, Butuan City. The authorities discovered that the wing van was illegally transporting forest products commonly known as “Lauan” with an estimated volume of 6,500 board feet and an estimated market value of P227,500. The driver who illegally transported forest products

was identified as Bryan Maycong Lovinario, 29, married, and a resident of Purok Ilang-ilang, Brgy. Sarabia, Koronadal City together with his helper Jear Madelo Halop, 22, single and a resident of Purok 5, Barangay Mount Carmel, Bayugan City. The suspects failed to present any pertinent documents to authorities. “We urge the public to be vigilant and help us protect our environment by reporting any suspected illegal logging activities in their localities and we will deal with them with the full force of law,” said BGen. Caramat. Cases for violation of P.D. 705 “Otherwise known as the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines,” and EO 23 “Declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating the anti-illegal logging task force” are filed against the suspect. (PMaj. Dorothy M. Tumulak, PRO13 PIO/PIASurigao del Norte)

June 5-11, 2021 |

Mokabat 995 bundle sa ‘tiger grass panicle’ gitunol ngadto sa mga mag-uuma sa Libjo

Agig tubag sa panginahanglanon ug panginabuhian sa mga lumulupyo sa Barangay Rosita, Libjo, pormal nga gi-turnover sa provincial government ngadto sa MacArthur Farmer Entrepreneur Association (MAFEA) ang 995 bundle nga tiger grass panicle nga gamitong materyales sa paghimo og soft broom o silhig nga lanot. Kini nga mga materyales gikan pa usab sa mga Sumilao farmers sa Bukidnon nga nikabat sa kantidad nga P121,500.00 diin gipondohan sa provincial government para sa dugang

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panginabuhian sa mga myembro sa MAFEA nga niabot niadtong May 31, 2021 sa Sitio General McArthur. Dako ang kalipay sa miyembro sa MAFEA diin nahatagan sila og suporta gikan sa gobyerno ilabi na sa inisyatibo ni Gobernador Kaka Bag-ao sa paghatag sa ila og kahigayonan nga makigbahin sa pagpalambo sa ilang asosasyon pinaagi sa paghimo og silhig nga dakong tabang sa ilang panginabuhian ilabi na nga padayon giatubang ang krisis sa COVID-19.

Lakip nga gipasalig niini nga ilang paningkamutan nga mapalambo ug mapahimuslan kini sa kinatibuk-ang miyembro sa ilang grupo og makahatag sa ila og mas tawhay ug luwasnon nga panginabuhian nga dili supak sa balaod ug dili makadaot sa kinaiyahan. Usa lamang kini sa mga padayong lakang sa provincial government sa paghatag og igong pagtagad sa mga People’s Organization (PO) ilabi na sa mga mag-uuma ug mangingisda nga usa sa mga sektor nga nagsiguro nga adunay Caraga INFOCUS

seguridad sa suplay sa pagkaon ang katilingban ilabi na sa panahong adunay gisagubang nga pandemya. Hugot usab kining gisuportahan sa buhatan sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) pinaagi kang OIC PENRO Agapito T. Patubo diin gihatag usab niini ang 100 ektarya nga luna nga nahisakop sa National Greening Program (NGP) aron mas mapahalapdan ang area pagpananom sa tiger grass nga ilang ugmadon alang sa mas daghan nga produktong pang-agrikultura nga maoy tinubdan sa ilang pang adlaw-adlaw nga panginahanglanon. Tumong ug katuyoan usab niini ang pagpangilabot sa mga katawhan sa pag-amuma sa mga kakahuyan ug magsiguro nga mapanalidpan ang mga watershed area sa naasoy nga lugar samtang hugot nga giimplementar ang projekto nga magpalambo sa ilang panginabuhian. Lakip usab niini ang dugang pang tabang Caraga INFOCUS

gikan sa provincial government pinaagi sa mga buhatan sa Provincial Cooperative Development Office (PCDO), Provincial Community Affairs Office (PCAO), ug ang Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) nga nagsiguro alang sa mas hapsay nga kadumalahan sa ilang asosasyon pinaagi sa paghimo sa haom ug plastar nga operation manual ug business policy, ug maghatag sa ila og igong kaalam ilabi na sa pagdala sa ilang financial statement ug dugang kapasidad sa pagpanindot sa kalidad sa ilang proyekto, magtudlo sa insaktong marketing strategy ug

product development. Sa dugang bahin nakadawat usab ang mga miyembro sa MAFEA og foliar fertilizer ug pipila ka mga seedlings sa petchay, kangkong, okra ug sweet corn. Gitudlo-an usab sila sa insaktong pamaagi sa pagtanom sa 30-day seeds og paggamit sa abono alang sa mas abundang harvest sa ilang mga tanom. Kahinumduman, si Gob. Bag-ao ang abugado sa kaniadto sa Sumilao farmers sa ilang pakigbatok alang sa agrarian reform. (Dinagat Islands-PIO/PIA-Dinagat Islands) June 5-11, 2021 |

Info drive sways more farmers to plant soybean in SurSur

More farmers were convinced to engage in soybean farming following the information caravan on Soybean Production and Processing conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Caraga recently. The info caravan covered the towns of Barobo, Tagbina, Cantilan, and the City of Bislig in Surigao del Sur, of which DA-Caraga has identified the three towns and one city as potential

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expansion areas for soybean. Among the topics discussed during the caravan were the production and processing of soybean, health benefits of soybean, market opportunities, and the department’s programs and interventions for soybean. Barobo Municipal Agriculturist Johnny V. Ramos said he appreciated the activity

since it provided a venue for the farmers to learn more about the crop and its various potentials. He also assured the participants that the Municipal Agriculture Office fully supports all undertakings for the development of the soybean industry in the region. On the other hand, Antonio Gabule of Brgy. Osmeña, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur said he is thankful for the info caravan Caraga INFOCUS

production volume of 356.4 metric tons (mt), followed by Cagayan Valley at 120.2 mt, and Davao Region in 3rd place with 61.6 mt.

because he learned a lot from it. “Before, we had apprehensions in planting this crop because of some experiences of other farmers here who tried out planting soybean but were not successful.

Municipal High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) Coordinator Joelito Yparraguirre said that they received 200-kilo soybean seeds and that they already started planting.

But now that we have more knowledge about it, I believe there is big potential in soybean,” he said.

From the years 2015 to 2019, Caraga has been the top producer of soybean. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that in 2019, Caraga had a

Meanwhile, in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, Municipal Administrator Vincent Dueñas said that they still have about 700 hectares of land area that were not planted during the dry season. He said they are looking into ways to maximize land use and soybean is one of the crops that they have turned to. Caraga INFOCUS

Recently, DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo announced that two local soybean varieties have been approved and registered by the National Seed Industry Council, the Select Manchuria and the Black Tudela. “The approval of these two varieties is something Caraganons should be proud of and drive us to further strengthen the soybean industry in the region,” he said. (Vanessa P. Sanchez, DA 13 – RAFIS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

June 5-11, 2021 |

DOLE-TUPAD pays P22.8M to SurSur workers affected by TS Auring By Nida Grace P. Barcena

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Surigao del Sur Provincial Office has successfully implemented the TUlong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/ Disadvantaged Workers or TUPAD in Surigao del Sur, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur as its accredited co-partner (ACP). provided with 15day temporary wage The report said 4,740 employment that informal economy involved cleaning of workers identified as public facilities and affected by Tropical community gardening. Storm (TS) Auring last Following Caraga February 2021 were the Region’s daily minimum beneficiaries, as per rate of P320.00, each commitment of DOLE beneficiary received Secretary Silvestre Bello P4,800.00 as salary for III. the work done. Also, some 250 workers They were also provided from each of the 17 1-year accident municipalities and two insurance and personal (2) component cities in protective equipment the Province of Surigao del Sur have availed the that included a TUPAD long-sleeved shirt and said program. 15 pieces of disposable facemasks, to ensure The beneficiaries were

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protection from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). TUPAD is DOLE’s safety net program that provides temporary wage employment to the workers in the informal sector particularly the unpaid family workers and selfemployed workers with elementary occupations who were displaced or whose earnings were affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and/or natural calamities such as TS Auring. (PIASurigao del Sur) Caraga INFOCUS

SurSur LGU celebrates 25th Kaliguan Festival By Nida Grace P. Barcena

cash prizes: 1st place P15,000.00; 2nd place P10,000.00; and 3rd place P5,000.00. A P1,000.00 worth of consolation prizes will be given to the succeeding top ten entries.

Various festivities are set to launch amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as the municipality of Cagwait in Surigao del Sur celebrates its 25th Kaliguan Festival. In lieu of the usual celebrations, competitions will be hosted virtually, such as the “Sayaw sa Kaliguan” and the “Virtual Tour Guiding”, of which aimed for participating locals to express their own portrayal of the rich culture and heritage the municipality holds. The “Sayaw sa Kaliguan” is open to all the participants within Caraga Region while the “Virtual Tour Guiding” is

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open to all professional and amateur tour guides, with residents and local tourists joining in as audiences. The top three winners in the “Sayaw sa Kaliguan” will receive a cash prize of P80,000, P60,000, and P40,000 respectively while five entries garnerning remarks succeeding to the main winners will receive a consolation prize of P5,000. Competitors may also bag special awards such as the Social Media Awards and Best in Virtual Creativity, where winners will receive a P2,500 cash prize under each category. The winners of the Tour Guiding Virtual Competition will receive the following

Special awards will also be given to participants, with winning entries receiving P2,000 for the Social Media Award and P1,000 for each winner of the Best Tagline and Visual Creativity Awards. All the entries were posted on the official Facebook page of LGU Cagwait. The Kaliguan Festival is celebrated in honor of the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist. “Kaliguan”, which means “a place for bathing,” is a thanksgiving for the blessings received by community members and was first held on June 24, 1996. It was initiated by the Municipal Tourism Council chaired by the present Mayor Lillian YuLozada in collaboration with the Municipal Government of Cagwait, the Provincial Government, and the Department of Tourism. (DMNR/NGB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

June 5-11, 2021 |

Dugang bakuna sa COVID-19, nadawat sa Surigao del Sur ang nadawat sa probinsya. Gikabutyag nga prayoridad sa mga nadawat nga bakuna ang dakbayan sa Bislig, tungod sa taas nga kaso sa COVID- 9 ang natala sa maong lugar.

sa mga bakuna, ma– alokaran ang Surigao del Sur og 50–mil ka mga doses.

Una niini, mahinumduman nga gihangyo ni Dr. Montesclaros ang DOH Dugang pa ni Dr. nga mag–alokar og mas Montesclaros, nga sunod daghan pang bakuna semana, gilauman nga dinhi sa probinsya Montesclaros mukabat sa 11 – million tungod sa nagkataas Nakadawat na usab ang doses sa bakuna ang nga kaso sa COVID–19 probinsya sa Surigao del muabot dinhi sa nasud. labi na didto sa Bislig. Sur og dugang bakuna Tungod niini, nanghinaot (Raymond Samson sa coronavirus disease nalang kini nga sa Aplaya - RP1 Tandag/ 2019 (COVID–19). Kini maong gidaghanon PIA-Surigao del Sur) ang gikumpirma ni Dr. Eric Montesclaros, ang hepe sa Provincial Health Office sa probinsya. Sa iyang pakighinabi, gibutyag niini nga miabot ang dugang mga bakuna gikan sa rehiyunal nga buhatan sa Department of Health (DOH) dili pa lang dugay. Sumala pa nga mukabot sa 5, 500 ka mga doses sa Sinovac vaccine

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FILE PHOTO

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DepEd Bislig gipangandaman na ang pagpailawom sa MECQ sa tulo ka mga barangay sa maong siyudad

Dr. Gregoria Su

Gipangandaman na sa Department of Education (DepEd) – Bislig City Schools Division ang pagpailawom sa Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine ( MECQ ) sa tulo ka mga barangay sakop sa siyudad sa Bislig sugod karong Hunyo 14 hangtud 21, kasamtangang tuig.

personahe nga mutrabaho nga suspendido una ang public transportation sa ilang opisina. sa mga lugar nga mapailawom sa MECQ. Sumala niini nga ilang Subay niini, gipahibalo gipatuman ang maong usab ni Dr. Su nga sa work arrangement aron karon, aduna’y walo ka nga dili madamay ang mga aktibong kaso sa tanan kung ugaling COVID–19 ang anaa sa adunay usa nga ilang schools division. magpositibo sa COVID -19. Gawas niini, ila usab Hinuon giklaro niiini, nga giseguro nga mapa– implementar ang 50% lang kini nga mga kaso wala sa ilang opisina. Nadestino nga capacity sulod sa ang mga nahilambigit ilang opisina. o nagpositibo sa mga eskwelahan sakop sa Samtang nakaandam na maong Division, dugang usab ang ilang service vehicle nga maoy gamiton pamahayag sa maong opisyal. (Raymond Samson sa paghatod sa mga DepEd employees tungod Aplaya - RP1 Tandag/PIASUrigao del Sur) kay dako ang posibilidad

Sa pakighinabi sa Radyo Pilipinas – Tandag, gibutyag ni Dr. Gregoria Su, ang Schools Division Superintendent sa nasangpit nga division, nga sukad kaniadto nagpatuman na sila og skeleton workforce sa mga Caraga INFOCUS

June 5-11, 2021 |

NCIP Caraga conducts community visit to Loreto town’s ICCs/IPs

The Manobo Indigenous Cultural Communities/ Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) of Loreto, Agusan del Sur was the third area visited by Atty. Marlon Bosantog, regional director of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Caraga, along with Atty. Leslie Mae F. Plaza, Attorney VI/Acting Technical Management Services Division Chief; Rosemarie Mordeno, Agusan del Sur Provincial Officer; and select NCIP Caraga personnel. During this session, a mini legal caravan was conducted wherein the

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IP leaders were able to voice out their issues and concerns, and were provided with free legal consultation. Issues that were raised include the ongoing direct Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title application (CADT) of the Manobo ICCs/ IPs which covers almost the entirety of Loreto, Agusan del Sur excluding Barangays Katipunan and Poblacion, issues on land selling within Ancestral Domains, and the recognition and implementation of tribal justice.

The team directly addressed these concerns, as well as updates on the current stage of their CADT application. The ICCs/IPs were also advised to file a formal letter complaint on issues relating to land selling as basis in the conduct of validation and investigation, the tribal leaders were reminded of the scope of implementation of the tribal justice and the customary laws related therein. “The NCIP will continue to provide your welfare and promote your rights. Let us know your issues and concerns and we will address, give resolutions to it the best we can,” cited Dir. Bosantog. With this, NCIP Caraga hopes to visit more IP communities and extend government services therein. (NCIP-Caraga/ PIA-Agusan del Sur) Caraga INFOCUS

Army uncovers NPA IED cache in Agusan del Sur

With the help of a concerned citizen who cooperates with government security forces, the Philippine Army’s 67th Infantry “Agila” Battalion (67IB) under the 10th Infantry “Agila” Division uncovered three Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) arms cache of the New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Cogonon, Barangay Salvacion, Trento, Caraga INFOCUS

Agusan del Sur on June 9, 2021. The discovery of the said IED cache, containing three pieces of dual-purpose type of landmine, was a result of 67IB Joint Intel and CMO Operations. Authorities said the IED items were buried by NPA members who are remnants of the weakened Guerilla Front North (WGF) of the CPP-NPA’s Southern

Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC). The IEDs were brought to the 67IB Headquarters in Barangay Salingcomot, Baganga, Davao Oriental. “These are the same IEDs that have killed innocent civilians and security forces in the past that should be stopped once and for all. The discovery also validates the NPA atrocities that June 5-11, 2021 |

they recently committed against Filipino hero athlete Kieth Absalon and his 13 year old cousin Nolven Absalon where they were killed by the same NPA IEDs in Masbate,” said Col. Oliver Maquiling, commander of 701st Infantry ”Kagitingan” Brigade. Lt. Col. Michael Aquino, commanding officer of 67IB said that this is a result of a strong campaign of the government to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), wherein the citizens themselves say they no longer want the presence of the communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) in their community. Aquino further commended the Agila troopers for the successful operation and recognized the efforts of the concerned citizen who provided information that led to the discovery of the EID cache. “This reflects the peoples’ trust in the government security

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forces. Now, the people who form the backbone of peace and harmony in the community have already realized that there is nothing to gain in the 52 years of communist armed struggle that greatly affected development in their area,” Aquino added. The 67IB’s passion and commitment to

genuinely serve the communities in its Area of Operations is part of the unit’s efforts to strategically communicate the Army’s transformation to become world-class that is a source of national pride by 2028 in line with the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR). (67IB, 10ID, PA/ PIA-Agusan del Sur) Caraga INFOCUS

Priority sectors in AgSur town support LGU’s vaccination program By Jennifer P. Gaitano

With the ongoing conduct of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, the eligible priority sectors/groups in the municipality of Veruela in Agusan del Sur continued to show their support and cooperation to the local government unit by availing of the free vaccines and advocating it to their family members and relatives. Caraga INFOCUS

During the Network Briefing News on Friday, Municipal Mayor Myrna Mondejar shared that this week, the LGU has scheduled the vaccinations from Monday until Thursday. ”At first people were hesitant because of fake news about the vaccines but after a constant information drive, they become optimistic that the vaccines would help keep everyone safe from the spread of the virus,”

she said. “They have this ‘wait and see’ behavior. They wanted to see for themselves what happened to those who were vaccinated – whether they’re safe or experienced several ill effects. But now that we had established the schedules for vaccination, they show up willingly at the vaccination centers,” added Mondejar. June 5-11, 2021 |

follow the guidelines under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine, not only within the municipality but the whole of Agusan del Sur.

The lady mayor further revealed that for the A1 category, 134 have had their first dose of AstraZeneca, of which 49 are already fully dosed. There were 126 senior citizens vaccinated for their first dose; and some 90 individuals with controlled comorbidities.

first the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) and tribal leaders to win their confidence,” underscored Mondejar.

Despite the increasing number of COVID-19 in the municipality, Mayor Mondejar emphasized that the LGU still “Under Sinovac, we manages the situation and intensifies the have 371 with the first advocacy campaign dose and the fully against the spread of vaccinated under A1; for the senior citizens, 125 the virus. The locals also had the first dose and 89 are fully vaccinated; for A3, 104 had their first dose. All in all, we have 965 who have been vaccinated here in Veruela. We also have started vaccinating the Indigenous Peoples – the Manobo. They were initially hesitant because they were afraid, so what we did was to vaccinate

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“As of now we have 25 active cases; 1 death, and 98 recoveries. Since the declaration of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) because of the increasing cases, we have been conducting checkpoints to check and prohibit non-essential travels; we increased police visibility; implemented health protocols strictly like wearing of face mask, face shield, and social distancing, among others,” said Mondejar. (JPG/PIAAgusan del Sur)

Caraga INFOCUS

Banana farming plants hope of progress in Veruela town of AgSur Bautista, KIFAPCO Secretary and a banana farmer, aside from the problems in the field, selling bananas has been unlucrative since many times buyers reject their products.

Having no signal and distant from industrial developments, residents of Barangay Sta. Emilia, Veruela, Agusan del Sur almost lost hopes in improving their lives by selling the only common commodity in the community, the bananas. However, when the Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) in Caraga intervened in 2018, it restored the farmers lost confidence Caraga INFOCUS

and shed light on the community. Improving Banana Industry The Kinabugawan Farmers Producers Cooperative (KIFAPCO) is one of the Proponent Groups of the I-REAP or Enterprise Component of PRDP. The nine-yearold coop started from 25 members and struggled to establish their coop since it’s in a remote area. According to Maricel

Members were also lost in the marketing operations of the coop, unaware of the financial process and management. In 2018, PRDP funded KIFAPCO with P928,000 for the two interventions: the establishment of a 2-hectare (ha) Lakatan plantation as an expansion to the existing 13-ha Lakatan area of KIFAPCO and a provision for the buying station, weighing scale, and operational fund for its banana production and trading business. The project allowed KIFAPCO to expand its economic activities on buying and selling June 5-11, 2021 |

bananas thereby generating income for the coop. On top of the income from their Lakatan production, a P0.25/kg is added to their coop. Further, the microenterprise members and banana growers are guaranteed a sure market for their produce since KIFAPCO consolidates and sells it to their contracted buyer. Likewise, farmers get a fair market price, increasing their income up to five percent (5%). For three years, PRDP provided training to the coop such as Enterprise Operations and Manual, Simple Bookkeeping, and Capability Development Planning. This engaged them in properly managing the coop’s finances and operations. “These training helped us how to manage the coop’s money, how much it should profit and the annual patronage refund of the beneficiaries. We learned how to manage a business,” blurted Bautista.

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Gabato also emphasized that the training opened their eyes to how credit and debit work. “We thought before that credit is loan and debit is just arguing during a session. Then PRDP taught us that it’s different in the financial aspect. Credit is income and debit is expenses. Now we can itemize our operations and regulate our financial record and that’s very important in a cooperative,” Gabato said. Empowered banana farmers All the interventions of PRDP gave strength to KIFAPCO. They

expanded their plantation area from the original two-hectares plantation to fivehectares. The coop also accumulated assets worth P3M. Banana farmers were empowered to expand their area and immerse themselves in business. “My banana area was just 1-ha before. With PRDP’s training on proper planting, I was encouraged to expand my plantation to 7-ha. My income increased from P10,000 to P30,000 per month depending on the market price. Residents here have been buying cars already since Caraga INFOCUS

our coop. The amount will surely increase and we can use this to improve the coop and help our banana farmers,” he said. Gabato added that despite the many negativities brought by the pandemic, it became an advantage to them.

their monthly income is guaranteed and has a huge increase. PRPD helped us a lot,” Bautista said. Further, even during the pandemic, KIFAPCO had no issues in selling their products since their contracted buyer could freely come to their coop and buy their bananas.

PRDP Caraga’s I-REAP to the World Bank Mission consultation and dialogue. Chairman Gabato addressed the question from the world bank consultant Agnes Deshormes on how they foresee the coop’s growth.

“During the height of the pandemic when the lockdown was implemented, residents concentrated in farming specifically banana since it is the notable commodity here. Most untilled lands were now planted and this increased banana production,” Gabato disclosed.

KIFAPCO and other PGs from Visayas and Mindanao were lauded “We envision to by the World Bank strengthen KIFAPCO’s consultants including Banana farmers meet marketing strategies Eli Weiss, Maria Theresa World Bank which will also improve Quinones, Tim Hancock, the lives of the and Agnes Deshormes With the banana banana farmers. In for their hard work farmers’ hard work and business marketing, we despite the calamities PRDP’s interventions, encourage the members and crisis they have KIFAPCO has grown to to sell their bananas to encountered along the be a booming enterprise. us so that our income way. (Zenny Awing/DAThis gave them the will increase. In every PRDP13/PIA-Agusan del ticket to represent purchase, P0.25 goes to Sur) Caraga INFOCUS

June 5-11, 2021 |

DA reveals which Cacao variety performs best in Caraga region Always putting the farmers’ best interest first, the Department of Agriculture (DA) –Caraga does not stop in finding ways to better serve them. This time, to help the cacao farmers in the region, the DA-Caraga, with the Research Division spearheading, is conducting a study on the performance of different cacao clones under Caraga conditions.

net bags, saw, and boots.

The package of technology that will be developed through the result of the study can serve as a guide for farmers to engage in cacao farming and in choosing which varieties they will plant.

The seven cacao clones included in the study are K1, K2, W10, UF18, ICS40, BR25, and Brazilian. These clones are all certified by the Bureau of Plant Industry. Assistant Project Leader Ailene B. Talara emphasized some important farming practices. Among these is the use of grafted planting materials for uniform growth and to ensure that the characteristics of the grafted plant will be the same as that of the mother plant. She also cited the proper care of cacao plants including weeding,

The study has two phases, the first phase was The study aims to conducted in 2015 to 2018, and the second phase, determine the best which is an extension of performing cacao clone, determine their profitability, the study, started in 2020 and ultimately, to produce and will run up to 2022. The study was extended so a package of technology as to be able to measure that will be disseminated the full fruiting potential of to the farmers and other cacao which cannot be individuals who are obtained in its first three interested to venture into years. cacao production.

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There are five project sites, all in Magkiangkang, Bayugan City. The five farmer co-operators were provided with the planting materials, some fertilizers, fungicide, insecticide, and farm tools and materials like pruning shear, sprinkler,

Caraga INFOCUS

Mamalis said they hope that through the study, farmers will learn how to manage their cacao farms better and improve their production and eventually help boost the cacao industry in the region.

irrigation, and fertilization. Pest and disease management is also an important part of the study. Talara said that in managing pest and diseases, they are following the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). She added that they are also practicing pruning as this helps prevent pest infestation. For pod rot management, she said they make use of Trichoderma, a biological control agent. Based on the 2020 data of the study, the top three varieties in terms of yield are the UF18 with an average yield per hectare of 895-kilogram at 1,100 hills, followed by ICS40 with 663 kilograms, and BR25 with 651 kilograms. The early maturing clones are the W10 and K2, both of which topped in terms Caraga INFOCUS

of flower-bearing and pod bearing. The W10 variety started bearing flowers 256 days after planting and started bearing pods 277 days after planting. The other variety, K2, also started bearing flowers 256 days after planting and bore pods 276 days after planting.

“By the end of this study, we expect to be able to identify the best performing cacao clone that suits best to our agroclimatic condition here in Caraga. We can then recommend a cacao clone that is high yielding and resistant to pests and diseases,” Mamalis added.

Based on the Caraga Cacao Industry Roadmap 2020-2026, the region is targeting to increase its production from 156 to In the course of the study, the most common diseases 300 metric tons per year. Productivity is also being observed were pod rot and Cherelle wilt. The most targeted to increase from susceptible varieties turned .59 kg/tree/year to 1.02 kg/ tree/year. out to be W10 and K1. Cacao is among Caraga’s priority commodities. Although the region’s climatic and soil condition is suitable for the crop, Caraga’s production contributed only 2% of the country’s total production in 2019 at 156.78 metric tons out of 8,488.60 metric tons Philippine production. Project Leader Reynan

Meanwhile, DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo said that the Department is always seeking ways not just to help the farmers but also to empower them to be stronger key players in the agriculture sector. (Vanessa P. Sanchez / DA13 – RAFIS/PIA-Agusan del Sur) June 5-11, 2021 |

319 migradwar sa mga pagbansay alang sa trabaho ug panginabuhian Dili gyod babag ang kawad-on aron moangat ang kahimtang sa pagpuyo sa matag usa, sumala pa ni Kongresista Angel Amante-Matba isip pagdasig sa 319 ka mga Agusanon nga migradwar sa mga skills training nga gipasiugdahan sa Technical Education and Skills Development Authority [TESDA]-ADN karong bag-o lamang. “Dili gyod babag ang ka-pobrehon sa pag improbar sa usa ka tao. Buot pasabot naa rapud na sa ato... Pobre ta, okay. Pero di ta mo surrender sa atong kapobrehon, kinahanglan mo ambisyon pod ta,” sumala pa sa kongresista. Sa 319 ka mga Agusanon nga migradwar niadtong Hunyo 4 sa Multi-Purpose Gym sa Bangonay, Jabonga, 75 kanila gikan

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sa Kitcharao, 94 gikan sa Shield Metal Arc Welding Jabonga ug 150 gikan sa (SMAW) NC II, Bread and Santiago. Pastry NC II. Nahuman ang mga migradwar sa mosunod nga mga pagbansay: Hilot (Wellness Massage) NC II, Raise Organic Hogs Leading to Organic, Agriculture Production NC II, Produce Organic Fertilizer Leading to Organic Agriculture Production NC II, Produce Fertilizer Leading to Organic Agriculture Production NC II, Cookery NC II,

Giapod-apod usab sa mga migradwar sa maong okasyon ang mga toolkits. Sa mensahe ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera, nga gipadangat pinaagi ni Provincial Administrator Gerry Joey Laurito, gihagit sa gobernador ang mga migradwar nga mahimong produktibo gamit ang ilang nakat-onan sa mga Caraga INFOCUS

sa ni gradwar sa Organic Agriculture Production NC II. Apil sa mitambong sa maong gradwasyon sila si Jabonga Municipal Mayor Napoleon Montero ug mga opisyales sa Bangonay sa pagpanguna ni Barangay Kapitan Marvin Serrano. pagbansay ug ang mga “Wala namo damha tookkits nga gipadangat. nga adunay dakong blessing nga gihatag sa amo mao ning “Kini atong mga nakita mga toolkits... Daghan karon nga mga butang kaayong salamat sa (toolkits) ing-ana lang ahensya sa gobyerno na siya kung di nato nga ning tabang sa gamiton atong mga kamot, ang challenge ni among kapobrehon,” matud ni Hilda Ubos, usa Gob (Dale B. Corvera), himuon kini nga produktibo,” sumala ni Laurito.

Mitambong usab sila LTC Aristotle Antonio sa 29th Infantry Batallion ug PLt. Col. Ritchie Yatar sa Philippine National Police. (Shena Mae Pabia/Ydheil Zagado, LGU Agusan del Norte/ PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Dason usab ni TESDA Provincial Director Rey Cueva nga: “Mao na ang challenge namo sa inyo nga gamiton ninyo ang inyong skills, gamiton ni ninyo, inyong mga toolkits para maka trabaho, para maka income.” Niini, mapasalamaton ang mga ni gradwar sa maong mga serbisyo sa gobyerno. Caraga INFOCUS

June 5-11, 2021 |

‘Entrepreneurial farming training gihimo isip pagpangandam sa paglunsad sa proyektong ‘food basket’ sa Kitcharao Gisugdan niadtong Hunyo 8, ang una sa duha ka adlaw nga Entrepreneurial Farming Training alang sa mga mag-uuma nga mahimong kabahin sa paghimo sa lungsod sa Kitcharao nga “Food Basket” sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte. Kabahin ang maong pagbansay sa preparasyon sa gitakdang paglunsad sa proyekto pinaagi sa pagsugod na pagpanum og gulay karong Hunyo 15 isip kabahin sa mga kalihukan sa 54th Founding Anniversary sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte. Ang “Food Basket” mao ang Core Processing Project sa lungsod sa Kitcharao nga buligan

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pagpabarug sa mga mag-uuma sa gulay kaabag ang munisipyo ug ang probinsya pinaagi sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo sa administrasyon ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kongw. Angel Amante-Matba.

Kabahin sa proyektong “Food Basket” ang pagpalambo og 500 ektaryas nga gulayan sa tibuok probinsya hangtud 2027, pagmontar og vegetable processing facilities nga mogama og vegetable powder, juices, nutrition packs ug Caraga INFOCUS

uban pang preparasyon sa gulay ug pagpahiluna og mga marketing facilities and networks sa probinsya, sa Caraga ug sa gawas sa rehiyon. Apil sa maong pagbansay nga gihimo sa Agricultural Learning Site sa lungsod ang 46 ka mga sakop sa Small Coconut Farmers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative [SCOFARBEMULCO], Zapanta Valley Bisaya Organization [ZABIOR], Zapanta Valley Farmers Association [ZAVAFA], Caraga INFOCUS

Zapanta Mamanwa Manobo Association [ZAMMA], San Isidro Farmers Association [SIFA] ug mga maguuma sa Hinim Bangan ug Mahayahay. Gi-facilitate ang pagbansay sa mga personahe sa Department of Trade and Industry [DTI]-ADN kaabag ang mga personahe sa Agusan Up Coordinating Center. Sa unang adlaw gihisgutan ni Valentina Rose Orbita-Sagrado, personahe sa DTI nga

kinahanglan mag budget sa kwarta ug oras, hustong pag plano sa capital, unsaon pag mintinar nga nagdagayday nga kwarta, keeping records, ug uban pang aspeto sa pagdumala sa pundo sa pag-uma. Gihisgutan usab ang Basic Farm Cycle ug ipadayon ugma ang Negotiations and Cooperativism ug Processing of Farm Products. (Shena Mae Pabia, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte) June 5-11, 2021 |

Probinsya ipahiluna nga maplastar ang pagpuyo sa mga residente sa mga sitio sa Brgy. Bangonay sa Jabonga Proteksyon. Yuta. Panginabuhian. Kini, kung sumahon, ang tulo ka problema nga gipaabot sa mga residente sa Sitios Mayoos, Tagbuaya, Madbad, Inajaw ug Apa-Apa sa Barangay Bangonay, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte ngadto kang Gob. Dale B. Corvera sa usa ka pulong-pulong nga gihimo niadtong Hunyo 3. Proteksyon batok sa mga rebelde o New People’s Army (NPA) ang ilang gihangyo sa kadagkuan sa kasundalohan ug sa gobernador, sumala pa kang Bae Nita sa Sitio Tagboaya. Dugang ni Bae Nita nga sulod sa dugay ng higayon nga nasinati nila ang kagubot tungod sa mga rebelde nga mag sige og balik sa ilang lugar. Alang kaniya, halos dili siya makatulog og tungang gabii sa kahadlok ug maghuna-huna sa mahimong

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buhaton sa NPA sa iyaha ug sa iyang pamilya. Naay mga higayon usab nga mag tago-tago sila tungod sa kahadlok nga patyon sila, dugang ni Bae Nita.

Porogoy. Niini, naghangyo usab siya og trabaho alang sa mga lumulupyo sa ilang lugar.

Kalabot sa yuta, mihangyo si Datu Ronil Cago sa Sitio Ug wala usab silay mahimo Inajaw nga matabangan kung dili mo suporta na sila sa gobyerno lang sa mga rebelde pagpahliuna sa luna aron tungod sa kahadlok. maugbokan og mga balay sa ilang komunidad. Tungod sa kagubot sa kabukiran naglisud sila Isip tubag, mi-komiter sa ilang panginabuhian, si Gob. Corvera nga sumpay ni Datu Francisco tabangan sila sa probinsya Porogoy. Tungod kay nga ma-plastar ang maglisud na silag atiman ilang pamuyo. Niini, sa ilang uma, kasagaran magpadangat ang sa ilang mga tanum gobernador og tabang nangadaut na ug sama sa material ug cash ginakaon na lang sa mga assistance ug paghimo mananap, dugang ni Datu og development plan sa Caraga INFOCUS

luna nga napalit ni Kongw. Angel Amante-Matba para sa ilaha aron maplastar ug ma-develop kini. Gawas niini, maggahin usab og pundo ang probinsya alang sa land banking. Sa panginabuhian nga bahin, motabang usab ang probinsya nga mapangitaan og trabaho ang mga lumad. Apan nanginahanglan usa kini sila og training adisir sila makatrabaho aron madugangan ang ilang kaalam sa laing skills ug mapahiluna kung asa sila angayan ipa-trabaho. Una na nga nagpadangat sa Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) sa pagpangulo ni Provincial Director Rey Cueva og kasamtangang nagpadayon ang mga pagbansay sa lugar. Nakita usab sa gobernador ang mga gubang dalan sa pagadto niya sa Bolo-Bolo, Barangay San Vicente ug dihadiha gimando niya ang pag-aksyon niini pinaagi sa buhatan sa Provincial Engineering. Nagpasalamat usab si Gob. Corvera nga gipadayag ang maong mga concerns sa mga Caraga INFOCUS

lideres sa nahisgutang mga komunidad.

aktibidades nga gibuhat ang mga walhong grupo sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka Gipadayag sa gobernador lugar. nga ang nasangpit nga mga problema Sa iyang bahin, nanginahanglan og mapasalamaton si aksyon sa gobyerno, apil Mayor Montero kang na sa kasundalohan. Gob. Corvera tungod Apan, iyang pasabot, mas kay sumala pa niya nga labing nanginahanglan ubos sa iyang liderato, kini sa kooperasyon sa kaabag si Kongw. Angel komunidad. Amante-Matba, gitagaan gyod og pagtagad “Kini nga mga nga matabangan ang problemaha, dili masulbad katawhan sa Jabonga. kung ang gobyerno ug sundalo lang ang mag Kauban usab sa maong lihuk,” pahayag ni Gob. pulong-pulong si LTC Richie Corvera. Yatar, commander sa 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Dugang sa gobernador Company ingon man sila nga “Dili ni tanan makabProvincial Administrator ot sa atong Mayor, kapitan Gerry Joey Laurito ug ubos sa ilang leadership Provincial Engineer Renato nga ma-clear ang Corvera. insurgency sa Bangonay kung dili mo mohatag Usa sa prayoridad sa sa inyong tinuoray nga administrasyon ni Gob. kooperasyon. Mo ingon Corvera ug Kongw. Angel ko ninyo nga dili diha-diha Amante-Matba nga nga matubag dayon (kini) mahimong magmalinawon pero ato ning tagaan og ang probinsya sa Agusan pagtagad, i-prioritize gyud del Norte ug adtoon ang nato ni.” mga problemadong lugar aron mapadangatan Isip dason sa gipahayag ni og tabang. Kini tungod Gob. Corvera, gipadayag kay sumala pa sa gibalikni LTC Aristotle F. Antonio balik nga pahayag ni sa 29th Infantry Battalion Gob. Corvera: “Walay nga sa kanunay naa ra kalambuan kung walay ang kasundalohan ug kalinaw ug walay kalinaw mihangyo siya sa mga kung walay kalambuan.” lideres sa komunidad (Karen DEcamotan, LGU daling magpahibalo sa Agusan del Norte/PIA ilaha kung adunay mga Agusan del Norte) June 5-11, 2021 |

Seedling alang sa ‘Mapadayonong Tisuk’ gisugdan na og apod-apod sa mga mag-uuma Gianam-anam na pagpanghatud sa mga mag-uuma sugod niadtong Hunyo 10, ang mga seedling nga gamiton sa “Mapadayunong Tisuk.” Sugdan ang “Mapadayonong Tisuk” o mapadayonong pagtanum karong Sabado, Hunyo 12, isip kabahin sa mga kalihukan sa pagsaulog sa 54th Founding Anniversary sa Agusan del Norte. Unang nakadawat sa mga seedling (Falcatta) ang Ansili Tribal Farmers Association, Incorporated nga gi pangulohan ni Datu Denskie Latonan sa Barangay Puting Bato, syudad sa Cabadbaran. Sa laing bahin, gideliver usab bag-uhay pa lamang sa AGUSAN UP Coordinating

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Center ang laing batch sa mga seedling (cacao) nga gamiton sa mapadayonong pagtanum. Lain pang mga batches ug matang sa seedling ang moabot sa mosunod nga mga adlaw. Ang “Mapadayunong Tisuk” kabahin sa Plant! Plant! Plant! Project nga nagpunting nga nakatanum sa 125,000 ektaryas nga kaumahan

sa probinsya sa mosunod nga pito ka tuig o hangtud sa tuig 2027. Ubos ang maong proyekto sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo sa administrasyon ni Gob. Dale B. Corvera kaabag ang buhatan ni Kong. Angel Amante-Matba. (Shena Mae Pabia & Berz Amoncio, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte) Caraga INFOCUS

MINDANAO NEWS

MinDA’s official press statement on power and energy security in Mindanao A screengrab photo of the 25 May Mindanao Power Forum sponsored by the Mindanao Development Authority in partnership with DOE, ERC, AMRECO, NPC, NEA and other partners and stakeholders to discuss the impact of the pandemic in the energy sector and determine ways forward in addressing the challenges that beset the power sector.

The Mindanao Development Authority through the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC) assures the consumers and stakeholders of Mindanao of a stable and reliable power supply.

Based on the daily monitoring of DOE, the Mindanao grid as of June 2 reached peak demand of 1,928 MW with an available capacity of 2,780 MW, thereby having a gross reserve or supply excess of 852 MW.

The MPMC is co-chaired by MinDA and the Department of Energy (DOE), with members that include: Energy Regulation Commission (ERC), National Power Corporation (NPC), National Electrification Administration (NEA), Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Mindanao Power Electric Alliance (MEPA), and the National Transmission Corporation.

Mindanao’s energy is a crucial factor in the overall socioeconomic development of the island making sure that supply is reliable and stable to support economic recovery from the impact of the pandemic and an expected rise in demand when industries return to preCOVID operational levels.

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“While our power supply is considered to be stable, we continue to pursue measures and approaches to support expected rise in the demand for power while keeping energy rates cost-effective as

the economy recovers from the pandemic, and industries reset operations to pre-COVID levels,” Mindanao Chairman Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said. Secretary Piñol added that one of the measures being put forward is the policy push to keep the ownership and control of the state-owned AgusPulangi Hydroelectric Complex. “MinDA’s position is against the privatization of Agus-Pulangi Hydroelectric Complex, which is deemed best left in the hands of the government but defining its role in an era of market competition. We need these assets to not just tame future supply volatilities but also continue fulfilling its obligation to serve especially the marginalized areas,” Secretary Piñol further added. (MinDA)

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2nd MinDA vegetable derby staged in former battlefields The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will stage the second Mindanao Vegetable Derby, a season-long technology transfer and production competition activity, in the former battlefields of the Bangsamoro Region between the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. The activity will start July and end early December in time for the harvest of the vegetables where outstanding farmers will be chosen and given awards. It will be participated in by former combatants and farmers who will be introduced to modern technology in vegetable production by their corporate partners, including the use of high-yielding seeds and irrigation technology. The areas for the staging of the derby which I have recommended to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) will be in the towns of Parang, Matanog, Buldon and Barira where the former main camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Camp Abubakar, is

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located. I have tasked MinDA Assistant Secretary Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar, Director Joey Recimilla and the Area Management Officer for Central Mindanao Jun Buhat to lead the MInDA team which will coordinate with the BARMM-MAFAR to finalize the program. During the season-long activity, MinDA and its technical team will conduct geo-mapping to identify areas suitable for highland vegetable production. Participating farmers will be identified along with the corporate partners, including known companies like

Harbest Philippines, Kaneko Seeds, Seedworks, East West, Allied Botanicals and many others. Together, the farmers and their corporate partners will develop model farms whose produce will be submitted in a competition which would determine the best quality and the highest production volume. As in the 1st Mindanao Vegetable Derby held in Talakag, Bukidnon last year, farmer winners and their corporate partners will be recognized and awarded. Buyers and Off-takers will also be engaged during the season-long activity.

June 5-11, 2021 |

NATIONAL NEWS

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar (File photo)

A4 group vaccination crucial to ‘seamless’ functioning of society The start of the Covid-19 vaccination of economic front-liners or those belonging to the A4 priority category is important to ensure the “seamless” and “uninterrupted” functioning of the society, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Monday. In a press statement, Caraga INFOCUS

Andanar welcomed the start of inoculation for the country’s economic front-liners, including media workers, recognizing their contribution to the country’s fight against Covid-19. “Kabilang ang ating mga kasamahan sa media sa tinatawag na essential workers na walang pagod na nagtatrabaho at itinaya ang kanilang buhay,

bago pa man dumating ang bakuna, kasama ng mga empleyado ng pamahalaan at iba pang front-liners (Our colleagues in media are among the so-called essential workers who worked tirelessly and risked their lives, even before the vaccine arrived, along with government employees and other front-liners),” he said. He noted that media June 5-11, 2021 |

workers have also been venturing out into the field to get accurate information on the pandemic.

“May this ceremonial vaccination of the A4 category bring us closer to realizing our goal of defeating Covid-19.

“Tunay na mahalaga at hindi matatawaran ang kontribusyon ng ating media workers, dahil sa inyo naging tuluytuloy at napapanahon ang paghahatid ng impormasyon sa ating lahat kaugnay ng pandemya at ang mga ginagawang hakbang ng pamahalaan kaugnay nito na napakahalaga at nakatulong para makapagligtas ng buhay (The contribution of our media workers is very important and invaluable, because you have been able to provide continuous and timely information to all of us regarding the pandemic and the steps taken by the government in this regard that are relevant and helped save lives),” he added.

It is only with all of us engaging, participating, and contributing to the cause, that we can overcome this global challenge,” he said.

He expressed hope that the vaccination of economic front-liners brings the country a step closer to beating the pandemic.

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Andanar also urged those belonging to priority groups A1 to A3, particularly frontline healthcare workers, elderly, and those with comorbidities, to also get vaccinated against Covid-19. “We enjoin and encourage everyone to get vaccinated as part of our personal contribution to the collective fight against Covid-19,” he added. The government on Monday conducted a symbolic vaccination of essential workers under the A4 category, including some reporters from Malacañang Press Corps, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Economic front-liners include private sector

workers required to be physically present at their workplace outside their residences; employees in government agencies and instrumentalities; and informal sector workers and selfemployed who may be required to work outside their residences, and those working in private households. Currently, economic front-liners aged 40 to 59 years old may be prioritized by local government units. The A4 priority group will be focused on approximately 13 million additional workers in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus 8 composed of Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, and Rizal since these areas make up majority of Covid-19 cases in the country. Another 22.5 million workers will subsequently be included from areas outside NCR Plus 8, bringing the total estimate to 35.5 million. (PNA/Azer Parrocha ) Caraga INFOCUS

(PNA file photo)

The close coordination and cooperation of tourism stakeholders are vital to ensure the safety of travelers amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar said on Friday. Andanar issued the statement in the Cabinet Report on “The New Normal”, as he acknowledged the challenges to balance the reopening of tourism and ensuring public health and safety amid the pandemic. “Bottom line nito, kailangan ng close coordination at kooperasyon ng lahat ng mga tourism industry Caraga INFOCUS

Andanar stresses importance of tourism stakeholders’ coordination stakeholders upang mapanatili ang public health and safety (The bottom line here is, the close coordination and cooperation of all tourism industry stakeholders are necessary to maintain public health and safety),” he said. Leisure travel from the National Capital Region Plus (NCR Plus) to destinations under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) has been allowed despite the country’s ongoing fight against Covid-19. The NCR Plus covers Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal. The Department of

Tourism (DOT) has announced that leisure travel must be point-topoint only, which means that while pit stops or stopovers are allowed for eating and personal necessities, no side trips shall be made to other tourism destinations. Commercial flights for leisure travel may also resume. Andanar recognized that the revival of local tourism would help reboot the Philippine economy. “Hindi matatawaran ang halaga ng turismo sa ating ekonomiya. At dahil dito maraming bahagi ng bansa ang gusto nang buksan ang sarili sa mga turista (The contribution of June 5-11, 2021 |

tourism to our economy is incomparable. And because of that, many parts of the country already want to reopen their places to tourists),” he said. Andanar also encouraged his fellow Filipinos to explore tourist stops in the country. “Let’s revisit our country beginning with our own places and the places nearby and let’s rediscover the Philippines. I am almost sure that there is a lot more to it than we already know,” he said.

that they undertake a reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test before their travel.

del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Cagayan de Oro City, Butuan City, and Agusan del Sur until June 15.

Other inter-zonal travel regulations set by concerned local government units in MGCQ zones or by the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force for Boracay Island should be complied with, the DOT said.

Davao City, on the other hand, is under MECQ until June 20.

The stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) is imposed in the City of Santiago, Cagayan, Apayao, Benguet, Individuals below 18 Ifugao, Puerto Princesa, years old and more than Iloilo City, Zamboanga 65 years old are allowed City, Zamboanga to travel on the condition Sibugay, Zamboanga

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The NCR Plus, Abra, Baguio City, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Batangas, Quezon, Iligan City, Davao City, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City, and General Santos City are under GCQ until June 30. The rest of the country stays under MGCQ until the end of the month. (PNA/ Ruth Abbey GitaCarlos )

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Gov’t not behind spam texts urging Pinoys to get vaccinated The national government is not behind text messages supposedly from President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte urging Filipinos to get vaccinated against Covid-19, Malacañang said on Thursday. Some Filipinos said they received text messages from unknown numbers urging them to get vaccinated signed with: “from President Duterte at Mayor Sara Duterte #SafePilipinas #SafeDavao.” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque denied that the text messages were from his office, even as he acknowledged that the President would be the best “communicator” to help boost vaccine confidence among Filipinos. “Ako po yung in charge sa communications pagdating po sa bakuna and I can say na bagamat ang Presidente po ang best communicator, hindi po kami nagpakalat ng ganyang text (I am in charge of communications when it comes to the vaccine and I can say that although the President is the best

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communicator, we did not spread such a text),” he said in a Palace press briefing. On Wednesday, Duterte appeared in a government infomercial to invite Filipinos to get vaccinated against Covid-19, stressing that it is key to beating the pandemic. “I invite all our kababayans to be vaccinated at the earliest possible opportunity because this is the most, if not the only way, effective way to defeat Covid-19 pandemic,” Duterte said in a nearly two-minute commercial. He reminded Filipinos to get vaccinated for themselves as well as their loved ones. “Let us all keep in mind that the vaccine will not only protect you from the virus, it will also protect your loved ones, especially the sick and elderly,” he added. Last March, the Presidential Communications Operations Office-Office of the Global Media and Public Affairs (PCOO-OGMPA) also released a series of explainer videos dubbed “The

VAXplainer” in time for the rollout of the government’s vaccination drive. It aims to boost the confidence of the Filipino people in Covid-19 vaccine by educating them about the importance of getting vaccinated and the efficacy of the vaccines against the virus. “The VAXplainer is only a part of our numerous efforts and commitment to make Filipinos fully understand the importance of vaccines and convince them to be inoculated with the available safe and effective vaccines provided by the government,” PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar said in a news release. Andanar said the PCOO also has Laging Handa Dokyu Series, Network Briefing, and Laging Handa Public Briefing, among others, “as part of our information campaign to inform the people”. He added that “The VAXplainer” is part of the PCOO’s drive to encourage Filipinos to heed the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the Philippine government, and the international community to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to save lives, revive hopes, and shape our future. More than five million doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered since the Philippines launched its vaccination drive on March 1. (PNA/ Azer Parrocha )

June 5-11, 2021 |

Gordon co-authors bill amending specious tax hike on private schools

on proprietary educational institutions and hospitals, which are non-profit, was reduced to 1% from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023, after which the tax rate shall revert to 10%.

Gordon

Senator Richard J. Gordon co-authored Senate Bill No. 2272 or An Act Amending Section 27 (B) of the National Internal Revenue Code, that modifies and corrects “confusing and erroneous tax regulation” imposed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on private schools. SBN 2272 aims to “clearly indicate that the preferential tax rate shall apply to a. all proprietary educational institutions, including those that are stock and for profit; and b. nonprofit hospitals. “We express our support for this bill as we want to be clear as to whom the preferential tax rates apply to and to show our support for private schools, that’s why we called on the BIR to tarry a little and reconsider

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their policy imposing an increase tax rate on private schools,” said Gordon. Gordon earlier released a statement calling the BIR’s measure “very unwise and untimely” especially during this time of global pandemic. He stressed that the new regulation goes against Republic Act No. 11534 or the CREATE Law, wherein the 10% special tax rate imposed

Gordon also emphasized that the law was enacted in order to reduce the tax burden on private schools which are currently struggling with their financial situations and are reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. “A lot of our people are already facing difficulties because of the pandemic and its economic consequences. What we must do now is to help our people, think of effective approaches on how we can lessen their burden, and not to add to the many woes that they are already dealing with,” he said.

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

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On Cebu’s swab upon arrival policy Senator Richard J. Gordon, reacting to Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia’s swab upon arrival policy specifically overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and returning overseas Filipinos, is urging the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to reconsider the current protocols, which require a 14-day mandatory quarantine period. This refers to Executive Order No. 17 and Provincial Ordinance No. 2021-04 of the Province of Cebu. Gordon lauded Governor Garcia and other Cebu local officials in coming out with their own initiative, cognizant of the Filipino culture of family visits. He agrees that such a long quarantine is financially and psychologically burdensome to our OFW’s and returning residents. “Closer is better,’ said Gordon, referring to the ability of local governments to better protect their people, especially island provinces like Cebu. Thus, he suggests some review of policies to shorten the Caraga INFOCUS

Contributed photo Gordon

mandatory quarantine to seven (7) days upon arrival.

allowed to open up handin-hand with aggressive vaccination.

However, Gordon does not recommend swab upon arrival as this is not recommended by health experts and not aligned with the national policy. A seven-day quarantine should be enough where an RT-PCR test will be taken after this period. If found negative, they can just complete the 14day quarantine at home. Conversely, those found positive will undergo the standard protocols of isolation and/or treatment.

He also welcomed the easing of protocols for incoming passengers who have completed their vaccination in the Philippines that does away with a swab test upon arrival. Gordon even suggested to adopt the same policy for tourists and foreign visitors who have been fully vaccinated in their countries of origin, provided the vaccination can be verified officially in the country where it was administered.

In a broader sense, Gordon suggests a gradual opening of bubble tourism sites to open the economy with proper protocols in place. Many other businesses should be

Gordon prefers this gradual opening up but with strict safety protocols to be observed and he favors imposing hefty fines on those who flaunt with health protocols. June 5-11, 2021 |

On the killing of Kieth and Nolven Absalon Senator Richard J. Gordon had earlier denounced the senseless killing of Kieth Absalon and his cousin Nolven, who both died due to injuries sustained when an IED exploded along the way they took in Masbate. This happened last June 6, 2021. Calling this type of indiscriminate killing an “assassination”, Gordon said that these killing must stop. Citing the International Humanitarian Law,

which was adopted in the Philippines through a law he authored, Republic Act No. 9851, the perpetrators of this dastardly act which the National People’s Army (NPA) claims to be their handiwork, are liable for war crimes under Section 4, paragraph 25 of the said law: 25) Employing means of warfare which are prohibited under international law, such as: Xxx (iv) Weapons, projectiles and material and methods of warfare which are of the nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary

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suffering or which are inherently indiscriminate in violation of the international law of armed conflict. Gordon called on the authorities to bring those responsible to justice with deliberate dispatch and hold them liable for their crime and issue the call to the NPA to respect civilians at all times and observe International Humanitarian Law. In the long term, Gordon said, we must strive to resolve this longstanding insurgency and work for lasting peace, so we freely develop our economy and make a better country. Caraga INFOCUS

Gordon to file measure that legislates wage adjustments for nurses P13,500 on a monthly basis. This, Gordon stressed, is not commensurate to their labor, thus, they are forced to work abroad where they can earn more.

Following Malacañang’s reversal of a Department of Budget and Management (DBM) circular on the adjusted salaries for Filipino nurses, Senator Richard J. Gordon said he will file a measure that will legislate the just salary of nurses from entry-level to senior nurses. “We care for our nurses as they are vital to our healthcare system; they are at the forefront. We are glad that finally, they will get what they deserve, but we want to make sure that the memo issued by Malacañang will not be easily amended or retracted, so, we will file a bill that will make that regulation

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a law. This is one significant way of protecting our nurses,” said Gordon. As an advocate of Filipino nurses, Gordon pushed for the measure that increased their salaries. On July 17, 2020, he filed the bill amending Republic Act No. 9173 or The Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 that states that the minimum base pay for nurses working in the government hospitals and health institutions should start at salary grade 15 or roughly P33,000 per month. Before the enactment of the bill, an entry-level nurse only receives a salary of P8,000 to

“I always say that our nurses should be compensated fairly so that they would no longer go overseas to work. The Philippines is a major source in exporting nurses. In the United States alone, about 150,000 nurses are Filipinos. And so, it is imperative that we create policies that are beneficial to them and will make them choose to stay in our country because we want them to be with their families and we are also in need for healthcare workers especially now that we are facing a pandemic,” said Gordon. DBM Circular No. 20204, issued on July 17, 2020, raised the salary of entrylevel nurses to SG 15 but also demoted the positions of Nurses II to VII to one rank lower. The memorandum issued by Malacañang on June 1, 2021 reverted the circular and increases the salary of Nurse II from SG 15 to SG 16, while it retains the position titles of Nurse III to Nurse VII with their corresponding salary grades.

June 5-11, 2021 |

Celebrating 46 years of diplomatic ties, China, Philippines vow to cooperate further President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages and renewed commitments for greater cooperation as China and the Philippines celebrate 46th anniversary of diplomatic relations on June 9, with both leaders vowing to cooperate further as the two nations recover from the coronavirus pandemic. In his message to Chinese President Xi, President Duterte extended his warmest greetings on the 46th anniversary of ChinaPhilippines diplomatic relations, noting the two nations enjoy a deep and abiding friendship that predates by centuries the establishment of diplomatic ties. Over the past four decades, China-Philippine relations have grown and deepened through concrete and purposive cooperation, he said. “In the face of the challenges of a global pandemic, China’s timely acts of solidarity and assistance have helped the Philippines take crucial

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steps towards healing and economic recovery,” the President told the Chinese leader. “Philippines-China economic ties are of course the dynamic force that will continue to drive our bilateral relations forward. I am confident that my administration’s Build Build Build program, together with the Belt and Road Initiative, will reap long-term benefits for our peoples.” As the two nations approach the golden anniversary of their diplomatic ties, President Duterte said winwin cooperation would ensure that their relations will promote greater peace, progress and prosperity not only for the Philippines and China but also for the Asian region. President Xi also extended his congratulatory message to President Duterte on the 46th anniversary of PhilippinesChina diplomatic relations as well as the 123rd anniversary of Philippine independence. China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors with time-honored friendship, Xi said, noting that in recent

years, the two nations have maintained healthy and stable development, bringing tangible benefits to their peoples. “After the COVID-19 outbreak, the two sides have helped each other to jointly overcome the adversity, further elevating the friendship between the two peoples,” President Xi said. “I attach great significance to the development of China-Philippines relations, and stand ready to work with you in guiding our bilateral relations to move forward in a sustained and steady manner, so as to achieve greater win-win results and mutual benefits.” He wished the Philippines to enjoy prosperity and for the Philippines and China to maintain long-term friendship for generations to come. After assuming office, President Duterte sought to tread a different path from his predecessors and had crafted a more independent foreign policy. He cultivated warmer ties with the country’s nontraditional allies such China and Russia. PND

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Phl made gains in the fight against illegal drugs, communist insurgency, says President Duterte The government has made significant headway in the fight against illegal drugs, terrorism and communist insurgency in the past five years, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said. During an interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City on Tuesday, the President gave his views on a wide range of issues such as the war Caraga INFOCUS

on drugs, corruption, communist rebellion and the current political scene. With regard to the campaign against illegal narcotics, President Duterte said there is a substantial decline in the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country due to much improved intelligence gathering by the authorities.

“Well, we have seen a lessening of the drugs actually in the Philippines,” the President told Quiboloy. “Dito sa Davao wala na, eh tingi-tingi. But sa ibang lugar mayroon Maynila but they are almost paralyzed because we have a better intelligence now and it’s working. Kagaya noon sabi ko I will end the problem of June 5-11, 2021 |

drugs in Manila or in the Philippines,” he added. The administration is also doing well in confronting terrorism, which is also linked to illegal drug trade, he said, adding terroristic activities were also contained. “Ako talaga ay hardliner, and ganoon talaga ako noon pa, hardliner ako. So since the beginning of my presidency, we have shown our determination in combatting insurgency and terrorism with the end goal of attaining lasting sustainable peace in the country,” President Duterte said. The chief executive lauded government forces for apprehending thousands of lawless elements that substantially decreased the strength of terrorist organizations in the past five years. Acknowledging the decades-long terroristic activities and communist insurgency plaguing the country, President Duterte said his government launched a multi-sectoral approach to address the problem.

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“I am, thus, very grateful to our government forces in making it possible for us to sustain the momentum of the whole-of-thenation approach to end the insurgency and terrorism,” he said. The President assured the people that the government would continue to carry out socio-economic development mechanisms to address the root causes of the peace and order problem in the country. There’s a need to win the hearts and minds of the people so that they would not be easily fall prey to the manipulation of the insurgents and

extremist groups, he said. President Duterte also tackled the restoration of the death penalty in the country aimed at deterring would-be criminals. “I have always been for the restoration of the death penalty. I think the law was not abrogated, suspended lang. So wala. Sinuspend (suspend) lang ‘yong mga --- just ‘yong the act of killing a criminal,” he said. “Ako, basta heinous crime, heinous crime, drugs tapos ‘yong nangyayari ng --- sabi mo ‘yong the atrocities committed against so many innocent persons,” he added. PND Caraga INFOCUS

President Duterte keen on retiring, wants daughter not to seek presidency President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said on Tuesday, June 8, that he wants to retire after his term as president, adding he has no plans to run for any position in the 2022 national elections. This is despite calls for the Duterte-Duterte tandem in which he will run as vice president to his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. “Mahirap yan Pastor kasi mag-retire na ako and this time, ako ang mamili ng presidente, tapos ‘pag manalo sabihin nila, ano lang yan, perpetuate yourself in power. So nagreresist ako,” President Duterte said in an interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy aired in SMNI channel.

the President to reconsider his decision, claiming that though the vice president’s role was not as demanding or taxing as the president’s, it would still allow President Duterte to serve as a “beacon and guide for Filipinos”. Considering what he has achieved during his term, the spiritual leader said the nation still needs President Duterte.

Pressed by Quiboloy on the need for the President to serve as vice president to ensure continuity of his programs, the chief executive insisted he prefers to return home in Davao City and retire.

When asked who he thinks may continue his legacy, the President admitted that he had someone in mind but he preferred to stay “neutral” for now, promising to eventually name his preferred choices in due time.

“I’m ready for retirement,” the President said.

The President also said he wants his daughter not to seek the presidency in the 2022 elections.

Quiboloy tried to persuade

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“Si Inday kinausap ko talaga kagabi. Do not run, do not ever commit the mistake of running for the presidency,” he said. “I don’t mean to insult the Filipino people. Presidente? Wala ka talagang makuha. Wala para sa iyo, except for one thing, yung sense of fulfilment mo sa kapwa tao mo, na may nagawa ka, aside from that, it’s an empty,” he added. Pondering on his legacy as president, President Duterte said his “greatest achievement” was having exposed the oligarchy in the country. “But if you ask me, what is my greatest achievement in a very humble [way], ako Pastor, I exposed the oligarchy in the Philippines,” he said. PND

June 5-11, 2021 |

Get COVID-19 booster shot, President Duterte tells Filipinos President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday appealed to those who had the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to return for the booster shot to make them fully immunized from the virus. In his weekly public address on government response to the pandemic, President Duterte said he wants authorities to convince people to get the second dose of the coronavirus vaccine to ensure protection. “Mahirapan talaga akong magkumbinse sa Pilipino, lalo na ‘yong matigas ang ulo. Kindly follow instruction. Hindi naman mahirap ‘yan eh. You find time at your convenience na bumalik doon pumila at magpabakuna ng tinatawag nilang second booster. Iyon ang magbigay sa inyo ng more or less a good protection,” he said.

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 Kingdom of Jesus Christ Compound in Davao City on June 7, 2021. JOEY DALUMPINES/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

to get the full dose, saying although it took some time for the country to get its share of the jabs, vaccine shipments now come in as western countries wrap up their vaccination drive and after they expressed willingness to share their inventories.

with your cooperation, matatapos ito mas madali,” he stressed.

“I want the authorities and the LGUs to find out why this is happening and to take steps to return to their --- maimbiyerna sila na madala ng mga barangay captain pati mayors. Kindly help us ferret out the persons who have not received the second booster until now.”

COVID-19, he said “is a very toxic thing” and it can contaminate people again, therefore a complete regimen is needed. Despite getting the shot, he advised the public to continue adhering to governmentmandated protocols such as wearing of mask, frequent handwashing, and observing physical distancing.

The shipment is part of the 10 million doses that the government expect to receive this month, according to vaccine coordinator Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

The President told people

“Matatapos rin ito, especially

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On Sunday, the Philippines received another one million doses of CoronaVac manufactured by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech.

Other deliveries expected this June will come from drugmakers Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Gamaleya Research Institute and Moderna. PND

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Phl breaches 6 million mark of administered COVID-19 vaccine doses -vaccine czar 200,000 vaccine doses daily.

Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (PAPRU) and National Task Force against Coronavirus Disease-2019 (NTF COVID-19) chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. listens as President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over the meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Compound in Davao City on June 7, 2021. JOEY DALUMPINES/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The Philippines has breached the six million mark of administered COVID-19 vaccine doses as a result of the government’s aggressive vaccination strategy against the coronavirus, the country’s vaccine czar said. In his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said among those inoculated were 1.3 million healthcare workers, 1.5 Caraga INFOCUS

million senior citizens, 1.4 million individuals with comorbidities, and over 12,200 economic frontliners. More than 1.5 million are now fully protected, having received two doses of COVID-19 jab, he noted. Galvez, who is also the National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer, said that at present, the Philippines is administering more than

While the rest of the country’s adult population are being inoculated, Galvez said pediatric vaccination may not be far from sight, citing ongoing studies or approvals of vaccine brands Sinovac, Pfizer, and Moderna aimed at inoculating ages 3 to 17, 12 to 15, and 12 to 17 years old, respectively. Eleven other vaccine brands have ongoing clinical trials for pediatric use as well, he noted. According to Galvez, immunizing the country’s younger population, which is around 29 million, will pave the way for the reopening of face-to-face classes. Meanwhile, the government’s massive vaccination will continue unhampered with expected vaccine June 5-11, 2021 |

throughout July, Galvez said, with the expected delivery of 4.5 million doses from Sinovac, additional one million from Moderna, one million doses from AstraZeneca, and another 4.5 million doses from Sinovac to be delivered on July 21.

Contributed photo

deliveries in the coming months, the vaccine czar said, noting the country expects to receive one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from China’s Sinovac on June 10, one million doses on June 17, and 2.5 million doses by the end of the month.

Pfizer vaccine on June 10, 250,000 doses of Moderna jabs on June 21, and two million doses of AstraZeneca on the third week of June. There will be a steady supply of vaccines

Once negotiations with vaccine manufacturers and the COVAX facility are successful, Galvez said he is optimistic that Philippines will receive around 17 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines this August and an unhampered supply in the next quarter. PND

The country is also negotiating with Russia’s Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology to ensure the delivery of 100,000 doses of the Sputnik-V vaccine on June 9, Galvez noted. The World Health Organization-led COVAX facility, on the other hand, will donate two million doses of

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Contributed photo

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President Duterte condemns recent NPA attack in Quezon President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday, June 7, condemned the recent attack of the members of the New People’s Army (NPA) on government security forces on an aid mission in Quezon province, describing the atrocity as “sheer brutality”. “Itong mga ano wala na ito, they do not have the ideology. Wala na ‘yang silang prinsipyo sa ulo nila makipag-away. They are there to plunder and to just for the sheer brutality of it all, they want to kill our soldiers,” the President said during his televised address Talked to the Nation. “The police and soldiers across the country have been distributing food aid and other needs. At despite the sacrifice of the men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the police, still they are the object of itong depredations, attack,” he added. The attack happened over the weekend as local policemen, soldiers and Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) personnel distribute food aid to the Indigenous Peoples in Barangay Del Rosario, Buenavista, Quezon.

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A member of government security forces died after sustaining bullet wounds while two others were injured but are now in stable condition. In issuing his strong condemnation, the chief executive said no peace talks could ever succeed between the rebels and any national leadership if the insurgents continue to attack government forces and installations. President Duterte also mentioned the vulnerability of village chiefs from harassments by the rebels, saying barangay captains are favorite targets. “Iyong mga barangay captain is one sector na maraming pinatay ang NPA sa ngayon. Sila ang favorite target, especially itong mga barangay captains na proactive in favor of government. They are always the object of assassination,”

he said. “Sige lang tutal ang sundalo may mahuli isa, dalawa, magpipiyait (squeal) naman ‘yan kung ano, then we would know what to do with you. What you can do, I can do better ten times over. Ang kaya ninyo, kaya kong gawin. So I would know how to deal with you,” he warned. On behalf of the nation, the President expressed his gratitude to the families of those who perished, assuring them that the fallen heroes would attain justice. “But I’d like the soldiers to know and the families of the fallen heroes that the nation is very grateful to you and we would know also how to reciprocate their bravery. Itong lahat na ito, tutal identified man ‘yan sila, baka hindi matago eh. Justice will be served sa kanila in the end,” he said. PND

June 5-11, 2021 |

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over the meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFEID) core members prior to his talk to the people at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Compound in Davao City on June 7, 2021. JOEY DALUMPINES/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Gov’t may carry out stricter measures if people keep disregarding health protocols, President Duterte warns The government may carry out stricter measures against people disregarding government-mandated health protocols and quarantine restrictions aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte warned on Monday. In his weekly public address, President Duterte did not specify what measures might be tweaked, pointing out, however, of seeing people not following government rules especially in the Visayas and Mindanao. “We might calibrate our response to the intransigence that you will show. Depende sa ano ninyo. Kung talagang ayaw ninyong sumunod, then we can go into marami, marami. I could... Ayaw ko lang sabihin but we have the power to control it actually kung ginusto lang namin

| June 5-11, 2021

pahirapan ang tao,” he said. He said that for as long as Filipinos do not honor the protocols prescribed by the government, many people will continue to get infected with COVID-19. The government put Metro Manila and its adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified ECQ in March to mid-May due to increasing number of COVID-19 cases. The restrictions were eventually downgraded to a general community quarantine (GCQ) after National Capital Region saw drop in cases. Despite the decrease in the number of cases, the country continues to record new infections of 6,000 to

7,000, with health officials attributing the spike to the higher cases logged in the Visayas and Mindanao. Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported filing cases against six barangay officials who failed to prevent super spreader events in their jurisdictions. In his report to the President, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said those facing charges were village chiefs from Caloocan City, Navotas City, Tondo, Manila, Norzagaray, Bulacan, Malay, Aklan, and Cebu City. The President has previously ordered the arrest of barangay captains in case mass gatherings happened in their jurisdictions, saying it is dereliction of duty. PND

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PH hits 6M mark in Covid-19 jabs administered

(PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

The Philippines has breached the six million mark in terms of total coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine shots administered nationwide. National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., said as of June 7, the government has already administered a total of

| June 5-11, 2021

6,096,208 jabs to priority groups A1 (health care workers), A2 (senior citizens), A3 (persons with comorbidities), and A4 (economic front-liners). Galvez said 1,604,260 individuals have been fully vaccinated or have received both doses. “Despite the reduced output in the country’s seven-day moving average due to a lack

of vaccine supply in late May and early June, the Philippines was still able to hit the six million mark ahead of its initial target and is expected to gain further momentum in the coming weeks with the arrival of more vaccine shipments,” he said in a news release issued on Wednesday. “This shows that the vaccination sites being run by our local Caraga INFOCUS

government units are capable of vaccinating at an accelerated rate if they are provided with sufficient vaccine supplies. We expect to further ramp up our inoculation once our partners in the private sector will roll out their vaccination campaign.” A total of 11,058,000 doses are expected to arrive this June wherein 5.5 million will come from Sinovac, a million of Sputnik V, 250,000 doses from Moderna, and 2,280,000 of PfizerBioNTech and 2,028,000 of AstraZeneca from the COVAX Facility, Galvez said. Initial tranches of these shipments have already been confirmed. Sinovac’s one million CoronaVac doses arrived last Sunday, while another one million doses are expected to arrive separately on June 10 and 17. COVAX has confirmed the delivery of a large shipment of Pfizer doses on June 10 and 11 with 2,280,000 doses. It also announced the delivery Caraga INFOCUS

of AstraZeneca doses to the country in the third week of June, with 2,028,000 doses, though schedules might still change depending on the availability of supplies from the facility. Moderna has also confirmed its delivery on June 21 of which 55,000 doses will be allocated to the private sector and 195,000 doses for the government. Flexibility on vaccine rollout As the Philippines begins to inoculate economic front-liners and essential workers under priority group A4, local government units (LGUs) are given the flexibility to implement the vaccination for this sector due to its huge population. However, Galvez said all LGUs must work under the supervision of their respective Department of Health regional directors and comply with the guidelines set by the national government. “The guidelines for the

vaccination of A4 and A5 are already in place. It gives the LGUs the leeway to implement it. In case they have enough vaccines, hindi na sisinuhin, basta may maibigay na ID (they won’t be asked so long as they have an ID card),” he said during an online interview on Tuesday. “Pero once kulang ang vaccine (if the vaccine is not enough), based on protocol, uunahin nila ang 40 years old and above (those 40 years old and above would be prioritized),” Galvez added. This policy, he said, is based on science, as experts noted that the population belonging to the 40 years and above age bracket are more vulnerable to the disease. Galvez noted that simplifying the guidelines in the vaccine rollout, such as the prioritization based on age and expansion of the definition of the A4 category to include all workers from private, June 5-11, 2021 |

government, as well as informal sector and self-employed, would help ensure the efficient implementation of the program. Vaccine rollout timeline

explained that the 35.5 million individuals under priority group A4 are “overlapping” with other priority groups A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (persons with comorbidities).

He said the government is eyeing to vaccinate 25 million to 30 million individuals with the first dose by end of August.

He said the target would be feasible, as vaccine deliveries are expected to arrive in bigger volumes beginning this month.

He is confident that the country would be able to administer the first shot for all individuals under the A4 category by mid-September or early October.

More than 10 million doses are arriving this June; 11 million doses in July; 17 million doses in August; and 15 million to 20 million doses in September.

In the expanded definition of the A4 category, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said 35.5 million Filipinos belong to this category.

Galvez said with the steady arrival of these vaccines, the government could gradually and substantially increase its inoculations per day.

The government, he Approximately 13 million added, is preparing to workers are from NCR+8 increase the number of (Batangas, Cavite, vaccination sites to 5,000 Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, in the country as vaccine Pampanga, Metro Cebu, supplies increase and Metro Davao), with the capacity to while 22.5 million are administer at least 100 from other parts of the jabs per site. country. Galvez said the move However, Galvez aims to increase

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the nation’s daily vaccination rate and quickly reach its target of administered jabs. These sites include mega vaccination centers that can accommodate at least 1,000 individuals at a time, regular vaccination sites that could inoculate 300 to 500 persons a day, and community vaccination centers that could administer 100 jabs daily. Galvez said LGUs would be assisted by the private sector in the setting up of these mega vaccination centers. Other national agencies, such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Coast Guard, could also help through their hospital units with significant medical personnel from their ranks. He said arenas, gymnasiums, hotels, malls, and other privateowned facilities are being converted into vaccination centers that could be used by the LGUs and private sector. (PR) Caraga INFOCUS

Vax supply to be increased in areas with high Covid cases By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos

President Rodrigo Duterte (Presidential Photo)

President Rodrigo Duterte has disclosed his plan to allot more coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine doses to provinces that have reported a surge in infections.

Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, Batangas, and Pampanga, has been prioritized for the Covid-19 vaccination program.

In an interview with SMNI’s “Exclusive” aired on Tuesday night, Duterte said Cebu, Cagayan, and Zamboanga would get a bigger supply of Covid-19 vaccines due to the sudden increase of cases in these provinces.

The allocation of Covid-19 vaccine doses in Metro Manila and the eight other areas depends on incoming supplies.

“This time, ‘yung ibang siyudad, bibigyan ng malaking allotment (other cities will receive a big [vaccine] allotment),” he said. “May spike eh. Hindi kasi naniniwala. Hawaan nang hawaan. ‘Yan ang mahirap (There’s a spike because they don’t believe [in Covid-19]. They keep on infecting one another. That’s the problem).” The National Capital Region (NCR) Plus 8, which consists of Metro Manila, Bulacan,

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Duterte said the government is using the loans granted by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to procure more Covid-19 vaccines. He also guaranteed that the government does not “touch” any funds earmarked for Covid-19 response efforts. “Covid has a different line of budgeting,” Duterte said. “We do not touch the things, the money that has been intended for (a) specific purpose.”

As of June 7, a total of 6,096,208 Covid-19 vaccine doses has been administered nationwide. About 4,491,948 have received the first dose, while 1,604,260 have completed the two vaccine shots. The Duterte administration’s goal is to inoculate up to 70 million within 2021 to achieve population protection. National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., on June 2 expressed confidence that the government’s population protection target is achievable by the end of the year. With the steady arrival of Covid-19 vaccines, the Philippines can increase its daily vaccination rate to 500,000 jabs in the third quarter to 700,000 shots in the fourth quarter of 2021, Galvez said. (PNA)

June 5-11, 2021 |

Find time to get 2nd jab, Duterte appeals to Pinoys By Azer Parrocha

GET 2ND DOSE. 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 Kingdom of Jesus Christ Compound in Davao City on June 7, 2021. Duterte appealed to Filipinos to find time to complete their second dose of vaccine against Covid-19 as scheduled. (Presidential photo by Joey Dalumpines)

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday appealed to Filipinos to find time to complete their second dose of Covid-19 vaccine as scheduled, noting that skipping the second shot may offer less protection against the virus. Duterte made the statement after the health department last week announced that

| June 5-11, 2021

9 percent of Covid-19 vaccine recipients missed their schedule for the second dose.

He acknowledged that some vaccine brands, such as the one developed by Johnson & Johnson, require only one shot to be effective, but noted that the brands currently available in the Philippines all require two doses.

“Please find time to go back and line up and show your card so they would know that you are receiving the second dose. Booster po ‘yan (That’s a “Alam mo ang medisina booster shot),” he said nitong mga Sinovac, in a pre-recorded public Sinopharm, and the rest, address in Davao City. dito ngayon (You know Caraga INFOCUS

the medicines Sinovac, Sinopharm and the rest) which are available in the Philippines, they require a second dose — a booster. At kayong iisa lang, kulang ‘yan. Pakilinya lang uli (And you who received only one dose, that’s lacking. Please line up again) for the second dose because ang proteksyon ninyo (your protection) is not complete without the booster,” he added. Duterte said it is only after completing their second dose when individuals can have some protection from Covid-19.

He, however, acknowledged that a Covid-19 vaccine can only prevent severe illness and death and reminded the public to continue adhering to minimum public health standards even after getting vaccinated. “It does not guarantee that you will not be contaminated unless you observe the protocols of the washing of the hands again and mask, and social distancing kasi hindi pa nawala talaga itong Covid-19 (because Covid-19 is not completely eradicated yet),” he added.

now,” he said. He sought more patience, assuring that the country is a step closer to beating the pandemic with the arrival of more Covid-19 vaccine doses in the coming weeks. “Matatapos rin ‘to (This will end soon), especially with your cooperation, matatapos ito (this will end soon),” he added. Health Secretary Francisco Duque earlier said those who failed to get their second jab on time can still avail of missed shots.

World Health “Find time at your Organization chief convenience na Duterte also directed scientist Dr. Soumya bumalik doon, pumila local government unit Swaminathan said a at magpabakuna (LGU) officials to find out reasonable delay in na tinatawag nilang why first dose recipients getting the second second booster. ‘Yun have failed to get their dose will not matter. ang magbigay sa inyo second shot. ng (please return, line The Philippines has up, and get vaccinated “I want the authorities administered around 5.9 with what they call the and the LGUs to find out million Covid-19 vaccine second booster. That’s why this is happening… doses with over 1.5 what’s going to give Kindly help us ferret million fully vaccinated you) more or less a out the persons who since it kicked off its good protection,” he have not received the vaccination drive on said. second booster until March 1. (PNA) Caraga INFOCUS

June 5-11, 2021 |

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Caraga InFocus – June 5-11, 2021

Articles inside

FIND TIME TO GET 2ND JAB, DUTERTE APPEALS TO PINOYS

VAX SUPPLY TO BE INCREASED IN AREAS WITH HIGH COVID CASES

PH HITS 6M MARK IN COVID-19 JABS ADMINISTERED

GOV’T MAY CARRY OUT STRICTER MEASURES IF PEOPLE KEEP DISREGARDING HEALTH PROTOCOLS PRESIDENT DUTERTE WARNS

PRESIDENT DUTERTE CONDEMNS RECENT NPA ATTACK IN QUEZON

GET COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOT, PRESIDENT DUTERTE TELLS FILIPINOS PHL BREACHES 6 MILLION MARK OF ADMINISTERED COVID-19 VACCINE DOSES — VACCINE CZAR

PRESIDENT DUTERTE KEEN ON RETIRING, WANTS DAUGHTER NOT TO SEEK PRESIDENCY

PHL MADE GAINS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUGS, COMMUNIST INSURGENCY, SAYS PRESIDENT DUTERTE

CELEBRATING 46 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC TIES, CHINA, PHILIPPINES VOW TO COOPERATE FURTHER

ON THE KILLING OF KIETH AND NOLVEN ABSALON GORDON TO FILE MEASURE THAT LEGISLATES WAGE ADJUSTMENTS FOR NURSES

ON CEBU’S SWAB UPON ARRIVAL POLICY

GORDON CO-AUTHORS BILL AMENDING SPECIOUS TAX HIKE ON PRIVATE SCHOOLS

ANDANAR STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS’ COORDINATION GOV’T NOT BEHIND SPAM TEXTS URGING PINOYS TO GET VACCINATED

2ND MINDA VEGETABLE DERBY STAGED IN FORMER BATTLEFIELDS

MINDA’S OFFICIAL PRESS STATEMENT ON POWER AND ENERGY SECURITY IN MINDANAO

A4 GROUP VACCINATION CRUCIAL TO ‘SEAMLESS’ FUNCTIONING OF SOCIETY

SEEDLING ALANG SA ‘MAPADAYONONG TISUK’ GISUGDAN NA OG APOD-APOD SA MGA MAG-UUMA

PROBINSYA IPAHILUNA NGA MAPLASTAR ANG PAGPUYO SA MGA RESIDENTE SA MGA SITIO SA BRGY. BANGONAY SA JABONGA

‘ENTREPRENEURIAL FARMING TRAINING GIHIMO ISIP PAGPANGANDAM SA PAGLUNSAD SA PROYEKTONG ‘FOOD BASKET’ SA KITCHARAO

319 MIGRADWAR SA MGA PAGBANSAY ALANG SA TRABAHO UG PANGINABUHIAN

DA REVEALS WHICH CACAO VARIETY PERFORMS BEST IN CARAGA REGION

PRIORITY SECTORS IN AGSUR TOWN SUPPORT LGU’S VACCINATION PROGRAM

BANANA FARMING PLANTS HOPE OF PROGRESS IN VERUELA TOWN OF AGSUR

ARMY UNCOVERS NPA IED CACHE IN AGUSAN DEL SUR

NCIP CARAGA CONDUCTS COMMUNITY VISIT TO LORETO TOWN’S ICCS/IPS

DEPED BISLIG GIPANGANDAMAN NA ANG PAGPAILAWOM SA MECQ SA TULO KA MGA BARANGAY SA MAONG SIYUDAD

DUGANG BAKUNA SA COVID-19, NADAWAT SA SURIGAO DEL SUR

SURSUR LGU CELEBRATES 25TH KALIGUAN FESTIVAL

DOLE-TUPAD PAYS P22.8M TO SURSUR WORKERS AFFECTED BY TS AURING

MOKABAT 995 BUNDLE SA ‘TIGER GRASS PANICLE’ GITUNOL NGADTO SA MGA MAG-UUMA SA LIBJO

INFO DRIVE SWAYS MORE FARMERS TO PLANT SOYBEAN IN SURSUR

PFDA JOINS FARMERS, FISHERFOLK CELEBRATION

P400K ILLEGALLY CUT LOGS SEIZED IN CARAGA

DEPED DINAGAT ISLANDS NAKADAWAT OG DUPLICATING MACHINES

POPCOM CARAGA PROMOTES RBIM

POPCOM-13 HOLDS REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ORIENTATION AMONG SSCT STUDES, TEACHERS

GECS-MOVE MAGAGAMIT NA NG MGA KINAUUKULANG AHENSIYA NG PAMAHALAAN SA CARAGA REGION

DSWD-13 PUSPUSAN ANG PAMIMIGAY AYUDA SA MGA NASALANTA NG BAGYONG ‘DANTE’

FATHER TAKES BRAND-NEW STEPS AMIDST LOWER LIMB AMPUTATION

COPS NAB 2 SUSPECTS IN CARAGA BUY-BUST, SEIZE P28K WORTH OF SHABU

960 DRIVERS SA BUTUAN NAKADAWAT OG LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE GRANT

OWWA-CARAGA CELEBRATES 2021 MIGRANT WORKERS’ DAY

NDA HOLDS ‘2ND GAWAD DAIRY AWARDS’

CARAGA DRUG BUST NETS PUSHERS, 54K WORTH OF SUSPECTED SHABU SEIZED

DOH REPORTS 21 NEW COVID-19 VARIANTS IN CARAGA