CONTENTS
REGIONAL NEWS
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Gov’t sector continues to support displaced persons in SurSur DOH Caraga provides services to Surigao quake victims COMELEC chair Bautista meets with various sectors in Butuan DOH turns over dental van to Butuan LGU Academe, health providers sign partnership for Caraga health research
PROVINCIAL NEWS
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Volume 1, No. 50 11 - 17 March 2017
COVER Caraga’s first meatcutting plant inaugurated in Butuan City
NGCP to pursue Visayas-Mindanao grid connection SSS to offer calamity relief assistance to Surigao quake victims 1 soldier killed, 1 injured in NPA attack in Surigao Norte town 2 fishermen recover marijuana packs floating off Tandag coast PCA grants P110K to IP farmers in Carrascal town Women’s journey, inspiring stories highlight women’s forum in Agusan del Norte
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DA starts communal irrigation system rehab in AgNor town Agusan Norte okays Provincial Commodity Investment Plan for CY 2017-2020 Bayugan Negosyo Center holds another round of entrep awareness among AgSur studes, local SMEs
HEALTH NEWS
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Supplementary Feeding with Education: Effective against Malnutrition
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P5.5-B worth of infra projects pipelined for Mindanao under PRDP
MINDANAO NEWS NATIONAL NEWS
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JobStart leads youth to gainful employment Duterte approves national security guidelines for bureaucracy
News Briefs One hundred shooters from Ilocos, Davao City, Cotabato City, Gingoog City, Cagayan de Oro City, Surigao City, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur including Bislig and Tandag Cities joined the 1st Governor “BB” Pimentel Cup 2017 held on March 10-12 at Camp Vicente L. Pimentel Sr. Firing Range, Telaje, Tandag City. The New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked the community of Brgy. Hinimbangan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte forcing 89 families to evacuate at the municipal gymnasium of Brgy. Crossing, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte on March 15, 2017.
A Special Satellite Registration for Persons With Disabilities, Senior Citizens, pregnant women & other vulnerable sectors of the society will be held on March 19 from 10AM to 5PM at Robinsons Place Atrium, Butuan City. The local govt unit of San Francisco, Surigao del Norte led by Mayor Guia Plaza-Sabanal created the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) thru Executive Order No. 3 as one of the response mechanisms to address increasing prices of basic commodities in the municipality.
Cover Story
Caraga’s first meat-cu inaugurated in Butuan
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UTUAN CITY - With the goal of improving the management practices of backyard farmers in Caraga region, the Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation, Winrock International Institute for Agrcicultural Development – Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP), United States Department of Agriculture, and Happy Enterprises and Resources Incorporated established a meat-cutting plant here, which is the first in the region. 4
utting plant n City
By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
Jefferson Abian, assistant vice president of Pilmico Visayas and Mindanao Feeds Sales said the meatcutting plant in Butuan City will help cater Butuanons and nearby provinces and will give local community access to fresh quality meat and opportunity for local employment. “With our partnership with Winrock International, USDA, and other stakeholders in Caraga region, backyard farmers focusing on swine production can now have a wider opportunities to market their products. The meat processing plant will provide the local backyard farmers with a market for their livestock and simultaneously give the local community access to locally grown, fresh quality meat,� underscored Abian. Dr. Ivan Rey Porras of Pilmico Butuan also revealed that with the advent of digitization, the products are designed to be traceable even it is already at the hands of the consumer - from Farm to Fork. At MPC, the meat are cut, packed and distributed in a controlled environment to satisfy the strict standards set by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), a good manufacturing practice compliance.
“To support further the farmers, we would like also to solicit support from our partners from the hotel and restaurant industries here in Caraga to
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patronize our products because every time you buy meat from this plant, you have extended a hand to the families of the hog raisers in the region, to send their children to school or maybe to put something on their table or continue to have a daily sustenance and livelihood,� Porras stressed.
the establishment of said plant will turn folds of good results.
Meanwhile, Claro Dennis Morante, NMIS Caraga regional director said the meat-cutting plant facility in Butuan City will change the whole region in terms of the accessibility of fresh meat and producing Also, Tristan Roberto Aboitiz, vice employment to local communities. president and child of the owner of (JPG/NCLM/PIA-Caraga) Pilmico Feeds claimed that with the common goal of improving the management practices of the backyard farmers in Caraga, Pilmico, Winrock, Happy Enterprises transformed their current swine repopulation project into a more holistic and sustainable approach to addressing swine production challenges through the construction of the meatcutting plant. He also expressed his optimism that
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Photo Gallery BIR 2017 Tax Campaign Kick Off Almont Inland Hotel, Butuan City 14 March 2017
REGIONAL NEWS
Gov’t sector continues to support displaced persons in SurSur By: Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY – In response to the struggles of those displaced communities who are affected by the armed conflict in Surigao del Sur areas, the different concerned government agencies are keeping the interventions of promoting the protection and provision of assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs). As explained by Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga regional director Atty. Jerefe Tubigon-Bacang during the 90th Regional Development Full Council Meeting held recently in this city, per constitutional mandate, the CHR continues to monitor the IDP situation in the region until durable solutions will be achieved. “Apart from the security of IDPs in bringing them
back to their respective areas, it is also important to address their residual needs and displacement-specific issues,” she said. Bacang also underscored that individuals who were displaced due to armed conflict are facing human rights, developmental, humanitarian, including peace building challenges.
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Regional News
Meanwhile, in reaffirming its commitment of contributing help to the IDPs, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga has provided Food for Work amounting to P964,252 for 470 families and Cash for Work for 567 families amounting to P2.38M. It has also provided emergency shelter assistance of P5.67M, nonfood items worth P6.57M, funds for the supplementary feeding program (SFP) downloaded to municipal social welfare development (MSWD) amounting P1.08M, and P15.8M have been allocated for sustainable livelihood program to the five affected municipalities, namely; Lianga, San Agustin, San Miguel, Marihatag, and Tago. Also, the Department of Education (DepEd) has been allocating nine schools for the areas of the IDPs in Surigao del Sur. DepEd Caraga regional office, together with the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Surigao del Sur, has to identify viable sites for the project. Come March 8,
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2017, SDO of Surigao del Sur is set to conduct a consultative/coordination meeting with the concerned indigenous people (IP) leaders, local government unit (LGU) officials and DSWD-Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service (KALAHI-CIDSS) personnel on the said school building project. Under the Sagana at Ligtas na tubig sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG) pogram of DILG-Caraga, P3M has been allocated for the construction of water system in Brgy. San Isidro (sitios Lagdik and Kiwagan) while P1M is allocated for Brgy. Diatagon (sitios Manluy-a and Neptune) to augment water to the indigenous people schools. Said projects are under procurement. “The government agencies work jointly in ensuring the proper monitoring of the situation of IDPs, advocating in finding solutions to various ID P concerns, ensuring to provide response activities, and protecting their human rights,” said Bacang. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Regional News
DOH Caraga provides services to Surigao quake victims
By: Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga region has extended health services to Surigaonons affected by the 6.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Surigao City on the evening of February 10, 2017. According to DOH Caraga regional director Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr., two weeks following the quake, services like mental health and psychosocial services (MHPSS), surveillance on possible diseases and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) are continuously provided to the victims of the tremor. As of February 27, a total of P1,822,895.96 worth of logistics were given by DOH Caraga in addition to the P3.2 million worth of medicines and other logistics provided by DOH central office to Surigaonons. Llacuna bared that different DOH regional offices, organizations, and offices responded and also provided
and assistance to the victims. These include: DOH Regions 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12, ARMM; Health Emergency Management Bureau; National Center for Mental Health; Mariveles Mental Hospital; Provincial DOH offices of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur; Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center; Provincial Health Office of Dinagat Islands; March for Christ; Philippine Red Cross; and other private organizations. They provided mental health services to address the traumatic experience of the victims. “We are thankful to everyone who came, assisted and cared for our brothers and sisters affected in this havoc,” Llacuna said.
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Regional News “We will see to it that all health needs are addressed especially the mental and psychosocial aspect of health,” he added. Llacuna reiterated the significance of fire and earthquake drills that it should not be taken lightly to prepare the public during disaster such as earthquakes. Also, as per DOH Caraga record, as of February 27, a total of 4,588 individuals were catered for mental health and psychosocial services. About 60 nurses under the deployment program will continuously conduct MPHSS to other communities not yet serve, Llacuna said. More DOH and local government units’ personnel are currently and
continually trained for the sustainability of such service, he said. Meanwhile, after the earthquake, Caraga Regional Hospital, a DOH retained hospital also incurred damages but was found to be secured and safe after professional inspection although an estimated P10 million is needed for its repair. The only Drug and Rehabilitation Center of the region was also affected. The DOH Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center Caraga needed more than P2 million worth for its repair. Llacuna bared that DOH central office will give more than P10 million in the reconstruction and repair of the two DOH facilities. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
COMELEC chair Bautista meets with various sectors in Butuan
By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
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BUTUAN CITY – In his recent visit here, Commission on Elections (COMELEC) chairperson Juan Andres Bautista met with the representatives from various sectors and discussed electionrelated issues and concerns during a forum with election officers and stakeholders held recently at Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) AVR-2, this city.
Regional News
COMELEC Butuan City election officer Atty. Samuel Rollo said that is an opportune time for all Butuanons to be able to share their sentiments, issues and concerns related to elections and on how the commission could be able to further enhance their services to the public. Bautista emphasized that the commission has been implementing its two objectives: to maintain credible elections - that is clean, honest, peaceful and free; and achieve a more voter-centered COMELEC. The commission ensures voting experience to be more convenient for the people. “Reaching out to the voters in the field will help continue the reforms of the agency to have a credible elections,” stressed Bautista. Electionrelated cases significantly decreased from 97 cases
on 2010 to 67 in 2013 and 47 cases in 2016 elections, added chair Baustista. It was also learned that there were some 289 voting centers/ accessible polling places in the country during the 2016 elections. The good chairman further underscored that having a satellite registration to the different far-flung barangays in the country produces a high turn out of voters during elections. Meantime, Brgy. Captain Abundio Leones of Brgy. Pangabugan thanked the City Comelec Office for the conduct of satellite registration held in time with the Chairman Bautista’s visit in the city. He underlined that local residents enjoyed the convenience of availing the services of the COMELEC held at the covered court of said barangay. (JPG/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
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Regional News
DOH turns over dental van to Butuan LGU By: Regal C. Oribia
BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga has formally turned-over recently the new dental van to the city government of Butuan as one of the many recipients of the said program in the region. A blessing for the newly acquired equipment followed. The said dental van has two dental chairs and equipped with complete instruments. It has also a built-in lavatory and sterilizer for dental instruments and an attached one year service warranty. According to the City Health Office (CHO), starting this March, dentists will roll out their oral health program to target group. This target group comprises of four clusters: 1-6 years old, 18-24 years old, pregnant women, and 60 years old and above. It will also be used during the holding
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of barangay visitations. Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada expressed his gratitude to DOH for granting the dental van. “It will be a big help to our constituents especially to those who are living in far-flung areas and with incomplete instruments for dental services,” he said. The LGU and CHO believed that this program will go a long way of addressing the dental needs of the community. (RCO/PIA-Caraga)
Regional News
Academe, health providers sign partnership for Caraga health research By: Gabrielle Espinosa
BUTUAN CITY - Various stakeholders from the academe, the Health Centers and the media from all over Caraga signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga and Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) on February 24, to strengthen the partnership of the Caraga Health Research and Development Consortium (CHRDC) in the region. The partnership, which was first developed on May 13, 2008, aimed at addressing health problems in Caraga through boosting the Health Research and Development. According to Dr. Jose R. Llacuña, regional director of the Department of Health Caraga and the newly appointed CHRDC Chair, there is
a need to promote and improve health and quality of life of Caraganons. “We have to gain new knowledge, develop new technologies to help us solve key health issues in Caraga like Schistosomiasis and Dengue. Also, we have to remember that we have
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Regional News
a high incidence rate of Teenage Pregnancy Rate and HIV/AIDS cases in the region,” says Llacuña. The partnership was also forged to collaborate and share resources, expertise and facilities to speed up the generation of knowledge and technologies from the consortium. Sectoral representatives were also reelected and appointed along side the MOA Signing. Dr. Llacuna, was elected as the new CHRDC Chair while DOST Caraga Regional Director Dominga D. Mallonga is Vice-chair. The members of the Caraga Health Research and Development Consortium include: Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Department of Science and Technology – Caraga, Department of Health – Caraga, Commission on Higher Education – Caraga, National Economic and Development Authority – Caraga, Department of Education – Caraga, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Bombo Radyo
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Philippines. From the Health Centers and Hospitals (Butuan City Health Office; Provincial Health Office – Agusan del Norte; Butuan Medical Center; Manuel J. Santos Hospital; From the Academe; Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology; Butuan Doctor’s College; Caraga State University; Father Saturnino Urios State University; Saint Joseph Institute of Technology; Saint Paul University Surigao; Surigao Education Center; Surigao del Sur State University; Surigao State College of Technology. Aside from the election and appointment, the members of the consortium discussed on the upcoming activities like the Information, Education and Communication Campaign Planning Workshop and the Regional Consultations and Drafting of the Regional Unified Health Research Agenda for 2017-2022. (DOSTCaraga/PIA-Caraga)
SURIGAO DEL NORTE
NGCP to pursue VisayasMindanao grid connection
By: Glory Rebleza
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - The results are out. National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) completed the first step towards unifying the nation’s three power grids. In an NGCP-commissioned hydrographic survey conducted from September to November 2016, a viable route along the country’s western seaboard – beginning in Cebu and terminating in Dipolog– was determined as viable for the implementation of the plans of interconnecting the Visayas and Mindanao grids.
“NGCP is pleased to report that we already finished the hydrographic survey that will determine the route of the Visayas-Mindanao Interconnection Project (VMIP). With this development, we now have a clearer plan on the project’s implementation. Power resource sharing between the country’s major islands will now become a reality,” declared NGCP.
The Luzon and Visayas grids have long been connected via NGCP’s Previous feasibility studies Naga – Ormoc High Voltage Direct conducted by the National Power Current (HVDC) line. Corporation, one dating back to as
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Provincial News early as 1984, were deferred by the government, then the grid operator. An earlier study conducted by NGCP revealed eastern routes as unsuitable for submarine cable ground laying because of a significant quantity of live ordinance – torpedoes and high explosive shells – from the Battle of Surigao in 1944, an underwater volcano, fault lines, and seismic hazards, such as unstable rock slabs that can cause landslips and tsunamis. NGCP is seeking the support of the public and its stakeholders for the full and immediate implementation of the project. “NGCP assures its stakeholders of the company’s dedication to determine the most reliable and cost-efficient path to completion. This is a large undertaking. We want this facility to be state-ofthe-art, as well as sturdy enough to last generations,” it said.
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Inland and route surveys for substations and associated overhead transmission lines will also coincide with the preparation of documents. Barring unforeseen circumstances and unavoidable delays, the project is estimated to be completed by December 2020. “We need the support of the government, the Energy Regulatory Commission, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the different local government units the project will traverse, among others, to push this forward. With their full support, we are confident that we will be able to complete this project on time,” stated the company. NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits highvoltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets.
“We are considering many factors in the design and implementation of the project, including changing weather conditions. Ensuring the quality and reliability of power transmission services to both Visayas and The consortium, which holds Mindanao customers is of paramount the 25-year concession contract importance,” the company said. to operate the country’s power transmission network, is comprised of With the hydrographic survey Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp. led result, NGCP will now proceed with the by Henry Sy, Jr., Calaca High Power preparation of a conceptual design, Corporation led by Robert Coyiuto, detailed cost-estimate, and update Jr., and the State Grid Corporation of of system simulation study using the China (SGCC) as technical partner. Cebu-Dipolog route, in order to (NGCP/PIA-Surigao del Norte) complete documents needed for its ERC application by April 2017.
Provincial News
SSS to offer calamity relief assistance to Surigao quake victims
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - About 24,000 members and pensioners of the Social Security System (SSS) here may soon avail themselves of three different types of calamity relief assistance after a 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit the city last Feb 10. SSS will offer three types of calamity relief assistance such as a Calamity Loan, House Repair and Improvement Loan and advance three-month pension to members and pensioners
their basic necessities,� SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said. Dooc added that SSS will announce acceptance of applications to the calamity relief assistance package as soon as the IT system requirements and other administrative arrangements are done.
“The Social Security Commission approved yesterday the grant of the calamity relief assistance package for our members and pensioners in Surigao. We sincerely hope that the special programs would give them The calamity loan assistance better opportunities to rebuild their is a new and separate loan window damaged homes and to acquire from the regular salary loan where
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Provincial News members are allowed to borrow up to P16,000 if they are paying contributions based on the maximum monthly salary credit (MSC).
12-month period prior to the month of filing. They can borrow for a maximum of P1 million pesos with an interest rate of six percent per annum fixed for 15 years. However, the interest rate is “Similar to salary loans, calamity subject for repricing if the repayment loans are payable in two years in term has exceeded 15 years,” Dooc equal monthly installments with an explained. annual interest rate of 10 percent and one percent monthly penalty As of Feb. 20, the National for late payments. To provide more Disaster Risk Reduction and assistance, we waived the one Management Council (NDRRMC) percent service fee for calamity loan recorded over 6,000 damaged houses applicants,” Dooc explained. in the provinces in Surigao del Norte— 380 of which were totally damaged To qualify for SSS calamity loans, while 5,703 were partially damaged. members should have a home address or property in the covered For applicants under the areas and a minimum of 36 monthly advance three-month pension whose contributions, six of which should present address is different from the be paid within the 12-month period address in the SSS database will have preceding the date of application. to submit a barangay certification to However, members who availed the prove that they reside in a declared SSS Loan Restructuring Program and calamity area. those with final benefit claims, such as for total permanent disability and For more information, members retirement, are excluded from the and pensioners can visit the nearest program. SSS branch, contact the SSS Call Center hotline at 920-6446 to 55, or Meanwhile, members with send an email to member_relations@ damaged homes can also avail sss.gov.ph. The application forms are cash assistance through Direct downloadable from the SSS website House Repair and Improvement Loan at www.sss.gov.ph. Program, with reduced interest rate of six percent per annum and waived Aside from the Calamity Relief processing fee. Package, the SSS extended additional assistance through distribution of relief “Member-applicant must not goods last Feb. 23 at the Barangay more than 60 years old and with at Washington Gym located in Kaskag least 24 monthly contributions, in which Village, here. (SSS-Surigao City/PIAthree contributions are within the last Surigao del Norte)
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Provincial News
1 soldier killed, 1 injured in NPA attack in Surigao Norte town
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - A soldier was killed while another was wounded as government troops on the ground responded to a planned NPA attack at around 9:00 p.m. on March 8, 2017 in Brgy. Budlingin, Alegria town. The 30-minute firefight has resulted to one casualty on the government side (name not yet released prior notice to kin) and several damages to civilian properties in the barangay.
apprehend the perpetrators who were reported by civilians to have sustained casualties.
“These NPA rebels clearly do not respect the Comprehensive Agreement Likewise, pursuit operations was on Human Rights and International launched by the government troops to Humanitarian Law wherein civilian
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Provincial News population and properties shall not be object to attacks. Despite of the death of one of our soldiers, we will continue to protect and defend our communities and continue to facilitate the entry of development,” Lt. Col. Rico Amaro, 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) Commander said.
“Brgy. Budlingin is the center of IP communities in Alegria, Surigao del Norte. It was the NPA that killed their tribal leader last year who’s making a stand against NPA recruitment of the IPs. It was the constituents of the Brgy that wanted our soldiers to be present in their community and conduct Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) to prevent the NPA recruitment of IP including minors and extorsion of Royalty Fees received by IPs in the area,” he said.
He said the 30IB troopers deployed in Surigao del Norte clarified that the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda Lumad, Guerilla Front 16, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee under a.k.a. Ricky was behind the attack. “Our IP communities have had too much of exploitation from these Amaro further said that it was the criminals and we have a hero that just same group and in the same barangay died last night protecting our IP. We that abducted PFC Erwin Salan on call on for the support of everyone, let January 29 as part of natiowide series of us not allow our peace loving IPs to be the New Peoples Army (NPA) attrocities exploited and be trained by the NPAs to that prompted President Rodrigo become criminals. Let us all empower Duterte to withdraw the unilateral and protect them,” Col. Amaro added. ceasefire and label the rebel group as (30th Infantry Battalion, Phil. Army/PIAterrorist. Surigao del Norte)
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SURIGAO DEL SUR
2 fishermen recover marijuana packs floating off Tandag coast By: Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – Two fishermen recovered 19 sealed packs of high grade marijuana inside a blue plastic container floating near the seawaters off Tandag City on Wednesday, March 1.
An initial report received from the Police Provincial Office (PPO) bared that fishermen Edmar Ocat and Yong yong Macarayo, while they were on their way home from fishing, first spotted the blue plastic container containing the illegal substance.
The said illegal substance was already turned over by the Tandag City Police personnel to the Police Provincial Office crime laboratory for further examination and proper disposition.
Tandag City mayor Alexander Pimentel who was present during the Authorities said the 19 kilograms turn-over gave a cash reward to the dried marijuana leaves are estimated fishermen worth P5,000 each. (PIAto be worth P1,045,000. Surigao del Sur)
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Provincial News
PCA grants P110K to IP farmers in Carrascal town By: Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Surigao del Sur Provincial office has turned over P110,000 under the Indigenous People Outreach Program (IPOP) to the IP farmers in Carrascal town. The said activity is part of the a nursery in their identified areas. program implementation where PCA will compensate the IP coco farmers During the turnover ceremony, with coco seedlings. Carrascal Mayor Vicente H. Pimentel III and Municipal Agriculturist Japhet PCA Surigao del Sur Provincial Sugian formally received the check Manager George Rasonabe said that with the presence of the IPOP members, part of the project is to encourage the which are mainly from Brgy. Pantukan IP coco farmers to plant and establish in Carrascal. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
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AGUSAN DEL NORTE
Women’s journey, inspiring stories highlight women’s forum in Agusan del Norte By: Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY – In line with the monthlong celebration of the Women’s Month, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of the province of Agusan del Norte will conduct a Provincial Women’s Forum on March 22 at the provincial training center here. According to PSWDO chief Daisy Dimavivas, the said forum will be participated by the women employees of the provincial government, accredited women organizations, and league of local lady legislators (4L) of the province. Dimavivas added that the forum aims to celebrate women’s journey and share inspiring stories of change in their chosen profession; encourage women to be empowered change agents; and be a venue to inspire and appreciate
each other with the hope of organizing a support group for women to express themselves. Also, during the forum, honorable Elizabeth Marie Calo, SP member and chairperson on social services and gender and development will give her welcome message and the governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. AmanteMatba will also deliver her message of inspiration to the women of the province.
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Provincial News Women’s stories of inspiration will also be shared to the participants by Cabadbaran City SB member Joan Monding and Atty. Allen Gasulas of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Gasulas will also hold the legal forum in the afternoon. This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “Making Change Work for Women,” it captures two key foundations: Partnership for change and full implementation of the Magna Carta of Women or Republic Act 9710, said Dimavivas.
Meanwhile, in the morning of March 8, a mass will be offered at the Saint Joseph Cathedral to be followed by a motorcade from Guingona Park to the provincial capitol covert court and conduct of a program highlighting the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the Philippine Commission on Women and the Regional Gender and Development Committee. In the afternoon, women participants will also hold a ‘Kalandrakas sa Kababaihan’ at the provincial capitol covered court in the city. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
DA starts communal irrigation system rehab in AgNor town By: Fretcher Magatao
BUTUAN CITY - To increase farmers’ productivity and to irrigate more agricultural lands, the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) officially launched the start of the rehabilitation of the P39.9 million Communal Irrigation System (CIS) at Barangay Culit Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. The new CIS would cover an influence area of at least 100 hectares mostly planted with rice benefiting more than a hudred farmers in the community. “We not only desire for rice sufficiency, but also a rich supply of agricultural products for our people and neighboring municipalities,” said Mayor Enrico Corvera.
system since their goal is to achieve at least three croppings in a year. “As an agricultural engineer, I believe that irrigation is the solution for better production,” Corvera said.
Culit Irrigators Association (CIA) has been wanting for an irrigation system that would stand through the many distructions caused by natural Corvera said that the farmers in calamities since the existing CIS has the community have been waiting already been damaged due to heavy for the rehabilitation of the irrigation rains and floods.
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Provincial News
“Because of the many calamities we’ve experienced, the passage of water through the river can no longer be controlled and only less than 30 hectares of planted areas can be irrigated,” said CIA President Pausto Empanado, Jr. “We need a rebuilding that would prevail against disasters and we’re glad that PRDP is helping us for this rehabilitation,” he added. PRDP I-BUILD known as Intensified Build Up of Infrastructre and Logistics for Developement aims to put in place climate resilient farm-to-market roads (FMR), bridges, communal irrigation and potable water systems. CIS rehabilitation project in the
municipality would extend the length of the dam’s ogee (arch) and increase the height of the protection dike which after the construction would irrigate more than a triple times of hectares compared to the existing one. The project has partnered with LGUs and the private sector in providing key infrastructures, facilities, technology and information that will raise income, productivity and competitiveness among the players in agriculture. The ground breaking activity was spearheaded by the DA-PRDP representatives together with the officials of Barangay Culit and LGU Nasipit. (RPCO-13/PIA-Caraga)
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Provincial News
Agusan Norte okays Provincial Commodity Investment Plan for CY 2017-2020 By: Aimee B. Sienes
BUTUAN CITY - The provincial government of Agusan del Norte is all set for the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan for CY 2017-2020. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte, through Provincial Resolution No. 033-2017, authored by Vice Governor Ramon AG. Bungabong, recently adopted and approved the proposed enhanced Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) in the province of Agusan del Norte for CY 2017-2020 as embodied in Provincial Development Council (PDC) Resolution No. 01, series of 2017, and endorsed by Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba. This plan, formulated in partnership with the Department of Agriculture
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(DA) - Regional Field Office XIII and other stakeholders, will serve as guide in the implementation of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) and other national government-related economic development programs in the province. It is a three-year strategic mutual development plan between DA and the province that rationalizes the intervention programs within the various segments of the value chain commodities in the local government units (LGUs), which will also contribute to the national goals of the agriculture and fishery sectors. The PCIP contains a listing of top agriculture commodities in the province where intervention programs are identified and needed emphasis such as abaca, banana, coconut, coffee, cacao, crumb rubber, mango, cassava and palm oil production. It also provides a mechanism to identify specific programs, projects and activities as basis for funding from concerned national government agencies and the provincial government of Agusan del Norte. Provincial officials believe that the plan will accelerate the agriculture and economic developments of the province. (LGU-Agusan del Norte)
AGUSAN DEL SUR
Bayugan Negosyo Center holds another round of entrep awareness among AgSur studes, local SMEs By: Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur After handling an entrepreneurial awareness session with the city’s sarisari store owners, the Negosyo Center (NC) here has recently conducted another seminar on entrepreneurship, this time to Bachelor of Science major in Business Administration (BSBA) students of Agusan del Sur College (ADSCO) and some local business owners. Using the Business Expense Saving Training (BEST) Game module, participants were made aware on the values, principles, right attitude and competencies that an entrepreneur should have.
Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) said they now understood that goal setting is very important. The whole range of activities such as planning, implementation, research, application and monitoring should be taken seriously as these will serve as guide and The seminar made the important factors in achieving business participants realize that “negotiation” goals. and “quality control” are some of the most challenging aspects in doing The awareness session aims to business, noting that in business deals develop new entrepreneurs, equip agreements should be documented existing businesses with knowledge while quality control should be ensured. to improve their business systems and practices. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA Both the students and the local Agusan del Sur)
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Photo Gallery Taguibo Watershed Management Council 1st Quarter Meeting
PENRO Agusan del Norte Conference Room, Butuan City 16 March 2017
HEALTH NEWS
Supplementary Feeding with Education: Effective against Malnutrition By: Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa Growth and development is a long survey also reported that 7.3 percent and continuous process throughout life. of children of the same age group are Previous life stages like infancy affect wasted. succeeding phases like adulthood. A research published by Victoria, In the Philippines, undernutrition et al. in 2008 in The Lancet Journal is one of the pressing concerns of revealed that undernutrition was society due to its counter-productive strongly associated with shorter implications to health and the adult height, less schooling, reduced development of the country. economic productivity and lower offspring birth weight for women in The results of the 2011 Survey on Brazil, Guatemala, India, Philippines, the Updating of Nutritional Status of and South Africa. Filipino Children and Other Population Groups by the Food and Nutrition Human capital is perceived to be Research Institute of the Department of the most important asset of the country. Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) Thus, undernutrition is a great hindrance revealed that 33.6 percent of children in achieving economic stability and aged 5 to 10 years old are stunted. The development.
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Health News Due to this, several approaches have been developed in the Philippines to address this concern. These include food fortification, supplementary feeding, and nutrition education and many others, all of which has its own advantages and disadvantages in formulation and implementation. Infants and pre-school children are the main focus of nutrition interventions since they experience rapid growth and thus, need higher energy intakes. Pregnant mothers are also targeted for nutrition education and other programs. This is because researches reveal that an underweight mother would most likely have a low birth weight child, which increases the risk for undernutrition and other illnesses in later stages of life.
to selected individuals, belonging to a specific target group, to prevent or treat malnutrition. Supplementary feeding is considered as a short-term and palliative form of intervention.
To address this concern, supplementary feeding is usually paired with nutrition education programs to Nutrition programs carry out target both physical and behavioral results of significant improvement to development of the beneficiary. schoolchildren’s physical development. In 2011, the National Nutrition However, behavioral development should also be considered to sustain a Council (NNC) provided a set of guidelines for the implementation of healthy population. supplementary feeding programs in the Intervention programs for Philippines. schoolchildren aged 6-12years should The primary objective of therefore aim to alleviate undernutrition and address the behavioural supplementary feeding programs is development with regards to proper to improve the nutritional status of the targeted undernourished individuals. nutrition and healthy eating. This is through the provision of one One of the most common forms of third of the recommended energy intervention programs for school-age intakes. It also aims at improving the children is supplementary feeding. It is knowledge, attitudes and practices of a program in which food is provided mothers and child caregivers as well as
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Health News that of other family members along with beneficiaries. key nutritional practices and growth monitoring. Although supplementary feeding requires high costs and attention, it Supplementary feeding programs is still an effective way in alleviating nowadays not only aim to increase undernutrition and correcting or forming energy intake but also increase behavioral and cognitive development. consumption of micronutrients like iron, iodine and vitamin A. In a study conducted by AngelesAgdeppa in 2010, a total of 1,009 Supplementary feeding programs school-aged children in Tacloban City require a minimum of 90 days, given were provided ready-to-drink juice that after that period, the beneficiaries fortified with iron, zinc, lysine, Vitamin should have significantly improved A and Vitamin C for 120 days. Results in nutritional status. Otherwise, the revealed the decrease in anemia program should be continued until 120 prevalence from 100 percent at baseline days. to 42.3 percent at endline. There was also a significant increase in cognitive If the nutritional status of the target abilities after the feeding activity. participants fails to improve after 120 days, medical intervention should be Integrated and continuous efforts done to address the potential presence towards improving nutrition in all age of chronic illness. groups should be done to help address malnutrition in the country. There is a wide variety of foods given in supplementary feeding Healthy and competitive citizens activities, from single food items help in developing an economicallylike milk, oat meal and juices, to full stable country, rooted from a welllunch meals. Determination of foods nourished family. to be provided highly depends on the objectives of the program as well as the For more information on food resources for the feeding activity. and nutrition, please contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Simultaneous to the feeding Nutrition Research Institute, Department activities, there should be nutrition of Science and Technology, Bicutan, education classes for mothers and Taguig City; trunkline: 837 2071 local caregivers on basic nutrition and food 2296 or 2287; telephone/fax no.: 837 preparation. Nutrition education is for 3164, email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or the continuous promotion of healthy mar_v_c@yahoo.com; website: http:// eating within the family and to target www.fnri.dost.gov.ph (FNRI-DOST S&T larger populations aside from the Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
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MINDANAO NEWS
P5.5-B worth of infra projects pipelined for Mindanao under PRDP By: Jay M. Rosas
BUTUAN CITY - Around P5.5-billion worth of infrastructure subprojects are pipelined for Mindanao under DA’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) aimed at improving agricultural productivity in the countryside.
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According to PRDP’s February 2017 report, farm-to-market roads (FMR) make up the bulk of the pipelined subprojects with a total of 46 subprojects amounting to P4.49 billion.
undergoing validation.
These subprojects are awaiting endorsement of the issuance of no objection letter (NOL), which signals approval, while others are awaiting approval of the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB), or subprojects
“Under PRDP, we aim to build concreted road networks that will connect production areas and farms to markets which will hopefully translate to bigger incomes of farmers,” PRDP Mindanao cluster director Ricardo
Undergoing implementation are 62 FMR subprojects while 37 are under various stages of procurement.
Mindanao News Oñate said. He said that local government units have seen the importance of FMR projects in enhancing the productivity of their commodities and improving the connectivity of their areas, which is why he said LGUs have strongly lobbied for more road concreting projects.
classified under small infrastructure are undergoing procurement process. Under PRDP’s infrastructure or I-BUILD component, proposals for infrastructure subprojects must be identified as critical intervention in the priority commodity investment plans (PCIP) of the provincial LGU.
During the last I-BUILD “This is in line with the Project’s coordination meeting, it was disclosed thrust in ensuring that reliable that pipelined sub projects total to infrastructures are put up where it is P25 billion. Mindanao owns the largest needed,” Oñate added. percentage in cost for the whole portfolio with 30 percent. Aside from FMR projects, small infrastructure subprojects were also “These pipelined subprojects will pipelined amounting to P151.09 million. still be validated to ensure that it meets These subprojects include construction the requirements and standards set by of warehouses and solar dryers, as well the Project before they are elevated as infrastructure support to PRDP’s to the next level of approval,” Oñate enterprise development subprojects. said. Meanwhile, there are also pipelined five FMR projects with bridge component, four irrigation subprojects and 2 potable water supply (PWS) systems subprojects. Currently, 26 subprojects
He added that the Project will also ensure that an Operation and Maintenance Audit System is installed to strengthen monitoring of the various subprojects’ implementation. (PSO Mindanao/PIA-Caraga)
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NATIONAL NEWS
JobStart leads youth to gainful employment
MANILA - In the world of work, they are considered as ‘at risk,’ or young Filipinos who have the least access to productive work, and who take around two to four years to find their first regular job.
However, with their immersion to the three-phase full-cycle employment facilitation services of the JobStart program, they have found jobs that will assure them of a better future. These are the 584 JobStart graduates who are now in wage employment after completing their life skills and technical training and were either absorbed by their employer or found jobs from other employers. They will be recognized today by the Department of Labor and
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Employment (DOLE), together with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Canada, during their graduation ceremony to be held at the University of the PhilippinesBahay ng Alumni. The participating JobStart employers, as well as Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), will also be recognized in the graduation ceremony. JobStart is a partnership program of the DOLE, ADB, and the Canadian
National News International Development Agency (CIDA), which aims to increase the employability of the youth by providing them access to technical and life skills training demanded by employers and by mentoring and tooling them to improve their job search. Through JobStart, youth-at-risk aged 18-24 years, who are either currently not working, or have less than a year of work experience, not enrolled in an educational or training program, or who have at least reached a high school education, can access technical and like skills training and onthe-job opportunities that will improve their chances in the world of work. The graduates are part of the rollout implementation of JobStart Philippines Program which was piloted in seven local government units in the country—Caloocan; Mandaluyong; Pasay; Quezon City; Taguig; San Fernando, Pampanga; and Gen. Trias, Cavite. San Fernando, Pampanga recorded the highest number of employed JobStart graduates at 98, followed by Mandaluyong, 96; Quezon City, 92; Caloocan, 90; Taguig, 88; Gen. Trias, Cavite, 65; and Pasay, 55. During the graduation ceremony, DOLE Assistant Secretary Alex V. Avila will deliver the welcome address, to be followed by inspirational messages from ADB Country Director Richard Bolt and Ambassador John Holmes of the
Embassy of Canada in Manila. DOLE Undersecretary Joel B. Maglunsod, in behalf of Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, is set to deliver the keynote message. Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) Director Dominique Rubia-Tutay, together with the local chief executives and PESO managers of the seven participating local government units, will lead the distribution of certificates of completion and participation to the JobStart trainees. Special awards will also be given to the outstanding JobStart trainees, the PESOs with highest placement rate, and the employers who absorbed for employment the most number of trainees and those who provided 100 percent of minimum wage during the internship phase. Under JobStart, the youth beneficiaries shall receive full-cycle employment facilitation services that include (1) Career Guidance and Coaching, to be provided by PESO staff and other trained career guidance coaches and advocates; (2) Life Skills training for 10 days; (3) Technical skills training for up to three months; and (4) Company-based internships for up to six months. The nationwide implementation of JobStart is now institutionalized through Republic Act No. 10869. (DOLE)
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National News
Duterte approves national security guidelines for bureaucracy during the National Security Council meeting include the peace process with the CPP-NPA-NDF, the West Philippine Sea issue, and the antiillegal drugs campaign, among others.
MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the enhanced National Security Policy 2017-2022 (NSP) that serves as the guide for the government bureaucracy in the efforts to safeguard national security interests. “This version of the NSP now directs the national security sector to be aligned with and in tandem with the recently approved Philippine Development Plan,” Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a press briefing on Tuesday, March 14, in Malacañang. Abella said the NSP was approved by the President during the National Security Council meeting last Monday, March 13. Among the matters discussed
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On the peace process, Abella said the President acknowledged the joint statement of the government peace panel and the National Democratic Front (NDF) on the intent to resume formal peace talks. “To ensure that genuine peace talks are realized, the President asked both panels to agree on clear parameters for the ceasefire and the talks,” Abella explained. In addressing illegal drugs, meanwhile, Abella said President Duterte has directed the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to be more actively involved in the PDEA-led anti-drug operations, together with the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police (PNP). In the same briefing, Abella cited Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs, which says that the Philippines has become an ideal business environment for women to
National News prosper. “The Philippines ranks eighth among top 20 markets in the world, gaining an overall index of 68.4 on the Mastercard Index of Women entrepreneurs in 2017,” Abella said. Citing the continued policy of breaking the glass ceiling Abella said the Duterte administration continues to support endeavors of Filipino women. Abella also announced that barely nine months in office, the Duterte administration has seen an increase in exports. “The Palace is pleased to announce that the Philippine merchandise exports reached 5.13 billion in January, surging 22.5 percent, the highest growth posted in three years,” Abella said. He said garments and clothing accessories exporters saw a 270 percent increase, followed by coconut oil products, which grew 230 percent; and chemicals, which saw a 105 percent growth. Japan is still the top Philippine export destination. Palace echoes importance of climate change pact Meanwhile, in the same briefing, Climate Change Commission (CCC) Vice Chairperson Frances Veronica Victorio said the country’s accession to the Paris Agreement once concurred by the Senate, would enable the
country to get access to financial and technical support, as well as in a capacity building. Ang Paris Agreement po ay may goal po sila na you’ll be able, we’ll have about 100 billion dollars per year. So starting 2020. So pag kasama po tayo sa Paris Agreement ay makaka mas access tayo dito sa mga financial support na available for us, lalo na as a developing country,” Victorio said. “Ang plano po natin is that we want to make sure na naka-incorporate po dito ang mga goals ni Presidente also, of really poverty eradication, mga sustainable development. So pwede po ‘to under the Paris Agreement,” she added. Victorio noted the impact of warmer temperatures to food production. “Tayo po ay like 5th most vulnerable country when it comes to climate change, all over the world. So kung ngayon pa lang, ngayon nasa 1.2 degrees Celsius po tayo. Dati pa nagka-Yolanda na tayo, nagka-Ondoy and these are all at 1 degree Celsius,” Victorio explained. “Right now, last year, 1.2 degrees Celsius na po tayo. So this is something we’re continuously advocating at kailangan po natin i-lead ang ating mga iba’t ibang bansa kasi hindi po natin ito kakayanin na mag-isa,” she added. (PND)
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