Caraga InFocus –March 26-April 1, 2022 by Caraga InFocus

BUTUAN SKS CALL ON YOUTH SECTOR TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE

SEC KEEPS ISO CERTIFICATION FOR ALL CORE SERVICES COVID VARIANT CASES IN CARAGA NOW AT 564 DSWD, DTI EXTEND ASSISTANCE TO PANDEMICAFFECTED MSMES FEATURE: COVID-19 PANDEMIC - A BLESSING IN DISGUISE DSWD’S MCCT BENEFICIARIES GENERATES MORE THAN A MILLION ON THEIR FIRST YEAR DA CARAGA EXTENDS FINANCIAL GRANT TO TWO AGRI-COOP KAHALAGAHAN NG KALUSUGAN SA BAWAT INDIBIDWAL AT SAKIT NA ANEURYSM, TINALAKAY NG MGA SEKTOR SA IDINAOS NA WOMENTUM 2022 SA BUTUAN CITY

ISRAELI GOV’T TO DONATE WATER FILTERS TO SURIGAO NORTE, PDI LGUS

DINAGATNON CONSUMERS CAPACITATED ON CONSUMERS PRICE TAG LAW PDI FARMERS RECEIVE CASH AID FROM DA CARAGA

DEPED-SIARGAO FAST TRACKS REGISTRATION FOR UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR

DOLE 13 HOSTS PESO-YEPA; HONORS 2021 BEST PESOS

PROVINCIAL NEWS 24 25 25 26

27 28

FEATURE: A NEW START OF CHOOSING FAMILY, PEACE, FREEDOM

SIKAT DINAGAT ISLANDS CONDUCTS MANGROVE ASSESSMENT 36 ENTREPRENEURS IN PDI TOWN RECEIVE CASH ASSISTANCE FROM DTI TOP 1 MOST WANTED IN SURIGAO NORTE NABBED

30 31 32 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41

DA-PRDP HELPS RECOVER OF SURIGAO NORTE BANANA ENTERPRISE AFTER ODETTE SURIGAO NORTE PROVINCE HAILED AS COUNTRY’S 8TH WEALTHIEST PROVINCE SURIGAO NORTE FRS RECEIVE P2-M WORTH OF LIVELIHOOD PROJECTS FROM GOV’T

MINDANAO NEWS

43 44

FREE SURGERY FOR CHILDREN WITH CLEFT LIP, PALATE SET IN SURSUR TOWN ARMY RECOVERS HIGH-POWERED FIREARMS, MATERIEL IN SURSUR TOWN TOP MOST WANTED PERSON FOR ARSON IN SURSUR NABBED MAHIGIT 5,000 RESIDENTE, NAKINABANG SA PPOC IMMERSION NG AGUSAN DEL NORTE UNANG HUGNA SA PAGREVIEW SA BUSINESS PLANS SA CORE PROCESSING PROJECTS UBOS SA AGUSAN UP!, GINAPAHIGAYON DUGANG PROYEKTO UBOS SA AIP APROBADO SA SP AGNOR FORMER ESGP-PA SCHOLAR FROM AGSUR RANKS 9TH IN SWLE PNP-AGUSAN DEL SUR MAS PINAIGTING ANG KAMPANYA LABAN SA INSURGENCY; LGUS UMAASANG MAGPAPATULOY PA ANG ELCAC

47 48 50 52 53 54

ODETTE-HIT AREAS IN SIARGAO, DINAGAT ISLANDS RECEIVE WATER FILTRATION DEVICES FROM ISRAEL PRRD UNVEILS CANCER TREATMENT FACILITIES IN DAVAO CITY

NATIONAL NEWS DOLE READIES CASH-FOR-WORK SCHEME FOR RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY TAAL VOLCANO ERUPTION DSWD SAYS IT HAS ENOUGH RESOURCES TO RESPOND TO TAAL VOLCANO ERUPTION GO PUSHES PASSAGE OF BILLS SEEKING TO HELP DISASTER VICTIMS

COVID-19 NEWS PH AMONG ASEAN COUNTRIES WITH LOWEST DAILY COVID-19 CASES 1.2-M REFORMULATED PFIZER VACCINE DOSES ARRIVE IN PH BOOSTER SHOTS PROTECT DIABETICS FROM COVID-19, HOSPITALIZATION

CONTENTS

8 9 12 13 14 15 17 19 20

REGIONAL NEWS

INFOCUS

COVER

Caraga

Volume VI, No. 13 March 26-April 1, 2022

Purok-6 Brgy. Mahayahay, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte ang naluha habang nagpapasalamat sa mga biyayang kanyang natanggap. “Nagapapasalamat po ako sa mga regalo na natanggap namin ngayon. Hindi ko po inaasahan na maraming magbibigay sa amin ngayon tulad po nitong dental kits, food packs, bigas, at sapatos. malaking tulong na po talaga ito sa amin,” ani ni Bago.

Mga IP na nanay sa Agusan del Norte, napasaya ng community outreach program ng RGADC Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano

Dama ng mga ina ng tahanan sa indigenous peoples (IP) community ng Barangay Mahayahay sa Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte ang malasakit ng iba’t-ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan sa Caraga Region para sa kanilang sektor sa isinagawang community outreach program sa kanilang lugar. Iba’t-ibang libreng serbisyo ang kanilang nabenepisyo tulad ng medical checkup at mga regalo mula sa mga ahensiyang bumubuo sa Regional Development

Council – Regional Gender and Development Committee (RDC-RGADC) Caraga tulad ng food at grocery packs, bigas, seedlings, IEC (information, education and communication) materials, mini solar lights, coloring books, sapatos para sa mga bata, at iba pa. Maging ang kanilang mga anak ay nakinabang rin sa mga programang hatid ng gobyerno.

“Maraming salamat po sa mga nagbigay regalo. Malaking tulong po ito sa aming pamilya,” dagdag naman ni Leah Mae Bandigan, na residente rin sa nasabing barangay. Pinuri rin ni Punong Barangay Mario Magsanay ang mga kababaihan lalo na ang mga ina na siyang ilaw ng tahanan sa kanilang pagsisikap at pagaaruga sa pamilya sa kabila ng mga hamon sa buhay. Hinikayat din niya ang mga

ito na mas maging matatag at ipagpatuloy ang mga magagandang gawain sa kani-kanilang komunidad. Ibinahagi naman ni Dr. Maria Linda Mercado, Dentist III, Oral Health Program coordinator at Senior Citizens Program coordinator ng Department of Health (DOH) Caraga, na mahalaga ring matutukan ang kalusugan ng mga kababaihan at mga ina ng tahanan dahil may mga pagkakataon aniyang nakakalimutan nitong magpakonsulta o di kaya ay binabaliwa nalang para makaiwas sa gastos dahil marami ring kapamilya ang umaasa sa kanila. “Nais po ng ating ahensiya na makatulong sa mga kababayan nating IPs dito sa Kitcharao upang malaman din po nating nag kanilang kondisyon lalo na ang kanilang kalusugan at maibigay sa kanila ang kanilang pangangailangan,” banggit ni Mercado. (JPG/PIACaraga)

Isa si Melody Bago, isang mamanwa na may dalawang anak, at residente ng Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

News Briefs Remembering the life and works of National Artist for Music Lucio D. San Pedro on his 20th death anniversary. Lucio San Pedro was a composer, conductor, and teacher whose works incorporated folk elements and traditional musical form. His commitment and work in chorale music, contributed to the vigorous development of chorale singing and opened a creative outlet to Filipino communities all over the country. xx

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority - Surigao del Norte (TESDA-SDN) continues to deploy the scholars/on-the-job trainees from Surigao Education Center (SEC) under the Diplomas in Civil Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Electronics Engineering Technology at Sitio Escalon, Barangay Cagniog, Surigao City. The said scholars assist the trainers in carpentry and beneficiaries in the ongoing training cum production in Carpentry, Masonry, and Electrical Installation. The transitional shelters are intended for the severely affected communities caused by the typhoon. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has approved the prudential reporting framework for Islamic Banks (IBs) and Islamic Banking Units (IBUs) as part of its initiatives to promote Islamic banking in the country. The reporting framework sets the accounting treatment of common Islamic banking arrangements. BSP Circular No. 1139, series of 2022: https://bit.ly/BSPCir1139_s2022 The Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) is holding its Full Council Meeting for the 1st Quarter of CY 2022, to discuss the seasonal weather outlook for Caraga Region for April to June 2022; updates and concerns from the four thematic committees; revised guidelines on the administration of national DRRM fund, among others.

REGIONAL NEWS

Feature: A new start of choosing family, peace, freedom Butuan SKs call on youth sector to exercise their right to vote With the upcoming May 2022 national and local elections, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials of this city called on the youth sector to actively participate in the elections and exercise their right to vote. Cynth Zephanee Nietes, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President of Butuan City, shared how the SKs take part in the advocacy to convince other youths to exercise their right to vote especially with the upcoming May 2022 national and local elections. “We did online campaigns, urging people to register to vote in the coming May 9 elections, especially the youth. We also partnered with an NGO and the Commission on Human Rights on a Vote One for Peace Seminar in Barangay Tungao. I want to have this advocacy for Kalinaw -- we want candidates

who advocate for peace, and we want to send a message to young people that their vote counts. 60% of voters according to the COMELEC City Officer are from the youth sector; other organizations are advocating the youth to register as well,” she said. Nietes also recounted the efforts of the youths for the education sector. “We partnered with a lot of government agencies and NGOs for modules, as well as distribution of bond papers. Some SK councils like JP Rizal, Los Angeles, and Libertad are institutionalizing the provision of incentives or subsidies to college students through ordinances. We could provide them with a subsidy of Php2,000, which will be a big help for students in Butuan City. The Alternative Learning System in Butuan City is active and very useful, even in the barangays. We also provided printers to the different

barangays,” she said. When it comes to entrepreneurship, Nietes also revealed that they have been working with other stakeholders to help the youth in their business endeavors. “We partnered with DTI and came up with ‘ButuanOn Youth CAN’ where you will pitch a project to a panel who are business owners to change the youth’s mindset that running a business is easy. We also have a partnership with LeadCom Ayala for an agri-preneurship concept. Fortunately also, Butuan City won in the Bloomberg Mayor’s Challenge AgriBoost Project, which has a big impact on the youth sector who are also into farming/agriculture. Our year 2 LeadCom Ayala focuses on agri-preneurship and on encouraging young people to do farming,” said Nietes. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

Family. Peace. Freedom. These were the three significant reasons that made Therese (not her real name), who have turned her back from going against the government. Therese was only 17 when she decided to join a well-known leftist group in the country that recruits young adolescents like her.

She was encouraged to join the group because it was during that time when her brothers were suddenly laid off at work with no clear reasons at all. Frustrated and hurt, Therese saw herself desperately seeking justice for her brothers. All her life, she saw how her brothers worked tirelessly for their families. They didn’t deserve this,

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

she thought. So when some people introduced to her their group that aims to resolve the injustices experienced by individuals and families in the community, Therese connected with the group. “Miapil ko sa grupo kay mao ra ang akong nakita nga pamaagi para maipaglaban nako ang karapatan sa akong mga igsoon

kay nagpasalig ang grupo nga tabangan ko nula nga makab-ot ang hustisya (I joined the group because I saw that it was the only way to help me fight for the right of my brothers. The group also promised me that they’ll help me claim justice),” Therese shared. While she was with the group, Therese became very active. She would always join rallies in local and national levels. At one point, she even became one of the representatives of the group for a huge event held in Luzon. But after a year of shouting in the streets and another year of living a life in hiding, Therese realized that her journey wasn’t getting her any step closer to justice. She felt that the group was only taking advantage of her. Therese also started to miss her family. All those protests and demonstrations exhausted her energy. Therese wanted freedom. In 2017, Therese made a bold move to leave the

group.

It was only in 2019 that Therese took the risk “Nangita jud kog of coordinating with pamaagi nga sila mismo the military. This move ang magpauli sa ako. led her to a realization Nagpabadlong ko sa that the government grupo. Gibuhat nako wasn’t an enemy like the ang mga butang nga movement told her; they supak sa ilang patakaran were there to help her hantod sa gipauli ko nila and her family have a sa among panimalay better life. (I searched for ways to make them send me One of the opportunities home. I misbehaved. that opened for Therese I did things that and her family was contradicted their rules to set up their own until they finally sent me livelihood project. home),” shared Therese. Last 2021, Therese received Php20,000 as But living a life away from financial assistance to the movement wasn’t establish their livelihood easy as she thought. through the Sustainable Despite detaching Livelihood Program from the group, Therese (SLP) of the Department learned that she was of Social Welfare and being closely monitored Development (DSWD). by the members. She The said assistance is was told that once the part of the Executive group discovers that she Order 70, series of 2018, a was coordinating with program of the national the military, her family’s government that aims life will be in danger. to address the peace and order conflict in the To distract her from this country. threat, Therese went back to school. She Using the livelihood invested most of her time assistance, Therese’s studying to graduate family was able to start with a bachelor’s a hog-raising project. degree, earn a job that Her parents saw that pays well, and provided this type of livelihood for her family. was very marketable these days. “Walay Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

kabutangan ang akong kalipay sa oras nga nakadawat ko sa maong assistance. Among gigamit pang capital sa babuyan ang akong nadawat gikan sa DSWD-SLP kay kini nga proyekto, dugay na ginahandom sa akong mga ginikanan (I could not contain my happiness the moment I received the said assistance. We used the capital from DSWD-SLP to fund a hog-raising project because this livelihood had always been my parents’ dream),” Therese said.

hefty income. Through their income, they were able to slowly purchase materials for the renovation of their house and buy additional piglets for another cycle of their project. Further, Therese remarked that she and her family will always be grateful to the government for all their help because they gave Therese a chance to have a new and fresh start. In addition to her small wins, Therese had also recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in information technology last December 2021.

At present, Therese and her parents have already been able to dispose While wiping off her four pigs and earn a tears, Therese disclosed Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

that turning her back against the movement will always be one the best decisions she had ever made in life. “Wala gyud sab ko nagbasol sa akong nahimong desisyon nga magbalikloob kay diri gyud nako natagamtaman ang tinud-anay nga katagbawan sa kinabuhi diin magkinabuhi nako nga gawasnon, layo sa kahubot ug labaw sa tanan, nakab-ot nako nako ang diploma nga mao ang yawi sa akong mga pangandoy para sa akong pamilya (I never regretted my decision to surrender because it is where I experienced the true essence of life – to live in freedom and far from conflicts. But most of all, this decision has allowed me to earn my diploma which serves as my key to reaching my dreams for my family),” she said. Therese may still have a long way in reaching her dreams for her family but she’s more than glad that at least in this journey, she was getting near the finish line. (Social Marketing Section/DSWD-Caraga/ PIA-Caraga)

SEC keeps ISO certification for all core services

DOLE 13 hosts PESO-YEPA; honors 2021 best PESOs The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga hosted the 2021 Public Employment Service Office – Year-End Performance Assessment (PESO-YEPA) at Almont Inland Hotel of this city, last March 23-24, 2022. The annual gathering of all PESO managers was intended to evaluate the performance of the region’s PESO managers and focal persons for 2021 and discuss further improvements in employment service delivery at the local government units (LGUs). DOLE-13 Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao opened the meeting by lauding the PESO managers and focal persons for their great efforts in making PESO services available even to the grassroots communities in the region despite the challenges faced in 2021. During the discussion, Divina Lagumbay, the president of PESO Caraga Regional League, Inc., emphasized the importance of the Devolution Transition Plan in strengthening the

institutionalization of PESO in the local government units. As to the identification or selection of the 2021 National best PESO Awards, Lagumbay shared that the winners of the Regional Awards will be considered as nominees for the National Awards after submitting the required documents to the National Awards Committee. Meanwhile, Senator Emmanuel Joel Villanueva delivered a video message and briefly discussed the Labor Employment and Human Resource Development including the Work from Home Law and the First Time Job Seekers Act. Further, speaker Consuelo Destacamento of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Caraga presented the topics on Public Employment Services, National Certification IV (PES-NV IV) Procedures, and Accreditation. To wrap up the 2-day gathering, Annie Tangpos, the TSSD chief of DOLE

Caraga, presented the significant gives and takes from the event, and closed the meeting with a reminder to always imbibe the “out of the box” principle to widen the coverage of PESO services. 2021 PESO Awards Night The 2021 PESO Awards Night was held on the night of March 24, 2022. Headed by Lilian Solis, Caraga’s PESO focal person, and with the assistance of DOLE Caraga’s provincial heads, PESO managers who excelled in 2021 were recognized and awarded with plaques, certificates, and cash incentives.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has successfully maintained the ISO 9001:2015 Certification of its quality management system covering all core services across its main and extension offices. “Once again, the SEC has demonstrated its global competitiveness as the premier investor champion and catalyst of a deep, broad and informed investor-based capital market and more empowered business sector,” SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino said after receiving the main certificate during the awarding ceremony held at the SEC Head Office inside the PICC Complex in Pasay City on March 25. “As we celebrate this achievement, we are working on more breakthroughs for the Commission in line with our SuperVision 2025 to be the premier investor champion and catalyst of a deep, broad and informed, investor-based capital market and more empowered business sector considered among the best in the Southeast Asian region.”

Nominees were also acknowledged as well as individuals who have rendered more than 2 years of service in the PESO program.

The ISO 9001:2015 Certification is a testament to the Commission’s adherence to worldclass standards in the provision of regulatory services over the corporate sector, the capital market participants, and the securities and investments instruments market in the Philippines, as well as the protection of the investing public.

PESO Service Awards Night 2021 ended by looking back at the program’s achievements for the entire 2021, with hopes that it will be equally successful in 2022. (DOLE-Caraga/PIACaraga)

The certification further covers the provision of registration of partnerships and corporations doing business in the Philippines in all SEC Extension Offices in Baguio, Tarlac, Legazpi, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga.

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

The Commission first obtained ISO Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

9001:2015 Certification in 2018 for its quality management system covering the registration of partnerships and corporations doing business in the Philippines, and the licensing of capital market institutions and professionals. The SEC then secured a recertification for ISO 9001:2015 in 2020, where it successfully expanded the scope of its ISO-certified quality management system to cover 122 document procedures from the initial 59. “The ISO 9001:2015 Re-Certification is exceptionally meaningful to the SEC. As a customer-centric organization, we appreciate that it has provided us with an external and objective evaluation of the quality of our services based on international standards,” SEC Commissioner Karlo S. Bello said in his opening remarks during the awarding ceremony. “We also take pride in the consistent assessment that we have been compliant with ISO 9001:2015 standards for the past three years and confident that we will continue to be so in the next three years and beyond, pandemic or no pandemic.” (Neil Maynard C. Conde, SEC/PIA-Caraga)

COVID variant cases in Caraga now at 564

DSWD, DTI extend assistance to pandemic-affected MSMEs

The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga on Tuesday recorded a total of 564 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) variants in Caraga Region. Per its biosurveillance report, cases of the Delta variant make up the majority of the recorded cases, with a total of 202 recorded, followed by the Omicron variant, with 117 cases; Beta variant with 103 cases; Alpha variant with 49 cases; and the P.3 variant with

33 cases. Meanwhile, 14 new cases of the COVID variants have been recorded. Ten cases of the Beta variant were detected in the cities of Bislig (4), Butuan (1), Surigao (1), and municipalities of Nasipit (1) and Jabonga (1) in Agusan del Norte; Claver (1) in Surigao del Norte; and San Agustin (1) in Surigao del Sur. One case of the P.3 variant was each detected in Bayugan City, Butuan City, and San Miguel town in Surigao del Sur, while one Alpha case was recorded in Butuan City. None of the cases are active, 529 have recovered while 35 have died. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga, distributed livelihood assistance to 165 micro, small, medium enterprise (MSME) beneficiaries in Carmen and Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, and Surigao City, Surigao del

Norte, recently.

pandemic.

Through DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), each of the beneficiaries received an amount of Php 15,000 as Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG). LAG is a recovery program of the DSWDSLP that aims to extend financial assistance to low-income individuals and families whose livelihoods have been severely affected by the

Prior to the endorsement of the beneficiaries to the DSWD-SLP, these recipients have been profiled under DTI’s Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Project, a livelihood seeding and entrepreneurship development program which aims to assist individuals and families affected by calamities, including health-related

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

ang tulong na ito bilang additional capital sa pagpapalago ng aking negosyo (I’m immensely thankful that I’ve been chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the government’s program because I’ll be able to use this aid as additional capital in expanding my business),” Kindica said. It can be recalled that on December 2, 2021, the DSWD Field Office Caraga and DTI Caraga inked a memorandum for providing them with disasters such as the of understanding for this additional capital for her livelihood convergence COVID-19 pandemic. small business. project between the SLP To ensure that the and PPG Project. This “Labis po akong recipients are wellproject is set to transpire equipped to administer nagpapasalamat na from December 2021 naging benepisyaryo their desired micrountil December 2023. enterprises, DTI Provincial kami ng mga programa (Social Marketing ng gobyerno tulad nito Offices conducted skills Section/DSWD-Caraga/ dahil magagamit namin PIA-Caraga) training on financial management for the beneficiaries to guide them on how to plan, manage, and study the financial and economic aspects of their livelihood. Renalyn Kindica, one of the 165 beneficiaries from Surigao del Sur who had received the assistance, shared that she is grateful to the DSWD-SLP and DTI-PPG

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

Feature: COVID-19 pandemic - a blessing in disguise Just like any other typical Filipino family, a 39-year-old Guy Bondoc from Barangay Ampayon, Butuan City desires to have a better life together with her family. A simple life, but is enough to enjoy their basic needs and some of their wants. Guy, a loving mother to four sons and two daughters, works in a sari-sari store owned by her sister. Even with her small income, Guy enjoyed every bit of her stint as her job is able to provide some of the needs of the family. But when the pandemic struck in 2020, she struggled financially as her sister’s small business was affected. She had a hard time sustaining an income for her family.

thought she would have the courage to do. After receiving the Livelihood Assistant Grant (LAG) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, she invested the money But the effects of the selling plasticware and COVID-19 pandemic clothes online. At first, it turned out to be a was tough knowing that blessing for Guy as it she had competitors became a doorway online, but she never for her to venture on stopped; in fact it something that she never motivated her to do her Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

best. Since then, the family’s life changed drastically. With an earning of Php12,000 monthly, Mrs. Bondoc was able to buy appliances and furniture. Her greatest achievement was when she started the construction of their house. “Tungod sa kita nako sa online business,

magpuyo na gyud mi sa among kaugalingong balay. Panahon nga kami magkaon, dili na kami magyaka kay naa naman lamesa ug lingkuranan. Ako nagpasalamat sa grasya nga gihatag sa amoa sa Ginoo ingon man sa assistance nga gihatag sa gobyerno (With the income of my online business, we will soon live on our own home. During our meals, we no longer sit on the floor as we were able to purchase table and chairs. I am grateful by the grace that God has given to us as well as the assistance given by the government),” Guy said.

pero hugotan lang jud ang bakos ug padayon. Naa koy onom ka anak ug sila ang rason nga maningkamot mi magtiayon. (It is hard because there are days when our business sales are low. Sometimes our expenses are higher than our income, but we tighten our belts and continue. We have six children and they are the reasons why we strive harder),” Guy shared. Mrs. Guy Bondoc, is

one of the thousands of families who benefited from the LAG program of the DSWD that provides aid to families with low income, severely affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Just like any other beneficiary, she wasted no time and invested the money wisely to keep her family afloat amidst the pandemic’s challenges. (Social Marketing Section/DSWD-Caraga/ PIA-Caraga)

“Isang taon, higit isang milyon!” This is the catchphrase of the Poblacion Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Indigenous Peoples (MCCT-IP) Association beneficiaries of Lingig, Surigao del Sur as their microfinance lending operation turned a year older on March 4, 2022.

Guy is now enjoying the fruits of her labor – though it is not that extravagant, but it was way better than where they were prior to the pandemic. Though there are days when the income from her online business is low, she doesn’t worry since there are days when she earns beyond her quota.

To start the livelihood project, the association was given Php1,000,000 and currently, they have a total revenue of Php6,000,000 released as loans to clients. The beneficiaries had their first income-sharing last

“Lisod kaayo kay naay mga panahon nga hinay ang halin. Usahay dako pa ang imung expenses

DSWD’s MCCT beneficiaries generates more than a million on their first year

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

December 2021, totaling to Php3,000 per member, garnering the Top 1 Performing Association title in the region. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Caraga Regional Program Coordinator/Division Chief Crislea Celeste delivered her felicitations to the 112 members of the association during the 1st anniversary celebration. “One year pa gani, milyon na. Unsa nalang kaha pag-abot sa napulo katuig (It has only been a year and you already have a million pesos. How much more in ten years),”

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

Celeste said. The association is funded under the Social Services Intervention (SSI) of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a unique feature of the program given to MCCT beneficiaries. SSI aims to provide more opportunities for the beneficiaries to strengthen the implementation of MCCT and facilitate improvement in their economic, socio-cultural aspirations and conditions. (Social Marketing Section/ DSWD-Caraga/PIACaraga)

DA Caraga extends financial grant to two agri-coop To help farmers’ cooperatives enhance their agribusiness operation, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga, through the Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita, recently turned over financial grants to two agri-coops in the region. Recipients of the said grant were Kipundao Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (KISFAMCO) of Barangay Sangay, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, and Piglawigan ISAPA Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Barangay Piglawigan, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. Engr. Ricardo Oñate, Jr., Regional Executive Director of DA-Caraga. handed over the check amounting to PhP650,000.00 to each of the recipients. Also present during the turnover is Lynn Asero

Pareñas, chief of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), who leads the implementation of the KADIWA program in the region.

Merabona, ISAPA coop chairperson.

Pareñas said that the DA’s Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Grant for the agricultural cooperative is purposely to fund Kadiwa Food Supply businesses in the respective communities they operate.

Director Oñate, Jr., appealed to the recipients to utilize the financial grant as intended to help develop their agribusiness operation emphasizing the importance of zealous cooperation among coop members and officers to attain the desired outcome.

Officers of KISFAMCO and ISAPA expressed their gratitude to DA-Caraga for the support they received from the program as it will greatly help their agribusiness operations. “With the financial grant we just received from DACaraga, we are planning to purchase a vehicle to transport our products and supplies,” said Julieto

The said cooperatives have been engaging in tilapia production, consumer goods, and solar drier operation.

Under the OneDA Reform Agenda, cooperative development has been identified as one of the strategies to attain a food-secure and resilient Philippines with empowered and prosperous farmers and fisherfolk. (Aurelius P. Arais, DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

Kahalagahan ng kalusugan sa bawat indibidwal at sakit na aneurysm, tinalakay ng mga sektor sa idinaos na WOMENtum 2022 sa Butuan City Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano

Ilang kababaihan at kalalakihan mula sa iba’t-ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan at pribadong sektor ang nagpakita ng interes ukol sa sakit na aneurysm, kasabay sa isinagawang WOMENtum o Women Momentum ng Regional Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking – Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-VAWC)

sa lungsod ng Butuan. Ayon kay Dr. Maria Christine Mordeno, Medical Officer III ng Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital, may manginlan-ngilan na rin sa probinsya ang nadiagnose ng brain o cerebral aneurysm kung saan nagkakaroon ng pagnipis ng blood vessel at paglobo nito. Ito aniya ay

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

nabubuo sa paglipas ng panahon dulot ng stress sa blood vessels. “Delikado kapag ang isang tao ay may diabetes. Bakit nakakaapekto ang diabetes sa blood vessel? Nagiging mahina ang blood vessel kapag may diabetes lalo na ‘yung extremely diabetic na pasyente. Kung sakaling diabetic, dapat magpa-

annual checkup para masuri. Dito sa ating provincial hospital, mayroon na tayong CT scan at mayroon din sa Butuan Medical Center, ‘yung ating Malasakit Center,” ani ni Dr. Mordeno. Para kay Laurenze Nimrod Laag, office staff ng Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Caraga, mahalaga ang pagkakaroon ng sapat na impormasyon hinggil sa pagpapanatili nang maayos na kondisyon ng katawan at paano maiiwasan ang iba’tibang sakit tulad ng aneurysm. Pinaalalahanan din niya ang lahat na maging mapanuri sa sariling katawan at huwag baliwalain ang ano mang karamdaman.

Mercado, Administrative Officer II ng Regional Prosecution Office Caraga, na maiging pag-ensayo habang tinututukan rin ang pagkain ng tama at ‘yung masustansya at nakapagbibigay sigla sa katawan. “Kailangan din nating ng regular check-up maliban na sa regular na pag-eensayo at pagkain ng tama, at iwasang ma-stress,” ani niya. Samantala, binigyangdiin naman ni Jessie Catherine Aranas, chief ng Protective Services Division ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga at focal person ng RIACAT-VAWC, na habang abala ngayon ang mga kababaihan

sa iba’t-ibang aktibidad para mas mahasa pa ang kanilang kaalaman at abilidad sa iba’t-ibang larangan, nagpakita rin ng pagsuporta ang mga kalalakihan sa rehiyon sa pangunguna ng grupong Men Oppose to Violence Everywhere (MOVE). “Ang pagsugpo ng pangaabuso at karahasan sa kababaihan ay hindi lang trabaho ng mga babae, dahil tayong lahat ay may responsibilidad na maiwasan ang ganitong insidente. Karamihan sa mga perpetrators ay lalaki kaya dapat sa kanila manggaling ang appreciation o pagkilala na ‘yung mga kababaihan ay kabalikat nila sa kaunlaran,” sabi ni Aranas. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

“Mahalaga po para sa lahat ng nag-attend kasi hindi lang naman ito pambabae, panglalaki rin. Ito ‘yung tinatawag nating early prevention in which kung may nakikita tayong mali sa kalusugan natin, pwede naman nating maagapan para hindi na mas lumala pa ang sitwasyon,” pahayag ni Laag. Naniniwala rin si Charina

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

PROVINCIAL NEWS

Israeli gov’t to donate water filters to Surigao Norte, PDI LGUs The State of Israel will be donating four units of NUF water filtration units to the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands. Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss will personally hand over the water filters on Tuesday, March 29, to the local government units of Del Carmen and San Isidro in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, and Cagdianao and Basilisa in Dinagat Islands. Ambassador Fluss will be joined by Deputy Country Manager Nir Balzam, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) secretary Maria Belen Acosta and Deputy Executive Director Romeo Montenegro, and representatives from IsraAID. According to Engr. Emel Lawansa, chief of the MinDA-Area Management Office for Northeastern Mindanao, this initiative of the Israeli government was initially intended to support water conservation projects in the country. MinDA and LGUs in Mindanao met with Israel’s Center for International Cooperation (MASHAV) in 2021 for a water conservation and management training, in which MASHAV directed MinDA to identify areas in Mindanao that are most deprived of clean, drinking water. “But when Odette struck the country, our office together with Secretary Acosta surveyed the areas in Mindanao that were battered by the typhoon. It was eventually decided that the water filters will be donated to the severely-affected areas,” said Lawansa. The Israeli-made NUF water filtration system is a portable crank-operated machine

Dinagatnon consumers PDI farmers capacitated on receive cash Consumers Price Tag Law aid from DA Caraga The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Caraga, through its Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) Program, has released financial support to 1,752 rice farmers in the Province of Dinagat Islands.

capable of taking water from a polluted source such as a river and purifying up to 500 liters per hour - enough to supply all the daily water needs of 300 to 400 people. “Water is indeed life and these will be of great help to the locals in those areas,” Lawansa added. Lawansa said that they gave the recipient LGUs the liberty to choose which area they will place the said units. “So far in our coordination, the local chief executives affirmed that they will be placing these units to areas that have since had difficulty accessing clean water,” said the MinDA official. The turnover ceremonies will be conducted in Del Carmen, Siargao Island in the morning, and at the Provincial Emergency Operations Center, Brgy. Cuarenta, San Jose in Dinagat Islands in the afternoon. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga) Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Dinagat Islands through the Consumer Protection Unit has initiated the Capacity Building Seminar cum Dinagatnong Konsumador (DK) 1st Quarterly Meeting held at the DTI Provincial Office, Functional Hall, San Jose town. The activity aims to provide inputs on consumer-related laws, gather consumers’ issues, and plan advocacy activities for the year. The DK members were given different situations about price

tag law practices for role-playing and each group solved the arising issues assigned to them. Discussions and clarifications about price tag law then followed. Lined-up activities for World Consumer Rights Day 2022 on March 15 were also tackled during the meeting. DK is one of the recognized Local Consumer Organizations (LCO) in DTI- Caraga to serve as channels and pillars of consumer awareness and empowerment. (DTIDinagat Islands/PIADinagat Islands)

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

Under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), the RFFA provides Php5,000 cash assistance to smallholder farmers regionwide who cultivate two hectares and below. Beneficiaries are registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). The said distribution is facilitated by the DACaraga Field Operations Division – Extension and Partnership Section and Agricultural Program Coordinating Office headed by Rey Frias, in coordination with the provincial/municipal agriculture offices of the local government units. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Dinagat Islands)

DepEd-Siargao fast tracks registration for upcoming school year “If there are minimal enrollees as days go by, please undertake a remote mechanism to increase our enrolment and to accommodate parents with busy schedules at home,” SDS Lomocso said to teachers.

As the Department of Education (DepEd) Siargao starts its early registration for school Year 2022-2023, the DepEd Siargao Division Office personnel led by Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Nelia Lomocso, with SGOD Chief Dr. Harem Taruc, and EPS/Division Research and Planning Coordinator Glorian Ederosas simultaneously monitored select schools in SDO Siargao, while the rest were taken care of by the respective Public Schools District Supervisors (PSDSs) and assigned Education Program Supervisors (EPSs).

Learning System (ALS) teachers and those in formal education.

Meanwhile, SDS Lomocso reminded all the teachers, who were present on the first day of early enrolment, that only parents shall be seen in the school premises.

“You have to double check the correctness of every detail in the accomplished LESF because the same data will be reflected upon updating the learners’ profile in the LIS,’’ EPS Ederosas emphasized.

DepEd Siargao Project WinS coordinator Haidy Arciga also accompanied the monitoring team to reinforce the project implementation.

She further clarified that the registration only covers all incoming Kindergarten, Grades 1, 7, and 11 learners as students in Grades 2-6, 8-10, and 12 are already considered pre-registered in the school where they are enrolled at.

Schools throughout DepEd Siargao are currently initiating various information drive campaigns to speed up the enrolment progress. (Edgar R. Gorgonio, Jr./ DepEd-Siargao/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

During the said school visit, Taruc commended the joint forces of the Alternative

“Don’t forget to conduct child mapping as it would help you get important basic information on the status of children in your community which you can use in school planning specifically in the conduct of your house-tohouse enrolment,” Ederosas added.

“I am happy nga naa pud tay nakita nga mga ALS teachers (I am happy to see ALS teachers). I hope you will encourage more outof-school-youths to register so we can increase our ALS enrolment,” said Dr. Taruc.

Ederosas also advised the assigned teachers of the day to check the completeness of the data in the Learner Enrolment and Survey Form (LESF) as it is crucial in encoding the data in the DepEd LIS portal.

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

SIKAT Dinagat Islands conducts mangrove assessment Typhoon Odette wreaked havoc in the Dinagat Islands province last year, causing harm not just to humans but also to the ecosystem.

New Mabuhay and Wadas in Dinagat, and their municipal LGUs, conducted a mangrove assessment in the said areas.

As one in protecting the environment and assisting the small-scale fishermen, SIKAT, Inc. Mango Dinagat Field Office in coordination with the barangay local government units of Tigabao in Cagdianao; Barangay Roxas in Tubajon; and Barangays

The activity aims to assess the mangrove trees’ current condition and gather data that can be used in the Recovery Action Plan to strengthen the conservation of coastal habitat resources, thereby assisting smallscale fishermen to

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

recover to their regular fishing routine. The mangrove assessment is one of the programs supported by The Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (German: BundesminiAs on esterium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung) abbreviated as BMZ. (SIKAT, Inc. Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)

36 entrepreneurs in PDI town receive cash assistance from DTI

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Dinagat Islands, through the Negosyo Center in Cagdianao town together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released the cash assistance amounting to Php540,000 under the Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG) Program to 36 Pangkabuhayan Para sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) beneficiaries. The beneficiaries, who

were mostly lobster growers, received Php15,000 each. Held at Brgy. Tigbao, Cagdianao, the activity was attended by DTI Provincial Director Elmer Natad, Senior Trade and Industry Specialist Saira Shade Yaco, SLP Provincial Coordinator Antonio Semporios, Jr., Livelihood and Grievance focal person Charmine Verano, MSWDO Designate Juliet Longos, and barangay chairperson Fernando Eguna.

The DTI-PPG Program is a livelihood seeding and entrepreneurship development program that aims to assist individuals and families affected by fire incidents, health pandemics, and other calamities. The DSWD-LAG and DTIPPG is a convergence program wherein the former provides the fund while the latter conducts entrepreneurial seminars and identifies the beneficiaries. (DTIDinagat Islands/PIADinagat Islands)

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

Top 1 most wanted in Surigao Norte nabbed

In a manhunt operation conducted by the Surigao del Norte Provincial Intelligence Unit, Claver Municipal Police Station, and Regional Intelligence Division-13 arrested the Top 1 Most Wanted Person in the provincial level charged for frustrated murder on Friday, March 25. Provincial Director Police Colonel (PCol) Renato Mercado identified the suspect as Jessie LLemit Roco Jr., aka “Jun”, 26

years old, and a resident of Barangay Ladgaron, Claver, Surigao del Norte. Roco was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest charged for frustrated murder under Criminal Case Number 14067 dated November 16, 2018, issued by Hon. Leonila P Gorgolon, Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court, 10th Judicial Region, Branch 30, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte with

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

recommended bail bond of Php 200,000 for his temporary liberty. He is now under the custody of Claver Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition. “We will be persistent in our campaign to put criminals behind bars who have eluded the law for several years,” PCol. Mercado said. (Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office/PIASurigao del Norte)

DA-PRDP helps recover of Surigao Norte banana enterprise after Odette

A rainbow came after the heavy rain for the farmers in Placer, Surigao del Norte as the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) in Caraga Region turned over the long-awaited Hauling Truck last March 23 amounting to PhP2.7 million to the Mabini United Farmers’ Cooperative (MAUNFACO). “Banana marketing is one of our main livelihoods here and we have a long way to go to recover from our loss from the typhoon Odette. This truck will help us as we slowly get back to our banana business,” said Antonio Davo, board member of MANUFACO. PRDP also initially provided the coop a working capital of PhP60,500.00 to buy a 8,066-kilogram fresh Cardava banana. The sixton capacity hauling truck will then be used to help deliver the banana bought

from growers and producers within MAUNFACO and from the province of Dinagat Islands. From its banana buying station in Brgy. Mabini in Placer, this will be brought to Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, and then marketed for export. The cooperative expressed their gratitude to the government agencies and their local government unit for the collaborative efforts in providing them with the truck. “Thank you so much for supporting the banana farmers here in Surigao. This truck will surely enhance the business of the coop since delivery of products to the market will now be easier. We promise to take care of this so we can use it for a long time,” said Mercy Egos, MAUNFACO chairperson. DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Engr. Ricardo Oñate, Jr. also

Surigao Norte province hailed as country’s 8th wealthiest province

reminded the group that the agency is always there to listen and help the farmers to improve their lives. “We in the DA will continue to strengthen our partnership with the LGUs for it is them who will closely be engaged with the people in the community. We will meet halfway to support our agriculture sector and make the lives of our farmers prosper,” Oñate said. With a total worth of PhP3.4million funding from PRDP for the Banana Consolidation and Marketing project, PRDP aims to provide an effective and efficient marketing system to MAUNFACO, expand the Cardava banana area in Surigao del Norte, and increase the cooperative’s income and membership. (Zenny G. Awing, DACaraga/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

The Commission on Audit (COA) Region XIII conferred the status of the province of Surigao del Norte as the 8th wealthiest province in the Philippines. COA Region XIII Regional Director Atty. Felix Basallaje, Jr. presented the conferment before the provincial government officials and employees at Gateway Hotel, Surigao City last March 23.

statement.

these assets and I encourage everyone to join together in making these assets grow to further achieve the goals of the province. This is the only way to provide the basic services to the less fortunate,” he said.

“The province’s assets are more or less worth PhP15.7 billion, which is truly substantial. We have 87 provinces in the country and imagine, Surigao del Norte is among the top 10 wealthiest provinces,” he The official also said said. that COA, which has been interceded as the Basallaje also watchdog, is now an commended the enabler partner as well leadership of Provincial to help government Governor Francisco agencies in carrying Basallaje explained that ‘Lalo’ Matugas and out their respective the basis for ranking the the contribution of all mandates. (Surigao wealthiest provinces in Surigaonons. del Norte Provincial the country is the assets Information Office/PIAreflected in their financial “We have to protect Surigao del Norte) Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

conflict-affected areas,” he said.

Surigao Norte FRs receive P2-M worth of livelihood projects from gov’t

“Rest assured that we will extend our assistance and support to the communities and to advocate the attainment of lasting peace and progress,” he added.

aforementioned barangays.

The members of different people’s organizations within the conflict-affected areas in Surigao del Norte, who are former members of the underground mass organization of communistterrorist groups, availed of the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) Community Support Program and were able to benefit from livelihood projects from the different government agencies under the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the National Task Force of Ending Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in Surigao del Norte during a series of turnover activities in March 2022. The Philippine Coconut

Authority (PCA), on their part, turned over 5,000 dwarf coconut seedlings worth PhP750,000 to the farmers of Brgys. Mahanub and San Antonio in Gigaquit. Said activity was graced by PCA-Caraga OIC Joel Oclarit, who personally handed over the coconut seedlings; Gigaquit Municipal Mayor Chandru Bonite and Vice Mayor Jennifer Bonite; Gigaquit Municipal Agriculturist Hazel Verano; and Maj. Jasper Gacayan, Executive Officer of 30IB. The Department of Social welfare and DevelopmentSustainable Livelihood Program (DSWD-SLP) also turned over different livelihood projects worth

PhP300,000 in the form of farm supplies to the farmers of Brgy. Pongtud and income-generating projects for the women of Brgy. Campo, both in the municipality of Bacuag, and Agrivet supplies and frozen products to the farmers and homeworkers of Brgy. Dayano in Mainit. These series of activities were graced by DSWDSLP Provincial Coordinator Jhunrey Betonio; Bacuag Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Member Hon. Cedric Tantoy; MSWDO-Bacuag chief Minerva Lomugdang; DTI-Negosyo Center Senior Business Councilor Maria Ali Yuan; and barangay chairpersons of the

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

“Ang organisasyon sa mga kababainhan nagapasalamat sa tanang ahensya nga nagpaluyo ani nga programa hilabi na sa kasundalohan gikan sa 30IB nga gipamunoan ni Lt. Col. Callanta sa ilang dakong suporta ug lahilahi nga assistance nga gihatag kanamo. Gumikan sa pagpa rehistro ining organisasyon nga natukod hangtod sa paghatag kanamo sa mga programa sa gobyerno para sa among panginabuhian. (The women’s organization would like to extend gratitude to all the government agencies behind this program, especially to the troops from 30IB headed by Lt. Col. Callanta for all the assistance and support they rendered to us, from establishing the organization to letting us avail of the government livelihood projects to uplift our way of living),” said

Ritchel Otaza, president of the Kabuhayan ng mga Kababaihan, one of the benefitting organizations of the said assistance. In a statement, Betonio also said that extending livelihood services is key to addressing problems in conflict-affected communities. “One way to address the many problems in the community is to bring the livelihood services of the government to the people, particularly those living in

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

Lt. Col. Ryan Charles Callanta, commanding officer of the 30IB, affirmed the effectiveness of the convergence among government agencies in order to bring the government’s services closer to the people. “The convergence efforts of the different agencies of the government create significant steps in addressing issues being exploited by the CTGs in conflictedaffected communities. Such activity is a manifestation of the government’s efforts in achieving sustainable peace and development in the whole province of the Surigao del Norte,” said the army official. (30th Infantry Battalion, PA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Free surgery for children with cleft lip, palate set in SurSur town

Army recovers high-powered firearms, materiel in SurSur town

The Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur, in partnership with the Doctors of Smile Train - Philippines, is set to conduct a free repair surgery for children born with cleft lip and palate in Surigao del Sur.

power bank, and one smartphone were also recovered in the area. The government troops believed that there were wounded CNTs scampering the area due to the bloodstain in the encounter site.

Provincial Health Office (PHO) chief Dr. Eric Montesclaros said that the surgery is free to all residents of the province. This will be conducted at the Hinatuan District Hospital in the first week of April. Montesclaros said the surgery will be conducted on April 5-6, 2022. Prior to the scheduled surgery operation, patients will undergo a screening that would be conducted at the community or district hospitals of the province through the assistance of their respective local government offices and municipal health offices on April 2-4, 2022. Individuals who would like to avail of the services are advised to visit the nearest barangay health station or the municipal health office

for the assistance of the requirements needed. Meanwhile, the local government unit of Hinatuan through social media announced that interested patients are instructed to present the updated PhilHealth ID/ MDR, parent’s valid ID, patient’s birth certificate,

and vaccination card during the screening and surgery. Smile Train is an international children’s charity that supports free cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care for children globally. (NGPB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

According to 36IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Michael Rey Reuyan, the skirmish that happened was a result of relentless combat operations and the support of the communities as well that The troops of the 36th brand); one magazine of aided the government Infantry Battalion AK 47, seven 40mm GL troops’ timely information recovered high-powered ammo; 64 live AK47 ammo; with the presence of the firearms after the clash nine live M14 ammo; CNTs. engaging around 15 two live M16 ammo; 70 members of the communist empty M16 ammo; six “Nagpapasalamat NPA terrorists (CNTs) in Sitio empty M14 ammo; four kami sa suporta at Hubason, San Vicente, IED with paraphernalia; impormasyong ibinahagi Carmen, Surigao del Sur on six detonating cords; six ng mga taga Carmen, March 29, around 5:30pm. blasting caps, and 50 upang ating matunton meters of black wire. ang pinagtataguan ng In a press statement, mga teroristang grupo. the government troops Some personal belongings Nawa’y patuloy niyong recovered one M16 with including five camouflage suportahan ang ating one short magazine; one backpacks, five keypad mga kasundaluhan sa Cal .45 pistol (Rock Island) cell phones, two versa ating misyon na panatilihin with one magazine; one VHF/UHF handheld ang kapayapaan sa Carbine rifle with one radios, assorted medical Surigao del Sur,” Lt Col magazine; one Cal .22 paraphernalia, assorted Reuyan said. (36th Infantry rifle and one magazine rations, subversive Battalion, PA/PIA-Surigao and rifle scope (Bushnell documents, one del Sur) Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

Top most wanted person for arson in SurSur nabbed The Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDS PPO) apprehended Surigao del Sur’s top most wanted person during the implementation of the Simultaneous the Anti Criminality Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO) on March 30.

Malaking pasasalamat ng mga residente mula sa dalawang barangay sa Buenavista, Agusan del Norte dahil sa isinagawang Provincial Peace and Order Council o PPOC immersion sa kanilang lugar. Nakatanggap sila ng mga libreng serbisyo, food packs at marami pang iba mula sa iba’t-ibang ahensya ng gobyerno.

PPO provincial director Police Colonel Joseph Boquiren identified the suspect as Cesar Barrera Sinto, also known as “Toto Sinto” and “Kabakaba”, 56 years old, married, and residing in Purok 6, Poblacion, Compostela Valley, Davao de Oro. Sinto was nabbed by virtue of a warrant of arrest for arson issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC), 11th Judicial Region, Branch 29, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, docketed under Criminal Case No. 2018-3-5355-H dated March 20, 2018, with a recommended bail bond of Php180,000. The suspect is listed as

Mahigit 5,000 residente, nakinabang sa PPOC immersion ng Agusan del Norte

Dahil sa natanggap na tulong, nais din ni Rosenda Banggoy ng Barangay Alubihid na makatanggap ang iba pang residente sa serbisyong hatid ng gobyerno sa kanilang lugar, gayun din si Quirino Ginoo ng Barangay Abilan.

the top most wanted person in Manhunt Charlie-Provincial Level, communist-terrorist group (CTG) priority target, and non-PSR listed. “As part of our drive against all forms of criminality, the police

force of SDS PPO is in full swing in hauling to jail this most wanted person through the simultaneous anti-criminality law enforcement operation,” PCol. Boquiren said. (PNP-Surigao del Sur/ NGPB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng binigay ng ating gobyerno, napakalaking tulong ito sa akin bilang isang magsasaka,” dagdag ni Ginoo. Bukod sa mga libreng serbisyong hatid ng PPOC immersion, nagsagawa din ang Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office

(PDRRMO) ng pagsasanay o hands-on CPR sa mga Young Agusan del Norte Emergency Response Teams o ADNERTS upang sila ay ihanda at makatulong sa panahon ng mga emergencies.

Duterte dahil sa Executive Order No. 70 na hakbang sa pagsugpo ng terorismo na dulot ng mga grupong terorista. Dahil dito, marami na ang sumukong mga rebelde sa probinsya.

Nanawagan naman si Ayon kay Linde Joy Fedelis Agusan del Norte 2nd ng St. Michael College of district Representative Caraga, sa panahon ng Maria Angelica Rosedell disaster hindi naman pinipili Amante-Matba sa mga na ang youth lang ang natitira pang NPAs na tinatamaan, tayo naman magbalik-loob na sa lahat. Kaya importante na gobyerno at itigil na matuto tayong lahat ng ang pagsuporta sa mga basic life support. kaliwang grupo para makamtan na ang tunay Nagpasalamat din si na kaunlaran sa probinsya. Governor Dale Corvera (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del kay President Rodrigo Norte)

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

Unang hugna sa pagreview sa business plans sa core processing projects ubos sa Agusan Up!, ginapahigayon

Gisugdan sa mga personahe sa Process! Process! Process! Team sa AGUSAN UP! ang review sa business plan sa core processing projects nga ipahiluna aron maoy panukaran sa pagkab-ot sa panglantaw sa Agusan del Norte nga mahimong “Agri-Processing Center sa Caraga”.

sa mga proponents ug partners niini.

Naay 15 ka core processing projects ang probinsya ug lima ang gilantaw nga mareview hangtud ugma alang sa dayon na nga pagpahiluna sa proyekto

Gihisgutan sa maong review ang kinatibukang viability sa proyekto kalabot sa merkado, technikal, organization and management, financial ingon man ang

Ang lima ka core processing projects nga unang i-review mao ang “Food Basket” sa Kitcharao; “Beyond Rice” sa RTR; “Coffee Net” sa Buenavista; “Country Wood” sa Nasipit; ug “Orchard Stopover” sa Carmen.

environmental ug social acceptability nga mga aspeto niini. Gihisgutan usab ang mahimong papel sa mga industry clusters nga maoy manguna sa pagpalambo sa proyekto, ang mahimong suporta sa munisipyo ug probinsya ingon man ang pagtinabangay nga himoon sa investment generation campaign nga himoon unya gikan pribadong mamuhonan kung gikinahanglan. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/ PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

Dugang proyekto ubos sa AIP aprobado sa SP AgNor Pinaagi sa Provincial Resolution No. 1472022, gi aprobahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ang 4th Supplemental Annual Investment Program (AIP) alang sa tuig 2022 nga mukabat sa Php19,477,500 nga gi-duso sa Provincial Development Council (PDC) subay sa PDC EXECOM Resolution No. 05, Series of 2022. Lakip sa mga nadugang nga mga proyekto para sa 4th Supplemental AIP ang mga musunod: Improvement of Manpower Human Resource Development and Enhancement Center sa Brgy. Maraiging, Jabonga ning lalawigan – Php10 million; Construction of Covered Walk with Railings Phase II sa Nasipit - Php500,000; pundo para sa paggama og River Bank Slope Protection Along Mayugda Creek sa Poblacion, Jabonga Php360,500; ug uban

pang mga proyekto nga angay mahatagan og prayoridad. Mahinumduman nga kani-adtong Hunyo 11, 2021, gi aprobahan ang Provincial Resolution No. 262-2021 kabahin sa Annual Investment Program para sa tuig 2022 nga nagkantidad og P6,463,212,214.67 atol sa ika-93rd regular session sa SP. I-apil ang nasangpit nga 4th Supplemental AIP sa naaprobahan na nga AIP CY 2022 aron

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

mapunduhan ang mga proyekto. Tumong niining lakang para madugangan og mga proyekto nga mag hatag og kalambuan sa nagka daiyang sector sa probinsya arun sa pag uswag sa ekonomiya. Ang maong resolution gi-aprobahan atol sa ika-129th regular session ni-adtong Marso 14, 2022 sa pagduso ni Vice Governor Ramon AG. Bungabong. (LGUAgusan del Norte/PIAAgusan del Norte)

Former ESGP-PA scholar from AgSur ranks 9th in SWLE The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga extends its warmest congratulations to one of the top passers during the February 2022 Social Worker Licensure Examination (SWLE).

Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano

Regine Mae Dagohoy, an Expanded Students’ Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGPPA) scholar, ranked 9th in the 2022 SWLE. Coming from the municipality of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, their household was registered to the Pantawid Dagohoy posted on her Pamilyang Pilipino Program Facebook, still in awe of the news. (4Ps) in 2008. “Thank you ESGPPA Scholarship kay nakalahutay jud ko’s 4 years sa college. Proud former 4Ps beneficiary here, dili jud babag ang kalisud basta pursigido ug naay Ginoo mag-uban (Thank you to the ESGPPA Scholarship because I was able to complete 4 years in college. I am a proud 4Ps beneficiary, and truly being poor is not a hindrance as long as you are persistent, and you have God with you),”

PNP-Agusan del sur mas pinaigting ang kampanya laban sa insurgency; LGUs umaasang magpapatuloy pa ang ELCAC

Moreover, she graduated as Cum Laude in Caraga State University, one of the top-performing schools in the 2022 SWLE as per Commission Resolution No. 2017-1058(C) series of 2017, with a 100% passing rate In 2016, a budget of Php2,500,000,000 was allocated through Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01 to be used for tertiary education of poor but deserving students belonging to indigent

households, this was called the Expanded Students’ Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGPPA). The program prioritized the beneficiaries of 4Ps by providing them the opportunity to get college education, and in the process, increase their chance to get better employment in the future, and ultimately uplift the lives of their family so that they become contributors to national development. (Social Marketing Section/ DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

Kasabay ng mas pinaigting na kampanya ng gobyerno laban sa insurgency o terorismo lalo na ngayong nalalapit na ang May 2022 national at local elections, umaasa ang mga lokal na pamahalaan sa Caraga Region na patuloy pa rin ang Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) sa kanilang tulong sa peace and order ng rehiyon, kahit pa marami nang mga miyembro ng mga communist-terrorists groups (CTGs) ang sumuko sa gobyerno. Ayon kay Police Colonel Jovito Canlapan, officerin-charge ng Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office (ADSPPO), patuloy ang koordinasyon ng kanilang hanay sa iba’t-ibang sektor sa probinsya upang tuluyang wakasan ang insurgency. “Nagiging epektibo ang implementasyon ng Executive Order No. 70 lalo na sa mga conflict-affected areas dahil na rin sa

kooperasyon ng iba’t-ibang sektor. Mas pagtitibayin pa natin ang mga inisyatibo ng gobyerno para sa kapakanan at kabutihan ng mga sektor,” ani ni Canlapan.

Sur, kung saan marami nang sumukong miyembro ng NPA at dama na ngayon sa lugar ang mga magagandang proyekto sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

Patuloy rin aniyang nakaantabay ang PNP, lalo na sa mga checkpoints sa mga barangay ngayong campaign period.

Binigyang-diin ni Mayor Leonida Manpatilan, na ang farm-to-market road at iba pang infrastructure projects at mga Serbisyo Caravan sa mga malalayong barangay ang nagbigay pag-asa sa mga residente lalo na sa mga indigenous peoples (IPs).

Nanawagan din ang opisyal sa publiko na maging alerto at agad na i-report sa otoridad sakaling may mga kahina-hinalang aktibidad sa kanilang lugar. “Mahalaga po ang inyong partisipasyon at suporta sa mga adbokasiya ng gobyerno. Para naman sa mga natitira pang NPAs, handa po ang gobyerno sa iyong pagbalik-loob at mabigyan kayo ng kaukulang tulong,” dagdag ng opisyal. Suportado naman ito ng mga LGUs, tulad ng Esperanza sa Agusan del

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

“Nagpapasalamat kami kay Pangulong Duterte sa kanyang mga programa at sana ay patuloy na mabigyang-pansin at matugunan ng ating national government ang farm-to-market roads lalo na dito sa Esperanza dahil tiyak na lalago din ang kabuhayan ng mga residente sa pag-angkat ng kanilang produkto sa ibang lugar at maisulong pa ang kaayusan sa esperanza,” ani ni Manpatilan. (JPG/PIAAgusan del Sur)

Odette-hit areas in Siargao, Dinagat Islands receive water filtration devices from Israel highlighted the need to provide potable drinking water to the people. “This significantly supports the local communities as they rebuild their homes after the Typhoon Odette. They will have a sustained source of clean and safe water,” Secretary Acosta added. She also showed support to the people as they work towards rehabilitating and restoring their lives and local economy.

MINDANAO NEWS

“MinDA and the Israel Government are one with The Odette-stricken areas Cagdianao and Basilisa in Siargao. We are with you of Siargao and Dinagat Dinagat Islands. Islands received NUF Water “MinDA is happy to partner in your effort to return to your normal lives. I am Filtration Devices from with the Embassy of Israel confident that Siargao the Israel Embassy, which in introducing their water will return to its vibrant was facilitated by the filtration technology,” economy as a top tourist Mindanao Development Secretary Acosta said. destination at the soonest Authority (MinDA). time,” Secretary Acosta Israel Ambassador to the Improved water supply is bared. Philippines His Excellency vital to public health and Ilan Fluss and MinDA the economic recovery This initiative is part of Secretary Maria Belen of these islands. As part of MinDA’s partnership Sunga Acosta led the with the Israel Embassy, the initiatives to revitalize joint turnover of four units and Mashav through of the filtration devices the local economy of the to the Municipalities of Siargao after the damages technology transfer, sharing of best practices, Del Carmen and San brought by Typhoon technical assistance, and Isidro in Siargao Islands Odette, Secretary Acosta training programs. and the Municipalities of Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

PRRD unveils cancer treatment facilities in Davao City

everything while they are Facility is the first to be According to Duterte, still with us,” Duterte said installed in a government the Philippine Games during the ceremony. hospital in the country. and Amusement Corporation (PAGCOR) The Cancer Diagnostic Vega said the facility also provided PHP365 Building is equipped is also equipped with million for the projects. with a 64-slice PETa SPEC-CT Nuclear Scan (Positive Emission Imaging Facility for the Tomography) for the diagnosis of cancer and Vega said the projects started construction in early detection or cardiovascular diseases October 2019 but went recurrence of cancer costing PHP78 million. through several setbacks costing PHP120M, the first following the coronavirus in Mindanao. He said the Cancer Diagnostic Building costs disease pandemic in Another equipment, PHP75 million to build. early 2020. the PHP230-million 24 MeV (Mega-electron Meanwhile, the Cancer However, Vega said volt) Medical Cyclotron Treatment Facility is the President insisted Facility, uses PET-Scan for equipped with a LINAC that the projects be the diagnosis of cancer. machine, or the Linear pushed through despite Health Undersecretary Accelerator, or the the challenges. (PNA/ Leopoldo Vega said Radiotherapy Therapy Christine Cudis) the Medical Cyclotron for cancer.

CANCER FACILITIES. President Rodrigo Duterte, accompanied by Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, and Southern Philippines Medical Center chief Ricardo Audan, unveil the marker for the new cancer diagnostic and treatment facilities in Davao City on Friday (March 25, 2022). Duterte says it has been his vocation to serve cancer patients, especially the children. (PNA photo by Christine Cudis)

Approaching the end of his 6-year term, President Rodrigo Duterte has fulfilled another milestone as he inaugurated Friday evening two medical facilities furnished with modern cancer treatment and diagnostic equipment

worth PHP893 million. The facilities--the Cancer Diagnostic Institute Building and the Cancer Treatment Facility Building--are located in the government-run Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and have been identified as priority

projects of the Office of the President. “My vocation (in helping cancer patients) started many years ago. Every Christmas, I will go to hospitals to bring joy to the children with cancer. Seeing their situation, I want to give them

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

DOLE readies cash-for-work scheme for residents affected by Taal Volcano eruption The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has prepared a cash-forwork program for Batangas residents affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano. In his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during the latter’s Talk to the People aired on Wednesday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said DOLE will offer a 10-day cash-for-work program to affected residents based on the minimum wage in Calabarzon.

NATIONAL NEWS

“Ang minimum wage sa Region IV is P400 a day, so they will work for 10 days, we will give them P4,000 for 10 days work. Iyon po ang aming maibibigay agad,” Bello said. DOLE has readied an standby fund should Taal Volcano erupt again, which could affect more people especially in the municipalities of Agoncillo, Laurel, San Luis, Taal, Calaca, Calatagan, and Lemery. “Ngayon, hopefully tama ‘yung estimate ni Secretary

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with key government officials prior to his “Talk to the People” at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on March 29, 2022. ARMAN BAYLON/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Año na hindi na dadami pa. Pero we are prepared just in case dadami pa ang mga affected dito sa pagalburuto ni Taal,” he said. “We are prepared and I’ve instructed our finance officer to make ready and available P50 to P100 million kung saka-sakaling kailangang tulungan ‘yung ating mga kababayan.” The labor secretary also assured that the department is ready to extend other livelihood assistance to individuals affected by the recent eruption. As a response, President Duterte praised DOLE for its

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

quick disaster response, and also credited it as one of the government agencies that always give extensive help to the Filipino people. “I’m sure that itong mga labor, the labor front should also maski na papaano, credit you with one of the most extensive tulong sa tao just like the different departments. Pero mas pinaka-ano ‘yung iyo kasi trabaho for the common Filipino,” the President said. Recent government figures show some 1,006 families or 3,649 individuals are affected by the recent activity of Taal Volcano. PND

DSWD says it has enough resources to respond to Taal Volcano eruption

measures that the DSWD has adopted to assist residents affected by the eruption.

Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista gives an update to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on the relief operations in Typhoon Odette-battered areas during a meeting with key government officials at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on March 29, 2022. RICHARD MADELO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has more than a billion fund at its disposal and made an assurance that it could respond to the recent eruption of Taal Volcano.

makikita po natin dito na halos P1.154 bilyong halaga ng standby funds at stockpile ang buong ahensiya,” Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista said in his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday.

items amounting close to P80 million at the General Mariano Alvarez Warehouse in Cavite and Batangas Sports Complex for the immediate need of the residents affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.

“Ang DSWD po ay handang magbigay ng kaukulang tulong sa anumang sakuna. Kaya

Bautista told the President that the DWSD has prepositioned food and non-food

Aside from prepositioning relief goods and other assistance, Bautista spelled out several

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

These include the installation of advance satellite office at the Provincial Operations Center to monitor the situation and oversee relief operations in case of heightened alert level, as well as the deployment of emergency telecommunication equipment like twoway radios and satellite phones to ensure active lines of communication. The DSWD is working with logistics partners like the World Food Programme and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation for additional land transportation assets that could be used by the department. The DSWD has also

Through the newly established Camp Coordination and Camp Management, the DSWD has provided clean water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. It also extended orientation to camp managers on gender-based violence joined local governments and on ways to quickly respond to COVID-19 in the conduct of Rapid cases in the evacuation Damage Assessment centers with the help of and Needs Analysis local health units. to know the needs of affected communities. Social workers have set It is monitoring the up vital facilities such as volcano’s condition kitchens, clinics, waste together with the disposal area, and other National Disaster basic needs to help the Risk Reduction and evacuees. Management Council (NDRRMC) and the “Of course, katulong Department of Science and Technology (DOST). dito ang mga social workers din ng lokal Bautista also reported na pamahalaan. that the DSWD has Nagbibigay din po mobilized volunteers at tayo ng psychosocial its National Resource interventions sa mga Operations Center to kliyente sa evacuation speed up the repacking centers. Kasama po of relief supplies based natin dito ang mga on pre-disaster needs miyembro ng local analysis. DOH,” Bautista said. The DSWD has so far provided assistance to Batangas residents affected by the eruption in coordination with local government units.

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

Based on recent DSWD data, close to 1,600 families or around 6,000 individuals were affected by Taal Volcano eruption. PND

Go pushes passage of bills seeking to help disaster victims Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has promised to push the passage of three bills he filed three years ago to strengthen disaster management and response in the country in light of the Taal Volcano unrest. “In times of crisis and disaster, evacuees should have a clean and decent place where they can rest before they can go back to their homes,” Go said in a news release on Thursday. In 2019, Go filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 205 seeking to create the Department of Disaster Resilience that will focus on the continuous development and growth of programs aimed at ensuring disaster resilience. Under the proposed bill, a whole-of-government approach is necessary to foster collaboration among all government instrumentalities both at the national and local levels. The department shall be the principal government institution responsible for

Senator Bong Go (Photo courtesy of Office of Senator Bong Go)

ensuring safe adaptive, and disaster-resilient communities. Go has also filed SBN 1227 establishing the rental housing subsidy program for the victims of natural disasters and calamities.

nakatutok, madali ang koordinasyon. Halimbawa, kung may sakuna, hindi mo na kailangan magantay ng ilang linggo. May validation, assessment, at binibigay na agad ang tulong (I will not stop pushing. Let’s not wait for He also filed SBN 1228 typhoons, earthquakes, in 2019 requiring all or volcanic eruptions. If provinces, cities, and we have a department municipalities to establish focusing on these, their own evacuation coordination will be easy. centers. For example, during a disaster, you won’t need “Hindi ako titigil sa to wait for how many pagsulong. Huwag na weeks. There will be nating hintayin na may validation, assessment, bagyo, lindol, o pagputok and immediate help will ng bulkan. Kung mayroong be provided),” Go said. departamentong (PNA/Wilnard Bacelonia) Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

PH among Asean countries with lowest daily Covid-19 cases The Philippines’ cases peaked in January when the Omicron variant entered in December 2021. For the week of March 23 to 29, the country logged 2,651 new cases, lower than the 3,319 infections from the previous week. The average daily cases per day is 378.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III The Philippines is one of the “Tingnan niyo naman Asean countries that have naglipana ang kaso logged the lowest number sa mga nasa itaas ng of daily new confirmed listahan. So, dapat ito ay Covid-19 cases, Health ipagpatuloy lang natin, Secretary Francisco Duque III basta’t maganda po at said Tuesday night. consistent ang ating pong pagsasakatuparan ng In his presentation to ating mga interventions sa President Rodrigo Duterte, pandemic response na ito Duque noted that the (Look at how high the cases Philippines only logs 3.45 are at the top of the list. new infections for every 1 million individuals per day as So, we must continue, of March 28. good and consistent implementation of our The Philippines is followed by pandemic response Cambodia with 3.61 cases; interventions),” Duque said. Myanmar with 4.52; and In Asia, China has logged Indonesia, with 17.82. the lowest number of cases Citing Our World in Data at only 1.3 per 1 million figures, the countries with population. the most number of cases include Brunei with 1,968.79 Covid-19 cases continue to infections; Vietnam, 1,724.56; rise in countries in the region Singapore, 1,295.34; due to the spread of the Malaysia, 615.65; Thailand, more transmissible Omicron 360.67; and Laos, 293.52. subvariant, BA.2.

Only one case was added to the severe and critical cases tally. The nation’s cumulative case fatality rate remained low at 1.61 percent while the recovery rate is at 97.3 percent. Laboratories nationwide are able to test 21,875 per day and the positivity rate went down to 2 percent this week from last week’s 2.5 percent based on the seven-day moving average. For the healthcare utilization rate, only 17.5 percent of the non-intensive care unit (ICU) beds are utilized while 14.5 percent ICU beds are used. Severe and critical admissions are at 11.6 percent or 752 of the 6,509 total hospital admissions. (PNA/Ma. Teresa Montemayor)

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

1.2-M reformulated Pfizer vaccine doses arrive in PH The Philippines on Saturday night received 1.2 million doses of Pfizer vaccine that would be used for pediatric inoculation, the National Task Force against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) said. The government-procured jabs bring to more than 242 million doses the number of vaccines the country received since its initial rollout arrived in February 2021. Even with the increasing number of children vaccinated, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje in an interview said the government would continue its campaign to encourage more parents and guardians to get their children inoculated. “Una nating in-orient iyong ating mga health care workers tapos tuluy-tuloy ang ating pagbibigay ng information sa ating mga mothers saka iyong lahat na puwedeng influences (The first thing we do is we orient our health care workers then we continue to provide information to mothers and others who can influence them),” she said. ‘[N]akikita naman natin sa mga picture, iyong mga bata mismo na nagbakuna na nag-i-encourage sa kapwa-bata, sa mga nanay na pinabakunahan

GOVERNMENT-PROCURED. Airport personnel unload some 1.2 million doses of Pfizer vaccine that arrived at the NAIA Terminal 3 on Saturday night (March 26, 2022). The government-procured jabs will be used for pediatric vaccination. (PNA photo by Rico H. Borja)

iyong kanilang anak ay makikita naman na okay ang pagbabakuna (We’ve observed that the children themselves encourage their playmates and we can see from the mothers of those vaccinated that the campaign is turning out well),” she added. Based on the latest data from Malacañang, more than 738,000 minors aged 5 to 11 years old have completed their two vaccine doses, with some 8.89 million 12 to 17year old children also fully vaccinated.

Citing the latest data as of Sunday, a total of 224,460 out of 224,668 members of the PNP, or 99.02 percent of the force, are already fully vaccinated. Of the figure, only 1,641 (0.73 percent) are partially vaccinated while 567 (0.25 percent) are unvaccinated. Among the fully vaccinated, 158,255 cops (71.14 percent) have received booster doses.

Overall, the country has so fully vaccinated 65.5 million people. 99% cops fully vaxxed

The PNP also logged no new cases on Sunday, leaving the number of active infections at six. The PNP Health Office data showed 48,858 cases were recorded since the start of the pandemic two years ago, 48,724 recovered, and 128 died.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said almost all of its personnel have been fully vaccinated against the Covid-19.

The last recorded fatality was on February 11. (with reports from Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA/Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

Booster shots protect diabetics from Covid-19, hospitalization new onset diabetes after having Covid. A meta analysis showed that diabetes cases among individuals 18 years old and above increased),” she added. One factor would be most patients already have high blood sugar level prior to Covid-19 infection without them knowing it.

Persons with diabetes who received their booster shots are less likely to get hospitalized due to the coronavirus, a health expert said Thursday. In a televised public briefing, Philippine Society of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism member Dr. Carol Montano said the number of patients with diabetes who were hospitalized because of Covid-19 had gone down, both locally and abroad, since the administration of booster shots started. Citing studies of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Diabetes Association, Montano said booster shots provide extra layer of protection against Covid-19 for individuals suffering from diabetes. “’Di po naging enough ‘yung full dose eh, marami sa mga

File photo

maysakit na diabetes, after four months nagkaroon po sila ulit nung either new variant na Covid-19 (Receving the full dose [primary series] was not enough, many of those who have diabetes, they had either the new variant of Covid-19 after four months),” she added. Different hospitals locally and abroad have observed that the number of individuals with diabetes have increased during the pandemic compared to previous years.

It was also observed that people who survived Covid-19 are more prone to have diabetes, Montano said. “Meron po tayong tinatawag na new onset diabetes dahil sa pagkakaroon ng Covid. Nakita po ito sa isang meta analysis na ‘yung 18 years old and above nakakita po tayo ng pagtaas sa pagdami ng kaso (We have what is called

“Nakikita natin last year and this year na ‘yung mga 140 and above diabetic na pala for 6 months or 3 months dahil sa pagmo-monitor natin sa blood sugar the more nadedetect natin na marami na palang pre-diabetic (We saw that last year and this year that those [who have a blood sugar level of] 140 and above were already diabetic six or three months [earlier] because of blood sugar monitoring more pre-diabetic people are detected),” Montano said. Since diabetes remains even after a person recovers from Covid-19, Montano encouraged people who have the disease to monitor their blood sugar levels even if they are fully vaccinated and boosted. There are other complications apart from Covid-19 that they can get if blood sugar levels are not monitored, she said. (PNA)/ Ma. Teresa Montemayor

Caraga Infocus • March 26-April 1, 2022

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