DOST awards compliant food establishments in Siargao Island

P ovincial News DOST awards compliant food establishments in Siargao Island You protect, you earn - that will be our theoretical framework in the province,” Gov. Bag-ao underscored.

Moreover, according to Deprtment of the iInterior and Local Government (DILG) provincial Director Domingo E. Bulabog the MC 2018-59 reiterates the existing national policy to ensure that LGUs must play an active role in coastal resource management (CRM), to hold them accountable to their action and inaction towards the monitoring and regulation of fisheries activities and serve as a reminder and ensure that the law is strictly enforced, followed and implemented.

It can be recalled that last year, the Regional Bureau held the Fisheries Law Enforcement Training for Local Chief Executives and Other Official in the same province. (BFAR-Caraga/ VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

By Venus L. Garcia

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - After a series of food safety-related trainings and inspections of the food establishments in Siargao Island, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga has recognized and awarded the restaurants, eateries and homestays that passed the food establishment inspection and grading system (FEIGS), the first food grading system implemented in the country.

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Of the 53 food establishments that voluntarily went through the process of inspection, 27 have highly conformed with the food safety standards and received a grade “A” equivalent to an excellent rating and “B” for very satisfactory.

Seven restaurants and three eateries obtained a grade of A; and 10 restaurants, six eateries, and one homestay garnered a grade of B after the last inspection.

During the awarding ceremony, DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña emphasized the importance of food safety in public health and tourism industry, particularly in Siargao Island which is known to be one of the leading tourist destinations in the Philippines.

“By maintaining this kind of quality of facilities and services, the owners/ operators will continue to get more clients and the tourists who came from all over the world can spread the word about which places are excellent to go. This grading system will really help them,” said Sec. Dela Peña.

Jose Rose Tekseth, owner of Pamomoan Beach Resort in Del Carmen, Siargao said it is really helpful and advantageous, as they were able to determine the aspects that need to be improved in order to meet the standards.

“I am very glad that we are recognized and rated excellent and that our efforts have borne fruit. We are proud to deliver the best services to our customers,” said Tekseth.

Del Carmen Mayor Proserfina Coro also acknowledged the DOST for implementing measures for food safety and for ensuring the cleanliness of food establishments on the island.

“We thank the DOST for providing us the technical assistance such as trainings, consultancy and monitoring.

The evaluation of food establishments really helped the business operators in improving their services, especially in the preparation and handling of foods,” Coro said.

Evelyn Lao Singuan, owner of the King Crab restaurant, also noted a significant increase in their daily sales and said they got positive feedbacks from their customers. Her business got an ‘A’ rating for excellence in cleanliness and food hygiene.

According to DOST Caraga regional director Dominga Mallonga, the FEIGS helps to empower the local government units (LGUs) in establishing a mechanism that encourages food safety practices among food service establishments while providing informed choices to customers.

“This will also serve as a marketing leverage for them because more customers will patronize their business upon learning the kind of standard they maintained. It only proves the effectiveness of FEIGS project which bares the tagline, ‘clean places, safe food, happy customers.’ And so with happy customers, there are no complaints,” said Mallonga.

The implementation of which started in March 2018 has garnered more than 85 percent approval, as conducted in nine partner LGUs in Siargao Islands. There are 1,002 inspectors and food handlers who were trained on Food Safety.

After piloting the FEGS project in Siargao Island, Mallonga said that they are indeed in the process of “We are optimistic that more LGUs here in Caraga will opt to apply the FEIGS project in their locality. As part of our expansion plan, we will also come up with a different checklist as a basis for the evaluation and monitoring intended for the ambulant vendors, especially those stalls selling street foods, because they also need to comply with the sanitation standards,” said Mallonga.

Meanwhile, the locals were glad with the implementation of the FEIGS, as it will surely create an impact for ecotourism opportunities in the island.

“As a consumer, we only want to experience the satisfaction in the basis of food and service quality, physical environment, and hygiene and cleanliness. Food service sanitation is one of the important factors that we consider when we decide to eat in food establishments. With FEIGS, we are assured of consuming the clean and safe foods,” said Meryrose Macabodbod, student of Oguing Navarro Memorial National High School in Sayak, Del Carmen.

FEIGS is a research and development project and a proactive measure which aims to prevent the occurrence of food poisoning outbreaks as a consequence of unhygienic conditions and practices in food handling. (Venus L. Garcia/PIASurigao del Norte)

P ovincial News Curfew hours violators arrested in Siargao Island

SIARGAO ISLANDS, Surigao del Norte - The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Caraga region remains strict in the implementation of curfew hours, social distancing, and suspension of mass gathering to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), yet another violators in the community were arrested by partying in General Luna, Siargao Islands.

PNP Caraga regional director Brigadier General Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr, said that the police officers responded immediately upon receiving a report that a group of individuals, some are foreigners, gathered in a resort and having a drinking spree despite social distancing rule is still in effect amid COVID-19 outbreak. There were seven of them who were apprehended. especially that we are under a community quarantine. Anyone who fails to observe this regulation requiring people to remain indoors will be dealt with accordingly,” Esquivel said.

General Luna is known for its reputation as the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines” where the locals and tourists enjoy binge drinking and hopping at the bars and restaurants. (PNP-Caraga/PIASurigao del Norte)

P ovincial News DAR, DSWD turn over 1.4M project in Dinagat Islands By Daryll M. Tumbaga

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has turned over recently its Convergence on Livelihood Assistance for ARBs Project (CLAAP) in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Tubajon town and Barangay Wilson in San Jose town, this province.

In Barangay Sta Cruz, a total of 28 farmer-members of SAFCOCO (Sta. Cruz Agra-Farmers Consumer Cooperative) will benefit the project. These beneficiaries will be managing a rice trading enterprise worth P700,000. manage it well for its sustainability.

On her part, Mayor Simplicia P. Pedrablanca of Tubajon challenged the recipients to make the project sustainable and productive.

While in Barangay Wilson, a total of 28 farmer-members of COMCRECO (Community Credit Cooperative) benefited the broiler production and marketing enterprise worth P700,000.

DAR-Surigao del Norte Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Maria Elizabeth L. De Guzman, in her message, emphasized to the recipients the need to sustain the project given to them.

She said that this livelihood enterprise will give the opportunity to increase the household income of the beneficiaries and that they should

She said that this is just one of those opportunities that the government provides intervention to deserving organizations.

Meanwhile, on behalf of SAFCOCO, Chairperson Cepriano T. Membreve expressed their gratefulness that finally, they receive the said project.

He assured that they will work hard to sustain the project and prove their gratefulness to the government especially to DAR and DSWD for giving them the said livelihood project. (DARSDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

P ovincial News Surigao Norte solon sends

food aid to displaced port workers amid COVID-19 quarantine

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - Port workers at the Port of Surigao get help anew recently as food packs were sent for their benefit, courtesy of Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers. By Noli C. Nusog

It may be recalled that the Laurente Family, a local franchisee of McDonald’s, recently provided more than a hundred food packs for Surigao porters and dockworkers.

Liza Monteros, public information officer for the Office of Representative Barbers said that though modest, the food packs were heartily given especially since it was bought using the lawmaker’s personal funds.

“Congressman Barbers is well aware of the difficulties faced by porters and dockworkers unable to earn due to the COVID 19 community

quarantine that’s why he personally directed us to facilitate the distribution of food relief packs using his personal funds,” Monteros said.

A total of 240 food packs were distributed by volunteers from the Office of Rep. Robert Ace Barbers not just to porters and dockworkers but to janitors and security guards as well who were also forced to work reduced hours, if not temporarily displaced. A travel ban in Surigao City and the province of Surigao del Norte is in effect while a community quarantine is imposed to contain the spread of COVID 19. (PPAPMO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

P ovincial News Tandag mayor asks public to stay at home due to COVID-19

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur - City Mayor Roxanne Pimentel on Saturday inspected the two entry/exit points in the city to observe if proper protocol is implemented by the frontliners during the first day of implementation of the modified community quarantine (MCQ), as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Mayor Pimentel observed that the pedestrians passing through the checkpoint obeyed the policy implemented by the authorities.

While she was at the public market, the lady mayor also asked her constituents she met along the way for their quarantine pass or identification card for the workers.

It can be recalled that on March 25, 2020, Mayor Pimentel signed an Executive Order No. 09-A S. 2020, an order for a temporary closure of entertainment and amusement

P ovincial News establishments offering non-essential services to the public due to the threat of COVID-19 effective March 28.

Only establishments which offer essential services are allowed to operate or exempted as stated on the EO, such as: water refilling stations; public markets (wet markets); agri-vet stores; savings and credit cooperatives; food establishments such as restaurants, cafes, bars, bakery, and the like (provided that, they shall discontinue their dine-in services, and shall only allow take-out services), store/food deliveries services; & funeral parlors and private cemeteries, provided that, they shall strictly impose a “family members only” wake and burial, and social distancing thereat.

Other establishments or offices allowed to operate during the duration of the MCQ are: groceries; supermarkets; mall in-house department stores; pharmacies and drugstores; medical laboratories; banks and ATMs; hardware; money-transfer services and bayad centers; courier services; printing presses; auto repair services; gas stations and LPG; laundry shops; cellphone repair shops; pet shops; convenient stores; wholesale and sarisari stores; energy and internet services; private business offices; government offices; offices/clinics of doctors, dentists, optometrists, lawyers, public accountants, architects, engineers, and other related professional services. Residents of Tandag City working in private establishments and government offices are allowed to work during the duration of MCQ provided that they

shall present either one company ID, or certificate of employment issued by the employer upon inquiry of the enforcers and shall only be used when going to and from work.

The ID or certification cannot be used when buying groceries, medicines or any basic necessities. In such, only the quarantine passes will be accepted and honored that were distributed to only one authorized person per household/family residents of the city.

No face mask, no entry policy is strictly implemented. During this period, all individuals, residents or non-residents are directed to wear face masks when going out in public. The nonresidents shall be issued visitor’s pass upon entry at the border checkpoints, and transactions are limited to money transactions; medical transactions; and buying raw and fresh wet market products which only allowed at Luha Public Market in Barangay Mabua. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

P ovincial News P187-M road project to benefit farmers in Surigao Sur

By Alexander Lopez

BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) reported the near completion of the PHP187-million farm-to-market road (FMR) that will connect far-flung villages to the market centers including in Cortes town, Surigao del Sur.

In a statement on Monday, Grace Grado of the Municipal Project Management Implementing Unit (MPMIU) of DA’s Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) said the project is already 98.96 percent complete and expected to be turned over to the local government of Cortes “soonest”.

The road project has a span of 14.33 kilometers and would benefit some

1,172 farming and fishing households.

their farm products to the market.

“The FMR will surely translate to better production of agri-fishery commodities in this part of Cortes,” Grado said.

She said the project covers 4,537 hectares of influence area and would directly benefit the six barangays in Cortes populated with 5,346 individuals who are involved in coconut farming and fishing.

Grado said that the intervention of DA-PRDP in the area will support agricultural production and help uplift the living condition of farmers and fishermen.

In the same statement, Vicente Malingin, a farmer from Barangay Tuburan, one of the villages in Cortes, said the project will directly benefit residents in the area who currently experience difficulties in transporting

“We thank the government for helping us farmers through this project,” Malingin said.

Grado said the PHP187-million FMR will support the agriculture sector in six barangays by giving new opportunities and additional livelihood to augment their income.

She added that the municipality of Cortes is also a recipient of five units of all-weather dryers worth PHP4 million that will benefit five farmers’ associations.

“The infrastructure component of DA-PRDP aims to put in place strategic and climate-resilient rural infrastructure facilities along the value chain of a particular commodity to achieve its maximum value and increase the profit of the players in the industry,” Grado said. (PNA)

P ovincial News POPCOM pushes for FP during community quarantine By May Ann O. Escobal

BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte - The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) Caraga reminds parents to stay responsible through the practice of modern family planning during community quarantine to prevent unplanned pregnancies.

The commission is calling the population and health workers and volunteers to remain aggressively providing family planning services by reaching out to households for FP is now mainly a health intervention program for improving the health and welfare of mothers, children and the family.

With the help of the local government units, POPCOM assures couples and families the provision of basic family planning services in their respective communities despite community quarantine to prevent unplanned pregnancies. when couples are more likely to stay at home for longer periods due to the community quarantine being enforced by the different LGUs in the region and other areas in the country affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19, pregnancy spike may happen as couples are unable to visit the health centers and avail the regular reproductive health services including contraceptives such as pills, condoms, injectables, and the like.

A study revealed that three in 10 births in the Philippines is either unwanted or mistimed.

In this continuing information campaign, the population agency urged couples to remain conscious about planning their families despite having only limited activities at home; maintain their overall health and wellbeing during these trying times.

POPCOM Caraga revealed that Regional Director Alexander A. Makinano emphasized that the increase of unplanned pregnancies during natural crisis has a major impact on demography.

“In times like these where everyone is discouraged to go out in the streets may reduce couples access to family

P ovincial News planning information and services and lead to unplanned pregnancy. Natural disasters, pandemics and other events that force people to stay indoors are followed by increased births”, he underscored.

Makinano further accented the interrelationship of population, health and environment; the increasing number of people make bigger demands for food and resources, exerting pressure on the environment. (POPCOM Caraga/PIA Agusan del Norte)

AgSur frontliners in checkpoints ask for more PPEs By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY - With the intensified implementation of precautionary measures in the province of Agusan del Sur against the coronavirus (COVID-19), the frontliners have asked for additional personal protective equipment (PPE) and other needs as they operate in the designated checkpoints. | MARCH 28-APRIL 3, 2020 34

During the inspection and assessment of the Agusan del Sur Task Force COVID19 in the checkpoints of the said province, Governor Santiago Cane, Jr., witnessed the actual situation of the frontliners comprising personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Health (DOH) and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams who are operating on 24/7.

The identified needs of the checkpoints include tents to shed waiting motorists, thermal scanners and personal protective equipment to be used by the frontliners.

According to Governor Cane, the provincial government is doing its best and looks for appropriate means and ways to address the concerns of the frontliners, as well as measures to protect them from being afflicted with COVID-19.

The official also stressed the need for available testing kits, not only in the province of Agusan del Sur but also in all areas of the Caraga region. This is to fast track results of the swab samples of the patients under investigation (PUIs) and persons under monitoring (PUMs).

“For now, what we really need is available testing kits not only for the province of Agusan del Sur, but also in the whole of Caraga region, especially that we have PUIs and PUMs,” cited Gov. Cane. Apart from looking after the needs of the frontliners, the provincial government also takes measures to ensure the safety and protection of the employees from the private and public sectors, hence, governor cane has allowed implementation of a flexible work arrangement or skeletal workforce.

Meanwhile, the local authorities continue to appeal to the public for their full support and cooperation especially in the conduct of checkpoints, as part of the precautionary measures to avert the spread of COVID-19.

“Handling checkpoint operations is not that easy, but we are doing our best as we implement tight precautionary measures to ensure that people are protected from the spread of COVID-19. That’s why we are also asking for their full support and cooperation for an orderly conduct of checkpoint,” PCpl. Candilario Sanoco. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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