CONTENTS Caraga Infocus 7
9 - 15 May 2020
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REGIONAL NEWS Caraganons explore backyard gardening Upscaling Caraga farmers through clustering 2nd confirmed COVID-19 case in Caraga now tested negative Butuan City to establish testing lab, gears up health facilities for COVID-19 DA distributes P178 Million cash aid to Caraga rice farmers DSWD chief asks LGUs to help protect SAP implementers in barangays DILG chief lauds Caraga for accomplishing 100% SAP payout rate Caraga execs laud NTF Covid-19 support in fight vs. pandemic Caraga completes P1.5-B SAP distribution: DSWD
Volume IV, No. 20
PROVINCIAL NEWS
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AgSur town provides relief goods to left-out families from SAP cash assistance
AgSur ARBO earns P5.1-M amid COVID-19 DAR-AgSur links farmers’ goods as LGU’s aid during COVID-19 P2-Milyon halaga ng marijuana, nasabat ng mga otoridad sa Caraga region Pamimigay ng ayuda sa Agusan del Norte, patuloy Surigao del Norte conducts COVID-19 rapid testing SurSur health care facilities receive PPEs, food packs Construction of IP school in Surigao Sur town starts LGU disposes of whale carcass found in Surigao Sur
MINDANAO NEWS
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MinDA forms special team to help poor access gov’t funds 3 Mindanao towns adopt ‘Balik Probinsya’ program
NATIONAL NEWS
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PCOO agencies urged to limit cross-posting on social media pages DAR allots P300-M to aid farmers during pandemic Gov’t to ensure ‘Balik Probinsya’ beneficiaries stay in provinces TESDA urged to boost tech-voc programs in countryside
COVID-19 NEWS
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Marikina, Taguig to strengthen anti-Covid-19 efforts House leaders push for P1.5-T post pandemic stimulus package Pinoys in Ethiopia innovate disinfection cabin vs. Covid-19 Solon bats for test, trace approach for Covid-19 management Safety officers to monitor infra projects’ quarantine protocols
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News Briefs The 22 buses carrying stranded students of MSU in Marawi City and Iligan City are now in Misamis Oriental and are expected to arrive in Caraga Region anytime. (LTFRB Caraga)
The DOH advised to follow protocols for Return to Work Policy wherein it is best for companies to screen returning workers for symptoms/tests and isolate them. “Also, those with symptoms 14 days prior to screening should be isolated and tested. And companies should implement minimum health standards in the workplace,” said DOH Usec. Ma. Rosario Vergeire during the Laging Handa Public Briefing.
In line with Proclamation No. 942 declaring May 19 a Special (Non-working) Day in Butuan City in celebration of the Balanghai Festival, there will no work in all offices and departments of the Agusan del Norte provincial government on the said date. To ensure the protection of the persons deprived of liberty and prepare the jail’s physical structure from the continuing threat of COVID-19, the provincial government of Surigao del Norte assisted in rehabilitating the San Francisco Municipal Jail with a total project cost of more than P400,000.
By Nora C. Lanuza
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Caraganons find joy in backyard gardening amid community quarantine
UTUAN CITY - To prevent Caraganons from going hungry during the implementation of the community quarantine where some businesses were closed and a number of people lost their jobs, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Caraga has introduced backyard gardening amid the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. Various seedlings were given to interested individuals and families. Danny Garces, an OFW who was not able to go back to work as a seaman due to COVID-19 pandemic made himself busy by planting various vegetables with his family.
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“Even if I can go back to work as a seaman, I would suggest to my family and friends to continue planting, because this will not only give us food but an additional
income, as well,” he said.
Plant, Plant program as a response to COVID-19, food production, availability This is also true to Romer Amante, and accessibility, and even affordability a government employee who has been of food were never a problem to planting vegetables during his vacant Caraganons during this time of crisis. time. “You can eat fresh and nutritious foods and you don’t need to buy them Aside from DA, other Provincial from the market,” he said. Agriculture Offices in the region are also distributing various vegetable seeds for Because of the DA’s Plant, planting. (NCLM/PIA Caraga) May 9-15, 2020 |
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REGIONAL NEWS
Caraganons explore backyard gardening By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY - While staying at home due to the imposed community quarantine to avert the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Caraganons also make use of their time planting vegetables at their backyard garden. They said, maintaining a backyard with a variety of vegetables help the people cope with the daily needs in terms of food supply for the family, as these vegetables are readily available at home.
backyard overflowing with a variety of vegetable plants.
He was able to maximize the community quarantine period with his family by planting vegetables. He said, even the COVID-19 pandemic will be Danny Garces, whose work as a over and he will be back for work, he seaman was temporarily suspended would still continue what he has started due to the COVID-19 crisis, showed his as he realized that planting ensures May 9-15, 2020 |
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food to eat for his family and could also to those who wanted to do backyard be a source of livelihood at the same gardening. And making it more time. appealing, the department has also initiated a competition in line with this “Maintaining a backyard garden campaign. full of vegetables is really beneficial. It’s a sort of exercise and I get to enjoy it a For those interested to join, they lot. When it’s time to go back to work, just have to take a photo of their my family would still take care of this garden lot and DA will be choosing the and will plant more,” bared Garces. winner among the entries submitted. The winner will also receive a prize from For an employee like Romer the said agency. Amante, planting vegetables and fruits is very important. It does not only With the Plant, Plant, Plant produces fresh and nutritious food, but Program as DA’s intervention, more it also allows the family to save from of the Filipino people are becoming their daily expenses. optimistic that there would be enough food supply even in this crisis situation “By planting vegetables, my family on COVID-19. wouldn’t worry about what to eat for the day because we have a variety of Apart from the DA, the provincial vegetables around. We need not to go government of Agusan del Norte, far and buy some,” Amante said. together with the Provincial Agriculture Office, Agusan Up Coordinating Center, Meanwhile, the Department of and Butuan City Agriculture Office also Agriculture (DA)-Caraga is also on distributed vegetable seedlings to the track with the distribution of seedlings locals. (JPG/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
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Upscaling Caraga farmers through clustering By Aurelius P. Arais
BUTUAN CITY - Economies of scale. This is the driving force of the corn and cassava program of the Department of Agriculture DA) in adopting a clustering approach in extending its services to the farmers in the region. Melody Guimary, DA Caraga’s regional corn program coordinator said that currently there are 18 existing corn clusters in the region consists of 3,622 farmers with a total area of 6,326 hectares.
“A cluster should have at least 200 hectares contiguously located, with an organized and registered farmers’ organization with the complete set of officers,” she said. Guimary further explained that each cluster should have a cluster development plan but in a municipality or city that has multiple clusters, a municipal or city corn development plan should be formulated and adopted by the LGU. May 9-15, 2020 |
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Aside from the current 18 corn clusters, around 9 areas have an ongoing application to be clustered with 1,280 farmers and with an area of 2,759 hectares, while another 10 areas are being proposed with 1,438 farmers and an area of 2,249 hectares. “If all areas will be finally classified as a cluster, Caraga Region will have a total of 37 corn clusters with 6,340 farmers and a total area of 11,334 hectares,” Guimary said. On existing corn clusters, Butuan City is on top with 6 clusters, followed by 3 in Las Nieves, 2 in Trento, Agusan del Sur, and 1 each in other municipalities. Guimary further said that DA’s intervention is being focused on a cluster areas such as farm tractors, harvester, dryer, inputs, trainings, and other interventions needed by the cluster based on their development plan.
This is the case of Carmen, Surigao del Sur wherein they have an existing buyer in the municipality with the presence of the Balangay Feed Factory Incorporated (BFFI) in the area. Rencio Valeroso, cluster head of the Federation of Corn Growers Association and Vice-Chair of the Philippine Maize Federation Caraga Chapter said that clustering is a good approach being adopted by DA Caraga. “Upon harvest, we have the volume of production, so as a cluster, we can market our produce with ease at BFFI,” Valeroso said who is also a Sangguniang Bayan member. Carmen cluster became a recipient of DA’S interventions such as Village Type Dryer, corn picker, recirculating dryer, and corn planter.
“We are so grateful with DA Caraga for the support they have given Organized farmers can also for our corn farmers, helping us during easily access loan supports from pre and post-harvest operation, and the government or private financial giving us access for trainings within and institutions. outside the region,” Valeroso said. “With the creation of clusters, DA Caraga through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) assisted the farmers in forging marketing agreement with potential buyers, while other clusters had established their own marketing agreement with local existing buyers since they have the volume upon harvest,” Guimary said.
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DA in coordination with LGU is also currently in the process of identifying cassava areas to be clustered. Secretary William Dar on his eight paradigms in agriculture promotes and supports farm consolidation to bring about economies of scale, particularly for crops that require mechanization and massive use of technology. (DA Caraga/PIA Caraga)
2nd confirmed COVID-19 case in Caraga now tested negative By Nora C. Lanuza
BUTUAN CITY - The 65-year-old male from the city who tested as the second confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case in Caraga region, is now tested negative on his follow up test, says DOH Caraga chief. During the 6th Regional Task Force One Caraga Shield Meeting held on Wednesday, DOH Caraga Regional Director Dr. Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. revealed that the follow-up laboratory test result received from the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) of the second confirmed COVID-19 case in the region has already tested negative.
“We are pleased by this development, the patient may be discharged upon the assessment and discretion of the attending physician and the rest of the healthcare team,” Llacuna added.
Also, DOH Caraga revealed that another six lab results were received for the six suspect cases coming from “This is a case of a 65-year-old Butuan Doctors’ Hospital, M.J. Santos male patient from Butuan City admitted Hospital, and Butuan Medical Center at the Caraga Regional Hospital who and they are all tested negative of clinically recovered,” Llacuna said. COVID-19. According to Llacuna, the patient has no fever and cough for more than a week now, has been weaned off of oxygen support, with resolved pneumonia in Chest X-ray, and can now perform tasks without respiratory effort.
DOH reminded everyone to consistently practice physical distancing, stay at home, and follow health advisories. “Our fight against COVID-19 is far from over,” he said. (NCLMM/DOH/PIA Caraga) May 9-15, 2020 |
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Butuan City to establish testing lab, gears up health facilities for COVID-19 By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY - The city government of Butuan gears up interventions to curb the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Caraga region. To assess the region-wide status of provinces. City Mayor Ronnie Lagnada the pandemic, the city has provided test stated that despite the limited number kits for the antibody test to the region’s of test kits, suspected cases continues
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to be detected across the region thus (PPEs) and additional equipment for the need to equip each province tools the medical facilities for COVID-19 in for earlier detection. the city. In a post made the Butuan City Public Information Office, the City The city is also pushing for the Procurement Office reports that 10,000 establishment of a reverse transcriptase pieces of non-medical suits, 4,000 pieces polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of medical suits, 10,000 goggles, 75,000 testing laboratory in the city in order N95 masks, 500,000 standard face to hasten the production of test results masks, 75 non-invasive ventilators, and which is needed for contact tracing. 5 invasive ventilators were acquired. “Our primary goal is to contain the spread of the disease. By providing test kits to our regional counterparts, detection can be done effectively. A testing laboratory that is accessible in the region will greatly improve the overall response of health authorities in this pandemic,” the mayor added.
Meanwhile, Mayor Lagnada earnestly reminded Butuanons residing in barangays in the city that are under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) to continue to abide the precautionary measures amid easement of restrictions. Only go out when there is a need to purchase basic necessities.
Caraga region continues to send samples to Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City for the said confirmatory test.
“There are only certain regulations that differ between ECQ and GCQ. Nonetheless, you are all advised to continue precaution especially since the majority of the city remains under The Department of Health (DOH) strict monitoring,” he said. Caraga has teamed up with the city government on the endeavour. Earlier this month, the National Inter Agency Task Force for the Butuan city government is also Management of Emerging Infectious continuously working on improving and Disease (IATF-MEID) has rejected adding isolation facilities in the city. the request of the city to extend the In addition to the isolation facilities in implementation of ECQ in the entire Butuan Medical Center (BMC) and city. Nonetheless, the city has pushed in Brgy. Baan Km. 3, select buildings through with the extension, placing 50 in Butuan Central Elementary School (BCES), a local public school, will also of its 86 barangays are still under ECQ be converted to an isolation facility for while barangays situated in the outskirts suspected cases exhibiting mild or no have been placed under GCQ. visible symptoms. The implementation of ECQ in Yesterday, the city was able to the city is expected to end on May 15. procure personal protective equipment (DMR/PIACaraga) May 9-15, 2020 |
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DA distributes P178 Million cash aid to Caraga rice farmers By Rhea A. Abao
BUTUAN CITY - To ease the challenges of the rice farmers who are affected by the low palay prices last year the Department of Agriculture (DA) - Caraga distributed the P5,000 cash aid to each of the qualified rice farmers in the Caraga region. The DA’s Rice Farmers Financial Philippines last January 28, this year. Assistance (RFFA) Program started the distribution of cash grants in partnership Around 19,278 rice farmers in the with the Development Bank of the region had already received the said
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assistance with a total of P96.4 million Government Units (LGU) managed cash support. to distribute the needed financial assistance to the farmers and help them Rice farmers who are tilling 0.5 as they also go through difficult times hectares to two hectares of land and due to the restrictions of movement registered in the Registry System for during community quarantine. Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) are the beneficiaries of the program. Joseph M. Libres, 47, a rice farmer from P-5 Barangay Humilog, For the province of Agusan del RTR, Agusan del Norte said he will use Norte a total of 4,637 rice farmers the amount to buy food, and if there received the cash assistance in the still some he will also buy fertilizers for 4 municipalities and the cities of his one-hectare rice area. “The cash Cabadbaran and Butuan. In the assistance is a big help for my family province of Agusan del Sur around and for my continuous production of 5,468 received the financial aid from local rice,” Libres said. the 12 municipalities and Bayugan City. “We are grateful for the unceasing On the other hand, Surigao del Sur and steadfast support of the LGUs. reaches 5,018 eligible farmers from the Since the start of this endeavor, they 16 CashAidmunicipalities and Tandag have been on the same page with City. For the province of Surigao del us. Complying with the requirements Norte 17 municipalities and Surigao needed to facilitate approval to fast City benefitted the financial support track releases, our LGUs are indeed with a corresponding total of 4,155 important partners in carrying out beneficiaries. this program,” Director Monteagudo added. “RFFA is the Department’s aid to the rice farmers severely affected by Aside from the unconditional the sudden drop of the buying price of cash transfer provided by the DA, palay when the Rice Tarrification Law other financial aids such as Survival (RTL) was enacted. Its benefits and and Recovery (SURE) Loan Assistance positive results will soon be experienced payable in 10 years with zero interest in the coming years as the RTL’s and the Agricultural Competitiveness long-term twin goals are to provide Enhancement Fund (ACEF) with low affordable prices to consumers while interest is also made available to raising the income of our rice farmers,” farmers to help finance farming needs. said DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo. The distribution of cash aid still continues until the 38,000 target eligible Despite the restrictions brought rice farmers in the region receive about by the pandemic, DA-Caraga the support. (DA Caraga-RAFIS/PIA together with the support of the Local Caraga) May 9-15, 2020 |
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DSWD chief asks LGUs to help protect SAP implementers in barangays By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY - Amid the threat posed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, the government never ceases to provide assistance to the affected families from the national down to the regional and barangay levels. However, the field workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga who conducted the cash distribution for the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in the barangays have encountered challenges and received threats from the locals particularly those who were not included in the list of target beneficiaries. During the Laging Handa Network Briefing on Thursday, May 7 hosted by Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Secretary Rolando Bautista of DSWD said that the central office was aware of the situation and has coordinated with the law enforcement agencies for their safety and security in the field.
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Citing the recent incident involving a social welfare development officer in Siargao Island who was almost killed by a senior citizen who insisted to be part of the list of SAP beneficiaries, Sec. Bautista clarified that the legal action has been taken against the suspect/ perpetrator. He further asked the local government units in Caraga to also help protect the DSWD/MSWD personnel who courageously travel even the farthest barangays just to conduct the payouts to the beneficiaries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Let us help the local social welfare development officer and the rest of the DSWD personnel and support them as they continue to perform their duties
and responsibilities in the barangays. We contacted the Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to provide security for our frontliners,” bared Bautista. Meanwhile, Sec. Bautista revelaed that P81.7-billion fund was already downloaded to some 1,518 local government units nationwide, which means that 99.57 percent of the budget were already distributed to the LGUs. “There is already a total of P75.2-billion distributed to 13.6 billion beneficiaries under the Social Amelioration Program,” he said.
It was also learned that per latest report of DSWD-Caraga, of the 73 LGUs, there are 73 LGUs or 100% that have already conducted payout with a total number of 304,223 beneficiaries served amounting to P1,521,115,000.00 or a total of 99.71 percent. As for Pantawid Pamilya, there were 6,030 households paid through the DSWD Special Disbursing Officers in 70 cities/ municipalities. Further, there were seven LGUs that have already submitted their liquidation report to the field office. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DILG chief lauds Caraga for accomplishing 100% SAP payout rate
BUTUAN CITY - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año lauded Caraga Region for ensuring the outright and equitable implementation of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in the region. During the virtual Management Committee Meeting participated by the DILG heads and chiefs of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology (BJMP), and the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) on May 9, Secretary Año recognized Caraga for being the only region with a perfect SAP payout rate May 9-15, 2020 |
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and encouraged the other regions to possibility of enabling all LGUs in the emulate this feat. region to avail the wave of the SAP implementation despite the lifting of DILG Caraga Regional Director the Enhanced Community Quarantine Lilibeth A. Famacion attributed this (ECQ). success to the strong collaboration between DILG and the Department Sec. Año said that he will present of Social Welfare and Development the matter to the Inter-Agency Task (DSWD) and the efforts of the local Force (IATF) on COVID-19. government units (LGUs) in heeding the guidance of the said agencies. This The national payout rate of the SAP enabled local protocols to favor the stands at 85.49 percent, with Caraga smooth implementation of the SAP. region leading the list, followed by the Bicol region at 99.79 percent, Cordillera On the issue on incentivizing Administrative Region (CAR) at 93.92 the achievement, Director Famacion percent, and Ilocos region at 91.12 had requested SILG Año about the percent. (DILG/DMNR/PIACaraga)
Caraga execs laud NTF Covid-19 support in fight vs. pandemic By Alexander Lopez
BUTUAN CITY – The continuing fight to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Caraga Region gained a boost after Presidential Peace Adviser and national policy against Covid-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. handed over personal protective equipment (PPE) and rapid testing kits that will be distributed to the different local government units (LGUs) in the area. Galvez on Saturday turned over implementer, for your visit to Caraga to the Caraga Region a total of 2,000 Region,” Agusan del Norte Governor PPE and 15,000 rapid testing kits. Dale Corvera, who heads the Regional Task Force against Covid-19 in the “Thank you so much, Secretary region, said in a statement posted in his Carlito Galvez, NTF Covid-19 chief Facebook account.
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BOOSTING COVID-19 FIGHT. Presidential Peace Adviser and national policy against Covid-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. (right) was welcomed by Agusan del Norte Gov. Dale Corvera (left), Agusan del Norte 2nd District Rep. Maria Angelica Amante-Matba (2nd from left), and Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada (2nd from right) during his visit in Butuan City on Saturday (May 9, 2020) to assess and strengthen the continuing response of local government units in the Caraga Region to contain the spread of the coronavirus. (Photo courtesy of Darwin Wee, NTF Covid-19)
Galvez, together with medical experts, met with the top leaders in the region to discuss the status of efforts of the LGUs to contain the spread of Covid-19, and discuss ways to strengthen the continuing responses.
Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada also updated Galvez that BMC is now equipped with the Hepa filtration system, 75 noninvasive ventilators, and five invasive ventilators.
Galvez, together with Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) chief of staff Assistant Secretary Wilben Mayor, Dr. Gloria Balboa of the DOH, and medical experts Dr. Anthony Leachon, Dr. Ted Herbosa, and Dr. Manuel Bueno, also inspected the ongoing renovation at the Butuan Medical Center (BMC).
Lagnada said the city government of Butuan has already purchased 10,000 pieces of goggles and PPE, 75,000 pieces of N95 masks, and 50,000 pieces of first-class rapid anti-body test kits.
The meeting was also attended by Agusan del Norte 2nd District Rep. Maria Angelica Amante-Matba, The renovation is aimed to Department of Health Caraga Region increase the capacity of the center to (DOH-13) director Jose Llacuna Jr. and handle more suspect, probable and representatives from other line agencies confirmed cases of Covid-19. of the government. (PNA) May 9-15, 2020 |
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Caraga completes P1.5-B SAP distribution: DSWD By Alexander Lopez
SAP DISTRIBUTION. The Department of Social Welfare and Development commends the 73 local government units (LGUs) in the Caraga Region for the completion of the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program amounting to PHP1.525 billion. The emergency cash aid benefited a total of 305,096 low-income families in the region. (PNA file photo by Alexander Lopez)
BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13) has reported the completion of the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in the area through the local government units (LGUs). In a statement Monday (May 11), Region for completing the distribution DSWD-13 lauded all LGUs in Caraga of the emergency cash subsidy under
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the SAP, which aims to cushion the impact of the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis on poor families. Over PHP1.5 billion has been disbursed to a total of 305,096 lowincome families in the region as of May 8, 2020. “ T h e s e families are non-Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members,” the DSWD-13 said in a statement. The DSWD-13 lauded the efforts of the 73 LGUs in the Caraga Region, which “served at the forefront” during the distribution of the SAP to the direct beneficiaries.
the LGUs implemented which led to an efficient SAP distribution in their localities include maintaining close coordination of local social welfare and development office (LSWDOs) staff, barangay officials, and purok leaders with the personnel of DSWD-13 from conducting the assessment to the distribution of the aid; the use of social media; and announcing information on SAP in the villages to keep constituents informed about the program,” the agency said.
“The LGUs have disbursed 100% of the funds. Family beneficiaries in Caraga received a PHP5,000 cash subsidy. The LGUs are now preparing their liquidation reports and other pertinent documents for the validation of DSWD,” the agency said, adding The DSWD-13 also expressed a total of 20 LGUs in the region have already submitted their liquidation gratitude to the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in reports. the region for providing security during “Among the key strategies that the SAP distribution. (PNA) May 9-15, 2020 |
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
AgSur town provides relief goods to left-out families from SAP cash assistance By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY – With a number of local residents who did not qualify and were not included in the list of beneficiaries under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), the local government unit of Rosario in Agusan del Sur has ensured distribution of family food packs in the barangays. This is to address the need for food supply by the locals in the area. Sta. Cruz was among the barangays of said municipality, wherein more than 1,000 families have received the relief goods from their respective barangay officials, including the tricycle and single motorcycle drivers. The same was also provided to families of Barangay Wasian, wherein Mary Rose Matiga, a mother of three kids was thankful to the local government for giving them the relief assistance during this crisis situation due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
to help those who are greatly affected by the crisis particularly in the remotest barangays. “In this crisis situation, we are thankful that our family is still able to eat three times a day because we practice backyard gardening and through the She also hoped that more people food packs or relief goods provided would also share and give donations to us by the local government,” said May 9-15, 2020 |
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Matiga. While the LGU’s distribution of relief goods to the different barangays is underway, Felicidad Abulog-Ocite, the punong barangay of Sta. Cruz and the Association of Barangay Council (ABC) president of Rosario, Agusan del Sur called on all Agusanons to unite with the government and follow the health protocols and other preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19. the get the
“Let’s work together as we fight spread of this disease. We could through this, let’s just follow what government tells us to do like the
practice of health protocols and other preventive measures,” Ocite bared. Meanwhile, Mayor Jupiter Abulog stressed that the government is continuously taking care of the needs and issues and concerns of the Agusanon families. He further assured all those who were not able to receive the SAP benefit or in any other cash assistance that they will receive the 25 kilos of rice and other relief goods. The municipal mayor also appealed to the locals who could still afford to buy their needs to help others, instead of arguing that they too should receive the relief goods. (JPG/PIAAgusan del Sur)
AgSur ARBO earns P5.1-M amid COVID-19 By Rechel D. Besonia
LA PAZ, Agusan del Sur - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Sur continues to provide aid to farmer-beneficiaries despite the threat posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Following the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to “Heal as One” in this time of crisis and with the directive of DAR Secretary John R. Castriciones to help the farmers in the delivery of their products with ease, DAR Agusan del Sur has come up with a marketing tieup strategy to ensure that the farmers will not experience the dramatic consequences due to the stemming blast of COVID-19.
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With this initiative, the Lumad sa Adgawan Multi-Purpose Farmers Cooperative (LAMPUFACO) was able to supply 1,400 sacks of milled rice as well as dry goods to the local government unit of La Paz for their second round of relief operations which earned them a total of P5.1-M. LAMPUFACO Manager Lorena Durango said that with this earning,
around 552 members who were mostly marketability of their produce even in Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) this trying times. were benefited. “This marketing strategy was “Salamat ug dako sa DAR sa initiated because we are committed makanunayong pagtabang kanamo to helping the farmers who were nga mga mag-uuma nga bisan pa excessively at risk of food security sa kalisod karong panahona naka themselves. With low income as a income gihapon me pinaagi sa inyong major reason, it would be tragic if pagpakigsabot sa LGU aron kami mauy that problem will intensify and their magsupply sa relief goods (Thank you ability to deliver and earn at the so much to DAR for the usual support for same time will be hampered,” bared farmers like us, despite the challenges Amatonding. nowadays, we are still earning through your collaboration with LGU),” she said. Meanwhile, as part of the ARBOs’ commitment to the LGU, they are Citing the situation of the farmers currently consolidating palay from its in this COVID-19 crisis, PARPO II Jamil members for additional 2,000 sacks of P. Amatonding, Jr., ensured the sector well-milled rice for the month of May. that the department is doing its best to (DAR-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del provide their welfare and ensure the Sur) May 9-15, 2020 |
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DAR-AgSur links farmers’ goods as LGU’s aid during COVID-19 By Rechel D. Besonia
ROSARIO, Agusan del Sur – As the nation faced the challenge brought by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Agusan del Sur has initiated to help the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) to become economically sustainable by linking them to possible buyers for their produce. This initiative is an answer to the call of President Duterte under the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act (RA 11469) while placing the nation in a state of national calamity.
“Thank you as well to Mayor Jupiter Abulog for considering our ARBO to supply the rice demand of your Municipality, indeed this is a big help to the farmers like us in this time of crisis,” Isiderio added.
The Farmers Alternative for SelfReliance Multi-Purpose Cooperative FASRMCO), in partnership with the La Fortuna Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LAMUPOCO) has recently delivered a total of 2,000 sacks of milled rice to the local government unit of Rosario, Agusan del Sur, which will be used as an aid for the affected constituents of the Municipality while the province is placed under the Enhanced Community Quarantine.
PARPO Jamil P. Amatonding Jr., has always emphasized prioritizing the farmers and reach out to their needs especially that in this time of crisis, they are the ones who are the most affected. “We have partnered our ARBOs to the local government units and other entities to supply the demands of their respective Municipalities to ensure that the farmers will not be left behind while the rest are fighting against this dreadful virus,” he said.
FASRMCO Manager Ruben Isiderio himself is thankful for the assistance of DAR as the move has benefited more than 500 farmer-beneficiaries. “Thank you very much, DAR, for helping us in finding ways to dispose of our produce. This is a big help to our members who were also an Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries,” he said.
DAR Provincial Investment and Marketing Assistance Officer (PIMAO) Corine G. Munion said that they are currently working on helping other ARBOs to partner with other Municipalities. “We are scheduled to deliver another batch of milled rice to Prosperidad in the coming days, thus we encourage other riceproducing ARBOs to participate,” said Munion. (DAR-Agusan Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
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P2-Milyon halaga ng marijuana, nasabat ng mga otoridad sa Caraga region By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN - Habang abala ang mga otoridad sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at pagsigurong ligtas ang mamamayan sa anumang kapahamakan at sa krisis na kinakaharap natin ngayon sa coronavirus disease (COVID-19), hindi rin nito pinapalampas ang mga sumasamantala sa sitwasyon.
residente sa nasabing barangay. Subalit nakatakas na umano ito sa lugar bago pa man dumating ang mga otoridad. Agad namang binunot ang mga Matapos makatanggap ng pananim na Marijuana at dinala sa impormasyon ukol sa plantasyon ng PNP Provincial Crime Laboratory. Marijuana sa Barangay Kasapa II sa bayan ng La Paz, Agusan del Sur, Ang suspek ay haharap sa kasong agad na rumesponde ang kapulisan paglabag sa Republic Act 9165 o ang kasama ang kawani ng Philippine Drug Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Act of 2002, partikular sa Section 16 Ayon kay Brigadier General Joselito Esquivel, Jr., ang regional director ng Police Regional Office 13, natuntun ng mga tropa ang lokasyon ng 10,000 marijuana hills o plantasyon ng Marijuana na kilala bilang isa sa mga ilegal na droga at aabot aniya ang halaga nito sa dalawang milyong piso (P2,000,000.00).
o ang Cultivation or Culture of Plants Classified as Dangerous Drugs or as Sources Thereof.
Pinasalamatan naman ni PBGen. Esquivel ang mga lokal na residente sa agarang pagbigay impormasyon nito sa kanilang hanay. Hinimok din niya ang publiko na maging alerto at tumulong sa mga otoridad sa pagsugpo ng pinagbabawal na Nakilala ang may-ari ng Marijuana gamot na nakakasira sa buhay ng tao. plantation na isang magsasaka at (JPG, PIA-Agusan del Sur/PNP-13) May 9-15, 2020 |
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Pamimigay ng ayuda sa Agusan del Norte, patuloy By Nora C. Lanuza
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN - Patuloy ang pamimigay ng ayuda sa iba’t ibang local government units (LGUs) ng Agusan del Norte bilang suporta sa mga residente na apektado ng coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis at hindi nakatanggap ng assistance maging sa social amelioration fund, TUPAD, at iba pang assistance mula sa gobyerno at hindi rin kabilang sa 4Ps beneficiaries. May kanya-kanyang stratehiya sa pamimigay ang bawat LGU at magkaiba din ang iinibigay at dami nito depende sa kanilang makakaya.
Richard Daquipil, bawat kwalipikadong household ay makakatanggap ng tigiisang sako ng bigas. Target din nilang maibigay ang mahigit isang libo at siyam na raang sako (1,926) upang Sa bayan ng RTR, ayon kay mayor makatulong sa kanilang pang araw-
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araw ng pagkain.
15 kilo at sampung kilo para sa isa.
Dagdag pa ni mayor Daquipil, Lahat naman ng kwalipikadong magbibigay din ang LGU ng tig-iisang pamilya o hosehold sa lungsod ng manok bawat pamilya. Cabadbaran, sa bayan Magallanes ay tatanggap din ng tig-iisang sakong Sa bayan naman ng Buenavista, bigas at kalahating sako naman sa ang 2nd wave ng kanilang bigayan ay ibang bayan. nagsimula noong Mayo 7 hanggang 12, bawat kwalipikadong pamilya ay Nagpasalamat di si Jay Sanchez makakatanggap depende sa dami ng ng Barangay Basilisa sa bayan ng RTR myembro nito. dahil napakalaking tulong talaga ang bigay ng bigas sa kanila. Ayon din kay Mayor Norbert Pagaspas ng bayan ng Buenavista, Sa ngayon, ang buong probinsya Agusan del Norte, kung ang myembro ng Agusan del Norte ay nasa general ng pamilya ay nasa tatlo at pataas, community quarantine at patuloy pa sila ay makakatanggap ng 20 kilo ng ring COVID-19 free. (NCLM/PIA Agusan bigas; kung dalawa ang miyembro ay del Norte)
Surigao del Norte conducts COVID-19 rapid testing By Venus L. Garcia
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte – With the continued clamor of the public for a mass testing after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hit Caraga region, Surigao del Norte Governor Francisco “Lalo� Matugas said during the Laging Hand Network Briefing on Thursday that the province has already finished conducting the initial round of rapid antibody testing. May 9-15, 2020 |
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The rapid testing conducted on May 2 to 53 individuals reveals 51 negative results and two inconclusive results that were scheduled for repeat testing.
Dr. Mocorro added that said medical doctor remains to be healthy with no symptoms the entire time and is currently on home quarantine and was scheduled for swabbing for RTPCR test on May 4 for confirmatory The summary of results for the first testing. batch was issued by the Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital through Dr. “We urged the public to remain Chrismar Mocorro, chief of hospital. calm. Despite our strict protocol on infection control, there are things In accordance with the beyond our control. We remind the Department of Health (DOH) protocol, public to stay at home, practice they are now confined in one of the physical distancing and wearing of provincial community quarantine mask, and do frequent handwashing,” facilities for a specific quarantine said Dr. Mocorro. period before they will be allowed to go home while waiting for the Reverse Another batch of Surigaonons, Transcription Polymerase Chain will be tested in the next days. Reaction (RT-PCR) test result of the first “Thus, we seek the cooperation of medical frontliner who was classified everyone. Please be our COVID-19 as presumptive positive. hero by just staying at home as much as possible. Prior to the initiated rapid testing, Dr. Mocorro had also released an Report immediately to proper official statement that in the afternoon health authorities any symptoms of May 1, 2020, he was informed by one felt that are COVID19-related for of the dedicated and service-oriented appropriate management and referral outsourced medical doctors that the if needed,” said Gov. Matugas. result of the COVID-19 rapid antibody test was positive for lgG. The isolation facilities of the province are the Provincial Training “This could mean that there was Center in Sta. Cruz, Placer and Bayay a previous infection with COVID-19 or it Paglaum in Alegria. The barangays could mean a false positive result. have also identified and designated appropriate places that serve as This test is a standard protocol in barangay isolation units (BIUs). Some the hospital in Butuan where the said government facilities were also medical doctor also works,” mentioned converted into BIUs. (VLG/PIA-Surigao Dr. Mocorro. del Norte)
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SurSur health care facilities receive PPEs, food packs By Lee Escobal
BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur - Several health care facilities under the second district of the province received recently personal protective equipment (PPE) and food packs from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Office of the Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel. A total of 544 liters of alcohol (disinfectant), 800 pieces washable face masks, 12 boxes of gloves, 80 food packs (containing canned goods and packs of instant coffee) and 40 kilos of fresh American lemons were distributed to the front liners and personnel of Hinatuan District Hospital, Bislig District Hospital, Lingig Community Hospital, and Bislig City Health Office.
Pimentel, while the face masks were donated by TESDA Surigao del Sur and Department of Education Surigao del Sur Division headed by Schools Division Superintendent Josita Carmen, and the American lemons were from the TVET Association of Surigao del Sur through their President Gaspar Rodriguez.
Also, Congressman Pimentel turned-over three brand new The said distribution was also ambulances to the three assisted by the cluster member aforementioned hospitals. agencies of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster The activity is in support of the (PRLEC) of Surigao del Sur and the TVET Bayanihan to Heal As One-Act, which Association of Surigao del Sur (TVETASS), calls for an inter-agency partnership Inc. and collaboration in the mobilization of assistance to mitigate transmission The medical supplies (alcohol of the coronavirus disease 2019 and gloves) including the food packs (COVID-19). (IO-TESDA/PIA-Surigao del came from the Office of Congressman Sur) May 9-15, 2020 |
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Construction of IP school in Surigao Sur town starts By Alexander Lopez
BUTUAN CITY – Members of the Manobo tribe in conflictaffected Lianga town in Surigao del Sur province welcomed the start of the construction of an Indigenous Peoples (IP) school that would benefit their children.
TRIBAL SCHOOL. Members of the Manobo tribe welcome the start of the construction of the Sitio Simuwao School of Living Traditions in Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on Tuesday (May 12, 2020). The new school is an initiative of the local tribal council and supported by the multi-sectoral Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. (Photo courtesy of 3SFBn)
Hawudon Jumar S. Bucales, the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Lianga, said the tribe was elated with the start of the construction of the Sitio Simuwao School of Living Traditions in Sitio Simuwao (Km. 9), Barangay Diatagon on Tuesday.
The TRIFPSS has long been suspected by the military of having links with the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the area.
The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the “This school of living traditions of United States, European Union, the our tribe will replace the Tribal Filipino United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Program of Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS),” and New Zealand. Bucales said in a statement on Wednesday. “The Manobos here in Simuwao
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and the nearby barangays have been waiting for the start of the construction of this IP school. We are happy that the government finally started its construction. This is for the future of our children,” Bucales said. Resident, Arnold Godez, thanked the government for the construction of the IP school. “As a parent, I am happy that my children will no longer walk far every day just to attend school,” Godez said.
construction of the IP school and assured the help of the community support teams of the Army and the 544 Engineer Battalion until the completion of the school building. “The Army will continue to support and protect Sitio Simuwao until the completion of the school project,” Baybayan said, recalling how the NPA attacked the civilians in the area last February 21 and injured three residents.
1Lt. Krisjuper Andreo J. Punsalan, civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn), said the proposal to construct an IP school in the area emanated from the local IP Council and the resolution issued by Barangay Diatagon officials.
Brig. Gen. Allan D. Hambala, commander of the Army’s 401st Infantry Brigade, said he was grateful for the “prompt response” of the RTFELCAC member agencies to make the schools ready before the opening of classes after the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
“The local government of Lianga adopted the resolutions, which were supported by the Regional Peace and Order Council, chaired by Governor Alexander T. Pimentel of Surigao del Sur, and Regional Development Council - Social Development Committee, chaired by Mayor Kirk A. Asis of Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur,” Punsalan said.
“To make the IPs resilient and not deprive them of quality education are some of the primary objectives of the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict. Through proper education, the IPs will be able to protect themselves from the CNTs’ (Communist NPA terrorists’) deception and exploitation,” Hambala said.
He said the move is part of the efforts of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTFELCAC) to implement development projects in identified Peace and Development Zones in the Caraga region.
“Further, providing them quality education could help them preserve and develop their culture and tradition.”
Meanwhile, Bucales and Lianga’s tribal council have called on party-list Bayan Muna and its local affiliate, the Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Lt. Col. Joey B. Baybayan, 3SFBn Sumusunod (Mapasu), and their allies commander, also welcomed the “not to create any scene to disrupt the May 9-15, 2020 |
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establishment of the IP schools in the “Join us and support the area.” completion of this school building. Let us declare the terrorist NPA as persona “There’s nothing wrong if a school non grata to end all these conflicts is constructed for the good of our tribe caused by their misguided ideologies and our children,” Bucales said. and principles.” (PNA)
LGU disposes of whale carcass found in Surigao Sur By Alexander Lopez
WHALE CARCASS. Personnel from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Caraga Region launched an onsite investigation on the dead whale found by fishermen in Sitio Sitio Gakubay, Barangay Baculin, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, on Saturday, May 9. Local officials decided to dispose of the carcass following the residents’ fears that it may cause possible diseases. (Photo courtesy of Dennis Brylle Balambao, DA-BFAR Caraga Fisheries Laboratory)
BUTUAN CITY – Officials of the Surigao del Sur town of Hinatuan disposed of the carcass of a whale following residents’ fears that it may cause possible diseases.
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Herzon Gallego, Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Caraga Region (DENR-13) information officer, said Wednesday Hinatuan Mayor Shem Garay ordered the carcass to be chopped into pieces and burned down to prevent the possible spread of bacteria and other harmful organisms.
whale, Gallego said.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Caraga Region (BFAR-13) said Tuesday that an onsite investigation on May 9 showed that the carcass belongs to a Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus). It has a length of 55.97 feet and weighed Local fishermen found the carcass an estimated 40 tons. off the waters near Barangay Baculin in Hinatuan last May 9. BFAR-13 said the carcass was already rotting when it was found, Gallego said DENR-13 executive indicated by its missing skin, soft director Felix Alicer has instructed the blubber, bloating, and strong foul odor Community Environment and Natural that limited the laboratory personnel to Resources (CENRO) in Bislig City to look do a necropsy. into the possible causes of the whale’s death. It said the tissue and teeth samples were collected by the However, after a meeting with laboratory personnel and will be sent personnel of the municipal fisheries to the University of the Philippinesoffice and Garay on the facts presented Institute of Environmental Science by some fishermen in the area, the and Meteorology for biological and CENRO officer failed to establish the molecular tests and age identification. cause of the whale’s death of the (PNA) May 9-15, 2020 |
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MINDANAO NEWS
MinDA forms special team to help poor access gov’t funds By Prexx Marnie Kate Trozo
DAVAO CITY – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has created a special team to help people access available financing or grants from the government.
In a Facebook post Wednesday, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the initiative is part of MinDA’s preparation for the post coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) Recovery Program and a support program for the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program (BPBPP) pushed by Senator Christopher Lawrence Go. He said the program will be known as “Assistance in Loan Access for Livelihood and Agriculture Industries (ALALAI)”, which will provide free facilitation services to farmers, fisherfolk, and women who would like to start a small business. The MinDA ALALAI Special Team will determine and identify the various government loans, emergency assistance, and grants program per agency. It will also undertake an information drive both through the mainstream media and social media and face-to-face interaction to inform the public of the loan and assistance programs. “It will also assist prospective applicants in the preparation of the feasibility and financial studies and other loan documents and link up prospective loans and grants beneficiaries with the
banks or agencies with lending or financial assistance programs,” he said. Piñol added that a separate team will later be formed to closely monitor and supervise the implementation of the projects funded under the ALALAI Program. He noted that billions of pesos in government assistance and loan funds for livelihood and other economic activities are virtually gathering molds in bank vaults due to lack of borrowers. Among the government assistance which, he said, were not fully utilized are the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) of the Department of Labor (DOLE) livelihood assistance. He pointed out that ACEF which is collected by the government from the importation of agricultural products offers a PHP1 million loan to individuals and PHP5 million to cooperatives and associations involved in agriculture and fisheries at a May 9-15, 2020 |
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very low interest rate of two percent. The OWWA, on the other hand, offers livelihood assistance for returning OFWs so they could start a business and settle down in the country for good. He added that the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies, like the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and even the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have funds, both for
individual farmers and fishermen, and local government units with very low access rates. “There are two main reasons why these funds are not fully utilized -- one is most people do not know about the programs. And even if they know there are such programs, the voluminous documentary requirements are so tough that the ordinary farmer and fisherman would rather go to the 5-6 lenders to borrow money,” Piñol added. (PNA)
3 Mindanao towns adopt ‘Balik Probinsya’ program By Prexx Marnie Kate Trozo
DAVAO CITY – Three Mindanao towns have already committed to join in the “Balik Probinsya, Balik Pagasa” Program (BPBPP), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Friday.
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‘BALIK PROBINSYA’. Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Emmanuel Piñol presents the concept of the “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa” Rural Resettlement Project with town officials of Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte on Thursday (May 7, 2020). The town has been identified as the pilot area for the initiative, which is being championed by Senator Christopher Lawrence Go. (Photo from Secretary Emmanuel Piñol’s Facebook Page)
In a Facebook post, Piñol said Kauswagan town in Lanao del Norte, Malaybalay City in Bukidnon, and M’lang municipality in North Cotabato have committed to adopt the program, an initiative of Senator Christopher Lawrence Go.
with the signing by President Rody Duterte of an Executive Order, has the full support of 22 departments and agencies of government, Governor Zubiri was convinced and even volunteered to provide a counterpart for the housing project,” he said.
After Zamboanga del Norte, he said the province of Lanao del Norte became the second Mindanao province to accept the challenge to establish a model Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Rural Resettlement Project, with the town of Kauswagan as the pilot area.
Piñol noted that Zubiri proposed a community of 200 families to be trained in vegetable farming and strawberry growing and relocated to an area in the vegetable production area of the province.
Piñol said Kauswagan Mayor Rommel Arnado, an organic farming advocate, has signified the town’s interest to accept the first 200 families who would like to return home to the municipality or to any Lanao del Norte town. “They will live in a five-hectare housing-with-livelihood activity in Barangay Kudaran,” he said, adding that the municipal government has already committed to provide gardening equipment, such as small tractors and tools for the first Balik Probinsya beneficiaries for Lanao del Norte.
“Earlier, North Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco has pledged to provide a land area and support services for the implementation of the BPBPP, which would bring home residents of North Cotabato who are now considered as informal settlers in the big cities,” he said. Catamco intends to use the provincial agro-industrial park in the town of M’lang for growing organic native chicken with a complete value chain, Piñol said.
“The area is near the M’lang Airport and the processing facilities so we On the other hand, Piñol said an could ensure the complete value chain initially skeptical Bukidnon Governor process from production, processing to Jose Zubiri has also expressed full support marketing,” he said. to the program after being assured of a “whole-of-nation” approach in the “Next week, the Mindanao implementation of the program. Development Authority (MinDA) planning and technical staff will start engaging the “When he was briefed that the four LGUs to lay the groundwork for the BPBPP, which has been institutionalized implementation of the project.” (PNA) May 9-15, 2020 |
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NATIONAL NEWS
SEC. MARTIN ANDANAR PCOO
NEWS CORNER
PCOO agencies urged to limit cross-posting on social media pages
Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFEID), and major primetime news and public affairs programs of PTV-4, Radyo Pilipinas, and the Philippine News Agency. The order also stated that the Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) will continue to manage the crossposting activities. Andanar confirmed that the order was issued after the PCOO Facebook page shared a post from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) page which published infographics that held ABS-CBN television network responsible for the expiration of its broadcast permit. The infographics were already taken down.
“With the identification of the individual accountable for uploading and sending of the contentious MANILA – Presidential Facebook post, our office deems Communications Operations an investigation into the matter, Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin unnecessary,” Andanar said in a statement.
Andanar has asked its attached agencies to strictly limit the cross- Andanar said a memorandum is posting of content on its social scheduled to be sent within the day media platforms. asking the individual for an explanation,
after which the proper action will be Department Order No. 20-009 taken by the PCOO. signed by Andanar on May 11 requires attached agencies to limit the posting “We have undertaken the initial of content to live streaming and step of limiting access to the PCOO’s briefings of President Rodrigo Duterte, social media pages and accounts. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, We would like to reassure the public Chief Presidential Legal Counsel that we will uphold accountability on Salvador Panelo, members of the Inter- matters like this in order to minimize such May 9-15, 2020 |
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unfortunate instances from happening Party of the Philippines-New People’s again in the future,” he said. Army-National Democratic Front) exploits the ABS-CBN closure and views Earlier, Andanar and Presidential it as an opportunity to sow chaos and Spokesperson Harry Roque also clarified division,” said Badoy, speaking for the that the NTF-ELCAC statement is not an NTF-ELCAC. official stance of the PCOO and the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson Badoy said the CPP-NPA-NDF (OPS), respectively. and its legal fronts will stop at nothing to divide the Filipino people to reach “The posted content is not in any its end goal of overthrowing the way an official statement or an opinion government. of the PCOO. The issue regarding ABSCBN Corporation’s network franchise She said the “meddling” with the remains within the purview of Congress,” franchise issue is the duty of the NTFAndanar said. ELCAC to “debunk” anti-government propaganda by the communist Roque, like Andanar, said his movement. office does not share the same view. In a separate statement, National “We wish to clarify that the above Security Adviser and NTF-ELCAC Vice posts did not come from the Office of Chair Hermogenes Esperon Jr. justified the Presidential Spokesperson and the the infographics, which discuss the NTF Stratcomms which is headed by the legal situation of ABS-CBN’s franchise. OPS. Hence, not the official statement of our Office,” Roque said. “If the left is exploiting the issue, which it is, then NTF-ELCAC must come Bayan Muna party-list Rep. in and at the least warn and inform the Ferdinand Gaite earlier accused the people about the issues. Freedom of NTF-ELCAC of meddling with the ABS- the press is not the issue here. I go for CBN franchise issue by “spreading law and order,” Esperon said. disinformation, fake news, to advance its sinister agenda.” ABS-CBN’s stopped its broadcast operations on May 5 to comply with the PCOO Undersecretary Lorraine cease and desist order of the National Marie Badoy on Sunday said the ABS- Telecommunications Commission’s CBN franchise issue “has clearly become (NTC) following the expiration of the an NTF-ELCAC issue” owing to the station’s franchise on May 4. communist movement’s exploitation for their own interests. The media giant has already filed a petition before the Supreme Court “We are fully cognizant about how (SC) to nullify NTC’s cease and desist the terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist order. (By Azer Parrocha/PNA)
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DAR allots P300-M to aid farmers during pandemic
DAR Secretary John R. Castriciones said the PaSSOver: ARBOld Move to Heal as One Deliverance of our ARBs from the COVID 19 Pandemic is a project of DAR to help agrarian reform beneficiaries. Photo by DAR
QUEZON CITY - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is currently extending help and support to thousands of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) through its project called “The PaSSOver: ARBOld Move to Heal as One Deliverance of our ARBs from the COVID 19 Pandemic� where the agency has allotted P300 million budget to implement the project. May 9-15, 2020 |
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DAR Secretary John R. Castriciones said the P300 million budget will be sourced out from the reprogrammed and realigned budget of the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development Sustainability Program (ARBDSP) and unobligated allotment from the different units of the DAR Support Services Office (SSO). Castriciones said the project was created in response to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Republic Act 11469, where the President Rodrigo Duterte directed all government agencies to provide, protect and promote the welfare of the people in these times of the pandemic.
successful completion of the project,” Padilla said. Padilla said the ARBOld Move project will provide enabling mechanisms for the ARBs, individually and collectively, to continue performing their roles as frontliners in ensuring food sufficiency in the country.
“We are assisting the farmers in the distribution and delivery of agricommodities by issuing quarantine accreditation passes so they could pass through checkpoints easily, especially in critical areas under ECQ,” Padilla said. As of April 24, a total of 629 quarantine accreditation passes has “This project intends to provide been distributed to ARBs and agrarian immediate and essential support reform beneficiaries’ organizations services to men and women agrarian (ARBOs). reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to mitigate the impact of the enhanced community The ARBOs will also be provided quarantine (ECQ) measures due to with farm inputs such as seedlings, the pandemic and to address the fertilizers, pesticides, and farm tools to demands affecting the agricultural enable them to resume planting crops sector even after the ECQ has been for continuous food supply on their lifted or upon the start of the ‘new tables as well as for public consumption. normal,’ “ Castriciones noted. It will cover 7,000 hectares nationwide with 90,839 individual ARBs to benefit Castriciones said that he has from the project. directed SSO Undersecretary Emily O. Padilla to craft guidelines for the ARB identification cards (ARB IDs) implementation of the said project. are also being issued and distributed under the ARBOld Move. Padilla said Padilla said the guidelines has the IDs are being given to identify been cascaded to the regional and ARBs to facilitate their access to the provincial implementors. government’s social amelioration programs (SAPs). “We have incorporated in the guidelines activities and measures As of April 24, a total of 77,119 ARB that will be undertaken to ensure the IDs have been distributed by the DAR.
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The project will also extend its support to 1,200 women ARBs nationwide by providing them with livelihood activities, especially in food production such as egg and poultry production, hog fattening, and similar activities based on their preferences and capabilities to ensure they have food on their tables and products to sell.
said. Padilla said the project will also provide packages containing supplemental food, hygiene products and vitamins to ARB households. Each package will contain 4 kilos of rice, 4 canned sardines, 4 packs instant noodles, 2 pieces bath soap, 10 pieces face masks and a bottle of 50 pieces vitamin C.
Priority assistance will also be given to women with special circumstances such as single parents, widows, senior citizens, head of households, persons with disabilities, and group of indigenous peoples, who undertake farming activities but lost their source of income because of the ECQ.
A total of 126,565 qualified ARBs will benefit from these packages.
“Helping our ARBs will ensure that their agricultural production, livelihood and income will continue during this health crisis. It will also ensure sustained supply of adequate, affordable and safe food necessary for Filipino “This will bolster the role of consumers even upon the ‘new normal’ women in mitigating the impact of the will be implemented,”Padilla noted. pandemic in the households,” Padilla (DAR) May 9-15, 2020 |
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Gov’t to ensure ‘Balik Probinsya’ beneficiaries stay in provinces By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – The government will craft mechanisms to ensure that beneficiaries of the “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa” (BP2) program will no longer return to Metro Manila, Malacañang said on Saturday. During the Laging Handa program aired on state-run PTV-4, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the guidelines for the full and effective implementation of the BP2 program are now being formulated.
Roque made the remarks amid concerns over the possibility that beneficiaries of the BP2 program might leave their respective provinces after getting assistance from the government.
“I’m sure magkakaroon sila ng safeguards, mga mekanismo para maiwasan naman ‘yung pag-balik ng mga nag-avail na ng benepisyo ng Balik Probinsya program (I’m sure there will be safeguards, mechanisms to avoid the return of those who avail of the benefits provided under the Balik Probinsya Program [to Metro Manila]),” Roque said.
BP2 program, a pet project of President Rodrigo Duterte’s former special aide and now Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, seeks to decongest Metro Manila which is home to 12.87 million Filipinos.
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On Wednesday, Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) 114 which institutionalizes the BP2 program “to
ensure balanced regional development is now coordinating with local and equitable distribution of wealth, government units to ensure the safe resources and opportunities.” return of those who will be relocated to their respective provinces. EO 114 seeks the implementation of policies and programs that will boost “Para sa mga gustong umuwi countryside development and inclusive na ngayon, may nakahanda nang growth, provide adequate social protocols daw ang gobyerno para services, and promote full employment, siguraduhin na ligtas ang pagbyahe industrialization, and improved quality at hindi ito magdudulot ng lalong of life in rural areas. pagkalat ng sakit. May transportation assistance at transitory package na In a separate statement, Go ipapamahagi (For those who wish to said six provinces are now ready to return home now, the government has participate in the testing phase of the imposed protocols to ensure their safe BP2 program. travel and protect them against any disease. There will be transportation Go said Leyte, Zamboanga del assistance and transitory package for Norte, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, North them),” he said. Cotabato, and Camarines Sur have expressed readiness to conduct a pilot Go said BP2 program is an testing of the relocation program. important initiative as the country prepares for the “new normal” after the “Ngayon ay isa sa priorities na coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. ang [BP2]. Natutuwa ako na may mga provinces na po na nagsabing handa The DSWD is expected to provide na para sa pilot testing (BP2 is now one transportation assistance, transitory of the government’s priorities. I am assistance packages, and livelihood happy that there are provinces that assistance to BP2 beneficiaries. are ready for pilot testing),” he said. The Department of Labor Go noted that the Department and Employment will also give job of Social Welfare and Development opportunities to those who will be (DSWD) has already identified around part of the BP2 program, while the 3,000 persons who are residing in Metro Department of Trade and Industry Manila but want to return to their will continue generating businesses respective provinces. and employment opportunities in the countryside. He added that workers stranded in Metro Manila will also be assisted for The National Housing Authority and their return to their home provinces. the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development will likewise Go said the national government come up with a housing development May 9-15, 2020 |
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plan to create affordable housing for technical skills, and intended provincial the BP2 beneficiaries. destination. “Lahat ng agencies po magaalign ng kanilang mga programs, activities, and projects na pwedeng makatulong sa mga kababayan nating nais umuwi at para rin ma-encourage ang iba na mag-relocate sa mga probinsya sa tamang panahon (All government agencies will implement programs, activities, and projects that can help our fellow Filipinos who wish to return to their provinces. These will also encourage others to return home),” Go said. Go said those who wish to avail of the relocation program may visit balikprobinsya.ph to fill out a form that will inquire about their personal details,
Filipinos may also manually sign application forms that will be distributed throughout Metro Manila, or through an SMS system that is being set up by the BP2 inter-agency council, Go added. Go said national agencies will check the readiness of provinces to accept the returnees. ”Doon sa mga identified individuals natin, i-verify ng DSWD kung taga saan sila originally para mabigyan agad ng tulong at makakauwi na sila (For the identified individuals, DSWD will verify where their province is so we can give them immediate assistance and they can return home),” he said. (PNA)
TESDA urged to boost tech-voc programs in countryside By Jose Cielito Reganit
MANILA – Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday urged the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to attune and update technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs in the provinces in preparation to the “new normal” after the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) health crisis. “Palakasin pa dapat ang mga technical-vocational education and skills training programs natin lalo na sa panahon ngayon (We must strengthen
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our TVET programs, especially during this time) Having an educated and skilled workforce is essential in accelerating development in the countryside and will
provide more economic opportunities respond better to crises, boost the to Filipinos to help them recover from economy of the provinces, and give this crisis,” Go stressed. Filipinos hope for a better future after the current crisis. He said boosting TVET programs, following the changing business “Pagbalik ng mga tao sa probinsya requirements in the countryside, is pagkatapos ng krisis, siguraduhin dapat needed now more than ever with the ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno na may expected influx of Filipinos returning to mga programang nakahanda para their home provinces after the Covid-19 sa kabuhayan nila. Lalo na ang mga situation. ‘tech-voc’ o skills training para sa mga Pilipinong gustong matuto o makakuha People living in metropolitan areas ng sertipikasyon sa kanilang mga are also motivated to return or relocate kakayahan para makakuha agad sila to the countryside after President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order ng maayos na trabaho (When people 114 last May 6, institutionalizing the return to the provinces after the crisis, Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) government agencies should ensure that there are livelihood programs program. for them. Especially the tech-voc or As the proponent of this initiative, skills training for Filipinos who wanted Go sees the BP2 program as a way to to learn or get certificates for their decongest Metro Manila, strengthen competencies, for them to immediately the capability of the government to get decent jobs),” he said. May 9-15, 2020 |
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Collaborate with gov’t agencies
it has started aligning its programs in support of the objectives of the program Go also urged TESDA to coordinate in support of the objectives of the BP2 its efforts and collaborate with various Program. government agencies, such as the Department of Trade and Industry During one of the meetings (DTI) and the National Economic and held for the initiative, TESDA Director Development Authority (NEDA), as well General Isidro Lapeña said the agency as the local government units (LGUs), to is presently enhancing courses in ensure that the TVET programs offered “agriculture, health and construction,” in a particular province match with the sectors that many economists what is needed in that locality. expect to bounce back much faster than other industries after the country “Naaayon rin ang klase ng overcomes the Covid-19 pandemic. kabuhayan sa katangian ng isang probinsya. Halimbawa, doon sa Additionally, TESDA-NCR regional Mindanao, merong mga probinsya director Florencio Sunico also assured na malakas ang agri-industrial sector. that the agency will do thorough Meron namang probinsya na mas akma profiling of workers and industries to help sa kanila ang fisheries. Kaya mahalaga the government in properly assisting na ang binibigay na training ay tugma Filipinos going back to the provinces din sa kung ano ang negosyong under the BP2 Program. maaaring lumago sa lugar na iyon (The type of livelihood also depends on the In the meantime, Go reiterated characteristics of a province. his call for concerned agencies and LGUs to immediately execute their BP2 In Mindanao for example, there plans as more Filipinos have expressed are provinces where the agri-industrial willingness to go back to their respective sector is strong. On the other hand, provinces following their experiences there are provinces where fisheries is in the metropolis during the Covid-19 more suitable. So it is important that the crisis. offered training program matches what business will thrive in that locality),” Go “Hindi po ito sapilitan. Unahin said. dapat ang mga kababayan nating nais na bumalik sa kanilang mga probinsya Go also noted that new special at tulungan dapat sila ng gobyerno na economic zones are expected to makakuha ng trabaho o magkaroon be established in various parts of the ng mas maayos na kabuhayan (This is country, thus TESDA should also be voluntary. Priority must be given to those ready to provide people in those areas willing to go back to their provinces, the needed skills to qualify for the jobs and the government should help them that would soon be made available. get jobs or have better livelihoods),” he TESDA has earlier assured that said. (PNA)
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Marikina, Taguig to strengthen anti-Covid-19 efforts By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The cities of Marikina and Taguig vowed to beef up efforts in fighting the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro (left) and Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano (right). (File photo)
This, after Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro and Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano were named as among the five local chief executives in Metro Manila who got the highest approval ratings from their constituents in terms of their response to the health crisis based on a recent survey conducted by Publicus Asia Inc. in partnership with Kantar.
accumulated the most approval ratings when it comes to job performance in combating Covid-19,” Teodoro told the Philippine News Agency in a text message late Wednesday. This recognition, he said, would boost the Marikina City government’s resolve in its fight against Covid-19.
Teodoro said that it is his Teodoro said he is grateful for the recognition of his local government’s responsibility to serve his constituents with his utmost ability and efforts. effort against Covid-19. “As the father of Marikina City, it is “I am elated that our city has been recognized as one of the top five cities my foremost duty and responsibility as a in NCR (National Capital Region) which public servant to serve my constituents
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to the best of my ability, especially approach to contain the sickness since now that the whole country is facing a January. health crisis,” Teodoro said. It also launched its Systematic The health of the Marikina residents Mass Approach to Responsible Testing, is the “primordial concern” of the local which features hospital testing, housegovernment, he added. to-house testing, community-based testing through health centers, and Throughout the pandemic, drive-thru testing. Marikina has been proactive in mass testing, isolation, and supportive Also included in the actions taken treatments. by Cayetano against Covid-19 are partnering with the private sector in Meanwhile, the Taguig City the containment and contact tracing government said there is a lot more to efforts, sterilizing workplaces, and webin the battle against the pandemic. based services in consultation and education, among others. “Ang Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Taguig ay patuloy na maglulunsad ng Based on the Covid-19 online panel mga programa upang masiguro na survey from May 5 to 8 conducted on ligtas at handa ang ating komunidad 1,000 Metro Manila residents, Teodoro sa krisis na ito [The local government and Cayetano got an approval rating of Taguig will continue launching of 69 and 68 percent, respectively. programs to ensure safe and prepared community in this crisis],” it said in a Aside from them, mayors who are Facebook post. in the top five were Rex Gatchalian of Valenzuela, with 92 percent; Vico Sotto It, however, expressed optimism of Pasig with 83 percent, and Francisco that it will be able to eventually win the “Isko Moreno” Domagoso of Manila fight against the disease. with 76 percent. “Naniniwala ang lokal na pamahalaan na sa ating patuloy na pagbabayanihan ay sama-sama nating matatalo ang Covid-19 [The local government believes that our unity with of our people, we can together beat Covid-19],” it said. Taguig is using pro-active measures in addressing the Covid-19 crisis as one of the first local government units in the National Capital Region to design an
The three other mayors have yet to comment on the results of the survey. “The best-case practices employed by these high-performing local chief executives and city governments should be studied and emulated by other LGUs and government institutions working to beat Covid-19,” Publicus Asia Inc. executive director and spokesperson Aureli Sinsuat said in a statement. (PNA) May 9-15, 2020 |
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House leaders push for P1.5-T post pandemic stimulus package By Filane Mikee Cervantes
File photo
MANILA – Leaders of the House of Representatives are proposing a stimulus package worth PHP1.5 trillion to lessen the impact of an economic downturn and the possibility of massive unemployment due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and other House leaders filed on Monday House Bill 6709, or the proposed Covid-19 Unemployment Reduction Economic Stimulus (CURES) Act, which seeks to
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establish a special fund to finance infrastructure projects across the priority areas of Health, Education, Agriculture, and Local Roads/Infrastructure and Livelihood (HEAL).
The proposed PHP1.5-trillion CURES fund shall be made available for three fiscal years with PHP500 billion scheduled to be appropriated every year.
construction of the infrastructural output; and 3) potential for forward and backward linkages with local businesses, suppliers, traders and skilled and unskilled workforces.
Under the bill, government infrastructure spending shall be primarily geared towards maximizing the direct and indirect creation and sustaining of jobs, particularly in the Philippine rural countryside.
“By refocusing government interventions towards these areas, the CURES Act of 2020 also aims to rectify inequities in critical infrastructure spending,” he said. Among the proposed projects include barangay health centers, municipal and city hospitals, digital equipment for testing, “tele-health’ services and e-prescriptions, postharvest facilities, bagsakan centers and food terminals.
Citing a study of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Cayetano noted that the construction phase of infrastructure projects like roads, watershed development, construction of irrigation dams, or powerhouse provides the poor employment and income-earning Other infrastructure projects shall opportunities. be funded like walking or bicycle lanes, bridges across creeks and “The CURES Act of 2020 will irrigation canals, evacuation centers prioritize funding of projects that target and disaster emergency facilities and infrastructure building down the most roads going to tourist spots, beaches, basic unit of the political structure — mountain parks, new business districts the barangay level,” he said. or economic zones, and hubs for small and medium-sized enterprises. “These huge infrastructure projects shall be undertaken in Cayetano co-authored the conjunction with the ‘Balik Probinsya bill with Majority Leader Martin Program’ recommended by Senator Romualdez; Deputy Speakers Luis Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go which Raymund Villafuerte, Paolo Duterte was approved by President (Rodrigo) and Loren Legarda; House committee Duterte,” he added. on appropriations chair Eric Yap; House committee on public accounts chair The proposals for funding the Michael Defensor; House committee HEAL priority areas shall be evaluated against a criteria based on 1) actual on good government and public need in the locality; 2) number accountability chair Jose Antonio Syof locally sourced new jobs to be Alvarado; and Taguig City-Pateros Rep. created and/or sustained after the Lani Cayetano. (PNA) May 9-15, 2020 |
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Pinoys in Ethiopia innovate disinfection cabin vs. Covid-19
NECESSITY BREEDS INNOVATION. The disinfection cabin team members Engr. Marlon Rojo, Engr. Eunelfa Regie Calibara, Engr. Jolan Sy, Engr. Wubishet Degife (Ethiopian) and Engr. Alain Vincent Comendador. A team of Filipino expatriate engineers and teachers in Amhara Region in north-central Ethiopia innovated a disinfection cabin for exposed clothing and skin that may be contaminated with coronavirus. (Photo courtesy of Wollo University Filipino team members).
MANILA – In the continuing battle against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), a team of Filipino expatriate engineers and teachers in Amhara Region in north-central Ethiopia innovated a disinfection cabin for exposed clothing and skin that may be Covidcontaminated.
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Installed at the main entrance of Wollo University-Kombolcha Institute of Technology (WU-KIOT), the cabin uses four misting devices that aim for wholebody coverage, and a disinfectant mist combined with liquid disinfectant and pressurized air. To use, a person enters the cabin, turns around for a few seconds to ensure complete body disinfection and exits the other side of the disinfection cabin.
and Engr. Marlon Rojo. The disinfection cabin was inspired by Mindanao State UniversityIligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT)’s CabinIITZ. The Wollo Provincial Office of the Ethiopian Ministry of Health will later inspect the Filipino-innovated disinfection cabin and the disinfectant formulation.
The Filipino innovators are Engr. WU-KIOT endeavors to get the Alain Vincent Comendador, Engr. disinfection cabin accredited by the Eunelfa Regie Calibara, Engr. Jolan Sy Ethiopian Ministry of Health. (DFA PR)
Solon bats for test, trace approach for Covid-19 management By Filane Mikee Cervantes
MANILA – Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House’s Ways and Means Committee, said Monday the test, trace, isolate and treat approach is critical as the country considers the possibility of easing its strict quarantine restrictions.
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda
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In a 70-page report to President Rodrigo Duterte, Salceda said “exhaustive” tracing and quick turnaround testing would have a more positive impact in reducing the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) than mobility factors, such as another extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
“By exhaustive, I mean to say, find every positive case actively. Test every possible contact. And then find the positives among the contacts. And the trace. Ad infinitum. Until isolation of hypothetical cases exceeds 90 percent,” he said.
He said the modeling study shows that a 50-percent reduction in mobility Salceda said that the ECQ over and a 90-percent isolation tendency for areas with a high chance of outbreak the infected yields the highest impact. served to buy the country “invaluable “It’s likely that we reduced mobility time” to boost its healthcare capacity, change its social behavior, and arrest in the workplace by as much as 70 the growth of infections until testing percent during ECQ and as much as 80 percent in transport. We can adjust capabilities were developed. up, so that reduction only becomes “We can justifiably say that the 50 percent, provided we can keep country is now better prepared for the isolation tendency at 90 percent,” consequences of general quarantine Salceda said. with better testing and tracing than it He noted that the most important is for the impacts of more extensions of enhanced community quarantine on figure is the number of tests per case, economic ecosystems,” Salceda said. citing that the top countries that handled the pandemic well were those that conducted the highest number of “We need tools other than ECQ tests per case. extensions. We need to really be exhaustive with testing and tracing. Salceda said the country may The national strategy has to shift to one need to perform around 48,000 tests where we leave no stone unturned per day or at least 1.4 million tests over when it comes to testing and tracing,” the next 30 days to actively seek cases. he added. He stressed that the tradeoffs, at this stage, point to a shift to a general community quarantine (GCQ), given that lockdown extensions without a comprehensive plan moving forward will cause “very deep cuts” in the economy.
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“To be very effective in isolating all cases, we must begin actively finding where the cases are, as opposed to waiting for the symptomatic to suspect infection and report themselves, when self-reporting has become less likely no thanks to widespread stigmatization of Covid-19 suspects,” he said.
“Our estimates indicate that the best regime is a reduction in mobility and an increase in isolation to near 100 percent levels will decisively flatten the infection curve,” Salceda added. Salceda pushed for a “systemsbased” approach as opposed to “relying on individuals to behave well or communities to be able to contain the pandemic on their own.”
in good systems: transport, healthcare, labor, and communications. The whole shift to ‘a new normal’, with the expectation that people will behave well, shifts the burden of defeating the disease on individuals,” he said.
“That approach may work on lifestyle diseases. It will not work on a pandemic. As is obvious in the international comparatives, Covid-19 spares countries with good systems,” “You need significant investments he added. (PNA)
Safety officers to monitor infra projects’ quarantine protocols By Azer Parrocha
MANILA – Safety officers will have to be assigned in construction sites of both public and private sectors to ensure compliance to safety standards and quarantine protocols against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
File photo May 9-15, 2020 |
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This is among the construction safety guidelines for the resumption of infrastructure projects during the Covid-19 health crisis released by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) through Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a virtual presser on Monday.
of both public and private sectors in areas placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). He said the task force agreed to amend the omnibus guidelines for ECQ enforcement which initially prohibits the implementation of construction and infrastructure projects in areas that have a high risk for Covid-19.
“Work activities shall be strictly monitored by the Safety Officer to ensure compliance to safety standards, and quarantine protocols,” stated in the safety guidelines approved by the IATF-EID.
Other construction guidelines issued by the include:
safety IATF-EID
-- Conduct of inventory works for the construction sequencing to be followed and undertaken to maintain For government construction social distancing; projects, the IATF-EID said safety officers have to make a daily health -- Break times shall be conducted monitoring report and undergo strict in a staggered manner; daily monitoring. -- Employees should be in their It also said that Department of respective quarters for the entire Public Works and Highways (DPWH) duration of the project covered by engineers on site shall ensure strict the ECQ and GCQ. Otherwise, prior compliance to the wearing of additional to deployment procedures shall be personal protective equipment (PPE). conducted at every instance of reentry; “Contractors of essential private construction projects under GCQ -- Errands to be conducted (general community quarantine) outside the construction site premises shall assign a full-time safety officer to shall be kept to a minimum. Number ensure the implementation of social of personnel running errands shall distancing measures,” the task force be limited, properly disinfected, and said. closely monitored for symptoms within 14 days upon re-entry; During the Laging Handa program last Saturday, Roque said the -- Field offices, employees’ IATF-EID has allowed the resumption of quarters, and other common areas construction and infrastructure projects shall be regularly disinfected;
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-- Concessionaires, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, shall provide in-house personnel with adequate food, safe/potable drinking water, disinfectants, hand soaps;
symptoms; -- Gatherings, liquor, and/or merry-making are strictly prohibited within the construction site premises;
-- Daily monitoring of pre and -- Clustered and staggered post health conditions of workers (e.g. deployment of employees within the checking temperature); construction site shall be observed; and -- Personnel with symptoms relative to Covid-19 shall be quarantined for -- Proper waste disposal shall be 14 days and brought to the nearest provided for infectious waste such as Department of Health (DOH) Covid-19 PPEs (personal protective equipment) treatment facility if necessary; and other waste products coming from outside the construction premises. -- For off-site employees: quarters and transport service will be provided Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles and disinfected regularly, before and earlier said the government’s flagship after use; “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program will help “jumpstart” the -- Sharing of construction and economy from the impact of Covid-19. office equipment is discouraged. However, if necessary, the shared With only five days left before ECQ equipment must be disinfected in expires, Metro Manila mayors sought between transfers amongst personnel; another 15-day extension of the more stringent community quarantine. -- All material and equipment delivery and disposal shall be Malacañang said the conducted by a specific team of recommendation of the Metro Manila personnel on an isolated loading/ mayors will be considered. unloading zone, and shall be duly disinfected, as possible; ECQ is being enforced in highrisk areas for Covid-19 namely Metro -- Non-essential personnel will not Manila; Central Luzon, except Aurora; be allowed to enter the construction Calabarzon; Benguet; Pangasinan; site, employees’ quarters, and field Iloilo province; Cebu province; Bacolod offices; City; Davao City; Zamboanga City; and Albay province. -- All personnel entering the site premises on a temporary basis shall Areas listed as low-risk for Covid-19 be properly logged and checked for are currently under GCQ. (PNA) May 9-15, 2020 |
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