Caraga InFocus – October 29-November 4, 2022

DOH CHD CARAGA BACKS INAUGURATION OF BUTUAN CITY YOUTH CENTER

The Department of Health Center for Health Development (DOH CHD) Caraga together with the DOH Health Promotion Bureau of the Central Office led the inauguration of the Butuan City Youth Center on October 24, 2022, at Libertad Health Center, Butuan City.

The Youth Center is a social and recreational center intended primarily for the use of children ages 10 to 14 years old. Youth Centers can build protective factors such as connectedness, selfcontrol, self-confidence, adult mentors, and quality peer relationships which can prevent youth from engaging in risky behaviors. Youth centers’ flexibility allows them to be responsive to the interests and needs of

the youth they serve. Adolescents go through an intense period of identity development, asking themselves: Who am I? How do I fit in? What is my role? The less structured approach of youth centers allows young people to “try on” different interests, or even identities in a safe environment and see which ones work for them. Youth centers are uniquely situated in the third space to support

that exploration. Lastly, it provides a safe and supportive environment where young people can establish and grow positive bonds with staff and their peers.

The center supports opportunities for youth to develop their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive abilities and to experience achievement, leadership, enjoyment, friendship, and recognition. Further, the Youth Center offers opportunities for unstructured activities such as game playing, socializing, club meetings, and outdoor play.

Being healthy is more

than just having good physical health; it also means having good mental health and wellness. The DOHHealth is a life campaign which covers mental health, psychological, and mental wellbeing as its focal area, preparing to step up its interventions to further improve health literacy among Filipinos, lobby for healthy public policies, and advocate for health-supporting environments.

“With this Teen Center, our young adults, our teens, are properly guided and socially strengthened to a more grounded environment, that will support them in

facing various challenges and unforeseen hurdles. This Teen Center can serve as their refuge, to gain better insights, to have stronger positivity, and to feel acceptance and empathy.” Dr. Rosalind G. Vianzon, the Head of DOH HPB Delegation, stated in her message.

The activity was attended by Hon. Cherry May G. Busa, Butuan City Councilor; Dr. Hendry D. Plaza, OIC of City Health Office; Mr. Ernest Darwin L. Esguerra, RN; Ms. Cynth Zephanee Nakila, Butuan City SK Federation President; and DOH HPB representatives. (DOH CHD Caraga/PIA Caraga)

17th Mindanao AFC Congress Stamps 135 Resolutions

Unity and resiliency in agrifishery sector.

This was the voice in unison of a hundred Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) members and stakeholders from Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, Caraga, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) who gathered during the 17th Mindanao AFC Congress and Areawide Participatory Performance Review and Planning Workshop held on October 25 to 27, 2022 in Butuan City.

The three-day activity was

hosted by Caraga Region with the theme “Expanding the Reach of AFCs: Unity in Diversity and Resilience in the Contemporary Times”, that provided a venue for all AFCs to collaborate and discuss and address pressing issues in the agri-fishery sector with the goal of being united and resilient despite the challenges brought by the pandemic.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies discussed their programs and activities that supported and scaled up the farmers and fisherfolk

towards the agency’s vision.

Among these efforts are mainstreaming tools, innovation, and approaches of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) in the regular system; new DA directives, thrust, and food security plans and programs of the current administration; and DA National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP).

The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) guided the AFC members in identifying problems and concerns

in each respective area,coming up with the best possible actions and recommendations, and crafting appropriate policies for resolutions.

DA-Caraga recognized the importance of inputs from AFC members in crafting plans and programs to boost the agri-fishery industry.

A total of 135 resolutions were presented and approved on the said congress which focused on fueling up the approaches of DA in realizing its programs, services, and projects, particularly on the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program to increase food production and improve food accessibility, to increase rural income and to enhance farm and fishery productivity in targeted areas.

Among the notable

recommendations were the resolution recommending local government units to utilize vacant lots in urban areas for urban gardening, a resolution requesting the congress to expedite the passage of a bill regarding floor prices of agricultural products such as rice, corn, copra, rubber, vegetable, a resolution recommending to the Department of Education to include urban gardening and fishery in their curriculum; and among others.

An idea also emerged that DA should adopt a new planting schedule and create a separate operating unit that will analyze the yield and recommend if it is advisable to pursue a traditional planting calendar to avoid wastage of produce. Also, to have market surveillance through an agricultural attaché,

purposely, to expand the market by promoting products to other countries.

With the crafted resolutions, PCAF will course them through the concerned government agencies so they can respond to the resolutions.

The AFC is a mechanism arm of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) for private sector participation in the development processes at the regional, provincial, municipal and city levels.

It has been serving as a partner of the government in deliberating issues and concerns and crafting policy and program recommendations for the government to adopt and eventually implement. (Lovely Joy L. Saludez, DA-Caraga/ PIA Caraga)

‘Paeng’ leaves 1 dead, over 1k families affected in Caraga – RDRRMC

Severe Tropical Storm (STS) “Paeng” (international name: Nalgae) left one dead and more than 1,000 families in Caraga Region displaced, the Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) on Tuesday, November 1, said.

The RDRRMC confirmed the death reported in Malimono town in the province of Surigao del Norte as a result of a landslide. The incident was initially reported as missing on October 27, 2022. The body was eventually recovered and turned over to local police on October 29, 2022 and was immediately buried.

Flooding and landslides were reported in Butuan City and the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands, prompting the provinces of Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 on October 28, 2022 and leaving a total of 1,362 families or 4,817 individuals displaced.

The bulk of the displaced population were recorded in the said provinces, where 655 families or 1,977 individuals and 525 families or 2,061 individuals, respectively, were forced to evacuate. Some 113 families or 477 families are from Butuan City, and 69 families or 302 individuals are from Agusan del Norte.

As of writing, 134 families or 550 individuals in Butuan City and Agusan del Norte are still sheltered in evacuation centers while those from Surigao del Norte and the Province of Dinagat Islands have since returned to their residences.

Class suspension was implemented in the provinces that raised Signal No. 1 and in Butuan City, where 541,279 learners were affected. Work suspension took effect in the Province of Dinagat Islands.

The report also mentioned that a total of 77 houses were damaged by the severe tropical storm, with 14 completely wrecked and 17 partially damaged.

Air and sea travels were also suspended in the affected provinces. Surigao City Port cancelled all flights on October 28, 2022 and resumed on October 30, 2022. Sea travel suspension left 231 passengers stranded in Surigao del Norte; 95 in Agusan del Norte; and 18 in the Province of Dinagat Islands.

As for assistance, affected local government units in Surigao del Norte and the city government of Butuan handed out Food and NonFood Items to its affected population, amounting to a total of P97,179.

“Paeng” is the 15th tropical cyclone to enter the country in 2022 and the fourth in October. The severe tropical storm claimed 121 lives and left over 2 million individuals across the country affected. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declared a state of calamity in four regions namely CALABARZON (IV-A), Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)

PROVINCIAL NEWS

DOLE-AGSUR’S TUPAD PROGRAM REACHES SAN LUIS’ FAR-FLUNG VILLAGES

Some one hundred twenty (120) residents from the Local Government Unit of San Luis, this province, received assistance amounting to P630,000.00 under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga.

Some one hundred (100) beneficiaries from Barangay Mahagsay and another 20 residents from Barangay Sta. Rita, all in San Luis, each received P5,250 as salaries for their 15 days of work rendered.

The two recipient barangays can only be reached by riding a motorcycle with fabricated extension seats made of

wood or steel popularly known in the local language as “Habal-Habal.” Nearly all beneficiaries belong to one of the most marginalized and vulnerable sectors in the Municipality of San Luis -- the Banwaon tribe. As an isolated area in the province, government services will only be accessible if the residents take a 3–4-hour trip

from their respective barangays to the lgu proper, incurring a heavy P1,500.00 fare per unit of motorcycle that can only accommodate 2-3 passengers. “Ako si Aga, nagapuyo sa Barangay Mahagsay. Dako akong pasalamat sa TUPAD nga nakaabot sa among lugar bisan sa kalisod sa dalan. Daghang salamat kaayo sa inyong pagtabang labi na kanamo nga lisod ang kahimtang diri sa among barangay. Salamat kaayo mga Sir (I’m Aga, resident of Barangay Mahagsay. I’m thankful for the TUPAD program that has reached our

place. Thank you for your help as you have seen the difficulties in our barangay. Thank you so much, Sirs),” translated from Banwaon dialect.

The implementation of TUPAD in the two barangays is in partnership with the Local Government Unit of San Luis through the Public Employment Service Office which profiled and identified the eligible beneficiaries.

LGU San Luis Public Employment Service Office Manager Marlinita A. Guarin also shared her gratitude for the program.

The Department of Labor and Employment Agusan del Sur Field Office (DOLE ADSFO) ensures proper coordination with TUPAD partner agencies to ensure effective implementation of the program.

TUPAD is DOLE’s safety net program that provides temporary wage employment to workers in the informal sector who were displaced or whose earnings were affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other natural calamities. (JDP,LEO III/ADSFO/PIAAgusan del Sur)

PARENTS OF CHILD LABORERS IN AGSUR PROVIDED WITH EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT

Some four hundred sixtythree (463) parents of child laborers (CLs) from the various ocal government units of this province were provided with emergency employment through the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program.

Of the 463 beneficiaries, 173 are residents of La Paz, 85 are from Bayugan City, 55 from San Francisco and 50 residents from Talacogon, 50 from San Luis, and 50 also from Rosario. The selected priority areas of implementation are identified with a high number of profiled CLs in the province based on the on-site houseto-house profiling conducted by the DOLE.

Juana de la Cruz, not her real name, a mother of a 17-year-old CL engaged in quarry works expressed her gratitude for being chosen as one of the beneficiaries of TUPAD.

“Makatabang gyud ning TUPAD sa among pang adlaw adlaw nga gasto labi na nga nag balik na ang face to face classes. Maayo nalang naa mi ikagasto sa balay (TUPAD

is really a big help to sustain our daily needs especially that face-to-face classes have resumed),” Cruz said.

The intervention to the parents of CLs was made possible through the partnership of DOLE Agusan del Sur Field Office (DOLE ADSFO) with the Provincial Public Service Office of Agusan del Sur (PESO ADS) headed by PESO Manager Divina P. Lagumbay. This initiative is also part of the Boyad Roadshow Culmination on November this year.

Both the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP), a program

that conducts nationwide profiling of child laborers to identify the children who will be referred to appropriate agencies/organizations for the provision of necessary services/interventions to remove them from child labor, and TUPAD, a communitybased package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum of period of 10 days and maximum of 30 days, are core programs of DOLE that aim to uplift the lives of the marginalized sectors. (FLIP, CLPEP-CF/DOLE-ADSFO/PIAAgusan del Sur)

43 SAFETY OFFICERS CERTIFIED IN AGSUR

Medium and High-Risk Industries in Agusan del Sur participated in the recently concluded 40Hour Department of Labor and Employment Basic Occupational Safety and Health (DOLE BOSH) Training for Safety Officer 2 at Mabe’s Savory Place, Brgy. 1, San Francisco, this province.

Some forty-three (43) representatives from Medium-High Risk Industries from the manufacturing industry, educational institutions, wholesale and retail, security agencies, hotels, petroleum distributors, and even private practitioners were certified as Safety Officer 2. The comprehensive training aims to equip employed or designated Safety Officers with the necessary knowledge and learnings for the effective performance of their duties and responsibilities, which include the implementation and overall management of the Occupational Safety and Health Program in their respective workplaces. The RA 11058, “An Act Strengthening the Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for

Violations Thereof,” and Department Order 198 series of 2018, its Implementing Rules and Regulations were discussed by DOLE Agusan del Sur Field Office (DOLE ADSFO) Labor and Employment Officer Rey P. Dumalaba, Occupational Safety and Health Center Regional Extension Unit (OSHC REU) Engineer Christian Lee N. Jaguit and OSH Practitioners Mary Jean B. Montejo and Ken O. Banguis.

Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) Information Officer II Sandee Angeli V. Mocorro also briefed the participants on Employees Compensation Programs. One of the participants, Mt. Carmel College of San

Francisco Human Resource Officer Nikki Amber A. Villanueva expressed her gratitude for having been part of the training. “We are indeed happy to be invited to this training. It is not only for our company’s compliance with inspection findings but also for the proper establishment of safety protocols in our office. We appreciate the effort of DOLE ADSFO in initiating this endeavor for all the establishments in the province,” she said.

DOLE ADSFO OIC-Head Maximo C. Magallen, emphasized that the activity is part of the department’s mission of promoting the observance of health and safety in all workplaces. (DOLE-AgSur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

1502ND RRIBN CONDUCTS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY OF THE NEW MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING

The 1502nd Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (RRIBn) led by its Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ma Teresa P. Baylon, conducted the groundbreaking ceremony for the new multi-purpose building of 1502nd RRIBn on November 5, 2022, held at the Capitol Compound

D.O Plaza, Barangay Patin-ay, Prosperidad, this province.

The construction of the new multi-purpose building will cater the needs of the reservists as they strengthen their capabilities. This will also serve as a venue for a training ground for the citizen soldiers to

prepare, strengthen, and sustain the community defense in times of disaster relief and operation.

Lieutenant Colonel Teodoro N. Plaza, Executive Officer of 1502nd RRIBn, extended his gratitude to First Lieutenant Ephraim C Mondragon, Civil

Engineer, and concurrent Reservist and Retirees Public Affairs (RRPA) Officer of 1503rd (MASALIGAN) Community Defense Center (CDC), for his support and guidance the completion of the said project. He also emphasized to the Battalion Staff and Company Commanders of 1502nd RRIBn that they will share and exert efforts by extracting little support from the community to sustain and use the multipurpose hall in the upcoming activities

of the unit.

Meanwhile, LTC Baylon applauded the commitment of First Lieutenant Dante D. Sayon, former company Commander of Alpha Company, and First Lieutenant Jonathan D. Sayon, elected official of Bayugan City for sharing their expertise and providing free service as Civil and Architect Engineers of 1502 RRIBn.

Staff Sergeant Gil Aquino, a Reservist Pastor of

the Free Methodist Church, presided over the ceremony, which was attended by Lieutenant Colonel Roy B. Curilan, Director of the 1502 Community Defense Center (CDC), Major Gilbert O. Ga, Logistics Officer of the 1502nd RRIBN, Captain Midel A. Costelo, Signal Officer of the 1502nd RRIBN, Personnel and Reservist of the 1502nd CDC. (2Lt Adones L. Apilada, Executive Officer of 1502 CDC/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

ASSCAT ROTC UNIT CONDUCTS

TURN-OVER COMMAND CEREMONY

The Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT) ROTC Unit conducted the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Turnover of Command Ceremony on November 4, 2022 held at ASSCAT, SocioCultural Gymnasium, San Teodoro, Bunawan, this province.

Brigadier General Claro A. Lozada, Brigade Commander of 2003rd Ready Reserve Infantry Brigade (RRIBde), presided over the ceremonial turn over and at the same time served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

The outgoing Corps Commander Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Viovicente, bestowed the command responsibility to the newly-designated Corps Commander Cadet Major Merlina S. Simplicio Second Class (2CL). The event was attended by Lieutenant Colonel Teodoro N Plaza (Res)

PA, Executive Officer of 1502nd Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (RRIBn), Lieutenant Colonel Roy B Curilan, Director of 1502nd Community Defense Center (CDC), Reservist Instructors of ASSCAT Main Campus, Battalion Staff, Company Commanders of ASSCATROTCU and Enlisted Reservists.

ASSCAT-NSTP

Coordinator, Private First Class Nancy P. Jacosalem, initiated the activity with the approval of School President Sergeant Joy C. Capistrano Reserved (Res), Philippine Army (PA). (Cadet Major Merlina S. Simplicio Second Class, Corps Commander, ASSCAT ROTCU/ 2Lt Apilada, 1502 CDC/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)

PAGPADANGAT OG EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, GIPAHILUNA SA BUHATAN NI KONGRESISTA CORVERA

Gisugdan na pagtuyok sa mga personahe sa buhatan ni Congressman Dale B. Corvera kaniadtong Huwebes, Nobyembre 3, ang mga lungsod sa ikaduhang Distrito sa Agusan del Norte aron ipahiluna ang pagpadangat og educational assistance sa mga estudyante sa senior high school nga anak sa mga indigent families sa dili pa matapos ang tuig.

Partikular nga gilantaw nga mahimong benepisyaryo ning maong laing partnership tali sa buhatan ni Kongresista Corvera ug sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) mao ang mga anak sa Indigent families nga nagtungha sa senior high school nga wala pa nakadawat sa Assistance nga gipadangat ni DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo.

Mosuma sa 2,500 ka estudyante ang gilantaw nga makadawat sa assistance sa tibuok distrito. Ang gidaghanon sa makadawat sa matag lungsod o syudad nagadepende sa gidaghanon sa populasyon niini.

Unang naadto sa mga personahe sa

Congressional District Office ang mga lungsod sa Buenavista, Nasipit ug Carmen. Magpadayon ang pagtuyok sa mga lungsod ug syudad sa Cabadbaran karon, Nobyembre 4, ug sa mosunod nga mga adlaw. (Agusan del Norte 2nd Congressional District Office/PIA Agusan del Norte)

DISPLACED AGUSANONS BENEFIT

TUPAD PROGRAM

By Nora C. Lanuza

Some 1,360 disadvantaged / displaced workers in the province of Agusan del Norte benefited from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program allocated to the Second Congressional District of the province as facilitated by the Congressional District Office (CDO) of representative Dale B. Corvera. The 10 municipalities and lone city of the province identified qualified

beneficiaries of the program and they were divided into batches to work for 15 days and each would receive a daily wage of P350.00.

Representative Corvera is grateful to the national government through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the opportunities given to the Agusanons. “Though this is not permanent, but atleast they were given time to work and received at least P5,250 each which is a big help for their

families. At the same time, the assistance was a relief and joy to our displaced workers,” Rep. Corvera said.

Furthermore, Rep. Corvera recognized the Senators who contributed to helping the Agusanons by adding funds direct to the local government units (LGUs), and to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who also added funds for the TUPAD beneficiaries.

In the municipality of Remedios T. Romualdez

(RTR), TUPAD workers were trained on the preparation of native food (kakanin) using rice under the “Beyond Rice” project of the local government. During their 15 days work, they were able to put-up a temporary kakanin stopover station in the municipality where a display of native food can be found. Bypassers and customers can buy, dine and even enjoy eating the various kakanin readily-available for them.

The Beyond Rice is a project progressed under the administration of mayor Richard Daquipil and supported by Rep. Corvera when he

was still the governor and continued to gain support from governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante under the AGUSAN UP development campaign program of the province that is also working on producing the best rice wine in the future.

Punong Barangay Hilario Sajulan of Barangay San Antonio, RTR is thankful to the provincial government, the municipal officials, and other concerned agencies and offices for the support extended to the people of San Antonio, especially for the TUPAD beneficiaries.

Aside from the kakanin

workers benefiting the TUPAD; farmers were also given the chance to improve their skills in abaca farming, fishermen from Cabadbaran City who experienced decrease in ‘tamban’ fish harvest received an income replacement and members of the Indigenous People’s Organization were also taught and learned to plant abaca, coffee and other crops.

As of October 24, 2022, the CDO and DOLE already completed the payout to the 1,360 TUPAD beneficiaries, while others are still on process. (NCLM, PIAAgusan del Norte)

BSP-BISLIG CITY ASSOCIATE

COUNCIL NAGUNA SA TREE PLANTING, MAHIGIT 200 PUNLA NG KAHOY NAITANIM SA SA SURSUR

mandato na “Greening the Environment”. Nakapagtanim ng mahigit 200 punla ng Lawaan, Mohogany at Apitong ang mga partisipante.

Isang Tree planting activity ang matagumpay na isinagawa sa pagtatapos ng pagdiriwang ng Scouting Month kamakailan sa Bislig City sa pangunguna ng Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP)-Bislig City Associate Council. Ayon sa ulat, ginanap ang pagtatanim ng

mga punla ng kahoy sa paligid ng Maria Regina Highland Farm & Resort, Brgy. San Fernando, Bislig City.

Ayon kay Gerry Popera, DepEd Bislig City Division Schools District Supervisor, and BSP Coordinator, isinasagawa ang nasabing aktibidad bilang pagpapahalaga sa

Sinabi ni Popera na nakiisang lumahok sa nasabing aktibidad ang Department of Education (DepEd) Bislig City Division, City ENRO Bislig, at Barangay Council ng San Fernando na pinamumunuan ni Jomar R. Salazar.

Samantala, ang buwan ng Oktubre ng bawat taon ay ang pagdiriwang ng Scouting Month na idineklara sa ilalim Presidential Proclamation No. 1326. (NGPB/May ulat mula kay A. Anoñuevo/PIASurigao del Sur)

#ExplainExplainExplain #PIASurigaoSur

SITIO ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAM

MATAGUMPAY NA IPINATUTUPAD NG SURSECO-I SA SURSUR, 529 KABAHAYAN NAKINABANG

Matagumpay ang pagpapatupad ng Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) 2021 ng Surigao del Sur Electric Cooperative I o SURSECO-I na nakabase sa Segundo distrito sa Probinsya ng Surigao del Sur. Sakop nito ang isang syudad ng Bislig at ang apat munisipyo.

Batay sa ulat na ipinalabas ng SURSECO-I, umabot sa 18 na mga sitio na may 529 na kabahayan ang naging benepisyaryo ang nakinabang sa Sitio Electrification Program.

Sa ulat na ipinalabas, ang mga liblib na napailawan na ng kurente ay ang mga sumusunod:

*Limang (5) sitio na meron 95 householdbeneficiaries sa Bislig City; *Anim (6) na sitio na meron 205 householdbeneficiaries sa munisipalidad ng Hinatuan;

* Limang (5) sitio na may 151 householdbeneficiaries sa munisipalidad ng Tagbina;

* Isang (1) sitio na may 36 na householdbeneficiaries sa munisipalidad ng Barobo;

at

*Isang (1) sitio na merong 42 householdbeneficiaries sa munisipalidad ng Lingig. Ang Sitio Electrification Program ay naging posible sa pamamagitan ng National Electrification Administration (NEA), katuwang ang lahat ng electric cooperatives sa buong bansa upang maisakatuparan ang layuning pasiglahin ang pinakamalayong bahagi ng mga sitio at magbigay ng liwanag sa lahat.

(NGPB/PIA-SDS)

PRDP, RPCO CONDUCT A JOINT

TECHNICAL REVIEW OF 5 BPS FOR I-REAP HELD IN SURSUR

The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) through the Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) 13 conducted a three-day Joint Technical Review activity of the five (5) Business Plans (BPs) for Investments for Rural Enterprises, and Agricultural and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) subprojects.

The said activity was conducted in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur, facilitated by the Program Support Office (PSO) and Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) Caraga.

It was attended by the Provincial Project Management Implementing Unit (PPMIU) of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur.

During the said activity, the viability and financial soundness of the Business Plan as well as to finalize a package of the business plans prepared by the PPMIU was thoroughly reviewed.

The five Reviewed Business Plans of IREAP Proponent Groups are the following:

* San Isidro Parish Binucayan Area Farmers MPC (SIPBAFAMCO) Loreto, Agusan del Sur

* Maritula Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (MUFACO) San Luis, Agusan del Sur

* Mangagoy FarmersFishermen and Community MPC (MAFFISCO-MPC)

Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

* San Nicolas Development Cooperative ( SANIDECO) Tagbina, Surigao del Sur; and

* Kababayenhan Alang

sa mga Malamboong Panginabuhian (KAMAANAN) of Lanuza, Surigao del Sur.

Meanwhile, the I-REAP Component aims to strengthen and develop viable agriculture- and fishery-based enterprises by providing technical, financial, and infrastructure support to eligible groups in targeted project areas within the priority value chains. (NGPB/with a report from DA-Caraga/ PIA-Surigao del Sur)

#ExplainExplainExplain #piasurigaosur

DOST-SDN TRAINS LOCAL MSMES ON PRODUCTION PLANNING AND CONTROL

Production planning and control address fundamental problems on low productivity, inventory management, and resource utilization.

A manufacturing enterprise’s operations can be called profitable when there are no losses in the production expenses, the inventory is well-managed, and the capacities of the production equipment are fully utilized.

The Provincial Science and Technology Office - Surigao del Norte of DOST-Caraga successfully trained a batch of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province on production planning and control via Zoom.

The technology training aims to educate the MSMEs in Surigao del Norte on how to plan production releases, implement the production plan, control the workflow,

measure the production data, and determine how to prepare for changes.

The resource person, Engr. Andre Paolo B. Lim, a senior executive consultant of Summit Consultancy and Research Services, discussed the different levels of planning and control which include (1) business planning, (2) production planning, (3) master production scheduling, (4) material/ capacity requirements planning, and (5) production activity control.

Types of production flow which are continuous and intermittent flows were also highlighted. A continuous production flow is a product-oriented type of workflow which follows a fixed sequence of steps, for example, rice milling.

An intermittent type is

a functionally oriented workflow wherein products move in batches through specific departments for a particular operation, one example is metal fabrication. The combination of continuous and intermittent workflows is known to be the most common type of workflow used in manufacturing.

DOST continues to work as one in making science and technology available and accessible for the people. Be first to be updated of our significant events and S&T opportunities to bank knowledge and gain professional growth.

Follow us at Department of Science and Technology - Surigao del Norte here on Facebook and www. instagram.com/dost.sdn on Instagram. (DOST-SDN/PUASurigao del Norte)

ECONOMIC RECOVERY, TRANSFORMATION AMONG PBBM’S PRIORITIES IN ASEAN MEET

The post-pandemic economic recovery and transformation will be among the foreign policy priorities of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and related summits.

In a press briefing on Friday, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Daniel Espiritu said at the top of the list of the President’s foreign policy priorities when it comes to ASEAN is bringing the country to the recovery path and economic transformation postpandemic.

“So that would cover food security, energy security, digital transformation and the digital economy and also climate change in as much as this is very much related to our disaster management efforts in the Philippines,” Espiritu said.

The President will join his fellow leaders at the ASEAN Summits and related summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, next week.

Bilateral meetings

On the sidelines of his participation, the President is expected to meet with the Cambodian Prime Minister and

the Korean President on the sidelines of his participation at the ASEAN Summit.

DFA Assistant Secretary Nathaniel Imperial said the bilateral meetings that will be conducted are still being finalized.

“But I think it would [be] safe to say that the first one would be with the host government, with Cambodia,” Imperial said. He said Marcos is scheduled to meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen “as a matter of courtesy.”

The DFA also expects a bilateral meeting between the President and Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The Republic of Korea, according to Imperial, is a key partner of the Philippines economically in terms of defense and security and also in terms of tourism.

He said the Philippines has a very multi-faceted relationship with the Republic of Korea.

“So it’s very important that they discuss current and pending issues between our two countries and the opportunities that we can pursue together with the Republic of Korea,” Imperial said.

The DFA official said among the topics that the two leaders would discuss is the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea.

“Korea is only the second country which we will be concluding a Free Trade Agreement after Japan. Aside from that, we have a very robust defense and security cooperation, as you well know,” he said.

Imperial said there would be more than two bilateral meetings being scheduled between the President and his counterpart leader. | PND

PBBM EYES STRONGER STRATEGIC

PARTNERSHIP WITH JAPAN

message, Masafumi reiterated Japan’s strong commitment and confidence in President Marcos and his administration as Japan and the Philippines continue their mutual high-level engagements and bilateral platforms in pursuit of enhanced strategic partnership.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he looks forward to forging a stronger collaboration with Japan in various areas of mutual interest as he received a Japanese official in a courtesy call in Malacañang on Thursday. Marcos said he wants to work with the Japanese government on climate change, maritime security, the West Philippines Sea, agriculture and food security, as well as infrastructure development.

The chief executive made the remark during the courtesy call of Dr. Mori Masafumi, the Special Advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. “Japan is and will remain a solid and steadfast partner of the Philippines. I look forward to work closely with Prime Minister Kishida in building an even stronger strategic partnership with your country,” the President told Masafumi.

Echoing Prime Minister Kishida’s

Masafumi said his country looks forward to continuing its tieup with the Philippine government in various areas of cooperation, particularly in infrastructure development. The Special Advisor also reiterated his country’s invitation to President Marcos for a state visit.

Masafumi is in the country to attend the 13th High-Level Joint Committee Meeting on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation. | PND

PBBM SAYS GOV’T ON TRACK IN PURSUING KEY RAILWAY PROJECTS; BENT ON SOLVING TRAFFIC WOES

social change but also promote interconnectivity, ease traffic, and reduce their travel time,” Marcos said during the Palace event.

The chief executive expressed confidence that the country can move full speed ahead towards building better and more infrastructure projects for the Filipino people.

The Philippine government is pursuing key railway projects seen to address the “terrible stories” about lack of quality time for many Filipinos due to traffic congestion, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Thursday.

Marcos made this remark during the signing of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Contract Packages 102 and 103 in Malacañang.

The chief executive said the project is seen to reduce the “terrible stories we hear” from those who come home late due to heavy traffic.

“We will reduce the terrible stories that we hear of people who no longer see their children because they come home at 1:30 in the morning and the children are asleep,” Marcos

said.

“They have to wake up at four o’clock in the morning to get back on the bus to fight with the traffic coming back to work. And that the subway and all our public transport systems will be able to help and to remedy,” the President pointed out.

Marcos said his administration is also pursuing other key railway projects, such as the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-7, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) -1 Cavite Extension, and the Philippine National Railway (PNR) Clark Phases 1 and 2, to make the country’s rail transit system a more viable option for Filipino commuters.

“We owe it to the Filipino people to build major roads and critical infrastructure that will not only spur progress and

Marcos invited them to work harmoniously with the government towards the shared goal of an efficient public transportation system that enhances people’s mobility, improves interconnectivity, and spurs equitable development.

“Let me assure you that the government remains dedicated to maximizing its resources to pursue even more ambitious endeavors that will bring comfort and progress to Filipinos all over the country,” he said.

Once completed, the MMSP is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Quezon City and Pasay City from one hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes and is also projected to benefit more than half a million passengers a day from Valenzuela City to Parañaque City.

It is also seen to create millions of jobs and opportunities for Filipinos. | PND

PBBM: METRO MANILA SUBWAY PROJECT TO BOOST ECONOMIC DEV’T, CREATE MILLIONS OF JOBS

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Thursday that the signing of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Contract Packages 102 and 103 will spur economic development, particularly as the country emerges from the current challenges in the postpandemic.

“The signing of these contract packages is a clear demonstration of this administration’s commitment to pursuing big infrastructure projects that will foster growth and revitalize the economy,” President Marcos said during a ceremony in Malacañang.

Addressing government partners, the President expressed confidence that the country can move towards building better and more infrastructure projects for the Filipino people through strong collaboration.

The government, he said, remains dedicated to maximizing its resources to pursue even more ambitious endeavors that will bring comfort and progress to Filipinos.

Marcos thanked the Japanese government

for partnering with the Philippines in pursuing the project through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which provided the much-needed financial support. The chief executive also acknowledged the Nishimatsu-DMCI Joint Venture and Sumitomo Mitsui Construction for working closely with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in ensuring the completion of the contract packages.

The MMSP Contract Packages 102 and 103 will cover the construction of stations and tunnels along Quezon Avenue, East Avenue, Anonas and Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Once completed, the flagship project will significantly reduce travel time between Quezon City and Pasay City from 1 hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes and is also projected to benefit more than half a million passengers a day from Valenzuela City to Parañaque City.

A fully operational MMSP is also seen to create millions of jobs and business opportunities.

And even before it begins its operations, the civil works for Contract Packages 102 and 103 are set to generate thousands of jobs and opportunities for many Filipinos. | PND

PBBM WANTS EMERGENCY

SOP TO INCLUDE MEDICINES IN RELIEF OPS TO ADDRESS HEALTH, SAFETY CONCERNS

President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Tuesday ordered the drafting of a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the inclusion of medicines in relief packages in times of calamities and emergencies.

Marcos made this call in a situation briefing in Camp Siongco in Maguindanao del Norte, one of the hardest hit by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng last weekend.

The chief executive said a few days after a calamity, affected individuals look for over-the-counter drugs like paracetamol and anti-diarrheal medicines over the risk of infectious diseases.

“That’s one aspect of it na hindi masyadong naaatensyunan. Paano tayo makapag-provide ng gamot? Like [what] the Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam is saying. Simple lang naman. Kasi nakabilad

sila (affected residents)… basa sila nang matagal, nilalagnat ‘yung mga bata,” the President pointed out.

Marcos also stressed the importance of providing maintenance medicines during calamities. “Pero ‘yung matatanda, ‘yung mga may maintenance, delikado talaga sila pagka mga one week na silang hindi naggagamot, it starts to really affect them,” he said.

The President noted that these types of drugs should

be prescribed or dispensed by the health department, doctors and pharmacies.

“So let’s put together an SOP for that para may kasama na tayong gamot,” he said.

Before heading to the briefing, the President led an aerial inspection over Maguindanao province, one of the hardest hit by Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” over the weekend.

Marcos led the distribution of assistance to affected families in the area.

Groups urge employees to continue mask use in workplaces

Labor organizations on Friday urged their colleagues to continue wearing face masks in their respective workplaces amid the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) declaration that its use is already voluntary.

“Press your employer to ensure that health protocols are maintained: wear masks indoors, keep physical distance as much as possible, wash our hands frequently, and make sure that there is proper ventilation in the workplace,” said Josua Mata, secretary general of the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), in an interview.

Meanwhile, Partido Manggagawa (PM) chairperson Renato Magtubo believes it is still “best to

err on the side of safety” as far as the mask rule in workplaces is concerned.

They also asked workers to practice other safety protocols in their places of work.

On the other hand, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) chairperson Elmer Labog asked employers to ensure that their employees are healthy and protected against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“What matters most in the changes in health policies is to strengthen the resistance and immunity of workers and their families against diseases and sickness by increasing their take-home pay to improve their purchasing capacity for food and vitamin

requirements,” he said.

In Labor Advisory No. 22 issued on Nov. 2, the department relaxed the mandatory use of face masks in workplaces.

But, it encouraged the elderly, immunocompromised, unvaccinated, COVID-19 symptomatic individuals, individuals with comorbidities, and pregnant women to still wear face masks in workplaces.

The relaxation of the policy on face mask use is pursuant to Executive Order 7 issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Oct. 28, allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor and outdoor settings.

(PNA/Ferdinand Patinio)

(File photo)

PH LIFTS QUARANTINE FOR UNVAXXED INBOUND TRAVELERS

Inbound travelers who test positive for Covid-19 through rapid antigen tests must be subjected to prevailing quarantine and isolation protocols of the Department of Health.

Meanwhile, pre-departure testing for fully vaccinated inbound travelers will no longer be required.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed a resolution lifting the quarantine requirement for travelers entering the Philippines who are either unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated.

In a tweet, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido Dulay confirmed that the President has signed the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution No. 2 allowing inbound travelers sans quarantine.

Under the resolution, inbound travelers will still have to present a negative result of a laboratory-based rapid antigen test.

“Filipinos and foreign nationals 15 years or older shall present a remotely supervised or a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative test result administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a

(File photo)

healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, or other similar establishments taken within 24 hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding lay-overs; provided, that, he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over,” the resolution read.

Inbound travelers who fail to present a negative predeparture test result will be required to undergo a laboratory-based rapid antigen test upon arrival at the airport.

Accompanied minors below 15 years old who are unvaccinated must follow quarantine protocols of their parents or an accompanying adult or guardian traveling with them.

Unaccompanied minors below 15 years old who are unvaccinated must also follow protocols.

A fully vaccinated person must have received the primary series Covid-19 vaccine more than 14 days prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin or port of embarkation.

They must also present a World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis; VaxCertPH; national or state manual/digital vaccination certificate of the country/ foreign government; and other proof of vaccination.

Currently, masks are no longer required in indoor and outdoor settings in the Philippines.

Last month, Marcos emphasized the need to improve access to the country’s tourist destinations to attract more visitors.

He also underscored the need to ensure that these destinations are accessible through improved tourism infrastructure. (PNA/Azer Parrocha)

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