CARAGA Region [Archive] - Page 3

jsl_bxu1206

October 4th, 2009, 11:06 AM

45,500 has eyed for palm oil industry
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
October 2, 2009, 3:03pm

BUTUAN CITY – Palm oil industry stakeholders are eyeing some 45,500 hectares of land in the Caraga Region to increase their production in the next five years, it was learned Friday.

Considering the marketability of the palm oil, the stakeholders are bent on making Caraga Region as a globally competitive producer of palm oil products.

The Caraga Business Council (CBC), Regional Development Council (RDC), Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are closely monitoring these developments on the expected rise of the palm oil industry.

It was gathered that the member-producers want to achieve an increase in the income of palm oil growers and alleviate poverty in general by developing more potential areas for palm oil production as well as building strong partnership among stakeholders.

It was observed by Caraga Region business analysts that palm oil industry is the “sunrise” industry in the region.

Big companies and individual growers are now into palm oil plantation because of its high return.

It was also gathered that a hectare of palm oil plantation can produce between four to 5.5 tons of crude palm oil which is five to ten times greater that the yield of any commercially known oil crop.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/222891/45500-has-eyed-palm-oil-industry

the_villager

October 8th, 2009, 08:33 AM

Zest Air Sched for Siargao-Manila and Surigao-Manila

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/lagat_bucket/capturedpics001.jpg

using this plane

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/lagat_bucket/ma60_img.jpg

Franz-Bxu

October 8th, 2009, 10:44 AM

Historical!

Zest Air is going to be the first and only airline that will start services between SOS and MNL. :okay:

Wait, diba SOS is a distress signal? hehehe nahimo na ug airport code sa Sayak Airport. :lol:

regjeex

October 8th, 2009, 12:22 PM

Siargao is a big help for caraga's economy. Salamat kay PGMA nga gitagaan nya og priority ang Siargao. :cheers:

jsl_bxu1206

October 8th, 2009, 07:16 PM

DENR Caraga renews vow to prevent killer floods

by Herzon F. Gallego

Butuan City (8 October) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources particularly in Caraga Region has remained steadfast with its mandate in the imposition of forest laws, rules and regulations to prevent killer floods similar to the environmental catastrophe in Metro Manila that claimed hundreds of lives.

DENR Secretary Lito Atienza has been always focused on the "greening of the environment although some local officials may have that "lack of genuine concern to implement the environmental laws in their own locality.

Secretary Atienza has standing orders to the regional field officials to stop illegal logging and mining activities in their area of responsibilities "if only to preserve what is remaining of the forest resources for the benefit of all, and not of the few, for the sake of the next generation.

In Agusan del Sur for instance, which is considered as the country's remaining bastion of forest resources, the DENR has never relaxed its strict monitoring of the movements of forest products in the province.

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Agusan del Sur Sixto C. Badua has reported that since January this year to date, a total of 22,279 pieces of illegal logs equivalent to 8,489.49 cubic meters and 6,693 pieces of flitches and lumber equivalent to 105,623.70 board feet has been confiscated by joint operatives of PNP, Philippine Army and DENR with the full support of the Provincial Governor Ma. Valentina Plaza, the Consortium of Civil Society Organization, Caraga Conference for Peace and Development and the Save Agusan Project.

Meanwhile, the DENR Regional personnel have corrected public impression that "graft and corruption in DENR have worsened.

The personnel said the regional management headed by Regional Executive Director Edilberto S. Buiser is always guided in his decisions in management by a group of environmentalists catholic bishops and priest led by Bishop Juan deDios Pueblos, non-government organizations, the academe, and the members of the media.

They said that the new management under RED Buiser has been always strict in its environmental policies, rules and regulations that there's little room for field people to commit irregularities.

A report submitted by RED Buiser to Secretary Atienza yesterday showed that there are 11 Integrated Forest Management Agreement and one SIFMA that are existing in the region. Three other investors have manifested their intention for renewal or conversion into IFMA.

The report said there are seven sawmills, 67 mini-sawmills, 14 veneer and plywood plants, one wood treating plant, 11 veneer plants and 2 resaws plants that are operating with existing permits most of which are located in Butuan City.

The DENR Caraga Region, the report said has 42 existing mining firm under the Mineral Productive Sharing Agreement (MPSA) which were established since 2004, three of which were likewise approved last year.

The DENR through the Land Management Sector have maintained its good accomplishment record over the last three years.

A total of 52,799 land titles were distributed to the landless people since 2001. Last year, the DENR has issued 9,329 patents under the Handog Titulo ng Pangulong Gloria program.

Since 2009 was declared as "Enforcement Year by Secretary Atienza, the DENR in Caraga Region has confiscated a total of 12,777.19 cubic meters of forest products region-wide.

The DENR in its continuous operation has succeeded in padlocking 97 illegally-operated mini-sawmills mostly located in Agusan del Sur. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p091008.htm&no=90

the_villager

October 9th, 2009, 04:18 AM

Franz-Bxu

October 9th, 2009, 05:14 AM

FYI: Asian Spirit already served Siargao-Manila before

Yeah but Asian Spirit = Zest Air, and no other airline served SOS-MNL but that.

Franz-Bxu

October 9th, 2009, 05:51 AM

DENR Caraga renews vow to prevent killer floods

by Herzon F. Gallego (pia_caraga@yahoo.com.ph)
Butuan City (8 October) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources particularly in Caraga Region has remained steadfast with its mandate in the imposition of forest laws, rules and regulations to prevent killer floods similar to the environmental catastrophe in Metro Manila that claimed hundreds of lives.
DENR Secretary Lito Atienza has been always focused on the "greening of the environment although some local officials may have that "lack of genuine concern to implement the environmental laws in their own locality.
Secretary Atienza has standing orders to the regional field officials to stop illegal logging and mining activities in their area of responsibilities "if only to preserve what is remaining of the forest resources for the benefit of all, and not of the few, for the sake of the next generation.
In Agusan del Sur for instance, which is considered as the country's remaining bastion of forest resources, the DENR has never relaxed its strict monitoring of the movements of forest products in the province.
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Agusan del Sur Sixto C. Badua has reported that since January this year to date, a total of 22,279 pieces of illegal logs equivalent to 8,489.49 cubic meters and 6,693 pieces of flitches and lumber equivalent to 105,623.70 board feet has been confiscated by joint operatives of PNP, Philippine Army and DENR with the full support of the Provincial Governor Ma. Valentina Plaza, the Consortium of Civil Society Organization, Caraga Conference for Peace and Development and the Save Agusan Project.
Meanwhile, the DENR Regional personnel have corrected public impression that "graft and corruption in DENR have worsened.
The personnel said the regional management headed by Regional Executive Director Edilberto S. Buiser is always guided in his decisions in management by a group of environmentalists catholic bishops and priest led by Bishop Juan deDios Pueblos, non-government organizations, the academe, and the members of the media.
They said that the new management under RED Buiser has been always strict in its environmental policies, rules and regulations that there's little room for field people to commit irregularities.
A report submitted by RED Buiser to Secretary Atienza yesterday showed that there are 11 Integrated Forest Management Agreement and one SIFMA that are existing in the region. Three other investors have manifested their intention for renewal or conversion into IFMA.
The report said there are seven sawmills, 67 mini-sawmills, 14 veneer and plywood plants, one wood treating plant, 11 veneer plants and 2 resaws plants that are operating with existing permits most of which are located in Butuan City.
The DENR Caraga Region, the report said has 42 existing mining firm under the Mineral Productive Sharing Agreement (MPSA) which were established since 2004, three of which were likewise approved last year.
The DENR through the Land Management Sector have maintained its good accomplishment record over the last three years.
A total of 52,799 land titles were distributed to the landless people since 2001. Last year, the DENR has issued 9,329 patents under the Handog Titulo ng Pangulong Gloria program.
Since 2009 was declared as "Enforcement Year by Secretary Atienza, the DENR in Caraga Region has confiscated a total of 12,777.19 cubic meters of forest products region-wide.
The DENR in its continuous operation has succeeded in padlocking 97 illegally-operated mini-sawmills mostly located in Agusan del Sur. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p091008.htm&no=90

DAPA_CITY

October 17th, 2009, 04:58 AM

PUNTA BILAR DIVE CENTER

HOUSE REEF DIVES

-Enjoy comfortable 1 hour duration dives at our 2 kilometer long house reef teeming with corals and plenty of marine life for your macro photography!

PHP700 per person for shore dive

PHP800 per person for boat dive (small boat)

PHP500 dive guide good for 2 divers

Minimum 1 diver

SCUBA LESSONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

-From our 2-dive TRY SCUBA package to PADI, NAUI and CMAS certifications, you can earn your Scuba “fins” at Punta Bilar!

PHP2,500 per person for 2 intro dives with dive guide

PHP15,000 per person for PADI Open Water Certification (complete gears included)*

PHP20,000 per person for NAUI Scuba Diver Certification (complete gears included)*

PHP8,000 per person for CMAS Certification (complete gears included)*

*depending on instructor availability

-ADVENTURE DIVES AND DIVING SAFARIS

We can arrange adventure dives at Cantrasa Shoal, our signature 500 meter by 300 meter sea mount just 5 minutes from the dive center or go on a diving safari at nearby islands!

Cantrasa Shoal

PHP2,000 per person per Dive (small boat), and get one extra tank free for house reef dive!

PHP750 dive guide good for 2 divers

Minimum 1 diver

Basul Island

PHP3,000 per person for two dives (big boat), with meals

PHP750 dive guide good for 2 divers

Minimum 2 divers

Malimono

PHP3,000 per person for two dives (small boat), with meals, with land transport

PHP750 dive guide good for 2 divers

Minimum 2 divers

Taganaan Wall dives

PHP3,000 per person for two dives (small boat), with meals, with land transport

PHP750 dive guide good for 2 divers

Minimum 2 divers

Nonoc Jetty dives

PHP3,500 per person for two dives (big boat), and with meals

PHP750 dive guide good for 2 divers

Minimum 4 divers

-GEAR RENTALS AND SALES

We have a complete set of scuba gears for rent and we sell both brand new and barely used items from reputable suppliers such as Scubaworld, Whitetip, Nautilus and Divers Point!

PHP750 Complete Gear Rental Whole Day!

BCDs, Regulator sets, Wetsuits, mask, snorkel, clips, etc for SALE!

-UNDERWATER SURVEY AND SALVAGE DIVING

Our experienced divers can survey reef systems, sunken or aground vessels and find lost items at the bottom of the sea! We have underwater photo and video equipment and dive platforms for long weeks of diving!

Please email us for a quote! (http://www.surigaoislands.com/diving)

-BOATWORKS

We make wooden catamaran boats from the finest lumber and craftsmanship coming out of the Philippines!

Please email us for a quote! Include Length and Breadth, and desired budget and we will send you a free quote and basic design!

-HOTEL AND FLIGHT BOOKINGS

When you’ve decided to come to Surigao, just email us and we will arrange all you flight details!

Please email us your enquiry! (http://www.surigaoislands.com/diving)

DIVE SITES

1. FUN DIVE

Punta Bilar House Reef

-A two kilometer stretch of corals just 5 minutes from the city center. You can do ten dives here and still want to dive some more. Open 24 hours a day! Get to meet Aris, our resident giant frogfish and thousands of other fish and critters. A total of seven dive sites in one reef!

2. ADVENTURE DIVE (One day)

Cantrasa Shoal

-500 meter by 300 meter sea mount just 5 minutes from the dive center. Because of fast currents in the area, this is only for the brave and experienced divers. Once you dive Cantrasa, you’ll never want to surface!

Basul Island

-Basul Island has reef systems that challenge advanced divers because of unpredictable currents buts lots of things to see. Imagine Gibraltar with a tropical reef!

Malimono Sanctuary

-30 minute drive from the City and get to see schools of trevally, jacks, etc..

Taganaan Wall dives

-30 minute drive from the City and you will be rewarded with a lagoon of limestone rocks and islets for endless wall dives!

Nonoc Jetty dives

-A jetty dive that showcases the wonders and beauty of something preserved for 30 years!

3. DIVING SAFARI (Overnight)

Hagakhak Island

-Thirty kilometers north of Surigao accessible by private boat. Pristine Boracay type beach. A private island and sanctuary. Overnight alone in paradise. What more can you ask for?

http://www.surigaoislands.com/diving

http://www.surigaoislands.com/diving/images/front.jpg

:banana:

jsl_bxu1206

October 18th, 2009, 04:41 AM

Caraga Region Deployed 365 Nurses in Far Flung Areas
October 16, 2009

Butuan – Unemployed registered nurses who are willing to serve in their hometowns and who meet the requirements set by the government may qualify for the training cum employment under the government’s Nurses Assigned in Rural Service (NARS) for the second half of 2009.

Dr.Joji Yu, NARS Coordinator of the Department of Health Caraga announced that there will be a total of 365 nurses to be deployed to rural areas in different parts of the region that will commence today, October 16.

The Philippine government launched the NARS program purposely to address the increasing number of unemployed nurses in the country in the midst of the global financial crisis experienced in 2008 until this year.

This was implemented early this year where President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said the government would spend P500 million for this program.

Under the NARS program some 5,000 to 6,000 nurses will be hired by the government to serve as “warriors of wellness” in poverty-stricken areas.

They will be assigned in their hometowns and will be tasked to implement the following (1) initiate health and nutrition programs and first line diagnosis (2) to inform communities about water sanitation and health surveillance (3) immunize children and their mother.

This program will enable nurses to gain the necessary training and experience needed for overseas employment. Hired nurses will work for 6-12 months and will receive a monthly allowance of P8,000 plus P2,000 counterpart fund from the local government units where they will be assigned.

The nurses will act as an augmentation force in different hospitals which were mostly undermanned due to budget constraints.

Dr. Yu also announced that the Department of Education is joining in the implementation of NARS program in addition to the DOH, DOLE, and PRC.

DepEd was included because these nurses also serve as roving nurses for rural schools to focus on the students’ health aspects.

Dr. Yu added, these nurses employed under the NARS program will also have a major role in case of a second wave of A(H1N1) that would hit the country.

http://mindanao.com/blog/2009/10/caraga-region-deployed-365-nurses-in-far-flung-areas/

jsl_bxu1206

October 19th, 2009, 11:53 AM

TESDA Caraga gears up for "Stand Up, Fight Poverty Campaign"
By Gervacio C. Dauz, Jr.

Buenavista, Agusan del Norte (19 October) -- Joining in the nationwide chorus and campaign to stand up and fight poverty, the TESDA Caraga blasted with an opening salvo of its own this 16th day of October 2009 at the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries, which was attended by 323 technical-vocational students and graduates, and in concert with TESDA executives and personnel.

The concerted activity is in line with the Presidential Proclamation No. 717, Series of 2004, which declared October 17-23 of every year as the "National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty" and coincides with the "Stand Up, Fight Poverty" (SUFP) Global Campaign this October 16-18, 2009 being led by the United Nations and the National Anti-Poverty Commission.

Pioneering act of TESDA for this year, as revealed by Director General Augusto Boboy Syjuco, is the attempt of registering the "Jobs Bridging and Internship Program" with the UNDP/UNFPA Stand United Secretariat "as part of our support to the SUFP Campaign on the Medium-term Development Goal No. 1 (Poverty and Hunger) as our commitment."

OIC-Provincial Director Leo V. Velez of TESDA Agusan del Norte, who represented OIC-Regional Director Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. and other TESDA Caraga executives, provided the rationale and overview of the day-long activity here saying: "Poverty is a heavy, recurring issue. And for us in the TVET sector, education is a tool to fight poverty. And we are here as a consolidated show of force, believing that poverty can be addressed through education and employment."

Sharing about the objectives, he pointed out that the campaign would help encourage people's participation in the fight against poverty by presenting the different programs and resources available to people belonging to different sectors; build networks with government line agencies, government organizations, and people's organizations... towards the welfare of specific basic sectors; and to celebrate the milestones and achievements of each sector in the fight against poverty.

He likewise pointed out that TESDA's role in the campaign is in holding of the "Jobs Bridging and Internship Program" as part of the SUFP Campaign. Specifically, for TESDA Caraga, he shared that today's activity would zero in on conducting the Youth Profiling for Starring Careers, which will help the individual learn about what specific technical-vocational careers would be fitting for him. Part of the activity is the skills demonstration of Body Massage and Beauty Care, such as pedicure, manicure and haircut.

Provincial Director Rey M. Cueva of Dinagat Island Province did the honor of launching of the SUFP Campaign.

The skills demonstration for Beauty Care was courtesy of the Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trade, while the Body Massage was courtesy of the students of the Butuan City Manpower Training Center and the practitioners of the Modern Tech Massage Association (MTMA) based here.

It was learned that MTMA is a case in point in terms of anti-poverty intervention. TESDA Agusan del Norte, in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Metro Butuan, was able to source out funds from the Department of Labor and Employment, resulting in providing its members with a legal personality and the acquisition of massage tools, supplies and equipment, plus other massage accessories and furniture. With that intervention, the MTMA members were able to launch a self-employed livelihood enterprise – a massage clinic – just this August 2009 at the heart of this municipality.

As announced by Director Velez, the week-long activity will culminate with a bigger Jobs Bridging event to be hosted by the AMA Computer Learning Center in Butuan City with the support and partnership of the different industry players and technical vocational institutions around Caraga Region. (PIA)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p091019.htm&no=18

jsl_bxu1206

October 19th, 2009, 11:56 AM

DENR celebrates 14th anniversary in austerity
by Ronnel LMV G. Calo

Butuan City (19 October) -- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga celebrated its 14th Founding Anniversary in austere but meaningful rites, recently.

Regional Executive Dorector Edilberto S. Buiser said the celebration was simple as it was because too much fanfare will affect the delivery of basic public services. The austerity measures being adopted by the management will enhance the different functions of the DENR instead of a "work holiday" to commemorate its milestone.

RED Buiser called on DENR-Caraga personnel including its field offices regionwide to observe the anniversary "in the spirit of true public service".

"We are inspired by DENR Secretary Jose Atienza's well-known practice of fiscal responsibility, now, more than ever, in the face of the calamity that struck our nation lately," RED Buiser said.

DENR in Caraga Region over the last 14 years has actively implemented programs and projects with impact in the promotion of a clean, green and healthy environment, and the upliftment of the socio-economic condition in the upland communities in the region.

The DENR is actively campaigning for effective measures that will mitigate the ill-effects of climate change. These include reforestation in geo-hazard areas, environmental research and the implementation of ecological solid waste management.

This year's anniversary theme – "Our concern: Climate Change, Let's plant trees!!! – reflect DENR's cost-effective method of saving lives and helping Mother Nature recuperate: Planting trees! (RFAO Staff-DENR-13/ PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p091019.htm&no=07

jsl_bxu1206

October 25th, 2009, 02:09 PM

Pantawid benefits 68,282 households in Caraga
By MIKE CRISMUNDO
October 25, 2009, 4:54pm

BUTUAN CITY – The government’s poverty alleviation program, the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” or 4Ps continue to reach the far-flung areas as some 68,282 household beneficiaries already benefited in the various provinces, municipalities and cities in the Caraga Region.

Records from the Region 13 office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 13) disclosed that about P85,788,467 was already disbursed to 4Ps household beneficiaries.

Records showed that 32,404 beneficiaries of 4Ps were already served in Agusan del Sur; 14,187 in Surigao del Norte, 10,842 in Surigao del Sur, 6,862 in Dinagat Island Province, and 3,987 in Agusan del Norte.

The poverty alleviation assistance is part of the government’s 4Ps Set 1 and 2, it was gathered.

Neda P. Barrios, the region’s focal person of 4Ps, said the DSWD Caraga is already in the process of identifying other household beneficiaries for Set 3 that may start anytime.

“We have already identified 18 towns in the Caraga Region but most of these are in Surigao del Sur,” she said.

Other targets are in Surigao del Norte, Surigao City, Agusan del Norte and Dinagat Island, Barrios added.

She further added that Northeastern Mindanao DSWD Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat is personally spearheading the 4Ps project in the Caraga Region.

It was also learned that the expansion of the 4Ps was officially launched last May 28.

Local chief executives from 93 provinces, cities and municipalities gathered and signified their full support, through signing the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), on the implementation of the program in their respective areas.

The MoA stipulates the duties and responsibilities of the DSWD and the local government units (LGUs) to effectively and efficiently implement the program.

At present, there are 255 municipalities and 15 cities located in 45 provinces covered that are by 4Ps. Since 2008, there are 363,388 household beneficiaries nationwide enrolled at the program and are receiving conditional cash grants.

With the expansion, 4Ps aims to provide assistance to some 700,000 households throughout the country starting last June. The expansion was approved by President Arroyo with a corresponding additional budget of P5 billion.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/226402/pantawid-benefits-68282-households-caraga

jsl_bxu1206

October 26th, 2009, 05:38 PM

10 barangays in Caraga receive best BnB awards
by Lovely Laudette Gamba

Butuan City (26 October) -- Ten barangays in the region receives Best Botika ng Barangay (BnB) award during the 1st BNB Convention and Regional Awarding, here, this city, recently.

The awardees were Barangay San Juan and Bonifacio of Surigao City; Barangay Camagong and Culit of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte; Barangay Doña Telesfora of Tubay, Agusan del Norte; Barangay Sta. Irene and San Jose of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur; Barangay Panamaon of Loreto, Dinagat Province; Barangay Tubo-Tubo of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur; and Barangay Oteiza of San Agustin, Surigao del Sur.

The awards were given to the respective mayors of each municipality and city.

The award aims to encourage BnB operators by recognizing and providing incentives to the best performing Botika ng Barangay outlets nationwide.

It aims to assess the performance of BnB in terms of their contribution in making drugs available, affordable and accessible at the barangay level.

It is conceptualized to identify strengths and weaknesses in the performance of BnB outlets and to promote and create awareness on the use of Generic drugs and medicines through the BnBs. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p091026.htm&no=21

jsl_bxu1206

October 27th, 2009, 06:59 PM

More village drugstores for Caraga
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
October 27, 2009, 7:00pm

BUTUAN CITY – Due to the rising prices of medicines, the Department of Health (DoH) in the Caraga Region intensifies the campaign on the availability of cheaper medicines by opening up more Botika ng Barangay (BnB) outlets in various villages in the region.

Dr. Leonita P. Gorgolon, DoH Caraga regional director, ordered regional technical staff to assist provincial health offices in identifying areas in the provinces and municipalities for additional BnB outlets.

DoH Caraga aims to establish at least one BnB outlet in two neighboring villages before the end of 2010.

As of this date, DoH Caraga already has 439 BnBs in the region. This includes 68 BnBs in Agusan del Norte, 132 in Agusan del Sur, 128 in Surigao del Norte, 35 in Dinagat and 76 in Surigao del Sur, said region’s health officer Sunshine A. Alipayo.

Some 10 villages in the region received Best BnB Awards during the 1st BNB Convention and Regional Awarding here last week.

The awardees include Barangay San Juan and Bonifacio of Surigao City; Barangay Camagong and Culit of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte; Barangay Doña Telesfora of Tubay, Agusan del Norte; Barangay Sta. Irene and San Jose of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur; Barangay Panamaon of Loreto, Dinagat Province; Barangay Tubo-Tubo of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur; and Barangay Oteiza of San Agustin, Surigao del Sur.

The award aims to encourage BnB operators by recognizing and providing incentives to the best performing Botika ng Barangay outlets nationwide. These BnBs were recipient of the P25,000 drug and medicines from the DoH.

The BnB aims to provide safe, effective, available, accessible, affordable and quality medicines to the majority of the people especially the poor.

BnB is a collaboration of the Department of Health (DoH), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC).

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/226722/more-village-drugstores-caraga

jsl_bxu1206

October 28th, 2009, 08:30 PM

P235-M projects benefit 57,044 poor Caraga folk
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
October 28, 2009, 3:32pm

BUTUAN CITY – The poverty alleviation program of the government being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has allocated a total of P235,814,022.95 in line with its Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery Social Services (KALAHI-CIDDS) in the Caraga Region, it was learned Wednesday.

DSWD officials said these KALAHI-CIDDS projects were already implemented in the 16 municipalities in the region.

At least 57,044 individuals have already benefited from the said program, it was also learned.

KALAHI-CIDDS focal person Elsa Montemor identified these municipalities as Carmen, Jabonga and Las Nieves, all of Agusan del Norte; Esperanza, La Paz, Loreto and San Luis, all of Agusan del Sur; Libjo of Dinagat Islands Province; Pilar, San Benito, San Isidro and Socorro, all of Surigao del Norte; and Bayabas, Marihatag, San Miguel and Tagbina, all of Surigao del Sur.

At least P82,683,385.52 was the counterpart funding of the local government units (LGUs) for the implementation of the KALAHI-CIDDS project, Montemor said.

Some of these projects include rural irrigation systems, day-care centers, health stations, school buildings, bridges, post–harvest facilities, multipurpose facilities, among others.

In a related development, separate ongoing government projects under the KALAHI-CIDDS Makamasang Tugon (MT) amounting to P15,305,617.34 with P6,255,043.57 counterpart funding from LGUs are also set to be completed by the end of this year, Montemor said.

These KALAHI-CIDDS-MT projects are currently implemented in the municipalities of Jabonga and Las Nieves in Agusan del Norte.

She said that Northeastern Mindanao DSWD Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat already directed all KALAHI-CIDDS-MT coordinators and focal persons to thoroughly check and evaluate all projects that will end in 2009.

KALAHI-CIDDS, a poverty alleviation program of the government started in 2003.

The local chief executives in the various provinces in the region expressed heartfelt gratitude to the national government for the KALAHI-CIDDS program.

“The projects of DSWD are big help to the communities because they address the basic needs of the residents, and we only hope that this will continue,” said Agusan del Sur Gov. Ma. Valentina Plaza.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/226823/p235m-projects-benefit-57044-poor-caraga-folk

adeuksom

November 4th, 2009, 07:16 AM

good day caraga!
nganu wla may picture sa butuan dri nga regional center unta sa caraga..anybody?so we could see also the beauty of the city..although butuan is only near from cdo but wla pa mn gud ko nkaanha dha lugara..tnx!

regjeex

November 4th, 2009, 07:41 AM

Butuan has a separate thread @adeuksom.

good day caraga!
nganu wla may picture sa butuan dri nga regional center unta sa caraga..anybody?so we could see also the beauty of the city..although butuan is only near from cdo but wla pa mn gud ko nkaanha dha lugara..tnx!

adeuksom

November 5th, 2009, 07:42 AM

Butuan has a separate thread @adeuksom.
mao lagi mao ako dyon visit thread sa butuan:nuts:but naa pud unta pics sa butuan dri..anyway tnx @regjeex!:):):)

regjeex

November 5th, 2009, 08:07 AM

no problem Adeuksom...

Franz-Bxu

November 6th, 2009, 12:42 PM

Drug rehab center to rise in Caraga

November 6, 2009, 3:09pm
BUTUAN CITY – A P40 million first drug rehabilitation and treatment center in Caraga Region will rise in 2010.
The first government-run facility will have a 50-bed capacity and set to serve as a drug treatment facility in Northeastern Mindanao.
The 40-hectare drug rehabilitation and treatment center will be located in Surigao City.
This project materialized after the city government of Surigao and Department of Health (DoH) recently forged a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the construction of the said facility.
The lot was donated by the city government of Surigao, said City Mayor Pons Casurra.
To start the project, the DoH in Caraga Region immediately provided the first tranche in the amount of P7.5 million.
The target completion of the construction will be in 2010, added Casurra.
“This is one of the problems of Caraga Region, and now this structure will finally rise,” further added Casurra.
In relation to public health, a P2.5 million out-patient treatment and rehabilitation clinic of the Caraga Regional Hospital built in Surigao City also started serving the Caraganons.
The outpatient treatment and rehabilitation clinic is already accepting patients for detoxification before admission to the drug rehabilitation and treatment center.
These two big projects is part of President Arroyo’s health program, it was gathered.
It was further gathered that the program is to prevent and further curb drug problems and provide rehabilitation and treatment to victims of drug abuse in this part of Mindanao.

Franz-Bxu

November 6th, 2009, 12:44 PM

Hidden hideaway in Caraga Region

November 6, 2009, 5:56pm
In the province of Caraga Region in Mindanao, there is a hidden hideaway called Amontay Beach Resort which has its soft opening last August 5. The resort boasts of crystal-clear waters and powdery sands, thus earning the reputation as “Little Boracay” of the South. Its owner and general manager, Henry L. Tan, aims to promote the province’s tourism by operating the first-ever Bali-inspired Hotel and Restaurant by the Sea in the heart of Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte.
Tan is also the owner of Goat 2 Geder Hotel and Restaurant located in Montalban Street, Butuan City. Starting out as a small eatery in 2004, it is named after its special recipes out of goat’s meat or “kambing,” Its delectable cuisines such as kilawin, kaldereta, up and down or sinigang na ulo at paa ng kambing get the patronage of people from different cities. In 2007, he officially opened Goat 2 Geder Hotel and Restaurant to accommodate more customers who want a taste of their famed dishes. The establishment can be reached via a 45-minute drive from Amontay Beach Resort.
Providing a means of transport to its customers, Tan recently sought a partnership with Foton Motor Philippines to acquire the Foton Mini-Coach bus. The 34-seater vehicle comfortably transports guests from the airport, pier, hotel and restaurant to Amontay (and vice versa) with a lot of room for luggages room. The Foton Mini-Coach is especially enjoyed by big groups visiting the area. “Guests are transported from the business center to the beach resort quickly, comfortably, safely, and economically,” Tan says.
With Amontay Beach Resort fully opening this November and the Foton Mini-Coach as its official transport, it is expected to be one of the premier destinations in the South.

Franz-Bxu

November 6th, 2009, 12:47 PM

Caraga tourism industry sees brighter prospects

By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
November 3, 2009, 4:30pm
BUTUAN CITY – The tourism industry in the Caraga Region is vigorously picking up as influx of tourists, both domestic and foreign, is noted at various tourist spots in the region, tourism officials said Tuesday.
However, officials of the Department of Tourism (DoT) said that local government units (LGUs) have a vital role to play in “strengthening the tourism industry” in their respective tourism destinations.
“Many potential tourism areas already exist and these tourism spots must be developed,” said Northeastern Mindanao Tourism Regional Director Letty Tan.
She said records of tourist arrivals before the observance of “All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day” is very high compared to previous years.
She said Caraga Region has 499 breathtaking tourism sites. Among these are the 102 hectares of beaches, 72 waterfalls, 45 caves, and 32 lakes spread at various cities and provinces in the area.
Some of these include the Magkawas Falls in Lanuza town, Surigao del Sur, the Malinawa Cool Spring in Cantilan town, also of that same province and the Pansukian in General Luna, Siargao Island, in Surigao del Norte.
However, exciting places where tourists are continuously mushrooming are the famous surfing and fishing capital on Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte and the more than 40,000 hectares Agusan Marsh in Agusan del Sur.
The tourism agency under the leadership of Tourism Secretary and Caraga’s Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD) Ace Durano is encouraging the local officials to continue helping develop these “very potential tourism areas,” said Tan.
Tourism authorities assured Butuanons and Caraganons of a tourism development priority in the country.
Tan appealed to the governors and mayors in the region to continue developing their identified tourism areas, “because tourism is one of your major industries in the Caraga Region.”
It was noted that this city, the provinces of Agusan and Surigao are among the latest additions to the beautiful regions of the country that are being given top priority under DoT’s tourism development program.
The tourism officials in the region challenged the LGUs to “work hand-in-hand in achieving the goal to make this region one of the tourism destinations in the country today.”
“Everybody should work together so that services will surely be delivered for the development of the region,” added Tan.
She also said that the tourism industry in the region also posted improved income and employment generation, in line with the government’s Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).

Fahdingding

November 7th, 2009, 01:11 AM

kalbongdad

November 9th, 2009, 10:58 AM

daghan ba durugista diha....na kinahanglanon ng drug rehab ctrs...

mike durero

November 13th, 2009, 08:55 AM

daghan ba durugista diha....na kinahanglanon ng drug rehab ctrs...

maski asa man siguro bai!..:ohno:

BULLDOG

December 3rd, 2009, 11:35 AM

Incumbent Officials in Caraga still loyal to Lakas
at Thursday, December 3, 2009

Majority of the incumbent local officials in the five provinces and 70 municipalities in Caraga Region who have already filed their respective COCs remained loyal to President Arroyo’s administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD, except with the Barbers and Casurra groups who affiliated themselves with the Nacionalista Party.

While two of the Amante political clan bigwigs – incumbent Agusan del Norte Gov. John Amante and his sister, former Agusan del Norte governor and Rep. Maria Angelica Amante filed their COCs under Lakas. Their Butuan City mayoralty bet, Dr. Ferdinand Amante’s group filed their COCs under the Liberal Party. Lakas stalwarts – re-electionists first district Surigao del Norte Rep. Guillermo Romarate Jr. and second district Rep. Francisco Matugas who is vice president for Mindanao for Lakas-Kampi-CMD filed their respective COCs.

Matugas’ wife, former Department of Education regional director Sol Matugas filed her COC for Surigao del Norte governor under Lakas.

Majority of the 27 municipal mayors and vice mayors of Surigao del Norte filed their respective COCs under Lakas. The remaining filed their COCs under Nacionalista Party.

Meanwhile, former senior superintendent Cesar Mancao filed Monday his COC in the first district of Compostela Valley under the Ak*syon-Demokratiko of the Liberal Party.

“I think I am the best alternative to win in this elections given my credentials,” Mancao said in an earlier interview.

Accompanied by his family, other relatives and supporters, Mancao filed his COC before the Comelec office in the town of Nabunturan, hoping he would be able to defeat incumbent board member Maricar Apsay and lawyer Ferdinand Lopoz for the said congressional slot in Compostela Valley.

Compostela Valley Gov. Arthur Uy, who is running for re-election, said Lakas-Kampi-CMD would be behind the candidacy of Apsay against Mancao.

It came as a shock to all media present after the filing of COC of his eldest son Irvin Alcala, 32, when Rep. Proceso Alcala (second district-Quezon) announced in that he trusts his son to continue his legacy of serving the people with utmost sincerity and dedication.

Alcala said he believes that any government position is not permanent but should be given away to those who deserve it. He said he is not turning his back against the people who he said, he owed his political career but to give chance to younger people who are more capable of doing more than he had accomplished during his stint. (philstar.com)

rally

December 23rd, 2009, 01:55 AM

The Supreme Court, despite having declared the case closed, final and executory has again come out with a very controversial decision. It reversed its earlier ruling that the 16 municipalities ( Tandag, Bayugan and Cabadbaran in Caraga) are not eligible to become cities. They have declared that these 16 towns are now cities.

makalilibog!!!:ohno:

Long_mane

December 23rd, 2009, 03:06 AM

Murag gamay pa man kaayo nang mga lugara para ma city IMO.

rally

December 23rd, 2009, 03:48 AM

^^ my concern now is not so much as the qualification of the municipalities but on the fact that the SC made the reversal of a decision whihc was laready final and executory. In fact it was already executed by the DBM when they reverted the IRA of the municipalities from City rate back to their municipal rate. It does not speak well of our SC and feeds the perception that with the proper connection and price, one can buy a decision one desires.:ohno:

jpb_1972

December 23rd, 2009, 04:55 AM

you're quite right on your perception/opinion.

wala man gyud tinuod nga hustisya sa pinas.

^^ my concern now is not so much as the qualification of the municipalities but on the fact that the SC made the reversal of a decision whihc was laready final and executory. In fact it was already executed by the DBM when they reverted the IRA of the municipalities from City rate back to their municipal rate. It does not speak well of our SC and feeds the perception that with the proper connection and price, one can buy a decision one desires.:ohno:

bluers_butuan

December 23rd, 2009, 05:31 AM

hay lisod kaayo diri sa BXU, pero masaya pa din!

bluers_butuan

December 23rd, 2009, 05:32 AM

madiao kadiao kaninyo hong tanan!

jpb_1972

December 23rd, 2009, 06:06 AM

tama na usa nang nga mga topic...

maglipay pipay sa ta kay PASKO NA ....

maayong pasko butuan

regjeex

December 23rd, 2009, 06:28 AM

nganong nag lisod man? nga daghan baya diha utan... hahahah :cheers: dili lang kay ang BXU ang naglisod... tibuok pilinas Sir/Maam.

hay lisod kaayo diri sa BXU, pero masaya pa din!

jpb_1972

December 23rd, 2009, 11:25 AM

regs,

correct ba gyud nang imo spelling sa "UTAN", ako ba lang ba basi nasayop ka pag spell..... hrhrhrhrhrhahahahahahihihiihi
:banana::lol::bash:
nganong nag lisod man? nga daghan baya diha utan... hahahah :cheers: dili lang kay ang BXU ang naglisod... tibuok pilinas Sir/Maam.

regjeex

December 23rd, 2009, 01:47 PM

UTAN gud sama sa balimbing, tambis, macopa, pagoha, :lol::lol::lol::lol: ambot ug unsa og asa gikan na nga dialect... murag boholano man cguro na...

regs,

correct ba gyud nang imo spelling sa "UTAN", ako ba lang ba basi nasayop ka pag spell..... hrhrhrhrhrhahahahahahihihiihi
:banana::lol::bash:

jpb_1972

December 23rd, 2009, 02:02 PM

sure gyud ha nga "UTAN" na sya... kay maparehas sa storya sa mag asawa nga nag storya ug bahin sa gift.

bana : unsa man gusto nimo nga sud-an darling.
asawa : tag-ana ug unsa akong gusto.
bana : UTAN?
asawa : ay sus wrong spelling pa gyud.:banana::banana:

joke joke joke joke joke..... corny,,,wahawhahwhaww:bash::bash::bash:
:lol::lol:
UTAN gud sama sa balimbing, tambis, macopa, pagoha, :lol::lol::lol::lol: ambot ug unsa og asa gikan na nga dialect... murag boholano man cguro na...

bluers_butuan

December 26th, 2009, 04:39 PM

happy holidays BUTUANONS out there!

the_villager

December 27th, 2009, 09:29 AM

Murag gamay pa man kaayo nang mga lugara para ma city IMO.

sinabi mo pa! it's not na tag undersetimate ko sila most perticularly inin mga na belong sa caraga but i've been to these places and i could say na bagan dili pa angay. uman pugson man gayud na ma sacrifice man ang iban? assuming that finally ma city na jud sila, then what? are they proud to be a city na amo ra nan municipality? sus ginoo walay ka sense sense jud. ka kataw-anan sa ato SC mga sinuhulan jud klariks karajao. dapat ton sila nag conduct ug actual survey for them to know kung sakto ba ila desisyon :bash:

jpb_1972

December 27th, 2009, 11:12 AM

happy new year

regjeex

December 27th, 2009, 12:17 PM

I am quite happy for this new cities in Caraga. :cheers: bisan pag mag ligid ligid og supak nga dili sila angayan... wa tay mahimo... let's give them chance para mo progress sila... aduna silay mga vission sa ilang mga cities nga wala sa atong cities.. basin ugma damlag mo lambo ra sila... og lets be happy para sa ilang progress.. let's not be selfish of what we have... let's share the progress... :cheers:

bluers_butuan

December 27th, 2009, 01:46 PM

regjeex

December 27th, 2009, 03:42 PM

i am not comparing them to our city.. just mere expectations lang... just be positive...

the_villager

December 28th, 2009, 02:35 AM

hindi naman. di porke gusto nilang maging city ay mangyayari na. yang bayugan baka limang urban barangay lang sa butuan, yang cabadbaran, sus ginoo, mas bibo pa ang doongan. yung mga pinagmamalaki nila, ni hindi nga keri makipag level sa BUTUAN. susme, kakahiya, di pa ako nakapunta sa bayugan, pero sa cabadbaran nakaadto na. and i must say: padaghana sa inyong population, inyong mga buildings kay kong moadto ka diha, mashocked hinoon ka. diha? city diay ni? he he he he

i agree and by not declaring the place into a city doesnt mean na gipugngan nimo ang ila progress. klaro kaayo nga palusot ang gihimo. walay may issue jud ba kung tinood nga qualified sila kinsa gud ang dili malipay? pero many will be affected particularly sa budget ug labi na kay naglisod ang pinas ug nganong i accomodate man jud? being a city doesnt mean na progressive na kaayo ang isa ka lugar and besides what happend was nahimong kataw-anan ang SC. go to other parts of luzon, hamok munisipyo nga murag city na even mas dako pa ug income, area ug mag bibo pa kay sa surigao gani unya wa lagi sila nangambisyon nga mahimong city? ug nganong they want to be a city? aron lang gyud ingnon nga city sila? wala masukod ang progress sa isa ka lugar kung city na siya or munisipyo ra. let's be realistic ha, dili ta magpaka-aron ingnon diri.

usa sa disadvantage ani man gud, mag invite ka ug mga bisita to visit caraga, nan unsa may imahi nga imo boot ipakita? of course peole will say : ow, mao ni inyo city diri? hehehehe tabla ra nga imo tag confirm nga pobre gyud ang caraga kay even their cities looks like a municipality. pastilan baoy, enough na sa pilitika! magpakatoto-o tana ta ba, ugsa gyud dili ta molambo.

jpb_1972

December 28th, 2009, 06:36 AM

:ohno:BUDGET IRA mao ni sya ang hinungdan......... at the end ang resulta KAWAT...... KORAPSYON....... MAO NGA GUSTO MAHIMONG SYUDAD.......:ohno::ohno:
:ohno::bash::bash::bash:
i agree and by not declaring the place into a city doesnt mean na gipugngan nimo ang ila progress. klaro kaayo nga palusot ang gihimo. walay may issue jud ba kung tinood nga qualified sila kinsa gud ang dili malipay? pero many will be affected particularly sa budget ug labi na kay naglisod ang pinas ug nganong i accomodate man jud? being a city doesnt mean na progressive na kaayo ang isa ka lugar and besides what happend was nahimong kataw-anan ang SC. go to other parts of luzon, hamok munisipyo nga murag city na even mas dako pa ug income, area ug mag bibo pa kay sa surigao gani unya wa lagi sila nangambisyon nga mahimong city? ug nganong they want to be a city? aron lang gyud ingnon nga city sila? wala masukod ang progress sa isa ka lugar kung city na siya or munisipyo ra. let's be realistic ha, dili ta magpaka-aron ingnon diri.

usa sa disadvantage ani man gud, mag invite ka ug mga bisita to visit caraga, nan unsa may imahi nga imo boot ipakita? of course peole will say : ow, mao ni inyo city diri? hehehehe tabla ra nga imo tag confirm nga pobre gyud ang caraga kay even their cities looks like a municipality. pastilan baoy, enough na sa pilitika! magpakatoto-o tana ta ba, ugsa gyud dili ta molambo.

the_villager

December 28th, 2009, 07:10 AM

:ohno:BUDGET IRA mao ni sya ang hinungdan......... at the end ang resulta KAWAT...... KORAPSYON....... MAO NGA GUSTO MAHIMONG SYUDAD.......:ohno::ohno:
:ohno::bash::bash::bash:

sakto jud ka jpd, it's not because from caraga ni siya then we should be proud of nga daghan ta city diri. in contrary, bagan kasipog na daghan ta city nga way progress. given the chance na city na siya. so hatag pud ta chance na molambo siya, nan kanus-a man kaha na siya molambo? imagine butuan, dili man gani ing-ana ka paspas ang progress nga capital city siya in the region then how much more kini sila? kadugay na nga nahimo nga syudad ang surigao, hinay paman gani sa uyod ang progress. well, that's only my opinion. it's not on the number of cities that this region has but it's the development of this region that matters most.

lacoste

December 28th, 2009, 12:21 PM

the_villager

December 28th, 2009, 01:45 PM

Maayong Gabii kaninyong tanan. Aduna akoy isalmot bahin aning mga namugna nga city. Para kanako OK ra man nga nahimong city sila. Og dili man cguro ikasakit sa atong tiyan ang desisyon sa Supreme Court. Taga Cabadbaran akong asawa pero naa nami namuyo diri sa Dubai. I am happy that her town is City na. Dakong potential ang Cabadbaran.

cabadbaran pud amo kagikan. and every weekend naa ko sa cabadbaran. IMO, tanan man siguro lugar may potential but anyway, kay naa naman na, i hope dili na jud balihon sa SC ang ila desisyon which i doubt kay gibali gani nila tong with finality na kuman pa ka ha. na kung amo ton, kita nan tagbuang nan SC.

lacoste

December 28th, 2009, 02:03 PM

Kausa ra sad ko naka adto sa Cabadbaran kadtong pagkasal namo. Atega ang apilyedo sa akong asawa. Wala man gani ko kasuroy jud sa entire lugar kay lagyo man among naadtuan like, lake mainit, hagonoy beach sa may bislig tapos balik dayon mi sa Cabadbaran kay prepare namo flight pabalik Dubai.

Ingon sa akong asawa nga iyang amiga nga nag work sa Butuan ang mag dala as manager Jolibbee sa Cabadbaran. Nice baya ang place sa Cabadbaran mas nice pa sa Bislig. Tapos limpyo sad ang Market nila tapos mga lab-as ilang mga Isda. Manghinaot nalang ta nga mag tinundo ilang mga leaders para makab-ot nila ilang mga tinguha. Gani ang sa Butuan nga mga leaders sa sa mga Plaza murag dakung kurakot jud nahitabo sa ilang pag inkod sa Syudad. Murag nahurot ang kaban sa Butuan. Nagbakasyon gani mi didto adtong 2001 arang ka mingaw murag walay asensu

lacoste

December 28th, 2009, 02:07 PM

jpb_1972

December 28th, 2009, 03:37 PM

hi lacoste,

dili toud mosakit atong tiyan, pero sa kinatinbug-an daku ni sya apekto sa pinas labi na sa atong economiya kay gawas nga kini nga budget kawaton lang sa mga politiko mosamot pag daku atong budget deficit.

Maayong Gabii kaninyong tanan. Aduna akoy isalmot bahin aning mga namugna nga city. Para kanako OK ra man nga nahimong city sila. Og dili man cguro ikasakit sa atong tiyan ang desisyon sa Supreme Court. Taga Cabadbaran akong asawa pero naa nami namuyo diri sa Dubai. I am happy that her town is City na. Dakong potential ang Cabadbaran.

jpb_1972

December 28th, 2009, 03:39 PM

small world :banana:

taga ampayon ko kay didto man ko natawo,pero akong papa taga cabadbaran gyud, and part of my life and my heart belongs to cabadbaran.....:banana:

cabadbaran pud amo kagikan. and every weekend naa ko sa cabadbaran. IMO, tanan man siguro lugar may potential but anyway, kay naa naman na, i hope dili na jud balihon sa SC ang ila desisyon which i doubt kay gibali gani nila tong with finality na kuman pa ka ha. na kung amo ton, kita nan tagbuang nan SC.

the_villager

December 28th, 2009, 05:43 PM

Naka adto sad ko sa Surigao mura jud og gi pasagdan sa gobyerno kay mao ra man gihapon sukad sa una. Pila na ka dekada nanglabay mao ra man gihapon, nadugang lang ang jolibbee og chowking tapos mao ra dayon. Pareha lang sa Butuan wala gayod asensu tungod sa mga leaders. Naka trabaho ko diha sus arang ka mingaw pag wala sa adlaw, sus murag walay tao nag tikaw tikaw sa city matulog nalang og sayo.

hehehe infairness pud sa butuan, dako na baya iya kausaban karon. daghan na nabag-o. naa nay mall, nawala lang ang otis, sayang baya to. but as a whole, dako na kaayo ang changes sa butuan. about sa surigao, msy changes gihapon ug makita nimo kini once makabalik ka sa caraga.

regjeex

December 29th, 2009, 05:46 AM

sounds like dugay nakang anyuha nawala sa provincia sa Agusan. Balik sa usa didto sa Agusan Loi kung unsa ang naa didto karon aron usab makabalo ka kung naa ba gayod kalambuan or wala. Tapos keep up your work nalang diha kay lisod kaayo ang pangita didto sa provincia nga maoy ingon nimo. I hope nga dili ka pareha sa uban nga naa karon sa Dubai nga dili halos ma ukab ang baba kung makasugat og kababayan... murag unsa kadako ang sahod :bash:

Naka adto sad ko sa Surigao mura jud og gi pasagdan sa gobyerno kay mao ra man gihapon sukad sa una. Pila na ka dekada nanglabay mao ra man gihapon, nadugang lang ang jolibbee og chowking tapos mao ra dayon. Pareha lang sa Butuan wala gayod asensu tungod sa mga leaders. Naka trabaho ko diha sus arang ka mingaw pag wala sa adlaw, sus murag walay tao nag tikaw tikaw sa city matulog nalang og sayo.

bluers_butuan

December 29th, 2009, 10:49 AM

regjeex, may tama rin naman si lacoste grabe ka mingaw kong min. wage ka lang sa butuan, dili ka makapahalipay. igo ra sa imo ang sweldo.

the_villager

December 29th, 2009, 11:19 AM

regjeex, may tama rin naman si lacoste grabe ka mingaw kong min. wage ka lang sa butuan, dili ka makapahalipay. igo ra sa imo ang sweldo.

same comment pud sa sister sa ako ka offismate. na tingala lang siya pag abot niya sa butuan kay ngano daw mingaw knowing nga xmas season man daw tana. by the way she came from tagbilaran. anyway, basi lang pud nag expect sya ug dako kay regional center man gud.

BOB-bXu

January 2nd, 2010, 03:18 AM

Power, mining lead Caraga investments
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO

December 31, 2009, 2:17pm
BUTUAN CITY – Economic boom in the Caraga Region continues to shine as power and mining industries added to the burgeoning business opportunities and both major players in 2010, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

The DTI also said agri-business and tree-planting are also expected to pick up next year.

The agency said target business investment might hit close P6 billion while also generating some 1,000 job opportunities.

In power-generating opportunities, at least two wind farms on Siargao Island are seen as one of the major players in Surigao del Norte next year.

Coal power plants in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, mini-hydro power plants in the municipalities in Jabonga and Santiago in Agusan del Norte and geothermal power plant in Mainit, Surigao del Norte, are also seen as major players in 2010.

“These big business investments will pick up next year,” said DTI-Caraga Regional Director Brielgo O. Pagaran.

He also said these big business opportunities will likewise boost tax revenues to both local and national coffers.

Added to the burgeoning income and employment generation in the Caraga Region is the $30-million International Labor Organization (ILO)-Sustainable Development for Indigenous People (IPs) fund, also in 2010, Pagaran said.

jpb_1972

January 2nd, 2010, 09:35 AM

sounds good mr bob, everybody is hoping and praying for this economic boom to happen in bxu, unfortunately this was already boradcasted and was already been said a long time ago but still nothing happened.

the good thing is that butuanon nerver lost its hope and its dream of becoming a prosperous city... in gods time it will come. i wish and hope that butuanon will act together to achieved this goal..

happy new year mr. bob and to all SSC...

Power, mining lead Caraga investments
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO

December 31, 2009, 2:17pm
BUTUAN CITY – Economic boom in the Caraga Region continues to shine as power and mining industries added to the burgeoning business opportunities and both major players in 2010, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

The DTI also said agri-business and tree-planting are also expected to pick up next year.

The agency said target business investment might hit close P6 billion while also generating some 1,000 job opportunities.

In power-generating opportunities, at least two wind farms on Siargao Island are seen as one of the major players in Surigao del Norte next year.

Coal power plants in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, mini-hydro power plants in the municipalities in Jabonga and Santiago in Agusan del Norte and geothermal power plant in Mainit, Surigao del Norte, are also seen as major players in 2010.

“These big business investments will pick up next year,” said DTI-Caraga Regional Director Brielgo O. Pagaran.

He also said these big business opportunities will likewise boost tax revenues to both local and national coffers.

Added to the burgeoning income and employment generation in the Caraga Region is the $30-million International Labor Organization (ILO)-Sustainable Development for Indigenous People (IPs) fund, also in 2010, Pagaran said.

keith2008

January 2nd, 2010, 10:29 AM

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs179.snc3/20633_106162866067689_100000219271752_157553_5986944_n.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs199.snc3/20633_106162882734354_100000219271752_157557_2352738_n.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs199.snc3/20633_106162872734355_100000219271752_157555_2262189_n.jpg

Cabadbaran. 01.01.10. After the rain

jpb_1972

January 2nd, 2010, 02:10 PM

di man lagi makita ang picture.....:bash:

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs179.snc3/20633_106162866067689_100000219271752_157553_5986944_n.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs199.snc3/20633_106162882734354_100000219271752_157557_2352738_n.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs199.snc3/20633_106162872734355_100000219271752_157555_2262189_n.jpg

Cabadbaran. 01.01.10. After the rain

regjeex

January 2nd, 2010, 02:43 PM

asay dili ba? hahaha ani buhaton nimo o kay murag pareha jud ta ani sa una... nga pobre kaayo ang connection sa office... pag hit nimo sa quote sa imong replayan, naa man didto mo appear ang iyang gi post... i copyha ang eg. http/ bla bla bla .. tapos i paste sa net browser....

bluers_butuan

January 2nd, 2010, 06:54 PM

mao ba na nga city ang gusto nila himuon? perteng layo pa kaayo.....

mike durero

January 3rd, 2010, 03:58 AM

mao ba na nga city ang gusto nila himuon? perteng layo pa kaayo.....

i agree..i just compare cabadbaran to dapa of siargao, the investment capital of siargao island..:ohno:.:cheers:

dapa has this roro port servicing daily , the nearby sayak airport terminal improvement nearing completion with cebu pacific and zestair, 3 hotels and lots of resorts,1 fm station (choice fm 105.1,), 4 rural banks,1 landbank, 1 convention center and sports complex, its now becoming very accessible to all tourists and honeymooners to all the network of tourist attractions around the island.

jpb_1972

January 3rd, 2010, 05:15 AM

di man gihapon regs, di nalang nako i kpya sa net browser kay makita sa IT kung unsa akong gipansudlan nga site....:bash:

asay dili ba? hahaha ani buhaton nimo o kay murag pareha jud ta ani sa una... nga pobre kaayo ang connection sa office... pag hit nimo sa quote sa imong replayan, naa man didto mo appear ang iyang gi post... i copyha ang eg. http/ bla bla bla .. tapos i paste sa net browser....

keith2008

January 3rd, 2010, 01:53 PM

mao ba na nga city ang gusto nila himuon? perteng layo pa kaayo.....

layo pman jud. bag-o p bya. what do you expect? mtubo na dayon nang high rise bldgs once m-declare na city ang isa ka town? LOL:D
anyway, i think the govt is on its way. nakalimot lng ko ug post ug pic sa bus terminal ug sa bag-o nga govt center.:D

regjeex

January 3rd, 2010, 03:09 PM

:lol: i post dayon didto sa atong thread sa BXU keith. :cheers:

layo pman jud. bag-o p bya. what do you expect? mtubo na dayon nang high rise bldgs once m-declare na city ang isa ka town? LOL:D
anyway, i think the govt is on its way. nakalimot lng ko ug post ug pic sa bus terminal ug sa bag-o nga govt center.:D

jpb_1972

January 4th, 2010, 08:33 AM

mga tol, my personal gauge/barometer of a place/city that is developed, malamboun, is ang standard of living sa mga tao. kung ang mga tao nag lisod sama sa manila di na sya basihan para sa ako nga kana nga lugar malamboon....:banana:

i agree..i just compare cabadbaran to dapa of siargao, the investment capital of siargao island..:ohno:.:cheers:

dapa has this roro port servicing daily , the nearby sayak airport terminal improvement nearing completion with cebu pacific and zestair, 3 hotels and lots of resorts,1 fm station (choice fm 105.1,), 4 rural banks,1 landbank, 1 convention center and sports complex, its now becoming very accessible to all tourists and honeymooners to all the network of tourist attractions around the island.

rnsnoval

January 5th, 2010, 05:48 AM

di man gihapon regs, di nalang nako i kpya sa net browser kay makita sa IT kung unsa akong gipansudlan nga site....:bash:

dili diay mabura sa history o gamitan ng ccleaner? :)

regjeex

January 5th, 2010, 06:10 AM

Naa man gud companies mga Sir nga grabe ka strict when it comes to access sa internet. Like e.g. diri sa US Military Base nga gina control nila tanan tapos controlado pa jud sa company didto sa US tanan email mabasa nila.. pag naa gani bisaya og tagalog nga email matingala nalang kay mawala sa inbox tapos sabay email ang central og "warning" need jud burahon dayon after mabasa nimo ang email or i save ba kaha nimo sa thumbdrive. Naa man gani uban companies nga butangan og camera sa sulod sa office... hehehehe mao nga dili jud ka kiat kiat sa sulod.. labi na kung naa uban nga bae sa office. Like before sa ex-company nako na ako ang ga kupot sa kwarta sa company, butangan og camera oi focus sa boltahe pero after mga 3 months ilang gi tanggal hahaha. Naa sad company sa akong friend diri nga pinoy nga pag open niya og gmanews.tv site, gi duol dayon sya sa IT warningan dayon sya, gani layo ra ang IT office nila :bash: Mao nga jpb_1972, antos antos lang sa diha... og basin naay internet cafe diha, didto nlang ka mo banat.. :cheers:

jpb_1972

January 5th, 2010, 06:22 AM

nakita na gyud nako... salamat kaayo:banana:

i am very happy nga nothing much change ang nahitabo dihang dapita..... nindot noon sya... sa bata pa ko sige ko dha nga dapit.... lami handumon ang mga kagahopon samtang nag tan-aw sa picture... salamat kaayo:banana:

di man gihapon regs, di nalang nako i kpya sa net browser kay makita sa IT kung unsa akong gipansudlan nga site....:bash:

jpb_1972

January 5th, 2010, 06:23 AM

ang tinoud ani sir.... di ko kabalo unsaon pag bura hehehehehehe....:bash:

dili diay mabura sa history o gamitan ng ccleaner? :)

jpb_1972

January 5th, 2010, 06:26 AM

hihihihi

regjeex

January 5th, 2010, 07:35 AM

Mano, ani imong buhaton, pangitaa ang tools sa menu bar, then click mo ang internet options. Diha nmo makita ang browsing history, i click ang delete. And your good to go. :banana:

ang tinoud ani sir.... di ko kabalo unsaon pag bura hehehehehehe....:bash:

hihihihi

rnsnoval

January 5th, 2010, 08:22 AM

the_villager

January 5th, 2010, 08:28 AM

i agree..i just compare cabadbaran to dapa of siargao, the investment capital of siargao island..:ohno:.:cheers:

dapa has this roro port servicing daily , the nearby sayak airport terminal improvement nearing completion with cebu pacific and zestair, 3 hotels and lots of resorts,1 fm station (choice fm 105.1,), 4 rural banks,1 landbank, 1 convention center and sports complex, its now becoming very accessible to all tourists and honeymooners to all the network of tourist attractions around the island.

i totally agree with you mike pero wala man mangambisyon ang dapa. i mean nangambisyon siguro pero gusto nila klaro ug tinood ba jud na qualified ba sila. IMO, dili pa pud qualified ang dapa pero you're right pariho-pariho lang sila sa Cabadbaran. pero dont know lang siguro basi dako ug income ang cabadbaran kay sa dapa.

anyway, naa naman jud na, let's just hope and pray for caraga's new cities. tana magmalambuon kita pangunahan sa ato capital nga ang butuan city.

bluers_butuan

January 5th, 2010, 08:48 AM

naunsa naman intawon ning mga municipality na ito. kulang pa nga daw sa income at population. dili pa pwede mahimung city.

Franz-Bxu

January 6th, 2010, 12:18 AM

President Arroyo sees more development, progress in Caraga Region

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sees more development and progress as more business opportunities are mushrooming this year in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region).

The President also saw this region as economically competitive with other regions with the creation of the first state university in Caraga’s capital city.

“Ang bag-o ninyong unibersidad ug daghang industriya maoy mohatag ug daghang kauswagan dinhi sa Caraga” (Your new state university and many industries will make Caraga more progressive), a brief statement of Mrs. Arroyo read.

The Chief Executive issued the statement after she officially signed Republic Act 9854 creating the Caraga State University inside the school campus at Barangay Ampayon here on Tuesday.

House Bill 5110 established the Caraga State University (CSU) in the Caraga Region by integrating the Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology (NORMISIST) in Ampayon, this city, and the Northern Mindanao College of Science and Technology (NMCAST) in Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte, with its main campus in Butuan City.

Accompanying the Chief Executive during the signing of RA 9854 were top city and provincial officials led by Governor Erlpe John Amante, Butuan City solon Rep. Jose “Joboy” S. Aquino ll, Mayor Democrito Plaza II and his wife former City Mayor Daisy Plaza, Agusan del Norte (2nd District) Rep. Edilmero Amante, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, ranking officials from the CSU and Department of Education (DepEd) led by Secretary Peter Favila, Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police officials, some Cabinet members and several members of the House of Representatives.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Mar A. Roxas and authored by Rep. Jose Aquino of the first district of Butuan City and Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.

According to the new law, Caraga State University shall offer undergraduate and graduate courses within its areas of specialization, specifically, but not limited to the fields of agriculture and environmental studies, fishery, engineering, forestry, industrial technology, education, law, medicine and other health related programs, information technology, arts and sciences and other fields as the Board of Regents may deem necessary to carry out its objectives particularly to meet the needs of the Caraga Region.

http://www.op.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27210&Itemid=1

the_villager

January 7th, 2010, 01:25 AM

Cities’ league appeals SC ruling upholding 16 new cities

By Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:13:00 01/05/2010

MANILA, Philippines -- The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) convened on Tuesday in Manila and filed their appeal on a decision by the Supreme Court upholding the legislated cityhood of 16 municipalities in the country.

LCP president and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos expressed alarm over the Supreme Court’s decision, which he claimed would make a bad precedent and cause the reopening of cases, which had been decided with finality.

The LCP filed on Tuesday an appeal to the Supreme Court asking the judicial body to uphold its first ruling, which declared the 16 cityhood laws unconstitutional.

In a statement read during an emergency meeting of the LCP at the Manila Pavilion Hotel, Abalos said that the mayors belonging to the organization were “very surprised and extremely disappointed that a final and executory judgment of the Supreme Court was still altered and completely reversed.”

He warned that the reversal of the decision would disturb the well-established legal principle on the finality of a judgment rendered by the Supreme Court.

“As Filipino citizens and local chief executives who have put their faith in the judicial system, the final judgment of the court of November 2008 must be defended from the partisan tactics employed by the municipalities,” Abalos stated.

The Mandaluyong mayor stressed that these legal reversals could erode the people’s faith in the judiciary and result in the mass lay-off of employees in the legally constituted cities.

“We can now just reopen cases. Everyone can do that now,” he warned.

Abalos explained that under the salary standardization law, local government units have been required to raise the salaries of its employees. With the conversion of the 16 municipalities into cities, the internal revenue allotments (IRA) of all cities -- or the cities’ shares in national tax collections -- have been drastically reduced, because total tax collections have not really grown significantly over the years to accommodate new cities.

Mandaluyong City, he pointed out, lost P54 million of its IRA because of the conversion into cities of the following 16 municipalities: Baybay in Leyte; Bogo, Carcar, and Naga in Cebu; Catbalogan in Western Samar; Tandag in Surigao del Sur; Borongan in Eastern Samar; Tayabas in Quezon; Lamitan in Basilan; Tabuk in Kalinga; Bayugan in Agusan del Sur; Batac in Ilocos Norte; Mati in Davao Oriental; Guihulngan in Negros Oriental; Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte; and El Salvador in Misamis Oriental.

All 120 LCP member-cities, he said, lost large parts of their respective IRAs because of the conversion, which came about during the 13th Congress.

Abalos explained that instead of the IRA going to services, local governments would be forced to cut down on infrastructure projects to be able to pay off the salary increases due government employees

tana mao ni ma realize nila. ginoo ko! :bash:

jpb_1972

January 7th, 2010, 05:12 AM

mao sab na akong ingon nga nahimo ni sila nga city tungod sa budget/kwarta/IRA = KAWAT.......

ingon ani na ka dunot ang atong systema sa pilipinas, wala na ta pag laom...

FINAL & EXECUTORY na nga balaod na reverse pa......

the_villager

January 7th, 2010, 05:24 AM

jpb_1972

January 7th, 2010, 05:39 AM

ambot kung naa pa ba kabagohan sa atong nasud..

kay para sa ako, bisan kinsa ang mapili nga presidente, mga senador, congressman, mayor ug uban pa, mura man wa gihapon kabag-ohan

unsaon na lang?
:bash:
kalabad, bagan akoy nasipog sa SC tataw nga mga sinuhulan jud :bash:

the_villager

January 7th, 2010, 05:42 AM

ambot kung naa pa ba kabagohan sa atong nasud..

kay para sa ako, bisan kinsa ang mapili nga presidente, mga senador, congressman, mayor ug uban pa, mura man wa gihapon kabag-ohan

unsaon na lang?
:bash:

amo man. usahay mangandoy ra kan kita when ma realize ang movie nga 2012 para mapapas tanan dautan. hahahahahaha simbako sab pito kalawod layu ra!!!

jpb_1972

January 7th, 2010, 08:36 AM

ayaw sab oi... hehehehe kahadlok sab ana..

kidding aside, prayers lang gyud ang only way to heal this land....

amo man. usahay mangandoy ra kan kita when ma realize ang movie nga 2012 para mapapas tanan dautan. hahahahahaha simbako sab pito kalawod layu ra!!!

surigaodiveclub

January 13th, 2010, 11:06 AM

Underwater Seascape and World Class Divesites of Surigao City will be featured tonight Wednesday 11:30 pm on GMA TV 7's Born To Be Wild hosted by Kiko Rustia

jpdm

January 18th, 2010, 01:39 AM

mike durero

January 23rd, 2010, 02:05 AM

SURFVIVOR Siargao (Jun 11-14, 2010) January 18, 2010
Posted by thetravelfactor in SURFVIVOR.

SURFVIVOR Siargao
Jun 11 – 14, 2010
Siargao, Surigao de Norte

PACKAGE RATE
P6,000 to P7,500 per person depending on total number of participants

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
Transportation:
* Roundtrip private van transfers from Siargao airport to resort
* 1 day Island hopping (Guyam, Daku, Naked Island)
* 2 surf lessons with instructor and board
* Beach bumming!

Accommodation:
* 4D/3N air-con accommodation
* Resort Amenities: volleyball, massage, pool table, videoke

Meals:
Day 1 – dinner
Day 2 – breakfast, lunch
Day 3 – breakfast, dinner
Day 4 – breakfast

Not Included:
* roundtrip airfare
* terminal fees (P200 in NAIA 3)
* other meals

DRAFT ITINERARY:
* Interchangeable depending on wave condition
Jun 11 – Travel time to Siargao. Check-in and free time.
Jun 12 – Three Island hopping (Guyam, Daku, Naked) – beach bum and snorkel
Jun 13 – Surfing/beach bumming day!
Jun 14 – Batch 1 flight Siargao to Manila. Stop over in Cebu for lunch
– Batch 2 extended stay (subject to extra fee)
Jun 15 – Batch 2 travel to Surigao. Flight Surigao to Manila. Stop over in Cebu for lunch.

Book Your Own Flight
www.cebupacificair.com
1. Manila (MNL) to Siargao (IAO)
11 Jun 2010
5J 559 depart MNL 04:45H 1 stop(s) CEB 06:00H arrive IAO11:30H

2a. for 4 days and 3 nights stay
Siargao (IAO) to Manila (MNL)
14 Jun 2010
5J 878 depart IAO 11:50H 1 stop(s) CEB 12:40H arrive MNL 19:45H

2b. for 5 days & 4 nights stays
Surigao (SUG) to Manila (MNL)
15 Jun 2010
5J 876 depart SUG 11:45H 1 stop(s) CEB 12:30H arrive MNL 19:45H

BOOKING AND RESERVATION GUIDELINES
* No regform, No reservation. To reserve, please fill-out registration form then send to tours@travelfactor.org Subject: SURFVIVOR Siargao (Jun 11-14, 2010)
* Then you will receive thru email account details where to deposit payment (BPI). For group reservations, please send your registration forms in one file & email.
* Everyone is required to download and submit registration form. Copy of e-ticket is required to confirm your slot.
* Please register only if you are 100% sure you are joining. And if after registering you need to back-out, please have the courtesy to notify us properly thru email.
* Full payment must be settled within the agreed timeframe. Should you need extension, please coordinate with Travel Factor
* Non-refundable but transferable to other person. Travel Factor must be notified asap or at least 5 days before the trip. In this case, the “proxy” must fill-out and submit registration form.
* The payments made to us are only refundable if we cancel due to weather issues or fortuitous events.
* Upon payment, you will receive a copy of complete guidelines, including things to bring, itinerary, reminders, etc…

FOR INQUIRIES/COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS
email your concerns to tours@travelfactor.org with your name and contact number Subject: SURFVIVOR Siargao (Jun 11-14, 2010)

or contact Travel Factor at 359-2434 or 0917-8475341

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM
http://travelfactor.org/downloads/TF2009-RegForm.xls

AVAILABLE SLOTS http://www.travelfactor.org

mike durero

January 27th, 2010, 05:23 AM

WoW CARAGA
isasagawa sa Surigao sa Pebrero
at Tuesday, January 26, 2010

MATINDING preparasyon ang isinasagawa ngayon ng local na pamahalaan ng Surigao City at Surigao del Norte kasama na ang Dept. of Tourism (DOT) sa nalalapit na WoW CARAGA na gaganapin sa Pebrero 23-27, 2010.

Ayon kay DOT Regional Director Letty Tan inaantabayanan ang taunang WoW CARAGA lalo na’t inaasahan ang pagdating ni Secretary Joseph Ace Durano.

Tinukoy nito na sa pamamagitan ng WoW CARAGA isasagawa ang showcase sa iba’t ibang Tourist Spots sa buong rehiyon, kasama na rin ang pagkakaroon ng Streetdancing Competition sa lahat ng mga Festivals na ginagawa sa buong CARAGA at mga ipinagmamalaking produkto sa rehiyon.

Ang lahat ng mga aktibidad sa WoW CARAGA ay gagawin sa loob ng kabubukas lamang na modernong Surigao del Norte Provincial Sports Complex. (rmn.ph

michael_ray

January 27th, 2010, 01:42 PM

Maayong Gabii CARAGA Region! Yours truly and @BarPa of Davao City have started our campaign of creating SSC MINDANAO. The primary aim of this campaign is to build camaraderie, harmony, and unify all members of Skyscrapercity Mindanao which includes all cities, provinces, and region. I am sure many of you are aware of CVCs especially between CdeO and Davao. We want to end this and transform skyscrapercity as a venue for brotherhood. Will this really work? As long as we have the support of the majority then we will consider this campaign a success. We will then have rules where everybody's voice will be heard. Let us no longer tolerate conflicts. How? Do not reinforce the negative comment posted by one member. Instead, immediately remind him to be tact and calm. Let us immediately kill the fire if we can sense that it's already there.

Please support us by putting your city and your name in the list. To all those who have already supported this campaign DAGHANG SALAMAT. To all those who have shown their interest, we truly appreciate your kind gesture. Please support this campaign by putting your city and your name in the list. Thank you and GOD bless us all.

This is the list of our supporters as of January 27, 2010 (20:28).

SSC Mindanao supporters from CdeO:
1. Michael_Ray
2. Adeuksom
3. regjeex
4. dark_knight_detective

SSC Mindanao supporters from Davao

1. BarPa

romix

January 30th, 2010, 09:16 AM

ask lang ko kung makaccomodate na diay, og airbus ang siargao airp[ort , good for caraga region, we have alredy 3 airports operating, butuan, surigao at siargao, next boracay na gid ng siargao ,

regjeex

January 30th, 2010, 11:37 AM

Siargao is next next top destination in Pinas...:banana: Hopefully mag tuloy tuloy na yan... together with the mining companies in Surigao that will boost the economy of the State of Caraga :) Claver will be benifited among others. :banana:

SOAR HIGH CARAGA!

ask lang ko kung makaccomodate na diay, og airbus ang siargao airp[ort , good for caraga region, we have alredy 3 airports operating, butuan, surigao at siargao, next boracay na gid ng siargao ,

regjeex

January 30th, 2010, 12:47 PM

Number of registered voters in Caraga Region jump 11.29% to 1.38M
by Ben Serrano

Butuan City (29 January) -- The number of registered voters for the 2010 elections in Caraga Region or Region 13 reached 1,378,132, up 11.29 percent from the 1,238,327 registered in 2007 local and national elections, latest records from the Joint Security Control Center (JSCC) show.

The Joint Security Control Center (JSCC) is a body overseeing security matters for honesty, orderly and peaceful elections which is composed of the COMELEC, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Agusan del Sur topped the four other provinces composing Caraga region, with 325,642 registered voters, up 17.20 percent from 277,840 in 2007 elections.

Surigao del Sur followed with 335,492, up 10.97 percent from 302,323; Surigao del Norte with 288,653, or 10.28 percent higher than 261,736 in 2007 elections; Agusan del Norte with 357,992, or 8.12 percent from 330,996; and Dinagat Islands province with 70,353, up 7.42 percent to 65,492.

The total number of PCOS machines allocated for the five provinces of the region is 2,145 units.

PCOS machine allocations are to be distributed to 2,135 total clustered polling precints in a total of 1,310 barangays of the region.

Caraga Region has an average of 78 percent turnout of voters in 2001, 2004 and 2007 local and national elections, including the 2008 nationwide barangay election. (PIA-Caraga)

BXU-GCP

January 30th, 2010, 01:53 PM

ask lang ko kung makaccomodate na diay, og airbus ang siargao airp[ort , good for caraga region, we have alredy 3 airports operating, butuan, surigao at siargao, next boracay na gid ng siargao ,

nope, dili pa maka-accommodate ug airbus ang Sayak Airport sa Siargao. Passengers from Manila will have to change plane pag-abot sa Cebu to smaller ATR aircraft.

romix

January 31st, 2010, 12:11 PM

ang mining indusrtry talaga ang makapaboom sa caraga region, imagine our mineral reosurece here especially in the mt. ilingilong ba na , pang export qulaity talaga , at hindi pa natatapped, kaya mga chinese investors naguunahan na dito , billion dollar industry kasi ang minign , when i boarded pal last week from manila to butuan, nabigla ako dahil mga nakanecktie ang karamihang pasahero, para akong pupunta sa hk, yon pala mga investors from abroad conducting there feasibility study here in the region, caraga region is definitely the mining region

romix

February 4th, 2010, 10:47 AM

sumitomo is going to invest P62billion m, the biggest investment in the mining sector so far. the plant will be located in a 670 hectare economic zone in taganito, surigao norte . the output of the nickel-cobalt plant will be purchased by Sumitomo for final processing in its refinery in japan. it will generate an annual export of $318 million.

regjeex

February 4th, 2010, 11:42 AM

time for our region to shine... Taganito is in Claver right? that municipality will enjoy the tax from the said company. :cheers:

the_villager

February 5th, 2010, 03:53 AM

Muncipality of Claver, Surigao del Norte is the richest municipality man siguro diri sa surigao and with all those mining companies operating in its jurisdiction, this might be a million pesos richer than the so called "new cities?" in caraga region. once mag operate na ang sumitomo, milya milya na ang lamang ani sa uban. i will not be surprise kung mo surpass pa ang income niya kay sa surigao city.

jpdm

February 6th, 2010, 02:15 AM

Siargao is next next top destination in Pinas...:banana: Hopefully mag tuloy tuloy na yan... together with the mining companies in Surigao that will boost the economy of the State of Caraga :) Claver will be benifited among others. :banana:

SOAR HIGH CARAGA!

I agree!

I hope local investors will develop Siargao as a prime Philippine tourism destination area!:cheers:

Maybe another Boracay (sans overdevelopment) in the making?:cheers:

regjeex

February 6th, 2010, 01:02 PM

Sana nga.... Pero dapat walisin muna ang mga politico na nasa paligid ng Siargao... :bash:

jpdm

February 8th, 2010, 01:31 AM

Sana nga.... Pero dapat walisin muna ang mga politico na nasa paligid ng Siargao... :bash:

That is the hardest thing to do.

Unless, mismo mga tao mag-people power

rally

February 9th, 2010, 01:17 AM

^^Already Siargao is the victim of politics. as of now a company of Army soldiers has been dispatched to Siargao ostensibly to gaurd against npa activities because the brother ka oris is running for mayor of dapa.

And the incumbent cong. had the temerity to annnounce that the presence of the army soldiers has resulted to increase in tourism arrivals. ha ha ha mabuang ako.:lol::nuts:

regjeex

February 9th, 2010, 07:07 AM

Sayangan ko sa Siargao... daku man unta og potential.. pero saon man tungod sa mga atay og jawa nga politico :bash::bash: no wonder kung dili jud ma solve na nga issue, mo balik sa uno na isab... ay ay gayod... back to zero na kita ani... dili mawala sa listahan ang poorest province in the country :bash::bash::bash: kung naay mga ing ana nga issue.... maajo ini sila dab-daban...

^^Already Siargao is the victim of politics. as of now a company of Army soldiers has been dispatched to Siargao ostensibly to gaurd against npa activities because the brother ka oris is running for mayor of dapa.

And the incumbent cong. had the temerity to annnounce that the presence of the army soldiers has resulted to increase in tourism arrivals. ha ha ha mabuang ako.:lol::nuts:

romix

February 10th, 2010, 11:08 AM

you know the politicians are eyeing siargao because its a dollar earning island, pag nagpuntahan na dyan ang mga australians who love surfing , sigurado akong magtataasanh na presyo ng mga lupa dyan , sirgao is so near to austrlia na kahit private planes pwedeng gamitin , no need to go to manila, direct na sila dyan lalapag kaya mga politicains dyan para ng mga vultures

rally

February 12th, 2010, 01:44 AM

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

SUPREME COURT DECLARES UNCONSTITUTIONAL THE CREATION OF THE PROVINCE OF DINAGAT ISLANDS FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE AREA AND POPULATION REQUIREMENT.

SC_00

February 19th, 2010, 01:05 AM

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

SUPREME COURT DECLARES UNCONSTITUTIONAL THE CREATION OF THE PROVINCE OF DINAGAT ISLANDS FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE AREA AND POPULATION REQUIREMENT.

nabasa ko

SC_00

February 19th, 2010, 01:06 AM

kanus-a pa wow Caraga?

mike durero

February 20th, 2010, 01:14 AM

Lakeside resort to boost Caraga tourism
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
February 19, 2010, 5:45pm

Butuan City - The Mainit Kasili Lakeside Resort, a new tourist draw at the side of scenic Lake Mainit, is seen to spur tourism not only in Mainit town in Surigao del Norte province but the entire Caraga region as well, officials said Friday.

The Mainit Kasili Lakeside Resort has 56 fully-airconditioned rooms, three swimming pools, a convention center, two videoke bars, a tennis court, and a restaurant offering dishes made from fish caught in Lake Mainit, one of the largest lakes in Mindanao where the popular "kasili" or electric eel can be found.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visited this resort early this week.

Elated over the efforts of the local government unit headed by Mainit Mayor Ramon Mondano, the President made a financial contribution for the resort to establish more facilities for tourists.

“The noble project of the LGU here will surely boost the tourism industry not only in the municipality of Mainit, but the entire Caraga Region as well,” said Press Secretary Crispulo J. Icban, Jr. who accompanied the President here.

The President and her party were able to view the resort facing the majestic Lake Mainit, the fourth largest lake in the country.

Meanwhile, Mondano said Friday among the future plans of the resort is to promote wakeboarding and jet skiing in Lake Mainit to replicate the wakeboarding craze at the Camarines Water Sports Center in Bicol.

"Lake Mainit is a perfect place for wakeboarding and jet skiing because of its calm waves and water current," said Mondano.

"Lake Mainit is a perfect place for wakeboarding and jet skiing because of its calm waves and water current," said Mondano.

In another development, President Arroyo vowed to bring quality education to Filipino youths by establishing and upgrading facilities of all state colleges and universities nationwide.

This is the meat of the President's speech highlighting the Mindanao Agribusiness Tour in this province held at the Engineering Building of Surigao del Norte College of Agriculture and Technology (SNCAT) in Barangay Magpayang here on Tuesday.

mike durero

February 20th, 2010, 02:08 AM

Ilang daan sa Surigao City, ipapasara sa pagsasagawa ng Calagan Festival
at Friday, February 19, 2010

IPAPASARA ang iilang bahagi ng daan sa Surigao City sa nalalapit na Pebrero 23 sa pagsasagawa ng Streetdancing Competition sa Calagan Festival.

Ito ay bilang bahagi ng mga aktibidad sa WOW Caraga na kung saan ang lungsod ang Host ngayong taon.

Ang mga ipapasara na mga daan mula alas 2 hanggang alas 4 ng hapon kinabibilangan ng City Boulevard, P. Reyes-Borromeo, Borromeo-Rizal, City Hall, Rizal St. patungong Provincial Sports Complex.

Ayon kay Roselin Merlin, Senior Tourism Officer ng Surigao City, ibayong preparasyon na ang isinasagawa lalo pa’t espesyal na magiging bisita si Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Joseph Ace Durano.

Muling nagpulong naman ang mga opisyal ng Surigao Tourism Council kasama ang Philippine National Police (PNP) upang talakayin ang ilang security measures.

Sa Calagan Festival, ang mga kasali ay mga probinsiya at lungsod ng Caraga Region kagaya ng Bislig, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte at iba pa. (rmn)

hakz2007

February 24th, 2010, 07:43 AM

18 towns in Caraga region eyed as beneficiary of expanded KALAHI-CIDSS 2 program (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=260609)

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PNA) -– The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on Tuesday the inclusion of 18 towns in the Caraga region as beneficiary of the expanded “Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS)" this year.

Region XIII Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat made the announcement during the DSWD 59th founding anniversary celebration of the department on Tuesday with the theme “DSWD: Kaagapay at Gabay sa Kinabukasan” at DSWD Caraga Conference Hall here.

Jabagat said these 18 towns are mostly located in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte.

She said the negotiations on the additional funding of US$ 104 million from the World Bank and US$ 140 million from the Millennium Challenge Corporation will take place next week, which will help cover additional KALAHI-CIDSS areas nationwide.

Because of the success of the KALAHI-CIDSS program, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo late last year ordered the expansion of the KALAHI-CIDSS areas nationwide.

“We are still continuing evaluating these areas that so far has been identified as beneficiaries of the KALAHI-CIDSS Part 2, Director Jabagat added.

Concurrently, the DSWD Caraga is implementing KALAHI-CIDSS: “Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay” (KKB) in 20 barangays in Veruela town, Agusan del Sur province and 11 barangays in Cagwait town, Surigao del Norte province.

Since 2003 up to 2009, the KALAHI-CIDSS program-Makamasang Tugon (MT) have already served at least 63,440 household beneficiaries and released total project cost of P340.06 million to the far-flung towns spread all over Caraga region.

KALAHI-CIDSS is one of the Arroyo administration’s flagship poverty alleviation programs implemented by the DSWD.

It is currently being implemented in 184 towns and 42 provinces nationwide. The program is also part of the Medium Term Development Plan which is funded through a loan from the World Bank and from other national and local government funds.

KALAHI-CIDSS specializes in community development where communities are made key decision-makers on livelihood and community projects.

Meanwhile, Jabagat also announced on Tuesday the projected target beneficiaries this year in the Caraga region for the Set 3 program of the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” or 4Ps.

She said at least 6,516 potential household beneficiaries so far had been identified in 17 municipalities and two cities in the Caraga region.

“Identification, evaluation and registration of potential household beneficiaries is already going on,” she added.

4Ps program is another flagship project of the national government on poverty reduction and social development. It provides cash grants to the extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education, particularly children aged zero to 14.

The program also invests in human capital to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty among households.

In the 4Ps Set 1 and Set 2 project in 2009, the DSWD Caraga has already released cash grants to more than P423.4 million, added Jabagat.

In a related development, the DSWD in region 10 has launched early this week the "Project Helpline," a telephone hotline created solely to respond on inquiries on Republic Act 9344 also known as the "Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006," and to help callers handle cases of children in conflict with the law (CICL).

The aim of the project Helpline is to advocate RA 9344 and to encourage the public in reporting cases of abuse against a child in conflict with the law.

Despite the civic groups' negative comments on RA 9344, the social welfare department has strongly been advocating the law to minimize maltreatments and injustices caused against CICLs whose cases are still in due process.

"There are still children out there who are still placed in jails together with adult offenders thereby exposing them to manipulation, physical, verbal and sexual harassment and abuse," said DSWD 10 Regional Director Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo.

Solamillo added the DSWD is doing everything it can to protect them from the brutal experience.

"Through RA 9344, the children are separated from adult offenders and are given psychosocial interventions such as counseling, skills training, education, and other activities which will enhance his or her psychological, emotional and psycho-social well-being." (PNA)

aidz

February 25th, 2010, 04:05 AM

One municipality converted into a city, sixteen municipalities
reverted back to being cities and two barangays created
in the 4th Quarter of 2009
(PR-201002-PP2-01, Posted 23 February 2010)

Seventeen new cities and two new barangays were added in the Philippine Standard Geographic Code masterlist during the last quarter of 2009. In summary, the following are the changes in the PSGC masterlist for the 4th Quarter 2009:

I. Conversion of the Municipality of Dasmariñas in the Province of Cavite in Region IV-A (CALABARZON) into a Component City pursuant to Republic Act No. 9723 and which was ratified through a plebiscite conducted by the COMELEC on November 25, 2009.

II. On December 21, 2009, the Supreme Court, with a majority vote of 6 to 4, reversed and set aside its November 18, 2008 decision and declared as constitutional the cityhood laws converting the 16 municipalities to cities. This ruling was a reversal of the earlier decision of the Supreme Court that turned them back to municipalities under Entry of Judgment of General Record (G.R.) Nos. 176951 and 177499 which became final and executory on May 21, 2009 as stated in COMELEC Memorandum dated June 3, 2009. The 16 new cities are as follows:
PSGC
Municipality Reverted as City
Province/Region

1 012805000 BATAC Ilocos Norte, Reg. I
2 045647000 TAYABAS Quezon, Reg. IV-A
3 072211000 BOGO Cebu, Reg. VII
4 072214000 CARCAR Cebu, Reg. VII
5 072234000 NAGA Cebu, Reg. VII
6 074611000 GUIHULNGAN Negros Oriental, Reg. VII
7 083708000 BAYBAY Leyte, Reg. VIII
8 086005000 CATBALOGAN Samar (Western Samar), Reg. VIII
9 082604000 BORONGAN Eastern Samar, Reg. VIII
10 104307000 EL SALVADOR Misamis Oriental, Reg. X
11 112509000 MATI Davao Oriental, Reg. XI
12 143213000 TABUK Kalinga, CAR
13 150702000 LAMITAN Basilan, ARMM
14 160203000 CABADBARAN Agusan del Norte, Caraga
15 160301000 BAYUGAN Agusan del Sur, Caraga
16 166819000 TANDAG Surigao del Sur, Caraga

Note: Change from municipality status into a city will not affect and will retain the present municipality code.

The exemption accorded the 16 municipalities is based on the fact that each had pending cityhood bills long before the enactment of RA 9009 that substantially distinguished them from other municipalities aiming for cityhood. On top of this, each of the 16 municipalities also met the PhP 20 million income level exacted under the original provisions of Sec. 450 of the 1991 Local Government Code. (GR No. 176951).

III. Two newly-created barangays, Barangay Macalag (PSGC-153835010) and Barangay Tuntungan (PSGC- 153835011) shall be included in the Municipality of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, in the province of Maguindanao pursuant to Muslim Mindanao Autonomy (MMA) Act No. 220 and which was ratified through a plebiscite conducted by the COMELEC on July 30, 2009.

The number of cities increased from 120 cities as of September 2009 to 137 cities as of December 2009 while the number of barangays increased from 42,021 in September 2009 to 42,023 in December 2009. Subsequently, the number of municipalities decreased during the period from 1,514 to 1,497. With these updates, the latest number of regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays as of December 31, 2009 are as follows:

December 31, 2009 September 30, 2009

Regions 17 17
Provinces 80 80
Cities 137 120
Municipalities 1,497 1,514
Barangays 42,023 42,021

LINA V. CASTRO
Officer in Charge
Office of the Secretary General

source (http://www.nscb.gov.ph/pressreleases/2010/PR-201002-PP2-01_PSGC.asp)

hakz2007

February 26th, 2010, 05:34 AM

New Zealand-UNDP officials set 3-day swing in Caraga region (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=261111)

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 26 (PNA) –- The Act for Peace Programme New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Andrew Matheson along with other officials, together with Country Director of the United Nation Development Program Renaud Meyer, are set to conduct a three-day on site visit to project sites in the peace and development communities program in the Caraga region, it was learned Friday.

The New Zealand and UNDP group will also look for schools of peace, and other programs and projects that will be supported by the New Zealand-AID (NZAID).

Mindanao Super Region Champion and Office of the Presidential Assistant for Mindanao (OPAMIN) Secretary Jesus G. Dureza will accompany the New Zealand and UNDP officials in the visit from March 3 to 5.

Local government unit officials and members of the Regional Development Council and Regional Peace and Order Council will also be present during the visit. (PNA)

romix

February 26th, 2010, 09:28 AM

nice talaga pag may wakeboarding dyan sa lake mainit , tulad ng camsur, imagin 117% percent ang increase ng tourist arrivals doon dahil sa wakeboarding na yan, and to think manmade yong lake nila doon, wakeboarding sa lake mainit, surfing naman sa siargao , dapat magkaroon ng ng feasibility study ang dept of tourism sa potentials ng caraga para may maginvest , paging dir. letty tan ,

hakz2007

February 28th, 2010, 03:24 AM

BIR adopts 10-point strategy to hike tax-take in 2010 (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=261280)

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 27 (PNA) – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Caraga region has launched 10 strategies to increase tax collection for 2010.

Caraga region BIR regional director lawyer Eduardo Bajador ordered Butuan-RD 103, RD 104 -Bayugan, Agusan del Sur; RD 105 Surigao and RD 106 -Tandag, Surigao del Sur, to thoroughly implement 10 strategies to surpass the 2008 and 2009 collections.

The strategies launched Friday included high visibility public awareness campaign on the enforcement and service programs; integrated approach in administering the large taxpayers; re-invigorating the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program; enhanced and strategic enforcement approaches; and focus of big ticket items.

The 10-point strategy also included a more rigorous third party matching campaign; expanded linkage with key institutions; effective partnership with taxpayers and tax practitioners; close monitoring and investment incentive programs; and motivating the BIR workforce.

"These directions will help in improving the voluntary compliance of taxpayers as they become aware of the activities of the BIR and more information on the tax compliance requirements," Bajador said.

BIR Caraga has adopted the theme: "Making the Public Know" that aptly reflected the thrust of pursuing a high visibility of communication to all stakeholders of BIR's tax administration activities and initiatives that also highlighted the transparency policy that the BIR would vigorously promote, said Bajador.

The BIR Caraga said that 50.23 percent of its collections came from income tax, followed by revenues on value-added tax at 33.69%. (PNA)

hakz2007

February 28th, 2010, 08:36 AM

100,000 residents of Caraga coastal areas facing the Pacific Ocean flee homes for fear of possible tsunami (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=2&rid=261411)

SURIGAO CITY, Feb. 28 (PNA) – Fearing a possible tsunami onslaught following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Chile on Saturday, some 100,000 residents of coastal areas in the twin provinces of Surigao, Surigao City, Siargao and Dinagat Islands have evacuated to safer places.

Initiated by local government unit (LGU) officials in the provinces, cities, towns and barangays facing the Pacific Ocean, the residents sought refuge near the mountains and other higher grounds, schools, churches, day care and health centers and gymnasiums.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Caraga reported on Sunday morning that the evacuation happened in the coastal towns of Lianga, Barobo, Carrascal and Cortes in Surigao del Sur, island towns in Surigao del Norte and five barangays in Surigao City.

“They started their evacuation since last night,” said OCD Regional Director Blanche T. Gobenciong.

“This is the initiative of our local officials despite that our advisory is only to stay alert,” she said.

Residents living along the coastline of General Luna, Pilar, San Isidro, Burgos, and Dapa in Siargao Island already evacuated to higher grounds following the advisories made by their local chief executives and have decided to do preemptive evacuation, Gobenciong said.

Surigao del Norte Congressmen Francisco T. Matugas and Guillermo Romarate, Surigao del Sur Governor Vicente Pimentel, Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Ace Barbers and Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra already alerted their respective disaster councils for a possible tsunami onslaught.

As this developed, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in Surigao raised “Tsunami Alert Level 2” in the eastern seaboard coastal areas facing the Pacific Ocean.

Gobenciong said people living along the coastal areas and fishermen are advised to stay away from the shorelines for possible unusual wave activity.

“Those whose houses are very near the coastal areas and shorelines are also advised to go further inland,” she added.

The OCD Caraga and Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) directed all disaster councils spread all over the region, specially those in the coastal areas, to implement preparedness measures.

Shipping lines are also advised to ensure that their respective vessels stay away from the possible path of a tsunami.

Meanwhile, thousands of residents in the east coast of Tandag City, Surigao del Sur and Mati City in Davao Oriental have moved to higher grounds as of 10 a.m. Sunday due to the tsunami alert issued by the Phivolcs.

Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat said many residents, especially those leaving near seas, did not sleep because of the tsunami warning.

She said the city's disaster teams, as well as the Coast Guard, have already been put on alert.

Mayor Rabat added that many residents living along the white sand beaches of the village of Dahican have already moved to higher and safer grounds after noting a rise in the water level in the area.

In Tarragona, a southern tip town of Davao Oriental which also faces the Pacific Ocean, several residents have already evacuated to higher grounds, it was learned. (PNA)

hakz2007

March 1st, 2010, 06:23 AM

BFP-Caraga leads observance of Fire Prevention Month in the region (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=261563)

BUTUAN CITY, March 1 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Caraga region led other government and private agencies in the observance of the fire prevention month at this region’s capital city Monday morning.

Stakeholders from the government and non-government sectors participated in the 7 a.m. mass at Rizal Park and motorcade around the city’s main thoroughfares to kick off the event.

The fire stations and volunteer fire brigades from different parts of the region also participated in the ceremony, personally headed by Senior Supt. Warlito Daus, regional director of BFP-Caraga.

Mayor Democrito Plaza ll led the local officials in the program.

According to Director Daus, the annual advocacy aims to foster cooperation, commitment and linkages as forefront in public safety service which is the main focus of the Fire department.

March every year is being observed as the fire prevention month pursuant to Presidential Proclamation which was signed on Nov. 17, 1967 by then president Ferdinand Marcos.

This year's celebration is anchored on the theme: "Sustaining Fire Prevention through Active Community Participation." (PNA)

bisayadako

March 2nd, 2010, 01:23 AM

source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/wounded-iron-mountain

Wounded Iron Mountain

Saturday, February 27, 2010

SURIGAO DEL SUR – Upon entering the pacific side of the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, you will be greeted by an alluring coastline and lush towering green mountains.

Two old towns of Claver and Carrascal hosted the huge Iron Mountain, so called for its immense iron reserves. You could not reach the 120-year-old town of Carrascal without passing Novienta or the most mysterious, exciting and scary Kilometer 90. Local people would say “Novienta” because its 90 degrees uphill road.

A mountain rich with iron and other minerals, during day time the mountain becomes amber red.

Like zigzag road in Baguio, passing the narrow and curvaceous road of Novienta is quite an adventure for the motorist.

In the town of Claver, alluring seascapes and white beaches becoming color red.

With the entry of seven large-scale mining operations in the pacific side of the provinces, the towering red mountain, inch by inch is devoured by machines for shipment to Japan, China and Australia.

Machines that literally slice the red mountain into hundreds of wounds have caused the mountain to cry and drift its tears down to the pacific sea.

“They started to appease the people’s resistance with promise of development like community livelihood. They started to build center for operations and wharf for the loading of minerals to the ship. Employment was promised to all, yet until now only half have been employed for construction, and at this time they have mostly been laid off. All these were also the promises made by the mining companies which ultimately were proven to mean economic and physical dislocation of the people,” lamented Medio Suhian, president of Carrascalanon Hiniusang Aksyon Alang sa Yutang Gilauman (Cahayag).

Bashing Aclan, a resident and a woman leader of Nasipit, Adlay, Carrascal narrated, “I was offered an amount of P50,000 per one hectare of land. But we earned more than enough from our farm lots annually.”

Carrascal is the host of the largest mangrove forest in the province or if not, in the entire Philippines.

“This mangrove forest serves as the cradle of marine life and sanctuary to various species of fish, one of nature's most interesting habitats. Carrascal bay is threatened by sedimentation from the on-going mining operation which also translate to a threat to our livelihood in the coastal areas as well as the food survival of the community,” said Ramon Ellorico, a fisherman.

The people of Carrascal are self-supported by fishing and farming with a population of approximately 13,000 people distributed in 16 villages.

Today, residents of Cantilan are also alarmed after Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) issued a mining permit inside their critical watershed area.

A town dubbed as the rice granary in Surigao del Sur is at stake.

The Red Mountain or iron mountain reminds the people of its majestic height and abundance which serves as the backdrop of every farm lots and fishing grounds in the community. Once it’s gone, it’s like killing the farmers and the fisherfolk of their survival. (Carl Cesar C. Rebuta)

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on February 27, 2010.

hakz2007

March 4th, 2010, 03:04 AM

DA-NFA spearhead buying, distribution of certified seeds to farmers in Caraga region (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=11&rid=262241)

BUTUAN CITY, March 4 (PNA) -– In an effort to help the farmers reduce their farming expenses, the Department of Agriculture-National Food Authority (DA-NFA) is now buying and handling the distribution of certified “palay” seeds to farmers in Caraga region.

According to NFA Caraga Regional Director Gil Pepito B. Paqueo, under this scheme, a farmer will only pay P600 for a 40-kilo bag of rice seeds worth P1,200 while the government subsidizing P600.

Interested farmers from other parts of the region wanting to avail of the assistance must go to their respective municipal agriculturists (MAs) and agricultural technologists.

Director Pacqueo said that under the Rapid Seed Supply Financing Project (RaSSFiP), the NFA will buy the certified seeds from seed growers and producers accredited by the DA.

The NFA will implement the certified paddy seed acquisition and distribution program through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the NFA and the DA and agreed upon by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Under the agreement, the DA will provide the NFA with the corresponding budget for seed procurement along with the list of certified and registered seed producers accredited by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) as well as the master list of farmer-beneficiaries of the program. The DA will set the buying price for the certified seeds.

The NFA will be using its expertise in grain handling to maintain the quality of seeds until they are distributed to farmer-beneficiaries for planting before the production period starts.

The provision of high-yielding seed varieties of palay is one of the major components of the DA’s Fertilizer, Irrigation, Extension, Loans, Dryers and other post harvest facilities and Seeds (FIELDS) program which is the government’s anchor program in achieving the country’s targeted self-sufficiency in food. (PNA)

mike durero

March 4th, 2010, 04:31 AM

CALAGAN FESTIVAL 2010 in Surigao City

By Karen T. Acero

http://gallery.surigaocity.gov.ph/images/stories/festivals/calagan_festival.jpg

City Mayor Pons S. Casurra welcomed the participants of the Calagan Festival which was highlighted by the Grand Showdown at the Provincial Sports Complex on the 23rd of Feb. 2010.

Mayor Pons, in his message, looks forward to having a stronger tie among the Local Government Units, private stakeholders, and tourism-oriented organizations to spur economic development in the region.

Undersecretary Atty. Oscar Palabyab of the Department of Tourism was the keynote speaker of the 12th Annual General Assembly.

The contingent from Surigao del Norte won First Place among other contenders from the Province of Dinagat, Cities of Surigao, Cabadbaran, Bislig and Municipality of Cantilan.

DAPA_CITY

March 6th, 2010, 02:00 AM

VISIT CARAGA

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hakz2007

March 10th, 2010, 01:38 PM

DENR-13 bags best exhibit award (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100309.htm&no=15)

Butuan City (9 March) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Caraga was adjudged the "Best Exhibitor – Regional Line Agency Category" in WOW Caraga! 2nd Calagan Festival Celebration held recently at the Provincial Sports Complex in Surigao City on February 23-27.

DENR-Caraga Regional Executive Director Edilberto S. Buiser said the award is a testament to the good public service provided by the DENR personnel headed by Regional Technical Director Mario L. Eludo of the Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services (PAWCZMS).

"The DENR's participation is one way of helping mitigating climate change, through information and education, to help save our Planet Earth by urging people to be compassionate, caring and protective of our rich natural endowments," RED Buiser added.

RTD Eludo meanwhile, said that DENR bested 42 other exhibitors by showcasing the region's rich biodiversity highlighted by world-class eco-tourism sites presented in a stunning audio-video media technology, by drawing an average of 150 visitor-registrants a day from the academe, studentry, various local government officials, religious and civil-society advocates, businessmen, environmentalists, and domestic and foreign tourists.

"Our exhibition is in line with this year's observance of the International Year of Biodiversity. Its slogan: 'Conserve Biodiversity, Save Humanity' is potent but clear enough to be understood even by children that our biodiversity (nature) is elemental to humanity's survival in the face of climate change's fearful backlash," RTD Eludo said.

The 2nd Calagan Festival Celebration is spearheaded by the Department of Tourism. (DENR-13/ PIA-Caraga)

xxxriainxxx

March 12th, 2010, 02:11 PM

Are there flights to Bislig, Surigao del Sur? Which airlines? Thanks. :)

regjeex

March 13th, 2010, 05:19 AM

NONE! Use Surigao City or Butuan City airport either way!

Are there flights to Bislig, Surigao del Sur? Which airlines? Thanks. :)

hakz2007

March 15th, 2010, 04:08 AM

Six out of 10 Caraganons hooked into illegal gambling 'Swertres' --study by Ben Serrano (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=264153)

BUTUAN CITY, March 14 (PNA) - Six of every 10 Caraga residents were already duped, addicted or hooked into illegal numbers game called, Swertres, a study made by independent groups here, such as the Movement for Good Governance (MGG), said.

MGG, in a press statement, claimed it was alarmed by the increasing number of minors betting into illegal numbers game Swertres and school children hooked into illegal video games such as fruit games and others in internet cafes.

"Thus affecting quality of education because some skipped classes just to play their favorite video games in internet cafes with some situated even near public and private school edifices”, the press statement said.

The group’s press statement, signed by its head convenor Engr. Juanito Dimagiba, claimed that rural public and private elementary and high schools were mostly victimized by proliferation of illegal gambling activities than their urban counterparts.

The pressing problems faced by urban public and private schools include the proliferation of illegal drugs and fraternities and sororities that sometimes resort to frat conflicts and gangsterism.

Illegal numbers game Swertres, according to the group, got its three times daily results from state-owned PCSO lotto Swertres games, which are drawn three times a day.

But the group claimed that the eager Caraga bettors,m mostly aging 20 to 50 years old, preferred to bet in illegal numbers games Swertres than in lotto outlets because the former offers cheap betting by as low as P1 than at PCSO outlets which has a minimum bet of P10.

“In the 20 years old to 50 years old age bracket hooked into illegal numbers game SWERTRES, majority of them were housewives, sari-sari storeowners, ordinary wage earners, vendors, PUJ, trisikad, jeepney and PUB drivers and others. In short most of the are ordinary folks but illegal numbers game financers were rich traders some were politicians”, the MGG study showed.

The study further shows that illegal numbers game SWERTRES bettors bet 20 percent of their daily wage earnings, hoping to win but ended frustrated, saying the winning spree was only one out of six bettors in every six months.

"But since they are already hooked and willing to sacrifice part of their earnings even they knew the chances of winning is very impossible, they still bet almost daily, due to the absence of outside influence mechanisms educating them well to stop”, the study said.

The study also revealed giving tips aired over local radio stations almost hourly, daily and printed over local newspapers claiming numbers given on air were surefire winning numbers tip from alleged PCSO reliable insiders have contributed a lot to the illegal gambling addiction.

“Some local radio commentators giving live on air illegal numbers game tip make it as a come on to listeners, at times, it is the only thing listeners listened to their radio program added insult injury to people addicted into illegal gambling”, the study said.

The MGG study also said that illegal gambling financiers raked in P500,000 to P1 million daily as they don't pay taxes to the government. Illegal gambling financers are actually legitimate local businessmen, mostly rice and wood traders, who refused to pay taxes, except protection money given to government authorities.

Protection money is also given to a popular radio station known for its combating stance, which claimed to be people protector but is actually illegal gambling financers’ protector, the MGG alleged.

“The financers are afraid of this radio station because it is feared for its tongue lashing commentaries little knowing that it was only a camouflage as freedom fighter but actually relentless, undoubtedly corrupt”, the statement alleged.

The group warned that if the untouchable and unabated illegal gambling trade in the region, there will be more Caraga residents addicted to illegal numbers game and by 2012 it will be 9 out of 10 Caraga residents addicted to it.

The study was made from November 2009 to February this year funded by the group. (PNA)

hakz2007

March 17th, 2010, 01:15 AM

NFA-13 opens new warehouse
utuan City (16 March) -- National Food Authority headed by Regional Director Gil Pepito B. Paqueo officially inaugurated its 30,000-bag capacity warehouse in Brgy. Luna San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands, last February 22, 2010.

Gracing the event were Gov. Geraldine "Jade" B. Ecleo and Tubajon Mayor Ronaldo O. Luib Sr. During the ceremony, Gov. Ecleo led the inaugural cutting of the ribbon and unveiling of the marker together with NFA Regional Director Paqueo and Assistant Regional Director Rolando M. Maravilla.

Gov. Ecleo was thankful for the construction of the warehouse in Dinagat which is very essential in order to deliver the rice needs of the people. She further commented that the NFA warehouse is a big help to the provincial government in serving the surrounding municipalities and nearby island barangays.

The blessing of the NFA warehouse was attended by NFA Caraga regional Staff and NFA Surigao del Norte employees. It was also participated by local officials and staff from Dinagat Islands Provincial Office.

The said warehouse is primarily aimed to increase storage for rice requirements which will cater to more than 108 barangays. It will also serve as rice depot supplying to adjacent islands.

The one-hectare land was donated by Carmencita Balocan of that same province. (NFA-13/PIA-Caraga)
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100316.htm&no=39&r=r13&y=&mo=

DOH-Caraga strengthens newborn screening campaign
Butuan City (16 March) -- To ensure every child's health from its birth, the Center for Health Development (CHD) of the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga strengthens it campaign on the newborn screening implementation especially to the health facilities in the region.

DOH-Caraga bared that newborn screening is an essential public health strategy that enables early detection of several metabolic disorders that could lead to mental retardation if not treated earlier. It has been an integral part of routine newborn care as mandated by the Republic Act 9288 otherwise known as the Newborn Screening Act of 2004.

According to reports, Caraga region at present have 61 newborn screening facilities. Among these facilities, only few have reached the target of screening 85% of the delivered babies. Through monitoring and evaluation of these facilities, major persistent issues that hamper increase of coverage were uncovered. The low performances of the facility are due to the increasing numbers of indigent patients and lack of information and education of parents regarding importance of newborn screening.

In line with this, CHD-DOH recently conducted the Sales Conference among partners in Newborn Screening program Implementation. The conference was conducted to ensure that the targeted coverage is met through adequate and sustained Newborn Screening information and education at all levels and lobby for funding to sponsor screening of indigent patients.

Also, part of the activity was also to rally support of the individual/s groups who have powerful influence at the grassroots level and have big roles in changing the lives of the future members of the society.

With this advocacy, CHD-DOH is optimistic that families will bare with the implementation of the screening implementation as well as to all health facilities in the region. (PIA-Caraga)
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100316.htm&no=22&r=r13&y=&mo=

mike durero

March 19th, 2010, 07:45 AM

PACAP exhibitor adjudged best booth in Calagan Festival trade fair
at Thursday, March 18, 2010

The display booth of the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) assisted-local producer "Karaga Pasalubong" bested other exhibitors throughout the region in the Best Booth contest in the weeklong Calagan Festival Trade Fair recently held at the provincial gym this city.

Organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT)- Caraga Region, the said event forms part of the celebration of the 15th Anniversary of Caraga Region, which highlighted the showcase of "WOW Caraga: Calagan Festival," from February 22-27, 2010.

Surigao Economic Development Foundation (SEDF) Project Coordinator Joseph Nacario, said that the display booth of Karaga Pasalubong caught the attention of the crowd because of its creative arrangement of various displays, solely done by the exhibitor themselves with the technical assistance from SEDF, an implementing partner NGO of PACAP.

Karaga Pasalubong displayed various native crafts like Tikug mat, agsam-nito baskets/native wares, abaca wares/crafts and a number of food products like dried pijanga (native fish in Lake Mainit), dried squid, nipa vinegar, Gigaquit rhum, VCO-based liniment.

Nacario said that the PACAP booth generated total gross sales of Php17,000 from the 6-day activity, aside from being awarded as "Best Seller" for the Producer-Seller Category, with Php 10,000 cash prize.

Other participating booths include the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, cities of Butuan, Bayugan, Bislig, Tandag, Cabadbaran, Surigao and some line agencies like DENR, DTI, DA, DAR, CHED, NEDA, DBM, DepEd, TESDA and DOT.

Nacario attributed the success to PACAP for their microfinance support, "PACAP was able to help put-up this scheme through their Business Development Services (BDS) program, of course with the collaboration from SEDF."

"With this kind of activity we were able to help our local farmers, fisher folks and those run by women's groups, agrarian reform communities and cooperatives in showcasing their products thus opening up market opportunities," Nacario said.

PACAP Provincial Project Officer Monina Hernandez also said that, "many of the ongoing livelihood projects in all three FOCAS Clusters are generating income, thus contributing to the poverty alleviation goal of the province."

"The provision of start-up capital for fishing, livestock, mariculture, crop production, non-farm types of livelihood, and even processing of raw materials such as vinegar and coconut oil, have not only productively increased the capacity of local communities to manage financial/material resources. PACAP's engagement with the local communities has created an environment for people to leverage and innovate," Hernandez added.

For so many years now, PACAP has always been supportive to small-medium enterprise to promote development of this sector as key to achieving jobs creation and competitive enterprise. It is a program of the Aus¬tralian Agency for International Development (AusAlD), a 24-year old funding program which has granted PhP 74,767,315 total grant funds to at least 21 community devel¬opment projects in the province since 2005, through the Focal Community Assistance Scheme (FOCAS). The three major geographical clusters where PACAP projects are located are the ff: Hinatuan Passage Development Alliance (HIPADA), Siargao Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS), and Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA).

Today, PACAP has assisted 71 people's organizations (farmers/fisherfolks and women) and partnered with 11 NGOs and 1 government special body, the LMDA. PACAP project reach includes, 17 towns in Surigao del Norte, 4 towns in Agusan del Norte in Lake Mainit side, 64 Barangays (SDN & ADN), and 1 city, the city of Surigao. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

mike durero

March 22nd, 2010, 02:55 AM

Z9qhxM_Haj4&NR=1

hakz2007

March 24th, 2010, 09:08 AM

Australia community assistance continues in Caraga region
BUTUAN CITY, March 24 (PNA) -– The Australian government pledged to continue its various development programs in the Philippines, particularly in the Caraga region.

Top representatives of the Australian government aid program will conduct a series of forums across the country next month about their intention to continue their assistance to the Philippine government.

This year’s program is dubbed “Philippines Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP): Building Community Resilience, Sustaining Development” and forum on the environment, development and climate change.

According to PACAP program director Lourdes M. Padilla and communication officer Ninosa Alipon, the forum will provide the avenue for PACAP partners to share lessons from their projects on environment and how these are contributing to the global effort in environment protection, governance, sustainable development and climate change adaptation.

Padilla also said the forum hopes to strengthen partnership among civil society organization (CSOs), government, donors and other national environment networks and groups.

The PACAP will conduct a two-day forum on April 15-16 at the downtown hotel and convention center here where stakeholders from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), PACAP partner NGOs, POs and CSOs are participating.

The forum aims to identify lessons and best practices and share these among partners, to facilitate networking and partnership among CSOs, government, donors and other national environment networks and groups, and future grant financial assistance in the region.

Currently, Surigao del Norte is the recipient of the Australian grant amounting to Php 77.129 million with 39 projects while Agusan del Sur has Php 75, 646, 344 with 34 projects.

Projects focus on the protection and governance of coastal marine ecosystems, watersheds, wetlands and ancestral domains, basic services and livelihood projects like potable water, watershed management, solid waste management, ecotourism, organic farming, sloping agriculture and contour farming.

Projects under climate change involve clean energy (ram pump), adaptation and disaster risk management.

PACAP strategically implements its projects in the Caraga region and other parts in the country through the Focal Community Assistance Scheme (FOCAS) engagement and nationally through Responsive Assistance Scheme (RAS) characterized by projects separate from each other but spread all over the country.

The PACAP is a 23-year-old grant facility of the AusAID in the Philippines. It has financially supported more than 1,200 projects benefiting at least 2 million poor people through partnerships with more than 500 CSOs, primarily NGOs and people's organizations. (PNA) http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=266138

Franz-Bxu

March 27th, 2010, 12:23 PM

German gov't opens first Mindanao office in Caraga Region

Butuan City (March 27) -- In its desire to assist and help peace and development in Mindanao particularly Caraga Region upon the invitation of the Philippine government, the German government opened its first Mindanao office in Caraga in Butuan City late Thursday afternoon.

Attended by nearly 20 German officials headed by German Embassy charge d' affaires Pit Heltmann, the Germans, together with their Philippine government counterparts,cut the ceremonial inaugural ribbon signaling the official opening of their development-centered office dubbed "German House".

The German House Caraga office clusters are different from other German organizations--namely GTZ or the German Technical Cooperation, German Development Service or DED, German Civil Peace Service or ZFD which will implement development cooperation programs jointly in Caraga Region.

The Caraga Region initiatives will focus more in strengthening people's and institutions' capacities together with their local counterparts to promote sustaining development as well as peace, social equity and justice.

In his speech, Heltmann vowed transparency and comprehensive dialogues in addressing community problems as key pillars of German Development Assistance for Caraga region.

Heltman promised general welfare and interests for common good of the greater masses, especially the marginalized sector.

This will be the benchmark of the German policies for Joint Germany-RP developmental efforts for sustainable peace and development in the countryside.

"Philippine –German Government Cooperation has a wealth of experience in strengthening local communities by securing participation of all stakeholders," Heltmann said, citing various capability-building especially on coastal environmental successes in the Visayas.

Other German officials present in the inauguration said that Caraga Region is Germany's priority choice and first stop in Mindanao as far as conflict transformation program is concerned.

Caraga Region has a lot to offer to Philippine development efforts in general and to Mindanao in particular, they added.

According to their project briefer, the most outstanding characteristic of Caraga region is its natural resources endowment with highly varied ecosystem with large tract of lands left underdeveloped.

It is rich in natural resources such as iron, chromite, manganese and copper, earning the tag as "RP's mining capital" because it has 37 national government- approved large scale mining permits and many small-scale mining permits approved by various local government units of the region.

The region's leading crops are palay, banana and coconut and it has excellent tourism potentials because of its unspoiled and beautiful beaches, abundant and fresh seafood, ancient and historical landmarks, hot and cold springs and ever-green forests.

Caraga region is also noted for its wood- based economy largely dominated by politically- influential illegal loggers.

There are also communist rebels extracting revolutionary taxes, even as concerned public agency enforcers allegedly are engaged in collecting protection money and wide variety of corruption practices.

German financial cooperation arm KfW has already extended more than seven million euros in loans for the development of several Caraga cities and municipalities, small-scale businesses and promising local industries.

Development cooperation between the Philippines and Germany began in 1961 and has generated 876 million euros (P54-B) in total assistance to date.

In 2008 and 2009 alone, fresh commitments bythe German government reached 33.2 million euros or about P2-B, complemented by 80 international experts deployed in various programs nationwide, Heltmann said.

Butuan City Vice Mayor Dino Claudio Sanchez and other government officials like Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG),regional director Rene Burdeos, Commission on Higher Education (CHED, Philippine Health Regional Directors, including Butuan Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos, the chair of the Caraga Conference for Peace and Development, welcomed the establishment of the development-centered "German House" in the region. (BS/PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p100327.htm&no=44

rex abad

April 4th, 2010, 03:53 PM

Ask Lang?? Where did the name CARAGA came from??
is it from the oldest town in Davao Oriental which has also the oldest preserved Catholic Church in Mindanao?
whats the uniqueness behind it??

mike durero

April 15th, 2010, 02:57 AM

Councilor Gonzaga awarded as Outstanding Councilor of the Philippines- Regional Winner
at Wednesday, April 14, 2010

http://surigaocity.gov.ph/images/stories/awards/gonzaga-tocp-3-.jpg

Surigao City Councilor Dr. Alice Ensomo Gonzaga has brought honor to the City of Surigao after having been adjudged the Regional Winner for the Caraga Region in the Search for The Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines (TOCP). The award was bestowed on Dr. Ensomo Gonzaga by Sen. Edgardo J. Angara and Junior Chamber International officers during the End of Term Conference of the Philippine Councilors League held at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City on March 12, 2010.

The TOCP is an annual project of the Junior Chamber International Philippines in partnership with the Office of Sen. Edgardo Angara. It aims to give recognition to exemplary local legislators for their selfless dedication to their solemn oath and their outstanding achievement which significantly benefited their constituents, the community and the nation.

Of the 17000 councilors all over the Philippines, regional winners were chosen for each of the 17 Regions of the Philippines. Of the 17 Regional Winners, 10 were chosen as National Winners and they received a trophy and a million worth of projects from Sen. Angara's Priority Development Assistance Fund. Sen. Angara also promised the remaining regional winners that he would also give them P500,000 in projects.

Dr. Ensomo Gonzaga considers the gift of public service as the most special gift she has received. Working as City Councilor for the last three years - she is happy to fulfill a dream of bringing Primary Medical Care to the residents of Island Barangays by organizing outreach clinics. She is also pleased to be a conduit - brining gifts from those who have more and share these gifts to those who need them most, in the form of used books, toys, clothes and computers.

"Magtanom ta nan kahoy sa ato Batangay" was her main project in 2008 - aiming to plant and grow five trees in every barangay. In the year 2009, a series of Info-Education Contra Cyanide Fishing was her main activity, with support from barangay officials and the Surigao Dive Club, under its president, Mr. Lyndon Cubillan.

A recipient in 2007 of the Most Outstanding Nicolanian Award (MONICA) given by St. Paul University Surigao, her alma mater, she was commended for her work as Physician for 22 years for the Cathedral Charity Clinic, which is a pastoral arm of the Diocese of Surigao.

Dr. Ensomo Gonzaga humbly accepts that her work as Councilor is quite simple and ordinary. Yet it becomes challenging when public issues are raised and must be answered. Described as soft-spoken and quiet, yet she will speak her mind and focus on issues that need attention.

She believes that, "It is in the ordinariness of the things we do that sincere service is recognized. To ask our fishermen of today to stop using cyanide so we could preserve our corals and seas for future generation of Surigaonons is an achievement. To ask young high school students to donate one day to clean up Nueva River will open the minds of our young people to the possibility that they have the power to contribute for the good of our city. To inspire all pupils of Surigao City to study well and achieve their dreams and create a lasting influence; and to ask barangay officials to plant trees and leave a legacy, I consider those an achievement."

Dr. Ensomo Gonzaga considers the sponsorship of ordinances that create marine sanctuaries as her main legislative achievement. She aims to sponsor more ordinances creating Marine Sanctuaries with the help of the local government unit of coastline barangays, the Surigao Dive Club, the Philippine Navy, the City Agriculture and Fishery Office. She will consider this as an extraordinary accomplishment - to help in the protection of our seas and preserve marine life for future generation of Surigaonons. (JC Calipayan)

congrats madam!:okay:

boknot

May 19th, 2010, 04:35 AM

Ask Lang?? Where did the name CARAGA came from??
is it from the oldest town in Davao Oriental which has also the oldest preserved Catholic Church in Mindanao?
whats the uniqueness behind it??

from what i read in tourism brochures, caraga used to be the name of the old province during spanish rule whose territory covers the existing 4 provinces now but extending up to gingoog river in the northern part and up to the present davao oriental in the south.

that maybe the reason why there is a town named caraga in davao oriental. :)

rodincouch

May 19th, 2010, 04:41 AM

romix

May 27th, 2010, 03:08 AM

the lakas failed to deliver the votes for gibo dahil kulang ang funding sa local level dito sa caraga region , yong funding nasa mga congressmen lang . sila ang tiba tiba , naechapwera mga govs at mayors, kaya the much vaunted l;akas machinery went pfft

boknot

May 27th, 2010, 08:04 AM

Mangutana lang pod ko, i'm just curious where did aquino-roxas tandem got their votes in CARAGA? sa Mindanao regions, dinhi lang sa CARAGA nakadaog ang tandem. Diba known bailiwick man ni sa plaza ang agusan sur pero 3rd lang si erap sa CARAGA. Kay diri sa Davao City, maski nagsupport si Duterte sa Aquino-Roxas, Erap-Binay gihapon nakadaog.

agusan sur is only one of the 4 provinces comprising caraga region which includes agusan norte, surigao norte, surigao sur and the cities of butuan, surigao and bislig.

in surigao norte, local lakas candidates won the major positions from congressman, governor, vice governor, mayor and vice mayor but its a different case when it comes to national candidates. yellow still won here.

white_ranger

May 29th, 2010, 11:29 AM

boknot

June 1st, 2010, 07:34 AM

nice place to hung out.....even boracay doesnt have this one...only in siargo......how much is the room rate of club tara with the villa near the sea......thank you

club tara i believe is located in bucas grande island not siargao.

white_ranger

June 2nd, 2010, 03:46 PM

club tara i believe is located in bucas grande island not siargao.
ahh uki...thanks for clarification....do u have any idea regarding the rate?

mike durero

June 5th, 2010, 04:09 AM

THE 4TH CLOUD 9 MASTERS,G.L. SIARGAO

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs343.ash1/29317_1509109728140_1246247330_31448862_7198825_n.jpg

mike durero

June 5th, 2010, 04:10 AM

ahh uki...thanks for clarification....do u have any idea regarding the rate?

you may visit their official website www.clubtara.asia
or the soccoro.gov.ph

mike durero

June 5th, 2010, 04:13 AM

club tara i believe is located in bucas grande island not siargao.

bukas grande islands with socorro, la janoza island still part of siargao at boknot.:)

boknot

June 9th, 2010, 02:34 AM

bukas grande islands with socorro, la janoza island still part of siargao at boknot.:)

they are all part of surigao norte but these are 3 different islands (geographically). socorro is a distinct municipality from those municipalities in siargao. la janoza is just a brgy. i believe although i dont know which municipality it belonged to - maybe GL.

siargao and bucas grande however is part of the proclaimed SIPLAS - siargao island protected land and seascape. :)

john kevin

June 13th, 2010, 07:17 AM

BAYUGAN CITY, AGUSAN DEL SUR

narra avenue...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs468.snc3/25689_114346111915754_100000210965894_281482_6437276_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs003.snc3/11068_1205291538542_1416256550_30693593_3406618_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs472.snc3/25879_1271719948336_1090002344_30624617_4394773_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs276.ash1/20351_1187675127983_1111461620_30448128_7146331_n.jpg

bayugan rotunda...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs448.snc3/25689_114346118582420_100000210965894_281483_3776465_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs468.snc3/25689_114346125249086_100000210965894_281485_3321322_n.jpg

bayugan city gym...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs526.snc3/29931_126094714074227_100000210965894_338497_4959117_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs196.snc3/20335_238464369104_683359104_2920397_8225246_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs003.snc3/11068_1209136994676_1416256550_30702195_7144826_n.jpg

central ware. bayugan...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs419.snc3/25233_109881982357270_100000064050008_247751_7756280_n.jpg

bayugan city hall complex and rizal park...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs102.snc3/15006_105485522809743_100000448884785_145656_2523596_n.jpg

Blueleo

June 21st, 2010, 12:31 PM

Surge in investments turning Caraga as RP mining capital
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
June 21, 2010, 4:38pm

BUTUAN CITY – The Caraga region is emerging as the Philippines’ mining capital with mushrooming mining investments, both foreign and domestic, officials said Monday.

Owing to its fresh water that encompasses the borders of the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur, Northeastern Mindanao or the Caraga region is where the Philippines’ largest deposits of gold, nickel, chromite, manganese, base metals, and silver ore are found.

Mining is considered as the engine of growth in Northeastern Mindanao.

The Philippines is also third in copper deposit in the Asia Pacific region.

The conference of Environmental Justice held in Ulan Bataar, Mongolia on Sept. 22-25 last year already acknowledged the Caraga region as the emerging mining capital in Asia, said Regional Director Brielgo O. Pagaran of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Caraga region.

With the present Philippine Mining Act or Republic Act 7942, the Philippines has become the friendliest country for foreign mining firms as they are given tax holidays, a favorable free and prior informed consent guidelines and auxiliary benefits attached to the mining permits issued.

Todate, the Caraga region hosts at least 62 mining firms engaged in mining exploration covering some 103,643.25 hectares or 55.29 percent of the entire mining permits approved in Mindanao.

Including existing mining operations and applications, more than one million hectares of mining areas are potential for mining investments.

In the pipeline, 80 more Mineral Production and Sharing Agreement or MPSAs are pending for approval, 124 application for exploration permits and five pending applications for Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAA’s). Todate, at least 41 MPSAs are already operating in various areas in Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and on Dinagat Islands.

At least 71 Applications for Production Sharing Agreement (APSA) have already been approved with 247,916.59 hectares while exploration permits (EP) also reached to 17 with 25,147.56 hectares.

The mining operations in the Caraga region has improved the living conditions of the people in the countryside as many villagers, mostly indigenous people (IPs), find work while tax revenues for the local governments also increased, Pagaran said.

Wageningen

June 21st, 2010, 12:42 PM

nice place to hung out.....even boracay doesnt have this one...only in siargo......how much is the room rate of club tara with the villa near the sea......thank you

HUWAW!!!!!!!!:nuts: BYOTIPOL!!!!

molestedtwineggs

June 21st, 2010, 08:54 PM

HUWAW!!!!!!!!:nuts: BYOTIPOL!!!!

wala naman akong nakitang improvement... sa Caraga

the_villager

June 23rd, 2010, 06:14 AM

wala naman akong nakitang improvement... sa Caraga

o really? as in really?

regjeex

June 23rd, 2010, 09:34 AM

Tan-awa ang ilang lugar kung naa ba... ambot lang....

cebuboi

June 23rd, 2010, 09:49 AM

the_villager

June 24th, 2010, 06:42 AM

whoa!!!! the place is just exceptionally awesome....luv those muslim inspired cabanas...hope to visit the place someday if financial matters permits...

indeed! you should visit the palce sir. it feels your in dffrent dimesion.

BOB-bXu

June 24th, 2010, 07:47 AM

whoa!!!! the place is just exceptionally awesome....luv those muslim inspired cabanas...hope to visit the place someday if financial matters permits...

they are not muslim or islamic inspired style....but Balinese

molestedtwineggs

June 26th, 2010, 09:44 PM

o really? as in really?

1980's pa me sa agusan, i been travelling in the Philippines between 2001-2009 from north to south, butuan is known to be an old kingdom and a timber city before... plus its location as a center of caraga... pero ang improvements murag bao gakamang...kadauli naku wa gyuy nabag-o gawas anang tulay ni diosdado ug gaisano... mga plaza dynasties before karon.. naalisdan ug mga amante nga samot pud was nahimo sa cabadbaran and entire agusan... kaila man siguro mo sa mga anak ug kaigsuonan sa mga amante's, saonz na lang paglambo... hinaut unta nga ang batan-on amante maka-amgo sa kahimtang sa entire caraga... into progress... :lol:

rodincouch

June 27th, 2010, 05:17 AM

Nice ang club tara!

mike durero

July 1st, 2010, 02:20 AM

Caraga seen as emerging mining capital in Asia
Written by Alden Pantaleon / Correspondent
Sunday, 27 June 2010 18:36

BUTUAN CITY—The Caraga region is now being viewed as the emerging “mining capital” in Asia with an increasing number of foreign and domestic investors pouring capital into the local mineral industry, a ranking official of the region’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here said.

Caraga’s Trade and Industry regional director Brielgo O. Pagaran said the region has already been acknowledged as Asia’s emerging mining capital. He said at least 41 mineral production and sharing agreements (MPSAs) are now operating in the provinces of Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur including Dinagat Islands.

Pagaran said the region, having rich mineral deposits, has attracted many new investors. He added that at least 71 applications for production sharing agreement have already been approved with 247,916.59 hectares, while exploration permits (EP) also reaches to 17 with 25,147.56 hectares.

Earlier, the Board of Investments has reportedly approved the grant of incentives to Marcventures Mining and Development Corp. (MMDC)’s P474-million nickel-mining project in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. The MMDC’s nickel ore-mining project has capacities of up to 800,000 wet metric tons.

MMDC’s nickel ore-mining project is expected to be operational starting this month and will employ around 215 people.

Sources said the Sumitomo Co. and Zamora Group mining investments are also expected to invest $1.2 billion in Surigao del Norte.

At present, Caraga region hosted at least 62 mining firms already engaged in mining exploration covering some 103,643.25 hectares, or 55.29 percent, of the entire mining permits approved in Mindanao.

Records at the Mines and Geosciences Bureau regional office, however, show that around 80 MPSAs,124 EP applications and five financial and technical assistance agreements are pending approval. 

Caraga, which is composed of four provinces in northeastern Mindanao, is the largest exporter of minerals in the island with Japan, China and Australia as its main market.  It has an estimated 3.2 metric tons of assorted mineral deposits and is known as having Asia’s largest nickel deposit.

Nickel is commonly used in producing stainless steel, super alloys, electroplating, batteries, coinage, magnets and other industrial and commercial materials.

The DTI’s consolidated production report indicated  that the region’s 2007 production reached  P6.8 billion, but dropped to  P3.28 billion in 2008. Sources, however, said  mining investments in the region only reached $370 million in 2007.

“The decline of the consolidated production in 2008 was due to the global economic crisis, but it started to bounce back in 2009,” Pagaran said.  

He pointed out that the mining operations in the Caraga region have improved people’s  living conditions in the countryside as most of them, particularly indigenous people, found jobs while tax revenues for local government units also increased.

In 2008 alone, Pagaran said at least 9,291 people were employed by mining companies spread in different provinces. He added that the government revenue collection also went up by P1.241 billion in 2007 alone while social-development programs reached P50.5831 million.

mike durero

July 29th, 2010, 02:56 AM

Joint oathtaking of Caraga's mining engineers, mine safety body set on Thursday

by Fryan E. Abkilan

Surigao Del Norte (July 28) -- The Philippine Society of Mining Engineers ? Caraga Chapter (PSEM) and the Caraga Mine Safety and Health Committee (CMSHC), in coordination with the Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region Incorporated (CMCRI) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-XIII (MGB-13), will hold a joint induction and oath-taking of newly elected officers on Thursday, July 29, 2010.

It will take place at the Hotel Tavern in Surigao City and will promptly start at 6 o'clock in the evening.

PSEM Officers for 2010-2011 to be inducted are: Jose B. Anievas ? President; Charlo R. Basadre ? Vice-President; Abedee C. Zerda ? Secretary; Arnel T. Pelaez ? Treasurer; Renie E. Alvarado ? Auditor.

Elected Board of Directors are as follows: Abedee C. Zerda ? Pacific Cement Phils. Inc.; Victoriano Nunez ? Pacific Nickel Phils. Inc.; Jose B. Anievas ? Taganito Mining Corp.; Cyril Vizcayno ? Hinatuan Mining Corp.; Joselito C. Raguini ? Cagdianao Mining Corp.; Reynaldo Gaspe ? Krominco Inc.; Renie E. Alvarado ? SR Metals Inc.; Alvin B. Castanos ? Philsaga Mining Corp.; William Kewan ? Carrascal Nickel Corp.; Arnel T. Pelaez ? Silangan Mindanao Mining Company Inc.; Charlo R. Basadre ? Mines and Geosciences Bureau 13.

Also, CMSHC to be inducted are: Rennan Y. Cuadrillero ? Chairman; Felix L. Piala ? Vice-Chairman; Edgay Thomas E. Bagalay ? Secretary; Gina R. Aspillaga ? Treasurer; Quirico A. Canta, Jr. ? Auditor.

The affair will be witnessed by the Honorable Undersecretary Jeremia Dolino of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), "as we recognize his valuable contribution to the mining industry," said in a statement sent to PIA.

Guests from PSEM National, Mindanao Association of Mining Engineers (MAEM) and PRC Board Examiners for Mining Engineers will also grace in the event. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

this is today! haha:cheers:

mike durero

July 29th, 2010, 02:57 AM

1st Caraga Media Summit set in Surigao City

by Roel Catoto

Surigao del Norte (July 26) -- Journalists around Caraga Region will gather for the first time on July 31 to August 2, 2010 in Surigao City for the 1st Caraga Region Media Conference.

Convened by Mindanao News and Information Cooperative Center (MNICC) and Mindanao Media Forum (MMF), the two-day event is organized with the theme: "Mindanao 2020: Moving Forward."

There will be lectures and workshops during the forum aimed at empowering media practitioners in Caraga to create positive change through reporting on the current realities in Caraga and Mindanao as a whole.

"This is not just a learning mechanism but also expand our knowledge more than the basic ropes in reporting which will be shared by top-caliber speakers who work in respected media outlets in the country," said Roel Catoto, Assistant Regional Director of Mindanao Media Forum (MMF).

Seminars on Environmental Reporting, Beyond City Hall and Capitol Coverage, Safety of Journalist, Reporting Mindanao, Media Social Tools among others are primarily the topics to be discussed by award-winning journalists Yvonne Chua, Luz Rimban and Carol Arguillas.

MMF seeks to develop a responsive media that promotes an informed, critical citizenry, and envision a future of peace, justice, development and progress in Mindanao.

For more inquiries you may contact: Amy Cabusao, Convenor of the Mindanao Media Forum (0917-4662625) or Roel Catoto, Assistant RD MMF (0918-9469946) or email at: roelscribe888@yahoo.com. (The Agusan-Surigao Enquirer/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

regjeex

August 6th, 2010, 08:01 AM

Davao Region has most stable economy in Mindanao: NSCB exec[/SIZE][/B]
source (http://www.dailymirror.ph/Aug-2010/Aug062010/front5.html)

BY JUDY QUIROS
Davao Region has the most balanced and stable economy despite ranking only second to Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen)-Region 9 in terms of economic performance in 2009 for the whole of Mindanao area, National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) 11 regional director Stella Turingan said.

Based on Turingan’s presentation of Davao Region’s economic performance in 2009 yesterday at the Philippine Information Agency, Davao Region posted a marked growth of 5.4 percent in gross regional domestic product (GRDP) in 2009 compared to 3.7 percent in 2008.

GRDP is the value of goods and services produced by the regional economy within a specified period.

Region 9 or Zamboanga Peninsula ranked first in GRDP growth at 6.8 percent. Northern Mindanao-Region 10 ranked third with 2.9 percent, Caraga Region-Region 13 fourth at 2.7 percent, ARMM fifth at 2.6 percent, and SOCCSKSARGEN-Region 12 sixth or last at 1.3 percent.

Turingan said although Davao Region did not make it to the top, its economy is consistently heading upwards, unlike Zamboanga Peninsula and other regions of Mindanao which are experiencing a fluctuating economy.

Citing 2007 economic performance, Davao Region ranked fifth but climbed to number three in 2008 and number two in 2009.

“We are luckier because in terms of ranking we are going up unlike Zamboanga Peninsula which had a low performance last year. We have a stable growth, and we have the most balanced economy,” Turingan said.

Davao Region’s growth last year was mainly driven by the services and industry sectors.

The service sector, the biggest contributor to the region’s economy comprising 41.2 percent of the GRDP, grew 4.6 percent in 2009, way above the 3.3 percent growth in 2008.

The growth in the service sector was driven by a marked growth in private services at 11.3 percent in 2009 against 5.2 percent in 2008.

Based on data of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) 11, the service sector output of 41.2 percent is valued at P27.7 billion.

Industry, which accounted for 34.4 percent of the region’s economy, posted a erformance of 10.2 percent growth in 2009 from 5.4 percent in 2008.

NEDA 11 assistant regional head Noel Quiratman said the industry’s output of 34.4 percent is valued at P23. 2 billion.

Turingan said a boom in the construction subsector with a growth of 19.6 percent in 2009 from 5.5 percent in 2008 and better performance of the electricity and water subsectors pulled the industry sector’s growth.

Meanwhile, agriculture-forestry-fisheries (AFF) nose-dived from 2 percent growth in 2008 to 0.5 percent in 2009.

AFF, which account for 24.4 percent of the region’s economy, dampened the region’s performance. The sluggish growth in this sector was mainly triggered by the decelerated production of banana, coconut, and poultry.

The decelerated growth of AFF was also attributed to the declining growth in corn, livestock, and fishery.

Quiratman said the AFF output is valued at P16. 4 billion.

Turingan said the data on the declining production in the agriculture sector was based on the statistics of the Department of Agriculture.

Bit while AFF had decelerated in Davao Region, this sector came as the main growth driver of Zamboanga Peninsula, Turingan said. Aside from AFF, ZamPen’s manufacturing subsector also performed well.

“Tayo nawawala na sa atin ang agriculture. Hindi na tayo agriculture driven,” Turingan said.

But Turingan said agriculture as a main growth driver is worrying because once it is hit by a problem particularly weather condition, its growth will speedily drop, pulling down the region’s economy.

Turingan also noted the marked deceleration of mining. Mining and quarrying registered the lowest growth rate among the industry sector’s indicators at 3 percent in 2009 from 8.7 percent in 2008.

Turingan said the declining performance of the mining subsector was attributed to the drop in prices of gold in 2008. She said 97 percent of the region’s mining and quarrying is gold.

Quiratman for his part said the marked drop in the mining sector might be driven by sensitive issues like environment and large- and small-scale mining. He also said the long period of the approval of mining applications that will take for about eight years also contributed to the drop of the mining subsector.

Quiratman said Davao Region’s 5.4 percent growth in GRDP is short of the region’s target of 6.3 percent.

He said NEDA 11 is confident that the 6.5 percent target in GRDP growth this year is attainable due to the resiliency which the region has shown amidst the global economic crisis and more opportunities in the areas of ICT focused on BPOs, mining, high value agribusiness, tourism, and renewable energy.

Opportunities in investments are also high with commitments reaching P2.7 billion in the areas of high tech equipment assembly by European investors, computer assembly plant, agribusiness, BPOs, and opportunities in the halal market with a potential value of $2.1 trillion.

Quiratman said NEDA 11 is also optimistic that mining will make a rebound this year with prices of gold to have gone higher compared in 2008 . He cited the gold in Diwalwal estimated to worth P90 billion to revive the mining sector’s growth.

As for the agriculture sector, Quiratman said local governments should adopt some programs to improve the sector or come up with ordinances that would address the needs and problems of the farmers and other players in the sector.

regjeex

August 6th, 2010, 08:03 AM

kahit papano nag peform well din ang Caraga region kahit ito ang pinaka batang region sa pinas... more to go Caraga... bisan og malabong habulin i would say ang Davao, Zambo and Northern MIndanao... pero at least nag progress jud ang Mindanao... :cheers:

allenation

August 6th, 2010, 07:47 PM

regjeex

August 10th, 2010, 01:13 PM

Caraga region becoming an alternative supplier of vegetables to Visayas area

by Jocelyn E. Morano

Butuan City (9 August) -- Eager to get the latest updates on the Mindanao Vegetable Industry a total of 300 vegetable growers and stakeholders joined the 2-day 7th Mindanao Vegetable Congress held at Almont Inland here in the city.

The 7TH Mindanao Vegetable Congress is aimed at strengthening Mindanao's vegetable sector, share amongst participants some learning experiences in fostering sustainable quantity and quality of vegetables for the domestic market and gather important updates and facilitate linkages between vegetable growers and prospective buyers and partners.

Undersecretary Joel Rudinas, who represents DA Secretary Proceso Alcala said, the event is also aimed at getting information or situation reports from each vegetable council about the state of the industry, market trend, and supply and demand level of vegetables in their respective provinces and encouraged vegetable growers to adopt a Private to Private Partnerships (PPP) to expand markets.

Southern Philippines Vegetable Council Vice President Jose Victor Santos revealed Northern Mindanao is the biggest vegetable producer in the entire island of Mindanao.

The 190-member of Northern Mindanao Vegetables Producers Association (NorMinVeggies), an association of small growers and independent anchor farms in Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon ships about 30-40 metric tons of quality vegetables to Metro Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Bacolod, and now Davao.

Record shows, Region 10 had a total of 15,848 hectares of vegetable farms and produces 367,350 metric tons of vegetables a year having a surplus of 367%.

Caraga on the other hand, only has an area of 2,341 hectares planted with vegetable crops with only 42 hectares planted with semi temperate vegetables.

Valeriano Palco, President of the Caraga High-Value Cluster, Inc. (CHiVeCC) said, the region's agro-climatic conditions are suitable for growing semi-temperate vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, potatoes and cabbage, as well as tropical varieties like bitter gourd, eggplant and squash.

Vegetables produced in Caraga Region slowly found its market in Leyte and Cebu and recently in Davao, taking advantage of the high buying prices.

"CHiVeCC was now shipping around 20 metric tons of vegetables weekly to Leyte and Cebu, including okra, eggplant, squash and bitter gourd which are shipped from Nasipit port," said Palco.

Caraga is being groomed as an alternative supplier of tropical vegetable varieties to Samar-Leyte and Cebu areas.

"Caraga, along with other non-traditional vegetable production regions is being promoted by the Southern Philippines Vegetable Council (SPVC) as a potential expansion area for vegetable to major markets in Visayas region based on our proximity," said CHiVeCC President Valeriano Palco.

CHiVeCC is being assisted by Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) and is now considered as one of the emerging vegetable producer associations in the Caraga Region who already established counterparts in Bukidnon and Davao. (dxBN-Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)

mike durero

August 13th, 2010, 04:39 AM

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs291.snc4/40898_141745609191585_100000684394813_244552_3661665_n.jpg

:banana::banana:

Linguine

August 14th, 2010, 08:14 AM

RP’s tourists spots emerge into business destinations

Saturday, 14 August 2010 00:00

Now there are perfect destinations where travelers can mix business with pleasure, relaxation and adventure. Recently, the most beautiful and popular cities and destinations in the Philippines where chosen as “Top Emerging Business Destinations.” Named emerging destinations are: Laoag and Dagupan (Region I), for their heritage sites, and beaches; La Trinidad Valley Cordillera Administration Region (CAR), for its magnificent strawberry fields, vegetable terraces and cut flower industry; Zambales (Region III), a multifaceted destination for beach holidays, mango agri-tourism and sports adventure activities; San Juan, Batangas (Region IV-A) can easily boast endless beautiful beaches and stylized type of resorts; Marinduque (Region IV-B) with its world class resort and rich cultural traditions; Sorsogon of Bicol (Region V) which is synonymous to eco-tourism activities like whale interaction and firefly tour.

In Visayas: Silay City in Negros Occidental (Region VI), for its preserved ancestral houses, rich culinary heritage and newly constructed world class airport; Danao in Bohol (Region VII), the new eco-adventure mecca complemented by nearby white sand beaches and the nature’s wonders of the Chocolate Hills and tarsier; the island destinations of Northern Samar (Region VIII) with its pristine beach areas, rich flora and fauna and iconic natural land formation.

Down south: The Island Garden City of Samal (Region XI), for its paradise-like coves and beaches, eco-adventure sites and activities; Cagayan de Oro City (Region X), not only as gate way to the northern part of Mindanao but also caters to city based-adventure activities; Butuan City (Region XIII) of Caraga is historical mecca of the Philippines with good access to Agusan marshlands and surfing capital of Siargao; Sarangani (Region XII) can always pull a surprise with its beautiful coastlines, diverse cultural heritage and aqua tourism activities; Dapitan City (Region IX) of Zamboanga del Sur, holds one of the historical treasures of Dr. Jose Rizal, complemented by its rustic surroundings and thriving aqua culture industry.

“These places are perfect for corporate travelers and holidaymakers,” says Cesar Cruz, Philippine Tourism Authority president. “Each place has something unique to offer, and we’re hoping that more and more people understand the fact that the Philippines has what it takes to be one of the world’s premier travel destinations.”

The destinations will be featured at the 21st Philippine Travel Mart on September 3 to 5 at the SM Megatrade Halls, as part of the Biyahe Exchange Program, a one-on-one business meeting between corporate buyers and travel sellers where travel adventures, trips, and tours are offered to companies for corporate outings and company incentives.

molestedtwineggs

September 12th, 2010, 12:33 PM

Traveling A-Z: Agusan del Norte
By VINCE LOPEZ
September 11, 2010, 7:39pm

Described as a “haven of natural beauty,” the province of Agusan del Norte is a scenic masterpiece complemented by rich history.

Year-round rainfall characterizes the destination as it is located just outside the typhoon belt.

The province is surrounded by mountains and flat rolling land which dominates the landscape of the province. Known as “AgNor” by neighboring provinces, its nine interweaving rivers throughout the entire province serve as its geographical and historical highlight.

The sprawling river that passes through various municipalities in the province has been a source of Agusan del Norte’s pride. The province’s name itself came from the Malay word Agasan which means “where water flows”.

Agusan del Norte’s river is a pillar of the province’s rich history. Scientific discoveries show that early settlers of the province have been trading with neighboring countries as early as the 11th century. But aside from the rich history, tourists come to the province for the numerous beaches and breathtaking mountains.

The province’s 102 kilometers of marine coastline has eight prime dive sites. Agusan del Norte’s dive site contains rich marine life with soft and hard corals plus abundant reefs and pelagic fishes. Profile ranges from sloping wall to cliffs with depths from 40 ft. to over a hundred, with generally sandy floors; while the mountains contain an exciting trail for trekkers and mountaineers.

Fast facts

Dialect: Cebuanon and Butuanon

Festivals:

Baoto Festival - The festival pays tribute to the native “baoto” or dug-out canoe and is held every 2nd of September.

Lisagan Festival - A religious celebration showcasing Manobo dances and rituals, which re-enacts a miraculous healing in 1910 of a Manobo while dancing in front of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Araw ng Agusan del Norte – a celebration of the founding anniversary of the province of Agusan del Norte held every second week of June.

Points of Interest:

Lake Mainit –hailed as the deepest lake in the Philippines and contains rich marine biodiversity making it ideal for snorkeling, diving, or simply swimming.

Kalinawan River -The pristine and picturesque river is Lake Mainit’s only outlet. It holds historical importance as one of the oldest trading missionary routes in the Philippines.

Mt. Hilong-hilong –An adventurous trek in this mountain requires a climb of 4 ½ to 5 days which includes passing by seven waterfalls and seeing endemic flora and fauna.

Mapaso Hot Spring - This geothermal spring is ideal for trekking, camping, and swimming as well.

Sak-a Falls – engulfed with numerous falls cascading over huge boulders, developing into a natural swimming pool deep enough for a safe vertical plunge and wide enough for a satisfying swim.

Sumaliklik Falls - An exotic waterfall serving as a rewarding site for outdoor enthusiasts.

Agusan River - The long and winding river in the province’s capital, Butuan City nicknamed “The Timber City of the South”.

Historic Magellanes Marker - Erected in 1872 under Governor Maria Caravello, this historic marker commemorates the celebration of the first Catholic Mass in Mindanao.

How to get there:

There are daily flights from Manila going to Agusan del Norte as well as trips by sea daily from Manila.

source (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/276579/traveling-az-agusan-del-norte)

Linguine

September 24th, 2010, 05:08 PM

LGU set to Develop "Tagulahi Water Falls" as Tourist Destination in Caraga Region

By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
September 24, 2010, 5:05pm

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – Caraga region is now in the world’s road map for tourist destination due to its surfing and fishing haven including islands mangrove plantations and caves and fine and white sand beaches in Surigao. The officials of the city government of Butuan is now eyeing another tourists spot that will attract tourists, both foreign and domestic by developing the environment-scenic “Tagulahi water falls”.

Approximately, "Tagulahi water falls" is almost 14 kilometers away, south at this region’s capital city.

Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) member Atty. Jaime M. Cembrano, Jr., also chairman of the city’s SP Committee on Tourism, is now proposing for a Php 2 million budget for the development of the area.

City Councilor Cembrano is strongly proposing to have a good road network going to “Tagulahi water falls”, construction of other structures in the area and construct a bridge at Purok 5 in Barangay Antongalon that will connect to the said water falls.

“We have to develop this falls, into two – one for the adult and the other for the children, where everybody can feel the breeze of fresh water from the mountains,” said Councilor Cembrano.

“Tagulahi water walls” is located at the foot of the Mount Diwata range, connecting the highest Mount Ilong-Ilong in the northeastern part of the region.

“I know that when tourists reached this scenic-environment perimeter of Tagulahi water falls, they will appreciate the area,” added Councilor Cembrano.

Aside from developing Tagulahi falls, the city’s SP Tourism chair is also eyeing to develop the Agusan river.

Agusan river is the biggest and longest river in Mindanao. A cruise along the river barangays reveal so much of Butuan`s history, culture, art and people. As a tribute to the Patroness of the Agusan River Senora Sta. Ana, the Abayan Festival was born which is a daylong celebration of baroto races and fluvial procession at the Agusan river, further added City Councilor Cembrano, who also chaired the Committee on Good Government Committee on Human Settlements and Land Use.

In another tourism development, big number of tourists, both foreign and domestic flocked at the internationally known “Cloud 9” at Gen. Luna in Siargao Island Surigao del Norte province as the 16th world’s international surfing kicked of Friday.

All beach resorts in this so called “paradise island” in Northeastern Mindanao are fully booked.

Australian Deputy Ambassador Andrew Byrne was the guest of honor and speaker during the opening of 16th Siargao International Surfing Cup. He was accompanied by Minister Councelor Titon Mitra of the Australian Embassy in Manila, said Surigao del Norte solon Rep. Francisco T. Matugas (1st District, Surigao del Norte).

Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol F. Matugas said that close to 100 world-class and rated surfers registered in the weeklong international competition.

The event is part of the month-long festivity in the island dubbed as the 1st Siargao Surfing Festival with its theme: "Kabibo 2010."

Aside from the world surfing cup, other activities also commence which include : The 1st Gov. Sol Matugas Open Beach Volleyball Challenge, Agri-Aqua Trade Fair, Best Municipal Booth, Kabibo Hip-hop Dance Competition, Photo-shoot Competition and Nightly Yugyugan Open Party at the town’s boulevard sponsored by San Miguel Beer.

With all these series of activities, Gov. Matugas is hopeful that the local tourism industry cannot only bring prestige but most importantly, create jobs to the locals and hopefully achieve quality life and at the same time help boost the economy of the province.

Surigao del Norte solons Rep. Matugas and 2nd District Rep. Guillermo Romarate, Jr., Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas, LMP President Sheila Mae Orquina-Cebedo and around 20 mayors of the province are fully supportive of the international surfing activity.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/278797/lgu-set-develop-tagulahi-water-falls-tourist-destination-caraga-region

regjeex

October 10th, 2010, 10:00 AM

Cebuano News: Outstanding OFW family sa Caraga gipasidungganNi Michael Imbo

Butuan City (8 October) -- Malipayong nakadawat sa awards ug pinansiyal nga suporta ang mga istorya sa mga Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) nga naningkamot sa ilang pagpanarbaho gawas sa nasud.

Niadtong Martes (October 5, 2010) gipahigayon ang awards nga gipangunahan sa Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Caraga Region ilalom sa pagdumala ni Regional Director Marieta Arcena-Lumawag, didto sa Dotties Place Convention Hall, ni'ng dakbayan.

Ang ahensya sa OWWA kaabag ang Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) mihupot sa tradisyunal nga kalihukan sa pagpili ug MODEL OFW FAMILY OF THE YEAR AWARD (MOFYA) aron pasidunggan kadtong mga pamilyang milampos sa ilang panginabuhian.

Kini ang programang naghatag sa kahigayunan nga matagad ang mga taga Caraga nga nanarbaho sa laing nasud nga mapiling outstanding OFW.

Gibahin sa duha ka kategoriya ang nailang OFW nga nagikan sa land-based ug sea-based. Ang pamilyang gipasidunggan mao sila si Mr. ug Mrs. Lilia C. Cabrera sa land-based ug Mr. ug Mrs. Mamerto S. Sore sa sea-based hasta pod ang pamilya ni Engr. Benjamin S. Selim. Ang kompanya sa Globe midominar sab sa kantidad nga P20,000.00 sa pamilyang gipasidunggan.

Base sa report, duha ka MOFYA Regional winners ang napiling hatagan sa maong awards lambigit sa natabang sa komunidad sama sa Outstanding achievement in community projects ug outstanding achievement entrepreneurship.

Apil sa maong program ang giduso sa pagtukod sa OFW Help Desk pinaagi sa Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). (PIA-Caraga)

regjeex

November 10th, 2010, 06:28 AM

Gov. Matugas chairs LMDA
By Robert E. Roperos

Butuan City (9 November) -- Surigao del Norte Governor Sol F. Matugas was elected by majority of the members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) during its Board Meeting on Tuesday (November 9) held at the Agusan del Norte Provincial Training Center, capitol site, this city.

The lady governor was represented by Vice Governor Carlos Egay Jr. who immediately presided the meeting after the election.

Meanwhile, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Caraga Regional Director Carmencita Cochingco was re-elected Vice Chairman.

The BOT election of Chairmanship followed a rule agreed by the previous Board of Trustees to select a new set of officers after every local election. The reorganization of the BOT will give opportunities for the newly-elected officials to be chosen as officers of the BOT and replace the officials that have loss during the election.

Another rule set by the BOT is the position of the Vice Chairperson as set aside to the line agency members. The customary practice is that, the member line agencies prefer NEDA to be the Vice Chairperson. The Vice Chairperson can also act as a convenor when the selected officials loss in the local election. The treasurer of the organization is set aside to the host municipality.

The selected local government official will occupy the position as officer of LMDA during their term of office. The rule set by the previous BOT can be changed as agreed by majority of the members. (PIA-Caraga)

Linguine

November 16th, 2010, 03:26 AM

Caraga region’s Lake Mainit area starts attracting investors

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The area surrounding Lake Mainit, a 173 square-kilometer body of water shared by the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte in the Caraga Region, has started to draw investors.

Joventito B. Jongko, director of Secura International Corp., presented a proposal to develop 100 hectares in the lake for algae cultivation during a recent Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) board meeting.

Noting that the area has started attracting aquaculture and other businesses, the LMDA has proposed the creation of a Lake Mainit Development Authority to manage the lake’s watershed, which includes the river systems and the upstream and downstream communities.

For instance, a power plant had been proposed to be built near the lake, but it was not endorsed by the province of Surigao del Norte. -- L. G. Dumas
|

http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=21267

regjeex

November 27th, 2010, 11:11 AM

MGB-13 praises TMC's Hulagway photo and art exhibit
by Fryan Abkilan

Claver, Surigao del Norte (26 November) -- A photo and art exhibit dubbed as'Hulagway' of Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) drew praises and accolades from the guests and officials of the Mines and GeoSciences Bureau (MGB-13) during its launching held at the TMC mine site, Claver town on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010.

The exhibit showcases responsible mining through photos, paintings, murals on concrete garden benches and a flower garden. It will be open to all for the next three months before it is going to be redesigned and updated with more recent photos.

MGB-13OIC-Chief Administrative Officer Atty. Rise Faith Recabo said that it's the first time in the region that a mining company is implementing a project that took IEC into a higher level. "I say this is a landmark event since this is the first time that a mining company in Caraga has implemented a project that will bring the concept of information, education and communication into a higher level. And, I praise TMC so much for giving importance to IEC and community development."

"'Hulagway' is indeed a very fitting name because this will give us the portrait of the community's image as it maximizes the benefits of mining in Taganito and Hayanggabon," Recabo added.

TMC Resident Manager Jose Anievas was also surprised with the mine-site's transformation. "We are really surprised that this is how it wonderfully looks like."

Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC-TMC) Community Relations Manager, Jane Urbanek narrated that it took them quite some time to put all these things together, "it took us a long time to gather every bit and piece of what goes into these photo and arts exhibit."

"And we are really very happy because these information about who we are, who TMC is, what we are doing for the community, what we are contributing to Caraga Region in terms of taxes, in terms of employment, in terms of business opportunities are all there exhibited for everybody to see," Urbanek said. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

regjeex

November 30th, 2010, 07:39 AM

Caraga Region: Sweet 16 on 2011

By Nora CL Molde

Butuan City (30 November) -- WOW Caraga: Calagan Festival 6th Anniversary celebration will once again take center stage on February 22-26, 2011 in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.

In a written statement, Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga Regional Director Leticia dC Tan said, the region?s big event will be highlighted by Calagan Festival that will showcase the region?s major festivities. It aims to capture one event that will establish the distinct cultural identity of Caraga as a region blessed with rich cultural heritage.

WOW Caraga will also bring together other activities that will add color to the 16th anniversary celebration of the region?s creation such as the Caraga Regional Tourism Council general assembly, trade fair and the different regional line agencies? exhibits, BAHARA culinary show and live competition, garden show, singing star quest and more.

Caraga region was created by virtue of Republic Act No. 7901, ?An act creating Region XIII to be known as the Caraga Administrative Region, and for other purposes?, signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos on February 23, 1995. (PIA-Caraga)

jsl_bxu1206

December 7th, 2010, 12:34 PM

Poverty alleviation program benefits 86,726 households in Caraga
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
December 7, 2010, 5:27pm

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – The government’s poverty alleviation program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps has reached far-flung villages, with at least 86,726 household benefiting in the Caraga region alone.

Meanwhile, at least 8,555 new potential household beneficiaries have registered for the expanded poverty alleviation program, according to an official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region).

DSWD Region XIII director Mercedita P. Jabagat said the new expanded 4Ps program targets the municipalities of Santiago and Tubay, both of Agusan del Norte province; San Agustin, Tago, Cortes, all of Surigao del Sur province; Alegria and Sta. Monica, both of Surigao del Norte; and San Jose of Dinagat Islands in Surigao del Norte province.

Jabagat said the additional 4Ps potential households are part of the expansion of the program to accommodate more poor households in the region.

The registration of 4Ps potential beneficiaries ended last week.

The registered 4Ps beneficiaries will receive a monthly cash grant of as P1,400 to meet their needs in health, nutrition and education, provided that they comply with the conditions set by program.

“As a 4P’s beneficiary and a parent leader, I am aware of the conditions set by the program. We need to comply with these conditions for us to remain in the list of beneficiaries," said Gracelyn Baton of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.

Baton said these conditions include having children from five years old and below to undergo regular medical checkups.

She said children aged 3 to 5 must be enrolled in day-care and must have at least 85 percent school attendance while children aged 6 to 14 must be enrolled in elementary or high school and must also have at least 85 percent school attendance.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/291452/poverty-alleviation-program-benefits-86726-households-caraga

jsl_bxu1206

December 12th, 2010, 02:51 PM

Mushrooming of trade in Caraga Region seen
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
December 12, 2010, 3:04pm

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – The economic activity of various businesses in the fast-growing Caraga Region is being noted as more investors, both foreign and domestic, are coming in, said officials Sunday.

Most of the investors are mulling on the fields of agriculture, mining, tourism, power, tree plantation, and fishing ventures, the government officials also said.

The Department of Tourism (DoT) also noted the increase in arrivals of both foreign and domestic business groups.

The influx of investors was noted after the Regional Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS) was launched here last week.

The Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional Para El Desarrollo (AICED) and the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Local Implementation of National Competitiveness for Economic Growth (LINC-EG) both maintains a positive outlook over the success of implementing the streamlining of the BPLS of some pilot local government units (LGU) in the region.

The representatives of the said agencies expressed strong optimism on the project’s success in their respective messages during the regional launching of the BPLS project.

The BPLS project is spearheaded by the Region 13 offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG 13), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI 13), and the city government here.

DILG 13 Director Rene K. Burdeos, DTI 13 Director Brielgo O. Pagaran, and representatives of the two international development agencies which supported the project - AECID Regional Director David Arnaldo and the USAID LINC-EG represented by its deputy chief of party Ofelia M. Templo – have noted the number of business investments pouring in the Caraga Region.

The other sponsors of the BPLS, the Embajada De España En Pilipinas and the “Biyaheng Pinoy,” also noted the growing economy of the region.

Top city officials led by Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr. and chiefs of offices, representatives of the beneficiary LGUs, business people, and presidents of the chambers of commerce also noted the influx of new investments in the region.

The BPLS project was realized to help investors in the fast lane processing of permits and licensing and to shorten the process of transaction to at least 15 minutes.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/292408/mushrooming-trade-caraga-region-seen

rodincouch

December 13th, 2010, 11:12 PM

South Korean investors to pour P200M in Davao, Caraga regions (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/south-korean-investors-pour-p200m-davao-caraga-regions)

SOUTH Korean investors are expected to invest around P200 million in Southern and Eastern Mindanao as of initial estimate.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Monday said around 60 investors have expressed interest in lumber plantations in Davao and Caraga Administrative regions.

DENR Forestry Management Service regional technical director Hardinado Patnugot, over the weekend, said his team has presented to 60 investors in a meeting in South Korea their proposal for "a forestry sector cooperation project" in the form of private-public partnerships to invest in forestry.

While the DENR doesn't know how many investors will sign the agreement with the Philippine government and partner with Filipino forest tenure holders, some of these investors are nonetheless expected to come here beginning next year, Patnugot said during the Kapihan sa SM media forum.

He added that prospective investors, the Korean Wood Pellets Association, have already been to Agusan in Caraga Region last week and have already conducted their feasibility study.

Patnugot said that they have estimated 200,000 hectares of land to be set for forestry based on the area studied by the pellets association and on the amount of area indicated by investors at the briefing in Korea.

The areas of investment offered by DENR to foreigners are as follows: in Caraga Region, the whole of Agusan del Sur and a portion of Agusan del Norte, and in Davao Region, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, and Compostela Valley.

The initial estimate of 200,000 hectares would include lumber plantations as well as areas for replanting trees.

The government, Patnugot said, originally offered the Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) and the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) agreement.

The South Korean investors were advised to go into partnership with communities, cooperatives or companies granted IFMA and CBFM tenure.

"This way employment for the people is ensured and this would be a source of income for the government as well," Patnugot said. He added that the government will process the investors' requirements since they want to put up their plants as soon as they get here.

Patnugot said one person employed as forest caretaker can be assigned to one hectare of forest to as much as five hectares.

He also detailed that the DENR offered the investors a unique private-public partnership that would adjust to the following factors: 1) the Philippine Constitution's provisions on the Corporation law allows a partnership between the government and private wherein 60 percent of ownership should be Filipino and 40 percent foreign; and 2) the South Korean investors want that when they come to the Philippines they would not be hassled by various requirements and permits.

In Davao Region alone there is an estimate of 400,000 hectares worth of forestry, combining those under the tenure agreements under either IFMA and CBFM.

Patnugot said the DENR is open to the possibility that the investors would invest in areas categorized as "open access," or non-tenured forest lands. (Jade C. Zaldivar)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 14, 2010.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/south-korean-investors-pour-p200m-davao-caraga-regions

regjeex

December 14th, 2010, 05:10 AM

^^ nice nice nice... daghan jud maka benefits og trabaho ani mga local :cheers:

jsl_bxu1206

December 14th, 2010, 05:32 AM

More investors eye Caraga region

BUTUAN CITY - More foreign and local investors have expressed interest in doing business in Caraga region, government officials reported Sunday.

Most of the investors were interested in agriculture, mining, tourism, power, tree plantation and fishing business activities.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) even noted an increase in the arrivals of foreign and domestic business groups after the Regional Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS) was launched at this region’s capital city last week.

The Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internacional Para El Desarrollo (AICED) and the USAID Local Implementation of National Competitiveness for Economic Growth (LINC-EG) maintain a positive outlook over the success of the BPLS of some pilot local government units (LGU’s) in the region.

The BPLS project is spearheaded by the regional office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the city government of Butuan.

DILG Region XIII director Rene K. Burdeos, DTI Region XIII director Brielgo O. Pagaran and representatives of the two international development agencies which supported the project, AECID regional director David Arnaldo and the USAID Local Implementation of National Competitiveness for Economic Growth (USAID LINC-EG) Deputy Chief of Party Ofelia M. Templo, have noted the number of business investments pouring in the Caraga region.

The other sponsors of the BPLS, the Embajada De Espana En Pilipinas and the” Biyaheng Pinoy”, also noted the growing economy of the region.

Top city officials, led by Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. and chiefs of offices, representatives of the beneficiary LGU’s, business people and presidents of the chambers of commerce also noted the influx of new investments in the region.

The BPLS project hopes to help investors in the fast lane processing of permits and licensing and to shorten the process of transaction to at least 15 minutes.

BPLS was launched based on the Joint Memorandum Circular of the DILG and the DTI, which were both members of the Philippine Development Forum.

BPLS was piloted in Butuan City, Surigao City, Claver, Tubod and the town of Mainit, all in Surigao del Norte.

Through the assistance of the AICED, the project was expanded to include Cabadbaran, in Agusan del Norte; Bislig and Tandag in Surigao del Sur; Bayugan and San Francisco, all in Agusan del Sur.

The legal basis for the activity is the RA 9484 (otherwise known as the Anti-Red Tape Act), whose objective is to improve the efficient delivery of services to the people by reducing the transaction time, the steps and other aspects involved in the process.(MUC/PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=8027

jsl_bxu1206

December 14th, 2010, 05:39 AM

CHR-Caraga bares cases handled in 2010

BUTUAN CITY, Dec 14 (PIA)– It is now the civilians who top Human Rights abusers here in the region, according to the 2010 report from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga Regional Office.

Seldio Pilongo of CHR-Caraga disclosed that they recorded 30 cases of abuses committed by civilians from January to November of this year followed by the AFP and PNP each with 24 cases.

CHR likewise documented 13 cases of human rights abuses committed by a group of Lumads, 11 cases from NPA’s, eight (8) cases from paramilitary forces, seven (7) cases from PDEA agents, four (4) human rights abuses perpetrated by government employees, two cases from public officials, two from unidentified armed groups, two from tanods and one BJMP official.

The CHR also handled cases of violation to life topping 14 cases of murder, six frustrated murder, four physical injuries, and four tortures, two attempted murder and one case of violation of RA 8049 or Anti Hazing Law.

Meanwhile, cases relative to the protection of honor and reputation, CHR on record received three cases of acts of lasciviousness and one rape case.

On aspects of right to liberty, record showed two cases of arbitrary arrests, one arbitrary detention, one serious illegal detention and three disappearance cases.

Pilongo also revealed that their office took cognizance of the filing of cases under the right to arbitrary interference wherein two of these falls under harassment case, one case for violation of domicile and one infringement of illegal search.

This year, CHR Caraga also received complaints against violation to security of person, namely: two cases of grave threat and another two cases of grave coercion.

In the right to deprivation of property: 7 were malicious mischief and two estafa cases, while violation against rights of children, CHR recorded 4 murder cases and two rape cases.

Pilongo added, “We were able to provide legal assistance to civilians with a total of 198 comprise the giving of legal advice and affidavits, conducted 43 visits to jails all over Caraga, with the main objective of assessing the situation of inmates.”

For the current year, CHR Caraga extended legal assistance to inmates totaling 86 for the period January to November. (Jocelyn E. Morano, Radyo ng Bayan Butuan)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=8065

jsl_bxu1206

December 15th, 2010, 02:47 PM

Caraga eyeing more investments in 2011
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
December 15, 2010, 4:30pm

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – The Caraga Region or Region 13 is eyeing at least P4 billion in investments in 2011 which it hopes to materialize, and beyond, it was learned Wednesday.

This developed after the Region 13 office here of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI 13) through its Investment Marketing Facilitation (IMF) unit shared the information during the agency’s assessment of its preliminary annual accomplishment early this week.

The investment prospects level is almost double in the reported 2010’s (P2.6 billion) actualized impacted by the agency.

Prospects in the agricultural sector account for 87 percent, power generation – between three to five percent, and aquaculture – about two percent, and a small mining project.

This, however, does not include the bigger mining projects already reported to be in the pipeline.

Should all these prospects materialize, Agusan del Sur is expected to host half of all the identified potential investments coming from palm oil production and processing and the mineral extraction project in the Bunawan area.

It was gathered that this city may get about 22 percent to come from the aqua/agricultural sector (about P770 million), and information and technology-related investments (about P120 million).

While Surigao del Sur hopefully will get its share from the setting up of a Cavendish banana plantation and processing facility.

On the other hand, Surigao del Norte is also picking up when the multi-million-dollar tuna processing plant will rise in 2011, the DTI report said.

Agusan del Norte investments are expected to come from the agricultural sector and the planned facility investments from the power generation sector.

“We are only talking of businesses that pass our office and this does not include other business investments recorded by other agencies that are burgeoning at various parts in the region,” said DTI 13 Director Brielgo O. Pagaran on Wednesday.

He added that several business investments also noted by other line agencies of the government like in the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Tourism (DoT), and Department of Agriculture.

In a related development, the region-wide effort of the DTI in the Caraga Region on trade promotion has generated domestic sales of P411.41 million for the year 2010.

Sales came mostly from financing facilitation and market matching and facilitation. The rest came from trade fairs and “pasalubong centers,” and inbound selling missions.

Caraga producers who joined international trade fairs obtained sales which accounted for 85 percent of the total sales from trade fairs.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=68954491

ipur

January 3rd, 2011, 07:57 AM

2,000 Caraga villagers evacuated due to floods

By Franklin A. Caliguid
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 13:38:00 01/03/2011

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines—More than 2,000 persons have been displaced since Sunday by floods caused by days of rain all over the Caraga Region, the Office of Civil Defense here said.

No casualty has so far been reported.

Blance Gobenciong, OCD regional director, said worst hit was San Francisco town in Agusan del Sur, where at least 1,117 people were evacuated to higher ground after several riverside villages were flooded.

Gobencion said at least 213 families from three villages in Surigao City were also displaced and are now housed in evacuation centers.

Surigao del Norte Vice Governor Carlos Egay has ordered the suspension of classes in elementary and secondary levels throughout the province.

In Surigao del Sur, flashfloods and landslides were reported in the towns of San Miguel and Tago.

In Butuan City, commercial flights in and out of the regional capital had been cancelled due to poor visibility.

jsl_bxu1206

January 18th, 2011, 07:05 AM

Flood, landslide alert raised in Caraga
01/18/2011 1:38 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Local officials in Caraga were alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides due to heavy rains across the region since Monday night.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) issued "Alert Level 1" around 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The RDRRMC said that continuous rains since Monday night may trigger flashfloods and landslides in risk areas, particularly in villages near mountains slopes.

Local officials in Surigao and Butuan cities have suspended elementary and high school classes. -- Report from Charmane Dumanon, ABS-CBN Butuan

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/01/18/11/flood-landslide-alert-raised-caraga

BXU-GCP

January 18th, 2011, 08:41 AM

jsl_bxu1206

January 18th, 2011, 01:40 PM

P2.6-B projects up in Caraga
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
January 18, 2011, 6:16pm

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – In its commitment to help boost economic activity in the Caraga Region, the Aquino administration approved for this year the P2.6-billion budget for various infrastructure projects spread all over the four provinces and three cities in this fast-growing area in Mindanao.

The Region 13 office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-13) said the Aquino administration also approved the P104.5 million Lower Agusan Development Project (LADP) for this region.

DPWH-13 Director Danilo E. Versola said the province of Agusan del Sur got the highest budget for this year, amounting to P626.2 million.

Other areas that got a considerable share for infrastructure projects include the first district of Surigao del Sur in the amount of P552.6 million, followed by this city with P451.2 million.

The first district of Agusan del Norte also got an approved budget for Calendar Year 2011 in the amount of P344.2 million while its second district got the amount of P262.7 million.

Surigao del Norte got P264.5 million and 64.9 million, for its first and second districts, respectively, while Dinagat Island got P11.4 million budget.

According to Versola, the allocated funds for this year are intended for new bridges and upgrading of roads, rehabilitation of auxiliary and national roads, bypass roads, critical sections, and other projects, in line with the national government’s infrastructure programs.

These allocated funds for the Caraga Region was part of the approved 2011 national budget recently signed by President Aquino, Versola added.

“If all these funded 2011 projects will be completed and the remaining 2010 infrastructure projects will be also completed early this year, this region will be more economically stable and more progressive as more investors are expected to come in because of the marvels that are being erected by the Aquino administration,” said Versola.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/299205/p26b-projects-caraga

jsl_bxu1206

January 19th, 2011, 05:59 AM

DSWD serves 80T CCT beneficiaries in Caraga
By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman recently said more than 80,000 Caraganons have already benefitted from the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program of the government.

Speaking before the national and local tri-media during the recent visit of President Benigno S. Aquino III here where she was one of the cabinet members who accompanied the country’s Chief Executive, Sec. Soliman revealed that the nationwide beneficiaries of this program already reached to more than a million.

“Naabot na po natin ng higit isang milyon ang bilang ng ating mga benepisyaryo sa buong bansa at dito sa Caraga, mahigit 80,000 pamilya na po ang nabiyayaan ng programa at madagdagan pa po ng mahigit 60,000 ngayong taon” (We have reached more than one million beneficiaries nationwide and here in Caraga Region, more than 80,000 families benefitted the program and this number of beneficiaries will be added with more than 60,000 this year), Soliman said.

With these developments, Soliman said the program was systematically implemented through the concerted efforts of government agencies concerned as well as public and private organizations in the region as part of the poverty alleviation campaign of the national government.

Conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs aim to reduce poverty by making welfare programs conditional upon the receivers' actions. The government only transfers the money to persons who meet certain criteria. These criteria may include enrolling children into public schools, getting regular check-ups at the doctor's office, receiving vaccinations, or the like. (PIA-Caraga)

http://pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=12128

jsl_bxu1206

January 20th, 2011, 01:56 PM

Pres. Aquino turns-over farm implements to LGUs in Caraga

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 20 -- President Benigno Simeon Aquino III turned-over various farm machineries and inputs to four provinces and one city in Caraga region that was recently ravaged by flood during his visit last January 14, 2011 at Bancasi Airpot, this city.

Together with DA Caraga Regional Director Reinerio B. Belarmino, Jr., President Aquino handed the certificates of turn-over to Butuan City through City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr., Province of Agusan del Norte received by Governor Erlpe John Amante, Agusan del Sur through Governor Adolph Edward Plaza, Surigao del Sur through Governor Johnny Pimentel and Surigao del Norte through Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay.

Each recipient local government unit (LGU) received the agricultural inputs that include three pump and engine sets, 200 bags of certified seeds and two boxes assorted vegetable seeds.

The said inputs will augment the effort of each LGU to help its constituent particularly farmers to start anew after affected by flood.

Aside from agricultural inputs, the president also turned over medicines and relief goods.

Aquino visited Caraga Region to see for himself the extent of damaged brought by the recent flood. However, due to limited time the president just stay at the closed door presidential briefing done by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council at Civil Aviation Authority Office at Bancasi Airport.

Based on the said presidential briefing presented by Regional Director Blanche Gobenciong of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga, the damaged done by recent flood on the agriculture sector are the following: cereal crops which are rice and corn has a total estimated cost of P72, 493, 282; for other crop like vegetables, banana, root crops, including all other crops which are not cereal crops the total estimated cost of damaged was P14, 806,543.

In livestock the total value of losses reached to P3,426,710 while on fisheries the total value of losses recorded P16,725,000 and in irrigation system the cost of damaged was P58 million.

Agusan del Sur is the hardest hit in terms of damaged to agriculture with an estimated cost of P105,595,224.00 followed by Agusan del Norte with P27,850,186.00; Surigao del Sur recorded 21,327,350.00; Surigao del Norte reached to P10,501,875.00 and Dinagat Islands recorded P346,100.00.

In summary as per OCD report, the cost of damage to agriculture in the whole region reached to P165, 620,535.00. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=12439

regjeex

January 21st, 2011, 05:16 AM

Surigao Sur Barangay proclaimed NSBBSP winner

TANDAG, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 21 (PIA) - Barangay Babuyan, Carrascal, of this province grabbed 3rd place in the National Search for Barangay Best Sanitation Practices (NSBBSP) 2010 receiving a total cash incentive amounting to P250,000.00 and plaque of recognition.

Provincial Health Office (PHO) Supervising Sanitary Inspector Rodrigo Gordo said the pronouncement of winners was revealed recently at the Heritage Hotel, Manila attended by some local government officials and Department of Health (DOH) Provincial Government Officers.

Gordo also said a total of 32 entries from 16 regions vied for the title.

NSBBSP is an annual event started in 2008 spearheaded by DOH aimed at giving recognition to the Local Government Units (LGUs) at the Barangay level for the promotion and implementation of policies and actions to meet the sanitation target.

According to Gordo, the search is intended to raise awareness on the importance of sanitation and encouraged government and its partners to promote and implement policies and actions to meet the sanitation target of the DOH under the millennium Development Goals (MDGs). (NGBTranquilan/PIA Surigao del Sur)

jsl_bxu1206

January 22nd, 2011, 09:20 AM

Some coastal areas, islands in Caraga sinking due to rising sea water level
January 22, 2011, 2:35pm

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines (PNA) — Shorelines in coastal areas in Caraga Region are slowly disappearing as they are being submerged in seawater because of rising seawater.

This is according to two non-government organizations (NGOs) involved in climate change adaptations and disaster preparedness initiatives.

Botanist Teresa "Tet" Bordadera of NGO Green Coalition said they observed shores along coastlines in three Caraga provinces — Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte — were slowly disappearing as rising seawater is already eating up shores by at least 10 meters and in some areas as long as 30 to 50 meters.

Some residents along the coastlines are thus forced to relocate, she noted.

Bordadera expressed fear that a few years from now if the rising seawater level trend would continue, coastal areas including smaller Caraga islands will sink and be wiped out from the map.

Surigao del Sur province where most of the coastal areas are facing Pacific Ocean and holds the distinction as a province having the longest shoreline, is now very active in Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives.

Bordadera, in an interview Friday, told the Philippines News Agency that based on initial studies they made, at least five smaller islands in Caraga Region that are facing Pacific Ocean already sank or have been submerged by rising seawater level.

It can be recalled that a group of Filipino artists and individuals calling themselves Tiktok For Climate Change Action also claimed islands in Surigao provinces are already sinking.

Artist Ping Medina who is one of the officials of TikTok, was here in Caraga Region last December to attend a forum on Climate Change at Philippine Gateway Hotel and Convention in Surigao City. He specifically cited that Gigaquit town and surfing capital General Luna’s shores are fast disappearing.

Medina advised local government unit (LGU) officials of said town to come up with fast and effective solutions before rising seawater levels destroy lives and properties in the days to come.

Both Medina and Bordadera cited what is happening to Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean and other island states which are now also being submerged in seawater.

“And because their atolls were now submerged by ocean waters, they are now being hounded by many legal issues, their source of potable waters are being contaminated by salt waters, their livelihood is affected and the future of their children is becoming uncertain,” Bordadera added.

Bordadera stressed that now is the time for all Filipinos to do their share in preserving the country’s remaining forests to avert more calamities.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/299986/some-coastal-areas-islands-caraga-sinking-due-rising-sea-water-level

jsl_bxu1206

January 26th, 2011, 01:34 AM

DOT-Caraga prepares for WOW Caraga 2011 celebration

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 26 (PIA) – The Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga will again spearhead the staging of the 16th Anniversary Celebration of Caraga region dubbed as WOW Caraga 2011 slated on February 22-26, 2011.

The event will be held in the bird watching destination of Bislig City, Surigao del Sur in commemoration of the creation of Caraga Region when President Fidel V. Ramos signed into law Republic Act 7901 on February 23 1995.

It was learned that the grand opening of the Calagan Festival is scheduled on February 23, 2011, 3:00pm at the John Bosco Soccer Field in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.

Also, DOT Secretary Hon. Alberto A. Lim and Usec. Ma. Victoria V. Jasmin will be the honorary guests of the said event. Chief executives and government employees will also participate.

The 16th year anniversary of the region will bring all Caraganons to a new dimension of hope, hard work and high spirits. It will be a celebration of thanksgiving for yields of tireless efforts. All these will be dramatized through a festivity of unity expressed through an artful display of Filipino’s colorful culture, the Calagan Festival and other activities. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=13424

white_ranger

January 26th, 2011, 04:08 PM

calagan festival is coming soon. venue:bislig city!

regjeex

January 27th, 2011, 11:21 AM

DILG awards P 1 M to two Performing LGUs in Region XIII

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XIII turned-over two checks in the amount of Php1,000,000.00 each to the local government units of San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands and Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, recently. The amount given served as recognition for performing local government units in Caraga Region which passed the evaluation for Seal of Good Housekeeping focused on the governance areas of (a) good planning; (b) sound fiscal management; (c) transparency and accountability; and (d) valuing performance monitoring.

The Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) program for the Local Government Units of the DILG is an incentive fund to LGUs in the form of counterpart funding to high-impact capital investment projects in the Annual Investment Program (AIP) and funded out of the 20% local development fund consistent with P-NOY administration’s national priorities and programs to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

The PCF Program of the Department aims to motivate all 4th to 6th class municipalities to adopt measures to attain good governance performance in the areas of planning, budgeting, revenue mobilization, financial management and budget execution, procurement, and research mobilization to make them eligible in availing the financial package.

In Region XIII, there are four grantees of the PCF which passed the test of good housekeeping and these LGUs are: San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, and San Agustin, Surigao del Sur. (Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise, DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)

jsl_bxu1206

February 1st, 2011, 08:10 AM

Nearly 6,000 evacuated in Caraga due to floods, landslides
BEN SERRANO, GMANews.TV
02/01/2011 | 11:36 AM

BUTUAN CITY - Disaster management officials in the Caraga region in Mindanao have implemented a forced evacuation of nearly 6,000 people because of flash floods and landslides, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Caraga Region reported.

The Surigao City and Surigao del Norte Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (DRRMC), brought some 4,762 individuals (or about 856 families) to safer grounds in Surigao City and the towns of Mainit, Tubod, Claver and Gigaquit.

In the Dinagat Islands also in Caraga Region, some 1,000 individuals from give barangays were also evacuated to safer grounds due to flash floods and landslides.

In Surigao City,some 354 families from Sitio Pagasa and Sitio Bonotan were evacuated.

In Agusan del Norte, two persons died of drowning while in Surigao del Norte, one person was reported missing, the OCD said.

In Esperanza town, Agusan del Sur, landslides have been reported, the Esperanza Municipal DRRMC said.

In lakeside Mainit, Surigao del Norte, some 2,892 individuals (or about 482 families) were evacuated due to flash floods and the rising water level of Mainit Lake, the fourth largest lake in the country.

In the entire Surigao del Norte province, some 103,121 individuals (or about 20,137 families) in 235 barangays were affected by flooding.

In Surigao del Sur, a landslide incident reportedly occurred at the national highway in Barangay Union, Lingig town after the Tago River overflowed, causing floods in the highway.

In Dinagat Islands, alert Level 3 was raised and classes in all levels weresuspended. Evacuations were conducted in barangays Jacquez, Wilson, Don Ruben, Luna, and Matingbe.

Sea travels to and from Surigao City and the Dinagat Islands were also suspended. – VVP, GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/211964/nearly-6000-evacuated-in-caraga-due-to-floods-landslides

jsl_bxu1206

February 1st, 2011, 11:27 AM

Thousands evacuated, two missing as floods hit Caraga
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
February 1, 2011, 5:24pm

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – Government authorities have ordered the evacuation of thousands of families in three cities and four provinces in the Caraga region in the wake of floods caused by continuous heavy rains that started last Sunday.

Provincial disaster officials said that two persons, identified as Alfredo Apas, 55 of Barangay Mabua, Surigao City and Amado Basadre, 35 of Barangay Magtangale, San Francisco town, were reported missing.

At least 1,000 individuals from five barangays were already evacuated to safer grounds and evacuation centers in Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, due to landslides and flash floods.

The Office of Civil Defense-Caraga region reported that landslides occurred at the national highway in Barangay Union, Lingig town, Surigao del Sur.

It also said that 61 houses were washed out and totally damage while 60 others were partially damaged in floods in Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte flash floods.

For the second time in less than a month, Butuan City was declared under a state of calamity as more than 80 barangays were immersed in flood waters and several hectares of agricultural crops were ruined.

Butuan City’s disaster council said that at least 6,000 families were affected by heavy flooding in the city’s urban and rural areas.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/301921/thousands-evacuated-two-missing-floods-hit-caraga

jsl_bxu1206

February 8th, 2011, 06:21 AM

DSWD provides P6M relief assistance to Caraga flood victims
By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 8 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center has provided some P6 million pesos worth of relief assistance to families and individuals affected by the recent massive flooding in Caraga Region which left at least 10 persons dead, five missing, and three injured, according to the DSWD’s report.

The report showed that 6,650 families from Surigao del Norte benefitted from the relief assistance composed of family packs and used clothing. In Surigao del Sur, 5,000 family-beneficiaries received the assistance while 8,750 families also received same relief assistance from Agusan del Norte and in Agusan del Sur – 5,883 families, totaling to 26,283 families region-wide.

Itemizing the P6,002,495.25 total cost of assistance to the region, Surigao del Norte received P1,673,047.50; Surigao del Sur – P1,268,075.00; Agusan del Norte – P1,933,062.50; and Agusan del Sur – P1,128,310.25.

Family packs comprised of the following: 3 kilograms rice, 3 cans sardines, 3 cans corned beef, 3 pcs. Noodles, 1 box milk and used clothing. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=15813

jsl_bxu1206

February 8th, 2011, 06:22 AM

DSWD served 44.5% affected families during Caraga’s massive flooding
By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 8 (PIA) – Around 44.5 percent or 48,521 affected families were served by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the massive flooding and landslides that hit Caraga Region early this year.

DSWD reported on Sunday, Feb. 6 that from January 16 to 26, 2011, the total number of families affected reaches to 108,982 or 513,337 persons in 592 barangays. Caraga Region has a total of 1,310 barangays.

Meanwhile, DSWD reported that 205 evacuation centers were also visited and served by the agency.

A total of 14,918 families or 71,926 individuals inside the evacuation centers received assistance from the government’s social welfare department while 33,603 or 161,439 persons outside the evacuation centers who were also affected by flood received the same assistance. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=15816

hakz2007

February 8th, 2011, 04:41 PM

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jsl_bxu1206

February 8th, 2011, 05:37 PM

DBM donates medicines to Caraga flood victims
By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 9 (PIA) – The Regional Office of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) here donated medicines worth P735,556.24 to victims of the recent massive flooding which hit Caraga Region due to a low pressure area affecting the Northeastern Mindanao region.

In an interview with DBM-Caraga Regional Director Joecel Obenza during the turn-over rites on Tuesday accepted by Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Chairman and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director Dr. Blanche Gobenciong, the budget department regional chief said the medicines are stocks of the Procurement Service Depot of DBM-Caraga and through the directives of Budget Secretary Butch Abad, said medicines will be given to flood victims in the region.

The medicines are composed of 224 bottles Aluminum Hydroxide; 1,843 boxes of Amoxicillin; 948 boxes of Ascorbic Acid; 424 boxes Glibenclamide and; 1,278 boxes of Multivitamins for adults.

Dir. Obenza further said, RDRRMC-Caraga and the Regional Office of the Department of Health (DOH) is tasked to distribute the items to those who were greatly affected by the recent disaster.

The recent flooding is the second disaster which hit the region this year. The first deluge struck early in January, leaving at least 23 persons dead as reported by RDRRMC and displacing thousands of individuals and damaging agricultural crops, livestock and infrastructure. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.google.com.ph/#hl=en&biw=1350&bih=554&q=butuan&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbo=u&tbs=nws:1&source=og&sa=N&tab=wn&fp=86ceedfa8d4da6cc

jsl_bxu1206

February 10th, 2011, 02:36 PM

Caraga officials boost dev't plan
February 10, 2011, 4:56pm

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines — In an effort to boost economic activity and social services to local communities in the Caraga Region, regional officials strengthened on Thursday the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 2011-2016.

All the national agencies of the government, local government unit (LGU) officials, and other stakeholders in the region came together for a unified and well coordinated and uniform programs and plans that will go together with the MTPDP’s goals and objective for the 2011-2016 plan.

This development came out during the 2011 Regional Budget Consultation (RBC), and a special Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting where Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio B. Abad was heading the budget review and panel consultation at a downtown convention center here on Thursday.

“The budget consultation was very fruitful and I congratulate the close coordination effort by all agencies of the government and other stakeholders,” Abad said.

More than 150 stakeholders in the Caraga Region, including governors, congressmen, mayors, and members of the RDC-Caraga eagerly participated in the enhancement of the MTPDP 2011-2016.

All regional line agencies of the government and officials who came from the four provinces and three cities were in full force, and actively participated in the budget discussion on the MTPDP for the region.

The Caraga Region was broadly represented by key informants from LGUs, non-government organizations, civil society groups, business people, and even foreign funding institutions.

Region 13 office of the National Economic Development Authority Director Carmencita S. Cochingco, who is the acting RDC chairperson, acknowledged the interest of the regional officials to contribute not just in making lives better for the Caraganons but in placing Caraga in the map of Philippine development.

During the budget consultation, the participants presented their respective performance, 2012 budget allocation, and programs and pledged their respective commitments in enhancing and strengthening the goal of the MTPDP 2011-2016.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/303607/caraga-officials-boost-devt-plan

jsl_bxu1206

February 11th, 2011, 08:40 AM

Gov’t to invest more on public health
By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 11 (PIA) – Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Florencio “Butch” Abad on Thursday said the government has invested “the highest ever investment amounting to 7.2 billion pesos” to build maternal health care centers nationwide.

Abad said one of the findings in their studies revealed that the country is underachiever in public health area. “In fact, 11 women died of child birth in the country everyday as a result of unplanned or complicated child births,” he said.

The government has also focused and gave value on immunization especially to newly-born babies where accordingly maternal deaths and child mortality rate is increasing especially in the urban areas, the official said.

In September 2010, the health department reported that in 1990, the maternal mortality rate of the Philippines was 209 deaths per 100,000 live births.

The DBM chief is here in the city to grace the Caraga Regional Budget Consultation for fiscal year 2012 and Regional Development Council (RDC) special meeting. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=16610

sandersb

February 20th, 2011, 09:58 AM

http://i52.tinypic.com/9sgydf.jpg

Payanig sa Bislig
February 22-26, 2011

jsl_bxu1206

February 21st, 2011, 11:15 AM

RDC-GADCC Caraga highlights MDGs in Women’s Month celeb
By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 21 (PIA) –- The Regional Development Council – Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (RDC-GADCC) Caraga will highlight the Millennium Development Goals during the Women’s Month celebration come March 2011 with the theme: “Magna Carta of Women, Philippine CEDAW: In support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)”.

According to Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga Regional Director and GADCC Chairperson Atty. Marilyn Pintor, Presidential Proclamation Nos. 224 and 227, and Republic Act 6949 provide for the yearly observance of the month of March as national Women’s Month.

“This year’s celebration is anchored on the importance of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, the national translation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women or the CEDAW, to the achievement of the eight (8) Millennium Development Goals: 1) Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; 2) Achieve universal primary education; 3) Promote hunger equality and empower women; 4) Reduce child mortality; 5) Improve maternal health; 6) Combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases; 7) Ensure environmental sustainability; and 8) Develop a global partnership for development,” Pintor stressed.

Pintor also announced that a press conference will be conducted on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 with discussants coming from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), and other duty bearers of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

GADCC also prepares different activities for the month of March to be participated by government line agencies and various stakeholders.

GADCC aims to work hand-in-hand with multi-sectors to make this year’s Womens’s Month celebration a substantive beginning of highlighting the important role of women in achieving and engendering the Millennium Development Goals. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=18140

jsl_bxu1206

February 21st, 2011, 11:16 AM

RDC-GADCC Caraga enjoins all sectors to organize MDG-related activities
By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 21 (PIA) – With the government’s commitment to gear all efforts towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by 2015, the Regional Development Council – Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (RDC-GADCC) Caraga enjoins all sectors to organize MDG activities.

Particularly, RDCC-GADCC asks government agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, especially local government units to come up with programs, projects or activities along the Women’s Month celebration with the theme: “Magna Carta of Women, Philippine CEDAW: In support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)”.

According to Atty. Marilyn Pintor, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga Regional Director and GADCC Chairperson, the objectives of this year’s women’s month are: 1) to increase public awareness on the MDGs and the Magna Carta of Women, the Philippine Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); and 2) to serve as venue for synergizing efforts to address gender issues in the MGDs and develop strategies and programs to address them.

Pintor also added that agencies preferably in partnership with other sectors are encouraged to organize activities on the following: 1) On gender and poverty goal; 2) On gender and education; 3) On gender and health; 4) On gender and environment; 5) On women’s empowerment; 6) On global partnership for development and financing the MDGs.

The yearly observance of the month of March as national Women’s Month is based on the Presidential Proclamation Nos. 224 and 227, and Republic Act 6949. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=18148

jsl_bxu1206

February 21st, 2011, 11:17 AM

AFP Diamond Division awards PIA-Caraga chief, 2 other Caraganons
For the exemplary contribution to the armed forces

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 21 (PIA) – Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga OIC-Regional Director Abner Caga on Monday received plaque of recognition from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division of the Philippine Army in an awarding ceremony held at Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City.

Dir. Caga, together with two other Caraganons: Mr. Lucio Ceniza of the Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) and Judge Augustus Calo of this city were among those who were given recognition from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Dir. Caga of PIA-Caraga received the award in grateful recognition for the invaluable support rendered to the infantry division in utilizing the tri-media in facilitating the negotiation with the informal settlers and other stakeholders at Bancasi Military Reservation which resulted to the successful eviction of said settlers.

The awarding ceremonies highlighted the 41st Founding Anniversary of the Diamond Division. This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme: “Team Diamond: 41 years of Service and Commitment”.

It can be recalled that the Regional Office of the Philippine Information Agency here in Caraga are among those who supported the Bancasi Military Reservation in the successful conduct of a peaceful eviction of illegal settlers which started last year until their eviction earlier this year. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=18191

jsl_bxu1206

February 28th, 2011, 09:36 AM

Ladies of WOW Caraga 2011
By Renato Jose C. Villanueva

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/183405_10150099963657979_565977978_6365634_7534063_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/184374_10150099963727979_565977978_6365636_1028263_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/185762_10150099963842979_565977978_6365639_1979241_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181521_10150099964022979_565977978_6365642_7105441_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/185682_10150099964277979_565977978_6365649_4884785_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181563_10150099964547979_565977978_6365658_4843869_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/184316_10150099964732979_565977978_6365661_5221331_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183833_10150099961272979_565977978_6365572_5159854_n.jpg

source (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?id=565977978&aid=281977)

jsl_bxu1206

February 28th, 2011, 09:48 AM

Culinary Competition in Wow Caraga 2011
photos by Ctl Tourism

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/184703_195655253786192_100000251551800_679095_3387504_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183951_195655293786188_100000251551800_679097_3747024_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/183884_195655313786186_100000251551800_679098_3716873_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/180132_195655337119517_100000251551800_679100_929109_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/185909_195655370452847_100000251551800_679102_2227700_n.jpg

source (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?fbid=195655233786194&id=100000251551800&aid=48521)

jsl_bxu1206

February 28th, 2011, 10:15 AM

Mutya ng Caraga 2011
by Yul Nakila Jimenez

The winner is from Surigao del Norte
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181981_1291208457596_1751797416_524080_1142729_n.jpg

source (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1291208457596&set=a.1291127975584.33052.1751797416)

jsl_bxu1206

February 28th, 2011, 10:18 AM

Bird Headgear Parade at WOW CARAGA 2011
By Ctl Tourism

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/184355_195658140452570_100000251551800_679156_1332420_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183557_195658210452563_100000251551800_679157_6391622_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/184965_195658320452552_100000251551800_679160_2425728_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180606_195658403785877_100000251551800_679162_511383_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183496_195658453785872_100000251551800_679164_538949_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183449_195658517119199_100000251551800_679165_1799553_n.jpg

source (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?fbid=195658127119238&id=100000251551800&aid=48522)

william :D

March 1st, 2011, 01:04 PM

NCR, kampeon sa katatapos na 2011 SCUAA National Olympics

PDFPrintE-mail

Friday, 25 February 2011 20:51

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela - Overall champion ang National Capital Region (NCR) sa katatapos na 2011 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) National Olympics na ginanap sa Isabela Sports Complex sa Ilagan, Isabela.

Narito ang medal standings:

1. NCR - 61 golds, 32 silvers at 40 bronze.

2. Region 4 - 22 golds, 10 silvers at 28 bronze.

3. Region 3 - 21 golds, 37 silvers at 8 bronze.

4. Region 5 - 15 golds, 9 silvers at 13 bronze.

5. CARAGA Region - 11 golds, 10 silvers at 8 bronze

6. Region 6 - 8 golds, 25 silvers at 17 bronze.

7. Region 2 - 7 golds, 3 silvers at 10 bronze.

8. Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) - 2 golds, 1 silver at 2 bronze

9. Region I - 1 gold, 6 silver at 8 bronze.

10. Region 12 - 1 gold, 1 silver at 3 bronze.

11. Region 9 - 1 gold lamang.

12. Region 8 - 17 silver at 11 bronze.

13. Region 10 - 5 silver at 7 bronze.

14. Region 7 - 4 bronze.

http://www.bomboradyo.com/index.php/news/sports-news/42093-ncr-kampeon-sa-katatapos-na-2011-scuaa-national-olympics

originally posted in Isabela Thread by sir 296619.:cheers:

jsl_bxu1206

March 1st, 2011, 01:17 PM

wow! being in the top 5 is already a big achievement.^^

originally posted in Isabela Thread by sir 296619.:cheers:

allenation

March 2nd, 2011, 02:42 AM

http://mindanews.com/main/wp-content/uploads/28hinatuan04a.jpg
CRYSTAL CLEAR The crystal-clear water of Enchanted River resort in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur has been drawing local and foreign tourists making it one of the top tourist destinations . MindaNews photo by Keith Bacongco

The lost enchantment of Hinatuan’s Enchanted River
By Keith Bacongco | Tuesday| March 1, 2011 | Filed under: Travel & Lifestyle

http://mindanews.com/main/2011/03/01/the-lost-enchantment-of-hinatuan%E2%80%99s-enchanted-river/

HINATUAN, Surigao del Sur – What was once an ordinary log pond at the height of the logging operations in Surigao del Sur in the 1950s is now one of the top tourist destinations in the province.
With its cool crystal-clear water, the “Enchanted River” is one of the must-visit natural resorts of this rustic town and it has been drawing foreign and local tourists alike even before it was fully developed two years ago.
From the town proper, a 14-kilometer narrow dirt road leads to the natural spring resort nestled at Barangay Cambatong. Single motorcycles, locally known as habal-habal, carry passengers from the town proper to the resort for P40.
Ernesto Dungque, one of the resort workers, tells MindaNews that what is now the swimming area used to be a log pond. He adds that a few logs still lie submerged at the bottom of the 26-meter deep natural pool.
A native of the barangay himself, Dungque recalls that some 15 years back it was just an ordinary natural spring where local villagers would occasionally gather and swim.
“When you just pass by the road, you would not really notice that there is a natural spring in here because this was still covered by thick forest and giant balete trees,” the resort worker, who is now in his mid-40s, adds.
Asked why it’s called “Enchanted River,” Dungque can’t exactly explain but he believes that it is because of the stories that engkantos (supernatural creatures) have been seen in the area. “Pero dugay na to. Daghan mga istorya dire na naay mga gapa-ramdam na dili pareha sa atua. Pero wala na karon, daghan naman tao. Siguro nadawat na nila” (But that was a long time ago. Stories abound that they make their presence felt here. But that’s no longer the case, as many people have been coming here. Maybe they have accepted that).
And just two years ago, the local government decided to build huts and install beach umbrellas a few meters away from the river.
A wooden foot bridge also leads to the docking area for motorized bancas, which ferry tourists to the nearby island and beach resort for P150 an hour.
Concrete stairways have been built leading to the children’s pool and to the bluish natural pool.
Gatekeepers collect an entrance fee of P20 and cottages are available at P100.
Since the pool is quite deep, they require those who don’t know how to swim to wear lifejackets which are for rent at P100 each for a whole day use. But lifeguards are always on their stations to keep an eye on the excursionists.
Kids may also swim at the knee-deep pond beside the larger pond and at the shallow portion of the river, just a few meters away from bluish waters.
During high tide, sea water flows back into the river and makes the water brackish.
From the head spring, the river flows 600 meters into the coastline of Hinatuan Bay, which is facing the Pacific Ocean.
Seafoods galore
Just across the road, a row of stalls serve newly cooked sea foods at very affordable prices. You can enjoy a plateful of squid for just P100 and another plate of grilled fish for P50 to P100.
But mind you, the vendors don’t serve pork or beef. The tourists, one vendor said, must enjoy the fresh sea foods from this town since pork or any meat can be readily had back in their hometowns.
At 12 o’clock noon, the bell rings and swimmers are asked to vacate the river since it is feeding time for the fish.
After ringing the bell, a resort worker would come down beside the pond and throw away leftovers of rice, shrimps, bread and other food. This lasts an hour during which no one is allowed to swim in the river.
Peak season
During Christmas season and summer, tourists would reach as many as 500 persons per day, a number too big for the resort to accommodate.
But Dungque says that some would just wait outside until a group would leave. “There are times that some would just leave and go to nearby beach resorts,” he says adding that some would even hold parties and meetings in the resort.
But unlike in nearby beach resorts, overnight stay is not allowed as the resort closes at 5p.m. Bringing videoke machine and playing loud music is prohibited.
However, those who have visited the Enchanted River before it was transformed into a commercial resort say they still prefer the natural look of the river.
In the past, tourists had to cling to rocks and roots when going down to the river.
“Nothing beats the natural beauty of this river in the past. You could really enjoy the rejuvenating beauty of the environment,” a local tourist said. “Nawala na hinuon pagka-enchanted kay daghan naman tao permi” (The enchantment has been lost due to the influx of many people).
Another local tourist recommends that the best time to visit the Enchanted River is during off-season to really enjoy the hush of nature. (Keith Bacongco/MindaNews)

regjeex

March 2nd, 2011, 05:49 AM

suprised! :D permi baya kulelat ang CARAGA pag dating sa sports... :bash: karon wow... i think CSU supported the event... because they already started in organizing the sports... where in fact naa na silay scholarship...

Congrats!

wow! being in the top 5 is already a big achievement.^^

regjeex

March 2nd, 2011, 05:53 AM

thanks kaayo sa pag post @ allen.... :cheers::)

http://mindanews.com/main/wp-content/uploads/28hinatuan04a.jpg
CRYSTAL CLEAR The crystal-clear water of Enchanted River resort in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur has been drawing local and foreign tourists making it one of the top tourist destinations . MindaNews photo by Keith Bacongco

The lost enchantment of Hinatuan’s Enchanted River
By Keith Bacongco | Tuesday| March 1, 2011 | Filed under: Travel & Lifestyle

http://mindanews.com/main/2011/03/01/the-lost-enchantment-of-hinatuan%E2%80%99s-enchanted-river/

HINATUAN, Surigao del Sur – What was once an ordinary log pond at the height of the logging operations in Surigao del Sur in the 1950s is now one of the top tourist destinations in the province.
With its cool crystal-clear water, the “Enchanted River” is one of the must-visit natural resorts of this rustic town and it has been drawing foreign and local tourists alike even before it was fully developed two years ago.
From the town proper, a 14-kilometer narrow dirt road leads to the natural spring resort nestled at Barangay Cambatong. Single motorcycles, locally known as habal-habal, carry passengers from the town proper to the resort for P40.
Ernesto Dungque, one of the resort workers, tells MindaNews that what is now the swimming area used to be a log pond. He adds that a few logs still lie submerged at the bottom of the 26-meter deep natural pool.
A native of the barangay himself, Dungque recalls that some 15 years back it was just an ordinary natural spring where local villagers would occasionally gather and swim.
“When you just pass by the road, you would not really notice that there is a natural spring in here because this was still covered by thick forest and giant balete trees,” the resort worker, who is now in his mid-40s, adds.
Asked why it’s called “Enchanted River,” Dungque can’t exactly explain but he believes that it is because of the stories that engkantos (supernatural creatures) have been seen in the area. “Pero dugay na to. Daghan mga istorya dire na naay mga gapa-ramdam na dili pareha sa atua. Pero wala na karon, daghan naman tao. Siguro nadawat na nila” (But that was a long time ago. Stories abound that they make their presence felt here. But that’s no longer the case, as many people have been coming here. Maybe they have accepted that).
And just two years ago, the local government decided to build huts and install beach umbrellas a few meters away from the river.
A wooden foot bridge also leads to the docking area for motorized bancas, which ferry tourists to the nearby island and beach resort for P150 an hour.
Concrete stairways have been built leading to the children’s pool and to the bluish natural pool.
Gatekeepers collect an entrance fee of P20 and cottages are available at P100.
Since the pool is quite deep, they require those who don’t know how to swim to wear lifejackets which are for rent at P100 each for a whole day use. But lifeguards are always on their stations to keep an eye on the excursionists.
Kids may also swim at the knee-deep pond beside the larger pond and at the shallow portion of the river, just a few meters away from bluish waters.
During high tide, sea water flows back into the river and makes the water brackish.
From the head spring, the river flows 600 meters into the coastline of Hinatuan Bay, which is facing the Pacific Ocean.
Seafoods galore
Just across the road, a row of stalls serve newly cooked sea foods at very affordable prices. You can enjoy a plateful of squid for just P100 and another plate of grilled fish for P50 to P100.
But mind you, the vendors don’t serve pork or beef. The tourists, one vendor said, must enjoy the fresh sea foods from this town since pork or any meat can be readily had back in their hometowns.
At 12 o’clock noon, the bell rings and swimmers are asked to vacate the river since it is feeding time for the fish.
After ringing the bell, a resort worker would come down beside the pond and throw away leftovers of rice, shrimps, bread and other food. This lasts an hour during which no one is allowed to swim in the river.
Peak season
During Christmas season and summer, tourists would reach as many as 500 persons per day, a number too big for the resort to accommodate.
But Dungque says that some would just wait outside until a group would leave. “There are times that some would just leave and go to nearby beach resorts,” he says adding that some would even hold parties and meetings in the resort.
But unlike in nearby beach resorts, overnight stay is not allowed as the resort closes at 5p.m. Bringing videoke machine and playing loud music is prohibited.
However, those who have visited the Enchanted River before it was transformed into a commercial resort say they still prefer the natural look of the river.
In the past, tourists had to cling to rocks and roots when going down to the river.
“Nothing beats the natural beauty of this river in the past. You could really enjoy the rejuvenating beauty of the environment,” a local tourist said. “Nawala na hinuon pagka-enchanted kay daghan naman tao permi” (The enchantment has been lost due to the influx of many people).
Another local tourist recommends that the best time to visit the Enchanted River is during off-season to really enjoy the hush of nature. (Keith Bacongco/MindaNews)

allenation

March 2nd, 2011, 05:33 PM

thanks kaayo sa pag post @ allen.... :cheers::)

you're welcome. i always look forward to visit this place.. perhaps in Gods time.:)

skyion

March 3rd, 2011, 12:34 AM

(deleted)

jsl_bxu1206

March 3rd, 2011, 05:12 AM

Caraga region dengue cases increased by 85% in 2010 - DOH Caraga
By: Nora CL Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 1 (PIA) -– The Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga record shows dengue cases in the region in 2010 is 85% higher compared to year 2009.

Based on a data provided by the DOH, Caraga region recorded a significant increase of 85% in January to December 31, 2010 dengue cases which is 2,992 with that of 1,616 in 2009.

The total 2,992 dengue cases in the region is broken down as follows: Butuan City - 873; Agusan del Sur – 529; Surigao del Norte – 386; Surigao City – 298; Surigao del Sur – 289; Agusan del Norte – 249; Bislig City – 176; Bayugan City – 93; Cabadbaran City – 53; and Dinagat Islands – 46.

Also, record shows that dengue cases ages ranged from less than 1 month to 84 years old. Majority of the cases were male (52%).

There were also 10 deaths (CFR 0.33%) recorded broken down as follows: Surigao City – 2; Cabadbaran City – 1; Magallanes, Agusan del Norte – 1; San Francisco, Surigao del Norte – 1; Bayugan City – 1; Cantilan, Surigao del Sur – 1; Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte – 1; Malimono, Surigao del Norte -1; and Butuan City – 1.

In recent years, dengue viral infection has emerged as one of the proficient viral transmissible diseases. Its nature as a mosquito-borne disease has largely contributed to this proficiency. In Caraga Region, dengue cases ranges from 500 to 1, 616 to 2009. Highest cases (1,795) noted in 2005 taken from the RHU and reporting unit hospitals or sentinel sites.

Cases have moved from the more densely populated centers to the more rural communities and transmission now occurs all year long bi-annual peaks coinciding with the rainy seasons.

According to DOH there are no possible interventions we can pose against the disease itself, such as vaccination or chemoprophylaxis. Intervention is therefore limited to providing protection for man, the definitive host and decreasing the density of the vector to effectively reduce disease transmission.

DOH continues to ask the public to adhere to the 4S strategy to combat the spread of dengue.

The 4S stands for Search and Destroy which involves the clean-up of surroundings and removal of stagnant water that serves as breeding ground for the deadly mosquitoes; Seek Protective Garment which prescribes the use of long garments, mosquito nets along with the use of insect repellants to protect the body from mosquito bites; Secure Immediate Medical Consultation where persons with dengue fever symptoms are advised to seek medical attention; and the Say No to Indiscriminate Fumigation and Say Yes to Fumigation only in times of Outbreak.

Dengue is basically characterized as a community-based disease requiring the interplay between man, the viral agent that causes the disease and the mosquito vector. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=19591

jsl_bxu1206

March 3rd, 2011, 05:13 AM

i hope mag-improve pod ang ranking sa palarong pambansa.:)

suprised! :D permi baya kulelat ang CARAGA pag dating sa sports... :bash: karon wow... i think CSU supported the event... because they already started in organizing the sports... where in fact naa na silay scholarship...

Congrats!

jsl_bxu1206

March 3rd, 2011, 12:58 PM

ILO, AECID laud PIA-Caraga
By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, March 4 (PIA) – The International Labor Organization (ILO), and the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) lauded the efforts of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Caraga for supporting the programs of the Indigenous Peoples Development Programme (IPDP) in the Region through the agency’s communication support by disseminating information to the public.

In a luncheon meeting held Thursday in one of the local hotels here, Mr. Domingo Nayahangan, Programme Manager of IPDP-Caraga said the meeting was purposively called by ILO and AECID to acknowledge the communication support rendered by PIA-Caraga and thus, bringing the information on the plans and programs of IPDP-Caraga closer to the people through the information and communication dissemination strategies implemented by the information arm of the government.

“We want to personally thank you and your agency for continuously supporting the cause of ILO and AECID and promoting and disseminating information to public on the thrusts, programs, and projects of our funding organization,” Nayahangan said.

All personnel of PIA-Caraga were invited to the said luncheon meeting where forging of partnership was made with PIA committed to continuously support the program which is also the mandate of the agency to provide communication support by way of creating a wider venue of dissemination of developmental news and information. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=20135

jsl_bxu1206

March 3rd, 2011, 12:59 PM

Consultation workshop on disaster risk reduction set in Caraga region
By: Nora CL Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 3 (PIA) - The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga is set to hold a regional consultation workshop on the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) framework in the region on March 24, this city.

According to Regional Disaster risk Reduction management council (RDRRMC) chairperson and OCD regional director Dr. Blanche T. Gobenciong, the workshop aims to revisit the current disaster management framework of Caraga region and review the key concepts of Republic Act (RA) No. 10121 otherwise known as “An act strengthening the Philippine Disaster Reduction and Management System, providing for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework and institutionalizing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, appropriating funds therefore and for other purposes.”

Said workshop will convene all RDRRMC members both national government agencies and local government units particularly the heads of office and its focal persons.

RDRRMC is responsible to carry out coordination, integration, supervision, monitoring and evaluation functions covering the regional council member agencies and the local disaster risk reduction management councils. It is also responsible in ensuring risk-sensitive regional development plans. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=20132

jsl_bxu1206

March 4th, 2011, 08:34 AM

Cebuano News: Kusog nga linog nasinati sa Caraga ug uban pang bahin sa Mindanao
By: Susil Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Mar. 4 (PIA) - Usa ka kusog nga linog ang nasinati sa mga lugar sa Surigao kaganihang kaadlawon, Marso 4, 2011, sumala pa sa report sa PHILVOCS.

Matud pa sa report, nakatagamtam usab ug pagkapalong dayon sa sugang dagitab ang mga lugar sa Carrascal, ug Cantilan sa Surigao del Sur diin gipahigayon usab ang pre-emptive evacuation sa mga katawhan nga nagpuyo dapit sa dagat.

Sumala pa sa PHILVOCS nga ang after shock nakarehistro sa may alas 11:11 kagabii ug kini adunay tectonic ang gigikanan. Dugang pa sa PHILVOCS ang epicenter sa maong linog nahimutang sa 54km amihanang bahin sa Surigao City ug kini nasinati didto sa Carrascal ug Cantilan sa kusog nga intensity VI.

Intensity V usab ang nasinati didto sa Claver, Surigao del Norte, intensity III sa Butuan City ug Buenavista, Agusan del Norte; Socorro ug Mainit, Surigao del Norte.

Intensity II sa mga syudad sa Surigao ug Bislig, samtang nasinati ang intensity I didto sa syudad sa Cagayan de Oro. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=20376

jsl_bxu1206

March 4th, 2011, 01:11 PM

Execs deny reports of damage in Caraga quake
By Franklin A. Caliguid, Frinston Lim
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 15:56:00 03/04/2011

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines—Officials on Friday confirmed that a strong earthquake jolted Caraga region Thursday evening, just a few hours after a mild tremor struck the region.

Blanche Gobenciong of the regional disaster management office based here said power was intentionally shut down in some Surigao areas to prevent untoward incidents during the 11 p.m. quake.

But contrary to some wire reports, the quake which the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in Surigao monitored at magnitude 6 caused no damages.

Some reports said the walls of some structures in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, where the quake’s epicenter was located, cracked or collapse.

Gobenciong said there was no truth to the reports.

Chief Inspector Nelly Villagarcia, spokesperson of the Caraga police, also said they have never confirmed the reports about walls collapsing or cracking.

“No casualty either. The power in Carrascal was restored an hour after the quake,” Gobenciong said.

Phivolcs said the quake was traced 12 kilometers northwest of Carrascal and was tectonic in origin.

It was felt at Intensity 6 in Carrascal and Cantilan towns in Surigao del Sur; Intensity 5 in Claver, Surigao del Norte; Intensity 3 in Butuan City, Buenavista in Agusan del Sur and Socorro and Mainit towns in Surigao del Norte, and Intensity 1 in Surigao City and Bislig City.

Phivolcs said the 11 p.m. quake occurred just six hours after a magnitude 4.5 temblor with a depth of 18 kilometers rattled the same region.

That quake was followed by a magnitude 3.9 aftershock several minutes later, Phivolcs reported.

No damages were monitored either in the earlier quakes.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where continental plates collide, causing frequent quakes and volcanic activity.

In 1976, a strong tremor hit the Moro Gulf and triggered tsunamis that flatted several areas of Zamboanga and Cotabato.

Thousand perished in the 1976 quake, which was recorded as one of the worst tremors in history.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20110304-323448/Execs-deny-reports-of-damage-in-Caraga-quake

jsl_bxu1206

March 5th, 2011, 10:24 AM

Calagan Festival 2011
Photos by by Jhay-ar Suckerborg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/183247_1738641378790_1021297090_31917785_5685421_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/184748_1738641458792_1021297090_31917786_1852781_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/184251_1738643338839_1021297090_31917797_1701458_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/188606_1738647338939_1021297090_31917821_1251017_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181573_1738647778950_1021297090_31917823_7050916_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/183020_1738648578970_1021297090_31917827_6782650_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/184373_1738649738999_1021297090_31917834_2947173_n.jpg

source (http://www.facebook.com/settings/?tab=privacy#!/album.php?fbid=1738641178785&id=1021297090&aid=2097042)

jsl_bxu1206

March 7th, 2011, 09:29 AM

Calagan Festival 2011 Fireworks

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190271_1738659779250_1021297090_31917874_1897052_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/189662_1738660339264_1021297090_31917878_6935058_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183500_1738660739274_1021297090_31917882_157627_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/189260_1738661059282_1021297090_31917884_7803953_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/189236_1738661579295_1021297090_31917888_2738150_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/184850_1738663019331_1021297090_31917899_3488006_n.jpg

source (http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?fbid=1738641178785&id=1021297090&aid=2097042)

jsl_bxu1206

March 10th, 2011, 02:22 PM

DA: More village food terminals up
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
March 10, 2011, 4:16pm

BUTUAN CITY – Thousands of farmers continue to benefit from the agri-business assistance provided by the government after more Barangay Food Terminals (BFTs) are set to rise in the Caraga Region, aside from the capitalization grant extended to them.

BFT is a component of the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) aimed at suppressing hunger and malnutrition in the countryside through access of affordable and nutritious food supply.

The BFT also serves as a consolidation area wherein farmers and fisherfolk alike, as well as consumers or traders could frequently meet, thereby generating economic activities.

In a statement made by the Region 13 office of the Department of Agriculture (DA-13), it said the agency have already opened 45 BFT sites located at various areas in the Caraga Region.

The DA said the objective to open more BFTs is to beef up its efforts to heave farmers from mere land tillers to agribusiness enthusiasts.

It was learned that just last month, the Agri-Business, Marketing, and Assistance Division (AMAD) of the DA has opened three more BFT sites.

The new BFTs were opened in Agusan del Norte, Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur, and San Jose on Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte.

Each of the BFT cooperators were given various equipment such as plastic crates, plastic trays, push carts, freezers, chillers, electronic cash registers, digital weighing scales, platform weighing scales, mechanical table scales, and ice box.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/308569/da-more-village-food-terminals

michael_ray

March 11th, 2011, 08:54 AM

ABS-CBN NEWS: TSUNAMI IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN THE PHILIPPINE SOIL AT 7PM TONIGHT. PEOPLE IN THE COASTAL AREAS OF CamSur, Camarines Norte, North & South Samar, Leyte, Surigao, Davao, and Davao Oriental MUST VACATE NOW. -PHIVOLCS.

michael_ray

March 11th, 2011, 09:44 AM

TSUNAMI MAY HIT PHILIPPINE SOIL BETWEEN 5PM TO 7PM.

TSUNAMI ALERT LEVEL 2: BATANES GROUP OF ISLAND, CAGAYAN, ILOCOS NORTE, ISABELA, QUEZON, AURORA, CAMARINES NORTE, CAMARINES SUR, ALBAY, CATANDUANES, SORSOGON, NORTHERN SAMAR, EASTERN SAMAR, LEYTE, SOUTHERN LEYTE, SURIGAO DEL NORTE, SURIGAO DEL SUR, DAVAO ORIENTAL, DAVAO DEL SUR.

rodincouch

March 16th, 2011, 09:41 AM

MinDA to put up Caraga area office, the first in Mindanao (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=22537)

SURIGAO CITY, March 16 (PIA) -- In a move that will ensure fast-tracking of government programs in the area, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) headed by Sec. Luwalhati R. Antonino, has agreed to establish an area office in Caraga, the very first Area Management Office or AMO outside of MiNDA’s headquarters in Davao City.

This came, upon active consultations with Surigao City’s Jake Miranda, who is now the Director and overall representative of the Mindanao business sector at the same agency.

Dir. Miranda, in the spirit of volunteerism will endeavor to establish the office without any cost to government until the approval of the official planned budget. The office shall be made accessible to everyone requiring the agency’s services.

In a related development, Sec. Antonino and Miranda, inspired by the old trading links between the Philippines and China, have also began talking about initiating a formal study to establish a Caraga-Cagayan de Oro-China Trade Corridor, as these areas are presently trading commercial goods and mining exports.

Much akin to BIMP-EAGA which stands for Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asia Growth Corridor, for Southern Mindanao, the Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions are strategically located as gateways with commercial seaports and accessibility to all other forms of transport. These provide good reasons to explore this possibility.

MinDA’s end goal is to create a trading network for Caraga and Northern Mindanao to assert themselves as one of the leading centers for trade ensuring progress of the economy of these regions and the Mindanao island as a whole.

Businessmen across Mindanao have has also requested that a formal MinDA board meeting be conducted during the Mindanao Business Conference in Pagadian City on September 7 to September 9, 2011, to ensure that government and business come together during Mindanao’s most important business convention. Miranda added that this will provide the ideal venue and time for both sectors to discuss the pertinent issues in Mindanao as government officials and businessmen will be present on this conference.

Caraga region was recently identified by several government agencies as the poorest region in Mindanao and the whole country. The most recent collected data released by the National Statistical and Coordination Board (NSCB) has shown that Caraga was the poorest among the country’s 17 regions with poverty incidence at 39.8 percent, a step back from its modest improvement in 2006 being the second poorest next to Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

MinDA’s commitment as well as Miranda’s appointment are steps to aiding Caraga get back on its feet. (FEAbkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=22537

jsl_bxu1206

March 16th, 2011, 12:20 PM

DAR-Caraga distributes 12,000 hectares

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, March 16 (PIA) - Year 2010 was a tremendous achievement for DAR Caraga in terms of land acquisition and distribution (LAD) of agricultural lands to be awarded to the qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries.

One of the major components of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) is the Land Tenure Improvement. Since the inception of the program, Caraga has consistently delivered its accomplishment more than 100%. As announced by Regional Director Faisar A. Mambuay during the Regional MANCOM visit in Surigao del Sur, accordingly DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes congratulated Caraga Region being the number one (1) in LAD accomplishment in terms of percentage and number two (2) in terms of volume nationwide.

12,063 hectares of private agricultural lands and government owned lands Caraga has accomplished or acquired regardless of crops with 6,492 ARBs to be issued with CLOA. This accomplishment comprises the five (5) provinces: 3,522 hectares- Surigao del Sur, 1,480 hectares - Surigao del Norte, 4,358 hectares -Agusan del Sur, 2,569 hectares -Agusan del Norte, and 133 hectares - Province of Dinagat Islands.

With the joint efforts of the respective provinces, Caraga has able to hit the benchmark more than what is expected. Regional Director Mambuay is thankful to all field commanders who have contributed to what DAR has attained and hoping that this year 2011 and the coming years the same level of performance will be delivered by the department. (Myra Q. Yu, DAR-SDS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=22656

jsl_bxu1206

March 16th, 2011, 12:27 PM

Tax campaign, venue to inform taxpayers on BIR’s plans and programs – BIR officials
by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Mar 16 (PIA) – “The annual launching of the tax campaign will serve as an opportunity to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to inform the taxpayers on the agency’s plans and programs,” thus stressed Marilou L. del Rosario, Head Revenue Executive Assistant, Taxpayers Assistance Service of BIR Central Office, Manila during the kick-off of the 2011 Tax Campaign held Tuesday in a local convention center here.

To increase the tax collection this year, del Rosario said, BIR has re-invigorated the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) Program by recommending Sales Monitoring with Denunciation, Lifestyle Check, and Registration Campaign in Groups.

Also, BIR Caraga Regional Director Nortberto Vitug, in his speech said, BIR enhances enforcement approaches by application of Computer Assisted Tools and Techniques (CAATTS), Monthly Selective Audit, and Benchmarking and Profiling of Industry.

The BIR regional director also highlighted the Oplan Kandado. “This is a quarterly tax compliance verification drive against those campaigning for non-issuance of receipts, and a pre-audit of 3% tax returns of non-vat taxpayers,” Vitug said said.

Further, Vitug said Task Force on Small Scale Miners was created as well as Task Force on Illegal Logging, and Task Force on Estate Tax Monitoring.

Furthermore, Vitug said this tax filing season, BIR will do whatever assistance they can give to taxpayers, such as but not limited to tax campaign kick-off, display tax campaign posters, announcement of tax filing deadlines thru tri-media, opening of tax filing centers, announcement of tax filing deadlines thru loud speakers around Butuan City, and implement taxpayer’s feedback.

Meanwhile, del Rosario lauded the efforts of the employees of BIR Revenue Region 17 based in Butuan City for having successfully met the tax collection target in 2010 for Caraga Region.

The official also hoped that with the successful implementation of strategies in the previous year, the region’s BR office will be able to achieve their target for 2011.

Report of the government agency showed that in 2010, BIR collected a total amount of P2,654,753,249.72 as against its assigned goal of P 2,580,959,000.00, exceeding its goal by 2.86% or the amount of P73,794,249.72. Collections versus Collections for the same year, BIR Caraga posted a growth rate of 20.42% equivalent to an increased total amount of 545,229,529.40.

Out of the P2.6 billion actual collections for CY 2010, Revenue District Office No. 103 in Butuan City collected P1,224,425,473.47 which is 46.12% of the same collection.

On the other hand, Revenue District Office No. 104 of Bayugan City contributed P489,949,136.53 representing 18.46%. Revenue District Office No. 105, while Surigao City shared the amount of P453,379,183.03 or 17.08% of the actual collections, while Revenue District Office No. 106, Tandag City contributed P486,999,456.66 or 18.34% of the good performance of this region. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=22652

jsl_bxu1206

March 16th, 2011, 12:39 PM

Supply of rice still sufficient for Caraganons
by Nora CL Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 17 (PIA) – “Supply of rice still enough for Caraganons”, says National Food Authority (NFA) assistant regional director Camilo T. Magtrayo.

In an interview, ARD Magtrayo said that as of March 14, NFA-Caraga still have a stock inventory of 838,256 bags of rice to cater to the needs of the Caraganons.

The province of Agusan del Norte has an available stock of 126,246 bags; Agusan del Sur – 330,229; Surigao del Norte – 254,689 and Surigao del Sur has 127,092.

ARD Magtrayo further said that the supply of rice is expected to increase on the last month of second quarter due to harvest season of farmers.

He also said that most of the imported rice available in the region is coming from Vietnam country.

NFA is vested the functions of ensuring the food security of the country and the stability of supply and price of the staple grain-rice. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=22651

mike durero

March 16th, 2011, 02:09 PM

CALAGAN FESTIVAL CHAMPION

LUBI-LUBI FESTIVAL OF BACUAG

_Wmr2BWjfNc

Taegon

March 17th, 2011, 02:10 AM

PIA Press Release
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

MinDA to put up Caraga area office, the first in Mindanao

SURIGAO CITY, March 16 (PIA) -- In a move that will ensure fast-tracking of government programs in the area, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) headed by Sec. Luwalhati R. Antonino, has agreed to establish an area office in Caraga, the very first Area Management Office or AMO outside of MiNDA’s headquarters in Davao City. :cheers:

This came, upon active consultations with Surigao City’s Jake Miranda, who is now the Director and overall representative of the Mindanao business sector at the same agency.

Dir. Miranda, in the spirit of volunteerism will endeavor to establish the office without any cost to government until the approval of the official planned budget. The office shall be made accessible to everyone requiring the agency’s services.

In a related development, Sec. Antonino and Miranda, inspired by the old trading links between the Philippines and China, have also began talking about initiating a formal study to establish a Caraga-Cagayan de Oro-China Trade Corridor, as these areas are presently trading commercial goods and mining exports. :cheers:

Much akin to BIMP-EAGA which stands for Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asia Growth Corridor, for Southern Mindanao, the Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions are strategically located as gateways with commercial seaports and accessibility to all other forms of transport. These provide good reasons to explore this possibility.
:cheers:
MinDA’s end goal is to create a trading network for Caraga and Northern Mindanao to assert themselves as one of the leading centers for trade ensuring progress of the economy of these regions and the Mindanao island as a whole. :cheers:

Businessmen across Mindanao have has also requested that a formal MinDA board meeting be conducted during the Mindanao Business Conference in Pagadian City on September 7 to September 9, 2011, to ensure that government and business come together during Mindanao’s most important business convention. Miranda added that this will provide the ideal venue and time for both sectors to discuss the pertinent issues in Mindanao as government officials and businessmen will be present on this conference.

Caraga region was recently identified by several government agencies as the poorest region in Mindanao and the whole country. The most recent collected data released by the National Statistical and Coordination Board (NSCB) has shown that Caraga was the poorest among the country’s 17 regions with poverty incidence at 39.8 percent, a step back from its modest improvement in 2006 being the second poorest next to Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

MinDA’s commitment as well as Miranda’s appointment are steps to aiding Caraga get back on its feet. (FEAbkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=22537

jsl_bxu1206

March 23rd, 2011, 12:16 PM

BIR-Caraga chief sees log ban to affect revenue collection in 2011
By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, March 23 (PIA) – Following the implementation of total log ban, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Region No. 17 Director Norberto Vitug said revenue collection for 2011 in the region will be greatly affected.

In a discussion recently with the local tri-media here, the region’s revenue chief said with the log ban, “many companies will be closed, and unemployment rate will definitely surge high which will result to low revenue collection,” Vitug said.

However, Vitug said BIR will double-time their efforts to recoup whatever deficiencies of tax collection to achieve their collection target in 2011.

“We will try all our efforts so that we will replenish this one… recoup whatever revenue losses we have because of the log ban,” the BIR Director said.

Meanwhile, Dir. Vitug said that like with the other regions, those who were into government contracts and big corporations are the main contributors of huge amount of taxes.

When asked if these taxpayers are paying correct taxes over the years until at present, Vitug, said BIR sees to it that these taxpayers are paying the right amount of taxes.

With the log ban now affecting thousands of workers in the entire Caraga Region, Vitug said, BIR is exerting its efforts by intensifying the campaign to taxpayers to pay their taxes honestly and earnestly.

The 2011 Tax Campaign is anchored on the theme: “Buwis Mo Para sa Bagong Pilipinas” (Your Tax for a New Philippines).

There are 22 days left before the deadline for the payment of taxes. To avoid rush and penalties, Vitug called the public to file their income tax promptly. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=23819

jsl_bxu1206

March 23rd, 2011, 12:19 PM

DILG RD says Reg’l GIS to contribute to region’s development
By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, March 23 (PIA) -- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Atty. Rene Burdeos on Tuesday said the establishment of the Regional Geographic Information System (RGIS) is is seen to contribute to the development of the region.

Dir. Burdeos, who is also the President of the Association of Career Executives of Caraga region said RGIS is a significant milestone in the history of Caraga Region which has been described recently as the poorest region of the country. He added the RGIS will be an effective tool in the performance of the duties and functions especially of the heads of the government line agencies.

Burdeos also said with RGIS, information which are vital for the government’s operation such as responding to crimes, responding to disasters and preventing disasters,will be easily accessible

He cited as an example that when data on the crime volume of the region is needed the agency will ordinarily call up the PNP regional office. “But with this technology, our efforts would be easier since the data are already stored in a database, ready for retrieval anytime, anywhere,” the DILG Director said.

For local government units Burdeos said, there are data in the municipalities that are not available in their level such as data on the forest coverage and vulnerability of the areas to earthquakes. These data are available at the national agencies such as the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and other agencies.

The project he says, is a symbiotic relationship between national government agencies and the LGUs. “The center will effectively provide us the needed information and data for planning purposes,” Burdeos said.

The Regional GIS is funded by the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), primarily aims to support mechanism by strengthening the linkage and sharing of data and information by and among the government stakeholders in Caraga Region.

With the RGIS now operational, KOICA deployed two Korean Overseas Volunteers (KOVs) with expertise on GIS and computer programming to man the system. Accordingly, KOICA extended funding support of about US$50,000 for the procurement of GIS equipment.

The Regional Center is housed at the Regional Office of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) here in Caraga Region at J. Rosales Avenue, this city. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=23831

Taegon

March 30th, 2011, 04:09 AM

Posted on March 29, 2011 10:57:36 PM

Coffee processing centers planned

THE AGRICULTURE department, through its postharvest agency, is building coffee processing centers to revive the industry’s export potential, an official statement yesterday read.

The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) plans to build 21 coffee processing centers by 2016 where ground coffee will be produced.

Thirteen of these centers will rise in Cordillera Administrative Region, four in Cagayan Valley, two in Caraga in Mindanao, and one each in the Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon region and in Eastern Visayas.

Each center, which will cost about P4.9 million to build, will have a capacity to produce 60 kilograms of ground coffee per hour, the statement said.

Before 1998, the local coffee industry exported beans to the United States, Middle East, Japan and South Korea, it added.

Bureau of Agricultural Statistics data show area planted with coffee dropping to 122,645 hectares (ha) in 2009 from 136,533 ha in 1997, while production in the same periods slipped to 96,433 metric tons (MT) from 120,006 MT. -- E. J. Diaz

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?title=Coffee%20processing%20centers%20planned&id=28886

Taegon

April 2nd, 2011, 12:08 PM

Caraga mining generates over P1-B taxes, fees
Friday, 01 April 2011 00:00

IT is quite known today that Caraga Region is noted as the mining capital of the Philippines due to the presence of several large-scale mining companies doing exploration or operating in the area. Mining investments have been steadily increasing because of the world demand for nickel, chromite and gold which are abundant in Caraga. These minerals are shipped to China, Japan, Australia and Greece.

For the year 2010, there were 339 shipments made for nickel and chromite ores from large-scale mining companies with SIRC-Platinum Group Metals Corporation operating in Cagdianao, Claver, Surigao del Norte and CTP Construction and Mining Corporation with project in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, as the highest ore transporters for the year. Small-scale mining operators in Dinagat Islands also contributed to the total chromite production. In terms of gold, the lone large-scale gold producer, Philsaga Mining Corporation in Agusan del Sur, produced 3,225.249 kg of gold bullions and 351.239 kg of silver.

As provided for under the Mining Act of 1995, the government will have a share in Mineral Production Sharing Agreement and this will be in the form of Excise Tax on mineral products as provided for in R. A. No. 7729, the National Internal Revenue Code. Under the Code, the companies must pay 2 percent Excise Tax. For 2010, the estimated total Excise Tax paid by mining companies in Caraga is P376,155,493.04. Aside from the Excise Tax, companies operating within the Surigao Mineral Reservation (SMR) pay an additional 5 percent Royalty Tax based on the gross market value of the minerals/mineral products extracted or produced from the Mineral Reservations exclusive of all other taxes.

In Caraga Region, the SMR covers some municipalities in Dinagat Islands, and a portion of the Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. So the Royalty Tax collected for the year 2010 reached P510,786,934.29. Pursuant to Sections 289-290, Chapter 2 of the Local Government Code of the Philippines that in addition to the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), the local government units will have an equitable share in the utilization and development of the national wealth within their respective areas.

In cognizance with these provisions of the Code, out of the collection of the national government from the preceding fiscal year from mining taxes, royalties, etc., the LGUs will have 40 percent share in the national wealth, which will further be divided in the following manner: 20 percent Province, 45 percent Component City/Municipality and 35 percent Barangays. Provided, however, that where the natural resources are located in two or more provinces, or in two or more component cities or municipalities or in two or more barangays, their respective shares will be computed on the basis of: Population - 70 percent, and Land area - 30 percent.

In the case of where the natural resources are located in a highly urbanized or independent component city: City - 65 percent, and Barangay - 35 percent.
Provided, however, that where the natural resources are located in such two or more cities, the allocation of shares will be based on the formula on population and land area as specified in the Local Government Code.

In cognizance with these provision, 60 percent of the Royalty Tax, which is being retained by the national government, amounted to P306,472,160.57, and the 40 percent, which will be downloaded to the various LGUs in the region the following year, is P204,314,773.71. Other than the Excise Tax and Royalty Taxes, the government also receives payment for Customs duties/fees, Value Added Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Income Tax and Documentary Stamp Tax wharfages/PPA charges from the mining projects that go to the government.These taxes are collected by other agencies of the government like the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Ports Authority.

There are also taxes and fees that are paid directly to the concerned LGUs like the Occupation Fees. The Mining Act mandates the collection of an annual occupation fee in accordance with the following schedule: For exploration permit - P5 per hectare or fraction thereof per annum; For mineral agreements and financial or technical assistance agreements - P50 per hectare or fraction thereof per annum; and For mineral reservation - P100 per hectare or fraction thereof per annum.

These Occupation fees are paid directly to the treasurer of the municipality or city where the onshore mining areas are located, or to the Director in case of offshore mining areas. Thirty per cent of all occupational fees collected from the holders of mining rights in onshore mining areas will accrue to the province and 70 percent to the municipality in which the onshore mining areas are located. In a chartered city, the full amount will accrue to the city concerned.

The Occupation fee is just one of the many taxes that are being paid by mining companies directly to the LGUs. Taxes like the Real property tax, local business tax, residence tax, community tax, registration fee and the withholding tax are likewise directly paid to the concerned LGU.
Another collection from various taxes and fees in 2010, which reached an estimated amount of P298,235,773.53, were paid. This includes the royalty payments made to the Indigenous Peoples in Caraga.

So, the estimated total taxes and fees collected from mining projects in Caraga is summed at P1,185,178,200.86. Surigao del Norte registered the highest collections from the mining projects in the amount of P590,249,605.65, followed by Surigao del Sur with P266,570,410.98, Agusan del Sur with P217,895,773.16, Dinagat Islands with P97,814,909.36 and Agusan del Norte with P12,647,501.71. In a nutshell, mining in Caraga does not only supplement the coffers of the local government units in the region but also that of the national government. The region is one of the top raters in generating taxes and fees from mining today that significantly contributed to the general welfare of the entire country and the province, municipality, barangays that host the project.

However, LGUs in Caraga Region have been clamoring that their share from the national wealth should be collected by them directly since it takes a considerable time before they receive it from the national government, thus delaying the implementation of the necessary development projects for their constituents. It is just a matter of time and commitment of the leaders to make their best effort so that these taxes and fees from mining will really translate to the full development of the communities, affected by the mining projects, and the country as a whole. mgb-13*

http://www.goldstardailynews.com/

allenation

April 4th, 2011, 10:03 AM

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/economy/9414-boracay-tops-as-summer-travel-destination-stratpolls

Boracay tops as summer travel destination–StratPOLLS
SUNDAY, 03 APRIL 2011 19:05 ANJO ALIMARIO / RESEARCHER/WRITER
AS summer begins, the tempting and soothing place of Boracay remains the top choice as a summer travel destination among residents living in Metro Manila, according to the latest StratPOLLS survey.

Of the 250 respondents, 76 percent picked Boracay as the “top dreamland destination,” specifically among the rich and middle classes of Metro Manila, including the ritzy class,” professor Alfredo Sureta Jr. noted.

Palawan (59 percent), Cebu-Bohol (28 percent) and the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Tourism Corridor (27 percent) followed in second, third and fourth spots, respectively.

Completing the top 10 were Camarines Sur (24 percent), Baguio-Sagada (21 percent), Davao (21 percent), Subic-Clark (20 percent), Surigao (13 percent) and Cagayan de Oro (11 percent).

Based on the survey conducted from March 14 to 21, money, time, promise of fun and adventure, or plain reclusion, at least for the summer, were cited as major factors that would determine the final destination.

Using a telephone survey, Metro Manila respondents were asked to choose the top three travel destinations—from a mixed menu of 10 destinations, meaning as accessible by land or by air—that are upper most in their minds every time summer comes around the corner.

In the final tabulation, the destinations were categorized into two: accessible by air and accessible by land. Boracay topped the “by-air” destination while Tagaytay-Nasugbu topped the “by-land” category.

Asked if they were going on a vacation outside of Metro Manila this summer, half of the respondents (52.8 percent) answered, they “don’t know,” while 36 percent said “yes” and 11.2 percent said “no.”

The respondents’ age ranged from 18 to 56 and older.

Sureta, StratPOLLS executive director, pointed out that the Baguio-Sagada area had lost much of its appeal to nearby Tagaytay-Nasugbu which also boasts of cool and fine weather. The same could also be said of the Subic-Clark area notwithstanding its accessibility through the world-class SCTEx.

“Tagaytay-Nasugbu has really emerged as the top weekend and summer hideaway, at least for Metro Manila folks,” he said.

He added that if Libyan oil is that country’s key economic asset, the Philippines shores and tourist destinations might as well be a key contributor to the country’s economic well-being
:cheers:

jsl_bxu1206

April 4th, 2011, 10:37 AM

Door-to-door measles immunization starts today
by Nora CL Molde

BUTUAN CITY, April 4 (PIA) -- The Department of Heath-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga with the local government units and other partners is set to implement the nationwide door to door measles-Rubella Special Immunization activity in Caraga region starting today, Monday, April 4.
The nationwide activity dubbed as “ Iligtas sa Tigdas ang Pinas”, is a follow-up immunization campaign targeting nine to 95 months or below 8 years old children.

Vaccination teams will strictly implement “Door-to-Door” immunization strategy to reach the target children.

According to DOH, they are targeting to reach a coverage of 95 percent after the special campaign. This will reduce transmission and infection, and strengthen the immunity of Filipino children against the viruses.

DOH record shows that the number of confirmed measles cases has significantly increased from 453 in 2007 to 1418 in 2010. More than 70 percent of these cases were among children who had not been vaccinated against measles. The DoH began the surveillance of German measles in 2009. Since then, 1,654 confirmed cases have been reported, mostly among children below nine years old.

“Iligtas sa Tigdas ang Pinas” is a measles supplemental immunization activity (SIA) for a measles-free Philippines. This is a sequel to the 1998, 2004 and 2007 mass measles campaign. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=25769

jsl_bxu1206

April 4th, 2011, 10:39 AM

DOLE-Caraga chief assures 15% of the needed manpower will be hired in Labor Day job fair
by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, April 4 (PIA) -- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Caraga Regional Director Ofelia Domingo on Monday assured Caraganons that 15 percent of the needed manpower will be immediately hired during the jobs fair to be conducted on April 30 to May 1, 2011.

Domingo said this year’s jobs fair differs from the previous jobs fair conducted because this year’s job fair has more employment agencies and companies who have signified their participation in the activity compared to previous job fairs.

The labor chief of the region also said qualified applicants whose skills match with the skills needed by the participating company and agencies will be given priority to be hired, “thus, we are optimistic that at least 15% of the required jobs will be filled-in during the two-day job fair,” Domingo said.

Around 9,000 job opportunities await job-seekers, including the fresh graduates, particularly skilled and non-skilled, as well as professional workers.
Domingo urged the public to grab the opportunity offered by the labor department and its attached agencies such as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

It can be recalled that during the interview with POEA-Caraga Regional Director Marietta Bellotindos, the official said the jobs fair is one way of mitigating the impact brought about by the repatriation of OFWs due to political turmoil in some countries abroad, as well as the disasters and calamities experienced by our neighboring country in Asia. (PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=25772

jsl_bxu1206

April 7th, 2011, 06:17 AM

Summer jobs available for 4,000 studes in Caraga

TANDAG CITY, April 7 (PIA) - More than 4,000 students coming from the poorest of the poor families aged 15-24 will benefit from the summer Job in Caraga Region.

Also known as Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), it is set to start on April 11.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Ofeliua Domingo said, registration and orientation are now ongoing. Domingo told Radyo ng Bayan, summer jobbers will render service either for 20 or up to 40 day period.

Qualified applicants are required to submit birth certificate, Income Tax Return (ITR) and grades.

RD Domingo also said, her office has already gotten the commitment of Local Government Units (LGUs). With a 60/40 sharing on the minimum wage payable unitl August, the bulk rests with employer-LGU.

Caraga DOLE Regional Director Office has earmarked P7M for SPES.

The SPES was started by the then President Corazon C. Aquino 19 years ago after the Congress enacted Republic Act 7323 on March 30, 1992. Subsequently, RA 9547, enacted in 2009, expanded the coverage of the program by introducing amendments to the original SPES law.

Any student may apply for employment under the SPES provided he or she meets the required qualifications as follows: He or she must be 18 years old of age but not more than 25 years old; the combined net income after tax of his or her parents, including his or her income if any, does not exceed the latest annual poverty threshold level for a family of six as determined and provided by the National Economic and Development Authority; and he or she must at least have gotten an average passing grade during the last school term attended.(Greg Tataro Jr./PIA-Surigao del Sur)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=26381

jsl_bxu1206

April 8th, 2011, 12:52 PM

OWWA-Caraga’s business opportunity forum: turning overseas filipino workers into entrepreneurs

BUTUAN CITY, April 8 — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Caraga Regional Office in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry recently held a 1-day Business Opportunity Forum for more than 100 OFWs and their immediate families at the OWWA Training Hall, this city.

Some of the business ventures discussed were the Pangasius Breeding, Lemon Grass planting and selling, Water Lily handicrafts making, Castor beans production, and Mushroom Culture. These are business opportunities that require very low capital build-up and promise high percentage of net profit.

The Business Opportunity Forum was participated by 127 Caraganon OFWs, 25 of them were repatriated from Libya. After losing their jobs abroad and with no other source of income, they are now very eager to start their own business.

During the open forum most of them requested the immediate conduct of the comprehensive skills training of the earlier discussed business opportunities. OFWs wanted to start their own business while they still have sufficient savings to be used for capital build-up.

A former OFW, Mrs. Elisa Moran expressed her appreciation to OWWA-Caraga for facilitating the business opportunity forum. According to her, because of the learning she acquired in the forum, she is now unafraid to invest and go into business. After the forum, she decided to attend the 3-day seminar on Mushroom Culture. She also believed it is the most feasible, manageable and profitable business for her.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Caraga Regional Office on the same activity released checks amounting to 360,000 pesos as life insurance to the families of the three (3) OFWs who died abroad due to natural death.

Each family of the three (3) deceased OFWs received check amounting toP120,000. The widows now plan to start a small business as a primary source of income and save a percentage of the monetary benefit for the education of their children. (Ritchel M. Molero, OWWA-13/PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=26730

jsl_bxu1206

April 10th, 2011, 06:49 AM

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205542_105395902878644_100002247043790_53511_3294367_n.jpg
from Nasipit Editorial FB Account

Pacificdude

April 10th, 2011, 07:02 AM

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205542_105395902878644_100002247043790_53511_3294367_n.jpg
from Nasipit Editorial FB Account

Ayan! NICE, thank you very much jsl_bxu1206.:banana::cheers::cool:

jsl_bxu1206

April 24th, 2011, 03:35 PM

PIA-Caraga’s SMS strategy works
by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 24 (PIA) -- “Because the public has the right to know and the right to access information in a timely, accurate, and

relevant manner,” was the answer of Abner Caga, Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Caraga OIC when asked by local mediamen here on the significance of the short messaging system (SMS) better known to the public as texting and its use as the information dissemination strategy of the PIA.

In a roundtable discussion marking the office’s launching of the “share-an-info” campaign held recently at PIA-Caraga, Caga emphasized that texting is a big boost in the updating of situations in real time and its significance in the quick response of concerned government agencies.

Caga pointed out that the SMS is one of the fastest means of transmitting and receiving information. It is also inexpensive. Unbeknownst to many, texting could save lives through the dissemination of critical information. It can pinpoint situations that print could not. It is also fast, reliable, and accurate, for as long as the recipient and receivers are members of a communication group ready to send and receive relevant information anytime, anywhere.

As a matter of fact, said Caga, PIA-Caraga recipients also gave the mobile numbers of their friends and relatives to PIA and requested to include them as recipients of critical information.

Furthermore, information officers of other government agencies and the local government units are among the recipients of PIA information dissemination. They voluntarily share any information from their workplaces that will serve as SMS input to be sent to all the PIA recipients.

During the spate of floodings in Caraga early this year, PIA-Caraga’s SMS recipients also played

important roles in disseminating information on the status of the road networks in the region.

The monitoring of the water level in Agusan River through the LGUs were also texted by local chief executives to PIA for airing in the region. “Information was immediately aired by broadcasters who were on-board during the time they received the SMS,” Caga explained.

Further, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (RDRRMC) Disaster Update, including the PAGASA update, and even the

status of the flight and ship schedules, through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Philippine Ports Authority

(PPA) were also texted to PIA for dissemination.

“Through this strategy, we were able to create networks of SMS recipients and through these relevant information, we were able to

help the community especially during a disaster,” Caga explained.

In a separate interview, Fr. John Christian Young, president of Father Saturnino Urios University here said that through PIA’s SMS, it seems that the recipients readily tuned-in their radios, television sets, and were so involved as to read the newspapers every hour, every minute, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

As of March 31, PIA-Caraga was able to have 603 SMS recipients to include religious organizations, non-government organizations,

student leaders, academe, AFP and PNP officials and personnel,regional line agencies, LGUs, local and national media correspondents in Caraga, and government information officers in the region, among others. (RER-PIA 13, Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=29046

jsl_bxu1206

April 25th, 2011, 02:05 PM

Gov’t maintains project quality
April 25, 2011, 5:24pm

BUTUAN CITY – In an effort to ensure the quality of work on all ongoing infrastructure projects being implemented in the Caraga Region, The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ordered all its engineers and supervisors to be on the field to directly supervise projects in their respective areas.

The DPWH in the Caraga Region implements at least 68 various infrastructure projects in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and the cities of Butuan, Bislig, Surigao, Tandag, Bayugan, and Cabadbaran. (Mike Crismundo)

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/315595/group-promotes-lake-protection

jsl_bxu1206

May 1st, 2011, 01:29 PM

DOLE: Some Caraga employers pay below minimum wages
05/01/2011 | 07:03 PM

BUTUAN CITY- The Caraga regional Labor office admitted on Sunday that some local firms are not paying workers their minimum wages.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Caraga also said most of the violators are foreigners owning stores and department stores, or are engaged in mining and other businesses.

In June 2008, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) set the daily basic minimum wage at P233, which includes Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).

On Labor Day (Sunday), militant groups headed by Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) staged a lightning protest rally at major thoroughfares in the cities of Butuan, Surigao, Bayugan and Tandag to demand a wage increase.

They said that given the present cost of living in the region, the minimum wage set by RTWPB in 2008 is already not enough even for an unmarried worker.

Caraga regional information officer Annie C. Tangpos, who is also the agency’s planning officer, said most business establishments owned by foreigners – Vietnamese, Koreans, Chinese and other foreigners – are not paying their workers their daily minimum basic wages set by law.

Tangpos claimed that in the past, big stores even in Butuan City, had been caught not paying religiously the daily basic minimum wages to their workers.

According to her, she herself caught a huge store with branches all over Caraga region paying its sales ladies P100 to P150 daily.

“Some are engaged in the so-called double payroll scheme in which a correct payroll statement (with 233 daily wage) is being keep for record purposes, but the actual payroll (with only P100 to P150 daily basic pay) is being given to their workers," Tangpos said.

Tangpos also said small-scale mining and logging operations in the Caraga region are still using minors as "Batang Karabaw."

“There is still a long way to go for us in as far as workers and child labor protection in Caraga region, considering our lack of manpower…but we are doing our best to address the problem," she said. — Ben Serrano/LBG, GMA News

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/219276/regions/dole-some-caraga-employers-pay-below-minimum-wages

molestedtwineggs

May 5th, 2011, 05:51 PM

Mainit reflects sorry state of local lakes
BY PAUL ICAMINA

Lake Mainit in northeastern Mindanao is symptomatic of Philippine lakes.

It is threatened by overexploitation, resulting in decreasing fish catches, according to a study made by Mindanao State University (MSU).

At 223 meters deep, Lake Mainit, between Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte, is the country’s deepest lake.

At 17,060 hectares, it is the fourth largest with a coastline of 62 kilometers, 28 river tributaries and one outlet river that flows into Butuan Bay.

This highly productive and diverse wetland ecosystem supports a thriving freshwater fishery and the livelihood of more than 3,000 fishers using highly diverse gears.

An MSU survey shows that five crustaceans, 10 mollusks, 41 species of fish and 15 species of aquatic plants are found in Lake Mainit and its outlet, the Kalinawan River.

The survey found that, in terms of fisheries and vegetation, Lake Mainit and Kalinawan river are distinct ecosystems.

Lake fishery, for example, is inhabited predominantly by white goby while the river is dominated by mullet.

Submerged plants such as eel grass and Hydrilla are common in the lake while the river is covered by floating flora like the water hyacinth.

In recent decades, human encroachment threatens the lake’s biodiversity and productivity, said Dr. Wilfredo H. Uy of the Institute of Fisheries Research and Development at the Naawan campus in Misamis Oriental.

Pollution, high fishing pressure and unsustainable practices, fisheries policies that are not followed – all have taken their toll, he said.

"It is reflective of the state of Philippine lakes, which are overexploited," Uy told Malaya Business Insight.

"Overexploitation starts as soon as local fish are harvested and sold outside the local communities," he said.

Certain species of fish are feared to have been lost, he said, adding that at least 13 of 37 species reported in 1990 are no longer found in the lake.

The population of the once abundant giant mottled eel, for example, has drastically declined because of the massive fishing of the adult eels during their seasonal spawning runs along the Kalinawan River.

The native white goby remains the most important fishery resource in Lake Mainit, but current fish catch is about 63 percent compared to that in 1997-1998, said Uy.

Spear fishing in Alegria, Surigao del Norte and modified fish trap in Santiago, Surigao del Sur have caused decline in eel and snapper catches, he pointed out.

"Many species are caught in progressively smaller sizes, resulting in lower economic value and hence, marginal income for fisheries," he said during a national congress on Philippine lakes convened by the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).

As a result, Uy said, the annual fish catch from the lake has been drastically reduced, from 15,108 tons in 1980-1981 to only about 831.50 tons in 2007-2008, which is a measly 5.5 percent of the production level 26 years ago.

Present estimates from a 14-month catch data for the six major landing areas indicate 274.15 tons; extrapolating on estimates based on this data and from 28 monitoring stations show an annual landed catch of just 620 tons.

The present catch is about 4 percent of the total annual catch of 15,108 tons reported in 1981.

The lake is now undergoing what Uy called a "fishing down" phenomenon, with many fish caught in progressively smaller sizes and lower economic value.

"Lake Mainit experiences the typical syndrome of a threatened fisheries: biodiversity loss, high fishing pressure, use of unsustainable fishing gears and methods, declining fish catch and catch-per-unit-effort, decreasing size of fish caught, and marginal or meager incomes barely enough to meet basic daily needs of food, health and children’s education," he observed in a study.

Environmental problems include siltation in Tubay; mining and quarrying in Alegria and Santiago; burning of farm waste in Santiago and Mainit; and overgrowth of aquatic plants in Jabonga, said Uy who led MSU research on lake biodiversity.

There is still hope. The Lake Mainit Development Alliance, a grouping of eight towns, is behind the Lake Mainit Development Agenda. A fisheries management program is being integrated to help restore Lake Mainit fisheries to more sustainable levels.

Among the management recommendations are measures to sustain and increase fish production, including the establishment of land-based livelihood to ease the pressure on lake fishery.

Fish stock enhancement through seeding, fish sanctuaries and rehabilitation strategies are being suggested.

Technical assistance on sustainable methods of aquafarming is needed.

Aquaculture activities should also be regulated to prevent overexploitation.

As shown by the negative impact of the janitor fish in Laguna Lake, Uy said, the practice of introducing exotic and potentially invasive alien species for aquaculture must be halted.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/may06/envi1.html

molestedtwineggs

May 10th, 2011, 11:30 AM

Memoirs of Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary

BY KRIZZIA MARFORI ASIS

THE Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary is a metaphorical image of a kingdom, which I call my home. A quiet and serene place, it is located in the depths of Agusan del Sur, in the town of Bunawan. A canoe ride is necessary to reach the marsh and the sanctuary is best seen at night.

Migratory birds flock to the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary during dry season. These colorful birds surround the river, and hearing their chirping sounds, all distinct from one another, is proof that this place is a bird haven.

Agusan Marsh gets its shade from bonsai trees. The symmetrical shape of these trees and different branch sizes make you almost want to dot them with lanterns. But then again, who needs lanterns when fireflies light up the river’s surface like sprinkles of gold.

Despite its wonders, Agusan Marsh is in peril. Miners come and go along the shores of the river leaving a trail of Mercury that contaminate the gracious water. Other threats have been found in the marsh, like the proliferation of Janitor fish preying on other breeds. I don’t know if these problems have been addressed, but I do know that they should be stopped.

We don’t want our paradise, the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, to be just an illusion; but a nirvana that can be witnessed, and experienced by many generations.

About the author: Krizzia Marfori Asis is a 13-year-old high school student from Butuan City who won first prize in an essay writing contest organized by the Butuan Global Forum, headed by lawyer Vince Fortun.

http://www.manilatimes.net/sunday-times/sunday-magazine/memoirs-of-agusan-marsh-wildlife-sanctuary/

molestedtwineggs

May 10th, 2011, 11:31 AM

Caraga: “Super Region of Resource Conflict”

ANABELLE E. PLANTILLA

THE presence of the non-government organization, Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth-Philippines (LRC-KsK/FoEI-Phils.) in the Caraga region is providential. LRC works for the empowerment of marginalized peoples especially communities that are direct users of natural resources.

Caraga Region, characterized by a combination of mountainous areas as well as flat and rolling lands, is dubbed as Asia’s Mining Capital and Timber Corridor of the Philippines. Located in the middle of Agusan del Sur province is the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, the biggest marshland in the country. It is basically an agricultural area and is home to at least 1 million Mamanwa and Manobo tribes. In spite of its being rich in natural resources, 2 of the poorest provinces in the country can be found in the region.

Caraga Region is in the thick of discussions on environment and human rights abuses because of the entry of development projects particularly logging and mining. Its claim as the Rising Paradise in the Philippines because of its pristine scenery and tourist destinations is being threatened by these extractive activities. The mountain beach resort and its famous marine and bird sanctuaries in Tubay, Agusan del Norte, were sacrificed to give way to San Roque Metals, Inc. to mine low-grade nickel and iron. Lake Mainit, the 5th largest lake in the country is now vulnerable after MRL Gold Philippines was awarded with a mining permit covering at least 3 towns. The snake-like mangrove forest and sandy beaches of Surigao del Sur are now becoming wastelands of silt from on-going mining operations of at least 7 large-scale mining companies.

At least 42 approved Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA) covering 103,643 hectares or 55 percent of the total number of permits in Mindanao is in Caraga. In the pipeline are applications for 80 MPSAs, 124 exploration permits and 15 Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements. This is the largest mining coverage in the country and even in Asia for one political region.

Aside from mining, Caraga is also the center of forest plantations as it
produces wood chips for pulp and paper. Around 75 percent of the total land area is covered by forest tenurial instruments like Industrial Tree Plantations, Integrated Forest Management Agreements and timber license agreements totaling 903,811 hectares. The presence of these development projects is the root of conflicts arising from access to, control and use of natural resources in the uplands, lowlands and coastal areas and earning for Caraga the title of “Super Region of Resource Conflict.”

There are several stories of escalating community resistance against these so-called development projects. The municipality of Cantilan in Surigao del Sur is against Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation’s operations that will greatly affect their agricultural land and coastal resources. For the past 9 years, the Anislagan women of Surigao del Norte have been in the frontline voicing their opposition to the exploration activity of Manila Mining Corporation and Anglo-American PLC while the upland communities of Lanuza, Madrid, Carmen and Tandag in Surigao del Sur are disgruntled with the logging activities of Ventura Timber Corporation and Sudecor.

What is happening in Caraga may well be happening in other parts of the country. LRC has been quietly and consistently doing its mission, empowering local communities by providing them with legal assistance when necessary and helping them make informed decisions in the face of tremendous pressure to surrender the resources that sustain them and define their culture.

[Editor’s note: The Caraga Provinces are Agusan Del Norte, Agusan Del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao Del Norte, and Surigao Del Sur. The Caraga Cities are Bayugan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Su-rigao, and Tandag.]

orgsus@haribon.org.ph

http://www.manilatimes.net/opinion/caraga-%E2%80%9Csuper-region-of-resource-conflict%E2%80%9D/

molestedtwineggs

May 11th, 2011, 07:06 AM

New hydropower projects worth $960.5M to generate 384 MW
By Donnabelle L. Gatdula (The Philippine Star) Updated May 11, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

MANILA, Philippines - Despite being considered as an intermittent source of energy, the Department of Energy (DOE) expects to contract new hydroelectric power projects with a total capacity of 384.2 megawatts (MW) costing an aggregate $960.5 million or P3.2 billion over the medium term.

Based on the latest investment opportunities data, there are 10 potential hydropower projects in the initial list of frontier areas.

The biggest in the list is the 175-MW Binongan prospect located in Tineg, Abra estimated to cost $437.5 million.

Other projects in the list are: Ambura-yan River in Atok, Benguet (33.8 MW, $84.5 million); Ilaguen in San Mariano, Isabela (25 MW, $62.5 million); Quirino, Ilocos Sur (10 MW, $25 million); Addalam in Aglipay, Quirino (46 MW, $115 million); Hubo in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur (10 MW, $25 million); Asida River in Santiago, Agusan del Norte (11.3 MW, $28.25 million; Cateel E in Davao del Norte (17.5 MW, $43.75 million); Tran AC River in Lebak, Maguindanao (30.6 MW, 76.5 million); and Lake Mainit River in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte (25 MW, $62.5 million).

There are currently 124 hydropower projects, of which 99 are in the pre-development stages and eight in the development stages, in the DOE’s renewable energy contracts.

So far, there are already 17 existing hydropower projects in the country.

The DOE data showed that there would be a potential capacity of 281.97 MW from hydropower projects.

Under the country’s Power Development Program, the Philippines would need additional renewable energy development projects to help meet additional power capacity in the long term.

For 2010-2030, the Luzon grid would need some 11,900 MW of additional power, of which only 600 MW is committed and 3,448 MW is indicative.

In the 20-year period under the PDP, some 2,150 MW new capacity is needed for the Visayas grid. Of this, 654 MW is already committed and 186 MW is indicative.

For Mindanao, the island would need some 2,500 MW additional capacity for the period 2010-2030, of which only 100 MW has been committed and 581 MW are indicative projects.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=66&articleId=684667