Caraga MSMEs apply for SBWS
By Venus L. Garcia
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BUTUAN CITY, June 5 (PIA) -- With an aim to help the struggling workers who are greatly affected by the community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, more than 2,500 business owners in Caraga region have filed their application for the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program offered by the government.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue here in Caraga has already started early of May the evaluation of the applications of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that have complied with the requirements for SBWS and some have already benefitted from the kind of support.
It intends to provide assistance to an estimated 11,000 workers regionwide.
“What’s important is their compliance with the Social Security System (SSS) and BIR which means they are registered members. As far as BIR is concerned, we did a verification of the filing of their tax returns, payment of taxes, filing of an annual alphabetical list of employees, and payment. Employers must have regularly paid the SSS remittances of the employees,” said BIR-Revenue District Office No. 17 Director Jose Eric Furia.
According to Furia, qualified employees of eligible small businesses shall be given a wage subsidy of P5,000 for up to two months to help mitigate the impact of the quarantine.
“The employer should coordinate with the SSS, as the SSS will be the one to release the amount. We have to ensure the on-time release following a strict screening process,” said Furia.
The joint memorandum of agreement of the Department of Finance, BIR and SSS disqualifies employees who work from home and those part of the skeleton workforce, as well as the employees on leave for the entire duration of the enhanced community quarantine, whether with or without pay.
Furia said that small businesses registered with the SSS and BIR which have no unpaid taxes or SSS contributions were given priority.
“This is really a big help for our employees, as it would at least aid in meeting their daily needs for food and other necessities such as medicine,” said Felix Benolirao, proprietor of an air conditioner and refrigerator repair center.
The wage subsidy was released in two tranches. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
DA-Caraga releases P4.1-Million worth of farm machineries
By Aurelius P. Arais
BUTUAN CITY, June 5 (PIA) -- In leveling-up rice farming in the region, the Department of Agriculture (DA) - Caraga has recently delivered 50 units of Pre and Post-Harvest (PPHF) Equipment and Machinery to the province of Agusan del Sur.
The said farm equipment amounting to P4.1-million was delivered to Agusan del Sur Pagkain ng Bayan Compound in Bayugan City to ease the burden of the farmer recipients in claiming their farm implements due to travel restrictions brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The 53 units of PPHF equipment includes rice thresher, pump, and engine set with complete accessories, transplanter, rice reaper, and granule applicator cum seed spreader.
Around 49 farmer association-recipients will benefit from the said equipment.
“The Provincial Agriculture Office of Agusan del Sur will be the one to arrange for the delivery of the said equipment to the farmer recipients,” said Engineer Rene Morales, RAED chief.
The said farm implements were funded through the DA-Rice Program-Regular Fund in support to agricultural modernization, helping the farmers attain DA’s twin goal- Masagang Ani Mataas na Kita.
Prior to the distribution, DA Caraga conducted a training on the operation and maintenance of Farm Machineries for an efficient and optimum use of the equipment.
DA Caraga Regional Director Abel James I. Monteagudo earlier instructed all his units to facilitate the fast distribution of farmer’s interventions to help attain the food sufficiency goal of the Department especially in this time of the pandemic.
Together with the other interventions such as free seeds and fertilizer, loans, and training, it is expected that each rice farmer will increase their yield by 1-2 metric tons per hectare.
Aside from equipment and machinery for rice, another batch of equipment for corn and cassava, and high-value crops farmers were on the pipeline for delivery.
Under Secretary William Dar’s eight paradigms of agriculture, modernization is on top of the list. (DA Caraga/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
17 ROFs, 128 LSIs return home in Bislig City
BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur, June 5 -- Seventeen returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and 128 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) arrived in Bislig City, as of June 2, 2020, through the Balik-Probinsya Program.
They were successfully fetched by the vehicles sent by the city government of Bislig at the province's pick-up points, in close coordination with the Provincial Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Surigao del Sur, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-Caraga.
The ROFs from Manila have undergone and completed the health screening protocols, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test and mandatory 14-day facility-based quarantine, and all yielded negative before they were transported.
Upon arrival in Bislig City, they underwent health risk assessment, thermal scanning, and checking of documents conducted by the health professionals from the City Health Office-Bislig. They were ferried to their respective homes and were advised to strictly observed another 14-day home quarantine period as added precautionary health measure.
The LSIs were also subjected to health risk assessment upon arrival and a mandatory home quarantine for the person with travel history from low-risk areas, and facility-based quarantine for the person with travel history from high-risk areas with COVID-19 positive cases with local transmission.
Also, the LSIs and OFWs who have shown COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival shall be brought to Bislig District Hospital for further medical check-up and intervention.
The LSIs and OFWs who are still on home and facility-based quarantine are closely monitored by the health workers and barangay officials.
The Balik-Probinsiya Program is still accepting applications subject to the availability of the city's quarantine facilities. (City Info Office-Bislig/PIA-Bislig City)
PHilMech sets distribution of first batch of farm machines under RCEF
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, June 5 -- The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) is ready to distribute the first batch of farm machines under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) as it successfully conducted the bidding for such.
PHilMech Executive Director Dr. Baldwin G. Jallorina, Jr. said the first batch of farm machines to be distributed under the RCEF is worth approximately P2 billion, which is part of the first P5 billion allocated under the fund for mechanization of rice farms.
Under Republic Act 11203, or the Rice Tariffication Law, P10 billion will be allocated every year for the next six years from 2019 for RCEF and will be allocated as follows: P5 billion for farm mechanization; P3 billion for high-yielding seeds; P1 billion for credit support; and P1 billion for training programs.
“The P2-billion worth of farm equipment bidded out and awarded forms the first batch to be awarded to qualified farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) under the mechanization component of RCEF. The next batch of farm equipment to be bidded out will amount to P3 billion. PHilMech conducted an exhaustive evaluation of qualified FCAs before the bidding was conducted starting late last year,” he added.
Forming the first batch of equipment successfully bidded out were four-wheel tractors, rice combine harvesters, rice reapers, precision seeders, walk-behind transplanters, riding-type transplanters, hand tractors, floating tillers, mini rice threshers, mobile rice mills and rice mills.
Except for the four-wheel tractors, rice planter/seeders and rice combine harvesters, the rest of the equipment bidded out were locally-fabricated.
However, PHilMech made sure that the four-wheel tractors and rice combine harvesters would be sourced from respectable and established global brands. “This is also to make sure that the funds allocated for the mechanization component of RCEF will be well-invested in quality equipment,” Jallorina said.
A total of 495 four-wheel tractors, 356 rice combine harvesters and 576 hand tractors are set for distribution to qualified FCAs. Also set for distribution are: 103 rice reapers; 52 precision seeders; 106 walk behind transplanters; 118 riding type transplanters; 347 floating tillers; and 46 rice mills.
The next batch of equipment may include mechanical dryers and other types of farm equipment needed in the rice value chain.
PHilMech estimates that farm mechanization can lower the cost of cultivating palay (unmilled rice) by P1 to P2 per kilo. At present, the cost of producing a kilo of palay in the Philippines is P12.72 per kilo while it is P6.62 in Vietnam and P8.86 in Thailand.
Besides evaluating the FCAs, PHilMech also conducted training for trainors who would impart knowledge on the importance of farm mechanization and maintenance procedures for agricultural equipment to the farmers and cooperatives/associations qualified to be beneficiaries under RCEF’s components. (DA-PHILMECH/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Senior Citizens sa bayan ng Cabadbaran binigyang ayuda ng LGU
By Nora C. Lanuza
LUNGSOD NG CABADBARAN, Agusan del Norte, Hunyo 5 (PIA) -- Sa gitna ng banta ng coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), patuloy ang lungsod ng Cabadbaran sa pamimigay ng financial assistance sa senior citizens na may edad 90 sa ilalim ng Milestone Award ng local government unit.
Ang bawat benepisyaryo ay binigyan ng tig-P50,000 at sa panahon na umabot sila ng 100 taon, bibigyan na naman sila ng dagdag ng P50,000.
Ayon kay Cabadbaan City mayor Judy C. Amante, mabibigyan lamang ang mga senior citizens kung sila ay aktibo sa kanilang nga aktibedades sa loob ng limang taon.
Isa si lola Rita Feliscio sa mga kwalipikadong milestone awardees ng Cabadbaran City. Isa siyang 90 ng barangay sais na tumanggap din ng P50,000.
Lubos ang pasasalamat ng kanyang pamilya, dahil malaking tulong ito sa araw-araw nyang pangangailan at para sa patuloy na pagpapanatili ng mabuti nitong kalusugan.
Ayon pa kay mayor Amante, balak na babaan ang edad ng makakatanggap ng milsetone award upang mas marami ang makinabang dito.
“Balak na naming babaan ang edad ng pwedeng tumanagap ng Milestone Award sa edad na 87 upang mas mapakinabangan pa nila ang kanilang matatanggap na ayuda,” ayon kay mayor Amante.
Dagdag ni mayor Amante, ang Milestone Award ay nagsimula sa taong 2013 sa panahong mayor pa ang kasalukuyang gobernador ng probinsya na si Dale B. Corvera at patuloy itong ipinapatupad sa kasalukuyan.
Sa kasaluyan, may 16 na ang nabigyan ng milestone award sa Cabadbaran at patuloy pa rin ang pagvavalidate ng City Social Welfare and Development office sa maging kwalipikadong senior citizens.
Samantala, maliban sa mga lolo't lola, patuloy rin ang suporta ng lungsod ng Cabadbran sa mga fronliners para sa tuluyang pagsugpo ng COVID-19 sa lugar.
Nagbigay ang LGU ng mga personal protective equipment at maging financial assistance para sa mga kwalipikado. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
P500M proyektong imprastraktura prayoridad nga ma implementar sa Agusan Norte
DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Hunyo 5 -- Prayoridad karon sa lokal nga panggamhanan sa Agusan del Norte pinaagi sa Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO) ang pag implementar sa 22 ka proyektong imprasraktura nga mokabat sa kinatibuk-ang kantidad nga P529,443,602.967.
Sa pakighinabi sa AgNor Bulletin kang Engr. Lilian T. Bokingo, Acting Chief PPQCD, nasayran nga ang maong mga proyekto basi na sa gipahigayon nga Bids and Award Committee (BAC) activities nga gipadangat sa pre-bidding conference kaniadtong Mayo 26, 2020 nga napahitabo sa BAC Office, Capitol Compound, syudad sa Butuan.
Nauyonan sa BAC nga gitambungan nila ni Engr. Bokingo, Mr. Junie T. Vinatero, Department Head sa Provincial Assessor’s Office (PASSO) ug si Mr. Kyle Durangco, Environment Specialist sa Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) nga ma-implementar na niining tuiga ang gihisgutan nga mga proyekto atol sa Pre-Bidding Conference nga mao ang mga mosunod;
1. Construction of Municipal Hospital perimeter fence sa Jabonga Municipal Hospital - P3,000,000.00
2. Pag-uprade o pag improbar sa NRJ Triangulo, Punta Beach Provinciall Road sa Nasipit – P44,000,000.00;
3. Upgrading/Improvement of Culit- Pag-ao -Jaguimitan Prov’l Road - P118,000,000.00;
4. Construction of Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement sa Tagbuyacan, Santiago- P1,000,000.00;
5. Construction of X-Ray Building sa Las Nieves - P5,000,000.00;
6. Construction of Gymnasium and Evacuation Center Phase II of Las Nieves-P15,000,000.00;
7. Proposed Construction of GSO Bodega - P1,500,000.00;
8. Construction of New Bohol Riverbank Slope Protection sa Barangay Sangay, Buenavista - P18,000,000.00;
9. Upgrading/Improvement of Sanghan-A. Luna Bay-ang Prov’l road, Cabadbaran- P82,264,892.00;
10. Upgrading/Improvement of Alubihid-Manlangit Provincial road Phase II sa Buenavista- P20,000,000.00;
11. Upgrading/Improvement of Doña Rosario-Del Pilar-Bayabas Bongogon Road, Tubay-Cabadbaran City- P170,000,000.00;
12. Upgrading/Improvement of Seawall Phase II, Sta. Ana, Nasipit - P10,000,000.00;
13. Concreting of Sta. Ana Brgy. Road Phase II, Nasipit -P2,156,487.59;
14. Rehabilitation of Drainage and Construction of Slope Protection along Sta. Ana Brgy. Road, Nasipit - P3,108,231.38;
15. Rehabilitation/Improvement/Construction of CASOSES and CCNHS Drainage System, Cabadbaran City - P5,000,000.00;
16. Construction of Provincial Jail Multi- Purpose Covered Court Libertad, Butuan City - P5,000,000.00;
17. Renovation/ Improvement of Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP) Bldg. and Facilities - P6,000,000.00;
18. Construction of Mini Multi- Purpose Bldg. District 7, Brgy. Sacol, Buenavista- P300,000;
19. Construction of MRDPEC Bleacher Stage and CR Casiklan, Las Nieves- P3,000,000.00;
20. Construction of MRDPEC/Covered Court Brgy. Marcos, Magallanes- P1,700,000.00;
21. Rehabilitation of Communal Irrigation Facilities (CIS) Baleguian, Jabonga, Aclan-Nasipit, Rizal and Malpoc - P13,612,792.00; ug
22. Installation of Fire Alarm System With Siren and Water Sprinkler, Kitcharao District Hospital- P3,000,000.00. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Mangrove sites sa lungsod sa Magallanes gi-deklarang protected area
By Jessica O. Mellejor
DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Hunyo 5 -- Gi-aprubahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ug gi-deklara nga balido ang Municipal Ordinance No. 003-2020, gikan sa lungsod sa Magallanes, ning lalawigan ang ordinansa nga nagdeklara sa tanang Mangrove sites nga anaa sa river banks, creeks and coastal areas, nga protected area atol sa ilang ika 8th nga sesyon regular.
Ubos sa maong ordinansa, sa pagpanginahan ni Sangguniang Bayan Member ug kasamtangan Provincial Board Member Meriam G. Pagaran, gideklara niini ang tanan mangrove area nga nahimutang sa kilid sa baybayon nga lugar, isip protected area.
Matod pa ni Bokal Pagaran, ang lungsod sa Magallanes nahimutang sa daplin sa baybayon ug giisip nga usa ka isla tungod kay kini gipalibutan sa tubig mao nga kinahanglan protektahan ang mangrove areas.
Subay pa niini, nga ang Magallanes nga adunay daghan mangrove area mapuslanon usab sa panginahanglan sa mga mangingisda, tigkolekta og kahoy alang usab sa suplay sa kuryente ug pabrika.
Basi sa pagtuon ang usa ka gamay nga mga kahoy o mga kahoykahoy nga nagtubo sa baybayon nga slated o brackish nga tubig makatabang kinig dako sa mga lumolopyo sa Magallanes sa pagpanalipod sa mga baybayon suba, sapa ug tributaries niini.
Gikonsidera usab ang maong lakang subay sa nahisgutan nga probisyon sa Local Government Code of 1991 ug sa lokal nga balaod sa lalawigan.
Kini gi-aprubahan pinaagi sa Sanggunian Resolution No. 216-2020, sa paningkamot ni Provincial Board Member James T. Reserva, tsirman sa Committeee on Environment and Natural Resources. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Higit 2,500 MSMEs sa Caraga, nag-apply sa SBWS program ng pamahalaan
By Venus L. Garcia
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Hunyo 5 (PIA) -- Sa pagananais ng mga micro, small and medium enterprises o MSME na matulungan ang kanilang mga empleyado na apektado ang trabaho simula ng maipatupad ang enhanced community quarantine, mahigit 2,500 business owners sa rehiyon ng Caraga ang nag apply para sa programang Small Business Wage Subsidy o SBWS ng pamahalaan.
Simula pa lang ng Mayo ay maaga ng sinimulan ng Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Caraga ang pag-evaluate sa mga maliliit na negosyo na nagcomply sa mga requirement ng naturang programa.
Target nitong matulungan ang nasa 11,000 na empleyado sa buong rehiyon.
“Ang pinakaimportante dito ay mayroon silang compliance sa Social Security System (SSS) at BIR. Ibig sabihin, rehistrad sila sa BIR and SSS. As far as BIR is concerned, kailangan na nakapag-file sila ng tax returns, regular ang pagbayad ng buwis, nakapag-file ng annual alphabetical list of employees, at nagbayad ng SSS remittances ng mga empleyado,” sabi ni BIR-Revenue District Office No. 17 Director Jose Eric Furia.
Ayon kay Furia, nakatanggap ng P5,000 ang mga kwalipikadong empleyado.
“Medyo pabilisan yung trabaho kaya masyadong mahigpit ang screening natin,” sabi ni Furia.
Base sa joint memorandum of agreement Department of Finance, BIR at SSS, hindi kwalipikado ang mga empleyado na naka work from home o kasali sa skeleton force, at naka on leave habang ecq, may sahod man o wala. Ang mga empleyadong may unsetted account or in-process ang SSS final claims ay hindi rin kasali.
“Malaking tulong talaga ito sa aming mga empleyado lalo na sa pang araw-araw na pangngailangan nila gayong panahon ng pandemya,” sabi ni Felix Benolirao, proprietor of an air conditioner and refrigerator repair center.
The wage subsidy ay naibigay ng dalawang tranches sa mga beneficiary. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
