1st regional pre-SONA series in Caraga highlights gov’t interventions
By Venus Lim-Garcia
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte does not lose control of the ball since he assumed power in 2016 as evidenced by the major accomplishments of the present administration presented during the first leg of the “Kasama sa Pamana: Regional Pre-SONA (State of the Nation Address) Series” held on April 15 at the Agusan del Norte covered court, this city.
Some 200 participants comprising of the local chief executives, national government agency heads, punong barangays, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, civil society organization representatives, and media practitioners have attended the event.
The report, which was presented through an audio-visual material, includes the key accomplishments of the Economic and Development Cluster (EDC) and Infrastructure Cluster (IC); Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster (HDPRC) and Participatory Governance Cluster (PGC); Security, Justice and Peace Cluster (SJPC) and Climate Change, Adaptation, Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction Cluster (CCAM-DRRC), and the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Legacy.
"This activity will cover all regions in the country for the people to have a clearer picture of where our country is today. It is important for everyone to know the notable accomplishments that constitute the legacy of the Duterte administration," said Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) of Caraga, as he continued his speech by comprehensively citing the significant milestones of the government.
The goal for zero hunger, food security
Nograles made mention about the whole-of-government approach in attaining zero hunger. “That is why the inter-agency task force (IATF) crafted the National Food Policy which outlines the national priorities based on a comprehensive understanding of the problem of hunger and provides a road map in achieving zero hunger in the country,” he said.
The cabinet secretary said that the partner agencies of the Task Force on Zero Hunger in the Caraga continue to ensure sustainable food systems, resiliency, and food security.
This is done, he said, by identifying the priority legislation for zero hunger such as urban agriculture and farming; food rescue programs; expansion of the National Feeding Programs; and promotion of breastfeeding.
To ensure available and affordable food in Caraga, the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) engaged 24 farmer organizations and reported the highest sales across all regions amounting P81,487,872 worth of sales.
“Caraga has the largest production area of ‘adlai’ rice,” Nograles said.
Securing nutrition adequacy
Even while the country is facing the pandemic, Nograles said that Caraga continues to implement advocacy and capacity-building activities and provision of trainings for local government units in the region.
“At the national level, the Department of Health (DOH) released the interim guidelines for the delivery of nutrition services during the pandemic. And Caraga was able to implement the ‘Operation Timbang Plus Monitoring and Rapid Coverage Assessment,” said Nograles.
He added that the IATF-Zero Hunger has released program guidelines for key nutrition and feeding programs during the pandemic.
Food accessibility and safety
According to Nograles, the Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) continues to implement its knowledge transfer program on food safety.
“Caraga conducted several webinars and virtual demo to include the squash recipes and a lecture on food costing attended by SMEs and housewives from Dinagat Islands and Butuan City,” he said.
As of 2020, DTI Caraga has also established 169 shared service facilities (SSFs) of which 71 have been turned over to cooperators. It will also set up business facilities across the region.
“It aims to improve micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) competitiveness by providing machinery, equipment, tools, accessories, and other auxiliary items. Kasali na dito ang ibinigay na assistance para sa virgin coconut oil (VCO) at cacao processing at ‘tablea’ production,” Nograles said.
Ensuring sustainable food systems
For Caraga, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided family food packs as part of the support for augmentation and prepositioning of goods to the local government units (LGUs).
Also, the Department of Agriculture (DA) continuously and aggressively implements its programs and projects. DA-Caraga has registered close to 97,000 farmers and fisherfolk in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), as of 22 March 2021, and now fast-tracking the registration of the remaining farmers and fisherfolk.
Nograles also cited that the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation paid 594,300 farmers and fisherfolk nationwide over P3.5 billion.
Ensuring IEC and people participation vs. hunger
To ensure information, education, awareness, and people participation, Nograles relayed that Caraga has actively participated in the ‘Kasapatanat Ugnayanpara sa Akmang Pagkainat Nutrisyon’ (KUMAIN) public consultations on the National Food Policy.
Another initiative is the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG) which is the private sector's response to the government's call for a whole-of-nation approach in ending hunger in the country.
"Among the interventions of the PKG is the distribution of hot meals to frontliners and families affected by typhoons," said Nograles.
Meanwhile, DILG-Caraga regional director Lilibeth Famacion served as the moderator during the open forum wherein several queries were answered by the Cabinet Secretary together with Agusan del Norte Governor Dale Corvera and Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada.
Nograles said the pre-Sona series in Caraga region also aims to get feedbacks from the local chief executives and the people in order for the present administration to know on what else to do in the remaining term of President Rodrigo Duterte.
"This is a great venue to tackle the vaccination efforts and other accomplishments in Caraga region. So, we hope to hear more of your issues and concerns so that the government can act on any possible solutions," Nograles said.
On the fight vs. COVID-19
Part also of the pre-SONA series here in the Caraga was the discussion on the significant efforts against COVID-19.
Dr. Diohara Aparri of the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga presented the COVID-19 Situationer in the region. She emphasized that the cases are increasing, hence, there is a need to intensify the implementation of health protocols in every LGU.
She added that the conduct of contact tracing is also intensified to track down those people who have been in close contact with those infected with the virus.
Dr. Aparri said that several out-of-the-box strategies are being integrated by the task force to fight COVID-19. These include the creation of the COVID-19 Cyber Advocacy Strike and Support Team (COVID-CASST), an internet advocacy team to correct misinformation on COVID-19 and DOH protocols.She said that bandillo/recorrida is also done to create more awareness among the residents especially in critical areas and with local transmission.
“An extensive information drive to halt the spread of COVID-19 in the region is being done with the help of the Philippine Information Agency Caraga, public information officers, and local media partners,” said Dr. Aparri.
She also encouraged the public and netizens to help in the fight against fake news by checking the facts before sharing any data/information about COVID-19.
Furthermore, Dr. Aparri said that stricter border control is implemented such as the activation of checkpoints and requiring of negative COVID-19 test results.
"There's also an improved testing capacity with daily reporting of results, the opening of more laboratories and usage of RAT," she said.
Meanwhile, Jasmin Sarce of the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga presented the Regional Vaccination Operation Center - Vaccination Report in Caraga region. She bared that the DOH has established priority groups through a master list composed of vulnerable sectors who will be inoculated in the first and second doses.
In his closing message, PCOO Sec. Martin Andanar relayed virtually his sincere appreciation to the Caraganons for the continued trust and cooperation with the government. He likewise encouraged his fellow public servants to uphold the kind of genuine service that all citizens deserve just the same with President Duterte who continues to uplift the lives of every Filipino.
"On the sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 26, we shall listen to the embodiment of how people's aspirations have been achieved. At its center lies the realization that every Filipino has, indeed, been touched by the President’s words, actions, and his leadership," Andanar said.
The organizers will be bringing the "Kasama sa Pamana: Regional Pre-SONA" to the next venue in Legazpi, Albay before the end of April 2021. (Venus L. Garcia/PIA-Caraga)
PIA gears up promotion of gender equality, women empowerment during COVID-19 pandemic
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 24 (PIA)– As the government’s communication arm, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has geared up efforts and initiatives in promoting women empowerment, gender equality, making its workers fully-aware of their rights and continue practicing gender-fair language.
During the virtual Orientation on Magna Carta of Women (MCW) and Gender Fair Language for PIA employees on Friday, Director-General Ramon Cualoping III emphasized that said orientation is relevant as it promotes gender equality, awareness, and development for all.
"Our role in the PIA is very crucial, very critical, and very relevant as we move forward into a more progressive and equal society for all of us," he added.
Cualoping said that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his administration had established many GAD-related programs and projects that contributed a great impact to the lives of the Filipino people. “The past many years we’ve seen the development, the progress that our communities have undertaken in order to ensure that the rights of everyone are respected and guaranteed. And in the past five years under the presidency of Rodrigo Roa Durterte, we’ve embarked on many projects to make sure that everyone is able to give and live his or her own great life,” he bared.
The official further revealed that the PIA continues to communicate relevant information to the communities making them empowered even during this time of the pandemic. “In the PIA, our role is to communicate, to inform, to #ExplainExplainExplain thus we do our best in order for us to enable what is most progressive in all of us in terms of our communities, our families, and the society as a whole,” said Cualoping.
Meanwhile, as the resource speaker, Atty. Judie Rose Tugado-Dimayuga of the Philippine Commission on Women's National Gender and Development Resource Pool discussed thoroughly the salient information stipulated in the Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women and shared tips on how to be gender fair in language to make PIA employees more effective and efficient in performing their daily functions.
“The PIA under the Presidential Communications Operations Office has been an active agency in promoting gender equality mainstreaming and in the conduct of advocacy. We hope to strengthen your efforts for this endeavor in all the regions,” cited Dimayuga.As she presented the Gender Fair Media Guidebook, Dimayuga highlighted that the PIA and the media should be able to practice gender-fair language in all its contents and in whatever platforms they use to disseminate the information.
Along with the discussion, the participants also learned about the legal basis of several GAD activities implemented in the national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and local government units.
Dimayuga further recognized the PIA employees as catalysts for change towards gender equality and women empowerment. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Saba nga tambutso gidili na sa Carmen
By SV Deligero
DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Abril 24 -- Mipakanaog og regulasyon ang lungsod sa Carmen, Agusan del Norte, sa operasyon o paggamit og modified muffler pinaagi sa Municipal Ordinance No. 67-2020 nga gideklarar nga balido sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan atol sa ika-84 nga sesyon regular kaniadtong Abril 6.
Ang maong municipal ordinance gipangamahanan ni Sangguniang Bayan Member Julius S. Tamayo.
Nakita sa Committee on Laws, Ethics, and Good Government nga gipangunahan ni Provincial Board Member James T. Reserva, nga ubay-ubay nga nanag-iya og sakyanan nga unregulated ang paggamit sa mga motorsiklo diin tangtangon ang silencer o otrohon ang tambutso hinungdan nga makahatag kini og mas kusog nga kasaba o tingog.
Aron mapadayon ang kalinaw ug kaayohan sa tanang katawhan hingpit nga gi-regulate sa Carmen ang paggamit o pag-ilis sa muffler sa ilang sakyanan.
Ang makit-an nga makalapas sa maong balaod pagamultahan og lima kagatos (P500) ka pesos alang sa unang opensa, usa ka libo (P1,000.00) ka pesos sa ikaduha ug duha kalibo ug lima kagatos (P2,500.00) ka pesos ug pagkompiska sa motor sa sunod-sunod nga pag lapas niini.
Gikan sa pag kompiska sa motor vehicle with modified muffler dugang P100.00 matag adlaw ang idugang nga silot isip impounding fee.
Ubos sa maong ordinansa, gitagaag responsibilidad ang tanang sellers, retailers ug repair shops owner o manager sa pagpahinumdom sa matag customer nga adunay ordinansa nga gimugna para sa mopalit og tambutso.
Gidili usab sa lungsod sa Carmen ang pagpamaligya og open-typed-mufflers, branded man kini o dili.
Isip kabahin sa implementasyon sa ordinansa, ang Carmen Municipal Police Station ug Municipal Security Task Force (MTSF) gitahasang maoy modakop sa violators. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Bag-ong ngalan sa Cahayagan NHS aprobado sa SP
By Jessica O. Mellejor
DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Abril 24 -- Gi-aprubahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ug gi-deklara nga balido ang Municipal Ordinance No. 63, series sa 2020 gikan sa lungsod sa Carmen, ning lalawigan, “An Ordinance Renaming Cahayagan National High School of Barangay Cahayagan, Carmen, Agusan del Norte to Fidel C. Dagani National High School,” atol sa ilang ika 84th nga sesyon regular.
Sa bag-o nga ordinansa, nga gipanginahanan ni Sangguniang Bayan Member Gilda A. Samaco, ang pag-usab sa ngalan sa nasangpit nga eskuylahan alang sa pagtahod sa mipanaw nga si Fidel Curato Dagani kinsa mao ang naghatag sa lote alang sa nahisgutang site sa eskuylahan.
Naaprubahan kini subay sa paragraph II (3) sa Revised Guidelines on the Naming and Renaming of Streets, Public Streets, Plazas, Buildings, Bridges and Other Structures of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines nga nagkanayon nga ang publiko nga dalan, eskuylahan, taytayan, building ug uban pang istruktura ilalom sa hurisdiksyon sa lokal nga gobyerno diin ang maong LGU lang maoy maka usab sa ngalan.
Basi usab kini sa Seksyon 13 sa Local Government Code of 1991, nga naghatag gahom sa mga Sanggunian sa mga Component city ug munisipalidad mohimo, sa pakig-konsulta sa National Historical Commission nga usbon ang mga ngalan sa mga kadalanan, eskuylahan, kahimsog sa panglawas o bisan unsang uban pang publiko nga mga building nga sakop sa teritoryo niini, labi na kadtong adunay historical o social significance.
Gi-aprobahan ang maong ordinansa pinaagi sa Sanggunian Resolution No. 168-2021, sa pagpangamahan ni Provincial Board Member James T. Reserva, tsirman sa Committee on Laws Ethics, and Good Government kauban ang mga co-authors nga si Hon. Rodulfo A. Pitogo ug Hon. Virgilio R. Escasiñas, Jr. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
