CARAT Expo 2016 highlights agri-aqua marketing breakthroughs
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA)– In keeping abreast with the agro-fishery trade and marketing initiatives and latest innovations in agriculture, the Caraga Agricultural Trade and Marketing Exposition (CARAT Expo 2016) officially opens its window to local trade associations, producers, agro-entrepreneurs, buyers and the public here on Wednesday.
As slated to run from November 9-13, 2016, its kick-off activity started with a thanksgiving mass, followed by a motorcade along the city thoroughfares which highlighted the 'lobster' float of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
The grand opening marked as a day for ‘Lobster Festival’ of the CARAT Expo includes a lobster cooking demo featuring the Masterchef finalist and best chefs in the Philippines; a lobster marketing and branding; an access to credit for lobster raiser; and training on lobster hatchery and production.
As enunciated by president of Butuan Chamber of Commerce Roger Ramirez, the showcasing of lobster as a prime and high-valued product of Caraga is a manifestation of the rich agricultural asset in the region that can sustain the economy.
Gracing also the event is Sen. Cynthia Villar expressing her strong support to the CARAT Expo 2016. She also lauded the unified efforts of all local officials and organizers. Sen. Villar further expressed her optimism that Caraga region will be more progressive as it continues to grow and engage in different endeavors.
In giving high hopes for Caraganons to improve and increase their agricultural production, Sen. Villar disclosed in her message the obliteration of irrigation fee starting next year. This will help farmers achieve sustainability.
CARAT Expo 2016 features the various agricultural and aquamarine products of the region. It provides a venue for government and private stakeholders to display their unique agri and fishery products that will definitely make the region and its products more popular.
Since it is a promotion of the Caraga’s best, CARAT Expo will influence farmers and fisherfolks to produce more and sustain the market so that it will improve their way of life.
Meanwhile, the day-2 of CARAT Expo dubbed as Fruits and Veggies Festival was attributed to activities such as food carving demo and competition, mango eating contest, and good agricultural practices and market opportunities for vegetables were highlighted.
For the third day (Sinuglaw Festival/Aquamarine Day), variety show, singing and modern dance contests comprise the night activities, following the conduct of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) skills demonstration on table setting, fish deboning, commercial cooking, ‘kinilaw’ preparation contest.
During the Livestock Day (Lechon Festival) on the 12th of November, the Butuan City Veterinary Office will hold a free animal consultation and check-up aside from the scheduled baking and cooking demonstrations, animal dance/paint me/breathing challenge activities.
On its culmination day, the Coco/Palay/Tubers Day or the Palagsing Festival on Sunday, there will be contests on coconut shredding, manual dehusking, coco coir twining, and ‘palagsing’ demo. An awarding ceremony for the top grossing exhibitors, best dressed booth, and contest winners will also conclude the CARAT Expo 2016.
The event is envisioned to be an annual gathering of producers, suppliers, marketers, investors and buyers that will serve as strategic venue for market-matching, linkages and agri-investment. (VLG/JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Army to hold stakeholders coordinating conference in Butuan
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) – The 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army will be holding a Stakeholders Coordinating Conference on November 15, 2016 at the Governor’s Conference Room, this city.
According to 23IB community relations officer Capt. Edwin Leo Francisco, the discussion during said conference will focus on the planned “Serbisyo Peace Caravan” which was scheduled on December 2, 2016 at the covered court of Barangay Sangay in the municipality of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
“The activity is aimed at reaching out to far flung communities with the main focus on pupils, students and members of indigenous families by delivering basic services such as free medical/dental, distribution of medicines and vitamins, distribution of livelihood kits, free haircut services, information education and communication campaign on government programs, awarding of Certificate of Land Ownership Award, and other related services,” highlighted Francisco.
It can be recalled that a "Serbisyo Peace Caravan" was also held in Santiago, Agusan del Norte last October 21, 2016. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
OWWA- Caraga joins the Pangadu Festival Jobs fair in AgSur
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 - In response to the continuous effort of paving ways for employment to localities, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Caraga has recently joined in the Municipal Jobs Fair at San Agustin, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.
The local government of Talacogon through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) celebrated its 4th Pangadu Festival and the conduct of the jobs fair was one of its highlights alongside with the Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS). Several recruitment agencies were present offering employment here and abroad.
A total of 11,319 job vacancies across Asia and Middle East were offered by four manpower agencies. Meanwhile, job vacancies within the region from various local private companies were also offered. OWWA-Caraga regional director Samuel S. Madrid together with Ronilo Maningo, the Family Welfare Officer of Agusan del Sur, were present in support of the said fair.
Remegio I. Remedio, the Municipal PESO Manager, in sheer delight noted how thankful he was for the event to finally materialize for he believed that people are anticipating it. “This event was actually anticipated. Every now and then a number of locals were visiting our PESO office asking for job vacancies. So, for their convenience, we gave to them what they really needed- a jobs fair” said Remedio, in local dialect.
He also stressed how he wish for those job-seekers from the neighboring municipalities to grab this opportunity as well knowing that the capital city is quite far from their municipality.
Furthermore, through the OWWA’s help-desk, a number of queries from young people on the agency’s programs and services were also catered to. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Caraga promotes agri-aqua signature products
By Rhea C. Abao
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) - Caraga region's economic growth does not only rely on the mining industry but there is also potential in agriculture.
Caraga Agricultural Trade and Marketing Exposition (CARAT Expo) 2016 brought altogether the farmer entrepreneurs, agricultural retailers and wholesalers, manufacturers, small and medium enterprises, public and private sector, and local government units and consumers in a five-day trade expo from November 9 to 13.
CARAT Expo 2016 is an exhibition organized to showcase Caraga's agricultural and fishery products to create market linkages for the producers, suppliers, investors, and buyers to forge agriculture-related investments.
It is a convergence initiative by the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Caraga Chamber of Commerce supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philipine Information Agency (PIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Winrock International.
Senator Cynthia Villar of the Senate Committees on Agriculture and Food, and Government Corporations and Public Enterprises graced the event and assure Caraganons her support to agriculture. She believes that "agriculture sector sets as the engine that propels Caraga to proclaim its place as one of the growth areas in Mindanao with its chosen flagship product, the Caraga Lobster."
"Encouraging the establishment of a more agri-related business is one of the key strategies to support in boosting growth and development of the agriculture sector as well as improving the income of farmers, fisherfolk, and agricultural workers," stressed Senator Villar.
To put in place the needed and suitable interventions in agriculture, DA continues to strengthen the farmer organizations thru consultations and dialogues have been undertaken with the different stakeholders. DA capacitates farmers by providing training and introduces them to new technologies and business strategies for them to become farmer entrepreneurs.
"The CARAT Expo is a manifestation that agriculture, fishery, and trade in the region is alive and ready to take on the challenges of globalization. Apart from fulfilling our mission, to provide available and affordable food for all DA is committed to providing our farmers the much-needed support in finding a good market for their product," said DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness Leandro H. Gazmin.
Agricultural trade fair and marketing expositions are important to the farmer entrepreneurs as it creates a venue where farmers are able to engage with suppliers and companies for future investments related to agriculture.
The five-day activity features products daily highlights, to wit: Day 1- Lobster Festival; Day 2 – Fruits and Veggies Festival; Day 3 – Sinuglaw Festival; Day 4 – Lechon Festival; Day 5 – Palagsing Festival. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga uniformed officers undergo ICS course
By April Rose Sanchez
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) - The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga region conducted on Friday Executive Course on Incident Command System (ICS) for high-ranking uniformed officials of Caraga in one of the convention centers here.
Some 46 uniformed officials from the Philippine National Police (PNP) led by regional director PCSupt. Rolando Felix; Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP); and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) attended the activity.
Amado M. Posas of OCD Caraga said that the executive course aims to provide with the basic knowledge and understanding on the tenets of the Incident Command System as a vital component for effective disaster response.
Posas along with Marc Gil Calang, Mark July Yap, John Lenn Uayan and Kim Durango of OCD Caraga facilitated the said course.
This is the first ICS Executive Course in the region which is intended for the high-ranking uniformed officials.(OCD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: Poultry a promising agri-business in Caraga Region
By Aurel Arais
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) - There’s money in an egg.
Are you thinking of a promising business? Poultry industry might be your future!
Data presented during the crafting of the industry roadmap for poultry spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga Region needs more supply for poultry products and by-products.
As of 2015 Philippine Statistics Authority data, Caraga with a population of more than 2.5 million, has pegged its demand for poultry products to 24.126 metric tons (MT) while its supply accounted for only 18,967 MT or a deficit of 5,159 MT.
The data is using the per capita consumption from the year 2012-2015, wherein per person consumes an average of 5.51 kilograms per year (kg/yr) of chicken meat, 3.48 kg/yr of the chicken egg, 0.04 kg/yr of duck meat and 0.13 of the duck egg.
The gap between the supply and demand means there is an opportunity for investment in the poultry industry. As of now, Caraga Region absorbs supply from other neighboring regions to fill in the increasing demand for poultry products.
Joel Callano, a poultry grower in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur said that his daily harvest of 25 trays of eggs is not enough to supply the need of his municipality alone.
“There is still a room for investment in the poultry industry in Caraga Region, so for the farmers who are willing to put up it is very much welcome,” Callano said.
The poultry industry is a significant contributor to the agricultural sector in the Philippines chipping in 15.41 percent to the total value of agricultural production in 2015.
To strengthen government support for the industry and other commodities, DA-Caraga conducted series of roadmap crafting through the involvement of different stakeholders such as farmer associations, academe, agri-preneurs, private sector, financial institutions, DA attached agencies and other national line government agencies. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
More LGUs in Caraga Region undergo PDRA orientation
By April Rose Sanchez
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) - The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga held a one-day orientation on Pre Disaster Disaster Risk Assessment or PDRA for nine local government units (LGUs) in Caraga Region on Thursday here.
These LGUs include Surigao City, Surigao del Norte; Bayugan City and the Municipality of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur; and the Municipalities of Jabonga, Las Nieves, Magallanes and Santiago of Agusan del Norte.
The orientation was in compliance to NDRRMC Memorandum No. 17 series of 2014 entitled Institutionalization of the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment dated August 18, 2014. It provided understanding on the importance of PDRA as a process to evaluate a given hazard’s characteristic and its possible impacts to the populace and to determine the appropriate level of response from concerned agencies, local government units and other stakeholders.
Amado M. Posas, chief of DRRM Division of OCD Caraga said that PDRA plays an important part into policy formulation and decision making for both public and private organizations and other stakeholders in disaster risk reduction. PDRA looks into both historical data and probabilistic scenarios to address risks.
The one-day orientation covered topics which were presented by members of the PDRA core team at the region level. Engr. Lolita L. Vinalay of PAGASA discussed the DOST PAGASA Revised Tropical Storm Category while Eric Colmenares of DOST Caraga explained the use of technology during PDRA. The PDRA in DILG was presented by Jeffrey A. Ramo and details on vulnerable areas in Caraga Region were given by Graziella C. Harting of NEDA Caraga. Likewise, the roles of DSWD in PDRA were presented by Angelita Amista of DSWD Caraga.
Queries, concerns and issues were raised by participants and were addressed by resource persons during the open forum.
This capacity development initiative is one of OCD's priority targets based on its Annual Plans and Budget (APB) 2016. It can be remembered that OCD Caraga conducted the same orientation to the region’s component cities on September 2, 2016. (OCD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
3 NPA rebels in AgSur surrender to government
By Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) - Three members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Agusan del Sur voluntarily surrendered to the 401st Brigade units in two separate areas bringing along with them a total of four high-powered firearms.
On November 9, 2016, one member of SRDG Southland (name not given for security reason) voluntarily submitted himself to the members of 3rd Special Forces Battalion with his M16 rifle. His return was made possible through the joint efforts of the 26th Infantry Battalion and the Agusan del Sur Provincial Police Office who helped him realize his plan of leaving the armed movement to live a normal life.
He thanked everyone behind his successful return. “Daku gayud ang akong pagpasalamat sa tanang tawo nga nitabang sa akoa. Makaingon na gyud ko karon nga dunay paglaum sa akong mga pangandoy ilabina sa pangandoy nga maayong kinabuhi para sa akong pamilya (I thank all the people who helped me along the way. I could finally say that there is indeed hope to all my dreams especially the dream of a happy life for my family),” he remarked after being presented to Gov. Adolf Edward Plaza at the Agusan del Sur provincial capitol.
The following day on November 10, 2016, two more NPA members, a squad leader of Guerrilla Front 88 and a member of Guerrilla Front Committee 89, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, voluntarily surrendered to Lieutenant Colonel Rommel Pagayon, Commanding Officer of 26th Infantry Battalion and Mayor Jesryl Masendo of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur bringing along their three firearms (one AR18, one carbine, and one garrand).
The two surrendered after realizing the futility of their armed struggle. They also heed to the call of the president for national healing and reconciliation.
Major General Benjamin Madrigal Jr, commander of 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army congratulated everyone including the three NPAs for their decision to go back to mainstream and live a peaceful life. "I congratulate everyone for your wholehearted effort to help our brother NPAs to join us in our quest for peace. This is why we have high hopes in our Bayanihan efforts and in our quest to attain just and lasting peace. To our three brothers, we will ensure that you will receive all the necessary support you needed as you return to your respective families. The whole nation is proud of you," he underlined.
"Once again we had to positively respond to the call for help by our brothers who want to live peacefully and do what they believe is best for their family, to every Filipinos, and to our beloved country," Madrigal added.
It was learned that support is now being processed by the 401st Infantry Brigade through the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the government. (401st Phil. Army/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Cebuano News: 2-adlaw nga ELA Workshop gipahihayon sa Surigao Norte
Ni Mary Jul E. Escalante
DAKBAYAN SA SURIGAO, Surigao del Norte, Nob. 11 (PIA) - Ang Department of the Interior and Development (DILG) mipahigayon og duha ka adlaw nga Executive and Legislative Agenda (ELA) Workshop niadtong Nobyembre 7-9, 2016 didto sa Philippine Gateway Hotel, ning dakbayan.
Ang duha ka adlaw nga kalihukan gitambungan sa mga miyembro sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan, mga department heads sa Kapitolyo ug mga miyembro sa HEALS Plus convergence group.
Sa iyang mensahe, si Gobernador Sol F. Matugas mipaabot sa iyang dakong pasalamat sa tanan sa pagsuporta sa mga plano ug programa sa probinsya alang sa kalambuan sa lalawigan kay tungod niini ubay ubay ang mga pasidungog nga nadawat sa probinsya kalabot na ang Seal of Good Local Governance ug uban pa.
Atol sa maong okasyon gipasabot ni DILG Provincial Director John Reyl Mosquito ang tumong ug tuyo sa Executive ug Legislative Agenda.
Samtang si Ivonnie B. Dumadag, ang Officer-in-Charge sa Provincial Planning and Development Office maoy mipresentar sa Provincial Situationer and Thrust sa probinsya sa tuig 2016-2019 ug si Bise Gobernador Carlos Arturo Egay, Jr mipasabot usab sa Thrust of the Legislative sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Si Ms. Cecilia Trinio ang Area Management Officer sa Northeastern Mindanao Development Authority kun MinDA mipresentar sa Thrusts of President Duterte (Priorities and Pronouncements) diin iyang gipakita ang mga umaabot nga dagkong proyekto sa imprastruktura sama sa mga dalan, tulay ug pantalan.
Ang workshop proper nagsentro sa pag baliktan-aw sa panlantaw (vision) sa probinsya ug gihimay-himay ang mga boot ipasabot (descriptors) sa maong vision ug gipresentar ang mga success indicators niini.
Ug sa ikaduhang adlaw nga gitambungan gihapon sa gobernador, pinasidunggang mamumulong mao si TESDA Regional Director Florencio Sunico, Jr. nga mihisgot sa Organizational Change Leading in a Continuously Changing Environment.
Ug sa workshop proper gihisgutan ang Determining Vision-Reality Gap, Generating New Information ug ang Extracting Intelligence nga gipasiugdahan gihapon sa DILG facilitators. (PGO-PIC/PIA-Surigao del Norte)