Caraga InFocus –Volume VII, No. 04

CONTENTS

Caraga Volume VI1, No. 04 January 21-27, 2023

INFOCUS

ARTICLES

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GBV-CP coordination working group takes part in pilot training-workshop on Community-Level Child Protection DAR to hand 19M machineries to farmer orgs in Caraga

US provides P118 million grant to support 5G deployment in the Philippines US. launches P1 billion e-commerce project to support digitalization of Filipino SMEs DHSUD: No membership/registration fees under ‘Pambansang Pabahay’ PAFCIPIC – Butuan awards livelihood starter kits to FRs Suporta sa Plant! Plant! Plant! gilatid sa DA ug sa buhatan ni Kongresita Corvera

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DPWH giturn-over ang regional evacuation center sa Las Nieves Tolo ka organisasyon unang na-akredit sa bagong tuig Code of General Ordinances sa Butuan City, aprobado na sa 3rd ug final reading sa SP session Feature: Agusan del Sur Sports Complex, a world class!

AgSur reserve force discusses RA 7077 to elected officials AgSur reservists express readiness during disaster IT Unit sa Tagum City mibisita sa AgSur para sa benchmarking

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Mga ekwipo opisyal na nga gi turn-over sa provincial engineering office sa AgSur Army troops recover high powered firearms in SurSur town NBI-Tandag Satellite Office officially opens in SurSur Street-level individual busted in Surigao City during drug buy-bust operation

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Bacuag police arrests illegal gamblers Placer operatives serve no-bail arrest warrant to drug suspect detained in Surigao City Fisherman in Siargao detained for illegal fishing

MINDANAO NEWS Mindanao vital for PH tourism dev’t: Frasco DavOr to hand over Mindanao’s biggest irrigation dam to NIA

NATIONAL NEWS PBBM discusses 2023 agenda with Senate, House leaders Marcos’ state visit to France slated before June: envoy More foreign investments needed to sustain economic growth: PBBM PBBM hopes for Congress’ swift passage of priority bills PH Coast Guard’s mission becoming more ‘intense’ than ever: PBBM PBBM orders e-visa extension for China, S. Korea, Japan, India

COVER

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Wander through PIA’s “Laag, Caraga”

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

Travel and experience the beauty of a picturesque spot and delectable food without spending much. This is the concept of the new online program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga dubbed as “Laag sa Caraga”, which features competitive tourist destinations and afforadable local delicacies in the different parts of Caraga region.

When launched on January 25, 2023, netizens were all smiles as they witnessed the first episode of Laag and learned about the historic Butuan and its local delicacies particularly the Palagsing.

to create the consistency of the Palagsing.

Through the help of Milagros “Mimi” Torralba, a resident of Barangay Maug, who has been producing and selling palagsing over the years, netizens were able to see the step by step process on how to make the Palagsing and the tedious way to get the “onao” from the lumbia or palm tree as the foremost ingredient.

“Even the locals who fondly eat the Palagsing were amazed to see how it is made and wish to discover more of Butuan and other delicacies in the area. Others also encouarages the PIA team to visit other parts of the region which are really abundant in tourist spots and adventures,” Dir. Garcia shared.

Regional Director Venus Garcia of PIA Caraga elaborated that “Palagsing” has been known as a local delicacy popularly made in barangays Banza and Maug of Butuan City. “The Palagsing Festival is even highlighted as one of the festivities during the Adlaw Hong Butuan Charter Celebration every 2nd day of August.

Apart from Palagsing during the first episode, netizens were brought to either Palagsing is attributed to the Nipa or discover or recall the historic Banza Church Asiatic Palm Tree where “onao” or the nipa Ruins, being one of the known spots in starch is harvested from the palm tree.

Butuan. It is located at the oldest población Another popular ingredients are the young in the city and the aged ruin of a stone coconut meat and brown sugar making the church in the entire island of Mindanao. The palagsing moderately sweet, moist and church was built in 1625 by the Recollect soft. The mixed ingredients are then tied friars but was reduced to ashes in 1753 by and wrapped with banana leaves and are Moro pirates. What remains of the church boiled for atleast 30 minutes under low fire is part of the bell tower, enveloped by a full

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Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

“By simply posting online the photos or videos of the tourist spots in your area and writing something about the place which people are yet to discover, you can help boost the tourism in your place and entice wanderers to experience what you have shared online,” bared Garcia.

grown balete or banyan tree.

“Apparently, with the number of views of our first episode reaching more than a hundred thousand and counting, people from different walks of life have awakened their interest in traveling and discovering places.

We know for a fact that most of us were thrilled after a year or two of travel restrictions due to COVID-19 was then lifted and we start to live a life with the new normal and do the things we usually do during pre-COVID days,” Garcia added.

With anticipation of the rising of the economy in the region, Garcia with her team expressed their high hopes that with this new program ‘Laag’, netizens will have more to expect in the coming months, and will be able to discover a lot even without having physically gone to the places yet.

“We will continue to innovate and maximize the use of our platforms, so we could better serve our netizens and help them in any way possible be able to cope with the effects which the pandemic has brought us,” she said.

The Philippine Information Agency provides accurate, timely, and relevant information to enable citizens to participate meaningfully in the democratic process, and technical assistance to other government agencies regarding the communications component of their programs through multi-media strategies. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Aside from inculcating mindfulness among local residents to support the micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) who continue to produce local products, the Agency also opts to encourage viewers to help promote their respective local government units which for sure have more to offer in terms of tourism, culture, heritage and tradition.

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

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News Briefs After the three-year term implementation of the “Unlock the Landlocked Province of Agusan del Sur” Campaign, Governor Santiago Cane, Jr., emphasized that with high hopes the province will be part of the known tourist destinations in the whole world.

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The team from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga provides communication support to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) along with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), among others, during today’s conduct of the Nationwide Launch of SIM Registration in Remote Areas at the Municipal Gymnasium, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur.

A team from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga headed by Regional Director Venus Garcia, featured a local delicacy popularly made in Barangays Banza and Maug of Butuan City. Palagsing is made of nipa starch which is known to the locals as ‘onao,’ from the Nipa or Asiatic Palm Tree (Nipa Fruticans).

Other ingredients include the young coconut meat and brown sugar to make the Palagsing moderately sweet, moist and soft. The mixed ingredients are delicately wrapped and tied in banana leaves and are boiled for atleast 30 minutes in low fire.

Regional Summing -Up Activity of the Revitalized-Pulis Sa Barangay (R-PSB) at Camp Col Rafael C. Rodriguez, Butuan City, reported that only the Province of Dinagat Islands is declared as insurgency free province with 100 barangays. For 2023, the Police Regional Office 13 will prioritize the deployment of R-PSB to 248 priority barangays.

As part of the recalibrated action plan of the Regional Joint Genderbased Violence and Child Protection (GBV-CP) Coordination Working Group in Caraga, its members participated the first Training Workshop on Strengthening CommunityLevel Child Protection in Humanitarian Setting on January 18 to 20, 2023 at Dahilayan Forest Park Resort, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

The activity was organized by United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) and Communities and Families Services International (CFSI) as part of its continued engagement with the working group especially in equipping its members on the relevant aspects of child protection in the context of emergencies.

The training highlighted the nature of child protection in the emergency context and the significance of understanding the communities’ perspectives on child protection in order to ensure that

GBV-CP COORDINATION WORKING GROUP TAKES PART IN PILOT TRAINING-WORKSHOP ON COMMUNITY-LEVEL CHILD PROTECTION related interventions and programming are responsive to the very needs of the target population. It also differentiated levels of child protection key humanitarian actions whether they are community-based, community-level, and community-led.

Methods and tools to effectively strengthen community-level child protection in humanitarian setting were also elaborated to equip the participants in analyzing the context of both risk and protective factors through the lens of socio-ecological and systems perspectives.

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

The GBV-CP Coordination Working Group in Caraga is spearheaded by DSWD Field Office Caraga under its Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Protection Cluster and through its joint regional committees such as the Regional Interagency Committee Against Trafficking - Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-VAWC), Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) thru the Regional Child Protection Working Group (RCPWG) and the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Filipino Family (RIAC-FF). (DSWD-Caraga/ PIA-Caraga)

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DAR TO HAND 19M MACHINERIES TO FARMER ORGS IN CARAGA

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Office in Caraga revealed its recent procurement of various farm machineries and equipment for the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) of Caraga amounting to Php19 million.

The farm machineries include four units of fourwheel drive tractors, four units of rice and combine harvesters, and two hauling trucks under the Sustainable and Resilient (SuRe) Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) of the Climate-Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program (CRFPSP).

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Said machineries and equipment will be used to support and sustain farmers’ outputs and reinvigorate their crop production.

According to DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III, the provision of these farm machinery aims to reduce the effects linked to the various livelihood crises triggered by climate change, volatile commodity prices, the COVID-19 global pandemic and impending food shortage.

Estrella further said that this activity is DAR’s way of bringing government services closer to the farmers. “This is also in

support of the goal of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to improve the lives of the farmers through the provision of various support services,” he added.

True to his promises, interventions for support services to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) is one out of nine of the secretary’s land reform priorities which he plans to accomplish within his term.

The funds utilized to procure the farm machinery form part of the larger remaining Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF) worth Php 34.47 billion which was specifically allocated

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

S

Capinpuyan

Conrado M. Estrella III

to complement the existing 2022 budget and increase for 2023. Php 8 billion of which is programmed by the presidential administration to boost the agricultural sector of the country and improve the quality of lives of the department’s ARBs through the provision of support services such as farm tools and equipment, communal irrigation systems, farmto-market roads, and technical assistance, among others.

As such, the farm machines are projected to positively impact the productivity of nine (9)

ARBOs all across the region, which in turn would also improve the lives of its 1,450 individual ARBs by opening business opportunities and increasing employment in the countryside.

Through the guidance and effective management of DAR Caraga Regional Director Atty. Merlita S. Capinpuyan and under the steadfast leadership of Secretary Estrella, the department was able to overcome the challenges of procuring said farm machines despite the short timeframe they were given to work with.

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

Director Capinpuyan stated, “We always try to do our best here at DAR in providing assistance for our farmer beneficiaries. Not only because it is naturally our mandate, but also because of our strong commitment in delivering the services due to our beneficiaries.”

Secretary Estrella is expected to personally turn over the farm machineries, along with all other key DAR officials, to its respective ARBO recipients anytime this January. (Christian I. Lafuente, PIO, DAR Caraga/PIA Caraga)

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US PROVIDES P118 MILLION GRANT TO SUPPORT 5G DEPLOYMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES The United States government, through the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), is providing NOW Telecom Company, Inc. a Php 118 million ($2.15 million) grant to fund a feasibility study for the development of reliable and secure nationwide 5G mobile and broadband networks in the Philippines.

NOW Telecom has selected New Jersey-based Bell Labs Consulting, part of Bell Labs, the research arm of Nokia, to conduct the study.

The grant agreement was signed by NOW Telecom Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mel Velasco Velarde and Nokia Bell Labs Managing Partner Stefan Wilhelm during the 10th U.S.-Philippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Manila on January 20. United States Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel

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Kritenbrink, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, and Philippines Department of Information and Communications (DICT) Undersecretary for Connectivity Angelo Nuestro witnessed the signing.

“This 5G grant demonstrates the U.S. commitment to developing quality digital infrastructure and increasing access to affordable connectivity in the Philippines,” Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink said.

For his part, DICT Undersecretary Nuestro said, “The open innovation platform that this partnership seeks to give will enable the broader Philippine society to take a leap towards a connected future. We welcome these opportunities that will improve the lives of Filipinos.”

Under the USTDA grant, the feasibility study will provide

NOW Telecom with the necessary analysis, designs, and plans for the phased implementation of the project. It will also include the establishment of a 5G pilot network at multiple sites in Metro Manila to validate network performance, test 5G use cases, and provide data to inform larger scale deployment.

This project aims to support the digital transformation of the Philippines by helping to meet the growing demand for highbandwidth, reliable, and secure digital services from households and industry in the Philippines.

The feasibility study grant furthers U.S. digital policy in line with the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which aims to promote secure digital infrastructure in the region to bolster economic growth and facilitate open digital societies. (U. S. Embassy in the Philippines/PIA-Caraga)

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

US. LAUNCHES P1 BILLION E-COMMERCE PROJECT TO SUPPORT DIGITALIZATION OF FILIPINO SMES On January 11, the United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), launched a five-year, one billion peso ($18 million) partnership with the Philippine government to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) transition to mature e-commerce businesses.

The Strengthening Private Enterprises for the Digital Economy (SPEED) project will expand the participation of Philippine SMEs in the country’s emerging e-commerce ecosystem by improving their capacity to adopt digital technologies; supporting the integration of SMEs and e-commerce platforms in logistical supply chains; increasing the use of e-payment systems and other fintech innovations; and strengthening consumer awareness and protection.

SPEED supports the U.S. government’s goal to help the Philippines develop a robust, secure, and resilient digital economy as a key to drive post-pandemic recovery and long-term economic growth for the country.

“As we all know, COVID-19 has fundamentally altered the way we do things, accelerating the shift toward e-commerce, digital platforms, and the digital economy of the post-pandemic world,” Ambassador Carlson said at the launching event attended by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla, and partners from government and the private sector. “SPEED signals the U.S. government’s

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

strong commitment to supporting the Philippine government’s vision of a digital Philippines.”

“Key in DTI’s support to scale MSMEs is to help them overcome constraints to their access to technology. We aim to enable MSMEs to embrace digital transformation. This way, I believe DTI and USAID’s directions to enhance SME capacities align,” DTI Secretary Pascual said. In his remarks, he also emphasized DTI’s support to the development of the government’s E-commerce Adoption Platform, and their planned Supply Chain Digitalization Project that aims to digitize logistics and supply chains around the country.

“The BSP is optimistic that the programs under SPEED will further support the BSP’s Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap objective to convert at least 50 percent of retail payment transactions to digital form by the end of 2023,” BSP Governor Medalla noted. “Collaborations and partnerships such as this will contribute toward a more resilient and stronger Philippine economy that promotes a high quality of life for all Filipinos.”

During the event, private sector partners led by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry also launched the Philippine E-Commerce Alliance. Established with the support of USAID, this private sector-led coalition will facilitate the development of a national business agenda for digital transformation and inclusion. (US Embassy of the Philippines/PIA-Caraga)

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DHSUD: NO MEMBERSHIP/REGISTRA UNDER ‘PAMBANSANG PABAHAY’ No membership or registration fees should be collected from individuals who wish to benefit from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s (PBBM) Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program.

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar stressed this during a recent interview amid reports of unscrupulous individuals using the national housing program

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to collect payments from the unsuspecting public.

“Marami hong kumakalat na akala po binabayaran ang membership para makapagpalista sa ‘Pambansang Pabahay.’ Hindi po kami humihingi na anumang bayad at mismong local government unit (LGU) po ang Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

Secretary Acuzar likewise emphasized that interested beneficiaries do not need to be members of housing associations or groups in order to be part of PBBM’s housing program, suggesting that they instead become members of the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund which has various financial schemes that can assist them in availing ‘Pambansang Pabahay’ units.

“I would also like to emphasize that we are not soliciting any donations from the private sector or government officials for the program. For such information, please directly report this to any of our offices nationwide,” Secretary Acuzar warned.

ATION FEES

nakikipag-usap tungkol d’yan,” Secretary Acuzar said.

“Kaya dapat sa local government po dumiretso [ang mga interesado] dahil sa LGUs rin naman po namin ipapasa ang matatapos naming projects,” he added.

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

Aside from the DHSUD, the public can also inquire details of the program from the National Housing Authority, Social Housing Finance Corporation and National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation, all of which are the Department’s key shelter agencies and are also working with the government in advancing the national housing program.

Meanwhile, the DHSUD secretary bared that the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program is designed by the President primarily for the less privileged working force, especially those employed in urban areas but do not have their own houses. This is highlighted by the program’s thrust to build in-city resettlements where workplaces and trade hubs, as well as educational and health institutions are located.

Additionally, the program promotes township development to ensure sustainability and economic activities within the housing sites.

(DHSUD/PIA Caraga)

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PAFCIPIC PAFCIPIC –– BUTUAN BUTUAN AWARDS AWARDS LIVELIHOOD LIVELIHOOD STARTER STARTER KITS KITS TO TO FRS FRS As part of the government’s continuous efforts to assist and give hope to the Former Rebels (FRs) in their reintegration to the mainstream society, the Philippine Army Finance Center Producers Integrated Cooperative (PAFCIPIC) - Butuan in partnership with the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion, Philippine Army, distributed livelihood starter kits to FRs at the headquarters of 23IB on 9 January

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2023.

ideolohiya, mao nga kita dako kaayog suporta The activity was part sa ilang pagbag-o sa of PAFCIPIC – Butuan’s kinabuhi, mao ni ang Community Development gahom nga gihatag sa program which aims Executive Order No. 70 to provide alternative o The Whole of Nation solution to the effects of Approach [our brothers unemployment and the and sisters who were lack of sources of income deceived by the wroing among marginalized belief , that is why we are sector. supporting them in this change and transition “We are grateful to , this is the power of be of service to the Executive Order NO. people, atong mga 7] . We are giving our kaigsuonan nga nalingla best efforts to uplift the kaniadto sa sayop nga welfare and the lives of Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

our brothers and sisters nga karon nibalik na sa atong gobyerno, salamat kaayo sa pagpamatuod nga naa ka kanunay makatabang nila [our brothers and sisters who went back to the government , thank you 23IB for always helping them],” said Ms Mary Grace Lanchita, PAFCIPIC, Branch Manager.

Major Samuel P Maglinao (INF) PA, Executive Officer of 23IB, expressed his deepest

gratitude to the efforts of the PAFCIPIC for the program which showed the government’s truthfulness and sincerity in contributing to the cessation of hostilities and violence that will contribute to achieve a lasting peace.

“Our government offers have opportunities to help you to become an independent individual.

We hope that you have great plans on how to manage the financial

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

assistance and other support given to you.

Make use of all the assistance you received, but use it wisely in order for you to have sustainable livelihood.

May this program help you transform to have a productive life.” Major Maglinao addressed the FRs during his speech. (2Lt. Paoula P. Ledesma CMO Officer 23rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army/PIA Agusan del Norte)

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SUPORTA SA PLANT! PLANT! PLANT! GILATID SA DA UG SA BUHATAN NI KONGRESITA CORVERA Gilatid karon, Enero 23, sa buhatan ni Kongresista Dale B. Corvera ug sa Department of Agriculture (DA-Caraga) ang mga pamaagi nga mapakusgan pa ang suporta alang sa proyektong Plant! Plant!

Plant! sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte.

Ang Plant! Plant! Plant! usa sa mga proyekto ubos sa AGUSAN UP!, ang kampanya sa pagpalambo ni Kongresista Corvera sa gobernador pa siya sa Agusan del Norte.

Giabagan kini sa Gob. Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante sa kongresista pa siya sa miaging termino ug, sumala pa kaniya, padayonon niya ang maong kampanya sa pagpalambo sa iyang administrasyon.

Ang proyektong Plant!

Plant! Plant! nagpunting nga makatanum sa 125,000 ektaryas nga bakante o wala kaayo

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maggamit nga mga yuta sa Agusan del Norte pag-abot sa tuig 2027.

Apil sa mga na-survey nga kayutaan alang niini haum sa agro-forestry (100,000 ektaryas) ug ang laing 25,000 ektaryas alang sa high value crops, apil na ang abaka, kape, cacao, mangga, cassava, rubber, lubi ug saging.

sa Kongresista ang mga representation aron makabaton og pundo alang sa cash-for-work sa mga magtrabaho sa nursery ug sa mga apil sa pagpananum unya.

Lambigit niini, himoon sa mosunod nga mga adlaw ang mga konsultasyon sa probinsya, sa mga lungsod, ingon man sa kapin sa 70 ka Usa sa kritikal nga mga organisayon sa kabahin sa proyekto mag-uuma ug mga nga nalatid ganiha mao Indigenous Peoples (IP) ang panginahanglan sa nga nagsilbing partners nursery alang niiini nga ubos sa AGUSAN UP! sa mga tanum ug nasabutan milabay’ng tulo ka tuig. nga maoy unang tutokan sa suporta. Kini maoy Kining maong mga pangitaan ug mga kalihukan kabahin paagi sa DA-Caraga, sa panawagan ni sumala pa kang Marco Kongresista Corvera Antonio Morido, ang nga pakusgan ang Regional Focal Person mga serbisyo sa iyang sa High Value Crops buhatan ug palapdan Development Program sa pa ang maabot ug rehiyon. makabenepisyo niini nga mga serbisyo.

Sa bahin sa Congressional District Gawas sa pakusgan Office ni Kongresista pa nga mga social Corvera, himoon usab services, ipursige usab Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

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sa buhatan sa kongresista, kaabag ang probinysal nga panggamhan ug mga ahensya nga nagkasabot na alang sa usa ka convergence pagpadangat og ekonimikanhong mga serbisyo ubos sa mga proyektong Plant! Plant! Plant, Process! Process!

Process!, Sales!

Sales! Sales! ug Invest! Invest!

Invest! (Agusan del Norte 2nd Congressional District/PIA Agusan del Norte) Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

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DPWH GITURN-OVER ANG REGIONAL EVACUATION CENTER SA LAS NIEVES Agi’g kabahin sa inisyatibo sa Probinsyal nga Panggamhanan sa Agusan del Norte ubos sa pagdumala ni Gob. Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante, pinaagi sa Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) kaabag ang Local Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) sa Las Nieves, naangkon na sa katawhan sa lungsod sa Las Nieves ang usa ka bag-ong Regional Evacuation Center nga nahimutang sa Purok -8 sa Barangay San Isidro.

Gitunol sa Rehiyonal nga Buhatan sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-13) ang balor Php34 Milyon nga pasilidad ngadto sa Lokal nga Panggamhanan sa Las Nieves kaniadtong Enero 19.

Gisugdan ang konstraksyon niadtong tuig 2018 ug makapahiluna kini sa gibana-bana nga 144 ka pamilya o 724 ka mga indibidwal.

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Nakita sa administrasyon ni Gob. Angel Amante inabagan sa buhatan ni Kong.

Dale B. Corvera ang panginahanglanon sa mga residente sa maong barangay ingon man ang tibuok lungsod sa Las Nieves tungod kay usa kini sa labing maapektohan panahon sa pagbaha o mga kalamidad.

Sa maong turn-over ceremony, gipaabot usab ni Las Nieves Mayor Karen Rosales ang iyang dakong pagpasalamat sa mga Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

lideres sa kagamhanang lokal ug ahensya lakip na ang pagpadayag sa iyang dakong kalipay nga natuman na ang dugay gipangandoy sa mga residente niini.

“Aduna na gayud kitay sakto nga pasilidad nga makapanalipod sa katawhan panahon sa kalamidad ug uban pang katalagman,” sumala pa ni Mayor Rosales.

Mapasalamaton usab ang mga residente sa San Isidro sa pagpanguna ni Kapitan Melecio B. Siega. (Karen Decamotan, LGU Agusan del Norte, hulagway kuha sa LGU-Las Nieves/PIA Agusan del Norte)

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

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TOLO KA ORGANISASYON UNANG NA-AKREDIT SA BAG-ONG TUIG Gihatagan og akreditasyon sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan sa Agusan del Norte ang 3 ka organisasyon ning probinsya agig pag-ila sa ilang dakong papel sa kalambuan sa katilingban sa unang bulan sa tuig 2023.

Ang nahatagan sa maong akreditasyon mao ang Maraiging Mamanwa Farmers Skiled Workers Association (MAMAFASWAS) sa lungsod sa Jabonga, Abante E.G. Montilla

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Ambacon Rice Cluster Farmers Association Inc. sa Barangay Montilla, Las Nieves, ug Kooperatiba sa Katawhan sa Mahaba Para sa Kalambuan (KKMPK) sa Cabadbaran City, ning lalawigan.

Ubos sa Section 34 sa Local Government Code of 1991 kun R.A. 7160, gimando ang pagtukod og Peoples Organizations, Non-Government Organizations, ug mga pribadong sektor isip aktibong partner sa mga lokal nga panggamhanan

sa atong nasod padulong sa dugang kalambuan.

Ang paghatag sa ilang akreditasyon gipaagi sa Sanggunian Resolution Nos. 002-2023 ug 0032023 sa rekomendasyon sa Committee on Cooperative and Community Organization diin tsirman si Bokal Francisco Y. Chan, Jr. atol sa ika 23rd Regular Session kaniadtong Enero 10, 2023. (Ramil L. Pasco, PLGU Agusan del Norte/ PIA Agusan del Norte)

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

CODE OF GENERAL ORDINANCES SA BUTUAN CITY, APROBADO NA SA 3RD UG FINAL READING SA SP SESSION Aprobado na sa third ug final reading ang giduso ni City Councilor Cromwell Nortega nga SP Ordinance no. 16185-2022 o ang Code of General Ordinances sa syudad sa Butuan atol sa natigayong 25th Regular Session sa mga miyembro sa Sangguniang Panlungsod sa pagpanguna ni Vice Mayor Law Fortun, miaging semana.

Ang Codes of General Ordinances usa sa 16 local codes o RACE 16:16 nga gihingusgan ug prayoridad sa 16th Sangguniang Panglungsod ga mapatuman subay sa komprehensibong mga

balaodnon alang sa kaayuhan sa kinatibukang syudad sa Butuan.

Tungod niini gipasidunggan ug gipasalamatan ni City Councilor Nortega si Vice Mayor Fortun sa Gitutukan sa codes of paningkamot niining general ordinances masugdan ug mamugna ang pag organisa ang nasangpit nga ug pagkolekta sa balaodnon asa usa sa mga kasamtangang prayoridad sa unang ordinansa sa syudad termino niini sa iyang aron makasigurong haum pagbalik isip bise mayor sa panginahanglanon sa syudad. sa katawhan. Gilantaw sab niini ang ligSamtang mipaabot usab on nga monitoring sa dakong pasalamat si Vice Mayor Fortun ug malahutayong sa tanang nagpaluyo pagpatuman sa mga aron mahatagan sa balaudnon. Gipaniguro katumanang makabaton usab niini nga ang syudad sa Butuan malikayan ang unsa sa Code of General mang komplikasyon Ordinances. (Butuan ug pagkasumpaki nga City PIO/PIA Agusan del may kalambigitan sa Norte) hisgutanang legal.

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

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Feature:

Agusan del Sur Sports Complex, a world class!

ADS Sports Complex potential to host international sports events During the recent inspection done by the Agusan del Sur Chief Executive Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. of the status of the almost completed construction of the sports complex, he observed there are still portions that need to

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be refurbished because there are portions of the track field with stagnant water and are seen by the contractors themselves who are with Gov. Cane during the inspection.

accept the project if the defects that are seen will not be fixed, while the construction is still going on, and all specifications will be complied in accordance with the program of work.

In return, the contractors promise to find ways to solve the problem.

Gov. Cane also made it clear that the provincial government will not

The construction and renovation of the sports complex started during the term of then Gov. Adolph Edward “Eddiebong” Plaza,

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

now Representative of the Second District of Agusan del Sur. But the construction experienced a slight delay because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to Gov. Cane, the works in the sports complex will be 100 percent complete at the end of January as pronounced by the contractors.

Gov. Cane also said the Among the programs sports complex is not of work that undergo only capable of hosting renovation and total provincial, regional and construction are the main national competition but grandstand, construction also international sports of the 24 rooms hotel, competition if it will pass track oval, football field, the rating standard of Olympic size swimming evaluators. pool, fully air conditioned covered court, tennis “I myself is also an court and lighting among athlete and have others. competed up to the Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

national level. As far as my experience and observation is concerned, the Agusan del Sur Sports Complex is far better than those we used during our time,” Gov. Cane said.

Together with the Governor that conducted the inspection were the Province of Agusan del Sur (PGAS) engineers and the contractors.

(David M. Suyao, PPIOAgSur with reports from Arfylle Goloran and Alexis Cabardo/PIAAgusan del Sur)

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AGSUR RESERVE FORCE DISCUSSES RA 7077 TO ELECTED OFFICIALS The organic personnel of the 1502nd Community Defense Center (CDC) conducted a Reservist Advocacy orientation to the elected officials of the Local Government Unit of Prosperidad, during their Sangguniang Bayan Session on January 17, 2023, at the Conference Room, Municipal Hall, Prosperidad of this province.

Through Republic Act No. 7077, this allows elected officials to be commissioned in the Reserve Force.

Hence, the conduct of the Reservist Advocacy is in response to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum entitled “Commissioning of Elected LGU Officials in the Reserve Force” dated January 18, 2022.

The officers of the 1502nd CDC and Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (RRIBn) led by Lieutenant Colonel Roy B Curilan, Director, and Lieutenant Colonel Teodoro N Plaza, Executive

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Officer of the 1502 RRIBn, were present during the event.

The local officials and other personnel present in the activity expressed their gratitude for the opportunity given to them. They were able to understand the program and were encouraged to join the Reserve Force which is a way of showing their patriotism and volunteerism for nation-building.

Currently, the 1502nd CDC continues to conduct Reservist Advocacy to all Local Government Units in the province of Agusan del Sur and to individuals who are willing and interested to join the Reserve Force. (2Lt Adones L. Apilada, Ex-O, 1502 CDC/PIA-Agusan del Sur) Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

AGSUR RESERVISTS EXPRESS READINESS DURING DISASTER The 1502nd Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion of Agusan del Sur duly represented

by Lieutenant Colonel Teodoro N. Plaza of the Philippine Army Reserve, together with the Director of 1502 Community Defense Center, Lieutenant Colonel Roy B. Curilan, paid courtesy call and held a coordination meeting with Hon. Jose T. Cuyos, Municipal Mayor of Rosario; Hon. Jesusimo Ronquillo, Vice Mayor of Prosperidad; Mr. Armando Gomez, Head of Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO); Hon. Arth Ryan Palabrica, Vice Mayor of San Francisco; and Hon. Grace Carmel Paredes-Bravo,

Mayor of San Francisco, on January 13 and 16, 2023.

A. Lozada, Brigade Commander, 2003rd Ready Reserve Infantry Brigade, The 1502CDC officials was also present to show expressed that the Reserve his full support for his Force is ready to assist and troops. The said meeting provide services to the local aims to seek support for government units in times the enhancement of the of calamity or disaster. reservists, who will be utilized to assist the Local LTC Plaza emphasized Chief Executives (LCEs) in that the Reservists in the event of a disaster or the province are visible calamity. and they have rendered services even during The LCEs have also eventualities through the pledged their support for years. this endeavor. (2Lt Adones L. Apilada, Executive Brigadier General Claro Officer, 1502 CDC)

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

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IT UNIT SA TAGUM CITY MIBISITA SA AGSUR PARA SA BENCHMARKING Personal nga nakig abiabi ang mga personahe sa City Mayor’s Office Information Technology (IT) Unit sa Tagum City ngadto kang Governor Santiago Cane, Jr. niining probinsya, human sila nagpahigayon sa ilang benchmarking sa Provincial Information Management Office (PIMO) aron masayran ang mga sistema ug best practices nga gipatuman sa buhatan.

Ang ilang pagbisita sa Provincial Government sa Agusan del Sur (PGAS) kabahin lamang sa serye nga kalihokan sa ilang pag benchmarking ngadto sa mga

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nagkadaiyang Provincial Local Government Units (PLGUs) ug Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) sa tibuok Mindanao nga adunay functional IT Department ug Operational Command Center sanglit anaa sila sa proseso sa paginstitusyonal sa ilang IT Department sa Dakbayan sa Tagum.

Sa maong pag inistoryahay, gipamatudan ni Gov. Cane kung unsa ang dakong tabang sa mga services nga gihatag sa Information Technology (IT) sa personal ug sa pagpanerbisyo isip usa

ka Public Servant.

Ug kini nga mga pagpamutuod masinati lamang kung ang mga lideres sa mga buhatan adunay pagsalig sa kaepektibo sa IT ilabi na sa panahon karon. Diin tungod niini, nahimong dali, komportable, ug episyente ang halos tanang matang sa gimbuhaton ug transakyon sa mga opisina sa Probinsyal nga Panggamhanan sa Agusan del Sur. (PPIOAgusan del Sur/PIAAgusan del Sur) #ITIsTheSolution #LamboAgusandelSur #ExplainExplainEXplain

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

MGA EKWIPO OPISYAL NA NGA GI TURN-OVER SA PROVINCIAL ENGINEERING OFFICE SA AGSUR Gipangunahan ni Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. niining probinsya ang pag turn-over sa mga unit nga motorgrader, backhoe loader, ug excavator ngadto sa opisina sa Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) nga gipangulohan ni Engr. Linda M. Buquir.

Gisugdan ang seremonyas sa pag turn-over sa usa ka blessing sa mga ekwipo ug gisundan sa hiniusang panalangin nga gihatag ni Rev. Fr. Artemio Jusayan ngadto sa mga operators, kauban sa mga empleyado sa PEO Equipment Pool nga giulohan

ni Engr. Armand Tereso, ug mga Heads pagresponde sa mga katalagman ug of Offices sa Provincial Government sa kalamidad.

Agusan del Sur (PGAS).

Panghinaot sa gobernador nga Ang pundo nga gipamalit sa mga ampingan sa mga operator ang kahimanan naga gikan sa General maong mga kahimanan aron kini Appropriations Act (GAA) Contingent magmalungtaron ug mahimong Fund sa tuig 2021 nga nagkantidad ug mapuslanon sa taas nga panahon.

Baynte Siete Milyones Kwatro Gatos (PPIO-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Kalibo Kapesos (P27,400,000.00).

Sur) Kini nga proyekto gipangusgan sa PGAS sanglit kini nga mga ekwipo gamit man sa diha-diha nga mga Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

#PagpanilipodSaMgaKatalagman #LamboAgusandelSur #ExplainExplainExplain

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ARMY TROOPS RECOVER HIGH POWERED FIREARMS IN SURSUR TOWN

75IB and the different government agencies have worked strongly in the implementation of the campaign to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).

Two high powered firearms (HPFAs) were seized by the troops of the 75th Infantry “Marauder” Battalion while conducting focused military operations in the vicinity of Sitio Andap, Barangay Mahaba, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur on January 18, 2023.

The seizure of the arm cache resulted to the recovery of two 7.62 AK47 rifles, five magazines and 69 live ammunition.

The successful operation was made possible through the revelation of the former rebel (FR) who surrendered to the 75IB. The FR’s cooperation showed his wholehearted support for the peace and development effort of the government, total renunciation of the communist ideology, and desire for genuine peace.

75IB Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jelson

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D Buyuccan, conveyed his appreciation to the FR and troops for their dedication towards lasting peace in Surigao del Sur. “The Philippine Army will continue to serve the people and support the programs of the government to attain inclusive peace and sustainable development, particularly to the former conflictaffected areas (ConAas) and farflung communities in Surigao del Sur,” Lt. Col. Buyuccan said.

The official emphasized that the

“I wish to convey the government’s message of reconciliation to the remaining members of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs), there is still a chance to lay down your arms and return to the folds of the law,” Lt. Col Buyuccan added.

“Avail the EnhancedComprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and live a peaceful life together with your families.”

Lt. Col. Buyuccan concluded. (NGPB/1Lt. Jezreel L. Bajar, CMO75IB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

NBI-TANDAG SATELLITE OFFICE OFFICIALLY OPENS IN SURSUR

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

The Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the newly established building of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Tandag Satellite Office on January 18, is another tangible accomplishment of the Provincial Government Unit of Surigao del Sur under the leadership of Gov. Alexander Pimentel.

The event begins with the blessing of the building, officiated by no less than the Most Rev. Raul B. Dael, Bishop of Tandag.

Surigao del Sur 1st District Representative Romeo Momo Sr. graced the event and led the Cutting of the Ribbon of the new building of the said office along with Gov. Pimentel, NBI Dir. Sally Hans Barbaso Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

and Bishop Dael.

The Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur provided the manpower as support for the operation of the Satellite Office from Mondays to Fridays at 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and will be fully operational on January 19, 2023.

Meanwhile, as a legislator, Representative Momo said in his message that he will support the Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Pimentel the development of the province particularly in the 1st District.

Representative Momo also said that he will extend his full support and will continue to find ways to fund the proposed plan for the establishment a “one-stop-shop” building or site intended for the National Government Agencies/Offices within the province.

The provincial government on the other hand will provide the lot accordingly based on the plan. (PIASurigao del Sur)

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STREET-LEVEL INDIVIDUAL BUSTED IN SURIGAO CITY DURING DRUG BUY-BUST OPERATION The operatives of Surigao City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SCPS-DEU) on Tuesday (January 17) successfully arrested a newly identified drug personality and a street-level individual in a buy-bust operation in Surigao City.

Ricky Manatad Ravelo, a resident of Barangay Sabang in the said city, was apprehended by local authorities during its operation at Purok 2, Barangay Sabang, where one plastic sachet of suspected crystal meth, locally known as “shabu” with an estimated weight of more or less 0.2 grams was confiscated from the 40-year-old suspect, along with a P1000-peso bill as marked money.

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The confiscated shabu is estimated at P1,360 in standard drug price value.

“The Surigao del Norte Police Force will continue to defend the innocent from being victimized and exploited by the serious effects of illicit narcotics,” said Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (SDNPPO) Officer-in-Charge Laudemer M. Laude.

Ravelo will be facing charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. #LifeIsBeautiful #PNPkakampiNYO #ExplainExplainExplain Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

Police authorities of Bacuag town, province of Surigao del Norte on Tuesday (January 17) successfully arrested four suspects of illegal gambling.

According to Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office officer-in-charge Laudemer M. Laude, police operations against illegal gambling has intensified following the increasing number of reported cases in the past months.

Joemar Leones, 27, a resident of Purok “The SDN PNP (Surigao del Norte Silang; Erasmo Mosquite Dequibo, Philippine National Police) activities 58, a resident of Purok Green Leaves; increased due to the ongoing war Artemio Abad Teorima, 61, a resident

BACUAG POLICE ARRESTS ILLEGAL GAMBLERS of Purok Riverside; and Junnel Tuquib Balberan, 37, a resident of Purok Daguhoy, all from Barangay Campo, who work as tricycle drivers were arrested by local police during its antiillegal gambling operation in Purok Malunggay, Barangay Campo after the suspects were caught engaging in illegal gambling during a game of Three Card.

Bacuag cops seized one set of playing cards and bet money in various denominations totaling Php 506 from their possessions.

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

against all illegal gaming in the province. We’ll continue to combat any illegal gambling activities. We shall keep working with our steadfast dedication to building a more peaceful province,” said the provincial director.

The arrested persons are presently in the custody of Bacuag Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

(PCpl Gladys L. Jangao, SDNPPO/PIASurigao del Norte) #LifeIsBeautiful #PNPkakampiNYO #ExplainExplainExplain

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PLACER OPERATIVES SERVE NO-BAIL ARREST WARRANT TO DRUG SUSPECT DETAINED IN SURIGAO CITY The Placer Municipal Police Station on Tuesday (January 17) served an additional arrest warrant against a detained drug suspect in Surigao City Jail.

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The Placer Municipal Police Station on Tuesday (January 17) served an additional arrest warrant against a detained drug suspect in Surigao City Jail.

Placer operatives served Wilfredo Pipon Legad from Barangay Ipil, Placer town an arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 charging Legad for violating Section 5 under Article II of the Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002docketed under criminal case number 12394 dated January 5, 2023 with no recommended bail bond.

Based on the report, the 32-year-old was previously arrested in a drug operation in 2016. However, after

availing of the plea bargain agreement, Legad failed to appear in court appearances, forcing the court to order his no-bail arrest warrant.

Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office director Laudemer M. Laude reiterated the local police force’s campaign against illegal drugs.

“The Philippine National Police Surigao del Norte will continue its all-out campaign against illegal drugs as long as there are criminals who violate and mock the government’s anti-drug laws,” said the police official. (Pat Maple Jean A. Sabandal, SDNPPO/PIA-Surigao del Norte) #LifeIsBeautiful #PNPkakampiNYO #ExplainExplainExplain

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

FISHERMAN FISHERMAN IN IN SIARGAO SIARGAO DETAINED DETAINED FOR FOR ILLEGAL ILLEGAL FISHING FISHING Police authorities of San Isidro town in Siargao Island, province of Surigao del Norte on Wednesday (January 18) successfully arrested a suspect for illegal fishing using illicit equipment.

Tonera Bonares from Purok 3, Barangay Del Carmen was caught red-handed engaging in unlawful fishing using “lampornas” or fine mesh nets in a fish sanctuary in Barangay Tigasao of the said town. Bonares was arrested for violating the Municipal Ordinance No. 2015-01, otherwise known as the San Isidro Municipal Fisheries Code.

suspect along with one sea goggle, one set of fishnet with an estimated market value of Php600, one pair of improvised flippers, and one improvised spear gun.

The authorities levied a fine of P1,000 on the fisherman for his infraction.

Police Colonel Laudemer M. Laude, chief of the Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (SDNPPO), lauded the efforts of the San Isidro MPS for the successful apprehension of the suspect.

“I applaud the police Five kilograms of fish force of San Isidro with an estimated market MPS for their active value of Php1,250 were response to control confiscated from the illegal fishing activities in Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

the area because illegal fishing weakens efforts to manage fisheries sustainably and threatens food and livelihood security in coastal communities,” said the provincial director.

“This illegal fishing activity is part of our directive to protect and safeguard the province’s marine and aquatic resources,” he added.

The arrested suspect and confiscated items are presently in the custody of San Isidro MPS for proper disposition.

(PCpl Gladys L. Jangao, SDNPPO/PIA-Surigao del Norte) #LifeIsBeautiful #PNPkakampiNYO #ExplainExplainExplain

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MINDANAO NEWS

MINDANAO VITAL FOR PH TOURISM DEV’T: FRASCO Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco on Friday underscored the importance of Mindanao to the country’s tourism development, describing the island as a “hidden gem” that has yet to be fully developed.

Gracing the opening of the Jan. 27–29 firstever Mindanao Tourism Expo (MTE) here, Frasco said they are currently collaborating with local and provincial officials to further showcase the beauty of the island region.

“We want to ensure that we allow our tourists both international and local peek into the soul of Mindanao and the soul of the Filipino people,” she said in an interview.

The MTE aims to showcase the gains that the tourism industry has achieved during the pre-pandemic period, and ensure simultaneous and safe reopening along the value

MINDANAO TOURISM. Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco underscores Friday (Jan. 27, 2023) the importance of Mindanao in the country’s tourism development. During the Mindanao Tourism Expo in Davao City, Frasco says DOT is working closely with Mindanao’s local officials to promote Mindanao’s mostly untapped tourism potentials. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)

chain.

Likewise, the expo also seeks to engage stakeholders through various activities, and bolster domestic tourism by promoting Mindanao as a safe and fun destination.

“With events such as this, this will highlight the best of the regions of Mindanao and how ready we are to receive tourists from the Philippines and all over the world,” Frasco said.

As to peace and security in Mindanao, Frasco said they are entering into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of National Defense and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to ensure that tourists enjoy their time in the area.

“Mindanao is peaceful and

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

progressive where the people deserve nothing less than economic opportunities,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tanya RabatTan, the Department of Tourism in Davao Region (DOT-11) director, said the MTE would allow Mindanao destinations to be back to the fore.

“For years, the everpassionate stakeholders of Mindanao’s tourism industry have painstakingly worked hard not just to bring out the best in their respective regions but also to persuade visitors to go and visit them,” she said.

Tan pointed out that Mindanao is home to a wide range of attractions, from stunning beaches, waterfalls, lush forests, vibrant cultures, friendly communities and rich history. (PNA/Che Palicte)

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DAVOR TO HAND OVER MINDANAO’S BIGGEST IRRIGATION DAM TO NIA

TRANSFER OF MANAGEMENT. The Cateel Irrigation Project, Mindanao’s biggest irrigation project of the provincial government of Davao Oriental, is set to be turned over to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). The provincial government decided to turn over the project and its management to NIA to help maximize the dam’s operation to boost rice sufficiency.

(Photo courtesy of Davao Oriental PIO)

Mindanao’s biggest irrigation project of the Davao Oriental provincial government is set to be turned over soon to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

In a statement Wednesday, Governor Corazon Malanyaon said the provincial government decided to turn over the Cateel Irrigation Project (CIP) and its management to NIA to help maximize the dam’s operation and support the province’s efforts to boost rice sufficiency.

With NIA having sufficient funds and technical expertise to maintain the dam, Malanyaon said the

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provincial government is 2014. confident that the facility will function to its fullest for With a PHP498-million the benefit of local farmers. budget, the infrastructure was the last of the “The full operation of big-ticket projects of the dam is critical to the 15-year Mindanao the province’s goal of development program. achieving food security through rice sufficiency,” “While it is hard to let she said. it go since it was our legacy project, there Funded under the is an urgency to turn Mindanao Rural over its management to Development Program, the agency due to the the CIP will provide province’s current financial sustainable irrigation water challenges,” Malanyaon to approximately 1,600 said. hectares of suitable lands, covering 11 barangays.

This year, the province is set to undergo a The dam’s construction PHP400 million budget started in Nov. 2011 but cut from its share of the was halted due to Typhoon national income due to the Pablo and completed in pandemic. (PNA) Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

NATIONAL NEWS

PBBM DISCUSSES 2023 AGENDA WITH SENATE, HOUSE LEADERS

2023 AGENDA. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (left) holds a meeting with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (center) and House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Friday (Jan. 27, 2023). The Presidential Communications Office said they tackled the government’s legislative agenda and plans for 2023. (Courtesy of Presidential Communications Office)

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Friday to discuss the administration’s legislative priorities for 2023.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) released a photo of the meeting but did not provide further details.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri today, 27 January, to catch up on the administration’s legislative agenda and plans for 2023,” PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.

In a meeting at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday,

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Marcos and the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) officials discussed the administration’s legislative calendar and accomplishments, updates on bills covered by presidential certifications or directives, and other PLLO-related concerns.

Marcos expressed satisfaction over the progress of his administration’s priority bills and hoped Congress will ensure their immediate passage to support his economic development agenda.

As of Jan. 18, half of the 20 priority legislative measures mentioned in Marcos’ first State of the Nation Address have already been passed by the House of Representatives and transmitted to the Senate, based on the PLLO

report.

Garafil said the remaining 10 priority bills are still at the committee levels in Congress while other Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council-priority bills passed by the House of Representatives are pending in the Senate.

On Tuesday, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) vowed to go full blast in pushing the legislative agenda by working closely with Congress.

DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the current administration’s legislative reforms agenda aims to promote “transparency, efficiency and responsiveness” in public service. (PNA/ Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

EXPANDED COOPERATION. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron meet on the sidelines of the 29th AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 18, 2022.

French Ambassador to the Philippines Michele Boccoz said Friday (Jan. 27, 2023) that President Marcos is expected to visit France before the end of June 2023 to further enhance bilateral cooperation on food security, energy, maritime security, climate change, and biodiversity, including people-topeople ties. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the President)

MARCOS’ STATE VISIT TO FRANCE SLATED BEFORE JUNE: ENVOY President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to visit France before the end of June 2023, French Ambassador to the Philippines Michele Boccoz said Friday.

could include agreements on creative industries, film co-production, and information and communications technology (ICT), among others.

The envoy said Malacañang has accepted French President Emmanuel Macron’s invitation and agreed to conduct the state visit within the first half of the year.

A high-level political consultation is scheduled on March 8 to further discuss the areas of cooperation that would be discussed between the two leaders.

Paris and Manila are currently working on the trip’s deliverables, which

Boccoz said the priority areas are food security, energy, maritime security,

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

climate change, and biodiversity, including people-to-people ties.

She said France is also “very interested” in facilitating contacts between Filipino and French investors.

“There’s a lot of interest so we hope that we might have more concrete plans before the time of the visit,” she said. “(The invite has been accepted) it’s just a matter of schedule.” (PNA)

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MORE MORE FOREIGN FOREIGN INVESTMENTS INVESTMENTS NEED NEED TO TO SUSTAIN SUSTAIN ECONOMIC ECONOMIC GROWTH: GROWTH: PB PB President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday emphasized the importance of attracting more investments to sustain the growth momentum of the Philippine economy.

certain sectors of society and of the economy [which] have yet to enjoy the benefits of that growth. And that’s why inflation is something that we are attending to,” he added.

This, after Marcos expressed elation over the country’s 7.6-percent annual growth in 2022, exceeding the government’s 6.5 to 7.5 percent growth assumption for the year and the highest after the 8.8 percent in 1976.

Marcos said his administration is expecting that the inflation rates, especially for agricultural products, will come down “within the end of the second quarter” of 2023.

“We are happy to receive the news that our growth rate for the year 2022 exceeded all expectations even by the estimates of the international financing institutions and we are holding at 7.6 percent,” Marcos said in a video message uploaded on the Presidential Communications Office’s (PCO) official Facebook page.

“However, for 2023, we still have the problem of inflation, which means there is still a problem of

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Citing the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ forecast, Marcos also hoped that the inflation level would go down to four percent by the third or fourth quarter of this year.

Marcos also expressed confidence that the country is heading in the “right direction” when it comes to realizing its bid for economic prosperity.

Attracting foreign investments, Marcos said, would sustain the country’s economic growth rate and

development.

“We must maintain, however, that growth rate and that is why it has become so important for us to go out and to attract investments into the Philippines because that is the only way for economic activity to increase and therefore to grow the economy,” Marcos said.

“So I think that we are headed in the right direction. We still have some interventions that we will have to apply.

But nonetheless, we are weathering the shocks on the international economic situation and we are starting to see that the economy is moving in the correct direction,” he added.

On Thursday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) posted a growth of 7.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022, resulting in a 7.6 percent full-year growth.

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

DED DED BBM BBM

wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; manufacturing; and construction.

Marcos’ economic team conducted its third Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) in Europe to present the economic situation and investment opportunities in the Philippines.

The PEB Europe leg covers Frankfurt in Germany and London in the United Kingdom.

The PSA noted that the main contributors to the fourth-quarter growth were wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; financial and insurance activities; and manufacturing.

Among the major economic sectors,

industry and services posted positive growths in the fourth quarter of 2022, with 4.8 percent and 9.8 percent, respectively, according to the PSA report.

For the full-year growth, the industries that contributed the most to the annual growth were

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

During the PEB’s London leg on Thursday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman encouraged more European investors to invest in the country, assuring them that the Philippines is “on track” to achieve its economic agenda. (PNA/ Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)

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PBBM HOPES FOR CONGRESS’ SWIFT PASSAGE OF PRIORITY BILLS President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed optimism that Congress will fast-track the passage of his administration’s priority measures, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

This, after Marcos convened

a meeting with Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) officials led by Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday to discuss the administration’s legislative priorities.

The meeting agenda includes the legislative calendar and accomplishments, updates on bills covered by Presidential certifications or directives and other PLLOrelated concerns, state-run Radio Television Malacañang

CONGRESS SWIFT APPROVAL. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. meets with the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office officials at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday (Jan. 24, 2023). to tackle the administration’s legislative priorities. Marcos expressed hope that Congress will hasten the passage of the priority bills. (Photo courtesy of PBBM’s official Facebook page)

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Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

(RTVM) said in a Facebook post.

Marcos was satisfied with the progress of his priority bills and hopeful that they will be passed into law to support his development agenda, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.

“President Marcos enumerated the priority bills in his 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA), which are essential in the implementation of the administration’s plans and programs for the country, particularly the 8-point socioeconomic agenda,” she said.

She added that the proposed amendment to the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law and the planned creation of the Medical Reserve Corps, the Philippine Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) and the Virology Institute of the Philippines were also among the Marcos administration’s priority legislations.

Garafil said several bills certified as urgent

by Marcos and other Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC)priority bills have already been passed by the House of Representatives but are still pending in the Senate.

“Among those he certified as urgent include the Fiscal Year 2023 General Appropriations Bill, Amendments to Republic Act (RA) No. 11709 (AFP Professionalism), Maharlika Investment Fund, the Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and National Service Training Program,” she added.

Among the LEDAC-priority bills were the proposed New Passport Law, Leyte Ecological Zone, Waste Treatment Technology, Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel, Eastern Visayas Development Authority, Revised National Apprenticeship Program and the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers.

Citing the PLLO’s report, Garafil said around 10 of the 20 priority legislative measures mentioned in Marcos’ first SONA have already been passed by the House of Representatives and transmitted to the Senate, as of Jan. 18.

“Those being pushed by the Palace based on the President’s directives include the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Regulatory Functions, Amendment to RA No. 8172 or ASIN Law Amendment, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) (for Senate ratification), and AntiAgricultural Smuggling Act,” Garafil said.

Garafil noted that the bills approved on the third and final reading by the House of Representatives were the proposed Tax Package 3 or Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act; the proposed Tax Package 4 or Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA); and the Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery (GUIDE) bill.

She said the Internet Transactions bill, the proposed E-Commerce Law and the bill condoning the agrarian reform beneficiaries’ unpaid amortization and interests of loans likewise secured the House lawmakers’ nod.

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

Garafil said the remaining 10 SONA priority bills are still at the committee levels in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“These include [the proposed establishment of the] Department of Water Resources (DWR), E-Government/ Governance Act, Government Rightsizing Program (GRP), National Land Use Act, Budget Modernization, Natural Gas Industry Enabling Law, EPIRA (RA 9136) Amendments, MUP Pension Reform, and National Defense Act,” she said. (PNA/Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)

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PH COAST GUARD’S MISSION BECO MORE ‘INTENSE’ THAN EVER: PBBM President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday renewed his call to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel to continue protecting the country’s maritime territory, citing how recent events in the South China Sea (SCS) have made their mission “more intense” compared to the past years.

In his remarks during the oath-taking of PCG personnel at Malacañan Palace, Marcos recognized the PCG’s primary role in search and rescue and patrolling the boundaries, but noted that “many duties that once belonged to the Philippine Navy have been transferred to the PCG.” “The reason for this is very simple. We do that so that we will not raise tensions by putting units and assets of the Philippine military into the area. At because sinasabi natin (we are

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OATH-TAKING. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the oath-taking of Philippine Coa Palace on Thursday (Jan. 26, 2023). In his speech, Marcos renewed his call to PGC to con territory, citing how recent events have made their mission “more intense” compared to Communications Office)

saying) these are not military vessels, they are Coast Guard,” he said. “…As many of the incidents have started to show over the past few years, that mission has become more, shall we

say, intense. Now you are expected to defend not only the coastline, but to defend our nationals,” he added.

Marcos described PCG personnel as “frontliners” ready to confront threats

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

OMING M

that we do not have any mistakes, we do not have any misunderstandings that might cause the problem to escalate out of our control,” he said.

He, likewise, vowed continued support for the PCG’s modernization program, including upgrading the PCG’s capabilities, facilities and equipment.

“I’m confident that all of our officers know this mission, that all our officers know how to fulfill that mission. And that is why we continue to support you in every way that we can so our citizens feel safe,” he said.

ast Guard (PCG) personnel at Malacañan ntinue protecting the country’s maritime the past years. (Photo courtesy of Presidential

coming through the country’s coastlines.

“That is why we must guard ourselves; we must be ready and aware and industrious in the work that we do to make sure that we do not have any untoward incidents,

“This is something that is critical to the safety of the citizens of the Philippines. It is critical in the defense of the Republic. It is critical to the defense of our territory,” he added.

The PCG, an attached agency of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), is mandated and responsible to perform maritime search and rescue, maritime

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

law enforcement, maritime safety, marine environmental protection and maritime security.

In 1967, the Republic Act 5173 or the Philippine Coast Guard Law was enacted by Congress, enabling the creation of the PCG as one of the major units of the navy.

However, its military character prevented PCG from receiving capability upgrades from other foreign countries.

After the PCG’s functions were reorganized to be civilian in nature, it was transferred to the Department of Transportation Communications (DOTC) in 1998.

The Philippines, China and several other littoral states have overlapping claims in the SCS. In a 2016 arbitral ruling, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled that Beijing’s nine-dash line, a demarcation that covers almost 80 percent of the South China Sea, is illegal. China repeatedly ignored the PCA ruling.

(PNA/Azer Parrocha)

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PBBM ORDERS E-VISA EXTENSION FOR CHINA, S. KOREA, JAPAN, INDIA

(File photo)

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the extension of online visa application for travelers from China, South Korea, Japan and India, Malacañang announced on Thursday.

Marcos issued the directive during his meeting with members of the Private Sector Advisory Council’s (PSAC) Tourism Sector at Malacañan Palace

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in Manila on Thursday, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered government agencies on Thursday to act on the extension of e-visa for Chinese, Indian, South Korean and Japanese nationals to capture the tourism markets of these countries,” Garafil said.

Garafil noted that

the PSAC, during the meeting at Malacañan Palace, asked Marcos to include Indian nationals in the visa-upon-arrival program and the e-visa application, which is currently available only for Taiwanese, Chinese, Indian, South Korean and Japanese nationals.

The recommendation was made to achieve the government’s economic objectives, particularly

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

A

in the country’s key sectors, Garafil said.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo, who was present during the meeting, said his office is already collaborating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on the development of the technical plans for the e-visa.

DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said various connectivity matters still need to be threshed out with respect to the other jurisdictions that will avail of the Philippine e-visa platform.

“It will take at least a semester to develop the capability because there is so much anti-fraud element that needs to be consolidated with the platform, and the various countries that will be connecting with the system and with the transactions,” Garafil said, citing Uy’s remarks.

for certain Chinese nationals who could avail of the visa-upon-arrival.

Other foreign nationals, including Americans, Japanese, Australians, Canadians and Europeans, may also get a 14-day visa upon arrival, Garafil said.

From February to December 2022, the Philippines welcomed around 2.65 million visitors comprised of 2.02 million foreign tourists and 628,445 Filipinos overseas, based on the data released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

Garafil said the latest figure is higher than the 2021 tourist arrivals of 163,879 but still lower than the pre-pandemic level of 8.26 million.

Visa upon arrival

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is expecting around 4.8 million tourist arrivals in 2023, which could generate PHP2.58 trillion in revenue.

Meantime, Manalo said the DFA has a program

Short-term strategic recommendations

Caraga Infocus • January 21-27, 2023

Marcos, Garafil said, suggested that the DICT may accept India’s offer to use its application for visa requirements.

Garafil said the PSAC also made “shortterm” strategic recommendations, which include the improvement of airport infrastructure and operations, promotion of tourism investments and managing national brand or image.

She added that the PSAC, likewise, proposed the implementation of a Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refund Program for foreign tourists by 2024, as well as the removal of One Health Pass (OHP) or requirement of one form only for health, immigration, and customs.

The council also sought the “automatic” inclusion of travel tax in all airline tickets and the revocation of outdated advisories and loudspeaker announcements at airports, Garafil said.

(PNA/Ruth Abbey GitaCarlos)

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