The Surigao Treasure

Fisherman takes over as new BFAR Caraga regional director

by Lovely Laudette Gamba

Butuan City (8 May) -- It's official. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Caraga now has a new Regional Director. He is Mr. Isidro Pamonag, a fisherman from Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.

The new Regional Director of BFAR was officially installed into office during the opening ceremony of the "Farmer's and Fisherfolk Month" celebration in one of the convention centers here, recently.

On the said ceremony, BFAR Caraga Regional Director together with Mr. Rogelio Nagas, Fisherfolk Regional Representative of Caraga turns over the directorship responsibility to Mr. Isidro Pamonag.

The installation of Mr. Isidro Pamonag as a new Regional Director of BFAR is part of the department's implementation of the Fisherfolk Directorship Program. The program aims to impart to the farmers and fisherfolk their importance and major contribution to the fisheries sector as well as to the country's economy.

For the whole month of May, Mr. Isidro Pamonag will be the Regional Director of BFAR. He will occupy the office of the Regional Director and will implement the programs and projects of the department. (PIA-Caraga)

BFAR clears Capiz, Neg Occ. waters from toxic ‘Red Tide’

By Florence F. Hibionada

Shellfish ban remains in six coastal areas

Shellfish ban may still be in effect in six major bays and coastal areas of the country yet Western Visayas region have nothing to fear.

This, as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in a latest online advisory cleared coastal waters here as free from the toxic “Red Tide.”

A welcome development and good news for the region particularly for the Province of Capiz with Roxas town here dubbed as the seafood capital. Negros Occidental coastline is also one of the richest sources of fish and shellfish resources throughout Western Visayas and nearby regions. “Red Tide” is a coastal phenomenon marked by discoloration of water due to concentration of algae. The BFAR said safe still and Red Tide-free are surrounding areas and coastal waters off Tinagong Dagat in President Roxas and Sapian Bay in Capiz and coastal waters of Pontevedra, in Negros Occidental.

As such, locals may harvest, eat, buy and sell mussels, clams, scallops, oysters, fish, squid, crab and shrimp here. What is not safe are shellfish coming from Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga Del Sur, Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon. Also not safe are shellfish coming from the coastal waters off Milagros in Masbate, Bislig Bay in Bislig City and Surigao Del Sur. In said prohibited areas, latest laboratory results confirmed the presence of toxic “Red Tide.” “All types of shellfish and Acetes specie or Alamang gathered from the above banned areas are NOT SAFE for human consumption. Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” the BFAR in said advisory stated.

The rest of the safe coastal waters are that of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay. Coastal waters of Alaminos, Anda, Bolinao and Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan, Mansiloc Bay in Zambales and coastal waters of Mandaon in Masbate. Also in the “safe-list” are Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay and El Nido, Palawan, Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar; Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Carigara Bays in Leyte.

Safe too are the Biliran Waters in Biliran Province, Hinatuan, Lianga and Bislig Bays in Surigao del Sur, Taguines Lagoon in Camiguin Island, Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental and coastal waters of Kabasalan in Sibuguey Bay, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Road network takes shape in Mindanao

Written by Manuel T. Cayon / Reporter
Monday, 06 April 2009 20:18

DAVAO CITY—The remote eastern coastline of Mindanao would soon become a major transportation route connecting the once sleepy and disaster-battered but resource-rich coastal towns of Manay in southernmost Davao Oriental and Claver in northernmost Surigao del Norte.

The different sections of the eastern Mindanao road network were in various stages of work, with the southernmost section, the Mati-Manay towns of Davao Oriental, already completed last year.

The southernmost section of the seven-section road network covers 66.85 kilometers, and where the government spent P984 million to build. This was the first of the sections constructed in October 2004 and finished last September.

The other six sections were started in 2007.

The adjacent section, the Boston-Manay section in northern Davao Oriental, is 52.54-percent complete and is the most expensive to construct, covering 83.89 kilometers.

The section was one of three sections that breached P1 billion in construction cost. The other sections were the Bislig-Boston section (P1.092 billion, covering 72.39 kilometers) and the Marihatag-Hinatuan-Bislig section (P1.175 billion, covering 89.06 kilometers).

The Bislig, Surigao del Sur-Boston, Davao Oriental, section was 61.1-percent complete, and the next adjacent section, from Bislig through Hinatuan to Marihatag, all in Surigao del Sur, was reported at 51.16-percent complete with a total of 69.06 kilometers.

The Cortes-Tandag-Marihatag section, also of Surigao del Sur, was 31.22-percent complete compared with its entire length of 75 kilometers.

The Adlay-Bon-ot section of Surigao del Norte was bidded out in June last year and the contractor was still awaiting the release of funds to start construction. The project cost was placed at P200 million.

The last section, the 40-kilometer Bacuag-Claver section, was already 60.42-percent complete.

The Davao Oriental-Surigao coastal strip has been one of the neglected areas in Mindanao, although the two regions where they belong performed fairly well in exports.

The Davao-Surigao coastal-road project is one of the major road-network projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways, which has an increased budget this year of P23.676 billion.

The budget outlay for the project has little component from foreign funding, accounting for only 6.7 percent of the outlay, or about P1.587 billion. The bulk, or P22.089 billion (93.3 percent) of are locally funded.

The budget outlay was higher that last year’s P15.203 billion, with 12.6 percent (P1.913 billion) of the projects being foreign-funded.

In this year’s total budget outlay of the department for the region, 87 percent, or P20.714 billion, was allotted to roads and bridges, as well as ongoing projects in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Central Mindanao. Part of the money was intended to support peace and development efforts in areas plagued by armed conflict.

The completed and ongoing major road-network projects in the regions were the Zamboanga City road project, Buug-Kabansalan section of the Zamboanga City-Pagadian City road network and the Barcelona-Katipunan Road project of Zamboanga del Norte for the Zamboanga Peninsula; the Pinamaloy-Damulog section of the Maramag-Kibawe (all in Bukidnon)-Kabacan (North Cotabato) road network, the Malalag-Malita road project in Davao del Sur, Surigao-Agusan-Davao road network, and the Bukidnon-Davao road project, all in Southern Mindanao.

Also, part of the inventory of road-network projects are the Alegria-Santiago and the Bayugan-Awa-San Francisco sections of the Surigao-Agusan-Davao road network and the second Magsaysay Bridge and Butuan City bypass road in the Caraga Region; and the Oroquieta City-Sindangan section and the Calamba-Barcelona sections of the Zamboanga del Norte road network in Western Mindanao.

Those road networks are major transportation routes in Mindanao, and complement the proposed Mindanao railway project being studied by government planners.

RP seeks world-class meteorological status

By MELODY M. AGUIBA
March 17, 2009, 12:00am

The Philippines is working on a world-class meteorological agency (WCMA) status as part of mitigating any adverse effects associated with climate change such as sea rise or temperature rise.

The WCMA status involves the upgrading of obsolete equipment that predict weather and the training of more climate experts in order to promote their skills to international standards. This involves rehabilitation of existing Doppler radars, which produces velocity information, and the acquisition of new ones.

The country’s capacity to capture images of weather factors through satellite imagery should also be enhanced. The country already has Doppler radars in Baguio, Baler, Hinatuan in Surigao, Virac in Ilocos, Guian in Samar, Aparri-Cagayan, Subic, Daet in Camarines Sur, and Tagaytay. But a few more of these radars have to be constructed to further improve accuracy of weather predictions.

The country’s target is to achieve a WCMA status by 2013. “We had the instruction from President Arroyo to upgrade our status to world class level. We need it because of our vulnerability to climate change due to our arhipelagic nature,” said DoST Secretary Estrella Alabastro in an interview

NPA suspects burn P16-M construction equipment in Hinatuan, SDS

By PO3 Rene Boy Ocares Bernaldez and PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania

Butuan City (18 March) -- Suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA), armed with assorted firearms and wearing black fatigue uniform, burned at 10 p.m. Sunday an estimated P16-million worth of heavy construction equipment of Sergio Pascual Construction based at Barangay Bigaan, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, according to the firm's field manager, Engr. Eufemio Azogue.

Azoque, 55, resident of Makati City, reported the incident to the Hinatuan municipal police station, adding that the destroyed equipment included four units of dumptruck; one unit grader FGS Komatso; one unit transit mixer Nissan; one unit pay loader and one unit canter Mitsubishi.
Investigation is still ongoing to determine the motive of the incident.

Surigao del Sur Gov delivers SOPA

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

Tandag City, Surigao del Sur (27 February) -- Governor Vicente T. Pimentel delivered recently the State of the Province Address (SOPA) loaded with major accomplishment report for 2008 under his administration at the Seminar Hall, Capitol Hills, this city. Vice Governor Librado Navarro together with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Members, Administrator from first and second Congressional District as representative in the absence of two Congressmen, Cong. Philip A. Pichay and Cong. Florencio Garay, Provincial Administrator Johnny T. Pimentel and staff, Department heads from the National Agencies (NGA), Non Government Organization (NGO), Provincial Heads, PNP, Col. Danilo T. Fabian from 401st Brigade and Lt. Col. Benjamin Pedralvez from 58IB, Mayors and Vice Mayors from different Municipalities of this province, are among those who joined with the crowd witnessing the activity.

To highlight the event, the Governor called President Gloria Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as a "Compassionate" that catches the attention of the crowd. According to him, "PGMA is the only President of the Republic who listens to our agonies by addressing our gargantuan problems that have been the hindrance for us to attain optimum economic development." "PGMA allocated the amount of P2.5 billion for the concreting projects from the municipality of Cortes down to south up the boundary of Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental," he continued. We will be forever grateful to the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and we will always remember her as the greatest president this country ever had", the Governor added.

One of his major accomplishments last year was the renovation of the Capitol building spending P60 million. He said, "I demolished the gloomy and ugly sight of the old and dilapidated capitol building. A new edifice now stands proudly and elegantly as our province's most treasured building above capitol hills." The Governor said, "last year alone, the 18 units of spring Development Project level II have been installed in the amount of P2.454 million", which according to him, "it has been my noble intention to provide clean and potable water to all up to the remotest sitios of our province." The Provincial Government expended P11 million for Local School, Board (LSB), salaries for volunteer teachers and building of classrooms and DepEd Athletic Meets. In addition, "Alay ng Probinsiya Scholarship Program" has been continuously helping poor but deserving students. Governor Pimentel presented to the crowd, Ma. Lady Lou Sabanal, a graduate student from Surigao del Sur Polytechnic State College (SSPSC) here, benefited this program who recently passed the Civil Engineering licensure Examination and presently employed as Casual Engineer 3 of Provincial Engineering Office (PEO). The Governor also congratulated Provincial Administrator Johnny Pimentel for being one of the awardees last year as most Outstanding Public Official of CARAGA by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). He was also nominated for the same award in the National level.

He also congratulated two dynamic uniformed officers: Pol. Supt. Richard dela Rosa of the PNP and Lt. Col. Benjamin S. Pedralvez, Jr., Battalion Commander of the 58th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army for their exemplary service to the province of Surigao del Sur and to our Nation. Meanwhile, "Tourism Industry in the Province is alive and moving notwithstanding the accessibility problem, is the influx of visitors and guests based on statistical data coming from tourism related establishments," Governor Pimentel said. Some accomplishments mentioned yesterday were the implemented infra structure projects funded by Provincial and National Government are the following: Rehabilitation/Maintenance of Provincial, barangay, and farm-to-market roads, total length was 199.77 kms. 11 units of bridges, constructed/repaired, Improvement/development projects were implemented in 12 different sites.

Provincial funded construction Projects, completed last year are the following: Construction of additional private rooms of the district hospitals, 6 in Bislig City, 6 in Hinatuan and 6 in Lianga district hospitals, the project cost is P7.165 million; Construction of Legislative Building Priovincial Capitol of the South, cost to P2.6 million; Concreting of Tigao Provincial road, project cost P2 million. Installation of additional seven units Tandag Lighting facilities in San Agustin Norte, Project cost P284, 237.00; Concreting of Lianga Comnprehensive National High School, cost to P3 million; Construction of Provincial Guest House, Project cost P4.585 million; Construction of Provincial Guest House Perimeter Fence, project cost P1 million; On-going of renovation of Lingig District Hospital, project cost P3 million.

On-going renovation of Lianga District Hospital project cost P1 million; On-going construction of Provincail FM Radio Station, Project cost 2.8 million. National Funded Construction projects completed last year: Rehabilitation of Provincial Capitol Road, Phase II (P1.919 million); Rehabilitation of Maticdum-Mabuhay Farm-to-Market road, project (P1.5 million); Construction of mabuhay-Himat-e Farm-to-Market road, (P2 million); Construction of Himat-e-Cayale Farm-to Market Road (P2 million); Construction of Unidos-Jubang Farm-to-Market road project (P4.5 million); Re-gravelling of Victoria Soong Road (2.5 million); Re-gravelling of Bolhoon-Haguimitan Farm-to-Market road (P2.5 million).

Lastly Governor Pimentel said, "All these developmental plans and goals would not be realized without durable and lasting peace". The presentation of 2008 Accomplishment Report of Governor Pimentel last to one hour and 15 minutes and was aired live province-wide thru the newly installed Provincial FM station in Bislig and dxJS Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag. (PIA Tandag

Linug da Isab sa hinatuan

Sige ra kuman aro'y linug ngani sa kanato lugar nan da ini.. pagka kusog raba. Laong pa sa balita na mabasa mayo sa ubos sine gikan sa Inquirer (Posted 20:39:00 01/28/2009) bag-o hay gayod mainit init pa na balita. Basaha ang sunod.....

4.7 quake hits Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines—A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck the southern island of Mindanao at 6:18 p.m. Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The undersea quake was located 90 kilometers south-southeast of Hinatuan, in Surigao del Sur province at a depth of 78.7 kilometers. The Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where continental plates collide causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity. Source from: Inquirer.net

1/30/09 Dugang nga balita la-ong isab sa Tempo News na aro'y badi na posibidad na magka tsunami sa mga probinsya na atubang sa pacific sea. La-ong sa balita..... basaha ang sunod..

Tsunami fears spread after 4.7 quake in Surigao Sur

BUTUAN CITY – A magnitude 4.7 earthquake shook Surigao del Sur the other night, causing tension among residents of the Pacific-side province who thought the tremor would trigger a tsunami. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Northeastern Mindanao said the quake struck at 6:18 p.m. Wednesday with its epicenter located under the sea with the depth of 79 kilometers, some 90 kilometers south southwest of Hinatuan town, Surigao del Sur. The OCD report cited no casualties or damage to property as a result of the tremor. (Mike U. Crismundo)