PIA NEWS 9/9/09

PNP Caraga recovers stolen items

By PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania; PO3 Philip Amer Posas Mazo
Butuan City (9 September) -- On September 26, 2009 at about 6:00 in the morning at New Bataan Police Station, PNP elements of Theft and Robbery Unit of Butuan City Police Office (TRU BCPO) led by SPO3 Anthony Gomez, SPO1 Wilson Ejos Jr, SPO1 Jay Calo and PO3 Neil Egay conducted follow-up investigation on a reported robbery incident that transpired on August 28, 2009 at 7:53 in the morning.
Victimized was Unicity, Butuan City Branch wherein perpetrator gained entrance by destroying the ceiling of the Manager's Office and took cash money amounting to more or less Php 400,000.00 in different denominations and assorted jewelries worth Php 200,00.00.
The suspect was identified as one Vivencio Intino Cinco, 18 years old, residence of Fatima, New Bataan, Comval Province. As a result, the suspect accompanied by his father Vivencio Cinco Sr voluntarily surrendered to the elements of TRU BCPO and turned over cash money amounting to Php 4,000.00, assorted fancy jewelries, one unit Nokia 3120 cellphone and one maong pants.
Suspect was brought to Butuan City Police Office for further investigation while appropriate case is being prepared for filing in court.
Report on robbery incident
On September 4, 2009 around 10:45 in the morning, the People's Bank of Cabadbaran at FC Dagani St., Barangay 5, Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte was robbed by three unidentified suspects. The robbers armed with caliber .45 pistols were wearing helmet and bonnet who gained entry at the main door of said establishment and at gun point disarmed the security guard on duty of his issued .38 caliber revolver and declared the hold-up.
Suspects took away cash money worth Php 201,426.96 from the small portable vault. Said establishment was a satellite office of Peoples Bank of Caraga which deals on the loan, collection and disbursement point as Micro-Financing Center.
Suspects fled to unknown direction on board a blue Honda XRM and a Yamaha DT motorcycles. Suspects were wearing white t-shirts and one has black jacket during the incident.
A SOCO Team conducted on scene investigation and PNP elements of Cabadbaran Municipal Police Station conducted follow-up investigation and pursuit operation for the possible arrest of the suspects. Flash alarm was sent to all PNP units in PRO 13 and checkpoints had been set up for the possible interception and arrest of the suspects.
Recovery of explosive devices
On September 3, 2009 at Sitio Tabon, Barangay Amontay, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte at 4:30 in the m0rning, joint operation conducted by Regional Intelligence (RIO) led by PSUPT Samuel C Nacion and 1401st PPMG led by PSINSP Nelson Nelmida which resulted to the recovery of four dynamite sticks marked with "Superdyn Explosives, 25 MM X 125 grams and manufactured by gulf oil corporation Ltd, Rourkela".
Said dynamites were found buried under a coconut tree. Recovered explosives are now under the custody of PO2 Mike Soberano, EOD personnel of Agusan del Norte PPO for proper disposition.
Investigation is also being undertaken to determine who buried the dynamites and what their purpose are. Progress report to follow.
PNP arrests wanted persons
On September 1, 2009 at 2:00 in the afternoon at Barangay Kahayagan, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, a certain Ricky Hallasco, 28 years old, single, jobless and residents of said place was arrested by PNP elements of Tagbina Municipal Police Station led by PINSP Wilfredo A Templanza by virtue of warrant of arrest (WOA) issued by Hon Judge Hector Salise of RTC Branch 7, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur dated September 9, 2008 for act of lasciviousness docketed under CC no. 2796 with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 36,000.00 and carnapping docketed under CC no. 2803 with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 180,000.00.
Arrested person is now detained at Tagbina Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Also, on September 2, 2009 at 11:30 in the morning, one Jose Rullyn Podtibedra Anuncio, of legal age, married and resident of Barangay Buntalid, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur was arrested by SPO1 Nilo Tranquilan Bontor, Warrant server of Cantilan Municipal Police Station by virtue of WOA issued by Hon Judge Vicente M Luna Jr of RTC Branch 40, Tandag, Surigao del Sur docketed under CC no. 5322 for violation of RA 9262 with fixed bailbond of Php 12,000.00.
Arrested person was brought to Cantilan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
On September 3, 2009 around 9:30 in the evening at Purok-2 Barangay Batucan, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, Marlon Erong Olasiman, 23 years old, single, jobless and a resident of the above-mentioned place was arrested by PNP elements of Talacogon Municipal Police Station led by PI Lloyd Mercado by virtue of WOA issued by Hon Judge Dante Luz Viacrusis of RTC branch 6 for the crime of Rape docketed under Criminal Case no. 2483 with no bail bond recommended.
Said person is now under custody of Talacogon Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
On September 4, 2009 around 4:00 PM, joint elements of Dinagat Municipal Police Station led by PI Peter Paul Manatad and Surigao City Police Station conducted a joint operation at Barangay Togbongon, Surigao City which resulted to the arrest of Janice Rosales Delgado of legal age, married and a resident of Barangay Togbongon by virtue of WOA issued by Hon Judge Evangeline Yuipco Bayana of RTC branch 32, 10th Judicial Region, Surigao City dated 4 September 2009.
The case was docketed under CC no. 1199 for Theft with Php 40,000.00 recommended bail bond. Delgado is now temporarily detained at Surigao City Police Station for proper disposition.
Report on illegal logging
PNP personnel of Lianga Municipal Police Station led by PINSP Christian Lipke Rafols II, Chief of Police intercepted one ten wheeler truck loaded with illegally cut sawn lawaan lumbers with an estimated volume of 8,100 Board Feet on September 2, 2009 at 7:30 in the morning at Barangay Anibongan, Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
The truck and lawaan lumbers were brought to Lianga Municipal Police Station for proper disposition and subsequent turn over to CENRO, Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
Report on illegal fishing
On September 1, 2009 at 12:30 in the morning, PNP personnel from Lanuza Municipal Police Station led by PO2 Ronal Kent C Abis conducted seaborne patrol within the municipal waters of Lanuza, Surigao del Sur which resulted to the apprehension of one unit fishing boat owned by Nicolas Copina of Barangay Embarcadero, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur.
The fishing boat actually caught engaged in illegal fishing using fishing gear locally know as "surit-surit". Said boat was manned by Ernesto M Tuyor, 50 years old; Rene R Tuyor, 28 years old and Renan Bucalon, 18 years old.
The Fishing Boat was docked at Barangay Zone 1 of Lanuza, Surigao del Sur while suspects were brought to Lanuza Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Violation of Art 5, Section 9 of Lanuza Bay Ordinance Number 01, Series of 2004 is being prepared for filing in court.
Initial report on encounter
On September 6, 2009 at 2:00 in the morning, joint team of 26 IB, 23 IB and 402nd Brigade of Philippine Army encountered Communist Terrorists (CTs) believed to be members of FC 34 SMRC at Sitio Cabuga, Barangay Sta Teresa, Loreto, Agusan del Sur.
No reported casualty on the government side while four killed on the enemy side. Firearms recovered from the area were six m16 rifles, one m203, one shotgun, one cal .38 and one garrand rifle. Progress report to follow.
Report on loose firearms
One SSGT Samuel Pangandoyon Locop, member of 36 IB, Phil Army based at Sitio Bingcongan, Barangay Bigaan, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur and designated as team leader of Special Operation Team (SOT) while conducting checkpoint on September 2, 2009 6:00 in the morning at said place apprehended a certain Mateo Nasis Montesa, of legal age, married, resident of Sitio Sta Cruz, Barangay Sanyata, Bislig City, connected with Bislig-Barobo-Hinatuan-Lingig-Tagbina (BIBAHILITA) Organization as deputized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Office.
Subject person while riding a motorcycle flagged down by the checkpoint of SOT personnel and found out in his possession one unit revolver cal .38 paltik with serial no. 590196 with five live ammos.
Upon verification, no pertinent documents he presented. Subject person and confiscated firearm were turned over by the SOT Team to Hinatuan Municipal Police Station on September 3, 2009 at 10:30 in the morning for proper disposition. Progress report to follow. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga) [

Community education program on migration slated in Caraga

by Nora CL Molde

Butuan City (September 17) aga-- In order to assist prospective migrants of Caraga region in making decisions regarding their plan to settle abroad as well as to generate community involvement in migration concerns, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas slated community education program in two provinces of the region.
This year's Commission on Filipinos Overseas community education program/information campaign is set on September 27 to October 4 to the provinces of Agusan del sur and Surigao del Sur.

Team from Manila will be visiting Agusan del Sur particularly in the municipalities of Prosperidad, Bayugan and San Francisco on September 27 to 30, while the areas of Bislig City, municipalities of Hinatuan and Tandag of Surigao del Sur is scheduled on October 1 to 4.
To have a thorough dissemination of information to the communities, the conduct of school symposia on migration, public assemblies, radio interviews and interaction with community members will be done in every area visited.
The activity is an annual undertaking of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas to raise public awareness on various issues concerning migration, intermarriage and existing government policies and programs directed against illegal recruitment, documentation fraud and human trafficking.
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas is an agency under the Office of the President which was established on June 16, 1980 through Batas Pambansa (Republic Act) 79 to strengthen ties with Filipinos overseas and promote their interests in the Philippines and abroad. (PIA-Caraga

Caraga : A Region Reborn

by Fernando A. Almeda, Jr.

The new-born region we now refer to as Caraga is obviously named after the old, historic Caraga, an extensive landmass covering several provinces, in the northeastern seaboard of Mindanao whose existence outdated the arrival of the Spaniards in this country.

In 1521, Antonio Pigafetta, chronicler of the epic voyage of Magellan, called this region Calagam or Calagan. This was located in the Pacific Coast between Butuan or Benaiam in southeast somewhere in the vicinity of the present province of Davao Oriental.

Depending on the nationality of the map on which it is found, Caraga at various times was known by such colorful name as Cangaia, Candigar, Caragna, Caragha and Calagam or Calagan (in some accounts "K" instead of "C" is often used to spell Caraga thus Karaga or Kalagan instead of Calagan.) When the Spaniards eventually established a beachhead in the southern backdoor of the territory and founded a town by the name of Caraga (named after Calagan) at the mouth of a bay (which also bears that name now) in present-day Davao Oriental (eastern Davao town), Caraga became popularly known and permanently the name of the region-sized area apparently designated on a district and much later as a province.

The word Calagan means land of brave or fierce people. The Italian adventurer, Francisco Careri, who published a book of travels in the country, cited Fr. Francisco Combes, SJ, as a source in saying that Calagan is derived from two Bisayan words, namely: Kalag or Calag, which means soul or people and An (for land). This description is not without reliable basis in history. Fr. Pablo Pastella, a noted missionary chronicler, described Caraganons as fearsome.

Initially, the coverage of Caraga extended fom the deep south, starting at Cape San Augustine and going by Surigao on to Iligan up to Dapitan. It referred thus to east and west Mindanao until this enormous territory was by that name (Caraga) moved along the coast by Surigao and Butuan until Hingoo(Gingoog). Finally, beginning at Caraga (the town), the region/province ended at Butuan which became its western boundary. By today's reckoning, Caraga would consist of parts of Davao Oriental (the towns of Cateel, Baganga and Caraga), Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and the cities of Surigao and Butuan (includes the city of Gingoog at one time).

Then, as now, huge territories such as Caraga are divided into smaller political subdivisions for many reasons, one of which is better and efficient administrative control. Even the Americans, later on, described Caraga (or a region)covering two-thirds of Mindanao with a land area of over 3,000 square miles. It was, according to a Philippine Commission Report of 1901, ten times bigger than Rhode Island and three times the size of Connecticut.

In February 18, 1847, Governonr-General Jose Narciso Claveria issued a decree creating the province of Nueva Guipoza with Davao as its capital and Jose Oyanguren as Governor. Tandag Caraga (the town) and all the others in the southern portion of the former province of Caraga, including Caolo (Numancia) and Siargao, were absorbed by Nueva Guipozcoa (also Guipozcua). Surigao became another province with the town in Surigao as its capital and its coverage included Butuan, Agusan and the rest of the towns in Southern Surigao except Tandag.

This territorial division did not last long. In 1852, after a failed and disastrous attempt to climb Mount Apo, Oyanguren was stripped of the Governorship by the Marquis of Solana who succeeded Claveria. In 1859, Caolo and Siargao, Tandag and other southern towns in Surigao were turned to the jurisdiction of the district/province of Surigao. Caraga, Baganga and Cateel, however, perhaps because of their proximity to Davao remained in the province.

Thereafter, the historic region of Caraga ceased to exist as such and the slow but inevitable fragmentation of what was once a territorial giant started. With the passage of Act 1693 in 1911, Agusan later on became a separate province. Butuan became a sub-province under Surigao until 1901. But with the passage of Public Law No. 82, Butuan became a provincial town and much later on as a chartered city. Surigao eventually split into Norte and Sur on June 19, 1960 with the passage of RA 2766.

Some old folks and a few local historian with a fond sense of remembrance would often conjure stories about the grandeur of the old Caraga. It is always with a sigh - oh Caraga! - that they would do this because, indeed, Caraga of old is but a sad memory buried in the dustbin of history.
All of a sudden - and perhaps quite unexpectedly, it has reborn rising gloriously like a phoenix from the ashes of old. RA 7901 has made that rebirth possible.

Regio de Gente Animosa

(Regio - Political History of the Province of Caraga)

by: Fr. Joesilo C. Amalla

In 1521, March 31, the celebrated "Primera Misa", an Eastern Sunday Mass, was held in the Philippine Territory on the order of Ferdinand Magellan. Two of its prominent attendees were the Butuan brother kings: Rajah Colambu of Butuan and Rajah Siagu of Calagan.

For the first time, these places were mentioned in Philippine history and found their way in print in Antonio Pigafetta's travel chronicle of historic circumnavigation of the planet earth (photocopy of this Italian document from Bibleoteca Ambrosiana of Milan, Italy now exists in the Butuan Dicesan Museum).

In 1538, Capt. Francisco de Castro together with Fr. Fernando Vinagre and Capt. Rodrigo de las Islas with Fr. Martin de Rada, OSA (from Legazpi's expedition in 1596) made their subsequent anchorage in Butuan, the latter being an important port of call and slave market in the era. This slave trade was formally checked by the government in 1650.

The work of evangelization then was under the "descubrimiento- pacificacion-poblacion" tactic of the "conquistadores". The cross would go together with the sword: hence, "missioneros" were needed in colonialization and were also considered necessary in the crew of their flotilla. Sometimes they would fight like soldiers in extraodinary situations like that of "El Padre Capitan."

So, from Butuan, the conquistadores started going upstream to the interiors of Agusan. But due to acute shortage of Jesuit personnel in their Cebu Residence, these Jesuits of 1596 were recalled by Sp. Agurto. Later, the missioneros sent to Butuan came in an intermittent manner though the conquistadores continued in their temporal mission even in the absence of priests in their settlements or encomiendas. From 1521 to 1622, there were already a dozen missioneros who worked in Butuan and this fact could not be duplicated anywhere else in Mindanao.

Whence the name Caraga?

The "Calagan" in the travel diary of Antonio Pigafetta (in 1521) and the "India Orientalis" map of Abraham Ortelius (in 1570) can safely be pinpointed as the Caraga.

The author of "Historia de Mindanao of Jolo" published in 1667, Fr. Francisco Combes, SJ, said the word "Calagan" was derived from the word "calag" meaning soul or spirit in the Visayan tounge....Therefore, the name "calagan" would mean the territory where "spirited" or "courageous people lived" (regio de gente animosa).

How vast was the province then?

From Punta San Agustin (where the province started) up to Gingoog in Misamis Oriental was the territory referred to as the province of Caraga. The ethnic inhabitants belonged mainly to the Manobo, Mamanua, Mandaya and Lapaknon tribes, plus migrants from nearby Visayan provinces.

These native Caraguenos were noted for their bloodthirsty fury and bravery. Even among themselves, they practiced slavery. Slave trade then was a lucrative trade mostly in Butuan even before the coming of Spanish colonizers in the Philippines.

Formal creation of the province of Caraga

In 1609, the conquistadores who arrived in Tandag constructed an inequilaterally-formed stonefort (a militray garrison actually) to strengthen their conquest of the locals. This caused the Northeastern portion of Mindanao to be raised to the status of a province. This "distrito" was called "Provincia de Caraga" with Tandag as the capital.

Tandag was chosen as the capital because of her strategic location (away from where the Moslems were concentrated). But the prime reason really was because of the stonefort, which was primarily intended for native rebels and also as protection from Moro invasions.

It also served to check the passage of Moros as they proceeded to Visayas and plundered the Christian settlements there. The province of Caraga got no real peace during its temporal existence with the Moros of Mindanao.

In 1622, the systematic evangelization of the province began with eight Recoletos from Manila. They arrived in Tandag where they branched out to outstations in the district, namely: Butuan, Surigao, Dinagat, Gigacquit, Numancia, Cantilan, Iranza and Bislig. They were headed by their Superior Fray Miguel de Sta. Maria, OAR. During this year, Cagayan and Camiguin had their first taste of hispanization and christianization while other districts did not receive the light of faith yet.

In 1754,the fort of Tandag was reduced to ashes by Moro attacks. Tandag fort fell to the invaders because it had no naval squadrons that could resist the enemy while at sea. At the same time, Jesuits were suppressed worldwide in 1768. By 1797, only two Recoletos were left in the entire Caraga province. Some of the Recoletos had to fill up the vacated stations manned by the Jesuits.

During this time the provincial capital was transferred to Surigao. This was triggered by the continuous attacks of the Moro from Nueva Vergara (Davao) and the final annihilation of Tandag Fort. By 1816, not a single Recoleto fraile was left. Mindanao, in general, and Caraga, in particular, reverted to paganism and its ancient savagery.

In 1848, Don Jose Ayanguren, last Spanish Conquistador, suppressed the Moros in their Davao Gulf Battle. His victory even stretched farther the province of Caraga up to Punta Cauit in Davao and drove the invaders to Cotabato.

Looking for better means vis-a-vis the great expanse of the province, a division was deemed necessary. Caraga was divided into Northern and Southern provinces. Surigao was retained as capital of the north Caraga; Caraga town became the Southern Capital. The south was also called the province of "Nueva Guipuzcua."

Six years later, the entire island of Mindanao was subdivided into six districts or provinces:
Primero Distrito - Zamboanga
Secundo - Northeastern District (Cagayan-Misamis)
Tercio - Eastern District (Surigao-Agusan-Caraga)
Quarto - Nueva Vergara
Quinto - Central District
Sixto - Basilan

By virtue of the Royal Decree of June 30, 1859, Mindanao had six districts and was consolidated a year after to constitute the first politico-military government for the entire island.

Thereafter, the Royal Decree of 1864 granted police power to governors of these provinces to require that all pagans, 10 years after their baptism, should pay taxes until they reached 60 years old. And those who lived in "reducciones," (settlements gathered together to facilitate evangelization and administration) either Christians or pagans should serve 40 days of compulsory labor per year.

It should be known that the primary purpose of accompanying the missioneros to Mindanao was to convert the pagan population and to staff the created pueblos and mssions. All alone by themselves, the Recoletos were not able to put this into effect as planned. The Spanish Cortes in Madrid, Spain, lamented this status and in effect, ordered the Recoletos to give up their sheperding over the Christianized villages and "rancherias". This was followed gradually until finally they gave up Tandag in 1894, the last parish from where they triumphantly anchored in 1622.

The 262 years of apostolic endeavors in the province was no an easy task. There were about 251 Recoletos who toiled in the area.Fifty-one of them died in the province. With the series of invasions and local rebellions, not much evangelization and hispanization were accomplished. The ruins of their lone structural legacy in Butuan -- a beautiful stone church and a camposanto (cemetery around a church) built in Lilo, Banza, were a grim reminder of that past. What remained today is a campanario covered by thick "balete" foliage.

At the onset of the Philipine Revolution, another turmoil came. The Spanish soldier, Don Prudencio Garcia revolted against the Spanish authorities and played another "reign of terror" over the province. Meanwhile in Butuan in May 1899, Valentin Calo had his famous coup-de-etat as the Katipunan Revolution was coming to an end. Canuto Rosales became the self- proclaimed "Governador de Agusan". He was deposed the following year and Butuan was "returned" to its mother province.

During the Spanish-American War (1899-1901), the ministry of the Jesuits in the district was temporarily broken. Jesuits scattered all over the province and the Benedictine monks who staffed some Surigao parishes were all incarcerated in the capital. Those kept in jail for 72 days in Surigao were 16 Jesuits and 12 Benedictines. The departure of the missionaries was masterminded by the Gonzalez brothers: Simon and Wenceslao.

With the coming of the Americans, another series of revolts plagued the district and elsewhere in the country. Capt. Gumecindo Flores, Capt. Andres Atega and Capt. Daniel were the Agusanons who tried to resist the Americans.

Fr. Urios' second arrival to Butuan amidst "mar de deficultades" was indeed a blessing par excellence. His mastery of Butuanon, Surigaonon and Manobo tounge made him close to his parishioners even to the fierce "baganis". His knowledge of the English language served him best, for he was able to act as an interpreter between the Americans and the alarmed Butuanons.

His expertise in reconciling warring natives invited even those from Surigao to come to him for amicable settlements and paternal bvlessing. His Jesuit confreres continued their apostolic labors full of vim and apostolic zeal. These missionaries of St. Ignatius of Loyola paved the way for Mindanao's eventual embrace of the Faith in contemporary times.

At the turn of the 20th century, the "provincia de Caraga" was no longer called as such but was changed to "provincia de Surigao."

On June 19,1960, by virtue of RA 2786, Surigao was divided into two: Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. Likewise, Agusan became Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur upon signing of RA 4979. What was called as "provincia de Caraga" of 1609 was finally subdivided into five provinces with Butuan and Surigao as their prime cities.

The twin provinces of Agusan and Surigao del Norte originally belonged to Region X, while Surigao Sur and Davao Oriental belong to Region XI.

By February 1995, President Fidel V. Ramos signed RA 7901 creating region Caraga XIII. Two days before this historic signing, President Ramos also approved RA 7916 "The Special Economic Zone act of 1995." This act provided the legal framework and mechanisms for the creation, operation, administration and coodination of special economic zones in our country.
In Section 5(2) thereof, Butuan City and Agusan del Norte were among the places in the country referred to as economic zone...

Such was the politico-religious history of the province of Caraga that started as a coastal kingdom of Rajah Siagu in 1521, converted into aprovince in 1609 and ultimately became a region in 1995.

Source: Historical Compilations of Fr. Joesio C. Amalla, Curator, Butuan Diocesan Museum, Saint Joseph Rectory

Manay-Boston road completion eyed by December

By Mai Gevera

Davao City (3 July) -- Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Director Yusop Ali has committed that the completion of the Manay-Boston Road would happen before the end of this year.

This is a project under the Surigao-Davao Coastal Road Project included in the Super Regions Project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The Surigao-Davao Road Project covers 300 kilometers from Surigao City to the boundary town of Davao Oriental.

Davao Oriental First District Representative Nelson Dayanghirang announced in yesterday's 42nd Foundation Anniversary Program the expected date of completion of the said project.
"Our farmers can easily transport their goods especially now that municipalities of Davao Oriental are already connected to Surigao. This would translate to further development in our area," he said.

The Mati-Manay stretch in Davao Oriental was already completed last year.

Meanwhile, data from the DPWH showed that the Boston-Manay section is half complete; the Bislig-Boston section is now 60 percent complete; while the Marihatag-Hinatuan-Bislig is half complete.

Once completed, this road network would speed up the traveling time of tourists going to the coastal areas of Davao Oriental and it would also provide better transport access for the aquamarine products going to the market areas and processing facilities. (PIA XI)

Surigao Sur Bishop is new CBCP president

Surigao Sur Bishop is new CBCP president


Sunday, 12 July 2009
from: www.mindanews.com

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/11 July) – The new president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference is again a Mindanawon: Bishop Nereo Odchimar of the Archdiocese of Tandag in Surigao del Sur.
Odchimar, 68, a canon lawyer and presently CBCP vice president, won the votes of 86 out of 88 bishops present at the 99th Plenary Assembly of the Bishops’ Conference at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila Saturday, cbcpnewsonline reported.

Palo Archbishop Jose Palma, 59, will succeed Odchimar as vice president.
The term of office of the new officers begins in December 2009.

Odchimar will take over from Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo who served two terms as President, from 2005 to 2007 and 2007 to 2009, Lagdameo, on the other hand took over from Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla, who served from 2003 to 2005. Capalla succeeded Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, who served two terms, from 1999 to 2003.

According to the CBCP’s website, Odchimar was born on October 16, 1940 in Bacuag, Surigao del Norte. He completed his Philosophy studies at the Sacred Heart Seminary in Palo, Leyte, and Theology at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati City and was ordained to the priesthood on December 19, 1964.

Odchimar was member of the clergy of the Diocese of Surigao from 1965 to 1977, and served in the parishes of San Agustin, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur; San Nicolas de Tolentino in Mainit and Sts. Peter and Paul in Tubud, Surigao del Norte; and St. Vincent de Paul in Mangagoy, Bislig, Surigao del Sur.

He pursued further studies at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary, where he obtained his Bachelors degree in Canon Law, magna cum laude (1982) and Doctorate in Canon Law, magna cum laude (1983). He also completed masteral studies in Business Administration at the De la Salle University in Manila.

In the Archbishop of Manila, he served in the parishes of Sto. Nino in Tondo, Most Holy Redeemer in Masambong, San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City, and San Roque Parish, Alabang, Muntinlupa.

At the time of his appointment as Bishop, he was parish priest of the Most Holy Redeemer parish in Quezon City, and Associate judge of the National Appellate matrimonial Tribunal and Judicial Vicar of the Metropolitan Matrimonial Tribunal of Cagayan de Oro.

As president of the CBCP, Odchimar will also chair its Permanent Council. The Council acts for and on behalf of the entire conference whenever the plenary assembly, which meets only twice a year, is not in session. The body may be convened by the CBCP president at any time.
The council is also mandated to work with the commissions and assign them functions of urgent character that were not taken up in the plenary.

One of the council’s main functions is to prepare joint statements or pastoral letters of the Catholic hierarchy on matters decided upon by the plenary assembly, provided that copies are sent to other members for comment and approval before they are officially released.
Odchimar and other members of the CBCP’s permanent council will start serving their terms in December 2009.

The president and the vice-president are elected for two-year terms and can serve for a minimum of two terms. Elected to represent Mindanao in the Permanent Council are Zamboanga Arcbhishop Romulo Valles and Pagadian Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar.

In celebration of Earth Day (April 22) here this year, Odchimar joined a three-kilometer march into the municipality of Cantilan in Surigao del Sur, to condemn mining operations in the area.

Expressing his disappointment with the government, Bishop Odchimar said that he “felt betrayed upon learning that the Department Environment and Natural Resources had already issued Environmental Compliance Certificates to Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation and Carac-an Development Corporation (CDC) two months prior to having been assured of looking deeply into the watershed proclamation vis a vis mining in a dialogue with Sec. Lito Atienza." (MindaNews)

DoT cites tourism sites in Caraga

By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
June 16, 2009, 3:18pm

BUTUAN CITY – Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Joseph Ace Durano Saturday said that the Caraga Region is now among the tourist destinations in the country, citing surfing and fishing in Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, and the various marine and coastal attractions in the provinces of Agusan and Surigao.

“Many potential tourism areas are already existing and still to be developed in this region,” said Durano who at the same time is the Caraga Region Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD).

Durano was in this city leading the recently concluded three-day mega jobs fair at a downtown resort, hotel and convention center here.

He also asked the governors and mayors in the region to continue developing their identified tourism areas “because tourism is one of your industry in this region.”

According Durano, “Butuan City, Agusan and Surigao and Caraga in general, is one of the latest additions of the beautiful regions of the country that is of top priority under DoT for tourism development.”

“I am so happy that I was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as CORD for the Caraga Region because I can concentrate now on your tourism areas for development,” said Durano.

“However, all things set for the benefits of the people will not be achieved without the full support of all the regional directors from all departments and agencies of the government and local officials,” he stressed.

Hinatuan Hymn

The Surigao Treasure

CHRP celebrates 22nd anniversary

Butuan City (5 May) --

The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) celebrates its 22nd Foundation Day today, May 5. The then President Corazon C. Aquino signed Executive Order No. 163 on May 5, 1987 which gave birth to the CHRP. CHRP Caraga Region was opened on October 24, 1996. Since then, it has shared in performing the Commission's mandate of protecting and promoting human rights thru investigation of complaints for human rights violations, legal aid and counseling, visitorial services over jails and detention centers, monitoring of cases, financial assistance, education and information services.

With a very limited personnel complement, CHRP Caraga Region built and tapped alliances with other government organizations, non-government organizations and civil society organizations to enhance protection and promotion of human rights. Among others, the following are accomplishments and activities undertaken:

1. Regular conduct of human rights orientations, lectures, seminars and trainings upon PNP officers, military and CAFGUs as well as education, information and training on human rights for government officials and employees and the general public;

2. Investigation of human rights violations, legal aid and counseling, regular jail visitations and other human rights protection services;

3. Integrated the rights based approach to development (RBAD) in the Barangay Development Plan (BDP) of Butuan City thru development of tools and participated in writing the Barangay Development Planning Manual;

4. Organized the Internally Displaced Persons Caraga LINK or IDP Caraga LINK which is CHRs arm in responding to and monitoring adverse situations causing or affecting internal displacements in the Caraga region;

5. Implemented the Human Rights Community Development Project jointly undertaken by the members of the CHRP and the New Zealand Human Rights Commission to the Higaonon tribe in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur; and

6. Attendance to meetings of inter-agency committees to which it is a member and participation in activities jointly undertaken.

CHRP Caraga personnel are confident that the proposed organizational structure of the regional office will be approved and implemented during the term of the Fourth Commission. This will pave the way for employing additional personnel to carry out the mandate of CHR in Caraga region. (CHR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

Feature: May 1 a double-day celebration for Butuanons

by Jocelyn Morano
Butuan City (5 May) -- May 1 is always a special day for Butuanons as it signals the month long fiesta celebration of the city with so many activities to look forward to. This year, it was an extra-ordinary celebration as the Department of Labor and Employment conducted a nationwide Jobs Fair dubbed as Jobapalooza.

While employees, local officials and onlookers watched the colourful flags, balloons and shirts of those who participated Balangay (pronounced as ba-lang-ha-y) Festival that jumps off with a motorcade around the city followed by a program at the Rizal Park, those seeking for work trooped at Luciana Convention Center hoping that they will be hired on the spot and assured of a bright future amidst the current global economic crisis.

During the Jobapalooza, 38 individuals were hired on the spot by local companies, while 25 applicants were hired for job overseas. According to DOLE-Regional Director Chona Mantilla their records showed, as of 3 o’clock in the afternoon there were more than 1,500 job seekers underwent interviews with 5 overseas recruitment agencies, and 11 local companies.

Simultaneous with the holding of the Jobs Fair during the "Jobapalooza Activity" is the Promo Diskwento, Medical Services that includes free bloodletting Blood Glucose Test, livelihood fair, a one-stop-shop processing by Nerbac-Caraga, DFA, NSO, NBI, SSS, Philhealth, Pag-Ibig , while TESDA, RTWPB, OWWA and NLRC personnel sets up their own booth to offer services.

Meanhile, although DOLE Caraga already announced that there will be no wage increase for workers, Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II in his speech during the opening of the Balangay Festival said, city hall employees will soon be receiving a 3-thousand cash bonus to give due recognition of their work performance.

The Mayor likewise urged private companies to emulate the giving of cash incentives to motivate employees aimed to increase production and achieve a better economy. On May 1, the 1st Daisy B. Plaza garden show also opens as part of the Balangay Festival activities. Other events to watch out for in May are the following: Trade and carnival fair, 7th Badminton Challenge, Mutya Hong Butuan Presentation and Coronation Night, Hotshots '09 All Star Celebrity Basketball Caravan, Report to the City Mayor, 6th Mayor’s and 3rd Congressional Inter Caraga Motorcross Competition and many more. (dxBN-Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)

Caraga police revitalize commitment to PNP badge

by PCI Nelly Tabornal Villagarcia
Butuan City (5 May) -- Policemen of the region revitalize commitment to the PNP Badge and dedication to God, Country and People, through Oratorical Contest held in PRO 13 grandstand, Libertad, Butuan City. The contest started following the traditional Monday Flag Raising Ceremony of PRO 13. Contestants from Police Provincial Offices in the region gave their best in the said event to surely cascade to comrades the significance of PNP Badge.

PO1 Fritz Richter L. Lesiguez of Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office won in the said event, while PO2 Jenniefer S. Ometer of Agusan del Norte PPO and PO2 Yhldie G. Felix got the second and third place prespectively. PSSUPT Samuel Mahusay Yordan, Chief Regional Directorial Staff Chaired the Board of Judges and give cash incentives to the winners. Excerpts of the oration as follows:

"The PNP badge pinned on our left breast is the symbol of that legal authority. It is placed, nearer to our heart, to remind us of the fidelity and dedication to duty expected from us as a public servant. We have been entrusted with the badge as a symbol of our worthiness as police officer to serve and protect the people from whom we derived the power and authority to enforce the laws of the land without fear or favor. We are to oversee the general welfare of the people and ensure that peace and order is maintained at all times. We shall ever be mindful that the police are the protector of the weak, defender of the innocent and advocate of human rights. At the center of our badge is the PNP seal held bravely by our hero, Lapu-Lapu, the first Filipino to defend our country against foreign invaders despite being inferiorly equipped.

"Inside the seal are the virtues of service, honor and justice. They remind us to always render the highest form of public service for our fellowmen, we are to serve the citizenry with the commitment of sacrifice and willingness to die in the service of God, country and people. Duty and honor now bind us to be faithful to the trust bestowed upon us by the people. Our badge reminds us to maintain the dignity of our character at all times and to strenuously enforce by example, a steady obedience to the laws of the land. Exemplary conduct on our part will convince our people that we merit the just title an authority as we patrol the street and walk our daily beat.

"Walk tall, head up and bravely face the daily dangers of duty keep the badge unsullied and free of any breach of fidelity. By the regularity of our conduct, always endeavor to avoid any aspersion against our institution. We are to preserve our cherished customs and traditions and never countenance any deviation from them now allow them to be infringed. Our dignity as police officer symbolized by the badge is now pinned on our hearth, never swerve from our solemn oath of office, violate our vows or betray the public trust. We are officer….. wear our badge with honor."

The other week, Caraga Police Director PCSUPT Jaime Eloreta Milla, CEO VI led members of the PNP Command Group and Directorial Staff in the historic Badge of Honor Ceremony in Camp Rafael Rodriguez, PRO 13, Libertad, Butuan City administered by NAPOLCOM Caraga Regional Director Atty. Homer Mariano Cabaral. The Policemen of the region renewed their pledge of service in a historic ceremony that aims to revitalize commitment to the PNP Badge.

In his message, RD MIilla reminded Policemen that "the police badge is a visible symbol of service, and symbolic instrument of public faith--and not a symbol of authority as some have usually thought." "The PNP Badge perpetuates the remarkable deeds of our peace officers and brought to the open the undeniable importance of the heroic acts of the men and women in uniform who made a positive difference in the lives of others which the young could emulate and the public may appreciate," adding that every police officer who wears the Badge will have a deep sense of gratitude and honor because, truly, not everyone is given that privilege to serve and protect. The police officers vowed as they took their respective Oath during the Badge of Honor Ceremony.

Similar Badge of Honor ceremonies for police personnel in the lower ranks were made until all police personnel down the line have renewed their pledge of service. The Badge of Honor Ceremony is in line with the PNP Integrated Transformation Program. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)

DTI Caraga to intensify bayong development project

by Jocelyn Morano

Butuan City (7 May) -- The Department of Trade & Industry Regional Office strengthened its campaign to educate consumers to use 'bayong' instead of a plastic bag. DTI Regional Director Brielgo Pagaran said, the Bayong Development Project is one of the components of the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program, the project sees the bayong as the focus of a sustainable livelihood program with the two-fold benefit of boosting the economy and diminishing ecological imbalance.

Caraga region will intensify the advocacy to use bayong as an alternative to plastic shopping bags, in an effort of emphasizing to consumers the need to conserve and protect the environment, at the same time play a beneficial role in the protecting ones health from the hazards of plastics.

According to DTI Regional Director Pagaran, communities will undergo trainings on bayong weaving which is not new to many especially women organizations in the countryside of the region, as this is part of the cultural heritage and raw materials are in abundance like pandan leaves, buri and abaca. (dxBN-Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)

DOH Caraga intensifies campaign vs new swine flu virus

by Lovely Laudette D. Gamba

Butuan City (7 May) -- Following the swine flu pandemic scare affecting US, Mexico, Europe and other Asian countries, the Department of Health Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga intensifies information campaign on the new human flu H1N1 virus. Recently, DOH Caraga calls for a press conference here, this city to update the tri-media and the Caraganons on the swine flu status in the country. As of press time, there are no recorded cases of swine flu or H1N1 virus in the country. Nonetheless, DOH Caraga left nothing to chance as it step up its campaign against swine flu or H1N1 virus.

Part of DOH Caraga's intensified information campaign is a weekly press conference on the swine flu or H1N1 virus. Every now and then, the department will also issue updates regarding the status of the virus so as to prevent panic among the public. The new human flu H1N1 virus is caused by a new virus that resulted from the reassortment of 4 viruses from pigs, human and birds. There is no vaccine yet to protect humans from this virus but there are existing and recommended medicines that are effective in treating these viruses. The signs and symptoms of the virus is similar to that of the regular flu, such as fever, headache, fatigue, muscle or joint pains, lack of appetite, runny nose, sore throat, cough, vomiting or nausea, and diarrhea.

The virus can be transmitted through exposure to droplets from the cough and sneeze of the infected person. It is not transmitted by eating thoroughly cooked food. The new virus is contagious however it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people. You can protect yourself from the virus through simple hygiene, such as covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap or you may use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Also avoid close contact with sick people. You can also protect yourself by increasing your body's resistance by having at least 8 hours of sleep, being physically active, managing your stress, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious food.

If there is a sick person at home, immediately bring the sick person to a doctor. Provide a separate room in the house, if this is not possible, keep the patient at least 1 meter away from other family members. Use surgical mask when caring for the sick person. Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after each contact with the sick person. Have proper ventilation where the sick person stays and keep the environment clean. (PIA-Caraga)

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.

The Caraga

Caraga is an administrative region of the Philippines, on the northeastern portion of the island of Mindanao. It is the newest region in the Philippines, and is also called Region XIII. The Caraga Region was created through Republic Act No. 7901 on February 25, 1995. The region is composed of five (5) provinces: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur; five (5) cities: Butuan, Surigao and Bislig; seventy (70) municipalities and 1,346 barangays. Butuan City is the regional center.

History

The history of Caraga can be traced back to the 15th century when explorers discovered the existence of "Kalagans", believed to be of Visayan Origin in one of the three districts in Mindanao. The word Caraga originated from the Visayan word Kalagan: kalag meaning soul or people, and a meaning land. The Kalagans have a long history of being brave and fearless. Thus, the region was called by early chroniclers as the "Land of the Brave and Fierce People".

The "Kalagans", called "Caragans" by the Spaniards, occupied the district composed of the two provinces of Surigao, the northern part of Davao Oriental and eastern Misamis Oriental. The two Agusan Provinces were later organized under the administrative jurisdiction of Surigao and became the independent Agusan province in 1914. In 1960, Surigao was divided into Norte and Sur, and in June 1967, Agusan followed suit. While Butuan then was just a town of Agusan, the logging boom in the 1950s drew business to the area. On August 2, 1950, by virtue of Republic Act 523, the City Charter of Butuan was approved.

The etymology of the word "Caraga" is said to have originated from the native word "Kalag" which means "spirit of soul". Hence, the whole Provincia de Caraga of AD 1622 was called "region de gente animosa", that is "region of spirited men". This being "spirited men and women" is grounded on its cultural, religious and political background. With culture, Caragans were spirited in view of their closeness to nature and attitude towards the creation.

With religiosity, Caragans were spirited as to their belief on the spirits of nature (like the trees "balete tree", the rivers and mountains, sun and moon); in fact , they have "anito worship" and "ancestor worship" led by the dancing priestess [balyan] and the singing priestess [catalunan]. With primitive politics, Caragans were spirited as they invited a "bagani system" of governance. A "bagani" is like a "warrior" kinglet or datu" who ruled by banditry and by occupation. They fight to end their capacity even chasing an enemy up until the bosom of the oceans and middle of the seas.

source: www.wikipidia.org

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.

Northern Mindanao weather aberrations monitored

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Aberrations in weather conditions have caused excessive rainfall that led to flash floods and landslides in this city as well as Misamis Oriental province in January, or five times the monthly average, data from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) showed. Mario C. Guya, regional weather specialist, noted that a study covering 23 years (1977- 2000) have indicated that the average normal rainfall in this part of the country in January was only 82.8 millimeters. Last month’s average, however, totaled 457 millimeters, the highest in decades.

"It has even exceeded the total accumulated rainfall data for the city for the whole year," said Mr. Guya. Last month’s floods have displaced about 3,000 families. An additional 2,000 families have lost their homes due to flash floods and landslides in neighboring towns and cities. Mr. Guya said PAGASA is also consulting with different geophysical and astronomical institutions to study changing weather systems especially in Northern Mindanao.

"We look at three channels for satellite images. These are visible, infrared and water vapor," said Mr. Guya. "It is sunny weather by March but May would be the start of the rainy season again." However, climate change could alter such schedule and, thus, improving monitoring is important. PAGASA, he said, is upgrading facilities in various parts of Mindanao in response to climate change.

For instance, this city’s weather tracking device would be transferred to El Salvador town, a 20-minute drive. El Salvador in recent years has become one of the flood-prone areas in Misamis Oriental. Mr. Guya said that the proposed structure would be constructed 2.5 meters above ground level. There were also bid announcements for the construction of the Hinatuan radar station in Surigao del Sur province as well as the improvement of the Davao station complex. The three projects have a combined total cost of P27 million, Mr. Guya said. Meanwhile, damaged properties and infrastructure in the city, estimated at over P100 million, are undergoing rehabilitation.

The city’s business chamber also noted economic activities in have normalized since last month, although losses have been significant. January’s downpour have traumatized residents who have experienced flash floods from knee-deep to at least 1.8 meters. "We are putting heavy appliances and furniture at higher grounds because we can’t let the disaster to happen again. We don’t want to get caught unprepared," said Jinky Bernasor, a resident at a subdivision in Opol town where hundreds of homes were inundated. — Geefe P. Alba

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

Feature: The Baculin Seawall

by Lolly Fe Cepe and Leah Quintana

Butuan City (27 July) —

It was a cold night. Zenaida and the rest of the family members were in deep slumber when big waves rushing back and forth under their shanty awaken her. The wind blew so fast. She hurriedly woke up the members of her family and let them prepare their things for the worsening weather condition. A few months later, the sea level increased rapidly. Some houses were carried by the strong waves to the sea while others remained standing but heavily damaged. Zenaida was anxious, yet she remained calm. Carrying some of their belongings, she and her family, together with their neighbors rushed away from their houses. He little light from the moon served as the torch to flock of people and guided their path to find a temporary refuge. In this situation, the hills and the trees are the only shields that protect the people of Baculin, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

“We climbed the hills and hid in the woods because it was the safest place to stay. However, one must be brave enough to be with the wild animals, especially at nighttime, Zenaida lamented. With fishing as their main livelihood, the people were compelled to stay in Baculin, a coastal barangay of Hinatuan. Through the years, they learned to live with their environment. They have organized themselves and did not stop finding ways to lessen the danger posed by strong winds and big waves. Zenaida and the rest of the residents never ceased to hope for the day when what they have longed for will become a reality. The coming of Poder y Prosperidad de la Comunidad, a project funded by the Spanish government through the Agencia Española Cooperacion Internacional, which covers the whole municipality of Hinatuan, gave hope to the people of Baculin.

Thus, the residents warmly welcome and actively participated with the project. With the conduct of a Participatory Situational Analysis (PSA) facilitated by a PODER Community Facilitator, the perennial situation of a coastal barangay like Baculin oftenly whipped by strong winds, big waves, typhoons, etc., that destroy their houses emerge as the number one problem. The people, through a barangay assembly agreed that they need to construct a seawall to address the problem. Hopeful and determined, Zenaida Llamas, barangay Sub-Project Committee Chairperson with some volunteers and their Barangay captain Gaudioso J. Olayan took the forty- kilometer, two-hour scary, back-breaking bumpy road travel to vie for the funding in the Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum. In the MIBF, each of the 24 barangays presented the project concept and the forum prioritized the project concepts through voting. Barangay Baculin was the last in the priority list. Out of the hp 7.2 million municipal allocation, only Php 11,000.00 of the total project grant was left for the barangay, which others would consider too small for the project that needs Php 731,000.00.

The case of Baculin caught the attention of Mayor Alicia Momongan. Without hesitation, she granted the lacking Php 720,000.00 for the construction of the seawall project. “Eleven thousand is something. We are not only talking of money in this project. This is all about achieving something and realizing dreams of our people, and PODER helped us do it. Now is the time that we have to give our share too, by augmenting the funds of PODER to attain the dreams of our people,” the lady mayor said. Achieving change and development involves good governance and well-determined community. With the support from the municipal local government and with the capability building activities provided by PODER, Baculin residents strived hard to change the harsh situation. Day and night, they alternately worked to finish the sub-project. Men volunteered to haul time stones while women patiently piled it at a site. During weekends, children helped their fathers carry the sack of stones. Other children prepared snacks for the tired workers. Some volunteers were assigned in procuring the materials. The others dedicated themselves in monitoring the construction of the sub-project.

“It was never been easy. We had to do the construction work during low tide and stopped when high tide came. In spite of this, we never stopped working. I would always remind my co-residents that “if we sow something, we will reap something. Today, we are reaping the fruits of our labor”, a teary-eyed Zenaida expressed during the inauguration. With the existence of the 246 meters seawall, running and finding a place for safety from the raging waves would only be a memory for Zenaida and the rest of the community folk. The seawall protects them from the unpredictable weather condition. “From now on, we would be able to sleep well even if the wind blows heavily,” Zenaida claimed. (DSWD-13/PIA-13)

Sea wall construction to protect fishing village in Surigao del Sur completed

by Ben Serrano - February 13, 2008

http://mindanao.com

BUTUAN CITY- Construction of the 276 linear meter sea wall that will protect residents mostly fisherfolk living along fishing village of Portamon, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur was already completed and turned over to the Municipal Government of Hinatuan then to the local barangay government of Portlamon. Spanish Government’s Poder Y Prosperidad dela Communidad Project, DSWD, Hinatuan Municipal Government and the Surigao del Sur provincial government chipped in to fund the construction of the sea wall.

A total grant of P1.2 million from the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation, some P330,000 from the municipal counterpart and P200,000 from the Provincial Development Fund was directly downloaded to community accounts for the construction of the sea wall. PODER funded the sea wall sub-project as conceptualized by the residents based on a Participatory Situation Analysis in 2005. As a coastal barangay, Portlamon needs protection from turbulent waves coming from the Pacific Ocean so as not to endanger the lives of some 240 households mostly fisherfolks living along the coast. PODER is a community-driven development project realized thru the partnership of Philippines and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation.

It is now on its third year of implementation in the towns of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur and San Agustin and Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur. Among those who witnessed the inauguration of the sea wall project last February 7, 2008 were Provincial Governor Vicente “BB” Pimentel, Jr., Hinatuan Municipal Mayor Candelario Viola, and DSWD-Caraga Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat. Governor Pimentel appreciated the effort of the residents to complete the remaining works for the sea wall. He claimed that small projects, like the sea wall in Portlamon, must be prioritized to propel development in the countryside. Pimentel announced that the Provincial Government is willing to fund small project proposals, all local government units must do is endorse the said papers for possible funding.

BFAR warns against shellfish from red-tide waters

Written by Jennifer A. Ng / Reporter
Sunday, 08 February 2009 20:27

www.businessmiror.com.ph

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned over the weekend that red tide is active in Masbate, Sorsogon and Zamboanga del Sur. Thus, the public should refrain from buying and eating all types of shellfish from these provinces, particularly those harvested from the Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon, the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate, and Dumanguilas Bay in Zamboaga del Sur.

BFAR, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), noted that marine organisms have accumulated high levels of toxin from the microscopic dinoflagellate known to scientists as Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum that causes the red-tide phenomenon. BFAR director Malcolm Sarmiento Jr. reiterated that harvesting, selling, buying and eating contaminated organisms from the said areas are banned until toxin levels have dropped to the acceptable range.

“Sadly, there is no way for the public to detect red tide-contaminated shellfish, so that the local government involved must seriously impose the ban on shellfish gathering in areas where red-tide blooms are detected by the BFAR,” Sarmiento said. BFAR noted that the recent spate of illnesses and deaths from red tide poisoning in Albay and nearby provinces could easily be prevented if the ban was strictly enforced and consumers heeded the warnings in bulletins regularly released by the bureau.

Under RA 8550 or the Fisheries Code of 1998, local government units must enforce all fishery laws and local ordinances enacted by the city or municipal councils in their respective municipal waters. Sarmiento said the toxic blooms in certain coastal waters of the country have been recurring for the past 30 years and Sorsogon Bay and Juag Lagoon are among the primary areas under tight watch. Water and shellfish in these areas are sampled weekly and BFAR gives bulletins and advisories twice a month.

He said, however, that fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that these are fresh and the gills, intestines and other internal organs are removed, and the fish is thoroughly washed before cooking. According to BFAR, areas free of the toxic red tide are the coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay, and coastal waters of Alaminos, Anda, Bolinao and Wawa in Bani, Pangasinan and Masinloc Bay in Zambales. Also red-tide free are the coastal waters of Mandaon in Masbate, Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay and El Nido in Palawan, Tinagong Dagat in President Roxas and Saspian Bay in Capiz, Irong-Irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar.

The waters of Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Caraigara Bays in Leyte, Biliran Waters in Biliran Province, Hinatuan, Lianga and Bislig Bays in Surigao del Sur, Taguines Lagoon in Camiguin Island, Balite Bay in Davao Oriental, and the coast of Kabasalan in Sibuguey Bay, Zamboanga Sibugay have also been declared safe from red tide by BFAR.

Rebels ambush troops; truck torched

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

By Ben Serrano

Caraga correspondent

www.sunstar.com.ph

BUTUAN CITY -- The New People's Army (NPA) in Caraga Region ambushed last Saturday morning a logging truck with six army men onboard at Road 4, Sitio Bagong Silang, Barangay Bigaan, Hinatuan, and Surigao del Sur. Belated reports from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Information Office here stated no one was hurt among the six troopers who boarded the Isuzu Canter owned by log firm Picop. Improvised landmines planted by the communist guerillas operating in the area exploded when the vehicle crossed on it Saturday.

But the communist rebels claimed otherwise that three of the six soldiers were wounded. The unhurt government troopers belonging to the 36th IB together with responding operatives of the 1406th Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Mobile Group immediately pursued the rebels who fled away from the scene after the bombing. Senior Inspector Nelly Tabornal Villagarcia, PNP-Caraga spokesperson, said a mobile checkpoint was immediately installed at the national highway in Barangay Tagongon, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur to monitor movement of the communist rebels.

Earlier, military and police officials assailed the local communist groups in the region for using improvised landmines saying it violated the Geneva Protocols ban on landmines in warfare. Soldiers in Surigao del Sur have been scouring the province for landmines especially near government installations and roads frequently passed by military men and vehicles. They said landmines posed grave danger to ordinary passersby and commuters not only to government troopers in the area. Meanwhile, in Sitio Divisoria, Barangay Langkilaan, Trento, Agusan del Sur, two unidentified armed men burned early Sunday morning a 10-wheeler truck used to transport planted and naturally grown wood species.

Reports reaching the Police Regional Office at Camp Rafael Rodriguez said the truck was bound for Davao City and loaded with logs when flagged down by the two unidentified armed men in the area. The armed men then ordered the truck driver and helper to get out and then poured gasoline on the vehicle's engine before setting it on fire. Not contented the armed men robbed the driver of his cell phone, P7,000 cash, and watch before fled away from the scene using a single motorcycle. Trento Police identified the owner of the truck as one Joel Rudinas, Jr. and the 49-year-old driver as Isidro Navales, a resident of Bayugan, Agusan del Sur.

4.5 magnitude quake jolts Surigao del Sur

INQUIRER.netFirst Posted 17:12:00 04/08/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck off Hinatuan town in Surigao del Sur Tuesday afternoon, the US Geological Survey said. There were no immediate reports of damage or injury. The undersea quake took place at 2:14 p.m. (0614 GMT) and was centered 20 kilometers of Hinatuan at a depth of 74.2 kilometers.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone where tectonic plates collide causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

9 killed, 11 hurt in Surigao bus crash

9 killed, 11 hurt in Surigao bus crash
05/28/2008 09:17 AM

from: http://www.gmanews.tv/

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines - Nine people - including three children - were killed while 11 others were hurt when a passenger minibus lost its brakes and fell into a ravine in Surigao del Sur late Monday afternoon, belated reports reaching the Caraga Police Regional Office based in this city stated. Caraga Police Regional Director Chief Supt.

Jaime Eloreta-Milla said a speeding "Norman Dee" minibus with plate number GTH-139 fell into a ravine in Brgy. Baculin, in Hinatuan town shortly after going off the road.The belated police report identified the casualties as:• Fausto Quezada, 77, married;• Helinita Montilla, married;• Helinita's daughter, 10 yrs old; • Bellaza Casagda, 52, widow; • Julieto Soriano, 52 yrs old, married;• Juamar Ronquillo, 4 yrs old; • Juan Llamas 1 yr old; and • two unidentified casualties who were brought home by their relatives in Brgy. Baculin, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.It was not known based on the reports where the eleven injured passengers werebrought or what hospitals they are now undergoing treatment. The accident is considered to be the worst so far this year.

The Land Transportation Office in Caraga Region headed by Regional Director AlimPangandaman, the DOTC-Caraga Regional Director and his men have been publicly criticizedfor failure to imposed anti-overloading law on national highways, provincial and national roads in the region. - GMANews.TV

3 soldiers killed, 2 wounded in raging battle with rebels

By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO

from: http://www.mb.com.ph/

Three soldiers were killed, while two others were wounded when a gunbattle erupted between government troops and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Sitio Mandaguit, Barangay San Vicente, Bislig City the other, police said yesterday. Reports reaching the operation center of Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) at Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte said elements of "Charlie Company" of 36th Infantry Battalion conducted hot pursuit operations against some 60 NPA rebels who attacked the Tandawan Philippine Army-Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) detachment in Barangay Loyola, Hinatuan town.

The rebels ambushed Army men on their way back to their headquarters at about 5:30 a.m. last Saturday. Sketchy reports said soldiers were negotiating a curved portion of Mandaguit when waylaid by heavily armed NPA rebels who positioned on both sides of the road. Senior Inspector Nelly Tabornal Villagarcia, PRO 13 spokeswoman, said three soldiers were killed in the initial volley of fires, while two other soldiers were wounded in the ensuing battle. The wounded soldiers were immediately evacuated to Bislig City Hospital for medical treatment. The identities of the slain and wounded soldiers were not immediately available.

The Army truck used by the soldiers were badly damaged machine gun fires. Senior Inspector Villagarcia said Chief Supt. Rene J. Elumbaring, PRO 13 regional director and Joint Task Force Caraga commander, respectively, ordered the deployment of Bislig City and Surigao del Sur provincial police forces and PRO 13 regional mobile to reinforce the 36th IB soldiers still battling the NPA in Mandaguit. The 36th IB currently conducted three column approach to cordon the rebels reportedly members of the CPP-NPA Front Committee 14 of Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) under Nilo Camino alias "Commander Wako or Bong."

As this developed, gunfighting raged towards the provincial boundary of Hinatuan and Bislig. No casualty was reported yet on the NPA side. "Fire fight is still ongoing in the area," Senior Inspector Villagarcia said.

Spanish agency opens, lauds Butuan projects

Thursday, June 28, 2007

from: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/

BUTUAN CITY--Miguel Barba and Jose Miguel Ruiz from the Agencia Española Cooperacion Internacional (AECI) visited five of its 20 Poder community projects in Hinatuan Friday, and came up with a satisfactory assessment. The projects were part of the 2-year implementation of the Poder y Prosperidad dela Communidad Project implemented under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

In 2005, the Poder project was launched in Caraga Region with Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as one of its recipient municipalities. Over the period of two years, Poder was able to provide nine water system projects, five sea walls, and riverbank protection, three school buildings and three other community projects in 19 barangays in Hinatuan alone. A total of P19,916,814 was downloaded to community accounts to fund these projects which the community themselves identified as priority need through localized decision making process. According to Poder's national project manager Camilo G. Gudmalin, the Spanish government and the national government have mobilized resources to be able to address the concerns of the poor communities in the region. "But that resource available is just a first step in realizing the dreams we have been cherishing before.

Much of the steps in bringing these dreams into reality will depend more on the people," Director Gudmalin explained. It was also announced during the visit that a signing of memorandum of agreement between the Spanish and the Philippine Government is scheduled to take place on June 22nd in celebration of the Spanish and Philippine Friendship Day. On behalf of Agencia Española, Mr. Ruiz extends his congratulations to the people of Hinatuan for the projects they receive from the Spanish Government. "It is a pleasure for me and my colleague to be here and thank you very much for the job you extend to the project," Ruiz said. (Leah Aquintana, DSWD-Caraga PIO)