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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)