Preparado na ang ginsakpan sa kapulisan sa entero rehiyon sa Caraga kini subay na usab sa umaabot nga Todos Los Santos og All Souls Day.

Kini ang giluwatang pamahayag ni Police Col Nestor Fajura ang Chief Operation Officer sa PRO-13.

Sumala sa opisyal nga aduna na silay gi-andam nga mga police assistant center ning rehiyon.

Gidugang pa sa maong opisyal nga aduna usab silay mga pulis nga magpatrolya sa mga nag-unang sementeryo aron pagpabilin sa kahapsay og kalinaw sa maong kasaulogan.

Giklaro usab sa opisyal nga hugtanon nilang gidile ang pagdala sa mga ilimnong makahubog sud sa sementeryo sanglit mao man kini ang hinungdan kun nganong adunay matigayong kagubot sud sa sementeryo sa maong panahon.

Alayon niini, nakig-alayon na usab sila sa lokal nga panggamhanan aron usab matabangan sila sa pagbantay sa kalinaw. (Bombo Radyo)
Read rest of story...

Local fishermen found a wounded dolphin near the coastline in Pilar, Surigao del Norte. The dolphin was found wounded in its nose, body and tail.

Annie Penera, Pilar town’s Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO)-designate said the wounds could have been caused by lumber floating in sea waters which they called “batang” and sharp-pointed corals in the seabed near the coastline.

It was raining and the waves are big when the dolphin was found. Pilar’s coastline faces the Philippine Sea.

Local fishermen did not inform the local authorities about the fish when they found it. They carried the dolphin to the shore in an attempt to slaughter it and try to make money by selling the meat of the fish.

A local tourist however saw the fishermen hiding in the bushes and warned them. The fishermen were forced to put the dolphin back to sea water and handed it over to officials of MENRO in Pilar. A few hours later however the dolphin dies.

Local residents carry the dead dolphin found in Pilar, Surigao del Norte
The cause of death, its sex and specie was undetermined hence no personnel from Bureau of Fish and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was able to examine the fish. The dolphin measured ninety four inches long and has a body width of forty four inches.

Capturing and killing of dolphins in Philippine waters is prohibited under the Philippine Fisheries Code enacted in 1998. The fishermen who surrender the dolphin were not sued for violating the law since the capture was not intentional, MENRO officials said.

Local authorities of Pilar said the dead dolphin would be buried in the shore of Magpopungko Beach. The place is exactly the area where the poor dolphin was found. (Rodge Cultura, abs-cbnnews)

Read rest of story...

More than 30 Mamanwa tribal leaders accused on Tuesday mining firms operating within their ancestral domain areas in Claver, Surigao del Norte of blatantly violating their rights and environment under Mining Act of 1995 and the Indigenous People Rights Act or IPRA law.

The tribal leaders claim that, aside from no free prior, informed and consent or FPIC, which lead to no Memorandum of Agreement, a pre-requisite before mining firms are allowed to set foot on their ancestral lands.

Mamanwa tribesmen claimed their farms, sacred places like Mamanwa burial and worship areas were allegedly destroyed due to mining activities.

“We were promised full compensation of our farms, aside from sacred places destroyed, but Oriental Synergy Mining Corporation have not yet paid us until now”, Mamanwa tribal leader Reynante Buklas told an audience during a dialogue held at Inland Resort on Tuesday.

The dialogue was solely sponsored by Caraga Indigenous People Management Development Corporation (CIPMDC) created by millionaire businessman and philanthropist Engineer Sergio Pascual who was given special power of attorney by the Mamanwa tribes of Claver, Surigao del Norte as their attorney-in-fact.

Pascual personally foot the bill of all expenses at Inland Resort, including transportation, lodging and meal expenses of nearly 100 Mamanwa tribesmen and their leaders from Claver, Surigao del Norte, some 150 kilometers from Butuan City, who attended the dialogue.

Pascual, lawyer Vincent Fortun and former Butuan City Councilor Roldan Torralba explained during dialogue that under Mining Act of 1995 and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA), before mining firms set foot on ancestral lands’ soil and install facilities and equipment, a free prior information and consent or consultation must be done, and then a Memorandum of Agreement be signed by all agreeing parties before any mining operations start.

They were wondering why mining firms like Oriental Synergy Mining Corporation (OSMC) and Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC) were allowed to operate by concerned government agencies like the Bureau of Mines and Geo-Sciences (MGB), issued ECC or Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and the DENR without following official requirements set by laws.

Official records obtained by the lumads showed that the government issued small-scale mining permits to OSMC in 2006 and granted large-scale mining permit to said mining firm only this year. On the other hand, Platinum Group of Metals Corporation (PGMC) acquired its large-scale mining permit in 2006.

OSMC Resident Manager Jerry Higdon and OSMC Community Relations Officer Weng Mangacop presented five-page documents during the dialogue they claimed to be a Memorandum of Agreement they signed with the Mamanwa tribes.

But lawyers Torralba and Fortun claimed the document presented was not a MOA but a compliance certificate claiming the community has given its consent for mining operation and that processes were followed.

The two stressed that under Mining and IPRA laws, a Memorandum of Agreement, a pre-requisite before government will approve the ECC and MPSA, must be signed by all parties concerned especially by affected, host lumad communities and that it must be written in language understandable or understood by the tribesmen.

The document presented by OSMC officials by which PNA got a copy was written in English and titled Compliance Certificate with sub-title Certificate of Compliance to the FPIC process and Certification that the community has given its consent signed by then acting NCIP Chairperson Jannette Cansing Serrano on October 12, 2006 in Quezon City.

According to Mamanwa tribesmen, aside from OSMC and PGMC, two other mining firms with approved mining permits, Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) and Case Mining Corporation are operating within their ancestral domain areas in Claver, Surigao del Norte.

Only representatives from OSMC and PGMC were present. From the government side, only NCIP representatives were present at the dialogue.

The government, through the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) which is under the Office of the President, has issued Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) to the Mamanwa tribes in 1997.

Mamanwa tribes alleged that aside from social services such as provision of education, health care, social housing after they were displaced due to mining activities and others promised by the mining companies to them, nothing has truly materialized yet.

“They destroyed the forest and seas which is source of our livelihood, they desecrated our sacred places like burial and worship grounds. What is left to us were dust from huge mining trucks that pass us, causing illness to our children and elders,” concludes Datus Reynante Buklas, Joel Buklas and Alfredo Olorico in their parting statements in local dialects at the dialogue Tuesday. (BS/PNA)
Read rest of story...

SIARGAO ISLAND, Surigao del Norte—The thrill starts as early as four in the morning when the first swell from the Pacific crashes against the reefs of Siargao. At this ungodly time, surf worshippers flock the white-sand beaches of General Luna to ride the famous Cloud 9 wave.

Cloud 9 is known for its hollow right hand tubes (surfspeak for a curling wave that breaks from right to left) and powerful reef breaks, marking Siargao the surfing capital of the country. Siargao had once been a secret practicing ground for amateur and professional surfers.

The surface water sport that originated from the Polynesians is attracting not just foreigners but Filipinos as well. "When we [Sagana resort] opened in 2000, we were probably 90% foreigners. Now its about 70% foreigners and 30% Filipinos," Gerry Degan, resort owner, said.

The harshest biggest waves swell during the months of September to November. In time for the waves, General Luna hosts the annual Siargao International Surfing Cup, an event that started in 1995. Resorts are fully booked during the competition.

In the last four years, the number of tourism establishments has doubled. Espejon shared that there are now 50 tourism-related establishments in the municipality and they expect it to increase in the following years. This was a far cry from the one or two resorts Degan saw when he first came to the island in 1995.

But despite being a crowd-drawer, tourism is not consistent. Businesses are always down during the lean months. Degan said that Sagana, his resort that directly faces Cloud 9, is packed from September to November and during the summer months – but not in any other months. The timid flow of tourists makes him close the resort during the end or beginning of December to travel with his family for the holidays.

Despite the slow tourism during the end of the year, amateur surfers go to Siargao after the summer season to practice the craft. "We had 15% more visitors this June and July, months when we used to not get visitors at all." Degan said. These months are good times for beginners because the weather and the ocean are calm.

But the issue, according to Degan, is bringing in other tourists who are not surfers.

Not just surfing

Surfers hit the beach only during high tides, primarily during early mornings and late afternoons. Swimming is not advisable since the reefs are jarring. But Espejon said that there are more to do in this island than ride boards and surf.

"We are working on other activities to attract visitors throughout the year." Espejon explained. "We plan to add snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and island hopping to the list."

General Luna, the prime tourist hub, has six pristine islands that can be visited for day tours: Guyam, Daku, Mam-on, Suyangan, Anahawan, and La Januza. These seldom visited unspoiled islands are ideal for honeymooners and family activities. Some islands like Anahawan have good surf breaks and can be an alternative surf site – if Cloud 9 is too crowded.

Further inland are mangrove swamps for kayaking and marine sanctuaries for snorkeling, beautiful waterfalls, and lovely lagoons. If one is lucky, Espejon and Degan said one can see tarsiers in the Siargao wild.

The island also hosted the first International Game Fishing Competition participated by 76 local and foreign competitors.

Long way to paradise

The major tourism concern in the island is the travel itself. Located at the easternmost side of the country, tourists can go to Siargao through Surigao City aboard fast craft boats. Travel time takes about three to four hours from Surigao City.

This does not seem ideal for tourists as they have to endure an hour from the pier of Dapa to General Luna. "There are some tourists who are afraid to ride a ferry because of the last disaster. International tourists want to fly directly to Siargao," Degan said. There are currently no direct flights to this surfing haven.

Sayak airport is currently undergoing runway upgrades and would hopefully open late this year or early next year in time for the summer surfing season. Philippine Airlines, the country's flagship carrier, is interested in flying directly to Sayak.

The opening of the airport will shorten the travel time to Siargao and make it more accessible. "We'll get a lot more people if there are flights." Degan said.

According to Romeo Edillor, tourism operations officer of Surigao city, 2006 recorded tourist arrivals reached 115,000 thousand. They are targeting 200,000 tourist arrivals in 2010. (LEI CHAVEZ, abs-cbnNEWS.com)
Read rest of story...

Local government unit officials have spearheaded anti-illegal fishing drive in an effort to preserve the fish sanctuary in the northeastern tip sea-line in the region, particularly in the “paradise island” of Dapa, Siargao Islands, Surigao del Norte.

Surigao del Norte solon Rep. Francisco T. Matugas and Dapa Mayor Peter “Boy” Ruaya, along with the Association of Barangay Council (ABC) led by its president Dionesio P. Ruaya, swooped down at the seawaters of Hono and apprehended alleged illegal fisherman.

The Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13), identified the apprehended suspect as Ricky Espuerta alias "Bebot", 34, and resident of the said place.

PRO 13 report said the suspect was caught in the act possessing allegedly illegally caught fish at said place.

Confiscated from the suspect's possession were one unit paddleboat, other fishing paraphernalia and dynamited fish locally known as "Atotay" and "Sili", police report said.

The suspect was brought to the Barangay Captain of Barangay Consolacion of that same town for initial investigation and subsequently turned over to Dapa Municipal Police Station for proper disposition and filing of appropriate charges in court, police report added.

Rep. Matugas and Mayor Ruaya already mobilized all concerned government agencies in putting an end the alleged illegal fishing activity in the island and other seawaters in the province. (PNA)
Read rest of story...

The Mayors of four towns in Surigao del Norte have expressed their sincere thanks to DENR Secretary Lito Atienza for the participation of the agency in the recently concluded People's Government Mobile Action -Caravan in that province.

Mayors Carlos Egay, Sr. of Gigaguit, Simplicia Bacul of San Francisco, Leicister Fetalvero of Sison and Sheila Mae Orquina-Cebedo of Bacuag, Surigao del Norte have extended their thank to Secretary Atienza through the DENR Regional Executive Director Edilberto S. Buiser and PENRO Claudio P. Asumen in Surigao del Norte for their participation in the Caravan in their respective municipality.

Caravan was held at the western section of that province through the initiative of Congressman Guillermo A. Romarate. It was participated by the different agencies of the national government, the local government units to bring the services of the government to the far-flung barangays.

The DENR has distributed about 86 land titles to the landless farmers as a show of commitment of the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the people through the "Handog Titulo ng Pangulo" program.

The DENR also gave 5,000 fruit and fast growing tree seedlings to the people in the four municipalities including information materials about the present programs of the DENR.

There were at least 55 people who submitted forms for patent applications which are now being processed by the DENR through the Land Management Sector under Regional Technical Director Atty. Paquito Rosal.

Director Buiser said the DENR shall continue to participate in this kind of activities throughout the region since it has committed its services to the people. (PIA)
Read rest of story...

SURIGAO CITY -- The City Government of Surigao on Saturday commemorated the 64th anniversary of the “Battle of Surigao Strait”.

The “battle” took place on October 25, 1944 at the strait that connects the Bohol Sea with Leyte Gulf.

The city government launched a memorial service held at the Lipata Ferry Terminal Complex, highlighted by laying of flowers and candle lighting to pay homage to the heroes of World War II.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 30th Infantry Battalion also rendered a 21-gun salute to show the highest naval honor.

The city government said the “Battle of Surigao Strait” was the US navy’s greatest single triumph where its 7th fleet support force set a trap, which led to the sinking of Vice Admiral Shoji Nishimura's "Southern Force".

Naval historian Howard Sauer said the battle was the “Last Big Gun Naval Battle” in history.

Surigao del Norte officials also opened a “Battle of Surigao Strait Naval showroom” to showcase the timeline of the actual battle. To add enthusiasm, they displayed old pictures of the naval battleships of Americans and Japanese forces. (Richmond Hinayon, ABS-CBN Butuan)
Read rest of story...

Economic boom is seen in Surigao del Norte province as a big Japanese firm decided to form a US$ 1.7 billion joint venture with a local mining firm in Taganito town, this was learned yesterday.

The Sumitomo Metal Mining Ltd. (SMML) has decided to form a new joint venture to study the construction of a 30,000 tons per year new High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) project adjacent to the Taganito Mining Corporation (Taganito HPAL Project) in Taganito.

The Taganito HPAL project is expected to increase SMML’s production in the Philippines to 50,000 tons of nickel metal content per year, it was gathered.

Concurrently, the SMML has the US$ 200 million Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) project in Rio Tuba, Palawan.

The CBNC has also invested an additional US$ 300 million to redouble the capacity of the project to at least 20,000 tons of nickel/metal content per year by April 2009.

It was gathered that these projects already commenced operations in April 2005.

Nobumasa Kemori, president of SMML, sees that production of the Taganito HPAL project, combined with that of the Coral Bay Rio, will account for about five percent of world nickel production, putting the Philippines firmly on the forefront of world nickel production.

"If the nickel ore shipments of Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp. are combined with our HPAL production, then the Philippines will enjoy a seven percent share of total world production, said Kemori, in his letter to President Arroyo.

Earlier, the SMML head wrote a letter to President Arroyo asking for support on the Taganito HPAL project to be operational on the target date.

The SMML, who plans to start their operation on April next year in Taganito, asked the President in resolving some local issues.

The Department of the Environment and Natural Resources – Mines-Geo Sciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) have already approved the Environment Clearance Certificate (ECC) to the SMML-Taganito HPAL project last September 3.

When the joint venture started, the SMML targeted to generate some 5,000 local employment, it was also learned. (Mike U. Crismundo, MB)
Read rest of story...

On Wednesday (October 22) around 8:00 in the morning at Purok-3, Barangay Cuarenta, San Jose, Dinagat Islands, PNP elements of San Jose Municipal Police Station led by PINSP Dionelle Edep Brannon apprehended the suspect identified as Candelario Tampuyan Laurente, 70 years old and a resident of said place.

Suspects were arrested by virtue of Warrant of Arrest (WOA) issued by Hon Judge Evangeline Yuipco Bayana of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 32, Surigao City dated September 30, 2008 for the crime of rape with no recommended bailbond. Subject person is now under the custody of San Jose Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, at the Municipal Public Market, Gen Luna, Surigao del Norte, a certain Emmanuel Alipayo, 36 years old, driver of passenger single motorcycle (Habal-habal) and resident of Barangay 5, General Luna, Surigao del Norte was arrested by PNP elements of General Luna MPs led by PINSP Jeffrey N Fallar by virtue of WOA issued by Hon Judge Igancio Macarine of MCTC, General Luna, Surigao del Norte for the offense of reckless imprudence resulting to less seros physical injuries docketed under CC number 4226 with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 2,000.00. Suspect is now detained at Gen Luna Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-PRO-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Read rest of story...

On Wednesday (October 22) at around 10:00 in the evening at the Seawaters of Sitio Hono, Barangay Consolacion, Dapa, Surigao del Norte, Hon Peter Boy Ruaya, Municipal Mayor of Dapa, Surigao del Norte together with Hon Dionesio P Ruaya, ABC President and company apprehended the suspect identified as Ricky Espuerta alias "Bebot", 34 years old, single, fisherman and resident of the said place while caught in the act possessing illegally caught fish at said place.

Confiscated from the suspect's possession were one unit paddleboat, other fishing paraphernalia and dynamited fish locally known as "Atotay" and "Sili".

Suspect was brought to the Barangay Captain of Barangay Consolacion, Hon Rolly Consigna and subsequently turned over to Dapa Municipal Police Station for proper disposition and filing of appropriate charges in court. (PNP-PRO-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Read rest of story...

The Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (SCCI) was adjudged the Most Outstanding Chamber in Mindanao for 2008. The award was given by no less than Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, during the concluding plenary of the 34th Philippine Business Conference (PBC) held last October 21, 2008 at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel, City of Manila, the country’s largest and most important business gathering, attended by over 1,000 local and foreign businessmen and government officials.

The award came after thorough judging by a panel of judges from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, academe and national agencies done last October 11, 2008 at Dusit Hotel, Makati City. On hand to defend the nomination of Surigao CCI was its president, Mr. Johann Jake B. Miranda, who presented Surigao CCI’s efforts to improve the business growth of the Surigao community. This year, the chamber’s win was based on its move to consolidate all social and non-government organizations into one united community, strengthening public sector-private business partnerships through such activities as the Surigao Boulevard Development Program, reviving the Kapihan Nan Surigao, a media forum for the city’s pressing issues, and its close work with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The award is the first of its kind for the chamber leading the way for the other 32 chambers in Mindanao, the largest geographical group in the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Overall there are 106 chambers in the country representing more than 20,000 companies.

In the 2007 PBC, the Surigao CCI also received a special award for Membership Development and Entrepreneurship for its unique Surigao Young Business Alliance (SYBA) concept of recruiting the sons and daughters of its members as its second generation leaders as well as to pool young professionals and entrepreneurs in Surigao City.

The PBC awards are regarded as the highest recognition of achievements granted by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to both business chambers and their corresponding local government units, and are seen to be important trophies of excellence that will attract more investors to their areas. The other regional winners are Paranaque CCI for National Capital Region, Pampanga CCI for Northern Luzon, Metro Naga CCI for Southern Luzon, and Mandaue CCI for Visayas. Metro Naga CCI won the national award following its triumph in 2006 as most outstanding chamber for Southern Luzon.

Read rest of story...

Tungod sa dakong suporta ni Gov. Ace Barbers sa RESCUE 44, daghan ang nahimong mga tabang sa mga miembro sa RESCUE 44 sa tibuok probinsya labi na sa pag-asister sa mga katawhan sa panahon sa peligro ug kalisod.

Dili palang dugay mipahigayon sila sa duha ka semana nga pagbansaybansay sa taga Bureau of Fire mahitungod sa Water Safety. Miasister usab sila sa gihimong reception sa 140 trainees sa Philippine National Police nga gihimo sa Camp George Barbers Reional Training School isip mga medical responders.

Dako usab ang kalipay sa ARESCOM diin ang RESCUE 44 mipaambit sa ilang mga kahibalo sa gipahigayon nga lima ka adlaw nga Disaster Management Training didto sa 10th Regional Community Defense Group sa Bad-as, Placer.

Ubay-ubay usab ang serbisyo medical ang ilang narespondihan dinhi sa mainland sa pagtransport sa mga pasyente sa balay tambalanan, pagsugat sa pantalan ug paghatud sa panimalay sa mga pasyente.

Matud pa ni Al Lumapas ang Team Leader sa RESCUE 44 sa probinsya, daghan pa ang mga nakahan-ay nga mga programa nga ila karong gipangandaman aron sa paghatag ug kalidad nga panirbisyo sa mga katawhan nga maoy kanunay gitinguha sa maalagarong Gobernador Robert Ace Barbers. (PGO-Media Bureau)
Read rest of story...

Ang pangagamhanan sa probinsya sa Surigao del Norte, pinaagi sa departamento sa Provincial Environment and Management Office, malipayon nga magpahibalo sa tanang Surigaonon, nga nagsugod na ang pagpatigayon sa Municipal Evaluations para sa 1st Governor Robert Ace S. Barbers Award for the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality, sugod niadtong Oktubre 21 hangtod sa Nobyembre 18, 2008. Ania and mga skedyul sa pagbisita ug pagevaluate sa matag munisipyo:


Octobre:

21 Dapa
22 General Luna
23 Pilar
24 San Isidro
25 Sta. Monica
26 Burgos
27 San Benito
28 Del Carmen
29 Socorro

Nobyembre

4 Sison (AM) ug Tubod (PM)
5 Mainit (AM) ug Alegria (PM)
6 Placer (AM) ug Bacuag (PM)
7 Tagana-an (AM)
10 Gigaquit (AM) ug Claver (PM)
11 San Francisco (AM) ug Malimono (PM)

Ang 1st Gov. Robert Ace S. Barbers Award for the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality usa ka proyekto ubos sa Advocacy for Clean Environment and its Sustainability or ACES Program, ang integrated environmental management program sa probinsya sa maalagarong pagdumala ni Gov. Ace Barbers. (PGO-Media Bureau)

Read rest of story...

The Gatchalian-led Wellex Mining is mulling a joint venture with two Chinese firms for its mining site in Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte.

Company president and chief executive Weslie T. Gatchalian said the potential investors have processing plants in various provinces in China.

"In line with the government's thrust in bringing-in investments to the country, our group is presently in negotiations with two Chinese firms for possible joint venture in our mine site," he said.

Wellex, a member of the Wellex Group, Inc., is actively concentrating on its chromite exploration in chromite- and nickel-rich Dinagat Island where it owns an aggregate 3,700 hectares. Of this, 350 hectares are churning 250,000 tons of chromite ore.

It is hoping to also mine gold in the highly mineralized area.

Gatchalian said the sharp decline in the prices of industrial metals, one of the effects of the global financial crisis, is not stopping them from being more active in the mining industry. (abs-cbnnews.com)
Read rest of story...

The local government promoting this island in the Northeastern Mindanao as the "Surfing Capital of Asia" is seeking funds to further improve its facilities to accommodate the growing number of foreign and local tourists drawn to the destination.

Ping Espejon, municipal mayor of General Luna in Siargao Island, told reporters that the municipality will need at least P194 million to upgrade its facilities.

He said the projects include: irrigation, P1 million; bridges linking barangays of General Luna, P50 million to P75 million; farm to market roads, P75 million to P100 million; drainage P15 million; sewerage, P10 million; water supply, P10 million; view deck and catwalk near Cloud 9, P7 million; the improvement of the pier as an extension of boulevard, P23 million to P25 million; and a trauma center which will have 10 rooms, P3 million to P5 million.

"We cater to extreme sports enthusiasts and yet we do not have a hospital and our health center is ill-equipped to handle injuries. That's where the trauma center can come in," Espejon said.

Siargao has been holding national and international surfing competitions to boost the tourism on the island, which is a part of the province of Surigao del Norte.

Espejon also said that the island even has more to offer than Boracay, the most popular tourist destination in the Philippines. Siargao offers a 27-kilometer stretch of white sand and 17 identified caves while Boracay only has three kilometers of powdery white beach.

Meanwhile, Gerry Degan, co-owner and manager of Sagana Resort and the organizer of the Billabong Cloud 9 invitational, said some of the resorts on the island are losing money because tourism is a seasonal business.

"Siargao is well-known in the surfing world but beyond that, not so," he said.

Degan, an Australian, noted that the island's main tourism setback is the poor transportation system as there is no direct flight servicing Siargao.

"We'd be happy if we could get direct flights either from Manila or Cebu. Surfers don't mind the long travel as long as they find good surf, but other tourists, they would rather not get on a boat or a ferry here in the Philippines," he said, referring to the recent accident involving Sulpicio Lines where as many as 800 people perished

It takes three hours to reach Siargao from Surigao City by boat.

"Another thing is that there are usually no garbage trucks to pick up the trash but sometimes when I yell loud enough someone will come and pick them up," he said.

Degan noted that he, along with other resort operators, has been meeting with local officials to air concerns on the development of General Luna. (Cheryl Arcibal, GMANews.TV)
Read rest of story...

Ubos sa programa ni Gobernador Robert Ace S. Barbers sa pagpa-ugnat sa kusog, malampuson nga gipahigayon ang 3rd North Siargao Surfing Circuit '08 didto sa duha ka lungsod sa Burgos ug sa San Isidro, Surigao del Norte.

Ubay-ubay nga mga surfers ang miapil sa maong kompetisyon nga nag-gikan sa mga lungsod sa Gen. Luna, Burgos ug sa San Isidro, Surigao del Norte ug Lanuza, Surigao del Sur.

Mao kini ang mga migawas nga mga manana-og sa Junior ug Open Division sa maong kompetisyon. Sa Open Division, Pacifico, San Isidro Leg ang nagkampion mao si Mark Cannon sa San Isidro; 1st Runner-up mao si Genelo Nogalo sa General Luna; 2nd Runner-up mao si Petang Espejon sa San Isidro ug 3rd Runner-up mao si Joseph Antipasado sa San Isidro.

Samtang sa Open Division, Poblacion 2, Burgos Leg ang nagkampion mao si Junifer Figuron sa General Luna; 1st Runner-up mao si Mark Canon sa San Isidro; 2nd Runner-up mao si Jason Ozares sa Burgos ug 3rd Runner-up mao si Sandito Alciso sa Gen. Luna.

Sa Junior Division, Pacifico, San Isidro Leg ang nahimong mananaog mao si Philmar Alipayo sa General Luna; 1st Runner-up mao si Paul John Alipayo sa San Isidro; 2nd Runner-up si Danny Coldura sa Gen. Luna ug 3rd Runner-up mao si Pete Catulay sa San Isidro.

Samtang sa Junior Division, Poblacion 2, Burgos Leg ang nahimong mananaog mao si Paul John Alipayo sa San Isidro; 1st Runner-up mao si Pete Catulay sa San Isidro; 2nd Runner-up mao si Azur Laudes sa San Isidro ug 3rd Runner-up Jessie Noguerra sa General Luna.

Mapasalamaton si Engr. Ricardo A. Concha, Jr. ang organizer sa maong kompetisyon sa kinasing-kasing nga pagsuporta ni Gob. Robert Ace S. Barbers ug mga kauban. (PGO - Surigao del Norte Media Bureau)
Read rest of story...

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Guillermo Romarate invites all Surigaonons in the mainland of Surigao del Norte to take advantage of the services being offered by the national government thru the conduct of the People's Government Mobile Action (PGMA) Serbisyo Muna Caravan cum Medical and Dental Mission in the towns of Gigaquit and Sison today (October 16) and in the towns of Bacuag and San Francisco on October 17.

Cong. Romarate in an interview said that several key agencies led by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), will participate in the holding of the PGMA Caravan held simultaneously in the Municipal Gymnasiums of Gigaquit and Sison.

Romarate also said that several services will be offered in the caravan such as free legal consultations, medical and dental check-ups, on-site processing of NBI clearance, Jobs Fair and acceptance of Social Security System (SSS) and PAGIBIG membership application, jobs fair and technical advises to farmers among others.

It maybe recalled that the holding of this activity is in consonance with the Administrative Order 159 signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, expanding the reach of the Serbisyo Muna Project to include other priority regions of the Philippines. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Read rest of story...

From the WAVES of CHALLENGES in life come the WAVES of VICTORY for Edito 'Peso' Alcala.

Skill, determination and an invincible faith in God made surfer Edito 'Peso' Alcala gloriously standing at the pedestal now. The new hope and inspiration of General Luna, Edito was the newly acclaimed champion of the recent Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational Surfing Competition held last September 27, 2008 at General Luna, Siargao Island.

Hailed from the remote area of Siargao Island, Edito Alcala or 'Peso' for most of his relatives and friends, was the third of the seven children of the proud, Mr. Edito Alcala, Sr. and Mrs. Rosalinda Alcala. This 20-year-old boy was raised with good character and divine beliefs with his loving parents. He was never into worldly things since he lived in a down-and-out family. Edito together with his seven siblings was being contentedly provided by their parents through fishing. Their means of living is through selling fishes in their locality. Due to poverty and scarcity of lucre, poor 'Peso' wasn't able to go to school even until high school, for he only end up until grade five during his elementary days. Until the world of surfing opened for Edito when a visitor named 'Carlos', a Filipino Seaman in Madrid invited to surf with him at the famed waves of Siargao. Right there and then, the zealous interest in surfing sprouted and was born. At the age of eleven he started to train and valiantly surf the fierce waves of Cloud 9. In the year 2003, he devotedly engaged himself in coaching on how to do basic surfing techniques on aspirants surfers like him. Long before the recent triumph came, 'Peso' had already marked a name in the said sport and had won several competitions not just in General Luna but also in other places in our country. With sheer determination and rigid training in surfing, the young, Edito became a Champion in Cabugao Open Surfing Competition in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur. He also was a two-time champ in North Siargao Surfing Competition (Open Division). Who would have thought that the once timid boy who only used to borrow surfing boards from a confidant and now became his trusted right-hand which named 'Mark', would be the next King of Cloud 9?

Edito 'Peso' Alcala, who was desperate enough to beat the defending champion, Wade Goodall of Caloundra, Queensland, Australia rode a perfect barrel in a 35-minute man-to-man final. But the young Alcala did not have it all in the final, since he still needs to fight back from a slow start just to achieve the breath-taking last-minute victory over Goodall in front of many proud Filipino who by then are filled with yells and cheers. Having the need to beat Goodall with nine points more, sitting in second with two minutes more to go exhibition time left, 'Peso' did an impressive maneuver when he wove through the belly of a Cloud 9 cavern and jag a heat-winning 9.43 ride.

According to the champ, he really can't believe he made it to the top, beating the reigning champion, Wade Goodall and be declared as the newly revered champion of Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational Surfing Competition. It was a dream come true according to Edito because he never did expected that he would get the second wave perfectly in time when Goodall made it in the first which by that, he earned a total of 18.16-points to Goodall's 17.77. He also added that through fervent prayers, an unbelievable divine intervention sets in.

As he was narrating the victorious story before the media, he said, while he was making it through the waves, Edito was really ardently praying that he would hit a perfect trick and would excellently get out of the barrel with the tight two-minute left given time. To his amazement as well as to the crowd watching before him, Alcala made it with a standing-ovation performance.

He knew he made a good turn when it barreled all the way down the reef and people can't help themselves but shout for joy and hooted him after he flicked off. Alcala, merrily went home with humble pride and surfed away $7,500 (USD) while Wade Goodall of Caloundra, Queensland, Australia heads home with $4,500 (USD) making him as 1st runner-up placing today.

With the $7,500 (USD) a number of plans arise. Along with the prize money he received, he planned to buy a motor bike. Ever since, it was Edito's noble dream to put up a surfing school in their own locality to help and train the upcoming generation who also had great aspiration in learning basic skills in surfing. So, he had also allocated something from the reward money to be used as capital to build such school and be able to make those dreams in reality. The money left will be saved most probably on a certain bank for future use.

Achieving ultimate success was never a piece of cake to Edito Alcala instead it was as challenging as walking into the sand with thorns. It was never easy at all because a constant discipline, practice and prayers that made him where he is right now. His great inspiration of making things outstanding was his family as well as the proud people of Surigao.

With the great heights of success, was a hope for every Surigaonons that Edito will be of great pride and a good example to the youths of today. Along with the inner aspiration to win in every competition was Edito's motto: "Kinahanglan maisog kay maisog sab an bayod!" (A surfer must be strong enough because the wave is also strong and tough!). Of what happened to Edito 'Peso' Alcala, was a sudden twist not just in his own life, but also to the people who expected a lot from him, that he can do more and can still go far, as said, "they will rise who strive for the highest place." (PGO-Media Bureau)
Read rest of story...

2,143 preschoolers in the five municipalities of Siargao Island gladly received their 1 kilo iron-fortified rice from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) through their Food for School Program (FSP) this morning, October 14 at PPA Port in Dapa, Surigao del Norte.

The distribution of 1 kilo of rice to the school children is in consonance with the People's Government Mobile Action (PGMA) Serbisyo Muna Caravan currently conducted in Siargao Island.

DSWD Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat in an interview with PIA said that their agency allotted P1,254,000 for this program in Siargao Island.

The said subsidy is good for 29.5 days and will cater only to the five municipalities of Siargao Island namely; Del Carmen, San Benito, San Isidro, Pilar and Socorro, Jabagat concluded.

The FSP is under the Arroyo government's Accelerated Hunger Mitigation program and is jointly implemented by the DSWD, DepEd, National Food Authority, and the local government units, where pre-schoolers and grades 1-3 pupils each receive a kilo of rice for each day of attendance in school. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Read rest of story...

In a bid to become a model in solid waste management, Surigao City, located in Surigao del Norte province, is set to open and operate its Swedish-funded waste treatment facility in December.

In a briefing with Manila-based reporters, Alfonso Casurra, Surigao City mayor, said the P45-million facility will address the solid waste management needs of the city, which daily produces 21 tons of garbage.

The 20-hectare facility will be located on top of a mountain in the outskirts of the city. An access road has been built for the project.

“The Sweden government has given a P150-million grant for the feasibility study and detailed engineering design for the project. The P45-million construction cost was a loan from the Landbank of the Philippines," he said.

Casurra added that the facility will be able to segregate leachate, which are the liquid extracts from the collected garbage and will then be treated which can be released to creeks.

Besides this, the facility will also have a “materials recovery facility," where residents may be able to pick recyclable materials for free in exchange for their commercial disposal.

“We will open a tiangge (flea market) where people can sell these materials," he said.

Casurra said the city government is looking for a way to collect P25 monthly dues from some 12,000 households as fee for garbage collection.

The facility is estimated to incur P7.5 million maintenance cost annually.

“This facility is the first in Mindanao and hopefully will be a legacy to future generations as it may be able to take in garbage for the next 50 to 70 years," he said. (CHERYL M. ARCIBAL, GMANews.TV)
Read rest of story...

NICKEL ASIA Corp. and Japanese partner Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. may build a $1.7-billion nickel ore processing facility in Northeastern Mindanao next year, a move that could boost mining investments in the country.

Gerard H. Brimo, Nickel Asia president and chief executive officer, told reporters on the sidelines of a mining conference in Manila he expects Sumitomo to give its go-signal to the Surigao del Norte project by the end of the month, despite the global economic slowdown.

"We are looking at participating in [the construction of] a second acid leaching plant in partnership with Sumitomo," Mr. Brimo said, adding that the ore would come from their Taganito mine in Surigao del Norte. The feasibility study is almost completed, Mr. Brimo said.

The plant will process 30,000 metric tons of nickel ore per year, triple the initial capacity of the Rio Tuba plant in Palawan.

The Taganito mine will provide 100 million metric tons of nickel laterite ore, enough for the processing plant to operate for 30 years, Mr. Brimo said.

"The plant is going to be right beside the Taganito deposit so it is going to be a short distance [for us] to bring the laterite ore to the [processing] plant," he said, adding that ores from other nickel projects would add unnecessary transport costs.

Nickel Asia will shoulder 30% of the $1.7-billion project cost, while the Japan Bank for International Cooperation will finance the remaining 70%, Takanori Fujimura, president of Nickel Asia subsidiary Coral Bay Nickel Corp., told reporters.

The company also expects to finish expanding by March its first high-pressure acid leach facility near the Rio Tuba mine, which processes low-grade nickel laterite ores.

In 2005, Nickel Asia and Sumitomo started operating the country’s only nickel ore processing plant worth $180 million following an upgrade two years ago. Processed nickel ores are supplied by the Rio Tuba mine, Mr. Brimo said.

Once upgraded, nickel ore processing capacity will be doubled to 20,000 metric tons per year.

The Rio Tuba acid leach facility expansion cost the company $308 million, almost double the $180 million cost of the first plant.

"On a combined basis, those two plants will supply 7% of the world’s nickel output," Mr. Brimo said.

Mr. Fujimura said the company expects nickel prices to rise to $7-$8 per pound from $5-$5.50 now.

Precious metal retailer Kitco Base Metals has priced nickel at $5.56 per pound, down from $8.20 last month and $14 last year.

Mr. Fujimura said the company might also look at copper and gold projects in the country after building the second processing plant.

They will engage in a 60-40 joint venture deal in medium-scale mines or fully finance a large-scale mine, he added.

Nickel Asia operates nickel mines Rio Tuba, Taganito in Surigao del Norte, Taganaan in Surigao City and South Dinagat and Cagdianao in northern Mindanao.

Also yesterday, Canadian miner Philippine Metals Corp. said it was still waiting for the Environment department’s approval of its permits to explore copper mines Taurus in Tacloban, Leyte, Malitao in Kalinga Apayao and Dilong in Abra.

"Hopefully, we can see [the exploration permits] in a couple of months, maybe in the new year," Philippine Metals Vice-President Tom Vaillancourt told reporters.

"The market would be improving by that time... [and it] would be an excellent time to start the initial public offering," he added.

Philippine Metals will list its shares simultaneously list on the Canadian and local stock exchanges by 2009.

The company will invest $150,000 to $300,000 for the airborne geological survey of the Taurus mine, Mr. Vaillancourt said. (NEIL JEROME C. MORALES, BusinessWorld)
Read rest of story...

Projects by the Department of Public Works and Highways cornered the bulk of foreign financial aid given to the Caraga Region, which is located in the Northeastern Mindanao.

A report released by the National Economic and Development Authority-Caraga showed that in 2007, Caraga, which comprises of the provinces Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur, was given official development assistance totaling about P14.63 billion.

Of the total amount, 98 percent were loans and 2 percent were in the form of grants.

DPWH projects cornered about P10.3 billion or 70.38 percent; followed by the National Irrigation Administration, P1.8 billion or 12.31 percent; and Department of Agrarian Reform, P965.68 or 6.6 percent.

Meanwhile, of the total amount, the province of Agusan del Sur was the top recipient of ODA, getting P3.352 billion or 49.17 percent; Surigao del Sur, P1.523 billion, or 22.34 percent; ; Agusan del Norte, P1.051 billion or 15.41 percent; and Surigao del Norte, P891.65 million or 13.08 percent.

Specifically, transportation, water resources, agriculture and agrarian reform were the sectors that got the biggest shares in the ODA portfolio.

Top sources of funding, meanwhile, were the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Asian Development Bank, and World Bank. (CHERYL M. ARCIBAL, GMANews.TV)
Read rest of story...

The People's Government Mobile Action (PGMA) Serbisyo Muna Caravan will conduct once again its well received government services in the municipalities of Del Carmen and San Isidro today, October 14, 2008.

Yesterday, October 13, 2008, the PGMA Team visited simultaneously the municipalities of Dapa and Gen. Luna.

As early as 7:00 am yesterday, the people trooped the venue for the Serbisyo Muna in Gen. Luna Parish and in PPA Port, Dapa to avail for the medical and dental services of the Department of Health. Each patient underwent consultation and check-up which were provided with free medicines courtesy from PCSO and PAGCOR.

At the Gen. Luna Parish, 1st District Rep. Francisco Matugas in his short message explained to the people the programs currently implemented by the Arroyo Administration and the services offered in the caravan.

Matugas urged the Siargaonons to take advantage of the benefits being provided by the national government. He also thanked the President for choosing Siargao as one of the recipients of the caravan. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Read rest of story...

Some 2,583 residents from all over the island of Siargao benefited from the medical and dental services, one of the activities conducted during the two-day People's Government Mobile Action (PGMA) Serbisyo Muna Caravan of government line agencies and non-government organization with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) as lead agency held simultaneously in the towns of Gen. Luna and Dapa yesterday, October 13, 2008.

During the caravan, DoH CARAGA Regional Director Dr. Leonita Gorgolon awarded the buntis kits to the pregnant women beneficiaries.

On the other hand, the Technical Education Skills & Development Authority distributed Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA) scholarships to 89 students of Siargao Island Institute of Technology (SIIT) and scholarships coupons to the Local Chief Executives in the 9 municipalities.

A total of 40 recipients graduated from TESDA for their carpentry and masonry were also given recognition yesterday.

TESDA Surigao del Norte Provincial Director Rodrigo de Villa, expressed gratitude to the people of Siargao for the warm reception accorded to the activity.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Dapa (DENR-CENRO) distributed free patent titles to the beneficiaries of Del Carmen. While the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. distributed 900 Philhealth cards to the indigent families. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Read rest of story...

All is set as the People's Government Mobile Action (PGMA) Serbisyo Muna Caravan starts today in Gen. Luna and Dapa in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) as lead agency, together with the other member government agencies participated.

1st District Rep. Francisco Matugas in a radio interview said more than 50 medical personnel from Manila arrived yesterday, October 12 via PAL Express in Surigao City and reached the island of Siargao via Montenegro Shipping at exactly 4pm.

The conduct of the said activity according to Rep. Matugas is in consonance with Administrative Order 159 signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Expanding the Reach of the Serbisyo Muna Project to include other priority Regions of the Philippines.

Medical and Dental Mission will simultaneously be conducted in the towns of Gen. Luna and Dapa while other services that include issuance and renewal of NBI clearance, NSO authentication, PAG-IBIG services, SSS online, and other line agency services will be done at PPA Dapa Port in Dapa, Surigao del Norte, Rep. Matugas informed.

He also bared another simultaneous conduct of Medical and Dental Mission in the towns of Del Carmen and San Isidro tomorrow, October 14, 2008.

On October 15, the PGMA Team will depart for the towns of Gigaquit, Bacuag, Sison and San Francisco where a PGMA Serbisyo Muna Caravan and Medical and Dental Mission will also be conducted on October 16-17. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Read rest of story...

Dinagat Islands Provincial Governor Jade B. Ecleo, is determined to propel the province of Dinagat Islands as progressive island-province geared towards the spirit of bayanihan (communal unity), agri-fishery, responsible mining and tourism, sustaining a balanced human ecology.

Governor Jade, in her recent State of the Province Address (SOPA) bared her vision for the province via a development roadmap dubbed as "JADE" which stands for Job Generation, Agriculture, Fisheries & Agrarian Reform, Development & Delivery of Basic Services, Education, Environmental Protection and Economic Upliftment.

JADE as an administration blueprint of infrastructure development, Gov. Jade was able to secure an amount of Ten Million Pesos from the Department of Agriculture for farm-to-market roads. "Another Ten Million Pesos was solicited from the President's Social Fund for the initial construction of our Capitol building. The National Irrigation Administration through our efforts, has also committed 1.63 Million for the construction of a communal irrigation system in the province."

Gov. Ecleo also said that during the recent visit of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Dinagat Islands, she was able to convince the President to prioritize the concreting of San Jose-Basilisa Road this year amounting to 200 Million pesos as part of her SONA commitment of 2.4 Billion Pesos for the concreting of Dinagat-Loreto Road.

On economic development, Gov. Jade said that the economic progress of the province today relies mainly on the development of agriculture and fishery industries. "This is the very reason why I have focused my attention on the life of our marginal people which are the farmers and fisherfolks."

On agriculture, the province according to Gov. Jade intensified the rice production in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture by providing certified palay seeds with fertilizer inputs to 140 rice farmers covering 180 hectares under the 50-50 scheme. While in the livestock sector, her administration is currently concerned with the increasing of population of carabaos through the use of artificial insemination.

Seeing the seaweed industry as the lucrative industry in the world market, Gov. Jade is also pushing for the development of seaweed industry in the province and become known as the seaweed capital in the region, "we have distributed 4,000 kilos of seaweed propagules to our seaweed farmers. Two units of solar dryer for seaweeds were fabricated and distributed to the municipalities of San Jose and Libjo… Ang atong tinguha mao nga mahimong 'Seaweed Capital' ang atong probinsya dinhi sa Caraga."

In the cooperative sector, the provincial government according to Gov. Jade has released a total of Php300, 000 to six cooperatives to finance their livelihood projects.

In her effort to promote tourism in the province, Gov. Jade showcased some of the tourist attractions in the province that include: Hinabyan Beach Resort, Cagdianao; Bitaug Beach, Basilisa; Tagbirayan Beach, Cagdianao; Puerto Prinsesa, White Beach, Basilisa; Cabilan White Beach, Dinagat; Lake Babau, Basilisa. Other identified points of interests include: La Isla Aga, Basilisa' Magazine Waterfalls, Basilisa' Legaspi Waterfalls, Cagdianao; Bangkaw Spring Resort, Tubajon; Basilisa Rock formations, Basilisa; Basilisa islets, Basilisa; Bonsai Forest, Loreto; Punta Villa Cave, Libjo; the famous PBMA Founder's Shrine, San Jose and Bat Sanctuary, Tubajon.

Gov. Jade on the other hand acknowledged the mining industry as a major contributor to the local and national economy. "Right now, we have fourteen mining companies operating in the province. While mining industry is generally a nature-destructive business if not done right, we will see to it that mining operations in the province will not destroy our other equally important resources, such as coastal, marine and potential tourist destinations." (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Read rest of story...

In her one hour and thirty minutes State of the Province Address (SOPA) yesterday, October 8 at the Aurelio Gym here, Gov. Jade B. Ecleo shared her story a year ago when she left Manila to accept the mandate given to her by the Dinagatnons to lead them to a better future.

"Our story is about obstacles hurdled, fears overcome, weaknesses converted into strengths, and confusion cleared by a common direction. It is a story of faith, and confusion cleared by a common direction. It is a story of faith, courage, commitment, and partnership. A story of people helping each other to transform current adversities to windows of opportunities."

She further added that with the birth of the youngest province of the country, the expectations of the people were mountain high. "But instead of cowering from fear of not able to deliver it, we dissected these expectations, set parameters, and placed the parts within a time frame. We built hopes and encourage community participation. We purposively placed key stakeholders on board, and created our vision."

Gov. Ecleo revealed in her that she speech envisioned the province as a progressive island-province with empowered communities living in the spirit of bayanihan (communal unity) geared towards agri-fishery, responsible mining and tourism, sustaining a balanced human ecology.

"It is therefore our mission to promote socio-economic growth through sound governance and sustainable development of all resources," she added.

The Honorable Governor also committed to continually improve and spur innovations in the programs, strategies and experiences in infrastructure development, administration, and governance which proved to be relevant to the people's needs and are deemed successful and effective public service, fiscal improvements, economic growth, poverty reduction and social upliftment and like stone blocks, it helps build the foundation of the future of Dinagat Islands.

Though, Gov. Jade proudly declared the provincial outputs and outcomes of the year passed, she could not help but thanked everyone who made these possible for without them things could have been different.

Expressing her deep gratitude to her mom, Rep. Glenda Ecleo, "nga pinaagi sa iyang paningkamot nahimugso ang usa ka probinsya nga dugay na gipangandoy sa mga Dinagatnon isip katumanan sa mga damgo sa atong amahan na si Divine Master Ruben Edera Ecleo, Sr.; to my ever supportive brother, our Supreme President Ruben Buray Ecleo, Jr. together with the officials and members of the PBMA."

Lastly, Gov. Ecleo thanked the men and women of the Provincial Government and component local government units for the support and cooperation.

The second SOPA was also attended by Vice Gov. Elvis dela Merced who presided over the joint session with the members of the board, and some Regional Directors of the National line agencies in the region. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Read rest of story...

The City of Surigao was pronounced, once again, as a regional winner in the Search for the Presidential Awards for Child-Friendly City 2008, after having rendered exceptional services to advance the interests of the children. This was disclosed by the search’s regional awards committee to Mayor Alfonso S. Casurra on Tuesday last week (September 23).

The city’s entry was submitted directly to the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) in Butuan City. The RSCWC evaluated and validated the entry, and monitored the various programs and activities implemented by the city government in the advancement of its end goal of attaining total development of its people, particularly the children.

The formal awarding of prizes will be held in Cagayan de Oro City but the final date is yet to be scheduled as of press time. (Karen T. Acero)
Read rest of story...

Surigao City was adjudged second runner-up in the Local Government Unit category in the National Literacy Awards 2008 held on September 19 at Baguio City. The Surigao City team proudly received the award with Mayor Alfonso S. Casurra.

The team was composed by staff of the Department of Education Surigao City Division, City Parole and Probation Officer Alicia B. Espejon and some barangay officials.

As one of the development agendas formulated by Mayor Casurra’s administration, the mayor is determined to lessen up, if not eradicate, illiteracy in the city by providing the indigenous peoples and minorities, out-of-school youths and adults, parolees and probationers, and jail inmates a chance to learn and be functionally literate. Through literacy programs, they would be able to read to their children, fill out a job application or follow directions on a medicine bottle, or be useful and productive in the society they belong to.

Literacy promotion is a continuous program of Mayor Casurra complementing the city’s development direction to edify and empower its citizenry.

The National Literacy Awards was created by the Literacy Coordinating Council and the Department of Education in support of the national government's commitment to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of reducing adult illiteracy by half in 2015 and improving the quality of life of the Filipinos.

The National Literacy Awards has two categories, namely, the Outstanding Literacy Program Award and the Outstanding Local Government Unit Award.

The Outstanding Literacy Program Award is given to a literacy program being implemented by a non-government or civic organization and academic institution, which has evident positive impact on the learners and the community. The program should have contributed to the transformation of learners into productive and more responsible community members.

The Local Government Unit Award is given to one highly urbanized city, component city, municipal level Class A and Class B, which has developed policies, programs and projects advantageous to literacy development and which has made a constructive impact to the underprivileged of society and which affected the full functioning of democracy and the growth of the economy as a whole. (Karen T. Acero)
Read rest of story...

Seventeen of the 38 election cases filed against members of the House of Representatives in connection with the May, 2007 elections have been resolved by the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET).

Supreme Court Justice Consuelo Ynares Santiago, HRET chairperson, said that of the 17 cases, nine were resolved on the merits and dismissed on other grounds, while the rest were withdrawn by either the protestant or the petitioner in the case.

The HRET is the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of the members of the House of Representatives under Section 17, Article VI, of the 1987 Constitution.

The resolved cases were those filed by Robert Lyndon Barbers, son of the late Senator Robert Z. Barbers, against Rep. Guillermo A. Romarate Jr. of the 2nd District of Surigao del Norte; that of Renato Unico Jr. against former Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner now Camarines Norte Rep. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, and the petition for quo warranto filed by actor Mat Ranillo III against Rep. Rosendo S. Labadlabad of the 2nd District of Zamboanga del Norte.

The rest of the cases are: Jesnar R. Falcon v. Florencio C. Garay (2nd District, Surigao del Sur); Elda E. Libanan v. Teodolo M. Coquilla (Eastern Samar); Arceli B. Wong v. Joseph A. Santiago (Catanduanes); Carlo Luis P. Rabat v. Thelma Z. Almario (2nd District, Davao Oriental); Roberto R. Castañares v. Roger G. Mercado and The Provincial Board of Canvassers of Southern Leyte (Southern Leyte);

Vicente A. Sandoval v. Antonio C. Alvarez (1st District, Palawan); Marie Therese Veloso v. Andres D. Salvacion Jr. (3rd District, Leyte); Olegario S. Reyes Jr. and Joseph M. Saria v. Jose Antonio F. Roxas (Pasay); Anuar Joe Abubakar v. Nur Gaspar Jaafar (Tawi-tawi); Arnel M. Cerafica v. Ma. Laarni Cayetano (1st District, Taguig-Pateros); Randolph S. Ting v. Manuel M. Mamba (3rd District Cagayan); Baisandra S.A. Sema v. Didagen P. Dilangalen (District of Shariff Kabunsuan Province with Cotabato City); Joseph V. Grey v. Reynaldo S. Uy (1st District, Western Samar); and Imelda Q. Dimaporo v. Vicente Belmonte (1st District, Lanao del Norte).

Ynares said that of the 38 election cases, 29 were election protests and nine quo warranto petitions.

With the resolution of the 17 cases, only 21 cases have yet to be resolved by the HRET. Seventeen of the pending cases are election protests, while four are quo warranto petitions, she said.

The other members of the HRET are SC Justices Ma. Alicia Austria-Martinez and Conchita Carpio Morales, and Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan (Baguio, lone district), Rep. Fredenil H. Castro (Capiz, 2nd District), Rep. Roberto C. Cajes (Bohol, 2nd District), Rep. Solomon R. Chungalao (Ifugao, lone district), Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores Jr. (Aklan, lone district), and Rep. Justin Marc SB. Chipeco (Laguna, 2nd District) as members. (Rey G. Panaligan)

Read rest of story...

The National Anti Poverty Commission (NAPC) in partnership with the People's Credit and Financial Corporation (PCFC) successfully gathered 90 microfinance clients, micro-entrepreneurs, academes, and representatives of community-based organizations including local leaders throughout Caraga Region last Oct. 1-2, 2008 for the Provincial Training Seminar for Financial Literacy Trainers Program in Surigao del Norte.

Director Florante Rosal, Jr, Head of Microfinance Unit said the 2-day activity was part of the Philippine Microfinance Agenda which was launched on October last year. The activity also served as an avenue for the participants to increase savings especially among "small" savers.

The initiative according to Rosal also sought to widen the window of opportunity for participants to build their knowledge and capacity on microfinance management, services and access and eventually become financially literate.

Earlier, NAPC and PCFC were already conducting series of activities in the region to advance financial literacy and further boosts the widespread delivery of financial education for poor microfinance clients, particularly in priority provinces in which Caraga region's five provinces: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and the newly created province of Dinagat Islands are part of this program. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Read rest of story...

At least persons, five of them minors, were seriously wounded when a grenade thrown at them exploded right at the waiting shed where the victims were holding drinking session in Sitio Capangdan, Barangay Urbiztondo, Claver, Surigao del Norte Tuesday evening.

Belated reports reaching the Caraga Police Regional Information Office here identified those seriously wounded as Santos Santillan y Delantar, 55,Rolando Perales y Canoy, 28, Jerry Gier y Lipao, 36, Michael D Blancada, 21 and Reymond Parian y Delmente, 18.

Five more others wounded also brought for treatment at the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City were aged 13, 14 and 15 years old, respectively.

Police investigation said that while the victims were having drinking spree, an unidentified perpetrator threw a hand grenade at the entrance of the waiting shed which exploded.

Recovered from the crime scene was safety lever/handle of a grenade now in the custody of the Police.

Further investigation indicates personal grudge might be the motive of the incident as one of the victims claimed to have received threats from a group with whom he had a misunderstanding.

Caraga Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Jaime Eloreta Milla said Claver Municipal Police Station is now conducting an in-depth investigation and follow-up operations for possible identification and filing of appropriate charges against the perpetrators. (PNA)
Read rest of story...

The provincial government of Surigao del Norte successfully staged a one-day province-wide clean up drive dubbed as "Clean Up Surigao… Clean Up the World" just recently with the theme "Start Today… Save Tomorrow. Clean Up Our Climate."

The activity aimed at inspiring and assisting communities to clean-up, fix up and conserve their local environment through carrying out initiatives such as waste removal, tree planting and water and energy conservation projects.

The "Clean Up Surigao… Clean Up the World" involved the different sectors in the community such as the academe, business, and religious sectors including Non-Government Organizations (NGO's) in the conduct of a clean up drive on sea beaches, rivers, canals, drainage systems, and other public areas that would minimize the litter problem, improve the quality of waters, prevent the spread of diseases and consequently contribute towards a cleaner and healthier province.

Gov. Robert Ace Barbers in his short message thanked all the stakeholders throughout the city and province for participating in the said event.

Meantime, Prov'l Environment and Management Office (PEMO) OIC, Antonieto Charcos, in a radio interview bared the membership of the province to the Clean Up the World, an international environmental organization based in Australia mobilizing an estimated 35 million volunteers from more than 100 countries.

Clean Up Surigao formed part of the Clean Up the World, a year-round community-led environment campaign that takes place in local communities. Charcos also added that this is now the second time the province joined in the activity. (PEMO/PIA)
Read rest of story...