Butuan City News August 2011

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Korean Mafia member arrested

by Alfred Dalizon


A SUSPECTED member of a Korean Mafia operating in the country was arrested by Philippine National Police agents in an operation in Butuan City last Saturday, PNP chief, Director General Raul M. Bacalzo said.

Won Keun Kim alias Harry Kim, 38, was arrested inside his house at Block 1, Lot 34, Phase 1, Rosewood Subdivision in Butuan City in connection with his role in the kidnapping-for-ransom of another Korean in Cebu City last August 21.

The operatives from the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response-Visayas Area Office led by Chief Inspector Roberto Lingbawan and the Butuan City Police Station 1 headed by Chief Inspector Reynante Sibayton raided the Korean’s place at 10 a.m. Sunday and arrested him without any untoward incident.

The suspect is wanted for his role in the kidnapping of Kwon Young Hoon, a resident of Pusan, South Korea in Cebu City the other Saturday. A warrant for the crime of special robbery was also issued against the suspect by Judge Lee Seon Ho of the Pusan District Court last August 12.

The suspect is now being held at the PACER office in Cebu City.

Caraga consistently tops disposition of cases thru SENA

by Arnheim Ravelo


BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 30 (PIA) -- The figures in the national report on Single Entry Approach (SENA) showed that Caraga Region is number 1 in the overall performance posting a disposition rate of 100 percent and a settlement rate of 82 percent. The Single Entry Approach Desk Officers (SEADOs) said this during the recently concluded 3-day SENA Follow-Through Training in Cagayan de Oro City. Prior to the training proper, the Bureau of Labor Relations presented the performance of all regional offices and attached agencies. The result highlighting Caraga Region as number 1 both in the disposition and settlement rates made the Caraga contingents very proud. The National Disposition Rate is 92 percent while DOLE-Caraga Disposition Rate is 100 percent. Thus, the National Settlement Rate is only 36 percent while the DOLE-Caraga Settlement Rate is 82 percent, which makes Caraga the number 1. What made the accomplishment worth recognizing was the fact that there were no other regional offices that got almost the same or nearer disposition rate. Caraga SEADOs were accorded booming applause from the Mindanao SEADOs and SENA administrators and facilitators. Special recognition was given to Ms. May Velonta, SEADO of the Agusan del Norte Field Office for having contributed 75% of the successful settlements in the region. Director John Cañete congratulated Caraga but emphasized that this first semester accomplishment means a greater responsibility for the region since it should strive not to post lower disposition and settlement rate in the next months to come. The region was encouraged to double its efforts to increase the present rates. (DOLE-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

PhilHealth-Caraga meets local tri-media in Butuan

by Jennifer P. Gaitano


BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 29 (PIA) -- The Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth) Inc. headed by Regional Vice President Johnny Y. Sychua with other PhilHealth officials recently conducted a media briefing on PhilHealth, held recently at the PhilHealth-Caraga Regional Conference Room, this city. Medical Specialist IV Dr. Grace S. Tanangkingsing of PhilHealth clarified that a patient does not need to be confined in a hospital for three (3) days for him/her to avail the healthcare services of PhilHealth. “Only with basic 24 hours admission, a patient can already avail the benefits,” said Tanangkingsing. Responding to a question on whether there will be an increase in premium rate, Sychua said, “Increasing the premium rate is not bad especially (considering that) for 11 years, PhilHealth has not increased the premium rate…Probably, there will be an increase but I can not tell you when,” stressed Sychua. Sychua also encouraged the general public to immediately report to their office if they encounter a doctor who will require them to be confined in the hospital for three days so they can avail the healthcare services of PhilHealth because it has no truth. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Intensified poverty alleviating programs pushed

By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO


BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – The citing the importance of helping village communities, particularly in the far-flung areas, officials in Mindanao are supporting the budget increase for the government’s poverty alleviation programs next year – the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps. The Mindanao officials favored the increase in the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the implementing arm of the national government’s poverty reduction program, for assisting the more than 2.3 million households in the country. Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol F. Matugas, and her husband Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco T. Matugas, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Guillermo A. Romarate Jr., Surigao del Sur Rep. Philip Pichay, Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr.; Surigao City Mayor Errnesto T. Matugas, Lanao del Norte Gov. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo, and Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno are in unison in supporting the increase of the budget of the DSWD for 2012. "The program is the poor and this must be sustained", stressed Governor Matugas. In separate statements, Congressmen Matugas and Romarate, Mayors Matugas and Amante, and Governors Dimaporo and Moreno, are also joining to sustain the government’s poverty alleviation program, which according to them will be a “big help to the rural folk.” “Per report of the World Bank (WB) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid), the Filipino household’s income level has risen up to 12 percent, and that the poverty incidence has slid down to 6.2 percent, a good indicator that the program made a great change in the lives of the poor,” said Rodriguez, adding that “I laud DSWD for doing a great job in implementing the Pantawid Pamilya." There are valid and essential evidences that the program has actually improved the lives of Filipino households, he added. The Cagayan de Oro City lawmaker asserted that he endorses a higher budget from P21 billion to P39 billion for the DSWD, to help more poor families in the country. Earlier, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman is requesting for a P39 billion increase in budget for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in 2012. Meanwhile, some officials also asked the national government, especially the DSWD, to review the provisions under the conditional cash transfer or CCT program because numerous complaints reached some local officials specifying the alleged incorrect selection of beneficiaries, and the issue on alleged incorrect amount given to the beneficiaries. “The processing and selection must be perfect, but in fairness, the enrollment gets higher in my province,” said Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward G. Plaza. However, Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny T. Pimentel said their priority now is more infrastructure projects for the various agricultural, tourism, and mining sectors, which according to him will “create more local revenues, livelihood, and employment.” The 4Ps provides conditional cash subsidy to the poorest families in the country for their children’s education and health needs. A P300 per month aid is provided for the child’s school needs, and P500 per month is given to his or her family’s health needs.

One Mindanao: Bridging communication and news exchange among islands

by Robert E. Roperos


BUTUAN CITY, August 27 (PIA) -- In an effort to bridge the communication and news exchange among regions in Mindanao, a newsletter sent through cyberspace technology has been born. “One Mindanao,” a name conceptualized by Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General Atty. Jose A. Fabia signifies the unity of the regional offices to bring the good news and government information to the public. “The e-newsletter promotes peace, unity and progress. As the name implies, One Mindanao is aimed to significantly contribute in achieving peace, unity and progress among Mindanaoans,” according to Abner M. Caga, PIA Northeastern Mindanao Information Cluster Head and concurrent Regional Director of PIA-Caraga. The e-newsletter’s maiden was released last Monday, August 15, 2011, in time with the first year anniversary of Atty. Fabia when he assumed as Director-General of PIA, and send to considerable number of recipients in Caraga Region. According to Caga, with the current clustering of regional offices, “the two clusters from Mindanao agreed to make the electronic newsletters of the five regions into one to bridge the communication and exercise information exchange of the island, an in compliance with the directive of DG Fabia.” The said e-newsletter is sent to a number of recipients per regional office of PIA. Dir. Caga further said “One Mindanao” was conceptualized not only to bring the good news of the government to the general public but also to show that all the regional offices in the island are united, thus, aiming for a one common vision – to be of service to the Mindanaoans through timely, accurate and reliable information. Meanwhile, the northeastern Mindanao cluster head noted that the electronic newsletter has the advantage of delivering the material to the personal e-mail addresses of the recipients, thus, disseminating the information personally through the use of cyberspace technology (e-mail), “This is like delivering the e-newsletter to the recipients with a sense of personal touch,” Caga said. Also, with the five Regional Offices having significant number of recipients, Caga said the information of the government’s thrusts and programs are widely disseminated compared to dailies, as copies of it are only limited. “For the reader’s part, the e-newsletter is free of charge,” Caga added. Caga stressed the e-newsletter is also supported by the concept that the government’s news and information on a specific day, will only be read in daily papers on the following day. “With One Mindanao, news and information from the national government and all regions in the island can be read on the evening of that same day when the event happened,” he said. But why use a host website? Dir. Caga explained the use of a host website (http://issuu.com) is to advance the e-newsletter to a higher level as it can flip pages one after the other, rather than using the traditional one where a .pdf file will be browsed vertically. In this way, Caga said, it gives justice to the name “e-news,” an automated newsletter for which pages can be flipped right at the screen of the computer. The host website is free of charge. With these developments, Caga stressed the concept of the newsletter is still present, complied and fulfilled. “We must not stop learning and discovering techniques using modern technologies to maintain the niche that PIA has,” he said. (RER/PIA-Caraga)

Caraga Wage Board sets public consultations

by Maria Rebecca Ayaton


BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 26 (PIA) -- The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) headed by Chairperson Ofelia B. Domingo of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga has approved and set the schedules of the public consultations/hearing in the region to review the Wage Order No. 10 and the petition filed by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) for P75/day wage increase during the board meeting. According to Earl Dela Victoria, RTWPB-Caraga Board Secretary, the public consultations/hearing will be held in different provinces of Caraga. The date and venue of the initial consultations/hearing of petition will be as follows: on Sept. 13 at Paso de San Francisco Suites, Agusan del Sur; on Sept. 14 at Paper Country Inn (PCI), Mangagoy, Bislig City; on Sept 15 at Villa Luisa Hotel, Tandag City; on Sept. 16 at Hotel Tavern, Borromeo St., Surigao City; on Sept. 20 at Brgy. Aurello Gym, San Jose, Dinagat Province and on Sept 22 at Luciana Convention Center, J.P. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City. The said consultations will start from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. except on the last day of hearing, which will start from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. RTWPB-Caraga encourages interested parties to attend the public consultations and to submit a position paper on or before the mentioned dates in their office located at Nimfa Tiu Building, JP Rosales Ave., Butuan City. (MRA with reports form DOLE-13/PIA-Caraga)

DILG-13 orients LGUs on the utilization of Performance Challenge Fund Subsidy

by Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise


BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 25 (PIA) – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga conducted an orientation for the 40 fourth to sixth class municipalities of Caraga on the utilization of the Performance Challenge Fund Subsidy on August 22, 2011 held at the Dottie’s Place Hotel and Restaurant, this city.

The orientation was purposely conducted to clarify documentary requirements in the availment of the PCF subsidy (at P1,000,000 per municipality) and to instill the commitment for the timely submission of the monitoring/progress reports and required attachments of the municipalities in Region XIII which passed the criteria for the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) for Calendar Year 2011.

The activity framed discussions on the PCF General Implementing Guidelines, Fund Implementation Flow and Monitoring and Evaluation Flow of the PCF. The orientation was attended by the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators and Municipal Accountants.

The PCF shall encourage convergence of local development projects with the present administration’s priority programs for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), maintenance of core road network to boost tourism and local economic development, the objectives of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

DILG-Caraga Regional Director Atty. Rene K. Burdeos congratulated all the 40 PCF recipients and encouraged them to sumit immediately their project proposals included in the Annual Investment Program funded under the 20% Development Fund to avail of the Php1-M PCF subsidy. (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)

PIA-Caraga, RMN-Butuan to conduct bloodletting activity in Butuan on Sunday

by Robert E. Roperos


BUTUAN CITY — With the increasing number of dengue cases in many parts of the country, the regional office of the Philippine Information Agency in Caraga has partnered with Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) - dxBC Butuan in the conduct of bloodletting activity on Sunday. This is part of the corporate social responsibility of one of the oldest radio stations here in the city. In a phone-patch interview with PIA, Sasie Abastas-Babar, News Director of RMN-dxBC Butuan said the activity is in time with the 59th anniversary celebration of RMN nationwide. Abastas also said the medical-dental mission is also their way of thanking the people of Butuan and the neighboring provinces for making RMN one of the most-listened radio stations in the city. Other services to be conducted in the whole-day activity include a jobs fair, blood sugar test, free massage, and giving of free medicines. The activity is sponsored by Butuan City Vice-Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun, 402nd Brigade of the Philippine Army, and Philippine National Police (PNP) PRO-13, among others. Meanwhile, the region’s Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will also sponsor a mass feeding during the activity.

Surigao Sur prosecutors lose evidence

by Gold Star Daily


BUTUAN City - Pieces of evidence placed inside a vault inside the Lianga, Surigao del Sur prosecutor's office are reported missing. Caraga police spokesperson Supt. Martin Gamba said Lianga Prosecutor Constantino Crabajales told police that the missing items were supposed to be presented as exhibits in cases filed or to be filed in court.

Gamba said the missing pieces of evidence include cash amounting to P134,750, six assorted wallets, a digital weighing scale, five caliber .22 bullets, a camera, two pairs of scissors, 22 assorted lighters, 13 cellular phones, a Caspian 9mm pistol, one magazine for 9mm pistol, one "Affectionado" brand pouch and assorted shabu paraphernalia.

Police investigation showed that exhibit custodian Francis Miranda informed Crabajales about the missing exhibits a day before the incident was reported to Lianga police. It was reported to the police last Thursday

There were no signs of forcible entry into the prosecutor's office, police said. Only two cellophanes containing two cellular phones were found.

Investigators were conducting a fingerprint examination in coordination with the police's crime laboratory, Gamba said.

Reg’l Advisory Council meeting set in Butuan

by Jennifer P. Gaitano


BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 22 (PIA) -- Member agencies of the Regional Advisory Council (RAC) in Caraga region is set to convene for its 3rd quarter meeting on August 26, 1:00 p.m. at the Conference Room of the Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga Regional Office, this city.

According to Regional Coordinator Salma Jayne Alonto Tamano of the National Yotuh Commission (NYC), RAC is composed of government offices in Caraga that have programs and activities which cater to the youth sector.

“The purpose of the council is to meet every semester to share information, programs and other updates on the youth and to come up with resolutions and policy recommendations that would bring about youth development in the region,” Tamano said.

With this, member agencies are encouraged to gather recent issues and concerns related to youth that could be included for discussion during the meeting. (PIA-Caraga)

Butuan PNP implements “Discipline Zone” Phase 3

by Noel B. Najarro


BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 21 (PIA) -- The mounting congestion of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the problem of sanitation at the city’s school belt brought about the implementation by the city police of the so-called “Discipline Zone” in coordination with the local government of the city. Butuan City Police Director PSSupt. Jose V. Carillo, announced this in a press conference to signal the implementation the program’s third phase, which is massive information campaign. To this end, Carillo said, he needed to enlist the help of the city’s tri-media. Phase 1, which was the preparatory phase and Phase 2, which was the holding of the dialogue with the stakeholders had been successfully conducted, Carillo said. The fourth Phase will be the dry run and the fifth and final phase will be full implementation, he added. In a briefing conducted at the start of the said press forum, PCInsp. Reynante N. Sibayton, chief of the Operation Branch of BCPO and commander of the Butuan City Police Station 1, pointed out some of the causes of the traffic-congestion in the area such as: illegal terminals, disregarding the loading/unloading zone, obstruction of the flow of traffic, illegal parking, disregarding the traffic lights, indiscriminate throwing of garbage, illegal peddling and smoking in public places. City PNP Dir. Carillo said, that the project was embarked in proper coordination with the local government of the city, the LTTMO, together with the barangay officials, school administrators, PTA and the Drivers and Operators Association of the “Discipline Zone” affected areas. The City Police, Carillo said, had initially implemented a similar zone as early as July in coordination with the local barangay unit of Brgy. Libertad, this city with positive results. This time, traffic decongestion and sanitation will be focused along Montilla Blvd., corner J.C. Aquino Ave., R. Calo St., San Francisco St., E. Luna St., A.D. Curato St. going towards Butuan City Elementary School (A.D. Curato St.,) until Noli Me Tangere St., fronting Agusan National High School (Teofilo Sanchez St.,). The ten identified “Discipline Zone Posts” includes: first, at J.C. Aquino, corner Montilla Blvd.; second, at R. Calo St., (fronting Dunkin Donuts); third, at San Francisco St., (near Sacred Heart Kindergarten School); fourth, still at San Francisco St., ( back portion of the Butuan City Central Elementary School); fifth, J.C. Aquino (fronting BCPO); sixth, Cor. J.C. Aquino and A.D. Curato (fronting Chowking); seventh, at Del Pilar St.; eight, at Gomez St.; ninth, at Noli Me Tangere St.; and tenth, at T. Sanchez St. The posts will be manned by a police personnel, an LTTMO personnel and a barangay tanod (village police). This is purposely done, according to Hon. Culima to preempt any familiarity, thus preventing collusion to render exceptions or favor to any future apprehensions by any of the three personnel manning the posts. Supervising personnel from Butuan City Police Office will be assigned to inspect the post operation from time to time. Carillo said that the posts will be manned 24/7, with the personnel from the City Public Safety Company taking over the place of the LTTMO and Barangay Tanods beyond their working hours. He also emphasized that there will be “Zero tolerance.” Among the laws and ordinances to be implemented includes: SP Ordinance 778-90 / 623-87 (Anti-Smoking in Public Places), SP Ordinace 767-70 as amended by SP Ordinace 1501 (Anti-Littering), SP Ordinace 300-65 / 359-56 (Loading and Unloading Zone), SP Ordinance 1044-94 (Jaywalking), SP Ordinance 959-93 (One-way along A.D. Curato St. from J.C. Aquino Ave., going south up to Noli Me Tangere St.), SP Ordinance 2045-96 (Use of Helmet for all Drivers and Backriders of Motorcycle), SP Ordinance 2216-99 (No Tricycle is allowed to Operate on National Highway), SP Orinance 2720-2005 (No Parking on Either side of J.C. Aquino Ave., from M. Calo St., to Narra Road) and the other city ordinances. A dry-run will be conducted on August 23- 30, 2011; and the full implementation of the “Discipline Zone” will start in September 1, 2011. The violators will be issued “citation tickets” and penalties will be paid to the City Treasurer’s Office of Butuan. Ignoring the citation tickets or payments of the authorized penalties imposed may result to the filing of cases in courts. The said press conference was also attended by attended by Hon. Ryan Anthony B. Culima, Chairman of the city council Committee on Police, Public Safety and Order and other top city police officials. (PIA-Caraga)

Butuan set to start discipline program next month

by Gold Star Daily


BUTUAN City--Police here are preparing for the full implementation of a program designed to instill street discipline among Butuanons especially during peak hours. City police director Senior Supt. Jose Carillo announced that the "Discipline Zone" program would take effect on Sept. 1. The plan is primarily focused on decongesting "traffic bottlenecks." But police would also strictly enforce city ordinances against smoking in public places, littering and jaywalking, among others. Carillo said the "Discipline Zone" would initially cover JC Aquino Ave. from Montilla Blvd. to AD Curato Street until Noli Me Tangere St.. Eventually, it would be implemented throughout the city, he said.

Councilor Ryan Anthony Culima said local officials are supporting the program since "discipline in ourselves sows the seeds of progress and development." Culima said parking areas have already been identified at San Francisco St. with very affordable fees. A dry run would be coducted from Aug. 23 to Aug. 30. When the project fully takes effect, citation tickets would be issued to violators. There would be corresponding fines.

Court worker, student nabbed in drug raid

by Alfred Dalizon


A COURT stenographer and a female student were arrested in a raid on a suspected drug den in Butuan City.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chair Jose S. Gutierrez, Jr. identified the suspects as Allan Patrick Atup, 38, of the Butuan Regional Trial Court Branch 4, and Kira Mae Pabia, 22, of Barangay Tolosa Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.

Gutierez said Pabia and Atup were arrested while reportedly conducting shabu session inside the employee’s home in Lopez Jaena Extension, Barangay Tandang Sora.

Seized from the suspects were four empty plastic sachets with shabby traces and assorted drug paraphernalia.

A follow-up operation conducted by the PDEA Region 13 in Barangay San Ignacio, Butuan City resulted in the arrest of Atup’s alleged drug supplier, Junay Ondaraan and his companions Almiron Lumigis alias Olo, and Dustin Legaspi, alias Dodong.

Trento Pinoy Abroad Organization gains acknowledgement, support from LGU

by Ritchel Molero


BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 18 (PIA) — The 50 members of Trento Pinoy Abroad Organization (TPAO) are now set to start a small scale enterprise after attending the Skills Training for OFWs/Beneficiaries conducted by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) at Trento Municipal Gym, Trento, Agusan del Sur. The 2-day Skills Training for OFWs/Beneficiaries covered Laundry Powdered Soap Making, Cologne and Perfume Making, Dishwashing Paste Making, and Fabric Conditioner Making. With fifty members, TPAO aims to become cooperative selling soaps, perfumes, colognes, dishwashing pastes, fabric conditioners, salted eggs and agricultural products that they themselves have produced. To provide constant assistance to the OFWs and their beneficiaries, the local government unit of Trento under the Administration of Hon. Johnmark C. Billanes, Municipal Mayor and OWWA-Caraga OIC-Regional Director Marieta A. Lumawag officially signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) designating a help desk in Trento Municipal Hall on August 8, 2011. Also, Mayor Billanes assured OWWA and TPAO that the LGU-Trento is willing to take an extra mile to prop up whatever endeavor the organization will take. The conduct of the signing of the MOA was in lieu with the celebration of Trento’s 49th Santikan Festival and 16th Araw ng Trento. (OWWA-13/PIA-Caraga)

Dr. Neric Acosta shares proffered solutions to Caraga’s peace and environmental problems

by Jennifer P. Gaitano


BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 17 (PIA) --‎"Only when we fully understand the importance of nature, we will also be able to give value, love and dare to care in order to protect our home - the living earth”. This was declared by Dr. Nereus "Neric" Acosta, who is the guest speaker of the 2nd series of lecture on Political Will & Grassroots Movements: Proferred Solutions to the Caraga Region's Peace & Environmental Problems, spearheaded by the Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Policy Center headed by Atty. Josefe Sorrera-Ty, Executive Director, held Tuesday, Aug. 16 at the AVR-1 FSUU Main Campus, this City attended by representatives from government line agencies, teachers from different schools, and some members of the local tri-media. Acosta also said that giving equal importance to "Ecology" & "Economy" for people to survive is the best thing that we can do to cope with this changing world. “In this sense, the government should not only focus to what the economy can do to us but also must look into the importance of the ecology where we get our resources from nature so we can live and enjoy life peacefully, without being destructive to the environment,” Acosta emphasized. Dr. Acosta calls on all Caraganons to plant trees, and always apply the proper solid waste management, and other ways that could be beneficial to both people and the environment. When asked what the government must do to eradicate illegal logging especially in Caraga, Dr. Acosta said that the government with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) who is tasked to formulate and implement policies, guidelines, rules and regulations relating to environmental management and pollution prevention and control must really enforce the Executive Order No. 23 otherwise known as the total log ban which was signed by Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III. Aside from that, the government should also goal for an economically enabling society, wherein people are given incentives thru the ‘Tree Certificates’ if they preserve the environment and plant trees in their community so they will no longer indulge into such acts of illegal logging. And with this, the more certificates that they will have, the more incentives they will receive from the government with aide from non-government organizations abroad. Most importantly, the government with the Department of Education (DepEd) should intensify its information campaign to students on the environmental issues and concerns so students will know its value and would initiate activities that could help the environment, and if possible put up a nursery area in every preschool. Dr. Acosta who was formerly a Representative of Bukidnon authored the Clean Air Act of 1999, the 2004 Clean Water Act and the 2001 Solid Waste Management Act.(PIA-Caraga)

Butuan tourist arrivals up – Mayor Amante

by Robert E. Roperos


BUTUAN CITY, August 16 (PIA) – Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. of this city recently said the number of tourist arrivals this year has increased compared to last year. The city’s chief executive said that from July to December of 2010, some 208,520 tourists have visited the city. He said this figure showed an increase of 11 percent compared to the same period in 2009. He added that tourist arrivals this year have reached 107,553 from January to June. “Kining maong gidaghanon sa mga turista, gibana-bana nga nagdala og P8.7 billion alang sa atong lokal nga ekonomiya sulod lamang sa usa ka tuig” (The tourist arrivals has brought some P8.7 billion to the local economy in one year), Amante said. “Said amount benefitted employees in hotels and restaurants, drivers of jeepneys, multi-cabs and pedicabs, as well as businessmen of our public market,” Amante said. To date, Amante said the city has 2,400 hotel beds and 1,300 hotel rooms that can accommodate participants to any regional and national conventions, making it as the destination of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibits in the region. (PIA-Caraga)

Grenade blast rocks Butuan City apartment

BUTUAN CITY— A hand grenade went off at the doorstep of the unit rented by a Department of Foreign Affairs employee along Santan Street in Barangay J.P. Rizal here, shortly before midnight Wednesday, a police official said.

Butuan City Police Director Senior Supt. Jose Carillo told GMA News Online the blast took place around 11:45 p.m. at the unit rented by Abdullah Pangandaman of DFA at the Makuno Apartment.

Aside from the door of the Pangandaman's rented unit, the blast also damaged vehicles parked near the area.

Also, Carillo said the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM)-Caraga is renting a unit for its office in the same apartment building owned by Mr. and Mrs. Bernardito Makuno.

No one was reported hurt in the blast, so far, Carillo added.

He clarified that the grenade went off right in front of the apartment unit rented by DFA's Pangandaman – and not by Department of Transportation and Communications-Caraga regional director Atty. Alim Pangandaman as earlier reported.

Police are still investigating the incident. — Ben Serrano/LBG, GMA News

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