caraga today jan-mar 2014

today caraga Vol. XVIII, Issue 1

January - March 2014

A Publication of the Caraga Regional Development Council

PAGE 18

Q3 2013 Regional

Economic Situationer

PAGE 24

Q4 2013 Regional

Project Monitoring

Activity

Caraga Regional Development Council launches Regional Development Plan, Investment Program PAGE 3

In Summary:

The Revised Caraga Regional Development Plan

2013-2016 PAGE 16

2

Editor-in-Chief Jazmin D. Berido

Writers Sherwin E. Verdun

Mitchell C. Castillon

Melanie A. Maur

Mirasol P. Montenegro

Design Editor Sherwin E. Verdun

Contributors CHED, DOLE, DSWD,

DTI, FNRI, PopCom, TESDA,

Butuan City, Dinagat Islands,

Agusan del Norte

Adviser OIC-RD Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño

caraga today

PAGE 6 Preparing for the ASEAN Economic Community

by 2015: Caraga Regional Development Council hosts

ASEAN Economic Community Forum

PAGE 7 Caraga Regional Development Council presents

2013 accomplishments

PAGE 26 PNoy Bayanihan Project:

A commitment to transform lives of schoolchildren in Caraga

PAGE 27

DSWD’s Self-Employment Assistance sa Kaunlaran Promotes Empowerment of Women

PAGE 28

PopCom, Butuan City ink Population Development Cooperation

PopCom, Agusan National High School ink

partnership for youth center

Published quarterly by the Caraga Regional

Development Council with editorial office at the

National Economic and Development Authority-

Caraga, Nimfa Tiu Building I, JP Rosales Avenue,

Butuan City.

For questions, comments, and suggestions email us at

[email protected] or call (085) 341-4195.

caraga today Volume XVIII Issue 1

On this issue PAGE 29 DTI establishes its presence in the Province of Dinagat Islands Phil-JobNet, Caraga Council of Deans and Business Educators Association link websites PAGE 30 DSWD-Caraga forges partnership with local government units on Listahanan 50 Agusan del Norte Barangays to Receive Agriculture Aid from US government PAGE 31 Butuan City collaborates with DOLE – National Reintegration Center for OFWs for Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act implementation Dinagat Islands conducts mapshop, hazard profiling PAGE 32 CHED expands Students Financial Assistance Programs

Caraga Regional Development Council launches

Regional Development Plan, Investment Program

3 Vol. XVIII Issue 1

and gainful employment

opportunities that will result in

reducing poverty.

The RDIP on the other hand is

the companion document of

the RDP. It is the translation of

the objectives and strategies of

the RDP into concrete

programs, projects, and

activities (PPAs) to be

implemented by the agency

regional offices (AROs), state

universities and colleges

(SUCs), and the local

government units (LGUs) in

partnership with private sector

groups.

The RDIP contains strategic

core investment programs/

projects of AROs, SUCs, and

LGUs. It also serves as basis

for the preparation of annual

budget proposals of AROs,

SUCs, GOCCs/GFIs and the

RDC’s review and evaluation

of the annual budget proposals

of these government entities.

The Caraga Regional

Development Council (RDC)

approved and adopted the

Revised Caraga RDP and

Revalidated RDIP 2013-2016

through RDC Resolutions No.

34 and 35, series of 2013,

respectively, during the RDC

Full Council Meeting on

October 4, 2013.

The Revised Caraga RDP 2013

-2016 retained the original

goal of the Caraga RDP 2011-

2016, which is to make the

Caraga Region the Fishery,

Agro-Forestry, Mineral, and

Eco-Tourism (FAME) Center

of the country by year 2030 by

developing the region’s

abundant resources in fishery,

agriculture, forestry, mineral,

and eco-tourism as the growth

drivers of the region’s

economy.

The Caraga RDP focuses on

sharpened strategies to attain

inclusive growth and reduce

poverty. Thus, increasing the

productivity of FAME is the

key in generating productive

by Sherwin E. Verdun, NEDA-Caraga

ANSWERING QUERIES. [Left photo] USec. Margarita R. Songco answers queries. [Right photo] (Left) NEDA-Caraga OIC-RD Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño, USec. Songco, and (right) Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. during the open forum.

The Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) launched the Revised Caraga Regional

Development Plan (RDP) and the Revalidated Regional Development Investment Program

(RDIP) 2013-2016 at the Las Nieves Hall of Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, Wednesday,

January 15, 2014. Hon. Margarita R. Songco, NEDA Deputy Director General and Under-

secretary, graced the launching activity.

Continued on page 4

4 caraga today

The Symbols - Caraga RDP logo, Slogan OIC-RD Mylah Faye Aurora

B. Cariño introduced the

Caraga RDP logo, which

symbolizes the goal of the

region to become the FAME

center of the country. She

explained the meaning of the

logo, as thus:

The fish represents the fishery

sector. Its blue color represents

life for the Caraganons. The

fishes are in standing position

representing optimism.

Superimposed on the fishes are

human figures representing the

people of Caraga working side-

by-side.

The rice stalks and trees

represent the agro-forestry

sector. Its green color signifies

prosperity.

The rig represents the mining

sector. Its purple color means

wisdom because in Caraga,

people are wise since

responsible mining is promoted

to preserve the integrity of

natural resources.

The surfer represents the

tourism sector. Its orange color

means energy and courage.

The waves and its red color

represent passion for driving

Caraga towards the realization

of its goal.

The logo will simplify recall

and enhance recognition.

“Be the agent of change” is the

slogan or call to action

message of the Revised Caraga

RDP 2013-2016. It is a call for

everyone to do significant

things for the region and

become agents of change.

More sharpened interventions USec. Songco emphasized the

vertical linkage of the Caraga

RDP to the Philippine

Development Plan through the

message of Secretary

Balisacan. The Secretary

explained that the updating of

the regional plans will include

more sharpened interventions

to address the regions’

pressing challenges while

translating the national thrusts

into more specific strategies.

In his message, the Secretary

highlighted the improvements

in Caraga’s economy, “It is

very much encouraging and

inspiring to note that the

region has moved six notches

up from being the poorest

NEDA-Caraga OIC-RD Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño explaining the meaning of the Caraga RDP logo and slogan (right).


region in the country. Notably,

all provinces in Caraga are no

longer among the top 20

poorest provinces. In 2011, the

economy grew by 8.5%, which

was the highest among the 17

regions in the country. The

following year, the growth rate

was even higher at 10.6%,

ranking only second to Region

9. These growths have been

accompanied by massive

improvement in the region’s

poverty levels, from the

poverty incidence among

families of 46% in 2009 to

31.9% in 2012.”

Secretary Balisacan ended his

message by encouraging the

people of Caraga to remain

committed to work hard and to

be creative in sustaining the

region’s accomplishments.

Unveiling, Pledge of commitment signing USec. Songco together with

OIC-RD Cariño, Mayor

Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr.

(Butuan City), Mayor Librado

C. Navarro (Bislig City), and

other dignitaries unveiled the

life-sized Revised Caraga RDP

and RDIP 2013-2016. The

signing of the pledge of

commitment from all regional

line agencies, local

government units, state

universities and colleges, and

the private sector followed.

The launching was attended by

officials from the local

government units, directors

and members of the technical

working groups (TWG) from

the regional line agencies,

private sector representatives,

industry clusters, academe,

media, and other guests who

gave their valuable ideas

during the series of

consultations for the Caraga

RDP and RDIP.

Honorable Songco graced the

occasion on behalf of Socio-

Economic Planning Secretary

Arsenio M. Balisacan who

attended an urgent meeting

with the President at the

Malacanan Palace.

UNVEILING. [Left] From left, Atty. Danrex Tapdasan representing Rep. Valentina G. Plaza (First District, Agusan del Sur), SP Edward P. Mellana representing Rep. Evelyn P. Mellana (Second District, Agusan del Sur), Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr., USec. Songco, Surigao del Norte Vice Governor Arturo Carlos A. Egay, Jr., OIC-RD Cariño, and Bislig City Mayor Librado C. Navarro. [Right] USec. Songco signing the pledge of commitment.

Agents of change from the education sector.

6 caraga today

The ASEAN Forum, which was

originally set on January 15, aims

to inform the stakeholders of

Caraga about the implications of

the integration of the ASEAN

countries’ economies in 2015.

The AEC 2015 endeavors to

achieve full economic integration

in 2015 by creating a single

market and production base that

will allow the free flow of goods,

services, investments, capital and

labor throughout the region.

Under the ASEAN integration

plan, tariffs on most goods

coming from member countries

will be brought down to zero or

near-zero, financial systems will

be integrated, and employment

restrictions will be eased so that

Southeast Asians would find it

easy to find jobs in any country

within the region. This will

significantly reduce the cost of

doing business and will result in

the entire region experiencing

significant growth.

The ASEAN integration will

definitely have significant impacts

to the Caraga Region’s economy

given that its growth drivers have

varying degrees of preparedness.

Dr. Rafaelita M. Aldaba,

Assistant Secretary of the

Department of Trade and

Industry, heads the team of

resource persons for the forum.

Joining Dr. Aldaba were PIDS

Senior Fellows Dr. Erlinda M.

Medalla, Dr. Roehlano Briones,

and Dr. Adoracion Navarro.

Officials and representatives from

the local government units,

regional line agencies, private

sector, industry clusters, academe,

media, and even business

operators participated in this

forum.

Preparing for the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015:

Caraga Regional Development Council hosts ASEAN Economic Community Forum

by Sherwin E. Verdun, NEDA-Caraga

THE RESEARCHERS. [Counter-clockwise from top] PIDS Senior Fellows Dr. Erlinda M. Medalla, Dr. Roehlano Briones, Dr. Adoracion Navarro, and Dr. Rafaelita M. Aldaba, Vice President of the Philippine Institute of Development Studies.

The Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) hosted the Forum on the ASEAN Economic

Community (AEC) by 2015 at the Convention Hall, Dottie’s Place Hotel & Restaurant, JC Aquino

Avenue, Butuan City, Friday, January 24, 2014.


The Caraga Regional

Development Council started

the year 2013 by endorsing the

fiscal year 2014 proposed

budgets of regional line

agencies and state universities

and colleges of the region

amounting to PhP 38 Billion

during the 74th Caraga RDC

Full Council Meeting on

March 13, 2013. These

budgets underwent a rigorous

process of consultation with

different stakeholders

including civil society

organizations before securing

the endorsement of the RDC.

To heed President Aquino’s

clarion call to update

development plans, the Caraga

RDC spearheaded the revision

of the Caraga Regional

Development Plan 2011-2016

and revalidation of the

Regional Development

Investment Program 2011-

2016. The revision resulted in

more sharpened strategies to

attain inclusive growth and

reduce poverty.

A series of technical working

group meetings, workshops,

sectoral consultations, and

provincial/city consultations

followed to ensure that local

concerns are integrated in the

revised plan. Finally, the

Caraga RDC approved and

adopted the Revised Caraga

Regional Development Plan

and Revalidated Regional

Development Investment

Program 2013-2016 through

Regional Development

Council Resolution Numbers

34 and 35, series of 2013,

respectively, during the Caraga

RDC Full Council Meeting on

October 4, 2013.

Caraga Regional Development Council presents 2013 accomplishments

by Melanie A. Maur and Sherwin E. Verdun, NEDA-Caraga

Since its creation 19 years ago, the Caraga Region has

improved rapidly.

Continued on page 8

8

FY 2014 Caraga RDC Endorsed Budget

The Caraga RDC In Numbers

4 - Full Council Meetings 1 - Executive Committee Meeting

5 - Development Administration Committee Meetings 5 - Economic Development Committee Meetings

5 - Infrastructure Development Committee Meetings 5 - Social Development Committee Meetings

caraga today


document of the Revised


2013-2016. It translates the

objectives and strategies of the


into concrete programs,

projects, and activities

proposed for implementation

by the agency regional offices,

state universities and colleges,

local government units, and

private sector.

The Revalidated RDIP

contains strategic core

investment programs and

projects of agency regional

offices, state universities and

colleges, local government

units, and the private sector. It

also serves as basis for the

preparation of annual budget

proposals of agency regional

offices, state universities and

colleges, government-owned

and controlled corporations,

government financing

institutions and the Regional

Development Council’s review

and evaluation of the annual

budget proposals of these

government entities.

The Caraga RDC has a

tradition of inviting public-

servant leaders to grace RDC

meetings. Department of

Energy Secretary Carlos

Jericho Petilla attended the

75th Full Council meeting in

Surigao City on June 24, 2013

and discussed energy-related

issues.

On June 30, 2013, the term of

office of the Caraga RDC

Officials for 2010-2013 ended.

Thus, on August 16, 2013, the

Caraga RDC Secretariat

spearheaded the reorganization

of the Caraga RDC. The

Caraga RDC identified two

Continued on page 10

The Revised Caraga Regional

Development Plan 2013-2016

adopted the original goal of the

Caraga Regional Development

Plan 2011-2016, which is to

make the Caraga Region the

Fishery, Agro-Forestry,

Mineral, and Eco-Tourism or

FAME Center of the country

by year 2030. This would be

achieved by developing and

harnessing the region’s

abundant resources in fishery,

agriculture, forestry, mineral,

and eco-tourism. The Caraga

RDC saw that increasing the

productivity of these sub-

sectors is the key in generating

productive and gainful

employment opportunities that

will result in reduced poverty

levels.

The Revalidated Regional

Development Investment

Program 2013-2016 on the

other hand is the companion

10 caraga today

Conversion of the Butuan City Multi-Purpose Center into an uptown and commercial complex

Endorsing the PPP for Infrastructure School Project Requesting the conversion of Butuan Airport from satellite

airport of Area Nine to Airport Regional Center for Caraga Region with Tandag, Siargao, Surigao and Bislig Airports as its satellite airports.

Endorsing the results of Perceptions of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Beneficiaries on the Attainment of its Objectives In Caraga Region study

Supporting the passage of the Magna Carta for Barangay Nutrition Scholars

Requesting the grant of honoraria to 4Ps study researchers

Endorsing the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for School Infrastructure Project II

Requesting LGUs’ support and use of the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction

Endorsing of the Regional Basic Education Development Plan 2013-2018

Endorsing the Request of the City Government of Butuan for the revocation of Presidential Proclamation No. 249 (series 2000) and the subsequent conversion of the Butuan City Multi-Purpose Training Center into an uptown government and commercial complex

Supporting the establishment of Tourism Police Force and Tourism Police Assistance Desks in areas within Caraga Region with high tourism traffic pursuant to RA 9593 or the Tourism Act Of 2009

Requesting the Department of Justice to designate a prosecutor to handle environmental cases in each city or provincial Prosecutor’s Office

Executive Committee

Development Administration Committee

Social Development Committee

Resolutions passed


nominees each from the

government and private sectors

for the Caraga RDC

Chairperson and Co-

Chairperson positions.

Governor Sol Matugas of

Surigao del Norte and

Governor Johnny Pimentel of

Surigao del Sur from the

government sector were

nominated. Engr. Leonel

Santos (Regional Private

Sector Representative) and Mr.

Joseph Omar Andaya (Butuan

City Private Sector

Representative) were the

nominees from the private

sector. The Caraga RDC is still

waiting for the President to

appoint the Chairperson and

Co-Chairperson.

The chairpersons and co-

chairpersons for the four

Sectoral Committees of the

RDC were likewise selected

during this reorganizational

meeting. Surigao del Norte

Governor Sol Matugas was

selected as the Chairperson of

the Development

Administration Committee

with Regional Director

Lilibeth Famacion of the

Department of the Interior and

Local Government as co-

Chairperson. Butuan City

Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr.

was selected as the

Chairperson of the Economic

Development Committee with

Regional Private Sector

Representative Engr. Epimaco

Galero, Jr. as co-Chairperson.

Surigao del Sur Governor

Johnny Pimentel was selected

as the Chairperson of the

Infrastructure Development

Committee with Department of

Public Works and Highways

Regional Director Danilo

Versola as co-Chairperson.

Bislig City Mayor Librado

Navarro was selected as the

Chairperson of the Social

Development Committee with

Department of Social Welfare

and Development Regional

Director Minda Brigoli as co-

Chairperson.

The Caraga RDC conducted

four Full Council Meetings

and passed 69 resolutions. The

request of City Government of

Butuan for the revocation of

Presidential Proclamation

Number 249, series of 2000

and the subsequent conversion

of the Butuan City Multi-

Purpose Training Center into

an uptown government and

commercial complex was

endorsed by the Caraga RDC.

The resolution paved the way

for the City Government to

design and implement projects

or investments for commercial

purposes.


12 caraga today

Requesting the Department of Justice to designate a prosecutor to handle environmental cases in each city or provincial prosecutor’s office

Enjoining all local government units and mining companies to adopt filtering technology and the use of bio-logs to address heavy siltation of rivers and creeks brought about by small-scale mining activities

Requesting the central offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Tourism to come-up with specific guidelines in identifying tourism development areas.

Enjoining the use of coco coir and coco nets for soil conditioning and erosion control in mined-out areas

Requesting the issuance of guidelines concerning the granting of Special Agreements for Protected Areas (SAPA)

Creating a Regional Tourism Coordinating Council that shall coordinate and harmonize tourism development efforts in the region under the Tourism Act of 2009 (R.A. No. 9593)

Prohibiting child labor in mining activities as a response to alleged practices in the mining sector employing child laborers/workers, reiterating such prohibition under RA 7658 and 9231

Endorsing the Fisheries, Coastal Resources and Livelihood (FishCORAL) Project in Caraga Region.

Economic Development Committee

Resolutions passed

Endorsing the proposed bridges under President’s Bridge Program for Spanish Government Funding

Requesting the City Government of Butuan to craft a Traffic Management Plan including the development of city by-pass and alternate roads to address the potential traffic congestion problems brought by the growing urbanization of the city

Endorsing to the Caraga RDC the adoption of Geotagging Technology as a project monitoring tool

Endorsing to the Caraga RDC the creation of the Joint EDC-IDC Committee

Infrastructure Development Committee


The Caraga RDC also

endorsed the results of the

study Perceptions of the

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino

Program Beneficiaries on the

Attainment of its Objectives In

Caraga Region and the PPP

for School Infrastructure

Project II. The Department of

Education Central Office

already awarded the PPP for

School Infrastructure Project II

to BSP and Company and

Vicente T. Lao Construction-

Joint Venture B. The PPP for

School Infrastructure Project II

operating through a Build-

Transfer scheme involves the

design, financing, and

construction of 10,679

classrooms.

The Caraga RDC supported

the move to establish Tourism

Police Force and Tourism

Police Assistance Desks in

areas in the region with high

tourism traffic following the

provisions of Republic Act

9593 or the Tourism Act of

2009.

Further, the Caraga RDC

requested the Department of

Justice to designate a

prosecutor to handle

environmental cases in each

city or provincial prosecutor’s

office.

To safeguard the environment,

the Caraga RDC requested for

the adoption of a filtering

technology in rivers and creeks

by mining companies to solve

heavy siltation caused by

mining activities as well as

encourage the use of coco coir

and coco nets for soil

conditioning and erosion

control in mined-out areas.

The Caraga RDC also

requested the Department of

Environment and Natural

Resources Central Office to

expedite the review of the

special use agreement in

protected areas to ensure

conservation of biodiversity

and sustainable development

of protected areas to uphold

critical ecological processes

and life support systems.

A resolution requesting the

central offices of the

Department of Environment

and Natural Resources and the

Department of Tourism to

come-up with specific

guidelines in identifying

tourism development areas

was also passed by the Caraga

RDC. Since the identification

of tourism development areas

is a national initiative, the

criteria or guidelines for

identifying should emanate


14 caraga today

Major outputs and activities of RDC Sectoral Committees

The Caraga RDC Sectoral Committees formulated the Revised Caraga Regional Development Plan 2013-2016 chapters and its corresponding Results Matrix. Further, the Committees conducted civil society organizations (CSO) consultation on the Revised Caraga RDP Chapters and participated in the PDP Regional Consultation.

Planning

Investment Programming

Budgeting

The Caraga RDC Sectoral Committees presented the core Investment Program/Projects of the Revised Caraga Regional Development Plan 2013-2016, provided inputs to the Revalidated Regional Investment Program (RDIP) 2013-2016, and subsequently endorsed the Revalidated RDIP.

The Caraga RDC Sectoral Committees conducted Regional Budget Consultation, consultation with CSOs on agency proposed budgets, and endorsed the Agency Budget Proposals for FY 2014.


from the Department of

Environment and Natural

Resources and the Department

of Tourism Central Offices to

ensure that all regions adhere

to the same guidelines.

The Caraga RDC conducted

the second Infrastructure

Development Committee

Tourism Road Infrastructure

Prioritization Criteria (TRIPC)

assessment visit for Agusan

del Norte, Butuan City, and

Agusan del Sur on December 3

-6, 2013.

The Caraga Regional Project

Monitoring Committee

monitored the progress of

implementation of 177 projects

during regular monitoring and

86 projects during special

monitoring.

The Caraga RPMC was the

first to apply Geotagging

technology in project

monitoring among all the

RPMCs in the country.

Geotagging is the process of

adding geographical

information to photographs of

projects monitored. Because of

this trailblazing effort, the

members of the Caraga

Regional Project Monitoring

Team served as resource

persons on geotagging by other

regions of the country.

Meanwhile, the Infrastructure

Development Committee also

reviewed the Umayan River

Irrigation Project. The

Investment Coordinating

Committee-Cabinet

Committee approved the

change of cost on December

16, 2013 and this project is

now calendared for discussion

by the NEDA Board.

Through the Regional

Geographic Information

System Network and with

funding support from the GIZ

German Development

Cooperation of the Republic of

Germany, the Caraga RDC

conducted two batches of

trainings on Basic Quantum

GIS, which were attended by

65 participants. Quantum GIS

experts from the Department

of Geodetic Engineering,

College of Engineering, of the

University of the Philippines-

Diliman served as trainers.

The Agusan River Basin Task

Force conducted two meetings

in 2013. The meetings were

conducted to discuss the

results of the four water

quality monitoring assessments

and the expansion of the

coverage of the assessment to

other major water bodies of the

region pursuant to Caraga

RDC Resolution Number 32,

series of 2012.

Also, the Multi-Sectoral Forest

Protection Committee had

three meetings in 2013. These

meetings discussed the Anti-

Illegal Logging Task Force’s

operation and identification of

mechanisms to strengthen the

wood industry in the region

that resulted in the passage of a

resolution requesting a

prosecutor to handle

environmental cases in each

city or province.

“The winds and waves are

always on the side of the ablest

navigators (Edward Gibbon).”

We have laid out our plans and

now we are ready for sailing.

With the blessings of Our

Almighty God and Creator, let

us be agents of change.

In this year of the horse, the

symbol of perceptiveness and

hard work, the Caraga RDC

will aim to be more passionate

in modeling change in the

region for the betterment of

others doing its mandated

work with greater love, greater

attention, and greater

deliberation.

Macroeconomic Management

upgrade and diversify industries to

include more value-adding and

processing activities;

diversify export products;

provide adequate infrastructure as

well as improve regional

competitiveness;

strengthen the manufacturing sector

by expanding and broadening its

export base

employ strategies to reduce the

impacts of natural calamities given

the region’s high exposure to

geological and meteorological

hazards;

Innovative and Competitive Industry

and Service Sectors

advance responsible mining and the

local processing of mineral products;

strengthen the industry clusters;

increase the micro, small, and

medium enterprises’ competitiveness;

increase regional and local

competitiveness and institutionalize

reforms in getting credit

establish infrastructure support

facilities in tourism destination areas

and enforce RA 9593 or the Tourism

Act of 2009 to entice more tourists to

visit and enjoy the region’s 499

breathtaking and excellent eco-

tourism destinations;

Competitive and Sustainable

Agriculture and Fisheries Sector

adopt new and effective farming

technologies;

promote Agri-Pinoy Program;

establish and maintain fish

sanctuaries in every coastal

municipality;

promote private sector investment for

commercial livestock industry; and

establish adequate and appropriate

pre and post harvest facilities.

Accelerating Infrastructure

Development

maintain, improve, and upgrade

transport systems;

improve access to potable water;

provide a stable and effective power

supply;

establish a dependable digital

infrastructure;

improve quality and coverage of

preventive and curative health care

and education;

improve environmental protection;

sanitation and waste disposal; and

provide resilience to climate change

and natural disasters.

Good Governance and the Rule of

Law

improve, strengthen and

professionalize the government

machinery;

address inefficiencies and curb graft

and corruption in government

transactions and in performing public

service;

increase the government’s coffers;

enhance citizen’s participation; and

strengthen the rule of law.

Social Development

develop human capacities especially

that of the poor, vulnerable, and

disadvantaged by improving access

to relevant and quality education and

technical skills development;

THE PLAN’S BROAD STRATEGIES

THE PLAN’S GOAL

The Caraga Regional Development Plan endeavors to make the Caraga

Region the Fishery, Agro-Forestry, Mineral, and Eco-Tourism (FAME)

center of the country by year 2030 by developing the region’s abundant

resources in fishery, agriculture, forestry, mining, and eco-tourism.

These sectors have been observed as growth drivers of the region’s

economy, generating employment for the region.

The improvement of the productivity of the said sectors will result in

generation of employment opportunities and reduction in poverty.

In Summary


2013-2016

improve access to quality social

protection;

improve access to quality health and

nutrition services; and

provide access to shelter

Peace and Security

enhance police presence and

visibility;

empower Barangay officials and

tanods and the police as first

responders; and

intensify economic and social support

services through provision of

sustainable livelihood opportunities,

construction of strategic

infrastructure projects, and

convergence approach in the delivery

of basic social services

Conservation, Protection, and

Rehabilitation of Environment and

Natural Resources towards

sustainable development

pursue an integrated approach to

natural resource conservation,

development and management, and

ensure strict implementation of

environmental laws, policies, and

regulation.

prioritize the strengthening of the

resilience and adaptive capacities of

communities against natural hazards

and climate change.

MAJOR PROGRAMS

AND PROJECTS

Agusan del Norte-Surigao del Norte

Coastal Road

Agusan del Sur Circumferential Road

Anti-Red Tape Act - Report Card Survey

(ARTA-RCS)

Anti-Red Tape Watch

Automatic Water Level Sensor

Bayugan-Calaitan-San Juan of Agusan

del Sur to San Miguel – JCT Gamut,

Tago – Tandag Road Concreting

Bottom up Budgeting Support Program

Butuan City-Agusan-Malaybalay City

Road

Cattle Dairy Production

Centers of Excellence (COEs)/Centers of

Development (CODs)

CLUP Zero Backlog Project

Coconut Replanting

Coconut Seedlings Dispersal Project

(CSDP)

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform

Program

Conduct of LGU Budget Review

Construction of Cluster Sanitary Landfill

Construction of Regional Skills Training

and Assessment Center (RSTAC)

Construction of River Protection in

Cabadbaran and Karak-an Rivers

Crops and Livestock Development Sector

DA-Banner Program

Dinagat Island Road Network

Enhancing LGU Capacity on CCA-

DRRM and Disaster Preparedness

Establishment of courts cum libraries

Establishment of NCIP Region XIII Multi

-Purpose Tribal Center

Establishment of Research, Development

and Extension (RDE) Center for Caraga

Establishment of Two-Storey Manpower

Training Center

Farm to Market Road Project (FMR)

FishCORAL Project-Coastal Resource

FishCORAL Project-Livelihood

Geohazard and Survey Assessment

Improvement of the Caraga State

University - Cabadbaran Campus Sports

Complex

Kalusugang Pangkalahatan

Lake Mainit Circumferential Road

Major Flood Control Projects

Mindanao East West Lateral Road

Nasipit Baseport Improvement Projects

National Greening Program

National Universities and Colleges for

Agriculture and Fisheries (NUCAFs) /

Provincial Institutes of Agriculture and

Fisheries (PIAFs)

Palm Oil Replanting

PAMANA

Rechanneling and Protection of Andanan

River

Rice Mechanization Program

SALT Fertilization Project (SFP)

Scaling –up of Risk Transfer Mechanisms

for Climate Vulnerable-based

Communities in Southern Philippines

Seal of Good Social Protection for the

Basic Sectors

Siargao Island Circumferential Road

Surigao Baseport Improvement Projects

Surigao City IP Housing Project

Surigao City Resettlement Housing

Project 3

Tabon-Labisma-Lawigan Port Road

Concreting

Umayam River Irrigation Project

Widening and River Protection of

Bayugan and Taglatawan Rivers

Widening and River Protection of

Bayugan and Taglatawan Rivers

In Summary


2013-2016

in Soriano, Cabadbaran City,

Agusan del Norte; a new

proprietor is taking over. The

reduction in the production of

banana was also partly caused

by the onslaught of Typhoon

Pablo on banana plantations in

Agusan del Sur. The

production in Agusan del

Norte decreased by 21.86

percent, while that of Surigao

del Sur increased by 10.17

percent.

The top banana producer in the

region is now Surigao del Sur,

which contributed 43.68

percent of the total production

for the quarter. Its production

grew by 10.17 percent. The

increase in production is

attributed to more hills bearing

fruits.

For non-food and industrial

crops (NFIC), coconut

production decreased by 3.39

percent or 7,591.52 MT

because of declining

production in Surigao del

Norte (13.06 percent or

9,935.99 MT) and Agusan del

Sur (10.82 percent or 681.23

MT). The reduced production

in Surigao del Norte is due to

fewer nuts harvested per tree,

while that of Agusan del Sur is

due to the damage caused by

Typhoon Pablo. The province

of Surigao del Sur is the top

coconut producer of the region

for the quarter, with 48.26

percent contribution to the

total coconut production for

this quarter, followed by

Surigao del Norte with 30.57

percent. Coconut production in

Agriculture, Fishery, and

Forestry

Palay production increased by

29.84 percent or 8,141 MT.

The increase in production is

attributed to more area

harvested due to a more

reliable supply of water and

higher yield owing to lesser

pests and diseases.

Surigao del Sur is the highest

producer of palay among the

provinces in the region,

contributing 34.41 percent of

the region’s total palay

production for this quarter.

Surigao del Norte follows with

a 33.21 percent contribution.

Corn production increased by

46.86 percent or 14,235 MT.

The increase in production is

attributed to increase in area

harvested due to availability of

seeds, attractive price and

sufficient soil moisture for

planting as well as higher

yields due to lesser pests and

diseases.

The province of Agusan del

Sur is the top corn producer of

the region for the quarter, with

a 77.35 percent contribution to

the total corn production for

this quarter. The province’s

production increased by 54.98

percent.

The production of banana,

another major crop, decreased

by 6.74 percent or 4,244.29

MT. This is due to cutting of

unproductive hills for

replacement because of the

closure of the Cavendish farm

Source: BAS XIII

18 caraga today

3rd Quarter 2013

Caraga Regional Economic Situationer

Source: BAS XIII

Source: BAS XIII

Source: BAS XIII

Source: BAS XIII

production comes from

municipal fishery, comprising

about 69.19 percent of the total

volume of production.

Municipal production

decreased by 4.68 percent or

775.71 MT compared to third

quarter of last year.

The province of Surigao del

Sur is the top fishery producer

of the region for the quarter,

with 45.54 percent

contribution to the total

production, followed by

Surigao del Norte with 42.39

percent contribution. However,

production in both Surigao del

Sur and Surigao del Norte

declined by 8.60 percent and

3.75 percent, respectively

because of lesser fishing

activities due to the prevalence

of low pressure areas (LPAs).

Services and Industry

Sole proprietor investments for

the third quarter increased by

188.76 percent or Php 355.67

million compared to the same

period last year. Domestic

sales increased by 54.03

percent or Php 55.50 million.

Jobs generated increased by

0.96 percent or 27 jobs. New

business names registration

increased by 26.59 percent or

314 registrations. Exports


USD 7.04 Million.

Surigao del Sur,

slightly increased

by 0.72 percent,

while that of

Surigao del Norte

decreased by 13.06

percent.

Palm fruit

production also

decreased by 50.26

percent or

37,057.79 MT. In Agusan del

Norte, the decrease in

production was due to fewer

harvests attributed to reduced

application of fertilizer.

Meanwhile, the province of

Agusan del Sur is the top palm

fruit producer of the region for

the quarter, with 98.66 percent

contribution to the total

production. However, Palm

fruit production in Agusan del

Sur declined by 50.59 percent

due to damage caused by

Typhoon Pablo.

Forestry

Log production increased by

335.83 percent or 178,630.66

cu. m. Production from the

Private Tree Plantation

Ownership Certificates

(PTPOC) increased by 330.81

percent or 175,959.10 cu. m.

The PTPOC accounted for

98.85 percent of the total log

production for the period.

Most of the produced logs

were sold to nearby regions.

Hence, manufactured forest

products decreased by 17.12

percent or 24,898.50 cu. m.

Major manufactured products

include veneer, plywood,

blockboard and lumber.

Fishery

For the Fishery sector, the total

volume of production


1,280.61 MT. Most of the


Source: BAS XIII

Source: BAS XIII

Source: BAS XIII

Source: BAS XIII

Source: BAS XIII

Source: BAS XIII

Agusan del Norte ranks first

with a contribution of 57.05

percent to total jobs generated

followed by Surigao del Sur

with 17.69 percent. In terms of

growth in jobs generated,

Agusan del Norte also leads

with 163.68 percent growth


(31.41%).

In terms of new business name

registration, Agusan del Norte

ranks first with 44.01 percent

share, followed by Surigao del

Norte with 25.62 percent

share. In terms of growth in

registrations, Agusan del Norte

also leads with 39.70 percent

growth.

Among the provinces, Agusan

del Sur cornered the biggest

share of investments with

37.52 percent. Surigao del

Norte follows with a 29.72

percent share. In terms of

growth of investments, Agusan

del Norte leads with 187.49

percent growth.

In terms of domestic sales,

Surigao del Sur ranks first with

36.36 percent share to total

sales followed by Surigao del

Norte with 25.19 percent

share. In terms of growth in

domestic sales, Surigao del Sur

also leads with 155.80 percent

growth.

In terms of jobs generated,

20 caraga today

3Q 2012 3Q 2013

Investments (in Php M) 188.43 544.10

Domestic Sales (in Php M) 102.72 158.22

Jobs Generated 2,811 2,838

Business Name (New) 1,181 1,495

Exports (in USD M) 12.77 5.73

Source: DTI XIII

Source: DTI XIII Source: DTI XIII

Source: DTI XIII Source: DTI XIII

Exports

Total exports for the 3rd

quarter of 2013 was valued at

USD 228,520,836. It grew by

21.46 percent or USD

40,378,250 compared to the

same period last year. In terms

of value by product, 88.59

percent of total export

comprised of nickel ores and

concentrates. This is followed

by coconut products (8.58%)

such as coconut, copra,

coconut water, crude oil and

refined oil (cochin). The

region also exported banana

products, mango juice, palm

stearin, saccharin, and others.

In terms of value by country of

destination, 40.66 percent of

the exports value for the period

went to China, followed by

USA with 36.93 percent. In

terms of value by province, 58

percent of the exports value for

the period exited through

Surigao del Norte.

Shipping and Cargoes

Total number of ship calls

shipment of general cargoes

attributed to the operation of

new establishments in Surigao

City. Outbound domestic cargo


42,083.24 MT. This is due to

decrease in shipment of fruits

and vegetables, wood by-

products and other general

cargoes.

percent due to increased

demand for nickel ore in

foreign markets.

Historically, inbound domestic

cargo throughput is higher than

outbound. Inbound domestic

cargo increased by 48.84

percent or 144,445.17 MT.

This is due to the increase in


Source: NSO XIII Source: NSO XIII

Source: NSO XIII Source: NSO XIII

decreased by 2.30 percent

compared to the same period

last year. Ship calls in the

region are mostly domestic

comprising 89.92 percent of

the total number of calls for

the quarter. Domestic ship

calls decreased by 3.90

percent. Foreign ship calls,

however, increased by 14.72

Source: PPA PMO Nasipit, PPA PMO Surigao Source: PPA PMO Nasipit, PPA PMO Surigao

Source: PPA PMO Nasipit, PPA PMO Surigao Source: PPA PMO Nasipit, PPA PMO Surigao

Foreign export throughput

increased by 14.36 percent due

to increase in shipment of

nickel ores to China. Total

domestic passengers increased

by 0.57 percent. Close to 52

percent of domestic passengers

are composed of disembarking

passengers. Increase in total

number of passengers is

attributed to the entry of MV

Filipinas.

Tourism

Tourist arrivals increased by

31.74 percent compared to the

same period last year; About

91 percent were domestic

travelers, 8 percent were

foreigners and 1 percent were

overseas Filipinos. Butuan

City cornered the biggest share

with 35 percent of the total

tourist arrivals for the 3rd

quarter of 2013, followed by

Surigao City with 31 percent.

The number of domestic

travelers, foreign travelers and

overseas Filipino travelers

increased by 29 percent or

28,771 visitors, 61 percent or

4,467 visitors, and 154 percent

or 659 visitors, respectively.

These figures tell us that while

attracting foreign visitors has

its merits, domestic visitors

still remain as the region’s

main market. Given such, there

is a need for tourism

stakeholders to take this

market seriously and

implement strategies and

packages that target this group.

There is also a need to improve

the collection efficiency of

tourism data to capture the

gains of the region due to the

increase in number of flights

serving the region.

Air Transport

Total number of flights in the

region, both incoming and

outgoing, decreased by 2.33

percent. However, total

incoming passengers increased

by 6.88 percent, while total

outgoing passengers increased

by 8.04 percent.

Incoming cargoes increased by

60.43 percent or 458,759 kg.

Outgoing cargoes increased by

50.15 percent or 274,350 kg.

Labor

Unemployment rate decreased

from 6.90 percent to 5.50

percent, lower than the

national figure of 7.30 percent.

Likewise, underemployment

decreased from 30.60 percent

to 29.90 percent, higher than

the national figure of 19.20

percent.

Prices

Inflation rate for the 3rd

quarter of 2013 averaged 3.17

percent, lower compared to the

4.30 percent average for the

3rd quarter of 2012.

22 caraga today

Source: DOT XIII Source: DOT XIII

Source: CAAP

Source: CAAP

Source: CAAP

July 2012 July 2013

Labor Force 1,698,000 1,741,000

Labor Force Participation 65.90 68.80

Employment Rate (%) 93.10 94.50

Unemployment Rate (%) 6.90 5.50

Underemployment Rate (%)

30.60 29.90

Source: NSO


Development Prospects

Another bank opened its doors

in Butuan City. The Philippine

Business Bank, a thrift bank,

opened a branch in Montilla

Boulevard, Butuan City. The

bank targets small and medium

enterprises (SMEs) as well as

large companies. It seeks to

help SMEs build broad

economic base through

improved access to capital and

other banking products and

services.

A USD 70 Million biomass

plant will be built in Butuan

City by Caraga Renewable

Power Corp. which is owned

by Eastern Petroleum. The

plant which will have a

capacity of 20 MW will run on

woodchips sourced from

industrial tree plantations in

Agusan del Norte and Agusan

del Sur. It wil boost power

supply in the region.

A Singapore-based multi-

national corporation is

planning to develop 67,000

hectares of land in Agusan del

Sur for coconut plantation

worth PhP 4 Billion. The

company will produce coconut

water, virgin coconut oil and

other coconut food-based

products which will be

exported to the USA and

Europe.


last year.

Public Order and Safety

Total crime volume increased

by 66.13 percent. All of the

provinces, except Dinagat

Islands, including Butuan City

displayed increasing crime

volume with the highest

percentage increase recorded

in Surigao del Norte (85.43%),


(83.26%), Agusan del Sur

(50.36%), Butuan City

(32.03%), Agusan del Norte

(23.44%), and Dinagat Islands

(0%).

Of the total crime volume for

the quarter, 63.68 percent were

index crimes, while 36.32

percent were non-index

crimes. Crime volume is seen

to be highest in Surigao del

Norte which comprise 44.38

percent of the total figure in

the region- 48.82 percent share

for index crimes and 36.59

percent share for non-index

crime. Surigao del Sur follows

with 25.02 percent.

Average crime solution

efficiency rate in the region

increased by 19.32 percentage

points. The highest crime

solution efficiency rate is in

Dinagat Islands at 60 percent,

followed by Butuan City with

55 percent.

Source: NSO Source: NSO

Source: PNP XIII

Source: PNP XIII

Among the provinces, price

movement from July to

September 2013 was slowest

in Surigao del Norte with an

average of 2.33 percent

inflation rate. On the other

hand, Surigao del Sur posted

the highest inflation rate at

4.13 percent for the same

period.

The CPI levels for the third

quarter of this year are higher


of last year. This tells us that

an average basket of goods

costs higher this year

4th Quarter 2013 Regional Project Monitoring Activity

24 caraga today

Name of Project Location Implementing

Agency

Cost in PhP

('000,000)

Physical Accomplishment in %

Status (as of January 31, 2014)

Planned

(%)

Actual

(%)

Slippage

(%)

Agusan del Norte

Rehabilitation/Improvement of Bango-nay-Badbad FMR

Jabonga DPWH 18.72 100.00 100.00 - Completed

Replacement/Widening of Panaytayon Bridge (Phase II)

RTR DPWH 4.62 36.36 83.12 46.76 Ongoing

Widening/Concreting of Additional Lane both directions along Butuan City-CDO-Iligan Road

Buenavista DPWH 89.51 81.03 92.81 11.78 Ongoing

Road Upgrading (Gravel to Concrete) of Buenavista-Bunaguit Road

Buenavista DPWH 140.89 93.80 94.21 0.41 Ongoing

Kitcharao Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (KSRIP)

Kitcharao NIA 325.04 56.10 58.23 2.13 Ongoing

Dredging and Bank Protection of Cali-nawan River (Santiago-Sta. Ana Sec-tion)

Santiago DPWH 54.03 3.75 5.55 1.79 Suspended

Agusan del Sur

Umayam River Irrigation Project, Loreto and La Paz Municipalities (URIPL-C-1, URIPL-C-2 and URIPL-C-3)

Loreto and La Paz

NIA 82.94 - 100.00 - Completed

Construction of D.O.P. Memorial Hospi-tal Annex Building (Phase-3)

Prosperidad LGU-ADS 13.51 - - - Ongoing

Rehabilitation/Improvement/Upgrading (Gravel to Concrete) Karaos-Lapag (Mt. Magdiwata) Eco Park-Alegria Road with Sumogbong Bridge, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur

San Francisco DPWH 96.62 51.19 53.96 2.77 Ongoing

Repair/Rehabilitation of Talacogon Steel Bridge along NRJ Talacogon Bahbah Road, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur

Talacogon DPWH 1.38 - 35.10 - Ongoing

Bridge Construction/Replacement Pro-ject Maylanan Bridge and Ap-proaches, Loreto, ADS

Loreto DPWH 19.74 39.95 21.31 (18.64) Ongoing

Bridge Construction/Replacement Pro-ject Sayugon Bridge and Approaches, Loreto, ADS


Bridge Construction/Replacement Pro-ject Mambaus Bridge II and Ap-proaches, Loreto, ADS


Bridge Construction/Replacement Pro-ject Kinawan Bridge and Approaches, Loreto, ADS


Panagangan Bridge 1, Loreto, Agusan del Sur


Surigao del Sur

Wakat Barobo Road Section, K1399+770 - K1406+100, Barobo, Surigao del Sur

Barobo DPWH 4.88 - 100.00 - Completed

Const. of Series of Box Culverts at Tago-Gamut Bridge along SDCR, Tago, Surigao del Sur

Tago DPWH 24.06 - 100.00 - Completed

NRJ Barobo-Agusan del Sur Boundary Road, K1408+312 - K1411+400 Suri-gao del Sur

Barobo DPWH 52.17 99.79 95.29 (4.50) Ongoing

Completion/Retrofitting of Tago-San Miguel Bridge along Jct. Gamut-San Miguel Road, San Miguel, Surigao del

San Miguel DPWH 20.68 39.25 41.44 2.19 Ongoing

Construction of Slope Protection of Tago River Flood Control along Jct. Gamut-San Miguel Road, Magroyong

San Miguel DPWH 14.90 26.89 28.28 1.39 Ongoing


Name of Project Location Implementing

Agency

Cost in PhP

('000,000)

Physical Accomplishment in %

Status (as of January 31, 2014)

Planned

(%)

Actual

(%)

Slippage

(%)

Tago River Basin Flood Control and Mitigation Project, Tago

Tago DPWH 48.63 46.58 43.55 (3.03) Ongoing

Construction of Triple Barrel Box Cul-vert of Tago River Basin Flood Control along Jct. Gamut-San Miguel Road, Cagpangi Section, Tago

Tago DPWH 12.70 26.89 29.29 2.40 Ongoing

Construction of Flood Control/Slope Protection of Tago River Basin along SDCR, Gamut, Tago

Tago DPWH 14.40 26.89 28.35 1.46 Ongoing

Tago RIS Improvement Project, Suri-gao del Sur

Tago NIA 138.23 - 80.00 - Ongoing

Buyaan CIP, Madrid, Surigao del Sur Madrid NIA 72.48 - 85.00 - Ongoing

Bayugan City

Construction of Esperanza Bridge and Attendant Items of Work along Butuan City-Las Nieves-Esperanza-Bayugan Road, Agusan del Sur

Bayugan City DPWH-RRNDP 336.01 - 95.02 - Ongoing

NRJ Bayugan-Calaitan-Tandag Road, K1291+500 - K1292+867.57, Bayugan City, ADS

Bayugan City DPWH 42.25 75.10 77.35 2.25 Ongoing

NRJ Bayugan-Calaitan-Tandag Road, K1286+722 - K1288+222, Bayugan City, ADS

Bayugan City DPWH 34.53 64.10 66.33 2.23 Ongoing

Andanan River Irrigation System, Ba-yugan City, Agusan del Sur

Bayugan City NIA 181.20 - - - Ongoing

Nueva ERA Pump Irrigation Project, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur

Bunawan NIA 44.63 - - - Ongoing

Bislig City

Bislig City Integrated Project Irrigation Component (Burboanan Irrigation Pro-ject), Surigao del Sur

Bislig City NIA 27.65 - 60.00 - Ongoing

Butuan City

Improvement of Drainage Facilities along Butuan City-Malaybalay Road (Montilla Boulevard)

Butuan City DPWH 13.51 32.85 60.97 28.12 Ongoing

Construction of NEDA/RDC Building Butuan City NEDA 43.85 3.57 3.75 0.18 Ongoing

Upgrading of Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital

Butuan City DOH 0.03 - 30.02 - Ongoing

Construction of Butuan City South Market

Butuan City LGU-Butuan 249.79 75.83 74.01 (1.82) Ongoing

Construction of Polysports Complex Butuan City LGU-Butuan 252.94 65.24 56.05 (9.19) Ongoing

Cabadbaran City

Widening/Concreting of Additional Lane along Daang Maharlika (Agusan-Surigao Road)

Cabadbaran City

DPWH 2.67 36.25 77.25 41.00 Ongoing

Surigao City

Repair/Rehabilitation/Improvement of Daang Maharlika (Surigao-Agusan Road)

Surigao City DPWH 9.53 93.76 100.00 6.24 Completed

Repair/Rehabilitation/Improvement, Quezon-Mapawa-Capalayan-Espina-Navarro Road with exceptions of Surigao City

Surigao City DPWH 9.39 17.00 50.35 33.35 Ongoing

Improvement /Upgrading (Gravel to Concrete) of NRJ Lipata-Punta Bilar and Mabua Road

Surigao City DPWH 0.08 83.96 94.13 10.17 Ongoing

Extension of Existing Passenger Terminal Building, Port of Lipata

Surigao City PPA PMO Surigao

9.88 22.18 96.21 74.03 Ongoing

Lipata Port Expansion and Improvement Project

Surigao City PPA PMO

Surigao 75.53 14.80 17.59 2.79 Ongoing

Tandag City

Sta. Felomina CIS, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

Tandag City NIA 36.24 - 65.00 - Recommended for Termination

26 caraga today

The shortage of classrooms

and armchairs resulted in

classes being conducted in

open areas and students

standing or sitting on the

ground while others sit with a

partner. These are two pressing

concerns that confront school

administrators of the Caraga

Region.

Realizing the importance of

securing the future of our

youth, the Technical Education

and Skills Development

Authority (TESDA) launched

a collaborative project with the

Department of Environment

and Natural resources

(DENR), Department of

Education (DepEd), and

Philippine Amusement and

Gaming Corporation

(PAGCOR) dubbed as PNoy

Bayanihan Project that

provides armchairs to schools

in the region.

DENR donates, hauls, and

delivers confiscated logs,

lumber, and other forest

products to TESDA production

sites. It also links TESDA to

registered wood suppliers to

ensure adequate and sustained

supply of legally sourced logs

and lumber.

DepEd on the other hand, pays

for every chair, table, fixture,

and furniture produced by

TESDA. It provides the

detailed design, specification,

volume, and other

requirements for the

fabrication of the school

furnitures. It

also facilitates

the delivery of

the school

furniture to

specific

schools.

Meanwhile,

TESDA

produces the

school

furniture and

conducts

trainings on

furniture

production

including

access to

training facilities and

equipment. It also assists in the

selection and recruitment of

production workers.

PAGCOR provides initial

funding of P100 Million for

the retrofitting and

establishment of new

production facilities. It also

monitors and ensures that the

production facilities,

equipment, and other

operational needs are utilized

in accordance with the terms

of agreement.

The first batches of

beneficiaries were schools in

Butuan City, Agusan del

Norte, and Agusan del Sur.

In Butuan City, the recipient-

beneficiaries of armchairs were

the Butuan Central Elementary

School (1,900 units); Agusan

National High School (2,000

units); Butuan City School of

Arts and Trades (800 units);

Libertad Central Elementary

School (186 units); La Trinidad

Elementary School (450 units);

Villa Kananga Elementary

School (260 units); San Vicente

Elementary School (350 units);

Kinamlutan Integrated School

(50 units); and Ong Yiu

Elementary School (100 units).

PNoy Bayanihan Project:

A commitment to transform lives of schoolchildren

in Caraga

Convergence. TESDA Director-General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva is flanked by DepEd Sec. Bro. Armin Luistro and former PAGCOR Chairperson Cristino Naguiat together with students of Agusan National High School.

TESDA-Caraga Regional Director Florencio Sunico, Jr.



In 2012, 25 women of Barangay

Sta. Cruz availed of the Self-

Employment Assistance sa

Kaunlaran (SEA-K), a

Sustainable Livelihood Program

of the Department of Social

Welfare and Development

(DSWD). These women farmers

then formed the Sta. Cruz SEA-K

Association or the Sta. Cruz SKA.

After a series of trainings, the Sta.

Cruz SKA started the Sta. Cruz

SKA Cooperative with a seed

capital of PhP 125,000.00 on

February 8, 2013.

The establishment of the

cooperative in Barangay Sta. Cruz

is strategic because it is the entry

point to five other Barangays –

Padi-ay, Perez, Magcalipe, Tabon

-tabon, and Sta. Maria, all of

Sibagat in Agusan del Sur. Thus,

the Cooperative is able to serve

travelers who are going to and

from other Barangays adding to

its revenue. Further, the

Cooperative offers a variety of

commodities that are not available

in other sari-sari stores at a lower

cost. This subsequently increased

demand from Cooperative

patrons. The

Cooperative

also offers

credit lines for

both members

and patrons.

A Board of

Directors and a

regular

salesperson

manage the

Cooperative.

During the first two months of

operation, the Cooperative earned

PhP 24,000.00, which delighted

the members. They were even

more delighted after earning more

income from the barangay fiesta

activities in May 2013. It was also

in May that the members decided

to invest PhP 15,000.00 for

money lending that offers 10%

and 20% interest rates for

members and patrons,

respectively. Now, the capital has

grown to approximately PhP

45,000.00.

Today, the seed capital has

increased to PhP 218,000.00 or a 74% increase from the original

capital seed fund. This makes the

Cooperative’s payment to DSWD

up to date. Also, the members are

now planning to engage into

falcatta trading to expand their

business operations.

The members of Sta. Cruz SEA-K

Association are grateful to the

Sustainable Livelihood Program of

the DSWD for the improvement in

their lives. Because of the

program, they have an additional

source of income. More

importantly, the members realized

that through faith and sheer hard

work and with assistance from SEA-K, they can change their

lives for the better. (DSWD FO

Caraga, SLP M&E Officer)

DSWD’s Self-Employment Assistance sa Kaunlaran

Promotes Empowerment of Women

In Surigao del Sur, some 4,500

armchairs were given to Tandag

Central Elementary School,

Carmen Integrated School, and

Mahanahon Elementary School.

In Agusan del Norte, about 16

elementary and high schools in

the division of Cabadbaran City

received 3,376 armchairs. The

recipients were elementary

schools of North Cabadbaran

Central (841 units), Caasinan

(117 units), Kauswagan (43

units), Bay-ang (54 units),

Comagascas (162 units), Del

Pilar (251), Pirada (173 units),

Putting Bato (286 units),

Cabinet (144 units), Calibunan

(226 units), La Union (198

units), Sanghan (70 units),

Alfonso Dagani (74 units),

Calamba (69 units), and

Cabadbaran South Central (277

units) and Cabadbaran City

National School (391 units).

TESDA Regional Director

Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. said that

as long as there are available

materials like the confiscated

logs from DENR, the production

team is at all times ready to do

carpentry work and produce the

needed armchairs that would

reduce the shortage of armchairs

in Caraga Region. (Robert E.

Roperos, TESDA-Caraga)

PNoy Bayanihan Project...

Continued from page 26

28 caraga today

Population Development

Cooperation

The Commission on Population-

Caraga and the City

Government of Butuan have

formalized their collaboration

through a Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) signed

on January 9, 2014 at Butuan

City.

The collaboration is for the

integration of population

concerns in citywide plans and

programs.

PopCom Executive Director

Juan Antonio Perez III and

Butuan City Mayor Hon.

Ferdinand Amante, Jr.

recognized the importance of a

MOU for technical cooperation

on Population and Development

(POPDEV) Integration in local

governance.

PopCom shall provide technical

assistance to the City

Government in developing

appropriate tools, processes,

methodologies to be integrated

in the local development plans.

PopCom-Caraga Regional

Director Alexander Makinano

disclosed that the population and

development integration is a

population management strategy

that will enable institutions to

create an environment

conducive for people to achieve

their development goals through

well-planned and happy

families.

“Recognizing the importance

and necessity of integrating

population dimensions in

development initiatives can

contribute to

policies and

programs that will

help government

attain a well-

managed

population,”

Makinano said.

PopCom-Caraga

has turned-over

various IT

equipment to the

Population Office

of Butuan in

support of the

institutionalization

of the population program.

Population Development

Integration was adopted as

among the strategies in the

Butuan City’s Medium-Term

Development Plan (MTDP) and

in the Congressional – City

Development Agenda.

Partnership for youth center

On the same day, PopCom-

Caraga also inked a partnership

with Agusan National High

School (ANHS) for the

establishment and operation of

the ANHS Youth Center project.

PopCom Executive Director

Perez III and ANHS Principal

Dr. Eduardo Corro signed the

Memorandum of Agreement

that formalizes this partnership.

PopCom-Caraga Regional

Director Makinano said that the

project aims to address high

incidence of teenage pregnancy in the region. The ANHS Youth

Center will provide services and

information on health and

sexuality for the youth through

workshops, counseling,

alternative recreation activities

including sports, and training.

Perez hopes that the operation of

the ANHS Youth Center will

help promote behavior change

among the teenagers to be more

responsible in their sexuality.

Makinano underscored that the

Adolescent Health and Youth

Development Program

(AHYDP) aims to reduce the

incidence of teenage

pregnancies, early sexual

involvement, early marriages,

and other youth-related

reproductive health concerns.

The 2011 Family Health Survey

shows teenage pregnancies has

increased from seven teenage

mothers for every 100 in 2006 to

15 for every 100 in 2011.

Caraga Region has the highest

incidence of teen-age pregnancy

in the country. (Angie Balen-Antonio, PopCom-Caraga)

PopCom, Butuan City, Agusan National High

School ink Population Development Cooperation,

partnership for youth center

[Left to right] Former PopCom-Caraga RD Camilo Pangan and current RD Alexander Makinano, PopCom Executive Director Juan Antonio A. Perez III, Dr. Eduardo Corro, ANHS Principal, Ms. Marietta Pajo, OIC-City Population Office together with CPO staff and students at the ANHS Youth Center.


The Department of Trade and

Industry (DTI) has established

its liaison office in the Province

of Dinagat Islands early this

year. The DTI is among the first

national government agencies to

establish an operational unit in

one of the country’s newest

provinces.

With the establishment of its

liaison office in the island, the

small and medium-scale

entrepreneurs, investors and

businessmen in general from the

province’s seven municipalities

can now avail of technical

assistance from DTI in the areas

of product development, skills

trainings, market development,

entrepreneurship development,

financing facilitation, etc.

Entrepreneurs used to take more

than an hour’s boat trip from

San Jose, the province’s capital

town to Surigao City just to

avail of DTI services which

entail additional costs on these

entrepreneurs.

Local entrepreneurs can also

avail of the services of the

agency’s banner project, Shared

Service Facility (SSF), which

aims to improve the quality and

productivity of microenterprises

and MSMEs by addressing the

gaps and bottlenecks in the

value chain of priority industry

clusters through the provision of

processing machines/equipment

for the common use of the

industry clusters all over the

country.

DTI will also promote the

province to potential investors,

and provide technical and

business advisory services to

local businessmen in the island.

In the areas of consumer

protection and business

regulation, the agency will

implement its mandate through

the following programs: 1)

promotion of stable, reasonable

and affordable prices, 2)

promotion of safe products and

services, 3) Business Name

registration, mediation of

consumer complaints, among

others.

DTI is the government’s key

agency charged with creating a

business-friendly environment

that is conducive to the growth

of enterprises and supportive of

fair and robust trade in goods

and services, both within and

outside the Philippines.

The liaison office is headed by

Mr. Arnold D. Faelnar as the

team leader. It is located at

Maribao Building, San Juan,

San Jose, Province of Dinagat

Islands and can be reached at

09173111973.

DTI establishes its presence in the Province of Dinagat Islands

Phil-JobNet, Caraga Council of Deans and Business Educators Association link websites

The Phil-JobNet (http://www.phil

-job.net/) and the Caraga Council

of Deans and Business Educators

Association (CCDBEA) (http://

ccdbea.org/) linked their websites

in a ceremony at the Almont

Hotel’s Inland Resort, Butuan

City on February 6, 2014.

Atty. Johnson G. Cañete,

Regional Director, DOLE-Caraga,

emphasized the significance of

Phil-JobNet to the 1,099 students

from all over Caraga Region in

his inspirational speech during the

launching at Almont Inland,

Butuan City on February 7, 2014.

“Phil-JobNet is an internet-based

job and applicant matching

system which aims to fast track

jobseekers search for jobs and

employers search for manpower.

It is designed to identify gaps in

the labor demand and supply and

capture the current labor market

information to address the

pressing issue of jobs mismatch

thru information drive and

trainings in collaboration with

partner agencies.”

He urged the students to register

in the Phil-JobNet website (http://

www.phil-job.net/) and reminded

them to be ready for ASEAN

Economic Community (AEC) by

2015. The AEC endeavors to

achieve full economic integration

in 2015 by creating a single

market and production base that

will allow the free flow of goods,

services, investment, capital, and

labor throughout the region.

CCDBEA is committed to help

advocate Phil-JobNet’s website

and require graduating students to

register in the Phil-JobNet as a

pre-requisite for graduation. (Iris

C. Asis, DOLE-Caraga)

30 caraga today

The Department of Social

Welfare and Development-

Caraga (DSWD-Caraga)

forged a partnership with 25

local government units for a

data sharing initiative dubbed

as “Listahanan.”

The municipalities that signed

a Memorandum of Agreement

(MOA) with DSWD are Las

Nieves, Buenavista, Carmen,

Nasipit, and Remedios T.

Romualdez of Agusan del

Norte; Sibagat, Talacogon, San

Francisco, and Veruela of

Agusan del Sur; Sta. Monica,

Gigacuit, Mainit, and Sison of

Surigao del Norte; Libjo,

Loreto, and San Jose of

Dinagat Islands; and

Marihatag, Bayabas, Cagwait,

Cortes, San Miguel, Barobo,

Bislig City, Lingig and

Tagbina of Surigao del Sur.

“I believed that the Listahanan

is very helpful in identifying

beneficiaries for our programs

and services,” said Mayor

Alan A. Pelenio of Marihatag,

Surigao del Sur appreciating

the Listahanan. He also

expressed his support to the

second round of household

assessment for the National

Household Targeting System

for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-

PR).

“Listahanan is a database that

contains information on poor

households in the region – who

they are and where they are

located,” DSWD-Caraga

Regional Director Minda B.

Brigoli said. This Listahanan

will be useful to technical

experts and the general public

for planning and similar

purposes,” she added.

The “Listahanan” contains the

names, addresses, dates of

birth and ages of members of

poor households. It also has

information on the educational

attainment, occupation,

features of the housing

structure and access to basic

services like water, electricity,

and sanitary toilet, households’

ownership of assets, tenure

status of housing, and

difference in cost of living and

social services or programs

availed by poor households.”

Recipients of the Listahanan

has to provide feedback on

data utilization and ensure the

confidentiality of the profile of

the poor households. (DSWD-

Caraga)

DSWD-Caraga forges partnership with local government units on “Listahanan”

A total of 50 Barangays of

Agusan del Norte will receive

agriculture aid from the United

State Department of

Agriculture (USDA) through

Winrock International, a non-

government organization under

the Philippine Cold Chain

Project (PCCP).

The aid was formalized


Understanding (MOU) signed

by USDA, Winrock

International, and the

Provincial Government of

Agusan del Norte, represented

by Gov. Ma. Angelica

Rosedell M. Amante-Matba on

February 7, 2014 at the US

Embassy in Manila.

The PCCP will provide

US$200,000.00 to the province

for the purchase of agricultural

equipment; a portion of that

grant will be allotted for micro

-financing activities of

institutions or cooperatives.

The PCCP’s main objective is

to increase agricultural

productivity of the province. It

also aims to assist farm

families to increase their

income, improve nutrition and

50 Agusan del Norte Barangays to Receive Agriculture Aid from US government

food security, and provide

higher value agricultural

product for new markets.

Strengthening national cold-

chain and post-harvest

infrastructure are high

priorities for both the USDA

and the Philippine’s

Department of Agriculture

(DA). (Brian Jay Ceballos)


The City Government of Butuan

is collaborating with the

Department of Labor and

Employment – National

Reintegration Center for OFWs

(DOLE-NRCO) for the

implementation of R.A. 10022

or The Migrant Workers and

Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995


Agreement (MOA) signed at

Bo’s Coffee on February 13,

2014.

The partnership is a move to

intensify and update existing

skills training programs and

services for Overseas Filipino

Workers (OFWs) and their

families facilitated by the

Butuan City Manpower

Training Center (BCMTC) and

local and overseas employment

services of the Public

Employment Services Office

(PESO).

The City Government of Butuan

will assign a focal person to

facilitate the concerns of OFWs

and their families, organize a

group or committee that will

provide appropriate services to

the OFWs and their families,

and assist in the identification,

establishment, monitoring, and

evaluation of livelihood projects

for OFWs and families.

Further, the MOA also

stipulates that programs shall be

technology-driven, resource-

based, and sustainable for

OFWs and their families, and

that other partner-agencies shall

be engaged to provide trainings,

technologies, and resources.

Partner agencies include the

regional offices of the Overseas

Workers Welfare

Administration, Technical

Education and Skills

Development Authority,

Philippine Overseas

Employment Administration,

Public Service Employment

Office, Department of Trade

and Industry, Department of

Science and Technology,

Department of Agriculture,

Agricultural Training Institute,

Department of Social Welfare

and Development, Commission

on Higher Education, Regional

Tripartite Wage and

Productivity Board,

Professional Regulation

Commission, National Food

Authority, Social Security

System, Home Development

Mutual Fund – Pag-ibig,

Philippine Health Insurance

Corporation, Land Bank of the

Philippines – Butuan City

Branch, Land Bank of the

Philippines – Butuan Lending

Center, and Saint Joseph

Institute of Technology, Butuan

City. (D. Generalao/CMO-PIO)

Butuan City collaborates with DOLE – National Reintegration Center for OFWs for the implementation of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act

Dinagat Islands conducts mapshop, hazard profiling

The Provincial Government of

Dinagat Islands through the Pro-

vincial Planning and Develop-

ment Office (PPDO) conducted a

3-day mapshop and hazard profil-

ing on February 11-13, 2014 at

Gateway Hotel, Surigao City.

Ms. Graciela Harting and Mr.

Julius Espejon from the National

Economic and Development Au-

thority (NEDA) Caraga facilitated

the training-workshop.

Mappers/cartographers from the

seven Municipal Planning and

Development Offices of the prov-

ince and representative from the

DENR-PENRO Dinagat Islands

participated in the said mapshop.

While technical staffs from

PPDO, PDRRMO, OPAG,

PENRO-LGU, MPDCs,

MDRRMOs and MENROs par-

ticipated in the hazard profiling.

The training-workshop was con-

ducted to orient, train, and capaci-

tate mappers/cartographers of the

province and municipal local gov-

ernment units in generating maps

for their respective Municipal

Comprehensive Land Use Plan

and hazards-exposed areas and to

level-off boundary conflicts be-

tween municipalities and its

barangays. On the other hand, the

technical group was tasked to

prepare the provincial hazard pro-

file detailing the hazards and ca-

lamities occurring in the province.

The training-workshop is antici-

pated to fast track the crafting and

completion of the Disaster Risk

Reduction and Climate Change

Adaptation (DRR-CCA) en-

hanced Provincial Development

and Physical Framework Plan

(PDPFP) of the province and the

Comprehensive Land Use Plans

(CLUPs) of the municipalities

respectively. (JmC Daligdig)

32 caraga today

The Commission on Higher

Education (CHED) expanded

the Students Financial Assis-

tance Programs (CHED - Stu-

FAPs) for AY 2014-2015.

The expansion was made pos-

sible by the transfer of funds

from the Priority Develop-

ment Assistance Fund

(PDAF).

The selection of grantees for

the expanded StuFAP will be

based on CHED Memo Order

No. 9, s.2014, “Enhanced

Guidelines for the Implemen-

tation of StuFAPs in Ay 2014

-2015.” However, CHED will

only accept applicants who

will enrol in CHED Priority

Courses, prescribed by CHED

Memo Order No. 1, s. 2014.

In AY 2013-2014, 2,781 stu-

dents benefited from CHED

StuFAPs – 1,015 are scholars,

grantees, and SNPLP borrow-

ers; 1,226 are borrowers from

institutionalized loans; and

540 are grantees from the nine

congressional districts of

Caraga.

CHED-Caraga is coordinating

with DepEd-Caraga for the

dissemination of information

to high school students. It is

also coordinating with the

representatives of the Con-

gressional Offices in Caraga

for assistance in the dissemi-

nation of StuFAP information

and collection of application

papers.

Students and parents are en-

joined to call CHED-Caraga

at (085) 342-2064, visit the

Scholarship Unit at CSU

Campus, Ampayon, Butuan

City or visit its website http://

scholars.chedcaraga.com for

more information and to

download the application

form, guidelines and require-

ments. Likewise, students and

parents are also encouraged to

visit CHED-Caraga’s official

Facebook page, http://

facebook.com/chedcaragaph.

(Engr. Ramil A. Sanchez,

CHED-Caraga)

CHED expands Students Financial Assistance Programs

Eating malunggay leaves lowers blood sugar level and more

Moringa, or more commonly

known among Filipinos as

malunggay, is a plant acknowl-

edged for its nutritional and me-

dicinal value. Almost all parts of

the moringa plant are edible, from

the immature seed pods called

drumsticks, to the leaves, mature

seeds, and roots.

The leaves are said to be the most

nutritious part of the plant. Ac-

cording to the Food Composition

Tables (FCT) developed by the

Food and Nutrition and Research

Institute of the Department of

Science and Technology (FNRI-

DOST), malunggay leaves are

significant sources of B vitamins,

vitamin C, beta-carotene, zinc,

potassium, and iron, among other

significant nutrients.

Malunggay is a very common

ingredient in Asian cuisines in

countries such as Sri Lanka, India,

Cambodia, Bangladesh, Thailand,

and Pakistan.

In the Philippines, malunggay

leaves are added to broth, like in

the famous tinola, a traditional

chicken soup dish with ginger and

green papaya or chayote, to make

a nutritious soup. The leaves are

also processed with olive oil and

salt to become pesto-like pasta

sauce or crushed and mixed with

lemons or citrus fruits to make

juices or ice candies.

Among its many miraculous

benefits, moringa can balance

blood sugar levels. The FNRI-

DOST conducted a study to deter-

mine the changes in glucose of

people with moderately-raised

glucose levels using malunggay

leaves powder to verify this

claim.

It was found out that food prod-

ucts such as buns, fish sausages,

and veggie soups with added

malunggay leave powder de-

creased fasting blood sugar, thus,

possessing strong potential in

fighting diabetes. However, the

cholesterol-lowering effect of

malunggay leaves is yet to be

established in humans by way of a

thorough correlation research

study involving repeated observa-

tions over long periods of time.

Malunggay, touted as the miracle

tree, is very abundant in the Phil-

ippines. It is therefore very practi-

cal and gainful to undertake stud-

ies on how to maximize its health

benefits for every Filipino’s well-

being. (Jund Rian Doringo, DOST

-FNRI, S&T Media Service)

caraga today jan-mar 2014

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Transcript of caraga today jan-mar 2014