Agusan del Norte, Philippines

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

Butuan City (May 30) — The Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) recently filed a petition to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) Caraga for a wage increase of 125 pesos.

During the public hearing on Minimum Wage Adjustment Petition recently held in one of the local convention centers here, the ALU-TUCP presented their petition before the RTWPB, representatives from the labor and management sectors, academe, and regional line agencies.

Among the board members who were present during the public hearing were Chairperson and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Chona Mantilla, Vice Chairperson and department of trade and Industry Regional Director Brielgo Pagaran, Vice Chairperson and National Economic Development Authority Regional Director Carmencita Cochingco, Management Sector Representative Mr. Jorge Uy, Labor Sector representatives Mr. Joselito Soriano and Mr. Rolando Dahang, and a member from the secretariat Mr. Sisinio Cano, Board Secretary VI.

The public hearing was divided into three parts. Preliminaries and presentation of Wage Fixing process and Regional Economic Situationer, while the second and third parts were the Consultation Proper and the Open Forum.

ALU-TUCP Regional Vice President Nicardo Borja said the board and its members should acknowledge the efforts of the workers since the region seems to be improving economically.

“Because of the country’s present situation where prices of basic commodities and gasoline were getting higher, we are pushed to file a petition for 125 pesos across the board wage increase to our workers,” Borja added.

Meanwhile, some members from the management sectors opposed to the proposed 125 pesos wage increase by ALU-TUCP but are open for negotiation. Some of these companies were the Andres Soriano Colleges, Taganito Mining Corporation and PICOP Resources Incorporated.

“We ask the board members to please allow our workers to have and to enjoy the 125 pesos across the board wage increase for we, in the ALU-TUCP really felt the need of our people,” Borja said.

“In case the board members approve the proposed 125 pesos across the board wage increase by ALU-TUCP, it will be published and after 15 days of publication, a wage order from RTWPB shall be sent to labor and management sectors for its effectivity,” Cano said.

As of this time, the RTWPB said that they are still on the process of deliberating each presentation both sides from the labor and management sectors. (PIA-Caraga)

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

Butuan City (May 30) — To further assess the establishment of the Regional Ecology Centers (REC) in Caraga Region, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Caraga recently spearheaded the orientation on the implementation of REC in the region, participated by stakeholders, academe and NGOs at the training center of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Caraga, this city.

EMB OIC-Regional Director Engr. Ester Olavides said that as per mandated in the Republic Act 9003, Chapter 2, Section 7 on Institutional mechanism, the establishment of a national Ecology Center while based on the Department Administrative Order 01-34 is required based on the implementing rules and regulations of the Republic Act 9003, Rule V, Section 1 supporting institutional mechanisms which requires the establishment of a National and Regional Ecology Centers.

Forester Joy Maagad, Environmental Solid Waste Management Chief and Project Management Unit of the Regional Ecology Center said that under the National Solid Waste Management (SWM) Commission, a national ecology center is to be established headed by the EMB Regional Director in his ex-officio capacity. “At the regional level, Regional Ecology Centers will also be established headed by the Regional Directors of EMB Regional Offices in their ex-officio capacity,” Maagad said.

Maagad also said REC will serve as service center for LGUs and shall give priority attention to the provision of technical assistance to LGUs for their different concerns on SWM implementation.

Also, EMB Caraga Regional Director Engr. Ester Olavides discussed before participants that REC will be a Center for information, database and processing where information materials such as documentation of LGU best practices on SWM, lecture materials for training and IEC, information on best available technologies for SWM, sample plans and SWM flyers will be available.

Dir. Olavides added that REC shall maintain a multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary pool of experts including those from the academe, investors, practicing professionals, business and industry, youth, women and other concerned sectors.

Meanwhile, the EMB regional office is set to schedule the next convergence of the said sectors for a workshop intended for REC members. (PIA-Caraga)

by Jose Jemuel B. Dael

Butuan City (May 30) — National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses in Caraga are packed with bags of rice as 120,000 sacks arrived in the port of Surigao City last night, May 29 direct from Vietnam to supply NFA accredited outlets in the region.

NFA-Caraga OIC-Regional Director Gil Pepito Paqueo bared this today during the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Council (RLECC) quarterly assembly held in the conference room of the Police Regional Office-Caraga, Camp Rodriguez, Libertad, this city.

Director Paqueo said that as of press time, there is no food shortage in the region, only the record-high prices of rice.

Rolando Sindo, Acting Regional Enforcement and Investigation Officer said the high prices of rice are caused by various factors such as the increased prices of fertilizers, fuel and oils.

Sindo said their office is doing the monitoring and enforcing proper selling and distribution of rice especially in NFA accredited retailing stores.

He added that because of the rocketing prices of rice in the entire country, this commodity becomes a target for ransacks by lawless elements which was confirmed by their intelligence gathering.

He disclosed that on the first week of April, some groups of people were planning to rob the NFA warehouse in Mangagoy and Cantilan towns in Surigao del Sur which caused them to ask for help in the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army.

Director Paqueo, for this reason, thanked the army and the police who responded to their request and immediately deployed personnel that prevented the possible robbery incident in the two warehouses.

NFA has 11 warehouses in the region located in Butuan City, Bayugan City, San Francisco, Trento town in Agusan del Sur, Mangagoy, Tandag City, Cantilan in Surigao del Sur, Surigao City and Dapa, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. (PIA Caraga)

by Leah T. Quintana

Butuan City (May 29) — DSWD Caraga Chief Mercedita P. Jabagat, Hinatuan Mayor Candelario Viola, Jr., San Agustin Mayor Manuel Alameda, and Sibagat Mayor Thelma Lamanilao, today signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the 4th year of PODER project implementation in their respective municipalities at the Conference Hall of DSWD Caraga Office.

Visitors from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) headed by Mr. Jesus Molina, Coordinator General of AECID, DSWD Caraga ARD and project manager Mita G. Lim, other members of the regional project management team, and the members of the staff of recipient municipalities witnessed the MOA signing.

In her message, Dir. Jabagat revealed that the 4th cycle will focus on the 9 barangays not prioritized for funding for the last three cycles or three (3) years of project implementation in the region.

Mayor Viola in his acceptance speech underscored the validity and effectiveness of the community driven development processes employed by PODER. He said “Every aspect of the project - its processes are valid and effective because the projects implemented in my town is now commonly owned. Community based participatory approach to development is the most dynamic and most effective way.”

Mayor Lamanilao also said that “the signing of the memorandum is not merely for compliance but most importantly, a manifestation of support for the development in our municipality and the LGU of Sibagat is committed to sustain the infrastructure projects with ensured funds for its operation and maintenance.”

Mayor Manuel Alameda reaffirmed the LGU’s full support to the project. While AECID has shared its financial resources, Mayor Alameda pronounced his willingness to also give the full share of local counterpart commitment expected of the LGU for the project.

The three local chief executives expressed their desires for AECI to extend more support to their municipalities.

Mr. Jesus Molina congratulated the three mayors in supporting PODER implementation. He said he will propose for the inclusion of the three towns for the LGU capability building assistance project of the AECID.

At present, the following are the completed PODER projects in Caraga region: 1) bridges – 4; 2) flood control – 6; 3) school building – 7; 4) water system – 13; 5) drainage – 7; 6) health station – 5; 7) Day Care Center – 4; Post Harvest Facility – 1. Ongoing projects are 9 day care centers, 3 health stations, 8 school buildings, 2 water systems, and 1 drainage system.

For the three years of implementation, PODER released a total of Php 50,490,244.29 while the three (3) LGUs gave a total of Php 17,961,501.85 for their LGU Counterpart commitments.

PODER project is funded by the AECID. Aside from the infrastructures, it also funded capability building activities for the community folks to enhance their knowledge, attitudes and skills. These activities have prepared them to actively participate in the project implementation. (DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)