PCOO highlights Duterte legacies despite the pandemic

 ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug 11 (PIA) – The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) continues to deliver and communicate the legacies of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte given the limitations of COVID-19 pandemic.

PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar believes that delivering this information is strategic in achieving the Duterte administration’s goals and legacy, especially in winning the hearts of the people.

“We in the PCOO have been able to magnify and disseminate the policies and the achievements of the Duterte administration throughout its term through these facets of public service,” Sec. Andanar said during the live radio interview with Emedia Production Network today (Aug. 11).

Sec. Andanar also added that the delivery of right information of the services and programs of the administration is one of the biggest factors why the trust and confidence of the people to President Duterte remains.

Given the pandemic, PCOO continues to deliver information to the public through going digital that is able to reach the majority of the nation. “The best plan of action is to be present wherever your audience is,” Sec. Andanar said.

PCOO strengthens the government media, the conduct of virtual pressers, reporting tours, multimedia shows like the Cabinet Report, Network Briefing News, Laging Handa Public Briefing, CORDS Podcast, and Laging Handa Dokyu to reach their audience.

Sec. Andanar also emphasized the advocacy on Freedom of Information (FOI) which helps improve the capability of the people to regularly check the transactions of the government and to help fight graft and corruption. The FOI also aims to strengthen the Anti Red-Tape Act.

“We cannot eliminate corruption overnight, this is a systematic problem that requires systematic solution, we need a whole-of-nation approach,” he said. (RVC/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

PIA-9 chief underscores efficient communication strategies

 By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

ZAMBOANGA CITY, August 6 (PIA) - "In a digital age, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that governments ought to be proactive in the way they communicate and engage with citizens.”
 
Regional Director Noemi Edaga of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 talked on efficient communication for good governance in the new normal during the 14th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week.

She said whether it is during a natural disaster or a policy consultation process, citizens expect honest and useful communications from their government agencies.
 
She shared tips based on the recent initiatives taken by the agency to effectively disseminate, advocate and generate awareness on the campaigns of the government especially in this time of pandemic. 
 
The 14th PNHRS Week celebration for Mindanao Cluster kicked-off on August 6 with its satellite session under sub-theme "Ensuring Good Governance and Accountability in the New Normal".

The satellite sessions are conducted to provide an avenue for sharing innovative ideas and practices that can be replicated on other areas to help combat pandemic related issues and concerns for the country. These sessions are hosted by the regional consortia in the country.
 
This year’s theme is "Health R and D in the New Normal: Moving towards Universal  Health Care". (RVC/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)

DSWD: Human Trafficking cases log despite COVID-19

By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug 4 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-9 is alarmed over the increasing number of human trafficking cases in the region despite of the heighten travel and health restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 health crisis.

DSWD-9 Social Welfare Officer Stephanie Elopre, lamented that there are 345 human trafficking cases reported last year and 307 just this second quarter of 2021.

“Among these numbers, human trafficking victims were dominated by women and some of them were also victims of sexual abuse,” Elopre said during the recent Kapihan na Zamboanga held via online.

She also cautioned the public on the sweet words of recruiters.

“We should not get easily lured by the deceiving words of the recruiters rather consult and check if recruiting agencies are legitimate for us to avoid these abuses,” she added.

The department is now challenged to monitor travelling individuals who use the exit points in the region, particularly in Zamboanga City islands, where human traffickers use as transit points to Malaysia and eventually to Middle East countries.

“We also advised the public to be cautious on online human trafficking because illegal recruiters are now taking advantage and luring victims in social media,” Elopre affirmed.

Just recently, a total of 229 Badjaos, who are natives from Western Mindanao were rescued in Manila from human trafficking and exploitation. 

“The case against the identified traffickers is ongoing and we are in consolidation of more information and credible evidences,” she said.

Elopre emphasized that human trafficking now ranks second among criminalities that are happening in the country. 

More so, the agency has recovery and reintegration program to aid human trafficking victims such as education, transportation, livelihood and other services that may help establish their own business.

DSWD-9 now is preparing for the launch soon of a localized audio visual presentation on anti-human trafficking that will be played at public places, particularly at the terminals of the cities and provinces.

“The government is doing everything to provide more job opportunities to the people, for them not to take the risks working abroad,” Elopre said. (RVC/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

DA, PCIC nag-awhag sa mga hog raisers mopahimulos sa insurance packages

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, August 3 (PIA)— Ang Department of Agriculture (DA) ug Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) nag-awhag sa backyard ug commercial hog raisers mopahimulos sa  insurance pacakages aron makuha nila ug balik ang  ilang pagpamuhunan, kung ang ilang umahan maapektuhan sa African Swine Fever (ASF).

Sa gipahigayon nga panagtigum sa mga tinigyanan sa City Agriculture’s Office ug City Veterinary Office, gipahibalo ni Pinky Bomediano, ang Insurance Underwriter sa PCIC-9 nga gipakusog sa DA ang mga paningkamot nga awhagon ang mga hog raisers nga makabalik sa negosyo ug tabangan pagbuhi ug baboy pinaagi sa pagpahimulos sa insurance coverage ilabi na usab  sa mga lugar nga wala’y ASF.

Matud pa ni  Bomediano nga ang ilang buhatan nakadawat ug marching order gikan ni Secretary William Dar sa DA nga ipa-insure ang mga baboy tungod sa kasamtangang hulga sa ASF sa nasud.

Gidasig usab ni Bomediano ang mga agricultural stakeholders nga mapahimuslan ang libre nga insurance coverage tungod kay ang  kagamhanan adunay gigahin nga P51 milyones nga pundo ilawom sa hog repopulation program alang sa dakbayan.

Ang PCIC,  City Agriculture Office ug City Veterinary Office gikatakda nga magpirma ug memorandum of agreement (MOA) aron nga ang maong programa suportahan sa mga hog raisers.   (GCC/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur)

Manukan-ZDN farmers get P1.4M farm inputs, equipment

 By Rene V. Carbayas

 

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug 3 (PIA) – Four farmers and irrigators associations in Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte (ZDN) received P1.4 million-worth of farm inputs and equipment, recently.

 

Department of Agriculture (DA) IX Regional Executive Director Rad Donn L. Cedeño led the ceremonial turnover of farm equipment and farm inputs last July 27, 2021 in Don Jose Aguirre, municipality of Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte.

 

“We give honor to our farmers, our heroes who toil the land and produce food despite the pandemic. It is but right to support and prioritize their needs for livelihood and agricultural production,” RED Cedeño said.

 

Don Jose Aguirre Farmers Association, Don Jose Aguirre GGBU Framers Association, Bernad Aguirre Communal Irrigators Association, and Sitio San Martin Gardeners Association received mud boat, water pump, knack sack sprayer, power sprayer, and four-wheel drive tractor from projects funded by the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) Project, Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD), and High Value Crops and Development Program (HVCDP).

 

Meanwhile, Manukan Mayor Eugene U. Caballero expressed gratitude to DA for projects and encouraged the beneficiaries to continue following the good agricultural practices in farming.

 

“Let us bear in mind that we are given inputs by the DA. In return, let us show them our output,” the Mayor said.

 

Present to show support during the turnover were Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Armie Bergado representing Maybelle Bustaliño, Manukan Municipal Agriculturist Ma. Lenita J. Gayapa, DA–Field Operations Division (FOD) Chief Reynaldo M. Campomanes, DA–ZDN Agricultural Program Coordinator George B. Vallente, the DA staff and the officers and members of the farmers and irrigators association. (RVC/PIA9 with reports from DA-RFO IX, RAFIS)

Zambo’s own disaster-mitigating tech to go nationwide

By Dominic Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug 1 (PIA) – A locally-developed early-warning system for weather disturbances is set to be implemented nationwide after its effectiveness in disaster risk reduction in region 9 pilot areas.

“Our ALERTO will soon be going nationwide,” said Thelma Diego, Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) focal person of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here.

ALERTO, which stands for Automated Water Level and Rain Monitoring Using Near-Real Time Observation sends automated SMS alerts to local government units should there be weather disturbances such as heavy rainfall and low pressure area. The technology, innovated by the DOST and the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) utilizes real-time monitoring of water levels.

“This technology helped our pilot LGUs to make fast decisions regarding disaster-mitigating actions such as the need to evacuate a particular area,” Diego said.

She added that upon learning of ALERTO’s effectiveness, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) through its local counterpart recommended for its use nationwide.

“Through the efforts of our RDRRMC-9 chair Director Manuel Luis Ochotorena, our ALERTO will soon be rolled out nationwide since it is known to be very helpful in disaster mitigation,” Diego added.

Meanwhile, Director Ochotorena urges local governments in region 9 to make use of available technologies and never let their guard down to help them plan and mitigate disaster, especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic.  (RVC/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City, photo from alerto.dost9.ph)