Caraga Today July-September 2014

today caraga Vol. XVIII, Issue 3

July - September 2014

A Publication of the Caraga Regional Development Council

PAGE 18

Q1 2014 Regional

Economic Situationer

PAGE 24

Q2 2014 Regional

Project Monitoring

Report

Going paperless

Caraga Regional Development Council to conduct first paperless meeting PAGE 4

2

Editor-in-Chief Jazmin D. Berido

Writers Sherwin E. Verdun

Mirasol P. Montenegro

Rhea Mae C. Mendez

Glenn B. Batincila

Paris Raymond S. Gaballo

Ian G. Miculob

Design Editor Sherwin E. Verdun

Contributors DA, DAR, DTI, TESDA, GIZ-COSERAM

Adviser RD Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño

caraga today

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 2

PAGE 4 Going paperless

Caraga Regional Development Council to conduct first paperless meeting

PAGE 5

Agent of Change Forum gathers Caraga Information Officers, partners

PAGE 6

Caraga Information Officers undergo writing training

PAGE 7

Caraga Private Sector Reps attend 5th National Convention in Iloilo City

PAGE 8

Caraga Information Officers attend publications design, evaluation training

PAGE 9

Local government units receive PhP1.4M worth veggie seeds from Department of Agriculture-

Caraga

On this issue

PAGE 10 5 Surigao del Norte towns receive PhP4.6M grant from the Department of Trade and Industry-Caraga PAGE 12 Farmers receive PhP12.17M worth of projects from Department of Agrarian Reform-Caraga PAGE 13 Surigao del Sur farmers enjoy farming mechanization PAGE 14 Caraga Regional Development Council preps Regional Physical Framework Plan; trains partners PAGE 15 TESDA-Caraga fetes personnel, partners on its 20th Anniversary PAGE 28 Marine Monitoring Team now ready for underwater assessments in Surigao del Norte

3 Vol. XVIII Issue 2

by Sherwin E. Verdun, NEDA-Caraga

“Today we continue our journey towards a greater Caraga Region” - Gov. Sol Matugas

“Today, I stand before you

humbled and honored

because President Aquino

has given me a fresh

mandate to lead this

esteemed body in steering

development in Caraga

Region. Today marks the

beginning of our

continuing journey

towards building

progressive and resilient

communities and in

bringing development that

matters to every

Caraganon. Today we

continue our journey

towards a greater Caraga

Region,” says Gov. Sol

Matugas, Caraga Regional

Development Council’s

new Chairperson.

On her second term,

Matugas vowed to continue

to take bold actions on issues

that matter to Caraganons

especially the poor and the

marginalized.

During her first term, Caraga

exhibited strong economic

performance. Poverty

incidence among families

declined from 46% in 2009

to 31.9% in 2012 moving

Caraga six notches up to

rank 11th among the 17

regions.

The GRDP growth rate was

among the highest in the

country: 8.5% in 2010-2011

(highest) and 10.6% in 2011-

2012 (second highest).

Matugas emphasized that the

progress in the region is

brought about by unity

among Caraganons and its

commitment to the vision of

One Caraga, One Vision,

One Mission.

Even with the improvements

in GRDP and poverty

incidence, Matugas

reminded everyone that the

battle rages on. That

everyone has to do more and

do better to uplift the living

conditions of Caraganons.

To outdo every performance

of each year as servant

leaders and agents of

change.

Before she called the 79th

Caraga RDC Full Council

Meeting to order, she

challenged the regional

directors, congresspersons,

mayors, and guests, “We are

the leaders of this region and

it is our responsibility to

bring into fruition a

development that is high and

sustainable, generates mass

employment that draws the

majority of our people into

the economic and social

mainstream and facilitates

the reduction of poverty.

Together let us rise up to the

challenge of surpassing our

current gains and paving the

way for a great Caraga

Region.”

“I encourage everyone to

dream big and think big on

what this Council can do for

all Caraganons and what

Caraga can become,”

Matugas added.

In the past, the Caraga

Regional Development

Council members usually

receive printed agenda

folder containing scores of

material including the

agenda sheet, briefs, draft

resolutions, and

presentation materials.

On its 80th Full Council

Meeting, Friday, September

26, 2014, the Caraga RDC

will attempt its first

paperless meeting, joining

other organizations around

the world in technology

bandwagon.

This time, electronic copies

of agenda sheets, briefs,

draft resolution, and

presentation materials in

portable document format

will be loaded to tablets that

will be distributed during

the meeting to voting

members of the Caraga

RDC. The tablets will be

retrieved from the Caraga

RDC members after each

meeting.

Meanwhile, the non-voting

members and guests will

still receive the printed copy

of the agenda folder.

The Caraga RDC conducts

four full council meetings

4 caraga today

Going paperless

Caraga Regional Development Council to conduct first paperless meeting


and 16 sectoral meetings

every year; utilizing an

estimated 56,000 pages of

papers or 112 reams.

For each Caraga RDC Full

Council meeting, the

Secretariat prepares 60

agenda folders that contains

an average of 75 pages.

During budget consultation,

pages reach more than 100

because of budget details.

The preparation of agenda

folders also involves

reproduction; spending

bottles of ink and toner.

Several staff collates the

pages to form the folders

adding to the cost in terms

of time and salary. Often,

these agenda folders are no

longer used after each

meeting.

The Caraga RDC explored

options to minimize cost of

printing and reproduction by

purchasing 50 tablets. These

tablets will be loaded with

portable document reader

software so that electronic

documents will be readable.

Caraga RDC’s paperless

meeting is supported by

Resolution No. 14, series

2014.

Bislig City Mayor Librado Navarro, Caraga RDC-Social Development Committee Chairperson, reading from the tablet during the third quarter meeting of the Committee.


Agent of Change Forum gathers Caraga Information Officers, partners

On July 30, 2014, 112

Information Officers, media,

and guests responded to the

call to become agents of

change.

The Agents of Change Forum

convened the Information

Officers (IOs) from various

government institutions at

Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort

to help realize the

Communication Plan

(ComPlan) of the Revised

Caraga Regional Development

Plan (RDP) 2013-2016.

NEDA-Caraga Regional

Director Mylah Faye Aurora

Cariño introduced to the IOs

the Revised Caraga RDP and

the Revalidated Regional

Development Investment

Program and emphasized that

both documents were crafted

in consultation with various

stakeholders to ensure greater

participation and ownership.

Jazmin Berido of NEDA-

Caraga presented the ComPlan

and its activities. She capped

the presentation with the “Be

the Agents of Change Contest

Ad audio-visual presentation.

Dr. Stepahnie Schell-Faucon,

COSERAM Principal Advisor,

and Ms. Nerissa Esguerra,

NEDA-Development

Information Staff Director,

graced the event.

Schell-Faucon expressed her

confidence in the execution of

the ComPlan and urged the

IOs to support it as well as

NEDA’s initiatives towards

gender-responsive and conflict

-sensitive regional

development.

Esguerra, the keynote speaker,

gave pointers on effective

communication. She

enunciated that an advocacy is

useless unless it is well

understood and promoted to

the right audiences. She dared

the IOs and the media to be

consistent, always speak the

truth and close the feedback

loop to ensure a successful

two-way communication.

The IOs as well as other guests

signed the pledge of

commitment as support to the

objectives of the ComPlan.

In the afternoon session, the

IOs discussed their role in the

implementation of the

ComPlan.

by Rhea Mae C. Mendez, NEDA-Caraga

The Information Officers signing the pledge of commitment. (Above right) Dr. Stepahnie Schell-Faucon, COSERAM Principal Advisor. (Below right) Ms. Nerissa Esguerra, NEDA-Development Information Staff Director.

6 caraga today

Caraga Information Officers undergo writing training

“Writing is the most

important tool in public

relations. Good writing can

make up for many other

deficiencies; the lack of it is

not usually overcome by

numerous other strengths.”

Public relations link

government agencies to the

public through various

channels like print, radio,

television, and web.

Government agencies

disseminate information most

commonly through press

releases and newsletters.

The advocacy for the Revised

Caraga Regional Development

Plan 2013-2016 requires

optimum media coverage to

achieve the communication

objectives. One strategy is to

come up with stories in the

form of news and features.

Last August 4-8, 2014, 31

Information Officers from

different local government

units, regional line agencies,

and state universities and

colleges as well as 14 NEDA-

Caraga staff underwent

training on news and feature

writing in two batches at

Goat2geder Hotel and

Restaurant, Butuan City.

Mr. Mark Ivan C. Roblas of

the Department of Science and

Technology-Science

Education Institute, an

experienced journalist and

outstanding Information

Officer, was the resource

person.

The training-workshop

involved writing news and

feature stories from interview

scripts, policy papers, and

events. After the training-

workshop, best-written articles

from each category were

chosen. For batch 1, the best

articles were written by

Aurelius Arais of the

Department of Agriculture

(interview script news), Presa

Villarina of the Philippine

Statistical Authority (policy

paper news), Florian Faith

Bayawa, Jr of the Department

of the Interior and Local

Government (event news and

interview feature), Vanessa

Sanchez of the Department of

Agriculture (policy paper

feature), and Janeth Aldover

of the National Economic and

Development Authority (event

feature). For batch 2, the best

articles were written by Robert

Roperos of the Technical

Education and Skills

Development Authority

(interview script news), Rhyl

Daraman of the Department of

Public Works and Highways

(policy paper news), Melanie

Maur of the National

Economic and Development

Authority (event news and

interview feature), Dinnes

Karl Garcia of the Department

of Health (policy feature), and

Grace Orilla of the Philippine

Coconut Authority (event

feature).

The training-workshop was

sponsored by the Republic of

Germany through the

Deutsche Gesellschaft für

Internationale

Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

GmbH.



Six Caraga Private Sector

Representatives (PSR) from

various sectors and provinces

in Caraga attended the 5th

PSR National Convention in

Iloilo City last August 13-15,

2014.

The convention highlighted the

vital role of the private sector

and civil society organization

with the theme, “PSRs: RDC’s

crucial partners in the pursuit

of inclusive growth and job

creation.”

In a message delivered by

NEDA Deputy Director-

General Margarita R. Songco,

Socio-Economic Planning

Secretary and NEDA Director-

General Arsenio Balisacan

emphasized the role of the

private sector in creating

employment opportunities and

better jobs. He cited the

contribution of the private

sector in realizing the

economic growth rate of 7.2%

in 2013; improvement of the

regions and towns

competitiveness; poverty

reduction from 20.5% in 2009

to 19.7% in 2012; and

employment rate increase from

92.8% in 2012 to 92.9% in

2013.

The 3-day convention involved

lectures, workshop, and tour in

Iloilo City. The lectures

focused on tourism

development, jobs creation,

private investments, and the

ASEAN Economic Community

in 2015. In the workshop, the

PSRs identified major issues

and crafted resolutions to the

said topics.

The PSRs agreed to: 1)

conduct a study on

standardizing the honoraria of

the RDC-PSRs by RDC 3; 2)

file an appeal with the Office

of the President to appoint

RDC Chair- and Co-

Chairpersons in all regions; 3)

amend the RDC Operations

Manual; 4) strengthen the role

of PSRs in monitoring and

evaluation; and 5) share best

practices and systems of other

regions in project

implementation tracking,

referrals, and problem-solving.

The convention requested

NEDA Central to amend the

provisions in identifying the

four PSRs in the RDCom

National Committee to ensure

PSR representation for each of

the three major island groups-

Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao,

and one from Metro Manila.

The PSRs also proposed some

priority agenda that includes a

summit between the academe

and industry to forecast

manpower skills requirements,

assistance to small farmers in

accessing support from

agencies and banks, and

support to the amendment of

the economic provision of the

constitution in attracting

investors.

The PSRs agreed to convene

annually. The 6th convention

will be in 2015 in Cagayan de

Oro City and the 7th

convention in Bicol in 2016.

Caraga Private Sector Reps attend 5th National Convention in Iloilo City

by Mirasol P. Montenegro, NEDA-Caraga

Caraga Private Sector Representatives. (L-R) Mr. Wille Gan (Surigao del Norte); Engr. Vidal Luna (Surigao del Sur); Ms. Concepcion Paqueo (Surigao City); Ms. Ofelia Salde (Dinagat Islands); Dr. Redentor Briones (Labor Sector); and Dr. Epimaco Galero, Jr., (Regional Representative and the Head of Delegation).

8 caraga today

Twenty-eight Information

Officers and 12 NEDA-

Caraga staff attend a 4-

day training-workshop on

design, production, and

evaluation of print

communication materials

on August 26-29, 2014 at

Almont Hotel’s Inland

Resort, Butuan City.

Mr. Jackner John Borja and

Mr. Dan Rafael Palis,

photographer and

publications designer,

respectively, were the

resource persons.

The training-workshop

started with an introduction

to graphic design and

photojournalism. Graphic

design guides the

participants on how to use

the elements and principles

of design properly. While

photojournalism taught the

participants on how to

capture news-worthy

photographs and how to use

photo-editing software to

enhance photographs.

On the second day, the

participants took

photographs from places

around Butuan City to

create photo essays.

During the presentation of

photo essays, the

participants were tasked to

evaluate the output of their

co-participants.

On the third day, the

participants were introduced

to publications design and

created their own leaflet,

poster, and newsletter as

workshop outputs.

The leaflets and posters

were made as materials for

pretesting in the next lecture

on pretesting of print

communication materials.

Pretesting allows the

implementer to test the

effectiveness of any print

communication material

before publication on

attraction, comprehension,

acceptability, self-

involvement, and

persuasion.

The training-workshop aims

to capacitate the

Information Officers from

local government units,

regional line agencies, state

universities and colleges,

and the NEDA staff to

effectively implement the

Communication Plan of the

Revised Caraga Regional

Development Plan 2013-

2016.

The training-workshop was

sponsored by the Republic

of Germany through the

Deutsche Gesellschaft für

Internationale

Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

GmbH.

Caraga Information Officers attend publications design, evaluation training



The Department of

Agriculture – Caraga

through its High Value

Crops Development

Program (HVCDP) gave

23,731 pouches of various

vegetable seeds amounting

to PhP1.4 million to

Provincial and City

Agriculture Offices last

August 12, 2014 at the

Department of Agriculture-

Caraga Conference Hall.

The seeds include upland,

lowland spices, and

indigenous vegetables. The

provinces of Agusan del Sur

received 6,257 pouches,

Surigao del Norte 4,122

pouches, Surigao del Sur

2,381 pouches, Agusan del

Norte 5,721 pouches, Dinagat

Islands 1,421 pouches, and

Butuan City 1,436.

Major production areas of

vegetables are the identified

beneficiaries, which include

Antongalon, Anticala and

Pianing for Butuan City;

Cabadbaran, Santiago,

Buenavista and Jabonga for

Agusan del Norte; San

Francisco, Bayugan,

Esperanza, Trento, Sta.

Josefa, Rosario, Talacogon,

Prosperidad and Sibagat for

Agusan del Sur; Lanuza,

Carrascal and Lingig for

Surigao del Sur; and

Pamaypayan, Burboanan, San

Roque and San Isidro for

Bislig City. The Provincial

and City Agriculture Offices

will in turn distribute the

seeds to their identified

municipalities and Non-

Government Organizations

for planting.

Rafael Alba, Chairman of the

Bislig Vegetable Growers

Association said that he is

thankful for the intervention

as it gives him one less thing

to worry about in his farming.

“Maayo ni nga programa,

dako kini nga tabang sa mga

mag-uuma,” Alba said.

Seed distribution is a regular

intervention under the

vegetable production

program. It seeks to reinforce

to the shortage of supply of

vegetables in the region.

Caraga’s vegetable production

is not enough to meet the

demands so it relies on the

supply coming from

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro

and other Northern Mindanao

areas to reduce the deficit. It

also supports the achievement

of 1.77% growth rate in

highland vegetable production

for the country, and the 1.77%

and 1.45% growth rates in

lowland and spices vegetables

respectively. “This

intervention aims to lower

production cost of farmers as

well as provide them access to

quality seeds,” Lynn A.

Pareñas, HVCDP Regional

Coordinator said.

Local government units receive PhP1.4M worth of veggie seeds from Department of Agriculture-Caraga

by Vanessa P. Sanchez, Department of Agriculture-Caraga

A recipient’s vegetable garden in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

10 caraga today

Five Surigao del Norte towns

received a total of PhP

4,597,000 from the

Department of Trade and

Industry-Caraga under the

Grassroots Participatory

Budgeting (GPB) for various

projects.

Bamboo development

project in Alegria

The Municipal Government

of Alegria received

PhP900,000 for a bamboo

development project in

partnership with the United

Farmers Association of Camp

Edward (UFACE) at

Barangay Budlingin.

The project is one of two

projects of the municipality’s

2014 Local Poverty reduction

Action Plan identified for

funding by the DTI.

Enterprise development

projects of Bacuag, Sison


of Bacuag received

PhP650,000 for three

enterprise development

projects.

The projects include the

Shared Service Facility for

Nipa Sugar Production of the

Cabugao First Farmers

Consumers Cooperative and

the Shared Service Facility

for Banana Processing of

Payapag Womens

Organization for the purchase

and installation of common

service equipment worth

PhP250,000 and PhP200,000,

respectively.

The third project Online

Business registration Hub,

with project cost of

PhP200,000 will be

implemented by the

municipal government in

coordination with DTI-

Surigao del Norte to enable

online business name

registration right at the

Business Permit Licensing

Office of Bacuag. The project

aims to help local

entrepreneurs save on

travelling costs to Surigao

City just to register their

business names at the DTI-

Surigao del Norte Provincial

Office.

Likewise, the Municipal

Government of Sison

received PhP 807,500 for four

enterprise development

projects.

A coco sugar processing

project will be implemented

amounting to PhP237,500

including the establishment of

a mini processing plant which

will benefit 80 farmers of

Barangays Gacepan and

Mayag.

Payaw, a native root crop

similar to gabi, will be

processed into payaw chips

by 124 agrarian reform

beneficiaries (ARBs) of

Barangay Lower Patag,

Upper Patag, and San Isidro.

The project costs

PhP142,500.

A similar amount was

5 Surigao del Norte towns receive PhP4.6M grant from the Department of Trade and Industry-Caraga

by Ma. Theresa Calang, Department of Trade and Industry-Caraga

Alegria Mayor Dominador Esma (third from left) received the check from DTI-SDN Provincial Director Celestino Negapatanin with the other municipal officials and the project beneficiaries.


in Barangay Honrado will

implement a Tableya

Processing Project worth

PhP142,500.

Rural Improvement Club

(RIC) Calamay Makers of

Barangay Banbanon will put

up a alamay and ginger

production project worth

PhP380,000.

Barangay Magtangale worth

PhP47,000, establishment of

Bakery in Barangay

Magtangale worth PhP95,000

and Nito Production in

Barangay Jubgan worth

PhP380,000. All of these will

be implemented by women’s

organizations in the areas.

Members of the Honrado

Farmers Credit Cooperative

released for a mushroom

processing project which will

benefit 40 of Barangay San

Pedro’s women. Mushrooms

will be processed by drying

and turning them into

powder.

ARBs of Barangays Ima

Upper and Lower Patag will

be implementing a lemon

grass (tanglad) processing

project where oil extracts will

be packaged and sold as a

health supplement.

Micro-enterprise projects of

Malimono, San Francisco


of Malimono received funds

for three micro-enterprise

projects worth PhP1,100,000.

The projects include Coco

Processing (Coco sugar) of

the Malimono Farmers

Consumers Cooperative in

Barangay Cayawan worth

PhP550,000. The Women

Livelihood Vision for

Tomorrow was granted

PhP300,000 for Fish Drying

Shared Service Facility in

Barangay Cantapoy. Also, the

Tinago Eagles Fishermen and

Farmers Association was

granted PhP250,000 for

Bamboo Development in

Barangay Tinago.

On the other hand, the

Municipal Government of

San Francisco received funds

for six enterprises worth

PhP1,139,500.

The projects consist of

Bamboo Sticks Production in

Barangay Macopa worth

PhP95,000, establishment of

Bigasan Ng Bayan in

Sison Mayor Leicester P. Fetalvero (third from left) received the check from DTI-SDN Provincial Director Celestino Negapatanin for the four enterprise development projects.

San Francisco Mayor Simplicia Bacol (third from right) received the check from DTI-SDN Provincial Director Celestino Negapatanin with the project beneficiaries and other municipal officials and employees.

12 caraga today

Farmers receive PhP12.17M worth of projects from Department of Agrarian Reform-Caraga

Tubod, Surigao del Norte

irrigation projects, post-

harvest facility

Farmers of Tubod, Surigao

del Norte received two

irrigation projects and a post

-harvest facility amounting

to PhP9.5M from the

Department of Agrarian

Reform-Caraga last August

13, 2014.

The projects include the

Tubod Communial Irrigation

System, which benefits 102

farmers, to be managed by

Tubod Farmers Irrigators

Association; the Cawilan

Communal Irrigation

Project, which serves 60

farmers, to be managed by

the Cawilan Farmers

Irrigators Association; and

the Tubod Post-Harvest

Facilities to be managed by

the Tubod Farmers Multi-

Purpose Cooperative.

DAR Undersecretary

Rosalina Bistoyong and

Tubod Municipal Mayor

Cristina Hermady Arcillas,

with DAR-Caraga Regional

Director Faisar Mambuay,

National Irrigation

Administration (NIA)

Project Manager Engr. Helsy

Bermudes and PARPO Jamil

Amatonding led the

ceremonial turn-over of the

projects.

Bistoyong challenged the

beneficiaries to maintain and

use the infra-projects to its

full capacity to achieve the

goal of improving quality of

life and increasing

production of rice.

Mambuay on the other hand

affirmed DAR’s existence

beyond June 2014 and its

commitment to help farmer

beneficiaries improve their

lives through DAR’s support

services.

“These projects are expected

to improve productivity and

uplift economic well-being

of the farmer-beneficiaries in

the area,” says Mambuay.

The said projects were

implemented under the

Agrarian Reform

Infrastructure Support

Project (ARISP) III co-

funded by the Japan

International Cooperation

Agency (JICA).

RTR new market center

On the other hand, farmers

in RTR, Agusan del Norte

received a new Municipal

Agrarian Information and

Marketing Center (AIMC)

on July 4, 2014. The center

is worth PhP2.67M.

The 36-square meter

building will serve as the

farmer’s one-stop market

and training center. “The

idea is patterned after the

success of the AIMC in

Butuan City which is run by

the Federation of Agrarian

Reform Communities

Cooperatives (FEDARRCO)

of Agusan Norte and Butuan

City,” said DAR Regional

Director Faisar Mambuay.

RTR Mayor Ernie Ceniza

expressed his gratitude to

DAR-Caraga for the support

it gave to the farmers of the

municipality. In a message

through a representative,

Agusan Norte Governor

Maria Angelica Rosedell

Amante-Matba vowed the

provincial office’s support to

the agrarian reform efforts in

the province.

Meanwhile, the recipients

expressed their gratitude to

DAR. “The wait is not in

vain. Thank you to DAR

who always keeps its eyes

open for us,” says Marivic

Virtudazo, farmer and leader

of the recipient- cluster of

organizations.

by Daryll M. Tumbaga and Joie Ceballos, Department of Agrarian Reform-Caraga


“The quality of our rice has

improved because it

(farming process) is now

fast growing,” said Mr.

Gregorio Climaco,

Chairperson of Subangan

ng Hubo Kamayo Irrigators

Association, Inc. (SHKIA).

Rice farmers of San Agustin,

Surigao del Sur no longer

have to rely on privately

owned machines after

availing of the Community

Fund for Agricultural

Development of the

Department of Agriculture-

Mindanao Rural Development

Program (DA-MRDP) worth

PhP1.5M. SHKIA bought

four threshers and five turtle

tillers. They also rehabilitated

their irrigators building and

multi-purpose drying

pavement, and extended their

mini warehouse to

accommodate more palay.

“Before, we had to pay

PhP250 per hour for turtle

tiller and thresher. Now we

only have to pay PhP180 as

member-beneficiaries,” said

Climaco.

SHKIA has 54 members and

155 hectares of irrigable land

in Barangays Poblacion,

Otiezea, Kauswagan,

Hornasan and Sto. Nino.

After a year of operation, they

have bought from their

savings additional equipment

for carwash, vulcanizing, and

welding for the maintenance

of equipment and a service

vehicle used for transporting

goods.

“We are so grateful to the DA

-MRDP for identifying us as

one of its recipients. The

assistance has greatly helped

us in our farming. Our income

grew, our members increased

and we can do our farming

activities at a faster pace,”

added Climaco.

Surigao del Sur farmers enjoy farming mechanization

by Menkent Jay Gumapac, Department of Agriculture-Caraga

Farm Service Provider. Department of Agriculture-Caraga Regional Executive Director Edna Mabeza (third from right) turns-over farm equipment worth PhP 976,000 to Antongalon-Agusan Multi-Purpose Cooperative Chairman Gerardo Mag-isa.

14 caraga today

Caraga Regional Development Council updates Regional Physical Framework Plan; trains partners

The Regional Development

Council is currently

updating its Regional

Physical Framework Plan

(RPFP) to be more

responsive to the realities of

the region. To ensure the

success of this endeavor, a

series of trainings was lined-

up to build the capacities of

the land use planners of the

region.

Starting July this year, three

workshops and trainings were

conducted that were

participated by planning

officers of the provincial and

city local government units in

the region, private sector

representatives and regional

line agencies including the

staff of the National Economic

and Development Authority

(NEDA) Caraga Regional

Office.

The Orientation on Land

Administration and

Management and Regional

Physical Framework Planning

Process in the Philippines was

held in Butuan City on July 17

-18, 2014. This activity aims

to orient the members of the

Regional Land Use

Committee (RLUC) and the

RLUC Technical Working

Group on land administration

system, laws and policies, and

familiarize them on the

physical planning process.

The same participants

attended the second training

on Integrating Conflict

Sensitivity in the RPFP

Process conducted on August

4-6, 2014 in Butuan City. The

training oriented them on

conflict sensitivity concepts,

principles and tools. They also

learned how to identify entry

points and parameters for

integrating GAD concerns in

the RPFP, and describe the

process for the preparation of

GAD plan and budget after

attending the third training on

Integrating Gender and

Development in the RPFP on

August 18-20, 2014.

Several experts served as

resource persons during the

said activities. NEDA 10

Regional Director Engr. Leon

Dacanay and former

Department of Environment

and Natural Resources

Undersecretary Elmer

Mercado served as the

primary resource persons in

the July training while

independent consultant Cesar

Villanueva provided the

participants the CS tools and

concepts during the second

activity. Meanwhile, former

NEDA Region 8 Asst.

Regional Director Ma.

Purisima Sanopo was the

facilitator and resource person

in the GAD training.

The three trainings are part of

the project “Strengthening

Capabilities in Mainstreaming

Conflict Sensitivity and

Gender and Development in

Regional Physical

Development Planning

Process and in Engendering

Support for the revised

Regional Development Plan

(RDP) 2013-2016.” NEDA-

Caraga partnered with GIZ

through its Conflict Sensitive

Resource and Asset

Management (COSERAM)

Program for the

implementation of the said

project.

by Ian G. Miculob, NEDA-Caraga


TESDA-Caraga fetes personnel, partners on its 20th Anniversary

Technical Education and Skills

Development Authority

(TESDA)-Caraga honored

personnel and partners who

contributed to the agency’s

feats in a ceremony dubbed as

“TESDA Service and

Institutional Awards

Ceremony” held September 8,

2014 at Big Daddy’s Hotel and

Convention Center, Butuan

City.

The ceremony highlights the

20th Anniversary Celebration of

TESDA with the theme “20

Taong World-Class na

Pagsasanay Tungo sa Maunlad

na Kinabukasan at

Pamumuhay.”

Rep. Philip Pichay, First District

of Surigao del Sur, leads the

roster of awardees as the 2014

Regional Kabalikat Awardee for

the Legislative Category.

TESDA Kabalikat Award is

conferred to partners and

stakeholders both in the public

and private sectors who

supported TESDA programs in

the localities.

Pichay who was also the guest of

honor said that, “I believe that

through the technical and

vocational courses, we can make

a difference in our respective

areas of responsibilities as we

move towards training and

preparing the youths to become

productive citizens of our

country.”

The Provincial Government of

Agusan del Norte through the

leadership of Gov. Ma. Angelica

Rosedell Amante-Matba

received the award for local

government unit category.

The Hinatuan Mining

Corporation in Taganaan,

Surigao del Norte received the

award for the Industry Category

while AMA Computer Learning

Center in Agusan del Sur

received the award for the

Institution Category.

Ronnie L. Abao and Jay Letran

both from Agusan del Sur were

TESDA 2014 Regional Idol

winner and first runner-up,

respectively. Abao received

plaque of recognition from

TESDA-Caraga and a trophy

from TESDA Central Office and

PhP5,000 cash prize.

The Caraga Association of

Technical Vocational

Institutions, Inc. (CATVII)

received the outstanding partner

award in the Technical

Vocational Education and

Training (TVET). CATVII is a

major sponsor during the

conduct of the 2013 Regional

Skills Competition.

TESDA-Caraga also recognized

media partners that include the

Philippine Information Agency

(PIA)-Caraga Region, The

Northern Mindanao Chronicle,

103.9 Radyo Trumpeta, dxBR

Bombo Radyo Butuan, ABS-

CBN Butuan and TV-5 Butuan.

“It’s time for TESDA-Caraga to

recognize the efforts and

contributions of these

individuals and/or organizations.

May our partnership continue as

we deliver the services to the

Filipino people by training them

to be world-class workforce,”

TESDA-Caraga Regional

Director Dr. Florencio Sunico,

Jr. said.

by Robert E. Roperos, TESDA-Caraga

TESDA-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Florencio Sunico, Jr. awards the Plaque of Recognition to Surigao del Sur First District Representative Philip A. Pichay as the regional winner of TESDA's Kabalikat Awards for Legislative Category.

How to participate? You must be a certified resident of Caraga. For canvass

painting contest, the Schools Division must endorse the

student.

Entries shall bear the theme “Be the agent of change.”

For jingle making contest, entries shall be written and

arranged by the participants. It should be in English and

not more than 60 seconds long and should be rendered

and interpreted in a genre selected by the participants

in mp3 format. Submission of entries starts August 1

and ends October 31, 2014.

For canvass painting contest, entries shall be painted in

three by two feet of canvass. Competition will be held

on November 19, 2014.

For photography contest, participants shall submit one

entry in any of the eight categories. Submission starts

August 1 and ends October 31, 2014.

Jingle making for music lovers If you are an amateur or a professional jingle writer,

help spur development through your music. Write a

jingle for Caraga, and be an agent of change. Over

40,000.00 pesos worth of prizes are at stake. Join now

and fill Caraga’s air with your music!

Canvas painting for high school students As Jose Rizal once said, the youth are the hope of the

future. So we call on talented high school students. Let

your brush paint the future of Caraga! Over 60,000.00

pesos worth of prizes await you.

Open call for photographers Calling all hobbyist, novices, and professional

photographers, let your pictures inspire Caraganons to

become agents of change. Over 72,000.00 pesos worth

of prizes are at stake and you are entitled to win in all

eight categories!

Be the agent of change contests Do you have a flair for music? A gifted hand for painting? Or an eye for photography? Then, Caraga needs you. Be the agent of change.

What are you waiting for? Be part of this great undertaking of inspiring Caraganons to become agents of change! For details of the mechanics, visit caraga.neda.gov.ph/caraga.

How to participate? You must be a certified resident of Caraga. For canvass

painting contest, the Schools Division must endorse the

student.

Entries shall bear the theme “Be the agent of change.”

For jingle making contest, entries shall be written and

arranged by the participants. It should be in English and

not more than 60 seconds long and should be rendered

and interpreted in a genre selected by the participants

in mp3 format. Submission of entries starts August 1

and ends October 31, 2014.

For canvass painting contest, entries shall be painted in

three by two feet of canvass. Competition will be held

on November 19, 2014.

For photography contest, participants shall submit one

entry in any of the eight categories. Submission starts

August 1 and ends October 31, 2014.

Be the agent of change contests Do you have a flair for music? A gifted hand for painting? Or an eye for photography? Then, Caraga needs you. Be the agent of change.

Prizes Jingle making

PhP 20,000.00 plus 4 consolation prizes of 5,000.00 pesos each

Photography

PhP 4,000.00 (8 categories) First prize

PhP 3,000.00 (8 categories) Second prize

PhP 2,000.00 (8 categories) Third prize

plus 500.00 for the most liked photo in each category

Canvas Painting

PhP 10,000.00 First prize

PhP 8,000.00 Second prize

PhP 6,000.00 Third prize

plus 2,000.00 consolation prize for the participant and

1,000.00 for the coach

What are you waiting for? Be part of this great undertaking of inspiring Caraganons to become agents of change! For details of the mechanics, visit caraga.neda.gov.ph/caraga.

output was brought about by

higher production of crops

and poultry sub-sectors.

Agricultural crops grew by

0.58% from 294,759.62 MT

in first quarter of 2013 to

296,464.45 MT in first

quarter of 2014, mainly

attributed to the increase of

fruit production specifically

banana. Poultry production

reached 4,322 MT in first

quarter of 2014, higher by

19.39% from first quarter of

2013, due to increased

production of both chicken

meat and eggs as more

disposal of broiler in

commercial farms and

Labor and employment

record shows slight

contraction in the labor force

participation and

employment rate. In January

2014, labor force

participation rate was

64.40% while employment

rate was at 92.40%.

However, there is a positive

sign on the improvement of

job/skills matching in

Caraga Region as the

underemployment rate

decreased to 25.60%.

All provinces in the region

experienced an increasing

inflation rate during the first

quarter of 2014. At the

average, inflation rate

registered at 5.7 %

On the Agriculture, Fishery

and Forestry, a minimal

growth was recorded. The

increase of the agricultural

18 caraga today

1st Quarter 2014 Caraga Regional Economic Situationer

increase numbers of layers

were observed. Likewise,

log production continues to

show better performance

attributed to the increase in

the private land’s timber

production. Log production

increased by 124.01% from

the 83,958.09 m3 in first

quarter of 2013 to188,073.88

m3 in first quarter of 2014.

For trade and industry,

domestic sales contracted to

PhP36.34 million in first

quarter of 2014. On the other

hand, business names

registered increased by

24.05%, from 2,166 to 2,687

for the same period.

Manufactured forest

products reached 163,488.19

m3 higher by 56.15% than

the first quarter 2013

production of 104,697.51

m3.

As to services, the tourism

sub-sector continues to be

vibrant. Tourist arrivals

grew by 13.30%, from

179,442 in the first quarter

of 2013 to 203,314 in first

quarter of 2014, of which

93.58% are Overseas

Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Overview of the Economy

Jan 2013 Jan 2014 Labor Force Participation Rate 64.50 64.40 Employment Rate 91.70 92.40 Unemployment Rate 8.30 7.60 Underemployment Rate 27.00 25.60

Key Labor Statistics, Caraga, 2013-2014

Source: NSO

Inflation Rate, First Quarter 2013-2014


better performance attributed

to the increase in the private

land’s timber production.

Crops

Both palay and corn

production declined during

the first quarter of 2014.

Palay production was only

14,778 MT in the first quarter

of 2014, which is 2.27%

lower than the 15,122 MT

produced in the first quarter

of 2013. The said decrement

was caused by the movement

of planting in irrigated areas

due to late harvesting which

resulted in lesser area

harvested during the quarter.

Likewise, corn production

was down by 68.45% (165

MT) in the first quarter of

2014 from 523 MT in first

quarter of 2013. Both white

and yellow corn production

registered a decrease due to

reduction in area and yield.

The decrease in area was

attributed to the damages

brought about by Low

Pressure Area and Tropical

Depression Agaton. There

was also a movement of

planting within January-

March particularly of yellow

corn. The yield was affected

by floods and continuous

rains during vegetative and

reproductive stages caused by

Low Pressure Area and

Tropical Depression Agaton.

Surigao del Sur is the highest

producer of palay among the

provinces, contributing 47%

of the region’s total

production during the first

quarter 2014. Surigao del

Macroeconomic

Performance

Labor and Employment

Caraga’s labor force slightly

decreased by 1.57% from

1,721,000 in January 2013 to

1,748,000 in January 2014.

Likewise, the labor force

participation rate also

contracted by 0.1 percentage

point, from 64.50% in

January 2013 to 64.40% in

January 2014.

Employment rate increased

by 0.76% from 91.70% in

January 2013 to 91.40% in

January 2014. Consequently,

unemployment rate decreased

from 8.30% in January 2013

to 7.60% in January 2014.

Underemployment decreased

by 5.19% from 27.0% in

January 2013 to 25.60 % in

January 2014.

Inflation, Consumer Price

Index and Purchasing Power

of Peso

At the average, inflation rate

registered at 5.7%,

representing a 1.20

percentage points increase.

All provinces experienced an

increase in inflation rate with

Surigao del Sur having the

highest with an average of

7.07%.

Agriculture, Forestry, and

Fishery

Total agricultural output

slightly increased due to the

uptick in the production of

agricultural crops and poultry

sub-sectors. Likewise, log

production continues to show

20 caraga today

Norte follows with 17%

contribution. While for corn

production, Agusan del Norte

is the highest producer with

82% contribution to the

region’s total production.

Fruit production had a total

of 50,982 MT in first quarter

of 2014, showing an increase

of 8.72% from 46,891 MT in

first quarter of 2013. The

increment was mainly

attributed to the increase in

banana production due to the

additional bearing hills

harvested in typhoon Pablo

damaged areas.

Banana accounts for the bulk

of production which

comprises 94% of the total

fruit production. Among

other fruits, calamansi,

durian, lanzones, rambutan,

and orange contributed to the

positive growth of fruit

production.

Non-food and industrial

crops declined by 0.37%

from 221,430 MT in first

quarter of 2013 to 220,621

MT in first quarter of 2014.

Coconut production

decreased by 0.86% in the

first quarter of 2014 due to

typhoon Yolanda, which

pushed down the overall non-

food and industrial crops

production.

Vegetable production

decreased by 8.11% (9,918

MT) in the first quarter of

2014 from 10,794 MT in the

first quarter of 2013. The

decline was caused by the

decrease in root crop

production specifically

camote, gabi and cassava.

Among provinces, Surigao

del Sur has the highest

domestic sales at 30% of the

total sales of the region.

Likewise, Agusan del Norte

has highest number of

business names registered

with 41% of the total

registration in the region.

Manufacturing

Manufactured forest products

reached 163,488.19 m3 in the

first quarter of 2014, higher

by 56.15% than the first

quarter of 2013 production of

104,697.51 m3. Major

manufactured products

include veneer, plywood,

blockboard, and lumber.

Services

Tourism

In the first quarter of 2014,

tourist arrivals reached

203,314, 13.30% higher than

the 2013 figure of the same

period of 179,442.

Among provinces, Surigao

del Norte recorded the

highest arrivals which

accounted for 30% of the

total arrivals. Among cities,

Butuan City recorded the

highest arrivals with 27%

contribution.

Overseas Filipino Workers

comprised the bulk of tourists

arrivals with 93.58%

contribution to the total

tourist arrivals in the first

quarter of 2014.

disturbances.

Surigao del Norte remains the

leading commercial and

municipal fisheries producer,

contributing 75% and 64%

total volume of fish

production, respectively.

The aquaculture increased by

6.63% (2,024.60 MT) in the

first quarter of 2014 from

1,898.63MT in the same

period in 2013. The gain was

due to the increase in

seaweed production. Surigao

del Sur posted the biggest

contribution with 63% of the

total aquaculture production.

Forestry

Log production continues to

surge. Log production was

estimated at 188,073.88 m3 in

the first quarter of 2014,

posting an increase of

124.01% from the 83,958.09

m3 in the same period in

2013. The significant

increase was attributed to the

increase in the Private Tree

Plantation Ownership

Certificates production which

contributed 99% of the 2014

total log production.

Trade and Industry

Trade

Domestic sales monitored by

the Department of Trade and

Industry reduced by 79.07%

from PhP173.64 million in

the first quarter of 2013 to

PhP36.34 million in the first

quarter of 2014. In contrast,

the business names

registration increased by

24.05%, from 2,166 to 2,687

in the same period.


Smaller area harvested of

said commodities and

damaged by Tropical

Depression Agaton and

Basyang caused the

contraction in production.

Camote which contributes

38% of the total vegetable

production, decreased by

8.34% in the first quarter of

2014. Gabi likewise


same period and it comprises

22% of the total production.

Cassava which accounts for

19% of the total production


same period.

Livestock and Poultry

Livestock production was

estimated at 10,551 MT,

recording a decrease of

1.40% in the first quarter of

2014. The decrease in

production of hog contributed

to the overall decrease caused

by lesser disposal of stocks.

Poultry production increased

by 19.39% from 3,620 MT in

the first quarter of 2013 to

4,322 MT in the first quarter

of 2014. The increase was

due to higher production of

both chicken meat and eggs

as there were more disposal

of broiler in commercial

farms and increase in the

number of layers.

Fishery

The region’s fish production


first quarter of 2014 from

16,856.09 MT in the same

period in 2013. The reduction

resulted from fewer fishing

days caused by weather

Energy

Dubai-based Kampac

Group, a multi-billion

international oil and gas

conglomerate, is eyeing

Surigao del Sur as a

potential market for power

generation and nickel

refinery and smelting plant.

After visiting the mineral-

rich province, the company

pledged to come back with

power designers,

contractors, project

manager, engineers and

technical consultants. This

would certainly create more

employment and economic

opportunities for

Caraganons.

Agriculture

The United States

Department of Agriculture

(USDA), through its

Foreign Agricultural

Service’s Food for Progress,

launched a Philippine Cold

Chain Project (PCCP) in

Caraga Region to help

farmers earn more income

by increasing productivity

and food safety while

reducing losses. Over the

course of the four-year

project, PCCP is expected to

impact 979,000 people

directly. PCCP will work

with horticulture, meat, and

fish sectors that can benefit

from a cold chain, or

temperature-controlled,

supply system. Upon its

completion, PCCP is

expected to bring important

economic gains to the

Caraga Region and be an

example for future growth

in the Philippines. This

project aims to produce

higher-quality and higher-

value agricultural products

that would be able to

compete in new markets as

businesses and consumers

demand products that meet

international-quality

standards.

22 caraga today

A total of PhP125 million

worth of new livelihood

projects will be

implemented between May

to October 2014 in various

provinces in Mindanao

under the Community Fund

for Agricultural

Development (CFAD)

component of the Mindanao

Rural Development Project

(MRDP). Rubber based

farming and crumb rubber

processing comprise the

bulk of the PhP30million

CFAD allocations in

Caraga. Other new sub-

projects in the pipeline for

the region include sago flour

processing in Agusan del

Sur and the establishment of

a cold-storage facility in

Surigao del Norte.

DPWH completed eight

projects for a total of 25.36

kilometers of Farm to

Market Roads (FMRs) in

the Caraga Region. FMRs

provide access to

agricultural goods to the

market as well as support

the establishment of agri-

business enterprises by

promoting linkages between

Development Prospects

Kampac Group is present in 20 countries around the globe, with its headquarters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.


vessel operation from

Surigao City to the Province

of Dinagat Islands started on

June 2014. The use of

RORO vessel is expected to

reduce the cost of basic

commodities in the Province

of Dinagat Islands.

Malls and Hotels

Two branches of the Cebu-

based Gaisano clans are

racing against each other to

open the first mall in San

Francisco Agusan del Sur.

Construction of Gaisano

Grand which is located

along the Davao-Butuan

National Highway in

Barangay 1 and Gaisano

Capital-located along the

San Francisco-Barobo

Highway in Barangay 2, are

ongoing. Both target to open

before the start of the busy

Christmas shopping season.

It also plans to build malls

in Bayugan City and in

Tandag City, Surigao del

Sur. The opening of two

Gaisanos provides

opportunities for

employment in San

Francisco and the rest of

Agusan del Sur.

2014. 1st Valley Bank

provides financial services

to its wide based clientele

most especially those who

are considered as marginal

and entrepreneurial poor.

Transport Services

Cebu Pacific flew its

maiden Cebu-Tandag-Cebu

flights on June 30, 2014,

making Tandag City more

accessible to tourists.

Tandag City, the capital of

Surigao del Sur, is the

gateway to the Enchanted

River, the Britania Group of

Islands, Cagwait Beach,

Tinuy-an Falls and the

Lanuza surfing spot. The

thrice weekly service

(Monday, Wednesday, and

Friday) boosts not just

tourism-related travels in

the province but also opens

the province to bigger

investment opportunities.

Roll-On, Roll-Off (RORO)

and among agrarian

communities in the

provinces.

The approval of P1.3 billion

budget of the National

Irrigation Administration

(NIA) will fund the

Umayam River Irrigation

Project, an overflow

diversion dam across the

Umayam River in Agusan

Del Sur. The project will

involve the construction of

72 kilometers of irrigation

canals in the area, along

with on-farm facilities,

drainage canals and other

facilities.

Financial Institution

1st Valley Bank, a multi-

awarded rural bank in

Mindanao and one of the

fastest growing financial

institutions in the country,

has opened its 1st branch in

Butuan City along J.P

Rosales Avenue in July

24 caraga today

2nd Quarter 2014 Regional Project Monitoring Report

a) Project Title Schedule Cost (in PhP '000)

Physical Accomplishment (as of Date of Monitoring)

Remarks

b) Implementing Agency a) Started Program

c) Location b) Completion a) Allocation Planned (%)

Actual (%) Slippage (%) d) Contractor c) Rev Comp Date b) Project Cost

d) Rev Comp Date #2 c) Revised Cost

Pandanon Bridge along Butuan City-CDO-Iligan Road (Surigao-Agusan Section) As of 15Jul14 Project is suspended due to change

of design. b) ADN DEO a) 2/5/2014 a) 21,600.00 46.03 58.44 12.41

c) Cabadbaran City b) 8/15/2014 b) 19,793.80

d) Equi-Parco Const. Company c) 10/14/2014 c)

Kitcharao Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (KSRIP) RPMC Team was not able to inspect the project site due to ongoing mili-tary operations in the

b) NIA a) 10/3/2011 a) 77.90 71.04 (6.86)

c) Kitcharao, ADN b) 1/31/2015 b) 322,771.6

d) Equi-Parco Const. Company c) 6/10/2015 c) 325,041.83

Rehabilitation of Tubod Communal Irrigation System (CIS) Project is Completed. Irrigation System passed the test run conducted on 17Jul14. NIA is preparing

for turn over activity.

b) NIA a) 8/22/2011 a) 1,820.95 100.00 100.00 -

c) Tubod, Surigao del Norte b) 7/15/2014 b) 1,753.69

d) Florianne Const./Forced Account

Works c) c) 1,753.64

Surigao Wharf Road (UPSR CY 2014) Project is ongoing.

b) DPWH SDN 1st DEO a) 5/21/2014 a) 11,726.00 24.43 21.13 (3.30)

c) Surigao City b) 7/12/2014 b) 9,402.20

d) R.F. Varquez Construction c) 8/4/2014 c)

Construction of Drainage System along Surigao Wharf Road (UPSR CY 2014) Project is ongoing.

b) DPWH SDN 1st DEO a) 3/31/2014 a) 16,050.70 28.11 29.95 1.84

c) Surigao City b) 8/12/2014 b) 15,100.64

d) GICAR Construction c) 9/12/2014 c)

Improvement/Widening of Daang Maharlika (Surigao-Agusan Section) Project is ongoing.


c) Brgy. Luna, Surigao City b) 11/24/2014 b) 41,684.24

d) C'zarles Construction c) c)

Escalon Bridge along Quezon Mapawa-Capalayan-Espina-Navarro Road Project is ongoing


c) Surigao City b) 12/6/2014 b) 37,907.20

d) GICAR Construction c) c)

Construction of Capalayan Bridge along Jct. Capalayan-Cabongbongan Road (CNBR CY 2014) Project is ongoing but

delayed. b) DPWH SDN 1st DEO a) 2/26/2014 a) 13,500.00 25.38 18.25 (7.13)

c) Surigao City b) 8/10/2014 b) 12,245.90

d) AT Dumlao Construction, Inc. c) 10/8/2014 c)

Improvement /Rechanneling of Magtiaco River (Upstream) Project is ongoing.


c) Alegria, Surigao del Norte b) 4/16/2014 b) 34,486.16

d) JV-JMT Const./Square Cube

Const. c) 7/16/2014 c)

Completion of Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital (Installation of Fire Alarm, Sprinkler, Medical Oxygen Piping

Systems) Project is ongoing.


c) Brgy. Sta Cruz, Placer, SDN b) 5/13/2014 b) 9,350.50

d) JMT Construction c) 6/12/2014 c)


a) Project Title Schedule Cost (in PhP '000)

Physical Accomplishment (as of Date of Monitoring)

Remarks

b) Implementing Agency a) Started Program

c) Location b) Completion a) Allocation Planned (%)

Actual (%) Slippage (%) d) Contractor c) Rev Comp Date b) Project Cost

d) Rev Comp Date #2 c) Revised Cost

Lipata Port Expansion and Improvement Project Project is ongoing.

b) PPA PMO Surigao a) 9/10/2013 a) 57.56 65.50 7.94

c) Lipata, Surigao City b) 10/4/2014 b) 75,531.00

d) Equi-Parco Const. Company c) c)

Widening of Payao Bridge along Daang Maharlika (Surigao-Agusan Section, WPBR CY 2014) Project is ongoing.


c) Surigao City b) 12/12/2014 b) 24,473.80

d) C'zarles Construction c) 11/12/2014 c)

Dredging and Bank Protection of Calinawan River (Santiago-Sta. Ana Section) Project is ongoing but

delayed. b) DPWH RO a) 11/21/2014 a) 58,937.00 47.56 40.39 (7.17)

c) Santiago, ADN b) 6/3/2014 b) 54,028.10


Bank Protection and Dredging of Calinawan River Project is ongoing but

delayed. b) DPWH RO a) 1/29/2014 a) 37,927.00 3.77 0.55 (3.23)

c) Santiago, ADN b) 8/11/2014 b) 36,643.00

d) Equi-Parco Const. Company c) 10/9/2014 c)

Road Slip along Butuan City-Pianing-Tandag Road (RCSS CY 2014) Project is completed.

b) DPWH BXU DEO a) 3/19/2014 a) 14,000.00 93.91 100.00 6.09

c) Brgy. Pianing, Butuan City b) 8/19/2014 b) 12,896.40

d) M. Montesclaros Ent. Inc. c) c)

Butuan City-Pianing-Tandag Road (RUSR CY 2014) Project is ongoing.

b) DPWH RO a) 5/15/2014 a) 165,968.00 5.41 11.15 5.74



Butuan City-Pianing-Tandag Road (RUSR CY 2014) Project is ongoing.

b) DPWH RO a) 5/15/2014 a) 139,642.00 4.38 6.92 2.54


d) ADFIL Construction c) c)

Construction of Polysports Complex Project is ongoing.

b) LGU Butuan City a) 3/14/2013 a) 81.48 82.03 0.55

c) Tiniwisan, Butuan City b) 10/10/2013 b) 252,939.66

d) Legazpi Construction c) c)

Construction of Butuan City South Market Project is ongoing but

delayed. b) LGU Butuan City a) 3/6/2013 a) 98.10 89.30 (8.80)

c) Butuan City b) 9/2/2013 b) 49,792.19

d) Madyaw Const. & Devt Corp. c) 3/26/2014 c)

Construction of NEDA/RDC Building Project is ongoing but

delayed. b) NEDA a) 12/6/2013 a) 47,813.18 46.25 41.41 (4.84)

c) Butuan City b) 11/8/2014 b) 43,848.70

d) Kyros Construction c) c) 48,206.61

Upgrading of Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital Project is ongoing but delayed. No data were provided by DOH on

planned accomplishment.

b) DOH a) 9/16/2013 a) 26,914.05 100.00 83.94 (16.06)

c) Libertad, Butuan City b) b) 6/24/2014

d) FFJJ Construction c) c)

26 caraga today

a) Name of Project, Location Schedule Physical Accomplishment Remarks Cost (in PhP '000) b) Implementing Agency a) Started

c) Contractor b) Completion c) Rev Comp Date

Planned (%)

Actual (%) Slippage (%)

Daang Maharlika (Agusan-Davao Sect) On-going

b) DPWH 13 a) 15 May 2014

b) 11 Sep 2014 58,655.10 74.62 95.11 20.49

c) Equi-Parco Construction Com-

pany

Construction of Crossing Luna Flood Control, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur 1st LD (FMSD CY - 2014) On-going

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 1st DEO a) 11 Feb 2014 b) 19 Jun 2014 c) 18 Sept 2014

15,678.70 70.95 72.48 1.53

c) Giovanni Construction

Esperanza Bridge Completed

b) DPWH- PJHL a) 23 Feb 2012 b) 08 Feb 2014

336,008.80 For Turn-over

c) Ulticon Builders, Inc.

Rehabilitation/Replacement of Mapaga Bridge along NRJ Bahbah-Talacogon Rd., Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur On-going

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 1st DEO a) 11 Feb 2014 b) 18 Aug 2014 c) 16 Nov 2014

25,335.40 48.25 50.60 2.35

c) L. C. Ting Const’n

Rehabilitation/Retrofitting of Lucena Bridge along NRJ Bahbah-Talacogon Road, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur On-going

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 1st DEO a) 11 Feb 2014 b) 17 Jul 2014 c) 15 Nov 2014

15,321.30 65.25 70.10 4.85


Talacogon Lake Br. Along Butuan City-Talacogon-Loreto-Veruela-Sta Josefa Rd On-going

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 1st DEO a) 11 Feb 2014 b) 20 Jul 2014 c) 18 Dec 2014

16,869.80 35.25 35.75 0.50


Rehabilitation/Improvement/ Upgrading (Gravel to Concrete) Karaos-Lapag (Mt.Magdiwata) Eco Park-Alegria Road, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, 2nd LD (3.19 km)

On-going. Variation Order

No. 2 being processed.

b) DPWH 13 a) 02 Jul 2013 b) 26 Feb 2014

87,135.90 87.91 83.12 -4.79


Completion of D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital (Phase IV-A) On-going

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 1st DEO a) 14 Jan 2014 b) 13 May 2014

9,585.80 75.10 89.60 14.50

c) Rey Rose Construction

Completion of D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital (Phase IV-B) On-going

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 1st DEO a) 14 Jan 2014 b) 12 Jun 2014

14,490.30 60.15 68.30 8.15

c) Rey Rose Construction

NRJ Bah-Bah-Talacogon Rd On-going

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 1st DEO a) 11 Feb 2014 b) 27 Jul 2014

c) 16 Nov 2014

39,315.46 63.25 66.41 3.16

c) ReyRose/ROIM Builders and

Surigao Wharf Road



c) Contractor b) Completion Planned (%)


Replacement of Panagangan Bridge 1 along Butuan City-Talacogon-Loreto-Veruela-Sta Josefa Road,Agusan del Sur 2nd DEO

All driven piles at abut-ment “A” settled resulting in undesired downsloping of the installed bridge superstructure. Cracks occurred in slope protec-tion at approach "A". The contractor is now working under liquidated dam-ages. Solution is still sought on how to raise the superstructure ac-

cording to plan.

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 1st DEO a) 24 Jan 2012 b) 30 Jun 2012

c) 17 Jan 2013

17,883.10 100.00 95.01 -4.99

c) Madyaw Const'n and Dev't Cor-

poration

Retrofitting/Rehabilitation/Strengthening of Waloe Br. along Butuan City-Talacogon-Loreto-Veruela-Sta Josefa Rd

On-going

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 1st DEO a) 06 Feb 2014

b) 25 Jul 2014 24,435.20 80.06 90.03 9.97

c) DIGOS TESSTON Cont'n & Sup-

plies

Umayam River Irrigation Project (UIP)

b) NIA

13-1. UIP Dam Component a) 20 Mar 2014 173,036.65 3.42 6.13 2.71 On-going

c) Kyro Builders b) 14 Jul 2016

13-2. UIP Lateral A

c) Equi-Parco Const'n a) 14 Mar 2014 14,651.93 13.75 20.76 7.01 On-going

b) 22 Jan 2015

13-3. UIP Lateral B a) 14 Mar 2014 25,694.71 2.61 22.52 19.91 On-going

c) Equi-Parco Const'n b) 05 Sep 2015

Construction/replacement of Kinawan Bridge and Approaches in La Paz, Agusan del Sur Project suspended as of July 4, 2014 due to peace

and order problem. b) DPWH 13 a) 26 Jul 2013

b) 22 Mar 2014 21,555.90 100.00 79.08 -20.92

c) Hi-Tri Dev’t Corp.

Butuan City - Talacogon - Loreto - Veruela - Sta. Josefa Rd On-going

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 2nd DEO a) 06 Feb 2014

b) 20 Oct 2014 45,150.80 58.93 54.11 -4.82

c) Mamsar Const’n

Construction/replacement of Mambaus II Bridge and Approaches in Loreto, Agusan del Sur Project suspended as of July 4, 2014 due to peace

and order problem b) DPWH 13 a) 26 Jul 2013

b) 25 Aug 2014 23,490.60 74.81 53.24 -21.57


Improvement/Widening of Daang Maharlika (Surigao-Agusan Section)

Butuan City-Talacogon-Loreto-Veruela-Sta. Josefa Road Minimal accomplishment due to insufficient equip-ments/ materials and workers on site. The con-tractor is working uder

liquidated damages.

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 2nd DEO a) 11 Apr 2013 b) 25 Sep 2013 c) 19 Dec 2013 d) 16 Feb 2014 (for approval)

47,443.45 100.00 91.66 -8.34

c) Madyaw Const'n and Dev't Corp.

Rehabilitation/Reconstruction / Retrofitting of Sta. Josefa Bridge On-going

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 2nd DEO a) 6 Feb 2014 b) 16 May 2014 c) 13 July 2014

9,117.28 87.45 85.10 -2.35

c) DBMR Builders and Supply

Widening of Adlayan Br. along Daang Maharlika (Agusan-Davao Section), 20 lm Minimal accomplishment due to insufficient con-struction materials deliv-ered on site. DPWH is-sued warning to the con-

tractor.

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 2nd DEO a) 20 Feb 2014 b) 19 Aug 2014

c) 03 Sep 2014

70.07 61.06 -9.01

c) Andoni T. Dumlao

Widening of Daang Maharlika (Agusan-Davao Section), K1307+493 - K1309+138.10 (Intermittent Section), San Francisco, Agusan del Sur 2nd LD

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 2nd DEO a) 19 Mar 2014

b) 30 Oct 2014 36,669.80 49.10 49.75 0.65

c) Giovanni Construction

NRJ Blanca- Bunawan Eco-Park Roadleading to Bunawan Eco Park, Brgy. Consuelo, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur On-going

b) DPWH 13 a) 03 Apr 2014

b) 13 Nov 2014 72,476.40 58.43 54.15 -4.28

c) Ronwood Construction

Retrofitting/Rehabilitation/ Strenghtening of Salvacion Br. along NRJ Cuevas-Bislig Rd

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 2nd DEO a) 18 Feb 2014

b) 05 Aug 2014 36,655.50 85.23 96.08 10.85

c) Adfil Corporation

Replacement of Sta. Maria Bridge and Approaches in Trento, Agusan del Sur On-going. Variation Order on process with 30 calen-

dar days extension. b) DPWH 13 a) 26 Sep 2013

b) 22 Jul 2014 c) 19 Nov 2014

121,859.30 80.97 63.42 -17.55

c) Adfil Corporation

Concreting of NRJ Cuevas-Bislig Road For completion

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 2nd DEO a) 31 Jan 2013 b) 15 Jun 2013

34,958.10 100.00 98.9 -1.10 c) FFJJ Construction

28 caraga today



Planned (%)


Completion of Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital


Bislig City Integrated Project - Irrigation Component in Burboanan, Bislig City On-going

b) NIA 13 a) 07 Aug. 2012 b) 27 Dec. 2012 c) 30 April 2014

24,560.66 92.00

c) Victoria Dev't and Construction

Supply

Construction/Rehabilitation of Flood Control Projects, K1462+351-K1464+491, Mancarogo, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

DPWH issued calibrated action pursuant to DO

102 series of 1988. b) DPWH Surigao del Sur 2nd DEO a) 23 Jun 2014

b) 15 Mar 2015 26,843.30 11.74 4.42 -7.32

c) Road Edge Trading and Dev’t

Services

Construction of Flood Control Structure/Drainage along SDCR, Surigao del Sur 2nd LD - K1464 + 491 - K1465 + 960, Bislig City (FMSD CY -2014)

On-going

b) DPWH Surigao del Sur 2nd DEO a) 01 Apr 2014

b) 07 Dec 2014 15,296.00 42.80 48.01 5.21

c) Davao Concrete Products

Road Slip Protection along Surigao-Davao Coastal Road -K1449+613 - K1451+270, San Vicente, Bislig City

On-going

b) DPWH Surigao del Sur 2nd DEO a) 11 Feb 2014

b) 18 Sep 2014 27,099.40 85.32 85.33 0.01

c) L. C. Ting Construction

Construction/Rehabilitation of Flood Control Projects, K1419+933-K1420-635, Malixi, Tagbina, (Intermittent), Suri-gao del Sur (707 lm)

On-going

b) DPWH Surigao del Sur 2nd DEO a) 23 Jun 2014

b) 20 Dec 2014 22,484.00 9.05 9.23 0.18

c) J. M. Luciano Construction, Inc.

Concreting of Dugmanon-Enchanted River- Baculin Road leading to Enchanted River, Talisay,Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (2.12 km)

Project suspended on July 25, 2014 waiting for the approval requesting additional funds for the strengthening of Dugma-non Bailey Bridge located

b) DPWH Surigao del Sur 2nd DEO a) 22 Apr 2014

b) 20 Sep 2014 41,965.20 55.32 55.86 0.54

c) J. M. Luciano Construction, Inc.

Construction of Drainage System along NRJ Barobo-Bahi- Agusan del Sur Boundary, Surigao del Sur 2nd LD (DPNR CY - 2014)

On-going

b) DPWH Surigao del Sur 2nd DEO a) 11 Feb 2014 b) 18 Sep 2014

18,055.88 32.98 27.01 -5.97


Retrofitting/Rehabilitation/ Strengthening of Diatagon Br. along Surigao-Davao Coastal Rd in Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur (107 lm)

Project suspended July 17, 2014 due to non-availability of lumber materials to be used in the construction of detour

bridge

b) DPWH Surigao del Sur 1st DEO a) 05 Mar 2014

b) 12 Sep 2014 36,829.10 45.87 35.70 -10.17




Planned (%)


Road Slip along Butuan City-Pianing-Tandag Road

30 caraga today



Planned (%)


Concreting of Jct. Gamut-San Miguel Bayugan Rd Variation Order no. 1 due to re- classification of excavation works (hard rock encountered) being

processed.

b) DPWH Surigao del Sur 1st DEO a) 18 Mar 2014 b) 21 Jul 2014 c) 19 Aug 2014

(Revised)

25,510.70 85.34 70.59 -14.75

c) JMT Construction

Tago-San Miguel Bridge along Jct. Gamut-San Miguel Road, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur 1st LD (CNRB CY - 2014)

On-going

b) DPWH 13 a) 17 Mar 2014

b) 11 Dec 2014 19,415.40 19.41 48.15 28.74

c) CBBI

Construction of Slope Protection of Tago River Flood Control along Jct. Gamut-San Miguel Road, Magroyong Section, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur (DPHW CY - 2013)

Completed

b) DPWH 13 a) 12 Dec 2013

b) 10 May 2014 13,271.10 100.00

c) L. C. Ting

Construction of Triple Barrel Box Culvert of Tago River Basin Flood Control along Jct. Gamut-San Miguel Road, Cagpangi Section, Tago, Surigao del Sur

Completed

b) DPWH 13 a) 12 Dec 2013

b) 10 May 2014 100.00

c) L. C. Ting

Construction of Flood Control/Slope Protection of Tago River Basin along Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, Tago- On-going

a) 15 May 2014

b) 11 Oct 2014 7,270.50 39.72 75.63 35.91

Butuan City - Talacogon - Loreto - Veruela - Sta Josefa Rd On-going. Minimal ac-complishment due to insufficient construction materials delivered on site. DPWH Issued 2nd Warning to the contractor pursuant to D.O. 102 s of

1988.

b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 2nd DEO a) 06 Feb 2014 b) 01 Aug 2014

c) 31 Aug 2014

43,422.30 73.13 64.15 -8.98

c) Dan-Bel Construction

Butuan City - Talacogon - Loreto - Veruela - Sta. Josefa Rd On-going b) DPWH Agusan del Sur 2nd DEO a) 06 Feb 2014

b) 20 Jul 2014 c) 19 Aug 2014 (proposed revised com-

40,980.10 75.42 72.15 -3.27

c) Mamsar Const’n

Construction of Polysports Complex


Construction/replacement of Sayugon Bridge and Approaches Project suspended as of July 4, 2014 due to peace

and order problem b) DPWH 13

a) 26 Jul 2013 b) 22 Mar 2014

17,845.90 100.00 70.46 -29.54


Construction/replacement of Maylanan Bridge and Approaches in Loreto, Agusan del Sur Project suspended as of July 4, 2014 due to peace

and order problem b) DPWH 13

a) 26 Jul 2013 b) 22 Mar 2014

18,888.00 100.00 66.47 -33.53


Concreting NRJ Cuevas-Bislig Rd The contractor submitted catch-up program show-ing additional equipment to augment the accom-plishment and make up for the delay attributed to intermittent heavy rain. The contractor's quarry operation is partially sus-pended due to peace and order situation in the

area.

b) DPWH 13 a) 27 Feb 2014

b) 25 Oct 2014 93,978.40 59.84 42.3 -17.54

c) Vicente T. Lao Construction

Surigao-Davao Coastal Rd (Bislig-Lingig Section) On-going but delayed. DPWH R.O. 13 issued 3rd warning letter. As-

staked plan for approval.

b) DPWH 13 a) 01 Apr 2014

b) 27 Sep 2014 46,710.20 61.65 40.29 -21.36


Retrofitting/Rehabilitation/ Strengthening of Mararag Br. along Surigao-Davao Coastal Rd. in Mararag, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur

On-going

b) DPWH Surigao del Sur 1st DEO a) 05 Mar 2014 b) 01 Sep 2014

c) 01 Oct 2014

23,053.00 48.97 45.25 -3.72


Tago-La Paz Bridge along Surigao-Davao Coastal Road (Alternate Road), Surigao del Sur 1st LD (CNRB CY - 2014)

On-going

b) DPWH Surigao del Sur 1st DEO a) 30 Apr 2014

b) 25 Dec 2014 57,900.00 8.80 16.49 7.69

c) CBBI

Widening along Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur 1st LD, K1295+204 - K1297+261, Tan-dag Bridge, Brgy. Dagocdoc- Jct. Tandag Airport Road & K1295+286.70 to K1296+218.20 (NRJ to Tandag Airport) (2.970 km )

On-going

b) DPWH Surigao del Sur 1st DEO a) 18 Mar 2014

b) 25 Oct 2014 42,985.50 51.18 69.95 18.77

c) J&A Pimentel Construction



Planned (%)


Construction of Butuan City South Market

32 caraga today

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für

Internationale

Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH -

Conflict Sensitive Resource and

Asset Management (GIZ-

COSERAM) supported local

and regional agencies to

establish the HIPADA Marine

Monitoring Team (HMMT)

composed of staff from Surigao

City based SUNGCOD, Inc. (an

NGO), Municipal Governments

of Bacuag and Malimono, and

the Management Office of

Hinatuan Passage Development

Alliance (HIPADA) in Surigao

del Norte.

The HMMT was trained on

advanced scuba diving,

underwater assessment, and

marine monitoring skills.

Six HMMT professional divers

received full diving equipment

from GIZ for the underwater

assessments and monitoring.

These activities are in line with

the peaceful and sustainable

Ridge-To-Reef approach

supported by COSERAM’s

conflict sensitive comprehensive

land use planning process.

From December 2013 to April

2014, the HMMT conducted

underwater assessments in 13

coastal Barangays of Malimono,

a HIPADA member. Results of

the assessment were presented

to stakeholders that became the

bases in identifying appropriate

interventions for the protection

of the remaining natural

resources. It also generated

discussions to resolve conflicts

raised by the locale.

At the close of 2014, the

HMMT will assess the current

state of marine resources in the

remaining HIPADA areas. The

team will also assist the

HIPADA members in

developing appropriate

strategies and interventions to

manage sustainable marine

resources and resolve resource

conflicts.

The HIPADA members

appreciated the technical

assistance and diving equipment

given. They were thankful of

COSERAM’s continued support

for the protection and

management of their remaining

natural resources from ridge to

reef.

Marine Monitoring Team now ready for underwater assessments in Surigao del Norte

by Virginia Guanzon, GIZ-Senior Advisor to the COSERAM Program

September is Development Policy Research Month

September is Development

Policy Research Month (DPRM)

per Proclamation No. 247,

issued by Malacanang in

September 2002. It highlights

the vast contribution of policy

research to the socioeconomic

advancement of the Philippines.

The Proclamation underscored

the “need for promoting,

enhancing, instilling, and

drawing awareness and

appreciation of the importance

and necessity of policy

research.” Thus, the observance

of the DPRM is intended to gain

public support and wider

understanding of the importance

of policy research as a tool for

national development and of the

activities in line with it to

advance the quality and standard

of policy research in the

Philippines.

As a leading think tank in the

country, the Philippine Institute

for Development Studies (PIDS)

was designated as the overall

coordinator of all the programs

and activities in the observance

of the yearly DPRM. Being in

the forefront of policy research

in the Philippines, PIDS

conducts policy research on

socioeconomic issues to assist

the government in crafting

sound policies for national

development.

In the last 11 years, the

celebration of the DPRM has

focused on areas that the PIDS

considers as primary concerns

therefore in need of utmost

attention and support. This year,

the DPRM focuses on

addressing the jobs challenge

toward inclusive growth.

Caraga Today July-September 2014

Government & Nonprofit

caraga todayvolume

moving caraga

development authority

caraga rdc members

greater caraga region

great caraga region

caraga information officers

tesdacaraga fetes personnel