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CabSec. Karlo A.B. Nograles, Caraga CORDS, together with Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago Cane, Agusan del Norte Gov. Dale Corvera, Bayugan City Mayor Kirk Asis, Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander Pimentel, 4ID Commanding General MGen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, 402nd Brigade Commander BGen. Maurito Licudine, and DILG Caraga regional director Lilibeth Famacion led the unveiling of the E-CLIP halfway houses constructed in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte, during today's 4th Caraga RTF-ELCAC Meeting held in Bayugan City.

Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada of Butuan City reiterates the importance of the Search for Child-Friendly Barangay, which is aimed to recognize barangays that excel in child welfare, protection, and development as well as to inspire other barangays to formulate and implement new programs and services for children that can be replicated as best practices.

Dir. Alexander Makinano of POPCOM-Caraga bared that the population in the country is increasing. For Caraga region, the impact of the increase on population has also affected the other indicators in terms of land, resources, and even the capability of the government to provide the basic social needs of the populace in the communities. The government, he said, has been keen on this matter to ensure that programs and services will reach all areas.

BGen. Maurito Licudine, commander of 402nd Brigade, Philippine Army underlined the role of the media as an advocate of peace and in disseminating vital information to the general public. He further asked the media partners in Caraga to continue to support the government's effort towards inclusive peace and development, particularly the implementation of Executive Order 70 or the whole of nation approach to end the local communist armed conflict. Col. Cerilo Balaoro, Jr., deputy commander of 402nd Brigade, bared that in the implementation of EO70, the Philippine Army continuously engage with different sectors in the community towards achieving sustainable peace and development by providing them the necessary basic social services from various government agencies. This, he said is one way of bringing the government closer to the people. "Definitely yes" was the response of Col. Allan D. Hambala, 401st Brigade Commander to the question posed by Manila Bulletin&

Atty. Zeldania Soriano, who heads the Community Legal Help Project, serves as the guest speaker of today's (Dec. 10) Forum on Climate Change spearheaded by CHR-Caraga held in Butuan City. She has been providing free legal services to urban and rural poor communities on public interest issues. In her discussion, she reiterated the concept of Climate Change and later introduced the Climate Justice, giving emphasis on who is accountable and what mechanisms will address the impacts of Climate Change. Atty. Jerefe Tubigon-Bacang, regional director of CHR-Caraga stressed the vital role of the different stakeholders in addressing the continuing problem on the causes of Climate Change. She said, with this forum, various participating sectors are given the opportunity to share their points of view on the subject matter, raise their issues and concerns, as well as their contribution to the proposed resolutions on Climate Change impacts.

Alexander Lopez, Philippine News Agency Caraga bureau chief asks the participants especially the media practitioners present to rise as one force to spread the  # DisiplinaMuna  campaign of the government. We are here with the same purpose – that is to serve and work to achieve genuine peace, sustainable development, and national growth for the Filipino people, he said.

Rev. Fr. Carlito Clase, executive director of the Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) acknowledged the effectiveness of the Executive Order 70 or the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict. He said that this was one of the means that led the convergence of the Christians, Muslim and indigenous peoples (IPs), among other sectors in time with the celebration of this year's Mindanao Week of Peace. "All of us deserve peace, regardless of our religion, culture and beliefs. Let us work together in achieving peace and development in our communities," he said.

Most Rev. Cosme Damian Almedilla, Butuan Bishop, cited that being misinformed and deceived by fake news can cause conflict and misunderstanding to oneself and others. He further warned today's participating sectors of the Mindanao Week of Peace - culmination program, to be cautious with what they see, hear and read about things so that they won't become victims of fake news. In his message during today's culmination program of the 2019 Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) held in Butuan City, Phil. Information Agency (PIA) OIC director-general and concurrent PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga informed the participants of various sectors the mandates of the agency which include the dissemination of relevant and correct information down to the grassroots. Caga, however, cited the threat despite the united actions of Christians, Muslims and indigenous peoples for the attainment of peace, as the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) are clever in maneuvering propagand

"It had not been easy, but here we are now, celebrating the lives of our partners who continue to support this noble cause," said Dr. Gerna M. Manatad, representing the Department of Health's Regional Director and Chairperson of the Regional Nutrition Council in Caraga, Dr. Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. She expressed her gratitude on behalf of Dr. Llacuna to the partner agencies for their continuous support for the National Nutrition Council (NNC) to combat hunger and poverty in the country and in turn enable the Filipino citizens to access better life opportunities. Dir. Lilibeth Famacion of DILG-Caraga congratulated all the deserving awardees from various local government units during this year's Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony held in Butuan City. In her message, she emphasized that the LGUs have a big role to play in addressing the nutrition and health concerns in every barangay. She further expressed appreciation to all the hardworking

Muslim, Christian, and IP participants from neighboring tribes venture to Brgy. Kasiklan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte to participate in the 'Sayuda Daw Buntola  Ko Tribung Tigdulag' Culmination and engage with the members of the Tigdulag tribe. From major rituals to literary performances, the non-IP participants witnessed some of the tribe's customs and traditions, creating an immersive experience for the guests. Such activity strengthens the advocacy of the Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) to propagate a culture of dialogue, particularly between peoples from varying religious backgrounds. Most. Rev. Fr. Cosme Damian Almedilla, Bishop of the Diocese of Butuan, concludes the culmination in Brgy. Kasiklan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte with a speech intended to acknowledge the importance of the celebration of Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) and the cause the celebration is attempting to campaign. Likewise, he reminds the members of the participating IP

Some 278 youths from different municipalities of Agusan del Norte, Sibagat in Agusan del Sur and Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental are gathered today, Dec. 1 for the culmination of the 1st Youth Leadership Summit held at the 23IB Headquarters, Jamboree Site, Brgy. Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. LTC Francisco Molina Jr., commander of 23rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army underscored during today's culmination of the 1st Agusan del Norte Youth Leadership Summit held at the headquarters of 23IB in Brgy. Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte that the participating youths have gained knowledge on the Executive Order 70 and imparted their action plans on how they could help and contribute in fulfilling the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte in their respective municipalities. 2Lt. Gianmatteo Vittorio Guidicelli, Reservist, AFP, commended the uniformed personnel for sincerely doing their best to protect the nation and its people. He said this was hi

As part of the agenda of Caraga Conference of Peace and Development (CCPD) to promote peace through inter-religious dialogue, the IP and Christian participants were invited to witness the khutba (equivalent to the Sunday Mass performed by the Catholic Church) of the members of the Muslim community at Narra Road, Brgy. 26 New Society Village, Butuan City. # MindanaoWeekofPeace # KalinawMindanao Sultan Gamal Amerol, Executive Director and Datu Muna Datu S. Ebra, Regional SK Chairman of Bangsamoro-MNLF Caraga welcomed Most. Rev. Cosme Damian R. Almedilla, Bishop of the Diocese of Butuan; Rev. Fr. Carlito Clase, Director of the Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD); and IP tribal leaders from different Indigenous Cultural Communities in Caraga to the second day of the celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) at the covered court of Narra Road, Brgy. 26 New Society Village, Butuan City. Norolain Balt of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos in

During today's opening program for this year's Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) held at Saint James the Great Parish in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, municipal mayor Norbert Pagaspas urges everyone to promote peace in the communities for a well-lived life. He stressed that everyone deserves peace. "We are happy to see people being united and working peacefully regardless of cultural differences," he cited.

During today's 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women Press Conference held today in Butuan City, Catherine Aranas, social welfare officer, said that the campaign aims to solicit everyone's commitment to end violence against children and women. "We focus on mechanisms that would prevent VAWC from happening. Series of activities are also lined up and an advocacy walk later this afternoon will kick off the campaign," she said. Atty. Jerefe Tubigon-Bacang, regional director of CHR-Caraga and chairperson of the Regional Gender and Development Committee said that the bright color of orange signifies hope for a violence-free Caraga region.

According to Dr. Rene Escalante, chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and vice chair of the National Quincentennial Committee, said that the staging of commemorative activities in the Philippines for the quincentennial celebration will promote tourism and highlight the rich culture and religious heritage as a nation. He added that it aims to promote the value of unity, magnanimity, sovereignty, and identity. Jopearl Abad of the PCOO-Office of Brand Integration said that part of the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines is the opportunity to put the spotlight on one of the country's earliest hero, Lapu-Lapu. The event will also create more awareness on the victory of the ancestors led by Lapu-Lapu in the Battle of Mactan and the Philippines as part of the first circumnavigation of the world.

Sec. Gary Olivar cited during his radio guesting today, Nov. 20 at Radyo Pilipinas in Butuan City, that a new plebiscite towards constitutional reform should be created before President Rodrigo Duterte finishes his term. "As we are gearing towards constitutional reform, we are also intensifying our advocacy that we Filipino people should change how we perceive things. We should be able to change our system, and master self-discipline so we could have a better government in this country," he said. Director-General Josephine Santiago of Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said their office has decided to expand in the Caraga region following its observation of an impressive rise in the number of IP filings in its cities and its countryside. "IPOPHL data show that Caraga's total filings soared nearly five-fold to 172 in 2018 from 37 in 2017. Applications for utility model registration jumped 1,367% to 88 in 2018 from 6 in the previous year;

In her opening remarks during today's (Nov. 19) Constitutional Reform Balangayan Provincial Roadshow held in Butuan City, DILG Caraga regional director Lilibeth Famacion emphasized the statement of no less than President Rodrigo Duterte that "change is coming." She said that in his 3rd year of service as the president of the country, Duterte is on the right track towards realizing his commitments to the Filipino nation. Sec. Gary Olivar, resource person on Constitutional Reform (CoRe) discussed the Constitutional Reform policy agenda in today's (Nov. 19) CoRe Provincial Roadshow held in Bituan City. He cited the failures of the 1987 Constitution and why need to change the present charter. "The proposed political and electoral reform provisions to the 1987 Constitution will open up for a more inclusive growth, empowers the regional and local government units, and strengthen political parties," Olivar said.

Thesa Joy Musa, head of the adoption resource and referral unit in DSWD-Caraga reiterated during today's Forum on Adoption and Foster Care held in Butuan City, that Republic Act No. 10165 states that “DSWD shall issue Foster Family Care License based on the Home Study Report submitted by the agency to determine the motivations, capacities and potentials for development of applicants." The license is renewable every three years unless earlier revoked by DSWD. A DSWD social worker will be assigned to conduct the home study report which will be forwarded to DSWD.

According to DSWD-Caraga regional director Mita Chuchi Gupana-Lim, today's Regional Adoption and Foster Care Forum held in Butuan City, aims to help the prospective adoptive parents legalize the adoption especially for those families who already have children under custody without proper documents yet.

CDA Caraga regional director Genaro Pogata Jr. reiterated that the agency continues to implement programs that ensure the safe and sound operations of cooperatives in the region. He also said that they collaborate with other sectors in the promotion of the over-all wellness of the cooperatives. Volunteers from different sectors in Butuan City are convening this afternoon for a fund-raising event for the purpose of aiding the earthquake victims in Cotabato City. This event is called MindaNowONE Kita! - an afternoon where melodies, music and movement (including a Zumba Party) will lead the audience to answer the call to give, held at the South Atrium of Robinsons Place in Butuan City.

On behalf of Atty. Juan Miguel Cuna, undersecretary for Field Operations of DENR, regional director Atty. Felix Alicer of DENR-Caraga relayed his message during today's celebration of Agusan Marsh Platinum Anniversary National Conference held in Butuan City. USec. Cuna emphasized that Agusan Marsh should be given due attention for further wetland conservation and development. "We should start creating meaningful partnerships with various stakeholders and doing initiatives not only for Agusan Marsh but also of other wetlands in the country," he said.

“The content contained in our narratives are the very substance of good governance together with the ideals set by our President from his vision to give a comfortable life of dignity to every Filipino.” PCOO Sec. Andanar asks radio broadcasters to continue upholding truth and integrity.