CARAGA TODAY OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2015

today 

caraga 

Vol. 

A Publication of the Caraga Regional Development Council 

October - December 2015 

XVIII, Issue 4 

PAGE 18 

Q2 2015 Regional 

Economic Situationer 

PAGE 26 

Q3 2015 Regional 

Project Monitoring 

Report 

NEDA Caraga moves to its new home 

PAGE 4

caraga today 

Volume XVIII Issue 4 October—December 2015 

On this issue 

PAGE 4 

NEDA Caraga moves to 

its new home 

PAGE 6 

Caraga investment for 

roads, bridges to go up 

PAGE 8 

Bayugan City hosts 84th 

RDC Meeting 

PAGE 10 

Caraga RDC endorses 

GREAT Women Project 

Phase 2 

PAGE 12 

Agriculture Secretary 

turns over P317 million 

worth of projects in 

Caraga 

PAGE 13 

P166.5 million worth of 

farm-to-market roads 

seen as a path to peace 

PAGE 14 

RDC-IDC clinches top 

spot in the 1 st Caraga 

RDC Sportsfest 

FEATURES 

CENTERFOLD 

1st Caraga RDC Sportsfest in Photos 

PAGE 9 

Butuan City receives “Island of Good 

Governance’ Seal 

PAGE 11 

CESB hails RD Brigoli as 2015 VIP 

PAGE 29 

18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against 

Women Facts and Tidbits 

PAGE 30 

Caraga observes 26th National Statistics 

Month 

PAGE 36 

IN FOCUS: Demonetization of the Old 

Banknote Series 

HIGHLIGHTS 

PAGE 18 

2nd Quarter 2015 Caraga Regional 

Economic Situationer 

PAGE 26 

3rd Quarter 2015 Caraga Regional Project 

Monitoring Report 

Published quarterly by the Caraga Regional Development Council with editorial office at 

the National Economic and Development Authority-Caraga, JP Rosales Avenue, Butuan City. 

For questions, comments, and suggestions email us at neda13caraga@yahoo.com or call (085) 341-4195.

Vol. XVIII Issue 4 

3 

Editor’s Note 

Jazmin D. Berido 

2015 proved to be a 

challenging and exciting 

year for the Caraga RDC 

and its Secretariat, as 

NEDA-Caraga moves to its 

new home. In this issue, we 

document the story behind 

the acquisition of land and 

construction of this new 

office building. 

We look back on RDC 

hallmark events in the 

previous quarter with 

narratives on the Caraga 

Roads and Bridges Summit 

as well as the first ever 

Caraga RDC Sportsfest. 

We also have special 

features on DSWD RD 

Minda Brigoli as the CESB 

2015 Very Innovative 

Person, and the Butuan City 

Government for bagging the 

Island of Good Governance 

Seal. 

We feature national 

celebrations with important 

facts on the 18-Day 

Campaign to End Violence 

Against Women (VAW) 

and the observation of the 

National Statistics Month in 

the region. 

Our regular offers 

include the quarterly Caraga 

Regional Economic 

Situationer and the Regional 

Project Monitoring Report. 

This quarter’s 

contributor, the Department 

of Agriculture, features the 

PAMANA Projects as well 

as the inauguration of 

recently completed Agri 

Pinoy Projects in the region. 

With a lot going on for 

the past 12 months, the 

Caraga RDC and its 

Secretariat look forward to 

more significant projects in 

the coming year as it 

endeavors to improve its 

mandated service to the 

people of Caraga. Merry 

Christmas and a more 

progressive 2016 to all of 

us! 

Editorial Board 

Editor-in-Chief 

Jazmin D. Berido 

Writers 

Michelle P. Dela Calzada 

Shiela M. Bermoy 

Melanie A. Maur 

Ian G. Miculob 

Elvie C. Ato 

Rhea Mae C. Mendez 

Design Editor 

Rhea Mae C. Mendez 

Contributors 

DA, BSP 

Adviser 

RD Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño 

ARD Roy B. Kantuna

4 caraga today 

NEDA Caraga moves to its new home 

by Rhea Mae C. Mendez, NEDA-Caraga 

The newly constructed 

NEDA Building proudly 

rises at a prime business 

location in downtown 

Butuan. 

The staff of the National Economic and 

Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office 

Caraga carted equipment, furniture and 

documents and moved to its newly constructed 

office building at a prime business location along 

J. P. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City last October 

28, 2015. 

The 3-storey NEDA building has a roof deck 

and a floor area of around 2,200 square meters. It 

stands on a nearly 1,000-square meter lot donated 

by the City Government of Butuan under the 

administration of Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. 

and then Vice-Mayor and now Congressman 

Lawrence Lemuel Fortun to NEDA-Caraga 

through then Regional Director Carmencita 

Cochingco and Surigao del Norte Governor Sol 

Matugas, who is Caraga’s second-term Regional 

Development Council (RDC) Chairperson. 

With the full support of the NEDA Central 

Office Management, building construction began 

on January 8, 2014. The building, which is the 

home of the NEDA-Staff is also the seat of the 

Caraga RDC. It was completed with a project 

cost of Php 48.2 Million on September 21, 2015 

under the leadership of Regional Director Mylah 

Faye Aurora Cariño. Director Cariño who was 

NEDA-Caraga’s former Assistant Regional 

Director, took over the reins from Director 

Cochingco after the latter retired from 

government service in August 2013. 

NEDA-Caraga’s new home is designed to 

be an energy-efficient building with rainwater 

collection and distribution system. Its design 

allows for maximum use of natural light and 

ventilation. It is also intended to be genderresponsive 

as well as accessibility-compliant 

with its 12-car ground floor parking area, 

450kg capacity elevator, accessibility ramp, 

and a child-minding room. The child-minding 

room features a space for lactating mothers. 

Aside from spaces for its Development 

Research Division (DRD), Finance and 

Administrative Division (FAD), Project 

Development and Investment Programming 

and Budget Division (PDIPBD), Policy 

Formulation and Planning Division (PFPD), 

and Project Monitoring and Evaluation 

Division (PMED), there are provisions for a 

library, prayer room and audio-recording room 

in the main floor. The Regional Geographic 

Information System Network (RGISN) Center 

is also located on this floor. The RGISN Center 

offers map lay-outing, map printing and other 

geo-information related services.


5 

The 100-seater 

conference hall is a 

venue for future fruitful 

and memorable NEDA 

and RDC meetings and 

events. This hall 

features top-of-the-line 

audio-visual system and 

wireless fidelity. 

The centerpiece of the building is a 100- 

seater conference hall, which is fitted with 

modern audio-visual equipment. It will serve as 

venue for exhibits, workshops, trainings, 

meetings and other events of the NEDA and 

RDC. This hall can be converted into two 

function rooms to host small-group activities. 

Monsignor Ruel Lasco blessed the NEDA- 

Caraga Family on November 3, 2015, the first 

official day of business in the new building. 

Socio-Economic Planning Secretary and 

NEDA Director General Arsenio Balisacan 

inaugurates the building on December 8, 2015 

with the assistance of NEDA Assistant Director 

General Kenneth Tanate, Governor Matugas, 

Mayor Amante, Congressman Fortun and 

Retired NEDA RD Cochingco. 

An officer of the 

day greets 

clients and 

partners at the 

main floor lobby 

and directs 

them to the 

appropriate 

staff to address 

any inquiry or 

request for 

technical 

assistance. The 

main lobby 

prominently 

features the 

NEDA Seal.


Caraga investment for roads, bridges to go up 

by Ian G. Miculob, NEDA-Caraga 

Surigao del Norte 

Sanggunian 

Panlalawigan Castrence, 

Director Cariǹo, Assistant 

Director Mangune and 

Assistant Secretary 

Soguilon cuts the ribbon 

during the opening of the 

Roads and Bridges 

Summit’s Exhibit 

participated in by private 

contractors and 

contestants of the Green 

Bridge Design Contest. 

Infrastructure support to the industry and 

other sectors in the Caraga Region is 

expected to increase for the next six years 

after the Caraga Roads and Bridges 

Investment Program (CRBIP) for 2016- 

2022 was presented to stakeholders during 

the Roads and Bridges Summit held on 

October 20, 2015 at Almont Inland’s 

Resort Hotel in Butuan City. The Caraga 

Regional Development Council (RDC) 

spearheaded the summit. 

NEDA Caraga Regional Director 

Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño, who is also the 

Vice-Chairperson of the Regional 

Development Council, explained that the 

CRBIP 2012-2022 is a product of a series 

of provincial workshops conducted through 

the Coordinating Roads and Infrastructure 

Investment for Development (CR+ID) 

project funded by the Australian Embassy 

and The Asia Foundation. During these 

workshops, the provinces of the region 

identified, prioritized and mapped out the 

proposed strategic roads and bridges and 

other infrastructure investments. 

Director Cariño added that these roads 

and bridges underwent value chain analysis 

and are linked to particular sectors that are 

considered as economic drivers of the 

provinces, which include ecotourism, 

agriculture, mineral, peace and 

development, and other priorities. 

“Caraga’s vision is to become the 

fishery, agri-forestry, mineral, and 

ecotourism center of the Philippines in 

2020,” Director Cariño reiterated. 

Emphasizing the importance of 

infrastructure investment, Assistant 

Director Kathleen Mangune of the NEDA 

Central Office stated in her presentation 

that infrastructure development is a key 

enabler towards inclusive growth and 

poverty reduction by stimulating growth in 

agriculture, industry and services, 

particularly in priority location, hand in 

hand with human development and social 

protection.


7 

The RDC handed over the CRBIP to 

the Department of Public Works and 

Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior 

and Local Government (DILG), and the 

Department of Agriculture (DA) for 

consideration in their budget and 

investment program from 2016 until 2022. 

DPWH Assistant Secretary Dimas 

Soguilon acknowledged that DPWH plays 

a significant role in building roads and 

bridges to support and stimulate growth in 

the region. He urged road implementers to 

closely coordinate with provincial, city, 

municipal, and barangay stakeholders for a 

more integrated implementation of road 

projects. He also asked the participants to 

propose additional projects that can be 

funded thru the Mindanao logistics 

program. 

Both DILG and DA presented their 

programs on roads and bridges. Engr. Rene 

Morales of the DA presented the FMR 

funding sources which include Farm-to- 

Market Road Development Program, 

Philippine Rural Development Project, 

Bottom-up Budgeting, PAyapa at 

MAsaganang PamayaNAn, and the 

Support to Emergency and Livelihood 

Assistance Program. On the other hand, 

DILG Assistant Regional Director Donald 

Seronay informed the participants that the 

agency has funds for road infrastructure 

thru the Provincial Road Management 

Facility, Special Local Roads Fund, and the 

PAMANA program. He added that they 

will be implementing the Konkreto at Ayos 

na LanSAngan and DAan tungo sa 

Pangkalahatang Kaunlaran (KALSADA) 

Program next year, which is a performance 

-based incentive program. 

The CRBIP shall form part of the 

Regional Development Investment 

Program for 2016-2022. Moreover, the 

RDC Secretariat shall monitor the status of 

all the proposals with the assistance of the 

LGUs and implementing agencies. 

As a side event of the Summit, 

participants of Green Bridge Design 

Contest showcased their entries together 

with the products of the private exhibitors. 

Students of the Father Saturnino Urios 

University clinched the top spot and 

received P15,000 and trophy. The second 

and third prizes went to the entries of Saint 

Joseph Institute of Technology; they 

received P12,000 and P9,000 respectively 

plus trophies. 

Above right: RD Cariño 

presents AD Mangune a 

custom made Manobo 

doll and a copy of the 

book “Butuan of a 

Thousand Years” as 

tokens of appreciation. 

Above: DPWH Assistant 

Secretary Dimas 

Soquilon responds to the 

inquiry of the 

participants on roads 

and bridges projects in 

the Caraga Region 

during the Roads and 

Bridges Summit on 

October 20, 2015 at 

Almont Inland’s Resort 

Hotel in Butuan City.


Bayugan City hosts the 84 th RDC Meeting 

by Shiela M. Bermoy, NEDA-Caraga 

Right: 

Bayugan City 

Mayor Kim 

Lope A. Asis 

Left: Gov. Sol 

Matugas and 

Mayor Asis 

pose with 

RDC 

members 

while being 

serenaded by 

local talents. 

Bayugan City hosted the 84 th Regional 

Development Council (RDC) Meeting on 

September 18, 2015. It was the first RDC 

meeting held in the City. Bayugan City 

Mayor Kim Lope Asis welcomed the RDC 

officials, members and guests. The meeting 

was attended by 43 RDC members, 13 

regular invitees and 34 guests. 

During the meeting, several 

development priorities were approved and 

endorsed by the Council, among which are 

the Caraga Research Agenda and the 1 st 

Caraga RDC Sportsfest. The RDC 

recognizes the crucial role of a unified 

research agenda for the attainment of the 

region’s goal to become the F.A.M.E. 

center of the country while the 1 st Caraga 

RDC Sportsfest aims to promote wellness, 

fellowship, and partnership among RDC 

members. An omnibus resolution was 

passed endorsing seven infrastructure 

projects to accelerate economic growth in 

the region. 

The national awardees of the 2015 

Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness 

Index Assessment were recognized during 

the meeting. Plaques of recognition were 

given to the Municipality of Nasipit, 

Agusan del Norte (4 th in the 3 rd -6 th Class 

Municipality Category), Butuan City, 

Agusan del Norte (13 th in the Highly 

Urbanized Cities Category), and the 

Province of Agusan del Norte (7 th in the 

Provincial Category). 

The City prepared an eco-friendly 

setting for the meeting at the Lope A. Asis 

Memorial Gymnasium and entertained the 

officials with performances highlighting 

Caraga’s rich and diverse culture. 

Governor Matugas commended Mayor 

Asis for setting a green reception and for 

staging a repertoire of entertaining 

performances by local talents. She opined 

that it was the reception to beat.


9 

Butuan City receives ‘Island of Good 

Governance’ seal 

by Melanie A. Maur, NEDA-Caraga 

The Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), a 

public governance reform advocacy group, 

along with the Institute of Corporate 

Directors (ICD) and the National 

Competitiveness Council (NCC) awarded 

Butuan City with Islands of Good 

Governance (IGG) seal during the Public 

Governance Forum held at the Philippine 

International Convention Center (PICC) in 

Manila. 

Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, 

Jr. received the award on October 29, 2015 

along with 11 public sector institutions 

who were named the very first Philippines’ 

“Islands of Good Governance” in 

recognition of their dedicated undertaking 

of transformative and sustainable good 

governance programs. 

Butuan’s endeavor of planting five 

million trees which are geo-tagged in 2015 

along with policies on protection and 

production are among the reasons cited for 

conferring the City with the award. 

Butuan City and the rest of the 

awardees were featured in the sub-Asia 

Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting 

conducted by the ASEAN Business 

Advisory Council. The said meeting 

highlighted the importance of transparency 

and efficiency in transforming public 

institutions. 

Among the LGUs awarded were the 

city governments of Butuan, Balanga 

(Bataan), Mandaue (Cebu), Dipolog 

(Zamboanga del Norte), and Talisay 

(Negros Occidental). Meanwhile, the 

agencies awarded were the Armed Forces 

of the Philippines, Philippine Army, 

Department of Trade and Industry, Bangko 

Sentral ng Pilipinas, National 

Electrification Administration, and the 

Philippine Heart Center. 

The seal of IGG is valid for three (3) 

years and is awarded only after ISA 

audited and certified the breakthrough 

results of transformative initiatives. To 

qualify, an LGU has to show proof that it 

has gone beyond compliance and has 

begun delivering breakthrough 

performance through systematic 

observance of governance practices. 

Mayor Jun Amante of 

Butuan City receives 

the IGG Seal at the 

PICC.


Caraga RDC endorses the GREAT Women 2 Project 


The Caraga Regional Development 

Council (RDC), during its 3rd Quarter 

meeting on September 18, 2015, passed 

Resolution No. 36 Series of 2015 

“Endorsing the GREAT Women Project 

Phase 2” on the strength of the 

recommendation of the Social 

Development Committee (SDC). 

The Gender Responsive Economic 

Actions for the Transformation of Women, 

also known as the GREAT Women Project, 

is a bilateral project of the Government of 

the Philippines and Government of Canada 

that aims to create more enabling 

environments for women economic 

empowerment (WEE). The first phase of 

the program, which ran from 2007 to 2013, 

benefitted around 14,000 women microentrepreneurs. 

It had funding support of 

around P32 Million. 

A new 6-year partnership, which is 

dubbed as the GREAT Women 2 Project, 

will cater to more than 10,000 out of an 

estimated 46,000 women microentrepreneurs 

across the country by 

enabling them to contribute to nationbuilding 

through enhanced entrepreneurial 

capacity and improved access to technical, 

financial and marketing assistance from 

government and private sector partners. 

The GREAT Women 2 project is 

implemented by the Philippine 

Commission on Women (PCW) in 

partnership with the Department of Trade 

and Industry (DTI), Department of 

Agriculture (DA), Department of science 

and Technology (DOST), Department of 

Labor and Employment (DOLE), local 

governments and some private sector 

groups. 

The Project Steering Committee (PSC) 

acts as its policy-making body and is cochaired 

by the PCW and the Project Team 

Leader under the Development Section of 

the Canadian Embassy. 

Under the PSC is the National 

Convergence Group (NCG) composed of 

national level representatives of the 

implementing agencies. The NCG is cochaired 

by the PCW and the DTI; while a 

Regional Convergence Group (RCG) shall 

coordinate regional level support and will 

report directly to the NCG. In Caraga, the 

RCG is composed of the DTI, DA and 

DOST. 

Great Women Products


11 

CESB hails DSWD RD Brigoli as 2015 Very Innovative Person 


Department of Social Welfare and 

Development (DSWD) Caraga Regional 

Director Minda Brigoli brought honor to 

Caraga as one of the awardees of the 2015 

Career Executive Service (CES) Very 

Innovative Person (VIP) “for trailblazing 

innovations and highly efficient 

management” according to the Career 

Executive Service Board (CESB). 

The CESB conferred the VIP Award to 

RD Brigoli during the 14th Annual CES 

Conference on November 26, 2015 at the 

Xavier Estates Sports and Country Club in 

Cagayan de Oro City. 

RD Brigoli is credited for the 

innovative and efficient implementation in 

Caraga of the Department’s core poverty 

alleviation programs such as the Pantawid 

Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid 

Pamilya) and the Sustainable Livelihood 

Program (SLP). 

Pantawid Pamilya benefitted 92.6 

percent or 214,976 registered household 

beneficiaries out of the 232,000 households 

assessed in the region since 2007 by the 

National Household Targeting System for 

Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), which is 

now known as the Listahanan. Competent 

program management improved 

beneficiary coverage from 170,484 

households in 2013 to 194,975 active 

household beneficiaries in 2014, which is 

equivalent to an increase of 13.90 percent. 

Around P2 billion was granted for 

Pantawid Pamilya in Caraga in 2014. This 

represents a 40.57 percent boost from the 

P1.423 billion cash grant in 2013. 

DSWD-Caraga under the leadership of 

RD Brigoli is likewise known for its 

inventive strategy for the SLP, dubbed as 

the “Partnership for Building Livelihood 

and Sustainable Assets (PABULSA) for 

the Poor.” 

The 2014 Caraga Regional 

Development Report revealed that 

“PABULSA for the Poor” is recognized 

among DSWD regional offices as a best 

practice and is being replicated in other 

regions. 

The PABULSA Framework adapts the 

value chain approach in maximizing local 

and domestic markets by forging public 

and private partnerships in microenterprise 

development and employment facilitation 

to improve employable skills, income, 

social security and access to financing. 

RD Brigoli is a native of Davao City 

and has served as Regional Director of 

DSWD-Western Visayas for 3 years prior 

to her transfer to Caraga. 

RD Brigoli brings 

honor to Caraga 

Region as CESB’s 

2015 VIP. (Photo 

credit: DSWD- 

Caraga )


Agriculture Secretary turns over P317 Million worth of 

projects in Caraga 

by Fretcher Magatao, DA-Caraga 

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala turns over 

a total of P317 Million worth of projects on 

September 28, 2015 in Agusan del Sur. 

The turn-over coincided with the 

inauguration of two (2) AgriPinoy Rice 

Processing Centers (RPC) in the municipalities 

of San Francisco and Trento, Agusan del Sur. 

The Agri Pinoy RPC III in Pisaan, San 

Francisco amounting to PhP 37,292,410 was 

turned over to Agus Pinoy Producers 

Cooperative (APCO). Led by the Secretary of 

Agriculture himself, the inauguration bannered 

the realization of the farmers’ vision of having a 

processing center in the locality. 

“This has been a dream and is now a reality. 

We are glad that we could partner with DA in 

serving the farmers of Agusan del Sur and 

Caraga as a whole,” Agus Pinoy Chairman 

Jimmy Geronimo declared. 

RPC III covers all areas in Caraga that 

produce rice specifically the municipalities of 

San Francisco, Rosario, Prosperidad, Talacogon, 

La Paz, San Luis, Esperanza, Bunawan and the 

City of Bayugan all in Agusan del Sur. 

“The governor pledges 100% support for 

agriculture. The Provincial LGU is grateful that 

the rice produced in the province will now be 

processed in Agusan del Sur,” said Provincial 

Agriculturist Jessica Unson. 

A farmers’ forum, turnover of farm 

equipment and provision of seeds to farmer 

cooperatives and individuals followed the 

inauguration. The forum provided the farmers 

venue to personally ask Secretary Alcala about 

the plans and programs of the Department. A 

raffle of livestock and other agricultural products 

delighted the participants of the event. 

Another Agri Pinoy RPC was also 

inaugurated and turned over to First Trento 

Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative 

(FTCMPC) in Trento, Agusan del Sur. RPC II, 

which is worth PhP 17,000,000 will cover 

10,000 hectares of rice and corn areas in the 

municipalities of Trento, Sta. Josefa, Veruela, 

Bunawan and Loreto. 

The rice processing center was built to help 

reduce quality deterioration and post-harvest 

losses by providing access to efficient drying 

and milling facilities in currently underserved 

rice production areas. 

A farmers’ forum and turnover of farm 

equipment to farmer cooperatives and 

individuals followed the turnover of the RPC. 

Each farmer received a sack of upland rice 

seeds. Various agriculture goods were also 

raffled-off to lucky farmers. 

“We will never get tired serving our dear 

farmers. I am confident that the next time I will 

visit your province, I will see more farmers’ 

lives improved,” said Alcala. 

The establishment of rice processing centers 

was made possible through the collaboration of 

the DA, the Philippine Center for Postharvest 

Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), 

National Food Authority, and Local Government 

Units. 

In addition, Alcala also inaugurated the 

newly established Regional Crop Protection 

Center (RCPC) in the DA’s Trento Research and 

Experiment Station, which amounts to PhP 

4.250 Million. RCPC serves as a diagnostic 

clinic for pests and diseases and shall provide 

recommendation for its control and 

management. 

“The establishment of the facility will surely 

help us in knowing the safety measures in pest 

management” said Alcala. “We foresee a 

reduction of pesticide usage, but still achieving 

optimum crop production,” he added. 

RCPC is a hub for surveillance and early 

warning system for existing and emerging crop 

pests and diseases as well as promote the usage 

of bio-control agents in optimizing production of 

the region’s major commodities. The center also 

provides technical assistance to target clienteles. 

Other projects and interventions turned over 

during Alcala’s visit are Farm Machineries 

amounting to P27.880 Million, Payapa at 

Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) and 

Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB) projects totaling 

P228.879 Million, various agri-support 

amounting to P1.109 Million.


13 

P166.5 Million worth of farm-to-market roads seen as a 

path to peace 

by Aurelius P. Arais , DA-Caraga 

Rural infrastructure development sparks 

economic opportunities and helps attain lasting 

peace. 

This is how Assistant Secretary Edilberto De 

Luna of the Department of Agriculture described 

the effort of DA in implementing farm-to-market 

roads (FMR) especially in conflict-affected 

areas. 

Asec. De Luna led the turnover of three 

multi-million FMR projects implemented by DA 

-Caraga through the PAyapa at MAsaganang 

PamayaNAn or (PAMANA) last September 29, 

2015 in Surigao del Sur. 

The said projects with a total worth of 

P166.5 Million includes the concreting of the 

2.41-kilometer San Roque, Cadanglasan FMR in 

Sitio Mabog, San Roque, Bislig City along the 

boundary of Bunawan which amounts to P33.3 

million; concreting of the 5.42-kilometer 

Diatagon Km. 16 (Lianga) that connects Sitio 

Lagangan, Caras-an- Tago FMR which amounts 

to P66.6 million; and concreting of 5.29- 

kilometer Brgy. Lubo, Cantilan-Brgy. Panikian, 

Carrascal FMR which is worth P66.6 million. 

The implementation of FMR projects is 

DA’s support to the governance pillar of the 

Aquino administration’s five point agenda, 

specifically on economic development, justice 

and lasting peace. 

“The national government keeps the peace 

not through the use of force but by providing 

economic opportunities to all,” said ASEC De 

Luna. 

The completion of the said FMRs is 

expected to boost the livelihood of the 

communities within the service areas. These 

communities primarily cultivate agricultural 

crops such as banana, corn, rice, and root crops. 

The DA assures the public that the FMRs 

can withstand various weather conditions. Thus, 

allowing the communities to benefit from them 

for a long time. 

On the other hand, DA-Caraga Regional 

Director Edna Mabeza urged the residents to 

avail of various DA interventions particularly 

those under the agency’s banner programs on 

rice, corn, high value crops and organic 

agriculture to further boost the agricultural 

sector in the area. “DA has various projects and 

services that you can avail by coordinating with 

your city or municipal agriculture officer. By the 

time you have enough produce we can probably 

put up a processing center,” Mabeza said. 

On behalf of Governor Johnny Pimentel, 

Surigao del Sur PAMANA focal person 

Engineer Merlinda Baure recognized the 

contribution of the DA to the development of the 

province. 

PAMANA is the national government’s 

convergence program that extends development 

interventions to people in isolated, hard-to-reach 

and conflict-affected communities, ensuring that 

they are not excluded in the nation’s progress.


RDC-Infrastructure Development Committee: clinches 

top spot in the 1 st Caraga Regional Development 

Council Sportsfest 

by Michelle P. Dela Calzada, NEDA-Caraga 

The RDC - Infrastructure Development 

Committee emerged as the overall 

champion during the 1 st Caraga RDC 

Sportsfest held on November 10-13, 2015 

in Butuan City. The RDC-Economic 

Development Committee came second 

while the RDC-Development 

Administration Committee placed third. 

The Sportsfest was participated by the 

member LGUs, higher education 

institutions (HEIs) and regional line 

agencies of the four (4) sectoral 

committees of the RDC namely, RDC- 

Development Administration Committee 

(RDC-DAC), RDC-Economic 

Development Committee (RDC-EDC), 

RDC-Infrastructure Development 

Committee (RDC-IDC) and RDC-Social 

Development Committee (RDC-SDC). 

RDC Resolution No. 36, Series 2015 

approved the conduct of the 1st Caraga 

RDC Sportsfest with the theme 

“Promoting Wellness, Building 

Camaraderie and Strengthening 

Partnership”. A total of eight (8) events 

namely, grand saludo, laro ng lahi, darts, 

chess, badminton, bowling, volleyball and 

basketball were played during the 

Sportsfest. 

Four hundred eighteen (418) personnel 

of 40 agencies, three (3) academic 

institutions and six (6) LGUs competed in 

the 1 st Caraga RDC Sportsfest under the 

banners of the four (4) sectoral committees. 

The Department of Education Caraga 

served as the technical arm of the Sportfest 

with 48 DepEd personnel from all over the 

region serving as game officials. 

The Sportsfest commenced with a 

Parade and Opening Program graced by 

RDC offcials namely, Hon. Ferdinand M. 

Amante Jr. MD., RDC-EDC Chairperson, 

Hon. Librado C. Navarro, RDC-SDC 

Chairperson and Director Lilibeth A. 

Famacion, RDC-DAC Co-Chairperson. 

Hon. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante- 

Matba, Governor of Agusan Del Norte 

gave the welcome message. The Opening 

Ceremony was attended by a total of 552 

personnel. One of the highlights during the 

Opening Ceremony was the lighting of the 

torch and urn by the RDC Officials 

symbolizing the values of friendship and 

sportsmanship. 

A Closing and Awarding Ceremony 

was held on November 13, 2015 at the 

Agusan Del Norte Covered Court to 

recognize the winners of the sportsfest. 

Plaques were given to the champion, 2nd 

and 3rd placers of the various events. The 

Most Valuable Players for volleyball 

(women and men) and basketball were Ms. 

Phoebe Orquia, 

Mr. 

Orpheus Cubillas and Mr. Alex Gonzaga 

and they received plaques. 

Ms. Cion Leila Lagnada, Mr. Roy S. 

Lawas were also recognized for having the 

highest pinfall for bowling women and 

men, respectively. Trophies were given to 

the over-all winners.


15 

The following are the winners of the different sporting events: 

OVERALL RANKING 

Champion 2 nd Place 3 rd Place 

RDC-Infrastructure Development 

Committee 

RDC-Economic Development 

Committee 

RDC-Development Administration 

Committee 

Events Champion 2 nd Place 3 rd Place 

Grand Saludo IDC DAC EDC 

Maria Went to Town DAC SDC IDC 

Laro ng Lahi DAC EDC SDC 

Kadang-Kadang DAC EDC SDC 

Kuliot DAC IDC EDC 

Darts Women IDC EDC SDC 

Killers IDC EDC DAC 

01 EDC IDC SDC 

Team IDC EDC SDC 

Darts Men EDC IDC DAC & SDC 

Killers DAC EDC SDC 

01 EDC SDC IDC 

Team IDC EDC DAC 

Chess Men EDC & SDC IDC 

Standard EDC SDC IDC 

Blitz SDC EDC IDC 

Badminton Women IDC DAC EDC 

Singles DAC SDC EDC 

Doubles IDC EDC DAC 

Mixed Doubles IDC DAC EDC 

Badminton Men IDC DAC & EDC 

Singles DAC EDC SDC 

Doubles IDC EDC DAC 

Bowling Women EDC DAC SDC 

Bowling Men EDC DAC IDC 

Volleyball Women SDC IDC DAC 

Volleyball Men IDC SDC EDC 

Basketball IDC DAC EDC

C 


1 st Caraga Regional Development Council Sportsfest 

in photos 

Parade and Opening Ceremony 

Grand Saludo Competition 

Torch Lighting 

Un 

Guests of Honor 

Maria Went to Town 

Basketball Men - IDC vs DAC 

Volleyball Men - EDC vs SDC


17 

Darts Men 

Men’s Badminton 

ty Walk 

Volleyball Men - IDC vs SDC 

Darts Women - SDC vs EDC 

Men’s Bowling 

hess - SDC vs IDC


2nd Quarter 2015 Caraga Regional Economic Situationer 

Overview of the Economy 

Key Labor Statistics Caraga, April 2014-2015 

Province/Region 

Labor Force (in thousands) 

Labor force Participation Rate 

Employment Rate 

Unemployment Rate 

Underemployment Rate 

Source: PSA-NSO 

April 

2014 

1,755 

67.30 

94.10 

5.90 

26.80 

April 

2015 

1,789 

64.30 

95.00 

5.00 

25.00 

Percent 

Change 

1.94 

(4.46) 

0.96 

(15.25) 

(6.72) 

Labor and Employment 

Caraga’s employment rate slightly increased 

by 0.21 percentage points in the second 

quarter of 2015 compared to the same period 

last year. As a result, unemployment 

decreased by 15.25 percent in the second 

quarter of 2015 compared to the 5.90 

recorded in the same period in 2014. 

Labor force increased by 1.94 percent, 

from 1,755,000 in April 2014 it went up to 

1,789,000 in April 2015. However, labor 

force participation rate decreased by 4.46 

percent, from 67.30 in April 2014 to 64.30 

in April 2015. The decline in participation 

rate accompanied by a dip in unemployment 

rate is most likely due to retirement. Further, 

more workers dropped out of the labor force 

due to discouragement in looking for jobs. 

Underemployment on the other hand 

declined by 6.72 percent from 26.80 percent 

in April 2014 it went down to 25.00 in April 

2015. This implies an improvement in the 

skills level of Caraga workers. This could 

also mean that more are working for a 

minimum of 40 hours per week. 

Inflation and Consumer Price Index 

The average inflation of the region dropped 

to a record low of 2.7 percent in the second 

quarter of 2015. This represents a decrease 

of 3.2 percentage points from the 5.9 percent 

inflation rate registered in the second quarter 

of 2014. Inflation has continually declined 

since the first quarter of 2015. Moderate 

price increases for most food items and the 

declining prices of petroleum products 

during the period eased inflation for nonfood 

items. 

Inflation Rate, 2Q 2014-2015 (%) 

Consumer Price Index, 2Q 2014-2015 (PhP)


19 

Agriculture 

Q2 2015 

293,074 

29,538 

62,696 

199,526 

6,736 

Q2 2014 

315,487 

25,371 

59,889 

203,880 

7,072 

Palay Corn Banana Coconut Fish 


348 

406 

9,605 

231 

5,024 

21,944 

Q2 2014 

390 

399 

9,481 

218 

4,865 

22,147 

Carabao 

Cattle 

Hog 

Goat 

Poultry 

Vegetables 

Production (in Metric Tons) 

Palay Production (in Metric Tons) 

Corn Production (in Metric Tons)


Palay Production, Caraga, by Province, in Metric Tons, 

2Q 2014-2015 

Percent 

Province Q2 2014 Q2 2015 

Change 

Agusand del Norte 

Agusand del Sur 


Surigao del Sur 

Dinagat Islands 

Total 

48,615 

157,871 

2,796 

36,272 

69,933 

315,487 

40,539 

145,559 

3,071 

39,340 

64,565 

293,074 

(16.61) 

(7.80) 

9.84 

8.46 

(7.68) 

(7.10) 

Consumer Price Index, Inflation Rate, Purchasing Power of Peso by Province, 2Q 2014-2015 

Province 

CPI Inflation Rate PPP 

2Q2014 2Q2015 Percent 

Change 2Q2014 2Q2015 Percent 

Change 

2Q2014 2Q2015 Percent 

Change 

Agusan del Norte 149.50 151.43 1.29 5.00 1.30 (74.00) 0.67 0.66 (1.00) 

Agusan del Sur 149.57 155.73 4.12 6.37 4.10 (35.60) 0.67 0.64 (4.48) 

Surigao del Norte 141.63 144.17 1.79 3.83 1.83 (52.17) 0.71 0.69 (1.89) 

Surigao del Sur 176.47 181.00 2.57 7.33 2.57 (65.00) 0.57 0.55 (2.94) 

All provinces exhibited decreases in 

inflation rate with Agusan del Norte 

recording the biggest drop of 74 percent 

from its 5.0 inflation rate in the second 

quarter of 2014 to 1.30 in the second quarter 

of 2015. The province of Agusan del Sur 

registered the highest rate at 4.10 percent in 

the second quarter of 2015. 

In the second quarter of 2015, Consumer 

Price Index (CPI) averaged at PhP 159.63. 

This is 2.68 percent higher than the CPI for 

the same period last year which was PhP 

155.47. Consequently, the Purchasing Power 

of the Peso (PPP) slightly decreased by 2.07 

percent from an average of 0.64 in the 

second quarter 2014 to 0.63 in the second 

quarter of 2015. 

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery 

Crops 

Palay 

Palay production decreased by 7.10 percent 

from 315,487 metric tons (MT) in the 

second quarter of 2014 it went down to 

293,074 MT in the second quarter of 2015. 

The decline in production is attributed to 

the decrease in yield which was affected by 

insufficient water supply and extreme heat 

due to mild El Niño especially during the 

early stage. 

Agusan del Sur, considered as the rice 

hub of the region, remained as the biggest 

producer of palay contributing 49.67 percent 

of the overall output for the quarter or a total 

of 145,559 MT. Surigao del Sur followed 

with 64,565 MT contributing 22.03 percent. 

Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte 

followed with 13.83 and 13.42 percent 

shares respectively. 

Corn 

Corn production in the region was estimated 

at 25,538 metric tons (MT) in the second 

quarter of 2015 posting a slight increase of 

0.66 percent compared to the 25,371 MT 

output for the same period last year. 

The positive performance of corn is 

attributed to the increase of 5.53 percent in 

area planted which reached 8,758 hectares in 

the second quarter of 2015 from a total of 

8,299 hectares for the same period last year.


21 

Corn Production, Caraga, by Province, in Metric Tons, 

2Q 2014-2015 

Percent 

Province Q2 2014 Q2 2015 

Change 

Agusand del Norte 

Agusand del Sur 




Total 

3,174 

21,861 

47 

261 

28 

25,371 

4,568 

20,543 

35 

345 

47 

25,538 

43.92 

(6.03) 

(25.53) 

32.18 

67.86 

0.66 

Major Fruit Production, Caraga, 2Q 2014-2015, 

in Metric Tons 

Percent 

Type of Fruit 2Q2014 2Q2015 

Change 

Banana 59,888.87 62,695.86 4.69 

Calamansi 367.35 364.09 (0.89) 

Mango 

3,643.47 4,343.83 19.22 

Pineapple 1,299.09 1,367.39 5.26 

Total 65,198.79 68,771.17 5.48 

Moreover, more farmers planted yellow corn 

in the second quarter of 2015 due to 

availability of seeds and financing. 

Agusan del Sur registered the highest 

level of corn production contributing 80.44 

percent of the overall output in the second 

quarter 2015 or a total of 20,543 MT. 

Other Crops 

Fruits 

Overall fruit production in the second 

quarter of 2015 improved by 5.53 percent 

reaching an aggregate output of 71,995.25 

MT compared to 68,220.63 MT for the same 

period last year. Banana contributed 87.08 

percent of the total fruit production as it 

grew by 4.69 percent from a total of 

59,888.87 MT in the second quarter of 2014 

to 62,695.86 MT in the second quarter of 

2015. This growth is largely attributed to the 

increase of banana Cavendish brought by 

more bearing hills harvested. Increments 

were also noted in banana latundan. 

Mango production increased by 19.22 

percent with a total estimated output of 

4,343.83 MT compared to 3,643.47 MT in 

the second quarter of 2015. More bearing 

trees induced and more fruits harvested per 

bearing tree were attributed to sunny 

weather. 

Vegetables 

Performance of vegetables slightly declined 

by 0.92 percent in the second quarter of 

2015 with a total of 21,944.12 MT compared 

to the production of 22,146.82 MT for the 

same period last year. The decline in the 

production of major vegetables is largely 

attributed to the decrease in production of 

camote as result of fewer rains and camote 

weevil. The drop in the area harvested for 

peanut and mongo likewise contributed to 

the decline of output. 

Non-Food and Industrial Crops (NFICs) 

Non-Food and Industrial Crops declined by 

0.67 percent with a total production of 

242,768.09 MT in the second quarter of 

2015 compared to last year’s harvest of 

244,334.04 MT. This drop is caused by the 

decrease in production of coconut due to 

overharvest of nuts last year which resulted 

in fewer fruits harvested per tree in the 

second quarter of 2015. Prolonged sunny 

weather also resulted in fewer berries 

harvested per tree which consequently 

decreased the production of coffee (robusta 

and excels). 

Coconut production decreased by 2.14 

percent in the second quarter of 2015 

compared to its performance in the second 

quarter of 2014. From a total of 203,880.50 

MT in 2014, it declined to 199,526.33 MT in 

2015. However, it remained as the top 

contributor with 82.19 percent share. 

Livestock and Poultry 

Livestock production slightly improved by 

0.97 percent from 10,488 MT in the second


Major Vegetable Production, Caraga, 2Q2 014-2015, 


Type of 

Vegetable 

Mongo 

Peanut 

Cabbage 

Eggplant 

Tomato 

Garlic 

Onion 

Camote 

Cassava 

2Q2014 

15.40 

13.55 

0.20 

1,433.37 

64.636 

- 

- 

7,897.34 

5,104.05 

2Q2015 

14.75 

9.30 

0.10 

1,524.44 

80.43 

- 

- 

6,996.03 

5,676.52 

Percent 

Change 

(4.22) 

(31.37) 

(50.00) 

6.35 

24.44 

- 

- 

(11.41) 

11.22 

Major NFIC, Caraga, 2Q 2014-2015, in Metric Tons 

NFIC 2Q2014 2Q2015 

Percent 

Change 

Abaca(dried raw fiber) 

Coconut w/ husk 

Coffee(dried berries 

w/ pulp) 

Rubber(coagulated 

cup lump) 

Sugarcane (cane) 

1,571.80 

203,880.5 

262.37 

3,818.48 

0.10 

- 

1,817.76 

199,526.33 

246.14 

3,908.62 

0.09 

- 

15.66 

(2.14) 

(6.18) 

2.36 

(11.46) 

- 

quarter of 2014 it went up to 10,590 MT in 

the second quarter of 2015. Carabao 

decreased in production by 10.77 percent 

due to fewer disposal of market stocks. 

Cattle, hog and goat on the contrary 

increased due to higher local demand. 

Poultry production also grew by 3.27 

percent from a total of 4,865 MT in the 

second quarter of 2014 it went up to 5,024 

MT in the second quarter of 2015. Duck 

eggs production dropped by 9.16 percent as 

a result of culling of unproductive stocks 

without replacement. Growth in chicken and 

duck is largely attributed to more disposals 

of stocks especially those unproductive and 

weak affected by prolonged hot weather. 

Fishery 

The production of majority of fishery 

subsectors dropped in the second quarter of 

2015 except for Milkfish and those species 

categorized as others. 

Tilapia production decreased by 11.59 

percent from a total of 257.41 MT in the 


227.64 MT in 2015. Roundscad production 

of 343.90 MT dropped by 12.15 percent 

compared to the 391.47 MT in 2014 due to 

lesser appearance. Skipjack and yellow-fin 

tuna also registered a drop of 0.17 percent 

and 22.08 percent respectively. From a total 

of 1,036.67 MT in the second quarter of 

2014, skipjack slightly dropped to 1,034.89 

for the same period in 2015; while yellow- 

fin tuna’s output of 1,005.98 MT in the 

second quarter of 2014 declined to 783.85 

MT for the same period in 2015. 

Ice-ice disease continues to affect the 

production of seaweeds in the region 

resulting in a decrease of 4.75 percent in the 

total output; from 7,071.94 MT in the 


6,736.32 percent in the second quarter of 

2015. 

Tiger prawn decreased by 51.47 percent 

from a total production of 156.69 MT in the 

second quarter of 2014 to 76.04 MT in the 

second quarter of 2015. It was noted that 

some fishpond operators stopped operating 

due to low water level resulting in fewer 

harvests in brackish water and freshwater 

fishponds. 

Milkfish production, on the contrary, 

posted an increase of 6.17 percent with a 

total output of 684.26 MT in the second 

quarter of 2015 from an output of 641.65 

MT for the same period last year. An 

increase in the catch of different species 

specifically tamban (indian sardines) was 

also recorded. 

Trade and Industry 

Trade 

The Department of Trade and Industry 

recorded an 18.65 percent growth in 

domestic sales of the region in the second 

quarter of 2015, posting a total sales of 

210.83 Million. For the same period last


23 

Livestock Production, Caraga, 2Q 2014-2015, 


Livestock Q2 2014 Q2 2015 

Percent 

Change 

Carabao 

Cattle 

Hog 

Goat 

Total 

390 

399 

9,481 

218 

10,488 

348 

406 

9,605 

231 

10,590 

(10.77) 

1.75 

1.31 

5.96 

0.97 

Domestic Sales, Caraga, By Province, 

2Q 2014-2015, in Millions 

Species Q2 2014 Q2 2015 

Agusan del Norte 

Agusan del Sur 




25.90 

64.60 

36.00 

38.76 

12.43 

34.56 

46.75 

55.48 

60.66 

13.38 

Percent 

Change 

33.4 

(27.63) 

54.11 

56.50 

7.64 

Caraga 177.69 210.83 18.65 

Poultry Production, Caraga, 2Q 2014-2015, 


Poultry 

Chicken 

Duck 

Chicken 

Eggs 

Duck Eggs 

Total 

Q2 

2014 

3,534 

32 

1,037 

262 

4,865 


3,537 

32 

1,217 

238 

5,024 

Percent 

Change 

0.08 

0.15 

17.36 

(9.16) 

3.27 

New Business Name Registered, Caraga, 

By Province, 2Q 2014-2015 

Province 

Q2 

2014 

Q2 

2015 

Percent 

Change 

Agusan del Sur 




Agusan del Norte 

257 

381 

259 

- 

591 

481 

425 

290 

33 

636 

87.16 

11.55 

11.97 

- 

7.61 

Total 1,488 1,865 25.34 

year, the region had a sales of 177.69 

Million. 

Surigao del Sur accounted for the biggest 

share to the region’s domestic sales at 28.77 

percent. It is closely followed by Surigao del 

Norte and Agusan del Sur with 26.32 

percent and 22.17 percent respectively. 

Agusan del Norte contributed 16.39 percent 

while the last 6.35 percent share is owed to 

the Province of Dinagat Islands. 

In terms of growth, Surigao del Sur 

exhibited the highest among the provinces 

with a 56.50 percent increase. From a 

domestic sales of 38.76 Million in the 

second quarter 2014, it accelerated to 60.66 

Million in the second quarter of 2015. 

Surigao del Norte followed with a 54.11 

percent upturn from its 36 Million domestic 

sales in the second quarter of 2014 to 55.48 

Million in the second quarter of 2015. 

Agusan del Norte and the Province of 

Dinagat Islands also manifested increases of 

33.44 percent and 7.64 percent respectively. 

On the other hand, while Agusan del Sur 

ranked third in terms of percentage share, its 

domestic sale decelerated by 27.63 percent 

in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 

the same period last year. 

On registration of new business names, 

DTI recorded an aggregate of 1,865 in the 

second quarter of 2015. This represents an 

increase of 25.34 percent compared to the 

total of 1,488 for the same period last year. 

Agusan del Norte accounted for 34.10 

percent of the total new business names 

registered, followed by Agusan del Sur with 

25.79 percent, Surigao del Norte with 22.79 

percent, Surigao del Sur with 11.97 percent, 

and Province of Dinagat Islands with 1.77 

percent. 

Services 

Financial Services 

Total assets of the region increased by 23.36 

percent as of June 2015 with a total of 

PhP42, 342.85 Million compared to PhP34, 

324.73 Million posted in June 2014. 

Universal and Commercial Banks 

accounted for 79.57 percent of the total 

assets followed by Rural and Cooperative 

Banks with 11.81 percent and Thrift Banks 

with 8.62 percent.


As to provincial distribution, Agusan del 

Norte has the biggest contribution of PhP 16, 

977.94 Million or 40.10 percent share 

followed by Surigao del Norte with PhP11, 

513.26 Million or 27.19 percent share. 

Agusan del Sur contributed PhP6, 920.93 

Million or 16.34 percent, while Surigao del 

Sur had PhP6, 863.86 Million or 16.21 

percent. Lastly, PDI had a share of PhP 

66.97 Million or 0.16 percent. 

Total Operating Income as of June 2015 

reached an aggregate of PhP 664.366 

Million. This posts a 4.43 percent increase 

from the PhP 636.180 Million registered in 

June 2014. Although operating income 

derived from Rural and Cooperative Banks 

decreased by 10.76 percent from its 

PhP343.439 Million figure in 2014 to 

PhP306.476 Million in 2015, it contributes 

43.13 percent of the total operating income 

of the region. This is followed by Thrift 

Banks with 31.07 percent share and 

Universal and Commercial Banks with 22.80 

percent share. 

Tourism 

Tourist arrivals improved by 7.85 

percent in the second quarter of 2015 with a 

total of 511,443 compared to 474,223 in the 

second quarter of 2014. Around 94 percent 

or 482,496 of the total tourists in the second 

quarter of 2015 are domestic tourists; 5.24 

percent or 26,795 are foreign tourists while 

0.42 percent or 2,152 are Overseas Filipino 

Workers (OFWs). 

Among the provinces, tourist arrivals are 

highest in Surigao del Norte with a total of 

68,814 followed by Agusan del Sur and 

Dinagat Islands with 64,206 and 43,173 

tourist arrivals respectively. Surigao del Sur 

and Agusan del Norte trailed with 33,372 

and 12,166 tourist arrivals respectively. 

Surigao City leads the cities with a total 

of 138,570 tourist arrivals followed by 

Butuan City with 104,316. Tandag City 

ranks third with a total of 22,830 closely 

followed by Bislig City with 18,463. 

Cabadbaran City has a total of 5,533 tourist 

arrivals. 

Air Transport 

The number of flights in the region 

reached a total of 1,962 in the second quarter 

of 2015. Incoming and outgoing flights both 

registered a total of 981 which is 4.47 

percent higher than the flights recorded in 

the second quarter of 2014. Around 62 

percent of the flights are attributed to Butuan 

City Airport. This is followed by Surigao 

City Airport with 23.85 percent, Siargao 

Airport with 8.97 percent and Tandag City 

Airport with 5.10 percent. 

As a result in the increase in number of 

flights, total incoming passengers improved 

by 3.70 percent. From 101,876 incoming 

passengers in the second quarter of 2014, it 

reached 105,641 for the same period in 

2015. 

Total cargoes grew by 34.75 percent in 

the second quarter of 2015 reaching 

1,880.97 tons compared to 1,395.87 tons 

recorded for the same period last year. 

Incoming cargoes increased by 13.13 

percent while outgoing cargoes grew by a 

whopping 82.83 percent compared to the 

figures for the same period in 2014.


25 

Land Transport 

The number of automobiles plying the 

region continues to grow as the number of 

middle class families in the region increases. 

Lower down-payments and a simplified car 

loan application process likewise 

encouraged demand for cars. Consequently, 

the number of motor vehicles registered 

upped by 12.50 percent from a total of 

32,397 in the second quarter of 2014 to 

36,447 in the second quarter of 2015. 

As recorded by the Department of 

Transportation and Communication 

(DOTC), new vehicle registrations increased 

significantly with a total of 8,544 for the 

second quarter of 2015 alone. This shows an 

uptick of 157.66 percent from the 3,316 new 

vehicles registered for the same period in 

2014. Renewal on the other hand presented a 

drop of 4.05 percent in the second quarter of 

2015 with a total of 27,903 from 29,081 for 

the same period in 2014. 

Fifty-eight percent or 19,671 of the total 

motor vehicles registered are for private use. 

This is followed by for hire vehicles 

comprising 11,675 or 35 percent; while 

2,331 or 7 percent are government vehicles. 

Norte with 20.46 percent, Surigao del Sur 

with 19.54 percent, Agusan del Sur with 

17.75 percent, Agusan del Norte with 7.28 

percent and Dinagat Islands with 4.13 

percent. 

Records of the Philippine National 

Police show that Index Crimes in the region 

during the second quarter of 2015 is at its 

peak in the month of April and gradually 

tapered-off thereafter. Incidence of nonindex 

crimes however is highest in the 

month of May. 

Peace and Security 

Total crime volume in Caraga Region 

declined by 14.08 percent. From a total of 

4,027 in the second quarter of 2014, crimes 

in the region decreased to 3,460 for the same 

period in 2015. Most provinces reflected 

decreases in crime incidence. Surigao del 

Norte Police Provincial Office (PPO) 

recorded the biggest drop of 31.26 percent 

followed by Surigao del Sur with 28.92 

percent. Agusan Del Sur and Agusan Del 

Norte followed with12.29 percent and 4.18 

percent respectively. On the other hand, 

crime incidence in the Province of Dinagat 

Islands and Butuan City increased by 40.20 

percent and 8.77 percent respectively. 

As to percentage share, Butuan City 

contributes 30.84 percent of the region’s 

total crime volume followed by Surigao del


3rd Quarter 2015 Caraga Regional Project Monitoring Report 

Name of Project 

Road Upgrading (Unpaved to Paved) of 

NRJ Bayugan - Calaitan - Tandag Road 

(14N00065) 

Mindanao Logistics Infrastructure 

Network - Road Opening of Tandag - 

San Miguel - Calaitan (Calaitan 

Section), Bayugan, Agusan del Sur 

Umayam River Irrigation Project (URIP) 

Construction of Diversion Dam and its 

Appurtenant Structures 

NRJ Dughan - Javier Farm to Market 

Road with Bridge (ARISP III) 

Tagbina Communal Irrigation Project 

(CIP) - Package II (ARISP III) 

Tagbina Communal Irrigation Project 

(CIP) - Package III (ARISP III) 

Bislig City Integrated Development 

Project-Irrigation Component (BCID-IC) 

Location 

Cost in 

Million (PhP) 

Physical Accomplishment (%) as of 

August 27, 2015 

Planned (%) Actual (%) Slippage (%) 

Status 

Bayugan, ADS 144,305.00 11.51 15.60 4.09 Project is ongoing. 

Bayugan, ADS 180,234.96 13.74 16.13 2.39 Project is ongoing. 

La Paz and 

Loreto, ADS 

D'San Jovier 

ARC, Barobo, 

SDS 

173,036.65 38.65 32.80 (5.85) Project is ongoing. 

42,951.53 100.00 100.00 - Project Completed but with 

remaining correction works. For 

final inspection by DAR-DPWH- 

LGU Composite Team on the 1st 

week of September 2015. 

Tagbina, SDS 21,665.23 100.00 76.96 (23.04) Project ongoing, delayed. 

Tagbina, SDS 13,186.40 100.00 20.95 (79.05) Contract for mutual termination 

and will be done on Forced 

Account. 

Bislig City, 

SDS 

17,458.10 100.00 55.00 (45.00) Project is delayed. Time elapsed 

140. 67%. 

Concreting of NRJ Cumawas-Tinuy-an Bislig City, 91,843.00 33.88 36.18 2.30 Project is ongoing. The issue 

Falls Road Section with Bagnan Bridge, SDS 

Brgy. Burboanan, Bislig City 

regarding the obstruction of the 

canals of the BCID-IC Project of 

NIA has been resolved at the 

field level. 

Aras-asan Port Improvement Project Cagwait, SDS 71,554.61 100.00 100.00 - Project is Completed. 

Road Upgrading and Preservation Tandag City, 

Project - Annual Work Program 2/ SDS 

Preventive Maintenance - 19, Balibadon 

- Tandag Section 

Road Upgrading and Preservation 

Project - Annual Work Program 2/ 

Preventive Maintenance - 20, Tandag- 

Tago Section 

Road Upgrading (Gravel to Concrete) of 

Surigao Davao Coastal Road (SDCR) 

BDRY Surigao del Norte 

Tandag City, 

SDS 

Carrascal & 

Nurcia, SDS 

164,227.64 77.79 89.89 12.10 Project is ongoing and is actually 

ahead of schedule. Asphalt 

Overlay works completed, 

reminaining works include 

shouldering. Employment 

Generated: 48, 47 Male and 1 

Female. 

148,906.15 77.79 83.75 5.96 Project is ongoing and is actually 

ahead of schedule. Asphalt 

Overlay works completed, 

reminaining works include 

shouldering. Employment 

Generated: 30, 26 Male and 4 

Female. 

60,815.00 58.70 59.68 0.98 Project is ongoing. The project is 

divided into three sections. The 

first section has the bulk of the 

PCCP and makes up the bulk of 

the project's physical 

accomplishment to date.


27 

Continued… 3rd Quarter 2015 Caraga Regional Project Monitoring Report 


Construction/Repair/Rehabilitation/ 

Improvement of Various Infrastructure 

including Local Projects - Construction 

of Cabadbaran-Puting Bato-Lanuza 

Road, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del 

Norte - Gravel to Paved 

Baleguian Communal Irrigation System 

(CIS) - Package 1. Construction of New 

Supplementary Dam, Check Structure 

and Canalization (CHB Lining) 

Baleguian Communal Irrigation System 

(CIS) - Package 2. Modification of 

Existing Diversion Works 

Kitcharao Small Reservoir Irrigation 

Project (KSRIP) 

Upgrading (Gravel to Concrete) of 

Circumferential Road Leading to Lake 

Mainit (Mainit-Poblacion-Tagbuyawan) 

Location 

Brgy. Puting- 

Bato, 

Cabadbaran 

City 

Brgy. 

Baleguian, 

Jabonga, 

Agusan del 

Norte 

Brgy. 

Baleguian, 

Jabonga, 

Agusan del 

Norte 

Barangay 

Mahayahay, 

Kitcharao, 

Agusan del 

Norte 

Brgys. 

Poblacion and 

Tagbuyawan, 

Mainit, Surigao 

del Norte 

Construction/Improvement of Access Mainit, Surigao 

Roads Leading to Tourism Destinations del Norte 

Jct Gata-Mapaso (Hot Spring) Road 

Leading to Lake Mainit 

Construction of power house, 

maintenance building, 

waste holding area, medical arts bldg, 

additional ward 

building and motorpool, Surigao del 

Norte Provincial 

Hospital. 

Construction/Repair/Rehabilitation/ 

Improvement of Various Infrastructure 

including Local Projects - Construction 

of Butuan City Pianing-Tandag Road, 

Butuan City, Agusan del Norte - Gravel 

to Paved Road 

Placer, Surigao 

del Norte 

Pianing, 

Butuan City 

Cost in 

Million (PhP) 




Status 

200,000.00 38.05 48.84 10.79 Project is ongoing. Activities 

include excavation and roadwidening. 

10,850.15 100.00 82.01 (17.99) Diversion works completed. Ongoing 

construction for closed 

conduit and siphons by forced 

account (Admin). Previous 

contractor terminated due to high 

negative slippage 

18,679.36 100.00 91.95 (8.05) Modification of existing diversion 

works on-going by forced 

account (Admin). Previous 

contractor terminated due to high 

negative slippage 

325,392.00 97.08 100.00 2.92 Project is substantially 

completed 

137,507.76 59.35 49.91 (9.44) Ongoing. Non compliant in terms 

of number of equipment pledged 

on site resulting in low output. 

DPWH issued calibrated action 

(Early Warning Stage) reminding 

contractor to deliver required 

number of equipment on the 

project site. 

38,450.90 95.56 90.11 (5.45) Project is ongoing with a RROW 

problem 

55,384.10 66.69 67.54 0.85 Project is ongoing. 

90,914.00 89.26 85.97 (3.29) Project is ongoing.


Continued… 3rd Quarter 2015 Caraga Regional Project Monitoring Report 


Construction of Butuan City By-Pass 

Road, (Bancasi Elliptical and Mahay- 

NRJ-Antongalon Section), with Bridge, 

Butuan City - Gravel to Paved Road 

Construction of Butuan City South 

Market (Phase 1) 

Location 

Brgys. 

Antongalon, 

Mahay and 

Lemon, Butuan 

City 

Villa 

Kananga,Butua 

n City 

Cost in 

Million (PhP) 




Status 

109,195.30 59.78 47.31 (12.47) Project was suspended effective 

July 16, 2015 waiting for the 

approval of revised design of 

bridge due to change in 

elevation and realignment of 

PCCP and approach slab. 

Project resumed on August 16, 

2015. DPWH issued calibrated 

action against the contractor due 

to high negative slippage. 

49,792.19 99.24 100.00 0.76 Project is completed. 

Construction of Butuan City South 

Market (Phase 2) 

Villa 

Kananga,Butua 

n City 

Buenavista-Bunaguit Rd - K1262+646 - Bunaguit, 

K1263+543, 

Buenavista, 

K1263+845 - K1265+810, K1265+823 - Agusan del 

K1266+860, 

Norte 

K1266+940 - K1268+965 

Construction of NRJ Cagniog-Cayutan- 

Canlanipa Port Area Road, Surigao 

City, Surigao del Norte Gravel to Paved 

Road 

Brgy. Cagniog- 

Cayutan- 

Canlanipa, 

Surigao City 

15,000.00 - 54.12 54.12 Project is ongoing. 

136,064.30 61.52 59.59 (1.93) On-going concreting of gravel 

road. 

44,883.60 9.75 31.35 21.60 Project is ongoing. 

Requirements for revision of S- 

Curve on-process. 

Aras-asan Port Expansion Project 

Road Upgrading/Concreting (Gravel to Paved) 

Surigao-Davao Coastal Road


29 

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (VAW) 

is any act of gender-based violence that results in or is 

likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm 

or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, 

coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether 

occurring in public or private life. (UNCEDAW, 1993) 

VAW arises from unequal power relations between 

women and men and become socially acceptable 

through traditional and cultural beliefs, norms and 

social institutions. 

1 in every 5 women age 15-49 

experienced physical violence 

since age 15 but only 30% of women who 

have experienced any type of physical or 

sexual violence sought 

assistance 

to stop violence 

FORMS OF VIOLENCE 

Physical Violence 

hitting with the fist, slapping, kicking different parts of the 

body, stabbing with a knife, murder, etc. 

Psychological & Emotional Violence 

intimidation, isolation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, 

public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal abuse, 

marital infdelity, etc. 

Economic Abuse 

withdrawal of fnancial support or preventing the victim from 

engaging in any legitimate profession, occupation, business 

or activity, deprivation of fnancial resources, controlling 

fnancial and use of cojugal money or properties 

Sexual Violence 

rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, treating a 

woman or a child as sex object, making sexually suggestive 

remarks, physically attacking the sexual parts of the victim’s 

body, forcing her to watch obscene publications and indecent 

shows or forcing the woman or her child to do indecent acts 

and or make flms thereof, forcing the wife and mistress/lover 

to live in conjugal home or sleep together in the same room 

with the abuser etc. 

www.pcw.gov.ph 

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (GBV) 

is the general term used to describe violence that 

occurs as a result of role expectations associated with 

women and men, the power relations between them, 

and specific contexts in their society. It means that 

women are subjected to violence or abuse because 

they are women. 

18 Things You Can Do To Help End 

Violence Against Women Now! 

1. Tell people that VAW is NEVER OK! 

2. Learn about VAW and what causes it. 

3. Encourage and support those people 

who work to end all forms of VAW in your 

community. 

4. Respect women and young girls. 

5. Raise your sons and daughters as equals 

and teach them the value of respect for 

all people. 

6. Organize forums or sessions in your 

community, workplace or schools regarding 

violence against women. 

7. Teach boys and young men that masculinity 

should not mean degrading or abusing 

girls and women. 

8. Make your home violence-free. 

9. Participate in online discussions and social 

media campaigns to create awareness 

in ending VAW. 

10. Volunteer for a cause to end VAW. 

11. Discuss things with your partner and respect 

each other’s opinion. 

12. Talk with your partner, friends and family 

on how you can support each other in 

stopping VAW. 

13. Don’t make fun out of VAW or use it as 

material for comedy. 

14. Educate young girls and boys about 

VAW. 

15. Don’t use disrespectful words. 

16. Never judge people who suffered from 

abuses and VAW. 

17. Men: never remain silent, never condone, 

and never commit acts of VAW. 

18. Speak-up! Never remain silent if you are 

a victim of VAW.


Caraga observes 26 th National Statistics Month 

By Elvie C. Ato, NEDA-Caraga with Glizriel Rose E. Zarate, BSP-Butuan 

Spearheaded by the Regional Statistics 

Committee (RSC), partners from regional 

line agencies, local government units, 

academe, and other organizations 

participated in the various activities 

celebrating National Statistics Month (NSM) 

in the region in October of this year. 

With the theme “Pagyamanin at gamitin 

ang estadistika, kalusugan para sa lahat ay 

abot-kamay na,” the celebration highlights 

the importance of statistics in achieving 

universal health care. 

Opening Ceremony 

The celebration of Statistics Month 

commenced last October 1 with a mass, 

followed by a short program on the various 

October Month Celebrations and ended with 

“Hataw.” The opening, which was held at 

the Provincial Capitol covered court of 

Agusan del Norte was attended by regional 

line agencies, academe partners and LGUs. 

News Conference 

A News Conference happened in the 

afternoon of October 1 at the Bangko 

Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Multipurpose 

hall to explain the importance 

of the NSM. The activities of the NSM 

were also bared during said news 

conference. 

1 st Caraga Region Secondary Students 

Statistics Forum 

The Department of Education (DepEd)- 

Caraga, Philippine Statistics Authority 

(PSA)-Region XIII and BSP-Butuan Branch 

convened representatives from the 12 

schools divisions of DepEd Caraga Region 

for the 1 st Caraga Secondary Students 

Statistics Forum on October 16, 2015 at the 

BSP-Butuan Multi-Purpose Hall, in 

Libertad, Butuan City. 

The forum featured significant topics 

and lectures from BSP and PSA. BSP 

discussed Demonetization and Basic 

Security Features of the New Generation 

Currency (NGC) Banknotes while PSA 

talked about the Role of Statistics in Good 

Governance and presented the highlights of 

the 2014 Caraga Region Economic 

Performance and Developments. 

Inter-High School Statistics Quiz Bowl 

The Inter-High School Statistics Quiz Bowl 

which is designed to test the statistics 

knowledge of high school students was 

conducted on October 16, 2015 at BSP. The 

regional participants that competed in the 

said quiz bowl were the champions during 

the division level contests done in every 

schools division. A team of Grade 10 

students from Agusan del Sur National High 

School emerged as regional champion after 

beating 11 teams of statistics enthusiasts. 

The team from Tagbina National High 

School of Surigao del Sur Division won 

second place while the team from Tandag 

National High School of the same division 

placed third. The winners and their coaches 

received cash prizes, trophies and special 

gift packs courtesy of PSA-Region XIII, 

DepEd-Caraga and BSP Butuan Branch. 

Best Display of Statistical Practices 

This year’s celebration of the NSM included 

a contest on “Best Display of Statistical 

Practices” sponsored by PSA. The contest 

affirmed the partnership among data 

providers, producers and users in enhancing 

statistical products and services. The contest 

invited all agencies to display their statistics 

products and services in their respective 

offices. Sixteen agencies participated in this 

year’s contest, which was aimed at 

promoting the effective delivery of


31 

Judges during the 

26th NSM Statistical 

Quiz, from left to right, 

BSP Butuan Branch 

Manager jovito Mainit, 

Dr. Ernesto Parejas of 

DOH , PSA RD 

Rosalinda Celeste- 

Apura, and NEDA- 

Caraga Chief EDS 

Jazmin Berido. 

government statistical services and ensure 

the relevance of outputs in statistical 

undertakings in the region. 

The Department of Public Works and 

Highways (DPWH) Caraga bagged the Best 

Display of Statistical Practices. Runners – 

up were Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas – 

Butuan Branch and Department of Trade and 

Industry – Caraga. Winners received cash 

prices and certificates of recognition. 

Stat Quiz 

To cap the one-month celebration, the 

9th Inter – Agency/LGU Statistics Quiz (Stat 

Quiz) was conducted on October 30, 

2015 from 1:00pm to 5:00 pm at the 

BSP Multi-purpose Hall. 

A total of 15 agencies, local government 

units, state universities and colleges in 

Caraga joined the activity. This event 

was organized by the National Economic 

and Development Authority – Caraga 

Region, Philippine Statistics Authority 

Regional Statistical Services Office No. 13, 

and Department of Health – Caraga Region 

and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas - 

Butuan Branch. 

Cooperative Development Authority, 

Department of the Interior and Local 

Government, Department of Environment 

and Natural Resources, Technical Education 

Skills Development Authority, Philippine 

Drug Enforcement Agency, Caraga State 

University - Main Campus, Department of 

Agriculture, Bureau of Internal Revenue, 

Department of Social Welfare and 

Development, Commission on Population, 

Department of Public Works and Highways, 

Department of Science and Technology, 

Provincial Planning and Development 

Office of Agusan del Norte, Philippine 

National Police Regional Office - Camp 

Rafael and Department of Education 

participated in the Stat Quiz. Each team is 

composed of three members. 

A team of Mathematics and Statistics 

Instructors from Caraga State University- 

Main Campus clinched First Place. The 

Department of Interior and Local 

Government got the second placer while 

DSWD placed third. 

Most of the questions revolved around 

health statistics since the celebration 

highlighted the government’s thrust on 

universal health care and in the generation of 

health and nutrition statistics.


In focus: Demonetization of the OLD BANKNOTE SERIES 

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is in the process of demonetizing the old banknote 

series since 01 January 2015, according to Monetary Board Resolution No. 1939. 

Under the program, the BSP will gradually cease circulating the old series of banknotes, 

which has been around since 1985. The new banknote series launched in 2010 

will replace the old series that has been circulating alongside the new one.

CARAGA TODAY OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2015

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?