Caraga's Regional MOFYA Winners for 2010

An Overseas Filipino Worker from Trianggulo, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte and Mangagoy, Bislig City in Surigao del Sur was chosen to be this year’s Regional Winners of the prestigious Model OFW Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA.

The land-based category winner is Engr. Benjamin Selim who bested 8 nominees while Mamerto Sore was declared winner for the sea based category.

Both received a trophy, a check worth 20,000 pesos from GLOBE g-cash, a savings account in BDO having an initial amount of 10,000 pesos and 150,000 worth insurance coverage from Phil Am Life.

The regional winners will represent Caraga during the national MOFYA awarding ceremonies to be held in Manila on December 2010.

Bali Inspired Resort in Nasipit

A peaceful beach resort with beautiful sunsets, waves breaking gently on a pristine beach....the AMONTAY BEACH RESORT.

The first-ever Bali-inspired Hotel and Restaurant by the Sea in Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte boasts of a long stretch of shoreline, rock formations, a family truly can find serenity and relaxation.

Finding the best vacation in a tranquil, serene along with the beautiful nature your eyes can feast.

A 34-seater Mini-Coach bus is provided to comfortably transport guests from and to the airport, pier, hotel and to Butuan City with only 45 minutes travel time.

The resort offered air-conditioned bungalows, a restaurant, cable TV, Wi-Fi, comfortable Bali Huts with mattresses to relax, banana boat ride, kayaking, boating and much more.

Mutya ng Agusan del Norte

Mutya ng Agusan del Norte & Miss Tourism with 1st Runner Up Ms. Magallanes-Maria Arvie Baguhin, 2nd Runner Up Ms. Cabadbaran-Liza Marie Garbo, 3rd Runner Up Ms. Las Nieves-Sheryl Lae Musico


Mutya ng Agusan del Norte 2010, Miss Kitcharao - Marjorie T. Chiong


Miss Tourism Agusan del Norte, Miss Buenavista - Joannah Pearl Crusit

Created by Republic Act 4979 from Agusan province...and on August 16, 2000 the seat of provincial government was transferred from Butuan City to Cabadbaran by virtue of Republic Act 8811, although the province is yet to complete the transfer of provincial services and functions to the new capital.

This year, the provincial government marked the celebration with a series of events, one of which is the search for the Mutya ng Agusan del Norte.

This year's winner is from the municipality of Kitcharao, Miss Marjorie T. Chiong.

Best in Swimwear,Resort, Evening Gown, Photogenic -Ms. Magallanes, MARIA ARVIE L. BAGUHIN

Best in Production, Interview, Talent-Ms. Buenavista, JOANNAH PEARL M. CRUSIT

Web Choice Award-Ms. Santiago, SHOMAE LILI F. PANCHITO


(photos from provincial government of Agusan del Norte)

112th Independence Day in Caraga

On June 12, 2010, thousands of Filipino people all over the world celebrates the 112th commemoration of the Philippine Independence Day, taking pride of the country’s declaration of independence from Spain.

By history, before the formal conclusion of the Spanish-American War, Filipino revolutionary forces under the command of General Emilio Aguinaldo, proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of Philippines from Spain on June 12, 1898.

In Caraga Region, A flag raising ceremony spearheaded by the Local Government Officials was held and a cultural presentation was shown.


Mayor Alfonso S. Casurra, City and Provincial Officials of Surigao pay respect to the flag during the flag raising ceremony at the city hall grounds.


Students from Agusan National High School performs their conceptualized revolutionary dance of the Philippine Flag in a ceremony held at the Rizal Park


The province of Agusan del Sur held a holy mass celebrated by Bishop Juan de Dios Publos at the Naliyagan Plaza to signal the opening of the joint celebration of the 112th Philippine Independence Day celebration and the 18th Naliyagan Festival


Even Google Inc. paid tribute to The Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 12, by showing this special edition Search logo. This is the first-ever Google doodle for the Philippines

BIR Caraga Implements 10 Strategies to Increase Revenue in 2010

The Bureau of Internal Revenue has launched 10 strategies to intensify tax campaign activities for 2010 and identified 3 priority areas, 16 programs and 108 activities and projects that will push BIR to attain its successes for the current year.
BIR Regional Director Atty. Eduardo Bajador has announced, the biggest bulk of their collection which accounts 50.23% comes from the Income Tax, followed by revenues on value-added tax at 33.69%.

Comparatively, the collection for 2009 has exceeded 4.18% with that from 2008, as BIR Caraga obtained more than 2.1 million in 2009 compared to only 1.8million in 2008.

This year, BIR Caraga have adopted the theme: “Making the Public Know” that aptly reflects the thrust of pursuing a high visibility of communication to all stakeholders of BIR’s tax administration activities and initiatives that also highlights the transparency policy that the BIR will be vigorously promoting.

This year, to help meet tax collection targets Revenue Region No. 17 (BIR Caraga) has announced its 10 strategies to include: high visibility public awareness campaign on the enforcement and service programs, integrated approach in administering the large taxpayers, re-invigorating the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) Program, enhanced and strategic enforcement approaches, focus of big ticket items, more rigorous third party matching campaign, expanded linkage with key institutions, effective partnership with taxpayers and tax practitioners, close monitoring and investment incentive programs and motivating the BIR workforce.

Revenue Region 17 or the BIR Caraga assigned collection goal for 2010 in the amount of more than 2.494 million pesos and hopes to collect 1.231M in income tax and 825 thousand for value added tax.

Support Earth Hour 2010

At 8:30pm on Saturday, March 27 some of the world’s most recognized symbols of hope, peace, human endeavour and natural wonder will plunge into darkness for Earth Hour as a powerful sign of the unrelenting resolve of the global community to respond to the threat of climate change.

PRO 13 Honours 24 Awardees on 19th PNP Day

Police Director Andres Caro II, Directorate for Operation trooping the line accompanied by Police regional Director Police Chief Supt. Lino Calingasan


Police Senior Supt. Nestor Fajura, Chief of Operations in PRO 13, Outstanding Senior Staff Police Commissioned Officer


Police Supt. Joseph Boquiren, Butuan City Police Station 1 Commander-Outstanding Police Commissioned Officer


Best Urban Police Station- Surigao City Police Station


PNP Press Corps was among the individuals and organizations who received an award

Police Regional Office 13 celebrated its 19th PNP Day on February 19, 2010 with Police Director Andres Caro II, Directorate for Operation as the guest of honour in a ceremony held inside Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City.

A total of 24 awardees received recognition as the highlight of the celebration including partner organizations and individuals who have contributed to PRO 13 in the implementation of police community activities.

Police Senior Supt. Nestor Fajura, Chief of PRO 13 Operations Division was awarded as Outstanding Senior Staff, for successful implementation of the campaign of the Philippine National Police on gun amnesty program, which yielded 6,132 loose firearms putting PRO 13 in number 4 rank out of 17 regions that generated the highest number of firearms.

PRO Police Senior Supt. Antonio Paguirigan Jr. is the Outstanding Senior Field Police Commissioned Officer (PCO), for the proper handling of kidnapping incident in Maitum, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur with75 people being kept hostage but were released unharmed.

Police Supt. Joseph Boquiren-Outstanding Junior (PCO), was commended for initiating the “Luma Mo, Bago Ko” Balik Eskwela Program replicated by all police stations under the jurisdiction of Butuan City Police Office.

Other awardees include: SPO4 Federico Kinazo, Outstanding Senior Police Non Commissioned Officer (PNCO), PO3 Roldan Damayo, Outstanding Junior PNCO and Gil Licayan as the Outstanding Non-Uniformed Personnel.

Meanwhile, Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office was chosen as the Best Provincial Police Office, Surigao City Police Station as Best Urban Police Office, Nasipit Municipal Police Station as Best Rural Police Office, 133rd Regional Public Safety Management Company as Best Regional Maneuver Company, Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Safety Management Company as Best provincial Maneuver Company, and Butuan City Police Safety Management Company as the Best City Maneuver Company.

Also PRO 13 presented a special award to SPO2 Marifel Cortez for being chosen as one of the Ten Outstanding Policewoman of the Philippines and to San Francisco Police Station, adjudged as the Model Barangay Peacekeeping Action teams.

Individual awards were given to Pastor Florendo Bohol of Baptist Church in Surigao del Sur, Rotary Club of Downtown Butuan, Peter Esterioso, principal of Agusan National High School, Butuan City School of Arts & Trade, Pilipinas Shell Butuan, LGU of Surigao City, PNP Press Corps, Philsaga Mining Corporation in Agusan del Sur, 401st Philippine Army in Liangga, Surigao del Sur and the 402nd Philippine Army in New Awa Leyte, Agusan del Sur.

70 New Police Recruits Sworn In

The latest intake of PNP members which includes seven women and 63 men had their oath taking in Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City after passing series of physical, mental and medical tests.

The 70 new recruits stood in front of Police Regional Director Lino Calingasan and some Police Regional Office 13 officials in a ceremony held on February 15, 2010 and swore to serve the community, safeguard lives and property and protect the innocent against deception and crimes.

Deputy Regional Director for Administration Police Chief Supt. Nelson Nario revealed, there were a total of 363 applied for the 2nd Semester of 2009 Attrition Quota.

Of these numbers, 252 survived the Agility Test but after the Neuro-Psychiatric tests, only 90 applicants were left until it was narrowed down to only 70 who were deemed qualified for the Police Officer 1 rank.

Police Regional Director Lino Calingasan in his speech emphasized, that the Regional Screening Committee chaired by DRDA Nelson Nario has complied a strict recruitment process without biases and political colours.

After the oath taking ceremony, the 70 new police recruits immediately were sent in to Lipata Training Center to undergo intense 6-month police training before integrating fully to the PNP force for their frontline duties.

132 Police Caraga Promoted to Higher Rank

Police Regional Director Lino Calingasan pinned the shoulder board to Police Chief Inspector now Police Supt. Rodelio Roqueta.





A total of 54 Police Commissioned Officers and 132 Police Non-Commissioned Officer's or those holding SPO3 down to PO2 ranks had their mass oath taking and pinning of ranks in a ceremony held at Police Regional Office 13 at Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City.

The newly promoted policemen and women came from different provinces within the region.

In his speech, Police Chief Supt.m Nelson Nario, Deputy Regional Director for Administration reminded them that with their promotions comes greater responsibility.

Of these number only one officer rose to a rank of Police Senior Superintendent from Police Chief Inspector.

He is Rodelio Roqueta assigned in the Province of Agusan del Sur.

Caraga Region, Recipients of Most Numbered Patrol Cars in Entire Philippines

Police Regional Director Lino Calingasan and the number two man in the 125,000 strong Philippine National Police, Deputy Chief for Administration Police Deputy Director General Geary Lingan Barias led the blessing and turn-over of 17 patrol vehicles to different police stations in Caraga region.

In his speech, he reminded recipients to maintain this in good condition: “These vehicles came from the taxes of the people and for that matter you should see to it that these are properly maintained, taken cared of and should be used to its fullest utilization in the service of our people,”

PDDG Barias was also happy to announce, that Caraga was given the most number of patrol vehicles in the entire Philippine National Police.

Just this year, PRO 13 was given 36 patrol vehicles and PDDG remarked, “This is the first time that I experienced these much number of vehicles being distributed in one region alone.”

The PNP under its Integrated Transformation Program will have a continuing procurement of equipment and facilities.

PNP Chief Jesus Versoza envisioned in upgrading the physical facilities to support field operations of the PNP.

Recipients for these patrol vehicles are the following: Buenavista Municipal Police Station in Agusan del Norte, San Isidro MPS in Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office, Lianga Police Station, Tubajon MPS, Cortes Police Station, Taganaan Police Station Agusan del Norte Provincial Public Safety Management Company, San Miguel MPS, and police stations of Madrid, La Paz, Esperanza, Rosario, Sibagat and Bunawan.

Police personnel who will be assigned as drivers of the newly acquired patrol vehicles were also directed to always use proper uniform and to be courteous at all times to every Juan.

Mainit Lakeside Legacy Resort

This is the newest tourist destination in Caraga Region, the P200-million Mainit Kasili Lakeside Legacy Resort and Tourist Hotel in Mainit, Surigao del Norte operated and managed by the local government as iniated by Mayor Ramon Mondano.

Once fully operational the two-storey resort has 58 rooms of the two-storey lakeside resort hotel are already tiled and painted, including with four suite rooms, two conference rooms, six concrete cottages, two lounging areas, and two swimming pools -- one for children with slides and one for adults.

Mayor Mondano believes, Mainit Kasili Lakeside Legacy Resort and Tourist Hotel will generate more tourists, both foreign and domestic and can offer better employment opportunities for the Mainitnons and Surigaonons.

"I want to prove to all that this leadership could give rise to a multimillion-peso structure -- a concrete landmark of my administration, my legacy to the people of Mainit, which for generations the Mainitnons could take pride of," said Mayor Mondano.

Lake Mainit has been known as the fourth largest and the deepest lake in the Philippines.

35 Policemen and Women in Caraga Region Promoted to Police Inspector

Police Regional Director Lino Calingasan placed the shoulder board to newly promoted Police Inspector Regino Presioso Jr.



Thirty five (35) personnel of Police Regional Office 13 assigned in different cities and provinces were appointed into the Philippine National Police Officers Corps via lateral entry in the rank of Police Inspector effective today.

Police Regional Director Lino Calingasan in a ceremony held at PRO 13 Grandstand placed the shoulder board with the presence of family and loved ones of those who were accorded with rank promotions namely:

1.Rodel Dorado
2.Junalyn Suan
3.Regino Precioso Jr.
4.Rene Sarento
5.Marisan Liza
6.Solomom Cumahig Jr.
7.Tessiel Moleta
8.Venus Sarveda
9.Ignacio Serrano III
10.Junil Gultiano
11.Eunice Gonzaga
12.Elmer Ligalig
13.Napolen Boiser
14.Joel Cabanes
15.Roland Orcullo
16.Elmar Claret
17.Carmelo Malubay
18.Angie Gonzales
19.Pacifico Gerong
20.Joemel Maquiling
21. Agustin Navarro
22. Raymund Morillo
23. Joepetrus Catubig
24. Elsa Montenegro
25. Joy Allan Blasco
26. Dores Torralba
27. Ernesto Telano Jr
28. Randy Abunda
29. Maricor Rivas
30. Ernesto Marcos Jr.
31. Angel Cadeliña
32. Roderick Aranas
33. Jessie Ray de Gracia
34. Jerry Fernandez
35. Elvie Salino

In a speech made by Police Regional Director Lino Calingasan, he urged the newly promoted Police Inspectors to serve as inspirations to other PNP personnel and hopes to strengthen the PNP’s campaign against insurgency, criminality and in the implementation of the internal security operations as well as for the pushing of the Integrated Transformation Program.

He added, “Your promotion is a big step towards a better life but a bigger responsibility to shoulder as you received your new shoulder board”.

The newly promoted 35 Police Inspector detained in different police station in the region are expected to help in PO 13’s effort to reduce the crime rate and solve if not minimize terroristic acts perpetuated by lawless elements.