Inspection of Damaged Portions
of Baobo National Irrigation Project
Brgy. Sinobong, Veruela, Agusan del Sur
January 28, 2009
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A total of four (04) tarpaulins were installed in front of the stage visible to those who were on stage (dignitaries led by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) : three (3) Welcome Banners and one (1) 8’ X 8’ DPWH (new design from PIA)
(The three Welcome tarpaulins installed are the old ones and were also used during the Dinagat Islands-Surigao City Presidential Visits last week, Wednesday, January 21, 2009. PIA-Caraga made an innovation by cutting the part of the tarps where LAK/RAK emblem and PGMA photos are placed/printed to fit with the new standards set by PIA-Caraga. The Regional Office of DPWH-Caraga installed the said tarpaulins with supervision of PIA-Caraga personnel. They also mounted one (1) 8’ X 8’ newly-designed infra project tarpaulin.)
The President landed in Bancasi Airport in Butuan City at 9:27 a.m. onboard the Presidential plane with DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman and 1st District Congressman Jose “Joboy” Aquino.
Among the local officials who met the Presidential Party are: Agusan del Sur Governor Maria Valentina Plaza, PCInsp. Ramon Espiritu, Deputy and Regional Director for Operations of PNP-Caraga. PIA-Caraga Regional Director Abner Caga joined in welcoming the President as requested by Gov. Plaza with clearance from PMS.
The Presidential party just transferred to the Presidential chopper for the Veruela visit in Agusan del Sur. Serving as convoy (on board other chopper) is Agusan del Sur Governor Valentina Plaza.
The chopper flew to Veruela, Agusan del Sur at 9:37 a.m. and arrived at Baobo National Irrigation project in Brgy. Sinobong at 10:03 a.m.
The Presidential party was met by Former Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward “Eddiebong” Plaza, Veruela Mayor Salimar T. Mondejar, Sangguniang Panlalawigan members of Agusan del Sur, Sangguniang Bayan members of Veruela, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Carlos Salazar, and a crowd estimate of 2,000.
Upon her arrival to the site, President Arroyo was briefed by NIA-Agusan del Sur Provincial Officer Pacifico Calipayan on the extent of damage of the Baobo national irrigation brought by massive floodings that hit the province from January 11-16, 2009.
After the briefing, the President issued a Php10-million check to Agusan del Sur Governor Maria Valentina Plaza for the immediate rehabilitation/repair of the irrigation.
After the turnover, the Presidential party left the area on board the Presidential chopper at 10:34 a.m. back to Bancasi Airport in Butuan City.
The Presidential party arrived at Bancasi Airport in Butuan City at 11:19 a.m. from Veruela, Agusan del Sur.
President Arroyo left Bancasi Airport at 11:27 a.m. on board the Presidential plane.
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
1. Met MARO Malou Almario and Malacanang in-house writer Faye Velasco upon their arrival at Bancasi Airport in Butuan City on Monday, January 26, 2009.
2. PIA-Caraga facilitated the vehicle and gasoline for MARO’s transportation by tapping DPWH-Caraga Regional Office.
3. Attended coordinative meeting in Butuan City on January 26, 2009 at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort.
4. Conducted Media Accreditation and Briefing at the Office of PIA Agusan del Sur Information Center on Tuesday, January 27, 2009.
5. Team 1 (Nora Molde, Zarina Lastra, Jennifer Gaitano and ICM David Suyao of Agusan del Sur) attended coordinative meeting on Tuesday, January 27 at the Provincial Governor’s Office of Agusan del Sur in Patin-ay.
6. Team 2 (Abner Caga, Robert Roperos, Robespierre Tradio, and Gerie Mae Coco) joined the ocular inspection on Tuesday, January 27 at Baobo National Irrigation Project at Brgy. Sinobong, Veruela, Agusan del Sur. The team also supervised the personnel of DPWH-Caraga on the installation of four (4) tarpaulins.
7. For this visit, 12 SMS were produced by PIA-Caraga before, during and after the visit. The said SMS were sent to 100 broadcasters throughout the region for airing. The SMS were sent in real time. Including the updates of the visit, 17 SMS were also sent to PIA Sec. Conrado Limcaoco, Jr. and copy furnished SD Riza Baldoria – Regional Operations Cluster Head.
8. Moreover, eight (8) live phone-patch interviews to OIC-RD Caga regarding the visit were made by dxBR-Bombo Radyo-Butuan and has been broadcasted throughout Agusan del Norte, Butuan City, Agusan del Sur, and some parts of Surigao del Norte.
9. Three (3) famer-beneficiaries of the irrigation project were also interviewed by PIA-Caraga. Results of the interview were sent to 100 partner-media in the region for airing copy furnished PIA Secretary Conrado A. Limcaoco, Jr. and SD Riza Baldoria – Cluster Head of the Regional Operations.
Among those who were interviewed are three officials of the SISALAMAPO Council of Irrigators Association (SCIA): Serafin Cortez, Jr. – President; Reynaldo Maido – Vice President; and Edgar Cao – Chairman of the Board of Directors.
10. PIA-Caraga personnel distributed 75 pcs. of PIA 2009 calendars to employees of the municipal hall of Veruela in Agusan del Sur.
PERSONNEL ON SITE:
1. Bancasi Airport, Butuan City :
- RD Abner M. Caga - PIA Regional Office
- Zarina O. Lastra
- Jennifer P. Gaitano
2. Baobo National Irrigation Project, Veruela, Agusan del Sur
- Nora CL Molde - PIA Regional Office
- Robert E. Roperos
- Robespierre C. Tradio
- Gerie Mae G. Coco
- David M. Suyao - PIA-Agusan del Sur
