SURIGAO CITY, Philippines – Four people on board a twin engine boat that capsized due to strong winds and big waves off Hikdop Island here were rescued on Tuesday by rescue team and the Philippine Coast Guard-Surigao.

It was reported that the rescued persons were immediately brought to the Surigao City Hospital for medical treatment, and are already out of danger and in good physical condition.

They were identified as Joselito Golandrina, 22; Joshbert Bagayas, 28; Bulak Penaranda, 33; and a certain Jun Penaranda, 38. Authorities said the victims were on their way to San Jose on Dinagat Island when the incident occurred. (Mike Crismundo)

Info campaign

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Philippines (PIA) – An intensified information campaign on sexually-transmitted disease, human immune virus, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (STD, HIV, AIDS) will be waged in Bukidnon.

To be conducted by the STD, HIV and AIDS Support Link (SHASLink) and Alliance Against AIDS in Mindanao (ALAGAD Mindanao), the campaign aims to prevent the spread of the dreaded diseases in the province.

“With the global increase of HIV/AIDS case reports, information is still one of the best weapons available,” Michael Jesus Mahinay, project officer for Treatment, Care and Support of ALAGAD Mindanao, said.

Warning up vs Flood, landslide

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Philippines (PIA) – People living in low-lying and mountainous areas had been advised to be on alert against possible flashfloods and landslides brought about by typhoon “Chedeng.”

Director Carmelito A. Lupo of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and chairperson of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) in Northern Mindanao has also called on the DRRMC’s to monitor the situation of “Chedeng.”

Particularly, Lupo has called on the provincial, city, municipal, and barangay (village) DRRMC’s to take precautionary measures to mitigate the effects of “Chedeng” focusing on evacuation rather than rescue.

Joint endeavor

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – Top officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for a joint peace and security coordinating center (JPSCC) held at the regional headquarters of the Police Regional Office 13, Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez here.

Under the MoA, the JPSCC will ensure unity of efforts of the military and police in addressing the peace and security concerns of the Caraga Region. (Mike Crismundo)

Gov't aid benefits trike franchisees

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – At least 2,173 tricycle franchisees in this city alone had already received the “Pantawid-Pasada ni P-Noy” or 3Ps program – the Public Transport Assistance Program (PTAP) of the national government.

Through the concerted effort of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), City Treasurer, and Business Licensing Permits Division Office here, and Land Transportation Office, the distribution of the 3Ps was held at the City Hall grounds, Region 13 office of the DILG Director Rene Burdeos.

At least P320,950 was downloaded to the city government here through the DILG Region 13 office here. (Manila Bulletin)