Adventure Wall Climb

The Department of Tourism Regional Office partners with Caraga Travel Links and Barangay Libertad here in the city as Regional Director Letty Tan envisioned influx of local and foreign tourists as it launched another tourist attraction which is the Adventure Wall Climb, the first in the region.


Dr. Ted Esguerra of Mt. Everest Team preparing the harness for the inaugural climb









Adventure Wall Climb is open daily at the City Sports Complex for only 20 pesos handled by professionals from Mountaineering Alliance of Caraga for Ecology Advocacy of the Philippines who created almost the same experience as it would be to climb an actual rock.

The walls are constructed that has grips for hands and feet to help the climber ascend the wall.
The walls have places for belays so the harnesses can be attached to the wall for safety and the rope can hold at approximately 3-tons.

On February 14, couples, lovers, sweethearts and singles are invited to join the "Love Climb" for fun and surprises.

BCPO COP, Outstanding Policewoman

SPO1 Marifel Cortez accompanied by husband Antonio Cortez, during the awarding ceremony with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo


with Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita


with Husband Antonio Cortez and PDDG Geary Barias




with Police Director Ronald Roderos, Director for Police Community Relations in Camp Crame


TOPWP Awardees
Police Superintendent Lailene Amparo – Marilao Police Station – Bulacan Provincial Office, Police Regional Office 3
Police Chief Inspector Delia Ingalla – Taguig City Police Office, Southern Police District, NCRPO
Police Senior Inspector Lerma Tirana – Regional Police Community Relations Division, NCRPO
Senior Police Officer 1 Marifel Cortez – Butuan City Police Office Police Regional Office 13
Police Officer 3 Zorayda Aripin – Zamboanga City Police Offide, PRO 9
PO3 Ruth Poserio – Sta. Barbara Police Station, Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, PRO 1
PO3 Judith Olbes – Sorsogon Police Provincial Office, PRO5
PO3 Lilybeth Pascual – WCPD PNCO-Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office, Police Regional Office 5
PO2 Famela Suba – Cabiao Police Station, Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office, PRO3
PO2 Rina Salaya – Maasin Municipal Police Station, Iloilo PPO, PRO 6


Outstanding policewoman brings pride and honor to Butuan City Police Office and no less than Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gave the award in a ceremony held at Malacañang’s Rizal Hall on January 13, 2010.

SPO1 Marifel Cortez was chosen as one of the 10 winners in the search for the 2009 Outstanding Policewomen of the Philippines for their dedication and exemplary work.

SPO1 Cortez bagged the award for being active in advocating the welfare of women and children in Butuan City by its continuing education forum with regards to R.A. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Children) and R.A. 7610 (An Act Providing for Stronger Deterrence and Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination)

Her humanitarian activity in the Police Community Relations also gave weights in earning the award.

SPO1 Cortez initiated BCPO's Back to School Program, which according to Station 1 Commander Joseph Boquiren was the first in history to reach out to school children by donating school supplies taking into priority those who have little or no school supplies because of poverty.

The project was was replicated to other police stations under BCPO carrying the theme “Gamit Pang Eskwela, Alay ng Pulisya.”

The search for Ten Outstanding Policewomen of the Philippines (TOPWP)was organized by ZONTA Club of Makati Paseo de Roxas Foundation and the Philippine National Police.

Now on its eighth year, TOPWP was established to extend community recognition to policewomen who have contributed to the cause of peace and order.

The awardees received a TOPWP Kabalikat Awards trophy and cash prize from ZONTA, a gift certificate from the Arms Corporation Philippines (ARMSCOR) and Outstanding Achievement Medal from the PNP.

Voters Education Forum

Election Officer Ms. Narcisa Bayot of magallanes, Agusan del Norte


a participant trying to cast his vote during voting demonstration


showing election results in a matter of minutes


The Commission on Elections conducted a series of Voter's Education Forum to prepare the public of the new voting process as the Philippines will have its first automation election on May 10, 2010.

The participants were oriented on the mechanics of filling up the ballot to avoid over-voting and shading problems.

"Proper orientation on the voting process can help a voter fill up the ballot easier, faster and without delay or mistakes", said Butuan City Comelec election officer Abelardo Saco.

In a presentation, Election Officer Ms. Narcisa Bayot of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte introduced the new automated voting system using the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) and showed how fast results will be obtained after voting ended.

Butuan City has a total of 158,517 registered voters with 202 clustered precincts.

Butuan Balangay Ready to Launch

Diwata ng Lahi underwent major repair in Butuan City measuring 20.12 meters.


Balangay 100% made in Butuan measuring 24.7 meters


with its huge size and wide interior, Balangay crew will have its comfort during rest hours while sailing




Left side is the Diwata ng Lahi looking small with the huge Butuan Balangay

The date has been set by Butuan Global Forum, Inc to officially launch the Balangay to the waters of Agusan River and Butuan Bay.

The Butuan Boat Building Committee has announced that a simple ceremony will be made on January 31, 2010 at 9:30 in the morning at Luna Compound, Bading here in Butuan City.

The newly-built second replica of the ancient Balangay will be leaving its boat-building site to undergo test sailing around Agusan River and Butuan Bay to finally begin the historic journey with the newly repaired Diwata ng Lahi of the Voyage of Balangay.

The two-boat flotilla will sail off from Butuan's PPA Port on February 4, 2010 for its sixth leg- Butuan-Ozamiz route -whose first stop will be at Punta Diwata in Carmen to honor the first Balangay's namesake place in Butuan/Agusan. The two Balangay's will travel a total distance of 191 nautical miles to dock at Gingoog, Camiguin, cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Ozamis.

The building of Butuan's BALANGAY Boat is a joint project of BUTUAN GLOBAL FORUM, INC., BUTUAN HISTORICAL & CULTURAL FOUNDATION, and KAYA NG PINOY FOUNDATION.

Butuan City Goverment Projected to Generate 90M Collection from Business Permits

The Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) in city hall will continue until 12 midnight tonight – January 20 – the last day of filing business permits to accommodate businessmen.

To date, the local government of Butuan was able to register 281 new business permits from a total of 4,574 after BOSS started to open in January 4.
On its first week BOSS registered a total collection of more than 5.2 million with a total assessment of almost 24 million.

Assistant City Budget Officer Josefina Morta revealed, the city government has projected a collection of 90 million for 2010 from the registration and renewal of business permits.

Comparing last year’s collection, the City Treasurer’s Office reflected a report of its total assessment of more than 48 million from January 4 to January 14, 2009 from business registration and renewal of business permits.

In November of last year, the total income of Butuan City reached to more than 89.8 million against its targeted collection of 1.192 billion pesos.

Meanwhile, a total of 194 new business registrations and 3,424 business renewals were reflected in the report after two weeks with an actual collection of 10,934,374.01 million.

BOSS is fast lane business permits transactions held at the city hall lobby to shorten processing time and provide one-stop-assistance with the presence of representative from the Social Security System (SSS), Philhealth, Bureau of Fire Protection, BIR, Chamber of Commerce and Industry to cater to every client’s needs and requirements.

While in the waiting area for the release of business permits, students of the Butuan City Manpower Training also offers free massage to clients.

An additional convenience includes stand-by water and coffee accessible to all tax payers.

An express lane was also provided for the elderly.

It is being suggested at this early, to extend the Business One Stop Shop until January 22, 2010.

Miss Libertad 2010

Miss Libertad 2010 is Miss Tweety Pie Cabardo


Barangay Libertad in Butuan City celebrates its annual fiesta for the celebration of its patron St. Senior Sto. Niño every third Sunday of January of the year. Of the 86 barangays in Butuan, the fiesta in Libertad is the most remarkable because of the Kahimunan Festival. (photo from Digital Teens)

Agusan National High School Contingents Kahimunan Festival 2010 Champion

Spectators lined along the street wet and unmindful of the cold to watch and took some pictures every time contingents from Agusan National High School, Libertad National High School, NORMISIST Cabadbaran, Libertad Women’s Organization and Butuan City Hall passes by.







Different images of the Sto. Niño. Devotees of the Santo Nino understand Kahimunan as a prayer, a dance. It is an indigenous rite for the living: the actuation of thanksgiving, an offering. A plea for heavenly grace and earthly favors.


Agusan National High School - Champion receiving 200,000 pesos cash prize


Butuan City Hall (Butuan Artist Group)- 1st Prize receiving 150,000 pesos cash


Caraga State University (formerly NORMISIST)-Cabadbaran 2nd Prize Winner receiving 120,000 pesos cash




A 10,000 cash prize were accorded to Libertad Women's Organization and Libertad National High School as consolation prize winners

Rain hasn't Stopped People from Going Out to Celebrate Kahimunan Festival

For almost a week, Butuan experienced a bad weather condition, almost everyday it rains that causes some areas to flood but it didn't ruined the happy atmosphere of the Kahimunan Festival.

Kahimunan, is a yearly celebration among the Manobo, Higaonon and Banwaon people where it fulfills both secular and religious purposes: thus, from healing ceremonies to planning conferences to social gatherings.

The celebration of Kahimunan Festival shows dancing and singing giving praise to the Sto. Niño. Literally Kahimunan means 'gathering'.

Participants dressed in multicolored attire, they dance and move to the rhythm of native music apart from giving thanks to the Santo Nino, the event showcases the various ornaments and clothing of the local tribes as well as their handicraft and other products.

Kahimunan Festival in Butuan

Kahimunan Festival held every 3rd Sunday of January as Barangay Libertad in Butuan City celebrates the Feast of Sto. Niño. It is a celebration of thanksgiving, an offering, and a plea for heavenly grace and earthly favors. (photo by digital teens)

PNP Chief Versoza Led the 14th Leg Transformation Caravan in Butuan City

More than a hundred from the PNP, AFP, DILG, BFP, BJMP, DOH, DepEd, Rotary Club, Shell Philippines, youth, students, Local Executives, DOLE, Security Agency, NGO's, DPWH, Phil Coast Guard, Tri-media and Muslim brothers participated the 14th Leg Transformation Caravan early morning on January 14 here in Butuan City.

Mile Runners assembled at different parts of the city converging at PRO 13 Grandstand in Libertad.

The activity which started at 5 in the morning from the heart of the city led by PNP Chief, Director General Jesus Versoza together with Caraga Police Director, Police Chief Supt. Lino Calingasan was joined by Local Government Units, government agencies, NGOs, Barangay Tanods and the academe.

Also joined the relay run were Police Director Jaime Milla, Directorate for Integrated Police Operations – Eastern Mindanao and other ranking officials from PNP National Headquarters.

Versoza then officiated the Turn-over of Symbolic Transformation Torch in a ceremony held at the PRO 13 Grandstand.

Police Chief Supt. Danilo Empedrad, Regional Director of PRO 10 handed over the Transformation Torch to PRO 13 RD Calingasan.

The PNP Transformation Torch is the beacon that carries the light symbolizing the transformation program being undertaken by the PNP to turn itself into a more capable, effective and credible police service.

The PNP hierarchy has been actively advocating the transformation program through the transformation caravan.

The current 14th Leg Run, which will bring the torch, a symbol of reform to all Police Regional Offices across the country and generate heightened public awareness of the on-going reforms within the PNP.

As the PRO receives the Transformation Torch a series of activities shall be undertaken to highlight the presence of the torch in the regional office down to lower units and to continue the advocacy program.

Versoza urged police officers to promote transformational leadership in the organization to improve service efficiency in the police force, adding that the transformational leadership is necessary for the PNP to completely achieve the objectives of the PNP Integrated Transformation Program.

The vigorous implementation of the Transformation Program has already resolved many organizational dysfunctions and has significantly improved the quality of police services. It also continues to upgrade the law enforcement capabilities and also enhance the welfare and benefits of policemen and its dependents.

Ceremonial Signing of RA 9854 Creating Caraga State University by President Arroyo

Butuan City Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Congressman Jose Aquino II and CSU President Joanna Cuenca



President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the ceremonial signing of HB 5110 Creating RA 9854 Establishing Caraga State University held at Sanchez Gym, Normisist Campus, Ampayon, Butuan City


President gloria macapagal Arroyo showed RA 9854 with CHED Commissioner Nona Ricafort, Caraga State University President Joanna Cuenca, HB 5110 Author and Congressman Jose Aquino II


Congressman Jose Aquino II introduced the President for her speech

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed today RA 9854, "An Act Establishing the Caraga State University in the Caraga Region by Integrating the Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology (Normisist) in Ampayon, Butuan City which was approved by the President on December 16, 2009.

House Bill 5110 established the Caraga State University (CSU) in the Caraga Region by integrating the Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology (NORMISIST) in Ampayon and the Northern Mindanao College of Science and Technology (NMCAST) in Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte with its main campus in Butuan City.

NMCAST which is now known as the NORMISIST Cabadbaran Campus NCC specializing in developing individuals in the fields of electrical engineering, industrial technology and education, information technology, HRM and Teacher’s Education with its campus situated in an 8 hectare area at T. Curato Street in Cabadbaran City.

The bill was filed in Congress by Representative Jose S. Aquino II of the 1st District of Butuan City and Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte and sponsored by Senator Mar Roxas and has passed in the Senate’s second reading on November 2009.

Other representatives of the lower house who co-authored the bill are Congressmen Angara, Villar, Lagman, Javier, Remulla, Amante, Romarate, Padilla, Madrona, Nicolas, del Mar, Amatong, Mitra, de Guzman, Garay and Angping.

According to the new law, Caraga State University shall offer undergraduate and graduate courses within its areas of specialization, specifically, but not limited to the fields of agriculture and environmental studies, fishery, engineering, forestry, industrial technology, education, law, medicine and other health related programs, information technology, arts and sciences and other fields as the Board of Regents may deem necessary to carry out its objectives particularly to meet the needs of the Caraga Region.

The existing secondary level will now be transferred under the jurisdiction and supervision of the Department of Education but it was provided under RA 9854 that the students currently enrolled shall be allowed to remain until they have completed their secondary education.

After the ceremonial signing of RA 9854, President Arroyo in her speech said, “Unta sa panghitabo sa karon nga ang inyong eskwelahan nahimo nang Caraga State University, nga unta labaw pa ang kalidad ug investment ang inyong maangkon ug mao nga makaabot ninyo ang daghan pang kauswagan dinhi sa Caraga” (now that your school became the Caraga State University, it is hoped that you obtain higher quality and more investments will be achieved, that will make Caraga more progressive).

With the President during the signing of RA 9854 are the local officials of the city and province led by Butuan City Mayor Democrito Plaza II and his wife City Tourism Council Chairperson Daisy Plaza, Agusan del Norte Governor Erlpe John Amante, Congressman Jose Aquino II, , Agusan del Norte 2nd District Representative Edilmero Amante, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, Board of Trustees of the newly established Caraga State University led by its President Joanna Cuenca, the Department of Education led by Secretary Peter Favila, Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos, CHED officials with the presence of Commissioner Nona Ricafort, some Cabinet members and several members of the House of Representatives.

NORMISIST, now Caraga State University has been applying for state university since 1996.

113th Rizal Day Celebration in Butuan

Vice Mayor Dino Claudio Sanchez and Butuan Archbishop Juan de Dios Pueblos lead this year's commemoration of the 113th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal park attended by representatives from various line agencies.

December 30 is declared a national non-working holiday and the celebration is to bring the Filipinos together as they immortalize Rizal and his significance in contemporary times.

Rizal Day is celebrated throughout the Philippines, and here in Butuan the major celebration was held at Rizal Park.

The event is highlighted by flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies.