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.

PRO 13 Aimed for Safe, Enjoyable New year's Eve Celebration

Men and women of Police Regional Office 13 gathered in the morning of December 28 at Camp Rafael Rodriguez in Libertad, Butuan City for the ceremonial sealing and marking of all issued firearms.

"Firing guns is strictly prohibited on New Year's Eve," Police Regional Director Lino Calingasan said in his speech during the traditional Monday flag raising ceremonies at PRO 13.

All police officers are reminded to avoid indiscriminate firing and will face arrest and Calingasan urged the public to call 117 or report to nearest police station to immediately respond and arrest whoever fired the shot during the year end celebrations.

Calingasan lead the sealing and marking of firearms to send a message that the PNP is bent on taking orders from the national headquarters to have a safe, enjoyable new year's eve.

Hoping for a Credible Election in May 10, 2010

Local candidates signed the Covenant of HOPE in their promise to obtain a peaceful, orderly and credible election

People are in doubt whether the Philippines can still achieve a credible election in May 2010, others even speculated of a NO-EL (no election).

When the PNP Press Corps conceptualized the idea of holding this activity, I was told: "ceremonial lang yan....useless....wala nay Hope".

You, know, we in the voting populace should lead by example to teach the youth, that indeed, our region, that the Philippines still, can have an Honest, Orderly, Peaceful, Election.

Yes, despite Maguindanao incident.

Let's all have an active participation so that, the implementation of the First Automation Polls will yield good results....good....in terms of realising the wishes of our people.....Honest, Orderly, Peaceful, Elections in May 2010.

We in the broadcast industry, the PNP, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the COMELEC challenged all political candidates to stand by the Oath of Promise.

This is, Operation H.O.P.E. aiming for clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful elections, but this will also depend on how politicians undertake the campaign and endeavor to attain victory with honor and dignity.

Let us keep this election peaceful and credible.

It is possible.

It is desirable.

It is doable.

Let us GO and DO it!


yours truly as President of the PNP Press Corps, thanking everyone for the success of Operation HOPE


Ambassador Henrietta de villa, PPCRV National Chairperson

Operation H.O.P.E

The Ecleo's from Dinagat Islands Province in attendance


SMARTMATIC Representative Miguel Avila demonstrated the PCOS


Ambassador Henrietta de Villa, PPCRV National Chairperson as the guest speaker


PPCRV Regional Chairperson Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, D.D.


PRO 13 Operations Chief Police Snr. Supt. Nestor Fajura


IBP Agusan del Norte Chapter President Atty. Jesus Ma. James Bringas and Comelec Regional Director Atty. Francisco Pobe

The PNP Press Corps initiated an activity that hopefully would create an awareness more importantly to the local candidates in Caraga Region to play fairly to obtain a credible election on May 10, 2010.

Operation HOPE - honest, orderly, peaceful, election - is in partnership with the Police Regional Office 13, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and Comelec Regional Office.

Operation HOPE successfully conducted on December 13, 2009 at FSUU Main Campus Lobby at 5 o’clock in the afternoon, the highlight of which is the signing of the Covenant of H.O.P.E. with the presence of PPCRV National Chairperson Ambassador Henrietta de Villa and Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos with IBP Agusan del Norte Chapter President Atty. Jesus Ma. James Bringas leading the Oath of Promise.

Comelec Regional Director Atty. Francisco Pobe in his speech has reminded politicians of their responsibility to the public and rest assured to the people of Caraga of the Comelec's readiness in its first implementation of the automation polls.

SMARTMATIC Representative Miguel Avila demonstrated election process using the PCOS machine- Precinct Count Optical Scan that aims to prepare and familiarize the local candidates, the PNP, and the media on the automated election system.
conduct a demo of the voting machine

Indigenous Christmas Trees

The Police Regional Office 13 convey the message of Hope, Peace and Simplicity in this yuletide season. Each divisions created Christmas Trees made of indigenous meterials displayed along the entrance of Camp Rafael Rodriguez in Libertad.






made of corn cobs and corn leafs



Made of native fans and mat called "banig"