Rep. Matugas laughs off plunder charges

By Jun Lira SURIGAO CITY --  Instead of creating a fuss, the much ballyhooed plunder charges filed against Rep. Francisco Matugas was met with laughter by the first district solon during a recent press conference held at the Philippine Gateway Hotel, this city. “There’s nothi…

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‘Underdog’ Barbers brothers vow good fight vs rival Matugas family

By Vanessa L. Almeda SURIGAO CITY (7 February) – Considered the “underdogs,” the Barbers brothers vowed to give their rival Matugas family a good fight in the May 2013 local political race. Ace and Lyndon Barbers, both former governors of Surigao del Norte, told the local med…

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Surigao City opens One-Stop Shop processing of permits

SURIGAO CITY -- The Surigao City government's One-Stop Shop issuance of business permits and licenses officially opened yesterday, January 2 at the City Gymnasium, this city.  The formal opening was led by City Mayor Ernesto Matugas along with other local officials and m…

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Election Watch: Jalosjoses set to control 3 Zamboanga provinces, Matugases in Surigao del Norte, Ecleos in Dinagat

As in past elections, political dynasties are closing ranks again to keep their hold to power in Mindanao. The Jalosjos clan will be fielding members and allies in at least three provinces and two cities in the Zamboanga Peninsula in next year’s elections. Zamboanga del Su…

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Spot promotion for ‘hero’ cops in Gov. Matugas slay attempt

SURIGAO CITY– Two Surigao del Norte policemen who saved the life of Gov. Sol Forcadilla Matugas during a slay attempt are expected to get spot promotions aside from medals for their display of heroism in the line of duty. Police Provincial Director Senior Supt. Ruel Obusan s…

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Shooting not political, says Surigao anti-corruption watchdog

SURIGAO CITY - An anti-corruption watchdog here voiced strong objections and called a “detestable act” local government officials’ declaration that the shooting incident at the Capitol on Monday was politically motivated. Lawyer Victor Bernal, spokesperson of the Coalition…

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Surigao Norte capitol tightens security after failed slay try of Gov Sol

Governor Sol Matugas has ordered tighter security in the premises of the provincial capitol compound after a failed attempt to assassinate her shortly after the 8 a.m. flag-raising ceremony, Monday, Aug. 13, at the capitol grounds in front of the Hall of Justice, Surigao Ci…

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Gov. Sol survives assassination try

By: Vanessa L. Almeda and Erwin Mascarinas, InterAksyon.com SURIGAO CITY - Surigao del Norte Governor Sol F. Matugas survived an assassination attempt, allegedly carried out by a former barangay official of this city, Monday morning. Although Matugas was unhurt in the inciden…

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MOA-signing held for Claver seawater quality, coral condition assessment

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Aug. 9 -- Government and company officials have signed a memorandum of agreement with partner institutions to undertake an assessment of the seawater quality and coral condition in Barangay Urbiztondo, Claver town, this province.  The partnership was forma…

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Farmers picket Surigao’s City Hall, demand amendment to copra trading ordinance

By Vanessa Almeda SURIGAO CITY - Protesters marched towards City Hall Monday morning to demand the mayor’s  intervention on the amendment of a copra trading ordinance while also asking him to act on the reported militarization of upland barangays. Nemesio Borja, chair of the …

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Socorro leaders switch allegiance

By Jun Lira SURIGAO CITY --  In a dramatic move which recently stunned political observers and analysts, fourteen major political allies of former governor Robert “Ace” Barbers from the town of Socorro, Surigao del Norte, have deserted Abante Surigao and switched allegiance…

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COMELEC junks Barbers’ protest

By Jun Lira After two years of causing confusion in the minds of thousands of Surigaonon electorates, the issue of alleged ‘HOCUS-PCOS’ floated by defeated gubernatorial candidate Robert “Ace” Barbers was recently put to rest with the dismissal of his election protest again…

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Gov. Sol integrates day care centers into mainstream schools

By Eugenio Lira, Jr. SURIGAO CITY-- Governor Sol Forcadilla-Matugas on Wednesday announced the integration of day care centers into the mainstream elementary schools in the province. Matugas made the announcement during a medical mission sponsored by the provincial governme…

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Surigao Norte gov leads training center groundbreaking

By Eugenio Lira, Jr. SURIGAO CITY, Feb. 6   – Governor Sol Forcadilla-Matugas led on Friday the groundbreaking ceremony for the Surigao del Norte Provincial Training Center inside the Provincial Sports Complex along the Surigao del Norte National High school road attended by …

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Eco-friendly nickel plant to rise in Surigao

by Eugenio Lira, Jr. An eco-friendly $2.5-billion nickel processing plant will soon rise in Nonoc Island after rehabilitation works of the mothballed nickel refinery will be completed following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between two giant corporation…

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NPC prexy to induct Tri-Media officers in Caraga

By: Jun Lira National Press Club (NPC) president Jerry Yap will lead the induction of newly-elected officers of the Caraga Region Tri-Media Practitioners Association on December 15 at the Surigao del Norte Provincial Convention Center. Roberto Parada, Jr., president of the …

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DENR Sec. Paje anoints Gov. Sol as Environment Czar

By: Eugene Lira, Jr. DENR Secretary Ramon Paje yesterday announced the designation of Governor Sol Matugas as Environment Czar for Surigao del Norte in order to protect the province from the disastrous activities of illegal loggers. The announcement was made by Sec. Paje du…

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DOH gives 50-M for upgrading of hospital

By: Eugene Lira, Jr. Health Secretary Enrique Ona has given Php50-million cash assistance for the upgrading of facilities of the Provincial Hospital located in Bad-as, Placer, Surigao del Norte. The check containing the cash assistance was received by Governor Sol Matugas f…

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