https://www.facebook.com/101859648109313/

The Caraga Observer, Butuan City (2026)

20/03/2026

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤-𝐭𝐨-𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐲: 𝐀𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

The division of Agusan del Sur successfully defended its title as the overall champion in the 2026 Caraga Regional Games (CRAG), securing back-to-back victories after dethroning Butuan City in last year’s edition.

The province dominated the competition in Surigao City, racking up 133 gold medals, 102 silver, and 87 bronze, for a total of 322 medals, based on the official medal tally of 450 events, now 100 percent tabulated as of 2:30 p.m..

Trailing behind was Butuan City, the former decade-long champion, with 79 gold, 73 silver, and 66 bronze medals, while Agusan del Norte placed third with 69 gold, 70 silver, and 66 bronze.

Agusan del Sur is set to host the Palarong Pambansa this coming May 24–31, 2026.

Photo courtesy: Province of Surigal del Norte FB page

16/03/2026

𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞: 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲

The Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT) has been granted university status by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), officially converting the institution into Agusan del Sur State University (ADSSU).

The approval was issued through Commission En Banc Resolution No. 060-2026 after ASSCAT met CHED’s institutional requirements for university status.

The conversion stems from Republic Act No. 11586, which mandates the transformation of ASSCAT into a state university. The law originated from House Bill No. 7019 authored by Adolph Edward G. Plaza, representative of the 2nd District of Agusan del Sur.

With the conversion, ADSSU becomes the second state university in Agusan del Sur, next to the Philippine Normal University Mindanao campus located in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

The new university is expected to further strengthen higher education, research, and community development in the province and across the Caraga region.

08/03/2026

𝗕𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗘 𝗞𝗔, 𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜 𝗕𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚!

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the remarkable women of Caraga whose courage, talent, and advocacy are shaping communities and inspiring change:

𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗮‑𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮 of Butuan, a marine scientist and TIME Hero of the Environment, recognized globally for her mangrove conservation work.

𝗥𝘆𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗼 of Alegria, Surigao del Norte, an international downhill skateboard champion and Southeast Asian Games medalist.

𝗕𝗮𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘁 of La Paz, Agusan del Sur, Caraga’s first Manlilikha ng Bayan and master of suyam embroidery, preserving Agusan Manobo traditions.

𝗘𝗺𝗺𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘀 of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, environmental activist and president of CCMCL Baywatch Foundation, advocating against extractive practices that threaten the environment.

𝗞𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗴-𝗮𝗼 of Loreto, Dinagat Island, human rights lawyer, founder of BALAOD Mindanaw, and current Congresswoman of Dinagat Islands, championing farmers, fisherfolk, and women’s rights.

These women remind us that passion, courage, and leadership come in many forms and together, they inspire a brighter, more inclusive future. 💜

Tag a woman in your life who inspires you and celebrates the power of women making a difference!

06/02/2026

Some streets in Barangay Ampayon, Butuan City were flooded around 8 a.m. on February 6, 2025, after Tropical Storm Basyang brought heavy rains across northeastern Mindanao.

06/02/2026

Wood debris and garbage carried by floodwaters piled beneath the Lemon Bridge along the diversion road in Butuan City.

A resident of Barangay Lemon told Caraga Observer that the clogged debris obstructed the river’s flow, causing floodwaters to rise last night and flood several houses in the lower portion of Barangay Lemon.

05/02/2026

𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 — 𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐒𝐀

Tropical cyclone Basyang may make its initial landfall over Surigao del Sur between Thursday night and early Friday morning, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In its latest bulletin, PAGASA said Basyang is momentarily moving west-southwestward, but is expected to move generally westward until tonight before turning west-northwestward beginning Friday morning.

On its forecast track, the weather disturbance may cross eastern Mindanao overnight, then emerge over the Bohol Sea by Friday morning. PAGASA said Basyang may pass close to or make another landfall over Siquijor and the southern portion of Negros Oriental by Friday afternoon.

By Friday evening or early Saturday, Basyang may emerge over the Sulu Sea, then traverse the northern portion of Palawan between Saturday afternoon and evening, PAGASA added.

Basyang may further intensify prior to its initial landfall, but is expected to slightly weaken as it interacts with land, although it will likely remain a tropical storm. PAGASA said further weakening into a tropical depression is forecast by Saturday, before it is downgraded into a low pressure area by Monday, Feb. 9.

Authorities advised residents in affected areas to continue monitoring official updates and prepare for possible impacts such as heavy rains, strong winds, and rough seas.

05/02/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐨. 𝟐 𝐚𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨

Majority of the Caraga region has been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 as Tropical Storm Basyang continues to accelerate while moving closer to Eastern Mindanao, according to the 8:00 a.m. bulletin.

As of 7:00 a.m., the center of Tropical Storm Basyang was estimated at 385 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. The storm is packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts reaching up to 80 kilometers per hour, posing a gale-force wind threat over affected areas.

Placed under Signal No. 2 are Surigao del Norte, including Siargao and the Bucas Grande Islands; Surigao del Sur; Agusan del Norte; and Agusan del Sur. Meanwhile, Dinagat Islands has been placed under Signal No. 1.

Weather authorities said Basyang is currently moving west-southwestward, but is expected to move generally westward until tonight, before turning west-northwestward starting tomorrow morning (February 6).

On its forecast track, the center of Basyang is expected to make its initial landfall over Surigao del Sur between tonight and early tomorrow morning. After crossing Mindanao, the storm is likely to emerge over the Bohol Sea tomorrow morning, and may pass close to or make another landfall over Siquijor and the southern portion of Negros Oriental by tomorrow afternoon.

By tomorrow evening or early Saturday (February 7), Basyang is forecast to emerge over the Sulu Sea, before traversing the northern portion of Palawan between Saturday afternoon and evening.

Residents in affected areas are advised to take precautionary measures against strong winds, possible damage to light structures, and rough sea conditions, especially in coastal and island communities.

04/02/2026

𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦; 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐨. 𝟐

has intensified into a tropical storm, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said late Tuesday.

As of 10:00 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Basyang was estimated at 560 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur based on all available data. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center, with gustiness of up to 80 kph.

PAGASA also placed Surigao del Sur under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2, while the rest of the Caraga region remains under Signal No. 1.

Basyang is forecast to move generally westward over the next 24 hours before turning west-northwestward beginning Wednesday evening (05 February). On its forecast track, the storm is expected to make initial landfall over eastern Mindanao between Wednesday evening and early Friday morning (06 February).

After landfall, Basyang is forecast to traverse northeastern Mindanao and Central and Western Visayas, and emerge over the Sulu Sea by Saturday morning (07 February).

04/02/2026

𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦

As of 8:00 PM on 4 February 2026, Tropical Depression Basyang (formerly LPA 06a) has strengthened into a Tropical Storm, now carrying the international name Penha.

The storm is currently being monitored inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Residents in low-lying and coastal areas are advised to stay alert and follow updates from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

04/02/2026

📢 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧

Here is the list of class suspensions in Caraga due to Tropical Depression . This list is based on information as of 10:00 AM, February 5, 2026 and will be updated as new announcements come in.

Disclaimer: This information was gathered from the official pages of LGUs. If any information is missing or incorrect, please notify us in the comments so we can update the list accordingly.

04/02/2026

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐮𝐭𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐨. 𝟏

The entire Caraga region has been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Basyang continues to move westward over the Philippine Sea east of Mindanao, state weather bureau PAGASA said on Tuesday.

As of 4:00 p.m., the center of Tropical Depression Basyang was estimated at 655 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

The weather system has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour.

Areas under Signal No. 1 include Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur.

PAGASA warned of strong winds, with a lead time of up to 36 hours. Wind speeds may range from 39 to 61 kilometers per hour.

PAGASA said Basyang is expected to continue moving generally westward over the next 36 hours before turning west-northwestward by Wednesday evening, February 5.

On its forecast track, the tropical depression is expected to make its initial landfall over eastern Mindanao between Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, February 6.

04/02/2026

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 #𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡, 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨

Tropical Depression Basyang has maintained its strength as it continues to move southwestward over the eastern portion of Mindanao, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, the center of Basyang was estimated at 735 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. The tropical depression is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour, and a central pressure of 1002 hectopascals.

PAGASA has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over Surigao del Sur and the eastern portion of Surigao del Norte, including the municipalities of Claver, Gigaquit, and Bacuag, as well as the Siargao–Bucas Grande Islands. Areas under the signal may experience strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kilometers per hour within the next 36 hours.

Authorities warned that while the potential wind impacts are considered minimal to minor, heavy rainfall and severe winds may still occur outside the projected landfall area and forecast confidence cone.

Forecast data show that Basyang will continue moving generally westward over the next 36 hours before shifting west-northwestward by Wednesday evening, February 5. The weather disturbance is expected to make its initial landfall over eastern Mindanao between Thursday evening and early Friday morning.

The Caraga Observer

20/03/2026

16/03/2026

08/03/2026

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

05/02/2026

05/02/2026

04/02/2026

04/02/2026

04/02/2026

04/02/2026

04/02/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share