|
Doc bares no
additional A(H1N1) case in Samar has been reported
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE July
4, 2009
CATBALOGAN, Samar – Provincial Health Officer Dr. Dulce Cernal bared
that Samar has not picked up any new A(H1N1) case.
She added that the
confirmed cases of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and his son have
been, so far the only recorded confirmed cases. The two have fully
recovered and that the son has now returned to school, the health
officer stressed.
Reports that also
reached her, but has proven negative was a foreigner and his Filipina
wife who checked in a hotel in Catbalogan.
As the husband
foreigner had fever, the wife decided for them to seek medical
attention in Tacloban City. The case though proved negative.
Cernal said that the
public should boost their immune system to repulse the virus. She
added that the like other viral infection, it destroys our immune
system but because it is mild, it can go away after sometime, she just
advised the public to give heed to the health advisories periodically
aired and printed in the newspapers.
“Hygiene like hand
washing and cough etiquette should be observed,” the lady physician
stressed.
Meanwhile, Health
Secretary Francisco T. Duque III on Friday reported that the
Department of Health (DOH) is further bolstering its mitigation
efforts against Influenza A(H1N1) in light of the anticipated rise of
cases in the country.
On June 30, Duque
convened another DOH Command Conference attended by members of the A
(H1N1) Task Force, the DOH regional health directors, the chiefs of
hospitals of all the 72 DOH-retained hospitals in the country, and
some representatives from the private sector.
“As we anticipate more
cases in the coming months, we must institute effective mitigation
measures to save lives and prevent deaths and to reduce the impact of
the pandemic to our nation and the economy,” Duque said.
With the shift toward
the mitigation strategy, the DOH is ensuring that all government
hospitals, both at the national and local government levels have the
capacity to administer care to high-risk patients where the severe
manifestations of the A (H1N1) virus are frequently seen. This is in
accordance with the directives of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
last week to prepare well-equipped isolation wards in all state-run
hospitals throughout the country.
High risk patients
include patients with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma,
diabetes, cardiovascular disease, immunosuppression, HIV/AIDs, TB,
pregnant women and the very young and the elderly.
Duque also called for
a meeting with the member agencies of the National Disaster
Coordinating Council (NDCC) to engage them, particularly the DILG, in
strengthening the involvement of local government units in the A(H1N1)
response. This is to make sure that local governments have
surveillance, monitoring and response systems in place and that
hospitals and primary health care facilities under their jurisdiction
are able to identify, treat and manage A(H1N1) cases.
“We have also
requested the NDCC member agencies, especially DepEd, CHED and TESDA
and PIA to help us in our nationwide campaign against A(H1N1). This
is to make sure that our information and education activities reach
all schools, barangays and provinces in the country,” Duque added.
Come next week, DOH is
also set to meet with the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and
hospital groups like the Philippine Hospital Association (PHA) and the
Philippine Hospital Infection Control Society (PHICS) to engage all
hospitals and healthcare providers in the appropriate treatment and
management of A (H1N1) patients according to the set interim
guidelines of the DOH.
Meanwhile, Duque
announced that 1,709 confirmed A(H1N1) cases have been reported to the
DOH from the 1st week of May up to June 27, 2009. Eighty-six percent
(86%) or 1,485 of these cases have already recovered, while the
remaining 224 (14%) are still under treatment at present, most of them
under home management.
“All cases exhibited
mild symptoms with the most common as fever (86%), cough (81%), and
nasal congestion (49%),” Duque said, noting however, that there was
one reported death.
“The ages of cases
range from 5 months to 79 years old, with 18 years old as median age.
Most of them belonged to the 10-19 years age group (831 or 49%).
Majority of the cases were male (894 or 52%),” Duque described.
P90 Million for
development of Maasin City Airport due for implementation, says Rep.
Mercado
By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern
Leyte)
July 4, 2009
MAASIN CITY, Southern
Leyte – The sum of P40 Million has been included in the 2009
budget of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)
for the extension of the runway of this city’s airport at barangay
Panan-awan, according to Rep. Roger Mercado.
In addition, Cong.
Mercado reported that he had requested the amount of P50 Million for
the construction of the airport terminal building, in which P10
Million was already released.
This was revealed by
the Southern Leyteño solon in an informal chat with local mediamen at
his District Office at barangay Abgao here Thursday morning.
He said he had worked
to source funds to extend the runway and have it listed in the DOTC’s
2008 budget, but DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza told him there was no
more appropriation for that year.
The DOTC Secretary,
however, assured him to program the airport runway extension project
for the 2009 allocation, including an initial release for the terminal
building.
During the Provincial
Development Council (PDC) meeting last month, Gov. Damian Mercado
informed that Sea-Air, a private airliner, had inspected the airport
and requested for an additional 300-400 meters of runway.
Gov. Mercado said
funding for such an expansion had been secured, the project already
bided, coupled with an initial release for work on the terminal
building.
He said he was
confident within the year or next year, Sea-Air will open its route
for a commercial flight at Maasin airport.
Cong. Mercado echoed
the confidence expressed by his younger brother.
Defense Secretary
graces inauguration of newly completed South Leyte legislative building
By ERNA SY GORNE (PIA Southern
Leyte)
July 4, 2009
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte – Among the highlights of the six-days 49th Founding
Anniversary of the province of Southern Leyte, where no less than
Defense Secretary Gilbert C. Teodoro, Jr graced the inauguration of
the newly completed legislative building located right beside the
provincial capitol building.
The newly completed
legislative building amounted to P19.234 Million.
Secretary Teodoro said
he remembered that foremost rationale of his trips to the province
three years ago was to address to the needs of Guinsaugon landslide
victims but now he is a witness to the visible signs of improvement in
the province.
He also noted that the
construction of the legislative building is in a way a public
investment in infrastructure for the future.
Early this year, the
National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) thru the able leadership
of National Secretary Teodoro turned-over to the province the
re-channeling of Subangdaku River project of Sogod in the amount of
P100 Million.
During the
inauguration ceremony, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan awarded to
Secretary Teodoro a resolution proclaiming him as Adopted Son of the
province of Southern Leyte.
Meanwhile, Provincial
Vice-Governor Miguel Maamo said that the legislative building is a
long awaited dream come true. He also acknowledged the speedy support
of Provincial Governor Damian G. Mercado that led to the realization
of acquiring their own building.
Another Sangguniang
Panlalawigan resolution was also awarded to Hon. Congressman Roger G.
Mercado for their heartfelt appreciation of his financial assistance
in the amount of P4 Million in the construction of the legislative
building.
39 confirmed cases of
A(H1N1) in Region 8, now fully recovered, DOH says
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July
2, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY
– The Department of Health underscored that the confirmed 39 cases of
A(H1N1) are now fully recovered.
The Department of
Health said that 35 of the confirmed cases are from the quarantined
school where the first positive case came from, two are from
Samar and another two are from
Eastern Samar.
Of the 42 students
from the quarantined school who underwent throat swab test,
thirty-five were confirmed positive and have been declared to be fully
treated.
It would be recalled
that 68 students from the Philippine Science High School in Eastern
Visayas were quarantined after one student was tested positive. All of
these students have been sent home already with special advisory for
their parents to know precautionary measures of the disease.
The Department of
Health said that it is still on the case containment level and that
the most important thing is for the people to know how to prevent the
disease.
As of this writing,
the Department of Health said that there are about six cases under
observation at the EVRMC.
The Tacloban City
Health Office informed that it is still monitoring the 163 students
who were sent home after their school temporarily closed because of
the first positive case.
Of the 163, about 24
have already undergone throat swab test and the results of the same
are still being awaited.
The Department of
Health maintains its pronouncement that there is no need for the
people of Region 8 to panic because those affected with A(H1N1) here
are described as mild cases.
However, the people
must heed the advisory of the Department of Health, in order to insure
that the A(H1N1) will not reach the community level contamination.
Eastern Samar holds
Bikathon against global warming
By MARICHU B. BUSA July
2, 2009
BORONGAN, Eastern
Samar – In our Provincial Government’s efforts to minimize if not
fight the harsh effects of global warming, particularly climate
change, Gov. Ben P. Evardone joined forces with the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources in raising awareness to the causes
and effects of global warming by way of activities that could open up
the minds of our people in the likely consequence of this weather
phenomenon.
|

Participants
of the first 8 km Fun Bike organized by the Provincial Government
in coordination with DENR for the Environment Month Celebration
poses for a souvenir photo with the Governor in front of the
Provincial Capitol. (Photo by Bryan M. Azura) |
The Office of the
Governor, in cooperation with DENR, came up with three fun and
informative activities in celebration of the Environment Month whose
theme this year, centers on ways of better combating climate change.
The 8 km Fun Bike
served as the kick-off activity for this whole-day affair, whose
second and third part was held at the
PGO Conference Hall of the
Provincial Capitol
Building. The bikathon started at around 4:30 am in front of the
Administration building of the ESSU Main Campus and was participated
by various biking enthusiasts and environmentalists like the Borongan
Bay Bikers Association headed by Engr. Sixto Limbauan, Jr.
Members of other
interest groups such as Surfers, Mountaineers and other organizations
also were in attendance. Atty. Eduardo Ang, Atty. Rio Afable and Atty.
Lionel Titong of the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines,
Eastern Samar Chapter also partook in the said activity.
This, in support of
our government’s aim to empower our people with sufficient knowledge
to better combat and overcome the adverse effects of climate change to
our natural environment and more importantly to the well-being of the
constituents of our Province.
As he delivered his
inspirational message, the Governor expressed his gratitude to all
those who eagerly participated. He especially praised the Borongan Bay
Bikers Association whose members and officers came and joined the
event despite the short-notice. He further encouraged its officers
along with its members and everyone present to continuously hold such
affair, if not monthly, at least make it a quarterly activity which
would involve the bikers for our environment. In return, the Governor
pledges to provide logistical support, materials and sustenance to the
would-be participants. “Then maybe after such undertakings, we could
perform other symbolic gestures in celebration of the month for our
environment.”
He also applauded
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for painstakingly
coordinating with the Provincial Government in ensuring the success of
today’s activities. “I need not over-emphasize the fact that we need
to love and embrace our planet Earth and we need to protect our
environment,” he concluded.
Leyte Pintados
Kasadyaan tradition to go on, gov says
By
Provincial
Media Relations Center July 2, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte
Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla said the province is all the more
determined to continue in the coming years what has already become a
tradition that is the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals.
This was disclosed by
the governor as the 23rd Pintados Festival and the 14th Kasadyaan
Festival of Festivals successfully concluded Saturday at the Leyte
Sports Development Center.
|

Residents
who claimed to be from Anibong, Tacloban City held a rally and
went the same route as that of the Pintados Kasadyaan parade
disrupting the otherwise continuous merry dancing in honor of Sr.
Sto. Niño. (PMRC) |
The governor stated
this determination after this year’s festival street parade was marred
by some minor incidents that forced the parade and its contingents to
traverse a different course from its yearly traditional route and this
even in the middle of a temporary restraining order issued by the
court two days before the slated street dancing by the joined
Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival.
In similar events they
hope to stage the next time, the governor said the province can only
“expect the worst and hope for the best.’
“This festival has
already become a breeding ground of festival champions with our
contingents winning big in major national festival competitions so I
do not see any reason why we should end this,” Gov. Petilla said
during the grand festival presentation at the Leyte Grandstand.
He added that with the
thousands who trooped to the Leyte Sports Development Center Saturday
and packed the bleachers to the brim some hours before the grand
presentation only shows that this event “has already been ingrained in
the hearts of the people who would yearly look forward to this
cultural affair.”
“An ira
siguro pagsamok gud la hini. Buwaon na ako yana kon masiring nga adto
nga mga lakat diri adto mga panamok. Ha kada aksiyon namimiling gud
ako hin maupay nga rason kon kay-ano nasusugad hito pero adto, waray
na gud ako nabibilngan nga rason kondi panamok la adto,” Gov. Petilla
said.
The governor was
referring to the supposedly rally against water supply in the city and
pedicab-race held the same route and the same time the
Pintados-Kasadyaan parade was going on.
“In the end bisan ano
nga panamok it’s the people who decide. Hira man gihapon namalhin hin
puesto para la makit-an an parade. It aton biling man gud la hini
karisyuhan, ngan it nabenepisyo hini it tawo man la liwat,” the
governor said.
The Pintados-Kasadyaan
Festival of Festivals was held Saturday cloaked with a temporary
restraining order issued two days before the event after the city
refused to issue the organizers a special permit.
With the rally and
pedicab-race incident that marred Saturday’s street dancing, the
governor said, is a development that the legal experts can look into
if it would hold further merit in the organizers’ case for Certiorari
and Mandamus with Prayer for Issuance of Preliminary Mandatory
Injunction filed before the Regional Trial Court here.
The case was scheduled
for raffle among the different branches of this Court Monday,
June 29, 2009,
the same day Tacloban City is having its Vespers Day for its fiesta
celebration.
Pia leads summit for
barangay health workers, declares war on 'fake medicines'
By Office of Sen. Pia Cayetano
July
1, 2009
PASAY CITY,
Philippines – As part of her advocacy to empower the country’s
community health workers, Senator Pia S. Cayetano led on Monday the
very first Pinay In Action Health and Wellness Summit for some 400
Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) from four towns in the province of
Pampanga.
|

Senator
Pia S. Cayetano and Pampanga Mayors Jerry Pelayo of Candaba
(right) and Rodrigo "Digos" Canlas of San Simon (left) lead more
than 400 barangay health workers (BHWs) from four municipalities
at the very first Pinay In Action BHWs Health and Wellness Summit
at the Earth Park in Candaba. |
The day-long event
held at the Earth Park in Candaba town is jointly organized by
Cayetano and the “Samahan Laban sa Pekeng Gamot” (SLPG), a multi-sectoral
coalition which seeks to raise public awareness on the proliferation
and danger of counterfeit medicines.
Local chief executives
also helped organize the summit led by Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo,
along with Mayors Rodrigo "Digos" Canlas, Luis Espino, Rommel
Concepcion and of the municipalities of San Simon, Arayat and Sta.
Ana, respectively.
One of the event’s
main thrusts is to educate BHWs on the dangers of counterfeit
medicines and how to identify and report possible fake drugs.
“This is our way of
educating and enhancing the skills of our BHWs, who are considered the
frontliners in the delivery of basic health services to the community.
Through this summit, we get to share with them crucial information on
emerging health issues, such as the dangers of counterfeit drugs and
what they can do to stop its proliferation,” said Cayetano, one of the
authors of the landmark Cheaper Medicines Act (Republic Act 9502) and
the soon to be signed law strengthening the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD).
She said a counterfeit
drug contains incorrect ingredients or insufficient amounts of active
ingredients resulting in the reduction of its safety, efficacy or
purity. It may also refer to a medicinal product which is deliberately
and fraudulently mislabeled with respect to its identity and source.
She added that the
manufacturing, distribution and selling of counterfeit medicines is a
crime punishable under Republic Act 8203, or The Special Law on
Counterfeit Drugs. Concerned citizens can report any information on
counterfeit medicines through the SLPG’s website www.fakemed.ph or to
1-800-10-FAKEMED (3253-633), toll free from anywhere in the country.
The summit also held
seminars on cervical cancer awareness; nutrition, health and wellness;
and the role of BHWs amid the A(H1N1) crisis.
Tanauan’s Pasaka
Festival wins in the Leyte Pintados Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals
2009
By
Provincial
Media Relations Center June 30, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY – Tanauan’s
Pasaka Festival won this year’s 14th Kasadyaan Festival and earned the
spot to represent the province in national festival competitions in
the coming months while Eastern Visayas State University bagged the
crown in 23rd Pintados Festival as thousands jampacked the Leyte
Sports Development Center on Saturday to witness the joined Leyte
Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals.
|

This
year’s Leyte Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals first runner
up Karatong Festival of Dulag, Leyte earned a total of P400,000 in
cash prizes. (PMRC photo) |
Winning a whopping
half a million pesos for taking the top plum, the Pasaka Festival was
already a crowd favorite during the more than two hours street dancing
held around the city, and disappointed Dulag’s Karatong Festival as
the latter was gunning to take the crown in this year’s Kasadyaan
after winning 5th place in two major national festival competitions
just some months back.
Tanauan Mayor Roque
Tiu said he was surprised by the energy and enthusiasm displayed by
their contingent but disclosed Pasaka Festival has been aiming to take
the top spot for several years now and earn the opportunity to compete
in other festival competition such as the Sinulog in Cebu City and the
Aliwan Fiesta in Manila.
“I am very, very happy
our contingent won this year because this is one way that we can gain
entry to other national festival competitions particularly for the
Aliwan Fiesta where contigents can join only per invitation and have
to win first in major festivals such as the Kasadyaan,” Mayor Tiu
said.
Represented by
students from the Tanauan National High School, Pasaka Festival
performed a colorful ritual honoring the patron Sr. Sto. Niño for the
bountiful catches from the sea. One of Tanauan’s main livelihood is
sourced from the sea as it lies facing the marine-life rich
Pacific Ocean.
Dulag’s Karatong
Festival settled as first runner up for the second time now. It was
also a runner-up in last year’s Kasadyaan to the newly-elevated Hall
of Fame Buyogan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte.
It earned P300,000 for
taking the second spot and would still join in upcoming national
festival competition such as the Sinulog Festival in
Cebu next year. However, it would not be able to represent the
province in the Aliwan Fiesta next year as the two spots given by
Manila Broadcasting Company, Aliwan’s organizers, are already given to
Buyogan Festival as Aliwan’s defending champion, and to Pasaka
Festival as this year’s Leyte Kasadyaan Festival grand champion.
Karatong Festival was
also judged as the Best in Dance Parade and was awarded with another
P100,000 cash prize. Both prizes were received by Dulag Mayor Manuel
Sia Que.
Meanwhile, getting the
third spot was Bato’s Bato-Balani Festival which was one of the most
applauded performance this year. Settling for fifth place last year,
Bato’s colorful portrayal of paying homage to their patron as well as
their gigantic and vibrant props earned them a spot two notch higher
than they captured last year.
Bato Mayor Luis Kuizon
was on hand to receive the prize of P100,000 and said he is happy with
this year’s success of their Bato-Balani contingent in the
Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals. The Bato Balani contigent
was also judged as the Best in Festival Music which earned them
another P100,000.
After being elevated
to the Hall of Fame, Abuyog’s Buyogan Festival joined this year only
as guest contingent and was awarded P100,000 by the Department of
Tourism in the region for winning various national festival
contingents, bringing honor and pride to the province and the region.
Buyogan is set to
perform in Singapore in the coming months as disclosed by Abuyog Mayor
Octavio Traya.
On the other hand, in
the Pintados-based category, Eastern Visayas State University bested
eight other contingents and won P50,000. Placing second was the
contingent SPAS of Sto. Niño, Tanauan, Leyte and placing third was
Leyte Normal University. They received cash prizes of P30,000 and
P20,000 respectively courtesy of the Pintados Foundation, Inc.
Meanwhile, in the
Merrymakers category, Colegio de La Salle won the first place,
followed by ACLC and Tacloban Institute of Electronics. They each
received cash prizes of P10,000; P7,000 and P3,000 respectively.
|

Tanauan's
Pasaka Festival captured this year's 14th Kasadyaan Festival of
Festivals held at the Leyte Sports Development Center in
Tacloban City. Pasaka earned a spot to represent the province
and their town in major national festival competition such as
the Sinulog in Cebu and the Aliwan Fiesta in Manila. The Tanauan
contigent earned a whopping half a million pesos for taking the
top spot. Officials of the Manila Broadcasting Company,
organizers of the Aliwan Fiesta, were also on hand to personally
extend their invitation to the winning contingents.
(PMRC photo) |
Feria claims one life
in Catbalogan, Samar
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA
Samar)
June 30, 2009
CATBALOGAN, Samar – While the family of Ronald and Marlon Canamor
rejoices over the return of their next of kin, the family of Lolo
Patricio Jaromay grieves over the life of their 77 year old
father/grandfather in New Mahayag, Catbalogan.
|

A
resident of Sitio Sto Niño, Catbalogan gathering their soiled
belongings after their house was devastated by typhoon FERIA on
Tuesday with a sudden rise of floodwater to about 10 feet deep. |
The brothers Canamor
from Libucan Isle were rescued by FB Sto Niño which was cruising past
the boys to seek refuge from the turbulent seas when they spotted the
two whose fishing boat Amihan had already capsized.
Meanwhile, according
to Catbalogan Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO) Nida
Arosa, the 77 year old grandfather had his neck broken by a tree
branch as Feria raged on breaking tree branches and twigs.
As of press time,
Arosa said it was the only casualty her office has recorded.
Reports that reach
Catbalogan were flash floods in Sitio Sto Niño, San Andres killing
livestock, damaging houses, furniture and appliances.
The rampaging waters
also brought with it tons of debris and mud that extremely soiled the
belongings of residents in the low lying areas.
On June 24, the MSWDO
distributed emergency family food packs to residents victimized by
Feria. Some 393 families availed of a pack consisting of noodles, 3
kilos rice and 4 canned goods.
The provincial
government through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development
Office (PSWDO) as instructed by Governor Mila Tan also distributed
some two thousand pieces of family food packs.
Arosa said that
damages to crops have also been reported in the uphill barangays and
she is worried that for the next few months hunger will grip the poor
farmers uphill in San Andres, New Mahayag and San Vicente.
There were also
reports of destruction of fish pens and mussel farms in nearby Jiabong
town.
Arosa said that they
are still collating reports and could not ascertain as of this time
the estimated damage to crops and other properties.
Military in Region 8
seizes biggest NPA lair in the area
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June
30, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY – Unwavering in its mission to clear the island of Leyte from
insurgency, the 19th Infantry Battalion of the 8th Infantry Division
of the Philippine Army, launched two weeks ago, a major combat
operations against the CPP-NPA-NDF remnants that operates in the 2nd
and 5th districts of Leyte.
The ongoing operations
has resulted to three initial encounters and has led to the successful
seizure of six enemy encampments that include two of the biggest NPA
camps which were overran on June 18 and June 20, 2009.
First Lieutenant Noli
Lago, Information Officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion, informed
that the NPA camps were seized by the military after the NPA members
hastily run for their lives leaving behind valuable equipments and
documents at the thickly forested mountains in So. Maibga, Barangay
Cagbana in the municipality of Burauen in the province of Leyte.
The said enemy camps
have makeshift tents and bunkers that can accommodate more or less one
hundred NPA occupants, the report stated.
The operating troops
lef by 2Lt. Cristopher Badong and 2Lt. Jonathan Ramirez recovered two
generator sets and generator rack; five pieces computer hard disk
drives; three units of handheld radios; two units computer printer;
559 rounds live ammunition for caliber M14; 29 rounds of live
ammunitions for caliber 30 garrand rifle; 51 pieces assorted CDs and
DVDs; two liters of engine oil; and nine sacks of communist terrorist
documents that include one NDF and one NPA flags.
The military
operatives disclosed that the successful operations and discovery of
the NPA camps was made possible through the support and cooperation of
the people in the locality, particularly the barangay chairman and the
other barangay officials of Barangay Cagbana in Buraue, who were
instrumental in pinpointing the exact location of the camps.
Lt. Colonel Roberto S.
Capulong, commanding officer of the 19th IB, reiterated that the
military is committed to eliminate the remnants of the North Leyte
Front of the EVRPC to make the island of Leyte insurgency free.
“The problem of
insurgency can not be resolved by the Army alone. This is the reason
why we’re asking for the cooperation of the people especially the LGU/LGA
in order to solve this problem,” the commanding officer said.
Lt. Colonel Capulong
also called the attention of the active NPAs to lay down their
firearms and return to the folds of the law.
“The government has
laid down various programs to help them live a normal and peaceful
life, the commanding officer concluded.
On the height of Feria’s wrath
Fishing vessel rescues
two-brother fishermen
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA
Samar)
June 29, 2009
CATBALOGAN, Samar – As Typhoon Feria rouses the usually calm
Samar sea, two young fishermen whose outrigger boat has capsized
were rescued by FB Sto Niño.
|

Brothers
Ronald and Marlon Canamor would still want to save what's left of
"Amihan" the ill fated outrigger boat that capsized in Samar sea
on the height of typhoon Feria. (PIA
photo) |
The boat in charge
named Dennis De Lena said they had gone off course because the big
waves in their usual course pushed them to take a longer but safer
path.
Here they spotted the
brothers Ronald and Marlon Canamor, aged 18 and 16 both holding on to
their capsized boat named Amihan.
The brothers said De
Lena narrated that they left Libucan Isle at dawn on June 23, 2009. It
was when they were already out at sea when the rough waters started
tossing Amihan that they realized there was a storm. The constant
tossing eventually damaged Amihan’s hull and turned it over.
The brothers clung to
the boat as they prayed for a miracle.
The prayer was
answered in two hours when the big waves sent FB Sto Niño to the two
desperate youngsters.
De Lena admitted it
was risky saving the two as it delayed them and exposed them to more
danger, but as a retired soldier, whose mission is to save lives, his
noble duty prevailed.
They gave the boys dry
clothes and food to eat.
On Wednesday morning,
July Umbana, brother of the shipping boat owner went to radio station
DYMS to broadcast that they have rescued the Canamor brothers.
Unknown to the boys,
their father Tonying had also left a word with Radyo ng Bayan Calbayog
announcing that they have lost two boys at the height of Typhoon Feria.
Tonying and a cousin,
visibly sunburned, said they sailed to the islands of Daram, Zumarraga
and the islets of Rama and Cagutian (all of Catbalogan) to look for
the two boys.
Just as they were
about to lose hope, a relative heard the public announcement from DYMS.
The reunion of father
and sons took place at three in the afternoon of Wednesday on board FB
Sto Niño.
Tonying was excited to
bring home his sons where their mother was waiting for them but not
after profusely thanking De Lena for the noble deed he extended to his
two young boys. (with report from Edgar Guya).
4 fishermen rescued,
10 missing still in Eastern Samar
By BRYAN M. AZURA June
29, 2009
BORONGAN, Eastern
Samar – Four fishermen were rescued on the shores of Guiuan town,
this province, three days after having been drifted by strong winds
and big waves caused by typhoon Feria.
The Provincial
Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) said that those who were rescued
are Potenciano Amante, Juan Tabas, Totoy Oroyan, Olimipio Darang and
Rogelio Fuentes. The PDCC said that these persons went to sea and go
about in their livelihood on June 22 but were caught in the middle of
big waves and strong winds due to the coming typhoon. The typhoon made
a landfall in
Eastern Samar on the afternoon of June 22.
Feria left the
province with around 700 houses damaged with Can-avid and Taft towns
severely affected. In Can-avid, of the 500 broken houses, 300, mostly
made of light materials, had been totally damaged.
The storm, which
brought about a wind speed of about 80 kilometers per hour for around
6 hours in the northern part of Eastern Samar, left the province with
10 fishermen missing. Those who went missing were from the
municipalities of Borongan, Balangkayan and Guiuan.
Earlier, the governor
ordered all agencies concerned including the Philippine National
Police Provincial Office, Philippine Army and the Local Government
Units (LGUs) along shorelines to make a full blast search and rescue
operations for the 10 missing persons.
PNP Provincial
Director SSupt. Prudencio Dela Cruz said that the rescued fishermen
were found in different locations. Amante, a resident of Campoyong,
Guiuan was found on board a motorboat along the seawater of
Manicani
Bay.
Tabas, Darang and
Oroyan, all residents of Baras also of Guiuan, were rescued from a
pump boat in the Pacific Ocean while Fuentes of Brgy. 6, of the same
town, were rescued along the beach of Brgy. Ngolos, Guiuan.
Governor Evardone said
that while he is happy most of the fishermen who were at sea during
the typhoon were able to go home safely while others were rescued, he
is worried about the fate of the other 10 who are still missing as of
press time. Those who failed to return home who were at sea during the
typhoon are Angelo Angelio, Manuel Badenas, Dionesio Badenas, Serafin
Ramboy, Landoy Lacaba and Ernesto, all of Brgy. Casuguran, Guiuan.
Also in the list of
missing fishermen are Manuel Gesite and Jeffrey Contado, residents of
Balangkayan. Demy Lariestan of Borongan also is yet to be found.
Governor Ben P.
Evardone provided logistical assistance to the family of Lariestan
after his relatives volunteered to join the search and rescue
operations.
Governor Evardone said
that while he is happy most of the fishermen who were at sea during
the typhoon were able to go home safely while others were rescued, he
is worried about the fate of the other 10 who are still missing as of
press time.
The governor already
ordered all concerned agencies to make intensive search and rescue
operations of the missing persons. The governor also called on the
Local Government Units (LGUs) to report right away should they rescue
or found a body in their localities.
LIDEF spearheads
another Surgical Mission in Southern Leyte
By ERNA S. GORNE (PIA Southern
Leyte)
June 28, 2009
MAASIN CITY, Southern
Leyte – For the third time, the Limasawa Economic Develoment
Foundation (LIDEF) will spearhead another surgical mission for the
people from all walks of life come July 13-17, 2009 at the Salvacion
Oppus Yniguez Memorial Provincial Hospital (SOYMPH), this was revealed
by Luz Mercado, one of the members of LIDEF Board of Directors.
It was learned during
a meeting called by LIDEF together with the SOYMPH medical staff with
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Joselito Trumata and the provincial
government representative Executive Assistant Esledo Hernandez.
The surgical team
coming from Manila is headed by Sister Eva Maamo and the Our Lady of
Peace Foundation, where at least thirty doctors, nurses and medical
staff were expected to join in the mission.
While Dr. Trumata also
pledged additional surgeon manpower coming from the Eastern Visayas
Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City to augment the surgical team.
Mercado urged all
those who needs surgical operations such as hernia, goiter, cataract,
cyst, cleft, terridium, myoma, among others, to avail of the free
operations and medicines, as well.
She further advised
those who wish to take advantage of the free operations to first
submit themselves to their respective Municipal Health Officers for
the initial screening. However, a surgeon will conduct another
screening at the provincial hospital for those recommended from the
municipal health offices.
To ensure success,
the LIDEF closely coordinated with Office of the Congressional
District thru Congressman Roger Mercado and the provincial government
with Provincial Governor Damian Mercado.
PCSO marks 75th
Anniversary thru “Charity/Lotto Caravan” in Tacloban, Catbalogan
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June
27, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY – As
part of its Diamond Anniversary celebration this year 2009, the
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office scheduled to conduct a
“Charity/Lotto Caravan” in Tacloban City and Catbalogan City this
month, Ms. Zenaida Delantar, chief Lottery Operations Manager of the
PCSO Tacloban District Office, informed.
Ms. Delantar said that
the Caravan will be attended by PCSO General Manager Rosario Uriarte
and other PCSO officials from
Manila.
A two-day activity in
each designated area has been allotted by the PCSO. For Tacloban City,
the Caravan will start on June 27 with Press Conference and Briefing
of “Kaibigan ng PCSO” at the Leyte Park Conference Hall.
On June 28, a
Motorcade will be conducted along the city’s major thoroughfares. This
will be followed by a Grand Medical Mission at the Balyuan Convention
Center.
The Caravan will also
be conducted at Catbalogan City on July 1, 2009. A Press Conference
and Briefing on “Kaibigan ng PCSO” will be conducted at the Maqueda
Bay Hotel Function Hall.
On July 2, a Motorcade
along the major streets of Catbalogan and a grand medical mission at
the Provincial Gym will be conducted.
Capping the two-day
activities will be a three-hour concert featuring rock bands and other
talents from Manila, Ms. Delantar disclosed.
“This is our way of
thanking the public for their continued support to the institution’s
programs and projects,” Ms. Delantar said.
Kaibigan ng PCSO is a
program that will be pursued through the leadership of the Philippine
Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to systematize and rationalize the
sourcing of volunteer individuals and organizations in partnership
with the private sector to advance the charity agency’s health
mandate.
By establishing
sustainable networks and linkages that will continuously recruit
medical and health volunteers as well as generate additional
resources, the program will be able to expand the reach of PCSO
services that immediately address health concerns of needy Filipinos.
The program envisions
that through this mode of intervention on a nationwide scale the
corporate responsibility ethic of private corporations and companies
will be enhanced, particularly with regard to health issues. It
likewise seeks to promote the volunteerism spirit inherent in every
Filipino.
The morning after typhoon Feria…
The mud-dening of
Sitio Sto Niño, Catbalogan
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA
Samar)
June 25, 2009
CATBALOGAN, Samar
– Some 740 families in Sto Niño, Catbalogan are slowly
washing off the mud that soiled their clothings, furniture, appliances
and even wrecked their motorcycles and pedicabs.
|

Soiled
clothings and belongings placed outside was the common sight in sitio Sto Niño as affected households do
cleaning of muds and debris brought by flashfloods inside their houses. The floodwaters had reached to a depth of 10 feet. |
On Wednesday, as PIA
with some media allies surveyed Purok 2, Sto Niño, everything is
maddening with mud.
Lola Luisa Cabuello,
74 said she had to swim to safety as the raging waters slowly barged
into the two-storey house of her daughter.
Cabuello said she has
just gone shopping for P5,000 to replenish goods in her mini store
only to notice that her stock after the storm is now soled with mud.
One crying woman,
admitted that the laundry she carefully washed and ironed due for
delivery the following day were all soaking with mud. She is worried
that her boss, a physician in town will ask her to pay for the damaged
laundry.
Her mother an elderly
woman in her 60’s was also mourning for her lost hog.
The flashflood was
swift but deadly, rampaging through things that come its way, carrying
timber, appliances, pieces of furniture and even motorcycles,
sometimes barging into small houses and incurring severe damages.
Mr. and Mrs. Petronilo
Garte with three kids in tow had to run to a sturdier house in their
neighborhood as the raging waters battered their wooden house with
tons of debris and mud damaging all the properties they have saved for
the last eight years.
PIA spotted dead
turkeys, chicken and even litter awaiting disposal by their grieving
masters.
Estrella Anano,
another grandmother instructed her son to tie the kids together with
them so they won’t be washed away by the floods.
Jun Granados, a
technician at DYMS picked up the soiled books and clothings, the
latter he and wife washed in the now tamed Antiao River some 10 meters
from their two-storey home while a survivor chicken, was still
hovering around with wings thick with mud.
His son whispered the
bird was to be ‘chicken for dinner’.
It will be a while
before the barangay folks of sitio Sto Niño, Brgy. San Andres,
Catbalogan will forget the dreadful mudfloods, but Lola Luisa said
should another flashflood comes along, she will lock her store and
flee to higher grounds not necessarily swimming anymore.
Gov. Evardone orders
search & rescue of 10 missing fishermen due to “Feria”
By BRYAN M. AZURA June
25, 2009
BORONGAN, Eastern
Samar – Governor Ben P. Evardone, PDCC Chairman, already ordered the
Philippine National Police and Local Government Units (LGUs) to make
intensive search and rescue operations of persons who went missing due
typhoon “Feria” that hit the province on Tuesday.
He stressed that the
earlier the search is made, the chance of finding them alive is
higher. The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council of this province
reported two more missing fishermen from the
municipality
of Balangkayan today placing the number of missing persons to 10.
|

Governor
Ben Evardone |
According to Municipal
Mayor Arnold Gesite, the two fishermen, Manuel Gesite and Jeffrey
Contado, both residents of Poblacion, Balangkayan, went fishing on a
motorboat last Monday, June 22 even if weather authorities already
cautioned fisherfolks not to go on with their livelihood as it was
already dangerous due to the looming typhoon.
Wilma Contado, wife of
Jeffrey, said that she was hesitant in letting his husband go as
strong winds have started already that afternoon before they left. “We
were, however, left without option but to let him go because we only
rely on his catch for the needs of our six children,” the wife said in
vernacular.
Joel Cacilos of
Barangay B of Borongan town also went missing since he left for sea
last June 21.
In Guiuan, 7
fishermen, including 3 motoboats, this town, are still nowhere to be
found since Monday also. Those who are still missing are Angelo
Angelio, Manuel Badenas, Dionesio Badenas, Serafin Ramboy, Londoy
Lacaba and Ernesto Bagares, all residents of Brgy. Casuguran, Homonhon
Island. A certain Demy Lariestan, also a fisherman from Brgy. Cagusuan,
Homonhon Island, went missing also.
On the other hand, the
PPDO also reported that 4 fisherfolks had been rescued in Brgy. Culasi,
Guiuan. Those found were Norberto Dasig and Jovito Larina from Silago,
Leyte and Ben Tayum and Buboy Paha from Brgy. Kikilo, Abuyog,
Leyte.
The governor also
reiterated that the fishermen should heed the warnings given by
weather authorities through radio announcements. It is observed that
there are always reported missing persons every time a tropical
depression hits the province.
Govenor Evardone also
said he already coordinated with nearby provinces where the missing
fishermen could possibly have been blown.
Meanwhile, Atty. Byron
Suyot, Governor’s Office Chief-of-Staff, said that the PPDO is
continually assessing the damages done in Can-avid town as a result of
a tornado brought across with the typhoon. Approximately 500 houses
had been partially damaged according to a PDCC report released at 12
noon yesterday.
Buildings and other
physical structures of the elementary school, high school and the
Eastern Samar State University – Can-avid, had been damaged as well.
4 persons had been
reported injured including a tricycle driver who was hit by fallen
tree during the wake of the typhoon while he was on the road. His
vehicle has also been severely damaged.
A bus from Arteche
town bound for Manila has also been reported to have met an accident
in Paranas, Samar. Apparently, Atty Suyot said, the driver could not see the
road anymore due to heave rains and strong winds resulting in the
accident. 1 passenger was killed and 30 more were injured because of
the incident.
Governor Evardone
immediately asked the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office
to make the necessary steps in providing relief packages to towns that
had been severely hit by the storm. He also ordered the Provincial
Health Office to dispatch personnel to barangays where there had been
reported physical injuries.
Biliran PDCC evacuates
residents of coastal barangays to a safer ground
By FLOR JACKSON (PIA Biliran)
June
24, 2009
NAVAL, Biliran – Some 35 affected familes composed of 175 persons living in the
coastal barangay of Sto. Niño in the municipality of Naval were
evacuated early Tuesday afternoon to a safer ground due to Typhoon
Feria by the Biliran Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC)
led by its council Chairman, Governor Rogelio Espina.
This was revealed by
Ms. Flordeliza Trani, Provincial Social Welfare and Development
Officer (PSWDO) to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Biliran
Provincial Information Center in a mobile phone interview Tuesday
night.
Ms. Trani informed
that the combined floodwaters and the rising sea water caused by big
waves has prompted the PDCC together with the barangay officials to
evacuate the affected families to the Sto. Niño Elementary School, the
designated evacuation center in the area as level of water continued
to rise knee-deep.
Relief activities were
conducted by the PDCC jointly with the Provincial Social Welfare and
Development Office (PSWDO).
She added that no less
than Governor Rogelio Espina, led in the distribution of initial
relief goods and assistance to the typhoon victims in Brgy. Sto Niño
consisting of five cans corned beef and five kilos rice.
Furthernore, she said
that Governor Espina made rounds in Brgy. Santo Niño to see for
himself the status of the barangay residents at the height of typhoon
Feria that placed the entire Biliran province under signal no. 2
Tuesday night.
Ms. Trani revealed
that aside from the five cans corned beef and the five kilos rice that
were personally handed by the Governor to the typhoon victims, cooked
rice was likewise given for immediate relief to the hungry stomachs of
the affected persons.
A sack of rice, she
said was left with the captain of Brgy. Sto. Niño for additional need
of some cooked rice for the victims.
Meanwhile, some six
families composed of 35 persons living along the coastal barangay of
Lo-ok in Almeria town in the province were evacuated to a higher
location at the Lo-ok Elementary School, Ms. Trani informed.
Seawaters in this barangay rose to an alarming level due to the big
waves brought about by Typhoon Feria.
In response to the
situation, immediate relief activities were conducted by the Municipal
Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of the said municipality
to help the typhoon victims.
As of reporting time,
Ms. Trani indicated that a team was dispatched by the provincial
government of Biliran through Gov. Espina to go around the province to
make an assessment of the typhoon damage particularly on agriculture,
infrastructure and other areas.
Differently-able group
receives livelihood aid from Gov. Evardone, DILP
By BRYAN M. AZURA June
24, 2009
BORONGAN, Eastern
Samar – Governor Ben P. Evardone with Engr. Alexis Abellar,
officer-in-charge of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
Provincial Office, turned-over a financial assistance to a group of
differently-abled persons at the conference room of the governor,
provincial capitol, this province.
|

Eastern
Samar Gov. Ben P. Evardone is assisted by DILG Prov’l Officer
Alexie Abellar in turning over the certificate of donation
amounting to P164,400 to Association of Persons with Disabilities
of Borongan President Edmund Balan and its members. |
The Association of
Persons with Disabilities of Borongan (PWD) received P164,400 in aid
for the establishment of a mini-canteen snack bar, the association’s
primary project. Edmund Balan, president of the PWD, personally
accepted the assistance from the governor which is a part of the DOLE
Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).
Balan, a polio victim
and has since used crutches in walking, said that the amount will
greatly improve the living condition of the PWDs particularly here in
Borongan. The association of PWDs in Borongan is composed of
individuals with hearing, seeing and walking impairments. “Just
because some parts of our body are disabled do not mean that we cannot
do anything anymore,” Balan contend.
The amount will be
used to procure the equipment and materials for the food bar the
association will establish.
Governor Evardone said
that the amount they are going to receive is actually very minimal
considering that DOLE through the DILP is granting huge funds for
projects being undertaken by differently-abled people. “I would like
to encourage the association to come up with more projects for DILP
funding,” Evardone said.
The provincial chief
emphasized that there are physically impaired persons who have been
trained in various skills which could be translated into money-making
activities. “Some have been trained as masseurs which are becoming
fast income-earners in Metro Manila and in Cebu,” the governor said.
Evardone added that he
is willing to commit a space at the provincial capitol if only to
provide more livelihood opportunities for the PWDs. In addition, the
governor said that he will tap the expertise of Provincial Planner
Henry Afable to assist in the development of program of works for the
association to get further funding support from DILP.
Abellar expressed
appreciation meanwhile to the governor for being pro-active especially
in pro-poor programs. “The good governor had been very instrumental in
realization of this turn-over of assistance as he himself lobbied for
this from the President as this is a part of the employment and
livelihood program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” he said
referring to Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program
(CLEEP).
To recall with the
governor also turned over some more than P200,000 to the towns of Oras
and Maydolong under the CLEEP program. The amount will be used to pay
the wages of workers who will be assigned with various workloads the
local chief executive will determine.
Region 8 has five mild
positive cases of A(H1N1), DOH says
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June
22, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY –
There are already five confirmed A(H1N1) positive cases in Region 8
but there is really no reason to panic because the Department of
Health is in control of the situation, Department of Health Region 8
Director Edgardo Gonzaga said.
|

Director Edgardo Gonzaga |
Director Gonzaga also
disclosed that there are four cases under observation at the EVRMC.
One of the first two
confirmed H1N1 flu cases in Eastern Visayas is a third year student
from the Philippine Science High School (PSHS).
The other positive
case is a seaman from Catbalogan who just arrived from Singapore. His
three children were tested and his 8 year old son was confirmed to be
positive too.
The other two positive
cases are from V&G Subdivision who are also schoolmates of the first
patient.
Earlier, the
Department of Health in Region 8 has announced that there is no reason
for the public to panic. The cases of A(H1N1) in the region are mild
cases similar to the common flu.
What is important is
that if one develops the symptoms, this must be reported to the Health
officials for proper disposition, medication and treatment, Director
Gonzaga said.
Director Gonzaga
reiterated his call for the reorganization and reactivation of the
barangay health emergency response teams in all the barangays of the
Region in order to help prevent community-level outbreak. The BHERTs
will help in the monitoring and reporting of cases, Director Gonzaga
added.
In fact, on Sunday,
Director Gonzaga and his staff were at V&G subdivision to organize the
BHERT of the barangays there.
Meanwhile, Director
Gonzaga said that the DOH in Region 8 has been monitoring closely 42
students of the PSHS in Eastern Visayas in Palo, Leyte, after they
were found to have fever on Tuesday.
Ten of the 42 placed
under observation were classmates of the infected student. All the 42
students have been quarantined at the PSHS dormitory where they were
tested, given medicine and were made to wear masks. The result of the
test is not known yet, Director Gonzaga said.
The PSHS has suspended
its classes for 10 days after the student tested positive for the
virus.
Meanwhile, all
public and private schools in the Region are orienting their students
on proper cough sanitation and proper way of washing their hands.
Several public schools have required the children to bring soap,
handtowels and alcohol.
DOH: Spread the
information, not the virus
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA
Samar)
June 22, 2009
CATBALOGAN, Samar –
The Department of Health through Dr. Antonio Tirazona urges all
Samarnons to spread the health information and not the virus.
The physician was
reacting to the scores of Catbaloganons who have become panicky
because of a confirmed case in Samar’s capital town.
In an exclusive
interview with Tirazona at his office last week, he reiterated that
the virus is not as dangerous as dengue.
Once again, the doctor
reminds the public to observe coughing etiquette as the virus is
transmitted through droplets from those already positive.
DOH said that infected
persons are referred as: Case Under Observation (CUO).
Tirazona said that
based on DOH guidelines, coughs and sneezes spread diseases and that
respiratory etiquette is basic good health manners.
Cough manners, based
on the guidelines urges people to cover their nose and mouth with
tissue or handkerchief every time they sneeze, cough or blow their
noses.
And if the person
doesn’t have a tissue, they must cover their nose and mouth with hands
or cough into their sleeve.
Another very important
reminder is proper hand washing lasting from 40-60 seconds with soap
and water before touching eyes, nose or mouth and before shaking hands
with other people.
If water is not
available, to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, they are told.
The public is also
cautioned against spitting on the floor, they must do so in a trash
bin or on a small plastic bag.
When using
handkerchief, they must wash it separately from clothing.
Patients who are sick
are also advised to stay home, maintain a safe distance of one meter
from other people when sick and never to share eating utensils,
drinking glasses towels and other personal items.
Meanwhile, Samar
Provincial Hospital Chief Dr. Rodulf Mabulay said that the hospital
has an action plan to react and to respond to the cases that will be
brought to their attention.
As of press time,
City Health Officer Dr Senecia Yong who has also done contact tracing
declared that the confirmed case is now on his way to recovery and
assured the Catbaloganons that the CUO will not be a threat to public
health anymore.
Region 8 welcomes
giant investor in Tacloban
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June
21, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY – While some big enterprises are closing shop in some parts of the
world, Region 8 recently welcomed the opening of Robinsons Place Tacloban, the newest store of the Robinsons Malls which is the second
largest shopping mall and retail operator in the Philippines.
So far the biggest
shopping mall in the Region, Robinsons Place Tacloban is located
within the city’s expaqnding commercial district at Marasbaras
District, about one kilometer away from the airport and four
kilometers away from Tacloban downtown area.
With a floor area of
31,000 square meters for the mall and 5,000 square meters for the BPO
building, where TeleTech Tacloban is soon to open its newest site in
the country, Robinsons Place Tacloban boasts of complete in-store
facilities that include a department store, appliance center, food
court, supermarket, amusement center, and a state-of-the-art
Movieworld Cinema.
Presidential Assistant
for Eastern Visayas Cynthia Nierras said that the opening of the
Robinsons Place Tacloban is a welcome development not only for
Tacloban City but for the province of Leyte and the entire Region 8.
For one, Robinsons
Place Tacloban has generated about a thousand employment opportunities
for the people of Tacloban and Region 8. It also generated investments
as local investors were encouraged to set up their business within the
mall.
The mall will have
great impact to the City of Tacloban
in terms of business taxes that the operator will be paying.
Tacloban City Mayor
Alfred Romualdez was quoted as saying that the opening of the
Robinsons Place in Tacloban is a manifestation of investor confidence
in the city and in the entire Region 8.
Mr. Frederick D. Go,
Robinsons Land president and chief operating officer, during the
opening of the Mall on July 11, disclosed that next year a 100-room
hotel will be built just beside the mall and within the company’s
four-hectare property.
"The mall is just the
first phase of our development. We still have land available around
the mall to expand. The economy is not bad and we believe that the
mall will do very well here in Tacloban," Mr. Go said.
Tabaquero just showing
off, not a single guerrilla front dismantled by the AFP
Press Release By NDF -
Eastern Visayas June 20, 2009
The National
Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas today dismissed Gen. Arthur Tabaquero
as "showing off" to the puppet president Gloria Arroyo in asserting
that the guerrila fronts in the region have been largely dismantled
and that the revolutionary movement will be finished by 2010. "The 8th
Infantry Division chief Gen. Tabaquero was merely trying to impress
Arroyo in a regional media interview, especially because his troops
are reeling from successive offensives by the New People's Army," said
NDF-EV spokesperson Fr. Santiago Salas. "Not a single guerrilla front
has been dismantled by the 8th ID in
Eastern Visayas.
If the NPA is on its last legs, how could it successfully wage almost
a hundred battles in 2008? Let the continuing offensives of the NPA in
2009 speak the truth."
The NDF-EV
spokesperson elaborated that, "The last official report of the Efren
Martires Command cited 93 military engagements by the NPA in 2008.
These offensive and defensive military actions dealt over 90
casualties killed in action on the Arroyo government's side, and less
than 10 killed in action on the NPA's side. The NPA was also able to
seize various firearms and thousands of bullets. The NPA continues to
step up offensives this 2009. For example, in the May 30 raid on the
military detachment in Brgy. Polangi, Catarman, N. Samar, the NPA
seized one M203 rifle, six M16 rifles, and one M14 rifle."
Fr. Salas also said
that Arroyo and her generals want to escalate war through their Oplan
Bantay Laya campaign so that Arroyo could stay on in power. "The
Arroyo regime clearly wants to remain in power beyond 2010 by
manipulating charter change through a Constituent Assembly. But using
the military is really Arroyo's last resort to impose the extension of
her regime on the people. Thus escalating Oplan Bantay Laya is really
meant to support Arroyo's bid, which means continuing political
killings, suppressing the anti-Arroyo movement, and terrorizing the
people with an all-out war."
The NDF-EV
spokesperson concluded that it is the Arroyo regime that should be
ended in 2010. "The people are fed up with the corruption, brutality
and puppetry of the Arroyo regime. Thus the NPA will pursue more
offensives in sympathy with the people's movement to get rid of the
despised regime. The powerful movement of the people against Arroyo
and widespread offensives by the NPA will hound the Arroyo regime out
of power."
Pintados-Kasadyaan
Festival of Festivals promises to be more colorful and festive this
year
By
Provincial
Media Relations Center June 20, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY – The Leyte Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals would continue to show
force this year despite opposition of a similar festival being revived
in the city.
This was disclosed by
PAGCOR Vice-Chairman Remedios “Matin” Petilla, who also chairs the
Kasadyaan Festival Committee during a press conference held on opening
night of the Kasadyaan Festival Park at the RTR Plaza.
According to the
former governor and Leyte representative, initially there are thirteen
to fifteen contingents expected to join this year’s streetdancing and
festival presentation while two famed festival in the country are
expected to join as well as guest contingents.
These two are Leyte’s
very own Buyogan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte and Cebu’s Lumad Basakanon
from the famous Sinulog Festival. Both festivals have been
respectively declared champions in national festival competitions such
as the Sinulog Festival in Cebu every January and the Aliwan Fiesta in
Manila during summer.
Mrs. Petilla said the
Buyogan Festival has already been elevated to the Hall of Fame for
successively winning three major festivals namely: the
Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival 2008, Sinulog Festival 2009 and the Aliwan
Fiesta 2009.
“We would like to give
chance to other contingents coming from other municipalities of the
province and Buyogan have been winning the grand champion several
times now in three different festivals. So, they will come this June
as guest contingent,” Mrs. Petilla said.
Lumad Basakanon, on
the other hand, is a group from Brgy. Basak, San Nicolos, Cebu City.
It was the grand champion in the Free Interpretation Category in the
2007 and 2008 Sinulog Festival but bowed to the Buyogan Festival in
the same category this year.
Lumad Basakanon was
also the Grand Prize Winner in the Aliwan Fiesta in 2006, 2007 and
2008 but bowed to Tribu Kabatok in last year’s newly-revived Sangyaw
Festival in Tacloban City.
Meanwhile, Mrs.
Petilla said the number of contingents who signified to join this year
would want to show the people and all visitors that Leyte’s
municipalities is cohesive and especially now that after 14 years,
Leyte’s festival contingents are making names in the national festival
arena such as Sinulog Fiesta in Cebu and the Aliwan Fiesta in Manila.
On the other hand,
Pintados Foundation Inc. President Eugene Tan the group is sticking
with the Kasadyaan Festival of Leyte province saying the two has
already become a tradition.
“As long as there
would be Kasadyaan, there would always be a Pintados,” Tan said to the
local media.
He likewise disclosed
that as part of the preparation the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival has
already sought a permit from the city for the streetdance parade.
“Since this is all for
the benefit of the Taclobanons, we are hoping that they would grant us
one,” Tan added.
On the same note, Mrs.
Petilla said, they would proceed with the Pintados Kasadyaan
Streedancing on
June 27, 2009 and the stage presentation at the
Leyte Sports
Development Center thereafter.
“What is a festival
without street dancing. It’s unheard of,” she said.
Kasadyaan contingents
would be vying for the half a million prize that would be given to the
grand champion of this year’s Kasadyaan Festival. There would also be
consolation prizes for runners-up and non-winning contingents.
Prizes for the winners
are being shouldered by the provincial government of Leyte.
All out offensive vs.
NPAs ordered
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA
Samar)
June 20, 2009
CATBALOGAN, Samar –
The 8th Infantry Division (8th ID) Philippine Army based in Catbalogan, Samar commanding general MajGen. Arthur Tabaquero ordered
an all out offensive against NPAs.
In a text message
received by PIA-Samar, Col. Armand Rico, Information Officer said that
just on Wednesday at
8:40 AM, June 17,
2009, a platoon of soldiers from the 20th Infantry Battalion led by
1Lt Julius Muyco encountered more or less 15 NPA rebels at the
vicinity of Barangay Duran, Bobon, Northern Samar.
The fire fight, Rico
added lasted for 15 minutes which drove away the rebels east.
In the afternoon of
the same day, at about
2:15 PM, the same troops, while conducting pursuit operations
encountered a bigger group, this time numbering to 50 rebels more or
less five kilometres from the first encounter site.
Another fire fight
ensued for an hour that made the enemies of the state scamper to
different directions.
LtCol. Francis Cabugon,
battalion commander of the 20th IB ordered additional troops as
blocking force against the fleeing rebels.
This resulted to the
recovery of subversive documents of high intelligence value and
personal belongings of the NPAs.
Five government
soldiers were slightly wounded while the army believes that the
enemies suffered heavy casualties judging from the bloodstains on the
encounter sites.
The encounter led to
the marching order of Tabaquero to all field commanders to declare an
all out offensive against the NPAs in
Northern Samar.
Meanwhile, a high
ranking official of the New People’s Army in Abra surrendered to the
Cordillera Police Intelligence Group after a negotiation.
Cordillera Regional
Director Chief Supt. Orlando Pestaño identified the NPA officer as
Corpus Saboy alias Ka Lander who is one of the officers of Kilusang
Laragan Guerilla North East operating in Malibcong, Tineg, Lagangilang
and San Juan in province of Abra.
According to Pestano,
Saboy is in the 11th position in the order of battle of Armed Forces
of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
Saboy surrendered
after a negotiation headed by Abra Governor Eustaquio Bersamin and is
now under debriefing and tactical interrogation of Abra provincial
police. (with report from Bradley de
Leon)
Evardone to jumpstart
800-meter covered walk project of Balangkayan Elem Alumni Association
By BRYAN M. AZURA June
20, 2009
BALANGKAYAN, E. Samar
– Eastern Samar Governor Ben P. Evardone assured the officers and
members of the Balangkayan Central Elementary School Alumni
Association (BESAA) of assistance on the latter’s covered walk project
during the 3rd BESAA grand alumni homecoming recently.
The provincial chief
who was the guest of honor of the said event said that while he may
not be able to come up with sufficient funds before his second term
ends for the 800-meter covered walk which will stretch along the rice
field that separates the town and the school, he will surely make sure
that the project will be started. “Mamoy, kindly ask the municipal
engineer, who is probably a graduate of (BCES) also, to immediately
provide him the program of work,” the governor said to SBM Gesite
during his speech.
|

Gov.
Evardone (right), IBP Prov’l President Lionel Titong and BCES
Alumni Asso. President Arnold Gesite engage in a serious chat
during the 3rd Grand Alumni Homecoming in Balangkayan town.
(BRYAN
M. AZURA) |
Mayor Arnold Gesite,
also the incumbent president of BESAA, said that the project is a
primary concern of the both the association and the school.
“Governor’s assurance is really very timely because going to the school
is always a daily struggle of almost 700 pupils as not all of them are
capable of buying umbrella,” Gesite lamented. The councilor detailed
that during rainy season, children oftentimes arrive in school or in
their homes wet while during dry season, children become restless
because of too much perspiration from the direct heat of the sun.
“The daily exposure of
the children to extreme weather makes them susceptible to illnesses as
well, thus affecting their scholastic performance as well,” councilor
Gesite continued.
Macario Agojayan, BCES
Principal-in-charge, also expressed thanks for the concern of the
governor to the need of the school. “This only shows that Governor
Evardone is really supportive of the education program in the
province,” Agojayan said in an interview.
Meanwhile, the
governor led the oath-taking of the new members of the association who
just graduated last March. The governor encouraged them to continue to
strive hard as they pursue their dreams.
Gilmar Gunda, a newly
installed member, said that the life of the governor is truly an
inspiration to students like them. Gunda will enter high school this
coming June.
Upon arrival, the
governor received a warm welcome from the alumni. The senior citizens
who are also BCES graduates, swarmed in group to greet Governor
Evardone upon entering the covered plaza of the town. Along with
Councilor Gesite who welcomed the provincial chief were Vice Mayor
Nita Alde, SBM Leon Gunda and SBM Alice Abunales. All present
municipal officials were also members of the alumni association.
Apparently the
governor was elated by the cheers and loud claps rendered to him by
the alumni during his stay. Mary Ann Globio of batch 1990 said that
the warm reception was really an obvious manifestation that Governor
Evardone has been missed so much by Balangkayanons emphasizing that
the alumni association basically represents the entire Balangkayan
constituency.
SBM Gesite reiterated
that the governor has always and will continue to get support from the
alumni association. “I hope the governor will frequently visit our
town,” Gesite said.
Hinabangan town dreams
of being the food basket of Eastern Visayas
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA
Samar)
June 19, 2009
CATBALOGAN, Samar – Hinbangan,
Samar a 4th class agricultural municipality some 37 kilometers south
of Samar’s capital town is dreaming to be the food basket of Eastern
Visayas.
This was announced by
Mayor Alejandro ’Alex’ Abarratigue during the town’s 61st founding
anniversary.
When Abarratigue
delivered his state of the municipality address (SOMA), the first item
on his list was that he introduced Hinabangan as an agricultural
municipality where most people depend on farming and fishing as the
source of living.
He added that the type
of soil in his town is suited to vegetables, root crops and fruit
production.
However, lately, a
decline on the food production has been noticed.
He pointed to lack of
quality seeds, lack of fertilizers and the farmers’ adherence to
traditional farming styles as reasons for the decline in agricultural
production.
Then he praised the
Department of Agriculture headed by Leo Cañeda and An Waray Partylist
Representative Florencio ‘Bembem’ Noel for providing high quality
seeds, fertilizers and other farm inputs.
His municipal
agriculturist (MAO), he added also conducted trainings in banana
production and high value crops. The office also suggested putting up
a demonstration farm for farmers to witness how to produce more.
Activation of the
Municipal and Fishery Council (MAF-C) also assisted the MAO in the
delivery of agricultural services to Hinabangan farmers.
He added that someday,
with all these things his administration is doing for agriculture, his
dream of making Hinabangan “Food basket of the region” will be
realized.
The mayor finalized
his mention of agriculture initiatives by saying, “I believe that once
we improve agriculture, we will also improve the living standard of
our constituents.”
Only 4 guerilla fronts
remain in East Visayas, 8th ID chief says
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June
18, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY – “I
am positive that the insurgency problem in Eastern Visayas will be
crushed before the end of the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,”
Major General Arthur Tabaquero, commanding general of the 8th Infantry
Division of the Philippine Army said.
|

MGen.
Arthur Tabaquero |
General Tabaquero made
the statement during the Regional Media Interview with President
Arroyo at Barangay Rebong, Las Navas, Northern Samar on
June 16, 2009.
“Of the eleven active
guerilla fronts in Eastern Visayas, seven were already dismantled,”
General Tabaquero disclosed.
The good General said
that only four active guerilla fronts remain active, two in Northern
Samar and two in Western Samar. Three of these fronts will be
dismantled before the end of 2009, the General said.
This campaign against
insurgency will become a reality especially if the people will
continue to give their support and cooperation and work hand in hand
with the military, with the government, General Tabaquero stressed.
President Arroyo
agreed with General Tabaquero and called on the people to help the
government in its campaign to rid the country of the communist
insurgency problem.
“The fight to
eradicate insurgency is every one’s fight. We all have a duty to
perform and a challenge that must be met,” the President said.
The President, while
citing the remarkable progress attained by the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) in the drive to dismantle the Communist Party of the
Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF),
admitted that more efforts are still needed to resolve the 40-year-old
insurgency problem.
“We have made a lot of
success in our fight against insurgency. However, there are more that
need to be done if we are going to remove this challenge which has
plagued the government for many years,” the President told a regional
media interview here.
Military data as of
May 2009 showed that the membership in the communist terrorist
movement dropped significantly from 7,170 in 2006 to 4,874 in 2009.
The same data
disclosed that from 100 guerrilla fronts in 2006, only 75 remain
active.
It was also noted that
the number of armaments in insurgent hands had been reduced
nationwide: from 6,060 in 2006 to 5,143 in May 2009.
Likewise, the
number of affected barangays had been reduced from 2,121 in 2006 to
1,378 in May 2009, the President said.
DOH: Dengue is more
deadly than AH1N1
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA
Samar)
June 18, 2009
CATBALOGAN, Samar –
Amid the AH1N1 scare that has caused panic in a Catholic school in
Catbalogan, the Department of Health Samar representative Dr. Antonio
Tirazona said that the people should also pay attention to dengue
fever considered to be more deadly than AH1N1.
On Wednesday, in the
forum about dengue attended by school teachers, school nurses
representatives from national government agencies and health
personnel, Tirazona said that fatality in dengue fever is 5% to 10%
while it is only .6% in AH1N1.
Speakers could not
help but compare the two as the discussion progressed.
Leonido Olobia, the
Regional Entomologist urged the teachers to become information
multipliers especially to their students. The young are almost always
the victims of dengue fever.
Olobia also cited that
Catbalogan contributed the second highest number of dengue cases in
2008 second to Tacloban City.
He added that of the
939 cases in 2008; 11 children died.
Olobia also mentioned
that in 2007 there were some 164 dengue cases in Pambujan, Northern,
Samar.
Health authorities
however cited that dengue cases in the region is on the decline. The
good news though should not put our guard down, they stressed.
The public is
encouraged to practice four healthy habits to avoid dengue. One is to
search and destroy all breeding sites (where there is water). Second
is to practice self protection methods, third is to seek early
consultation and fourth which they claim is important is to say no to
indiscriminate fogging.
The health officer
discouraged barangay officials from the latter, he added that it is
important to clean and clear the breeding places more than fogging.
Fogging, he said
does not necessarily wipe out dengue as proven in most cases in Samar
last year. There were still cases recorded even with fogging. Fogging
is advised only during outbreak, Olobia stressed.
DOH takes center stage
as biggest ally of Samar mayor in providing basic social services
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA
Samar)
June 18, 2009
CATBALOGAN, Samar –
The Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office 8 received praises and
accolades from Hinabangan Mayor Alejandro Abarratigue during his first
State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) on
June 15, 2009.
|

Mayor
Alex Abarratigue |
The event also
coincided with the town’s 61st founding anniversary celebration.
Abarratigue recounted
that when he started to serve as Mayor three years ago, Hinabangan had
no doctor. His repeated pleadings for a doctor paid off when a ‘Doctor
to the Barrios’ Dr. Rhee Tecson was sent to Hinabangan to serve as the
Municipal Health Officer.
Tecson in an earlier
interview with PIA claims he is from the city but accepted the post as
he feels challenged with his job as a rural health officer.
Today, the young doc
is one of the mayor’s favourite ally in providing health services that
he devoted two pages of praises for the young physician whom the mayor
mentioned literally hiked and trekked through mountains to reach the
most remote barangays called Cabang and Tabay.
PIA learned that it
takes a half day climb through Samar’s rugged terrain to reach Tabay.
Tecson, the mayor said
initiated blood letting in this town and has established a blood bank
in Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVRMC), the biggest government
hospital in the region.
Another plus which the
mayor thanked DOH was for giving them a Health Manager Ms. Steph
Asence, to this he credited DTTB Coordinator Dr. Genelyn Herrera.
The new Rural Health
Unit, said Mayor Alex, has lab tests very useful to his poor
constituents who do not have to go to Samar’s capital town nor to
Tacloban city for the needed services.
He also mentioned the
sufficient medicines for the disposal of his people with “no color
coding, basta nangangailangan, pinagbibigyan.”
The RHU has also a
resident medical technologist.
Mayor Abarratigue also
thanked the national government for the Nurses Assigned in Rural Areas
(NARS) program as it gave his Hinabangan three young nurses as
committed as the young DTTB Tecson in providing the best service.
As DOH Regional
Director Dr. Ed Gonzaga was present, Abarratigue gave recognition to
the additional Botika ng Barangay allocated by DOH 8 which does not
only provide cheaper medicines but gives additional income to a few
Hinabangnon operators.
To show how much he
values his leading health service providers and the volunteers
assisting the medical personnel, Abarratigue announced that he was
giving additional honorarium to his 100 Barangay Health Workers (BHWs).
Catbalogan on toes as DOH confirms case
of AH1N1
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA
Samar)
June 17, 2009
CATBALOGAN, Samar
– Catbalogan, Samar ’s capital is bracing for a case of AH1N1.
The afflicted person
whose identity was not divulged, is an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW)
who is on vacation and has reportedly come from Singapore.
The patient, said
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Dulce Cernal sought admission at the
EVRMC on June 10 and it is only Tuesday, June 16, 2009 that the result
was known as positive.
The patient remains at
the EVRMC as of presstime.
Parents of students
enrolled at St. Mary’s College of Catbalogan (SMCC) are panicky that the two children of the affected
person may be spreading the flu as they are enrolled at the RVM
sisters institution.
SMCC does not answer
telephone calls and the media was just given a notification dated June
16, that classes in the ‘basic education level’ has been suspended
until Friday,
June 19, 2009.
The advisory talked of
precautionary measures but said, “There is no confirmed case in the
school and no confirmed community level transmission…”
The announcement bore
the name Sr. Rachel Bernardo, RVM.
From fellow media
officers, PIA learned that the wife is also a public school teacher
and that the family has two helpers who sought medical care from the
Samar Provincial Hospital.
Chief of Hospital Dr
Rudolf Mabulay in a phone interview said the hospital is getting ready
with a huge preparation on managing this affliction. The doc though
gave advice to the public about personal hygiene, handwashing and
remaining within a safe distance from those afflicted with flu.
DOH Samar
Representative Dr. Antonio Tirazona confirmed the case through a text
message.
Tirazona added that
the patient’s contacts will be subjected to laboratory tests tomorrow.
DOH also adviced the
Samar Provincial Hospital and the Rural health Unit of Catbalogan to
respond appropriately.
Although the official
announcement from the RVM school says suspension of classes is only
until Friday, Tirazona in his text message said the suspension is for
ten days.
Catbalogan Muncipal
Health Officer Dr. Senesia Yong has been actively tracing the
patients’ contact and doing her share of close surveillance and
monitoring of the contacts.
PGMA inaugurates P143 M Las Navas bridge in Northern
Samar
By NENE A. MANZANARES (PIA Northern
Samar)
June 17, 2009
LAS NAVAS, Northern
Samar – Wearing a powder blue pant suit, President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo beamed and waved to the crowd before unveiling the
project marker of the Las Navas bridge at 11:25 Tuesday morning.
|

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo unveils
the project marker of the new P143.5-million bridge across the
Catubig River linking the municipalities of Catubig and Las Navas.
(Enrico Borja-OPS/NIB Photo) |
Immediately after
arriving from Manila early Tuesday morning, the President went on
board on the presidential chopper which was waiting for her at the
Catarman Airport. Before the site of engagement, the President
changed her mode of transport and went on board a shuttle bus.
She was accompanied by
Northern Samar Governor Raul A. Daza, his son Congressman Paul Daza of
the First District, Congressman Emil Ong of the Second District, DPWH
Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapuz, DOTC
Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, DENR
Secretary Angelo Reyes, GSIS General Manager and other officials of
Eastern Visayas. While in route to the area of engagement, the
President was “escorted” by the five choppers which hovered the
Northern Samar skies until the shuttle finally arrived at the site.
After the brief
inaugural rites, the President went back to the shuttle bus and
proceeded with the traditional drive through the 121.35 lineal meter
long, 7.32 meter wide bridge span along with the department
secretaries and a group of guests who accompanied her on the
presidential transport. She then alighted from the mini bus,
went down from the bridge and immediately proceeded to a beautifully
decorated gazebo or an open-type “bahay kubo” where the Regional Media
Interview (RMI) was conducted with newscaster Tito Tepace of Aksyon Radyo
Balita, Radio Station DYSM in Catarman, Northern Samar. The
gazebo was set-up near the river bank.
Meanwhile,
Vice-Governor Antonio Lucero said that the construction of the Las
Navas bridge would be of great help to the people of Las Navas and the
whole of Catubig Valley. With the bridge connecting Las Navas to
Catubig, progress in this area would be definitely be within reach,
the Vice-Governor said.
The Vice-Governor then
recalled that during his younger days, he used to take water transport
in going to Las Navas or Catubig. This kind of transport becomes
more difficult during stormy days where one has to contend not only
with the weather but the strong current of the river.
The construction of
the Las Navas bridge has now provided an alternative not only to the
commuting public but to some businessmen as well who have to transport
goods using the river bank.
The Las Navas bridge
is considered an integral part of the government’s socio-economic
development for Samar Island. It is one of the component
projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under
the umbrella of the Help for Catubig Advancement Project (HCAAP) and
funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
SOLECO bats for power rate hike to
attain efficient electric service
By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern
Leyte)
June 17, 2009
MAASIN CITY –
Electricity consumers in this city and the whole
Southern Leyte province are in for a bitter pill to swallow.
The
Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative (SOLECO) is eyeing to raise its
power rates to finance a number of capital infrastructure projects
this year at the earliest, all designed to deliver efficient
electricity, said Rosello Gerong, General Manager.
Among SOLECO’s
initiatives now under consideration are its normal projects consisting
of upgrading on distribution lines, transformers, electric posts and
other related materials and accessories which cost P13 Million, Gerong
said during the public consultation held Thursday at the Casa Ampil
here.
Another set of
development thrusts, called major projects, covered
rehabilitation/revamp of distribution lines, costing P26 Million; the
rehabilitation of the mini-hydro in Saint Bernard, P20 Million; and
the upgrading of the sub-station at Saint Bernard from 5 MVA to 10 MVA,
P27 million, for a total of P73 Million.
And on top of it all,
Gerong disclosed that SOLECO has a mega project, which is the purchase
of the Transco-owned transmission line from barangay Tam-is up to its
door, at a cost of P120 Million, to be amortized in twenty years.
The public
consultation, dubbed rules for setting the electric cooperatives’
wheeling rates (RSEC-WR), was held in coordination with the Energy
Regulatory Commission (ERC), with ERC Commissioner Jose Reyes
attending.
Reyes explained that
the suggested rates as presented at length by two personnel of the ERC
was meant to make life easier for the 119 cooperatives all over the
county as their benchmark in the process of asking rate increase in
the distribution, supply, and metering (DSM) component of the power
industry.
With SOLECO classified
as belonging to the “B” class of the country’s electric cooperatives,
Reyes said the increase for this group as to their DSM was .4004 to be
implemented in staggered basis for three years starting September this
year.
When it was SOLECO’s
turn to present its desired rate, Gerong said the ERC-suggested hike
was way too low compared with its actual need for capital expenditure
funding as outlined earlier.
Gerong stressed that
SOLECO has been paying P2.9 million per month to Transco on
transmission charges, also known as monthly rental, for the power
delivered in its KV line, or P34.8 million per annum.
If the KV line can be
bought for an amortization of P6 million a year for twenty years, with
additional maintenance cost of P5 million per year, the cost of
maintaining the KV line once SOLECO would own it would only be P11
million per year, Gerong added.
Two City Councilors
present during the hearing had other views. Councilor Nestor Sy
suggested that SOLECO approach local government units for help in
defraying the monthly cost of paying the transmission charges, adding
that there’s no guarantee of better, investor-friendly service even if
the power utility purchases the KV line.
City Councilor Rene
Hatayna, for his part, also opposed having any increase for now,
saying the people have been hit hard and reeling from the global and
local financial crisis.
Gerong, however,
countered that efficient power service does not necessarily mean cheap
rates, saying that for Southern Leyte province and the city the trend
has been in the services industry sector and eco-tourism, areas that
require stable electricity and efficient service.
The rest of the
audience, composed mostly of barangay officials and representatives of
offices and the private sector, raised their hands to agree with
SOLECO’s impending rate increase.
In a brief talk with
PIA after the public consultation/hearing, Gerong said the current
basic rate is P7.55 per kilowatt hour (KWH), and with the improvements
proposed, the rate would be in the territory of around P 9.00 per kwh.
9,666 unregistered children in region
8, says Plan
By JONNIE H. BUENAVENTURA (PIA 8)
June 17, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY
– The right to name and nationality are among the basic human rights
a person should have in order to determine his existence.
The National
Statistics Office (NSO) thru its Regional Director Raul F. Dones is
targeting a 100% registration in region 8 with the help of other
national agencies, media, church, academe and local government units
to a full blown awareness campaign that will lead to the increased
participation rate of all parents who give birth to register their
child after delivery or within 30 calendar days.
Director Dones is
optimistic that the re-activation of the Regional Council on Civil
Registration (RCCR) will help achieve the “Target Zero Program
Rehistro” which their office launched in 2006 to complement a 100%
registration for the period 2005-2010 in accordance with the National
Plan of Action for Children and Child 21.
In 2008, a survey was
conducted by Plan
Philippines
in covered Plan areas in region 8 and found out that 9,666 children,
ages 0-5 years old are unregistered.
According to Rodel
Bontuyan, Plan Philippines Area Manager-Eastern Visayas, the
unregistered children, which was figured out was just within the Plan
areas covered under their support program.
He said that in region
8 there are 143 municipalities and they surveyed only 19
municipalities where they got their sample and population.
The 9,666 unregistered
figures, which was gathered, represents only to children 0-5 years
old, how much more for those children or persons above the age bracket
who were not registered, he said.
The Area Manager of
Plan Philippines in Eastern Visayas challenged the newly re-activated
RCCR to look into the matter on how to address the increasing number
of unregistered children and ask the NSO to extend assistance by
entering into the roster of registered children in the NSO database to
give them the right to a name and enjoy the benefits accorded to
registered children.
While it is true that
Security Paper (SecPa) coming from
NSO is a duly recognized document governing government and
commercial transactions, the
NSO had informed that Security Documents (SecDoc) issued
by the civil registrar is also acceptable, however it needs to be
authenticated by the
NSO for conformity
with the data provided in the security paper.
The PhilHealth had
assured that they will accept those claimants of insurance who have
security documents provided it is authenticated by the
NSO.
Two North Samar towns await first RP
president’s visit to their area
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June 15, 2009
CATARMAN, Northern
Samar – The people of the hinterland towns of Catubig and Las
Navas both in Northern Samar province, are already excited to
welcome President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo into their midst.
If
and when her visit to Northern Samar on Tuesday, June 16, pushes
through, President Gloria will become the first President to visit
Catubig and Las Navas, Las Navas Mayor Arlito Tan said.
The people of Las
Navas have many things to thank the President for. The Catubig-Las
Navas Bridge which the President will inaugurate on Tuesday links the
municipality
of Las Navas to Catubig town by land transport.
Ever since, the
municipality of Las Navas has only been accessible through navigation
along the Catubig river with the use of pump boats and bancas. The
pump boats ply from Las Navas to Catubig daily at P40 per person.
These small boats dock at small docking facilities called "Look" in
both Catubig and Las Navas. It only takes 30 minutes to get to Las
Navas from Catubig, and boats traverse the river daily, leaving Las
Navas at 5:00 AM and arrives at around 5:30 AM in Catubig and vice
versa.
The municipality of
Las Navas is located at the heart of the island of Samar. It is
bounded on the north by Catubig, Northern Samar, on the east by
Jipapad, Eastern Samar, on the west by Silvino Lubos, Northern Samar
and on the south by the municipality of San Jose de Buan, Western
Samar (Samar).
Motorboats and bancas
are also used in going to the different barangays, although hiking is
still practiced by many barangay folks in going to and from the
Poblacion.
“Now that there is
land transport because of the bridge, it will no longer be too
difficult to reach my school at the Las Navas Agri-Industrial School,”
Ms. Viviene who is six months pregnant, said referring to the school
just below the bridge.
Although there is a
complete elementary school district offering all level, the other 39
barangay primary schools offer limited levels. It has a complete
secondary school which offers Agro-Industrial Technology and basic
academic requirements.
People in the area get
tertiary courses from an affiliate of the University of Eastern
Philippines (UEP) located in the town of
Catubig,
although well-off families prefer to send their children to various
colleges and universities in Metro Manila, the country's capital.
There is a good reason
to the great excitement and expectation of the people of the two
towns. The HCAAP project when fully completed, will impact a great
change in the economic situation of the people in the area.
Farmers could now
bring their products more easily to Catarman and will also insure that
fresh farm produce from these areas are able to enter the market
without being spoiled and with lesser danger of accidents which the
perils of sea transport brings.
On the other hand,
Catubig, also an inland town, lies on the banks of the Catubig River,
a waterway that empties near Rauis and the traditional passage to the
town. Also called Cagninipa after an aquatic palm, it is located south
of Palapag.
The Catubig Valley,
known as the rice-producing valley in Northern Samar, is where one can
find the municipality
of Catubig, identified as the potential site for developing an
intensive rice producing area in Northern Samar.
Said undertaking is
known as the Help for Catubig Agricultural Advancement Project (HCAAP),
a priority water sector (irrigation) project which is part of
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Medium Term Development and
Investment Plan under the Super Region scheme.
The project aims to
alleviate poverty by raising income level of farmers, generate
employment opportunities and improve the social infrastructure and
services of the target areas in Catubig and Las Navas, Northern Samar.
The project components are civil works, schistosomiasis control,
agricultural support services, institutional development and
procurement of equipment.
The implementing
agencies are the National Irrigation Administration as lead agency,
the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Health,
Department of Agriculture, the Province of Northern Samar and the
municipalities of Catubig and Las Navas.
The bridge which the
President will inaugurate is a part of the HCAAP implemented by the
Department of Public Works and Highways.
PGMA distributes scholarship vouchers
to 100 young people of Las Navas
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June 15, 2009
CATARMAN, Northern
Samar – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will distribute
Pangulong Gloria Scholarship vouchers to 100 young people of Las Navas,
during her visit on June 16, TESDA Regional Director Juan Sabulao
informed.
Director Sabulao said
that the students will be enrolled at the Las Navas Agro-Industrial
School which is under the management and supervision of TESDA.
As of May 2009, Region
VIII has a total of 8,408 Pangulong Gloria Scholarship Beneficiaries
who are enrolled in different Tech-Voc Schools in the region, Director
Sabulao said.
For the Province of
Northern Samar, there are 2,012 scholarship beneficiaries so far,
Director Sabulao informed.
In line with the
Economic Resiliency Program of Her Excellency President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo, the Pangulong Gloria Scholarships provide free
training, training support fund and free competency assessment to
support job creation and job preservation.
The scholarship
program hopes to produce a pool of qualified and globally competent
workers who are Job Ready.
The program also aims
to develop skills and competencies of the unemployed and underemployed
through training programs for pre-employment, skills upgrading and
productivity enhancement.
The Scholarship
Program of President Arroyo also hopes to empower public and private
TEK BOK Providers in expanding their absorptive capacities to enable
them to offer programs for various qualifications, including higher
levels of technology where jobs are available in the labor market.
Aside from the
Pangulong Gloria Scholarship vouchers, President Arroyo will also
award assistance to beneficiaries of the CLEEP which are being
implemented by the various government agencies.
Leyte Gov part of 111th Independence
Day “Rigodon de Honor” at the Palace
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June 14, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY
– Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla was part of the 111th
Independence Day “Rigodon de Honor” rites at the Ceremonial Hall of
the Malacanang Palace.
|

Leyte Governor Icot Petilla |
Governor Icot as he is
fondly called by his constituents was dashing in his barong tagalong.
His partner is the beautiful Congresswoman Nikki Prieto-Teodoro, the
wife of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.
Now it could be told
that Governor Petilla is not only an excellent singer, he could also
dance well without being nervous in the presence of the political and
economic elite of the country.
It was said that
Governor Petilla was so surprised when he was called about his being
part of the Rigodon de Honor at Malacanang. He tried to beg off
suggesting if it was okay that he sang instead of dancing.
The answer was, “You
dance first, before you sing.” Indeed, he did dance and well at that.
The rest is history.
President Arroyo led
twenty pairs in this year’s “Rigodon de Honor” to cap the country’s
celebration of the 111th Independence Day.
President Arroyo
hosted the traditional Independence Day reception with a dance and
cocktails for members of her Cabinet and Congress, the diplomatic
corps, the top brass of the police and military, prominent business
leaders, former beauty queens, and other noted personalities in
Philippine society.
The social gathering
began 6 o’clock in the evening at the Palace Ceremonial Hall on the
second floor of the presidential residence.
The ladies wore
Filipiniana terno while the men wore barong Tagalog. They were paired
according to their height.
The Rigodon dancers
included one of the President’s daughters-in-law, Ma. Victoria “Kakai”
Arroyo, wife of Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Ignacio “Dato” Arroyo.
Another participant is
Dina Arroyo-Tantoco, daughter of presidential brother-in-law Negros
Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo and wife of one of the scions of
the Rustan’s chain of department stores.
Representative Trisha
Bonoan-David was also in the Rigodon. Other female participants of the
Rigodon include the President’s personal stylist Joanne Andrade-Zapanta;
former beauty queens Miriam Quiambao and Precious Lara Quigaman;
Sunshine Cruz-Montano, wife of actor Cezar Montano; Lizzie Zobel de
Ayala, wife of industrialist Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala; and
Vivienne Tan, daughter of taipan Lucio Tan.
Also among the female
participants were Julie Defensor, wife of Philippine National Railways
chief Michael Defensor; Belinda Adora; Dinagat Gov. Jade
Ecleo-Villaroman; Mimi Aquino; dancing instructor Becky Garcia; Anette
Gozon-Abrogar, socialite-entrepreneur Frannie Jacinto; Carol Quimson,
Chiqui Roa-Puno; and Liana Romulo, daughter of former Foreign Affairs
Secretary Roberto Romulo.
Heading the list of
male participants were ambassadors Luis Arias of Spain and Roderick
Smith of Australia; retired Armed Forces chiefs of staff, Genarals
Narciso Abaya and Alexander Yano who is now Philippine ambassador to
Brunei Darussalam; special envoy on renewable energy Vicente Perez;
Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.; Economic Planning Secretary Ralph
Recto; Presidential adviser on political affairs Gabriel Claudio;
Congressmen Dong Gonzalez, Roman Romulo, and Anton Lagdameo; Governors
Dax Cua (Quirino Province), and Michael Keon (Ilocos Norte).
The rest are Kenneth
Yang, son of Philippine McDonald’s franchise owner George Yang; Ali
Atienza, son of Environment Secretary Lito Atienza; Buddy Cunanan;
Atom Henares; Raul Manzano, and STAR columnist Babe Romualdez.
The Rigodon was
choreographed by and painstakingly rehearsed under the direction of
Pia Dala, Bujing Danao and Renato Delgado.
 APAC needs 820 call
center agents
By JONNIE H. BUENAVENTURA (PIA 8)
June 12, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY
– The APAC Customer Services is planning to conduct its jobs
fair this coming month of June in two different locations to fill-up
the lacking sets and to met the demands of their customers.
According to Ma.
Soledad Uy, Human Resource-Recruitment Assistant of the APAC customer
service that they will conduct a jobs fair on June 12-14 upon
invitation of Director Desiderio Belas of the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) at the Tacloban Convention Center to coincide with the
111th Philippine Independence Day Celebration where overseas and local
employment opportunities are available including government agencies
under Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) to
help ease the burden due to financial slowdown that hit across the
globe.
Ms. Uy said that prior
to the invitation, they had already scheduled a jobs fair on June
19-20 at Baybay, Leyte Function Hall to spread their massive
recruitment strategy and to get a well qualified call center agents to
man the type of services they employed.
The series of jobs
fair we are conducting is to generate 120 call center agents for the
month of July and to hire 600 additional call canter agents for the
month of November to filled-up the required setting capacity of there
office, she said.
Ms. Uy said that the
present setting capacity of the
APAC office located at
Leyte Academic Center,
Palo, Leyte is 1,000, but our present roster of employees is 243.
Our office is in dire
need of additional manpower to complement the growing demands of our
customers, she said.
The APAC Customer
Service Inc. main headquarters is located in
Illinois,
with operations located throughout the
United States
and the Philippines.
Ms. Uy further
informed that outsourcers offer a multitude of benefits to their
client base, including eliminating capital expenses, flexibility,
access to qualified labor, reduced costs, advanced management
techniques, and the opportunity to gain access to state of the art
technology without massive financial outlays.
Ms. Uy is urging all
persons to take this opportunity to be part of
APAC which only means that you too can become an expert and
in joining us to help serve our clients' customers better.
APAC is the fourth
largest domestic provider of outbound and inbound customer
relationship management services that offers the programs in either
customer care or customer acquisition serving prominent industries
such as communications, financial services, insurance, healthcare,
logistics, and travel and hospitality.
Job applicant’s is
advised to bring with them all necessary documents in order to
appraised if they possess all the qualifications.
Ms. Uy said that it
is not necessary that an applicant is a degree holder but of course it
is a plus factor but in order to please the APAC Human Resource
expert, he must be a fluent in oral and written communication and
possess a technical know-how to perform basic computer operations.
Chiz to do a Lee Kuan Yew in fight vs.
corruption
By Office of Sen. Chiz Escudero
June 11, 2009
PASAY CITY –
Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero on Wednesday said, like Singapore’s Lee
Kuan Yew, he will have no qualms sending top officials to jail and
eliminate government discretion in fighting corruption.
“He
(Lee) recruited the best and the brightest and gave them the salaries
they deserved. When he caught them stealing, he put them in jail,” the
39-year old lawmaker told a forum of business leaders in Cebu City
organized by the Cebu Business Club and the Makati Business Club.
Lee, who founded and
built Singapore into what it is today, led the city-state for 35 years
as prime minister. He was known for his no-nonsense campaign against
corruption.
Escudero, who has
consistently ranked high in recent surveys, also said he would
eliminate discretion especially in law-enforcement and
revenue-generating agencies as part of the campaign against
corruption.
According to World
Bank, half of every peso that can be collected by the Bureau of
Internal Revenue is lost to corruption. The Department of Finance
estimates that 240 billion is lost to corruption annually.
The UN Development
Program, on the other hand, estimates that $1.8 billion a year, or
about 13 percent of the government's annual budget, is lost to
corruption.
Under the Arroyo
administration, the Philippines’ ranking in Transparency
International’s Corruption Perception Index has spiraled downward. In
2004, it was 102. In 2005, it was 117. In 2006, we were 121st. In
2007, we were ranked 131st. In 2008, we were down to 141st. The
listing runs from the cleanest down to the most corrupt.
Escudero has filed a
bill to require public officials and employees to submit a written
permission or waiver in favor of the Ombudsman to look into all
deposits of whatever nature with banks or banking institutions.
He has also called on
officials to voluntarily disclose their SALs (Statement of Assets and
Liabilities).
Asked to enumerate
three things how he would like to be remembered, Escudero said: One,
as one who did not steal a single centavo. Two, one who made education
as the government’s top priority, and three, as the public official
who built the most roads. |