Mac Arthur Park Beach Resort would need P700 million in investment for rehab

By Provincial Media Relations Center (PMRC Leyte)
November 22, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla said rehabilitation and repair of existing facilities of the Mac Arthur Park Beach Resort Hotel would need at least P700 million in investment.

Gov. Petilla disclosed this is the same amount that the province is posing to any interested takers or private investors who would want to develop the place after the resort’s management has recently been turned over to the provincial government.

The governor added the turn over came as a surprise to the province since it has been a while back when the provincial government started to push for the transfer of the management from the Philippine Tourism Authority to the province.

Despite the long lull, immediately after Executive Order 756 issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came out, Gov. Petilla disclosed a number of investors have already contacted him and signified their interest to develop the place.

The governor disclosed the province has pegged the invitation to at least P700 million to fully develop and refurbish the 4.9 hectare property 43-room Mac Arthur Park Resort, and operate the same under the provincial government.

“In my interviews with tourists and visitors, I have learned what they look for is not so much upscale comfort rather clean and fully equipped rooms and facilities with access to a clean beach. Mac Arthur can offer that. All we need to do is improve its existing facilities to cater to the needs and tastes of our targeted guests, visitors and tourists,” Gov. Petilla said.

Meanwhile the governor assures personnel and hotel staff of the Mac Arthur Park Beach Resort would not be affected with the turn over of management from the Philippine Tourism Authority to the provincial government effective this January.

All of its staff would be absorbed by the provincial government and would now be under the latter’s payroll.

Aside from operating the hotel, maintenance of nearby historic Mac Arthur Landing Memorial and National Park is also turned over to the province which has been under the PTA.

Pia: 'New Senate minority to block latest Cha-cha bid'

Press Release
By Office of Senator Pia Cayetano
November 21, 2008

PASAY CITY, Philippines  –  Senator Pia S. Cayetano today said the new minority bloc in the Senate will frustrate renewed efforts by Malacañang and their allies in Congress to revise the 1987 Constitution in another bid to extend the term of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo beyond 2010.

"The public can count on the new minority in the Senate to stand up against renewed efforts to tinker with the Charter to serve the unpatriotic and selfish agenda of a few," said Cayetano.

"We may just be the minority in the Senate, but we share the sentiments of the overwhelming majority of our people who are opposed to any changes in the Charter before 2010," she added.

"The timing is very suspicious, coming on the heels of the Senate leadership reorganization. I don't want to speculate, but should a parallel move is initiated in the Senate from the majority, we in the minority will thwart it."

The lady senator issued the statement in reaction to reports that 163 members of the House of Representatives have already signed House Resolution 737, which seeks to lift equity restrictions in the 1987 Constitution. Proponents claim that the number of signatures is just 15 short of the required three-fourths vote of the Lower House which has 238 members.

Cayetano said five members of the new minority were among the signatories of Senate Resolution No. (SRN) 599 filed in the 13th Congress, which charged as unconstitutional and opposed the attempts of the Lower House to unilaterally propose amendments to the Constitution without the approval of three-fourths (3/4) of the Senate voting separately.

The five include Senators Manny Villar, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Francis Pangilinan, Joker Arroyo and Cayetano herself.

She added that the rest of the minority group who were not yet members of the Senate in the 13th Congress, including Senators Alan Cayetano, Benigno Aquino III and Antonio Trillanes IV, are also expected to take a strong stand against the Cha-cha charge.

She further noted that Sen. Manuel Lapid, who is reportedly aligning with the minority, also signed SRN 599.

"The latest Cha-cha script purports to be new, but we see the same old characters reprising their roles in their earlier attempts. House Resolution 737 supposedly concerns itself only with introducing changes to economic provisions in the Charter, but it's not difficult to see through the political scheme behind it."

"Like its earlier versions, this new Cha-cha bid deserves to be junked by the people to history's dustbin, and never recycled again," she concluded.

Gun ban for Tacloban HUC Plebiscite starts today, Comelec says

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
November 20, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  In connection with the December 18, 2008 Plebiscite to ratify the conversion of Tacloban City from a component city to a highly urbanized city, gun ban will be imposed starting November 20, 2008 to December 20, 2008.

This directive is contained in the Commission on Elections Resolution No. 8515 adopting the calendar of activities and periods of prohibited acts for the December 18 Plebiscite.

Comelec prohibits the bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, park, street, private vehicle or public conveyance. Even if licensed, it is prohibited to possess or carry the same unless authorized in writing by the Commission.

Also prohibited during the same period, is the suspension of local elective officials; the transfer of officers and employees in the civil service; and the organization or maintenance of reaction force or strike forces.

Starting November 25, 2008 up to December 18, 2008, Comelec prohibits the appointment or hiring of new employees; the creation or filling up of new positions; and the giving of promotions or giving of salary increases, remuneration or privilege.

Also prohibited during the period is construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works and issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds.

Releases, disbursements of expenditure of public works and social services and development, are also prohibited.

Furthermore, the appointment or use of special policemen, special or confidential agents or the like, the use of armored land, water or air craft and the wearing of uniform and bearing of arms are also banned and prohibited.

The December 18 plebiscite is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1637 dated October 4, 2008 confirming that the City of Tacloban has met all the requirements to become a Highly Urbanized City.

2nd Solid Waste Management Summit in Eastern Visayas slated this November

By MARIBEL MUNSAYAC
November 20, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Exploring appropriate waste disposal system and waste diversion strategy would be the focus of the slated 2nd Solid Waste Management Summit in Eastern Visayas on November 25 here.

The Regional Ecological Center (REC), chaired by EMB-8 Regional Director Letecia R. Maceda, would be spearheading the one-day event and is expected to be graced by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza with resource speakers from the National Solid Waste Management Commission.

Mainly, the summit is conducted to present ways and solutions among participating local government units and other stakeholders to reduce waste generation by presenting and introducing waste disposal options and resource recovery options in a gathering inspired by the theme “REC and enabled LGUs: Jointly Working on Resource Recovery and Proper Waste Disposal.”

According to EMB-8, this year’s summit is being centered on LGU participants since ment Summit is confined to Local Government Units which are in-charge in the management, collection and disposal of wastes in conformity with the provisions and standards set forth under R.A 9003 or the Solid Waster Management Act.

Among those to be tackled during the summit include a briefing on the role and responsibilities of the Regional Ecology Center, the status of the Solid Waste management implementation in the region and recent policies, issuances and guidelines on solid waste management.

Resource speakers would likewise be discussing on waste disposal options that would include experience sharing of Bais City on their Sanitary Landfill Design, the Southern Leyte Pacific Alliance Updates and Bio-Medical Waste Management.

Diversion options would also be presented during the summit. Diversion refers to activities, such as recycling and reuse, which reduce or eliminate the amount of solid wastes brought to waste disposal facilities.

Recycled products showcasing the best practices in solid waste management would also be on display during the event.

EMB-8 Regional Coordinator for Solid Waste Management Maribel Munsayac said the summit will also tackle issues addressing the proliferation of illegally obtained items, equipment and articles sold at junk shops and provide know-how in tracking an illegally obtained item, equipment and articles.

Also earlier, DENR Secretary Lito Atienza has ordered EMB to strictly monitor the Local Government Units' (LGUs) compliance on the safe closure and rehabilitation of open of controlled disposal facility and refrain them from using open dumpsites as traditionally done by most LGUs, which is prohibited under R.A 9003.

The 2nd Solid Waste Management Summit in the region is expected to again address the provisions of this landmark law RA 9003, which was envisioned to drastically reduce the country's garbage output from waste segregation at source, to proper collection, treatment and disposal using the best environmental practice.

Leyte province to manage MacArthur Park Beach Resort

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
November 18, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The 43-room MacArthur Park Beach Resort, one of the best hotels in Region 8 which is now under the Philippine Tourism Authority, will soon be under the management of the Provincial Government of Leyte.

This is contained in Executive Order No. 756 which was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on October 2, 2008, upon the request of Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla.

It was learned that although the Resort is now being managed by the Philippine Tourism Authority, the more than five-hectares land where the Resort is situated, is owned by the Provincial Government of Leyte.

Under the Executive Order, the Provincial Government of Leyte “shall have full control of the operations, management, maintenance and further development” of the MacArthur Park Beach Resort.

Initial reports coming from reliable sources stated that the Provincial Government have plans to rehabilitate and improve the hotel. The Provincial Government of Leyte is reportedly looking for some private partners in this endeavor.

The Executive Order underscored that all the personnel of the hotel who are currently under the Philippine Tourism Authority, “shall be transferred to the provincial government,” which have the prerogative to rationalize the personnel complement in accordance with Civil Service rules and regulations.

Situated along the historic Red Beach, site of one of the greatest naval battles in history, MacArthur Park Beach Resort is a "Class A Resort" which is just a stone's throw away from the MacArthur Landing Memorial.

Situated in a 5 hectare property, the Resort has rooms all tastefully decorated with native materials. There are 43 aircon rooms with cable TV, telephones, private toilet and bath with hot/cold running water.

Also among its facilities are two swimming pools, conference rooms and ballroom dancing every Fridays and Saturdays.

Leyte placed more children under 120-day feeding program

By Provincial Media Relations Center (PMRC Leyte)
November 18, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  "We have to realize that poor health stunts the physical and mental development of children seriously affecting their full potential to become productive citizens.”

Thus was the statement of Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla during a visit to barangays in Jaro, Leyte where the provincial government is currently conducting a 120-day feeding program under its Clothe and Feed the Hungry Children being undertaken by the Provincial Nutrition Office.

Gov. Petilla said this particular program, which is presently implemented in ten identified nutritionally depressed areas in the province, has been designed to be a holistic supplementary feeding program, the PBPFP will not only feed the children-beneficiaries, but will also conduct mothers’ classes and parenting seminars, an approach taken with the end-view of delivering a total parenting package.

Parents, especially mothers, he said, are being tapped as partners in managing the feeding proper wherein they are expected to do marketing, cooking and feeding the children-beneficiaries.

Children identified to be part of this program are between the age range of 0-6 years old.

In five different barangays in Jaro, Leyte, 126 children were given free nutritional feeding, as part of the 120-day program, and personally visited by the governor where he again stressed to parents who came to the assigned central feeding centers and areas that they would need to continue the efforts in maintaining proper nutrition among their children.

“Since natikangan na ini, kinahanglan liwat ipadayon han aton mga kag-anak kay diri kami asta hit kahasta aanhi mag-feeding. We would also need to go to other barangays in the province needing the same service,” the governor said.

Earlier, it was reported that the national government is proposing an increase from P2.5 billion to P3.34 billion budget allocation for the 2009 General Appropriations Bill. This is for "Malusog na Simula, Yaman ng Bansa" nutrition program.

However, lawmakers have commented the government needs at least P6 billion to fully cover the nutritional needs of millions of preschool and Grades 1 and 2 pupils in the country for the next school year.

Leyte provides health insurance coverage to indigent families

By Provincial Media Relations Center (PMRC Leyte)
November 16, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  In response to calls in realizing the significance of enrolling less fortunate constituent under the government health insurance program, the provincial government of Leyte has started the ball rolling by subsidizing the health insurance of some of its indigent families to provide them with decent health care services.

Already, the number of family beneficiaries who received the PhilHealth cards from the province totals to 3,028; 302 of these beneficiaries come from the first district, 1,017 from the second district, 255 from the third district, 477 from the fourth district and 977 from the fifth district.

These cards distributed by the province can be availed by the recipient both as in-patient and out-patient benefit.  The cards also entitle the recipient-beneficiaries to hospitalization benefits at PhilHealth-accredited hospitals.

Among these benefits are subsidies for room and board fees, professional fees, drugs and medicines, and x-ray and laboratory tests. Furthermore, they can enjoy free consultation and check-up while the effectivity period of the cards are valid for one year starting from the date of issuance.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office in the province has been tasked to determine the indigent families who qualify for the said benefit.

However, the figure on current beneficiaries has yet to stop, as the PSWDO is continuously identifying indigent families all over the province and determining who would qualify for the health care assistance as the provincial government is determined to realize it's pursuit of enrolling indigent families with PhilHealth to avail of its benefits

Subsidizing PhilHealth coverage is one of the many services under the ICOT Health for Leyte Program initiated by Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, where the provincial government works to subsidize health insurance coverage to indigent families of the province for them to have access to health care covering in-patient and outpatient services.

The governor said this is part of his thrust in giving universal health coverage to less privileged families in the province.

Victims of NPA atrocities shout for peace

By Cpt. LOEL A. EGOS, (INF) PA
November 16, 2008

CAMP DAZA, Fatima, Hinabangan, Samar  –  The 801st Brigade conduct peace rally activities through 34th Infantry Battalion on November 2, 2008 in Barangay Tutobigan, Paranas Samar and the 14th Infantry Battalion on November 14-15, 2008 in the Municipality of San Jose de Buan.

It can be recalled since then, the New People’s Army in the area of Eastern and Western Samar are continuing their conduct of terrorist activities in different magnetism which victimized innocent civilians that makes them an easy target for influence in magnification of their futile organization. In the phenomenon of attacking the Army detachment, Police Stations, conduct ambush and collecting revolutionary taxes to the businessmen and the politicians where they could no longer stay in the middle by way of doing these things. Instead, it is done by the supporters who are at the rear.

The people especially in the far flung barangays are being used by the New People’s Army and even the intellectuals are being persuaded specially in the area where the people are encountering on how to address health problems and can no longer be reached by the health workers, much more far on educating their children and have no enough food to eat for their family, they could not find ways to cut back poverty, and where they don’t have the opportunity for social activities.

During peace rally activity with the local government units you can hear the sentiments of the people who are the victims of the communist terrorist through their testimonies telling what they have experienced while they were in the control of the misleading organization. The three innocent civilians who are the victims of summary killing execution, like what the barangay people discovered in San Jose de Buan for the past weeks. The high ranking members of the NPA are making promises to give financial support or any kind of help to be extended to the family of their new recruits, their comrades however, it is but only a plain propaganda to influence the populace in their target area. As of press time we gathered the list of hundred thirty seven (137) complaints with different cases on Human Rights Violations in the CHR which are now on progress.

Anti-Red Tape Law directs LGUs to formulate Citizens Charter

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
November 16, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  One of the key provisions of the Anti-Red Tape Law of 2007 or RA 9485, is the formulation of Citizen’s Charter by each Local Government Unit in the country.

The Citizen’s Charter is a document that contains information of the frontline services being provided by the local government unit to its citizens.

The Citizen’s Charter, which shall be formulated by a task force constituted by the local chief executives, could come in the form of information billboards which should be posted at the main entrance of offices or at the most conspicuous place, and in the form of published materials written in either English or Filipino, or in the local dialect.

The Citizen’s Charter shall include such information like vision and mission; identification of the frontline services offered, and the clientele; step-by-step procedure to obtain a particular service; and officer or employee responsible for each step.

The Charter shall also include the maximum time to conclude the process; documents to be presented by the client; amount of fees, if necessary, procedure for filing of complaints in relation to requests and applications, among others.

With the citizen's charter, the public can clearly follow the steps of the services offered, and easily identify the loopholes in the given system.

This will indeed, eliminate bureaucratic red tape, avert graft and corruption practices and improve the efficiency of government frontline services.

In order to assist the LGUs in crafting the Citizen’s Charter, the Local Government Academy (LGA) the training arm of the DILG, in partnership with the Civil Service Commission will conduct seminars on citizen’s charter.

TESDA inaugurates modern auto-mechanic training center

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
November 15, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The state-of-the-art TESDA Auto-Mechanic Training Center which is located at the TESDA Complex at Abucay, Tacloban City, which is aimed at training Filipino youth from poor rural communities to becme highly skilled automotive service technicians, is set to be inaugurated on November 18, 2008. TESDA Region 8 Director Juan M. Sabulao Jr. informed.

The inauguration program will start at 9:00 o’clock in the morning with a Tour of the Training Center Facilities by TESDA Director General, Secretary Augusto Boboy Syjuco and the officials of ISUZU Motors, Ltd., Plan and TESDA.

Engr. Juan M. Sabulao, Jr., TESDA 8 Regional Director will welcome the special guest and visitors to the Inauguration of the modern training center. This will be followed by Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, the Chairman of the Regional Development Council who will deliver a brief message.

Mr. Michael Joseph Diamond, the Country Director of Plan Philippines will turn over the Training Facilities and will present the first batch of scholars. Director Sabulao informed that the Plan Philippines was in charge of implementing the pre-operation phase and monitoring of the project.

The messages of commitment will be delivered by Ms. Jonalyn Navarrosa, the class president, and Mr. Jeffrey Veros, the press relations officer, of the first 30 scholars composed of young men and women from the three Samar provinces, Southern Leyte and Masbate.

TESDA Director General, Secretary Augusto Boboy Syjuco will deliver the keynote address and will award the plaques of recognition and appreciation.

Mr. Yoshinori Ida, the chief executive officer of ISUZU Motors Limited will deliver a special message. It would be recalled that the dream of having a modern training center will not become a reality without the technical and financial support provided by ISUZU Motors Ltd.

The TESDA Auto Mechanic Training Center is a state of-the-art training facility, complete with the equipment requirement for the Training of Automotive Service Technicians from National Certificate Level I up to National Level IV, the highest level of qualification in the automotive sector in the country.

This is supported by ISUZU Motors Ltd. Japan through the Heart and Smile Project, and Plan Japan and Plan Philippines from the preliminary stage of the project, both financially and technically.

TESDA Automotive Training Center has complex facilities consisting of a two-storey 1656 sq. meter workshop with a complete set of training equipment and tools; 160 bed capacity dormitory for boys and girls; cafeteria; and recreational facilities.

The scholarship includes full accommodation, daily meals, complete set of training uniform and training supply.

Pia warns Palace: Don't invoke executive privilege in fertilizer fund scam probe

Press Release
By Office of Senator Pia Cayetano
November 15, 2008

PASAY CITY, Philippines  –  Senator Pia S. Cayetano today cautioned the Arroyo administration against suppressing the truth at the Senate hearings on the reopened P728-million fertilizer fund scam following the unimpressive testimony of former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn 'Joc-joc' Bolante Thursday.

"Malacañang should think twice before invoking executive privilege or restraining agriculture officials from telling the truth at the Senate next week just to cover up for Bolante's grossly incredulous testimony," warned the lady senator.

Cayetano made the statement after Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo suggested in a media interview Thursday that Malacañang may invoke executive privilege to stop officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) from testifying at the reopened probe.

"It's a shame that the Executive Branch is even floating the idea of invoking executive privilege over what clearly is a multi-million-peso scam that has been thoroughly documented by the Commission on Audit, the Senate, media and civil society groups," she said.

"How can the Palace consider derailing the inquiry when millions of Filipinos following this issue are aware that so much taxpayers' money may have been lost from the public coffers?" she asked.

"Whoever made the suggestion [to consider invoking executive privilege] should be fired by Mrs. Arroyo," she stressed.

Cayetano urged the Executive to instead allow DA operations personnel and regional officers to freely testify before the senators to test Bolante's claim that he had no hand in the release of the funds at the local level. All official documents relating to the fund should also be made available for scrutiny.

"It is said that this regime was built on fraud, and from all indications, it also seems bent on perpetuating itself through lies and cover-ups, and even more fraud."

"Where else can you see a public official given so much power to disburse millions of government money, but who doesn't see the need to exercise a shred of responsibility in ensuring how these funds are used or whoever ends up with it?"

"Bolante's incredible testimony can be summed up in just three words: 'governance without accountability.'"

It's precisely this kind of governance that has bred so much public distrust and discontent with the Arroyo administration," she concluded.

Calbiga town offers nature, culture and adventure as an Ecotourism destination

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
November 14, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  Nature, culture and adventure in its numerous land and water forms as in caves, falls and flora and fauna seem to await Calbiga town when it emerges as an Eco tourism destination in Samar.

In the Ecotourism planning workshop started Monday, stakeholders drafted the best tourist packages for groups for adventure.

The Local Government Unit led by Mayor Melchor Nacario with other government entities, the academe, peoples’ organization, NGOs, transportation groups and the business sector put their acts together to map out strategies to develop eco tourism in this beautiful town and create employment.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) along with German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) with Calbiga LGU sponsored the three-day workshop aimed at tourism development

Mr. Aniceto Cabuenas, who presented a tourism situationer said that some 90 foreign and local tourists were registered in 2007 and some 60 in 2008.

This, he said does not include those who did not pass by the Municipal Tourism office on weekends and the locals who are have become ‘balikbayans’.

As the group tried to inventory the nature sites, some cultural and even entrepreneurial potentials have also been accounted for.

Calbiga for one boasts of Lulugayan Falls, which is fifty meters wide and is considered as mini Niagara. The Langun-Gobingob Caves is heaven to spelunkers considered as the largest cave system in the Philippines and reputed to be the second largest in Asia. It is 7 kilometers long with an area of 900 square kilometers. It has 12 chambers with wide underground spaces.

Calbiga also claims to be home to the so called hypogean blind fish (caecogobius cryptophalmus) and white crabs dwelling in the waters of Langun-Gobingob caves.

It has also the 20 kilometer Calbiga River teeming with big fresh water shrimps and fish, while yonder hills is home to tarsiers, monkeys and pythons of different sizes. Calbiga also possesses strong cultural traditions perpetualized by equally gifted and talented locals.

Then, there is the Pahoy-pahoy festival on May 14, the vesper spectacle of the fiesta in Calbiga where dancers dressed as scarecrows dance in the streets and the poblacion streets adorned with giant scarecrows.

As for souvenir items, the local market is replete with traditional Samar delicacies where even their names come from their Spanish forebears like Piñato de pili, delicias de pili, and Coriuoso. Other eatables enjoy the waray nomenclature as in puto, moron and binagol. Pahoy-pahoy dolls are also available which are handcrafted by talented Calbiganons.

A Catbaloganon, Raul Reyes claims that his native Catbalogan pales if compared to Calbiga for truly Calbiga has it all – nature, culture and adventure!

Donations boost quality of education in Basey town

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
November 14, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The new educational facilities which were donated and turned over by the Knowledge Channel Foundation and the Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing, Inc., on November 4, will boost the learning experience of elementary school children in the municipality of Basey.

During the short turn over ceremony held in Basey, Samar, Dr. Fe Hidalgo, member of the Board of Trustees of the Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. and Atty. Varinia Elero, Corporate Affairs Director of Philip Morris, Inc., donated new textbooks and knowledge channel television sets with solar satellite disc, to five elementary school recipients in Basey.

The five lucky school recipients are located at Barangays Balud, Basiao, Loog, Salvacion and Tingib, all of Basey town.

Ms. Bonavie M. Robinio, information assistant of Basey, said that prior to this, Philip Morris thru Atty. Elero constructed a three-classroom school building.

Dr. Elinda Aguihon, Basey I District Supervisor said that the turn over of new educational facilities and the construction of new school building, are part of the strengthened efforts towards proficient measures of quality education, of both the local government unit through Mayor Didi Estorninos and the Department of Education Samar Division through Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Alfredo Dacuro.

On his message, Mayor Estorninos expressed his gratitude to the donors for their benevolence. He also thanked DepEd Samar for considering the schools in the municipality of Basey among the top priorities in this endeavor.