The simple turnover
ceremony at the DILG-08 regional office was witnessed by DILG
provincial directors, City Local Government Operations Officers and
office staff. Dir. Paler and his wife, Virgencita who was an honored
guest, thanked the officers and personnel of DILG-8 for their support
in the 11 years RD Paler served in Eastern Visayas.
Dir. Jose meanwhile
expressed his gratitude to DILG-8 personnel for their warm welcome
even as he promised to continue and build upon the programs and
accomplishments of Dir. Paler.
Being a stalwart of
the department, Director Jose, of DILG-12 (Koronadal City), brings
with him a wealth of experience, having served the agency in various
capacities in several regions. RD Jose entered the then-Department
of Local Government and Community Development (DLGCD) in 1974 as a
Barangay Development Worker (BDW) in Davao del Sur, and rose to the
position of Director
III while serving in Regions 9, 10, 11, and 12. He is active in
civic and community groups, being the chairman of the board of
directors of Bansalan Cooperative Society in Bansalan, Davao del Sur,
as well as past president of the Rotary Club of Bansalan.
Dir. Paler, who first
came to the region as Assistant Director in 1998 before being named
Regional Director in 2002, will leave a legacy of decisive leadership,
strengthening institutional partnerships, upholding performance in the
agency’s targets, stressing merit and fitness in promotions and
recruitment, while giving weight to employee welfare and concerns.
Under Dir. Paler’s
term, several barangays in Eastern Visayas won in the national search
for Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa in the national level; the Search
for Most Outstanding Sangguniang Bayan, a program held in coordination
with the Philippine Councilors League, was adopted into a nationwide
Local Legislative Award. After the regional office was razed by a
fire in 2004, he spearheaded the rebuilding of a new office using
minimal funds from the regional budget as well as from the Central
Office.
Like Dir. Jose, Dir.
Paler started as a BDW at the Presidential Assistant in Community
Development (PACD) in 1968 and held various positions, both technical
and administrative, to rise from the ranks and become one of the most
respected DILG regional directors in the country. As a measure of the
trust put in him by his superiors, Dir. Paler’s term was extended
twice from August 8, 2009 to February 8, 2010.
A primary focus of the
department this year will be the training of the officials that will
be elected in the May elections, as well as the other capacity
development services for local government units.
Two new birthing
centers opened in Sta. Fe, Palo towns
By
Provincial
Media Relations Center
February 6, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY – The
provincial government of
Leyte opened anew two birthing centers in a bid to provide quality
and affordable maternal health care services to various residents.
The newly opened
birthing centers are located in Brgy. Milagrosa in Sta. Fe and Palo,
Leyte that would provide more quality health services and pre-natal
support to local residents and neighboring areas.
According to Leyte
Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla who recently led the inauguration of
the two birthing centers is the province’s answer to the nationwide
campaign to reduce child mortality and maternal deaths.
In the Philippines, it
was learned, thousands of mothers die during or after child birth due
to poor health practices. In the region, infant mortality rate is at
36 per 1,000 live births and maternal mortality rate is at 231 per
100,000 live births.
Meanwhile, the main
reason for the high rate of home-based delivery is lack of birthing
facility in the health center in the municipality. Many people cannot
afford travel expenses to the Regional medical center or the
Provincial Hospital which is the closest birthing facility for people,
as well as the expenses for delivery in the hospital.
“Part of the purpose
in having birthing centers is to decongest our hospitals in the city.
With the new facility birthing mothers can have easy access to the
center,” Gov. Petilla said.
As earlier reported,
the Philippine Government through the Department of Health has
promoted delivery in hospitals or health centers with well-equipped
birthing facilities in order to lower infant and maternal mortality
rate.
Pregnant women cannot
avoid various risks when they deliver in their homes. Without proper
medical kits and professional doctors and nurses, women are not
assured of safe delivery especially in case complication or emergency.
“Through this birthing
centers, we can augment the health services provided to our people,”
Gov Petilla added.
On the other hand, the
birthing facilities is complemented with Philhealth cards given by the
provincial government of Leyte to indigent families.
Gov. Petilla also
distributed Philhealth cards recently to enrolled indigent families in
Sta. Fe and Palo towns.
The enrolment of
indigent families is being made possible through the sponsored health
insurance coverage of PhilHealth where local government units can
sponsor coverage for identified and verified indigent beneficiaries.
With the PhilHealth ID
card, the enrolled families may avail themselves of the regular
hospitalization benefit package provided by PhilHealth in any of its
accredited hospitals and other institutional health care providers
nationwide.
Close to two thousand
Paranas families avail of 4Ps
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE
February
5, 2010
CATBALOGAN CITY – As
the month of February opens, close to two thousand families from Paranas town collected their cash subsidy from the program Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) at the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)
Catbalogan city branch.
On Thursday, the last
batch of beneficiaries swelled at the Catbalogan thoroughfares for
their purchases of vitamins, school supplies and food items.
Crowd at the leading
supermarkets and grocery stores like Lester Lace, Vida Maris and other
popular stores swelled to an unusual high, said an employee of nearby
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
Some 1,878 families
from Paranas town have been given their cash subsidy for the last two
quarters of 2009.
Gloria Pabua, 37, from
Zone 6 of Paranas poblacion was given a hefty sum of ten thosand pesos
for her two high school students, two elementary pupils and three day
care toddlers.
“We are just farmers
and could barely support our eight children, but we labor hard to send
all of them to school,” Gloria narrated in the local dialect as she
was spotted by PIA nursing her youngest baby boy in the crowded Imelda
Park.
They were surprised
that their barangay chairman informed them that they have qualified
for the program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
While Gloria had many
kids, Victoria Nacario of Barangay Pabanog has only two kids but
because of the low income she and husband have from upland farming, it
seemed next to impossible to send her two kids to school. Vicky
clucthed in her hand the meager share she has from the 4Ps‘ “this is
good enough for my two kids’ school needs, ” Vicky said in an
interview.
The program, strictly
enforces a set of conditions designed in a way as to increase the
chances of attaining the goal of poverty reduction.
Compliance to these
conditions, said DSWD is regularly monitored and to remain in the
program entails compliance.
Gloria and Vicky vowed
to obey the rules, yet Gloria added, “This does not mean that we only
wait for the cash subsidy, with or without this, we will still send
our children to school, because it is our obligation.”
(PIA-Samar)
Farmer slain by
terrorist NPA
Press Release
By DPAO, 8th Infantry Division, PA
February
3, 2010
CAMP LUKBAN,
Catbalogan City – An innocent farmer was slain by the members of the
notorious New People’s Army (NPA) at Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Matuguinao,
Samar 1:00
p.m. on Monday, February 2.
Arman Diaz of legal
age, married and a resident of the Brgy. Madoroto of said town was
shot dead by five unidentified members of NPA using assorted high
powered fire arms while he was in his farm place. Victim suffered
gunshot wounds all over his body that caused his instantaneous death.
Based on the reports
of the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion, the victim was mercilessly
slain in front of his children and wife. After the killing, the dead
body of Diaz was allegedly dragged and emplaced at the center of
barangay plaza to exhibit with the populace. The residents disclosed
that the victim is known for being hushed and hard-working in
upbringing his family and remember nothing to pay with the underground
movement.
The people of
Matuguinao particularly the victim’s family are calling to the human
rights groups especially to the Katungod-Sinirangang Bisayas to give
due attention to the barbaric, un-Godly and violent killing
perpetrated by the terrorists. They also call on to the Katungod-SB
to conduct investigation to give justice to the victim.
“Election Day is fast
approaching. This is perhaps one of their means to sow terror to the
masses in order to create chaos and destruct the rights of the people
to vote and choose a candidate of their choice”, as exposed by Roberto
Gacuma alias Ka Huling in his most interviews. Ka Huling is a former
top rank NPA official of Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC)
that was captured by the government forces sometime in 2007.
Meanwhile, police
authorities in Matuguinao is now conducting necessary investigation to
give justice to the victim. The 34th Infantry Battalion
under Lt. Col. Jose Gongona immediately conducts pursuit and security
operations in the area to go after the perpetrators.
Major General Arthur
Tabaquero, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division said,
“this is a clear manifestation that the terrorist NPA are the number
one violator of human rights. This is also the reason why the
development in the province is at stake.”
Enrile: Villar
violated the Constitution
Press Release
By Office of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile
February 2, 2010
PASAY CITY – Sen.
Manny Villar violated the Philippine Constitution for using his
position to benefit his real estate companies from a multi-billion
road extension project undertaken by the government, according to
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
Enrile told the Senate
in his sponsorship speech on Committee Report No. 780 that the
investigation by the Committee of the Whole into the controversial C-5
project showed that there was substantial credible evidence of
unethical conduct against Villar.
“As it happened,
Senator Villar used that power to satisfy the interest of his
corporations, and himself and his family. He did not therefore only
violate the conflict of interest rule… Senator Villar also violated
the Constitution because he became directly and indirectly interested
financially in contracts between his corporations and the DPWH, a
government entity,” Enrile said. “We are not supposed to be
financially interested in any contract or any franchise from the
government.”
Since May 2009, Enrile
said the committee had conducted 12 adjudicatory hearings to tackle
the unethical case filed by Sen. Jamby Madrigal, who presented 900
pieces of documentary evidence and at least five witnesses to prove
the improper conduct of Villar.
Not once did Villar
participate in any of the proceedings to dispute the charges, present
counter-evidence or cross-examine the witnesses despite the
opportunities accorded to him, Enrile said, adding that even Villar’s
allies in the Senate chose not to take part in the committee hearings.
“The Committee has
concluded that for the benefit of the corporations of Senator Villar
and he himself and his family, Senator Villar made the Filipino people
suffer the total amount of P6,226,070,427.00,” Enrile said. He
confirmed though that there was no double insertion in the budget as
alleged against Villar.
Based on computation
prepared by the committee, the total cost of the realigned C-5
Extension Road Project as sponsored, proposed and pushed by Villar
ballooned to almost P7 billion as opposed to the original government
plan of P2.5 billion.
“To the aforesaid
amounts of P4,284,970,000.00 and P1,800,000,000.00 or a total of P6
billion – this is the amount that we suggested to be restituted
P6,084,970,000 – the Committee also found and should add to this
P141,100,427.00, representing the overprice done on the properties of
Senator Villar which went into the pocket of Senator Villar and his
family through his corporations to acquire the roads rights-of-way for
the C-5 Extension Project of the DPWH,” Enrile told senators.
Enrile also
underscored the failure of Villar to divest his interests in his real
estate businesses and declare financial interests while pushing for
the massive road expansion project when he was a member of the House
of Representatives, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and
Senate president – a violation of the Constitution.
“The fact the he (Villar)
continued, I repeat, continued to fund the said project when he was
already a Senator, when he was already a Chairman of the Committee on
Finance, when he was already the Senate President, and yet did not
disclose, not an iota of information, not a wisp of any information,
not even a whisper of his pecuniary interest as so required by the
Constitution, constitutes in a rational mind, not to an irrational
mind, an improper conduct, to say the least,” Enrile said.
Villar owns 52 percent
of Adelfa Corporation, and Rep. Cynthia Villar, his wife, holds 48
percent. The family-owned Adelfa Properties is the holding company of
all the corporations down below, including Golden Haven Memorial Park,
Inc. and Azalea Real Estate Corporation (now known as Brittany
Corporation), which are all involved to the C-5 controversy.
He explained that
Villar could not claim innocence about the issue of overpricing since
Engr. Anastacio Adriano Jr., former senior vice president and general
manager of Adelfa Properties, testified as a hostile witness at a
Senate hearing that he “negotiated all of these for Senator Villar.”
“As I said, it is fair
and safe to assume that Senator Villar knew or ought to have known
about the said overpricing as his corporations stood to gain from such
transactions with the government and considering the closeness of
Senator Villar to Engr. Adriano, who was directly involved in the
transactions, in the negotiations, in the tawaran, and in the lagayan,”
Enrile said.
The report recommended
that Villar be censured for his improper conduct and be asked to
return to the public coffers the money that his companies profited
from the road-right-of-way sale.
“If indeed he (Villar)
is a public servant and he wants to serve his people, donate that
piece of land to the people; do not collect an overpriced land for
heaven’s sake. That will be paid for by the people,” Enrile said.
One terrorist killed,
one soldier wounded in a clash
By DPAO, 8th Infantry Division PA
February 1, 2010
CAMP LUKBAN,
Catbalogan City – A terrorist NPA was killed and two others were
wounded following an encounter transpired between the members of the
Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion and the terrorist group after
responding to the civilian tip that some armed rebels are collecting
foodstuff and extorting money to the local folks of barangay Santander,
Bobon, Northern Samar Friday morning.
The encounter
transpired at around 10 in the morning when the troops of Lt.
Florencio Tayo responded to the tips of the civilians.
Meanwhile, an M16
rifle, two handheld radios at various subversive documents were left
and recovered by the pursuing troops in the area of encounter after
about 10 minutes of firefight.
Initial information
reveals that upon approaching of the troops under Lt. Tayo the said
terrorist group immediately fired upon unto them the initiated the
firefight between the groups.
One soldier was
slightly wounded, Sgt Floro Lozano who was immediately air-evacuated
and now in a stable condition at Camp Lukban Station Hospital.
It is also believed
that more wounded rebels were dragged by their comrades towards their
secured places as evident in their route of withdrawals. This was
confirmed by some of the local folks who personally saw some
withdrawing rebels.
This incident is
another proof that our localities can no longer stand with the
terrorist’s different modes of sourcing out support in order to
sustain their existence. With this, the 20IB thru their commander,
Lt. Col. Jose Narciso continued their pursuit operations in order to
track down with the fleeing rebels and let them face charges against
the law.
Caring for Wetlands,
an answer to Climate Change
By PURIFICACION S. DALOOS
February 1, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY –
Wetlands once again take center stage as the global community
celebrates World Wetlands Day on February 2.
Anchored on the
international theme for World Wetlands Day 2010 "Wetlands,
Biodiversity, and Climate Change," its focus is on Caring for our
wetlands – an answer to climate change. This year’s celebration also
takes cognizance of the United Nations’ declaration making 2010 as the
International Year of Biodiversity. It recognizes the likely impact of
climate change on wetland ecosystems, and the role of wetlands in
climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Wetlands are areas of
land where water covers the soil – all year or just at certain times
of the year. They include swamps, marshes, lakes, lagoons, salt
marshes, mudflats, mangroves, coral reefs, fens, and peatlands.
Wetlands are an important natural resource of the environment as they
provide habitat and breeding grounds for fishes and other marine life,
among others.
Regional Executive
Director Primitivo C. Galinato Jr. stressed that to celebrate WWD
2010, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in region 8
spearheads several activities through the Protected Areas, Wildlife
and Coastal Zone Management Service. It shall conduct information,
education, communication campaigns to increase public awareness on the
importance of wetlands and how climate change may impact wetland
ecosystems.
PAWCZMS Regional
Technical Director Ricardo T. Tomol informed that Dalaw Turo
activities shall be conducted in schools and communities at identified
wetland areas Wetland visit and monitoring of migratory birds in
Canigao Island, Matalom, Leyte shall also form part of the activities
lined up for the celebration.
The tri-media shall
also be tapped to help convey the message of World Wetlands Day to the
public. A lecture series on Wetlands and Biodiversity shall be
sponsored for DENR employees as well as the academe. This will run
from February 8-28 at the DENR regional office.
RED Galinato invites
the public to visit the DENR regional office where an exhibit on the
World Wetlands Day celebration has been set up.
World Wetlands Day
is celebrated internationally each year marks the anniversary of the
signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar
Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971.
Establishment of
checkpoints in 803rd Brigade area in connection with the 2010 National
and Local Elections
By Maj. MELECIO Y. CASTILLO, 803rd IB, 8ID PA
January 30,
2010
CATARMAN, Northern
Samar – In compliance to Resolution Number 8729 “Guidelines on the
establishment of Comelec checkpoints in connection with the May 10,
2010 National and Local Elections” of the Commission on Election dated
December 29, 2010, joint checkpoints in coordination with Northern Samar
Provincial Election Officer and Police Provincial Office and the 803rd
Infantry Brigade conducted checkpoints in pre designated areas.
The 803rd Infantry
Brigade operating in the whole Northern Samar and his operational
controlled units provide personnel to Provincial Joint Security
Coordinating Council and the Municipal Joint Security Coordinating
Desk in the implementation of Resolution 8737. Troops coming from the
battalions were augmented to checkpoints in pre designated areas on
the time so desired by the Comelec.
Commanders of
controlled units was instructed by Colonel Arnolfo Atendido, commander
803rd Brigade to make sure and see to it that all personnel who were
tasks to manned checkpoints were properly brief of the following
duties and responsibilities.
A. Officer led (PNP/AFP)
B. Complete uniform
with name cloth
C. Not under the
influence of liquor/drug
D. Any violator of
this shall make the offender and commanding officer jointly liable for
administrative/criminal action.
Colonel Atendido added
also while some of his men were committed for election duties
downstairs, their internal security operations upstairs will not be
affected. They will be focusing neutralization of personalities and
capturing/surrender of firearms this time.
Banker affirms
Catbalogan as a trading hub in Samar province
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE
January
27, 2010
CATBALOGAN CITY –
The manager of Allied Bank in Catbalogan, Samar’s capital affirmed
the pronouncement of Catbalogan Mayor Coefredo ‘Tekwa’ Uy that
Catbalogan is a trading and cyber space hub in the province.
It will be recalled
that during the first charter day celebration of Catbalogan,
collateral materials drumbeat ‘Catbalogan as the trading and cyber
hub’.
Allied Bank Manager
Wilfred Abobo told PIA that with the presence of nine banks alone is a
proof that business is brisk in this part of
Samar.
He added that daily
transactions in his bank alone amounts to an average of P10 M a day.
“But we need
cooperation from the business sector, if we are united, we can move
forward and invite investors to give our business the needed boost ,”
the young manager told PIA in an interview.
The manager also added
that insurgency has somehow declined significantly, making business
here more profitable and more secure.
As Vice President of
the newly reorganized Samar Chamber of Commerce Incorporated (SCCI)
the manager encourages other businessmen to join the group for a
stronger and more solid team that will pave the way to the development
of the area.
Dr Stephen Kunz, a
German national acknowledges the potential of
Samar in the
aqua-marine trade, food processing and entrepreneurship.
(PIA-Samar)
Fear still grips
Ampatuan as hundreds of families remain in evacuation centers
Press Release
By KALINAW
MINDANAO
January 26, 2010
DAVAO CITY – Kalinaw
Mindanao presented to the public today its report which revealed that
hundreds of evacuees are still unable to return to their homes due to
the climate of fear that persists in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, two months
after the massacre.
Kalinaw Mindanao, an
alliance composed of human rights groups, lawyers groups, and Moro and
church-based organizations, conducted a National Interfaith Mission
for Peace and Justice in Maguindanao from January 22 to 26.
According to the
findings of the Mission, around 500 families living near the massacre
site in Brgy. Salman are forced to live in deplorable conditions in
evacuation centers due to the continued presence of the Ampatuan
clan’s private armies and the government military forces in the area.
The evacuees live in cramped makeshift tents, rely on dole-outs, and
receive no medical attention even though children are getting sick
from the lack of food and sanitation.
“These evacuees are
the hidden victims of human rights violations caused by the warlordism
of the Ampatuans and heavy militarization in the province,” said Bai
Ali Indayla of Kalinaw Mindanao.
The evacuees, police
and military officials all confirmed the presence of unidentified
armed men roaming in the area. There are also threats of civilian
houses being burned. Last January 12, 8 houses in Sitio Agapok, Bgy.
Salman were burned down.
Maguindanao police
director Sr. Supt. Alex Lineses also told the
Mission members that several civilians were arrested while martial
law was imposed on the province, and that these civilians remain in
detention. It is not clear whether formal charges have been brought
against them.
The Mission also
reported that majority of the evacuees are eyewitnesses to the
massacre, but are too afraid to come forward. It was also established
that there was the presence of about 400 elements of the Philippine
National Police in the Ampatuan municipal hall, only about one
kilometer from the entrance to the massacre site from the national
highway. “The massacre could have been prevented had the authorities
only performed their duty,” the report stated.
Kalinaw Mindanao
convener and Karapatan secretary general Lovella de Castro said that
the plight of the civilians, who are also victims of the Ampatuan
massacre, should be addressed. “They will not live normal and peaceful
lives unless the Ampatuans are swiftly brought to justice, its private
armies completely dismantled, and all police and military authorities
made to answer for their complicity in the crime,” de Castro stated.
De Castro also added
that the Ampatuan massacre has brought the number of extrajudicial
killings under the Arroyo government to 1,188, of which none of the
perpetrators have been punished.
“We will continue to
demand the accountability of Gloria Arroyo for the Ampatuan massacre
and other human rights violations, even after the elections. We cannot
move forward as a nation, unless Arroyo and the Ampatuans are
punished. Unless this happens, expect that the climate of fear and
culture of impunity in Maguindanao and elsewhere in the country will
continue,” she concluded.
Farmers in Eastern
Visayas cry for land and justice in 23rd anniversary of Mendiola
massacre!
By SAGUPA-SB
January
24, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY – How
many Presidents will be seated before the 13 farmers who died at Mendiola get true justice? This is the big question of peasants sector
in Eastern Visayas in commemorating the 23rd Anniversary of Mendiola
Massacre on January 22, 2010.
“Land for the Farmers!
This is the long time aspiration of the peasant since the Spanish,
American and Japanese colonialism and even today, fake freedom for
land, justice and oppression is represented and implemented by no
other than our own government and the big reason why the farmers has
nothing land to till” express Jose Tico, Spokesperson, SAGUPA-SB.
In commemorating the
23rd Mendiola Massacre Anniversary, the government proves that they
are not serious in solving the real problem of Filipino farmers and
its development and progress. The peasant sector is hungry for a long
time for land and seeks for the implementation of genuine agrarian
reform especially in distributing the land to farmers for free.
“In contrast,
landgrabbing was rampant and at present, fighting for land and justice
has taken away 561 farmers lives which is perpetrated by armed forces
of the Arroyo regime” added Tico.
One big example in
region-8 was the case in
Leyte Saba Basin
area in which the DAR-8 has given the task to distribute the 90,000
hectares of land but instead was given to rich and influential
landlord like Atty. Ching Veloso.
If we can remember,
the march-rally conducted by the farmers in Mendiola last 1987 was
initiated because of land reform negligence of the past Marcos
dictatorship and until now the Lakbayan for land and justice that
started in the far south of Mindanao and North of Luzon is a
courageous act for the Arroyo regime to pay.
