New Army Battalion formed, installs Madroñal as Commander
By EMY C. BONIFACIO
April
16, 2010
CATBALOGAN CITY –
The officers and men of the 8th Infantry (Stormtrooper) Division
recorded in its history the birth of the 87th Infantry (Hinirang)
Battalion which was activated pursuant to Gen. Orders No. 145, dated
April 9, 2010. The same Order subjected the 87th IB under the 8th ID
for its administrative and operational control.
The activation
ceremony was held at 8:30 in the morning at the 8th ID grandstand on
Tuesday, April 13, 2010.
Meanwhile, LtCol. Leo
Lorenzo Madroñal received his Appointment Order No. 241, as the first
Acting Commanding Officer of the newly created 87thIB. Thereafter, the
unit color was turned over to him by the 8thID Commanding Officer.
In his assumption
speech, Madroñal didn’t fail to mention the support of his wife and
son, who flew from Cagayan de Oro City, to witness the ceremony.
Likewise, he thanked the Commanding General for the opportunity. His
first verbal instruction which was directed to his Executive Officer,
Maj. Amphibio Gerbolida, was seemingly a reminder and a challenge to
him, as he was heard saying, “let us not make the limitations and
constraints an excuse, but we should and we must do more with less.”
On the other hand,
MGen. Tabaquero congratulated LtC. Madroñal and the other officers and
enlisted personnel who are currently assigned with this battalion for
the distinction of being the pioneers of the 87th IB. However, they
were warned of the price for being pioneers and that price is the
likelihood that the success or failure of the unit will always be
attributed to them.
“…It is vision, not
your resources that will make you successful. It is vision that will
make you look beyond the obstacles and focus your sight on your goals
and objectives. All your feelings of anxieties regarding limited
funds, lack of personnel and others are part of the birth pains that
the newly organized units must pass through” was Gen. Tabaquero’s
motivation.
The 8th ID leadership
is hopeful that with the organization of the 87th Infantry (Hinirang)
Battalion, their urgent mission to accomplish by June 2010 will be
met.
The final challenge
to Madroñal’s leadership was simply said in two statements. “Leo, do
good. Do not fail me!” says Gen. Tabaquero.
The 87th IB will be
stationed in Barangay Erenas, San Jorge, Samar the then location of
the 34th IB which is now based in San Jose de Buan, Samar.
Earth Day calls for 10
million commitment
By MARIBEL B. MUNSAYAC
April
15, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY – This
year’s Earth Day celebration slated on April 22 calls to action
individuals and groups to form a critical mass of champions for the
environment through the 10 Million Movement (10 MM) in the region
which seeks to gather 10 million individual commitments to do
something for Mother Earth.
With the theme “Hamon
ng Panahon, Climate Change 10 Milyung Solusyon Kilos Na! Ngayon Na!”,
this year’s earth day recognizes that climate change is the most
pressing issue in the country especially given the vulnerability of
the Philippines to its consequences, as shown by the destruction
caused by tropical cyclones “Ondoy” and “Pepeng.”
This as it is
environment department and other concerned environmental groups
recognize that addressing climate change and protecting the
environment require both individual and collective action.
According to Dir.
Letecia Maceda, regional director of the Environmental Management
Bureau-8 here the Ten Million Movement is an advocacy campaign to get
Filipinos who care for the environment to commit to take action
instead of merely asking others to do something.
The movement
encourages individuals, groups, schools, offices, companies,
government agencies and local government units to identify and commit
to implement an environmental acts and to register this with the 10M
Movement.
“Everyone is also
encouraged to share this information and inspire others to do the same
so that we can create a significant number of supporters of the
environment. Everyone has a role to play in the face of the changing
climate,” Dir. Maceda said.
Individuals who will
affix their signatures in the sign-up sheet should commit to at least
one of the following pro-environment activities: pollution/monitoring;
clean-up and rehabilitation; greening; advocacy and other ways of
caring for the Earth.
The Ten Million
Movement web site is accessible through www.10mm.ph.
Meanwhile, the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office in the region
together with its line bureaus has lined up various activities such as
advocacy, Climate Change and other Environmental Exhibit and Sayaw at
Musikahan para sa Kalikasan to be staged at the
Robinsons Place.
On the other hand,
EMB-8 will focus its Earth Day activities this year in Maasin City
with several other advocacy and environmental programs slated to be
conducted on April 22. Last year’s Earth Day program for the region
was held in Catbalogan City.
President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo has declared April 22 as the "Philippine's Earth Day"
through Presidential Proclamation Nos. 553 and 1276 making Earth Day a
permanent environment holiday in the country.
More jobs available to
Samarnons
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE
April
15, 2010
CATBALOGAN CITY –
Some 5,603 job vacancies were available at the Jobs Fair and Seminar
at the Samar State University (SSU) last
April 13-14, 2010.
The job fair is
sponsored by the SSU Alumni Batch ’84 with the Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA).
Jobs available for
abroad includes domestic helpers, factory workers, hotel staff and
even dancers and singers.
Recruitment agencies
fully licensed like UniJobs International Manpower Services
Corporation, New Era Placement Agency, Pacific Mediterranean, Mondial
Overseas Corporation, Ascend International Services Inc., Mothers’ Way
Employment Agency and 10th Storey Placement Agency have sent their
personnel to recruit Samarnons for the jobs.
Local recruiters like
APAC needs some call center agents while Taytay sa Kauswagan, a
leading micro finance firm said it needed some 150 personnel.
Nestor Dasig, Batch
’84 alumni president told PIA that they wanted to incorporate
something special and relevant in their homecoming this year. “The
event will give opportunities to Samarnons and to some fellow jobless
alumni.”
Rosielyn Cesista, a
fresh graduate of education from Dolores,
Eastern Samar and an alumnae of SSU queued for the job fair. She
told PIA that since it is difficult to apply for a teaching job, she
would try to get at least one of the 5 thousand jobs offered.
Peter Elias Dabuet
from Paranas knows hydraulic operation and he found at least two
companies needing the skill.
On the second day,
more job seekers swarmed the first stop, the skills registry designed
by DOLE. (PIA Samar)
More local chief execs
back Binay for VP
By JOEY SALGADO
April
14, 2010
MAKATI CITY – With
less than a month to go before the May 10 elections, a governor and 11
mayors from Luzon and the Visayas have joined a growing list of local
chief executives affiliated with different political parties who have
pledged their full support to United Opposition (UNO) vice
presidential bet Jejomar C. Binay.
In a manifesto of
support, the local leaders said they have decided to support Binay
because they “strongly believe that the country needs a tried and
tested executive, with proven successes in governance, to occupy the
executive positions especially in the national government.”
Among the local
officials who most recently signed the manifesto were Gov. Rogelio
“Roger” Espina of Biliran province, Mayor Edgardo Calingasan of Tuy,
Batangas, and ten mayors of various localities in Leyte province,
namely, Mayor Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez, Tacloban City; Mayor Coefredo
Uy, Catbalogan City; Mayor Proto Brazil, San Miguel; Mayor Teodoro
Sevilla, Palo; Mayor Valente Adolfo, Mayorga; Mayor Alden Aveztruz,
Barugo; Mayor Loreto Yu, Alangalang; Mayor Jul Co, La Paz; Mayor
Manuel Sia Que, Dulag; and Mayor Irvin Dy, Julita.
For his part, Binay
thanked his fellow local executives for their support. “I am deeply
moved and inspired by the full and unwavering support being vowed by
my fellow local executives from around the country, regardless of
their respective political party affiliations, for my candidacy as
vice president of the Philippines,” Binay said.
Binay also expressed
confidence that such pledges from around 150 local leaders to date,
including governors, mayors and councillors, will inevitably translate
into actual votes for him in their respective localities on May 10.
“I have great faith in
their ability to deliver the votes because I know they themselves
enjoy the trust and respect of their constituents,” Binay said.
Binay has been the
biggest gainer in recent surveys for vice president. He is now
statistically tied with Sen. Loren Legarda in the vice presidential
race as he advanced another four percentage points, based on the
latest Pulse Asia survey.
The results of a
recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted March 19-22 also showed Binay jumping from
17 percent in February to 21 percent.
In his meetings with
local leaders, Binay has repeatedly stated what he termed as the
“closer to the people” principle, which he said underpins his belief
that, being closer and more familiar with their respective areas of
responsibility, they are in the best position to decide on what
programs and services would best meet the needs of their constituents,
and to act or respond promptly especially in times of disasters when
lives are endangered.
“The challenge to the
next administration, and a test of commitment to public service for
potential national leaders, will be their willingness to surrender
control over local governments,” Binay said.
The opposition leader
said if elected vice president, he will “lead in ensuring the
attainment of true political and fiscal autonomy for the local
governments, even if it means diminished political and financial power
at the center.”
“I sincerely
believe that progressive barangays will mean progressive towns and
cities, which in turn will beget progressive provinces and regions,
and ultimately, a progressive Philippines,” Binay said.
7th Tanauan National
Skim Open a big hit, champ to travel to Australia
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
April
14, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY – The
7th Tanauan National Skim Open held in Tanauan, Leyte was a big
success, Mayor Roque Tiu stated during the awarding ceremony at the
Tanauan Shorelines in the evening of April 13.
Mayor Tiu disclosed
that the competition which was participated by about 100 skimboarders,
was once again dominated by the local skimboarders who won the nod of
the judges from the Philippine Skimboarding Federation, with their
expertise and agility in playing with their skimboards along the
Tanauan shorelines.
The overall champion
for the 7th National Skim Open is Brando Espada of Tanauan, Leyte, who
is now richer by the P100,000 prize. Also, as part of his price, he
will travel to Perth, Australia to represent the country in a
skimboarding competition there.
Arjun Jimenez of Cebu
won the second place and the cash prize of P50,000. The third prize of
P25,000 was awarded to Leo Espada of Tanauan while the fourth prize of
P10,000 was bagged by Obet Yanuario of Tanauan, Leyte.
For the Wahine
Division, the champion is a 12-year old fresh elementary graduate from
Tanauan, Leyte, Jona Ebañez who received a cash prize of P10,000.
Sheryl Pajelleno of Tanauan; Jamaica Salceda of Tolosa and Arlene
Nonato of Makati won the second, third and fourth prizes with cash
reward of P7,500; P5,000, and P2,000, respectively.
For the Groumet
Division, Karl Gabas of Tanauan received the first prize of P10,000;
Leander Apita of Borongan, Eastern Samar won the 2nd prize of P7,500;
Hendrick Vargas of Tanauan won the 3rd prize of P5,000 and Niño
Mercado of Tanauan won the fourth prize amounting to P2,000.
Mayor Roque Tiu and An
Waray Executive Director Jude Acidre also presented the prizes for the
winners of the various side events in this year’s Skimboarding
competition.
For the Rumba Bugsay
which is a paddle boat race, the winners were Ronnel Legaspi and
Borjie Pardenas while the second place was bagged by Roy Lanza and
Taruc Modeloso. Crispin Villegas and Rolando Legaspi won the third
place.
The Flat Track Race
Beginner championship was bagged by Lorrie Faron while Joel Caidic and
Raffy Virtudes, won the second and third places. The three winners are
all from Tanauan.
The Flat Track Race
Open’s first, second and third places, was won by Beboy Layoza of
Dagami; Raffy Virtudes of Tanauan and Aries Movio of Dulag,
respectively.
Meanwhile, the Wall
Climbing Open Competition championship was won by Alezander Makus
while Glindy Alvero and Dominic Aguilos won the second and third
prizes.
The Wall Climbing
Women Catergory was won by Kenneth Alminar while the second and third
places went to Faye Culas and Pedrosa Ivy Sanijon.
For the Wall Climbing
Novice category, the winners are Kim, Kevin and Tristan Cusi.
The winners for the
Bikini Open were Niña Sherra Tagalog of Palo; Jenelyn Yatar of Burauen
and Vitchie May Perez of Palo.
For the HipHop Dance
Craze the first place went to Zero Gravity and the second place went
to the Innocence dance group.
The 7th National
Skim Open was made possible with the support of An Waray thru
Congressman Bembem Noel; the Provincial Government of Leyte thru
Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla; the Municipal Government of Tanauan
and the various sponsors.
Media accreditation for May Elections ends April 15
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
April
14, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY –
Media practitioners and foreign observers who wish to cover and
observe the conduct of the May 10, 2010 elections must apply for
accreditation with the Commission on Elections, on or before the
deadline on April 15.
The reminder is
pursuant to COMELEC Resolution 8764 which outlines the guidelines
covering mass media accreditation.
“It is expected that
the 2010 Automated National and Local Elections will generate great
media attention, both foreign and domestic,” states COMELEC Resolution
8764 which outlines the guidelines covering mass media accreditation.
The Resolution further
states that “it is the policy of the COMELEC to ensure accurate
reporting about the conduct and results of the 2010 Automated National
and Local Elections by providing maximum access to all stages of the
electoral process to accredited media representatives subject only to
conditions essential for the protection of COMELEC personnel, property
and privileged information.”
All parties requesting
for media accreditation, the COMELEC said, shall be required to submit
a duly accomplished Accreditation Application form; two recent 2’x2’
colored photos; and an endorsement from the media agency employing the
applicant.
Members of the foreign
media will be required to submit photocopies of their International
Press Center Card (IPC) for the year 2010.
All applications for
accreditation must be personally filed from February 1, 2010 to April
15, 2010 before the COMELEC Education and Information Department (COMELEC-EID),
in the case of national and foreign media.
In the case of local
media, applications for accreditation must be submitted at the Office
of the Provincial Election Supervisor (OPES).
Foreigners or groups
of foreigners who wish to observe the May 10 elections may apply for
accreditation with the COMELEC through the Director IV of the
COMELEC-EID. The period for filing applications for foreign observer
accreditation will run from
February 1, 2010 until
April 15, 2010.
Applications must be
filed personally before the COMELEC-EID, supported by the following
documents: A) Duly accomplished information sheet, B) Two recent 2’x2’
colored photos and C) Endorsement by the Ambassador or Consul of the
home country of the applicants.
Application forms for
media and foreign observer accreditation may be downloaded from the
official COMELEC website
http://www.comelec.gov.ph/, the poll body’s official voter
education website
http://www.ibanangayon.ph/ and at the COMELEC’s official community
site
http://www.bagongbotante.ph/
Maza demands COMELEC
probe into military black prop against progressive party-lists
Press Release
By Liza Maza for Senator Movement
April 14, 2010
MANILA – Nacionalista-Makabayan senatorial candidate Liza Maza demanded that
the Commission on Elections conduct an immediate investigation on the
vilification campaign conducted by the 69th Infantry Battalion of the
Philippine Army against progressive party-lists Gabriela, Bayan Muna,
Anakpawis and Kabataan on April 6 at the Philippine College of
Technology (PCT) in Bajada, Davao.
"This is a clear
violation of the Omnibus Election Code which prohibits the military
from participating in partisan politics. The COMELEC should
immediately look into this and sanction the officers and members of
the 69th IB who participated in this," Maza said.
Section 261 of the
Omnibus Election Code states as an election offense “intervention of
public officers and employees... (i) Any officer or employee in the
civil service, except those holding political offices; any officer,
employee, or member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or any
police force, special forces, home defense forces, barangay
self-defense units and all other para-military units that now exist or
which may hereafter be organized who, directly or indirectly,
intervenes in any election campaign or engages in any partisan
political activity, except to vote or to preserve public order, if he
is a peace officer.”
Likewise, Article
IX-B, Section 2(4) of the 1987 Constitution and Section 55 of the
Administrative Code of 1987, also state, respectively, that “No
officer or employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or
indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political campaign” and
“No officer or employee in the Civil Service including members of the
Armed Forces, shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any partisan
political activity or take part in any election except to vote nor
shall he use his official authority or influence to coerce the
political activity of any other person or body”.
According to
witnesses, the military urged the students of PCT not to join or
support the above-mentioned groups which are New Peoples Army fronts
and use their respective “pork barrel” from Congress to support the
armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
“The malicious linking
of progressive party-lists to the CPP-NPA is an old issue that has yet
to be proven by those who seek to destroy the credibility of
individuals and groups that seek to genuinely serve the Filipinos,”
Maza said.
Maza pointed out that
Gabriela, Bayan Muna, and Anakpawis have not been receiving their
respective Priority Development Assistance Fund – more commonly known
as the “pork barrel” – since 2004 due to them being the main critics
of the Arroyo administration. She also stressed that said party-lists
are pro-abolition of the “pork barrel”.
PhilHealth launches
Remittance-by-Air in Region 8
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
April
14, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY – The
Philippine Insurance Health Insurance Corporation is set to introduce
its Remittance-by-Air on April 16, from 6:00 o’clock to 7:00 o’clock
in the evening, at Robinson’s Place Tacloban.
Mr. Walter Bacareza,
Regional Vice President of PhilHealth informed that the launching
activity will include live entertainment featuring local artists,
funfare and promos.
PhilHealth will also
set up a Service Desk within the mall from 10:00 o’clock in the
morning to 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon to provide on-site
registration and information to members and non-members alike.
The Remittance-by-Air
provides a convenient way for individually-paying members to pay their
premium through Smart and Talk n' Text prepaid mobile phones.
This way, Philhealth's
individually paying members may now pay their premiums without sweat,
through texting. The members are able to save time and money because
they are no longer required to go to the bank or visit a Philhealth
office to pay their premium.
By sending the correct
parameters, members can complete Philhealth payment transactions in
the comfort of their homes or offices. This new scheme provides for a
monthly premium payment which is now an added option to the regular
quarterly, semi-annual or annual mode.
In order to complete a
transaction, members must ensure that the mobile phone they are using
has an existing credit of at least P115.
Members must type
PHICPhilhealth identification number (PIN) [Ex. PHIC 120123456789] and send it to 7442. The system
will send back the
PIN with the corresponding name of the member for confirmation.
If the name is correct, the member will be required to reply PHICYES
to 7442.
Upon completion of the
transaction, the amount of P115 will be deducted from the member's
phone load. P100 of the total amount will cover the premium for one
month, while the remaining P15 will pay for transaction fee. The
member will then receive a thank you note and the reference number as
proof of payment.
Reds abduct local bet in Davao Oriental
BY DPAO, 10th Infantry Division, PA
April
13, 2010
CAMP APOLINARIO,
Panacan, Davao City – A mayoralty candidate together with a former
Village official were abducted by New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists
in the village of Marayag in Lupon town in Davao Oriental 3:00 PM
Sunday.
Former Lupon town
mayor Arfran Quinones who is running as Independent was with eight of
his supporters in a campaign sortie when about 30 armed NPAs clad in
military uniforms led by a certain Benjie of Sentro de Gravidad, Local
Terrrorist Front-18 held them at gunpoint.
Terrorists freed seven
of the victims three hours later while Quinones together with a former
Barangay Kagawad of Marayag identified as Ronisito Pedro are still
being held against their will.
Reports reaching
authorities indicate the possibility of the failure of Quinones to pay
extortion money disguised as “Permit to Campaign Fee” as the motive.
The freed victims also said their vehicles were searched for guns as
the terrorists were planning to confiscate them but no firearms were
found.
Governor Arturo Uy of
adjacent Compostela Valley (ComVal) province is reportedly negotiating
for the release of the victims from the hands of the terrorists.
The brazen act of the
NPA in Lupon is one of the strings of election related incidents
perpetrated by the Communist in the past weeks.
A week ago, soldiers
of the 66th Infantry Battalion recovered Improvised Explosive Devise (IED)
components in New Bataan town in ComVal province. Reports from the
field indicate that NPA terrorists plan to use IED against government
troops by planting them on the roadside and as leverage against
candidates planning to campaign in far flung areas in line with their
extortion scheme “Permit to Campaign Fee.”
In March, two
followers of a local candidate in
Davao City
were abducted and later freed while their vehicle was car-napped and
later left on the roadside after the candidate reportedly refused to
give-in to the NPA terrorists’ extortion demand.
Armed NPAs were also
noted to campaign for some candidates and partylist groups.
Early morning of
Sunday, soldiers clashed with NPA who were reported to be planning to
meddle in the coming elections in Paquibato District in Davao City.
Authorities said consistent reports coming from residents on the
presence of armed men directly campaigning for some candidates and
partylist groups being indorsed by the Communist Party of the
Philippines prompted troops of the army’s 69th Infantry Battalion to
respond which resulted to the gunbattle.
Last week, a local
paper in Davao City reported the case in Mati City in Davao Oriental
regarding NPAs posting campaign materials of two senatorial bets
linked to the left together with a presidential candidate to the
dismay of local residents while in Mawab town in ComVal province,
troops from the 3rd Special Forces Battalion clashed with NPAs after
residents informed government troops on the presence of armed
individuals openly campaigning house to house favoring some partylist
groups.
Last March, soldiers
of the 67th Infantry Battalion in Baganga town in Davao Oriental also
clashed with NPAs after residents reported armed men campaigning for
particular partylists.
Talalora LGU empowers
women, holds Summit
By EMY C. BONIFACIO
April
13, 2010
CATBALOGAN, Samar –
Hon. Cornelio M. Bersales, Municipal Mayor, pampers Talalora women by
holding LGU-GAD initiated activities annually since 2007. Once again,
last March 25, more or less 100 women participants, representing the
academe, plain housewives, barangay officials and health workers of
twelve (12) barangays, attended the Women’s Summit at the St. James
Multi-Purpose Center, this town.
