DENR forges partnership with private sector for management of Wildlife/Philippine Eagle rescue center

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
December 29, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Region 8, recently entered a 25 year Memorandum of Agreement with the Dangkalan Pacific Beach Resort (DPBR) in Taft, Eastern Samar for using the latter’s existing facility as a Satellite Regional Wildlife Rescue Center and Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) rescue center.

The MOA signing was done by DENR Regional Executive Director Rogelio T. Francisco and DPBR Manager Adonis Moscare. The signing was witnessed by Regional Technical Director Danilo A. Javier of the DENR PAWCZMS, PENR Officer Marciano T. Talavera of PENRO, Eastern Samar, CENR Officer Delia A. Benitez of CENRO Dolores, Eastern Samar, Hon. Mayor Diego T. Lim of Taft, Eastern Samar and other DENR officials.

Consistent with the DENR’s mandate and R.A. 9147, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001, the DENR-8 endeavors to collaborate with various local and foreign institutions or organizations in the implementation of various conservation-oriented programs such as management of Wildlife Rescue Centers and conduct scientific researches of biodiversity for social, economic and scientific benefits.

As a Satellite Regional Wildlife Rescue Center, the DPBR shall serve as temporary and appropriate shelter for surrendered, confiscated, donated, retrieved, and/or abandoned wild plants and animals. It shall also provide adequate care and maintenance for said wildlife with the ultimate objective of releasing the same back to its natural habitat.

The MOA provides that all retrieved plants and animals shall remain to be the property of the government. Transfer and shipment of said wildlife within and outside the country for any purpose shall be subject to existing laws and with permission of the DENR.

Moreover, flora and fauna species deposited in the facility shall be used strictly for educational purposes and activities specified under the agreement and shall not in any manner be used for Pharmacological screening or for the extraction of genetic material for commercial purposes.

As partner of the DENR in biodiversity conservation, the DPBR through its Manager, Adonis B. Moscare, shall provide food and medical needs of wildlife that will be housed in their facility, and to nurture and/or rehabilitate the same until they are fit for release to the wild, its natural habitat.

A holder of Wildlife Registration Certificate No. 0107 which was issued by the DENR on January 17, 2011, the DPBR has been nurturing some wildlife species in its resort as an added attraction to its customers.

DENR is thankful that the DPBR has offered their facility for our rescued wildlife species.  This facility is strategically positioned since this is near the declared Taft Forest Philippine Eagle Sanctuary in Barangay Binaloan and San Rafael, Taft where sightings of the Philippine Eagle were recorded.

For its part, the DENR through its Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service will provide technical and administrative assistance in developing the capability of the DPBR working force through appropriate trainings on handling and nurturing wildlife species. Other trainings would include among others: retrieval and transport of apprehended wildlife for nurturing at the DBPR facility.  The DENR’s Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices in Borongan and Dolores, Eastern Samar respectively, will periodically monitor the facility, Ms. Purificacion Daloos, chief of the DENR-8 Public Affairs Office said.

As of press time, the DENR and DPBR will yet formulate a work plan which would contain logistical and administrative requirements for the operation of the center.  These are among others: fund counter parting and sharing scheme for collected entrance fees, the procurement of necessary rescue and quarantine facilities, equipment and materials, provision of a licensed veterinarian and field laborers, provision of adequate area for confiscated wildlife, formation of a Multi-partite Monitoring Team (MMT) composed of various stakeholders and sustenance of its activities.

DPWH completes construction project in Ormoc

By MARIVIC ALCOBER, PIA 8
December 29, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Leyte Fourth Engineering District (4th LED) recently completed the construction of the multi-purpose building located at Brgy. Camp Downes, Ormoc City (Phase I) with a contract price of P1,301,809.74.

According to District Engineer Lino Francisco C. Gonzalez of the DPWH, the said multi-purpose building is an additional building for Brgy Camp Downes which may be used by its constituents as venue for their various activities such as meetings, local programs, medical missions, and other important events or gatherings.

Engr. Gonzalez added that another completed project of the Engineering District is the 1-classroom school building of San Vicente Elementary School, located at Brgy. San Vicente, Ormoc City, which has a contract price of P637,861.94.

The project, it was bared, was contracted by R. M. Villasensio Construction but under the supervision of the engineers from DPWH, 4th LED.

Gonzales informed that Brgy. San Vicente was granted an additional school building because of the increase of the student enrollees and due to lack of better rooms which may serve as venue for them to have quality education.

The project of the department was made possible through the efforts of Representative Lucy Torres who responded to the needs of her barangay constituents by way of providing quality structure for the welfare of the students and uplifting the quality of education which is one of the priorities of the present administration.

On the other hand, to prevent further damage of the structure, Gonzalez shared that an on-going repair and maintenance is currently being conducted at the Malitbog River Control at Brgy. Malitbog, Albuera, Leyte with a contract price of P488,444.47.

With a contract price of P489,537.78, repair and maintenance of Bantigue River Control is likewise being conducted at Brgy Bantigue, Ormoc City, wherein the box culvert is located within the city’s national road.

Further, to provide safety to the travelling public, vegetation control clearing and cleaning of the road shoulders along Ormoc-Baybay-Southern Leyte boundary road.  Likewise, manual ditch cleaning along said area has also been undertaken for the prevention of flooding, Engr.Gonzalez concluded.

PNOY’s “Training for Work” goes to Local Institute

By ALICE NICART, PIA Eastern Samar
December 28, 2011

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  President Benigno Aquino’s Training for Work Program is set to be received by some qualified individuals at the  Llorente Technical Institute (LTI) in January 2012.

Municipal Information Officer, Mariz Bormate disclosed that Food and Beverage Service (FBS), Housekeeping, Welding, Plumbing, Electrical and Automotive trainings will be offered with free tuition and assessment fees next month, January 2 to be exact, but applicants have to beat the deadline, tomorrow, December 29.

It was learned however, that the announcement had been delivered several weeks ago, thus the expectation that a number of job-seeking individuals would flock the center.

Bormate informed that this package is a grant of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) under the Training for Work Program, being one of the flagship programs of President Aquino.

She said that some 87 slots are up for grabs for the different short-term courses at LTI which had been running for five years now.

Initiated by former Mayor Anton Cardona, LTI is proud to have produced current productive persons who work in local settings and abroad.  This was opened in Llorente town (just an hour drive from Borongan city) in 2006, as a joint project of the LGU and PLAN Philippines.

It is said to be the only TESDA registered Training Institute in Samar and Leyte.

“LTI is the only TESDA registered LGU-run Training institute in the whole Region 8”, Ms. Bormate claimed.

The former town’s chief executive bears a gratifying success at his bold experiment, five years ago. In a text message, he said he feels good that among others, he has left this one legacy to his people.

“I am happy that with LTI, we have assisted people of their needs because most if not all of the graduates have found their own workplaces”, Cardona said. “With today’s employment problem, I advise our youths to train for blue-collared-jobs, like we have at LTI, rather than the white-collared ones, so they could immediately land a job after completion, with lesser expense in time and money. Most importantly, he said, they can help their families mitigate poverty immediately”, he added.

“I am also grateful to Pres. Aquino with his Training for Work Program through TESDA, because this means that with this 87 slots, another 87 poor individuals in the province could help their families in improving their quality of life in the next few months or so,” he concluded.

The be-medaled young mayor, who completed the full three-terms had been known to have attended seriously into the needs and welfare of his constituents: from the youth, to the elderly, the farmers, the pre-elementary learners, to mothers and infants’ needs, etc.

LPA affects 3,642 families in Leyte Island

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
December 28, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The intermittent rains brought about by the low pressure area and tail end of a cold front, has affected a total of 3,642 families in 108 barangays in the provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Operations Center informed.

RDRRMC chairman and OCD Director Rey Gozon said that the municipality of Javier, Leyte accounted for a total of 1,081 families who were rescued from 9 barangays namely, Batog, Kalsada, Inayopan, Picas, Kasulongan, Bantay, Karanhug, Abuyugay and Malitbogay.

Dagami in Leyte accounted for 820 families who were evacuated from its 65 barangays due to the overflowing of the San Benito Bridge. Jassen Bacate, 5 years old male from Barangay Los Martires died of drowning.

Around 697 families were evacuated from the 14 barangays of Abuyog, Leyte, namely, Poblacion 1 to 9, Pagsangan, Can-apurong, Udyungan, Burubudan and Canmarating.

Meanwhile, in the municipality of Palo, 600 families were evacuated from 5 barangays due to flooding. Relief operation is still ongoing as of press time.

Other municipalities in Leyte that has reported flooding were Mayorga, Santa Fe, Baybay, MacArthur, Tolosa and Julita.

In Southern Leyte, 74 families from four barangays at Saint Bernard were evacuated on December 26 due to flooding and possible landslides.

Director Gozon cited the cooperation and support of the national government agencies, the local disaster risk reduction and management councils and the 8th Infantry Division.

DOH stresses value of DTTB program

By AURORA J. CASIMPAN, PIA 8
December 28, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Doctors to the Barrios Program (DTTB) of the Department of Health which has been in existence for 18 years and has deployed 28 batches of 553 physicians to serve in hard to reach and in far flung towns in 16 regions, is a program of the government appreciated by individuals wanting to become doctors but financially unable to support medical school.

Scholars of the DTTB Program finish medical with the help of the Pinoy MD Medical scholarship Program and the First Gentleman Foundation, Inc.

DOH regional director Edgardo Gonzaga disclosed that the DTTB Program offers an attractive package which includes a competitive salary and Magna Carta benefits and with bonuses.

Professional support for the DDTBs include access to a vast network of both government and private institutions and DOH partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines in the development of the course, Master in Public Management Major in Health Systems.

In addition to the masters course is a Development Course specifically tailored for DTTBs in recognition of the learning opportunities package with the Program.

Director Gonzaga informed that in October, 2011, 26 DTTBs from previous batches were conferred with the degree of Master in Management Major in Health Science System and development while 18 DTTBs obtained a diploma in health system and development. The conferment of degrees and diplomas were given after the candidates were able to complete all the requirements needed to finish the course.

DOH plans to expand the DTTB program as the program seems to be the answer to the agency’s goal of “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan”.

Recently, DOH has announced the deployment of DTTBs to 10 identified priority towns in Eastern Visayas bereft of the services of physicians.

DPWH-SLED bares medium term development plan CY 2011-2016

By BONG PEDALINO, PIA Southern Leyte
December 27, 2011

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte  –  Concreting and widening of arterial roads that lead to designated tourism destinations, as well as flood control projects, will be among the top priorities of the provincial office of the public works agency here in the next five years.

In the latest issue of its in-house publication, “Builders’ Page”, the Department of Public Works and Highways-Southern Leyte Engineering District (DPWH-SLED) will be moving towards fulfillment of the country’s medium term development plan and the province’s socio-economic development.

The newsletter said that for the calendar year 2012, the DPWH has allocated P140,473,000.00 from its regular funds to complete five projects, foremost of which is the Subang Dako Bridge which will increase mobility in the central part of the province.

“The Daang Maharlika areterial road will still be rehabilitated along its intermittent sections and we will partially declog the bottleneck and roadside friction along the newly converted Tomas Oppus street in Maasin City,” the “Builders Page” reported.

For support of identified tourism sites in the province, the roads leading to airports, RORO ports and food production areas will be prioritized for concreting and widening, such as the Liloan-San Ricardo section in Panaon island, the saddle road section at Pintuyan, and other access-to-tourism-spots areas.

The “Builders’ Page” also contained the 2011 accomplishment report outlining the rehabilitation, reconstruction and maintenance of primary and secondary arterial roads that are responsible to the increased economic and business activity in the province, said District Engineer Carlos Veloso in his message.

“With easier access provided by the above major final outputs, we have played our role in providing a safe, fast, economical and reliable inter-regional and inter-urban mobility of people, goods, and services,” Veloso added.

Veloso also stressed that he was proud to be at the forefront in providing repair restoration works of road blocks, road cuts, road slides and in working closely with other government agencies in conducting relief and rescue operations using the agency’s basic highway maintenance equipment.

“As we sail in the future, we will continually adapt ourselves to institutionalize improved processes to play our role in implementing quality infrastructure project needed for a safe environment and increased mobility and total connectivity,” Veloso also said.

Leyte Sports Academy athletes now part of the national team

By Provincial Media Relations Center
December 26, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Two sports-scholars of the Leyte Sports Academy have made it to the national athletics team that would compete in the 2014 Youth Games in China, after they earned medals during the recently concluded National Batang Pinoy 2011 in Naga City.

LSA Administrator Rowil Batan disclosed the two athletes are junior high school Francis Acedillo and senior high student Angelica Publico. Acedillo won in the 800 meter and 1,500 meter run; while, Publico earned a spot in the 400 meter low hurdle.

The two athletes were part of the 16-man delegation that the academy brought to the national competition of the Batang Pinoy after winning gold and silver medals in the Visayas leg in Dumaguete.

“Considering that we have just started the academy and training these athletes for just a little over a year, we are really very proud of their achievements so far. This goes to show we are on the right track in honing our local sports talents,” Batan said.

At the Batang Pinoy 2011 national finals in Naga City, LSA athletes claimed three gold medals, five silvers and four bronze medals. All the medals, except for one silver in boxing, came from athletics.

However, Batan disclosed that the LSA management would have to make negotiations with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to have Acedillo and Publico still continue at the academy despite being part of the national team.

Batan said both the athletes are still in their high school and the LSA management would not want their education disrupted at the moment.

“As Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla said, we have gathered these athletes from all over the province not just to train them in their respective sports, but they are also required to excel or maintain their academics,” Batan said.

Earlier, the two athletes were given formal recognition by the provincial government through Gov. Petilla for their exemplary performance from the Leyte Provincial Meet, to the SCUAA games and up to the Batang Pinoy 2011 in Dumaguete and Naga City.

Aside from the two, the rest of the LSA athletes who won gold, silver and bronze medals at the Leyte Provincial Meet, SCUAA and Batang Pinoy 2011 were also given incentives by the provincial government of Leyte.

For having won the most number of medals, Acedillo and Publico got the highest incentive with more or less P10,000.

The rest of the athletes variably received their respective incentives.

Gov. Petilla said the incentives are provided to the athletes to motivate them more to make their best from training up to the competition.

Rep. Alcover: “Go ahead, Make my day!”

By ANAD Partylist
December 26, 2011

QUEZON CITY  –  “My conscience is clear! They wanted to pull the rag off my feet! If that is what they wanted then they should go for it. I am willing to face the House’s Ethics Committee investigation.”

ANAD Partylist Rep. Jun Alcover issued this statement in response to the threat poised by the House’s majority block to have him expelled from the House for reportedly maligning the credibility and integrity of the House using statements that he did not make.

“As I have said time and again, I never pointed an accusing finger against President Aquino III for allegedly gifting 188 solons in exchange for signing in the impeachment complaint. This is what I’ve heard from some members of the House after they reportedly affixed their respective signatures,” clarified Rep. Alcover. “Now they’re going to use the very same 188 solons to expel me from the House!” he said.

“Clearly behind this move are the evil intentions of some personalities that succeeded in infiltrating the pedestal of power in Malacañang to clear the House of any anti-communism or pro-democracy member. I know that I have not made any statement to support their allegation of bribery. They twisted facts because all that they wanted is to wipe clean the House of Representatives of any anti-communism member!” Rep. Alcover said.

The pro-democracy solon explained that recent developments undeniably validate earlier reports that a demolition job is on the way against the previous administration and pro-democracy / anti-communism legislators. “First it was former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, then the impeachment case against Chief Justice Renato Corona, followed by the case against retired Gen. Jovito Palparan. Next on the line is me. This is it!” he added.

“If maligning the integrity and credibility of the House is their concern, they should have expelled immediately then Rep. Eric Singson for his drug case in Hongkong; Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr. of the Province of Dinagat Islands should have been expelled too, without delay, with warrants of arrest already issued against him. Why is the House mum about Rep. Ecleo’s case? What about the protective mantle given to the infamous Batasan 5, instead of expelling them from the House for conduct inimical to the security of the state? What about the protection the House gave to Satur Ocampo, during his incumbency in the House. He had a warrant of arrest issued by the courts after being positively identified as the mastermind in the Inopacan massacre, in Leyte,” Rep. Alcover said.

“What about those who issued statements, resigned from the majority block or positions in the Lower House? What about those who delivered privilege speech/es critical of the impeachment complaint against CJ Renato Corona that they said was hastily done? This is more damaging than the concocted stories they’ve waged against me!” Rep. Alcover added.

“The investigation will be decided by the numbers and not on the merits. They have the numbers, while I don’t have! Despite this sad state that I am forced to bear, I welcome the investigation because this only through this that I can openly express my position. My faith in the democracy that I fought to protect and the rule of law remains strong and unperturbed. Using the words of the popular Detective Harry Callaghan in the movie Dirty Harry, I say to them - - - Go Ahead, Make my day!” Rep. Alcover pointed out.

All East Visayas LGUs are compliant of full disclosure policy

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
December 26, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The local government units in Eastern Visayas are all compliant of the transparency and full disclosure policy of the Aquino Government, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 8 Director Pedro Noval Jr. informed

The new DILG 8 Director said that among the first things he did when he assumed office was to go around the region to talk with the local government executives about the policy on full disclosure.

He said he was glad that the mayors acted positively and made arrangements in order to be able to comply with the policy.

The DILG Director expressed optimism that when the next evaluation comes, all the LGUs in Eastern Visayas will be certified as compliant and will be given the Seal of Good Housekeeping certificate from DILG.

He however, urged local government officials in Eastern Visayas to practice transparency not out of obligation but out of responsibility. Such policy will revolutionize governance as it will make people learn to trust the government, Director Noval said.

The DILG Director said a local government unit displays the “seal of good housekeeping” if it has a clean Commission on Audit (COA) report and if it conforms to the rules of full disclosure.

Under the full disclosure policy, he said, the local government will continue to keep the people informed of what it is doing.

Director Noval said people tend to show willingness to make sacrifices for the government if they see that government officials keep them informed of the programs the government is undertaking and if they see that government officials are spending public money prudently.

The full disclosure policy is a way of translating the present administration’s “Kung walang Kurap¸ walang Mahirap” slogan.

Under this policy, LGUs are mandated to post public documents and transactions including budget report, debt services, statement of receipts and expenditures and bidding results in public places so that people will see them.

DOH-8 deploys health team to Northern Mindanao

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
December 26, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Department of Health (DOH) Region 8 has sent a medical team to Cagayan de Oro before Christmas and will send another batch this week in order to help attend to the health needs of the Sendong affected families in the said area.

The medical team is composed of psychiatrists who will help take care of the residents who are suffering from the trauma caused by tragedy, some have lost their families while others are still in state of shock because of the tragedy; medical doctors, sanitary engineers, among others.

One team that was sent Cagayan de Oro came home before Christmas. Another team will be sent after Christmas, Dr. Paula Sydiongco said in a radio interview.

Right after the calamity in Northern Mindanao, DOH Regional Director Edgardo Gonzaga expressed willingness to deploy a medical team from Eastern Visayas to Northern Mindanao.

He told the Philippine Information Agency that he, however deferred the move upon the advice of the DOH Central Office that the DOH regional offices in Mindanao be the first to send their teams. The DOH Visayas teams will be informed when their schedule comes.

When the go signal came, DOH 8 immediately deployed a team to assist the medical personnel of the DOH 10 in attending to the medical needs of the people in the affected areas in Northern Mindanao.

To date, the death toll from the storm rose to 1,236 on December 25 authorities continued to fish out more bodies from the water throughout the day, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,079 persons remain missing after Sendong ravaged last weekend portions of Northern Mindanao, particularly the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, based on latest records from the NDRRMC.