Eastern Samar, Northern Samar register high level of achievement in its Poverty Reduction in 2003

By NEIL D. LOPIDO, (PIA 8)
July 2, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  – Among the provinces in Eastern Visayas, the provinces of Eastern Samar and Northern Samar registered high level of achievement in its poverty reduction efforts with the rate of progress of 2.3 and 1.6 percent, respectively.

Assessment of progress is the ratio of actual rate of progress to the target annual rate of progress. High rate of progress is greater than 0.9, Medium rate of progress is between 0.5-0.9, and Low rate of progress is less than 0.5.

Evangelin M. Paran, Regional Head of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) in Region 8 said that this high achievement could be attributed to the large reduction in their poverty incidence from 67.2 in 1997 to 41.1 in 2003 for Eastern Samar and from 40.8 in 1997 to 55.5 in 2003 for Northern Samar.

On the other hand, Paran said that the province of Biliran recorded the lowest achievement where its poverty incidence worsened from 44.9 in 1997 to 55.6 in 2003. Similarly, Leyte posted a slight increase in poverty incidence from 39.6 in 1997 to 42.3 in 2003.

In Eastern Visayas, while poverty incidence dropped to 43.0 percent, the region still wasn’t able to meet its target of 35.3 percent, lagging by 7.7 percentage points and if this trend continues, the region may not likely achieve its poverty reduction target by 2015, Paran explained.

Paran stressed that eradicating extreme poverty and hunger is one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) our government is committed to achieve as member of the United Nations. In Eastern Visayas, according to Paran, we aim to halve poverty incidence from 47.1 percent in 1991 to 23.6 percent in 2015.

Australia needs butchers, lucrative salary awaits

By RODRIGO S. VICTORIA, (PIA Biliran)
July 1, 2006

NAVAL, Biliran  – A promising opportunity awaits the Filipino butchers and slaughterhouse workers as the Australian government is in need of these kind of workers with corresponding big salaries.

This was revealed by Lino Severino, Supervising TESDA Specialist of the provincial office of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) here during the regular radio program PIA Kapihan at Pulong-Pulong ng Bayan.

Severino said that the hiring of butchers and slaughterhouse workers is in line with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s (PGMA) Work Training and Scholarship Program. The program is aimed at providing Filipino workers the appropriate training skills and competencies to be able to give them a big opportunity of employment and livelihood. It is also part of PGMA’s ten-point legacy agenda to generate six to ten million jobs during her term until the year 2010.

He added that the budget allocation of TESDA for this year is increased to P500 M to expand the agency’s programs and activities geared towards further improving the skills competency of the Filipino workers and providing them vast opportunities for employment and livelihood.

Severino said that the applicant for butchers and slaughterhouse workers must have an 18 years experience on the job to be certified by the market/slaughterhouse supervisor or any person of competent authority, must have completed at least third year high school and with an age ranging from 30 to 35 years old.

The butchers and slaughterhouse workers will have to undergo six weeks training in a training center located in Pampanga after submitting the necessary requirements including the corresponding training package amount of P26,000. The qualified trainee will only pay the amount of P21,000.00 and the rest will be shouldered by TESDA, Severino further said.

He added that after the six weeks training, the applicant will be assessed by TESDA as to his knowledge and skills acquired during the training including the physical and moral fitness of the qualified candidates for the job bound for Australia.

What is more promising and enticing with the job opportunity which is open to all qualified and interested butchers and slaughterhouse workers in the country is the estimated monthly salary of P90,000.00, he said.

At present, TESDA is preparing a curriculum designed to train butchers and slaughterhouse workers with the appropriate techniques, skills and knowledge on butchering and slaughtering good for 160 training hours.

Leyte mayor guest of honor at Singapore Skimfest

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June 30, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Skimboarding in Region 8 was boosted when Tanauan, Leyte Mayor Roque A. Tiu was invited as guest of honor at the Skim Fest in Singapore sponsored by Skim Asia Federation, on June 24.

More than 100 skim boarders belonging to ten different skimboarding groups attended the Singapore Skim Fest 2006 which was held at the South East Bay Area which is a place frequented by Singaporeans during weekends.

The occasion gave the Philippines the chance to promote the first International Skimboarding Competition which will be held in Tanauan, Leyte in April 2007. The Skim Asia Federation pledged to support the undertaking not only by promoting it to the Skim Asia Federation members in Hongkong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and Australia but also in the United States.

The Skim Asia will also help in the organization and management of the competition. The officers led by the executive director will come to Tanauan, Leyte during the competition.

Mayor Tiu said that already, two manufacturers of skimboards and other water sports equipments, one from Malaysia and the other one from Australia, already agreed to sponsor the forthcoming International Skimboarding in Tanauan, Leyte.

He added that he has learned a lot from Skim Fest in Singapore and that from the learnings, he hopes that he will be able to help improve the Skimboarding water sports in the Philippines. He said that with the support of Congresswoman Remedios Petilla of the first district of Leyte who has been doing a lot to promote skimboarding in the district, and with the help from the youthful governor of the province of Leyte, Hon. Carlos Jericho Petilla who is a well-known water sports enthusiast, he has no doubt that Skimboarding in Leyte and in the whole of Region 8 will go a long way.

Skim Asia Federation recognizes that Skimboarding in the Philippines started in the Municipality of Tanauan. Some of the officers who were around during the 2nd National Skimboarding Competition in April at the Tanauan shorelines all agree that the place is more beautiful and conducive to skimboarding than the shorelines at Singapore.

Some skimboarders from Singapore will come to the Philippines in October in order to practice and test run the Tanauan waters and the other neighboring coastal municipalities in Leyte and Samar, Mayor Tiu concluded.

Iloilo experts predict KO win for Pacquiao

By ALEX P. VIDAL/ PNS
June 30, 2006

ILOILO CITY – For most boxing experts here, the only way for Oscar Larios to upset Manny Pacquiao on July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum is for the Mexican heartthrob to bring a pistol when he climbs the ring for Pacquiao's World Boxing Council (WBC) international superfeatherweight title.

"Larios is not anymore in the class of Pacquiao," volunteered Mario "Marlon" Lumacad, Jr., 51, manager of Johnny Elorde Boxing fitness center here. "At 29, he is on the way down and Pacquiao will knock him out in seven rounds."

Lumacad, son of professional boxing trainer Mario, Sr. said the Larios that Pacquiao will be facing on July 2 is the different from the two-time world champion Larios four years ago.

Former Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Commissioner Emmanuel "Nonong" Palabrica, a native of Bingawan, Iloilo, predicted that "Manny will win by knockout in the 8th round because Larios is known as an aggressive boxer and not a defensive boxer."

"Although he is a tough opponent, Larios will not survive Pacquiao," said Palabrica, legal counsel of the Pan-Asia Boxing Association (PABA).

Roland Magahin, poster parent and manager of former World Boxing Federation (WBF) welterweight ruler William, said Larios will attempt to win on points while Pacquiao will try to finish him off in the early rounds.

"But it will be Pacquiao who will win by knockout," said Magahin, regional vice president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP).

June Carlo Panela, an aspiring referee and judge, said he saw Pacquiao stopping the Guadalajara dynamo in the third round or fourth round.

"Larios' very wide stance might also be a factor against him. On the other hand, Larios' 1-2 combination plus his speed and long reach may initially give Pacman a hard time going in despite (Fred) Roach's (claim of) having studied Larios' (bouts in the) tapes," said Panela. "I won't be surprised if I again see that 'Roach Uppercut' which Pacman beautifully executed against Erik Morales."

Panela warned that Larios' jaw "might again be broken" as he has not fought quality fighters in the mold of Marco Antonio Barrera and Morales, both knockout victims of Pacquiao.

Veteran boxing trainer Alfredo "Pidong" Amistoso, Sr. said in vernacular: "Manny Pacquiao will knockout Larios because the Filipino boxer is strong and brave. I have not yet seen a boxer as brave and as strong as Manny Pacquiao."

Couple Gerlie and Arnold Tinagan, owners of a popular martial arts and kickboxing gym here, said the "Mano o Mano" fight will be a mismatch.

"If Pacquiao was able to flatten Barrera and Morales, si Larios pa?" they chorused.

Solon warns government on $200 M loan for education

Press Release
By Alliance of Volunteer Educators
June 29, 2006

MANILA, Philippines  – Alliance of Volunteer Educators (AVE) Party-list Rep. Eulogio “Amang” R. Magsaysay is pleased about the financial assistance given by the World Bank to the country but is quick to warn the authorities concerned about worsening national debt and possible malversation of funds.

Magsaysay expressed his concern following the approval of the US $200 million loan which will center on improving the ‘quality and accessibility of elementary and secondary education in the Philippines.’

“We are very grateful with this assistance extended to us by World Bank,” the lawmaker said. “We know very well how financially-strained our government is right now that most of our educational services are short budgeted.” He said that the assistance in the form of loan will greatly help the education sector make both ends meet especially since statistics show that inadequacies continue to plague our schools, with more than 10,000 teachers needed for elementary and secondary schools; 6,832 backlog of classrooms on more than a 45:1 pupil to classroom ratio; aside from the shortages in textbooks and other school facilities and materials.

At the same time, he conveyed his concern over the possible setback of the loan. He said that although this will address part of the shortage of budget in education, “we cannot let ourselves fall prey on the vicious cycle of non-stop lending”. As of the moment, the country’s debt has swollen to almost P 4 trillion. For years, the education sector has been struggling with very limited budget even if it has been given the highest budget allocation. Last year, out of the P907.56 billion national budget, only P112 billion or 12% was allocated to Department of Education (DepEd). Out of this amount, 85% went to the salaries of teachers, leaving a mere 15% for capital outlays.

“In fact this loan is only a temporary solution to our problem. What we really need is to come up with a system that will uplift the quality and equity of education – ultimately bringing us back to being one of the most highly educated countries in the world,” the lawmaker stated.

The World Bank made the approval of the said loan after the country manifested an “improving fiscal situation” making it the biggest loan to the country to be approved in 10 years. The loan intends to finance expenditures relevant to education services identified in the Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda (BESRA) such as “strengthened school-based management, improved teaching effectiveness, enhanced quality and equity through standards, assessment and support; and effective resource mobilization.”

The National Program Support for Basic Education Project will be implemented starting this year and is expected to be fully realized in 2011. The country is given a period of 20 years to pay the said loan with a grace period of 8 years. Given the reported healthy condition of the government’s debt service, the solon is hoping that the Philippines will be able to pay the loan and will have a better education situation in the future, at the same time.

“No less than our constitution states that the highest budgetary allocation should be given to education,” the party-list solon stressed. “From what is happening right now, most of our budget is being allocated to debt servicing. But hopefully, with our government able to pay more of our debts, we will be able to pay this loan in time.” He further stated that “if we do not do something about the worsening state of our education system, it is our children who will suffer the consequences in the long run.”

He also said that while the $200 M loan will hopefully uplift the “quality, equity, governance and financing” of basic education, “we must not be complacent and allow this fund to be malversed just like the other funds.” Just recently DepEd filed “graft, plunder and conspiracy” charges against former key officials of the Fund Assistance for Private Education (FAPE) for allegedly committing illegal acts with regards to the use of its funds.

8th Infantry Division, PA: Sharpening and shaping up the cutting edges for counter insurgency!

By LTC MANUEL FELINO V. RAMOS, GSC (INF) PA
June 27, 2006

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army has conducted a send off ceremony to about 50 Officers and 400 Soldiers Friday (June 23), to beef up the strength and personnel capability of the different Brigades, Battalions and Reconnaissance Companies, in line with the government’s stand to aggressively pursue the remaining communist terrorist NPAs in Region 8, particularly in the remote barangays of Samar Island.

The troops, with complete equipment in full battle gear, were sent off at Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar with Major General Bonifacio B. Ramos AFP, the Commanding General of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. In his message, Major General Ramos emphasized the need to relentlessly pursue the NPAs, stressing out that they should be cut on their tracks as they are the cause of the miseries of our people’s lives.

He cited his belief that the NPAs and their allies are now on their way to launch deceptive issues to discredit the credibility of the troops. He however stressed out that the people are already aware of the NPA’s propaganda and advised the troops to carry out their constitutional mandate of protecting the people. “Ang mga legal na alyansa ng CPP-NPA ay gagamit na naman ng mga isyu gaya ng militarisasyon at human rights abuse upang sirain ang ating kredibilidad… Gawin natin ang lahat ng nararapat upang isaalang-alang ang karapatan, kalayaan at katahimikan ng nakararami nating kababayan”.

Major General Ramos reiterated PGMA’s instruction to run them (communist NPAs) to the ground saying, “We have to hit them hard and push them hard without let-up. Let us suffocate and finish them”.

Likewise, he expressed his gratitude to the civilian sectors and the media for their support. He gave his words that 8ID will do everything possible within the ambit of the constitution to stop the NPA menace at the soonest possible time. He ended his remarks by advising the troops to give utmost importance to the value and sacredness of human rights. “Gusto kong gawin lamang ninyo ang nararapat sa pakikitungo at pangangalaga sa karapatang pantao ng ating mga kababayan, at umaasa akong ito ay inyong pakatatandaan sa lahat na ating gagawin”.

The ceremony was finally ended by a blessing and ceremonial handshake offered by the Division Commander and Staffs to the troops.

Relatedly, one company of scout rangers and one recon company with a strength of about 200 personnel arrived in Leyte the other week to augment the troops of the Leyte Brigade in its effort to finish off the remnants of the NPAs operating in Leyte Island.

Samar solon says referendum for Cha-cha by July possible

By ELI C. DALUMPINES, (PIA-Samar)
June 27, 2006

CATBALOGAN, Samar  – Samar’s 2nd district congressman Catalino V. Figueroa, speaking before officials of the Department of Education (DepEd), Samar Division on June 21, said that the shift from Presidential System to Parliamentary might take place by July.

Congressman Figueroa expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will soon be able to resolve the petition filed by some opposition lawyers against the plan to amend the constitution by way of a people’s initiative citing the Court’s previous ruling that it lacks enabling mechanism.

According to the congressman, once the issue is settled, the Commission on Election (COMELEC) can immediately proceed with the referendum to submit the proposed amendment to the people.

Figueroa stressed that there is really a need to amend the charter, especially those economic provisions which are defective and those that appear to be anti-development.

He clarified, however, that those are to be dealt with later since the subject for change under this proposed amendment will be the shift of governmental structure from Presidential-Bicameral to Parliamentary-Unicameral.

He informed the DepEd officials that he was with the group who strongly supported the proposal to increase the DepEd’s 2006 budget by P1billion but this came to nothing following the failure of the Senate to approve the budget.

“That’s how a bicameral congress works,” Figueroa said as he urged the people to campaign for the shift to unicameralism.

He maintained that there are certain measures that need to be treated with urgency in which he find the bicameral structure slow and counter-productive.