PNP promotes men ‘en masse’

By SAMMY CANDIDO (PIA Eastern Samar)
February 1, 2008

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  More or less 113 personnel of Eastern Samar Command obtained promotion lately  to the next higher rank which is considered a rare event in the promotional system of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Chief Inspector Rose Mambulao who is the Administrative Officer and Human Resource Development Officer of Eastern Samar PNP Headquarters said in an interview that this, year they achieved hundred percent promotion because all those who applied last year satisfactorily met the minimum requirements. In her message during the oath taking ceremony for the newly promoted policemen and women, she expressed hope that their promotion might serve her colleagues as an inspiration to work harder.

Asked how much increase he expects to register in his new check, 46 years old SPO2 Ruben Agda, a police investigator said there is nothing much.

“There might just be a slight difference from my present salary, what is important is I know the promotional system is still working in our organization.  Should this continue until the time of my retirement age, perhaps I can reach the SPO4 rank”, he said.

“What could be one reason for the mass promotion?”, he was asked by this writer.

He said that, maybe because of the continued recruitment process, adding that perhaps to give space for the new recruits. He also mentioned about the several police who retire and give additional spaces for promotion for those who are waiting and wanting to raise their salary and career status.

The report said that 62 policemen were promoted to PO3, 40 to SPO1, six to SPO2, three to SPO3 and two to SPO4.

It was in 2006 when a regular promotion was done by the PNP organization; then very few were promoted due to very strict guidelines and requirement.  Unlike before, today’s mass promotion did not impose stricter guidelines as long as they were eligible at the time of their entry to the PNP organization, at least three years in their present rank, they met the educational background needed, with mandatory trainings and schooling and have no pending case.

DENR 8 to host PAWCZMS Sectoral Conference

By PURIFICACION S. DALOOS
February 1, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the region shall be hosting a national sectoral conference to discuss issues and concerns confronting the management and conservation of the country’s protected areas, wildlife resources and coastal zones.

The conduct of the Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management (PAWCZM) Sectoral Conference in region 8 shall be attended by top level management of the Department, both from the central and regional offices.

A DENR Special Order signed by Secretary Jose Atienza, Jr. authorizes the conduct of the Sectoral Conference on February 26-29, 2008 in region 8, in order “to assess the regional accomplishments for CY 2007 and discuss priority activities for 2008 including the issues and concerns of the PAWCZMS”. This shall be attended by around 100 participants from all DENR regional offices and shall be held within the vicinity of one of the region’s declared protected areas, the MacArthur Park Beach Resort in Palo, Leyte,

Regional Executive Director Alfredo Pascual takes pride in hosting this annual conference. “This will be an opportunity for us to show the participants the vast potentials of our protected areas in region 8,” says RED Pascual who noted that the conference venue is in itself both a national historical place and a protected area as well.

Capping the 3-day conference will be the inauguration of the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) Central Headquarters located in Tenani, Paranas, Samar. Said Headquarters houses the offices of the SINP Protected Area Superintendent (PaSu) and the Samar Island Biodiversity Project. Expected to grace the inauguration is none other than DENR Secretary Jose Atienza.

“We really hope that the Secretary can make it to the inauguration,” says RED Pascual. “This is going to be a chance for him to visit and personally experience Samar Island Natural Park, considered as one of the protected areas in the country with a rich biodiversity of resources,” RED Pascual adds.

Southern Leyte Gov delivers first SOPA

By REBECCA CADAVOS
January 29, 2008

PROVINCIAL CAPITOL, Southern Leyte  –  In his less than 30-minute State of the Province Address (SOPA) Monday morning at the Sagguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall here, Gov. Damian G. Mercado vowed to extend better and much-improved services by providing efficient and effective services and facilities to his constituents.

“I commit to continually make every effort to improve the lives of our people through sustainable economic growth and greater social inclusion which shall focus on infrastructure development, social security, livelihood promotion, environmental protection and preservation, educational support enhancement,” the Bachelor Governor during the joint session held with the SP members, Provincial Heads of Offices, the mediamen and some guests.

He further added that foremost among his priorities are agriculture and fishery sector, health care and nutrition.

Gov. Mercado revealed in his speech that development cannot be achieved in just three years and not even in three terms and certainly can’t be done by just one person. “With close coordination, cooperation and frequent interactions especially among and between our people, we shall see our beloved province bound with potentials and better prospects,” he said.

Within his experience in governance as a Barangay Captain, Maasin Municipal Mayor then to City Mayor and now as a governor for only six months, he learned three important lessons, first, continuity in laudable programs and good practices, second, the sensitivity to the people’s need is critical, and third, decision-making which requires strong political will and strength of character.

The Honorable Governor also committed to continually improve and spur innovations in the programs, strategies and experiences which proved to be relevant to the people’s needs and are deemed successful and effective public service, fiscal improvements, economic growth, poverty reduction and social upliftment and he expect that these strategies would be met.

“The struggles were never easy, Southern Leyte exists today because of the opportunities that people saw, no matter where they came from,” he related.  Southern Leyte is built to what it is today, he further said.

Expressing his deep gratitude to the men and women of the Provincial Government and component local government units for the support and cooperation, the first SOPA was also attended by Vice Gov. Mike Maamo who presided over the joint session with the members of the board, and Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco.  (PIA-Southern Leyte)

New city in Samar convenes barangay officials for skills training in barangay management and budgeting

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
January 29, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  Some 171 barangay officials have convened in Catbalogan City for a seminar-workshop on New Elected Officials Skills Development Training.

Barangay officials in the 57 barangays of Catbalogan City include the Punong Barangay, Barangay Treasurer and the Barangay Kagawad Chairman on Appropriations. They will be sweating it out for five working days at Cocina de Cabral, Catbalogan City from January 28 to February 1, 2008.

City Local Government Operations Officer (CLGOO) Leonardo Sarzata said the barangay officials, most of whom are new would be trained on taxing powers of the barangay, revenue generation, disbursement procedure and budgeting.

Aside from the mentioned topics, the officials would also be expected to produce an Annual Investment Plan (AIP).

Barangay Captain Antonio Pandong from Guindapunan said he is willing to stay for the whole duration of the training to learn the rudiments of budgeting.

One media personality however, questioned the long training period.

Barangay Captain Virginia Tabon of Basiao said that the long period is allotted so that the attendees would learn the lessons.

“This is to empower us barangay officials to manage the affairs of the barangay, which is our primordial concern.” said Tabon.

The officials will also have to organize special bodies like the Barangay Development Council, Peace and Order Council, Disaster Coordinating Council, Local Council for the Protection of Children, and the Senior Citizens Federation, according to Sarzata.

Catbalogan City Mayor Coefredo Uy wants to ensure that his barangay officials are empowered to dispatch their duties. The rigid training is necessary especially now that the city is receiving more budget from its city status, according to another barangay captain.

Top priority projects named after IRA increase

By MYRA M. TAMBOR
January 26, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  Roads, flooding, and health services will be among of the first priorities of the city government of Catbalogan now that it has much larger IRA.  This was stressed by Mayor Coefredo ‘Tekwa’ Uy in an exclusive interview.

The mayor said that considering the perennial problem on flooding at the Catbalogan III area, he will be prioritizing the said project.  Flooding problem within the City’s downtown area will also be addressed soon.

Access to health services of the residents of Sierra Islands and nearby coastal barangays will also be acted upon.  Health personnel including a medical doctor and a nurse will be assigned in a health facility that will be constructed there, though it was not learned where in particular the facility will be located.

Farm to market roads will be constructed under a special project for the upland barangays of the City.

With the farm to market road project now in place, the mayor is expecting to address poverty incidence in the upland barangays of the City which later will translate into a better economy for Catbalogan as well as the whole province in general.

Though the IRA has already increased and the proposed budget pending now at the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the mayor still stressed that the cooperation and support of the public is highly enjoined.

Continuous heavy rains flood eight Leyte towns

By GAY B. GASPAY (PIA 8)
January 26, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Continuous outpouring of heavy rains over the weekend has flooded eight (8) Leyte towns damaging agricultural plants and affected several households, the Leyte Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council informed.

The eight Leyte towns affected result came about after the Leyte Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) chaired by Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla dispatched immediately a team to monitor and assess the extent of damage brought about by the 3-day continuous heavy rain outpouring last January 18, 19 and 20.

According to Leyte PDCC Vice-Chair & Executive Officer Atty. Ralph Iriarte, the eight Leyte municipalities affected by flood were the towns of Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa, Pastrana, Tabon-tabon, Mayorga, Dagami and Burauen.

The installation of rain gauges and early warning device done last year by PAG-ASA National personnel, has greatly helped in warning  the constituents of said barangays if their area has reached its critical category stage where in they were immediately advised to evacuate to a designated evacuation place, he added.

In Palo, Leyte, barangay Cangumbang and a portion of Brgy. San Antonio experienced a knee-deep flood damaging P350,000 worth of agricultural crops. Leyte PDCC officials immediately ordered the utilization of rubber boats to evacuate residents of said barangay to a safer grounds.

In Tanauan, Leyte, on the other hand, Brgys. San Isidro, Guindag-an, Sta. Elena, Sacme and Picas were flooded while flooding in Burauen, Leyte affected Barangays Kalipayan, Villa Rosas, Maghubas, Candahunan, Buri and Paitan damaging their ricefields while in Brgys. San Jose West & East, Sitio Malitbog and Maabab also in Burauen, the flooding has affected several households.

The Leyte PDCC noted that the January 7 to January 11,  4-day heavy rains early this year resulted to no damages incurred after the team monitored around the five districts of Leyte, Iriarte further said.

The Leyte-PDCC members convened recently to report any new developments brought about by the continuous heavy rain outpouring.

Maasin City aims for zero malnourished kids

By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern Leyte)
January 25, 2008

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte  –  The local government unit here has targeted a zero incidence of malnourished kids, particularly in the top eleven out of its total of seventy barangays noted for high incidence of malnutrition among children aged 0-5 years old.

And in this rather tall order of a quest, the city government has found an ally in Rep. Roger Mercado, who had set aside P500,000 for the supplemental feeding of the city Department of Social Welfare and Development  (DSWD), the office tasked to handle the fight against malnutrition in the city.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer (CSWDO) Fe Sta. Cruz told PIA by phone on Tuesday that the amount entrusted to them by Cong. Mercado will be used for the nutritious meals in the eleven priority barangays to start within this month for a duration of 120 days.

For other barangays not covered in the priority list, the annual allocation budgeted by the city government for supplemental feeding in the amount of P120,000 will be used, said Sta. Cruz, who was concurrently designated as the city’s Nutrition Action Officer.

The identified eleven barangays where supplemental feeding is a must Monday to Friday at the barangay’s center included Lunas, Pansaan, Pinaskohan, Sto. Niño, Sta. Rosa, Lib-og, Badiang, Mahayahay, Canjuom, Cagnituan, and Pasay.

A total of 190 less nourished children with ages from 0 to 5 were counted in these villages, where every child has a budget of P22 for a choice menu that varies everyday.

Sta. Cruz said the supplemental feeding for this priority places began last year, and next month the social workers would sit down to assess their progress in the light of their stated objective.

But while feeding the kids has been the center of activity held at different times of the day in the concerned barangays, the parents, Mothers especially, will also be listening inputs shared by DSWD staff assigned, the topics ranging from proper preparation of cheap yet nutritious foods, to responsible parenthood, and family planning.

Sta. Cruz observed that most Mothers bringing their kids to feeding centers were pregnant even as some of them have more than five children already, so the occasion also becomes an opportunity to lecture on proper birth spacing.

Eastern Samar solon supports barangay level health program

BY ALICE NICART (PIA Eastern Samar)
January 25, 2008

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  In his desire to provide health services  to all,  particularly  the  poor, Congressman Doloy Coquilla is determined to enroll the barangay officials of Eastern Samar province in Health Insurance.

Recently, thru Mr. Allan Cortez, one of his trusted staff, Congressman Doloy launched in Dolores town his program on health.  Assisted by the local officials of Dolores town, no less than Mayor Emiliana Villacarillo, majority of the barangay officials of the town received Insurance Cards worth P50,000.

Bernardo Cidro, a barangay kagawad expressed his happiness because according to him he has never gone to a doctor for check-up.

“Yana pwede na ak magpa-doctor hit ak batok.  Siguro it kalagas ko na gad ngani ine.  Dire gad ngani ura-ura, pero maupay siguro gamiton ko ine nga kan Congressman ayon ha amon mga kagawad, basi masiguro nam nga mabaskog pa it am panlawas ngan andam pa magserbisyo,” (Now, I can submit myself for check-up.  Perhaps I can have my cough checked-up by a professional doctor.  I think it is not so serious though, but it is better that I avail of this rare gift, Congressman Doloy gave us, so that I can be assured of my health condition and able services for our people in the barangay,” quipped the kagawad.

In an interview with his secretary, Eunice Gagante, it was learned that all the eight barangay officials of the province will receive the cards, which were granted by the Philippine National Bank for the health benefits of the local officials. In the succeeding months, either his staff or the Congressman himself will visit the rest of the municipalities to distribute the Health Cards.

The Health Cards of Congressman Coquilla is also in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s program to provide health insurance coverage to all indigents through the PhilHealth.

Improved services expected after IRA increase

By MYRA M. TAMBOR
January 24, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  The Department of Budget and Management has released the City Budget allocation for the Internal Revenue Allotment for the new City of Catbalogan. This was confirmed in an exclusive interview with the City Mayor Coefredo ‘Tekwa’ Uy.

Uy said that the Department of Budget notice of IRA for January 2008 is amounting to P20,541,356.50 as compared to P6 million of the same period last year.

This is good news for the Catbaloganon’s because this will translate also into improved services for the community said Mayor Uy.

Meanwhile the city government is still operating with the 2007 re-enacted budget pending the approval of the proposed 2008 budget at the Sangguniang Panglunsod. Said budget is expected to be approved after the budget hearing according to City Councilor Herminia S. Cabral.

Proposed budget for 2008 is amounting to P288,725.674.14, the City is expecting a P246.4 million IRA for the year.  It targets P40 million local revenues through tax collections, according to the Mayor.

Programs and projects for this year focuses on health, infrastructure and education based on the budget.  The Mayor said he hopes to solve problems on flooding of the main streets in the City proper as well as in the vicinity of Catbalogan III Elementary School. He also plan to put up a health facility in the coastal barangays of Sierra Islands to facilitate immediate medical access to the residents in the area.

Emphasizing the need for a new fire truck, the Mayor said this is one of his priority within the year also.

“Much has to be done in the City. We need the cooperation and the support of the community”, said the Mayor.  As the City government implements the program and projects under the annual investment plan he hopes that the public will be patient as slowly the City Government addresses the many issues confronting the public.

P1 discount on diesel to public utility jeeps and vans at DOE gas lanes

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 24, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  In order to cushion the impact of the oil price hikes on the transport industry, the government has provided DOE Lanes in designated gasoline stations where Public Utility Jeeps and Vans are given a P1 discount a liter on diesel.

In Tacloban City, there are already DOE Lanes in several designated gasoline stations. The first to be observed by the Philippine Information Agency is the Shell Station along Real St. where a prominent sign reads: DOE Lane, P1 discount for Public Utility Jeeps and Vans.

Honorable Wilson Uy who owns the station informed the Philippine Information Agency that such discount has been made available in his stations at Real St., and in Pawing, Palo, Leyte, since last week.

He said that Shell Abucay and several other designated gasoline stations of the various oil companies also have this DOE Lane.

Hon. Uy said that the Department of Energy made arrangements with oil companies to give discounts to the transport industry which is the most affected sector in the oil price hikes.

This is a manifestation that the government is doing its best so that the sector will not suffer a great set back because of the continued increase in world oil prices, Councilor Uy said.

This is also the answer of the oil companies in the government’s call to help reduce the impact of the high oil prices to the industry players and to the general public.

In Tacloban City and suburbs, Petron stations in Real St. owned by Mr. Mateo Chua, Hi-Q Petron along Avenida Rizal corner Avenida Veteranos owned by Mr. Rey Chua, and Yu Petron owned by Hon. Analiza Yu in Pawing have DOE Lanes, Mr. Boying Lelis of Petron Depot in Tacloban informed PIA.

The Philippine Information Agency was able to contact Mr. Rey Maleza of the DOE Visayas Field Office who provided the link for the gasoline stations nationwide which give discounts to public utility vehicles. The total number of gasoline stations all over the country which give discounts totaled to more than 600. However, PIA observed that the listing is as of the first quarter of 2007.

PIA noted that during the November meeting of Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, the oil companies informed that they are in the process of increasing the number of stations that offer diesel fuel at a discounted price to public utility vehicles.