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9th RP Hobie Challenge docks in 4 areas of Eastern Visayas

Samar mayor urges constituents to rally behind army and police for peace and development

Leader of NPA remnants in Leyte surrenders to Army’s 19th IB

PNP promotes men ‘en masse’

About 5 solons allocate part of their ‘pork barrel’ to EVRMC patients

PNP 8 chief creates Task Force Navidad to investigate killing of a judge in Calbayog City

Evardone swears in new provincial Liga ng mga Barangay president

BFAR-RFTC ushers in 411 jobs for Samarnons

Region 8 KALAHI-CIDSS project wins 2 golds, citations for best practices

All is set for the 4th National Skimboarding Open Competition

 

Evardone convenes PDCC, mayors

By ALICE NICART (PIA Eastern Samar)
February 20, 2008

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  In an effort to quickly address the extent of damage brought about by the heavy rainfall in the province, Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone called for an urgent meeting of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) yesterday.

Eastern Samar governor Ben Evardone
Governor Ben Evardone

Early on, confirmed  reports of the province being isolated was already established after the bridge in the major highway of McArthur town collapsed as a result of heavy flooding in the area.  Also the northern route, passing through Taft-Wright was submerged in deep waters notwithstanding the rockslides along Taft-Wright boundary.

In order to mitigate the ill-effect of the flood, Evardone sought the ideas and suggestions of the PDCC members, alongside the relief operations which are on going in every municipality.

Firstly, in attendance to the meeting was a team from the Philippine Airforce that came to clear the runway of Borongan airport in preparation for the landing of the C-130 which will be bringing in more relief goods from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

Secondly, Mayor Ewit Villacarillo suggested that the assistance of the military must be sought so that an aerial survey can be done for the government to determine exactly the most appropriate intervention which must be done soon, while Mrs. Eleanor Alido, DTI Provincial Director mentioned of their mandate to gasoline station operators not to sell their products in big volumes and that, some good volumes must be reserved as well for LGU relief and evacuation operations.

But the National Food Authority (NFA) expressed anxiety over the difficult transportation.  NFA officer, Placido Salazar said there are hundreds of NFA rice which are ready for transport to the province but the damaged highways hamper the shipment. With this, Governor Evardone planned to seek the services of the Philippine Navy to bring over the much needed rice to the province. He also advised NFA to distribute the rice proportionately to the municipalities particularly those which were seriously affected by the recent calamity.

Meanwhile today, the team of Governor Evardone is heading towards the northern towns and barangays in order to distribute relief goods to the families in still flooded areas.

Because of the flood, the rice granary of Dolores is now a brownish ocean with already useless vegetation as Villacarillo put it, while small farmers worry over their loans which they promised to pay this coming harvest season. The week-long of successive heavy rains rendered an estimated P100M damage in infrastructure, P30M in agriculture and P12M in high-valued crops and vegetables.

Evardone reported that Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and NDCC Chair Gilbert Teodoro are coming soon to see for themselves the extent of damage of the heavy rainfall.

 

 

 

 

Gandara LGU seeks assistance for 5,138 affected families due to floods

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
February 20, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  The local government unit of Gandara, Samar is seeking the assistance of other government agencies and well meaning organizations for their flood stricken constituents.

In a telephone interview by PIA, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO) Lydia Badiola said that the earlier reported families affected has risen to 5,138 from 580. As to number of barangays affected, whereas before there were only 11 barangays affected now there are 41 barangays (total is 69).

A total of 25, 496 persons have now been recorded as affected by the continuous rains.

On Monday, February 18, the Maharlika Highway (Gandara strip) was impassable because of the flooded road network from Barangay Sapinit of San Jorge to Barangay Ngoso in Gandara, added Badiola.

In fact, she said Mayor Antonieto Cabueños himself personally attended to the needs of the stranded passengers.

On the same day, prompted by the need, the Sangguniang Bayan of Gandara has declared the municipality in a state of calamity pursuant to a resolution sponsored by Hon. Jorge Ramirez SB Resolution 09-08 as presided by Vice Mayor Eufemo Oliva, in a special session.

While it is true that the LGU is seeking assistance, it is also on its own, preparing to distribute relief goods, said Badiola.

They have gathered some 50 bags of NFA rice, 15 boxes of sardines, and 30 boxes of instant noodles to be given to the affected Gandara folks.

Just this January, some 3,846 barangay folks availed of PGMA’s Pamaskong Handog containing almost the same goods as what will be distributed by Mayor Cabueños.

 

 

 

 

Heavy rains cause flooding, isolation, lack of fuel in Eastern Samar

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
February 20, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  If the road network in Buray-Taft Road and the Makabot Bridge approach in Gen. MacArthur is not repaired immediately, Borongan City will be running out of supply of diesel, gasoline and other fuel.

This writer experienced the same when the jeepney she was on tried three gasoline stations in Borongan City before proceeding to its route to Gen. Macarthur.

Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) Lucille Blue had to try Petron and Shell both in Borongan City only to be told, “no more diesel” it ended up in Caltex with the fuel. The gasoline boy said that their supply would just last a day, considering the requirement.

The tanker supposed to deliver the needed fuel supply had been sorely missed for some time because of the damages in the road network.

The Buray-Taft road remains impassable because of a collapsed pavement in San Isidro, Paranas and floodings in the highway of Taft Barangays parallel to the Taft-Bagacay River. Adding to the damaged roads and floods are the numerous land and rockslides that render some roads impassable.

Meanwhile, in the South coastal road (leading to Tacloban City), roadslips have also been observed. In Barangay Loro, Giporlos where a massive landslide covered the highway, Mayor Mateo Biong has reportedly sent his men to clear the debris with the LGU’s heavy equipment. The writer personally witnessed the clearing activity being done by the pay loader.

Other areas are not as concerned as Giporlos.

Operators of PUJs and PUBs are concerned that if the gas stations in Eastern Samar don’t get their regular supply of fuel, their operation would stop and the riding public will suffer.

Residents of Gen. MacArthur hold on to the promise of one Engr. Padit who reportedly promised them immediate repair of the Makabot Bridge approach.

The rains and bad weather would also be considered, a passenger sighed.

 

 

 

 

Samar is wallowing in floodwaters

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
February 19, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  Continuous heavy rains have submerged some areas in Samar with floodwaters.

In Catbalogan City, the government offices building which are situated near a creek have been flooded during the weekend. The government offices building ground floor houses the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). These offices have experienced flooding inside their offices.

In Gandara, Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWDO) Lydia Badiola reported that flood assistance is the immediate need of the families affected by flood which is estimated to number 500 to 1,740 persons. These flood victims are residents of Barangays Minda, Dumaloong, Tagnao, Catorse de Agosto, Bunagan, Casab ahan, Nacube, San Pelayo, Concepcion, Tambongan and Ngoso. She added that the flood victims needed food assistance.

She also cited that some carline barangays are not passable due to floodwaters.

In the other direction, from Catbalogan to Tacloban, floodwaters in Pinabacdao caused delay in travel.

The Buray-Taft road has also suffered from landslides. In Barangay San Isidro, Paranas, the whole road pavement has collapsed prompting smaller vehicles to reroute in the road shoulders.

The rerouting caused tension when the unidentified owner of the land immediately fenced off his property to stop motor vehicles from passing in his land. Big buses bound for Tacloban have suspended their operation for the meantime.

The crew of MIA bus line (Borongan-Tacloban via Taft-Wright) said that their trips are temporarily cancelled due to the surging floodwaters in Taft barangays adjacent to Taft River which caused the roads to be impassable.

In Borongan, buses bound for Manila take the Borongan-Basey route; but news from the bus company said that the approach to Vigan, Gen MacArthur Bridge has been washed out.

Flood victims are calling on the proper authorities for any assistance.

 

 

 

 

DENR inks MOA to co-manage Basey forests

By PURIFICACION S. DALOOS
February 19, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The forest lands of Basey, Samar shall now be jointly co-managed by the local government of Basey and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The joint undertaking was recently sealed by the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the DENR represented by Regional Executive Director Alfredo S. Pascual and Mayor Wilfredo O. Estorninos of Basey, Samar.

Covering 15,000 hectares of forest land within 12 villages of Basey town, the co-management agreement recognizes that these forest lands and the resources within are critical to the ecological balance of the watershed, agricultural areas, coastal communities and the sustainable development of the town. The 12 villages identified are Mabini, Inuntan, Guirang, Del Pilar, Loog, Basiao, San Fernando, Catadman, Sugponon, Palaypay, Cambayan, Tiangoan and Capungturan Island.

Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity resources in the context of sustainable development shall be the development framework of the agreement. It shall likewise be guided by the Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP) which was drawn up in coordination with the Samar Island Biodiversity Project of the DENR and subsequently approved for adoption by the Sangguniang Bayan of Basey.

In implementing the MOA, the participation of various sectors of society, groups or individuals and stakeholders is encouraged particularly in the protection, development, conservation and sustainable use of the identified forest lands and its resources.

RED Alfredo Pascual reveals that a similar co-management program was successfully implemented in Region 2. “Starting today the management of the forests includes LGUs and other stakeholders,” RED Pascual said in his short message during the MOA signing held at the Basey Municipal Gymnasium. “From hereon, the DENR will strongly consider the vital role of the LGUs in its program implemenation,” Pascual added.

RED Pascual also said that the stand of DENR Secretary Lito Atienza is to help the LGUs as partners of the Department. “The people here know better what programs will be implemented to suit their needs,” said RED Pascual.

Among others, the DENR agreed with the LGU of Basey to simplify requirements and streamline harvesting, permitting and transporting for timber/wood and non-timber, non-wood forestland resources. It shall also assist the LGU in identifying other sources of funds for financial assistance to implement the over P32 million budget under the 5-year investment plan set forth in the FLUP.

For its part, the LGU shall identify areas within the 15,000 forestland that would be delineated as protection forests and production forests. With the assistance of the DENR, the LGU agrees to protect from destructive human activities the 15,000 hectares and the adjoining forest ecosystems within its administrative jurisdiction.

Basey Mayor Wilfredo Estorninos gave his assurance that the joint undertaking will succeed “as we are serious in implementing the co-management scheme.”

“I hope you enjoy the fruits of what we did here today,” RED Pascual said during the MOA signing ceremonies held on February 8, 2008 in Basey town.

 

 

 

 

San Jorge LGU enrolls in PopShop

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
February 19, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Leyte  –  Concerned with cases of maternal deaths and ballooning population growth, San Jorge LGU enrolled in PopShop, recently.

Through the invitation of the Municipal Health Officer (MHO) of Motiong LGU Dr. Shiela Tante, RHU San Jorge led by Salvador Paquit Rural Health OIC enrolled in the program.

PopShop Franchise is designed to meet the contraceptive product needs of the community. It offers and provides DKT products, operational training, material and promotional support, and management and technical assistance to the Franchisees.

Its purpose is to present local government units and non-government organizations with a viable and immediate option to procure and distribute contraceptive products. It has a cost-recovery mechanism built into the Franchise, which is designed to ensure sustainable operations.

PopShop franchisees provide access to high-quality and affordable reproductive health products, information and services to improve the quality of life of Filipinos. According to Marissa Dizon, nurse at San Jorge RHU, it is only San Jorge and Motiong in Samar that enrolled in PopShop.

From the website, it was known that Eastern Samar province linked with PopShop for the services and products. Bohol and Ifugao are also listed as network partners.

It will be recalled that the donor agencies for family planning may at any time withdraw contraceptive support to the health units in the country and the government it seems is not keen on sustaining the need for artificial methods of family planning.

In Samar, a few local chief executives have signified compliance to reproductive health and the Contraceptive Self-Reliance (CSR).

Although Samar shows a relatively low growth rate, Popcom Officer Emil Rama said out-migration is a factor considered so the figure does not necessarily mean that Samar women practice family planning.

LGU San Jorge, Motiong and Pinabacdao are just some of the LGUs that have given priority to reproductive health and even family planning.

 

 

 

 

Continuous heavy rains taking toll on Eastern Visayas

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
February 17, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The continuous rains in Eastern Visayas brought about by the Low Pressure Area northeast of Northern Mindanao has started to bring about flooding and minor landslides in some parts of the Region.

On February 15, reports coming from the Philippine Information Agency in Eastern Samar and confirmed by the Office of Civil Defense Region 8, stated that some 70 students, five teachers and parent were stranded since the evening of February 14, in an upstream barangay of San Jose, Borongan City, after the wooden bridge connecting the barangay to the mainland collapsed as a result of the continuous heavy rains in the area.

The same report stated that the school held its Juniors-Seniors Prom in the evening of February 14.

The Office of Civil Defense reported that the stranded people have already been rescued. The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council of Eastern Samar met noon of Friday and observed that some flooding and minor landslides in several municipalities.

A minor landslide was noted in the municipality of San Julian while in Barangay Naparaan in Salcedo town, a landslide rendered one portion of the road unpassable to commuters. The crew from the Department of Public Highways Borongan District Office immediately cleared the debris.

Flooding in several areas of Northern Samar was also reported by the Office of Civil Defense. Some portions of the roads were also reported to have been damaged because of the rains.

In the Province of Leyte, the Office of Civil Defense said it has already received reports of flooding in the municipalities of Palo, Tanauan and Dagami. The same report said that in the evening of February 14, the people at Barangay Sta. Elena has to be evacuated because of the rising flood waters.

The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council reiterated its call for all the barangay, municipal and provincial disaster coordinating councils to continue to be vigilant, to continuously monitor their areas so that they can immediately evacuate the constituents in the flood-prone areas. They are also requested to report to the RDCC any damage or occurrences of disasters in their respective areas so they could be attended to immediately.

 

 

 

 

Manage your money, financial adviser tells workers, students in Calbayog

By GINA SUELLO-SORILO
February 17, 2008

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar  –  Money earned from sweat may only be used to buy or spent for needs and our wants may be acquired only with investment income.

Financial adviser and founder of Colayco Foundation for Education had this remark during the LGU-initiated Financial Management Seminar dubbed “Pera Palaguin” at the TTMIST Socio-Cultural Center on Feb. 12.

Speaking before city officials and employees, DepEd Supervisors and principals, TTMIST administrators and students, CKC teachers and students and private firms’ representatives, Colayco stressed the importance of investment.

“Investing is a mindset of abundance. I-apply natin sa buhay ang 80-20 rule. ’Yung kinikita natin sa pawis, let us live within 80 percent of that…yung 20 percent ibabayad natin sa sarili natin. ’Yan an gating capital pagpalago. Yung perang panggastos sa luho dapat nanggagaling sa perang kinita na ng pera. Ang nagiging problema kasi sa atin hindi natin ma-distinguish ano ’yung pangangailangan, ano’yung luho,” he said.

Colayco further said it is our obligation not an option to build capital over our lifetime for the simple reason that the country’s economy is market-driven and only 10 percent of the world’s governments are central governments. “Yung ibang central governments ang gobyerno ang bahala sa populasyon.”

He also noted that very few of us save and the few who save, they save to spend adding that their advocacy in the Colayco Foundation is to “keep what you earn and do more with what you keep.”

Colayco Foundation is an organization dedicated to the promotion of financial literacy among the working class, the average income earner, Overseas Filipino Workers and students.

Aside from Colayco, other officials from the foundation who attended the seminar were Aristotle Cala and its Executive Director Armand Bengco.

It was the first time that Colayco was invited by an LGU to a seminar and for his part he was very impressed about mayor Mel Sarmiento’s outlook. He said the mayor is very creative, forward looking and has concern for his constituents. “Kasi why would he invite me to talk,” he added.

Human Resource Management Officer-in-Charge Asner Dean, the focal person of the activity said the seminar’s aim is to raise the awareness of the employees on how to manage their available personal resources.

Colayco’s bestseller books Wealth Within Your Reach, Pera Mo Palaguin Mo; Making Your Money Work, Pera Mo Palaguin Mo! 2; Money For Kids, and Pera Palaguin Workbook were distributed in the seminar.

In an interview shortly after the book signing which capped the activity, Colayco told reporters that private and government employees have to do something themselves because there is no company that can guarantee all their requirements. He urged them to invest in addition to those things that their company or their government is giving them.

“If you don’t know how to manage your money, earning more will not solve your problem,” he finally said.

 

 

 

 

Leyte legislators pass landmark environment code legislation

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
February 17, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the province of Leyte made an unprecedented move, in fact it made history, by passing a landmark legislation, the Environment Code of the Province of Leyte.

As the author, Board Member Carlo P. Loreto said, "Time is of the essence when it comes to protecting our environment. Though Leyte has a bounty of natural resources, the struggle for economic growth threatens to imperil the very source of the province's development. Thus, it is imperative that we reconcile the urgent need for prosperity with the shared duty to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced ecology, in accordance with the rhythm and harmony of nature."

Leyte board member Carlo Loreto
Leyte BM Carlo Loreto

Senior Provincial Board Member Carlo P. Loreto, Chairman of the SP Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, made this statement amid growing local and international concern over the unabated exploitation of the environment in the name of development, and the deleterious effects these have on the capacity of mother nature to replenish itself.

Board Member Loreto said that through the passage of the Environmental Code, Leyte will be able to define the stakeholders’ respective roles in environmental protection and squarely address the challenges that may prevent the performance of this role.

Board Member Loreto who authored the Environmental Code for the Province of Leyte said that it is indeed a challenge to achieve equilibrium between the right of the present generation to economic prosperity and development and the liberty of the future generations to enjoy a balanced and healthful ecology.

The ordinance creating the Environmental Code, is based on the concept of "inter-generational justice." As explained by Board Member Loreto, "The right to a balanced ecology is part of the right to life itself, antedating all laws and constitutions. It is conceived from the very moment life itself was created. In view of this fundamental human right, we have an inter-generational responsibility to provide for the foreseeable needs of future generations, while providing for the developmental needs of our generation."

As Chairman of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, Loreto was able to secure unanimous approval of the ordinance, which has been forwarded to Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla for his approval and signature, prior to implementation.

"With sustainable development in mind, the passage of this Environmental Code will result to more timely and prudent responses to vital issues relating to the environment," Loreto quipped.

Other members of the provincial board agreed and commented that the passage of said ordinance was very much welcome.

"It is a long overdue ordinance. We are grateful to the proponent for advancing said ordinance, which could ensure that future generations of Leyteños will enjoy the bounties of nature," Board Member Wilson Uy said.

Board Member Rolando Piamonte added that the environment today is under great threat. It is just timely that such ordinance was filed and passed in the august body.

Loreto, who is a lawyer by profession, is recognized as the most productive sitting provincial legislator. He is currently serving his second three- year term as number one board member of Leyte. He was first elected board member last 2004.

Among the other landmark ordinances he authored are the Gender and Development Code, the Anti-Illegal Logging and -Timber Poaching Ordinance, the ordinance creating the Comprehensive Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Program, the ABACA Disease Management and Industry Development Ordinance, and the amendatory Sand and Gravel Ordinance.

An advocate of humanitarian and environmental concerns, Atty. Loreto believes that political machineries are not only means for winning elections, but are effective tools for effecting reforms in Government.

For the past years, he displayed leadership, political will, integrity and respect for the rule of law. Even during committee investigations, Loreto displays patience, sobriety and calm to usher a productive (although spirited) exchange of ideas.

Despite the hectic schedule, Atty. Loreto still manages to take part in civic-oriented organizations, and continues to visit various project sites and touch base with his constituents. He is passionate about strengthening the Filipino family, empowering the youth, revitalizing the legal system, promoting respect for human rights and working for an accountable and responsive government.

 

 

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