Anti-drugs campaign in Eastern Samar continues: Gov. Nicart strongly supports buy-bust and retrieval operations of cocaine

By SENTAY BELIZAR-QUITORIO, Samar News.com
August 2, 2010

BORONGAN, Eastern Samar  –  PNP provincial command and City of Borongan PO received commendations from governor Conrado B. Nicart Jr. for the conduct of operations against illegal drugs. Recognizing the initiatives of the PNP, governor Nicart stressed his flagship program to work out for a “drug free” province.

Less than a month since his inaugural day, Gov. Conrado B. Nicart, Jr. immediately ordered authorities to sweep up proliferation of cocaine. It can be recalled that in December 2009 sacks and packages of this substance has been reported scattered in the shores of the province recovered by constituents mostly fisher folks.

In his inaugural speech governor Nicart emphasized his priority programs on top of which are agriculture and campaign against illegal drugs. He believes that initiatives to fight poverty are not complete unless pressing problems related to illegal drugs will not be curtailed. He was very bold about his fight against illegal drugs even during his stint as mayor of San Policarpo, a town in the northern region of the province. During his political campaign he made himself clear “illegal drugs will have no place in my province”.

Few days after installed 7th elected governor, retrieval operations of this scattered cocaine immediately resumed. Documents showed that operations from July 5-27 2010 yielded 73.5 kilos of cocaine. As of press time more or less 500 kilos has been reported recovered through a buy-bust operations conducted by the PDEA and PNP and retrieval operations through peaceful negotiations with hoarders.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) with its commitment awarded P2,000 while governor Nicart shared P1,000 for each kilo of cocaine surrendered to authorities. NBI headed by regional director Atty. Antonio M. Pagatpat, Jr joined forces with the Governor and PNP for this continued operations.

According to televisions reports, to avoid encounter with authorities, more or less 2,000 kilos of this cocaine were dropped by an unidentified vessel allegedly travelling from Cuba passing through the Pacific Ocean. (Eastern Samar is a coastal province facing the Pacific Ocean).

Meanwhile governor Nicart appeals to all constituents to surrender hoarded cocaine. Further he said that he is open to any strategy by operation of law to continue this fight against illegal drugs. “Guti-ay gad la ine nga pahalipay kumpara han kantidad han droga, pero panawagan ko ayaw kita kasulay han salapi nga madali la mawara, ayaw ta ibalyo an hingyap nga katuhayan ngan kamurayaw, ngan an tul-id nga kabubwason han aton mga anak” (the cash award is very minimal compared to the value of this drug, but I appeal to you let us not be tempted by money in exchange of a peaceful and orderly province and the well-directed future of our children).

Catbalogan City heralds month long Manaragat Festival

By LAIMINH MABULAY
August 2, 2010

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  The City Government officially opens the Manaragat Festival, the name that Catbalogan’s month long fiesta celebration has come to be known for, today August 2, 2010 as city employees gather for a holy mass at 7 in the morning followed by a foot parade thereafter.

Celebrated in honor of the patron saint of fishermen, St. Bartholomew, whose feast falls on the 24th of August, the Manaragat Festival was dubbed as such in reference to the Maqueda Bay which has been a strong influence on the Catbaloganons’ social and cultural heritage.

Ever since the first Manaragat Festival was first conceptualized in 2007, the celebrations have always been attached to a theme that best describes the people’s sentiment at the time. This was to stress the need for reflection amid the festivities taking place. The theme for this year is “Celebrating Culture to Mend Differences Towards a Unified and Progressive Catbalogan”, which is a call for reconciliation in the wake of a very heated election season.

For the whole month of August, the City Plaza shall serve as the hub of the celebrations. Nightly activities – both organized by the City Government and this year’s Hermano Mayor, Mr. Ponciano Rosales – shall provide entertainment for interested spectators most of whom are customers of the ongoing Agri-Trade Fair within the vicinity. The Agri-Trade Fair is an income generating scheme of the City Government through the P15,000-rental which entitles a concessionaire to a tent, space sized 12x12, kiosk and three coolers for their business.

Activities in the fiesta calendar were made possible through the efforts of the Tourism Council which is being chaired by City Mayor Coefredo T. Uy and the City Council Committee on Tourism, Mass Media and Public Information chaired by Honorable Councilor Stephany Uy-Tan. In the face of budgetary constraints, the city government managed to attract sponsorships from the private sector, including several local and national businesses.

Coca Cola Incorporated lent 7 tents and 20 coolers while San Miguel Beer lent 10 tents, 34 coolers, 17 kiosks, 34 beer buckets for the food fair. Both Coca Cola Incorporated and San Miguel Beer are major sponsors along with Smart Telecommunications which will also provide tents and freebies for other activities. One of the most awaited events is the SMB night, which is also a treat from San Miguel Beer. The said show will be topbilled by the popular reggae act Brownman Revival and will also feature three local bands.

At the heart of the month long festivities is the Manaragat Festival participated in by 14 schools under the division of Catbalogan.  Each performance colorfully depicts the richness of Maqueda Bay and its significance in the lives of Catbaloganons of old, making it the event that truly captures the essence of the month long celebration: a tribute to a cultural heritage that is deeply attached to the sea.

Calbayog to award outstanding Barangay Captains

By PIA Samar
August 2, 2010

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  The local government unit (LGU) of Calbayog City will give recognition to some four barangay chairmen out of the 157 barangays as Outstanding Barangay Captains relative to the implementation of the Tri-district development (3D) program of the LGU.

In a report filed at the Radyo ng Bayan-DYOG, Mayor Reynaldo Uy said that the awardees will be chosen from those that implemented the 3D program like Seven Hills Happy Valley Alleviation & Roads Program (SHARP) or Calbayog Urbanization Program and Services (CUPS) or Tinambacan Upliftment of Socio Economic Condition (TUSEC) and the Oquendo key program for the Revitalization of Economic sustainability and services (OK Progress).

Uy added that the basis for the choice is the active involvement and cooperation of the barangay and its positive impact to the rural folks. The mayor stressed that his leadership is determined to push the program.

The barangay chairman, added Uy, plays a significant role in the program as the progress of the barangays will eventually be the progress of Calbayog City.

Aside from the Outstanding Barangay Captain the LGU is also keen on giving recognition to the department heads who are fully supportive of the barangay chairmen.

The outstanding Barangay Captain and Outstanding Department Head will receive a cash prize of ten thousand pesos, a year from now, on July 30, 2011, where programs of his leadership will be evaluated and the day will be called Tri-District Day.

Meanwhile, Uy reiterated that the 3D program particularly OK-Progress aims for Oquendo district to be an eco-tourism site especially Hibatang River. The LGU plans to bring the officials with the LGU-Calbayog and DILG for a Lakbay Aral to Bohol so that the barangay leaders can personally see the improvement in Bohol as an eco-tourism destination.

He also cited that the city is determined to continuously clean the city for the ‘Iwas Dengue’ clean up drive in the different barangays in the city as part of the tri-district development program.

It will be recalled that on July 30, the city formally launched the Tri-District Development Program led by Mayor Uy with the theme in Waray: Determinasyon Dalan sa Dayun nga Kauswagan (trans: determination is the way to progress).  (with Jennifer S Allegado, PBS news)

TESDA-Isuzu Automotive Mechanic Training Center is “Open House” on August 5

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
August 1, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  TESDA Region 8 Director Juan M. Sabulao, Jr. informed that an Open House will be conducted at the TESDA-Isuzu Automotive Mechanic Training Center on August 4 in order to showcase the various skills acquired by the Center Scholars.

Director Sabulao said that a Motorcade will be conducted at 8:30 in the morning and a Program will be conducted at 10:30 in the morning. At 11:00 o’clock, Skills Demonstrations will be presented by the Center Scholars.

Director Sabulao said that Isuzu has invited all the top officials of the Isuzu Dealership and Service Centers across the country and all the service center or shop owners all over Region 8 so that they will see the high quality of training the scholars have undergone and the excellent services these scholars could provide to their customers.

There are already four batches of scholars in the Center, Director Sabulao disclosed. After training, the first batch of scholars will have to undergo on the job training (OJT) and TESDA are hoping that the businessmen guests will be able to take in the scholars in their shops.

The scholars will undergo OJT for two to four months, Director Sabulao said. During the OJT, the scholars will be receiving allowance from the employers.

The good Director added that TESDA is hoping that the companies will later sing in the scholars for employment. He said that 99% of the automobile shops in the Region or in Tacloban do not have capabilities to repair the new automatic models of vehicles.

If the scholars are employed by the shops here, the services of the local shops will be upgraded, thus, helping upgrade the quality of service being offered in the Region.

The scholars, he said have been trained to do this and so they will surely find employment locally or abroad.

Indeed, Isuzu's scholars need all the focus in the world. They need to hurdle all the national certification levels from I to IV within a two-year perion order to pass the course. At present, the scholars are almost done with NC1, which tackles automotive servicing. Among the basic modules included in the NC1 curriculum are workplace communication, teamwork, work values, and housekeeping procedures.

The practical part, meanwhile, consists of such lessons as applying sealant and adhesive; moving and positioning a vehicle; performing mensuration and calculation; interpreting and applying specifications and manual; using lubricants and coolants; performing shop maintenance; tuning up diesel and gasoline engines; servicing automotive batteries; servicing ignition systems; testing and repairing wiring and lighting systems; and performing underchassis maintenance.

After completing the NC1 modules, the scholars are to undergo a competency assessment to determine who among them are qualified for an NC1 certificate, which is duly recognized by government and private agencies.

NSCB conducts presscon on 2009 economic performance of Region 8

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
August 1, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The National Statistical Coordination Board is scheduled to conduct a press conference on the 2009 Economic Performance of Eastern Visayas Region on August 5, Thursday, 10:00 o'clock in the morning at Gerry’s Grill Tacloban along Burgos Street.

NSCB Region 8 Head Evangeline M. Paran informed that the forum will focus on the 2009 Gross Regional Domestic Product of Eastern Visayas Region.

NSCB 8 head Ms. Paran who will make the presentation, disclosed that NEDA Region 8 Director Buenaventura C. Go-Soco, Jr. will be present as resource person during the press conference.

The Gross Regional Domestic Product or GRDP is a quantitative measure of the economic performance of the Region. It shows the major sectors contributing to the growth of the regional economy, Ms. Paran said.

The Gross Regional Domestic Product is the value of the final goods and services produced within the region for a particular year. It is the sum of the value added across all sectors in the economy.

There are three major sectors that contribute to the economy, namely, agriculture, fishery and forestry; industry; and service. Each of these sectors are further broken down into sub-sectors like agriculture and fishery; and forestry for the first sector.

For the industry sectors, the sub-sectors are mining, manufacturing, construction, and electricity and water.

For the services sector, the sub-sectors are transport, communication and storage; trade; finance; dwellings and real estate; private services and public services.

As far as Region VIII is concerned, these sectors contribute almost equally to the regional economy.

Ms. Paran said that the GRDP is usually presented in nominal and real terms. Nominal GRDP measures the value of the outputs of the economy at current prices. Real GRDP referred to as GRDP at constant prices, measures the value of an economy's output using the prices of a fixed base year.

The real GRDP is useful in capturing real output growth since inflationary effects have been removed. It is therefore, the most widely used measure of real income.

The GRDP is computed annually by the National Statistical Coordination Board. It is usually released in the second week of July of the following year.

Meanwhile, Philippine Information Agency Regional Director Olive Tiu informed that the weekly PIA Harampang which is held every Thursday at the same time and at the same venue, will give way for this very important press conference.

Director Tiu will also be at the venue as moderator. She is therefore enjoining the regular tri-media participants of Harampang to attend the NSCB 8 Press conference.

Coñejos: Gov. Tan is just pressuring us to approve the budget

By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO, Samar News.com
July 30, 2010

CALBAYOG CITY  –  An pinakaworst scenario, until September na la makakapasuweldo an probinsya. Yana 2010, an employment agency nga kapitolyo tubtub nala September. Paglampas hiton nga bulan, di na ako maaram kon diin makakakuha han PS. Meaning, waray na kamo hiton suweldo because of the 5 board members nga ginmamanduan han mas dako pa ba nga posisyon?! I don’t know kon mas dako pa iya position yana! These were the peculiar statements of Gov. Sharee Ann Tan during her dialogue with the CDH (Calbayog District Hospital) employees on Sunday.

Board Member Charlie Coñejos belied Gov. Tan’s assessment that the province stands merely as an employment agency and could no longer provide and give development projects for the people due to non-approval of 2010 annual budget.

He clarified that the 2008 reenacted budget amounting to P600.8 Million contains development projects for the province that were actually utilized by former governor Milagrosa Tan.

Nevertheless, he confirmed that the 25% salary increase of the employees have been integrated in the proposed 2010 budget.

The ACES (Alliance of Concerned Employees of Samar) was motivated to participate last week’s regular session as they wanted to witness how the budget would be deliberated and their eagerness to hear its approval.

With respect to the present financial status of the province that it could only provide salaries to its employees until September this year, Coñejos exclaimed that the younger Tan was just pressuring them to pursue the immediate passage of the budget without scrutinizing it.

Reliable source also reacted by saying that the governor could not defer the release of salaries and wages intended for personnel services due to non-approval of the budget. He said that it has allocation regardless of the financial condition of the province.

The governor should adhere to the mandates of the law by passing a new budget under her administration in accordance with the priority concerns of the province from collective recommendations of every department agency such as agriculture, social services, health, education and others, source said.

“Kinalsada man la it nga iya argumento. If she really wants good governance, she should follow the legal and proper way of submitting the budget. Ayaw hiya patol hiton mga sumat ira alipores kay pagmalakakawat la liwat it mga tuyo hiton”, a capitol employee reacted to Tan’s statement.

Experiences from the past administration have been noted that while the budget of all departments was being squandered by the office of the governor, no actual or accurate deliveries were provided and realized. Citing the P104 Million worth of purchases decided by the BAC, negotiated within the TRO period and decided by RTC Branch 31 for restitution; until now no repayment took place yet the former governor is enjoying a new seat as member of the House of Representatives waiting for the resolution of her appeal on citizenship issue.

This leads the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to scrutinize the items inclusive in the P1.18 Billion 2010 budget.

Leyte SP hosts a consultative meeting on mining issues

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July 30, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Leyte hosted a Consultative meeting last Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 9:00 o’clock in the morning at the Session Hall with the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Chairman, Board Member (BM) Roque A. Tiu presiding.

The main objective of the consultative meeting was to discuss issues and concerns in connection with the Application for Offshore Exploration by two mining companies, Lazarus Mining and Oregon Mining.

It would be recalled that two sessions ago or last July 13, 2010, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Leyte during its second regular session for this term 2010-2013, the agenda on the applications of Lazarus Mining and Oregon Mining for Exploration permit respectively, were referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Chaired by BM Roque A. Tiu.

The area for exploration applied by the two mining companies is the Carigara Bay covering the municipalities of Carigara, Capoocan, Barugo, San Miguel and Babatngon.

Considering that the application for exploration is the very first in the history of the Leyte SP, Chairman Tiu and the rest of the members of the August Body decided to conduct a Consultative Meeting to be attended by the two mining applicants, the LGUs concerned, National Government Agencies like the DENR and BFAR, media and all others who would be interested on the matter for the purpose of securing the comments and processes from those concerned.

During the Consultative Meeting which was attended by the members of the Leyte SP, namely Chair Roque A. Tiu, Vice Chair of the Committee, BM Carlo Loreto and member BM Tony Jabilles.  Others who attended were BM Cayunda who was the Acting Governor at the time, BM Rolando Piamonte, BM Bernard Remandaban, BM Malou Go-soco, BM Deborah Bertulfo and BM Nikko Villasin.

It was learned from Mr. Julius Caballes of BFAR that the Carigara Bay is a Marine Sanctuary, which surprised all those in attendance in the Session Hall.  But, the two applicants who were both absent due to their attendance of a similar meeting in General Santos City at the same date could not make any comment to the disclosure from BFAR.  Accordingly, the Environment Committee announced that there will be another gathering to treat the applications of the two mining companies.

The representative of the MGB said that there was a time when the requirement for the mining companies to seek permission from the provinces and municipalities concerned was removed. With the coming in of a new head of the DENR, however, the requirement was again included.

In the same occasion, the officers of Northern Access Mining, Inc. who were present expressed their interest to, in the near future, apply for a permit to conduct the production activity of magnetite sand with the concerned LGUs.

It was learned that their company has piloted an area in Tolosa and will serve as the model of their company for the other LGUs to assess.

The media representatives who were present appreciated the conduct of the consultation as it has enlightened everybody in attendance, on most of the issues and concerns pertaining to mining.

Police 8 says total cocaine recovered in Eastern Samar is 103, valued at P515M

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July 29, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  A total of 103 bricks of cocaine valued at P515 million have been recovered through the joint efforts of various law enforcement agencies of the government, Police Regional Office 8 Director Rey Lanada informed.

It was learned that on July 28, two residents of Eastern Samar surrendered 13 more kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of P65 million.

The two who were identified as Renato Guimbaolibot and Yolanda Mondido, yielded nine bricks and four bricks of cocaine, respectively, to joint elements of AIDSOTF, Regional Intelligence Division, PDEA 8, K9 Team of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Borongan Police Station among others under the strict supervision of Director Lanada.

This brings to 69. 5 the number of cocaine bricks recovered by the joint team since the start of Implementation Oplan Coke last July 8. This number is on top of the 33 other bricks of cocaine seized last June 30 in Eastern Samar.

Thus, the total number of cocaine bricks recovered by the joint team is about 103 valued at P515 million.

The recovered cocaine bricks are believe to be part of a cocaine shipment dumped by a foreign vessel, F/B King Yue 1, sometime last December off Eastern Samar.

Director Lañada disclosed that the PNP is firmly implementing “Oplan Coke” in an intensified campaign against illegal drugs.

“I am encouraging the concerned citizens of Samar, through meetings and local media interviews, to surrender, to report or give information about the whereabouts of the cocaine bricks that were washed ashore in the coast of Eastern Samar, lest they be arrested if they will be caught selling any illegal drugs they have recovered,” Director Lanada said.

“The case that will be filed against them in non-bailable,” the PNP Director added.

Moreover, Director Lañada informed that the PNP will be giving monetary award and a sack of rice from PDEA 8, for every brick of cocaine turned over to PNP.

BIR East Visayas ranks 3rd in revenue collections vis-à-vis 2009, 5th in overall collections vs. 2010 goal

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July 29, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  BIR Eastern Visayas under the leadership of Regional Director Alert Alocilja, has all the reasons to celebrate the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s 106th Anniversary on August 1.

Of the 19 revenue districts across the country, BIR Eastern Visayas ranked 3rd in terms of revenue collections compared to 2009. Moreover, BIR East Visayas ranks 5th in overall collections against 2010 goal.

Director Alocilja attributed this remarkable accomplishment which indeed calls for a meaningful celebration, to the good people of Region 8 who pay their taxes correctly and on time. He also cited the six Revenue District Officers of BIR Eastern Visayas who are responsible for the Region’s top ranking for the first semester of the current Tax Year.

To honor the top taxpayers and Revenue District Officers responsible in making BIR Eastern Visayas a top ranking BIR Region, Director Alocilja led in presenting citations to the Top Taxpayers, individual, corporate and government agencies, and the six Revenue District Officers, in an awarding ceremony which was held at the activity area of Robison’s Mall Tacloban after the 8:30 morning motorcade on July 27.

Director Alocilja said that because all the officials of BIR all over the country are expected to attend the Bureau’s Anniversary on August 1, the BIR Regional Office decided to schedule anniversary activities starting July 26 with the conduct of the Regional Tax Quiz.

Aside from the motorcade and Awarding Ceremonies, June 27 also marked the opening of the BIR Eastern Visayas Tax Exhibits at the Robinsons Place Lobby. The exhibit will run until July 30, 2010.