TRO stops
implementation of the Appropriation Ordinance No. 13-002 for Samar’s
2010 Annual Budget
By EMY C. BONIFACIO,
Samar News.com
September
2, 2010
CATBALOGAN, Samar –
The five (5) Board Members of Samar, representing the opposition
block, has petitioned for the court’s legal intervention by issuing a
Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in an effort to forestall the execution of an illegally and
arbitrarily approved Appropriation Ordinance on the 2010 Annual
Budget, as alleged.
Yesterday’s issuance
of the TRO by Judge Reynaldo Clemens, Calbayog RTC Executive Judge,
will be effective for the next seventy two (72) hours. All the Offices
concerned, including the Land Bank of the
Philippines
- Catbalogan Branch, were provided copies of the
TRO for their guidance.
The decision to seek
for a TRO came after a Letter of Disclaimer, dated August 27, 2010,
was sent to the Office of the Vice-Governor. The letter formally and
officially disclaimed the validity of the ordinance for the approval
of the P1.1 Billion Annual Budget of the Province of Samar for 2010
that transpired during the regular session of the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan on August 26, 2010 at the
Samar Provincial
Capitol Building. The letter manifested that all transactions and/or
dealings pursuant to the said invalid ordinance shall be ineffective
and has no force and effect of the law.
Furthermore, the
signatories are convinced that the procedure adopted by the members
who took part in the approval of the said budget was improper and
illegal, as it failed to meet the necessary requirements for the
approval of an Appropriation Ordinance which requires the majority
vote of all the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, imposed under
paragraph (g), article 107 of the Local Government Code Implementing
Rules.
The Sangguniang
Panlalawigan of the Province of Samar is composed of fourteen (14)
members including the Vice-Governor as Presiding Officer. Simply said,
at least eight (8) members should have voted for the ordinance in
question, the petitioners argued.
It was learned that
when the session started at eleven in the morning, nine (9) SP members
were present, to include the Presiding Officer. During the second
break or recess, Hon. Arthur Vaughn M. Zosa arrived. However, two (2)
of its members (Hon. Noel Sermense and Hon. Jimmy Dy) walked out and
boycotted the session when they sensed that the budget would be
railroaded. The walk out was in protest of the irregular proceedings
that they have witnessed. After their departure, the session resumed
with only a total of seven (7) members present, a number which is not
sufficient to constitute a quorum when the “voting or approval by
general consent” was conducted.
“Moreover, the 2010
Annual Budget was unceremoniously, clandestinely and surreptitiously
treated as it was not calendared on the said session and it was only
treated on the item for Other Matters, despite the fact that said 2010
budget is already with the proper Committee and is under treatment and
consideration of the concerned committees”, the Board Members add.
The ruling of the
Presiding Officer on the approval of the 2010 Budget was arrived,
despite the absence of a quorum, when Hon. Juan C. Latorre was
acknowledged to take the floor and cited an alleged provision in their
Internal Rules of Procedure that allows them to recall the proposed
2010 Annual Budget from the two (2) Committees for its failure to
submit a required report after a lapse of one (1) month since its
referral. Accordingly, Latorre on a verbal manifestation, moved that
the Committee on Finance and Appropriations and the Committee on Laws
and Legal Matter be divested of their jurisdictional authority over a
referral so that it could be brought back to plenary for direct
disposition. After a corresponding motion was presented, a “voting or
approval by general consent” procedure ensued. As anticipated, the
budget was approved by a simple minority, having voting members
identified to belong to the administration block.
As of press time,
capitol employees are queuing up at its lobby, hoping that their
benefits will be released after the TRO expires on Friday. However,
they do not discount the possibility of an extension of the TRO. “Kun
ano man it ira ginsasaramukan hiunong hito nga budget, deri gad kunta
kami ig api. Damo na ha am an nagugutom ngan naglalaum nga makakabulig
hin dako ha amon tagsa nga pamilya ini nga mga benipisyo. Kunta an
matuod ug tama an ira buhaton kay mga Honorable man ada hira. Deri
dapat gamiton an amon mga katungod ug panginahanglon nga rason para
magpressure hin bisan kanay nga grupo. Baga kamin an gin hostage kay
kami la it ginhimo nga pasangil. Kay ano man nga mayada man mga
vouchers ug checks nga nasuklian han martes han aga? Kay ano nga waray
kami nga mga empleyado an unaha? An para ha amon, ihatag gad man”, was
an employees’ appeal to our provincial leaders.
On the other hand,
other agencies are happy that the budget has been approved. Ms. Luz
Tacal of the PSWDO excitedly announced that the social development
funds she had requested to be placed under her Office was provided.
She feels assured now to be able to deliver effectively the services
that are mandated under her office. Likewise, a GSP volunteer is happy
that the budget is now approved because for quite a time, their
organization was not able to receive subsidies from the provincial
government due to the unapproved budget.
A Financial Manager,
who refuses to be identified, said that the benefits of capitol
employees are most affected by the TRO. He explained that the release
of the 25% salary adjustments are already delayed and that the Office
of the Governor is already mandated by the court to release the
P25,000 Productivity Enhancement Incentives. The payrolls are already
prepared for the purpose, but the TRO prevents them from disbursing
the funds, he further stressed.
SN.com Team is still to confirm reports regarding releases and
encashment of checks with huge amounts that has been paid to
contractors prior to the effectivity of the Temporary Restraining
Order.
Majority pushes TRO to
block budget release
By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO, Samar News.com
September
2, 2010
CALBAYOG CITY – To
make it stronger, Samar’s first district board members filed a
petition in court questioning the validity of the budget approval last
August 26, 2010 during the regular session. Such move was preceded by
a disclaimer executed on August 27 signed by Majority Floor Leader
Charlie Coñejos, SP members Noel Sermense, Renato Uy, Prudencio Dy,
Jasper Sumagang, Eunice Babalcon and Jimmy Dy addressed to Provincial
Budget Officer Maximo Sison.
Liberal Party’s Legal
Adviser Roger Casurao said that the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)
is the most convenient and appropriate way of approaching the problem
in order to prevent the province from releasing the budget. The
passage of the 2010 budget was declared null and void because the
procedure adopted by the board members present was improper and
illegal as it failed to meet the necessary requirement for approval
which requires the majority vote of all the members of the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan.
Based on the record,
only 5 members of the Sanggunian signed for the passage, while the
letter of disclaimer was signed by 7.
Moreover, the 2010
annual budget was unceremoniously, clandestinely and surreptitiously
treated during said regular session as it was not calendared and was
only brought on the item for Other Matters despite the fact that said
2010 budget is already with the proper committees, and is under
treatment and consideration.
“We learned our
lessons already in approving the budget. If you’re going to examine
the budget very closely, it is characterized by absurdities. Too much
concentration on the purchase of medicines by hundreds of millions”,
he recalled as a former SP member.
Clarifying the “walk
out scenario” of Board Member Sermense, Casurao admitted that the
former has indeed left the session hall when Liga President Joseph
Escober injected the idea of discussing the budget under Other
Matters, followed up by BM Juan Latorre who spoke for its approval
manifesting his argument that the committees in charged were no longer
taking part in the budget hearing and the August body should assume
responsibility (overlooking the 8-vote requirement and the petition).
Be it noted that it
was Latorre who spared the majority bloc from opposition’s annoyance.
He justified in the previous press conference initiated by Governor
Sharee Ann Tan that the new set of board members are rational compared
to the old one.
As a consequence,
former SP member now Calbayog City Councilor Roger Casurao explained
the non-passage of the 2009 budget for its unjust formulation as it
actually did not address the real problems of the province. The Annual
Investment Plan (AIP) submitted to the August body was highly
questionable. First, the economic policy of a local government unit
should be based on a 10 year Comprehensive Development Program and not
on a yearly basis.
“So I was wondering
where they got their AIP. There was nothing to take it from! Why
should we entertain an annual budget that is not precedent to the AIP?
And even if there was, we are certain… that
AIP was bogus”, he asserted.
Casurao added that if
there is a failure to come out with a regular budget the law on
reenactment will come in. The reason is to prevent the hiatus in the
delivery of basic services in the province. Irrespective of whoever
sits as local chief executive, the fixed mandatory budget such as the
5% calamity fund, personnel services and MOOE (Miscellaneous and Other
Operating Expenses) shall not affected. What prevents the majority
from passing the budget is the utilization of the 20% Development
Fund.
“The reason why we are
against the budget because of the poor utilization. Kag-upay pa ba san
mga ngaran san ira programa – poverty alleviation, hunger mitigation,
but it has no meaning! Ada la iton san paraffle, panhatag bugas and
the like. Magsakit ira buot kay diri nira nadudukaw an 20% Development
Fund nga mao pirme an source of corruption”
He revealed that the
province’s income is only P3M and the government is just relying on
the IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment) without formulating tax
efficiency measures and improving production.
Tanauan rider reigns
in Palm Beach 1st Int’l Skimboarding fete in Hongkong
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
September
2, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte
First District Board Member Roque Tiu expressed his elation on the
recent developments in the skimboarding water sports in Tanauan, Leyte
which only strengthens Tanauan’s stand as the skimboarding capital of
the country.
Board Member Tiu said
that one skimboarder from Tanauan bagged the championship trophy in an
international skimboarding competition in Hongkong while another one
brought home the championship trophy in a competition in Zambales.
Mr. Leo Espada,
champion skimboarder of Tanauan, Leyte, outplayed riders from other
countries to win the championship trophy in the Palm Beach 1st
International Skimboarding Competition held on August 29, 2010 at Palm
Beach, Cheung Sha, Lantau Island in Hongkong.
Leo, Board Member Tiu
said, was sponsored by Aloha Skimboards which is a perennial sponsor
in the Tanauan National and International Competitions. Leo’s local
travel was sponsored by the local government of Tanauan under the new
leadership of Mayor Agapito Pagayanan Jr.
The skimboarding
competition was held from
11:00 o’clock in the morning to
8:00 o’clock in the
evening of August 29.
The first runner up
trophy went to Richard Paril, a Filipino who is now based in Hongkong
and who has joined the Tanauan, Leyte International Skimboarding
Competition.
While Leo Espada was
competing in Hongkong, another Tanauan skimboarder was competing in
the 7th Zambales Attack skimboarding competition and also won for
Tanauan, Leyte the championship trophy.
Brando “Si-aw” Espada,
also a champion skimboarder of Tanauan, was declared the champion of
the 7th Zambales Attack held on August 27-29 at Iba, Zambales. Dariel
Espada of Tanauan, Leyte won the first runner up trophy while Rioben
Vivero, also of Tanauan won as third runner up.
Board Member Tiu
expressed his delight that a rider from Borongan,
Eastern Samar,
Roderick Bazar of Borongan, won as the 2nd runner up in the Zambales
competition.
The skimboarders of
Tanauan, Leyte were sponsored by the Local Government Unit, Board
Member Tiu said, as he called on the other local government units to
also encourage their respective youth to engage in the skimboarding
water sports.
Continuation of Oplan
Bantay Laya II: another life claimed
By KATUNGOD-SB-KARAPATAN
September
2, 2010
Last August 25, 2010
at around 7:00 in the evening, Casiano Abing, a court employee and a member
of the progressive partylist Bayan Muna was shot inside his house at
Poblacion, Balangiga,
Eastern Samar by a lone gunman. He was brought to a hospital but was
declared dead-on-arrival. The victim sustained five (5) gunshot wounds
leading to his death. Casiano Abing was a responsible father and a
good man with no personal enemies.
The Regional Alliance
for the Advancement of People’s Rights, KATUNGOD-SB-KARAPATAN,
condemns in the highest possible terms the killing of Casiano Abing.
Said killing is the first recorded case of extra-judicial killing in
the Region and the 1st under the Aquino Administration. Said killing
only shows that with the extension of the counter-insurgency program
Oplan Bantay Laya II, the state policy of political killings would
continue and indeed continuing. More so that it was declared that the
target of this extension is
Negros and
Samar.
For the record, it is
the Aquino Administration that openly declared and admitted the
existence of Oplan Bantay Laya II. Said open admission only shows that
our long contention that there is a state policy of systematic
crackdown on the progressive organizations really existed. These
progressive organizations, including our Regional Alliance, are being
tagged by the military and other state agents as the “sectoral front”
of the New People’s Army thereby making its/our members and leaders
the target of their “neutralization” actions: arresting, detaining,
and killing.
With this first
case of extra-judicial killing in the Region, we are calling on all
peace-loving people of Eastern Visayas to condemn this brutal killing
and to be one with us in our quest for justice for Casiano Abing and
for the 120 victims of extra-judicial killings. These cases must not
dishearten us but rather must serve as a challenge to us to continue
our struggle for our human rights and to stand side-by-side our
oppressed brothers and sisters in the Region who are also fighting for
their rights.
3rd Regional Coconut
Summit unfolds Sept 2 at Hotel Alejandro
By CHITO DELA TORRE
September
2, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY –
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala will keynote the September
2-3 third Regional Coconut Summit at Hotel Alejandro here which will
dwell on the them “enhanced technologies: a key to sustain the coconut
industry in Eastern Visayas”.
Sec. Alcala, who will
be introduced by Department of Agriculture regional director Leo P.
Cañeda, is expected to convey to summit participants and local coco
industry players the priority programs of his department alongside
those of President Benigno Aquino III’s administration.
Executive manager Mae
Ann D. Reyes of the Department of Science and Technology will manage
the open forum which will follow after the DA secretary’s speech that
will set the tone of the two-day summit.
In opening the program
for Sept. 2, An Waray Party-List representative Florencio “Bem” G.
Noel will welcome the guests and participants. After his part, summit
director Joel O. Pilapil will give the rationale and introduce the
participants.
Leyte governor Jericho
L. Petilla will next give a message. Next, Philippine Coconut
Authority administrator Oscar G. Garin will present and discuss the
national coconut industry roadmap. This will be followed by the
presentation of the
Eastern Visayas
regional coconut industry development plan by Edilberto A. Hinay, ROCS
chairman. Towards noontime, Dr. Severino S. Magat, PCA’s department
manager for ARMD, will discuss production and sustainable coconut
farming ecosystem in climate-change minimization.
By afternoon, there
will be plenary presentations. In the area of production, the
integrated coco-based farming comes to the forefront as the first
subject matter. Leonito B. Uy, project manager of PASFCO at Palo,
Leyte, will present the “PPP: Baybay Tall Nursery”.
Manny A. Licup, chief
operations officer of SC Global Coco Products Inc. which is based in
Baybay, Leyte, will come in next with his presentation on “Production
Marketing Links”, to be followed by Luis Caro Jr., chairman of the
Uson SCFMPC in barrio Uson, Caibiran, Biliran.
The last presentation
for the day concerns extension which will bring to focus the Farmers
Field School, to be rendered by Ed Done, EVPRD (Catarman, Northern
Samar) executive director.
Rep. Noel and fellow
An Waray Party-List Neil Benedict A. Montejo will unveil the Northern
Samar Stakeholders’ Coco House by seven o’clock in the evening. The
first day’s schedule winds up with a dinner and fellowship.
On the last day (Sept.
3), DOST Sec. Mario G. Montejo will give a message. He will be
introduced by professor Viola C. Siozon of the University of the
Philippines in the Visayas Tacloban College.
From 9 to 10 o’clock
in the morning, there will demonstrations on technological processes,
to wit: coconut sap sugar production – by Erlene Manohar, division
chief of PCA’s MEDD, and coco-based food processing – by the ITDI of
DOST, both on the food processing aspect. Meanwhile, the non-food
demonstration will be as follows: coco ethanol – by EVPRD’s Engr.
Jaime Gilbuela, integrated coconut processing – by Allan Ambil of Agri-Fuel
Inc. which operates in
Eastern Samar, and Palwood: wood from coconut fronds – by Engr. Noel
B. Beira of PTS (Cagayan de Oro City).
Another forum,
focusing on these topics, will follow.
Next on the schedule
is a presentation on simple ways or methods of containing brontispa,
to be handled by Mateo Zipagan of ARC (Albay). Cherlita B. Giray, ROCS
secretary, will next take up the topic “sustaining the summit gains on
regional industry unity: strengthening the regional organization of
coconut stakeholders (ROCS). Raul T. Repulda, chief of the
PMD of DA RFU 8 will give a synthesis of the summit before it closes towards
lunch time. Rep. Montejo will officially close the major event.
DENR USec Dolino bares
new policies in mining
By PURIFICACION S. DALOOS
September
2, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY –
“Mining has been identified by our government as one of the major
focus areas of economic activity.” This was revealed by Environment
Undersecretary Jeremias Dolino when he graced the 1st Regional Mining
Stakeholders Forum in Tacloban City recently.
USec Dolino revealed
that the latest mining statistics as of July 28, 2010 show that taxes,
fees and royalties from mining nationwide amount to 9.175 billion
pesos.
However, USec Dolino
was quick to admit that the mining industry in the country still faces
strong opposition from anti-mining groups. “Various oppositions to
mining have stalled the upward growth of the industry,” he laments.
“Several NGOs, the church, academe, indigenous peoples and even some
local government units have expressed very strong sentiments against
mining,” he said. USec Dolino cited that even in Region 8, the
provinces of Eastern Samar and Samar have issued a 50-year moratorium
on large scale mining.
For the mining sector
to grow and prosper, mining should now be anchored on the principles
of sustainable development to ensure that the economic, environmental
and social concerns of mining operations would be addressed.
Already, several new
policies have been issued by the DENR to make environmental management
mandatory in all stages of the mining process.
DENR Memorandum
Circular 2010-14 strengthens public participation in the Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) process of environmentally critical projects
such as mining. Local government units have also been given
representation in the Minerals Development Council to encourage their
participation in promoting and developing socially responsible mining
in the country through Executive Order No. 469-A.
USec Dolino likewise
informed the participants of the Mining Stakeholders Forum about a
DENR-DOF-DBM-DILG Joint Circular signed on June 25 this year which
revises the guidelines on the release of the share of LGUs derived by
the national government from royalty income collected from mineral
reservations. The Joint Circular reiterates the 40% revenue share of
LGUs. From this, 20% goes to the province, 45% for the component city
or municipality and 35% for the host barangay. Meanwhile, highly
urbanized cities where the natural resources are located gets a 65%
share, while the remaining 35% goes to the host barangay.
USec Dolino announced
another positive development in mining that would benefit LGUs and
other stakeholders. This is the issuance of DENR Administrative Order
No. 2010-13 this year. The DAO requires a mining permit holder/lessee
to allot annually a minimum of 1.5% of their operating costs for
community development implementation and provide funds for
information, education and communication campaigns.
According to him,
newly installed President Benigno Aquino, Jr. encourages all sectors
involved to meet on common ground to “allay the fears and also afford
the people of the benefits of mining investments.”
He also assured the
mining stakeholders that the present government shall strictly adhere
to the principles of sustainable development even as it promotes
mining as a vehicle for economic growth.
“I promote mining, but
I have to protect the environment,” USec Dolino said.
The 1st Regional
Mining Stakeholders Forum was organized by the Regional Minerals
Development Council of Region 8 chaired by RED Primitivo C. Galinato,
Jr. in coordination with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. It was
attended by various stakeholders of the mining industry which included
representatives of mining companies who are operating in the region,
host LGUs, the academe and the church. It was held at the Ritz Tower
de Leyte, Tacloban
City
on August 18, 2010.
Rep. Mercado vows
completion of airport and alternate seaport facilities
By BONG PEDALINO
September
1, 2010
MAASIN CITY – Now on
his third and final term as the representative of
Southern Leyte’s lone legislative district, Cong. Roger Mercado has
vowed to finish this city’s airport at barangay Panan-awan and the
alternative docking port at barangay Guadalupe.
And to put flesh to
this long-cherished aspiration, the lawmaker said this will be one
among his many priorities as chairman of the House Committee on
Transportation in the present Congress.
Speaking at his
bi-monthly radio program live at DYDM over the weekend, Cong. Mercado
said it’s about time travelers in these parts enjoy the comfort and
speed of air travel against the usual three hours of land trip to
Tacloban to avail of a plane ride.
He said he had spoken
with Transportation Secretary Ping de Jesus for the fast completion of
the airport project so it can service passengers wanting to reach
Manila and other urban centers in a matter of an hour, if not minutes.
On the other side, on
the sea lanes, a new roll-on, roll-off facility at barangay Can-iwan
must be pursued, inasmuch as this has been part of a grand plan to
connect the Philippine islands called the Super Regions project, said
Cong. Mercado.
Once these two
projects shall have been finished and functional, it will complement
all the concreted highways in the province, the tallest bridge in
Agas-Agas, and would surely spur economic development, he added.
By that time, Cong.
Mercado joked that he can sleep with eyes closed, his back flat on the
bed, satisfied with the thought that he has contributed these things
as a step in the right direction, to attain progress for the province
and its people. (PIA-Southern Leyte)
Catbalogan offers a
‘healing’ mass for the victims of the hostage drama
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE
September
1, 2010
CATBALOGAN, Samar – Catbalogan
local government officials offered a ‘healing mass’ at the San
Bartolome Parish Church yesterday afternoon as their flag flies
half-mast in reverence to those who perished during that fateful
hostage drama crisis in Manila.
Fr. Pines Tabones who
celebrated the mass sought the parishioners help in praying hard for
the victims and their families.
He added that times
are hard and we need extra efforts to pray so that people who have
lost hope maybe inspired and not to resort to desperate actions.
Tabones also reminded
the faithful to be “responsible for their actions”.
Madames Ybeth Velasco
of the Mayor’s Office said she had goose bumps as she lighted her
candle in memory of those who died in the hostage drama.
Ms. Ruby Robosura of
the Accounting Department of the LGU led a prayer for the faithful
departed especially those who died as an aftermath of the hostage
situations.
A special prayer was
also offered for ‘healing’ the relationship of the two countries
strained by the pains of the death of Hongkong nationals.
The hostage drama was
about a sacked PNP member who wanted an audience with his officers to
review his case but something went wrong somewhere that resulted to
his death and also at least five Hongkong tourist nationals who were
on board the ill fated bus.
The offered mass and
special prayers were meant to unite with those in Manila who offered a
prayer rally for the very same purpose according to Vice-Mayor Art
Gabon and Councilor Stephany Tan.
Those who attended
the mass offered candles and silent prayers for the physical and
emotional healing of those hurt deeply in the incident. (PIA-Samar)
Samar welcomes Multi-Sectoral
Quick Reaction Team (MSQRT)
By EMY BONIFACIO,
Samar News.com
August
31, 2010
CATBALOGAN, Samar – In
response to an invitation sent by Dir. Carlos P.Medina of the Ateneo
Human Rights Center (AHRC), representatives from multi-sectors coming
from Samar gathered at the Flaming Hat Restaurant, Catbalogan last
august 27, 2010. A half-day exploratory session with invited
stakeholders and Ateneo lawyers, Atty. Khrisna Gomez and Atty. Maria
Patricia R. Cervantes, was facilitated by the Social Action Center,
Diocese of Calbayog, to discuss the possibility of setting-up of a
Multi-Sectoral Quick Reaction Team (MSQRT) in Samar.
The MSQRT, an AHRC
project assisted by The Asia Foundation, seeks to address the
phenomenon of Extra-Legal Killings (ELKs) and Enforced Disappearances
(EDs) in selected areas around the country. A series of seminars
organized by the Supreme Court of the Philippines and the Philippine
Judicial Academy in partnership with other government organizations
are initiated to come up with specific recommendations that would
address the problem. A concept paper has been distributed to
participants during the meeting.
In the said forum,
representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine
National Police, Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, Academe, Media, Civil
Society Organizations, Church, Commission on Human Rights, Department
of social Welfare and Development and the Youth Sector are present.
During the exploratory meeting, commitments to support the setting up
of an MSQRT in Samar were verbally aired by each member in attendance.
Moreover, the body expects to expand the invitation to more interested
groups for the Focus Group discussion (FGD) that will meet on
September 10, 2010 and discuss details as to the scope, structure and
procedure of the proposed MSQRT.
Should the Samar MSQRT
project be realized, Samarnons will expect for a one-stop-shop of
coordinated services that will address the needs of the families of
ELK and ED victims. It was stressed, however, that the team will
neither focus on criminal justice nor on the creation of a distinct
investigative body. It simply intends to build-up the capacity of
members to effectively coordinate with stakeholders and effectively
reach out to victims. The respective functions of stakeholders will be
respected, but a secretariat will be in place to facilitate the
services.
Lt.Col. Federico
Tutaan, G7 of the 8ID, PA welcomed the project saying that it will be
a great help in their fight against insurgency. In the same manner,
Col. Gardiola of the PNP feels glad that victims of various killings
will be given assistance as well as witnesses will be proviced with a
sanctuary. Fiscal Aguilar expressed his apprehension regarding the
project because of security concerns for advocates. According to him,
most human rights advocates are being killed in pursuance of the
truth. He was, however, quoted when he said, “It’s good to do
something than not to do anything”. On the other hand, the
CHR was thankful that their cause in upholding human rights is now a shared
responsibility. Fiscal Daiz suggested on the permanency of member
representatives for the continuity of deliberations and the
involvement of the heads of agencies in terms of commitments. He
stressed that with or without the MSQRT, their office continue
prosecuting cases as mandated by law.
The MSQRT project
opens a new hope for Samarnons. ‘Darangpan”, an MSQRT center in
Northern Samar is now operational and following up cases in the area.
Another MSQRT is being maintained in Leyte.
P5.8B tuition aid set
for 1M private HS students
Press Release
August
30, 2010
QUEZON CITY – Some
one million students enrolled in private high schools nationwide will
receive between P5,000 to P10,000 each in tuition aid under the
Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private
Education (GASTPE) Law, Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas, an educator,
disclosed Monday.
Gullas said total of
P5.8 billion in fresh funding has been set aside to subsidize the
tuition of private high school students under the GASTPE Law, or
Republic Act 8545.
Gullas said the amount
is contained in the P207.3-billion new budget for the Department of
Education (Deped) in the proposed P1.645-trillion General
Appropriations Act of 2011.
He said the P5.8
billion is 49 percent or P1.9 billion greater than the P3.9 billion
earmarked this year for GASTPE. This year's allocation is meant to
help some 700,000 students.
GASTPE has three
components – education service contracting (ESC), the education voucher system (EVS) and the teacher
salary subsidy (TSS).
In large-scale ESC
with private high schools, the Deped agrees to subsidize the tuition
of students at a rate of P10,000 each for those in Metro Manila and
P5,000 each for those in other parts of the country.
In the individual EVS,
private high school students who apply for aid would each get a
voucher of P5,000 to P10,000, which they can then use to partly pay
for their tuition.
GASTPE does not have
any minimum scholastic or maximum family income requirement, as long
as the student stays enrolled, and his or her parents pay for the rest
of the tuition.
"GASTPE is a four-year
funding commitment. A student covered by the assistance stands to
receive a total of P20,000 to P40,000 in tuition subsidy throughout
his or her four years in a private high school," Gullas pointed out.
GASTPE is meant to
help decongest and reduce the class size to more manageable levels in
public high schools, especially in areas with severe shortages of
classrooms and teachers, according to Gullas.
He said GASTPE also
seeks to ease the growing migration of students to public high
schools, mainly due to the soaring cost of tuition and miscellaneous
fees in private institutions.
In TSS, Gullas said
teachers in private high schools who provide instruction to students
under the ESC stand to receive salary subsidies ranging from P7,000 to
P10,500 per month, depending on their loads.
Gullas is author of
the 1998 law that established the Adopt-a-School Program, which grants
lucrative tax incentives to private entities that aid public schools.
Under the program, contributing firms or individuals may deduct from
their gross taxable income the amount equal to 150 percent of their
assistance.
Gullas is also author
of a bill seeking to enliven the use of the English language in
schools to build up the global competitiveness of the country's future
human resources.
Cong. Mercado warns
local OFWs to be wary of being used as mule for illegal drug
syndicates abroad
By BONG PEDALINO
August
29, 2010
MAASIN CITY – A mule
is an animal used as beast of burden in other countries, having a
horse-like appearance but usually smaller than a regular horse.
In the illegal drug
trade, especially abroad, they also have a language called a “mule,”
which means a carrier of a banned substance, like cocaine, among
others.
But this carrier, who
is an unsuspecting person, mostly a Filipino overseas worker who just
obliged out of courtesy or social favor, does not know what he or she
was carrying about, until an arrest by authorities reveal an
inconvenient truth: illegal drugs was in his, her possession.
That individual has
become a mule for illegal drug syndicates, without him, her knowing
it, and we should be wary about this kind of modus operandi, warned
Rep. Roger Mercado.
During his bi-monthly
radio program over DYDM yesterday, Cong. Mercado cautioned his
listeners particularly those with relatives or family members working
abroad to resist as politely as possible any request to bring a
personal, hand-carried item from someone whom they knew, even a
friend, how much more a stranger.
He said this was the
reason many OFWs now founded themselves in jail for a crime which they
have been fallen as an unwitting victim.
The Southern Leyteño
solon made the warning when he was asked for updates on the case of a
Maasinhon OWF, his neighbor in Barangay Abgao, by the name of Rudelia
Palima, who ended up in a jail in Iran for carrying a banned substance
the “padala” way, or the mule way early this year.
Palima’s case was
already refered to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretar
Conejos, the one in-charge in handling such kind of concerns, Mercado
said, adding that a fund was already set to reach the prison in Iran.
He said he immediately
saw in person DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo after learning about
Rudelia’s plight.
Rudelia’s father, who
was listening since the start of the radio program, called in to say
on-air his gratitude for the efforts made by the solon to free her
daughter.
Mercado encouraged
him and all the other listeners to keep on praying for the safe
release of the Maasihon OFW, even as he reiterated his call to be
always on alert so no one will be a mule again.
(PIA-Southern Leyte)
Police nabs suspected
marijuana farmer
By PIA
Samar
August
29, 2010
CATBALOGAN CITY –
The Calbayog Philippine National police (PNP) led by Calbayog Chief
of Police nabbed one Renato Manota y Torculas, 60 years old of Purok
1, Barangay Trinidad,
Calbayog
City.
He was suspected to
have planted marijuana in his residence. He was the subject of Oplan
Sangbanat which PNP Calbayog conducted on July 29, 2010.
According to the
police report, on
July 29, 2010, a
PNP Team of Calbayog City Station led by PSupt Nestor Valenzuela
together with PS1 Delfin Jaropojop, Jr., PS1 Antonio Cruda,
SPO3 Genaro Nabual,
SPO3 Gershon MOngas, SPO1 Inocentes Laure, SPO1 Crispin Singzon, PO3
Victor Dangco, Jr., PO2 Gerry Liray and PO1 Diomedes Aquiliño in
coordination with PDEA-8 conducted a search in the premises of he
residence of Renato Manota, Sr. situated at Old National Road, Purok
1, Barangay Trinidad, Calbayog City.
The search was
conducted by virtue of search warrant number 01-10 dated July 29, 2010
issued by Executive Judge Reynaldo Clemens of
RTC Branch 31.
The search resulted in
the confiscation of three (3) pieces of suspected marijuana plants
each measuring more or less fifteen (15) feet, twelve (12) feet and
five (5) feet.
Also found was one (1)
plastic pouch containing dried suspected marijuana leaves and two (2)
pieces seed boxes with suspected marijuana seedlings.
The police also
arrested one Renato Manota, Sr., alias Rene, 60 years old, married,
retired ATO personnel and a resident of Old National Road, Purok 1,
Barangay Trinidad.
A case for
violation of Section 16, Article II of R.A. 9165 is now being prepared
for immediate filing on court. (with Ron
Ricafort)
Villareal mayor
emerges as president of LMP Samar chapter
By EMY C. BONIFACIO, Samar
News.com
August
28, 2010
CATBALOGAN, Samar –
Mayor Renato Latorre got elected unopposed by his co-mayors as the new
president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines - Samar
Chapter held last
August 23, 2010 at the DILG Provincial Office in Catbalogan, Samar.
Mayor Serrano’s
nomination for the chapter presidency of the Villareal Mayor was
immediately closed and unanimously seconded. It has left other would
be contenders, no chance to get nominated. Moreover, the eighteen (18)
mayors present, representing a quorum, opted to refrain from the usual
confirmation of votes either by secret balloting or by raising their
hands. Instead, Latorre was given the full discretion to choose the
other mayors who will complete the new set of officers for the league.
A meeting held at Fortune Hotel in the afternoon before the election
which was attended by the Samar mayors has confirmed the suspicion of
spectators that the election was pre-arranged.
In attendance during
the said meeting were eighteen (18) mayors. At least six (6) mayors
coming from the Municipalities of Tagapul-an,
San Sebastian,
Motiong, Pinabacdao, Zumarraga and Talalora were recorded to be
absent. Leyte Board Member, Roque A. Tiu represented the League of
Municipalities of the Philippines National Board in the election.
Likewise, the DILG Provincial Diretor, Mr. Artemio Caneja was present
to oversee the procedures. It was presided by outgoing LMP Samar
President, Mayor Melchor Nacario of Calbiga, Samar.
Together with Mayor
Latorre, other elected officers of the LMP Samar Chapter included Sta.
Margarita Mayor Alfredo Serrano as Executive VP, Sta. Rita Mayor
Lisandro Kim Adolfo and Pagsanghan Mayor Ruben Palma as VPs for 2nd
and 1st District, respectively.
Elected as Secretary
was Marabut Mayor Percival Ortillo, Jr., while Tarangnan Mayor Emmely
D. Olaje was appointed Treasurer.
Almagro Mayor Kathleen
S. Prudenciano was chosen as the External Auditor while Daram Mayor
Lucia Astorga was the Internal Auditor.
Paranas Mayor Boy
Babalcon was appointed as Public Relations Officer and Mayor Alejandro
Abaratigue of Hinbangan got the position as Business Manager.
Chosen as members of
the Board were Gandara Mayor Antonieto T. Cabuenos, Sto. Niño Mayor
Lilia Coñejos, Jiabong Mayor Jocelyn de Jesus, Matuguinao Mayor
Melissa dela Cruz, San Jorge Mayor Nancy Grey, Basey Mayor Igmedio
Junjie Ponferrada, and San Jose de Buan Mayor Ananias Rebato.
The new set of LMP
Samar chapter members is composed of seven (7) lady mayors. Out of the
twenty four (24) Municipal Mayors, eight (8) are newly elected while
the rest are incumbent mayors of their respective municipalities.
Immediately after the
confirmation of the new set of Officers, Mayor Latorre thanked the
group for entrusting to him the LMP leadership. He encouraged the
mayors to lobby for the inclusion of their programs/projects in the
Provincial Investment Plan. He expressed his desire to strengthen
unity and cooperation among members. “Kinahanglan gud nga
magkaburubligay kay danay ginpapapirma la kita ngan deri kita gin
papabasa. Let’s work towards the development of our respective
municipalities”, were Latorre’s final statements. It was understood
that he was referring to the preparation of the Annual Investment Plan
of the province where mayors are allegedly just made to sign even if
the items included were not submitted as priority projects that mayors
would like to implement.
Mayor Latorre and
party proceeded to Tony’s Kitchen where lunch was served and the first
meeting of the officers was held.
| |
|
The
Samar mayors with Leyte BM Roque Tiu (seated far left) and DILG
Samar director Artemio Caneja (seated 2nd from right) in a
picture-picture after the election of the new set of officers
for LMP-Samar. |
Unaware of the
political situation in Samar, Chan vows to elude from
politically-related issues
By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO, Samar
News.com
August
28, 2010
CALBAYOG CITY – If
it’s a political intervention, it should be a political solution.
Since I am not a politician, I will not be dealing with any political
matter, said newly-installed 8th ID Commander MGen. Mario F. Chan in
an ambush interview of SN.com after the Change of Command Ceremony
held recently at Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar.
The issue came out in
the midst of political bickering in the area where leaders had
exercised their power and influence over the “apolitically cloistered
organization” in the previous May 2010 elections through an alleged
payoff or favors sought by either of the party. Anyhow, the negative
notion and impression did not affect the continued implementation of
the 8th ID’s anti-insurgency programs by strengthening its
civil-military and internal security operations as well as inculcating
with greater measure of conviction among the personnel their duty
towards the attainment of peace and development in their respective
area of responsibility.
Chan also admitted
that insurgency problems could not be solved solely by the military
but with the strong support of all the stakeholders like the local
government units and other concerned agencies as well as the Eastern
Visayas’ Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) and the Regional
Development Council (RDC).
LTC Federico Tutaan
added that the G-Staff will brief the new commander on the current
situation in the area to be used as his benchmark in making
assessments in conceptualizing and effecting future policies.
On the other hand,
aware of August 21 PNP Catarman ambush, PA’s Commanding General Arturo
Ortiz said that the offensive attack brought about by the CPP-NPA was
a violation of the Geneva Convention. The element of deception was
committed in the murder of a retired military; and the reaction of the
PNP was long anticipated which yielded to their death (sudden attack
and landmine use) when they proceeded to the area.
MGen. Ortiz added that
the Philippine Army will intensify its inter-agency
coordination/cooperation especially with the PNP and the latest ambush
in Northern Samar will be their basis in studying the strength of
CPP-NPA in the area.
Taking cognizance of
MGen. Arthur Tabaquero’s success during his incumbency, Ortiz is
assured of Chan’s competence, who vowed to combat insurgency problem
in his AOR by less than two years.
BARANGAY, SK elections
to push through as scheduled
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
August
27, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY –
After much talk about being postponed, the barangay and Sangguniang
Kabataan elections will be held on October 25, 2010 as scheduled, the
Commission on Elections informed.
The Commission on
Elections said that the lawmakers agreed during a meeting on April 24
in Malacañang to go on with the elections.
There were proposals
to shelve but these were not acted upon so the elections will push
through as scheduled, Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said.
Although there were
proposals regarding the elections, the preparations were not shelved
despite proposals to postpone the elections, and so the Comelec is
ready.
The Comelec said it is
also preparing for the holding of Electoral Registration Board (ERB)
hearings on the list of voters.
The ERB will look into
oppositions filed against the applications for registration of certain
voters. Through the procedure, the Comelec will be able to weed out
voters with double or multiple registrations.
Earlier, the
Commission on Elections passed Resolution No. 9002 promulgating the
guidelines in the clustering or grouping of precincts for purposes of
the October 25, 2010 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
The Comelec foresees
the insufficiency of teachers who will serve as member of the Board of
Election tellers and the shortage of school buildings as polling
centers for the October 25 barangay and SK elections.
Among the guidelines
provided for by the said resolution is that only precincts within the
same barangay and the same voting center shall be clustered/grouped;
daughter precincts shall, as far as practicable, be clustered or
grouped with its mother precincts.
For Barangay
Elections, the aggregate number of registered voters in the
clustered/grouped precincts shall not exceed four hundred (400) while
the Barangay clustered/grouped precincts shall not exceed three (3).
8ID new commander
receives favorable reviews on his assumption speech
By EMY BONIFACIO,
Samar News.com
August
26, 2010
CATBALOGAN CITY –
The newly installed Commanding General of the Storm Troopers Division
will do a lot of proving to the Samarnons by concretizing into actions
his management policies and strategies in crippling the insurgents'
activities in the area. This was after his remarkable assumption
speech was delivered on the occasion of the Change of Command Ceremony
of the 8th Infantry Division held last August 25, this year at the
8ID grandstand.
MGen. Mario Fontanella
Chan, has assumed his post as the16th Commander of the 8th Infantry
Division (Storm Troopers) Philippine Army based in Camp Lukban,
Catbalogan, Samar. Chan's replacement of MGen Arthur I. Tabaquero, who
was re-assigned to the NCR Command, was by virtue of General Orders
571 dated August 17, 2010.
In a very well
delivered assumption speech that has received a remarkable impact to
the audience for its sincerity and simplicity, MGen. Chan narrated his
outstanding accomplishments in the 4th ID, his previous assignment as
Commanding General. He expressed his confidence that his assignment to
his new post is in recognition of his ability to command. He mentioned
without bragging the fact that under his leadership, the 4th ID was
awarded twice as the "Best Division" by two Commanding Generals of the
Philippine Army.
Chan considers
teamwork and human development investment as major factors in
achieving organizational goals. He recognizes the importance of
capacitating people as the greatest asset in any successful
institution. Thus, he ordered the pursuance of their mission to stop
insurgency, but not leaving behind his men's well being and welfare as
a priority.
"Samar is definitely a
new and welcome challenge to me. It is said to be where the first
battalion formation of the New People's Army was organized," says
Chan. However, he expressed his readiness to address the challenges,
further stating that he will not fail the Armed Forces and the
Filipino people.
Furthermore, he
promised to fully empower his troops. "I will work with you, struggle
with you and fight for you. Beginning today, I will make sure that not
one of you will be left unattended," was his assurance. Chan clearly
made his advocacies in promoting a participatory leadership,
instilling discipline and the protection and promotion of human rights
as guiding principles.
He stressed that the
will to fight and the capacity to fight should always go hand in hand.
Investing on human development and enhancing the morale of team
members will lead to victories. He motivated his men to strengthen
unity and solidarity as foundations of teambuilding.
As part of the
commander’s strategies, he will continue forging alliances with all
stakeholders. "We need civil society's support. After all, insurgency
is a social menace", he adds. It is also his belief that insurgency is
an economic and political problem that needs empowered local
government units that will provide those solutions. Likewise, he will
continue soliciting media’s support after fully recognizing its
indispensable role in giving the right information at the right time.
His speech got the
media’s interest when he assured the Samarnons to complete his mission
in neutralizing the armed movement in a shorter period time.
Chan didn't fail to
express his gratitude to everyone who became part of his
accomplishments. He ordered his men to buckle up and his final
challenge was simplified with this statement, "From this moment and
until I relinquish my post as your Division Commander, WALA NG ATRASAN
ITO. The only way to go is forward."
NDF-EV in solidarity
with the Catholic Church against large-scale foreign mining in Region
8
Press Release
By NDF-EV
August 26, 2010
The National
Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas today said it is one with the
Catholic Church in fighting large-scale foreign mining in Region 8.
"We agree with the stand of the Palo Archdiocese that large-scale
mining today will not benefit the people but only foreign capitalists,
as well as seriously damage the environment," said Fr. Santiago Salas,
NDF-EV spokesperson. "Indeed, foreign mining seeks the quickest way to
make profits from simple raw materials extraction and export, without
contributing to our industrial development and without regard for
safeguarding the environment. Thus, the Aquino government's
fast-tracking of foreign mining projects in
Samar and Leyte
is immoral and unjust for betraying the people and the national
patrimony, as well as being anti-development and anti-environment."
Fr. Salas added that
the foreign mining issue also opens up other related issues of the
people regarding genuine economic development. "An economic issue like
foreign mining brings up the dire socio-economic conditions of the
masses of the people who suffer from landlessness and joblessness.
Meanwhile, the minority made up of the landlords, big business and big
bureaucrats control and plunder the economy together with foreign
monopoly capital. The Aquino government's push for large-scale foreign
mining is therefore plain highway robbery in the interests of the few.
On the other hand, any plan for national development should have
agrarian reform and national industrialization to benefit the majority
who are the peasants and workers. Genuine land reform will liberate
the peasantry from poverty and contribute to the production of raw
materials for industrial production. National industrialization will
create jobs and manufacture the country's needs."
The NDF-EV
spokesperson called for broad unity against large-scale foreign mining
in the region. "The various sectors can unite and carry out mass
actions and other activities in demanding a stop to foreign mining in
the region and for the scrapping of the Mining Act which makes it
possible. They must furthermore continue the struggle against the the
Aquino regime's economic policies that are anti-people, anti-national
and subordinate to imperialist globalization. They must assert genuine
agrarian reform and national industrialization as essential for
economic development. In the future, the struggle for economic
emancipation and sovereignty will find fruition when the people's
democratic government has been built to serve the interests of the
majority."
NPA executed an
innocent barangay councilman and murdered 8 peacekeeping officers
By 803rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade, 8ID, PA
August
25, 2020
CATARMAN, Northern
Samar – A certain Mr. Rolando de Guia, an innocent barangay
councilman in Brgy Imelda, Catarman this province was shot to death by
the New People’s Army at around 5:30 in the morning,
August 21, 2010. The fully armed local terrorist numbering ten
forcibly entered the latter’s house when he was executed. The victim
suffered a fatal wounds in his head, chest and legs that caused his
instantaneous death.
Philippine National
Police Officers on board a police mobile car at around 7:45 led by
Police Senior Inspector Necasio San Antonio, the Deputy Chief of
Police of Catarman PNP Station proceeded to investigate the killing
and to recover the dead body of de Guia when a landmine exploded and
followed by a burst of fire from the New People’s Army. Though already
dead, they were finished off individually by shooting their heads to
ensure their death, and torched the vehicle where San Antonio and the
driver were still inside. These eight officers were brutally killed.
The New People’s Army thereafter fled carting away the firearms of the
police officers and stealing their personal belongings. The ambush was
about four hundred meters away from Barangay Imelda. The
PNP Officers were just performing police duties to investigate
the killing, they are not performing combat operations when they were
waylaid by these terrorists. They were non-combatants.
Colonel Oscar P.
Lopez, 803rd Brigade Commander strongly condemned the atrocity by the
New People’s Army, expresses his condolences and sympathy to the
families of the police comrades.
Colonel Lopez urged
the civil society and human rights advocate in condemning the inhumane
killings perpetrated by the NPA on these peacekeeping officers and
barangay councilman. This violent incident is considered as a barbaric
act and against human rights. The use of landmines is prohibited under
international rules of war. In spite of the peace initiatives by the
government, the local terrorists have continuously refused to give
peace a chance and resort to violence to sow panic and fear among the
populace. He urged every citizen to be vigilant and not to be cowed by
fear by these local terrorists.
The Philippine Army
in Northern Samar will take concrete measures and will exert effort to
ensure the safety and security of the Nortehanons; he concluded.
Leyte hospitals earn
P36 million for two quarters
By
Provincial
Media Relations Center
August 25, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY –
Hospitals run by the provincial government of
Leyte posted a collective income of more than P36 million during
the first and second quarters of 2010 which is P8.4 million higher
from the income earned by the hospitals under the same period in 2009.
In a latest report
submitted by the Provincial Health Office to Leyte Governor Carlos
Jericho Petilla, the twelve hospitals that include the Leyte
Provincial Hospital earned P17 million during the first quarter and
P19 million in the second quarter.
Topping the earning
bracket are the Ormoc District Hospital with P8 million, Leyte
Provincial Hospital with P7.7 million and Western Leyte District
Hospital with P5.6 million.
The rest of the
province hospitals that also went up to the million mark in income
were Abuyog District Hospital, Hilongos District Hospital, Burauen
District Hospital, Manuel B. Veloso Memorial Hospital and Carigara
District Hospital.
Already halfway into
the calendar year 2010, the income posted for the first two quarters
is seen to boost the hospitals’ income benchmark and help surpass its
P60 million income posted in 2009.
Governor Petilla, in
his recent visit to the
Leyte Provincial
Hospital
said that this increase income should inspire the doctors, hospital
staff, personnel and management to provide better and efficient
service.
It can be recalled
that during his first term, Gov. Petilla started a reorganization and
hospital improvement program for the facilities to effectively run on
its own and save the province from millions in operational subsidy.
The net income being
earned respectively by the hospitals are divided into the province’s
share and hospital share. The hospital’s share are then divided into
30% MOOE, 30% capital outlay and 40% employees share.
The employees share is
given to the doctors and the rest of the hospital staff and personnel
as their incentive.
The share given to the
province adds to the provincial income which is in turn allotted for
hospital improvement and other medical services and support for the
health and medical assistance program of the province.
Gov. Petilla revealed
that part of the objective of the hospital improvement plan of the
province is to upgrade the status of the hospitals including the
district hospitals in Ormoc and Baybay as well as the LPH from being a
secondary hospital to a tertiary hospital.
“We are steadily
going working towards that objective. Hopefully, we would realize it
soon,” Gov. Petilla added.
2 dead as a passenger
bus fell on a mountainside in Maasin City
By BONG PEDALINO
August
24, 2010
MAASIN CITY,
Southern Leyte – The
emergency room at the Salvacion Oppus Yñiguez Memorial Provincial
Hospital (SOYMPH) became a beehive of activity as many passengers
injured in a bus crash accident were rushed here this morning.
Initial sketchy
reports received by PIA this morning disclosed that a bus, named Honor
2, was full of passengers when it fell off a cliff in barangay Sta.
Cruz, an upland village, while on its way to the city proper from
barangay Libertad.
It was learned that
Police, firemen rescue units, and paramedics were already at the crash
site when PIA received a text message from Angie Book, correspondent of
Southern Leyte Times, a local weekly.
The accident, sources
said, reportedly happened around 8:00 to 9:00 o’clock this morning.
Barangay Sta. Cruz is
located directly above barangay
San Rafael
or Bantig, an interior, upland barangay which is about 15 kilometers
away from the city proper to the north.
According to Police
officer Renato Cervantes, quoting the driver, Lonie Paloma, the
steering wheel of the vehicle malfunctioned, and he lost control just
as he negotiated a curved portion of the mountain road turning right,
and so it fell about 25 to 30 feet deep down.
As this report was
written, the driver is now at the San Rafael Police station for
further inquiry, Cervantes said, while his injuries were treated at
the the Rural Health Unit office in that barangay.
He identified the two
fatalities as Anita Meneses, from barangay Libertad, and Porferio
Serito, Jr. from barangay San Agustin, both mature adults with ages
not yet known as of the moment.
At the SOYMPH,
survivors were treated for their cuts and wounds in the head, faces,
and other parts of the body.
A child by the
nickname Jayvee, 7 years old, miraculously survived unscathed, save
perhaps the traumatic experience of tumbling with the falling bus at
least four times down a mountain slope. Other children suffered
bruises in arms and legs.
Most stories narrated
by survivors said that around 30 passengers were riding on the
ill-fated bus, but the vehicle was also heavy as it was loaded with
sacks of dried copra at the top and inside, to be sold at the copra
buyer in the city.
Emiliana, one of the
passengers with sacks of copra cargo, said she intended to sell the
copra to pay for the school needs of her children.
She is being treated
for head and face injuries, while in the meantime wondering and
awaiting word on how to go about selling the copra which is still
stucked together with the fallen bus at the crash site.
(PIA-Southern Leyte)
Samar PSWDO requests
the transfer of Social Welfare Development Funds to her office
By EMY C. BONIFACIO,
Samar News.com
August
24, 2010
CATBALOGAN CITY –
The Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer of
Samar, Ms. Luz Tacal, requests that the Social Welfare Development
Funds amounting to Thirteen Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos
(Php13,500,000.00) be transferred from the Office of the Governor to
the PSWDO. The request was aired during the deliberations conducted by
the Committee on Finance and Appropriations and the Commitee on Laws
where the Department Heads were invited to defend the appropriated
programs included in the Annual Investment Plan of their respective
agencies in the provincial government of
Samar.
In attendance during
the said hearing were Dr. Cernal, Dr. Mabulay and Ms. Luz Tacal, as
well as the members of the Local Finance Committee. According to Ms.
Tacal, she's appealing for the transfer of the said appropriations to
her agency to ensure a better delivery of services to their clients.
Tacal mentioned of the
following appropriations: Livelihood - P1 million; Scholarship grants
- P7 million; Financial Assistance - P3 million; Day Care Services -
P1 million; Maintenance of the Women & Children Protection Unit (WCPU)
and ATIP Centers - P1 million; and Capability Building, wards and
trainings of Staff and employees - P500 thousand. "These are essential
services, but we cannot maximize its implementation because under the
present budget, the funds are under the Social Funds of the governor."
explained Ms. Tacal.
Samar PSWDO is one of
the most criticized agencies in the province for its inability to
effectively respond to the social needs of the Samareños. The Office
has been observed to be ineffective in implementing socio-economic
programs because of their inability to access funds. Most financial
aids are coursed through the governor and the beneficiaries are not
properly identified.
The Committee has
noted on the request and commented on the status of the various
programs that the PSWDO has undertaken in the past years. Hon.
Sermense commented on the meager funds appropriated for the social
services compared to other programs. "How can people uplift their
living conditions when their needs are not prioritized? There is a
need to intensify the livelihood programs and yet, look at the
appropriations? Will it be enough to help the Samarnons?" were a few
of the questions raised by Sermense.
The Committee is now
preparing a report based on the observations and findings and is due
for submission on the next session. The approval or the disapproval of
the Annual Investment Plan and the Annual Budget will be dependent on
the committee report.
Ombudsman: No
injustice ex-cop's case
Press Release
By Office of the Ombudsman
August
24, 2010
QUEZON CITY – The
Office of the Ombudsman maintains that there was no injustice in the
case of P/SInsp Rolando Mendoza.
In a press statement,
Assistant Ombudsman Jose T. de Jesus, Jr. explained that Mendoza and
the other respondents filed their motion for reconsideration (MR) on
the Decision, dismissing them from the service, beyond the 10-day
period. Despite this, Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Law
Enforcement Offices (MOLEO) Emilio Gonzalez III accepted the MR and
assigned it to a new investigator so he can have a fresh look into the
case.
The OMB-MOLEO resolved
the motion and submitted it to the Office of Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas
N. Gutierrez. The case is at present undergoing review by the lawyers
at the Ombudsman Gutierrez’ office for their recommendation until this
unfortunate incident occurred yesterday.
As the crisis was
on-going last night, Manila Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno met with Ombudsman
Gutierrez to relay Mendoza’s demands. According to Moreno, Mendoza
wanted that the case against him be dismissed and he be reinstated.
Moreno then called Mendoza for him to be able to talk to Ombudsman
Gutierrez. The Ombudsman in turn and assured him that she will
personally look into the case, and that it will be resolved within 10
days. After the meeting, Ombudsman Gutierrez immediately ordered the
lawyer reviewing the case to turn over the case folder to her.
Moreno asked the
Ombudsman to write a formal letter confirming their conversation which
he brought to Mendoza.
Mendoza, PInsp Nelson
Lagasca, SPO1 Nestor David, PO3 Wilson Gavino and PO2 Roderick Lopena,
all of the Manila Police District were charged with robbery,
extortion, grave threats and physical injuries before the Internal
Affairs Service of the Phil. National Police (PNP) by one Christian
Kalaw.
In his complaint,
Kalaw stated that on
09 April 2008, while his car was parked along
Vito Cruz St., corner
Taft Ave., Gavino and Lopena approached and while standing in front of
his car told that he parked on a ‘No Parking area”. The two then
accused him of being a drug user, conducted illegal search of his car,
and took the P3,000.00 placed on the ashtray of his car.
He also stated that
when the police officers found that he has a BPI ATM card, he was
ordered to give his ATM pin and car and they tried to withdraw from
his account.
He also stated that he
was brought to the Ospital ng Maynila for a medical check-up, and
while at the parking lot, David and Lopena grabbed his neck and forced
him to swallow a suspected “shabu”. Kalaw also claimed that the
respondents were demanding P200,000.00 “or this will be at the
Fiscal's Office in the morning”. He said one of his friends gave him
the amount of P20,000.00 which he gave to Gavino.
They were initially
reassigned to ARMM, and subsequently preventively suspended for 90
days on the ground that the charges against them were serious and
evidence of guilt was strong.
Then Kalaw’s father
went to DO Gonzalez pleading that the Office of the Ombudsman take
over the case because they feared for their lives, after the wife of
Mendoza herself went to their house and delivered to them a copy of
the summon reportedly coming from the PNP.
This prompted DO
Gonzalez to ask the PNP to turn over the records of the case to this
Office for administrative adjudication.
Persons with
Disabilities receive assistive devices from Leyte province
By
Provincial
Media Relations Center
August 23, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY – More
than 80 persons with disabilities were given new comforts by the
provincial government of Leyte through some new assistive devices such
as wheelchairs, walkers and canes distributed personally by Gov.
Carlos Jericho Petilla during the culmination program of the National
Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.
The provincial
government has been consistent in providing assistance for Persons
with Disabilities (PWDs) both for physical comfort and some livelihood
training.
During this year’s
National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week, the
Federation of Disabled Persons of Leyte Inc. (FEDPELI) held their
Culmination Program after a weeklong celebration held later than the
declared third week of July celebration for persons with disabilities.
Gov. Petilla said that
persons with disabilities in the province would always be given
support by the provincial government.
“There’s no reason why
they should be treated differently. We should treat them as equals.
That’s why, whenever there is an opportunity for them to excel and
give their best, we help in providing for such opportunity,” Gov.
Petilla said.
The province, as has
become a tradition, provided assistive devices to identified
beneficiaries, all suffering from physical disabilities.
FEDPELI, together with
the supervision of the Provincial Social Welfare Office, also held a
Sports Olympics participated by differently-abled persons from all
over the province held the Leyte Sports Development Center.
Winners in the
different sports such as swimming, basketballs and many others also
received individual cash prizes.
This year’s National
Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week carried the theme: “Sa
Istrakturang Accessible, Lahat ay Able (Accessible Structure, Everyone
is Able).”
The NDPR Week was
originally declared by Proclamation No. 1870, on June 22, 1978. It was
amended on August 19, 2000, to recognize Apolinario Mabini, the
Sublime Paralytic, whose disabilities did not hinder him from
contributing to the Philippine Revolution.
This year's observance
aims to stimulate public awareness and support for disability issues
and concerns that will strengthen the involvement of various
government and non-government organizations, PWDs themselves, and the
media.
The observance seeks
to develop and strengthen cooperation among agencies of the government
to take active responsibility in uplifting the economic and social
condition of the sector of persons with disabilities, to serve as a
vehicle of information for programs being implemented by government
agencies, and to forge a strong partnership among all sectors of
society for better understanding of disability issues and concerns.
In defense of the people against Oplan Bantay Laya: NPA
offensive in Catarman victorious, more to come
Press release
By Efren Martires Command, NPA-EV
August 22, 2010
The Efren Martires
Command of the New People's Army in
Eastern Visayas hailed today the NPA's successful tactical offensive against
the Philippine National Police within the provincial capital of
Catarman,
Northern Samar on the morning of August 21. "Initial reports state
that the NPA punished village councilor Rolando de Guia for espionage
in Brgy. Imelda, Catarman, about a kilometer from the town proper,"
said Ka Karlos Manuel, EMC spokesperson. "Expected enemy
reinforcements were then ambushed by the people's army, who used
command-detonated explosives (which are manually set off) to disable
their vehicle. At least eight police elements were killed in action,
including Sr. Insp. Nicasio San Antonio, Catarman deputy police chief.
The NPA also confiscated at least seven pistols and four M16 rifles."
Manuel belied the
claims by Sr. Supt. Vicente Loot,
PNP deputy regional director for operations, that the policemen were not on
combat operations and that the NPA captured and then executed them.
"Regular forces of the police and military are clearly legitimate
targets for NPA tactical offensives. As can also be seen from the
weapons taken from them, the policemen were heavily-armed and
battle-ready and were accordingly killed in action. Moreover, the NPA
always gives enemy combatants the chance to surrender if they could no
longer fight. The NPA abides by international humanitarian law in
respecting the rights of captured enemy combatants as well the hors d'
combat. Wounded enemy personnel are also taken care of by NPA medics.
The PNP seems
to be covering up its embarrassment because the NPA could carry out a
tactical offensive within the provincial capital and close to the town
proper at that."
The NPA-EV said that
the Catarman tactical offensive and more to come are the NPA's answer
to the Aquino regime's extension of Oplan Bantay Laya. "The people are
suffering from economic hardships, but the Aquino regime remains
indifferent to the peace talks that should be discussing
socio-economic reforms. Instead, the Aquino regime is extending Oplan
Bantay Laya, which has been widely condemned for
political killings and other attacks on innocent civilians.
Thus the NPA is defending the people and delivering the message to the
Aquino regime that Oplan Bantay Laya and any other plan of fascist
state terrorism will be defeated. The NPA will be launching even more
tactical offensives in fighting to strategically raise the level of
the people's war in the next five years."
Reference:
Roy Santos, NDF-EV Media Officer, ndf_ev@yahoo.com
Gov. Tan willing to
compromise, sluggish committee hearing process criticized
By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO,
Samar News.com
August
22, 2010
CALBAYOG CITY –
While the committees (laws & legal matters and budget &
appropriations) with the presence of concerned government agencies are
halfway scrutinizing the items enumerated in the 2010 budget, minority
members of the legislative body doesn’t seem to recognize its
importance.
In the recent press
conference initiated by the governor, she said that she was amenable
to the budget created by her mother, now
Samar 2nd
District Rep. Milagrosa Tan as she perceived it to be in consistent
with the programs and projects of her administration.
In fact, she
underscored her willingness to discuss the immediate passage of the
budget with the majority and very enthusiastic to make compromises.
“Gusto ko makig-istoryahan majority board members kay mayda ako liwat
igpapahamtang nga mga amendments. Kay kun mag-utro pa ngani, it will
take time. Nanhihinayang ako han panahon nga nakaghatag na kunta kita
serbisyon gadto han katawhan. Now, back to zero na liwat kita. Why not
ipasayon an mga butang? Diri na ma undergo another process na naman,”
she stressed.
Aside from the lady
governor, both Vice-Governor Stephen James Tan and ABC Pres. Joseph
Escober were becoming impatient of the situation, stipulating that
said budget had undergone hearings attended by each department; been
accompanied by its Annual Investment Plan (AIP) duly approved by the
Provincial Development Council.
Provincial Legal
Officer Anastacio Yong added that the budget submitted to the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan is an unfinished business. It would be
unreasonable for the majority to presume things – doubting the
intentions of the governor in parallel with the previous
administration.
Apart from the 2010
budget, Governor Tan was also expecting that she be given a “blanket
authority” to enter into contract with any agencies in behalf of the
province. But the majority members appear to be evasive in not
granting such request.
Based on her
statements last Samar Day, while she was not given an authority, the
DOH grant for P17M for Calbayog District Hospital, P3M for the Samar
Provincial Hospital and P17.8M for Basey Hospital respectively, would
not be received.
In disparity with the
Tan and Escober’s intolerance was the declared optimism of Board
Member Juan Latorre when he asked a considerable forbearance from his
slate.
“Ini yana nga gin-gagamit
nga re-enacted budget han 2009-2010, diri iton kasal-anan han yana nga
SP. Sala iton han una. Kay an una, allergic hin budget making. Ini
yana, mga reasonable ini nga kaapi han SP. Diri ito tuod an mga
sabi-sabi nga diri hira naruruyag nga aprubahan an budget. Wrong ito!
Naruruyag iton hira. Lugod nagka conduct hin budget hearing kay bag-o
pala hira nga set han SP. Tagi la kami han baga gutiay nga panahon kay
matuhay ngani iton nga budget hearing issusumeter na ito han session
ha SP. Ciento por ciento nga aaprubahan namon an 2010 budget kay
nagsaragbot na kami han taga 1st district nga ira ig-iendosar an
approval han budget. Kay amo la ito an solusyon han ngatanan nga
problema, an approval han 2010 budget.”
The governor on the
other hand justified her definition of “employment agency” which she
refers to the provincial capitol. With the non-passage of the 2010
budget, the administration would just be appropriating the PS with no
output or non-implementation of the programs and projects since the
2008 re-enacted budget being utilized by the province would not be
enough to subsidize every undertaking.
“All the programs and
projects nga incorporated in the 20% development fund, diri naton ma
re-release. Meaning, PS na la an aton mahahatag. So what’s the point
of granting them salaries? Asya kita magsusweldo kay magtatrabaho hira!
An question, hain an pundo para matrabaho nira an programa nga aton
igpapaabot?”
Saddened by the
present situation, she however has other alternative if the budget
will not be approved – to lobby with any national agency tying-up her
programs/projects utilizing the manpower of the provincial government.
PNP 8 chief denounces
NPA’s devious killing of 8 Catarman policemen
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
August
22, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY –
Police Chief Superintendent Arnold Rayala Revilla, Police Region 8
Director condemned the brutal killing of 8 Catarman police officers
who were on their way to a call of duty, at about 8:30 in the morning
of August 21, 2010 at Barangay Imelda, Catarman,
Northern Samar.
Director Revilla
informed that a PNP team led by the Deputy Chief of Police of the
Catarman Municipal Police Station together with seven police officers
were aboard a Toyota Hi Lux patrol car on their way to Barangay Imelda
to conduct an investigation regarding the reported shooting and
killing of a barangay kagawad in his residence by communists.
Suddenly, the team was
waylaid by some forty communist terrorists with the use of a landmine.
The patrol car was directly hit by the landmine wounding the
policemen.
The communist
terrorists were not contented, the wounded policemen were shot at
repeatedly. With all the 8 policemen killed, the communist terrorists
took the police firearms and personal belongings.
Director Revilla said
that this violent incident perpetrated by the communist terrorists is
a clear manifestation of the leftist rebels’ intent to carry out
terroristic acts against civilians and government troops. Such devious
acts show that they are violators of laws and enemies of the State and
the peace-loving citizens. In brutally killing the eight Catarman
police officers, the communists killed not only the victims’ dreams
but also the dreams of their respective families and the community who
trusted and believed in them.
Director Revilla
called on all concerned citizens urging them to cooperate and help the
police in their fight against the communist terrorists and other
lawless elements in order to maintain and promote peace and order that
will spur economic development in Region 8.
LGUs mobilized vs.
dengue
By MYLES JOSEPH E. COLASITO
August
22, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY – With
the reported rise in dengue fever cases in the country, Department of
the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo
called on all local chief executives to support the Department of
Health (DOH) in its effort to contain the spread of the disease.
Robredo said there was
a need for coordinated efforts among all concerned national government
agencies and local government units to lessen the prevalence of the
mosquito-borne disease.
Robredo issued
Memorandum Circular 2010-78 last August 17 to all provincial
governors, city and municipal mayors, and punong barangays calling for
intensified information and education campaign on dengue fever and
appropriate preventive and control measures.
He said local
executives should enforce environmental sanitation such as dredging of
clogged canals, esteros and other waterways; pruning thick bushes or
tree branches; and removal or draining of receptacles containing
stagnant water.
He also reminded local
officials not to conduct indiscriminate fogging unless there was an
outbreak of the disease in their areas.
DILG-8 Regional
Director Francisco C. Jose appealed for local officials to coordinate
with health authorities and take the lead in informing their
constituents of ways to rid their surroundings of birthing places of
mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus.
In Eastern Visayas, at
least 5,090 dengue cases have been reported by end of July, with 65
deaths. In
Tacloban
City
alone there have been 1,279 reported cases with 19 deaths. However
all other towns and cities in the region have not been spared, with
children the common victims.
The public should
undertake self-protection measures such as wearing long-sleeved
shirts, and pants and using mosquito nets at night and repellants
during daytime. They should immediately consult a doctor in case they
are experiencing symptoms of the disease,” said Secretary Robredo.
Some of the symptoms
of dengue are sudden onset of high fever which may last from 2 to 7
days; joint and muscle pains including pain behind the eyes; weakness;
skin rashes; nosebleeding; abdominal pain; vomiting of coffee-colored
matter ;and having dark-colored stools.
There are currently
no vaccines for Dengue fever, a severe flu-like illness also called as
breakbone fever. (with the DILG-Office of
Public Affairs)
Leyte SP calls on DENR
MGB to review policy on granting exploration permits
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
August
22, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Leyte called the attention
of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Mines and
Geosciences Bureau to review the policy on the issuance of exploration
permits.
