Recently, Boses Han
Sinirangan, a daily program handled by the provincial government,
aired live while the anchors were traversing on a motor boat from
Manicani Island to Tubabaw Island through the equipment of DYES Radyo
ng Bayan, a government owned station in Borongan.
Using a cellular
phone, a mobile sound mixer and a microphone, the program lasted an
hour and 30 minutes on a motor boat on the seas of Guiuan, around 110
kilometers south of the provincial capital.
Joey Policarpo, the
station’s chief technician said that the DYES team made live coverage
from further places including in far flung areas with cellphone
signals, but it really has not tried making live broadcast from sea.
“I was worried the
audio will be distracted by the sound of the wind and the loud noise
of the motor engine,” Policarpo said.
Boses Han Sinirangan
anchor Bryan Azura himself found the experience amusing. “I never
thought we will be making that feat,” he said. “We were worried we
will miss another episode of the program because of the distance and
the situation,” says Azura.
Carlos Capito,
popularly called Mr. Public Service for his daily public affairs
program Barangay Patrol, said that what transpired in Guiuan seas was
really a landmark broadcast as it only happened now in the history of
DYES. Capito is among the pioneering members of the station which went
on air in February 1989.
Capito, head of News
and Public Affairs, said that the radio station is continually
stepping up its facilities despite the meager resources to cope up
with the media demand in the province. DYES is the only AM station in
Eastern Samar. 3 FM small radio stations, all on franchise schemes
from Manila Broadcasting Company, are also operating in various towns
of the province.
The veteran anchor
also revealed that even the interior of the station will undergo
rehabilitation to make it more accommodating especially to visitors.
Policarpo said that the station might go off air for around 2 weeks to
give way to the rehabilitation of the station especially the
announcer’s and technical’s booths.
“I propose a bigger
space for the announcer’s booth so as to accommodate more people
inside,” Capito said.
For his part, Governor
Ben P. Evardone said that he is thankful for the public service the
government station is providing to his province. “DYES had been
consistent in bringing about the necessary, relevant and timely
information to the people of Eastern Samar,” the governor said.
“The province will
continue to be a partner of DYES so as to keep the
Eastern Samareños
updated what their provincial government is doing for a better
province,” the provincial chief said.
Station Manager
Byron Bugtas, meanwhile, noted that despite the lack of manpower, his
station will continue its function as “Radyo ng Bayan.” Bugtas is also
among the pioneer of the radio station.
Aussie, Thai ring
officials rob Filipino underdogs
By ALEX P. VIDAL /
PNS
October
14, 2009
LOS ANGELES,
California – Unless the Philippine sports authority will flex its
muscles and reveals its fangs, the abuses and highway robberies
victimizing struggling Filipino professional fighters abroad will go
on unabated.
This was the strong
lament made by Anastacio “Mang Tacy” Bartolome Sr., an 84-year-old
World War II veteran and former boxing trainer in Capas, Tarlac in the
Philippines when he learned that two Filipino boxers have been robbed
of sure wins simultaneously in Sydney, Australia and Songkhla,
Thailand on October 9.
Bartolome, who lives
in Irvine, California, was referring to the fates of featherweight
Reynaldo Belandres and super featherweight Dante Paulino, both
underdogs, who were robbed of “clear” wins against their respective
foreign opponents despite their dominance and “impressive”
performances.
“During the time of
Little Campo and Flash Elorde (in the 50’s and 60’s), we have heard of
bum decisions victimizing Filipino fighters in Thailand and Japan but
they were quickly minimized because of strong protests lodged by the
boxing authority in the Philippines which was (and still today) the
Games and Amusement Board,” sighed Bartolome, who fought Japanese
invaders in the Southern Philippines alongside American soldiers under
the U.S. Army Forces Far East.
‘Shocking Results’
Belandres (12-1-2, 8
KOs) lost to Davey Browne (16-1-1, 4 KOs) in a controversial 10-round
tiff for the World Boxing Council (WBC) world youth featherweight
title in Sydney but not after he reportedly rearranged the nose of the
taller Aussie champion.
The controversy
prompted the Grange Old School Boxing Promotion to call for a rematch
after the verdict was harshly criticized in media.
Belandres reportedly
swarmed over the disheveled Browne from the opening bell until the
final round and “clearly” outclassed the hometown favorite with over
right hand and crisp jabs that found their marks mostly on Browne’s
face. But the judges did not agree with his gallant efforts.
In Songhla, some 400
kilometers away from Bangkok, Paulino, 29, who once lost to former
world championship challenger Randy Suico and concurrent world
champion Chris John, reportedly mauled former world super bantamweight
champion Somsak Sithchatchawal in 11 heats for the interim Pan-Asian
Boxing Association (PABA) super featherweight title at the Taksin
University but the bout ended in “horrific” split draw.
The draw reportedly
came as a total shocker as Paulino (14-8-2, 10 KOs) scored two
knockdowns in round two and round five.
Somsak (60-3-3, 44
KOs), who won the World Boxing Association (WBA) super bantamweight
jewels with a 10th round disposal of Mahyar Monshipour in Hauts-de-Seine,
France on March 18, 2006 and lost it via 3rd round technical knockout to
Celestino Caballero in Wat Ban Rai, Thailand on October 4 of the same
year, reportedly was puzzled by Paulino’s style and could not
effectively connect against the moving target.
Paulino reportedly
refused to be intimidated by Somsak’s signature body punches and
launched his own attack without let up and emerged with more clear
shots and superior defense to the delight of the partisan crowd.
When the fight went
the distance, two Thai judges submitted different scorecards. Chuchrt
Kaokit saw his compatriot winner, 105-104, while Prommase Chakshuraksa
played safe at 105-105. Filipino Gil Robiego gave the bout to Paulino,
105-104.
To settle the
controversy, the Kokiet Promotion has called for a rematch tentatively
next year.
Damage
“But the damage has
been done,” rued Bartolome, referring to the twin calls of the
Australian and Thai promoters for a rematch.
“Something must be
done to teach them (cheating ring officials) a lesson. Strong words
must be used to condemn these non-stop highway robberies that deny our
local fighters the chance to improve their ratings in the world and
damage their morale,” Bartolome, who stands only five feet and one
inch, the same height of the first Asian world champion Pancho Villa,
boomed.
“Even if they will
hold ten more rematches over the next years, who will compensate or
restore the busted morale of these Filipino boxers who only earn a
living to feed their families and make their country proud?” he
concluded.
Good Samaritan from
Leyte emerges during the Ondoy disaster
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October
6, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY –
Indeed, everybody has somebody to worry about when calamity comes.
Watching the
television coverage of the wrath of typhoon Ondoy on that fateful day
of September 26, brought to mind friends and relatives who are living
in Metro Manila and in other parts of Luzon.
Prayers for them said,
the thought of them submerged in flood waters, made one make text
messages and send them to all relatives and friends who are in mobile
phone list.
One wanted to make
these people know that they are being prayed for and thought of amid
the calamity they are in.
The first answer came
from Ann, the beautiful better half of Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla
who is fondly called Icot.
“Thanks,” Ann’s text
message read, “Icot just left for
Provident
Village to help evacuate relatives and friends.”
Suddenly one realized
why Provident Village in Marikina sounded familiar. Governor Icot
lived there when he’s studying at Ateneo, several of his friends from
way back live there, so does his younger brother Dominic and his
family, and his Mom, the former Congresswoman of the first District of
Leyte who also has a house there. Fortunately, his Mom was out of town
that Saturday.
Sunday afternoon, on
national television, actress and TV hostess Ruffa Gutierrez was heard
thanking a young jet ski riding governor whose name she didn’t know
but who helped her family during the typhoon.
The co-host Boy Abunda
asked governor where and Ms. Gutierrez said in
Leyte. Boy who is from Region 8 immediately said “Oh, Governor
Icot Petilla.”
It turned out Governor
Icot went to Manila Saturday morning to attend an 11:00 meeting, which
later on was cancelled because of the flooding. Watching over the
television that Metro Manila is flooded, he and his security men went
out to get his jet ski with a raft and a rubber boat and didn’t mind
the long hours they had to travel escaping the stalled traffic,
stranded vehicles and electric cables and all the floating debris.
Governor Icot, in a
radio interview, said that there were only two rubber boats being
manned by the military when he arrived at the chaotic
Provident
Village in Marikina. Friendly as he is, the Governor soon was working
hand in hand with the military bringing stranded people to higher
houses.
The Governor had to
tow rubber boats and speed boats which are in distress. This is how he
came across an actor who told him he was on his way to rescue a
friend. There was no time for proper introductions, the good Governor
said saying that everybody’s thoughts during that entire
7:00 o’clock in the evening of September 26 up to
4:00 o’clock in the
morning of September 27, were on rescuing fellowmen who were in
distress.
Considering what he
went through, Governor Icot still was able to make many observations
and intimated that he has learned many lessons from the calamity. For
one, Governor Icot said he learned the importance of Inventory of the
equipments and materials needed in times of calamity.
Under Governor Icot,
the province of Leyte is one of the few if not the only PDCC in the
Region that is completely equipped with tools including rubber boats
and trucks that are badly needed in times of disasters.
Leyteños have reasons
to be proud. They have a governor whose good heart takes him to any
place where help is badly needed, not for show but for a good cause,
that of trying to ease the burden of the suffering and the needy, in
whatever way he could, not because he is a governor but because he is
a good brother, a good son, a good friend, a good Filipino citizen, a
good Samaritan.
May the young people
of Leyte learn from Governor Icot’s example. As an exemplary
government official, may Governor Icot’s tribe increase!
149th Pueblo Day - A
grand celebration in Naval
By RODRIGO S. VICTORIA (PIA Biliran)
September
28, 2009
NAVAL, Biliran – Navaleños
as well as visitors who witnessed today’s 149th celebration of Naval
since its inception into a “pueblo” or town can only say one thing –
what a grand celebration!
The day-long affair
started with a solemn religious activity – a mass at the Naval
Cathedral. Outside the cathedral, everybody’s excitement went high as
the inclement weather disturbance threatened the festive mood of the
day.
However, the high
spirits of the Navaleños conquered all the fears brought by the bad
weather with the energizing tone of the marching bands as they made
their majestic strides in colorful and mesmerizing parade around the
town.
The gleeful crowd
beamed their best smiles notwithstanding the heavy traffic on the
pedestrian with eyes concentrating the best looks among the
participants of the parade. They patiently waited their favorite sons
and daughters, friends, relatives and buddies to pass in order to give
their heartfelt greetings by waving their hands.
If one’s attention was
captivated during the parade, perhaps everybody’s energy was
imprisoned by the remarkable opening ceremony and the different worthy
services that took place right at the municipal grounds.
One of which was the
releasing of doves and balloons by town officials led by Mayor Susan
V. Parilla and guests of the celebration sending a message of hope,
prosperity and peace to the town in the years ahead.
“Name it and you will
have it for free” was the byword of the day. One can have a haircut in
order to look differently today, others have executed their deed of
sale to avoid paying legal fees, some visited the booths just to eat
food products without handing a single penny, many have listed their
names in order to avail of the medical and dental check up and many
other social services offered by national government agencies which
included NSO, DOH, TESDA, DTI,
CSC, DOLE, NBI, PRC
and other agencies, non-government organizations such as the IBP-Biliran
Chapter, Biliran Medical and Dental Society, Naval Blind Masseurs,
government-owned and controlled corporations like the GSIS,
PAG-IBIG and
SSS and other private
entities such as the ABS-CBN-Cebu, Unilever, Nestle, Knorr, Fracasso
and other food, refreshment and beauty establishments in Naval.
Form part of the day’s
activity was the ABS-CBN-Cebu’s Feeding sa Bantay Bata 163 where
children from all walks of life relished the nutritious food offered.
However, ABS-CBN’s
participation led by Rico Lucena, the station’s news anchor and a
native of Naval, did not stop in just giving nourishment to the body
but also nourishment for the society to make a difference in the
upcoming 2010 polls by initiating the “Iboto Mo, Ipatrol Mo”
registration activity held at the jampacked NIT Gymnasium. Thousands
of Biliranons went to the venue and registered as election patrollers
including the young solon from the Lone District of Biliran,
Representative Glenn A. Chong.
Time went unnoticed by
many who availed of the different social services at the municipal
grounds and in NIT Gymnasium. Everybody was overwhelmed by the
splendor of things offered that satisfied their attendance to the
celebration.
Everybody knows the
celebration won’t end with an awe-inspiring activities held during the
day but pretty sure this will be matched in the evening today by the
dazzling and beauteous revelers who will sway and wiggle to the tune
of cha-cha, curacha, tango, boogie, ball room and modern music and
other animated sounds one wish to dance in the wide dance floor of the
Naval Gymnasium tonight.
In the end, the
celebration demonstrates hospitality and friendliness which are
trademarks of a true Navaleño.
Mayor Susan V. Parilla
in her message during the program said, these characters are what made
Naval what it is today which attributed to the success of the 149th
Pueblo Day celebration.
Army engineers turn
over Kalayaan projects to Calbayog barangays
By ELEEN LIM and NINFA B. QUIRANTE
September
24, 2009
CALBAYOG CITY, Samar
– Five barangays from the northern part of Calbayog City
received the fruits of their “liberation” from being affected by the
insurgents: through the Kalayaan Barangays Program or KBP Projects of
the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Col. Arnaldo
Fernandez, Jr, commander of the 53rd Engineer Brigade and Col. Arnolfo
Atendido, commander of 803rd Infantry Brigade, turned over to city
mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento and the five punong barangays the fully
accomplished KBP projects package consisting of a 2-room school
building, a health center and street lights.
The simple turn-over
ceremony was held at Brgy. Peña in Tinambacan district.
Barangay officials,
health workers and teachers of Barangays Peña, Cagmanipis Norte,
Malaga, Tinaplacan and Bugtong received the projects worth P1.5
Million per package.
According to LtCol.
Rizalito Tibon, the commanding officer of 543rd Engineer Construction
Battalion, the Kalayaan Barangays Program of President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo was intended for conflict-affected communities all
over the country.
It is given to
barangays who lack basic infrastructure projects such as health
centers, school buildings and water system.
The recipient
barangays in Calbayog, according to Col. Tibon, were selected when the
Special Operations Team (SOT) from the 20th IB conducted a
pulong-pulong with the people as to their needs.
These needs were
submitted to the National Development Command, which in turn,
requested the funds from the President.
Residents noticed the
good quality of work done by the army engineers.
Col. Tibon said, “Iyon
lang po talaga ang gawain naming mga army engineers, lahat ng gawin
namin, kailangan matibay, para hindi na magkaproblema ang ating mga
communities, at hindi masira ang gobyerno.”
He added that army
engineers are “service oriented,” hence whatever funds allocated for
the project are being spent.
In case there are
savings, they use it to buy tables and chairs for the teachers.
Col. Fernandez also
promised to provide lavatories for the health centers and a complete
set of computers for each of the school buildings.
Students, teacher and
the rural folks showed their appreciation by applauding the army
engineers.
All 30 Isuzu-TESDA
Center scholars successfully pass Phase 1 of training
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
September
17, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY – For
the concerned citizens who are wondering what has happened to the
Isuzu-TESDA Training Center in Leyte which opened in the last quarter
of last year, here goes the update.
The first batch of 30
scholars enrolled at the posh Isuzu-TESDA Auto Mechanic Training
Center in Leyte has completed with flying colors the first phase (NC1)
of the course and are now on their way to hurdling the second stage.
As the first batch
composed of 19 male and 11 female scholars completed the first Phase,
the second batch composed of 14 male and 16 female scholars has begun
training in the middle of 2009.
The awarding
ceremonies was attended by no less than Isuzu Motors Limited chairman
Yoshinori Ida who flew in from Japan to lead the awarding ceremonies
held at the Isuzu-sponsored TESDA facility in Leyte.
Joining him in
awarding the top performers of the program’s maiden batch were TESDA
Regional Director Juan Sabulao, Jr., and Plan Philippines Country
Director Michael Diamond.
A female scholar,
Marilou Cabarles, was the overall first placer with an average grade
of 83 percent; followed by a male scholar, Jonathan Mangubat who is
the overall second placer for the practical and written exams and who
topped the written exams with 82 percent grade.
The overall third
placer was Jonnalyn Navarrosa with an average grade of 81 percent.
Topping practical exams was Jumar Verano, with a score of 87 percent.
The first batch of 30
Isuzu scholars is scheduled to complete the special two-year course in
October 2010, after hurdling all national certification levels from I
to IV within a two-year period in order to pass the course.
NC1 or the first phase
tackles automotive servicing. Among the basic modules included in the
NC1 curriculum are workplace communication, teamwork, work values and
housekeeping. After completing the NC1 modules, the scholars underwent
competency assessment to determine who among them are qualified for an
NC1 certificate.
Twenty-five modules
make up the second curriculum, including workplace communication, team
environment, career professionalism, occupational health and safety,
shop maintenance, and the servicing of various vehicle components.
Isuzu, which is
funding the training facilities and the students’ board and lodging
costs, also donated an Isuzu NHR Passenger Van and one Crosswind XTi
for the students’ and the training center personnel’s use.
The second batch of
scholars coming from the provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar, Camotes
Island, Occidental Mindoro, Southern Leyte and Masbate, brings to 60
the total number of Isuzu scholars.
The fact that female
scholars now outnumber the males indicates that automotive-mechanic
training has a growing appeal even to a demography previously thought
unfit to participate in such a program.
ARADO graduates 200
more skilled workers ready for work abroad
By
Provincial
Media Relations Center
September 10, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY – From
earning meager pesos by driving the local pedicab in Palo,
Leyte, Nono Salangsang, now earns thousands more as a welder at a
company in Saudi Arabia.
Salangsang, who is one
of the graduate of the ARADO Foundation Institute of Technology in
Alangalang, Leyte, was one of the number of graduates who landed a
work abroad after graduating from short-term course offered at the
said foundation.
He recently made
testimonies of his present state during the latest graduation rites of
more or less 200 new skilled workers in the field of welding and
pipe-fitting, both short term course being offered by the ARADO
Foundation.
The graduation rites
held at the Governor’s Hall saw to graduates who were mostly males but
for the first time at least five females were able to hurdle the
tedious 3-months training.
According to Sister
Eloisa David, the managing directress and one of the founders of the
said private institution, the new graduate would be filled in for the
current great demand for skilled workers here and abroad.
"We have already
coordinated with agencies for them to work abroad as we have done with
the previous batches. Right after their short course ended, an agency
already awaiyts them to conduct examinations and interviews,” Sister
Eloisa said.
Also present during
the graduation rites was the ARADO’s founding chairman, Mrs. Anne
Petilla and TESDA-Leyte Director Ester Pulma.
It was learned the new
graduates are being placed to work in countries such as Saudi Arabia,
United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Taiwan, Canada and Australia.
Mrs. Petilla said the
institution is most aware of the strong demand for male skilled
workers and realized they could provide a steady supply only if there
was a venue where people could get formal training in the said trade.
Since the organization
was put up, the foundation has produced more or less 500 graduates
from the welding course and also pipe fitters. A number have already
landed jobs abroad while some were locally employed.
Meanwhile, Leyte
Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, who graced the graduation ceremonies
issued a challenge to the graduating group "to make good in their
stint abroad" if they finally get to work there.
The new batch of ARADO
graduates came from the towns of Mayorga, Julita, Alangalang and other
towns all over Leyte province.
Meanwhile, the
Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) here have
earlier declared that demands for welding professionals here and
abroad would continue to climb.
TESDA-Leyte Director
Pulma said the last Job Bridging Program they conducted at the Leyte
SMED Center showed a lot of companies looking for skilled workers
needed to work in various companies abroad.
The ARADO foundation,
was originally founded to give assistance to indigent children of
farmer folks who can ill-afford to send their children to college, by
offering vocation-technology courses, sustainable agriculture and
direct services.
However, in the course
of setting up the foundation, its founding members were able to
establish that its mission would not only to become an appropriate
technology center for agricultural growth, but also to focus on modern
technology, particularly welding being the most in demand here and
abroad today.
Park visitors
recommend innovative ecotourism services
By RICKY J. BAUTISTA
September
6, 2009
BASEY, Samar – The
students of Masters on Public Resource Management (MPRM) of Eastern
Visayas State University (EVSU) Burauen Campus in Burauen Leyte has
visited two of the famous ecotourism sites in
Samar as part of their 2-day educational tours over the weekend.
Led by campus director
Dr. Felixberto E. Avestruz, Dr. Ann Rose Refuerzo and Dr. Dennis de
Paz, all professors of said campus, the group visited the mystical
Sohoton Caves in Basey and the Langon-Gobingob Caves in Calbiga town,
which are both protected areas under the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP)
last August 29-30, 2009.
In Sohoton, the group
composed of Melinda Tan, Lizley Prejula, Darlene Monteros, Fe Maningo,
Riza Dumaduma, Erlinda Malate, Iman Alvinez, Aileen Tacbalan, Eduard
Nerja, Luisito Rodriguez, Liza Pedere and Crisostomo Badeo were
entertained by members of the Sohoton Services Association (SSA), a
people’s organization duly registered with the Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) who at that time having meeting. They were
interviewed by the group before taking the cave tour.
At around 10:28 a.m.
the group entered the Sohoton Cave and amazed by the different rock
formations distinctly described by the guides as stalagmites,
stalactites, helectites and columns or pillars.
At the end of the
Sohoton tour, the group recorded the following observations, to wit;
the management should install public calling booth within Sohoton
area, improve the vicinity map, revive usual visitor management by
briefing them first before entering the cave, and provide trash
receptacles in the area, among others.
In Calbiga, on the
other hand, the participants of the tour, most of them wore sandals
and rubber shoes, said they experienced their most difficult journey
of the tour as they hike at least three kilometers to the cave, and
while inside the cave, loose soil, sticky and slippery rocks made them
feel uneasy to walk.
After an hour cave
explorations, the group got out exhausted. “(Majority of us)
experienced difficulty on breathing due to insufficient supply of
oxygen wherein one of our classmates was not able to continue and
decided to go out for fear that she may collapse inside the cave,”
said Forester Crisostomo Badeo, one of the participants who is also a
DENR employee.
But nevertheless, “we
are mesmerized by the huge doom ever seen by our naked eyes, I think
that first chamber has the size that can fit the 5-story building
inside,” one of the participant said in full excitement.
At the end, they
arrived at the following observations. The trail leading to the cave
needs clearing and maintenance, picnic tables and kiosks at the cave
entrance should be installed, graded trail with hand railings and
elevated cantilever bridge within the cave is suggested as, according
to them, it may serve the tourists better.
In an interview, Dr.
Avestruz informed that the tour was a culminating activity of the
three subjects and was conducted with a concomitant purpose of
yielding salient information about protected area management of the
park.
“Apart from unwinding
break after a series of lecture-discussion in the four-walled
classroom, this activity enabled the students’ erudition to review on
how biodiversity resources along with the identified mapped and
non-mapped issues were addressed by the SINP as contained in its
management manual and thereafter come up with a group report with
categorical recommendations,” the director said.
It was learned that
the group, through Dr. Avestruz, will submit their observations and
recommendations to concerned agencies such as the respective local
government units and the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, particularly the SINP.
Army Engineer Brigade
bares status of Kalayaan Barangay projects in Eastern Visayas
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
August
21, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY –
The 543rd Engineer Construction Battalion of the 53rd Engineer Brigade
of the Philippine Army disclosed that as of August 11, 2009, it has
already completed nine (9) out of the 54 projects under the Kalayaan
Barangay program being implemented in 23 barangays of ten
municipalities and city in Eastern Visayas.
In a report submitted
to Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas, Hon. Cynthia Nierras,
Lt. Colonel Rizalito A. Tibon, the commanding officer, disclosed that
these Kalayaan Barangay projects are under Batch 2 (CY 2008).
The completed projects
include the construction of 2 classroom school building; construction
of 1 Health Center and farm to market road at Barangay Trojillo, in
the municipality of Bobon, Northern Samar.
Among the completed
projects are the 2 classroom school building, one Health Center,
installation of streetlights at Barangay Geguinta; and the
installation of streetlights at Barangay San Andres, both at Las Navas,
Northern Samar.
At Barangay Guindaulan,
in the town of Rosario, Northern Samar, the construction of 2
classroom school building and the construction of one Health Center
have also been completed.
Always upholding its
motto “to build not destroy, to bring happiness not sorrow, the 543rd
Engineer Construction Battalion of the 53rd Engineer Brigade of the
Philippine Army, has also started the implementation of the remaining
48 KB projects in Samar and Northern Samar.
Several of the
projects are already near completion while the others are less than
50% completed, the report prepared by Operations Officer, Major Tomas
Tabangcura, indicated.
The Kalayaan Barangay
Projects being implemented by the 543rd Engineer Construction
Battalion will benefit the people in 12 villages of Northern Samar
namely Barangay Imelda and Barangay Alejandro Village in Allen;
Barangays Calantiao, Barangay Sumuroy and Barangay Trojillo in Bobon
town; Barangay Geguinta and Barangay San Andres in Las Navas; Barangay
Caburihan and Barangay Malikoliko in Lavezares; Barangay Guindaulan in
Rodario and Barangay Caglanipao and Barangay Happy Valley in San
Isidro town.
About 11 barangays of
Samar province are also beneficiaries of the Kalayaan Barangay
projects. These are Barangay Makabetas in Gandara; Barangay Concepcion,
Barangay Jose Roño and Barangay Paco in Paranas; Barangay Poblacion 1
and Barangay Poblacion 2 of San Jose de Buan; and Barangays Bugtong,
Cagmanipis, Malaga, Pena and Tinaplacan in Calbayog City.
The Kalayaan Barangay
Project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo which is being
implemented by the Department of National Defense, the Armed Forces of
the Philippines and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the
Peace Process, aims to address the needs of the poor communities in
conflict areas or in areas which have peace and order issues.
This is a government
initiative which is a non-combat approach to solve the insurgency in
areas affected by the problem, Lt. Colonel Tibon said.
Kalayaan Barangay
Project (KBP) was conceptualized to promote peace and development in
the countryside. Specific program interventions include, core
Infrastructure projects and services like improvements on
transportation, communication, road and rail network, electrification
and water supply facility as well as classroom buildings and
educational establishments.
For the 2006 and 2007
batch, the 53rd Engineer Brigade has turned over 16 school buildings
in the 16 barangays of the three Samar Provinces; 3 water supply
system projects in three barangays of Calbiga, Samar; 4 water supply
system projects in 4 barangays of Jiabong and San Jose de Buan in
Samar; and 3 Health Centers for 3 barangays, one each for Bobon, Las
Navas and Rosario, all in Northern Samar.
Mayor Samaco is
grieving over death of amateur boxer
By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern
Leyte)
August 19, 2009
MAASIN CITY,
Southern Leyte – As President of the Amateur Boxers Association of the
Philippines (ABAP)-Southern Leyte Chapter, City Mayor Maloney Samaco
was deeply saddened by the untimely demise of a Maasinhon amateur
boxer on Monday, August 17, the day after seeing action in the
inter-town amateur boxing tournament at the city gym here.
Samaco, who also sits
as the Chairman of the City Sports Council, declared during the
city-paid block time program in DYDM on Tuesday that this was the
first time such an incident happened in the last seventeen (17) years
since he started promoting boxing as a major sports attraction in 1992
when he started his political career as municipal councilor.
He was referring to
the ill-fated life of Francisco Saludo, Jr., 23, an amateur boxer from
barangay Lunas, this city, who was rushed Sunday evening to the
provincial hospital after his 4-round clash with Arturo Maglasang, 23,
another amateur boxer from the municipality of Bontoc.
The inter-town amateur
boxing tournament on August 16 was an integral part of the series of
activities marking this year’s ninth charter day and fiesta
celebrations.
Zaldy Olita, the ring
announcer, told PIA it was a close fight between Maglasang and Saludo
in the twentieth bout of the 38-bout boxing night, and both boxers
survived the four rounds at two minutes time per round for amateur
players.
Maglasang won by a
slight margin on points, 34 against Saludo’s 30, Olita said, adding
that national referee Nelson Factoranan saw no need to stop the fight
since there was no hard blows and everything was fair game, no foul
play.
City Mayor Samaco
himself watched the fight and saw nothing wrong about it, Olita added.
After the fight,
Saludo was seen vomiting, so he was immediately taken to the hospital
where all his detailed needs were taken care of as ordered by Mayor
Samaco, Olita said.
The upstart fighter –
it was Saludo’s second amateur bout, the first time was last year –
expired 7:45 Tuesday morning due to internal hemorrhage in the head,
according to a report aired live by Monching Buyser, quoting technical
sources.
This was also
Maglasang’s second try at amateur boxing, the first was last month
during the provincial anniversary.
Mayor Samaco stressed
that what happened was already beyond their control, adding that
amateur boxers in the city would usually undergo strict physical
screening before they are allowed to play inside the boxing ring,
complete with medical certificates, and the bouts were duly supervised
by authorized officials, among them a ring physician.
Last year, a promising
boxer by the name of Alex Aroy, who had started his professional
fights, also died after a fight in Villaba,
Leyte, Samaco
recalled, even as he pointed out that it was found out later he had
fever just before the fight.
The city government
would extend everything needed for a decent burial of Saludo,
including a long-lasting assistance to his family, Samaco assured.
Burial was set
Wednesday at barangay San Jose, it was learned.
Having condoled
with the family, and having declared his all-out support, Samaco said
he would move on despite a grieving heart, to attend to other needs of
the city that requires his attention.
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