Samar lady
representative to second district, Sharee Ann Tan in collaboration
with the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) medicine class 1964 will
sponsor a Surgical Mission on June 16-20, 2008.
Provincial Health
Officer, Dr. Rodulf Mabulay said that screening for patients eligible
to undergo surgery is being done this week until June 13, 2008. He
added that the patients he has screened are suffering from goiter and
other boil problems.
The younger Tan has
sponsored several medical-dental and even surgical missions with the
help of Samar Governor Milarosa Tan. These medical missions are a
favorite activity of the elder Tan who claims to being able to touch
the masses through this activity.
On the other side of
Samar, the United States Navy is creating a stir in the LGUs of First
District as it embarks on engineering, medical and dental mission.
Together with the 546th Engineer Battalion of the Philippine Army, the
US Navy repaired the Municipal Health Center of Sta. Margarita, an
existing Botika ng Barangay in the same town.
In Calbayog City, the
mission is also presently constructing
Calbayog
Main Health Center
in Barangay Capoocan and a communal septic tank with built-in waste
treatment facility at Barangay Rawis.
Meanwhile in Gandara
town, the engineers are repairing the water system of Gandara District
Hospital.
The USN also conducted
Medical and Dental Missions in
San Isidro,
Northern Samar on June 1 and 2. Yesterday, they have completed their
second day of the same activity in Gandara Central Elemenatry School
in Gandara, Samar.
Two more LGUs stand to
be the venues of another Medical Dental Missions like Sta. Margarita
on June 7 and 8.
In Calbayog City,
patients are expected to flock to German Gmeiner Elementary School
from June 10-13, 2008.
Region 8 police
formally accepts transformation torch
By GAY B. GASPAY (PIA 8)
June
6, 2008
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– The Philippine National Police Regional Office-8 (PNP-PRO 8)
headed by its regional director PCSupt Abner D. Cabalquinto formally
accepted the burning torch of transformation from PRO-5 RD PCSupt
Paterno Bangui together with the prime mover of PNP Reform Deputy
Chief for Administration, Police Deputy Director General Jesus Verzosa
yesterday, June 5, 2008.
Attended by officers,
ladies and men of PNP-PRO8, Program Management Office and PRO-5, the
ceremony was held at Camp Ruperto Kangleon Grandstand in Palo, Leyte
after a one-hour 12.8 kilometers Torch Run which started in five 5
assembly points in San Jose Airport via Coca-cola, MacArthur Park,
Petron Gas station junction, St. Paul’s Business School and PRO-8 gate
2 all ending at the RECOM grandstand.
In his speech Deputy
Dir. Gen. Verzosa disclosed that the PRO-8 Torch Run was so far the
fastest and the longest miler run in the country with region 8 as the
10th leg transformation torch run relay having its theme: Running the
race towards genuine transformation inside the PNP organization.
The symbolic burning
torch signifies according to DG Verzosa signifies the seriousness they
want in reforming policemen in uniform and generate awareness of
various projects under the PNP Integrated Reform Program (ITP). The
torch has traveled 2,000 kilometers covering the first 10 police
regional offices.
DG Verzosa further
said the PNP Transformation Torch envisioned to blaze a path of
positive change in the PNP, making it capable, effective and credible
police force which will meet the needs of Filipino people in recent
times.
The Program Management
Office (PMO) was mandated to oversee programs and projects of PNP
organization in addressing dysfunction and the felt needs of policemen
thereby facing the challenge to gradually transform the police
force physically, emotionally and spiritually centering on the purpose
driven life.
PRO-8 Dir. Cabalquinto
on the other hand, sees the torch as a symbol of change a noble
epitome to institute changes and reforms from within the organizations
and within a person. A series of notable projects has been instituted
nationwide to uplift the plight of the men in uniform.
In region 8, the
regional PMO, will tour the different provincial offices to advocate
on the ITP program and encourage a replication of the Torch Relay
activities in all municipal police stations. The torch run will not
stop but will still continue in educating our personnel Cabalquinto
said.
High impact
projects in PNP reforms includes personnel quartering and Shelter
programs, health care project to attend to the health welfare of
policemen, PNP scholarship & Educational Assistance Program. Legal
assistance program to assist police with legal cases, Himlayan ng
Bayaning Pulis and the Model Police station were just some of the
mentioned reforms.
UN Rapporteur Alston
stands by his findings on Philippine killings
Press Release
By Philippine UPR Watch
June
4, 2008
GENEVA, Switzerland –
"I am simply being faithful in playing my role as an honest broker,"
this was the response of Prof. Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur on
extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, to the statement of
Ambassador Erlinda F. Basilio of the Philippine Mission to the UN
calling Alston's report "inaccurate, highly selective and biased.”
Alston was one of the
first UN special rapporteurs who gave their reports to the 8th session
of the UN Human Rights Council which runs on June 2-20, 2008. He
stood by his findings that so many of the cases remained unexplained,
that only a few cases have been prosecuted and that there has been no
conviction of military personnel involved so far. Mr. Alston
reiterated that on the issue of the number and characterization of the
killings, the methodology used by the Philippine government was
defective.
After Alston’s report,
the Philippine Mission in
Geneva submitted a 6-page statement lambasting and vilifying the
report as well as Prof. Philip Alston himself. Practically ignoring
the extraordinarily harsh Philippine reply, Alston was happy to note
that the general response of Philippine society to his report was
favorable and that human rights defenders have continued to commend
and make reference to his report and recommendations.
The Philippine UPR
Watch delegation here was astonished at the continuing denials,
twisting of facts, unabashed namecalling and even ad hominem
arguments of the Philippine Mission to the conclusions and
observations of Prof. Alston. The delegation, composed of Fr. Rex
Reyes of the NCCP, Marie Hilao Enriquez of Karapatan, Atty. Edre
Olalia of NUPL, Dr. Edith Burgos of Desaparecidos, Donnie Mapanao of
Migrante-Switzerland, Trisha Garvida of Karapatan and union leader Ed
Cubelo, expressed disbelief at the rehash of worn out and discredited
explanations as well as the highly exaggerated claims on the
effectivity of the Philippine government’s efforts to address the
killings.
At a side event
entitled, "Confronting Extrajudicial Killings: Promoting Life and
Human Rights: The Situation in the Philippines," Prof. Alston said he
was honored to participate in some small way to the efforts to stop
extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. He went on to happily note
the drop in the number of extrajudicial killings since he began his
mission in the Philippines. Alston said that, “The decrease in number
while a cause to congratulate, is likewise a cause to condemn because
it merely shows clearly who are behind the extrajudicial killings.”
18
secondary schools in Leyte are recipients of ICOT-P
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June
4, 2008
TACLOBAN
CITY, Leyte – There are already 14 secondary schools in the DepEd
Leyte Division and four secondary schools in the Tacloban City
Division which are recipients of the Income Creating Opportunities
through Technology project (ICOT-P) of Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho
Petilla.
Students
from these 18 schools were among the 700 students who graduated on
May 30, 2008 during the ICOT-P graduation rites at the
Tanauan Civic Center in Tanauan, Leyte, Mrs. Aurora Villarente, ICOT-P
manager informed.
Under
the Leyte Division, the ICOT-P schools are Palo National High School
in Palo; Anahaway National High School in Palo; Tanauan National High
School in Tanauan; Kiling National High School in Tanauan; Tolosa
School of Fisheries in Tolosa; and Tolosa Comprehensive School in
Tolosa.
Also
ICOT-P recipients are the Santa Fe National High School in Sta. Fe;
Alang-Alang National High School, Alang-alang Comprehensive High
School, and Astorga National High School, all in Alang-Alang; San
Miguel National High School and Sta. Cruz National High School, both
in San Miguel; and Juan S. Tismo National High School and Pagsulhugon
National High School, both in Babatngon town.
Under
the Tacloban City Division, the ICOT-P secondary schools are the
Marasbaras National High School, San Jose National High School,
Tacloban City National High School and Tacloban National Agricultural
School.
During
the Graduation Rites, Tanauan Mayor Roque A. Tiu welcomed the
graduates and the government officials present saying that the Local
Government of Tanauan is honored to host the graduates, who despite
being uncapable of pursuing college education because of financial
constraints, courageously accepted the invitation of Governor Petilla
to instead learn to become modern technology farmers and
entrepreneurs, in order to become productive members of their
respective families and communities.
The
respective school Principals presented the ICOT-P graduates while the
confirmation of graduates was done by Leyte Division Superintendent
Sol Lumarda and Tacloban City Division Superintendent Dr. Ronilo Firmo
for the Leyte Division graduates and Tacloban City Division graduates,
respectively.
Leyte
Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla was clearly inspired by the spectacle
which is the fruit of his innovation and vision for the sake of the
youth in the province.
In his
keynote address, Gov. Petilla pledged to continue the project and to
introduce more skill that will create opportunities, among which are
driving, waitering, food service industry skills. Currently,
Information Technology and welding courses are being taught in the
pilot schools in Tanauan and Alang-Alang.
Governor
Petilla said that ICOT-P will also be introduced in other secondary
schools in Leyte so that High School students who are sure of not
being able to pursue college education because of financial
difficulties, will have the opportunity to become economically
productive after graduation in High School.
PAGCOR
Vice Chairperson Remedios Matin Petilla who was the fist district of
Leyte representative when ICOT-P was introduced congratulated the
graduates and the schools and expressed her gratitude to Governor
Petilla for thinking of projects that will benefit the youth who are
the future leaders of the province of Leyte.
NGO,
DepEd, military join hands vs. illiteracy in Biliran
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June
4, 2008
TACLOBAN
CITY, Leyte – The GMA Kapuso Foundation, the Department of Education
and the Philippine Army 19th Infantry Battalion joined hands to
conduct the “Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan, Alay sa mga Kabataan”
project in the province of Biliran on May 21 -22, 2008.
The
three coordinating entities chose Biliran as one of the provinces that
need educational assistance for Grade I pupils, Second Lt. Gabriel
Aranez, public information officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion of
the Philippine Army based in Kananga, Leyte, disclosed.
Under
the Unang Hakbang Sa Kinabukasan Alay sa Mga Kabataan, which is aimed
at uplifting the morale of children entering the Grade I level of
formal education and making the financial burden of the parent
lighter, the group proceeded to the municipalities of Kawayan, Culaba,
Maripipi and Almeria to distribute school supplies to the children who
will enter Grade I this coming school opening.
The two
day activity resulted in the distribution of 1,740 bags of GMA Kapuso
Foundation-donated school supplies. Each bag, 2Lt Aranez informed,
contained 1 school bag, 5 notebooks, 2 pencils, 2 pads of paper, 1
eraser, 1 pencil sharpener and 1 box of crayons.
The
Department of Education Biliran Division facilitated the presence of
the school children and teachers, provided the distribution centers,
food for the group and service vehicle for the staff.
The 19th
Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army provided two trucks for the
transport of the supplies and also provided personnel for manpower and
security of the delegation.
The
three agencies of goodwill were represented by Ms. Tina Dungca and Mr.
Leon Defuntorum of GMA Kapuso Foundation of the GMA7 Network, Ms.
Sarah Apurillo who is the OIC School Division Superintendent of DepEd
Biliran Division, 1Lt. Malinche Tomarong Commanding Officer of “B”
Company, 2Lt. Gabriel Aranez who is the Civil Military Operations
Officer of the 19IB, and MSgt. Flor Sampayan of the CMOU, 8ID.
The
activity was a great success as could be glimpsed in the smiles of the
1740 little “angels” who are looking forward to entering the formal
education on June 10.
What
made the activity significant is that in the history of Biliran, there
has never been an outreach program that was aimed at uplifting the
morale of small children to seek for a better education. What a better
way of inspiring and boosting the morale of these children to study
than by giving importance to their first step in school, than
providing them with school supplies needed for their education.
With this activity which is in support to the Education for All
program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and to the achievement of
the Millennium Development Goals, the GMA 7, the Department of
Education and the 19th IB won the hearts of the people of Biliran.
Farm to market roads
in 15 barangays of Basey becomes a reality
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June
2, 2008
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– Fifteen remote barangays in Basey, Samar will soon be accessible
to all types of vehicles with the implementation of the Farm to Market
Road projects under the Infrastructure for Rural Productivity
Enhancement Sector (INFRES) project, Ms. Bonavie M. Robenio, Public
Information Assistant of the municipality said.
The farm to market
roads is a long time dream of the people in these 15 barangays. Thanks
to the earnest and paintaking efforts of the local government
officials led by Mayor Wilfredo Estorninos, the project finally pushed
through.
The 36.355 kilometer
FMR-Infress project comes in three packages. FMR package 1 will
include the farm to market roads at Barangay Old San Agustin-So.
Rono-Bulao-Cogon-New San Agustin.
Package 2 will include
Bulao-So. Can-umran-So. Rizal-So. Biga-Mabini-Del Pilar-Guirang while
Package 3 will include Barangays
Magallanes-Serum-Panugmunon-Burgos-Del Pilar-Guirng-San Fernando-Pelit-Loog-So.
Rawis-So. Wespal.
The project aims
primarily to reduce poverty in remote and rural barangays which is
attributed to low agricultural productivity and inaccessibility. It is
funded by the Asian Development fund with counterparts from the LGU
and the barangays in the 20-43.2 and 7.7 sharing.
The office of the
Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator spearheaded the
compensation of 687 identified affected persons, those who owns lots,
crops, trees and structures will be affected by the project
implementation through the land acquisition resettlement plan.
Since 2004, the Farm
to Market Road issue in these barangays has been pending, Mr. Manuel
Orejola, the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator said.
Thanks to the current municipal officials led by Mayor Wilfredo
Estorninos, the project will at last push through with the help of the
INFRES project of the Department of Agriculture.
The FMR-INFRES Project
is funded by the Asian Development Bank providing 50% while the local
government unit provides 42.3 % of the funding while the barangay
equity is 7.7%.
Mayor Estorninos
said that the opening, rehabilitation and construction of 36.355
kilometer Farm to Market Road in the 15 target barangays will
hopefully reduce poverty which is prevalent in the areas, by linking
the constituents to “civilization;” augment the income of the farmers
through increased agricultural production and access to market places.
It will also hasten the delivery of basic services in the areas, Mayor
Estorninos said.
An Waray partylist rep
turns-over to Tanauan fertilizers worth P1.3M
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June
2, 2008
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– An Waray Partylist Representative Florencio Gabriel Noel, recently
turned-over to the local government of Tanauan, Leyte, organic
fertilizers amounting to P1.3 Million, in support to the enhanced food
productivity program of the municipality.
The turn-over ceremony
which was conducted on May 31, 2008, 9:00 o’clock in the morning at
the Tanauan Civic Center, was attended by the local government
officials, barangay chairmen of the 54 barangays in the municipality,
and the farmer beneficiaries.
Congressman Noel
turned over the fertilizers to the local government of Tanauan headed
by Mayor Roque Tiu and were distributed to the 54 barangay chairmen of
the municipality, in his desire to enhance the productivity of the
local farmers especially those who were victims of the latest flooding
that hit the Region early this year.
When Congressman Noel
was re-elected, he promised that his priority will be agriculture,
both the coconut and rice farmers. His priority is proving to be the
right choice especially in the light of the looming world food crisis
which will automatically affect the country and the region, in
particular.
In accepting the
donation of Congressman Noel, Mayor Roque Tiu express the gratitude of
the people of Tanauan particularly the farmers who will be benefitted
by the generous gesture. More than the fertilizers, Mayor Tiu said
that the concern of Congressman Noel to the plight of the local
farmers, is what is most touching.
Mayor Tiu said that
the fertilizers will be given to the local rice farmers who availed of
the certified seeds provided by the Department of Agriculture Region 8
under the leadership of Director Leo Cañeda and the certified seeds
which was made available by the local government.
The local government
prioritizes agriculture in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s
call for enhanced rice production in order to ensure the availability
of rice and other food products to the Filipino people.
Mayor Tiu expressed
hope, that with the support from the Regional and provincial offices
of the Department of Agriculture, from Congressman Noel and other
benevolent people, the farmers of Tanauan will increase their
production not only for Tanauan, for Leyte but for the entire Eastern
Visayas region.
House Special
Committee on Reforestation approves Rep. Mercado’s bill
By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern
Leyte)
June 2, 2008
MAASIN CITY, Southern
Leyte – Southern Leyte province Lone District Representative Roger
Mercado’s pet project of reforesting 65 hectares of idle lands in
barangay Bogo this city has been widely approved in a public hearing
held Saturday at the Kinamot Restaurant here.
The greening project
was the main subject of House Bill 568, which carries the title “An
Act providing for the Reforestation of the Sixty Five Hectares of
Public Land in Barangay Bogo, Maasin City, Province of Southern Leyte
and appropriating funds therefore.”
Present during the
gathering were Cong. Angelito Gatlabayan of the 2nd District of
Antipolo City, Cong. Emil Ong of the 2nd District of Northern, and
Cong. Florencio Noel of “An Waray” Party List.
They constitute,
including Cong. Mercado himself, the Lower House’ Special Committee on
Reforestation chaired by Gatlabayan.
Provincial and City
officials led by Gov. Damian Mercado and City Mayor Maloney Samaco,
respectively, joined the public hearing, along with barangay officials
from this city’s 70 barangays and some national line government
agencies.
In his opening talk,
Cong. Mercado informed the guests that planting trees has become a
tradition in the city and the province, where any significant date and
commemoration, either personal or official, will be marked with a
tree-planting activity.
Gatlabayan remarked
that Cong. Mercado’s initiative was “a major step to re-enforce and
strengthen efforts to reforest the country”, adding that a
reforestation measure even called for a planting of two billion trees
nationwide.
Having passed the
required public hearing the reforestation bill would be presented to
the plenary for further discussion, then sent to the Senate for a
counterpart measure there, said Cong Mercado.
He estimated that the
budget appropriation for the bill once enacted into law would be P 10
million.
Cops issue warning on
“Budol-Budol” operations
By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern
Leyte)
May 29, 2008
MAASIN CITY, Southern
Leyte – The Philippine National Police (PNP) stationed in this city
went around using its patrol car Tuesday to several barangays, warning
people about the presence in the city of three lady “budol-budol”
operatives, and urging the residents to report to them any
suspicious-looking persons.
The patrol car’s
“bandilyo” or public announcement covered the barangays from Pasay up
to Badiang, so the people can be made aware of the development and
avoid becoming a victim, said Police Superintendent Jaime Yamba, the
new City Police Chief.
Reached by phone on
why the bandilyo was made, Yamba revealed that on Monday this
week the three were able to fool a resident of barangay Pacu, who gave
in P20,000 worth of jewelry and cash in exchange for a fake set of
jewelries.
Yamba, who assumed the
new post only last May 12 by swapping with Supt. Pepito Generan, did
not name the victim for confidential reasons. Generan is now the
Deputy Provincial Director stationed at the PNP provincial
headquarters.
The unnamed victim
described the perpetrators as three ladies, two in their twenties and
one in the fifties, long-haired, and approached their intended target
with a story of pity the uninitiated may readily sympathize.
The dramatic peak of
the story centers on the need to look for an abortionist, since one of
the ladies was “pregnant” while serving as a domestic help in Manila
by her male employer; the need to return to Manila once abortion was
done, and to do so they will leave a boxful of jewelry in exchange for
money used as fare in the return trip to Manila.
The sympathetic
victim-to-be would readily moralize on the dangers and sin of
abortion, offer advice to give birth no matter what, and gives in the
required cash and jewelry to exchange with the “offered” jewelry,
Yamba narrated, quoting the victims tale.
This was the first
time a pity story was used for a budol-budol operation, since
in the past the deal was about striking a business, and “cash” in a
basket is left, not jewelry, only to be found later that under the
pile was a cutout of old newspapers only, while the “peso bills” on
top were fake.
Yamba said he ordered
that the information be disseminated to household levels in barangays,
but he also cautioned those who would withdraw big amounts in banks to
also be alert.
Meanwhile, Yamba said
he had made the rounds of commercial banks in the city following a
directive from the Chief PNP in the light of the bloody RCBC heist in
Cabuyao, Laguna.
He said some banks
were found wanting in their emergency calls and closed circuit
television cameras inside, but they all pledged to complete the
required lines to the Police and the CCTVs within the month.
Leyte NPA leader travels back into the
folds of law
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
May 28, 2008
TACLOBAN CITY,
Leyte – Twelve years after joining the New Peoples Army in 1996,
NPA leader Crispulo Agunos y Mulay alias Alex, M-uy, Langkoy, a
resident of Sitio Kawayan, Barangay Rizal, Kananga, Leyte, returned to
the fold of law on May 21, 2008.
Agunos’ journeying
back into the folds of law was not an easy one. A platoon leader of
Platoon NEPAL, North Leyte Front, Agunos went into hiding in Metro
Manila for two years, since 2006, bewildered and disillusioned because
the CPP-NPA’s promise that it will alleviate him and his family from
dire poverty remained unfulfilled.
It was in 2006, ten
years after he was recruited at the very young age of 20 to join the
guerilla forces, when he suddenly realized that all that the CPP-NPA
gave him were empty promises.
While in hiding, he
learned from other rebel returnees that they were being treated well
by the Government after they returned into the folds of the law. This
gave him hope that he will after all not spend the rest of his life
hiding.
Thus, on that faithful
morning of May 21, 2008, NPA leader Crispolo Agunos, 32 years old and
married, voluntarily surrendered to Lt. Col. Henry M. Bumiltac,
commanding officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion, and to Kananga
Mayor Elmer M. Codilla, at the Kananga Mayor’s Office.
2Lt. Glenn Mangohon,
acting information officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion based at
Barangay Aguiting, Kananga, Leyte disclosed that Mayor Codilla gave
the surrenderee Fifteen Thousand Pesos in order that he and his family
will be able to start a livelihood activity that will enable them to
lead a decent and productive lives.
Mayor Codilla said
that it has and it will always be his thrust to welcome into the folds
of law, lost brethren and to help them make find their way into the
mainsteam of society by giving them livelihood assistance.
For Lt. Col. Bumiltac,
the surrender of Agunos, is another victory against the communist
terrorists, a tangible proof of the efficacy of the people’s support
in the fight against insurgency. The military has gained momentum and
it will continue to make the Communist Terrorists’ world smaller
everyday till they find no other way out but surrender and return into
the folds of the law, Lt. Col. Bumiltac stressed.
This is consistent to
the collective objective of the unit totally disable the North Leyte
Front and of the government to totally eradicate insurgency which
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said, is the hindrance to the
development and economic growth of the countryside.
Meanwhile, Colonel
Raoul Reyes, the Brigade Commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade,
based in Carmen, Bohol, reiterated the Government’s call for the
communist terrorist leaders and members to lay down their arms and
return to the folds of law.
He also thanked the
people for their support and he enjoined them to continue supporting
the Army in its mission to pave the way for an insurgent-free
community.
At last, Agunos, the
NPA rebel, has found his way back into the folds of the law. Not all
who were persuaded by the Communists Terrorist to join them are as
lucky as Agunos. Many of them offered their lives for a lost cause.
May the story of
Agunos, be repeated in the lives of other lost sheep and be the light
that will guide them towards the folds of the law.
