First District of
Leyte Board Member Roque A. Tiu said that it is the responsibility of
the Public Information Committee to see to it that issues treated
during the session are clearly understood by the media.
He added that due to
unforeseen circumstances, there are times when one or two media
reporters are not able to cover the earlier portion of the Session.
The media interaction will give the media reporters to inquire the
issues earlier discussed.
Board Member Tiu said
that having the media interaction right after the Session when all the
board members still around will also give the media the opportunity to
ask clarifications from the Vice-Governor or the Board Member
concerned.
He underscored that
the idea is for all the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
including the head of the SP who is the Vice-Governor, to be present
during media interaction.
The Board Member added
that it is but proper that the Leyte SP interact with the media after
the Session as the media practitioners are partners in public service.
Board Member Tiu said
he is happy that when he presented the idea to Vice-Governor Mimyet
Bagulaya and his fellow board members, they unanimously consented.
In an interview over a
radio station, Vice-Governor Bagulaya said she is happy about the
Committee becoming more active in the role of providing information to
the public.
SP Floor Leader BM
Carlo Loreto who was out of town during the deliberations, called up
Board Member Tiu when he learned about this new development, saying,
“this is a very good idea.”
KARAPATAN to PNoy:
“Stop the killings Now! Scrap the OBL and don’t embark on another
counter-insurgency program”
By KARAPATAN
July
16, 2010
QUEZON CITY – “It is still the same
military in denial mode speaking on the current spate of extrajudicial
killings going on in the country,” Marie Hilao-Enriquez, chairperson
of the human rights group Karapatan, said, of AFP spokesman Brigadier
General Jose Mabanta’s blanket denial of the
AFP’s involvement in the said cases.
Karapatan has put the
blame of these killings squarely on P-Noy’s hands, as
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines,
especially in the light of the President’s NON-issuance of a
categorical statement to the AFP to putting a stop to the
extrajudicial killings, which the group says, is a license to the AFP
to commit more of the same.
“We reiterate that it
is not enough to be talking of human rights in the pursuit of
counter-insurgency programs; it is our bitter experience that once
counter-insurgency programs are implemented, violations of human
rights are resultant features in the execution of such programs. Even
as supposed ‘development programs’ or ‘civil-military operations or
CMO’ are supposedly incorporated in such programs such as what the
government did in Oplan Makabayan of the Estrada administration, the
results are the same: civilians are the ones who bear the brunt of
human rights violations. Oplan Bantay Laya is the worst and most
brutal of these campaigns as it specifically targets legal
organizations and personages resulting to a staggering body count, and
brazen impunity in nine years of the Arroyo regime and it is still in
place,” explained an exasperated Enriquez.
Counter-insurgency
(COIN) is a program directly imposed by the American Government since
its aggression in the country in the early 1900’s. All COIN programs
of all administrations are thus recycled COIN programs meant to
silence the people’s resistance to break free from poverty resulting
from government policies that benefit not the Filipino people but
those of foreign, especially American, interests. OBL, the latest
COIN, is anchored on the ‘war on terror’ by the US Bush government and
highly supported by GMA that benefited only the Bush regime and GMA
herself. Thus, the victims of OBL are now labeled as “terrorists or
communist-terrorists” or supposed supporters of such. It leaves
thousands of killed, tortured, illegally arrested and hundreds of
thousands displaced Filipino victims in its wake and brazen impunity
among its perpetrators who remain unpunished up to this day.
“Department of Justice
Secretary Leila de Lima is correct. There is no doubt that the AFP is
still behind the series of political killings, and that the
counter-insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) is the operational
plan behind it,” the Karapatan chairperson said. “The military has the
motive and the resources to implement the attacks against progressive
and unarmed individuals, which they have done so in the past nine
years under the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration.”
Since the
implementation of the OBL, activists and civil libertarians are
targeted by the military intelligence units for target research, which
involves casing or surveillance, and “neutralization” or
“liquidation”. Leaders and members of people’s organizations have been
vilified and accused as communists or communist fronts by the military
to lay the ground for liquidation and to justify the killings.
“As long as Oplan
Bantay Laya is a state security policy, political killings remain a
state policy. If indeed President Noynoy Aquino says that
extrajudicial killing is not a policy of his administration, then he
must scrap the OBL and desist from embarking on a counter-insurgency
program to supposedly defeat the insurgency, as what his predecessors
did, only to end up fueling more fire into the problem they vowed to
end. I hope he learns his lessons well and heed our calls for him to
disallow the penchant for embarking on counter-insurgency programs
that only victimize the poorest sections of the Filipino people who
need most the government’s protection and nurturing.
Enriquez reminded
President Aquino of the findings of United Nations Special Rapporteur
Philip Alston on extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, which
concluded that it is the military’s counter-insurgency operations that
resulted to the killings of leftist activists. “We challenge the
government to show its sincerity in ending the killings, impunity and
the military’s atrocities, and to implement Alston’s recommendations,”
Enriquez added.
Karapatan noted that
the president has yet to categorically issue an order to scrap the
U.S.-inspired counter-insurgency program, OBL. “Unless P-Noy announces
the scrapping of the OBL and desist from implementing similar military
campaigns, the killings and impunity will continue,” concluded
Enriquez.
Karapatan believes
that the insurgency can only be ended by meaningfully and
substantively addressing the root causes of poverty and rebellion; NOT
resorting to military solution!
PNP Catbalogan scores
anew on the drive against illegal drugs
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE, (PIA
Samar)
July 16, 2010
CATBALOGAN CITY – The Philippine National Police (PNP) Catbalogan City in coordination with the Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and
PNP - Field Force
Civilian Volunteers scored anew in its fight against illegal drugs.
The PNP here on July
13, 2010 pinned down at least three suspects named Gil Saludario 34,
Renato Conde 39, and another one named Raynold Polo 37, all from
Catbalogan City from two separate buy-bust operations of the
PNP, PDEA and the
PNP-Field Force
Civilian Volunteers.
From a spot report,
uniformed men led by P/Supt Joseph N. Pensotes bought a sachet of
white crystalline substance known as shabu with estimated market value
of P2,000, the PNP operatives immediately collared the suspects upon
handling the illegal drugs.
The suspects also
yielded P2,000 in cash suspected to be proceeds from sale of illegal
drugs.
The police also
confiscated one unit motorcycle said to be used in the delivery and
distribution of said drugs. Police also found still in the possession
of suspect Conde one sachet of shabu hidden on the right pocket of his
pants.
Other PNP elements who
joined the operation were identified as PCI Ismael V. Lantajo, PSI
Francisco Sumpo, PI Edwin D Tolibas, SPO4 Eduardo Zeta Villanueva,
SPO2 Proferio A. AMistoso, SPO2 Nelson Lapeciros, PO3 Sebastian M
Pinangay, PO£ Jenny A Fabi, PO2 Rey D Delos Reyes, PO1 Ferdinand N
Padayao, PO1 Sherwin Ivan Jaboli and PO3 Rolly M Dizon.
Meanwhile, Pensotes
stressed that there will be no let up in the operations against
illegal drugs in the city.
The suspects are
now detained at the Catbalogan Police Station and will be charged with
violation of Section 5 of Art II of Republic Act 9165 also known as
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2001 (pushing and illegal
possession).
Pia pushes “Midwife to
the Barangay Act” to curb RP’s high maternal mortality rate
Press Release
By Office of Senator Pia S. Cayetano
July 16, 2010
PASAY CITY – Saying
that no mother should die while giving life, Senator Pia S. Cayetano
has filed Senate Bill No.139, the proposed “Midwife to the Barangay
Act of 2010,” to help reduce the country’s high maternal mortality
rate (MMR).
One of Cayetano’s
priority measures, the bill aims to deploy at least one registered
midwife or “komadrona” for every barangay to complement existing
professional medical personnel in the locality, especially in
far-flung areas where maternal health services are insufficient.
Citing latest official
statistics, she said 162 Filipino mothers die for every 100,000 births
across the country – or equivalent to around 11 mothers dying while
giving birth every day. The Philippines reportedly has one of the
highest MMRs in Southeast Asia, outpaced only by
East Timor and Cambodia.
She noted: “With this
alarmingly high rate, our country will not be able to meet its own
target under the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),
which is to reduce MMR to only 52 per 100,000 births in five years, or
by 2015.”
“With the significant
contribution of midwives in augmenting the presence of professional
healthcare practitioners especially in rural areas, the increased
community presence of midwives is necessary,” she added.
Cayetano’s measure
seeks to deploy at least one midwife per barangay, guided by the
recommended ratio of one midwife for every 5,000 population. The
number of midwives will also be increased in barangays where the
residents exceed 5,000.
“Currently, midwives
are forced to cater to the needs of 10,000 to 30,000 individuals in
their catchment area. This big disparity prevents them from providing
quality and efficient healthcare services,” she explained, while
noting how lack of access to health services and medical personnel
lead to maternal deaths, especially among the poor.
Under the measure, all
“Midwives to the Barangay” shall be tasked to provide essential health
care services to mothers and infants in their respective
jurisdictions, including pre-natal and post-natal care, breastfeeding
support and information on immunization and proper nutrition.
The bill likewise
mandates that all “Midwives to the Barangay” shall be appropriately
compensated by the Department of Health (DOH) and entitled to all
benefits provided under Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the
"Magna Carta of Public Health Workers."
For a period of
five years from the passage of the measure, the amount necessary to
implement its provisions shall be charged against the DOH budget.
Thereafter, such funds, as may be necessary for continued
implementation shall be included in the appropriations of the
respective Local Government Units.
Cash incentives given
to Leyte district hospital doctors
By
Provincial
Media Relations Center
July 15, 2010
ORMOC CITY – More
than half a million pesos in cash incentives were collectively
received by 20 doctors of the Ormoc District Hospital as part of the
provincial government’s motivation to make better the hospital’s
professional and facility services.
Leyte Governor Carlos
Jericho Petilla said the giving of cash incentives for the doctors is
part of the province’s hospital improvement plan, which the governor
initiated at the onset of his now three-term administration.
He said providing the
hospital staff, doctors, nurses and other personnel with cash
incentives is one motivational strategy for them to work harder,
provide better services to the clientele thereby making the whole
hospital operation “smooth and thriving.”
The governor
personally distributed Saturday the checks of various amounts to the
20 doctors assigned at the Ormoc District Hospital. The checks given
totally amounted to P688,520.
Under the governor’s
reign, the provincial hospitals and district hospitals under the
provincial government were placed under a management improvement
program, to make better the services by improving both the hospital
staff and the hospitals’ facilities.
State-run hospitals in
Leyte started to charge its patients, excluding those categorized as
“indigents” to provide the hospitals with their own income.
As the hospitals
started earning, they are now able to sustain operations without
subsidy from the provincial government, while other extra earnings
were also provided to the doctors and the rest of the hospital staff.
Gov. Petilla said the
14 district hospitals in the province contributed more or less P60
million to the local coffers in the past years.
Instead of
returning control over the district hospitals to the Department of
Health, the provincial government helped these hospitals embark on
income-generating activities.
Health issue in Uy’s
3D Flagship Program, a priority; LGU Calbayog-OLPHI MOA rescind, City
Hospital soon to build
By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO,
Samar News.com
July 14,
2010
CALBAYOG CITY – “It
is a very human tendency to want, to brag about our achievements. But
true grace is found in humility. To become truly great, one has to
stand with the people, work with the people, not above them; to serve
the people, not to be served by the people.” This was the opening
statement of Calbayog City Mayor Reynaldo S. Uy at the outset of a
press conference with Calbayog media on Tuesday.
After 9 years in
Congress, Uy decided to get back into administration, recommencing his
3District Flagship Program which was interrupted when his mayoral term
ended in 2001. This program according to Uy will focus on health,
agriculture, livestock, education, environment, infrastructure,
eco-tourism, housing, peace and order, small and medium industries and
intangibles.
Been perceptive on
health issue, he revealed that he was confronted with resolving cases
of the “underprivileged” who were detained by OLPHI (Our Lady of
Porziuncola Hospital, Inc.) due to non-payment of hospital bills or
medical expenses.
“I am not hitting him
personally, but hitting on the policy,” Uy clarified and addressed his
statement to the management of said Catholic Franciscan Sanatorium.
“Karuyag ko igpasabot
san aton mga kasangkayan sa Our Lady of Porziuncola nga an pagdetene
san pasyente nga diri nakakabayad san ira obligasyon an pagtalapas san
Illegal Detention Law. Kadamudamo san pila nga an problema puro
kabaraydan sa OLPHI. An iba sini physically detained, diri pinapagawas,
diri na ginrarasyunan pagkaun. So gintirok ko sira. “(I would like to
inform our friends at Our Lady of Porziuncola that detaining patient/s
for non-payment of obligation/s (hospital bills and/ or medical
expenses) is a clear violation of Illegal Detention Law. Poor
constituents in queue at the City Mayor’s Office were mostly dealing
with non payments at OLPHI. Others were physically detained, were not
allowed to leave the premises, and food supplies were blocked. So, I
gathered them.)
He disclosed further
that 11 patients have already executed their respective affidavits
against OLPHI in violation of RA 9439 or An Act Prohibiting the
Detention of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics on Grounds of
Nonpayment of Hospital Bills or Medical Expenses.
This Act which was
approved by former PGMA on April 27, 2007, Sections 1, 2 and 3 states
that, it shall be unlawful for any hospital or medical clinic in the
country to detain or to otherwise cause, directly or indirectly, the
detention of patients who have fully or partially recovered or have
been adequately attended to or who may have died, for reasons of
nonpayment in part or in full of hospital bills or medical expenses;
Patients who have fully or partially recovered and who already wish to
leave the hospital or medical clinic but are financially incapable to
settle, in part or in full, their hospitalization expenses, including
professional fees and medicines, shall be allowed to leave the
hospital or medical clinic, with a right to demand the issuance of the
corresponding medical certificate and other pertinent papers required
for the release of the patient from the hospital or medical clinic
upon the execution of a promissory note covering the unpaid
obligation. The promissory note shall be secured by either a mortgage
or by a guarantee of a co-maker, who will be jointly and severally
liable with the patient for the unpaid obligation. In the case of a
deceased patient, the corresponding death certificate and other
documents required for interment and other purposes shall be released
to any of his surviving relatives requesting for the same: Provided,
however, That patients who stayed in private rooms shall not be
covered by this Act.; and Any officer or employee of the hospital or
medical clinic responsible for releasing patients, who violates the
provisions of this Act shall be punished by a fine of not less than
Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00), but not more than Fifty Thousand
Pesos (P50,000.00), or imprisonment of not less than one month, but
not more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the
discretion of the proper court.
It is note taking that
in previous interview former mayor now First District Representative
Mel Sarmiento explained the significance and the good concept of LGU
Calbayog-OLPHI partnership which was fully appreciated by the
Department of Health. He admitted that problems were encountered in
the implementation of the MOA.
Under Uy’s
administration, said issue had been thoroughly tackled causing for the
retrieval of some medical equipment in the blood bank, ambulance and
other facilities owned by the city provisionally utilized by OLPHI as
part of the agreement. City Councilor Rogelio Casurao was given the
instruction to execute a demand letter for the repossession of said
facilities, and called the attention of General Services Officer
Isagani Togonon for its immediate implementation.
While working on with
his directive, Uy has given two years for the realization of Calbayog
City Hospital at Sitio Talahib, Brgy. Trinidad with 25 bed capacity.
Equipment will depend on the local revenue of the city, and he assured
the public that he would provide complete facilities for this.
In another
development, Mayor Uy stressed that the city would not be accepting
new and additional scholars while facing an outstanding P2.5M
financial obligations to Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU)
incurred by the past administration. He said that he would ask Cong.
Mel to help him settle first said account before accepting another set
funded by the local government.
As a 3-termer
legislator he shared his experience by disclosing that during his time
he has allotted approximate funds intended for an equal number of
scholars.
An nakakalipay sini
kay an Congressman, pirmi may-ada pundo sa scholars. So, aruon ko kan
Cong. Mel Sarmiento nga antes ako mangarawat scholars dinhe sa ciudad,
kon mahimo mabuligan ak anay niya nga mabaydan ini nga obligasyon san
NwSSU base makapasulod naman ak. Kay sapagkayana, di man pwede
kumarawat an NwSSU san new and additional scholars nga mayda pa kit
utang nga P2.5 milyones. Ngani kadam-an sini sa ira waray magpakatake
san final exams. Pero kay ginhimuan pamaagi san aton City Treasurer
and City Administrator Arnol Trani nga makatake san final exams. So,
ngatanan happy ending. Ugaring la kay nalugi an NwSSu. I’ll see to it
nga mabuligan kit ni Cong. Mel Sarmiento, Uy added.
At one point Uy
clarified that before Cong. Sarmiento left for Congress a transition
report was properly turned-over leaving no grave financial crisis.
Motorcab drivers train
to become machinists
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE
July
14, 2010
CATBALOGAN CITY – TESDA
on Monday welcomed some 25 young men and a woman who started the
Motorcycle Mechanic Training (Galing Mekaniko) at the WESAMAR
building.
Ms. Cleta Omega, TESDA
Provincial Director said the training should have been done last year
through the efforts of Rep. Sharee Ann Tan but the ‘election ban’
overtook them, such that the training was postponed.
The only woman
participant named Joann Anigway, 21, said she joined the group as it
was free and she would gain the knowledge she needs to operate a
motorcycle.
Marlon Baculot, 23,
reached only high school and is differently abled, uses crutches to
get on his way but does not see this as a problem for his dream.
The two participants
are just among the 25 who will be trained free by Ronald Paduganao, an
instructor from the Balicuatro School in Allen, Northern Samar.
The participants will
train for ten days and will be given free tools.
Omega just took their
commitment to attend the training religiously. “I hope you came not
just for the free tools,” the lady jested.
A participant said
that the training and tools could cost them some P5,000.
On the final day on
July 23, 2010, they will be subjected to a competency assessment and will
be given a National Certificate - if they pass the test.
Mr. Dominador
Cabanganan of the Samar Chamber of Commerce told the young group that
even if the training is for small engines, the basic knowledge they
will earn will help them deal with bigger machines eventually.
Meanwhile, DTI through
Ms. Meilo Macabare promised them a seminar on enterprise development
so they will not only become mechanics but owners of auto repair
shops.
Half of the
participants are motorcycle drivers who want to learn mechanical
repairs. (PIA-Samar)
Biliran mayors elect
Kawayan dad as LMP prexy
By RODRIGO S. VICTORIA
July
14, 2010
NAVAL, Biliran – Six
out of the seven municipal mayors comprising the eight municipalities
of the province of Biliran unanimously elected Kawayan Mayor Gerardo
S. Espina, Sr. as President of the League of Municipalities of the
Philippines - Biliran Chapter (LMP-Biliran) held Monday at Biliran
Garden Resort (BGR).
Mayor Espina, Sr. was
voted by Mayor Dominador Agajan of Almeria, Mayor Leandro Enage of
Biliran, Mayor Gemma Adobo of Cabucgayan, Mayor Eulalio Maderazo of
Caibiran, Mayor Enrico Uyvico of Culaba and Mayor Uldarico Macorol of
Maripipi. Mayor Susan V. Parilla of Naval was absent during the
election.
The other elected
officers of LMP-Biliran Chapter were: Enrico Uyvico - Vice-President,
Dominador Agajan - Secretary, Gemma Adobo - Treasurer, Eulalio
Maderazo - Auditor and Leandro Enage and Uldarico Macorol as Board of
Directors.
Mayor Espina, Sr., the
newly elected LMP-Biliran Chapter president in his short message urged
the mayors present to allocate funds for the beautification of the
Biliran Circumferential Road by planting ornamental and flowering
trees along the national highways.
He also emphasized to
the members of LMP-Biliran Chapter to give livelihood to their
respective constituents as he set as an example his plan of improving
the fishing industry in Kawayan by providing payaw to fishermen to
improve fish catch. He also planned to tap the assistance of the
Department of Agriculture (DA) along this line through the provision
of boya.
He likewise presented
to the group of mayors the possibility of asking financial assistance
from senators to finance various development projects of the Local
Government Units (LGUs) in Biliran province.
He reminded the new
members of the LMP-Biliran Chapter to facilitate the payment of LMP
dues to the national LMP so the chapter can participate in the
activities that will be undertaken by the LMP national chapter.
The conduct of the
election was facilitated by newly-elected Board Member of the first
district of the province of Leyte and former mayor of Tanauan, Atty.
Roque Tiu, representing the LMP-national chapter and Atty. Naomi C.
Tumandao, the new Provincial Director of the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Biliran province. (PIA-Biliran)
DOST One Visayas
stages Invention Contest, Exhibits
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July
13, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY – The
Department of Science and Technology Visayas cluster composed of
Regions 6, 7 and 8, is set to stage the 2010 Visayas Island Invention
Contests and Exhibits on
August 12 to 14, 2010
at Amigo Mall in Iloilo City.
DOST Region 8 Director
Edgar Esperancilla informed that this year’s theme is “Filipino
Inventions and Innovations: the Way Forward.”
The 2010 VIICE is a
competition open for both the public and private sector inventors and
researchers within the Visayas area. There are six (6) categories
where talented Filipinos can compete in the invention contest.
The six categories
include the Invention Category (Tuklas Award); Utility Model Category;
Industrial Design Category; Creative Research Category (Likha Award);
Student Creative Research Category (Sibol Award) for High School; and
Student Creative Research Category (Sibol Award) for College.
Director Esperancilla
disclosed that the Visayas Island Invention Contests and Exhibits (VIICE)
serve as the elimination or qualifying round for the National
Invention Contest, pursuant to Section 4 of the Republic Act No. 7459
also known as “Inventors and Invention Incentives Act of the
Philippines”.
The good Director is
inviting investors and researchers in Region 8 to submit entries for
the said contest.
“This is time to
showcase your inventions and compete with other inventors from the
other Regions in the Visayas,” Director Esperancilla said.
The Inventions
guidelines may be downloaded at DOST 8 website at
www.region8.dost.gov.ph. The entry forms may also be downloaded from
the same website.
