The signing, which
highlighted the activity, was intended to establish commitments from
both the government and the private sectors in pursuing an honest and
effective governance. The move was in response to President Noynoy
Aquino’s call upon every citizen to get involved in a change that will
alleviate poverty and offer equal opportunities to everyone, SIPPAD
stressed.
Focusing on the
forum’s theme,” Good Governance: A Development Imperative for Samar
Island”, Robredo shared his leadership experience as Mayor of Naga
City for nineteen consecutive years where he effectively mobilized and
engaged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as partners in promoting
accountability and transparency in his local administration.
The Samar Island
Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD) is a partnership of the
church, CSOs, the academe, LGUs convened by the three Bishops in the
three provinces of Samar Island whose vision is to promote peace and
development, good governance, protection of its environment, and
alleviation of poverty in Samar. The said organization existed since
2004 and has been addressing those issues even before the MOA was
formally signed.
SIPPAD and DILG,
having shared common interests of promoting good and responsive
governance, entered into this partnership with the commitment of
improving the lives of the Samarnons.
Based on the MOA
signed, the DILG commits to acknowledge the citizen’s participation in
governance through the provincial arms of SIPPAD, in development
planning, budgeting, implementation monitoring and evaluation of
government projects in local governments; ensure the access of
information on government transactions; respond with prompt and
appropriate action on issues raised by SIPPAD; adhere with the
establishment of special development bodies provided by the Local
Government Code; provide linkages to concerned central and local
government authorities for decision making and provide a mechanism for
the regular consultation with SIPPAD to address the issues of good
governance.
On the other hand, the
SIPPAD will ensure transparency and accountability by involving in the
above activities without violating the fiscal autonomy of the local
governments concerned. It shall participate in the enhancement of
existing programs and policies or development of new policies in the
local level. It is committed to submit regular and special reports to
DILG on the results of its involvement, prepare a report to the public
such as “Ulat sa Bayan” or “Score Cards” on the performance of local
government units in governance. Moreover, it will serve as the Service
Provider to local government units in planning and budgeting
implementation, monitoring, evaluation, capacity building,
participatory research. Finally, the SIPPAD will serve as avenue for
sharing of experiences and best practices in good governance.
SIPPAD asserted on its
independence as a body by not allowing the DILG to allocate funds for
the purpose.
This multi-sectoral
effort was very well appreciated by Sec. Robredo. “We will not only
engage with the opposition, but with everyone. Good governance and
good politics can get together. Once you share power, they will return
it back to you.” were the secretary’s words of wisdom for the guests
present in the assembly.
OWWA names 2010 Model
OFW Families in Eastern Visayas
By JONNIE H. BUENAVENTURA
October
6, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY – The
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration regional office 8 (OWWA-8),
disclosed and cited the 2010 Model Overseas Filipino Worker Families
of the Year Award (MOFYA) for Region 8 in an awards rite dubbed as
“Parangal sa Matatag na Pamilyang OFW”.
According to Marites
Viñas, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Chief North Leyte
Field Office, the MOFYA aims to acknowledge the outstanding
performance of an OFW in uplifting the lives of his family members and
contributing to the community by establishing business sourced from an
income of OFW thus creating employment.
Ms. Viñas,
representing DOLE Region 8 Director Forter Puguon who was the
chairperson of the screening committee, announced the 2010 model OFW
during the regional awarding of MOFYA at Ritz Tower de Leyte,
Tacloban
City
on October 01, 2010.
Ms. Viñas said that
the dollar remittance of an OFW is a big contributing factor to
national development thus increasing the purchasing power of peso.
The 2010 model OFW
award was categorized into two, the sea-based category and the
land-based category.
The 2010 model OFW
Family, sea-based category, was awarded to Capt. Rufino Reyes, Jr. and
his family. Captain Reyes who is from
Tacloban
City
is into Internet Café business. The family received P120,000 G-Cash
Globe Telecom, P20,000 Pass Book courtesy of Banco De Oro (BDO) and
P150,000 insurance coverage courtesy of Philamlife.
For the land-based
category, the 2010 Model OFW Family is Mr. Alex Bello and his family,
from Tacloban City. Mr. Bello was represented by his wife Mrs.
Evangeline Bello, a registered nurse and a former OFW who is into
Parlor business. The family received P120,000 G-Cash Globe Telecom,
P20,000 Pass Book courtesy of Banco De Oro (BDO) and P150,000
insurance coverage courtesy of Philamlife.
Mrs. Bello when asked
what was the reason for there success, she commented that open
communication between and among family members is a must to strengthen
the relationship, and most especially God’s guidance, she quickly
added.
Mrs. Bello called
on her fellow OFW wives not be afraid in taking the risk of engaging
into business. Mrs. Bello also said the government must provide ample
job opportunities here in the country so that Filipinos will no longer
resort to foreign jobs. Foreign jobs should only be an option for the
Filipinos, she added. (PIA 8)
Candidates for
barangay polls must be literate, Comelec says
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October
6, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY – One
of the requirements of the law is that a candidate in the Barangay and
Sangguniang Kabataan elections should be able to read and write in
Filipino or in the local dialect. In other words, literacy is a
requirement in order to become a candidate in the forthcoming barangay
and SK polls.
Being illiterate is
one of the grounds for disqualification of a candidate. There are
times however, that candidates who do not know how to read or write
are able to run for barangay positions. There are times when the one
who receives the certificate of candidacy cannot check if the
candidate is literate or not. For one, the Certificate of Candidacy
may be filed by an authorized representative. The form would already
be filled up.
The remedy, the
Comelec informed, is to file a disqualification case. However, Jimenez
said that there are usually few disqualification cases filed during
barangay elections against a candidate who cannot read or write.
What is most effective
is not to vote for the illiterate candidate so that he will not win.
What is important is communication and information dissemination
within the community.
The barangay captain
is the executive head of the smallest unit of government. He is in
charge of governance, fiscal administration, development planning,
barangay legislation, basic services and facilities and compliance to
directives.
The responsibilities
of this job require the barangay officials’ full attention. They
cannot be accomplished half-heartedly because public service demands
the barangay officials’ complete commitment.
Since they are the
primary link of the government to the grassroots, the job of barangay
officials is a sensitive one. As such, the voters must always remember
that the efficacy of governance is enhanced or worsened depending on
the performance of the barangay officials.
Being the smallest
government unit, the barangay is the foundation on which the rest of
the state’s institutions are built. If the
Philippines
is to progress as a nation, it is imperative that the foundation of
government be rock-solid lest the whole structure crumbles.
The Barangay chairman
is the Chief Executive of the barangay; he is the Presiding Officer of
the Sangguniang Barangay; and he is the Chief Magistrate of the Lupong
Tagapamayapa. In a manner of speaking, the Barangay Chairman is
President, Speaker and Chief Justice. Truly, he is the greatest
functionary and to be able to such, he must know how to read and
write.
BT Brinjal is not a
product of Monsanto
Press Release
October
4, 2010
In response to reports
which stated that BT Brinjal is produced by Monsanto, and/or in
partnership with Mahyco, Monsanto’s Corporate Affairs Lead, Charina
Ocampo, clarified that these reports are inaccurate.
BT Brinjal has been
indigenously developed by the Indian seed and biotech company – Mahyco,
in collaboration with public sector institutions. Ocampo said Mahyco
has independently conducted Bt Brinjal research for over nine years
now in full compliance with the guidelines and directives of the
regulatory authorities to ensure its safety; making Bt Brinjal the
most rigorously tested vegetable with 25 environmental biosafety
studies.
Meantime, Monsanto’s
association with Mahyco is restricted only to the extent of a minority
stake of 26% in the company, through Monsanto Holdings Pvt. Ltd. (MHPL)
– a 100% subsidiary of Monsanto Company,
USA.
Ocampo said that
Monsanto will continue to conduct research in compliance with the
Philippine regulatory protocols. “Our regulatory protocols have been
established in 1990 by Executive order No 430 issued by the late
President Corazon Aquino. Since then, there was not one case,
documented or otherwise, which would indicate that our regulators
failed to exercise utmost diligence,” said Ocampo. “The presidents who
succeeded President Aquino, namely Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and
Gloria Arroyo, have all indicated continued support for biotechnology
as an important focus of our country’s research and development
program.
Ocampo said that
“hopefully, the Aquino Government and the Department of Agriculture,
under the watch of Secretary Proceso Alcala, will also continue the
long standing support provided by the Philippine government for the
promotion of biotechnology. We believe that better seed,
biotech-enhancements, and improved agronomic practices hold the
long-term solution to increasing crop productivity sustainably.”
Monsanto is one of
the world’s leading providers of agricultural products and solutions
to farmers. The company has over three decades of presence in the
Philippines and is involved today in the promotion of modern
agricultural biotechnology. Monsanto is also taking the lead in
educating Filipino farmers in using biotech products to achieve the
country’s aim of food security and sufficiency. Monsanto is also
committed to share to the agricultural community the belief that the
improvement of farm productivity need not be done at the cost of
damaging the environment. This reflects Monsanto’s worldwide
commitment to environmental protection.
Asia Foundation
assures partnership with SIPPAD
By EMY C. BONIFACIO, Samar
News.com
October
5, 2010
CATBALOGAN, Samar –
The Asia Foundation through its Director of Programs, Ms. Maribel T.
Buenaobra, assures the Samar Island Partnership for Peace and
Development (SIPPAD) a strengthened partnership in terms of financial
assistance in the pursuance of its advocacies relative to good
governance, human trafficking, armed conflict management and more
other relevant issues.
This was manifested during a forum held at RSCJ-SHIFT,
Sophie’s Farm in Barangay Dona Lucia, Mondragon, Northern Samar, where
Ms. Buenaobra attended. SIPPAD was positively identified by DILG
Secretary Robredo as a potential beneficiary of projects in one of his
speaking engagements in Metro Manila, Buenaobra informed.
It may be recalled
that during Sec. Robredo’s guesting at the Samar Island Partnership
for Peace and Development (SIPPAD) forum held in Maqueda Hotel,
Catbalogan last September 22, the necessity of establishing
transparency and accountability networks with the Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs) was highly recognized. In line with the
activity’s theme, “Good Governance: A development imperative for Samar
Island”, the secretary shared his leadership experience as a Local
Chief Executive for 19 years in Naga City where he focused on
capacitating the private sector in getting informed and engaged in his
governance efforts. According to him, an existing collaborative
mechanism such as the SIPPAD in
Samar, is commendable and will surely bring
Samar towards progress
and development.
The Samar Island
Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD) is participated by
three (3) peace and development networks namely; the Eastern Samar
Peace and Development Forum (ESPDF), the Samar Partnership for Peace
and Development (SPPADE), and the Northern Samar Peace and Development
Forum (NSPDF). Its Executive Committee is composed of Bishop Isabelo
Abarquez of the Diocese of Calbayog, Bishop Emmanuel Trance of the
Diocese of Catarman and Bishop Crispin Varquez of the Diocese of
Borongan.
Recently, the Asia
Foundation has been working with the Social Weather Stations (SWS) for
the conduct of the 2010 Post-election Surveys that aimed to obtain the
voting public’s perspectives on the first ever nationwide automated
elections in the country particularly with the use of the new
technology to cast and count votes. Ms. Linda Luz Guerrero, SWS
Vice-President, presented during the Mondragon forum, the survey’s
findings. In so far as the consensus of the Filipinos was concerned,
75% were generally satisfied with the conduct of the May 2010
elections, SWS confirmed. However, the issue on vote buying was raised and
the immediate undertaking of a massive values education and citizen
empowerment were proposed to arrest the problem. In this regard, the
Asia Foundation offered to support project proposals that will be
initiated by the SIPPAD.
Moreover, the
“People’s Evaluation of the May 2010 Automated System” held at the
Sophie’s Farm was part of the pubic presentations throughout the
Philippines on the 2010 post-election survey results conducted by the
SWS with the Asia Foundation. In the
island of Samar, the
presentation was facilitated by the Northern Samar Peace and
Development Forum (NSPDF) under the sponsorship of the Asia
Foundation. “It was made possible by the generous support of the
American people through the United states Agency for International
Development (USAID),” Sister Lydia Collado stressed.
NSCB bares MDG
progress report for Eastern Visayas
By NEIL D. LOPIDO
October
5, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY – The
National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) in Eastern Visayas
through its regional head, Ms. Evangeline M. Paran, presented the
Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Progress Report for Eastern Visayas
during the 21st National Statistics Month kick-off program held last
October 1, 2010 at the Robinsons Mall activity area this city.
The goals include: to
eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary
education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child
mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other
diseases; and ensure environmental sustainability.
For goal 1, which is
to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, the probability of attainment
is medium-paced and the international target is to halve, between 1990
and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than one
dollar a day and the proportion of people who suffer hunger.
For goal 2, which is
to achieve universal primary education, the target is to ensure that,
by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to
complete a full course of primary schooling and the probability of
attainment is low.
Goal 3 is to promote
gender equality and empower women has a low probability of attainment.
The target is to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary
education to all levels of education not later than 2015.
Goal 4 target is to
reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality
rate and the probability of attainment based on NSCB’s statistical
analysis is medium-paced.
Goal 5 has a low
probability of attainment in the improvement of maternal health which
targets to reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the
maternal mortality ratio.
A medium probability
of attainment was noted in Goal 6 which targets to have halted by 2015
and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other diseases.
Indicators in this goal include the prevalence associated with dengue
and death rate associated with tuberculosis.
Only Goal 7 has the
high probability of attainment which targets to halve, by 2015, the
proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water
and basic sanitation and to have achieved, by 2020, a significant
improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers.
Paran emphasized that
the statistical data she presented is important as it will serve as a
guide which of the Millennium Development Goals will be given more
attention and focus.
MDG is a set of
time-bound and measurable goals and targets for combating poverty,
hunger, diseases, illiteracy, environmental degradation and
discrimination against women.
Philhealth Sabado
issues 5,183 cards, registers 6,851 new members in East Visayas
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October
5, 2010
TACLOBAN CITY – The
Philippine Health Insurance Corp (Philhealth) was able to issue about
5,183 cards to the disadvantaged families in Eastern Visayas during
the national Philhealth Registration dubbed as Philhealth Sabado on
October 2.
Mr. Asisclo Militante,
division chief of PhilHealth Region 8 informed the Philippine
Information Agency that those issued with PhilHealth cards were those
identified through the National Household Targeting System (NHTS) of
the DSWD. This is 183 more than the 5,000 cards targeted to be issued,
Mr. Militante added.
PhilHealth Sabado was
able to register 6,851 new members in the various offsite registration
areas in the region, Mr. Militante informed, adding that the
PhilHealth Sabado in Eastern Visayas was very successful.
For the education and
information campaign through the PhilHealth Information Desks, Mr.
Militante said that the crowd estimate is 13,054.
Mr. Militante
commended the members of the PhilHealth Registration Task Force in the
Region for really doing their assigned tasks. The taskforce is
composed of the Department of Health, PhilHealth, Department of
Education, the Department of Interior and Local Government and the
Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Mr. Militante
reiterated that the path towards universal health care does not stop
with the PhilHealth Sabado.
Registration for the
sponsored program of PhilHealth will continue until the 55,000
indigent and poor families targeted for the Region this year is
achieved, Mr. Militante added.
Mr. Militante said
that the 55,000 members targeted for this year are sponsored by the
government which will pay for their premium contributions for the next
5 years.
Philhealth Sabado is a
joint effort of the Departments of Health, the Philippine Health
Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), Local Government Units (LGUs) and
various volunteer organizations aimed to promote public awareness of
PhilHealth’s importance, responsibilities and benefits, and more
importantly, to encourage the enrollment of the poorest of the poor in
the country as identified by DSWD through the National Household
Targeting System (NHTS).
Spirit of scouting
hailed as Samar observes scouting month
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE
October
5, 2010
CATBALOGAN, Samar –
As October is considered a scouting month, the Girl Scouts of the
Philippines, Samar Chapter launched the activity through a parade on
October 1, 2010.
Speeches extolled the
spirit of scouting in the country and how young girls who are now aged
almost a century have done wonders for girls.
Yna Sanchez, GSP
Council Executive told PIA this year GSP is celebrating its centenary
hat during this month most patrol leaders register their girls as most
would want to join the myriad scouting activities done in October.
For Samar GSP, slated
activities like Twinklers Playday, is set. Twinklers are the youngest
girl scouts, they are usually enrolled in the nursery or kindergarten.
For high School GSP,
they will undergo a Junior Journalists Guild Training Workshop in
cooperation with PIA-Samar.
Finally on the last
days of October, a regional encampment is slated in Cap Marina, Cebu
City.
Marjorie Malinao, a
patrol leader of Samar High School shared that she learned how to
assume challenging responsibilities because of her being a girl scout.
“I also developed confidence and leadership qualities,” added Malinao.
“As a girl scout, we are encouraged and taught to overcome our fears.”
“Being a girl scout is
for me an achievement in itself,” Malinao offered.
The pronouncement of
Malinao is confirmed by no less than the Girl Scout Council Executive
Sanchez who is a witness to the ‘development’ of Malinao since grade
school. “Being a girl scout develops the whole being of a person,
talents are honed and skills are more developed.”
Meanwhile, Samar
Governor Sharee Ann Tan sent her Executive Assistant, Ms Fe Arcales,
who read her speech saying: “I remember well that girl scouting
inculcated in me to share responsibilities not only with other girl
scouts but with other people.”
Although all
sectors and parents have all kind words for scouting and truly agree
its benefits to girls, the scouting movement continuously suffers a
decline in membership. (PIA Samar)
Sermense testifies how
2010 budget was approved
BY GINA DEAN-RAGUDO,
Samar News.com
October
4, 2010
CALBAYOG CITY –
After the court has granted the petition for injunction on the
nullification of the 2010 budget of Samar Province, Board Member Noel Sermense testified before the court on Friday how the 6-member
Sangguninan approved said ordinance on August 26, 2010 following his
dramatic exit with BM Jimmy Dy.
In his testimony
during direct examination conducted by his counsel Atty. Clemente
Rosales, Sermense disclosed that the budget ordinance was not part of
the agenda or even in other matters. He recalled that only 8 of them
were present when the session started at 11 in the morning such as BM
Luzviminda Nacario, BM Juan Latorre, Ex-officio members Joseph Escober
and Julius Ramon Vasquez,
PCL Quirino Cabella, BM Jimmy Dy and Vice-Governor Stephen James
Tan. When all the matters were tackled, he moved for the adjournment
of the session but nobody from the body seconded, instead
Vice-Governor Tan moved for a recess. He added that he was so
surprised when BM Member Arthur Vaughn Zosa arrived in the area before
the resumption of the afternoon session, bearing the fact that there
was a manifestation in the morning from BM Latorre that Zosa could not
attend as he was still recuperating from an operation.
Perceiving that the
2010 budget ordinance could possibly be included upon the resumption
of the session, he “walked out” from the area and such act was a
justification that he would not be amenable should there be a move for
inclusion of said ordinance initiated by the body.
On the other hand, the
respondent’s counsel headed by Atty. Allan P. Rambano asked the court
that he would like to have a copy of the petitioner’s testimony before
he conducts his cross examination which was scheduled on November 26,
2010.
During the hearing,
aside from Sermense only Majority Floor Leader Charlie Coñejos and
Atty. Jasper Sumagang were around. The latter being one of the
counsels for the petitioners.
Majority Bloc
Initiated Press Conference
Be it noted that on
September 3 press conference at I’s Plant Conference Room this city,
Sermense clarified that the 186-pages proposed budget ordinance
amounting to P1.2 Billion was still at the committee level and subject
for examination before the local finance offices of the province.
Section 16 of the
Rules of Procedure of the Sanggunian Panlungsod says that “if a
committee fails to submit its report on any matter referred to it by
the Chair, a majority of all the members of the Body may consider such
matter as “laid on the table”. For this purpose, a committee shall be
considered to have failed in submitting the required report after the
lapse of one month from the time the referral was made thereto. Upon a
written petition by the majority of all the members of the Sanggunian
the matter shall return to the Body for final disposition.”
Atty. Ernesto Arcales
further justified that attendance should not be the basis of
determining a quorum at the time when the budget was approved for the
exit of the two board members has altered it. Their absence should be
taken into account by the Secretary. In effect, there was
falsification in the consideration of the budget.
“Insulto ini san
majority,“ Arcales declared.
DILG opinion states
that the basis of computation in a quorum is the number of member i.e.
total composition of the council regardless of vacancies – there is a
quorum if one-half of the members plus one is present at a Sanggunian
session.
Since the Sanggunian
is composed of 14 members including the Vice-Governor, the majority
should be 8, said Arcales.
But while the 2010
budget is under question, Samar province is operating on a P600
Million plus 2008 reenacted budget.
CG Chan entertains
public on soldier’s graduation rites
By EMY C. BONIFACIO,
Samar News.com
October
4, 2010
CATBALOGAN, Samar –
The 8th Infantry Division (Stormtroopers) welcomed guests, friends,
relatives and parents of the 235 newly inducted soldiers of Class
02-10, Friday morning, as they received their Certificates of
Completion in the Jungle Warfare and Mountains Operations Course.
Simultaneously, the Ceremonial Entrustment of Firearms to the
graduates and their deployment to the respective units were publicly
made.
Originally, there were
250 candidate soldier applicants who qualified in the final board
screening that was conducted. Out of the 250 applicants, six (6) went
on an Absence without Leave (AWOL) and four (4) others voluntarily
gave up on August. Four (4) more left the training before the
culmination of the Jungle Warfare Operation Course. The 235 graduates
were the survivors from the academic and non-academic trainings that
they undertook since May 13 to September 30, 2010. Initially, the
group is part of the 1,069 quota allocated for the 8ID, this year. It
was learned that the biggest quota for recruitment in the Philippine
Army was availed by the 8th Infantry Division.
Based on the
statistics presented by MGen. Mario F. Chan, the ages of applicants
range from 18 to 25 years old. At least, 39 were college graduates,
103 were in their college level and 93 were graduates of a secondary
education. The distribution of the applicants in terms of their home
provinces are as follows: Northern Samar, 36; Western Samar, 97;
Eastern Sama, 51; Leyte, 37; Mindanao, 10; and Luzon, 4. General Chan
informed that their ATMs are yet to be released on October 7 and an
accumulated savings in the amount of P13,284 for a period covering
August 16 to
Sept. 30, 2010 are available for each one of them.
Gracing the occasion
was Samar Governor Sharee Ann T. delos Santos who acted as the guest
speaker. She was assisted in the distribution of Certificates by MGen.
Mario Chan, 8ID Commanding General, Col. Arnulfo Atendido, Assistant
Division Commander; and Col. Ray Aninon, Division Training Unit (DTU)
Commanding Officer.
The program proceeded
less formally with the Stormtrooper‘s Band performance that received
warm applause from the audience. Likewise, the Commanding General
showed the lighter and funnier side of him, when he punches lines and
jokes in between his formal speech, which were perceived to be equally
entertaining. “This is one of the most entertaining and lively
military graduations that we have attended in the 8ID. Gen. Chan made
the difference.” observes a media practitioner.
Gen. Chan assured
everyone of a new breed of protectors of the people, expressing his
confidence that the Ten Rules of Engagement are very well inculcated
in them. “Soldiers must obey legal orders, must be presentable, not
arrogant, be polite and respectful of women and the elderly, pay what
is required, do not maltreat prisoners of war and must respect human
rights at all times,” says Gen. Chan.
