Pacquiao arrives in Eastern Visayas, lifts spirits soldier and typhoon Yolanda victims

By DPAO, 8ID PA
December 2, 2013

TACLOBAN CITY – Hon. Congressman Emmanuel D. Pacquiao arrived in Eastern Visayas via Guiuan, Eastern Samar on November 30, 2013.

Pacquiao started his first day in the region by distributing relief goods to typhoon Yolanda victims at Guiuan, Eastern Samar and two other towns in Samar Provinces. He spent his second day by distributing relief goods in the town of Tanauan, Leyte and his third day was spent attending the flag raising ceremony at Tacloban City Hall.

After the flag raising, he distributed relief goods at Tacloban Astrodome evacuation center then proceeded to Brgy. Suhi mass grave site where he led the pray-over for the souls of those who were buried at said gravesite. He is expected to spend his fourth day in the region at Ormoc City, where he will also distribute relief goods.

In his message of condolence to the survivors after the flag raising at Tacloban City Hall, he said: “Alam ko na ang Pilipino ay di nagpapatalo, kailangang laban sa anumang pagsubok sa buhay, kaya natin yan at ang Panginoon ay tutulong na ma-restore ang buhay natin, kaya magtiwala tayo sa Kanya.” (“I know that Filipinos will not surrender to challenges, we can do it. The Lord will help in restoring our lives, so let us put our trust on Him.”)

More than the relief goods brought by Pacquiao, is the inspiration, hope and happiness that the people felt in getting to see him personally after rejuvenating his boxing career by beating Brandon Rios on November 24, 2013. The bout which was shown at several Tacloban City evacuation centers brought joy among the people in the midst of the misery brought about by Yolanda.

The 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army is thankful for the kind gesture of Hon. Pacquiao. He lifted the spirits of the typhoon Yolanda stricken people as well as the weary members of the uniformed personnel and civilian volunteers performing Yolanda related relief operations.

Col Emmanuel Cacdac, Deputy Commander TF Yolanda said: “The visit of Hon. Congressman Emmanuel D. Pacquiao is a welcome respite for the people of Eastern Visayas. Their varied reactions say it all, he is loved and revered by the people. Coming from the ranks of the poor, he evolved from obscurity to become a well-known boxer, a generous philanthropist, and a humble and spiritual person. It is no wonder that he is referred to as the country’s national treasure. TF Yolanda, 8th Infantry Division is proud of him, more so as he is a Reservist Officer of the Philippine Army.”

Family buries recently found missing soldier

By DPAO, 8ID PA
December 2, 2013

TACLOBAN CITY – The body of the missing soldier detailed as a member of the security team of Commander, 8th Infantry Division at the time Typhoon Yolanda hit Tacloban City on 08 November 2013 was already found. He was also a member of the back-up security of DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and DILG Secretary Mar Roxas.

The cadaver of Staff Sergeant Rolando Hidalgo was found on December 3, 2013 and finally laid to rest in a simple burial ceremony on December 4, 2013 at Superior Memorial Garden Cemetery, Brgy Diit, Tacloban City.

Staff Sergeant Rolando Hidalgo was found at Diyo Island located two (2) kilometers South East from Dioscoro Papa Naval Station, Brgy San Jose, Tacloban City. He went missing for three (3) weeks until his remains were found.

According to Staff Sergeant Carlo Caracol and Cpl Rolando Del Monte, both members of Maj Gen Velarmino’s security team, Staff Sergeant Hidalgo helped them survive the storm surge. “When we were initially swept by the storm surge, Staff Sergeant Hidalgo got hold of a floating refrigerator and swam towards our position until we also got hold of the refrigerator,” said the two.

They all survived the initial wave of the storm surge. However, when the second wave swept them, SSg Caracol and Cpl Del Monte were able to get hold of a log, while SSg Hidalgo got separated from them. They have not seen SSg Hidalgo until his body was found on December 3.

“We survived because of Staff Sergeant Hidalgo. Without him sharing to us the floating refrigerator, we would have died as well.. We will be forever grateful to him,” added the two soldiers. Hidalgo’s family, although saddened by his death, was thankful for the good words his comrades accorded him.

Maj Gen Jet B. Velarmino, Commander of 8th Infantry Division said: “Staff Sergeant Hidalgo proved true to his calling as a soldier until the end. He gave up his life so that his companions will live. For that heroic act, I salute him and may he rest in peace.”

Greenpeace urges Cairns tuna summit to end overfishing and control fleets

By GREENPEACE
December 1, 2013

SUVA, Fiji – Greenpeace activists today deployed a floating banner at a harbour in the Pacific, reading: “WCPFC Act Now! Fewer boats, more fish”. This message is directed at the members of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), who are meeting in Cairns, Australia next week. Greenpeace is urging the Commission to halt the entry of new industrial fishing vessels into the region and to introduce sharp cuts to tuna catches as recommended by scientists.

Pacific tuna stocks are in decline with bigeye, yellowfin and albacore tunas now all in need of urgent management action to ensure future sustainability and livelihoods for the region’s vulnerable coastal states. Countries like the Philippines, a major tuna player and a full voting member of the Commission, will be closely monitoring the discussions and ensure that the sustainability of tuna stocks will be a top priority, instead of asking for exemptions to conservation measures.

“This is the 10th meeting of the Commission and it is time that its members stop ignoring the science and put strong precautionary measures in place to ensure overfishing is halted and that the number of vessels in the fishery is urgently capped and capacity reduced,” said Mark Dia, Regional Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

Much of the blame for overfishing is placed on the large international purse seine fleet originating from the US, Taiwan, Korea, Spain, China and Japan that for much of their catch relies on destructive fish aggregation devices or FADs. The purse seine fishery was responsible for over two thirds of the more than 2.5 million tons of tuna fished out of the Pacific last year alone. This method catches large amounts of juvenile tuna leading to steep stock declines, particularly of bigeye and yellowfin tunas.

“Purse seine vessels can fish without using destructive FADs, their use needs to be banned now. Tuna caught this way is already being widely rejected by consumers all over the world and the industry can benefit from the increased demand for more sustainably caught products if they act now,” added Dia.

Greenpeace warns that coastal communities dependent on tuna for food and livelihoods are already suffering due to inaction by the Commission. Just a few days ago the Alliance of Tuna Handliners from General Santos City, Philippines called on the WCPFC to act now in order to save the stocks and the people who depend on them.

“Unfortunately the little people are forgotten in these negotiations as the multimillion dollar company CEOs exert pressure on country delegations to block progressive measures. We certainly hope governments here this week act to ensure sustainable fisheries and livelihoods instead of just protecting the next executive pay check of the rich and the powerful,” continued Dia.

The region's longline fleets – catching tuna for sashimi and the American albacore market – are also largely seen as being out of control and unregulated, with rampant under-reporting and illegal fishing taking place, especially in the high seas.

“For too long the massive foreign longline fleets in the region have plundered fish with impunity. They now need to be brought under control, catches reduced, number of vessels reduced to sustainable and economical levels and the high seas pockets closed to all fishing,” said Sari Tolvanen, Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace International.

“As a way forward, we are calling on the Philippine government to take the lead by implementing laws on capacity reduction so that our own seas will have time to recover, securing the livelihood of thousands of Filipino fishermen, and ensuring more fish for the future,” added Dia.

Greenpeace is campaigning for a sustainable fishing industry and a global network of marine reserves covering 40% of the world’s oceans as the necessary steps to leaving future generations with oceans able to sustain life on earth.

UP launches the country’s first Social Media ‘War Room’ for Relief and Rehabilitation Efforts

By UP Social Media Operations Center
December 1, 2013

QUEZON CITY – The University of the Philippines through the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy recently launched last week, Nov. 25, 21013, the county’s first ever “social media operations center” for relief and rehabilitation efforts starting with victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

It is a joint volunteer project of the CSSP-UP, public relations firm Brillantes Campaigns, business intelligence company iSentia, and development communication firm Technomedia Asia. It is supported by volunteer students, faculty, and alumni and is located at the CSSP-UP computer lab.

The four main objectives of the operations center are as follows:

1. To provide immediate support to students, personnel, and professors within the UP system affected by Yolanda by mobilizing a social media support structure;

2. To generate actionable information to further help focus the allocation of resources and expertise mobilized by UP and its alumni in Yolanda relief and rehabilitation efforts;

3. To increase social media buzz about the 77 areas affected by Yolanda which still need substantial aid through participation and even activation in trending topics, popularization of memes, posts, videos, etc.; and

4. To track and analyze the social media environment on a long term basis to identify trends, flashpoints, and black holes to help UP fine tune its academic programs, policy advocacy initiatives, outreach projects and direct action on disaster preparedness and mitigation.

CSSP-UP dean Professor Michael Tan, Public Administration Professor J. Prospero De Vera III of UP Padayon, and Political Science professor Ranjit Rye are the focal persons for the volunteer efforts from the UP community.

Eero Brillantes, president and CEO of Brillantes campaigns, is the lead volunteer organizer and focal person for setting up and maintaining the command center.

iSentia volunteered the use of their social media analytics software called Social Express.

Technomedia Asia contributed the GEO-SMS system and is doing the volunteer media work for the initiative.

UP was very much affected by typhoon Yolanda.

In UP Diliman, there are 128 students from Eastern Visayas seeking support to at least finish the semester and for relief goods and financial aid to be sent to their families.

In U.P. Visayas Tacloban College there are 1,543 constituents, and the U.P. Manila School of Health Sciences in Palo, Leyte, 209 constituents affected by Yolanda. The school facilities have been severely damaged.

There are many students from Eastern and Central Visayas who are presently enrolled in UP Los Baños, UP Manila, UP Baguio and other campuses within the UP system.

Cayetano submits P22.8B amendment to 2014 GAA

Pushes for PTK, education, peace and order programs

By Office of the Senate Majority Leader
November 29, 2013

PASAY CITY – “Dapat walang naiiwanan. Aanhin natin ang pag-unlad kung hindi ito ramdam, lalo na ng mga mahihirap. Ang kailangan natin ay kaunlarang ramdam ng lahat, hindi ng iilan lamang.”

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter "Compañero" S. Cayetano made this statement as he submitted P22.85-billion worth of proposed amendments to the 2014 General Appropriations Act (GAA) to fund several programs next year that would enable the country’s economic growth to be felt by all Filipinos, especially the poor.

“The amendments that we have submitted are predicated on the firm conviction that all Filipinos must be able to partake of and feel the benefits of our country’s economic improvement,” Cayetano said in his letter to Sen. Francis Escudero, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

“Our amendments focus on the sectors of society often left behind by the mad rush towards development – the farmers, fisherfolk, policemen, teachers, workers and the youth – and endeavor to ensure that the national budget that we pass addresses their felt needs.”

The Senate leader has clustered his proposed amendments into three categories: Presyo, Trabaho, Kita (PTK) (P12 billion); Pro-Business Philippines (P2.85 billion); and Education (P8 billion), for a total of P22.85 billion which will be distributed to the following departments and agencies: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Cayetano launched his PTK campaign during his re-election bid early this year, shunning appearances in big political meetings and rallies in favor of what he called as “Listening Tours,” where he conducted dialogues with the poorest of the poor and discussed their actual needs.

Of the many needs of the people, he explained, one stood out as a general sentiment: a poor and very limited access to capital, especially for micro entrepreneurs.

“A highlight of our proposal is to provide P500 million per region for sustainable livelihood and microfinance. When people have access to capital, they become contributors and active agents of an inclusive economy,” Cayetano said in his letter.

He proposed to allocate P10 billion to DTI for this proposal, broken down to P500 million for each of the 17 regions in the Philippines and P1.5 billion for the DTI central office for allocation to areas with special business opportunities.

Another P2 billion, he said, should be allocated to BFAR under the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the enhancement of the productivity of fisherfolks.

Under the Pro-Business Philippines category, Cayetano highlighted the need for the improvement of the peace and order situation in the country in order for businesses to flourish.

One way to improve the peace and order is to move for more police visibility, which he hopes to have corresponding multiplier effects especially to the economy.

He proposed the additional allocation of P2.85 billion to the PNP broken down into the following: P1 billion - or P50 million for each region - to be used for installation of CCTVs nationwide (amount in excess to be used in critical areas); P850 million - or P50 million per region - for the establishment of crime labs; and P1 billion - or P50 million per region - for the acquisition of new vehicles (amount in excess to be used in critical areas).

Cayetano stressed that these allocations are on top of what the PNP plans to procure next year as part of their expenditures for capital outlay.

For education, Cayetano is pushing for the allocation of P8 billion to fund the scholarship grants of some 400,000 state scholars who rely on the now-unconstitutional Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

He also asked the Committee on Finance to ensure that all public school teachers are well-paid and that school buildings are conducive for learning.

Special focus, he added, should be given to schools, state universities and colleges (SUCs) as well as students whose lives were destroyed or severely damaged by natural calamities especially those affected by super typhoon Yolanda.

“I hope that these amendments will be included in the General Appropriations Act for 2014 in order to show our people that the government will address their most pressing needs and allow them to really feel the benefits of our growing economy,” Cayetano noted.

NDFP-EV slams Aquino regime's refusal of reciprocal ceasefire: “We may be enemies of the state, but we are the friends of the people”

By NDF-Eastern Visayas
November 28, 2013

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Eastern Visayas denounces the Aquino government as utterly despicable for refusing to reciprocate the revolutionary movement's ceasefire in areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan).

The revolutionary movement in the region has declared a unilateral ceasefire up to mid-January 2014. The Aquino government's regional military commander, Maj. Gen. Jet Velarmino, is particularly reprehensible for saying, "We did not make a declaration of ceasefire even after the typhoon. They are enemies of the state."

We may be enemies of the state, but we are the friends of the people, their interests come first. On the other hand, what else can we call the Aquino government and its military, except as enemies of the people for refusing a ceasefire that would facilitate aid to the Typhoon Yolanda victims?

The Aquino government troops showed no compunction in continuing their offensives against the New People's Army even while the region was still reeling from the typhoon's aftermath. Gen. Velarmino's troops from the 8th Infantry Division are still on combat operations under Oplan Bayanihan in the central parts of Samar island. Aside from search and destroy missions, they are also harassing villagers suspected of supporting the NPA. It goes to show the Aquino government and its military have no concern for the plight of the people.

Tacloban City and other calamity areas are virtual garrisons. Right after the typhoon, the Aquino government sent armored cars and armed troops to Tacloban as a “show of force” to the hungry and desperate people, who were not receiving any government aid and commandeering whatever they needed to survive. Today there are several military checkpoints at the entrances and exits to the city, and the people are subjected to curfews, and accosted and treated like criminals. Meanwhile, so-called bunkhouses have been hastily constructed where homeless families are to be herded like cattle into cramped confines. This scenario is replicated in other areas that are suffering from the typhoon's aftermath. All these show the Aquino government regards the people with contempt, showing little concern over their sufferings, and enforcing their subservience to the armed might of the state.

Is the Aquino government refusing a reciprocal ceasefire because it is not serious about long-term reconstruction in Eastern Visayas?

At present, the Aquino government is making a mockery of the relief and rehabilitation in region. The typhoon victims live by the day, hoping they will have something to eat the next day, vulnerable to starvation and disease. There is also no long-term plan for the urban and rural poor as well as the middle-class who lost their homes and livelihoods, while the vultures of corruption have started circling. Without any socio-economic reforms, without any public consultation and transparent governance, the big bureaucrats and big businesses will surely take advantage of the people's plight in order to profit from corruption in the massive reconstruction effort needed. As an added insult to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, the US and Philippine governments are rushing towards an agreement justifying the basing of US military troops in the country in violation of national sovereignty. It seems the reason why there is no ceasefire for Aquino's troops is that they are there to ensure that it will be business as usual in keeping the people in their state of exploitation and oppression.

The people will hold the Aquino regime to account for refusing a reciprocal ceasefire to facilitate aid to the typhoon victims. The victims of Typhoon Yolanda and the rest of the people will surely rise from their grief to demand for a reconstruction favoring the people, as well as socio-economic reforms for the long term in the region and other calamity areas.

If the Aquino government cannot bring itself to call even a limited ceasefire in the name of humanity, how much more a just and lasting peace?

Senate finance committee greenlights supplemental budget for calamity

By Office of Senator Chiz Escudero
November 28, 2013

PASAY CITY – As the government pools resources to aid victims of typhoon Yolanda, the Senate stamps its approval of a supplemental budget to augment the current calamity fund to cover relief, rehabilitation, repair and construction requirements in areas ravaged not only by typhoon Yolanda but also by past calamities like typhoons Santi and Labuyo, the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and the Zamboanga siege.

The senate finance committee urgently approved Senate Bill No. 1938 (SBN 1938) which was principally filed by Senate President Drilon. The bill appropriates P14.6 billion to be carved out from suspended priority development assistance fund (PDAF) which was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Senator Chiz Escudero, chairman of the senate committee on finance said “the re-aligned utilization of the P14.6 billion supplemental fund will be used principally to augment two items in the 2013 budget, namely the quick respond funds (QRF) of various agencies and the President’s calamity fund.”

Escudero said the whole amount is appropriated to the following departments with critical rehabilitation functions:

- Department of Agriculture (repair and rehabilitation of irrigation system)

- Department of Education (repair and rehabilitation of school buildings)

- Department of Energy (rehabilitation of electrification infrastructure)

- State Universities and Colleges (repair and rehabilitation of academic buildings)

- Department of Health (repair of DOH hospitals, purchase of health equipment)

- DPWH (repair, rehabilitation of roads, bridges, government buildings and infrastructure)

- National Housing Authority (purchase of relocation sites and construction of housing units)

- Department of Transportation and Communications (repair/rehabilitation of airports and ports) and;

- Local Government Units (repair of rural health units and hospitals, rehabilitation programs)

He said the government critically needs all the fiscal adjuncts to effect the resurgence of communities burrowed in disasters.

Escudero explained that the supplemental budget measure was complimented with the approval at the same time of Senate Joint Resolution No. 5 extending the validity of the unspent funds in the 2013 budget for another year so it can be utilized for calamity and calamity-related expenditures.

During today’s hearing of the above measures, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio Abad said the 2013 budget still has a balance of P12 billion coming from various agencies.

“Under the existing budget, the fund is only valid until December 31, 2013. We extended its validity until December 31, 2014 but to be used only for calamity-related programs and projects,” Escudero said.

He added that they placed safeguard measures to ensure that there will be transparent and proper utilization of the augmented funds like: 1) Reportorial requirements on the part of DBM and the implementing agencies by posting in their respective websites, 2) Reportorial requirements to Congress and the Commission on Audit (COA) and 3) Imposition of maximum penalty to anyone who misuses funds as provided for in the Revised Penal Code, the Anti-Graft Law and the Plunder Law.

Police on guard vs. human trafficking in typhoon-hit areas in EV

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
November 27, 2013

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – The Philippine National Police in Eastern Visayas has called on the support of the public by reporting to authorities suspected cases of human trafficking in Tacloban City and other areas hit by super typhoon Yolanda.

The region's top police official assured the presence of Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) investigators in Police Assistance Centers (PAC) established at the airport, seaports and evacuation centers to assist and investigate suspected trafficking-in-person (TIP) cases.

Acting regional director Police Chief Supt. Henry Losañes of Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) directed policemen manning PACs to closely watch and monitor passengers boarding C-130s, navy vessels and passenger buses following the arrest Monday afternoon of two men suspected to be involved in human trafficking activities and the rescue of a 16-year old teenage girl at the Daniel Z. Romualdez airport who were about to board the air force plane.

“Some unscrupulous individuals may take advantage of the vulnerability of typhoon victims desperate for jobs and livelihood and are prone to traffickers and illegal recruiters”, Losañes said.

He added that his office will be coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, airport authorities, Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy on the matter.

For the last two weeks, people have been lining-up for free C-130 ride at the DZR airport and navy vessel ride at the Tacloban port bound for Cebu and Manila.

The police official informed that aside from the two transport terminals, PACs were also established at Ormoc City and Allen ports in Northern Samar and bus terminals in major cities in the region.

Assistance centers were also established in two major evacuation centers in Tacloban City while a team from the PNP Women and Children Protection Center has been visiting evacuation centers to conduct orientation and awareness campaign to evacuees on the dire consequences of human trafficking.

Eastern Visayas is the hardest hit region by the super typhoon that flattened its regional capital Tacloban City and neighboring towns in Leyte province, including some areas in Eastern Samar.