Inflation rate in Eastern Visayas remains at 1.5% in July 2019

By PSA-8
August 18, 2019

TACLOBAN CITY – The Inflation Rate (IR) in Eastern Visayas remained at 1.5 percent in July 2019. This figure is 4.4 percentage points lower compared with the 5.9 percent IR recorded in the same period last year. The regional inflation rate is 0.9 percentage point lower than the 2.4 percent national average in July 2019.

The provinces of Biliran, Southern Leyte and Samar registered lower IRs in July 2019 compared with their figures in the previous month. Biliran recorded the biggest drop of 2.1 percentage points, from 0.2 percent in June 2019 to -1.9 percent in July 2019.

On the other hand, Leyte registered a 0.5 percentage point increase in IR, from 3.2 percent in June 2019 to 3.7 percent during the reference month. Eastern Samar inched up by 0.1 percentage point, from 1.0 percent a month ago to 1.1 percent in July 2019.

Northern Samar, meanwhile registered zero inflation rate during the month in review. Among the provinces, Biliran posted the lowest with negative IR at 1.9 percent. Leyte, meanwhile, recorded the highest IR during the month in review at 3.7 percent (Table 1).

Majority of the commodity groups in the region exhibited higher IR in July 2019 compared with their rates in June 2019. These were however offset by the decreases recorded in housing, water, gas, electricity and other fuels; food and non-alcoholic beverages; and transport commodity groups.

Housing, water, gas, electricity and other fuels commodity group registered the biggest drop of 2.4 percentage points, from 1.1 percent in June 2019 to -1.3 percent during the month in review. This can be attributed to the huge decrease in the index for electricity, gas and other fuels.

The heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages declined to 0.7 percent in July 2019 from its previous month’s rate of 1.5 percent, a drop of 0.8 percentage point. Lower IRs were noted in majority of the items. Fish and vegetables registered the highest decrease of 2.1 percentage points pushing their IRs to 0.6 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. Fruits and rice indices continued to register negative IRs at 5.0 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively.

Transport commodity group eased down to 3.3 percent during the reference month from 3.7 percent in June 2019.

On the other hand, education commodity group increased to 5.3 percent during the month in review, 21.7 percentage points higher compared with the -16.4 percent IR in June 2019. This can be traced to higher IRs in the indices in all levels of education: pre-primary and primary education; secondary education; and tertiary education.

IR for alcoholic beverages and tobacco commodity group went up to 5.0 percent in July 2019 from 4.1 percent in June 2019.

IR for restaurants and miscellaneous good and services commodity group also increased by 0.8 percentage point, pushing its IR to 4.0 percent during the month in review.

Increased IRs were also noted in the commodity groups of furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house; recreation and culture; clothing and footwear; and communication, with IRs posted at 6.7 percent, 4.5 percent, 3.4 percent, and 1.3 percent, respectively.

The Purchasing Power of Peso (PPP) of the region remained at P0.80 in July 2019. This PPP implies that P100.00 in 2012 (base year) is worth P80.00 only in July 2019.

Biliran posted a P0.03 increase in PPP compared with its figure in June 2019, while Northern Samar and Samar’s PPP strengthened by P0.01. The rest of the provinces sustained their PPP last month. Biliran recorded the strongest PPP at P0.84. Southern Leyte ranked second at P0.82, followed by Leyte at P0.81 and Eastern Samar at P0.79. Northern Samar and Samar posted the weakest PPP at P0.77.

8ID condemns killing of barangay captain in Hilongos, Leyte

By DPAO, 8ID PA
August 18, 2019

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – A certain Virigilio Loquias, of legal age and married, Barangay Captain of Brgy Sto Niño, Hilingos, Leyte, was killed by three (3) Communist NPA Terrorist (CNTs) while fishing at locally known as “Pahubas” together with his wife and father-in-law on August 15, 2019 1:30 p.m.

The said barangay captain suffered multiple gunshots that caused his instantaneous death. According to the witnesses, the group of CNTs ordered him to lie on his stomach and declared judgement to the said victim saying “Dako kayo ni sala kay mao ni nagpa-raid sa among Kampo” (This person has a grave offense to our organization as he is the cause that our camp has been raided).

The killing of barangay captain Loquias is another proof of desperation of Communist NPA Terrorists that they resorted in this barbaric act to terrorize the communities that are no longer supportive to their dying movement.

Maj. Gen. Pio Q Diñoso III AFP, Commander 8ID, Philippine Army in his statement said that, “The 8ID strongly condemns the murder of Barangay Captain Virgilio Loquias perpetrated by the members of CPP-NPA Terrorists and a clear manifestation of gross violation in Human Rights.”

“Your Philippine Army together with the Philippine National Police will be objective in its investigation to ensure that justice is served. We extend our condolences and prayers to the bereaved family in this difficult time,” Diñoso added.

Nutrition Month contests and winners

By JACK C. GADAINGAN
August 17, 2019

TACLOBAN CITY – Marking of the 45th Nutrition Month with the theme: “Kumain nang Wasto at Maging Aktibo…Push Natin ‘to!” encouraging to eat healthy diets and espousing active lifestyle by disengaging sedentary behavior, inspired the frontline nutrition managers in Eastern Visayas headed by the National Nutrition Council Region VIII (NNC-8) to list a number of contests – all entailing physical activity as among the highlights of the month-long July celebration.

The recognition and awarding of the contest winners was conducted during the “45th Nutrition Month Culmination and Awarding Ceremonies” on July 30, 3019 held at the Department of Education (DepEd) Leyte Division Gymnasium, Government Center, Palo, Leyte.

NUTRIMAZING RACE, a team contest of eight stations conducted during the Nutrition Month launching on July 5 result: First Place - Leyte Metropolitan Water District, team members John Paul Go, Ranulfo Gamba and Joanne Pacunla, bagging a plaque and P3,000 cash; 2nd Place - Department of Budget and Management 8, team members Neuman Gallardo, Arnel C. Yboa and Carl Patrick Bernardo, bagging a plaque and P2,500 cash; and 3rd Place - Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, team members Weinona M. Ligason, Maria Dyna Rose Abrenio and Rolan Jose M. Fua, bagging P1,500.

NUTRIVIDEO CONTEST, a month-long video contest posted on social media: Most Liked and Shared (1077) - Commission on Audit, bagging a plaque and P1,000 cash; Best in Choreography - Land Transportation Office 8, bagging a plaque and P1,000.

NUTRIJNGLE CONTEST, likewise a month-long contest posted on social media: First Place - NUTRISONG by Ginataan Medley, bagging P2,000; 2nd Place - Gulay Sensation by Burauen National High School, bagging P1,500; 3rd Place - PUSH NATIN TO! By Promiseland Educational Academy, bagging P1,000; and Most Liked and Shared - Guly Sensation by Burauen National High School.

BNS LARO NG LAHI, conducted as among the activities during the Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) Day on July 30, 2019.

Individual Games each game bagging P300: SIPA - Southern Leyte Province by Fedelina Mendiola, winner; LIMBO ROCK - Leyte Province by Wilma Sumaste, winner; HULA-HOOP DEFYING GRAVITY - Southern Leyte by Shirley Candelaria, winner; PIKO - Samar Province by Analiza Salamida, winner; TSATO - Eastern Samar by Val Cabus, winner; and SANKAYAW - Samar Province by Lylanie Pamapor, winner.

Group Games with each game bagging P1,200: SACK RACE - Leyte Province, winner; DODGEBALL - Eastern Samar, winner; and TUG OF WAR - Leyte Province, winner.

BNS DANCE CONTEST: First Place - Leyte Province, bagging P4,000; 2nd Place - Catbalogan City, bagging P3,000; and 3rd Place - Baybay City bagging P2,000; non-winning contestants bagged P500 each pair as consolation prize. Judges for the NUTRIVEDIO, NUTRIJINGLE and BNS DANCE contests were: Mr. Eulogio A. Plameran Jr., PLTCOL Anabel Roche and Ms. Winderose Oliverio.

DAR seeks funding for 102 livelihood proposals of ARBs in EV

By JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA
August 16, 2019

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Eastern Visayas in now waiting for the downloading of funds after it has submitted more than a hundred livelihood proposals from agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) throughout the region for funding under the Convergence on Livelihood Assistance for ARBs Project (CLAAP).

DAR Regional Director Sheila Enciso disclosed that a total of ₱55.450-M is needed to finance the 102 various livelihood or micro enterprise proposals to be benefited by no less than 2,218 ARBs, smallholder farmers and farmworkers from the six provinces of Region 8.

Once the requested fund is downloaded from the Central Project Monitoring Unit, the DAR provincial offices can start with the procurement process and at the same time conduct the identified appropriate capacity development trainings specified in the respective project proposals, she added.

Enciso explained that the fund will be taken from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD’s) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) wherein ₱1-B has been allocated for the successful implementation of the CLAAP.

Early in 2018, the two government agencies entered a partnership agreement to provide livelihood assistance to ARBs through ARB organizations (ARBOs) by clustering them with members of the Pantawid Pamilya recipients of the DSWD who have not availed yet of any assistance under the SLP.

Each cluster member, Enciso clarified, will be provided with a seed capital of P15,000 to start a micro enterprise based on the submitted livelihood proposal by his/her cluster. A separate P10,000 will be provided for the capacity development trainings to prepare the recipients in their livelihood venture.

This project is expected to improve household income of the farmers particularly the agrarian reform beneficiaries by expanding and increasing their access to economic opportunities.

Meanwhile, Assistant Regional Director for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program, Ismael Aya-ay, further disclosed that among the micro-enterprises the 102 clusters would like to engage in are: hog raising, swine production, broiler and layer poultry production, fertilizers and pesticides trading, and rice trading.

He also shared that of the 2,218 who signified interest to avail of the said government assistance, 1,371 ARBO members and pantawid pamilya recipients divided into 63 clusters are from Leyte.

While 248 ARBO members and pantawid pamilya recipients divided into eight clusters are from Biliran; 135 ARBO members and pantawid pamilya recipients divided into eight clusters are from Southern Leyte; 139 ARBO members and pantawid pamilya recipients divided into seven clusters are from Eastern Samar; 195 ARBO members and pantawid pamilya recipients divided into 10 clusters are from Northern Samar; and 130 ARBO members and pantawid pamilya recipients divided into six clusters are from Western Samar, Aya-ay further shared.

‘Asin’ Summit conducted in Eastern Visayas region

By JACK C. GADAINGAN
August 16, 2019

TACLOBAN CITY – Iodine deficiency remains the single greatest cause of preventable brain damage and mental retardation. Insufficient intakes of iodine during pregnancy and early childhood result in impaired mental development of young children. So that iodization of table salt is mandated by law as it is one of the best and least expensive methods of preventing micronutrient malnutrition in the country, particularly Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD).

Felecita R. Borata, Department of Health Region VIII (DoH-8) Regional Nutrition Program Manager, revealed this during the “Asin Summit” conducted on July 26, 2019 at the Department of Education (DepEd) Leyte Division Gymnasium, Palo, Leyte.

The one-day event, a part of July 2019 Nutrition Month celebration activities, was attended by municipal health officers (MHOs), provincial, city and municipal nutrition action officers (P/C/MNAOs), nutritionists/dieticians and rural sanitary inspectors (RSI) from around Eastern Visayas region. Also in attendance were a group of salt-traders from Tacloban City, representatives from government nutrition-partner agencies, nongovernment nutrition organizations, and the media.

Borata tackled the subject “Iodine Prevention and Control Program,” where she scrutinized and explained to the audience the intentions of Republic Act No. 8172 or: “An Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide and for Related Purposes (Asin Law).” Saying that Salt Iodization strategy has been implemented in most countries where iodine deficiency is a public health problem.

The law (RA 8172) intends to ensure that only iodized salt shall be available in the market for human and animal consumption, thereby it requires salt producers/manufacturers, importers, to iodize from 30 to 70 (mg/kg) or parts-per-million (ppm) the salt they manufacture, produce, distribute, trade and/or import, as well as the law further requires salt re-packers to repack and sell only iodized salt.

In Eastern Visayas, the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF) is the body mandated to ensure the sustainability of the ASIN Law implementation – as well as to guarantee the iodization of all salt being produced, sold or traded, and utilized in the region. The body is composed of the DOH, NNC, DOST, DTI, PNP, DENR, FDA, PPA, PIA and LGUs among others.

The RBATF for the summit, reported that during a Post Marketing Surveillance on Iodized Salt from seven establishments conducted on November 6, 2018, result of the analysis of salt-samples taken from seven salt establishments in the region failed; and again from another Post Marketing Surveillance on Iodized Salt conducted on November 7, 2018 on salt-samples taken from six establishments, only two passed while the rest failed again.

Considering the volatile characteristics of iodine, the RBTAF engrained some reminders to the congregation, particularly the asin traders, distributors and sellers – that in order to minimize avoidable losses of iodine, iodized salt should not be exposed to any of the following conditions during storage, transport and display: 1. direct sunlight or near source of strong light, 2. high temperature and humidity, 3. contamination with moisture (e.g. rain, flood, etc.), and 4. contamination with dust or filth from the environment.

Social ills, not teachers, to blame for student activism - ACT

Press Release
August 16, 2019

QUEZON CITY – The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) slammed Senator Bato dela Rosa and police chief Oscar Albayalde for “blaming teachers” for the “anti-government” sentiments of students and the youth, citing that “it is not the teachers’ fault that poverty, corruption and human rights violations intensifies under the current administration.”

News reports quoted Dela Rosa and Albayalde chiding teachers to ‘just do their jobs and not make students turn against the government.”

Dela Rosa in a senate hearing went as far as ask for the termination of employment of teachers who encourage students to join rallies. “The two officials are not in the position to lecture us on our jobs. Their stances show that they have very little appreciation of the objectives of education,” said Joselyn Martinez, ACT National Chairperson.

Martinez explained that the constitution mandates schools to “teach patriotism, love of humanity, human rights, role of national heroes and history, rights and duties of citizens, ethical and spiritual values, moral character and personal discipline, critical and creative thinking, scientific and technological knowledge and vocational efficiency.”

“It is not the teachers’ fault if the government leadership acts in contrast to the values upheld by education. They should not blame us if the youth calls out the government for the ills that they see in the society. We are only doing our job,” expressed Martinez.

Martinez hit dela Rosa and Albayalde for “demonizing activism and rallies which are basic constitutional rights of the people, including students and teachers.”

“In the guise of attempting to curb armed rebellion, dela Rosa and Albayalde are in effect discrediting the fundamental rights of the people to free expression, self-organization and to protest. It is them who are not doing their jobs as being government officials, their constitutional duty is to respect and uphold such rights,” said Joselyn Martinez, ACT Chairperson.

Martinez said that the government should not “find fault in teachers encouraging students to attend rallies” as rallies are “real-life events that hold many learnings for the students.”

“It exposes our students to people from different walks of life who have grievances that are worth hearing. It helps broaden the youth’s view of our society and offers education that cannot be learnt inside the classroom and from textbooks,” said Martinez.

Martinez concluded by saying that “Rallying is not a crime. It appears that dela Rosa’s and Albayalde’s rants all boil down to this administration’s intolerance of dissent. They should stop in their desperate bid to silence critics. We’re in a democracy after all.”

DOLE-8 trains SAMELCO II workers on OSH

By NORMA RAE S. COSTIMIANO
August 15, 2019

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. VIII through its Samar Field Office conducted a capacity-building activity for one hundred seventy-nine employees of Samar Electric Cooperative II (SAMELCO II) last July 25-26, 2019 at SAMELCO II, Paranas, Samar.

Under the Workers’ Organization Development Program (WODP) of the agency, the participants availed of an 8-hour mandatory training on Safety and Health. Engr. Aleksei Ceasar D. Abellar, Senior Labor and Employment Officer and Officer-in-Charge of DOLE-SFO, discussed about the Introduction to Occupational Safety & Health and Department Order 198 or the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11058 entitled “An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties Thereof”.

Other important topics such as General Concept on OSH, Basic Safety Rules and Measurements for Workplace Hazards, Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control and Defensive Driving were presented by Mr. Dominador B. Balagon, Jr., OSH Practitioner.

Participants were participative during the training and shared their real experiences on electrical works-related accidents. Ms. Olivia D. Cabaliza, Finance Manager and Officer-in-Charge of SAMELCO II, expressed her gratitude to DOLE for initiating and funding the activity.

“In behalf of SAMELCO II, I would like to thank DOLE for this training. I am so glad to share to you that we are the first to have undergone this kind of training among the power distribution cooperatives in Region VIII”, said Ms. Cabaliza.

Ms. Cabaliza likewise committed that SAMELCO II will comply with all the safety rules and regulations. She said “We will do our best to implement and adhere to all the mandated safety and health standards”.

On the second day, Ms. Maria Chulla B. Corpuz, Labor and Employment Officer I of DOLE-SFO, gave the SAMELCO II workers an orientation on Strengthening the Family Welfare Program in the Workplace. Participants were pleased to note that they can benefit from the said program.

Ms. Marilou C. Agbon, Human Resource Officer, happily informed that the Multi-Purpose Clinic of SAMELCO II is already being constructed and is intended to cater to the emergency medical needs of its workers and other concerns of women. She likewise mentioned that they plan to negotiate with the management for incentives to be awarded to workers who will practice family planning. (with reports from Engr. Aleksei D. Abellar)

Comeback of anti-subversion law, anti-terror law amendments add to Duterte gov’t arsenal of repressive laws

By KARAPATAN
August 14, 2019

QUEZON CITY – “The restoration of the Anti-Subversion law will merely add to this government’s arsenal of repressive laws. It will add another moniker to the Duterte government’s many labels against critics and activists. From destabilizers, demons, enemies of the State, terrorists, here now comes the newest recycled label: subversives. All these serve the same goal – to legitimize repression and box critics into dangerous labels that lays down the pretext for state forces to persecute them,” said Karapatan vice-chairperson Reylan Vergara on the proposal of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Eduardo Año to restore the Anti-Subversion Law.

DILG’s Año has cited the said measure as among the three most dangerous laws and policies that pose extreme risk to the democratic rights and freedoms of the Filipino people, with the amendments to the Human Security Act and Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70. “Will these alleviate poverty and the worsening job crisis in the country? Will these resolve the cases of human rights violations committed by state forces in rural and urban areas? Will these lead to respect and defense of our national patrimony? No. These policies are all meant to silence critics who raise the aforementioned issues and demand accountability,” said Vergara, adding that such measures do nothing to solve the causes of dissent and unrest in the country.

The Karapatan vice chairperson also slammed Año for continuing to push for the amendments to the Human Security Act, or Republic Act 9372. The DILG head said the HSA has not been used because “honest mistakes of law enforcers” are met with stiff fines and imprisonment. “Well, this so-called “honest mistakes” have severe repercussions to the lives of those wrongly accused. This law has been used to wrongly accuse farmers and activists, and in our documentation, previous cases using the HSA were all dismissed. More often than not, human rights and civil liberties are violated, and they expect law enforcers to simply walk away without any consequence? This adds to the arbitrariness and impunity that is the hallmark of state forces and their conduct. We will definitely continue to resist this dangerous law that gives more power to state forces – power to corrupt,” responded Vergara.

Vergara also shrugged off Año’s claims that there are no “subversive organizations” in the United States because it has not repealed its Communist Control Act of 1954, using this as a justification to support the restoration of the Anti-Subversive Law in the country: “There is widespread resistance by people in the United States, and it is mired by several bouts of terroristic acts perpetrated by white supremacists and vindictive rhetoric peddled by no less than their President. We do not know what Año means by subversive organizations, but if he means organizations that challenge government to abide by their obligations, then there are such groups led by civil rights activists and social movements. If he meant there are no acts of terrorism in the United States because of its current laws, then he should start reading the news,” explained Vergara.

Vergara called on Filipinos to be critical: “Let us be reminded that all-powerful governments, especially those that is manned by militarists, are abusive, arbitrary and corrupt to the core. Giving the Duterte government these additional powers will lead to further political persecution and repression. The Duterte government and his cohorts will try to slyly legitimize this, but when all else fails, Duterte is waiting to formalize a nationwide martial law.”

“These efforts will nonetheless be instrumental to the establishment of a tyrannical regime. They can call those who defiantly resist as subversives or what-not, but the reality of rights violations, poverty, and the shameless affront to our sovereignty will remain a resounding truth. These are the very same issues that the so-called “subversives” are fighting for,” said Vergara.

Vergara concluded with a quote from ‘El Filibusterismo’ by Dr. Jose Rizal, which roughly translates to ‘The Subversive’: “The just and the worthy have to suffer in order to spread their ideas and let them be known. One has to shake and break the glass in order to scatter the perfume. One has to scratch the surface of the rock to release the light. There is something providential in the persecution of tyrants...”

NMP partners with LGUs in EV in the conduct of Basic Safety Training for Motorboat Handlers / Operators and Fisherfolks

By National Maritime Polytechnic
August 8, 2019

TACLOBAN CITY – With the noted occurrence of many maritime incidents and loss of lives of the local motorboat operators and fisherfolks in the course of carrying out their livelihoods and with the Agency’s aim of promoting safety of life at sea, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) partners with the interested local government units (LGUs) of the Eastern Visayas in the conduct of Basic Safety Training for Motorboat Handlers/Operators and Fisherfolks (BSTMHOF).

The 3-day training includes topics on Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF), Elementary First Aid (EFA), Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR), Rules of the Road, Marine Pollution Prevention and Environmental Protection, STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention in the Maritime Sector (SHAPIMS), Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the Maritime Sector (PADAMS), Marine Safety Regulations and Typhoon Preparedness. However, the modules / topics may be modified dependent on the knowledge, skill, and attitude needed by the participants.

NMP Head of the Information and Marketing Section, Mr. Andrew D. Soledad together with NMP Instructor, Mr. Telesforo M. Sambalilo presented NMP’s proposal on the conduct of the said training to the local government of Ormoc City during the Public Safety and Disaster Management and Laws and Ordinances Joint Committee Meeting held last 31 July 2019.

The proposal underwent the committees’ extensive review and after all concerns were answered by the team, it gained the committee’s endorsement to the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) with minor amendments. It will further be discussed during the SP session slated on 13 August 2019 and a resolution will be issued granting authority to the Ormoc City Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the NMP, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Region 8, and the Philippine Coast Guard - Coast Guard District Eastern Visayas (PCG-CGDEV).

Also present during the meeting were Mr. Santiago M. Acera of MARINA RO 8, Lt. Christopher Michael Angelo Dulnuan of PCG Coast Guard Station (CGS) Western Leyte, PO2 Jaime M. Los Baños of PCG CGS Ormoc City, and the chairpersons of the different fisherfolk associations of Ormoc City.

Under the MOA, the LGU will be responsible for identifying and inviting participants, providing the training venue, meals and snacks, and submitting the necessary qualifying documents such as medical certificate and 1.5 x 1.5 ID pictures of the participants.

NMP, as the training provider, designs the training course tailored to the training needs of the participants in consultation with external entities. It also provides support staff to assist in the duration of the activity, as well as the necessary handouts, supplies and materials, and issue a Certificate of Completion to the complying participants.

The certificate issued by NMP is a requirement of MARINA prior to the issuance of Certificate of Marine Profession (CMP) such as boat captain license, motorman license, and marine diesel mechanic license. These licenses are in turn requirements before a seafarer can go on board passenger or cargo motor bancas / motorboats and even commercial fishing vessels.

The project began in the 1990s when the NMP developed the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Course for fishermen as an extension service. It was initially designed for deep-sea fishermen in Albuera, Leyte, as more and more fisherfolks were becoming involved in the deep-sea fishing thus exposing them to hazards at sea. The training was then extended to representatives from the Barangay Coastal Resource Management Council (BCRMC).

LGUs that are interested on the said training may email us at info@nmp.gov.ph or call or send a message to Mr. Jay Arr Bryan U. Margallo, Administrative Officer IV at mobile no. 0926-135-8823 for more details.