DAR links 14 farmer organizations in EV to institutional buyers

By JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA
August 21, 2020

TACLOBAN CITY – The Chairman of MAALSADA- Farmer Irrigators Service Cooperative (FISCO), Reynaldo Peja, thank the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for linking their organization, as food supplier, to the biggest government hospital in the region.

According to Peja, because of the marketing contract facilitated by DAR, MAALSADA-FISCO, based in Alangalang town, will now be supplying 150 cavans of milled rice every month and 150 kilos of assorted vegetables daily to Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVRMC), located in this city, which the latter will use to feed their in-patients.

Aside from EVRMC, Peja added, MAALSADA-FISCO will also be supplying milled rice and vegetables to Schistosomiasis Research Hospital in Palo, and the Department of Health-Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH-RTC) in Dulag.

Another agrarian reform beneficiaries organization (ARBO) in the province of Leyte, the Paglaum Farmers Association (PFA), based in this city, benefited also from a marketing contract facilitated by DAR under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) program of the government.

PFA was linked to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), wherein the former will supply vegetables, livestock, and poultry products to both the male and female dormitories of the Tacloban City Jail which will be used to feed persons deprived of liberty (PDL).

MAALSADA-FISCO and PFA were just two of the 14 ARBOs from different parts of Eastern Visayas who formally sealed marketing contracts simultaneously with 16 institutional buyers thru a virtual ceremony on Wednesday last week.

Aside from the signing of marketing contracts, regional heads of DAR and the Departments of Agriculture (DA), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Health (DOH), and the Interior and Local Government (DILG), as well as the BJMP also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the same occasion to support and extend the necessary assistance in the marketing of farmers’ products in the region under the EPAHP.

This is the biggest MOU (and marketing contract) signing so far considering the number of partners who joined in today’s undertaking, said Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles, who joined similar activity conducted earlier in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, V, IX, XI, CARAGA, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Nograles, chairperson of Task Force on Zero Hunger on EPAHP, delivered his keynote address via zoom and told the participating ARBOs, “Sa EPAHP wala na kayong middleman. Diretso na kayo sa gobyerno. Ang gobyerno na ang kliyente niyo. Lahat ng kita niyo ay sa inyo mapupunta dahil wala ng middleman na dadaanan. Siguradong tataas na ang inyong kita.”

Meanwhile, Agrarian Secretary John Castriciones commented on the huge number of participants, “In unity there is strength, and this is the reason why this program that we have, which is based on a wholly government approach, is very ideal and, therefore we should do our best in order to re-enhance this program.”

“If we are able to provide good nutrition to our people, chances are, it will boost their immunity. The more it will boost their immunity, it will shield them against COVID-19, and therefore it will be a less burden to our hospitals,” he added.

Under EPAHP, instead of buying food supplies elsewhere, the DOH-retained hospitals and the city/district/municipal jails are encouraged to procure food supplies for the feeding of in-patients and persons deprived of liberty, respectively, from the ARBOs, which is allowed by the Government Procurement Policy Board thru Resolution No. 17-2016.

DAR OIC-Regional Director Ismael Aya-ay disclosed that the other ARBOs in the region that were linked to institutional buyers include the Almeria Seafarers Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Almeria, Biliran which will be supplying vegetables to the Naval District Jail.

In Southern Leyte, the Carnaga Multi-Purpose Cooperative (St. Bernard, Southern Leyte) will supply vegetables to the San Juan District Jail; the Magapso Irrigators Association (Sogod, Southern Leyte), the Association of Farmers and Advocates of Organic Farming (Bontoc, Southern Leyte), and the Buenapama Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Bontoc, Southern Leyte) will pool their harvested vegetables to meet the demands of the Sogod District Jail; while the Hantag Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Maasin City) will supply vegetables to the BJMP in Maasin.

In Eastern Samar, the San Gabriel Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (Borongan City) and the Camagting Agricultural Association (Balangiga, Eastern Samar) will supply vegetables to the Borongan District Jail and Balangiga District Jail, respectively; while the FEA-Agrarian Reform Cooperative (Salcedo, Eastern Samar) will supply vegetables, poultry products and pork to the Guiuan District Jail.

In Northern Samar, the Allen Organic Vegetable Raisers (Allen, Northern Samar) and the Balat-Balud Farmers Association (Bobon, Northern Samar) will supply milled rice and vegetables to the Catarman District Jail and the DSWD Provincial Office, respectively.

In Western Samar, the Hilaba Farmers Association (Marabut, Samar) will supply vegetables to the Catbalogan District Jail as well as to the Basey Municipal Jail.

From the institutional buyers, Dr. Portia Gravoso-Aliposa, Chief of the DOH-TRC, shared that this partnership program is a big advantage to them for they are assured of the freshness of the products coming directly from the farmers, while Tacloban City Jail Female Dorm Warden, J/INSP Fe Reynalda Chan said, with the ARBO now supplying them farm products, marketing will no longer be a burden to them and that they will be serving nutritious food to PDLs.

Bukidnon farmers receive DTI livelihood kits

By DTI-Regional Operations Group
August 19, 2020

MAKATI CITY – Twenty more farmers in Bukidnon received livelihood kits as second batch of beneficiaries of the Pangkabuhayan sa pagBangon at Ginhawa (PBG) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Each farmer received knapsack sprayer after attending an entrepreneurial mind-setting seminar conducted by Negosyo Center in Sitio Kibulag, Barangay Lantud in Talakag. The knapsack sprayer is identified as an immediate need since farming is the main source of livelihood for the residents of the remote village. The lack of fertilizer is the main issue of the farmers, limiting their farming activity and leading the farmers to rent knapsack sprayers from their neighbors for P100 per day.

But now with their own knapsack sprayers and additional knowledge on entrepreneurship through the seminar provided, the farmer-beneficiaries will be able to increase the production of their fresh agri-products to be sold in neighboring barangays including in Talakag Public Market.

Mike Dimdim Datu Pinto, one of the farmer-beneficiaries, expressed his gratitude for having been provided with the livelihood kit. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa DTI nga naghatag og knapsack sprayer nga magamit sa akong pag-uma (I am thankful to DTI for giving the knapsack sprayer that I can use in farming),” Pinto said.

The first batch of livelihood kits was distributed to the farmers during the official launching of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) project in Bukidnon on June 30, 2020. PRLEC is one of the clusters formed through Executive Order 70 that aims to develop sustainable communities through harmonized and culturally responsive government development programs.

Samar cops nab 4 wanted persons and 12 other offenders in a 7-day police operations

By Samar PPO
August 18, 2020

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – 4 other wanted persons; 4 illegal drugs personalities; and 8 illegal fishers were nabbed by Samar Police Provincial Office in a 7-day simultaneous police operations from August 10-17, 2020, under the leadership of PCol Andre Perez Dizon, Provincial Director.

Personnel of Calbayog City Police Station under the leadership of PLtCol Sam S Andarino, Officer In-Charge, nabbed 1 other wanted person for violation of Sec. 77 of P.D. 705 (Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines).

Personnel of Catbalogan City Police Station under the leadership of PLtCol Edwin F Barbosa, Chief of Police, conducted 2 buy-bust operations wherein one operation yielded the arrest of 1 illegal drugs personality and confiscated from him were 6 pieces heat-sealed plastic sachets of marijuana weighing 4.36 grams while a case for violation of Sec. 5 and Sec. 11 of Article II of R.A. 9165 “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act” was filed at Catbalogan City Prosecutor’s Office thru Inquest Proceeding docketed under NPS Nr. VIII-08-INQ-20H-00095 and NPS Nr. VIII-08-INQ-20H-00096.

Meanwhile, another operation resulted to the arrest of 2 illegal drugs personalities wherein confiscated from the suspects were 2 pieces heat-sealed plastic sachets of shabu weighing 0.42 grams and a case for violation of Sec. 5, 11 and 26 of Article II of R.A. 9165 “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act” was filed at Catbalogan City Prosecutor’s Office thru Inquest Proceeding docketed under NPS Nr. VIII-08-INQ-20H-00101, NPS Nr. VIII-08-INQ-20H 00102 and NPS Nr. VIII-08-INQ-20H-00103.

Personnel of Daram Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PMaj Zaldy A Cagampang, Officer In-Charge, nabbed 1 other wanted person for violation of Sec. 90 of R.A. 8550; while 2 fishermen were also nabbed for violation of Sec. 64 (Use of Active Gear) of Municipal Ordinance No. 19 series of 2017, who were then released after paying the corresponding penalty.

Personnel of Jiabong Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PLt Roy O Agbon, Officer In-Charge, nabbed 1 other wanted person for the crime of Theft; while 5 fishermen were also nabbed for violation of Sec. 74 (Use of Air Compressor) and Sec. 78 (Unauthorized Fishing) of Municipal Ordinance No. 48, series of 2019.

Personnel of San Jorge Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PCpt Michael Ray G Cañete, Acting Chief of Police, nabbed 1 other wanted person for violation of Sec. 5 of R.A. 9262; while 1 illegal drug personality was also nabbed during buy-bust operation wherein confiscated from the suspect were 8 pieces of heat-sealed plastic sachets of shabu weighing 0.17 grams and a case for violation of Sec. 5 and Sec. 11 of Article II of R.A. 9165 “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act” was filed thru Inquest Proceeding before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, Calbayog Sub-Office, Calbayog City, Samar docketed under NPS Nr. VIII-09d-INQ-20H-00163 and NPS Nr. VIII-09d-INQ-20H-00164.

Personnel of Talalora Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PLt Lorenzo Louie T Cardoza, Officer In-Charge, nabbed 1 fisherman for violation of Sec. 20 (Use of Active Gear) of Municipal Fishery Ordinance No. 1-2019-58 series of 2019, who was then released after paying the corresponding penalty.

With these accomplishments, Samar Police Provincial Office under the lead of its Provincial Director PCol Andre P Dizon lauds and appreciates the dedication of his personnel in doing its utmost part of safeguarding the welfare of the public through intensified campaign against criminalities and illegalities within the AOR.

PCol Dizon emphasized, “Let us all be vigilant and proactive at all times so that peace and order will continuously be attained in the community and that all criminal and law offenders will be dealt with accordingly, and with the help of the people from the community in giving vital information in solving crimes and arresting wanted persons.”

Inflation rate in EV increases to 1.7% in July 2020

By PSA-8
August 18, 2020

TACLOBAN CITY – Inflation Rate (IR) in Eastern Visayas increased to 1.7 percent in July 2020. This IR is 0.6 percentage point higher compared with the 1.1 percent IR in June 2020. This is also 0.2 percentage point higher than the recorded 1.5 percent IR in the same period last year.

The regional IR is 1.0 percentage point higher than the 2.7 percent national average inflation rate in July 2020.

All provinces registered higher inflation rates in July 2020 compared with their figures in June 2020, except for Eastern Samar, which recorded a 0.2 percentage point decrease from its inflation rate a month ago. Its IR eased down to 0.9 percent in July 2020 from 1.1 percent in June 2020.

Meanwhile, Biliran recorded the highest growth of 2.3 percentage points to 0.8 percent IR recorded in July 2020 from 1.5 percent deflation in June 2020. The rest of the provinces registered increases ranging from 0.1 percentage point to 0.8 percentage point. Northern Samar posted the highest IR at 4.9 percent. Leyte, meanwhile, recorded the lowest IR during the month in review at 0.7 percent.

Majority of the 11 commodity groups in the region exhibited lower IRs in July 2020 compared with their rates in June 2020. However, these were offset by the higher IRs recorded in three (3) other commodity groups, which resulted to 0.6 percentage point increase in the overall IR of the region in July 2020.

Education commodity group registered the biggest decline of 2.0 percentage points to zero inflation rate in July 2020 from 2.0 percent IR in June 2020.

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco commodity group declined by 1.0 percentage point to 7.7 percent in July 2020 from 8.7 percent in June 2020. This can be attributed to the 2.1 percentage points and 0.3 percentage point decreases in the indices for alcoholic beverages (3.0 percent) and tobacco (10.6 percent), respectively.

The commodity group of restaurants and miscellaneous goods and services went down by 0.5 percentage point, from 4.2 percent IR in June 2020 to 3.7 percent IR in July 2020. This can be traced to the 1.5 percentage points and 0.4 percentage point decreases in the indices for catering services (5.9 percent) and personal effects not elsewhere classified (1.1 percent), respectively.

Communications commodity group eased down by 0.4 percentage point to 1.7 percent deflation in July 2020 from 1.3 percent deflation in June 2020.

Compared with the June 2020 level, the IRs for the commodity groups of recreation and culture (1.1 percent); furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house (2.5 percent); and health (0.7 percent) were lower by0.3 percentage point, 0.2 percentage point and 0.1 percentage point, respectively.

On the other hand, transport commodity group registered the biggest increase of 2.5 percentage points to 1.0 percent deflation in July 2020 from 3.5 percent deflation in June 2020. This was brought about by the lower deflations recorded in both operation of personal transport equipment (3.0 percent) and transport services (1.0 percent) indices in July 2020.

The IR of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels commodity group rose to 1.0 percent in July 2020, higher by 2.1 percentage points compared with its 1.1 percent deflation a month ago.

The IR of the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages commodity group inched up slightly by 0.3 percentage point to 1.8 percent in July 2020 from 1.5 percent IR in June 2020. Higher IRs were noted in majority of the items under this commodity group. Vegetables index registered the highest increase of 1.8 percentage points, posting 6.4 percent IR in July 2020 from 4.6 percent IR in June 2020. Rice and bread and cereals indices continued to register deflations but at slower rates of 2.6 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively. Double digit IR was still noted in fruits index during the month in review but at a lower rate of 14.8 percent. Meat index, meanwhile, registered 0.2 percent deflation in July 2020 from 1.1 percent IR in June 2020.

IR for clothing and footwear commodity group retained its previous month’s IR at 3.0 percent.

The Purchasing Power of Peso (PPP) of the region remained at P0.79 in July 2020. This PPP implies that the goods and services worth P79.00 in 2012 is worth P100.00 in July 2020.

Samar’s PPP weakened by P0.01 while the rest of the provinces sustained their PPP last month. Biliran recorded the strongest PPP at P0.83. Leyte ranked second at P0.81, followed by Southern Leyte at P0.80, Eastern Samar at P0.78 and Samar at P0.74. Northern Samar posted the weakest PPP at P0.73.

Army neutralizes NPA member, 2 soldiers wounded in Eastern Samar

By DPAO, 8ID PA
August 18, 2020

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan Samar – A member of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed when government troops encountered a group of Communist NPA Terrorists (CNT) in Brgy. Aroganga, Dolores, Eastern Samar at about 1:30 AM Sunday, August 16, 2020.

The troops of the 78th Infantry Battalion, acting on information from concerned residents, conducted security patrol, which resulted to a five-minute firefight against about 20 CNTs, who were planting an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) when the military forces arrived.

This resulted to the death of one Dino Dabila, 25 years old and a resident of Brgy Cagtabon, Dolores, Eastern Samar. His body was recovered at the encounter site by joint police and army troops assisted by barangay officials. Two soldiers were wounded in the said incident.

Government troops recovered an IED at the encounter site, while a hand grenade was recovered from the body of Dabila.

Brig. Gen. Camilo Ligayo, 8O1st Infantry Brigade Commander said, "The death of another Filipino is a waste of life. We condemn the NPA for luring people into their fake revolution and planting bombs that indiscriminately kill or injure even civilians."

"We express our sadness and sympathize with the family of Dino Dabila. We hold the NPA accountable for the death of another fellow Filipino,” BGen Ligayo added. “We fully commit to continue to serve our people and protect our communities from the terroristic plans of CNTs,” the general said.

Lt. Col. Oliver Alvior, Battalion Commander of the 78th Infantry Battalion said, "We are grateful and we salute the concerned individuals who were brave enough to inform our troops about the planting of IED by the NPA terrorists.”

A local resident who refused to be identified for fear of reprisal from the NPA said in vernacular, "The planting of IED by the NPA is dangerous and they (NPA) must stop it because there had been many incidents here wherein innocent civilians were killed just like what happened in Borongan."

It may be recalled that a policeman and an elderly woman were killed, while three minors, including an infant, were injured by a roadside bomb planted by NPA terrorists in Borongan City, Eastern Samar last December 13, 2019.

Several IEDs planted by the NPA targeting frontliners during the COVID-19 crisis were also recovered by government troops in Samar Island.

Numerous soldiers, policemen and civilians who were either killed or wounded due to IEDs exploded by NPA terrorists were recorded in the past years.

Resource Center on Peace and Resilience opens in Eastern Visayas

Press Release
August 14, 2020

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Region 8 opened its Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) on August 12, 2020 with a special highlight on Peace and Resilience and related issues.

Regional Director Karl Caesar R. Rimando acknowledged the contributions of the different field offices and regional office divisions in populating the resource center. He added that with the establishment of the DILG LGRRC located at the Peace and Resilience Center inside the DILG Regional Office compound, students and other researchers can get data on resiliency and related concerns, as well as on peace and development studies. He vowed to make the LGRRC visible and fully functional so that it will be useful for everyone. He ended by exhorting greater cooperation, stressing his mantra, “Together, Everyone Achieves More”.

DILG Undersecretary Marivel C. Sacendoncillo, the guest speaker and a former Regional Director of DILG 8, said she probably was the happiest person in the gathering. She traced back to 2005 when the Local Government Academy of which she was then Executive Director, conceptualized on how to expand the reach of the LGA through LGUs.

She said LGRRC is an attempt to harmonize what the agency does, and to galvanize the Department as a catalyst for LGUs. The LGRRC which began as a small idea is now sprouting all over the country. She challenged DILG Region 8 to cultivate the knowledge management center with a special focus on peace and resilience as a platform. This is due to the region’s being vulnerable to both natural hazards and a communist insurgency. She said Samar is still experiencing many incidents that make peace and order a major challenge. On the other hand COVID is another major disaster that presents everybody a great test.

“Due to this unique situation, DILG 8 has a great opportunity to make the center thrive and serve the entire country. I envision the center to serve not just the Philippines but even other ASEAN countries as they face the same challenges, but do not have a knowledge center dedicated to these topics. Region 8 can set the example for other regions. Congratulations to RD Rimando for initiating this!” she said.

Further acknowledging that knowledge management is basically communicating ideas, she thanked allies like PIA Regional Director Erlinda Olivia Tiu, who was a special guest. She proposed to further strengthen the agency’s Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Council (MSAC), as the task of capacity development and Knowledge Management cannot be done by DILG solely.

After the inauguration, Usec. Sacendoncillo, RD Rimando, PIA RD Tiu and DILG8 ARD Atty. Darwin Bibar led the inspection of the showcase booths of knowledge products which were contributed by DILG provincial offices and the two key cities in the region.

The booth of Northern Samar entitled, “An Balangay Pakadto sa Kamurayaw ngan Kauswagan” (Balangay Towards Peace and Development) features the initiatives of the Provincial Development Council and the Provincial Peace and Order Council, in addition to its popular tourist attractions. The exhibit presents the Joint PDC and PPOC resolution condemning the CPP-NPA-NDF as Persona Non Grata, as well as the various lines of efforts and champions in the implementation of Executive Order 70. These included pictorial reports on the implementation of Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP), Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA), and Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). Also featured were the activities of the “Darangpan” or Home for Social Integration, as well as that of the Nagkaisang Nortehanon Agricultural Corporation.

On the other hand Eastern Samar highlighted its booth on “Bakdaw Sinirangan” (Rise Up, East). It showcased the socio-demographic profile, criminality situation, status of implementation of the LTIA and ECLIP, ELCAC Task Force resolutions, petitions in support of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (RA 11479), the declaration of the CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata, and pictorial reports of PPOC meetings and the ADAC Performance Award received by Mayor Amado Candido of the municipality of Hernani.

The province of Samar featured “Pagka-Sinabtanay ngan Pagbinurubilgay, Pitad Ngadto hin Ungod nga Kamurayaw” or Unity and Cooperation: Steps Toward True Peace”, which included knowledge products of the 12 RTF-ELCAC clusters as well as delicacies of the province and native woven products known as “Lara”.

Tacloban City meanwhile termed its booth as “Mabaskog ngan Maanyag nga Tacloban” (Resilient and Vibrant Tacloban) citing its ability to bounce back despite its vulnerabilities, such as after Supertyphoon Yolanda/Haiyan in 2013, the booming of jobs, reengineering of projects for climate change. Its pictorials featured the Basic Emergency Response Trainings in 2020, Evacuation Drills, Trainings on First Aid, Listong Pamayanan, as well as its key landmarks. The booth likewise featured Publications about Yolanda/Haiyan in 2013 as well as the Institutionalization of Guides to Action Against COVID-19, and COVID hotlines in Tacloban.

Southern Leyte’s booth was entitled, “Inaampingan Kina-iyahan, Lig-ong Katawhan”, translated as ”Conservation and protection of the environment breeds community resilience”. The booth showcases the province’s resilience against natural disasters such as the landslide in Barangay Guinsaugon, St. Bernard town on February 17, 2006 which buried an entire village and caused the transfer of the community of surviving inhabitants, as well as its efforts to protect against climate change, environmental neglect, extinction of wildlife other natural calamities, and against COVID-19. The province likewise highlighted the native handicrafts, trinkets made of shell, sand, nito, coconut shells from Maasin City and eco-friendly but stylish “bayong” or bags made of buli, nito and uway from the municipality of St. Bernard.

Biliran underscored the theme “Convergence for Resiliency” to effectively manage scarce resource for the island province which receives Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) much smaller than others. It featured initiatives on resilience and collaboration by LGU. The provincial government highlighted its distribution of fresh fruits and live or dressed chicken to front-liners to help local farmers and livestock owners. The island town of Maripipi featured the “pintakasi” by residents of Barangays Danao and Agutay to temporarily repair the road washed out by Typhoon Ursula in 2019. On the other hand the municipality of Almeria featured the continued blood-letting campaign in the time of COVID, while the capital town of Naval underscored the 24/7 efforts of the Naval Rescue Unit which is often tapped to respond to emergencies in other LGUs owing to its state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained staff. The towns of Biliran, Cabucgayan and Kawayan emphasized the actions of their MDRRMCs to prepare and respond to natural calamities. The town of Culaba tapped schools to develop the potential for community resilience through the School-based DRRM Olympics, while the town of Caibiran featured a story of how the LGU assisted a mother who had given birth on the way to the RHU at the height of Typhoon Ursula in 2019.

The province of Leyte on the other hand featured pictorials on the Recovery Assistance on Yolanda, COVID Response, publications on resilience after Yolanda, as well as livelihood and community resilience programs that helped produce native products such as abaca and delicacies. The province likewise highlighted its comprehensive program against COVID 19 which included preparatory meetings, conduct of Rapid Diagnostic Testing, Disinfection, Consultation and Medication, Training and Monitoring and strict Management of Isolation facilities.

The independent component city of Ormoc meanwhile featured its multi-pronged approach for resilience. It invested in Infra Development to spur future growth by partnering with NGOs to build disaster-resilient infrastructure and urban design. The city has been recognized with the Concrete Ideas Award and the Top Model Cities in the Philippine Award. It is the first city in the country to complete the city-wide development of Light Emitting Diode (LED) streetlights by upgrading 1,641 street lights to energy-efficient light bulbs. It has likewise strengthened its DRR capabilities, focused on forging partnerships and embracing e-governance. Initiatives highlighted included the JICA Flood Mitigation Project, Bayanihan donation drive against COVID, Safe Ormoc Web application against COVID-19, In-House ICT equipment, My Ormoc City application, conduct of Online Virtual Psychosocial support, Online BPLS payments and the use of Geographic Information System for DRR as early as 1999.

At the end of the activity, Usec. Sacendoncillo and RD Rimando led the presentation of plaques of appreciation to the field offices for their display of resourcefulness and creativity. Aside from the six provincial directors and their respective cluster heads, as well as the city director of Tacloban and CLGOO of Ormoc, also present were the division chiefs, assistant chiefs and key unit heads of the DILG-8 Regional Office.

The DILG field offices showed different initiatives to promote peace and resilience, which is hoped to inspire other LGUs in similar circumstances to do likewise. The LGRRC is the DILG’s facility to improve the performance of LGUs through knowledge management, convergence and collaboration.

DTI MIMAROPA-assisted farmers receive grant from international IP organization

By DTI-Regional Operations Group
August 14, 2020

MAKATI CITY – Uraro Farmers of Gasan from Marinduque has been selected as one of the three beneficiaries of the 2021 IP Sharing Project fund assistance granted by the Korea Invention Promotion Association (KIPA), besting other proposals from 12 other countries.

The Korea Invention Promotion Association (KIPA) is a global IP public institution that promotes creativity and enhances the value of invention. The IP Sharing Project aims to solve everyday problems using patent information with the appropriate technology. With Korea's experience and know-how in utilizing IP to boost economic growth, KIPA hopes to help developing countries with their IP capabilities.

In 2017, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – MIMAROPA submitted 5 proposals to the 2021 IP Sharing Project of the KIPA, for possible funding. The project received 49 proposals from 12 countries, wherein three of the 5 submitted proposals of DTI MIMAROPA qualified during the pre-selection process. Besides Uraro Farmers of Gasan of Marinduque (Uraro Cookies), the other two pre-selected MSMEs were the Matulatula Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative of Oriental Mindoro (Calamansi Concentrate), and Pakyas Association of Rural Improvement Club of Oriental Mindoro (Calamansi Concentrate).

Last February 12-14, Mr. Clark Son of KIPA and Mr. Youngtae Kim of Kumoh National University were accompanied by DTI MIMAROPA to visit and conduct feasibility study on the 3 qualified MSMEs. During the visit, the MSMEs shared information about their company, operations, and products offered, as well as problems they encounter in production. KIPA, on the other hand, further discussed ways on how to fill gaps in production, through the provision of adequate and efficient machineries. After the interview, they have also scouted capable local manufacturers and fabricators in the area for the proposed provision of machines.

After three months of thorough validation and evaluation, only three proposals from three different countries, including the Uraro Farmers of Gasan, were selected by KIPA for the funding assistance. The machines are expected to arrive in 2021.

Samar cops nab 12 wanted persons and 38 other offenders

By Samar PPO
August 12, 2020

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – Samar Police Provincial Office (SPPO) under the leadership of PCol Andre Perez Dizon, Provincial Director, arrested 5 Most Wanted Persons listed as Rank Nr. 1 of City Level, Rank Nrs. 3, 4 and 8 of Municipal Level, Rank No. 8 of Provincial Level and 7 other wanted persons; 1 illegal drug personality; 27 illegal fishers; 9 illegal gamblers; and 1 illegal logger during a 7-day continuous and province-wide police operations from August 3-10, 2020.

Personnel of Calbayog City Police Station under the leadership of PLtCol Sam S Andarino, Officer In-Charge nabbed 1 MWP listed as Rank No. 1 of City Level for the crime of Rape; 1 illegal drug personality was also nabbed during buy bust operation wherein confiscated from the suspect were 7 pieces heat-sealed plastic sachets of shabu weighing 0.3892 grams and Php 500.00 used as marked money and a case for violation of Sec. 5 and Sec. 11 of Article II of R.A. 9165 “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act” was filed before the City Prosecutors Office, Calbayog City under Assistant City Prosecutor Ferdinand S. Arpon thru Inquest Proceeding docketed under NPS Nr. VIII-10-INQ-20H-00143; while 6 illegal fishers were likewise nabbed for violation of Sec. 41 (Use of Active Gear) of City Ordinance No. 2003-16-030, who were then released after paying the corresponding penalty.

Personnel of Catbalogan City Police Station under the leadership of PLtCol Edwin F Barbosa, Chief of Police, nabbed 2 other wanted persons for the crime of Theft.

Personnel of Basey Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PMaj Michael N Oraller, Officer In-Charge, nabbed 2 other wanted persons for violation of P.D. 1602 (Illegal Gambling) while 9 illegal gamblers were also nabbed engaging in Tupada and a case of PD 1602 also known as Illegal Gambling (Cockfighting) was filed against the suspects at Municipal Trial Court, Basey, Samar with Criminal Case No. 08-2020-10113 thru direct filing before Hon. Nonieto A Delantar, MTC Judge.

Personnel of Calbiga Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PCpt Bobby B Montaño, Officer-In-Charge, nabbed 1 MWP listed as Rank No. 4 of Municipal Level for the crime of Murder; 1 illegal logger was also nabbed and a case of P.D. 705 (Forestry Reform Code Of The Philippines) was filed at the Office of Assistant Provincial Prosecutor, Calbiga, Samar, thru direct filing docketed under NPS No. VIII-09a-INV-20H-00014; while 1 illegal fisher was likewise nabbed for violation of Municipal Fishery Ordinance No. 4, Article 3, Sec. 30, 31, & 32 series of 2015.

Personnel of Daram Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PMaj Zaldy A Cagampang, Officer-In-Charge, nabbed 1 other wanted person for 2 cases for violation of P.D. 1602 while 2 illegal fishers were nabbed for violation of Sec. 64 (Use of Active Gear) of Municipal Fishery Ordinance No. 19 series of 2017, who were then released after paying the corresponding penalty.

Personnel of Gandara Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PCpt Joselito T Tabada, Acting Chief of Police, nabbed 1 MWP listed as Rank No. 8 of Provincial Level for the crimes of 2 Murder and 1 Homicide.

Personnel of Jiabong Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PLt Roy O Agbon, Officer-In-Charge, nabbed 5 illegal fishers for violation of Sec. 39 (Unauthorized Fishing), Sec. 44 (Use of Fine Mesh Ne), Sec. 45 (Use of Active Gear) & Sec. 55 (Unlicensed Fisherfolks) of Municipal Fishery Ordinance No. 48, series of 2019, who were then released after paying the corresponding penalty.

Personnel of Matuguinao Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PLt Joan G Brozas, Acting Chief of Police, nabbed 1 MWP listed as Rank No. 8 of Municipal Level for violation of Sec. 28 par (a) in relation to par (e) sub par (1) of R.A. 10591 and 2 cases of Frustrated Murder.

Personnel of Pinabacdao Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PLt Jay F Ilagan, Officer-In-Charge, nabbed 9 illegal fishers for violation of Sec. 29 (Unauthorized Fishing) of Municipal Fishery Ordinance No. 01, series of 2007, who were then released after paying the corresponding penalty.

Personnel of San Jorge Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PCpt Michael Ray G Cañete, Acting Chief of Police, nabbed 1 other wanted person for the crime of Homicide.

Personnel of San Sebastian Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PLt Aldrin C Lugnasin, Officer-In-Charge, nabbed 1 illegal fisher wherein a case for Violation of Sec. 95 (Use of Active Gear) of R.A. 8550 (The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998) was filed against the suspect thru Inquest Proceedings at Office of the Provincial Prosecutor Bulwagan ng Katarungan.

Personnel of Talalora Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PLt Lorenzo Louie T Cardoza, Officer-In-Charge, nabbed 2 illegal fishers for violation of Sec. 20 (Use of Active Gear) of Municipal Fishery Ordinance No. 1-2019-58 series of 2019, who was then released after paying the corresponding penalty.

Personnel of Tarangnan Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PCpt Constantino C Jabonete Jr, Chief of Police, nabbed 1 other wanted person for the crime of Rape in relation to R.A. 7610.

Personnel of Zumarraga Municipal Police Station under the leadership of PLt Renato P Gerona, Officer-In-Charge, nabbed 1 MWP listed as Rank No. 8 of Municipal Level for the crime of Attempted Murder.