PSA turns over 2022 CBMS data to the local government of the municipality of Pintuyan, Southern Leyte

By PSA-8
August 30, 2023

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority -Regional Statistical Services Office VIII (RSSO 08) and its Provincial Statistical Office (PSO) -Southern Leyte, turned over today the 2022 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) results to the Local Government of the Municipality of Pintuyan, Southern Leyte. The Data Turnover Ceremony (DTC) marks a significant milestone for the municipality.

National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Claire Dennis S. Mapa, in his recorded message thanked the LGU for its full support in the CBMS implementation. He also emphasized the relevance of the CBMS results in their program formulation, particularly those that were geared toward alleviating the poverty situation of its populace. He encouraged the local officials to turn data into meaningful action and make CBMS an integral part of their governance framework.

PSA RSSO 8 Regional Director Wilma A. Perante in her opening message commended the Municipality of Pintuyan for covering all barangays in the CBMS implementation. Pintuyan is the 3rd municipality in the province to conduct the 2022 CBM DTC. She also mentioned that with the CBMS updated and disaggregated data up to the barangay level is now available as basis in the design of appropriate programs and projects for the populace. Director Perante also took the opportunity to thank the enumerators, processors, supervisors and barangay officials who all contributed to the success of CBMS.

Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Ms. Imelda Jarabe of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, who also graced the activity, recognized the relevance of CBMS specially in the upcoming Barangay Development Planning Formulation activity. Recognizing its importance two of their staff were assigned as CBMS focal persons.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Provincial Director Rey Noel R. Collera in his recorded message reaffirmed its commitment in the CBMS implementation. He emphasized that with the shared vision of becoming a data driven community, the voice of the constituents will be amplified and be given appropriate action. Data from CBMS will serve as catalyst of change if the responsibility and challenges of CBMS are embraced by the community and its officials for the well- being of everyone.

PSA RSSO 8 Chief Statistical Specialist Mae R. Almonte presented the 2022 CBMS highlights for the Municipality of Pintuyan on the following: basic services such as access to electricity, internet, main sources of water, service level of toilet facility, households’ perception on safety when walking alone in the community, household food insecurity experience in the past 12 months socio-demographic characteristics, education, reasons for not continuing school, education facilities, labor force and employment, barangay health facilities, housing units characteristics and disaster preparedness.

Pintuyan Municipal Mayor Ricarte Amper Estrella and his local officials symbolically accepted the CBMS data. In his message he thanked PSA for the successful conduct of CBMS in their municipality. With the results, the municipality is now guided as to where to focus its programs specially the vulnerable sector of the community.

Ms. Moncher A. Bardos, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator (MPDC) of Pintuyan, shared the plans and programs that will utilize and ensure the security of CBMS data, to wit: formulation of programs for social protection, health services, economics, disaster risk reduction program, preparation of Comprehensive Land Used Plan (CLUP), Barangay Development Planning Workshop and other plans required of the municipality.

Further, Pintuyan Municipal Civil Registrar Lolito B. Aboy together with Mayor Estrella and PSA Regional Director Perante awarded the Certificates of Livebirth in Security Paper (SECPA) to PhilSys Birth Registration Assistance Project (PBRAP) beneficiaries. It was noted that one of the beneficiaries is aged 102 years old. The beneficiaries and local officials expressed their gratitude for this program of PSA.

In closing, Chief Statistical Specialist of PSO Leyte Eutemio Llevado, Jr. thanked everyone for the support which contributed to the success of CBMS implementation in the province. Supervising Statistical Specialist Elissa P. Carbonilla described the LGU’s CBMS journey as smooth and successful even though there were bumps along the way. The success was made possible because of the strong support and cooperation of all the local officials of the municipality.

CBMS is an organized technology-based system of collecting, processing and validating necessary disaggregated data that may be used for local planning, program implementation, and impact monitoring while empowering communities to participate the process. It involves the generation of data at the local level, which serves as basis in targeting households for government programs geared towards poverty alleviation and economic development.

Rural Missionaries of Philippines: Can we get back to our ministries?

Press Release
August 30, 2023

QUEZON CITY – For more than two years, the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines is unable to access their funds in the bank and use them for their mission activities. Fifteen bank accounts in total -- four of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) and eleven of the RMP-Northern Mindanao -- are currently subject of a civil forfeiture case pursued by the government, that wrongfully alleged that these funds are being used for terrorism financing. Today begins the presentation of the RMP for its defense on the case being heard by the Executive Judge of Manila, who is concurrently the presiding judge of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18, Carolina C. Icasiano-Sison.

“These trumped-up charges have been difficult to bear for us rural missionaries. Our hearts are committed to service with the poor. These false charges by the National Investigation Coordinating Agency (NICA) have been a significant burden for us. We long to enjoy the freedom to help the most marginalized and under-served farmers, farmworkers, indigenous peoples, and fisherfolk,” said the Rural Missionaries of of the Philippines Leadership Team.

“Many communities rely on the accompaniment and development services of the RMP. From peasants in the mountains of Negros to fisherfolk on the shores of Rizal, rural missionaries have been integral in helping many marginalized communities. The poor are the ones suffering the most from the attacks on RMP,” said Fernando Hicap of Pamalakaya-Pilipinas.

“Don’t they know that Rural Missionaries are trying to address the roots of armed conflict in rural areas? The Rural Missionaries were at the forefront of rural health programs. Three Catholic nuns of RMP founded the Community-Based Health Program in 1973. RMP priests, nuns, and lay missionaries are some of the most selfless and noble persons you can meet. It is ridiculous to accuse them of financing or supporting terrorism,” said Dr. Leni Jara of the Council for Health and Development.

The national office of the RMP, aided by their legal team, will present its defense over the next weeks in order to prove that funds from projects have been used properly and audited closely, and that none of these were used by either RMP or RMP-NMR to help or finance terrorism.

“Today is the first time that we begin to present the evidence in our defense. We have been maliciously accused for several years already. Our ministry as Rural Missionaries is simple and straightforward - we are missionaries who help. These fabricated charges deny the poorest of our ministries and deny us our freedom to help the rural poor,” added the RMP Leadership Team.

“The State, with its counter-insurgency program through the ‘whole of nation approach’ and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), is using terrorism legislation to attempt to persecute and falsely label progressive organizations as supporters of terrorism, thus, vilifying them and denying human rights and civil liberties. The false allegations against RMP are one of the ‘test cases’ for this new type of malicious attack,” said Cristina Palabay of Karapatan.

Supporters gathered in vigil outside the Manila RTC, ringing bells to illustrate that the evidence against RMP is fabricated. Vowing to let truth and freedom ring, Church people and leaders from people’s organizations who had partnered with RMP through the years delivered messages of support and appreciation for the 54 years that RMP has served the Filipino people.

“We hold on with cast-iron certainty that God is with us. God’s mission serves His most loved creatures who are on the margins of our society. Stand by us and let our God-given fighting spirit, talent and mission to serve the least of our sisters and brothers be offered back to God. We cannot but be faithful to our prophetic mission for God and His people,” said the RMP Leadership team.

PSA joins first and biggest Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in Naval, Biliran

By PSA-8
August 28, 2023

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) led by Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa joined in the first and biggest delivery of government services tagged “Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair” held in Biliran Province State University, Main Campus, Naval, Biliran on 26-27 August 2023.

The PSA was among the 33 various national government agencies that responded to the call to offer their services for this momentous event. Ms. Wilma A. Perante, Regional Director of PSA Regional Statistical Services Office (RSSO) VIII shared that PSA set up the PhilSys Registration Service Area, mobile acceptance of requests for civil registry documents, and awarded Birth Certificates in Security Paper under the PhilSys Birth Registration Assistance Project (PBRAP).

House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative, Hon. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Tingog Party List Representative Hon. Jude A. Acidre, Congressman Gerardo J. Espina Jr. and Governor Gerard Roger M. Espina assisted by Usec Mapa, personally awarded birth certificates in Sec Pa copy to 383 selected beneficiaries of PBRAP, which now can give them their chance to avail their PhilSys ID and have access to various social benefits.

Targeting the poorest of the poor, the PBRAP was implemented in the country to ensure that all births of Filipinos are registered in the Local Civil Registry Offices and that they will be enrolled with PhilSys National Identification System specially in marginalized communities such as those belonging to the Indigenous People and Muslim Filipinos.

Congressman Romualdez shared that Biliran is very lucky to be chosen by His Excellency President Ferdinand E. Marcos to be the first recipient of the P80 million worth of assistance that will be awarded during this two-day Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair. According to Biliran Congressman Gerardo J. Espina, Jr., there are about 26,000 beneficiaries from the province in this new campaign strategy of the Marcos Administration to bring government services closer to the people. Top officials of government agencies, local officials and the general public converged for this inspiring event.

Samar farmers visit Leyte farm

By SARAH JANE ALVAREZ, DAR-Samar
August 27, 2023

SAN JORGE, Samar – Twenty-four farmer-members of an agrarian reform beneficiaries organization (ARBO) from this town visited the Villaconzoilo Farm in Jaro, Leyte on August 18, 2023 for their benchmarking activity.

The educational tour of Buenavista Integrated Farmers Association (BIFA) is part of the learning sessions under Farm Business School (FBS) being conducted by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to teach the participants the process of benchmarking.

According to Din Jeruel Pagliawan, DAR Samar Provincial Office’s FBS alternate point person and one of the resource speakers, “The conduct of benchmarking is crucial as it enables the participants to compare and observe the performance of a successful farm and learn how to apply the different practices to their own farms.” “We chose Villaconzoilo Farm for this activity because it offered various commodities wherein our agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) can acquire knowledge and techniques on production not limited to vegetables alone,” said Pagliawan.

The participants were toured around the farm exposing them to organic fertilizer production, beekeeping, herbs, horticulture, greenhouse nursery, and poultry raising.

One of the participants, Jolito Verzoza, 63, said they learned a lot from that benchmarking activity. He stressed that they learned more about farming techniques including livestock raising. “We will share these learnings with the other members of our organization during our weekly and monthly meetings,” Verzoza added.

Buenavista Integrated Farmers Association (BIFA), based in Barangay Buenavista-I is some six kilometers away from the town proper, has 35 members, most of them are ARBs, according to Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO), Ricardo Flor.

Farm Business School (FBS) is one of the training programs extended by the DAR to ARBOs to educate them of timely and appropriate marketing strategies for them to become entrepreneurs.

Buenavista Integrated Farmers Association (BIFA) started their FBS in March this year and will have their graduation at the end of this month.

Three MPBs built in barangays of Calbayog City

By FLORSELISSA A. JUSAYAN
August 26, 2023

CALBAYOG CITY – According to the Department of Public Works and Highways Samar First DEO, the construction of three (3) multipurpose buildings in the First District of Samar has already been completed. The total revised contract amount was P14.57 million, funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2022.

Two (2) of the structures are two-storey barangay halls in Brgy Obrero and Brgy Obo-ob (P4.95 million and P4.89 million, respectively). Both buildings have PWD ramp with safety rails, restrooms, and an open-plan area that will be used for future workstations. The MPB will serve as the office of the barangay officers as well as a meeting space for the Sangguniang Barangay.

Furthermore, a P4.72 million-MPB was constructed in Brgy Dawo to serve as a community covered court. Within a 315 square-meter structure are lamp lights, long span roofing, and concrete flooring. This building will provide a more favorable and comfortable location for social and community events for residents. Furthermore, this will be used for community education, sports, and other recreational activities.

Calbayog Airport by-pass road commences second phase

By GISSELLE G. PARUNGAO
August 24, 2023

CALBAYOG CITY – Second phase in the construction of Calbayog Airport by-pass road is now underway with a contract amount of P69.12 million taken from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for FY 2023 said Samar First DEO.

This road is built in addition to its initial road construction (phase I) which will span 0.761 lane km. and width of 6.7 meters. It will also include a stone masonry of 547.50 linear meters in length and 30 solar LED lights that will be installed along the road.

This multi-year project of constructing the said by-pass and diversion road started in 2022 and is targeted to be completed by 2025 which will serve as the main road to divert traffic congestion once the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) decides to close part of the Daang Maharlika to accommodate their expansion.

NMP nabs "Outstanding e-NGAs User Entity Award"

By National Maritime Polytechnic
August 24, 2023

TACLOBAN CITY – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) has earned the prestigious "Outstanding e-NGAs User Entity Award" from the Government Financial Management Innovators Circle (GFMIC, Inc.). This esteemed accolade was presented during the Joint 14th Annual Convention and 2023 Membership Conference with the theme "Advocating Green and Sustainable Public Financial Management Reforms,” held on 23 August 2023 at the Summit Ridge Tagaytay in Tagaytay City.

NMP's remarkable use of the Electronic New Government Accounting System (e-NGAs) received recognition for its commitment to transparency and the timely submission of financial statements and other reports for FY 2022, as mandated by the Commission on Audit (COA).

In her acceptance speech, NMP OIC Executive Director Ms. Mayla N. Macadawan emphasized the significance of NMP's financial transparency efforts. "This award underscores our unwavering dedication to modern financial tools that enhance transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in our financial operations. We are committed to promoting green and sustainable financial management practices for the betterment of our institution and the stakeholders we serve," she remarked.

The event celebrated NMP's excellence in financial management and its contribution to broader government financial management reforms with a focus on green and sustainable practices. By leveraging e-NGAs, NMP has not only improved the efficiency of its financial processes but has also set a benchmark for transparent and accountable financial practices for the public.

The ceremony was also attended by NMP Accountant, Ms. Jessa Kelly M. Padilla, and NMP Computer Programmer II, Mr. Daniel Jarydd S. Cinco.

NMP expresses its gratitude to GFMIC, Inc. for this prestigious recognition and reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of financial management and transparency.

SFDEO implements two farm-to-market roads

By GISSELLE G. PARUNGAO
August 24, 2023

CALBAYOG CITY – Samar First District Engineering Office will implement two Farm-to-Market Roads (FMRs) in convergence with the Department of Agriculture with a total contract amount of P22.56 million.

One of the FMR project is the concreting of Brgy. San Jose to Barangay Langoyon in Calbayog City. This will span 0.4 km of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) with a 6.1-meter width. It has a contract amount of P12.75 million.

On the other hand, another concreting will be constructed with a legth of 0.165 km and width of 6.1 meters of PCCP in Barangay Quezon to Barangay San Isidro. This has a contract amount of P9.81 million.

Farmers from said barangays can gain better prices and broader reach for their products once these projects are completed. The constructed roads will also allow farmers to travel their products such as “copra” and rootcrops to be delivered with ease to the nearest market.

“Biyahe ni Drew” features E. Samar farmers’ products

By LEMUELL SETH TONOG, DAR Eastern Samar
August 22, 2023

HERNANI, Eastern Samar – Watch out for the episode of “Biyahe ni Drew” featuring this picturesque town in the island of Samar.

Among those that will be featured in the said episode of the travel documentary show, hosted by Drew Arellano (Andrew James Arellano in real life) and aired every Sunday at 8:25 in the evening over GTV, are the canton noodles and crackers made from squash by an agrarian reform beneficiaries organization (ARBO).

Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) Glicerio Camenforte shared that while Arellano was going around the different beach locations and savouring local foods, he noticed the San Miguel Farmers Association’s (SMFA’s) squash noodles and crackers and got interested on them. Eventually, Arellano joined SMFA president, Bernardina Docong, in the process of making the ARBO’s products, said Camenforte.

Arellano shared, “Laking DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform) din po ako.” “Palagi po akong dinadala ng lolo ko sa kanyang opisina sa DAR noong sya ay nagtratrabaho pa,” he added.

SMFA was organized by the DAR in 2014, after super Typhoon Yolanda devastated many parts of Eastern Visayas, to be able to avail of various assistance. At the moment, according to Camenforte, SMFA has 50 members already who are all agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

Docong meanwhile disclosed: “In 2018, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) trained us in making squash noodles and crackers.” “It also provided us with the materials and equipment needed in the production,” she added.

This episode of “Biyahe ni Drew” will be aired either on the last week of August or early part of September this year.

RPOC-EV holds third quarter meeting at Batasang Pambansa

By DPAO, 8ID PA
August 18, 2023

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City, Samar – The Regional Peace and Order Council Eastern Visayas (RPOC-EV) body provided an overview of the current state of the region's peace and order during its third quarter meeting on August 15, 2023 held at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

The meeting was attended by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, RPOC-EV Chairperson, and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez, including Maj. Gen. Camilo Ligayo, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID), Philippine Army.

During the meeting, RPOC Chair Romualdez took the opportunity to share his firsthand observations after visiting the insurgency-affected areas in Samar Island. His insightful report shed light on the challenges faced by the region and provided valuable input for the discussions on Insurgency Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) and Peace and Order situations.

Also discussed during the meeting were the targets for the Support to the Barangay Development Program (SBDP) for FY 2024, Criminality and Peace and Order situations in Region 8, and other important topics. These discussions further emphasized the council's commitment to address pressing regional concerns and fostering development.

During his remarks, Speaker Romualdez expressed his commitment in resolving shared concerns in the region, emphasizing the importance of addressing criminality and maintaining peace and order. He acknowledged the need to tackle the underlying issues contributing to insurgency, recognizing that insights gained from these discussions would help shape future policies and decisions.

The meeting was also attended by Local Government Officials, including the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 8, headed by Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe, PBGEN Vincent S. Calanoga of the Police Regional Office 8, and Assistant Regional Director Alex M. Tablate of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The presence of these officials and other local representatives underscored the collaborative decision-making process and the collective determination to achieve a future of peace and prosperity for the region.

DAR turns Samar rice farmers’ dream into reality

By JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA
August 18, 2023

CALBIGA, Samar – “This is no longer a dream,” said Roque Pacuan, president of the Barobaybay Farmers Association (BFA), referring to the farm machineries and equipment they received as he expressed their organization’s gratitude to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for turning what they had been dreaming for into reality.

BFA is an organization of 62 rice farmers, 55 of them are agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), in remote Barangay Barobaybay in this town who had long been wanting to own farm machineries to make farming easy for them.

On Tuesday, August 8 this year, DAR officials, led by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II), Alfonso Catorce, turned over to the said farmer association P1.3 million worth of farm machineries and equipment, including hybrid seeds and organic fertilizers funded under the Major Crop-Based Block Farm Productivity of the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) program.

During the said occasion, Thelma Alfaro, chief of the Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD), explained to the members of the BFA that the document Catorce and Pacuan will be signing is a Trust Agreement.

Stipulated in the said document, Alfaro stressed that the DAR will be monitoring within six months the farm machineries and equipment provided to BFA if they are being used and managed well. If the said common service facilities (CSFs) will not be used within the said period, or used for other purpose in violation of the Trust Agreement, the DAR will pull them out and transfer to another agrarian reform beneficiaries organization (ARBO), she added.

However, if the CSFs are used and well managed, the DAR will execute a deed of donation to BFA, Alfaro said.

Alfaro disclosed that the farm machineries and equipment that were turned over to the BFA included two threshers, two turtle-type tractors, two hand tractors, two water pumps, four grass cutters, and three knapsack sprayers.

Each member will also receive a sack of hybrid seeds of rice and organic fertilizer, said Alfaro.

Catorce in his message assured BFA members, “We in DAR will continue supporting you.” He added that provision of farm machineries and equipment is part of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III’s nine primary goals.

Meanwhile, agriculturist Irlyn Marabe, who represented Mayor Red Nacario during the said occasion, also thanked the DAR. According to her, the DAR contributed much to the agricultural production of the municipality.

Marabe said, this town is now one of the high producers of rice in the province which produces an average of 4.5 tons per year.

Marabe also realized BFA’s need of a warehouse that she insinuated to the said ARBO that the local government unit can provide it. She advised the officers of the BFA to prepare a letter addressed to the mayor requesting a warehouse.

According to Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) Baltazar Anadon, about 50 hectares of riceland are being cultivated by the members of the BFA.

BOI-assisted RE firm to develop floating solar project in Laguna Lake

By DTI-Board of Investments
August 18, 2023

MAKATI CITY – Seen as a game-changing project in the Philippines, SunAsia Energy Inc., a firm assisted by the Board of Investments (BOI), will soon develop a floating solar project in Laguna Lake after signing a contract with the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA).

Notably, SunAsia Energy, Inc. is the first company to have its project designated as a strategic investment under Executive Order No. 18, "Constituting Green Lanes for Strategic Investments" from the BOI – One Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (BOI-OSACSI).

Through the BOI-OSACSI, the green lane status has been instrumental in the approval of the LLDA’s Notice of Award to SunAsia Energy, leading to the signing of the contract between the two parties.

Green lane status will speed up and streamline the process and requirements for the issuance of permits and licenses, including resolutions of issues concerning strategic investments.

BOI Director Ernesto C. Delos Reyes, Jr. of the Investment Assistance Service (IAS) along with BOI-OSACSI representatives attended the ceremonial signing of the Laguna Lake Floating Solar Projects at Dusit Thani Manila on August 8, 2023.

Director Delos Reyes, Jr. congratulated SunAsia Energy and LLDA for the floating solar project, acknowledging its huge impact on the country’s goal towards a more modern and greener economy.

“This underscores the seriousness of the government in helping investors realize their investments by removing the barriers to the entry of strategic investments. Rest assured of the whole of government support for this strategic investment which positively impacts our economy not only in terms of investments but more importantly on the jobs to be generated,” he said.

Aside from SunAsia Energy, ACEN was also awarded with renewable energy (RE) service contracts for their floating solar panel projects. Both companies are committed to provide clean and sustainable energy for consumers.

The projects are projected to generate 2.3 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy (1.3 GW from SunAsia Energy and 1 GW from ACEN).

Leading the ceremonial signing were President and CEO Tetchi Capellan of SunAsia, President John Eric Francia of ACEN (RE platform of the Ayala Group), LLDA General Manager Atty. Senando Santiago, Head of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) - Justice Rogelio Quevedo, representatives from the DTI-BOI, DOE, DENR, Provincial Government of Laguna, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Investments and Economic Affairs (OPAIEA).

LLDA GM Santiago attested to the proactive assistance of the BOI in facilitating projects identified with strategic investments. Through the BOI’s initiative, government agencies entered into EO 18 covenant towards seamless realization of strategic investments.

According to GM Santiago, the LLDA Board has identified several predetermined areas in Laguna Lake for REdevelopment. These PDAs, with a total area of 2,000 or about 2% of Laguna Lake’s total surface areas, were awarded to RE developers through public bidding.

The LLDA official thanked the proponents for the promising projects, emphasizing that “with strategic planning, we see the invisible, feel the intangible, and achieve the impossible.”

Also, the Department of Energy (DOE) expressed its support to the projects, as the agency targets 35% RE share to facilitate and increase investments in the RE sector. It commended the floating solar panel projects in Laguna Lake for a cost effective RE production without occupying land mass.