Daza chairs Northern Samar AIDS Council

By NENE A. MANZANARES (PIA Northern Samar)
November 2, 2006

CATARMAN, Northern Samar  –  To express solidarity with the rest of the world in the fight against the spread of the dreaded Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the Northern Samar Provincial Health Office in coordination with the UNICEF recently organized a Provincial AIDS Council.

“Sa South Africa, mas damo pa nga mga tawo kontra sa populasyon sa Northern Samar an nagkamatay sa sakit nga AIDS. Tikang sa pagdiscover sa sine nga sakit, maabot na 2 million an nagkamatay sin AIDS sa South Africa”. (In South Africa, the number of people who died of AIDS is greater than the population of Northern Samar.  Since its discovery, there are now 2 million who have died of AIDS in South Africa). Thus said Northern Samar governor Raul A. Daza during the organization of the Provincial AIDS Council early this month at the Ibabao Hall of the provincial capitol.

Daza said that the organization of the council is one form in preventing the spread of AIDS. He further warned that prevention efforts are very important since the cure for this dreaded disease is yet unknown.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that causes AIDS. HIV could be present in the human body for several years without showing any symptoms and thus could be easily spread to others. It primarily affects the defense mechanisms of the body making it unable to fight diseases and infections.

A person with HIV could look healthy and may not know that he has the virus. When symptoms do appear, they can be like those of many common illnesses such as swollen glands, coughing, fever or diarrhea. These symptoms could vary from those affected with the virus. Only an HIV Antibody Test can really confirm if the person concerned is affected with the disease.

So what is AIDS? It stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is a combination of signs and symptoms resulting to a deficient immune system. It is considered as a consequence of HIV infection.

HIV/AIDS is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, infected blood and blood products in a transfusion or organ transplant, sharing of needles and other injecting and skin piercing instruments and from an HIV positive mother to her baby during pregnancy, delivery and breast feeding.

HIV/AIDS can be prevented by: abstaining from sex and by avoiding pre-marital sex; maintaining a mutual monogamous relationship (avoid extra marital sex);  practicing safe sex or the use of condoms, or engaging in non-penetrative safe sex practices like hugging and kissing. Needle sharing or drug injection should be avoided. If this is really necessary, new disposable needles and syringes should be used. In case of blood transfusion, the blood sample should be tested negative for HIV and other infections.

Participated in by some twenty participants, an orientation-seminar was conducted before the council organization. “HIV 101” was discussed by provincial HIV/AIDS coordinator Clennette Ong; “Northern Samar STI/HIV/AIDS Situationer” was explained by the provincial health office AIDS coordinator Jeane Pelayo while project development officer Lilia Varela talked about the “AIDS Council Sampler: Davao City”. UEP coordinator Margarita Royandoyan presented “RA 8504 (Philippine AIDS Law).

The provincial AIDS Council is composed of Northern Samar governor Raul A. Daza as chair with provincial health officer Mary Ann Avalon as co-chair. Council members are heads of the following agencies/organizations: Philippine Information Agency (PIA), entertainment/establishments, PNP, UEP, DepEd, selected NGO, Sangguniang Panlalawigan chair on health; SP chair on Women and Family Relations, DILG, Provincial Social Welfare Development Office, Provincial Tourism Office, PLAN Philippines, TESDA, DOJ, League of Municipalities, Women for Social Development, Provincial Budget Office, Catarman Diocese, PPDO and Dance Instructors Association.

The council presently awaits an Executive Order from the Office of the Governor.

Borongan, Cabucgayan adjuged 2006 Best Sanggunian Bayans of Eastern Visayas

By MYLES JOSEPH E. COLASITO
November 2, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Borongan, Eastern Samar won as Best Sangguniang Bayan for 1st-3rd class municipalities in the region, while Cabucgayan, Biliran topped the same awards for 4th – 6th class municipalities, to cap the sixth year of the 2006 Search for the Most Outstanding Sangguniang Bayan Awards in ceremonies held at the Kanhuraw Convention Center in Tacloban City on October 27, 2006.

Borongan, Eastern Samar blocked Catarman, Northern Samar’s bid for a three-peat by topping the category for 1st to 3rd class municipalities this year.

Cabucgayan, Biliran won the title vacated by Silago, Southern Leyte, which was honored this year with the Hall of Fame Award for winning its category in three (3) consecutive years, from 2003 to 2005. 

DILG Regional Director William C. Paler, Leyte 1st District Rep. Remedios L. Petilla and Philippine Councilors League-EV Chair Wilson Uy presented the awards, which was the highlight of the PCL Regional Convention.

DILG-08 in partnership with PCL-EV Chapter launched the annual search in 2000 to give due recognition to Sangguniang Bayans that have distinguished themselves in the performance of their duties and functions.  Also involved in the search are DBM, DSWD and DA.

In his message, Director Paler announced that by virtue of DILG Memorandum Circular 2006-123, a nationwide Local Legislative Awards will be launched next year by DILG and PCL that will involve all local Sangguniang Bayans and Sangguniang Panlungsods in the country.

Director Paler likewise noted with pride that the criteria for the nationwide search are an exact takeoff of its own OSB awards.

Other regional awardees were the SBs of Abuyog, Leyte (2nd); Catarman, Northern Samar (3rd) and Catbalogan, Samar (4th) for the 1st to 3rd Class Municipalities;

SBs of Balangiga, Eastern Samar (2nd); San Juan, Southern Leyte (3rd); Inopacan, Leyte (4th); Pambujan, Northern Samar (5th); Motiong, Samar (6th) for 4th to 6th class municipalities.

The awards ceremony was the culmination of a thorough screening of top-performing Sangguniang Bayans by province and validation by an inter-agency Regional Evaluation Team headed by ARD Atty. Aida Z. Laruda of DILG.

DILG RO-8 Division Chiefs, Provincial Directors, and MLGOOs of the ten finalists and regional office personnel were also present in the awarding.

LGOO V Jenna Negros, OSB Program Manager said the SB of Silago, Southern Leyte and the top regional winners each received Plaques of Recognition courtesy of DILG and P10,000 cash prize courtesy of PCL.

Special Certificates of Appreciation were given to SB Secretaries in acknowledgement of their invaluable assistance to their respective SBs.

Likewise, Certificates of Special Recognition were awarded to the SBs of Borongan, Eastern Samar and Cabucgayan, Biliran for showing the most systematic records-keeping of legislative documents; and the SBs of Borongan, Eastern Samar and Balangiga, Eastern Samar for holding sessions on time per approved SB Internal Rules of Procedures.

A Plaque of Recognition was given to SB Member Edwin Masbang of Cabucgayan, Biliran as the Regional Awardee for having sponsored 88% of the total number of ordinances enacted by his Sangguniang Bayan.

Certificates of Special Recognition were given to SB members who sponsored at least one-third (1/3) of the total number of ordinances passed by their respective local councils, among them: Hon. Francis Raymond Realino of Abuyog, Leyte; Rio Afable of Borongan, Eastern Samar; Raul de Leon of Catarman, Northern Samar; Lourdes Villas of Inopacan, Leyte; Angel Balderama of Balangiga, Eastern Samar; Sofronio Balanquit of Pambujan, Northern Samar; Edwin Masbang of Cabucgayan, Biliran; Jerry Lee of San Juan, Southern Leyte and Charlie Ando of Silago, Southern Leyte.

AFP must free abducted Matuguinao farmer – Sagupa-SB

Press Release
By SAGUPA-SB
November 2, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Samahan han Gudti nga Parag-uma ha Sinirangan Bisayas (SAGUPA-SB) condemns the abduction of a farmer in Matuguinao, Samar by elements of the 34th Infantry Battalion and a CAFGU member last October 24, 2006.

Oje Opiniano, 24, a resident of a remote barangay in Matuguinao, Samar was reportedly taken by a group of soldiers with PFC Neil Molabola, PFC Mario Tamayo and Boboy dela Cruz, a CAFGU member, to the military camp at around eight o’ clock. According to his father, Yoyong Opiniano, Oje was taken for no clear reason. Up to this date, however, Oje has not come home.

SAGUPA-SB condemns this act by the military and said that the AFP has once again failed the people in observing the respect for human rights. Diana Ragub, Campaign and Advocacy Officer of the peasant group said that “the AFP proved itself to be ignorant of the law and has once more mocked the Philippine justice system which it ought to uphold in the first place.”

“This is evidence that the very institution which is tasked by our Constitution to protect the life, limb and property of the people especially our destitute farmers, are the ones who trample upon our rights. They do not have any right to detain a person beyond a certain period without clear justification that he committed something unlawful or without charging him for an offense punishable by special penal laws or by the Revised Penal Code,” said Ragub.

“It is unfortunate that such incidents are happening, especially around this time that farmers get themselves busy with harvesting their crops. October is also the Peasant Month so we do not find any reason to celebrate such occasion now that another farmer has fallen to the hands of the real terrorists – those in uniform and paid from the people’s coffers,” Ragub said.

Ragub called upon the local government officials of Matuguinao as well as the officers of the Commission on Human Rights to help the Opiniano family locate Oje and bring him back home.

Perennial road problems in region 8 soon to be things of the past

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October 28, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The perennial road problems in Region 8 will soon be things of the past, Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office 8 Assistant Regional Director Romualdo Baltazar informed the media during the Harampang Ha PIA held Friday.

The Calbayog-Catanguit Road Project will commence soon, ARD Baltazar informed. He said that as announced by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when she visited Calbayog on October 16, the Notice to Proceed for the said project was served on October 17.

The usual procedure is that the work will commence ten days after the receipt of the Notice to Proceed. If the contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation received it on the 17th, this means that the work will start very soon, Director Baltazar said.

The Calbayog to Catanguit Road project which costs P806 million and is part of the 25th Yen Loan Package, will be supervised by the Central Office, Director Baltazar said.

The 25th Yen Loan Package is composed of five projects. Included is the Catanguit-Calbiga road repair and rehabilitation project which amounts to P942 Million. ARD Baltazar revealed that the Notice to Proceed for this project has been served but the Regional Office has not received a copy of the Notice. He said that the contractor for this project is B.C. de Luna.

The bidding for the other part of the project, the Allen-Malaga road project has been done, Director Baltazar bared.  The Malaga to Calbayog part has not yet been bidded, he added.

The Allen-Malaga project costs P524 million while the Malaga-Calbayog Project costs P541 Million, Director Baltazar informed.

These four components of the Package will solve the perennial problem of the commuters plying the Samar and Northern Samar route.

The fifth component of the 25th Yen Loan Package is the Agas-agas viaduct which costs P500 Million. This project will put to rest the recurring problem in the landslide prone area in Southern Leyte, Director Baltazar added.

Director Baltazar added that the Calbayog-Catarman Road project which is under the 24th Yen Loan Package is more than 80 percent complete. This will reduce the travel time by more than one hour, he informed.

Another good news is that the Himay-an-Silago road project under the 23rd Yen Loan Package is also about to be completed. This will also cut the travel time for about two hours.

AirSoft sports, a friendly competition

By CATHERINE JANZ R. SICOY (KIMRO)
October 28, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  – The City Government thru Mayor Bejo Romualdez, together with former Tanauan Mayor, Mark Jiminez, will be introducing the “1st Mayor Bejo Airsoft Competition” to be held this October 29 at the open field of Rimas Colon, this city.

AirSoft, which is the hobby of collecting realistic, non-lethal, shooting replicas of actual firearms either for display or for the purposes of skirmishing in friendly competition, is seemingly the new sports in town today.

The sports of AirSoft first started in Japan during the early 1980’s and migrated to the neighboring countries of Taiwan, Hong-Kong, Korea and the Philippines in the latter part of the 80’s. It was illegal to own firearms in Japan but there was a significant interest in them, so a company started producing spring-powered replicas of firearms that fired 6mm, plastic pellets or BBs.  It started appearing in North America and Europe in the middle of the 1990’s.

Meanwhile, this game has already been played locally albeit discreetly because of its unique nature. Unsurprisingly, like Internet combat and war games, this entirely distinct recreational sport is attracting more and more enthusiasts and appeal among young adults nowadays.

According to the competition’s coordinator, Lito Francisco, an enthusiast of the sports himself, this is a very satisfying game that requires both physical and mental ability.  “It also promotes teamwork and sportsmanship just like any other sports,” he added.

For some avid players, it’s a very exciting, thrilling, and exotic game that also developed discipline and camaraderie.

Even women are drawn to the game and as proof, some have already signed up for the upcoming competition.  At this time, 9 teams from different places like Bohol, Cebu, Catbalogan and others have already registered.  Each team will be composed of 10 members and 7 substitutes.

The competition will start at about seven o’clock in the morning. Participants should be above 18 years old to be able to join the competition.  Exciting prizes awaits the winning teams.

AirSoft Guns are extremely realistic but are by nature safe and non-lethal. However, precautions should still be followed and observed properly.  “It’s definitely worth checking out,” Mr. Francisco said.

Guinsaugon orphans receive P.9 M one semester scholarship fund

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October 27, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  – The Rotary Club of San Juanico in Tacloban City handed in to the 31 Guinsaugon orphans the scholarship fund for the second semester, from Taiwan’s Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation.

The multi-agency task force composed of the Rotary Club of San Juanico, Tacloban Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Department of Education and the Philippine Information Agency, which has been constantly coordinating with the Dharma Drum Foundation, motored to the Municipality of San Juan, Leyte on October 26 in order to personally meet the scholars and hand in their second semester stipend amounting to P825,780.00.

On hand to meet the group was Southern Leyte Governor Rosette Lerias and San Juan Vice Mayor Federico Flores, some DepEd officials and personnel and the scholars who were looking much better than when the taskforce together with Mr. Tseng Chao-Sung of the Dharma Drum Foundation handed in their first semester stipend amounting to about P825,780.00 in May.

The scholars were presented checks amounting to at least P24,000 and a maximum of P30,000.00 plus which will cover their second semester tuition fees, book allowance, uniform allowance, clothing allowance, subsistence allowance, board and lodging and other incidental expenses.

The Rotary Club of San Juanico saw to it that each of the scholars has a bank account jointly with San Juan Mayor Virgilio Mortera and St. Bernard Mayor Maria Lim as co-signatories with the scholar. This is to see to it that the scholars will be guided well in the spending of their allowance.

As a show of gratitude, the scholars rendered a song and presented leis to their benefactors. A handmaid card signed by all the scholars will be sent to the Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation.

The taskforce which presented the checks to the scholars include Rotary Club of San Juanico President Ronnie Ponferrada, Rotary District 3860 Governor Jun Almeda, Past District Governors Engineer Graciano Militante, Mayor Roque Tiu and Dr. Pablo Quianzon, RCSJ treasurer Edward de Jesus, DepEd Representative Mrs. Maria Getalado, Tacloban Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Henry Yaokasin and members and PIA Director Olive Tiu and members of the provincial and regional media.