Close to a thousand Samar youth are pursuing ladderized education – TESDA
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA
Samar)
July 13, 2007
CATBALOGAN CITY,
Samar – The Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA-Samar)
Chief Cleta Omega bared that some 981 first year college students
availed of the Ladderized Education Program this school year.
In a press release
prepared by Tony Ramento, TESDA cited leading state colleges and
universities and even private higher education institutions that have
accepted the Samarnon youths even in adjacent
Tacloban
City.
In Calbayog City, the
Tiburcio Tancinco Memorial Institute of Science and Technology (TTMIST)
has 474 enrollees in different degree courses with
technical-vocational qualifications namely: Bachelor of Science in
Information management for PC Operations; BS Computer Science on PC
Operations; Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM)
for Housekeeping and BS in Civil Engineering (BSCE) for Carpentry and
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW).
Still in Calbayog City
is Christ the King College with 78 enrolled in Bachelor of Science in
Computer science for PC Operations, Health Care Services and
Caregiving.
In Catbalogan, St.
Mary’s College has 234 enrolled in BS HRM for Housekeeping and BS
Computer Science on PC operations.
Samar College also in
Catbalogan has 186 enrollees in BS Information Systems for PC
Operations.
Samar State College of
Agriculture and Forestry (SSCAF) in San Jorge,
Samar has also nine students enrolled in Bachelor in Agricultural
Technology.
This also excludes the
private schools in
Tacloban
City
where Samarnons flock into for their valued education.
Meanwhile, the
Department of Education (DepEd) continues to push for the
strengthening of the department's Vocational Education Program.
In a news conference
held in San Juan, Deped Undersecretary for Programs and Projects Vilma
Labrador underscored the importance of providing the skills demanded
by the market so that they can be employed, regardless of whether or
not they finish a degree.
"There is a need to
provide relevant foundation skills for higher learning, employment or
entrepreneurship opportunities among our youth,"
Labrador said. "We are confident that thru strengthening our
tech-voc program, we will be able to address such need.”
DepEd has initially
targeted some 140 high schools where the strengthened tech-voc
education program is currently being implemented. The number is
expected to increase to about 261 tech-voc schools nationwide by
school year 2009 to 2010.
Tech-voc high schools
are special schools and are treated differently due to unique needs of
its students, academic requirements and curricular offerings, eared or
dovetailed to a ladderized education program.
President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo has earlier distributed P5 thousand worth of TESDA
scholarships to interested youths including those from
Samar.
Gov. Petilla: “Leyte,
just about the right size to handle”
By
Provincial Media Relations Center
(PMRC Leyte)
July 11, 2007
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla said that Leyte province is
just about the right size for a provincial government to handle and to
manage.
This the governor said
in reaction to speculations that with the reelection of Leyte Fifth
District Congresswoman Carmen Cari, the lady solon may revive her old
bill pushing for the creation of a West Leyte province which would be
comprised of the municipalities under Leyte’s Fifth District.
“The province of Leyte
I think is about right. May-ada kita lima ka distrito pero it third
and fourth districts are actually small. In fact the fourth district
is only composed of six municipalities excluding the City of Ormoc.
So, we’re just actually looking at a four district province rather
than a five-district province which I think is just about right,” Gov.
Petilla said.
The fourth district is
comprised of Palompon, Isabel,
Kananga,
Albuera, Merida and Matag-ob and the chartered city of Ormoc.
Gov. Petilla added
they cannot prevent anybody who would want to stand on its own as a
separate province but then he said all these will go through a
democratic process, taking into foremost consideration the will of the
people.
“They can always
demand for it but everything is called by a referendum. Ngatanan man
is through a referendum. Kon dumiri ka, kon dumiri it kadamuan, diri
gihapon ito mahinayon,” Gov. Petilla said.
He said that pushing
to separate from the mother province also depends “really on who is
pushing for it.”
“There would always be
demand for everything. Kay waray pa ngani hira ka-city nag-demand na
hira. It doesn’t mean though that it would be readily approved. It
also depends really on who is pushing it,” Gov. Petilla added.
It can be recalled
that in February 2005, during the 13th Congress, Rep. Cari together
with her sister then Leyte First District Congresswoman Remedios
“Matin” Petilla co-authored House Bill 03764 that proposes the
creation of the Province of Western Leyte.
It would be composed
of the municipalities of Abuyog, Javier, Hilongos, Hindang, Bato,
Inopacan, Mahaplag, Matalom and the
new city
of Baybay.
The said bill still
seats with the committee on local government of the Lower House until
the 13th congress ended in early this year prior to the May elections.
Catbalogan PNP beefs
up operation against illegal fishing
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA
Samar)
July 10, 2007
CATBALOGAN, Samar – Catbalogan Philippine National Police (PNP) with Police Superintendent
(P/Supt) Ramil Ramirez at the helm is beefing up its operation against
illegal fishing. Of late, Catbalogan PNP has apprehended eight groups
of fisher folks using the trawl method in violation of Republic Act
8550.
In a series of
seaborne operations in the waters of Maqueda Bay as reflected on the
police blotter, Catbalogan PNP operatives on June 25, 2007 arrested
two Fishing Boats (F/B) LM owner of whom was reportedly a Zaldy
Mahinay and F/B TA owned by a Vivian Colocado of Barangay Guinsurongan,
Catbalogan.
Further seaborne
operations on June 30, 2007 resulted to the apprehension of FB Sunrise
owned by Luzminales MIlinda of Barangay Bioso, Zumarraga, Samar; FB
Ferdinand owned by a Ferdinand Quiram of Barangay Bioso, Zumarraga,
Samar; and FB Niño owned by Ernesto Pigao of Barangay Lumalantang,
Zumarraga.
On the same day, they
also towed towards Catbalogan PNP headquarters FB Adrian owned by
Angelito Abarracoso of Lumalantang, Zumarrga, Samar; FB YanYan owner
of which was known to be Obit Labendia of Barangay 3 Catbalogan; and
FB Adan owned by Adan Ocasla of Macalunod, Zumarraga, Samar.
The authorities also
confiscated several Styrofoam boxes of fish for evidence, fine mesh
nets and other fishing paraphernalia.
In another incident,
two wooden boats used in blast fishing were also recovered as
abandoned by owners in the shorelines of
Mahaba Island
, still a part of Catbalogan.
Violators of RA 8550
will be charged accordingly, said Chief Ramirez.
The arrests were done
because of civilians texting the authorities about the illegal
activities proliferating in the area.
Small time fisherfolks
have also been complaining about their dwindling catch because of the
trawlers.
Meanwhile, PNP
police Director Asdali Idjah Abah commended the Catbalogan PNP for
their job and urged other Municipal Police Stations to emulate the
best efforts of Ramirez and his men.
LMP Southern Leyte
re-elects Bontoc mayor as its prexy
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July
9, 2007
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– The League of Municipalities Southern Leyte Chapter re-elected
Bontoc Mayor Pedro Fustanes Jr. as its president during the
reorganization meeting on July 5, 2007.
When interviewed by
the Philippine Information Agency, Mayor Fustanes expressed his
gratitude to the local chief executives of the municipalities in the
province of Southern Leyte for the trust and confidence extended to
him. He assured his colleagues that he will work with the same
commitment for the good of the League, as he did in the past term.
In the election which
was observed by the representative of the League of Municipalities and
the DILG authorized representative, San Juan Mayor Virgilio Mortera
was elected as Vice President while Liloan Mayor Shirlita Chong was
elected as secretary.
Elected treasurer of
the LMP Southern Leyte Chapter was Macrohon Mayor Fe Edillo. Padre
Burgos Mayor Ricardo Borces was chosen as the Public Relations Officer
while the Hinundayan Mayor Evelyn Lee was elected as auditor.
Mayor Fustanes said
that the League was able to elect only six members of the board
because three mayors were absent while the other three were members of
the Committee on Elections and could not be voted upon.
The other mayors in
Southern Leyte are Limasawa Mayor Melchor Petracorta, San Ricardo
Mayor Virginia Mejia, Hinunangan Mayor Romeo Gomez, Anahawan Mayor
Roberto Loquinte, Malitbog Mayor Jorge Go, Pintuyan Mayor Celsa
Estrella, Saint Bernard Mayor Rico Rintuza, Libagon Mayor Rizalina
Espina, San Francisco Mayor Diego Yuboc, Tomas Opus Mayor Felicula
Escano, Sogod Mayor Shefferd Tan and Silago Mayor Manuel Labrador.
10th SP inaugurated
with Cristina as the new Floor Leader
By KIMRO (City Media Office)
July
6, 2007
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– The Inaugural Session of the 10th Sangguniang Panlungsod of
Tacloban pushed through the other day, even with the lack of one
member who still has to be confirmed with the legislative body by the
local election officer, supposedly last July 4, Wednesday.
But albeit the vacuum
which may be filled by either of the opposing parties retired General
Dionisio Coloma and or media personality Ranulfo “Bob” Abellanosa,
(who both claim to have won during the last election), still the
august body proceeded to chose and proclaim their Floor Leader, 1st
Councilor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez who garnered an overwhelming
vote of confidence from her colleagues, over Councilor Jerry Yaokasin,
who was the other nominee.
Also, Councilor
Nofredo Lagonoy who was unanimously endorsed and voted by his peers,
handily took over the post of Assistant Floor Leader, without any
opposition at all.
The council in a
pre-session conference decided to just set aside the matter of whom to
consider the rightful occupant to the tenth seat in the council,
deeming that it should best be decided by City COMELEC Officer, Atty.
Corazon Montallana, who didn’t make it to come during the session,
notwithstanding the official invitation sent her by the honorable
members of the Sannguniang Panlungsod of Tacloban.
Newly elected Mayor
Alfred Romualdez who was also officially requested to grace the said
occasion, wasn’t able to come due to some pressing problem, which he
said in his official message read by Councilor Wilson Uy, has
something to do with matters besetting him this transition period at
the Executive Department. But he, however echoed his full backing to
the new Sangguniang Panlungsod, which he said, could pave the way for
a smooth reciprocal relation between the two departments.
Even at this early, an
unhampered official interaction between the local executive and
legislative departments had already been noted by many, clearly
indicating an overturn of earlier speculations that political
differences in the last election, between the two figures now sitting
at the top posts in this city, may result to unproductive situations
later.
One observer who
witnessed how easily the Executive Department’s requests were approved
by the legislative body during the inaugural session commented saying,
“if only the two departments will come to terms like this, then we can
expect more developments for the city ahead”.
Chairmanship to
committees which was among their agenda during the said session, was
moved for deferment until the next session.
Governor Petilla eyes
RDC chair
By
Provincial Media Relations Center
(PMRC Leyte)
July 6, 2007
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla is eyeing his first
seat of nomination for the chairmanship of the Regional Development
Council in the region (RDC-8).
This after the reign
of incumbent RDC Chairman Rosette Lerias of Southern Leyte province
which ended on June 30 following the term of local elective officials.
“Yes I am interested
in being nominated. An iba nga mga governors siring nira ha akon, ako
nala it madalagan,” Gov. Petilla said after he formally took of office
for his second term.
Gov. Petilla said that
his bid is also being pushed for by fellow governors in the Eastern
Visayas province saying his chairmanship is more practical than the
other governors.
For one, Gov. Petilla
revealed the other governors are saying that
Leyte is the biggest province in the region and that the RDC
office is located here in the
province of Leyte,
particularly at the NEDA Building at the Government Center in Palo,
Leyte.
The RDC will nominate
to Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at least two nominees for Chairman
and Co-Chairman. The President will choose the RDC Chairman and
Co-Chairman from among those nominated to her by the RDC.
Since the RDC existed,
a governor has held its chairmanship except for two instance when a
Private Sectoral Representative (PSR) and a City Mayor headed it.
The seat Gov. Petilla
is eyeing with the RDC was the same seat that his mother held when
then Gov. Remedios “Matin” Petilla was Leyte governor.
The Regional
Development Council is the primary institution in the region that sets
the direction of socio-economic development in the region and through
which regional development efforts are being coordinated.
The RDC has a
scheduled meeting this July 12.
PGMA honors 10 outstanding RP students
July 6, 2007
MANILA, Philippines
– President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presented on Thursday the 2007
Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) awards to the
winners of the annual search for young students committed to moral
leadership, social responsibility, and academic and professional
excellence.
The TOSP is organized
by the RFM Foundation, National Book Store and the Rotary Club of
Makati Central in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED).
The President handed
out trophies to the awardees in simple ceremonies Thursday afternoon
at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang.
Assisting the
President were CHED chairman Carlito Puno, RFM chairman Jose
Concepcion Jr., RFM Corporation president Jose Ma. Concepcion III, RFM
Foundation president Marie Concepcion Young, and National Book Store
president Alfredo Ramos.
In her message sent
earlier to the organizers, the President said the young awardees are
the best exemplars of what national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal had
described as the hope of the country, having excelled not only in
their studies but also in fulfilling their social responsibilities.
"With this kind of
young citizens, I am confident that our country will have a brighter
future," the President said in her message.
The 10 awardees,
considered as role models and inspiration for the Filipino youth, were
chosen from among 30 finalists who recently graduated from various
schools in the country.
The awardees were
Cherrie Atilano (Leyte State University), Michael Gamalinda
(University of the Philippines-Los Banos), Dennis Umali (UPLB),
Herbert Klaus Martin Hallig (De La Salle University-Manila), Luis
Andres Abad (Ateneo de Manila University);
Julie Lucille del
Valle (Ateneo de Naga University), Ben Secretario (Ateneo de Naga
University), Roma Padua (Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion-Roxas City),
Mark Carlo Pahati (University of San Jose Recoletos), and Mary Kathryn
Quinon (University of the Philippines in the Visayas).
Aside from the
trophies, the awardees also received P20,000 each in cash.
Tanauan mayor emerges
as prexy of Leyte League of Municipalities
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July
5, 2007
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– Lawyer Roque Tiu who is on his third term as the municipal mayor
of Tanauan, Leyte emerged unopposed to become the new president of the
Leyte League of Municipalities during the reorganization meeting held
on Tuesday, July 3, at the Governor’s Hall of the Leyte Provincial
Capitol.
