In a letter, Romulo
Virola, NSCB Secretary General, congratulated Governor Ben P. Evardone
as Eastern Samar is among the 30 best provinces in the
Philippines
based on the Provincial Good Governance Index computed by the NSCB.
Prior to the
administration of Evardone, the province belonged to the 20 poorest
provinces in the country or popularly called the “Club 20.”
Governor Evardone
stressed that the hard work his administration is putting forth is
paying off as the province did not just graduate from the Club 20 but
is now among the top 30 provinces. “It’s so consoling to know that the
economic reforms we are applying in the province are gaining great
results as we see in now in this survey,” Evardone said.
Eastern Samar was
included in the top list for its success in reducing poverty incidence
in the province. The provinces that fared well in reducing poverty
incidence are Ifugao, Bohol, Camiguin, Capiz, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Sur,
North Cotabato, Romblon, Sulu and Tarlac. Also included in the list
are Catanduanes, Zambales, Negros Occidental, Apayao,
Cebu, La Union,
South Cotabato, Sorsogon and Ilocos
Sur.
In an article by
Virola posted in NSCB’s website, he noted that 6 provinces in the top
ten lists were once in the ranks of poorest provinces in year 2000.
Eastern Samar is one of the provinces that made a big leap from the
poorest to the best provinces in the country.
Governor Evardone
emphasized that the battle against poverty will not end with the
statistical result. “Obviously, marks of scarcity in the province are
still visible and we will continue to strive to totally pluck out the
Eastern Samareños from the quandary of poverty,” he said.
“We have high hopes
for Eastern Samar in terms of economy,” the governor continued.
“Investors are coming in, both local and foreign, as we continue to
promote tourism industry in Guiuan to the world and as these will be
in place, surely it will make greater economic impact on our
province,” Evardone said.
City police chief says
death of former Anakpawis leaders in Tacloban not extra judicial
killings
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July
22, 2007
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– The early Friday morning killing of Rogelio Picoy and early this
week of Charlie Solayao, are not extra judicial killings based on the
initial information taken from witnesses that both men started to get
death threats after they terminated their ties with the Anakpawis
group.
On Friday, Col. Romulo
Cleve Taboso informed that the Philippine National Police Tacloban
City already have positive leads as to the killing of former
Anakpawis chairman Rogelio Picoy which he said is connected with the
killing early this week of Charlie Solayao, also a former member of
the Anakpawis partylist.
Col. Taboso revealed
he has already dispatched members of the Tacloban City PNP
investigation section to follow up on the leads which were received by
the office and he has already requested for a comparative analysis of
the bullet shells retrieved from the Dacut, Solayao and Picoy
killings.
Col Taboso said that
the two killing incidents are connected considering that both victims
have both been former members of Anakpawis and both were killed with a
.45 caliber pistol just as Atty. Dacut was killed with a .45 caliber
pistol, last year.
Initial investigations
on the Picoy case only confirms the initial PNP assessment that point
out to internal rift within the organization as the cause of the
killings, Col. Taboso informed. This was gathered from the statement
of the wife of Picoy and the other witnesses, Col. Taboso said.
In a Radio interview,
the wife of Picoy said that his husband started receiving threats
since he resigned as chairperson of the Anakpawis Group and become
member of the Guardians Brotherhood.
The killing of Picoy
shed light on the cause of the killing of Charlie Solayao early this
week. Col. Taboso said and this only strengthened the determination of
the Philippine National Police to exert more efforts for the early
solution of both cases.
Col. Taboso called
on the public to remain calm in the light of these killings saying
that the same are just isolated cases and that the Philippine National
Police is in control of the situation.
New Samar SP intercede
rehabilitation of Maharlika Highway
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA
Samar)
July 21, 2007
CATBALOBAN CITY, Samar
– In the past two sessions of the Samar Sangguniang Panlalawigan, SP
members took turns in grilling Samar’s Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) 2nd District Engineer Virgilio Arayon for the
snail-paced rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway.
Samarnons have time
and again clamor for better roads especially since it is Maharlika
Highway that links Luzon and Mindanao.
In a radio interview
over DYMS in the CCATMAN program “Panginano-a Daw” Presiding Officer
and Vice Governor Jesus Redaja said that the SP was not satisfied with
Arayon’s explanation as to why the repair is very slow.
Redaja further said
that motorists are irked because of the so many cracks grilled by the
contractor for the so called crack-and-set rehabilitation method. The
engineers, he said have explained that the cracks were made, to be
later filled with surfacing materials where four layers of cement and
asphalt would be overlaid.
However, the builders
admitted that their lack of equipments also contributed to the slow
phase by layman’s standard.
Though the builders
admitted that they have just had an accomplishment of 7%, they are not
worried because they are right on schedule. They assured the
legislative body of Samar that they would finish the job in 1,020 days
from Calbiga to Tizon (Catbalogan) and another 1,080 days for the
remaining stretch to
Calbayog
City and beyond.
The SP identified the
road areas in Barangay Maulong, Mahayag and San Vicente all in
Catbalogan as a motorist’ s nightmare because of the worst road
condition.
Redaja said that they
could not just ignore the difficulty that besets travelers and
motorists with the road condition in the province that is why he said
they have to summon DPWH.
The Vice Governor
explained that although DPWH justified that their task is mere
monitoring, they still have to face the public. In addition, The Vice
Governor said, the SP could not bother the contractors as they are
private entities, so he said that it is the DPWH that would explain
the situation.
Another concern that
Redaja raised was the absence of traffic signals on the road being
constructed. He said he noticed that children direct the traffic in
one-way lanes. He surmised that children are there because adults (DPWH
workers) are not.
Redaja assured the
public that the SP would intervene in matters that affect the people
of Samar.
Former Anakpawis
leader shot to death at Tacloban City
public market
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA
Samar)
July 21, 2007
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– Tacloban City woke up yesterday morning with the news of a
shooting incident at the Tacloban City Public Market killing a certain
Rogelio Pikoy y Bersola, 50 years of age, described as a former
chairman of Anakpawis and KADAMAY leader and who is now a member of
Guardian Brotherhood.
Report from the
responding Policemen said that Pikoy, who is from the Pericohon
District this City and whose occupation is selling cooked food to the
Carnival laborers at Rimas Colon, was at 5:30 in the morning, choosing
fish displayed at the pathway beside the main fish section of the
Tacloban City Super Market, when he was shot from behind by one of the
suspects while the other three were acting as look outs.
Pikoy was hit at the
lower right side at the back of his head exiting through his right
eye. The stray bullet in the process, then hit the lower abdomen of
the vendor nearby, Teresita Tadera y Borines, 70 years old and a
resident of Barangay Calvary Hill, Serin, Tacloban City.
The PNP members at the
PNP Public Market Substation immediately responded upon hearing the
gunshot but since the people scampered, they couldn’t identify the
culprits who were alleged to have fled towards Annex B of the Tacloban
City Supermarket.
The victims were
immediately brought to the
Eastern Visayas Regional
Medical Center
where Pikoy was pronounced Dead on Arrival by the attending physician
and Tadera was given proper medical attention.
Pikoy’s wife who was
interviewed by the reporters of a local radio station right after the
early morning shooting, in between tears said that her husband has
been receiving threats. She said that she knows the perpetrators and
in between sobs she bewailed “after my husband served you… and helped
you… this is what you will do to him…”
Tacloban Police Chief
Col. Cleve Taboso assured the public that the Philippine National
Police is already conducting investigation on the case. He said that
there are several witnesses but the Police have yet to convince them
to give information. For sure, the vendor who was hit by the stray
bullet has something to say, Col. Taboso said.
Col. Taboso also
allayed the fears of the City residents saying that the shooting
incidents are just rare and remote cases. He also called on those who
know or have witnessed the shooting incident to come out in the open
and help solve the case so that the perpetrators will not be able to
do the same again.
Saying that it is
too bad that these incidents happen at the time when the City has
already been considered as a peaceful place, he assured the witnesses
that they will be given proper protection by the Philippine National
Police.
Earthquake shakes,
causes damage in several South Leyte towns
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July
21, 2007
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– An earthquake of tectonic origin shook Western and Southern Leyte
at 11:10 Thursday night causing power failure in Hinunangan, Southern
Leyte and in some areas in
Southern Leyte.
The earthquake per
information provided by the Office of Civil Defense in Region 8
(OCD-8), was traced at 10.37 degrees north, 125.15 degrees east, seven
kilometers southwest of Hinunangan, Southern Leyte.
The origin of the
earthquake was reported to be the Philippine Fault Zone Leyte Segment
and it has a magnitude of 5.5.
Director Salvador
Estudillo informed that the earthquake was felt at intensity 6 in
Hinunangan, Southern Leyte; Intensity 5 in St. Bernard; Intensity 4 in
Sogod and Intensity 2 in Cebu City.
Initial reports on
damage of the earthquake revealed power failures in Hinunangan from
11:10 in the evening of July 19 until 5:00 o’clock in the morning of
July 20. Cracks at the Hinunangan Municipal Hall have been observed.
Mr. Rey Gozun of OCD-8
who was dispatched to Southern Leyte by Director Estudillo, together
with staff of Philvocs, informed the Philippine Information Agency
said that the team is now conducting Rapid Assessment on the Damage
and Needs Analysis of the people affected.
Mr. Gozun confirmed
that the belfry of the
Hinunangan
Church
have severe cracks and that the road beside the belfry has already
been closed to traffic because of the danger of belfry collapse.
Mr. Gozun added that
cracks have been observed at the approach of the Day-as Bridge, also
in Hinunangan. The bridge however, is still serviceable and open to
commuters.
The Rapid Assessment
team is scheduled to proceed to St. Bernard town and the other
municipalities affected to look into the extent of damage caused by
the earthquake.
No damage to life
was reported. The Office of Civil Defense will make the official
announcement regarding the rapid assessment as soon as the team has
made its report.
Sec. Dureza assures
slain vendors leader's family of government’s support
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July
20, 2007
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– Determined to accomplish President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s
directive to condole with and to bring the government’s support and to
the family of fallen vendors leader Charlie Solayao, Secretary Jesus
Dureza, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, personally went to
Barangay 71 at Naga-Naga, Tacloban City.
It was a bit of a walk
passing through the earthen path walk lined by small shanties, going
to the house of the Solayao family which happens to be the last house.
Several neighbors and relatives were there as the remains of Charlie
Solayao has just been brought in from the nearby funeral parlor.
Wife Marina was
sitting in a chair beside the coffin, silently crying when Secretary
Dureza arrived. Her surprised couldn’t be hidden when Secretary Dureza
entered and introduced himself to have been sent by no less than
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
She said her husband
does not have any enemy. He was only fighting for the rights of the
market vendors and that the rallies he attended were only those
related to the market vendors’ gripes against the City Government.
Now, she does not know what will happen to her children, six of who
are still in elementary and high school.
Of the 12 Solayao
children, three are already married, 2 are working as housemaids in
Manila, 3 are in elementary school, 3 are in the high school lever and
one is helping in their fish vending.
She said that the
remains of Charlie was brought to their house only that afternoon
because she couldn’t produce the amount of money needed. She thanked
the owner for allowing her to pay just half because that was all she
was able to borrow. She also thanked the Sisters at the
Divine Word Hospital
for giving them a big discount so that she can bring the remains at
the funeral parlor. She also called on all the government agencies to
help her husband and her family.
Secretary Dureza and
Marina went into the kitchen of the house and talked for a while. When
they came out, Marina was sober and appeared stronger. Secretary
Dureza before leaving asked for the cellphone number of Marina so that
he could contact her.
Together with the
assurance that the government will help the Solayao family get justice
for the death of Charlie, he also promised the children who turned out
to be intelligent students and who expressed their desire to finish
their studies, that the government will help them. The son who is
third year high school was so happy to hear that news because he
intimated that he really wants to become a doctor someday.
Although Secretary
Dureza did not announce it to anybody, he left some money to Marina so
that she will be able to pay her bill at the funeral parlor.
Samar LMP voted for
Calbiga Mayor Melchor Nacario as president
By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA
Samar)
July 20, 2007
CATBALOGAN, Samar – Samar’s League of Municipalities has finally elected Calbiga Mayor
Melchor Nacario as its President in a very rare gathering of Samar
town mayors on July 18, 2007 at the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) Provincial Office.
Out of 24 municipal
mayors, only Mayor Cornelio Bersales of Talalora was absent. Although
Catbalogan City Mayor Coefredo ‘Tekwa’ Uy has graduated from being a
town mayor to a city mayor, he was there to support his former league.
Professor Rommel
Banlaoi, a consultant of the League of Municipalities of the
Philippines (LMP) was the guest and witness to the elections done
through the supervision of DILG Provincial Director Jovito Lacaba.
Also elected were
executive Vice President Wilfredo Estorninos of Basey; Vice President
for 1st District is Nancy Grey of San Jorge; Vice President for 2nd
District is Felix Babalcon of Paranas; Secretary is Mayor Lucia
Astorga of Daram and Treasurer is Emmely Olaje of Tarangnan.
Also elected as
Auditor is Dr. Mario Quijano of Pinabacdao and Press Relations Officer
is Mayor Arnold Abalos of San Sebastian.
The four Board of
Directors for the 1st District include: Mayor Edwin Figueroa of
Zumarraga; Mayor Jun Pacanan of Motiong, Mayor Alex Abarratigue of
Hinabangan and Mayor Kim Adolfo of Sta. Rita.
On the 2nd District,
Mayor Silvestre Acilo of Sto. Niño, Mayor Fred Serrano of Sta.
Margarita; Mayor Jun Limpiado of Tagapul-an and Mayor Violeto Ceracas
of Pagsanghan will serve as Board of Directors.
Outgoing LMP Samar
President, then Mayor of Zumarraga, Neliptha Figueroa graciously
turned over the leadership to Mayor Nacario.
Mayor Nacario vowed to
pursue the LMP goals in a non-partisan environment, he urged the
league members to anchor their strength in non-partisanship to usher
development.
Nacario is known in
the media circle as a writer and an environmentalist.
Prof. Banlaoi
meanwhile, invited the new mayors to attend a neo training for newly
elected officials to be equipped with knowledge and skills on how best
to serve their constituents.
PNP orders
investigation on slaying of Tacloban vendors leader
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July
19, 2007
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– Tacloban City Police Chief Romulo Cleve Taboso assured that the
Philippine National Police is already conducting the necessary
investigation on the shooting incident which killed Charlie Solayao,
50 years old, the vice president of the Katipunan Han Mga Gudti nga
Magtirinda (KAGUMA) which is affiliated with the Bayan Muna, and also
of the Katipunan ng Damayan ng Mamamayan (KADAMAY) which is affiliated
with the Anakpawis.
When interviewed by
the Philippine Information Agency, Col. Taboso was waiting for Mrs.
Marina Solayao, the wife of the slained, who was with him during the
slaying.
Colonel Taboso added
that the Philippine National Police has immediately installed the
needed checkpoints after the shooting incident. He assured the public
that the PNP will not rest until the case has been resolved. So far,
however, the PNP has yet no lead as to the identity of the
perpetrators.
Verified reports said
that Solayao has been known as “leader, together with his brother
David, of the rallies which were held in the past in Tacloban.”
Meanwhile, PNP
Regional Director Abner Cabalquinto informed the Philippine
Information Agency that he immediately ordered the investigation of
the shooting incident as soon as he was informed about it.
According to police
reports, Solayao was shot at around 1:50 in the morning of Tuesday
(July 17) in front of the parking area of the CITLOUR bus company in
Barangay Naga-Naga, Barangay 71, a village located in the northern
part of Tacloban City.
Initial Police
investigation disclosed that while the slained Solayao and his wife
Marina were waiting for a passenger vehicle bound for the shed house
in Sagkahan District where they would purchase fish which they will
sell in the city Public Market, two unidentified gunmen clad in black
satin jackets and riding in tandem on a yellow lady’s type motorcycle
without plate number, approached him.
The black rider who
was wearing a bonnet allegedly stepped down from the motorcycle and
shot the victim five times in the different parts of his body and then
the suspect immediately fled to the direction of the city proper.
Solayao was
immediately brought to the Divine Word Hospital in Tacloban City where
he expired while he was being operated on. His attending physician
pronounced him dead at about 11:35 in the morning.
