Chinese investors visit Guiuan; Evardone welcomes more businesses to the province

By BRYAN M. AZURA
July 27, 2007

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar  –  Governor Ben P. Evardone personally accompanied a group of 10 Chinese investors that visited very recently for a site survey to possible business ventures in this municipality.

Evardone said he is hopeful that the group of Chinese nationals will put up investments in the province, particularly in Guiuan, as economic potential in the area is very high. “We are grooming up Guiuan as the next eco-tourism hub in the country as the place offers a lot when it comes to tour sites, cultural and historical heritage, natural wealth and human resources,” Evardone said.

The prospect investors, all natives of Wuhan City of Hu-bei province in China, are eyeing on telecommunications, hotels & restaurants, agriculture developments, mining industry and other tourism related services as possible business enterprises that can be established in Guiuan.

The Chinese, led by Steve Yang, already have existing commercial industries in other parts of the Philippines and in Asia. “This group is convinced that there is huge economic future in Eastern Samar and is willing to help the province in improving its economic situation,” says Yang, apparently the only Chinese in the group who can speak English.

Mayor Analiz Kwan is likewise exuberant in welcoming the foreigners. “We will continue to promote Guiuan to attract more local and foreign investors,” Kwan said during the group’s courtesy call to the mayor upon its arrival. “As of the moment, you are very much a priority,” Kwan said to the Chinese nationals.

Recently, Governor Evardone and Mayor Kwan made a business trip to South Korea to forge an agreement with a Korean real estate company for the construction and establishment of 200-room Intercontinental Hotel also in Guiuan.

Evardone also divulged that another Korean company intends to put up a 700-room hotel in this southern municipality. “All we have to do is to improve the road conditions in the province, electric services and rehabilitate the already existing airport in Guiuan for commercial flights,” says Evardone, “and the project will certainly be pushed through.”

During his inauguration, the governor in his speech, reported as well that a Chinese company will soon start the construction of Amandaraga Hydropower Plant in Lawaan worth P700 million. The project is set to provide the energy requirements of four gateway municipalities Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos and Quinapondan.

RP to have 2 long weekends in August as PGMA’s holiday economics becomes a law

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July 27, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The country will have two long weekends in the month of August after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law Republic Act 9492 or an Act Rationalizing the Celebration of Holidays.

This means that the President’s holiday economics, or the practice of shifting holiday observances, is now official government policy.

The law mandates that most holidays, except those with religious significance, will be shifted to the nearest Monday.

So, next month, Ninoy Aquino Day, which celebrates the martyred anti-Marcos opposition leader, normally celebrated on August 21, a Tuesday, will shift to the preceding Monday, August 20.

National Heroes’ Day, celebrated on August 31, will be observed every last Monday of August, which this year falls on August 27. That’s two long weekends for the month of August.

The “moveable days” are Bataan Day (April 9), Labor Day (1 May), Independence Day (June 12), National Heroes Day (August 31), Bonifacio Day (November 30) and Rizal Day (December 30).

Thus, if Independence Day, June 12, falls on a weekend, it will be celebrated on the following Monday. The same principle applies if June 12 falls on any day except Monday.

Exempted from holiday economics – that is, holidays that will be observed on the date on which they fall – are Christmas Day (December 25), New Year’s Eve (December 31), New Year’s Day (January 1), Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Eid’l Fitre (October 13) and All Saints Day (November 1).

President Corazon Aquino, who coined the term holiday economics, introduced the policy in 2001 to reduce disruption to business and production schedules, encourage domestic tourism and give employees long weekends.

The National Statistical Coordination Board figures showed that if tourism businesses and related industries increased by 10 percent as a result of the long weekends, the economy would actually experience a 3.5-percent growth in gross domestic product.

The employees will actually benefit from this law because under the country’s labor laws, employers must pay 200 percent of the daily rate to those employees who report for work on legal holidays – January 1, April 9, May 1, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, June 12, National Heroes Day, Eid’l Fitre, November 30, Christmas Day and December.

On special holidays, employers must pay 30 percent over the regular rate. These are Ninoy Aquino Day, November 1, Election Day, November 30, Black Saturday and holidays that may be declared from time to time by the President.

The law will also benefit the employers because they will be able to plan out their work schedule without interruption as all the holidays are already known unlike now when there are sudden announcements of special non-working holidays which some sectors feel, interrupts business.

There are a total of 11 national regular holidays and three nationwide special days.

LGU San Jorge wins 9th National Sandugo Award

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
July 26, 2007

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  The Local Government Unit of San Jorge, Samar won the 9th National Sandugo Award which will be given the honor and recognition come July 31, 2007 at Clamshell, Intramuros, Manila.

A letter from the Department of Health (DOH), Eastern Visayas Regional Director Teogenes Baluma dated July 17 revealed the good news.

The letter addressed to Honorable Nancy B. Grey who is now the incumbent mayor, mentioned her husband’s legacy to bear the award. It was still in the incumbency of Joseph Grey when the LGU was evaluated through its full support to the National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) of the DOH.

Barangay Captain of Villa Aurora, Hon. Letecia Delamida and Barangay Captain of Poblacion 1 San Jorge, Hon. Lydia Corrales share the limelight with the Greys.

In early January, Governor Milagrosa Tan received a letter from DOH-EV with the information about Presidential Decree No 1021 stating that July is declared as Blood Donors Month.

It added that one of the highlights of the celebration is the awarding of the “National Sandugo Award for Outstanding Local Government Executives”.

This award is given to LCEs for their active involvement to attain/maintain an adequate safe blood supply in the country.

Aside from the LCEs involvement, other criteria included attending to a Mobile Blood Donation Activity with blood donors depending on the population of the municipality and the barangay, attending in advocacy meetings and exemplary administrative actions in support of the NVBSP such as issuances within the last five years of Memorandum Circulars, Sangguniang Bayan Resolutions, Ordinances and or Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

Ms. Cynthia McKinley, Promotions Officer of the NVBSP has repeatedly campaigned to the Samar Municipal LGUs to heed the call. San Jorge LGU will be awarded for committing and believing in the cause of blood donation.

Comelec 8 clarifies issues on extension of voters' registration

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July 26, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The registration of voters for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and Barangay elections has been extended, Comelec Regional Office 8 Assistant Regional Director Nick Mendros announced.

Director Mendros said that Commission on Elections has extended the registration for barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections owing to the sharp rise in voters.

The extension is also in answer to the call from various sectors that a week is not enough to register the young voters.

Director Mendros said that the great number of applicants over the past week indicates that a great many people wish to exercise their right to suffrage.

Director Mendros, however, made certain clarifications on the voters’ registration saying that for the barangay elections, registration has been extended eight days from July 24 to July 31.

The registration of SK voters, for youth aged between 15 and 21 years old, will again be held on two consecutive weekends on July 28 and 29 and on August 4 and 5, Director Mendros underscored.

SK registration, he informed, will only be on weekends since this is when most youths aged 15 to below 18 will not have classes and therefore be able to come and list up.

He added that while the registration for barangay elections will still be held in the offices of election officers in the cities and municipalities, the Applications for SK registration will be accepted at the barangay level.

Director Mendros stressed that the SK Registration will be done either in the barangay halls or in barangay schools and that the SK Applications will be received by teachers or other responsible officials who will be appointed by the Municipal Comelec officers.

It would be recalled that Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos said that the Comelec only go around the law by accommodating the number of SK, especially those who have gone 15 to 17 (years old) starting October 29 by establishing so-called satellite offices in different barangays for which it needs a so-called budget.

The registration for barangay elections would form part of the official list of registered voters, while the list for SK is considered temporary.

The barangay and SK elections are set on October 29.

5 victims of Calbayog vehicular mishap now confined at regional hospital

By DEL SERVANDE / OLIVE TIU (PIA 8)
July 25, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Five of the more than 30 young persons who figured in a vehicular accident in Calbayog City on Sunday, are now confined at the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVRMC) in Tacloban City for further medication.

This was learned when the Philippine Information Agency visited EVRMC today. Two of the victims are confined at the surgical ward while three are confined at the Orthopedic Ward.

Lope Caspe III, 16 years old from Barangay Peña in Calbayog City, is still unconscious, unable to talk and is very restless when this reporter visited him. He sustained head injuries and was transferred to EVRMC from Calbayog Sanitarium yesterday, according to a male neighbor Jeremias Rollo, who is the one watching over him. The father of Lope was out of the hospital when PIA visited, apparently looking for money to pay for the hospital needs of his son.

Rollo informed that Lope is an out of school youth from Manila who arrived recently to Register for the SK elections. Rollo added that Lope’s brother, Eugene Caspe, 15 years old died in the vehicular accident. Lope Caspe III is still under observation.

The second victim, Lester Mijares, 16 years old student from Barangay Peña, as of this writing, is in the operating room for cerebral concussions. His relatives were not available for interview when PIA was at the EVRMC.

Reynaldo David, 16 years old, also from Barangay Peña, is as of this writing  being operated by Dr. Jude Macasil because of the injuries he sustained in his right foot, head and butt. Reynaldo is a third year high school student at San Joaquin High School in Calbayog, according to his step mother who is the one taking care of him at the EVRMC.

Romnick Cellar, 15 years old, is an elementary pupil at Barangay Peña Elementary School. The attending nurse at the orthopedic surgeon informed PIA that Rominick is also due for operation due to fractured right arm. The schedule for operation will depend on the schedule of Dr. Macasil and Dr. Henry Salubon who are the two orthopedic surgeons at EVRMC.

Meanwhile, Jojo Lagrimas, 28 years old was riding in the “habal habal” together with four others when they collided with the truck where the young registrants were riding. Jojo is at the orthopedic ward, with badly injured left foot and both arms. His relatives informed PIA that his foot might be amputated. As to when Jojo is due for operation, the relatives do not know yet.

The victim’s relatives informed PIA that two other patients are on their way to Tacloban to be confined at the EVRMC.

Samar’s Rep. Ann Tan administers JDV oath of office

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
July 25, 2007

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  Supporters of Samar’s Second District Representative Sharee Ann Tan were surprised when they saw their elected Representative on national television, as the whole nation was focused in anticipation of PGMA’s 7th State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Others did not believe at first that it was the young Tan who stood with Speaker Jose De Venecia in front with JDV’s relatives.

When the young Tan spoke, as she administers JDV’s Oath of Office, it was when the Samarnons here in Samar became sure that it was her voice and she was Sharee Ann Tan sharing the limelight in Congress.

Gorgeous and svelte in her corporate look, the youngest member of 14th Congress made her fellow Samarnons proud for the very honor as she assumed her first day of office as their representative. 

Earlier though as the 14th congress battled with the speakership, PIA learned that it was Tan who seconded the motion of Cebu Representative Antonio Cuenco when he stood up and nominated De Venecia.

JDV’s oath came just a few minutes before the much awaited SONA of President Arroyo and that the whole nation was glued to their TV sets.

Samarnons now feel that Tan’s first day of service was well worth it and hope that with fuller days ahead of her in Congress she would truly represent her constituents back in Samar and deliver her campaign promises.

City dad cautions businessmen against criminals

By KIMRO (City Media Office)
July 25, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Local businessmen may soon find themselves target of criminal characters, after a cleansing drive meant to flush out lawless elements was implemented recently by Mayor Alfredo Lim in the City of Manila.

This a warning echoed by City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez during a meeting this week, after he got wind of the saturation drive against lawless figures being pursued by Mayor Lim, in the nation’s capital city.

According to Mayor Romualdez, some of these criminal groups or individuals operating in Metro Manila come from Leyte and Samar, saying that, it is most likely that these organized crime groups who have been victimizing businessmen in the prime metropolis, will scamper and relocate in the provinces to find safe haven, and thereby render our local businessmen vulnerable to their criminal activities.

To counter this imminent problem, Mayor Romualdez disclosed, he had already alerted and likewise sought the assistance of the PNP-CIDG and the NBI District Offices to ensure the safety and protection of our local businessmen here.

“Our business operators here should exercise security measures to avoid these criminals”, Romualdez said.

But even with this pre-emptive stance initiated by the local government, the Local Chief Executive still enjoins the cooperation of the local business community, as they are urged to implement their own in-house security measures.

Meanwhile, Councilor and Floor Leader Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez, the Mayor’s wife, who chairs the City Legislative Committee on Police, Fire and Jail Matters, has been making initiatives to further improve police service in the City.

According to Mayor Romualdez, about two weeks ago or even before the series of killing incidents here, the lady councilor had initiated a move for additional vehicles, communication, and other necessary equipment for the police force. The City government will not buy new vehicles for the police but will just convert and utilize other existing vehicles, to keep the city safe and secure from criminals – 24 hours a day.

Calbayog road mishap kills 10 newly registered young voters

By GINA SUELLO-SORILO
July 24, 2007

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar  –  Twelve persons were killed including ten young voters who registered for the Barangay and SK elections after a dump truck ran out of control and accidentally bumped a single motorcycle in Maharlika Highway, Brgy. Cagsalaosao, this city Sunday afternoon.

The 26-year old truck rider Ramil Cabig, the drivers’s companion and Amparo Baciano, 65, a backrider of the Honda wave motorcycle also died.

It was learned that there were at least 39 persons on board an Isuzu truck and 4 on a motorcycle.

Calbayog PNP Officer-in-Charge Aniceto B. Tecbobolan said that out of at least 36 teenagers who boarded the truck, five died on the spot. They were identified as Junjun B. Francisco, 16; Jordan B. Palatones, 16; Junmark B. Pugoso, 15; Sherwin R. Duha, 15 and  a certain Caspe also a minor.

Four were declared dead on arrival at the hospitals namely Arjay Boy M. Arabis, 15; Reneboy B. Suarez, 16; Amador R. Maribojoc, 17 and Samley M. Ortega, 15. Joven L. Suarez died while being treated on the way to Tacloban City.

Other teenagers were injured and were brought to the three private hospitals in the city.

Both drivers of the truck and motorcycle sustained injuries and were admitted to the hospitals for medical treatment including the 2 motorcycle backriders.

Teenagers were all residents of  Brgy. Peña, Tinambacan District, Calbayog City and on their way home at around 3 p.m. from the city COMELEC’s last day of new voter’s registration.

Police also said that the truck driver Fermin Raypan, 28, reached the highway of Purok 3, Brgy. Cagsalaosao in a curve uphill pavement running out of control, swerved to the left lane and accidentally bumped a motorcycle driven by Alfie Lagrimas, 25 running in an opposite direction. The truck, thereafter run off the left pavement and turned to its left side down.

Reports said that the driver admitted he drank one bottle of liquor before the accident but denied he was drunk when driving towards Brgy. Peña to transport the teenagers.