9th RP Hobie Challenge docks in 4 areas of Eastern Visayas

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
February 16, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The 2008 Philippine Hobie Challenge, the country’s premier inter-island regatta on the Hobie 16, the world most popular catamaran design, will pass by Eastern Visayas on February 18-22, 2008, Department of Tourism Region 8 Director Karina Rosa Tiopes informed.

Director Tiopes said that the Challenge will start in Luzon and will pass through the Visayas and finish in Mindanao, hence been christened as “Luzviminda Challenge.”

This year, the organizers, the Philippine Hobei Foundation, have chosen an exciting new route for the week-long premier sailing event that will showcase the multitude of beautiful islands in the Philippines, and Eastern Visayas will have a chance to showcase its beautiful islands too.

In Eastern Visayas, Director Tiopes disclosed, four docking areas have been identified. From Gubat, Sorsogon, the participants will pass through the Saint Bernardino Strait to the Sambawan Island at Maripipi, Biliran on February 18 which is the first leg of the race.

On the second day, January 19, the boats will be seen heading for San Juanico Straits, a narrow strip of water varying from 2 miles to a few hundred meters wide that divides Samar from Leyte and is cross by the San Juanico Strait bridge, just north of Tacloban, past Bilirian Island to a deserted beach on Bacsal Island, which is situated at the Northern end of the Strait in Daram, Samar.

On the 20th of February, the third day, sailing through the Straits will be tactically challenging as the sailors pick their way between the islands, rocks and reefs to find the best wind and tide. The day will end with a reach across the northern end of the Leyte Gulf to a beach resort among the limestone cliffs and deep clear waters of the Marabut Peninsular, the Marabut Rock Islets in Marabut, Samar.

On the fourth day, February 21, the boats will proceed East across the Leyte Gulf heading for the Pacific Ocean and the tiny island of Suluan, in Guiuan town, which is some 15 miles off the southern tip of Eastern Samar. Here on a beautiful golden sand spit of land jutting out into the ocean the sailors will be fed on freshly caught fish grilled to perfection by the accompanying chefs and provided by the local community.

On February 22, the fifth and last day of the inter-island phase of the Challenge, will have the competitors sailing 65 miles south down the Pacific Ocean swells and with a following wind, to the surfing paradise island of Siargao on the Northern tip of Mindanao, know for its Cloud 9 surfing waves.

About 16 competitors of nearly 100 sailors have already indicated their interest in entering from Thailand, the USA, Australia, Netherlands, France and the Northern Marianas Islands. Top local sailors mainly based at the Taal Lake Yacht Club and with the Philippine Sailing Association will also enter.

The organizing committee is once again working with the Department of Tourism in promoting the Philippines as a safe and interesting destination for tourists. The Department is sponsoring the production of a film of the Challenge to be shown on the cable networks. The film will also featuring the whale sharks of Sorgogon, the island paradise of Calicoan Island and the surfing capital of Siargao and all the beautiful islands in between.

In Eastern Visayas, the Challenge is supported by the Department of Tourism Region 8, the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police 8, Department of Health 8, Philippine National Red Cross, Province of Samar, Province of Eastern Samar, Province of Biliran, and the Municipalities of Maripipi in Biliran, Daram and Marabut in Samar, and Guiuan in Eastern Samar.

Senate decriminalizes vagrancy

Press Release
By Office of Senator Chiz Escudero
February 16, 2008

PASAY CITY, Philippines  –  There are no more vagrants in the society in as far as the Senate is concerned when it approved yesterday for third and final reading the bill decriminalizing vagrancy.

Senate Bill No. 1965, submitted jointly by the Committees on Justice and Human Rights and Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws was approved by the body for transmittal to the Lower House for consideration.

In decriminalizing vagrancy, the said bill does not anymore define vagrants as circumscribed by the existing anti-vagrancy law or Article 202 of the Revised Penal Code.  In totally removing vagrants in the said provision, prostitution, however shall continue to be punishable.

Senator Chiz Escudero, Chairman of the Justice Committee and who authored the bill together with Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Richard Gordon and Loren Legarda said that the existing law on vagrancy fails to see that vagrants are victims of poverty and the lack of opportunities for employment and access to decent standards of living and quality of life.

“Vagrancy inflicts no harm to society, but if at all, very minimal compared to those grave offenses which cause damage to person, community and property. This should be addressed with treatment rather than with punishment,” Escudero said.

The bill, Escudero said, provides equal protection to women, children and men as authorities cannot anymore recklessly and conveniently use vagrancy in arbitrary arrests.

“We see it all the time in the news, when authorities round up people and no definite charges can be made, vagrancy comes in handy. Cases of this nature have already piled up in our justice system. With SB No. 1965, we remedy two issues. One, we give a more humane countenance on our justice system, which prioritizes the rehabilitation of the offender and acknowledges the value of every human life. Two, we decongest the load of the justice system”.

By decriminalizing vagrancy, Escudero said law enforcement officers can already pay more attention to graver offenses and improve the administration of justice in the country.

Escudero said the senate is optimistic that their counterparts in Congress will approve the same bill once transmitted to the Lower House.

Nutritional status of Day Care kids in Tarangan improves through PGMA’s FSP

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
February 16, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  The nutritional status of some 120 day care children in Tarangan town improved as the 22 Day Care Center kids were given a kilo of rice a day by the PGMA’s Food for School Program (FSP).

The data was gathered from a report filed by Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO) Claudette Jane Cabinalan.

According to Cabinalan’s report, some 601 kids weighed initially showed that some 378 were normal; 198 below normal low (BNL); and 13 were below normal very low (BNVL).

After some time of distributing a kilo of rice a day coupled by the DSWD’s supplemental feeding program, 69 kids weighing BNL now weigh normally and only one kid is left out of the 13 that was classified BNVL.

Based on the assessment of a Provincial Nutrition Council Member, Felecita Borata, an improvement of 38% has been achieved.

Meanwhile, Mayor Emmelly Olaje expressed concern over the inclusion of Tarangnan in the top 20 nutritionally depressed municipalities but vowed to support the nutrition program of her town. She said she also acknowledged the assistance that would be extended by the National Nutrition Council.

Cabinalan also told PIA that aside from the one kilo a day ration and the supplemental feeding, the day care children are given deworming tablets and also taught good eating habits. The parents are also taught to prepare less expensive but nutritious meals.

Dolores PNP-Mobile grabs outstanding award

By ALICE NICART and SAMMY CANDIDO
February 15, 2008

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  Police Inspector Mario Cristino A. Lucero, 34,  today has all reasons to be merry after the Philippine National Police (PNP) adjudged his Mobile Unit in Dolores town, the “Best Provincial Mobile Group”.

This was gathered from Lucero himself who granted a kind interview.

On the same note, SPO1 Edwin Docena, Personnel Officer of PNP Provincial Headquarters at Camp Asidillo likewise saluted at Lucero’s recognition.  According to him the Officer is worthy of the award because of his exemplary leadership and the motivation he exudes towards the members of the 806th Police Provincial Mobile Group which he presently leads.

Docena added that in 2005, the 805th Mobile Group at Buenavista, McArthur, which Lucero likewise led received the same recognition.  Therefore, it is not surprising, why he received as well today the same distinction, he said.

“Sir Lucero is truly a trustworthy officer with whom any member of his team can anchor at anytime, be it during operations or for some petty boys’ stuff,” Docena cracked. I have not been under him though, but this is the common feedback which I usually gather from comrades, besides, he oftentimes come to the office and as I observe, all those words of his teammates are correct,” Docena concluded.

It was gathered that for a team to be recognized with distinctions, it has to meet certain criteria set forth by PNP National Headquarters; and, of the 12 Provincial Mobile Groups of Region 8, 806th emerged as the best in Operational and Administrative Accomplishment, in the Readiness Survey made regularly by a team from Manila and for Outstanding Performances over and above other teams.

Lucero said that perhaps what also made him and his team to the top was due to the good example they show in enforcing laws, the strategy they adopt in winning a war against bad elements or perhaps they are  touching peoples’ lives while providing police services.

“Modesty aside, we at the 806th were able to arrest 25 most wanted persons with pending cases in courts such as murder, homicide, rape, robbery, physical injuries and violators of special laws, such as illegal drugs, gambling, logging and fishing,” the Officer reported.

Having won the same “Best Provincial Mobile Group Award” for three consecutive years, Lucero is now the Province’s bet for the PNP National selection.

In Llorente town where he was previously assigned at, Lucero was also distinguished as Most Citizen Friendly Police and his Station, Most Citizen Friendly as well.  In 2005, the young officer was also adjudged Best Junior Police Commission Officer, regional level.

Gov. Petilla determined on convention center plan

By Provincial Media Relations Center (PMRC Leyte)
February 15, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla reiterated his desire to pursue the plan of the provincial government to build another convention center.

This despite some rumors that certain groups or parties around are there to oppose and block Leyte’s bid to build its own convention center soon somewhere here in this city.

“They can always oppose but I always push,” Gov. Petilla hinted.

Gov. Petilla pointed out those opposing parties should clearly “present their case” first why the province’s plan to construct a convention center is not admissible.

It was earlier reported that the province of Leyte is planning to erect a convention center at the Old Children’s Park near the port area.

Gov. Petilla said the area is a government property which means that it cannot be expropriated by any manner.

“Lands or lots that are subject for expropriation are only those private properties that are of utmost need for government and public use but is being bought for a corresponding amount,” Gov. Petilla said.

“We do not own a property for our own personal use. So they can’t expropriate it, but they can always try if they want,” Gov. Petilla said.

The governor emphasized that the Old Children’s Park, considered as a provincial lot, is owned by the public and is intended to be utilized for the public also.

“In all honesty, again it is a government property for the people. Why do you need to expropriate something when it is intended for public use anyway,” Gov. Petilla said.

The governor believes that with the emergence of more convention centers in the province, business activity will become more vibrant and more visitors would be willing to come here as the province would then have the capability to host big local and national events as well.

South Leyte, Saint Bernard LGUs get set for second Guinsaugon commemoration

By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern Leyte)
February 13, 2008

SAINT BERNARD, Southern Leyte  –  This municipality as well as the provincial government of Southern Leyte has lined up some activities to remember an event February 17 two years ago that wiped an entire village here and left tens of hundreds orphaned and homeless.

In what is now widely known worldwide as the Guinsaugon mudslide disaster, the day will be marked with a commemorative walk from the town proper to the site starting at about eight o’clock in the morning, to be followed by a Holy Mass, a brief program, and a tree planting as the day’s culminating act.

According to provincial Tourism Officer Nedgar Garvez, the above-cited series of activity has been taken care of by the officials of the town, while on the part of the province it takes charge of a live band concert in the evening of February 16 at the New Guinsaugon location in Barangay Magbagacay.

Then, by the early morning of February 17 at around 5:30, provincial officials led by Gov. Damian Mercado will have a commemorative caravan from Maasin City to Barangay Guinsaugon, but by reaching the junction at Barangay Bolod-bolod they will join the long walk to the site.

For maximum participation of this caravan, Gov. Mercado will be sending letters to provincial and national officials with vehicles to join the activity, said Garvez.

The Holy Mass at the site will be at around ten in the morning.

In the draft program a copy of which was provided to PIA, some guests from the United States Marine Corps were invited to attend, including the British Ambassador, to impart messages of recollection and inspiration.

Rep. Roger Mercado, Gov. Mercado, and Saint Bernard Mayor Rico Rentuza will likewise share their thoughts during the program.

This will be followed by a short PowerPoint presentation on the rehabilitation updates, a sharing of testimonies by three survivors, and a cultural presentation from orphaned students.

Izuso-Plan-TESDA cooperate to establish a $3M Auto Mechanic Training Center in region 8

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
February 13, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Here is another good opportunity to learn a skill, find a good job and uplift the Filipino family from poverty.

The Automotive Mechanic Training Center and Scholarship Project in Tacloban City to be undertaken jointly by Isuzu Motors, Plan International and TESDA, was launched on January 31 at Shangrila Hotel.

Isuzu will pour in $3 million to establish the Training Center where every year, for the next five years, 80 scholarships will be given for a two year auto-mechanic course, completion of which will earn the scholar a National Certification IV.

The scholars, male and female, will be chosen from the communities across the country with the assistance of Plan International which operates in the most depressed areas like Samar, Southern Leyte, Camotes Island in Cebu, Masbate and Mindoro Occidental.

The scholars will be chosen from the poorest and most marginalized communities and will be asked to commit themselves to finishing the training course and taking jobs in the automobile industry.

Isuzu Motors will cover living and educational fees, the construction of a dormitory, guidance for curriculum development and training facilities and equipment. Isuzu pledged to extend more support beyond 2012.

Aside from the financial assistance, Isuzu will provide expertise developed through its automobile manufacturing business, including assessment of technical competence of the proposed curriculum, improving the course design and periodic assessment and evaluation of competence and appropriateness of delivery of the course programs.

TESDA Region 8 under the able leadership of Director Juan M. Sabulao, Jr., will be the main resource organization for the technical training and will be supplying the instructors and lectures.

The project will follow TESDA’s National Certification system as the legally mandated and recognized accreditation and certification in the Philippines which is composed of a set of requirements that the student must accomplish before he could be considered a certified mechanic.

TESDA will also provide the non-technical aspects of training like values formation, basic literacy and personality development.

Plan International and TESDA will conduct a customer satisfaction survey one year after the hiring of the project trainees, the result of which will be used in formulating annual operational plans and new policies for the improvement of the training center.