Director Karina Rosa
Tiopes informed that the seminar workshop tagged as “Tunay na
Piyestang Pinoy,” under the DOT’s Operation: Tunay na Kulturang Pinoy
program, will be participated on by choreographers, artistic directors
and local tourism officers.
This cultural
workshop/clinic, Director Tiopes said, hopes to conduct the review and
re-development of cultural festivals, the principle of correcting and
enhancing the events through a tedious process of educating the
community on correct music and correct dance movements and correct
props and costumes that are based on their own history and traditions.
The participants will
undergo an intensive training on aspects involved in festival
management. Even local government officials and barangay leaders,
Director Tiopes quipped, involved in yearly street dancing parades,
will be made participate in the workshops to give them ample knowledge
of their own culture and teach them tried-and-tested systems and
methods to preserve and enhance their old rituals and traditions.
Among the topics in
the seminar workshop are the overview of what is Operation: Tunay na
Kulturang Pinoy which will be done by Director Romulo A. delos Reyes
of DOT Central Office; the Roots of Filipino Culture and their
Significance in Filipino Festivals by Dr. Brenda Fajardo of PETA; and
the Festival Planning and Management by Mr. Nilo Agustin of DOT
Central Office.
Other topics include
Dance Movements and Choreography by Dr. Larry Gabbao of Philippine
Normal University; Music by Mr. Lutgado Labad of PETA; Production
Design, Costumes and Props by Dr. Brenda Fajardo of PETA; and Theater
Arts Application by Mr. Frank Rivera of NCCA.
In the workshop, the
participants will take a closer peak into two popular Eastern Visayan
Festivals, the Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos and the Sarakiki Festival
of Calbayog.
The workshop output
will be put together to create a cultural festival that carries the
image and character of an ideal Eastern Visayan Pyesta. This will be
critiqued by a panel of reactors from the Region's cultural
communities and the academe.
Director Tiopes said
that the Department of Tourism recognizes the fact that cultural
festivals is an important component of the Philippine Tourism
Industry, thus, it has the responsibility to put culture to where it
should rightly belong. After all, culture is the soul of the nation
and it is the one that differentiate a Filipino from his Asian
brothers and sisters.
It is in this
context that the DOT Operation: TKP (Tunay na Kulturang Pinoy) was
conceptualized, to review and re-do all cultural events and festivals
that have been created in the regions to make sure that they reflect
the community’s dreams and joys, true beliefs and creative
expressions.
Army General and
ranking Army official preventively suspended for "AFP items-for-sale"
scam
Press Release
By Office of the Ombudsman
March 5, 2008
QUEZON CITY,
Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday placed under a
six-month preventive suspension a Commanding General of the Philippine
Army (PA) and another ranking Army official for their alleged
involvement in the “AFP items-for sale” scam.
In a five-page Order,
the OMB placed under a six-month preventive suspension without pay
Major Gen. Jose T. Barbieto, Commanding Gen. of the PA 4th Infantry
Division stationed in Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro
City and S/Sgt. Roseller A. Echepare.
The two officials were
earlier charged with Violation of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt
Practices Act) and RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for
Public Officials and Employees) before the Office of the Ombudsman by
several personnel of the 4th Infantry Division.
The complainants
alleged that “applicants are being extorted money in the amount
ranging from P25,000 to P30,000 in order to guarantee their enlistment
in the Army without having to pass the standard procedures adopted by
the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”
They stated that the
money collected from the said candidate soldiers are being given to
Barbieto thru his “bagman”, Echepare.
They also claim that
when the candidate soldiers are unable to produce the amount, the
payment is made through salary deduction, to be given to Echepare or
deposited to the Landbank account of Barbieto’s brother, Marlo.
The complainants also
revealed that anomalies attend the processing of applications for
reinstatement and the AFP’s “Balik Baril” Program.
In his
complaint-affidavit, one of the complainants stated that he discovered
the anomaly on January 31, 2008, when a group of young male strangers
approached him, seeking his help to get enlisted as candidate
soldiers.
He said the young men
stated that “they can only pay the amount of P10,000 each because they
came from poor families and cannot afford the P25,000 that CG, 4ID is
allegedly asking, according to a certain SSgt Echepare”.
On the other hand, in
his complaint-affidavit, another complainant narrated that his
brother-in-law sought his help to be enlisted as he was disqualified
due to hearing problem. He said he was advised to approach Echepare to
be able to help his brother-in-law. He claimed Echepare told him,
“MAKAPASOK ANG BAYAW MO KAHIT MAY DEPEKTO BASTA MAY SOP NA P25,000.”
He added that they
were only able to produce P20,000 which they gave to Echepare on the
first week of January 2008. He said Echepare accepted the money but
stated that “IDEDUCT NA LANG SA KANILANG SWELDO ANG P5,000.”
Another complainant
stated that he passed the AFP qualifying exams but another person took
the exam for him. He said after his training in April, 2007, he was
expecting to receive P27,000. However, the amount of P25,000 was
deducted from it allegedly because his mother requested for it. “Sa
pag uli nako sa amo unya gepangutana na akong mama ang iyang tubag
wala kuno siya magpadeduct sa ako”. (When I went home, I asked my
mother but she said she did not ask for the deduction)
Assistant Ombudsman
Mark E. Jalandoni, of the OMB’s Fact-finding and Investigation Office
(OMB-FIO) cited Sec. 9 of the Rules of Procedure which gives the OMB
power to preventively suspend public officials.
AFP Chief of Staff
Gen. Hermogenes Esperon was directed to implement the Order
immediately upon receipt of the same.
PCA calls for
moratorium on cutting of coconut trees
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
March
5, 2008
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– A moratorium on the issuance of permits to cut coconut trees and
the corresponding transport or transshipment clearances except on
limited exceptions, has been ordered by Philippine Coconut Authority
Administrator Oscar Garin.
This was learned from
the Coconut Media Service informed that the moratorium will take
effect March 10, 2008, pursuant to PCA Board Resolution 02-008.
A transition period
prior to the affectivity date has been declared by Administrator Garin
and those entitled to the transitory provision will be limited to
those with permits approved on or before
February 19, 2008.
The implementation of
the moratorium is to once and for all arrest the ever increasing and
unabated incidence of illegal cutting of coconut trees, Administrator
Garin said even as he stressed the need for more strict regulations to
stop the illicit practices of unscrupulous coconut lumber traders.
Under the memorandum
circular, all issuances of Permit to Cut Coconut Trees (PCCTs) and
Transport/Transshipment Clearances (TTCs) are ordered suspended
nationwide except on limited exceptions.
Such exemption are
those for typhoon-damaged coconut trees in declared typhoon-calamity
areas; for trees which pose threat and danger to life, limb and
property; for areas duly authorized for conversion; and for personal
use of farmer for family housing or animal shed which should not
exceed five trees.
The memorandum also
restricts the transportation of coconut lumber with the provincial
territorial limits only, and with the use of a four wheeler vehicle
such as jeepney, pick-up or flatbed and the likes, with maximum hold
capacity of two thousand board feet of coconut lumber approximately
from 20 coconut trees.
The Philippine
Coconut Authority calls on those concerned to comply with the said
moratorium.
PNOC-AFC chair graces
Jathropa seminar in Basey, Samar
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
March
5, 2008
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– PNOC Alternative Fuels Corporation Chairman, Dr. Renato S. Velasco
is expected to grace the Jathropa Seminar scheduled on March 8, 2008
at Basey, Samar.
Chairman Velasco, who
used to be the director general of the Philippine Information Agency,
will deliver an inspiring message concerning the production and
technology of Jathropha biodiesel in Basey. His visit will also be
highlighted with the inauguration of the second barangay Tuba-Tuba
Nursery and a brief visit to the first barangay Tuba-Tuba Nursery.
Together with Chairman
Velasco, Dr. Roberto Vicos, an agriculturist and professor at the
University of the Philippines is also expected to make a visual
presentation on jathropa.
The Seminar will start
at 9:00 o’clock in the morning with Basey Mayor Wilfredo O. Estorninos
will welcome the guests and the participants. Baktas President
Teodorico D. Porbus will give an update on the jathropa production in
Basey.
Also expected to
deliver their inspirational messages are Samar Governor Milagrosa T.
Tan, Representative Sharee Ann Tan of the Second District of Samar and
Honorable Wilfredo Estorninos.
The guests will also
inaugurate the second Barangay Jathropa Nursery in Barangay Sawa and
will take a side trip to the First Barangay Jathropa Nursery in
Barangay Old San Agustin.
The Jathropa Seminar
coincides with the First General Assembly of the Baktas Kabub’wason
Rural Workers Association. These are composed of farmers who have
started to plant jathropa tree and because of this similarity, they
decided to group into an association.
The Seminar Lectures
on Jathopa will continue in the afternoon of March 8, Municipal
Agrarian Reform Officer Chito dela Torre of Basey, informed.
Republic Act 9637 or
the Philippine Biofuels Act of 2006 calls for a mandatory mixing of 1%
of biodiesel in diesel and 5% ethanol in gasoline for the first 4
years. Hence on, this will be increased to 2% biodiesel and 10% for
ethanol.
Aside from coconut,
jathropa has high potential as source of biofuel, so Region 8 will
take advantage of this potentials which are available in the Region.
The Visayas State
University has been conducting studies on Jathropa. It fact it has
already an existing processing technology and has studied the
prospects for jathropa as biodiesel sources.
MGB-8 puts on hold
sand and gravel operations in Leyte town
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
March
5, 2008
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte
– The sand and gravel extraction, processing and disposal of the
five sand and gravel industrial permit holders in the municipality of
Hilongos, Leyte were ordered suspended by the Mines and Geosciences
Bureau Regional Office 8 Director Loreto B. Alburo, in view of their
failure to pay their accrued sand and gravel extraction fee.
This was learned from
OIC Chief of the Mining Environment and Safety Division of MGB, Mr.
Armando S. Dupio, Jr.
The issuance of the
order is in accordance with DENR Administrative Order 96-40 otherwise
known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
Director Alburo said
that the regular payment of extraction fee to the provincial
treasurer, or the municipal treasurer if deputized by the province, is
one of the requirements of the new Mining Act and other subsequent
policy issuances or amendments, and terms and conditions of the issued
permits in the conduct of industrial sand and gravel operation.
The Local Government
Code of 1991 provides that 30% of the extraction fees goes to the
province; another 30% goes to the municipality and the remaining 40%
accrues to the barangay where the materials are extracted.
The settlement of the
unpaid sand and gravel extraction fee has been the discussed in the
quarterly meeting of the Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee in
Hilongos, Leyte held in November, 2007.
Director Alburo, being
the MRFC Chair advised all the permit holders to settle their arrears
lest suspension orders be issued, however, the same failed to heed the
advice.
Director Alburo said
that the suspension will be lifted upon individual submission to the
MGB-8, the official receipts and certification from the provincial
treasurer or municipal treasurer of Hilongos, indicating that 50% of
their arrears has been fully paid. The concerned LGU will generate
approximately P2 Million from the required 50% payment, Director
Alburo said.
In addition, a duly
notarized compromise agreement entered into by and between the
permitee and the provincial Governor of
Leyte or municipal Mayor of Hilongos, must also be submitted to
MGB-8, Director Alburo added.
The agreement should
state among others, that the remaining 50% arrears shall be paid in 6
equal monthly installments from the date of payment of the first 50%
of the arrears.
Director Alburo said
that failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement
and the permit shall be a ground for cancellation of the sand and
gravel industrial permit.
For calendar year
2007, the estimated revenues accrued to the Local Government Units in
Region 8, from the sand and gravel extraction fee was more than P6
million. The bulk of the sand and gravel production is from the
province of Leyte, Director Alburo added.
Police end bloody
hostage-taking
By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern
Leyte)
March 3, 2008
SOGOD, Southern Leyte
– Police operatives of this municipality ended a bloody
hostage-taking incident here in the evening of Friday, February 29,
killing the suspect who was believed to be mentally-deranged.
The real-life drama,
however, claimed the lives of two innocent children.
In a phone call this
morning, Senior Police Officer 2 (SPO2) Mario Amolo of the Sogod
Police force, identified the slain suspect as Omar Castil Barba, 28
years old, single, and resident of barangay San Pedro, where the event
happened.
The two dead kids were
identified as Cindey Sacro Castil, 3 years old, and Antoniette Sacro
Castil, 6 years old.
Amolo said the police
station received a telephone call at about 8:00 in the evening last
Friday, informing the police of the ongoing hostage scene in the
interior barangay.
Some 52 cops
immediately rushed to the crime scene, together with five policemen
from the PNP mobile force stationed in the area, according to SPO2
Amolo who was one of those who responded.
Sogod Mayor Sheffered
Tan also went to the troubled site after having been informed and
appraised of the gravity of the situation.
Initial investigation
made by the Police showed that the suspect was in the house of a
certain Virginia Sacro having dinner, after which, armed with a bolo,
he suddenly held the two kids hostage for no apparent reason and
motive.
Earlier, he had nailed
a nail in his breast, SPO2 Amolo narrated.
Upon orders by Mayor
Sheffered Tan, who could no longer take the commotion inside the house
as the hostage-taking drama went on, Police ransacked the house,
killing the suspect, Amolo said.
The two kids were
brought to the Sogod hospital but the younger one was already dead
from sustained wounds, while the elder of the two victims expired the
next day, SPO 2 Amolo further told PIA.
PGMA assistance
continues to Eastern Samar flood victims
By ALICE NICART (PIA Eastern
Samar)
March 3, 2008
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern
Samar – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Medical Team, tagged
“PGMA Caravan” is slated to render service to
Eastern Samar flood victims.
This was learned from
Govenor Ben Evardone’s report today.
The Caravan which has
just finished its mission in nearby Biliran province, targets the top
ten poorest provinces of the country, Evardone said. However, upon
the call of the President, they will side trip to Eastern Samar,
apparently to give assistance to the Provincial Health Office (PHO) in
attending to the medical needs of the flood victims. PHO for their
part has been doing several health interventions, recent of which was
their attendance to Diarrhea cases and purifying drinking waters.
Also today, the
Provincial Government distributed some cash assistance of P5,000 to
the 17 families who lost a member to the massive flooding, plus P500
more for their transportation expenses in coming to the Capitol for
the distribution event. In the ceremony, Gov. Evardone did not forget
to request for the Eucharistic celebration prior to the main event, in
apparent thanksgiving for the good weather that is now enveloping the
province and the endless pouring of assistance from different donors.
“I am really concerned
about the present status of my constituents,” Evardone said. “It is
good that the weather has improved lately, but, in my rounds to our
farmers, they are similarly anxious about the abrupt change of
weather from the long heavy rains to very sunny days because it will
not be good just the same for the rice plantations that are now
starting to bear palay,” he added.
But still, Evardone
continues to adopt new ways to mitigate the effect of the flood to the
farmers; he is introducing a new innovation for his Agricultural
development program.
“I am taking
responsibility as subsidy for the 50% of the total amount of the pump
boat machines and the hand tractors that are offered to the farmers,”
he stressed. “The hand tractors for instance which was used to be
taken as loan for P80,000 with P16,000 down payment is now P40,000
with P4,000.00 down payment,” he explained.
Evardone added that
the innovation is also open to municipal and barangay LGUs that their
IRA can be better utilized this way. He said that Dolores Mayor,
Emiliana Villacarillo firstly signified interest to loan for 100 hand
tractors for her farmers, her town, being the province’s main rice
producing municipality.
