Southern Leyte News

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

LGU-SoLeyte provides cash assistance to 777 distressed persons

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) -- A total of 777 distressed persons availed of the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) of the local government of Southern Leyte; this is designed to provide relief to needy individuals and their families particularly in times of crises. Together with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of the Southern Leyte Congressional District and the PAGCOR, the assistance for individuals in crisis situations totaled P 1.294 million, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) Social Welfare assistant Amelia Malazarte reported to PIA. Malazarte said the provincial government gave P 956,800; PDAF P 290,500; and PAGCOR P 47,300 for its social services last year. She added that said cash assistance are intended for the purchase of medicines, burial assistance, educational assistance, transportation needs, emergency food, laboratory examinations, CT scan, confirmatory test, vitamins, heart examinations, among other needs. Meanwhile a relief augmentation in the amount of P720,000 was released to at least 1,000 families in the municipalities of Hinundayan, Sogod, St. Bernard, and Bontoc who were evacuated in early 2011 due to flooding. The assistance came in the form of rice, canned goods, and mineral waters, she added. (PIA SoLeyte/esg)





Agri-tourism-coop summit in the province now on

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- The first agri-tourism coop summit as a vehicle to the vision for the province to become an agricultural exporter in 2012 is now on. In close coordination with the office of the provincial agriculturist, the summit shall the venue for the sharing of insights and knowledge in mapping out strategies for the realization for Southern Leyte to be no longer dependent of agricultural products from outside the province according to provincial agriculturist Marina Gador. Cong. Roger Mercado aimed that the agriculture development in the province will improve in tandem with tourism advancement, she said. That if the province will be able to turn out abundant supply of rice, coffee, banana, coconut, and even abaca products, it will eventually attract more tourists in the province, she added. Hence, the province will no longer buy agricultural products from outside the province sources for its food, she said. Mercado believes that the undertaking will eventually benefit the environment particularly in the proper cultivation of the land that, whatever development from the mountains, will not affect the reef resources, Gador explained. Municipal mayors, the Southern Leyte Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (SLCCI), municipal agricultural officers, municipal tourism officers, Philippine National Police (PNP), local media among other stakeholders of the vision will attend the summit. (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

PCA distributes salt fertilizers to coco farmers in Southern Leyte

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 13 (PIA) -- A total of 4,500 sacks of salt fertilizers were given free to at least 1,000 coconut farmers all over this province by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) provincial office. Each sack consisted of 50 kilos good for 25 coconut trees at two kilos per tree, said Carmelita Maturan, Coconut Development Officer in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). Farmers with at least 50 fruit-bearing trees were given, although most recipients on average had at least 100 coconuts due for fertilization, Maturan said. This was the second round in a three-year consecutive fertilizer application as programmed by PCA, but Maturan said it cannot be helped that some farmers who wanted to partake of the fertilizers were accommodated as first-time applicants. Also, as programmed all the 18 municipalities were given an equal share of 226 sacks each, while Maasin City had 232 sacks. Out of the 70 barangays of the city, only two were not yet able to retrieve their fertilizers as of last week for lack of transportation, Maturan said. It was already established that duly fertilized coconuts increase yield by about 25 percent, while its effects in terms of copra production also rise by 20 to 25% during the first year, 50 to 100% on the second year. Aside from being cheapest and easy to apply, the benefits of using salt fertilizer can increase thickness of coconut meat, increase number of nuts harvested, and can make the trees resistant to drought, pests, and diseases. And while the rains these days may pose as a danger especially in vulnerable areas, the occasion is the best time to fertilize the coconuts, as the PCA instructional pamphlet specified that field application must be done during the rainy season. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

'Zipline' in Sogod engenders more business

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan 11 (PIA) -- To the surprise of local businessmen, zipline, a locally based extreme sport destination in the municipality of Sogod has engendered a host of business opportunities for them. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Office spearheaded an investment and financing forum in the locality participated in by 28 local business giving priority to the tourism sector, DTI Trade and Industry Development specialist Sandra Alcober said. DTI provincial director Michael Nuṅez emphasized that the locality lacks facilities needed by tourists. He noted that there is a need for restaurants, night life entertaiments (bands, disco, etc), transportation facilities to ferry visitors from poblacion down to the Zipline area in Brgy. Kahupian, souvenir shops, Alcober said. It is also noted that even at the zipline area, there is no restaurant. One has to travel more 10 kilometers to get to the downtown area for food, she added. At the same time, the financing forum followed where government brought three banks; SB Corporation, Land bank, and Metro Bank, who offered local businessmen different financing programs, Alcober reported.(esg/PIA Southern Leyte)

Maasin City gets P20-M DILG support fund DILG

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- The city local government unit here was a recipient of the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the amount of P20 million. The city government received the said grant for having garnered numerous awards and citations, and which the DILG duly considered, said City Mayor Maloney Samaco a radio program this morning. Also considered in LGSF is an LGUs compliance with the full disclosure policy of the DILG, Samaco said in a follow-up phone interview by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). This also showed that the city succeeded in clinching the Seal of Good Housekeeping as part of the full disclosure policy, Samaco added. On Friday, City Councilor Rene Hatayna told PIA that the P20 million grant can do much to cushion the impact of the expected decrease in this year's Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), which was earlier estimated at around P47 million. Hatayna said among the project proposed in the use of funds were improvements of the Maasin Commercial Complex, roads, bridges, and a new slaughterhouse slated to be constructed around barangay Dongon-Bato I area. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

So Leyte to embark on massive coconut replanting

by Erna Sy-Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan 9 (PIA8) -- The provincial government of Southern Leyte will embark on a massive coconut tree replanting in the province this year. More and more old trees are becoming unproductive; this, coupled with rampant and indiscriminate cutting of coconut trees into lumber had dwindled the number of coconut trees substantially, provincial agriculturist Marina Gador reported. Gador disclosed that with the recent directive of Governor Damian G. Mercado, the provincial agriculture office will be buying nuts from municipalities that will be planted after three to four months when these are already planting materials. Gador said that an initial 10,000 coconut trees will be replacing old coconut trees.(ESG-PIA SoLeyte)

Smoking ban stays during athletic meet in Maasin City

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- Coaches and trainers from other school divisions in Region 8 who smoke tobacco or cigarettes better be warned: they should kick the habit -- at least while living in this city for the week-long duration of the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) January 29 – February 4. This was made clear by Fernando Salapi, Sports coordinator of the City Schools Division, Department of Education (DepEd). Aside from smoking, adult participants of the regional sports meet are also not allowed to be seen in public drinking alcoholic drinks, saying that sports requires discipline, Salapi said during the cable TV program “Action Center” yesterday. The strict regimen to preserve one’s health was in line with the theme for this year’s EVRAA, which is “School Sports: Foundation to a Healthy Lifestyle,” he added. Salapi said the ages of participating officials was limited at 55 and below as a matter of policy, to prevent any untoward incident with regards to the health of these delegates. During the first EVRAA in the city in 2005, one of the officials ended as a fatality after the opening parade, an incident the organizers do not want repeated. It was learned that some players, coaches and trainers, or staff of visiting delegations do smoke, but once in the city they will be forbidden under pain of being penalized once caught smoking in public places. The city local government did not tolerate smoking habits by visitors during their stay for certain events, like boy scouts on a jamboree, or any other gathering. City enforcers and police personnel were seen issuing citation tickets to strangers who violated the city’s anti-smoking ordinance. Meanwhile, Salapi also said that officiating officials for this year’s EVRAA will undergo a refresher course from January 25 to 28 so that they will be updated on current rules and regulations, including some policies that must be followed as the games progress. Non-attendance to this four-day course will disqualify an official to officiate in the games, Salapi added. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

Maasin City ready to host EVRAA 2012

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 4 (PIA) -- With just twenty-four days to go, this city is now all set for Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) sports competition, scheduled to be held here January 29 to February 4. Everything has been laid out for the accommodations, from the billeting quarters of athletic delegates and officials to sports venues and other physical facilities, said City Sports Coordinator Dominador Rojas. On the part of the Department of Education (DepEd) City Division, all the teachers were already oriented on their specific roles to ensure a successful hosting of the annual sports tournament among elementary and secondary schools students all over Leyte and Samar, said Fernando Salapi, Division Sports Coordinator. Both Rojas and Salapi were the guests during this morning's edition of the cable TV program “Action Center." Rojas said the only problem he foresee is the weather suggesting that playing venues must have alternate sites to counter the ever changing climate. Games such as volleyball and basketball that are set to be played in open arenas of the provincial sports complex, or at the Tomas Oppus Pilot School (TOPS) oval, will be transferred to covered gyms when it rains, and for this purpose all the barangay gyms in the city may be used, said Rojas. City Mayor Maloney Samaco had said he wanted this year’s EVRAA hosting as a memorable experience for the visiting delegates, estimated at over 6,000 from ten school divisions around Region 8, even as he also wanted athletes of the home division to be the champion. This will be the second time Maasin City played host to the regional, annual sports meet, the first time was in the year 2005 where the city emerged overall champion, a feat Mayor Samaco wants repeated. A total of seventeen sporting events will be competed, and in all these games, except for Archery, the City Division has been training hard its players in close coordination with the city local government unit, said Salapi. As guests of honor during the opening ceremony, DepEd invited Assistant Secretary Tony Umali, while the city government invited Chito Loyzaga, Commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), but both have not yet confirmed their presence to date. This year’s EVRAA carries the theme, “School Sports: Foundation to a Healthy Lifestyle”, a message that jibes well with the city’s no-smoking policy, which will be strictly implemented as the games unfold, Salapi said. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

DPWH – SoLeyte bags Best Engineering Office 2011 in Eastern Visayas

  • Source: DPWH – SoLeyte bags Best Engineering Office 2011 in Eastern Visayas
  • Tuesday, January 03, 2012
by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 3 (PIA8) -- The Southern Leyte Engineering District (SLED) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been awarded as the Best Engineering Office in Region 8 for 2011. The award given last December 21, 2011 at the DPWH Regional Office was based on the collective performance of each section. The said engineering district has ranked first in both Materials and Quality Control and Maintenance Sections, according to SLED Administrative Officer Lilia Mulaan. The performance of the following sections such as Comptrollership (20%), Construction (20%), Materials and Quality Control (30%), and Maintenance (30%), Mulaan reported. While, District Engineer Carlos G. Veloso has been awarded also as the Best District Engineer in the region, she added. Mulaan also disclosed that Engineer Manolo Rojas is also awarded as the Best Assistant District Engineer, Engr. Allan Eway is the Best Maintenance Engineer and Engineer Leonides Olarte is the Best Materials Engineer, all of Southern Leyte Engineering District. The SLED office got the highest rank among the 13 district offices in the region, Mulaan reported. She added that SLED has consistently won the Best Maintenance award for three years. These awards are the department’s recognition of the district’s efforts under the PRAISE (Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence) program to deserving officials and employees and offices in the region, she added. (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

Zero firecracker injury, one gunshot wound in So. Leyte

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 2 (PIA) -- Except for the gunshot wound, it is a scorecard worth emulating. This province maintained its record for the second year of zero casualties reaching hospitals resulting in firecracker burns at the height of the usually boisterous New Year’s eve celebration. As of 8:00 a.m. yesterday, there was no firecracker-related cases registered at the Salvacion Oppus Yniguez Memorial Provincial Hospital (SOYMPH) in this city and at Sogod District Hospital (SDH). The zero incidence of firecracker injury showed that the heightened advocacy campaign of the Department of Health (DOH) on “Aksyon Paputok Injury Reduction (APIR) was successful, even as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) also did their share in issuing public precautions for their “Iwas Paputok” campaign. At SDH, it was learned that one Rodel Renoblas, 21, single, resident of barangay Tampoong, Sogod, was rushed to the hospital a few minutes past midnight after he sustained a gunshot wound at the back. (PIA-Southern Leye/bong)





Maasin City Police tapes firearms

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 30 (PIA) -- Police elements here made sure their guns will be silent as they welcome the New Year. P/Supt. Hector Enage, City Police Chief on Tuesday, December 27 led the muzzle taping of the firearms of all the cops under his command including the two Police Community Precincts (PCP) stationed at barangay Tawid and at barangay San Rafael in a simple ceremony held here. “We are doing this in compliance with a directive from our higher-ups and, besides that, to make sure no Police officer would indulge in indiscriminate firing at the height of the New Year celebration” at midnight of December 31-January 1, Enage said in a phone interview with Philippine Information Agency (PIA) today. Enage said it will be on January 2 when the tape on barrels will be removed, exactly a week after they were tightly secured. In spite of the usual imposition, Enage was hopeful no one among his men would violate the order, just like in previous years. Meanwhile, unlike last year, there was no incident of budol-budol fraud in the run-up to the holidays and Enage attributed this to the strong visibility of Police Officers, where every bank was watched, as well as in areas where many people were crowding, such as in shopping stores. With only two days remaining in 2011, Enage said he will not let his guard down to ensure no one will be fooled at the close of this year. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

City Fire department appeals for a fire-free New Year revelry

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 29 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in this city has joined the campaign of reminding the people to be careful in celebrating the New Year to avoid unwanted blaze and firecracker injuries. Last week before Christmas, the fire bureau has been using its fire truck in going around the city-proper barangays, stopping at major points and intersections where people converge, its public address system blaring as it warned people to ensure safety amidst the merry spirit of the season. This week, the agency has carried on the same rounds, this time the message more intense, as a heightened personal appeal for everyone not to become victims of firecrackers while at the same time avoid incidence of houses being on fire. Yesterday, SInsp. Ferdinand Pecorro, City Fire Marshall, appeared during the weekly Media Forum live at dyDM to personally deliver the warning announcement, so the station can broadcast the message repeatedly on air. The city BFP appealed to the people to remember five specific reminders for a safe New Year’s celebration. First, BFP convince people to avoid igniting firecrackers. Instead, according to them, people can use “torotot” or horns and other safe sound-producing materials. If fireworks are to be used, BFP reminds people to use these appropriately in designated areas, not where there are many people. They remind people not to throw firecrackers anywhere especially lighted firecrackers to roofs of houses. BFP also asks people not to burn car tires. Not only it causes pollution, but it can also start a fire. After the celebration, BFP recommends people to wet all unused firecrackers. “We should not sacrifice our safety and our loved ones’ for indiscriminate use of pyrotechnic materials, the city BFP warned. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

Flooding due to LPA affects 3,642 families in Leyte Island

by PIA Press Release


TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec. 28 (PIA) –- The intermittent rains brought about by the low pressure area and tail end of a cold front has affected 3,642 families in 108 barangays in the provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Operations Center informed. RDRRMC chairman and OCD Director Rey Gozon said that the municipality of Javier, Leyte accounted for a total of 1,081 families who were rescued from 9 barangays namely, Batog, Kalsada, Inayopan, Picas, Kasulongan, Bantay, Karanhug, Abuyugay and Malitbogay. Dagami in Leyte accounted for 820 families, which were evacuated from its 65 barangays due to the overflowing of the San Benito Bridge. Jassen Bacate, 5 years old male from Barangay Los Martires died of drowning. Around 697 families were evacuated from the 14 barangays of Abuyog, Leyte, namely, Poblacion 1 to 9, Pagsangan, Can-apurong, Udyungan, Burubudan and Canmarating. Meanwhile, in the municipality of Palo, 600 families were evacuated from 5 barangays due to flooding. Relief operation is still ongoing as of press time. Other municipalities in Leyte that has reported flooding were Mayorga, Santa Fe, Baybay, MacArthur, Tolosa and Julita. In Southern Leyte, 74 families from four barangays at Saint Bernard were evacuated on Dec. 26 due to flooding and possible landslides. Director Gozon cited the cooperation and support of the national government agencies, the local disaster risk reduction and management councils and the 8th Infantry Division. (PIA 8)

PCA- SoLeyte distributes 4,300 bags of salt fertilizers to coco farmers

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 27 (PIA) - The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) – Southern Leyte Provincial Office has distributed the 4,300 bags of salt fertilizers among the eighteen municipalities and the City of Maasin in the province. According to PCA Provincial Head Manuel Sembrado, the salt fertilizers coming from the national government were distributed free of charge among the coconut farmers at a minimum of 226 sacks of fertilizers for each f the eighteen municipalities and 232 for the city of Maasin. Each coconut farmers will receive a minimum of two sacks of fertilizers, he said. Sembrano added that those coconut trees located in the interior barangays, where at least it is found two kilometers away from the coastlines radius, were given priority in the distribution. He said the salt fertilizers were found effective and resulted to more production after one year of application according to PCA scientists. Sembrado reported that the salt fertilizers were delivered to the province last December 14, 2011. (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

OCD-So Leyte urges pre-emptive evacuations to St. Bernard flood-prone barangays amidst rising water level

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec 26 (PIA) -- The Office of the Civil Defense – Provincial Office urges for pre-emptive evacuation in flood prone barangays in St. Bernard as the water level along the Lawigan River has risen three meters beyond the critical level, as of 1:00 p.m. today. OCD provincial coordinator Marichu Tan reported that pre-emptive evacuation of residents along the Lawigan River to start now before it gets dark particularly in Barangay Mahayahay in St. Bernard. She reported that more than 14 individuals and an infant in Barangay Carnaga have already been evacuated due to waters reaching critical level as heavy rains continue to pour in the said area. Barangay Tambis had been alerted for possible evacuation anytime. Four families in Barangay Hindag-an had also been evacuated to safer grounds. Meanwhile, for two days now, the municipalities of Silago, St. Bernard, San Juan, and San Ricardo have been experiencing heavy rains and were advised by the OCD for pre-emptive evacuation especially residents near the river banks. (ESG-PIA SoLeyte)

Maasin City employees donate to “Sendong” victims

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 25 (PIA) -- Rank and file employees of the city government here dipped into their pockets to chip in for the victims of tropical storm Sendong in Cagayan De Oro City and Iligan City. City mayor Maloney Samaco said he will convene the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) to pass a resolution for setting aside funds for the Sendong survivors. In 2006, the Guinsaugon landslide happened, and it can be recalled that the cities of Cagayan De Oro and Iligan were among the first to send in their rescue teams and relief assistance.(BP/PIA-Southern Leyte)

Red Cross–SoLeyte willing to assist blood transfusion needs to Typhoon Sendong victims

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, December 23 (PIA) -- The Philippine Red Cross – Southern Leyte is ready to donate bags of blood should there be a need for blood transfusions among the victims of Typhoon Sendong. According to Noli Casas, chapter administrator of the local Red Cross, they are ready for at least two batches of blood bags should there be a need among the Typhoon Sendong victims in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City. Each batch of blood bags contains from 60- 70 bags of blood, he added. Earlier, the local Red Cross counterparts in said calamity-stricken areas together with the Red Cross based in Davao City were able to cover the needs of the typhoon victims, so far, Casas was informed. However, he made it clear to the mentioned local Red Cross chapters that the blood bags are ready to be transported anytime these are needed to further attend the medical needs of the calamity victims. He also reported that their chapter has initiated to facilitate donations from the community and further encouraged for cash donations, which will be acknowledged with receipts to be issued by the SoLeyte Red Cross. That all the cash donations, which he finds it easier and economical to facilitate due to distance, gathered will be sent to the local Red Cross counterparts in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City and the later are required to liquidate the cash donations with receipts and pictures of goods bought, Casas said. Casas further disclosed that on going negotiations with the provincial government of Southern Leyte were being undertaken to prepare the donated items such as canned goods, used clothings, among others. ### (PIA SoLeyte/esg)





OWWA honors OFWs, holds OFW Family Day

by R.G. Cadavos


SOUTHERN LEYTE, Dec. 21 (PIA) –- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Office 8 gathered at least 739 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)throughout Eastern Visayas Region to participate in the annual OFW Family Day, December 17. OWWA RWO 8 officer-in-charge director Ma. Evangelina V.Filamor in her report, Tuesday said that the gathering was attended by OFWs from as far as the uppermost part of Northern Samar to the municipality of Pintuyan in Southern Leyte. “The joy and value of togetherness of the said celebration and a chance to take home major and consolation prizes were enough reasons for them to push through despite the distance and the bad weather,“ Fillamor said. “We were expecting as many as 1,500 OFWs and their beneficiaries as evidenced by the number of pre-registrants who confirmed their attendance to the said activity. But the bad weather prevented them to do that. Nevertheless, we are confident to say that even if Sendong swept Eastern Visayas, the 2011 OFW Family Day was a success,” Filamor said. The occasion was a salutation to the achievements of the OFWs to the country’s economy, she said. This year’s OFW Family Day highlighted fun, games, and raffle. Prizes were given to lucky winners such as one Samsung Netbook computer; one Sanyo refrigerator; one Panasonic washing machine; three rice cookers; two oven toasters; six Cherry Mobile cellular phones; two Nokia cellular phones; 10 USB flash drives; 15 Globe call cards; 15 Globe tipid cards; 125 t-shirts; and eight bags of Noche Buena packs. (RGC/PIA-SoLeyte)

SoLeyte’s Brgy Hingatunggan wins as 1st runner-up in LTIA nat'l award

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 20 (PIA) –- Barangay Hingatunggan in Silago town is this year’s Lupon Tagapamayapa Incentive Award (LTIA) 2011 search first runner up at the national level. The search, spearheaded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines conducted its awarding ceremony December 7 at Malacañang Palace with President Benigno S. Aquino III handing out the awards to the winners. as the guest of honor, DILG information officer Loren Abrau-Aniciete reported to PIA-Maasin this morning. Barangay Hingatunggan received P50,000 cash and a plaque, Loren Abrau-Aniciete of the DILG disclosed in a phone interview. Aniciete revealed that, “within a decade of the Lupon Tagapamayapa Incentive Award (LTIA) search, Barangay Hingatunggan won four times as a national finalist and twice as national nominee,” from year 2001-2010. The national LTIA winner went to Barangay Quezon, Mainit of Surigao del Norte; and Barangay Ambassador, Tublay from Benguet province as second ruppner up, Aniciete added. It was learned that the LTIA program aims to give recognition to Lupons who have showed exemplary performace in exercising the time-honored tradition of amicably settling disputes among barangay constituents and it also strengthens the Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) as an indigenous comflict resolution structure at the grassroots and can generate greater awareness amng, and support from various sectors in society. (RGC/PIA-SoLeyte)





Don’t smoke while lighting firecrackers -- PNP

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 19 (PIA) -- While advising people not to use deadly firecrackers as part of the ”Iwas Paputok” campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the provincial director of the PNP here also cautioned smokers not to light a firecracker for many had been seriously hurt in putting to their lips the firecracker instead of the cigarette. For non-smokers, Police Senior Superintendent Allan Cuevillas advised them to use safe, reliable firecrackers. “Paala-ala lamang po. Mag-ingat po tayo sa ating pagpapa-putok at gumamit lang yung siguradong safe,” Cuevillas said in a recent radio interview with members of the local media. Better still, the best way to greet the coming New Year will be a firecracker-free revelry, he added. Asked if all policemen in the province will have the muzzles of their service firearms taped as standard practice during this time of the year, Cuevillas appeared lukewarm to the idea, saying he has complete trust regarding the discipline of the PNP personnel in the province. In the past years, cops taped their guns to show that they will not use it during the New Year revelry. Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) has also appealed to the people to refrain from using deadly firecrackers to avoid serious injuries or be admitted at the hospital at the onset of the new year. (BP/PIA-Southern Leyte)





SoLeyte conducts officers’ day for community volunteer health workers

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 16 (PIA) –- The Salvacion Oppus Yñiguez Memorial Provincial Hospital (SOYMPH) – Technical Department gathered the officers of the Community Volunteer Health Workers (CVHW) throughout the province,December 15, at the city’s gumnasium here. The officer’s day was participated by more or less 200 participants throughout the province, Alma Malazarte, Barangay Health Workers’ coordinator of SOYMPH-Technical Office disclosed. “At least 10 participants were invited in each municipality,” Malazarte said. The CVHWs had a raffle draw with at least 25-packed grocery items as its prizes. They were also handed P1,000 each. “An accidental insurance from the Philippine National Red Cross-Southern Leyte Chapter worth P100 each was committed by Gov. Mercado to be distributed to the BHWs of the province and Maasin City,” Malazarte quoted Gov. Mercado during his inspirational message. Malazarte said that the officers day also tackled updates on the Community Health Teams, treasurer’s report , among other presentations from the different municipalities. Mayor Samaco also delivered his message, while Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Jose Lito Trumata from SOYMPH welcomed the participants. (RGC-PIA SoLeyte)

LGU-So. Leyte to buy lot as relocation site

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 15 (PIA) -- The provincial government here will acquire a piece of land to be used as a relocation site for families who will be displaced by an upcoming widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the city. There is an ongoing negotiation with the provincial assessor and the owners of the lot, located in barangay Lib-og, this city, for the purpose. Teopisto Rojas, lawyer and chairman of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP)Committee on Education and Social Welfare, said each relocated family can be assigned at least a 300-square meter lot. More than 60 poor families whose houses lie along the edge of the national road in barangays Mantahan and Mambajao this city will be affected as soon as the DPWH starts implementing its drainage canal project next month which was also a way of widening the city’s streets. Bidding for this project which cost about P 4.5 million, is expected to be held today, according to District Engineer Carlos Veloso in previous interviews with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). Rojas said the informal settlers in the city will not be the only ones to benefit from the planned acquisition of lot by the provincial government, saying that those living in a mangrove area in barangay Ichon, Macrohon, will also be considered to be relocated. Last year, the provincial government also relocated some 15 families living along the fishpond area in barangay San Roque, Macrohon, to a site bought by the province in barangay Upper Villa Jacinta, also in Macrohon town. (BP/PIA-Southern Leyte)

DA - SoLeyte LGU culminates farmers’ classes

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec 14 (PIA8) -- About 194 farmers graduated today at the Bontoc multi hall from the farmer’s classes initiated by the Provincial Agricultural Services Office of the Southern Leyte provincial government as their counterpart in the multi-million Rice Production Enhancement Project funded from Germany. All of the 194 farmers beneficiaries came from the five participating municipalities of Bontoc, St. Bernard, Sogod, Libagon, and Malitbog, according to provincial agriculturist Marina Gador in an interview with PIA Southern Leyte. Gador reported that farmers who completed their classes conducted in different municipalities will culminate in a simple graduation ceremony today. The project involves the application of organic fertilizer that will improve the soil fertility thereby increase rice production, she added. Gador reported that an increase of rice production during the last cropping was noted even with the partial application of the technology by some farmers, who had already undertaken the farmer’s classes. She, however, hopes the realization of the 15 percent increase of rice production with the project in the second cropping by next year. Through the generosity of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH – Enhancement of Food Security (EFOS) in the Visayas with the funding from the European Union, a grant, amounting to P 8.567 million in support to the Southern Leyte Rice Production Enhancement Project is underway, OIC Provincial Agriculturist Marina Gador explained . While the provincial government counterparted with P 931,000, municipal local government units with P95,000, and farmer households gave P385,000 for the rice enhancement project, she said. (ESG-PIA8)

SoLeyte Day Care Workers campaign support to Magna Carta

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, December 12 (PIA8) -- Some 500 day care workers based in Southern Leyte will join the signature campaign in support of the passing of the Magna Carta for Day Care Workers. During the quarterly meeting held at the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) today, the federation of day care workers’ presidents in 18 municipalities and the city of Maasin have affixed their signatures in support of the campaign for the said magna carta, Southern Leyte Federation President Marivic Amparo revealed. According to Amparo, among the benefits they expect from the magna carta are the incentives from the national social welfare and development office particularly for those day care workers who have served at least 5 years and those who are conducting two sessions everyday. While most of the day care workers are paid by their respective barangays for their services at P1,000 per month only, Amparo reported that the day care workers in their municipality in Libagon, Southern Leyte were all absorbed as regular workers in the municipal government. She hoped to bring the completed signature campaign support documents in time for the last reading by the House committee scheduled at Davao City on May 2012. Meanwhile, the federation also is coming up with a resolution seeking the intervention of Provincial Governor Damian G. Mercado to discontinue the practice of changing day care workers whenever there is a change of leadership in the barangays. (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

LGU-Bontoc declares town as organic municipality

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec 9 (PIA) -- As the local government of Bontoc passed a resolution declaring the municipality an organic municipality, all of the other 40 barangays of the municipality are following suit. After the study visit in Bacolod City, the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) of Bontoc finally decided to go organic as a municipality. Thus paving the way for local officials to set aside a budget for organic-related projects and activities, SP member Benjie Goda, who is the chairperson on SP Committees on Appropriations and Solid Waste Management revealed. The municipality will produce organic products down to the barangay level according to SP Goda. Each of the barangays were provided with machines such as shredders and digesters to help them come up with organic products. One of the major organic products they have started to produce were organic fertilizers and feeds particularly with the introduction of the technologies like vermiculture, he said. Goda further disclosed that the local government also plans to establish an organic market, where all of the produce from the barangays will be accommodated. It was learned that with the utilization of the wastes through inaerobic technology, which was introduced by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) resulted to the reduction of the cost of feeds in the locality by 8 to 20 per cent, DOST provincial director Engr. Dominador Clavejo reported. Bontoc Credit Cooperative, Inc. ( BCCI), the biggest producer of feeds in the province, is now one of the advocates of producing organic feeds, Goda added. ### (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

DOST 8 assists a barangay with accelerated vinegar technology

by Erna Sy-Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec 8 (PIA8)-- Barangay Himakilo residents in Bontoc are now engaged in a livelihood that uses water from copra. What they thought of as waste water from copra is now the promising source of additional income for residents here. A new technology turns "waste" water to vinegar. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provincial office recently provided technology and funding in the amount of P 95,000 for the production of accelerated vinegar in one of their community–based project implemented in the province, averred Dominador Clavejo, engineer and director of DOST, in an interview with PIA Southern Leyte. Clavejo said their office assisted the said residents to maximize the use the copra water that they just threw out in the process of drying up the coconut meat or copra. He said the water wastes were processed further into an accelerated vinegar, the technology their office has introduced with the corresponding funding for the local farmers to start the project.Vinegar is a popular condiment in most Pinoy households. That the newly introduced project becomes another livelihood opportunity for the barangay folks to generate more income, he added. Clavejo further said the Stella Marie Marine Products in Macrohon, Southern Leyte got P160,000 grant-in-aid for further processing of squids for calamares, wherein the said local entrepreneur is scheduled for Training for Food Safety Standards. ### (ESG-PIA SoLeyte)

DOLE-POEA, PESO set local, overseas jobsfair in Maasin City

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 7 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 8 in close coordination with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in Southern Leyte set a Local and Overseas Jobsfair on December 22 at the Maasin City gymnasium. DOLE regional director Forter G. Puguon said that, “interested applicants who are looking for work should bring along with them basic documents that are required in applying a job.” The labor and employment director said that the basic documentary requirements are the following: Resume, Employment Certificate, if there is any, Training Certificate if available, Diploma if the applicant is a graduate, and any other documents. Although the said jobsfair was first scheduled on Thursday, December 8, it had been reset on the 22nd of December due to other commitments or non availability of the personnel concerned. PESO reported that there are at least 17 participating agencies that will be present on the job hiring day, such as Naptron Placement Agency, Ozem International Placement Services, Verde International Manpower Services, Unijobs International Manpower Services Corp., Non-Stop Overseas Employment Corp., New Era Placement Agency Company, to name a few. On the other hand, the work to be offered are domestic helpers, household services, electronics, fabricator, painter, mason, laborer, plumber, accountant, baby sitter, chefs, drivers, carpenters, butcher, cashier, nurses, among others, the PESO staff added. Applicants may be hired either locally or internationally; at the local level, Gasiano Hi-per in Maasin City will participate in the event while those who may want to work abroad may be hired in countries like Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, among others.(RGC-PIA SoLeyte)

Maasin City to receive 5 special awards in Tacloban City today

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 6 (PIA) -- Maasin City officials led by City Mayor Maloney Samaco is set to receive five special awards in the implementation of health and nutrition programs today, December 6 in Tacloban City. In an interview over radio station DyDM, Samaco disclosed that the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office 8 will give five different awards to Maasin City: the Red Orchid Award, the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN), the best implementers of Anti-Tuberculosis Campaign, and the Health Lifestyle, while the Most Outstanding in the implementation of smoke-free college is accorded to Maasin City College. Hataw exercises, fun run, zumba classes, to name a few, also contribute to the healthy lifestyle of the residents in Maasin City, not to mention the strict implementation of the no smoking campaign. “The health and nutrition program benefits 85,000 populace in Maasin City, the city mayor said." Mayor Samaco is grateful for the support of the health implementers in Maasin City, saying that “CHU personnel led by the health physicians to include nurses, barangay health workers, and barangay nutrition scholars contribute to the success in the implementation of the health and nutrition programs of the city government.” (RGC/PIA-SoLeyte)

One thousand runners join Red Cross - So. Leyte 3K run

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 5 (PIA) -- More than a thousand enthusiastic runners actively participated in the nationwide “One Million Volunteer Run” yesterday organized by the Philippine Red Cross, according to a staff of the local Red Cross chapter. The runners were mostly teachers from the city schools division, police personnel, city and provincial government employees, and some private individuals. City Mayor Maloney Samaco, a running advocate, together with his family, also joined the race, which started in front of the city hall and back, at past three in the afternoon yesterday. The day started with a heavy rain starting early Sunday morning, and organizers worried if the race would push through if the rains went on, said Noli Casas, Chapter administrator of the local Red Cross, during the brief program shortly before the start of the run. Luckily, the rains stopped minutes before three o’clock, the skies were clear even with overcast clouds, and the fun run event can continue, Casas said, adding that the Red Cross, as a disaster agency, also uses the activity to raise awareness on climate change adaptation. For his part, Samaco said the nationwide run was scheduled to be held by five in the morning as what other places did, but if that time was followed for the Maasin City run everyone would have bathed in the rain. Also attending the program were Genis Murallos, City Schools Division Superintendent, P/Supt. Allan Cuevillas, Provincial PNP Director, Gloria Reyes, President of Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), and Nikko Mercado, President of the provincial federation of village leaders. Samaco later pulled the trigger of the improvised pistol to start the three- kilometer run around the city proper. A raffle draw was held immediately after the run. Participants paid P 125.00 as registration fee to join the run in exchange for the singlet or uniform, while a P 200.00 registration included a ticket for the raffle draw. A staff from the Red Cross said the proceeds generated, which are intended to fund their programs and projects, were still being accounted. The million volunteer run was also simultaneous held in seven other towns of the province yesterday participated by elements of the local police force. These municipalities were Liloan, Libagon, Sogod, Padre Burgos, Macrohon, Tomas Oppus, and Bontoc, the Red Cross source told PIA. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

Tourism, Trade and German agencies to make tourism website

by Leyte Samar Daily Express


TACLOBAN CITY - Eastern Visayas will create a website for tourists and tourism enterprises available in Google earth in partnership with the Tourism and Trade departments and German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Department of Tourism Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said the initiative is a boost to the local tourism industry since this will be the first official website of the region for tourism promotion.

“The tourists can easily get information online. They will get basic information like category of the hotel, room rates, and how to get there. For us to attract more tourists, we should have a tourist-friendly webpage. We want to make this as one of the attractive website for tourists,” Tiopes said.

She said they will focus on basic information. “If tourists are interested, they will search more on the web.”

Raquel Capio, GIZ Private Sector Promotion Program senior coordinator for Eastern Visayas, said they are still data gathering and uploading information and pictures on the web.

“By the end of this year, we will complete the data gathering for northwest Leyte and Southern Leyte areas,” Capio said.

The official added that the same activity was also done in Bohol, which turned a very effective tool in drawing more tourists in the area.

The project will be fully completed in 2012 covering all provinces in Eastern Visayas.

The initiative is expected not just to benefit interested tourist but tourism enterprises as well.

The Tourism department will also come up with database on tourism-related businesses out of this project.




DSWD-8 conducts supply side assessment orientation on 4Ps in Maasin City

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte Nov. 29 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 8 conducted a Supply Side Assessment for stakeholders who will manage the Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Maasin City. DSWD-8 composed of Provincial Link Paula B. Punay, Social Welfare Officer III Arole May Niza and Project Development Officer Nestor Lentejas, discussed the strategies of the 4Ps, November 28, 2011 at the Sangguniang Panglungsod Session Hall here, City Social Welfare and Development Office staff Fe Nida Sy reported. The Supply Side Assessment orientation was held in two sessions, Sy bared. “In the morning of November 28, the activity was participated by school Principals and Head Teachers of the Department of Education (DepEd) - Maasin City Division, while the participants for the afternoon session were the Barangay Captains throughout the 70 barangays of Maasin City,” she said. The orientation also presented how the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program were identified and the requirements from the potential beneficiaries in order for the program to work. “Potential beneficiaries in Maasin City were based in the 2009 enumerators’ survey from the national level,” she added. It was learned that supply side assessment of the 4Ps is packaged on education and health and nutrition focusing to 0-14 year’s old children and pregnant women. There were at least 2,725 target beneficiaries identified for the 4Ps in Maasin City. These beneficiaries are required to comply the requirements for the said program such as 85 percent attendance per month of the children-beneficiaries in school where they are studying; attendance in development sessions once a month for the parent-beneficiary at the city social welfare office, backyard gardening which will be monitored by the city agriculture office, the report said. The gathering also presented the schedule of general assembly for the potential beneficiaries set on different dates this December, 2011 by districts throughout Maasin City. During the scheduled assembly, the beneficiaries will register, before the orientation proper, then the signing of social commitment will follow before the validation, enrolment at the Land Bank of the Philippines and the issuance of 4Ps identification cards will be issued to the potential target. The supply side assessment will ensure that education and health services required by the Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are available for the identified beneficiaries. It is conducted upon the identification of the target areas using the supply side assessment tool on health and education. It is also aimed to determine the readiness of the local government units in ensuring delivery of priority education and health services for the target poor households. (rgc/PIA-SoLeyte)

Maasin City identifies key intervention areas for disaster risk management projects

by R. G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte Nov. 28 (PIA) –- The Urban Disaster Risk Management (UDRM) Project received additional budget that needs to be spent by the end of March 2012, of which Maasin City is one of the target areas. In a two-day budget planning workshop held November 24-25, 2011 at Leyte Park Hotel in Tacloban City, the GIZ, a German government organization initiated the two-day activity which aim in identifying key intervention areas and outline activities that can be implemented until the end of March 2011, Ritche Sumalinog one of the representatives from Maasin City reported. He said that the disaster risk management projects for Maasin City include mitigation and prevention projects that focus on infrastructure such as slope stabilization and rehabilitation, drainage system, safe and sanitary facilities, improvement of evacuation site, post-harvest facilities, to name a few. Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office capacity building to include search and rescuetraining,enhancement of rescue equipments and the like; Enhancement of Risk Information/database like equipment augmentation; and public awareness were also indicated as some of the activities for URDM project in Maasin City. Sumalinog informed that other participating areas were Ormoc City, Tacloban City and Calbayog City. “At least four participants from each participating areas were expected to attend the GIZ-initiated activity,” he said. For Maasin City, City Planning and Development Officer Engr. Othelo Rich, City Engineer Anecito Narit, the DRRM Officer , Engr. Marcelo Samaco and Engr. Rex Boyboy were expected to grace the undertaking, Sumalinog, the CDRRM Team Leader disclosed. It was learned that UDRM’s progam goal is to reduce the disaster vulnerability of urban populations, infrastructure, critical facilities and shelter not only here in the Philippines but also in targeted countries in Asia. (rgc/PIA-SoLeyte)

Ordinance prohibits defacing signage in Maasin City

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 27 (PIA) -- The local legislative body here has passed an ordinance urging the people to help protect and preserve signage placed in various public parts of the city limits, and stipulating fines for violators. City Ordinance number 2011-056, also known as “Maasin City Public signage Protection Ordinance of 201,” was enacted “to make all constituents and concerned barangay officials realize the importance of signage, recognize the efforts made by those government entities or individuals in procuring/supplying those signage,” according to Section 2 provision. Another purpose outlined in section 2 was to give value to the signage “by protecting or preserving them specially from undisciplined persons who would intentionally vandalize the same.” The local legislation defined signage as designs or display of signs supplied by government agencies, private individuals or other entities installed/placed in a particular place as reference, guidance and for other public purposes/benefits. The ordinance also defined vandalism as the act of defacing, destroying or otherwise damaging private or public property/signage maliciously and deliberately, while youthful offenders were those children below 18 years of age. Section 5 imposed a duty for barangay officials as the ones responsible for protection or preservation of the signage in their respective barangays. For violators, the penalties are as follows: for first offense, a fine of not less than P 200.00 but not more than P 500.00 plus the cost of the destroyed signage; for second offense, a fine ranging from not less than P 501.00 to P 1,000.00 plus the cost of the damaged signage; and third and succeeding offenses, a fine of P 1,001.00 to P 1,500.00 plus cost of signage. Young offenders, or children below 18 years old, shall be dealt with pursuant to Republic Act 9344, but their parents or guardians will be ones to pay for the stipulated fines. The ordinance was one of the outputs of the September 18, 2011 session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, headed by Vice-Mayor Maria Effie Abiera-Sabandal with all the councilors attending. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

National government absorbs payments for 2012 indigents sponsored program -- So. Leyte Philhealth

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 26 (PIA) -- All poor families can expect to be covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) next year as the national government will be the one to pay for the P 1,200.00 annual premium, said Misael Paigan, head of the provincial Philhealth Service Office. The selection of the qualified families will be based on the National Household Targeting System (NHTS), a country-wide database, for Philhealth’s nationwide sponsorship program next year, Paigan revealed during the Action Center cable TV program Wednesday. He said those enrolled through the initiatives of the local government units (LGUs), the municipalities, cities, provinces, or by the Office of the Congressman, these will have to continue, provided the concerned LGUs or entities will be the ones to pay the full P 1,200.00 premium per recipient. In the past, the LGUs shared 10% of the premiums while the national government paid the other 90%, he added. The intention of the national government to take care of the Philhealth premiums by next year shall insure the widest coverage of medical care for all Filipinos, also known as universal coverage, and this will also be in line with the country’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of the United Nations, said Henry Madula, Philhealth Information Officer. Madula said that among the objectives of the MDG will be to greatly reduce the maternal and child mortalities before, during, and shortly after giving birth. Philhealth has included normal delivery in accredited birthing facilities, along with new born screening, as among the listed benefits that active members can claim. Aside from reaching out to as many potential members to be enrolled as possible, Paigan said Philhealth has been working closely with hospitals so common drugs and medicines needed by member-patients while being admitted can be available with support from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Philhealth is also monitoring public and private health care providers so these wellness outlets can be accredited as soon as they can comply with the requirements, so that members can have much wider access in availing Philhealth’s benefit payments, Paigan also said. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

SLSU–Bontoc Campus student wins 2011 PSQ regional chanpionship

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, November 25 (PIA) -- Norvim A. Hombre, a freshman B.S. Information Technology student from Southern Leyte State University – Bontoc Campus grabbed the 20th Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) regional championship held at the New Ormoc City Hall last November 17, 2011. Hombre bested 21 other constestants in region 8. He was closely tailed by a student from the College of Maasin, said National Statistics Office – Southern Leyte Assistant Statistician Faith Genovana. Genovana said Hombre attributed his victory with their advance reading and computation practice as the key in garnering championship. She said Hombre’s victory puts a mark in the history of the PSQ in Region 8 since this is the first time the regional champion came from outside at Tacloban City and Leyte areas. The PSQ is an annual contest designed to test the knowledge of statistics of and the Philippine Statistical Association. The PSQ is held nationwide and involves freshman students enrolled in colleges and universities in the 17 regions, Genovana said. (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

PhilHealth Link project now implemented in Southern Leyte

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 24 (PIA8) -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) members and beneficiaries can now have easier, faster way to facilitate membership verification through the PhilHealth LINK project. PhilHealth Service Office Head Misael Paigan said their office, through PhilHealth Link Communication Center (PLCC), can now respond to queries on membership and collection status of the patients. The facilities of the PhiHealth Link including the systems developed will be made available to all government hospitals and soon to include the RHUs. Paigan said the operation of the PhilHealth Link is an improvement from the manual member verification method through mobile or landline phones. PhilHealth Southern Leyte Information Officer Henry Madula said it would be easier for any hospital patients to verify if they could avail the PhilHealth services as a member or as a beneficiary of a family relative working in other places. Magdula said some patients prefer to be charged to the charity ward instead of verifying at their office. Magdula further said with the introduction of said facilities, PhilHealth hopes to increase Bed Occupancy Rate of the HCP and improve the Benefit Delivery Rate in the region. (PIA Southern Leyte/esg)

Philhealth sets focus on delivering benefits to members

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 23 (PIA) -- Having attained its goal of providing universal coverage to as many Filipinos as possible, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) has been doing all it can to ensure that members do get the desired benefit payments due them. And to make that happen, Philhealth’s current thrust revolved around Benefit Delivery Rate (BDR), an extensive program that listed at least four factors serving as roadmap to see how far their services have reached to the people that matter most, the hospitalized members, said Misael Paigan, head of Philhealth provincial service office. During the Action Center cable TV this morning where he was the guest, along with Information Officer Henry Madula, Paigan discussed the four key components of BDR. These included the continuing pursuit of membership coverage, expanding members’ access to Philhealth-accredited medical or health facilities, letting members know specific illness cases and the corresponding payments that can be availed, and seeing to that members get the value out of their Philhealth cards, such as no out of pocket expenses and completeness of needed medicines. To drive home his point, Paigan disclosed that the total admission at the Salvacion Oppus Yniguez Memorial Provincial Hospital (SOYMPH) for the year 2010 was 12,856, but out of this number only 3,380 patients were able to use their Philhealth benefits, or 26% of the total. Many of those patients, especially the sponsored indigents or senior citizens, were not aware that they have Philhealth cards, or beneficiaries of one member in the family, and so were unable to get refund of their hospitalization expenses, Paigan explained. In an effort to address this gap, Paigan said Philhealth has established a link in accredited hospitals or clinics whose basic task was to refer a patient’s name in the database of the agency. In most cases it will be found out that he or she was listed as one of the beneficiaries of an immediate family or relative who is an active Philhealth member, and so can be accorded due benefits. For the BDR component on access, Information Officer Madula said virtually all rural health units around the province, including several Leyte towns under their coverage, were already accredited, and as such Philhealth’s services can be delivered to these facilities for members, like pregnant women who are members themselves or beneficiaries of active members. Philhealth’s updated list of benefit payments included normal delivery in birthing facilities at accredited health outlets, where a member can avail a packaged rate of P 8,000.00 up to the fourth child, plus a mandated screening for newborn babies, P 1,750.00. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

Maasin City - CSWDO sets orientation with stakeholders for 4Ps implementation

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 22 (PIA) -- The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) in Maasin City has scheduled an orientation with the stakeholders of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which will be implemented in the city by next year. According to City Social Welfare and Development Officer Febe Sta.Cruz the city of Maasin is a recipient of the 4Ps which will benefit 2,227 indigent families to the national anti-poverty program of President Benigno S. Aquino III. Sta. Cruz said that, however, the said orientation has been indefinitely postponed since the first schedule set within the week has been cancelled due to conflict with the activities of the teachers, one of the stakeholders. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office based in Tacloban City will lead in the orientation among the stakeholders to include the local schools principals, head teachers, doctors in Maasin City, Sangguniang Panglungsod Committee chairmen on the committees of health, education and children, Sta. Cruz said. She said the orientation is aimed for the smooth flow in the implementation of the national anti-poverty program in the following year. The six additional municipalities to avail the 4Ps are Libagon, Lilo-an, Limasawa, Malitbog, San Francisco and San Ricardo, all of Southern Leyte. This is on top of the four LGUs, Tomas Oppus, Lilo-an, Pintuyan and St. Bernard, which were earlier the recipients of the priority anti-poverty program of President Benigno S. Aquino III. (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

FOBI Maasin City presents best practices to bag DSWD Panata Ko sa Bayan award

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 21 (PIA) –- The Federation of Omega Beneficiaries (FOBI) of Maasin City was nominated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as one of the awardees for this year’s search for Panata Ko sa Bayan for the non-government organization category. FOBI Program Coordinator Sofia Pono in a phone interview this morning with Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Maasin disclosed that DSWD-8 required them to submit the requirements for the said quest, saying that “we are submitting all the accomplihsments the organization had, such as the audited financial statement, a certification being a registered, licensed and accredited member of the local social welfare and development office, among others,” Pono informed. She added that the accomplishment report also stated the best practices as one of the strengths of the organization. “FOBI has ensured the sustainability of the organization through the cooperative component, in addition to the funds from the World Vision,” Pono said referring to the FOBI Multi Purpose Cooperative in Maasin City. FOBI also established a 127 hectares reforestation project in the municipalities of Matalom and Bato, all from Leyte provine in coordination with the municipal government and an Agro-Forestry project with Barangay Lunas, Maasin City as their partner. “These projects partnered with people’s organizations, with labor and maintenance services as their counterpart,” Pono revealed. FOBI had at least 1,500 registered families as beneficiaries serving the municipalities of Macrohon, Padre Burgos and Maasin City from Southern Leyte and Matalom and Bato of Leyte province. While the children of these family-beneficiaries are also sent to school, assisting them at least for their school supplies, among other school requiorements,” she added. It was learned that Eastern Visayas has six nominees in this years’ search for the Panata Ko sa Bayan awards which consist of four local government units and two non-government organizations. The awardee for each category will receive cash and a plaque, and is invited to join the anniversary celebration in Manila and other special events to advocate the principles of the award and the department’s vision as well, it was learned further. (rgc/PIA-SoLeyte))

GSIS-Maasin to meet with government pensioners on Pensioners’ Day Nov. 24

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 19 (PIA) -- The local branch of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has scheduled to meet with its pensioners purposely to thresh out their concerns related to their pensions. The meeting was set in the morning of November 24 at the DPWH function hall this city, from 9:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon. In order to reach out to as many pensioners as possible to attend the said gathering, GSIS has aired a public service announcement, calling the attention of all those concerned through radio station dydm-AM and Viper-FM 106.1 at Ichon, Macrohon, and also at Maasin Cable Television (MCTV). Particularly addressed to be present during the Pensioners’ Day on Nov. 24 were government pensioners who were not yet able to get their Landbank-Maasin-issued Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) cards, said Junjee Punay of the GSIS-Maasin branch. Punay appealed to pensioners to bring their eCards or eCards Plus with them and its Xerox copy, back-to-back, when they go to the Pensioners’ Day meeting. He expected about over a hundred public pensioners from the Maasin-Macrohon area to be around. Those wanting to make some inquiries or asking other information, Punay said they can call GSIS-Maasin through landline telephone numbers 570-8011 or 381-3786. Some give-away items may be received by the pensioners on that day, but these will go only to the lucky ones as these freebies will have to be raffled, he added. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

Accidental firing kills Sulu cop

by thephilsouthangle.com


JOLO, Sulu, Philippines/18 November 2011—A police-issued firearm that accidentally went off eventually killed a policeman from Patikul town in Sulu province. Jolo Municipal Police Station authorities said the gun, belonging to Police Officer 1 Saipal Dammang Haradji who is assigned in Bangkal, Patikul, went off by accident, hitting the lower quadrant in the left thigh of PO1 Al-Khalil Bada Alawi, 32 years old, and married. The incident happened at about 4:45 in the afternoon of 16 November 2011, when the two were about to board a moped, or motorcycle. Alawi was immediately brought to the Sulu Provincial Hospital by responding colleagues, under the direction of the Jolo Chief of Police. However, Alawi did not survive even as attempts were being made to save his life by the medical team that attended to him upon arrival at the hospital’s emergency room. Haradji, who is a relative by affinity of the victim being the husband of the latter’s wife, voluntarily surrender to the Jolo Chief of Police, which facilitated coordination with the Alawi family. Both policemen were stationed at the RPSB BaSulTa Sub Regional Office. (CLT)

Supply Side Assessment orientation in Maasin City set

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 18 (PIA) -– In order to ensure that education and health services required by the Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are available for the identified beneficiaries, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office-8 will initiate a Supply Side Assessment orientation on November 25, 2011 in Maasin City. DSWD-8 Director III Jaime Eclavea disclosed that the supply side assessment orientation cum write-shop “provides a framework for prioritizing, gathering, analyzing supply-side information which is intended to identify the likely impact that the 4Ps has on the provision of health and education services.” The activity to be held at the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) Session Hall here will gather Department of Education supervisors and identified teachers, Maasin City Health Unit Physicians, SP Committee Chairman on Health and Education, among other concerned. At least 80 participants are expected to participate in the undertaking, the report added. It was learned that Maasin City is now identified as additional pilot area for Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino program of the Aquino Administration which aims to reduce extreme poverty. Supply side assessment is conducted upon the identification of the target areas using the supply side assessment tool on health and education. It is also aimed to determine the readiness of the local government units in ensuring delivery of priority education and health services for the target poor households. It is packaged on education and health and nutrition focusing to 0-14 year’s old children and pregnant women, the report added. (rgc/PIA-SoLey

Geographic information system promotion pushed

by PHOEBE JEN INDINO


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Philippines – In its efforts to promoting awareness on the use of Geographic Information System (GIS), this city’s local government together with the University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College-Regional Environmental Information System (UPVTC-REIS) last November 17 celebrated the international GIS Day.

The celebration was also joined by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH – Environment and Rural Development (EnRD) and Decentralization (DP) Programs.

GIS Day is an annual global event held every November showcasing technology’s real time applications which can create positive impacts in society.

The system elevates plain, generic maps since it is a computer-based mapping technology that can contribute in improving local planning providing as it does visuals, details and accuracy.

GIS is also considered a very potent tool in enabling correct decisions in conducting plans as it determines the location of infrastructure and patterns of settlements/growth of population, and helps in identifying the safest areas to put proposed evacuation sites in the event of certain hazards such as floods or earthquakes.

UPVTC-REIS representatives say Southern Leyte is positive in using GIS as it compliments their goal of intensifying environmental awareness by promoting disaster prevention and preparedness.

371 OSYs, undergrads take ALS A&E exam in Maasin City

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte Nov. 16 (PIA) –- There were at least 371 Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency Test takers from Maasin City, conducted Sunday, November 13. The total exminees include out-of-school youths and adults, including government employees, who are undergraduates, and walk-in exam takers, Department of Education (DepEd)-ALS mobile teacher Liezl Jurban disclosed this morning, November 16 to PIA-Maasin. “There were 36 takers for the elementary level, while 335 for secondary level,” she added. There were 5 parts of the exam called Bahagi 1 to 5. These are Kasanayan Pangkomunikasyon, English Communication, Maharlika at Agham, Kabuhayan at Likas na Yaman and Pagpalawak ng Pananaw, as Bahagi 1,2 3, 4 and 5 respectively. It was learned that the exam usually consists of questions based on the new definition of functional literacy. It measures communication skills, problem solving and critical thinking, resourcefulness, development of self and sense of community, and expanding the world vision of a student. Jurban reported that Maasin City has 4 mobile teachers and 4 ALS coordinators, with 4 districts divided from the 70 barangays of Maasin City. “There is an assigned 1 mobile teacher and coordinator in each district,” she said. The A & E Test is an examination that is equivalent to an elementary and secondary diploma, making out-of-school students eligible for pursuing college degrees. “But even though for the remarkable increase in the number of registrants and takers, the passing rate is still low, since most of them had long been out of school for years,” Jurban revealed. But though students who failed the exam may retake until they pass, she clarified and said that the said program is opening doors and gives hope to those who were unable to finsish studies. (rgc/PIA-SoLeyte)

So. Leyte grants livelihood assistance to 18 People’s Organizations

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 15 (PIA) -- The provincial government has granted nearly 1 million pesos in livelihood assistance to 18 People’s Organizations (POs), a move designed to help every group’s members while they acted as accredited stewards to protect and preserve the environment in their respective localities. The POs, spread province-wide at an average of one per local government unit, were comprised mostly of marginal upland dwellers and have existing community-based forest management agreements with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), it was learned. The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office (PENRMO) disclosed that out of the 18 POs, only about four or five have yet to receive their assistance. The provincial government’s intervention was intended to augment the PO members’ income as they will be expected to be productive in a profitable venture, while at the same time seeing to it that the natural habitat in their surrounding can be maintained. Last week, Emely Labata, a forester at PENRMO, spoke on the topic Climate Change Adaptation in Forestry during a three-day training for personnel of local disaster bodies in various municipalities and this city. Among the salient point she discussed centered on diversification of local economies and livelihoods through non-wood products, among others. She said the local government has tapped the 18 POs for the management of forest resources, including proper utilization of products derived from the forests. She reported that the provincial government has already released the P 50,000.00 cash assistance to almost all the POs to finance their livelihood project proposals in agri-business.(PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

Poor households in So. Leyte to avail of DA’s AKBay Pinoy program

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 14 (PIA) -- An initial list of 209 poor families of fishermen from 16 municipalities of Southern Leyte province will receive a livelihood assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA). The said assistance will be under the “Agrikultura: Kaagapay ng Bayang Pinoy” (AKBay Pinoy) Program, an undertaking done in partnership with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Marina Gador, head of the Provincial Agricultural Services Office (PAGSO), told Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in a phone interview this morning that the project was one of the priorities of President Benigno Aquino III under the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation program. The P4 million intended for Southern Leyte was set aside from the national DA coursed through the regional office. An initial of P2.09 million was set for the first batch which will be released to the 209 beneficiary families, Gador said. She said the recipients who coordinated with the municipal agriculture offices (MAOs) were asked to submit agriculture-related project proposals. Most of the proposals were hog-fattening and vegetable crop production with a P 10,000 budget, set to be repaid interest-free for three years. Destitute households with many children were selected from 4th to 6th class local government units, and so for this program the 3rd class municipality of Hinunangan, Sogod, and this city were not included, Gador said. Gador was hopeful that initial batch of AKBay Pinoy program will be released as soon as possible so the next batch will follow. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

5 Southern Leyte NGP sites complete tree planting requirements

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, November 13 (PIA8) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) based in Maasin City reported that five out of eleven enrolled National Greening Program (NGP) sites have already completed respective tree planting requirements. According to CENRO-Maasin City NGP Focal Person Rene Soria reported that two enrolled sites in Sitio Calugok, Brgy. Lunas, Barangay Magtuasi, Ibarra, all of Maasin City, Barangay Danao in Macrohon and Sogod were planted with the required number of trees. Soria said the following enrolled sites who have completed the tree planting within the area coverages are: Sitio Canlugok with 80 hectares (50 hectares – NGP and 30 hectares ENR and Barangay Magtuasi – 25 hectares with reforestation). Another enrolled site still in Sitio Canlugok was also completed, Soria added. The tree planting includes fruit trees, which could become a livelihood program of Young Innovators for Sustainable Environment Association, a people’s organization based in the mentioned community. Danao in Macrohon also completed their required 35 hectares, Soria added. Other NGP enrolled sites with on going tree planting includes the following: Barangay Sto. Nino in Macrohon have already planted 20 out of 25 hectares, Brgy. Kara-atan, Malitbog - 15 out of 40 hectares, Tomas Oppus – 20 out of 30, Libagon – 20 out of 60 hectares, Barangay Salvador, Macrohon – 25 out of 35 hectares. Soria also said the NGP tree planting commitments for this year should be completed by December 15. By the end of this year, Southern Leyte should have already planted 700,000 trees under the said program. ### (PIA Soleyte/esg)

Prov’l gov’t launches Southern Leyte Champion of the Seas 2012

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 11 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Southern Leyte recently launched the search for the Southern Leyte Champion of Seas in 2012 to boost its food security in the province. That the Champion of the Seas 2012 competition will be competed among the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMCs) and MPAs in the different municipalities of the province and the City of Maasin according to Agricultural Technologist Rein Lagumbay of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office – Coastal and Forest Resource Management (PENRMO-CFRM). The provincial government recently awarded 22 out of 48 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) at P10,000.00 cash incentive for those who were able to submit management plans respectively, she said. Lagumbay said the provincial government has already integrated in the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for this year the annual incentives for all the MPAs established in the province to come up with management plans. Last June, the first batch of 26 MPAs with management plans were already awarded with P10,000.00 each for this year, Lagumbay added. During the celebration of the Fish Conservation Week last October 2011, the provincial government initiated separate fora with the Southern Leyte Greenbelt Mangroove recipients and MPAs stakeholders on October 18 and 19, respectively, Lagumbay added.(PIA SoLeyte/esg)

7 more Southern Leyte LGUs to benefit from 4Ps

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, November 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 8 will include seven more local government units in Southern Leyte in the list of those who will benefit from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a major anti-poverty program of President Benigno S. Aquino III. Four local government units, namely Pintuyan, St. Bernard, Bontoc and Tomas Oppus, all of Southern Leyte earlier this year availed of 4Ps, DSWD staff Daisy Polistico said in an interview with PIA Southern Leyte. Polistico said the seven local government units includes the following areas with their corresponding potential indigent families: Maasin City – 2,725; Libagon – 898; Lilo-an – 1,236; Limasawa – 416; Malitbog – 1,127; San Francisco – 700 and San Ricardo – 629. DSWD -8 is also considering to increase the number of beneficiaries in the municipalities of Bontoc and Pintuyan. The government’s 4Ps program provides up to a maximum of P1,400 per family beneficiary per month and this includes P500 for the health/nutritional need of the family and a P300 educational assistance for every (14 years old and below) school children of the family for a maximum of three children. Meanwhile, the Cash for Work and Cash for Training, another anti-poverty intervention program of the Aquino administration is about to be completed in Maasin City for the 844 indigent families. (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

Business name registration for single proprietorship over in 15 minutes -- DTI- So Leyte

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 9 (PIA) -- Having one’s business name registered in this city and elsewhere in the province with the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), at least for single proprietorship type of ventures, can be processed and done with in just fifteen minutes. “And we are still working to have it in ten minutes, granting the internet or online highway is okay,” said Michael Nunez, DTI provincial Director during a forum with prime movers of the tourism industry here Friday at Candy’s function hall spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Nunez was sharing on what his office can contribute for the development of businesses like hotels, restaurants, and resorts and the expected influx of tourists the moment the five tourism hubs in the province will be fully operational in a couple of years from now. The trade agency had worked closely with the German government organization GIZ to streamline business permits and licensing system (BPLS) of the various local government units (LGUs) so investors would shorten their transactions by simplifying the number of steps and signatories of mandated fees, Nunez reported. In the past several years that this change was being successfully implemented by the LGUs, he had heard some marked improvement in the procedures. “If the improvement was not felt, tell the DTI, for we are friendly to business, and we are also friendly to customers,” Nunez told a gathering of hotels, restaurants, and resort operators. Nunez offered as example his very own office, which used to register the business name for single proprietorship in more than a month’s time, later shortened to three weeks, two weeks, then one day, until the present when the owner will just have to wait for fifteen minutes only. Soon, prospective registrants would no longer need to go personally to the DRI office to have their business names registered, for they will simply apply online and have their payment transmitted through electronic means, Nunez informed. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

So. Leyte Chamber of Commerce adds Limasawa as the fifth tourism hub

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 8 (PIA) -- The Limasawa historical landmark has been added to the man-made tourist attractions in the “tourism dream” crafted by the Southern Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SLCCI), a visionary framework that was integrated in the development agenda of the various local government units. SLCCI President Engr. Robert Castanares announced the inclusion of the cultural and heritage icon in a gathering of hotels, resorts, and restaurant owners organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Friday and Candy’s function hall, where he spoke about the development directions of the tourism industry in the province. In his detailed presentation, Castanares discussed a comprehensive analysis of the economic situation in the province, in which the best way to circulate money was to lure tourists through the identified five tourism hubs that would position the province as the “playground of Eastern Visayas” by the year 2013. The first hub will be a theme park at Danao Forest Park in this city, wherein some 30 hectares was already approved by the city government to be developed into a zoo, to be called “ZooLeyte”, the target date for opening will be in April, 2012, Castanares revealed. The second hub, which was already operational since April 15 this year, was the popular Agas-Agas Zipline destination in Sogod, and Castanares said in a month or two, other features will be added like the off-road adventures, bungee jump, and cable car. The third hub will be the Silago canopy walk, or a stroll through high trees, the walk ending in a scenic waterfalls, and development of this project was still in progress. The fourth was the Napantao Dive Site in San Francisco, said to be among the top five dive destinations in Asia, and this will be enhanced further to cater to the expected surge of diving enthusiasts. The fifth hub was the Limasawa historical landmark, an ambitious project that would put up a 100-meter high cross in the island, equipped with elevator to reach the top portion where businesses like coffee shop and others can be enjoyed. Last year, when the tourism framework was presented to the local media, only the four hubs were highlighted. Castanares said the prime concern for the Limasawa project was the ground texture of the island if it can support such a huge infrastructure. The provincial “tourism dream” attempts to capture some 200,000 visitors starting this year until the end of 2013, Castanares also said. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

DOLE 8 forms So. Leyte tourism industrial peace council

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 7 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday held a forum with owners of resorts, hotels, and restaurants here and elsewhere in the province held at Candy’s Function hall this city. The day-long activity discussed issues involving the key players of the tourism industry, leading to the formation of a tripartite industrial peace council on this particular sector. DOLE provincial field Officer Fe Norma Valuis said that throughout the entire region, the labor agency succeeded in forming tripartite industrial peace councils on three major groups, such as the power sector, the manufacturing sector, and the third in the series to be organized were the operators of hotels, restaurants and resorts, and tourism-related ventures (HRT). In his inspirational message, DOLE Regional Director Atty. Forter Puguon, emphasized that among the thrusts of his office was to strengthen labor relations between management of private business, the workers, and the government, or the development of a tripartite dialogue to resolve conflicts and promote peace. The DOLE “helps businesses by caring for workers,” Puguon said, adding that it would be costly for management to keep on hiring and training new personnel every now and then. Attending the event, aside from owners or representatives of known hotels, restaurants, and resorts, were Engr. Robert Castanares of Kuting Reef Resort, who was also the President of the Southern Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SLCCI); and Nacional Mercado, President of the Southern Leyte Association of Hotels, Restaurants, Resorts, and Bars (SLAHRRB). Also present from the DOLE family were Bernardita Velarde, Planning Officer, DOLE RO8, Marites Vinas, provincial head of the Northern Leyte field office, and Florencio Aguilos, Board Secretary of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB). Other offices comprising the government sector included the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Provincial Tourism Office. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

New crime lab in So Leyte opens amid high expectations

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 4 (PIA) -- Leading forensic experts of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the local officials, on Thursday graced the opening and blessing rites of the Provincial Crime Laboratory Office (PCLO), located at the back of the capitol compound, this city. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Gov. Damian Mercado and City Mayor Maloney Samaco, and they were assisted by PCSupt. Lorlie Nilo Arroyo, Director of the Crime Laboratory, and PSupt. Rea Villavicencio, Chief of the Regional Crime Laboratory, Region 8 Office. Also attending the event were PSupt. Allan Cuevillas, the new PNP Provincial Director, and PSupt. Pepito Pacada, formerly the PNP Provincial Director now serving as the Regional Chief of Staff. Pacada was representing PCSupt. Arnold Revilla, the Regional PNP Director. Other guests were officials from the municipality of Sogod, and some heads of national and provincial offices. Incidentally, PCLO, the new crime lab, which is also called the Scene of Crime Operatives (SOCO) operations center, was blessed by a Priest with surname Soco, in the person of Rev. Margarito Soco. PSInsp. Randie Dagatan, a native of Dulag, Leyte, who will head the SLPCLO as its Provincial Chief, stressed in his welcome remarks that forensic investigation is indispensable in attaining justice and having a speedy solution using science to crimes committed. He said the provincial crime lab was the second facility established under the leadership of her regional boss, PSupt. Villavicencio, who assumed the post for just one year and six months. The first one was put up in Northern Samar, it was learned. Mayor Samaco, in his message, cited the crime lab as a long cherished dream that was finally realized, adding that it will be a great help in maintaining the city’s image as the most peaceful place. Gov. Mercado, likewise, hailed the new outfit as a step forward for the solution of drug-related cases, which he said were dismissed on a mere technicality as the evidence brought to the regional lab for examination oftentimes will not be confirmed. “With this crime lab, babawi tayo. This is a big breakthrough in our campaign against criminality,” Gov. Mercado pointed out, expressing in a nutshell the overall sentiment of the community matched with the generally high expectations of the newly opened lab that must be results-driven. He pledged to provide support for the lab’s maintenance, sharing the burden with the city government, even as he emphasized his commitment that “those less in law are always my priority.” For her response, PCSupt. Arroyo said the SOCO unit will surely deliver the expected services through the lab. “I assure this will help investigators solve crimes,” said Arroyo. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

SoLeyte PhilCAT sets to assess anti-TB campaign progress in the province

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, November 3 (PIA) -- The Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PhilCAT) in close coordination with the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC), who jointly implemented the Public – Private Mix DOTS (PPMD) in the province, calls on the stakeholders to a consultative meeting to assess anti - TB campaign progress in the province. “Tuberculosis remains a major problem in the province,” Provincial Health Officer II Jose Lito Trumata, who is also the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) Chairman disclosed in a letter to PIA SoLeyte. This year, PhilCAT and Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) earlier launched together with the PCC the implementation of the global fight against tuberculosis (TB) down in the province, Trumata said. He said the strategy calls for the private and public sector campaign for a joint effort in the combat against TB. PCC has set a consultative meeting with the stakeholders on November 8, 2011 at Kuting Reef Resort and Spa in Macrohon to assess how far the PhilCAT- Province Coordinating Committee have gone in the implementation of Public-Private Mix DOTS in the province and to formulate plans/strategies for its sustainability. The following stakeholders signed up a memorandum of agreement with PhilCAT- PCC: Philippine Dental Association- Southern Leyte, Southern Leyte Pharmacist Association, Department of Education, FOBI, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Provincial Population Office, which will also include the Southern Leyte Medical Society, Department of Health representatives of Southern Leyte, Municipal Health Officers of Southern Leyte, Southern Leyte League of Mayors, Southern Leyte League of Councilors, and the Philippine Nurses Association-Southern Leyte Chapter. According to Trumata the scheduled consultative meeting is an important step in the public-private partnership towards the fight against TB to reach our national vision: “TB Free Philippines.”(PIA SoLeyte/esg)

November bidding set for DPWH-SLED projects in Southern Leyte

by .mb.com.ph


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Philippines (PIA) — Several infrastructure projects in various locations in this province are due for bidding this month, according to District Engr. Carlos Veloso of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Southern Leyte Engineering District (DPWH-SLED).

In a recent meeting with local media at the DPWH function hall here last week, Veloso said P10.5 million of flood control projects in various parts of Southern Leyte are set to be bid out. This, along with some P25.7 million worth of road slippage repair projects in national highways to be bid out on November 15.

On November 10, repair or improvement of public markets in 18 towns and one city in the province will be up for bid, with funds for these projects coming from the pork barrel of Senator Francis Escudero.

Meanwhile, three out of 19 local government units (LGUs) in this province will sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the DPWH regional office soonest, with the DPWH as the implementing government agency, said Veloso.

Veloso identified two of the towns indicating preference for assistance from Escudero as Saint Bernard and Bontoc.

The DPWH-SLED official said, meanwhile, that he will pursue efforts to secure P50 million from the national government so that the cross-country road concreting linking Maasin and Bontoc will be continued, so as to cut travel time from the Pacific and Sogod Bay area in reaching Maasin City.

He also said he will continue to lobby for funds for the seawall project from Brgy. Abgao to Brgy. Pasay in Maasin.

Southern Leyte Police arrests wanted person, illegal gamblers

by ES Gorne


SOUTHERN LEYTE, October 31 (PIA 8)-- Continued police operations resulted to the apprehension of wanted persons in the province as Southern Leyte Police Provincial Office (SLPPO) Officer In Charge PSSupt Allan Tribiana Cuevillas directed all chiefs of police to strictly implement the service of all warrants of arrest received by their respective office. This he said is “in order to enhance the quality of justice dispensed by the courts and to give speedy trials of all cases filed,” Police Chief Inspector Abdulmajid Jaji, the PCR Chief said in their report to PIA Southern Leyte. On October 28, the Bontoc Police Station personnel arrested Eduardo Navarro Tan, 58 years old, a resident of Barangay Divisioria, Bontoc by virtue of warrant of arrest by Judge Bethany G. Kapili dated November 26, 2007 for a crime of murder docketed under Criminal Case No. 1170, Jaji said. Jaji further reported that the arrested person was brought to Bontoc Police Station for proper disposition. Meanwhile, Jaji said the provincial police continues to implement the “One Strike Policy” in the campaign against all forms of illegal gambling in the area of responsibility,as directed by PSSupt Cuevillas. He said in Hinunagan, Southern Leyte on October 28, the PNP personnel of Hinunangan Police Station conducted operations against illegal activities at Barangay Calag-itan which resulted to the apprehension of Arnel Jay-R Espanol. Confiscated from his possession and control were swertres control sheets, ballpen and bet money. While in Macrohon, Southern Leyte, Franko Lolo Degios, 33 years old, married, laborer and of Brgy. Maria Clara was caught in the act of collecting illegal gambling paraphernalia such as tally sheets and bet money. And in Maasin City on October 29, police arrested Rico Miras Damole, 27 years old, single, jobless and a resident of said place, as police operations against illegal gambling activity at Brgy. Tagnipa was conducted. Confiscated from his actual possession, control and custody were one piece summary sheet, ten pieces control sheet and cash money amounting to ninety five pesos (P 95.00) in different denominations, he said. All persons apprehended were brought to respective police stations for documentation and filing of appropriate criminal charges in court, he added. (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

Maasin OSCA honors utilities, firms that care for the elderly

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 29 (PIA) -- The Office of Senior Citizens’ Affairs (OSCA) in this city gave recognition to two utility service offices and three business establishments in gratitude for granting discounts, as what the law provided, to the elderly. Willy Justimbaste, president of the City Federation of Senior Citizens, led the giving of the plaques of recognition to the Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative (SOLECO) and Maasin Water District (MWD), Rose Pharmacy, Mercury Drug and Gaisano Hi-Per Metro. The awarding ceremony was held at the Senior Citizens’ Building at Brgy. Tagnipa yesterday. The five establishments were honored for giving the required discounts to qualified senior citizens in buying drugs, medicines, selected groceries or paying for services like water and electricity. In the brief “Action Center” kapihan that preceded the handing of awards, SOLECO Section Head Raul Fabroa explained that in order to avail of the five percent power discounts, a senior citizen must file an application at their office. He said the 5 percent off can only be enjoyed for those consuming 100 kilowatt-hours of electric consumption or less than per month, but he still encouraged those who consumed more than 100 KWH to register, so they can avail of the discount once they consumed less. The name of the senior citizen should be the member, Fabroa stressed, and in a family where there is an elderly the change of name for a member can be allowed but it will take one year after the change before the discount can be enjoyed. SOLECO was the first electric cooperative in Region 8 to have followed the law on the expanded benefits for senior citizens, it was learned. As to purchases of medicines and groceries in pharmacies, Rose Pharmacy’s Annabelle Cardoza said the requirement was for the elderly buyer to present a purchase slip -- which can be asked from the OSCA office -- an ID, an authorization if the senior had someone buy it, and the doctor’s prescription for the drugs needed. Pharmacies are mandated to grant 20 percent discount on purchases from the elderly, although ther

CSWO distributes cooking materials, eating utensils for Day Care Centers in Maasin City

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct 28 (PIA) -– At least 72 Day Care Centers throughout Maasin City received various eating utensils and cooking materials coming from the government’s Supplemental Feeding Program through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 8 based in Tacloban City. The coking materials include 72 pieces “Kaha” (big frying pans), 72 big cooking pots, 72 pieces ladles, while eating utensils consist of plates, spoon, and fork, tumblers, each for 1,503 pieces that indicate the DSWD logo each at the bottom, Fe Nida Sy City Social Welfare Aide reported Thursday in a short talk with PIA-Maasin. “The distribution of the eating utensils depend of how many day care children from 3-4 years old are enrolled in each day care center, while the cooking materials will be distributed one each for DCC” Sy, the Focal Person for Children bared. She disclosed that “an amount of twelve pesos and seventy cents (P12.70) inclusive of rice per child per day for 120 days hot meal feeding shall be allocated and ten pesos (P10.00) is allocated each child for the viand,” Sy disclosed. An average of 10 children is covered in every kilo of rice at the price of P27.00 per kilo, Sy further said. Though, the 120 bags of iron-fortified rice, re still coming, she said. It will be purchased from the respective National Food Authority regional offices, while the local government units will be the one to withdraw the NFA rice at NFA warehouses, she added. The Supplemental Feeding Program is the provision of food in addition to the regular meals, to currently day care children as part of the DSWD's contribution to the Early Childhood Care adn Development (ECCD) program of the government, the source added. As of this writing, Day Care Workers from different Day Care Centers in Maasin City are withdrawing their share of the cooking materials and eating utensils from the City Social Welfare Office here. (rgc/PIA-SoLeyte)

SLEM awaits NHA approval for second phase of housing project

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 27 (PIA) -- The Southern Leyte Employees Multi-Purpose (SLEM) Cooperative is awaiting the approved subdivision plan from the National Housing Authority (NHA) in order to start the implementation on the second phase of its housing project. Mario Eugene Abenio, SLEM Manager, told Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in an interview Tuesday that phase two of the shelter project in barangay Ibarra covered 2.8 hectares, consisting of 160 housing units with an average area of 100 square meter per unit. About ninety-one (91) slots were already filled with interested takers, Abenio added. Jesse Quilantang, Chairman of the SLEM’s Board of Directors, who was also present during the interview along with other officers, said that management is still considering whether to offer the project as a house and lot package to individual buyers. Once a prospective buyer can buy a lot mostly on an installment basis, the next problem for him or her will be to look for money for the construction of the house, an opportunity that might as well be grabbed by SLEM, granting that not so many would borrow in one given setting so as not to deplete the coop’s finances, Quilantang said. But what was certain was that they have hired an architect to design structures for bungalow types, row houses, or two-storey buildings, as these will serve as a model to interested takers, he added, even as they have also set aside a space for a buyer’s customized preference of home style. As of September 30, 2011, SLEM members reached 5,541, up from 1,305 members in 2006, and it has put up satellite branches in San Juan and Ormoc City, and a branch at Maasin City proper with its own operations separate from the main office at barangay Asuncion, this city, said Manager Abenio in a powerpoint presentation. Management has planned to expand satellite offices to Sogod and Libagon where a membership seminar was already done for at least fifty members, said Vilma Kangleon, another Board Member. Other Board members present during the interaction with PIA were Celia Verano, Fred Maco, and Edna Dator. SLEM began as a closed-type cooperative with purely government employees as members hence its name, but over the years it has accepted as members non-government employees as long as they are employed, including wives of overseas workers. As to a suggestion of changing its name to reflect the inclusion of non-public sector individuals as members, Quilantang said he saw no need for such a move, saying SLEM has been an institution by itself, much like a brand name. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

GIZ proud to be part of YISEDA’s success

by Bong Pedalino


BARANGAY LUNAS, Maasin City, Southern Leyte, Oct. 26 (PIA) -- A ranking official of a German government organization GIZ, traveled all the way to this highland village yesterday to see the phenomenal accomplishment of a People’s Organization (PO) which GIZ fully supported in terms of technical and financial assistance. “You have a wonderful nature all around here. GIZ is proud to be part of your development,” Dr. Sebastian Paust, GIZ Managing Director, told officers and members of the Young Innovators for Sustainable Environmental Development Association (YISEDA), in a short interaction held at the PO’s small bunkhouse. GIZ has poured more than P 5 Million in development funds to YISEDA for its efforts on reforesting and regenerating the natural forests of the mountain ranges surrounding barangay Lunas that stretches over 400 hectares said a YISEDA leader. Leo Vanzuela, YISEDA Vice President, said the GIZ funding was coursed through the Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) and the Reducing Emission on Degradation and Deforestation (REDD) programs, as well as in Assisting Natural Regeneration (ANR), a result-specific project that seeks to replenish 120 hectares forest cover in the area starting in 2010 up to 2012. Vanzuela, who spoke in behalf of the president who was in Manila in preparation of a national summit of POs in which YISEDA will be an active participant this November, recapped the PO’s humble beginnings twelve (12) years ago and the progress attained thus far. He said the PO was primarily established as a forest steward that modeled the way in sustainably managing and protecting natural resources, propagating and planting nearly a million endemic and exotic trees as well as fruit trees. YISEDA was composed of 34 men, women, and 420 beneficiaries, Vanzuela said, adding that they deliberately use the word “Young” in their name as their children, and the children of their children’s children, are expected to carry on what was presently began. The visiting guests, along with personnel from the provincial government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the province and region, later proceeded to the actual site where mahogany and other tree species were recently planted, negotiating a steep mountain trail slanted almost 45 degrees in a 30-minute slow walk-climb. At one spot at the mountain’s top, estimated at 800 feet from the dirt road below, the town of Sogod, Libagon, and part of Sogod Bay can be seen in the eastern side, while in the western portion the towns of Bato, Hilongos, and Hindang in Leyte province, as well as Bohol and Camotes Island, can also be seen by the naked eye in a panoramic view. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

GIZ mulls giving direct financial aid for fisherfolk, farmers

by Bong Pedalino


KUTING REEF, Macrohon, Southern Leyte, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- A German government organization has laid out a plan to extend cash assistance directly to farmers and fishermen whose livelihood will be affected by programs or projects that would preserve the environment. Andreas Lange, Regional Coordinator of GIZ, a government organization of Germany actively working on undertakings that conserve natural resources, said the Environment Conditional Cash Transfer (ECCT) is now being seriously considered for upland and coastal dwellers in a manner similar to the existing cash transfer program of the government. In an interview in this high-end resort last night on the occasion of a dinner tendered for the visiting GIZ Managing Director, Dr. Sebastian Paust, Lange said the idea was to provide an alternate livelihood to augment the income of farmers and fishermen in four municipalities and one city where GIZ initiated conservation programs like reforestation and marine protection were ongoing. These included the towns of Silago, Sogod, Bontoc, Tomas Oppus and Maasin City, where an initial 200 poor families belonging to the fisheries and agriculture sector will be selected as the prime beneficiaries About two weeks ago, Lange said the plan was presented in Southern Leyte province as a pilot implementation site owing to the many GIZ-led projects established, in close coordination with government agencies like the social welfare, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), among others. As of now, the question on how much payout will be extended is still under study, Lange stressed, adding that the basis for the cash grant was the rice requirement for a family of five, which was calculated at around P 1,000.00 per month at the very least, subject to pre-determined conditions. Once the project will be rolled out, it will be implemented in two to six years’ time, starting most probably in the first quarter of 2012, with the recipients withdrawing cash through a “blue card” much like an ATM, Lange added. He said the overall goal was to use the ECCT as an innovative scheme in poverty alleviation. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

So Leyte solon leads planting mangroves at Silago

by Bong Pedalino


BARANGAY HINGATUNGAN, Silago, Southern Leyte, Oct. 24 (PIA) -- Southern Leyte Lone District Representative Roger Mercado waded into ankle deep waters here Saturday to plant mangroves along the rocky shores in this pacific barangay. He was joined by some 300 young people coming from seven parishes comprising the pacific vicariate, an ecclesiastical subdivision of the Diocese of Maasin, in a show of force led by Cong. Mercado that was aimed to mitigate the effects of climate change. The Parish-based youths earlier had a value-formation lecture at the Hingatungan Chapel with Rev. Fr. Hope Lambonao, and when the solon arrived direct from Manila he was given the floor for a short pep talk shortly before the actual planting of mangrove petioles. Ever a walking environment crusader, Cong. Mercado riveted his remarks on the need for conscious efforts, particularly initiated by the young people, to alter the erratic weather patterns brought about by global warming, and one of the ways to do this is to continue planting trees in the mountains, or mangroves along the sea coasts. He said upon learning about the activity in an invitation extended by Fr. Lambonao, he did not hesitate to come directly to the venue after alighting from the plane at the Tacloban airport, saying he valued every opportunity that he can personally participate in a tree-planting event. Mercado also mentioned the recent weather disturbance, tropical depression “Ramon” which was forecast to hit land at Silago on October 12 but veered in its direction instead, “jumping” to Northern Cebu area. “This showed that, aside from our prayers that we be spared from the calamity, our consistent efforts on planting trees paid off, as typhoons are known to slow down in areas with thick vegetation,” Cong. Mercado told local media in a short interaction following the mangrove planting. Rosalinda Lumaas, Punong Barangay of Hingatungan, said in an interview that a total of 18,000 mangrove seedlings were already planted since the project began in May this year, and they are still intent on planting some more as the site is still wide open. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

Seawaters off Panaon landslide site to be recast as “underwater graveyard” for marine protection

by Bong Pedalino


BARANGAY PUNTA, San Francisco, Southern Leyte, Oct. 23 (PIA) -- The shallow waters along the coast of this barangay will be turned into a memorial in memory of those who perished in a natural disaster eight years ago and at the same time a conservation ground for fish species, coral reefs, and other marine life. The site, which has been established as a marine protected area (MPA) by virtue of a municipal ordinance on June 10, 2009, was littered with rampaging debris, as dead bodies and destroyed houses were washed out during the December 19, 2003 mudslide. Two other places in Panaon also suffered killer landslides, somewhat simultaneously on that very same fateful day following days of torrential rains that hit one barangay in Liloan and another one in San Ricardo towns. Dag Navarette, a technical staff of Coral Cay, a British non-government organization (NGO) concerned with preserving and protecting the treasures of the seas, revealed in an interview here yesterday that he planned to bring the local leaders to Camiguin Island next month so they can have an idea of what an underwater cemetery looks like. Navarette, who claimed he was “on loan” to another resources conservation NGO called RARE, said he may not be able to copy the Camiguin seawaters cemetery because it was a real one but he may opt for an underwater marker instead in time for the eight anniversary of the disaster in December this year. An awareness drive was launched at this site yesterday complete with a motorcade, in an activity called “Punta Pride,” purposely to focus on the heightened consciousness of the place as an MPA. Beny Deloso, Punta Punong Barangay, said some visible benefits now can be seen and felt in two years’ time since the declaration of the place as a protected zone covering an area of ten hectares. The other night fishermen were able to catch 60 kilos of assorted fishes, the first time that it happened as most catch averaged only ten kilos, Deloso said. Fishing inside the five kilometer exclusive area marked by floating bouys has been strictly prohibited, but beyond this perimeter zone fisherfolks are already allowed to fish, Deloso also said. Illegal fishers were no longer doing their unlawful acts since the MPA was instituted, he added. Residents of barangay Punta, now numbering 455 people in 101 households or 114 families, had been relocated in a resettlement site near the town proper about three kilometers away, but barangay tanods kept a 24/7 watch in the MPA, Deloso told local media in a mini-press conference. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

DPWH – Southern Leyte receives P25.7M for roadslips repairs in 5 areas

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 21 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Southern Leyte Engineering District (SLED) is a recipient of a P25.7 million program funds intended for the repair and stabilization of road slips in five road network areas in the province damaged by the heavy rainfalls early this year. DPWH-SLED Assistant District Engineer Manolo Rojas reported to PIA Southern Leyte that the engineering district will be working on the programming and planning of the five projects identified to undergo the repair and road slips stabilizations which are expected to be completed by October 26, this year. Then the engineering district will bid out the 5 projects competitively through on line bidding, which is in line with PNoy's "matuwid na daan" policy, in the next 20 days, he said. Rojas said that the following roadslip repair project areas identified are in Katipunan, Silago – P3.5 Millions; Tubod, Silago – P4 Millions, Saub, Saint Bernard – P 1.5 Millions; Hindag-an, St. Bernard – P 10 Million and Lepanto, St. Bernard – P7 Million, all of Southern Leyte. He said those roadslips were damaged during the heavy rains experienced last January 2, 2011 in the province that resulted to the death of three children aged one to five, were killed in a landslide that hit Barangay Bolod-bolod in St. Bernard town in Southern Leyte. (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

DepEd-Southern Leyte gives tribute to stakeholders supportive to education sector

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 20 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd)–Southern Leyte Division has acknowledged the assistance given by the different stakeholders throughout the province to the education sector, thus a “Pasidungog” (tribute) to these stakeholders was done this morning, October 19 at the DepEd grounds, Barangay Mantahan here. DepEd Education Program Supervisor Jaime Leon Cardona disclosed in a phone interview that the education department of the province awarded the different stakeholders categorized in four areas, such as the Education Stakeholders that gave awards to all municipal mayors throughout the (18) municipalities of the province. The next category was the Organization/Foundation which identified four different institutions, namely; Christian Children’s Fund (CCF) from the municipality of Hinunangan, Samaritan Purse from the municipality of Limasawa, Lyoness Foundation from Macrohon town, and Let’s Share TV, a non-government organization that gave support to the town of Limasawa. Other categories include, (7) private individuals identified that are supportive to the education sector such as distribution of instructional materials, scholarship grant, financial assistance in the construction of school buildings, among others,; and the (2) local government units category that awarded the Barangay Council of Ichon, Macrohon and Katipunan, Silago, the source added. Cardona disclosed that a Plaque of Appreciation was given to the awardees led by DepEd Division Superintendent Dr. Violeta Alocilja assisted by Asst. Division Superintendents Dr. Arturo Isip and Dr. Jocelyn Solana. The source further said that the “Pasidungog” activity acknowledged the benevolent support of the awardees to the different projects of the education department and was presented by songs and other presentations from the academic and non-teaching staff of the division. Gov. Damian G. Mercado delivered an inspirational message in behalf of the provincial government, while ABC Provincial Federation President Nikko Mercado who represented Cong. Roger G. Mercado also gave his message, Cardona bared. Meanwhile, an oath taking ceremony for the elected officials of the Parents-Teachers Association was also one of the activities during the “Pasidungog” day. (rgc/PIA-SoLeyte)

Protecting the forest is Leyte boxer's toughest fight

by MARK D. MERUEÑAS, GMA News


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte - Against the advice of his parents, Mark Cadabos gave up farming and left his hometown in Southern Leyte at the tender age of 12 to pursue a boxing career in Manila in 2001.

Fortunately for the young boy, he landed a spot and came under the tutelage of professional boxers at the Tiger City Boxing Stable in Mandaluyong City. For almost a decade, everything went as Cadabos had planned, until news of his father's death forced him to return here, to their small farming village of Lunas in the provincial capital of Maasin City.

With their breadwinner gone, Cadabos - now 22 years old - was left with the responsibility of attending to the needs of their family. He still occasionally fights in local matches in the province, but he never expected he would end up turning to the very practice he abandoned a decade ago for income: forest farming.

Cadabos is one of the more than 100 forest farmers belonging to a local people's organization, the Youth Innovators for Social and Environmental Development Association (YISEDA), which is protecting the Nacolod Mountain Range, locally called the "San Francisco Nature's Park."

No different from his exhausting boxing schedule in Manila, Cadabos starts each day by trekking to the foot of the 1,900-foot high mountain as early as 7 a.m. Six days a week, he brandishes a machete and lugs a hand-woven basket containing seedlings on his back as he makes a calculated ascent. He negotiates the slippery slopes, leaps over treacherous ravines, avoids sharp rocks, and endures bee stings in order to cultivate sections of arable land and plant seedlings in denuded areas.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has awarded their group some 400 hectares of forest land to protect for 25 years, with technical assistance from the government and funding from local governments and the German development agency Deutsche Gesellshaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

The project aims to institute effective sustainable forest management in the mountain range, warding off illegal loggers and kaingin farmers while restoring the forest land with a variety of trees like Lauan, Acacia, and Sagimsiman.

In a 2006 report, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization said the Philippines lost around 157,000 hectares of forest annually from 2000 to 2005. Until last year, the country was still losing forests at the rate of 150,000 hectares per year, according to Dr. Bernd-Markus Liss of the GIZ.

In exchange for protecting the forest, the farmers gain the right to harvest trees while planting new seedlings in their place, in specially designated plantation areas on the slopes of the mountain range. At the same time, YISEDA members are taught proper agro-forestry, planting fruit-bearing trees, vegetables, and root crops that provide them with a steady source of income.

Also, Cadabos' community contributes in a huge way to easing the greenhouse effect that warms the planet through a global strategy known as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation-plus (REDD+).

Boxing takes a backseat

Cadabos was planting seedlings near a mountain peak when our group of journalists from Manila visited the project site one rainy Thursday morning. He volunteered to assist us as we made the steep descent from the mountain.

He candidly told GMA News Online that he still intends to return to Manila to revive his abandoned boxing dream in the future. "Labing-pitong panalo [17 wins]," he says when asked about his career, "at apat na talo [And four losses]."

Referring to the famous boxing venue of most of his idol Manny Pacquiao's matches, he confesses, “Sana dumating din ang araw na ako naman ang lalaban sa Las Vegas." [I hope someday I can also fight in Las Vegas]

But that dream is still far away, Cadabos admits. For now, he is focusing his attention to the needs of the mountains surrounding their small village.

On this particular day, he is potting prepared seedlings to meet his group's daily quota of 10,000 seedlings. Their target is to pot a total of 120,000 plants in two weeks' time, all for the meager allowance of P120 a day or a total of only P1,440 for the entire endeavor.

"Okay lang kahit mahirap, kami din naman makikinabang niyan kapag tumagal [It doesn't matter if this job requires hard labor because villagers here like me are the ones who will benefit from this anyway when the time comes]," he says.

After ensuring that all the visitors have safely made their way down, the young boxer-farmer politely asks if we didn't mind him going back up the mountain to return to his farming duties. Cadabos gives a small nod to the journalists, turns around, and disappears behind the trees.

Back in the mountain, he will face another of his life’s battles which, despite being the toughest for him, he also finds the most rewarding. In this battle, unlike in his boxing stints, there are no tallies for wins and losses. There is only victory.

Col Ruperto Kangleon's daughter recounts family ordeal during WW II

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 18 (PIA) -- Being a member of the family of highest guerilla leader in Leyte, the 81-year old daugther of then WW II Col. Ruperto Kangleon recounts how their family suffered the ordeal of escaping from the grips of Japanese army wanting to hostage the immediate family of Kangleon during the second world war. The fifth child of the ten siblings of then Col Kangleon, Sister Lourdes Tagle Kangleon disclosed that for at least seven narrow escape sometimes in barefoot to different places like Barili and Carcar both in Cebu City, Jetafe in Bohol, Malitbog, Hinundayan, Libagon, Sogod and St. Bernard for almost four years in hiding away from their father, who fought against the enemy of the state during the weekly kapihan segment of the “Action Center” cable tv program at the Senior Citizen’s Building in Maasin City this morning. Sister Kangleon, a medical doctor by profession who graduated at UST Medical School and took her post graduate studies in U.S. in 1956, is connected to the Medical Mission Sisters – International Religious Congregation of Women. She recounted in one of their escape route to a three – hour walk to the deep jungle of Libagon, wherein she, her mother and youngest daughter Cecilia were not able to join her other three brothers and older sister, Corazon escape , because she was very sick. And to their fear, her brothers and sister Corazon were caught by the Japanese soldiers, however, failed to use them as a leverage for their father to surrender, Kangleon recounted. She recalled their father replied to the Japanese soldiers that he would not surrender and leave the fate of his four children at the hands of God. The four of children were brought to Tacloban City to join with the rest of people who were in prisoned by the Japanese soldiers. The younger Kangleon remembered how their survived without food most of the time as they are enroute of their escapes, some times they scratch for rootcrops different places, pressed their throats to appease hunger, among other sufferings because they were the target of the Japanese soldiers being the family of the leader of the guerillas. After the war, she was grateful that all of the members of the family were all reunited. She noted that the driving force of her father to be strong and dedicated to defend the nation is his love for the country. The late Col. Ruperto Kangleon later became the Secretary of the National Defense during the administration of then President Carlos Garcia and a senator of the third congress of the Republic of the Philippines.### (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

PENRO-Southern Leyte joins annual Fisheries Conservation Week fete

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct 17 (PIA) -– The Province of Southern Leyte through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) will observe the annual Fisheries Conservation Week celebration on October 18-20, 2011. The whole celebration will highlight activities such as the Mangrove Forum and Greenbelt Appreciation Trip, the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Forum and Awarding of Financial Assistance to 22 MPAs and the Launching of 2012 Search for the Champions of the Seas and MPA Appreciation Trip. Coastal Fisheries Resources Management Unit Officer Eva Abad reported in a phone interview this afternoon, Monday, that the Mangroove foum whill be held in the morning of Oct 18 at Casa Ampil here to be participated by MPA beneficiaries,among other participants and project visits will proceed in the afternoon of the same day at Barangay Manhilo, Maasin City and Molopolo of Macrohon, this province, two of the marine protected areas here. While, the awarding of financial assiatance for the MPAs will be conducted on the second day, October 19 at Casa Ampil, Maasin City,”this is the second batch of MPAs -beneficiaries that will be given financial assistance, the first batch was awarded last July, 2011 yet,” Abad bared. “For the second batch, a total of 22 Marine Protected Areas were identified throughout the province, with P10,000 as cash assistance to be given per site, a total of P220,000 was allotted for the said purpose,” Abad reported. On the third day, the delegates will visit San Pablo Island, at the municipality of Hinunangan and will conduct an MPA Pride Campaign, the source added. This year’s theme is dubbed as ”Fishery resource conservation in the context of global needs for food, security and safety.” (rgc/PIA-Soleyte)

DOLE 8 conducts orientation on security agencies, hiring companies

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, October 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its provincial office here held an orientation on the basic rights and benefits of security guards. The orientation was held at Casa Ampil on Saturday attended by security agencies in the city and province together with the business entities which hired such agencies, said Fe Norma Valuis, provincial Field Officer of DOLE. It was learned that when conflicts arise as to who will pay the benefits of the the security guards, the common situation was that both the agencies and the ones who hired them, were poiting at each other. But the law on sub-contracting provided that when a security agency fail to pay their obligations to their personnel, the principals are obliged to pay for whatever is due, said Valuis in a press conference at the DOLE provincial office with Regional Director Forter Poguon. Valuis said many security guards came to her office seeking assistance on matters that should have been settled either by the agency concerned or both the agency and the principal. Based on the principle that ignorance of the law excuses no one, these principals should have been hailed to judicial processes sooner than later for whatever shortcomings committed or omitted on the agency-principal relationship. But Valuis quoted Director Poguon as saying it would be better to educate them first on an orientation proceeding before applying the law so they will no longer have any alibi. For his part, Poguon cited a very specific case that happened in the province several years ago involving some 25 security guards under a security agency who failed to pay the right amount of salaries. Upon investigation, it was found out that the security personnel’s claim was right, and it was also determined that the principal failed to pay a sizeable fraction of the unpaid amount to the agency. In the end, close to P 1 million pesos was duly paid both by the principal and the agency after a due process deliberation undertaken by DOLE 8, Pugoun said. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

DTI intensifies bamboo production in Southern Leyte

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte Oct 14 (PIA) -– In order to support and develop the bamboo production in the province of Southern Leyte, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently conducted basic skills training on Processed Bamboo Products under the project Sustainable Development of Southern Leyte Employees Multi –Purpose Cooperative- Bamboo (SLEMBOO). Trade and Industry Development Specialist Sandra Alcober said Friday the SLEMBOO project of the Southern Leyte Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative Inc. now focused on increasing the volume of production, improved quality of bamboo products, capacity development of human resources and increased, well-organized nodes. “After the project’s implementation, for the last quarter of 2010, an increased awareness of bamboo products which resulted to its growing demand,” Alcober said, adding that there’s a need for an additional source of bamboo raw materials and workers in order to cope up with the said demands and will also serve as a buffer for future demands. Alcober said the skills training conducted to the participants was aimed to open another outlet that will supply the bamboo raw materials and labor needs of SLEMBOO through imparting the skills on how to harvest bamboo products, cutting, cleaning, flattening and bamboo chips making. DTI-Southern Leyte headed by DTI Provincial Dir. Micahel Nuñez encouraged the prospect-producers to “sharpen their skills they learned from the training through continuous production.” The idea of barangay entrepreneurship is also a gesture of the local government of supporting the project through serving as a middleman such as in the allocation of funds for labor payment and the purchase of equipment and in turn selling the output of its people to SLEMBOO, the source said. The skills training targeted Barangay Libhu, this city in addition to the treatment plant in Barangay Sto. Niño in the municipality of Macrohon and the display center at Barangay Ibarra here, where different bamboo products can be seen such as luber, sheets furniture and designed chips, among other bamboo finished products. (rgc/PIA-SoLeyte)

DepEd-SoLeyte joins Global Handwashing Day this October

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct 13 (PIA) -– “Handwashing with soap is the most effective and cheapest way to prevent diseases,” Department of Education (DepEd) Supervising Nurse Teresita Marquez disclosed in an interview with PIA-Maasin, Tuesday. Marquez said that October 15 is set as the Global Handwashing Day, but since it falls on Sunday, “DepEd Southern Leyte Division will conduct the Global Handwashing Day on Monday, Oct 17 at Bolod-Bolod Elemntary School, Barangay Bolod-Bolod, Saint Bernard, this province.” The said activity which is relative to Essential Health Care Package program of the education department will be participated by different stakeholders such as the local government units, the Parents-Teachers Association officials, school principals, head teachers, among other division teachers and DepEd health personnel throughout Southern Leyte Division. “While the other school districts throughout the (18) municipalities of the province will have a synchronized activity at their own level,” Marquez bared. This will be led by the school’s principal, she added. Proper handwashing has been echoing and reinforcing the call for improved hygiene practices not only here in the country but worldwide. Global Handwashing Day will be the centerpiece of activities that will mobilize millions of people across five continents to wash their hands with soap. As of school year 2011-2012, Southern Leyte Schools Division has a total enrolment of 53,933 for the elementary and Kindergaten departments, Marquez disclosed during the Provincial Nutrition Planning with the Technical Working Group held at Supercha Restaurant in Maasin City. (rgc/PIA-SoLeyte)

Maasin City distributes relief goods to 300 evacuees

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, October 12 (PIA) -- Despite the weakening of Typhoon “Ramon” to a tropical depression early this morning, Maasin City Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) distributed relief goods since last night until this morning to 300 evacuees who fled to different barangays at the height of typhoon “Ramon”. According to MSWDO Febe Maria Sta.Cruz, the hundreds of evacuees coming from Barangays Combado, Manhilo, Canturing, Mambajao, Asuncion and Tagnipa, all of Maasin City, voluntarily evacuated to respective barangay halls, DOTC office in Barangay Combado last night at the height of the typhoon. It was further reported that one house owned by one of the evacuees due to the rising creek in Barangay Combado was also hit by a fallen tree that almost cut the house totally. Most of the evacuees were threatened with the rising waters along the river banks of Canturing River and spelling over to Barangay Mambajao also, more swelling creeks in Barangays Tagnipa, Manhilo and Combado and fear of storm surge in Barangay Asuncion, Sta. Cruz added. The each relief good distributed to the evacuees found at the evacuation centers consists of rice, noodles, canned goods, among others, she said. Earlier today, Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco cancelled its earlier instruction to suspend the government officers operations, however, due to the development of the weakening to tropical depression Ramon, government works resumed this afternoon. Meanwhile, DPWH– Southern Leyte reported that the earlier reported landslide in Daang Maharlika – Sogod road network particularly in Pancho Villa section is now passable to heavy traffic after the removal of the landslide materials due to typhoon Ramon. (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

PPMT to launch 11 support projects for Silago –Agrarian Reform Communities

by ES Gorne


SILAGO, Southern Leyte, Oct 11 (PIA) -- The Provincial Project Management Team (PPMT) held a meeting together with the Municipal Mayor Manuel Labrador to finalize plans on the launching of projects for the Silago-Agrarian Reform Communities (ARC) under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project III (ARISP III). The Silago-ARC is composed of two (2) barangays, namely: Katipunan and Hingatungan. The projects scheduled to be launched for the Silago-ARC, Department of Agrarian Reform – Southern Leyte Public Information Officer Marilyn l. Capilitan disclosed to PIA Southern Leyte. Capilitan said the following support projects includes for physical infrastructure such as Hingatungan -Communal Irrigation System (CIS) with Extension; Gumamela – Infres Farm to Market Road (FMR); Lawaan – Infres FMR; Kaabon – Intake FMR; Hingatungan Potable Water Supply (PWS) System; Post-Harvest Facility.

She further said that other support projects for the institutional development consist of cooperative development; irrigation development; potable water supply development while for agriculture and agribusiness development also contains rice enhancement, vegetable production and marketing and swine fattening. The total cost of the aforementioned projects is Php 50,545,138.03 wherein most of this will go to the Infrastructure Sub-Projects, she added. The launching which is set on October 12, 2011 at Brgy. Hingatungan here, will not only be attended by the officials and coop members of Silago-ARC, it will also be graced by no less than Congressman Roger C. Mercado, the Provincial Governor of Southern Leyte Damian G. Mercado, and other Provincial Board Members, Capilitan said. She said the DAR-Provincial Project Management Office (DAR-PPMO) headed by PARO Venerio A. Yap as the Project Manager together with the other members of the PPMT which are the NIA, DPWH and LGU-Silago will witness the launching of the said projects. It is also expected that the DAR Regional Director Engr. Eliasem Castillo, who is at the same time the Project Manager of the DAR-Regional Project Management Office (DAR-RPMO), will be present during the launching to represent the DAR-Central Project Management Office (DAR-CPMO). She added that on the same day and place, a Harvest Festival will also be held wherein vegetable products of the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and other People’s Organizations (POs) will be displayed. The Local Government Unit (LGU) here who hosted the PPMT meeting, will also host the said launching, Capilitan said. (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

DILG- Maasin campaigns for PPUR in barangay assemblies

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 10 (PIA) -- The nationwide, synchronized barangay assembly held in most of the 70 barangays here on Sunday served as an opportune occasion for the city office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to strongly push for a text or online vote for the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) to be included in the list of new 7 wonders of nature. “If we vote for Maasinhon Trio, which is up to this day only, for the honor and pride of our city and Southern Leyte, I might as well appeal on all of you here to vote for the Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the new seven wonders of the world, for this will be the pride and honor for our country,” said Elsa Tingcoy, City DILG Officer, at the Tagnipa gym barangay assembly attended by Tagnipanians led by Punong Barangay Felix Verano. She was referring to the three local singers -- Andrew Sanchez, Lecenio Lolo, and Bonnie Salubre -- who were semi-finalists in a talent search of a popular television network, and they did make it to the finals, courtesy of a strong text vote after last night’s final vote tally, where they gained 52% of the total votes cast. Early on, shortly before her pitch on the PPUR, Tingcoy explained the rationale behind the holding of a barangay assembly, a yearly activity every October to mark the passage of the Local Government Code which was passed on October 10, 1991, so today is the 20th anniversary of this law that grants autonomy to the many local villages across the country. The week in which the date October 10 will fall will also be the Local Government week, in which LGUs were advised to hold social-sports activities -- for Maasin City this coincided with the celebration of Employees’ Week -- and the whole month of October is Local Government Month, Tingcoy said. This year’s commemoration of the local autonomy became more significant as the nation was challenged to bond together so the famous underground river in Palawan can be known as among the new 7 wonders of nature, Tingcoy stressed, adding that this was also in consonance with the directive from DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and President Benigno Aquino III himself, who signed Proclamation No. 182 for this purpose. The Philippines is known as the texting capital of the world, and it would be a big opportunity loss if the country cannot harness this texting power for the PPUR, Tingcoy said as a challenge to the barangay folks. In a brief chat with PIA after her talk, Tingcoy said she had already rounded several barangays along the highway, especially those with full cell signals, speaking the same message, and she expected to collect and collate the votes sent until the end of the month. Voting will be until November 11, 2011, it was learned. According to the 7 wonders website each SMS sent counts as one vote, and it can be easily done by sending PPUR to 2861 for all Globe and Smart subscribers. Located 50 kilometers north of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, the underground river features a limestone karst mountain with an 8.2 km navigable water that winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea or the Philippine Sea, the website reported. (PIA-Southern Leyte/Bong)

Maasin willing to donate lot for new city jail, says BJMP

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 8 (PIA) -- The city local government unit is willing to give a portion of a reclaimed lot within city to be used as the site for a new city jail. This was learned from Eleuterio Ortiz, Provincial Head and concurrent City Warden of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) at the weekly “Media Forum” Wednesday at dyDM. Ortiz quoted City Mayor Maloney Samaco as saying the new prison facility can be located at the reclamation area in barangay Combado, this city. The new structure will be a two-storey building, but details on specific area or how much would be the cost-sharing between the BJMP and the city government for the project are still to be discussed. Ortiz earlier disclosed a resolution passed by the city council that called for the relocation of the city jail in barangay Bactul, a far-flung, interior barangay more than 15 kilometers from the city proper. He said he lobbied for reconsideration of the planned Bactul site, citing as reason its location which could pose as an invitation for enemies of state to rescue one of their own, if ever. The present city jail at the old municipal building in the heart of the city has been cramped and crowded, with its present population of 58 inmates, including one lady, in a jail capacity of only 30 prisoners, Ortiz said, adding that the edifice itself was already dilapidated and needed major repairs. This building will be re-invented and be transformed into a museum once the jail occupants can be transferred to the new location, Ortiz added. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

OWWA-8 announces winners of 2011 Model OFW Family of the Year awards

by R.G. Cadavos


SOUTHERN LEYTE, Oct 7 (PIA) -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) based in Tacloban City named the two winners for the search of 2011 Model OFW Family of the Year after a two-week regional screening and validating the eigth nominees throughout Eastern Visayas Region. OWWA Labor Communications Officer Florence D. Panao reported that the search was categorized into two, the sea-based category which was won by Capt. Teddy V. Abrea from Almeria, Biliran and the land-based category that was awarded to Engr. Cesario G. de Dios, Jr. from Ormoc City. The winners garnered the highest scores, topping the pre-screening and screening periods, Panao disclosed. They were ranked according to the following criteria: 50% wholesome OFW family image with indicators that include constancy of positive communication, sharing of responsibilities among family members and psychosocial maturity of children. While, another 20% for civic and community involvement of OFW and family members which may take the form of involvement in advocacies and successful community projects, membership in civic organizations, and special commendation to family members; 20% success of family members’ education that indicates family members’ completed education and special citations received; and10% success in managing family finances that ranges from business to savings and investment. Both winners are now successful in their own fields, the source added. They received plaques of recognition during the awarding ceremony held at Patio Victoria, Baluarte in San Jose , Tacloban City, October 5, 2011 and was awarded a G-cash amounting to P20,000 and a BDO Savings Account with initial deposit of P5,000. Panao further said that a plaque of recognition was also given to the other nominees – Panfilo Abanilla, Nilo Cabantac, Jose Genson, Romeo Navidad, Jaime Orzales, and Jaime Sapeda for their contribution to the upliftment of the OFW Family image. She added that the 2011 MOFYA on its 7th year was aimed at “giving proper recognition to the outstanding achievements of OFWs and their families; promoting success stories about the OFW families’ endurance over the challenges of overseas employment and highlighting the role of the OFW family in the attainment of socio-civic, educational, professional and material success.” (rgc/PIa-SoLeyte)

Limasawa garners Nutrition Honor Award, a first in Region 8

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 6 (PIA) -- For consistently getting recognized in its nutrition program for the past six consecutive years, the historic island-municipality of Limasawa, this province, shines once again for the Nutrition Honor Award (NHA), the first local government unit (LGU) in Region 8 to reap such distinction, according to Nilda Rich, the Assistant Provincial Nutrition Action Officer. In a phone interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Tuesday, Rich said Limasawa was a Green Banner Awardee for nutrition in the years 2005, 2006, and 2007, while for the next three years, from 2008, 2009, and 2010, the LGU garnered the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) award. This year’s nutrition performance evaluation, which was based in the 2010 assessment, Limasawa made history again for landing in the top spot, this time the NHA, and for this outstanding effort it stands to receive P 500,000.00 from the National Nutrition Council (NNC), an agency under the Department of Health (DOH), Rich informed. Awarding ceremony was slated to be held on October 25, 2011, in Manila, it was learned. Rich cited a decreasing trend of malnourished population in Limasawa, attributing this to the many nutrition-oriented activities initiated or supported by Mayor Melchor Petracorta. Among the many nutrition-based activities, she noted a constant monitoring of children in great dangers to be malnourished, and before getting into the borderline, these target children will be the focus of Limasawa’s concentrated feeding program. Meanwhile, Maasin City will also be a CROWN awardee for its nutrition program during the October 25 awarding rites, with P 250,000.00 cash incentive, said Dr. Francilisa Tan, Head of City Health Unit I. The members of the City Nutrition Committee, along with Mayor Maloney Samaco, will be the ones to receive the citation and the financial reward, said Dr. Tan. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

BSP Southern Leyte Council marks 50th council anniversary

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 5 (PIA) -- The Boy Scout Philippines (BSP) – Southern Leyte Council is in the height of preparations as they will host the Golden Jubilee Jamborette at Camp Danao in Maasin City on October 24-30, 2011 to mark the 50th council anniversary celebration. In time with the golden anniversary celebration of the BSP - Southern Leyte Council, the provincial council will initiate for the conduct of a jamborette in the province, Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco, who is also the BSP – Southern Leyte Council Chairman, reported during the “Maasin City In Action” radio program, Tuesday at the DyDM radio station. Samaco reported that at least 1,000 senior boy scouts, cub scouts delegates coming from the different municipalities in the province and other councils, who were also invited, were expected to join the provincial jamborette. He also disclosed that another scouting activity which is the holding of a National Rovermoot in Davao City this year shall be conducted at the same period. He intends to send a lean delegation to the said scouting activity due to its conflict. Last year, the provincial council hosted for the conduct of 7th National Rovermoot and the First One Visayas Regional Jamboree in Camp Danao, Maasin City. Meanwhile, the first provincial Kawan holiday, another three- day scouting activity intended for the cubs scout with ages ranging from 6 – 10 years old was successfully conducted at Malapoc Norte Elementary School, Council Clerk Carl Carrayo reported to PIA Maasin. Carroyo also disclosed that last Monday, October 5, selected boy scouts has started to hold one-day offices at the provincial and city offices from the office of the City Mayor and the different department heads as one of the activities of the boy scout in the province.### (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

Tree planting activities in Maasin City enlists 600 planters

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, October 4 (PIA) -- At least, two more National Greening Program (NGP) sites identified in Maasin City were planted with seedlings jointly by selected national high school students, barangay officials and some members of the Knights of Columbus last Saturday, October 1. Led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Community Environment and Natural Resourses Office (CENRO), two different planting activities were held. Rene Soria, CENR focal person, said an ongoing tree planting in one of the NGP site identified in Sitio Magtuasi, Ibarra which covers eight hectares was started by at least 400 fourth year high school students coming from the following schools in the city: Maasin Vocational High School, Libhu National High School, Guadalupe National High School and Ibarra National High School While in the Barangay Laboon planting site, at least 200 students coming from Nonok National High School and Dongon National High School, barangay officials and members of the Knights of Columbus joined the event, Soria added. Earlier, Soria said that the NGP sites in Sitio Canlugok, Lunas with 80 hectares and Barangay Kahupi-an, Sogod with 85 hectares were planted completely with 500 seedlings per hectare.. He also expressed appreciation to the transportation assistance of the Department of Public Works and Highways in bringing the students to the designated NGP sites on Saturdays. He also disclosed that their office only allowed the fourth year high school students in the tree planting since the NGP sites were located at high mountains which posed danger to younger students. Those younger ones were tapped to plant trees in the school premises, barangay plazas, safe river banks with the direct supervision of their respective teachers, he said.### (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

SoLeyte propagates parasitoid to combat brontispa infestation in 6 towns - PCA

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, October 3 (PIA) -- The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Southern Leyte Provincial Office now undertakes the propagation of parasitoids to combat the infestation of brontispa in the six municipalities of the province. The provincial office has started to gather the pupa of brontispa from the municipality of Bontoc that they can use for the parasitoids to lay their eggs, PCA Provincial Officer Manuel Sembrano disclosed. Sembrano said their office no longer promote spraying insecticides since it has no effect to curb brontispa infestation but rather affected more municipalities instead. He earlier reported that brontispa infestation has covered only four municipalities, namely Bontoc, Tomas Oppus, Malitbog and Lilo-an and the city of Maasin, however recently, their office has monitored that the municipality of Sogod is the newest municipality to have been affected by the said coconut disease. He is optimistic that brontispa could be minimized with the introduction of parasitoids eating the eggs of brontispa that in a cycle of 18 days, one mummified pupa of brontispa could produce 7 to 40 parasitoid adults. That only five mummified pupa of brontispa is needed to clear out brontispa infestation in one hectare of coconut trees. Sembrano said that parasitoid propagation has been successfully implemented in Vietnam in its struggle against brontispa dilemma among coconut plantations. He further disclosed that they expect that from six to twelve months after the parasitoids shall be introduced in brontispa infected coconut trees, affected trees will be revived. Sembrano said that they intend to pilot in Barangay Pamahawan of Bontoc to its three-year old affected brontispa coconut trees since it would be easier for them to monitor of the progress of the parasitoid. ### (PIA Southern Leyte/esg)

DENR completes planting of 82,500 seedlings in two Southern Leyte NGP sites

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, September 30 (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Provincial Office reported to have completed the planting of seedlings in two enrolled National Greening Program (NGP) sites in Southern Leyte. According to Rene Soria, the NGP Focal Person, said that Southern Leyte has enrolled 13 NGP sites so far. Soria added that the national high school students and people’s organizations filled the two NGP sites to total number of 82,500 seedlings planted and completed the same by the middle of September, this year. Soria said the people’s organization, Young Innovators for Sustainable Environment Association, which is based in Sitio Canlugok, Barangay Lunas together with the fourth year national high school students coming from the Bantid National High School (NHS), Baugo NHS and Dongon NHS, were all able to plant the whole of the eighty (80) hectares to a total of least 40,000 seedlings being planted in at least two Saturdays. He also reported that another enrolled NGP site in Barangay Kahupi-an, Sogod which covers 85 hectares has been planted with at least 42,500 seedlings already. Since the enrolled site is very far, the DENR has decided to forego with the participation of the children instead the tree planting were spearheaded by the barangay officials, the people’s organization which is the Kahupi-an Upland Farmer’s Association and the DepEd staff of the concerned national high schools. (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

PNP – South Leyte commends police break through vs illegal drugs, wanted persons

by ES Gorne


SOUTHERN LEYTE, Sept. 29 (PIA) -- The Southern Leyte Police Provincial Office gave letters of commendation to the PNP personnel of Maasin City and Macrohon Police Officers for their accomplishments in enforcing the law against illegal drugs and arrest of wanted persons in their areas of responsibility. According to Police Chief Inspector Abdulmajid B Jaji, PCR Chief , PSupt. Jacinto Arazo Cesar, Officer In Charge of the Southern Leyte Police Provincial Office and PSupt. Jonathan Penida, Deputy Provincial Director for Operation led in the awarding of their accomplishements last September 26, 2011 at the Camp Gov. Alfredo K. Bantug in Maasin City. Jaji said commendations were given to PSupt Hector F Enage, Maasin City Chief Of Police and to his personnel SP04 Nicasio F Sunit, P02 Oscar D Dullasin Jr, P02 Dominico G Petere and P02 Aldous Dexter M Roa, for the success of their operation against illegal drugs last 15 September 2011 at Barangay Maria Clara, Maasin City. That the operation resulted to the apprehension of Andrew Maceda Caberte, a known drug pusher in the area and the confiscation of four (4) pcs small sachets containing Methamphetamine Hydrochloride locally known as “shabu,” one (1) pc rolled stick of suspected dried marijuana leaves, cash money amounting to six hundred twenty pesos (P 620.00) and one piece of five hundred peso bill “buy bust” money, Jaji said. While in Macrohon Police Station, Jaji further disclosed that commendations were also given to PInsp Aljohn Teddy R Llanes, Chief Of Police and to his personnel SP04 Loido D Achacoso, SP04 Raymundo A Almacin III, SPO2 Restituto E Ligtas, SP02 Virgilio M Paloma, PO2 Robert P Villa, P02 Jimmy T Ganosa, for the success of their operation against wanted persons last 09 September 2011 at Barangay Lower Villa Jacinta, Macrohon. It resulted to the arrest of Alfredo Lolo Mindajao, a long time wanted person for the crime of Homicide docketed under Criminal Case number 1481 issued by the RTC Judge of 8th Judicial Region, Bulwagan ng Katarungan, Branch 24, Maasin City, Jaji added. He said such accomplishments have proven their strong determination to enforce the law without fear nor favour and compliance with existing orders to arrest law violators in the province of Southern Leyte.(PIA So. Leyte/esg)

Silago Women’s Group ventures into vegetable production

by R.G. Cadavos


SOUTHERN LEYTE, Sep 28 (PIA) – The Katipunan Women’s Association (KWA) from Barangay Katipunan of Silago here ventured into vegetable production as their first project and started planting last August, 2011. They had their first harvest after about three weeks, newly designated Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Information Officer Marilyn L. Capilitan reported to PIA-Maasin. “KWA was formally organized last June, this year with the assistance of DAR through Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Deonilo H. Malaki and Senior Agrarian Reform Program Technoligst- Development Facilitator Magdalino Tagnipez, both of DAR-Silago,” Capilitan related. She said that KWA, formerly a women’s group composed of all ages with sixty five (65) members, is now down to forty two (42) as the senior members decided to transfer to the Senior Citizens association. “Mostly women-members are wives of Agrarian Reform Benificiaries of same barangay,” Capilitan added. The group ageed and voluntarily prepare the area for their vegetable production and planting materials. In twentry five days, the KWA had their first harvest of 19 kilos of cucumber (pipino) last Septemer 23 from the 15-20 cucumber hills out of 1,080 cucumber hills planted on August 29. Capilitan disclosed that the women’s group are looking forward to make a huge harvest of the planted cucumber by the end of this week and the rest of their planted veggies such as pechay, ampalaya, string beans, tomatoes, okra, pepper and eggplants. The project, according to Capilitan will not only improve the camaraderie of the women and uplift their livelihood but will also make the association active and productive under the energetic leadership of the group’s President Clarinda Casicas. (rgc/PIA-SoLeyte)

Southern Leyte formally declared insurgent free on September 29

by PIA Press Release


TACLOBAN CITY Leyte, September 27 (PIA) -- The Province of Southern Leyte will be formally declared as “Insurgent-Free” in simple rites that will be conducted at Ruperto Kangleon Function House in Maasin City on September 29. Captain Dranreb Canto of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Brigade based in Ormoc City, informed that the pronouncement will be formalized with the signing of the joint declaration by the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippines Army commander Major General Mario Chan and Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado. The 802nd Brigade CRS explained that a province is categorized as insurgency free when the threat posed by the CPP/NPA is successfully downgraded into a mere law and order problem. This is what happened to Southern Leyte and the other previously declared insurgency-free areas. After a thorough security situation assessment, when it is found that the local government can handle the situation, the AFP then hands over the lead-role to the LGU and assumes a support role to the PNP. On September 29, the guests will be welcomed officially by Vice Governor Miguel Maamo who is also the Vice Chairman of the Southern Leyte Provincial Peace and Order Council. This will be followed by the narrative on declaring Southern Leyte as insurgent free and the signing of the joint declaration. Among the special guests in this historical occasion are Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petillla who is the Chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council, and Lt. General Ralph Villanueva, commander, Central Command of the AFP who aside from Major General Mario Chan, commander of the 8th Infantry Division and Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado, will also deliver their respective messages. Being declared as insurgent free will boost Southern Leyte’s of becoming a tourism and investment destination as it will enhance confidence among investors and business companies to come to the province. (PIA 8)

DSWD conducts training for counselling services for rehab of domestic violence perpetrators

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte Sep 26 (PIA)-- At least 28 participants throughout Eastern Visayas attended the Training on the Counseling Services for Rehabilitation of Perpetrators of Domestic Violence (CSRPDV) initiated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) Field Office 8 at Orcmoc City, September 19-22, 2011. Fe Nida Sy who was the representative from the City Social Welfare and Development Office here disclosed that the week-long training emphasized the responsibilities of both the victim/survivors and the perpetrators of domestic violence, which is considered as one of the serious problems in the society. Topics of the said training include Gender Sensitivity, Gender Responsive Case Management, Bayanihan ng Awa at Gawa ni Apo (BAGA), Types of Counseling for the Perpetrators of Domestic Violence, among others, while Lessons from the Masters were also presented by the facilitators from the DSWD, Sy reported. “Violence can be stopped and abusive behaviors among perpetrators can be reduced only by providing appropriated interventions to the offenders,” Sy quoted Yvonne Abonales, who was one of the speakers, saying that the importance of community involvement and initiative is responding and reducing the incidence of domestic violence are recognized. There were five phases on case management that were discussed such as: initial supportive response, gender-based assessment process, intervention planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and finally, the closure and follow-up which is an integral part of a continuing process to complete the rehabilitation, Sy said. Other discussants during the training were Lolta B. Dadap, John Caliguid, Thelma F. Banal, Myrna U. Tan, Leilani Jocano, Anabelle Agner, all Municipal Social Welfare Officers who underwent the Trainors’ Training on CSRPDV in Baguio City. “Success begins in the mind, nurtured in the heart and expressed by the hands,” Sy quoted BAGA resource speaker Thelma Banal. Southern Leyte sent Virgie Caimo to represent the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.(rgc/PIA-SoLeyte)

TESDA -8 aims for ISO certification

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- Out of the 16 regions across the country, the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region 8 office, along with Region 3 and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) offices, has been busy these days to comply with the procedures and requirements to attain the ISO 2009-9001 certification. Rolando Juanillo, TESDA Director of Southern Leyte province, disclosed during the “Action Center” cable TV program Thursday that once their office would become ISO-certified, their services and programs can be delivered more efficiently, such as the processing of registration for technical-vocational skills training providers or for qualified private institutions. Quality of trainings, quality graduates produced, and institutions strengthened, were just some of the expected impact of having an ISO certification, Juanillo said. He added that his office right now was undergoing an internal audit as one of the requirements for attaining the ISO goal. Another positive effect was that those being assessed for specific skills competencies would no longer be delayed in the processing of their applications and in taking the assessment for a national TESDA certificate in an ISO-tagged agency, Juanillo added. With the TESDA chief as guest during this week’s edition of “Action Center” were two heads of private schools which were providers of TESDA-accredited vocational-technical courses. They were Armado Daque, Vice-President of Hinunangan Skills and Technological Center which opened just last year, and Emelyn Corollo, Executive Training Director at Saint Joseph College (SJC) Vocational Training Center (Voctrac), now on its 8th year of operation since 2003. Other private learning institutions in the province with TESDA-accredited programs included the College of Maasin, Systems Technology Institute (STI), Southern Leyte Business College (SLBC), St. James College in Padre Burgos, and St. Thomas Aquinas in Sogod. Meanwhile, Juanillo informed that his office is having an ongoing program, the National Synchronized competency assessment for specific technical-vocational courses, a program that began in August and will last until November this year. He said in Southern Leyte province, 170 slots were slated for free assessment on a first-come, first-served basis, and at present only 73 slots remained open. Those interested are advised to coordinate with the TESDA office to file their application before proceeding to the private provider for the competency assessment which, when one shall have passed it, would entitle him or her to have a National Certificate II (NC II), a document employers would usually ask. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

DSWD conducts training for counselling services for rehab of domestic violence perpetrators

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte Sep 26 (PIA)-- At least 28 participants throughout Eastern Visayas attended the Training on the Counseling Services for Rehabilitation of Perpetrators of Domestic Violence (CSRPDV) initiated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) Field Office 8 at Orcmoc City, September 19-22, 2011. Fe Nida Sy who was the representative from the City Social Welfare and Development Office here disclosed that the week-long training emphasized the responsibilities of both the victim/survivors and the perpetrators of domestic violence, which is considered as one of the serious problems in the society. Topics of the said training include Gender Sensitivity, Gender Responsive Case Management, Bayanihan ng Awa at Gawa ni Apo (BAGA), Types of Counseling for the Perpetrators of Domestic Violence, among others, while Lessons from the Masters were also presented by the facilitators from the DSWD, Sy reported. “Violence can be stopped and abusive behaviors among perpetrators can be reduced only by providing appropriated interventions to the offenders,” Sy quoted Yvonne Abonales, who was one of the speakers, saying that the importance of community involvement and initiative is responding and reducing the incidence of domestic violence are recognized. There were five phases on case management that were discussed such as: initial supportive response, gender-based assessment process, intervention planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and finally, the closure and follow-up which is an integral part of a continuing process to complete the rehabilitation, Sy said. Other discussants during the training were Lolta B. Dadap, John Caliguid, Thelma F. Banal, Myrna U. Tan, Leilani Jocano, Anabelle Agner, all Municipal Social Welfare Officers who underwent the Trainors’ Training on CSRPDV in Baguio City. “Success begins in the mind, nurtured in the heart and expressed by the hands,” Sy quoted BAGA resource speaker Thelma Banal. Southern Leyte sent Virgie Caimo to represent the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.(rgc/PIA-SoLeyte)




Senator shares P 9.5 M PDAF for market, abbatoir development in 19 So. Leyte LGUs

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 23 (PIA) -- This city an 18 municipalities of Southern Leyte province received an equal share of financial aid given by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, taken from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). Each recipients got P 500,000.00 assistance for the development of their respective public markets and abbatoirs, said District Engineer Carlos Veloso of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Southern Leyte Engineering District (DPWH-SLED), the implementing agency tasked to handle these projects. The Senator’s total financial assistance on this matter totaled P 9.5 Million, and the money was already available at the DPWH Regional Office, Veloso remarked during the weekly “Media Forum” live Wednesday at dyDM where he was the guest. With Veloso in the radio program were three division chiefs, namely, Engr. Allan Eway for maintenance, Engr. Vincent Sy for Planning, and Engr. Letty Olarte, the Office-In-Charge for Construction. These projects were scheduled for bidding and for proceeding to actual work within the last quarter of this year, according to Engr. Sy in a follow-up interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) yesterday. Sy said that six towns out of the 18 were slated to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Regional Office very soon for them to undertake the project by administration. As for Maasin City, the assistance was included in the relocation sites for market stalls at the Combado reclamation area, where construction was in progress, said Sy. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

BIR clarifies action vs So Leyte's tax evading professionals

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 22(PIA) -- Mr. Carlos Tambal, Assistant District Revenue District Officer in Southern Leyte clarified that the legal team of the BIR Regional Office in Eastern Visayas was the entity in charge of filing the case against the tax evader-professional from Southern Leyte. The action made by the BIR in Southern Leyte was to refer the findings to the legal team at the BIR Regional Office, Mr. Tambal said in a phone patch with Philippine Information Agency. Mr. Tambal said his agency’s action was not the direct filing of a tax evasion charge but was a referral to their legal team at the BIR Regional Office recommending the filing of such a charge. Mr. Tambal was referring to the reported case of tax evasion filed by BIR against a lawyer based in Sogod, Southern Leyte. Said tax evader has not been paying the annual income tax, no monthly filing of income tax, no issuance of receipts and is not even registered with the BIR. It may be recalled that taking a cue from the State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino, the Bureau of Internal Revenue has vowed to go after doctors, lawyers, accountants and other professionals who are not paying the right income taxes. The BIR is now collecting pertinent data from various agencies such as the Professional Regulation Commission which exercises supervision over all professionals such as accountants, nurses, teachers, engineers, among others. Aside from running after big time tax evaders, the agency will also go after professionals who under declare their income. (PIA 8 Southern Leyte)

Anti-smoking drive in Maasin City boosts tourism, says Mayor

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 21 (PIA) -- Prohibiting smokers in public places began as a program to keep the people healthy but it turned out to be a magnet for visitors to come into this city, to learn and study on how it was done. “It has become one of our tourism come-on, a tourist’s attraction,” said City Mayor Maloney Samaco in the bi-weekly radio program “Maasin City In Action” today. Samaco reported that right after the dyDM program he will be meeting a group of visitors coming from Butuan City, the Caraga Region composed of Doctors, Department of Health (DOH) personnel, and from the local government unit (LGU) who are scheduled to pay a courtesy call to him this morning at his office. He said last week, students from Dumaguete City doing theses on anti-smoking were also here for a deeper study on the subject, adding that their leader was a confessed chain smoker who wanted to quit smoking at least for the time being that they were in the city. The smoke-free advocacy has become a cause worth pursuing, not just for compliance so that the city can garner awards, Samaco said, stressing that his fulfillment has always been to see a smoker, either a visitor or a Maasinhon, change such an unhealthy lifestyle by quitting the habit, with the city anti-smoking program serving as the friendly inspiration. Samaco claimed the city has been known by other local government units across the country for its strict implementation of smoking ban as many LGUs had come already, and many are still wanting to come in the near or far future, a scenario that undoubtedly helped the tourism-related sectors in the city. Asked by host Zaldy Olita that the Butuan visitors will soon become Maasin’s rival in the coveted Red Orchid award of the DOH, Samaco said he would not mind if the visitors, upon learning in the city, would eventually be part of the competitors in a stiff competition for the DOH recognition. “The more important thing is that we can share with them, teach them just the same” the ways and strategies on how to implement a successful anti-smoking campaign, Samaco replied. (PIA-Southern Leyte/Bong)

PDC to tackle 2012 AIP with focus on food security

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 20 (PIA) -- The Provincial Planning and Development Office will present the 2012 Annual Investment Program (AIP) and the 6-year Provincial Development Investment Program (PDIP) for its discussion and approval by the Provincial Development Council (PDC). According to Provincial Planning and Development Officer Virginia Lim-Cruz, who is also the Provincial Development Council (PDC) Secretariat Head, the final annual investment plan shall be deliberated during the meeting of the PDC on September 29, 2011. Cruz said, so far, the biggest share that the AIP will appropriate every year usually is biased for the agricultural development wherein the food security of the province is at stake. She expects that the PDC will give consideration for the food security of the province for this year, as well. She said that the presence of foreign organizations who are spearheading for agricultural development pouring down interventions in the province of Southern Leyte , however, the need for the counterpart of the province has to be considered in the AIP. Cruz further disclosed that the 6-year PDIP shall be anchored on the major thrusts on Tourism, Environment and Agriculture (T-E-A) development of the province, in addition to the basic social services of the provincial government. Another factor that has to be well thought of in the plans is the looming reduction of Internal Revenue Allocation (IRA) of the province , Cruz added. Cruz added that PDC is composed of the Office of the Reprsentative, local government units, all SP chair on finance and non-government organizations to include local media, all based in the province.### (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

SoLeyte LGU releases P2.7 M for irrigation repair in Barangay Nava

by Erna S. Gorne


SOUTHERN LEYTE, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Southern Leyte led by Provincial Governor Damian G. Mercado turned-over P2.75 Million - worth irrigation repair project, Nava Communal Irrigation Improvement Project to Obong Farmer’s Association thru its President Ricardo T. Burlaza to boost the palay production in the province. Governor Damian G. Mercado turned-over in a simple ceremony last Sept 13, 2011at Tuburan, Hinunangan, So. Leyte the P2.75 M Nava Communal Irrigation Improvement Project undertaken by the Provincial Agricultural Services Office (PAgSO) to benefit at least 79 direct local rice farmers, PAgSO staff Feliciano Malaki, Jr reported to PIA Southern Leyte. The 79 members – beneficiary of the mentioned irrigation repair will cover 80 hectares rice fields which will soon betprovide better irrigation water distribution needed to boost palay production, Malaki said. Malaki added that Ricardo “Titing” Burlaza and fellow 79 members were very thankful for the concerted approach of all the concerned government officials who have collaborated towards the realization of their dream to improve the decade old facilities to alleviate their plight. Also present with Gov. Mercado were Mayor Romeo M. Gomez of Hinunangan LGU, the four (4) Sanguniang Panlalawigan members from the 2nd District (Hon. Junby Fernandez, Hon. Berting Lagumbay, Hon. Daisy Gamale and Hon. Almario), the barangay Captains of Nava and Tuburan, Hinunangan, he said. Gov. Mercado stressed to demonstrate under the “Aksyon, Solusyon, Inisyatibo” we are serious in improving the efficiency of support services to the farmers who are our partners in the thrust of “food security,” that is why “we included these in our Annual Investment Plan.” Malaki added. On the other hand, Hon. Junby Fernandez, the SP Committee Chairman on Agriculture expressed hope that after the turn-over, these will be managed and maintained by the recipient Obong Farmer-Members and could be passed thru their respective successors. In this way, we will be able to address similar needs or purposes in the future, Malaki said. While, OIC Provincial Agriculturist Marina E. Gador also said, “ with the cooperation of the farmers here, you have your Palayamanan Project here and we should also be able to contribute to the goal of increasing the present level of palay production per hectare. We should likewise work on producing vegetables and corn for local demand.” ### (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

DTI presents major investment projects to promote So Leyte tourism

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 16 (PIA) -– There were at least five (5) major tourism investment projects that were presented by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) during the Provincial Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development Action Planning held at the Ampil Pensione here, September 15-16, 2011. Ma. Delia M. Corsiga, Division Chief from DTI-Regional Office 8 said that the major investment in tourism industry in Southern Leyte were identified as follows: Danao Forest Park where an investor is proposing to establish a zoo, the Agas-Agas Adventure complex which includes not only the zipline but also bungee jumping ang probably the installation of cable cars, different dive sites throughout the province, the Limasawa destination package and Silago Forest canopy walk. “Statistics show that Southern Leyte business sector mostly operates in small business enterprises, while Eastern Visayas rank 4th in terms of having number of SME operators,” Corsiga pointed out in her presentation. By investing in these projects, employment will increase and the gross domestic product contributions will also rise, she added. The government sector will just support what business to be installed while the private sector will be the one to put up the business, she added. Corsiga while presenting the SME Development Plan for 2011-2016 nationwide is grateful for the support and eagerness of the business sector led by Southern Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SLCCI) President Robert Castañares, who was also one of the participants, to include the different stakeholders throughout the province. Probable challenges that maybe encountered in investing a project/business were also discussed by Corsiga such as the business environment, access to finance, access to markets, productivity and efficiency, and the like, while how to address these challenges at the local level will be validated during the workplan. The MSME Development Plan for 2011-2016 aims to create a business environment that will center on a culture of government that will foster the establishment, development, sustainability and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises not only in Southern Leyte but throughout the country. It also seeks to improve productivity and the delivery of competitive, standard, compliant and equipment-friendly products and services. The two-day planning workshop is in close coordination with the German International Cooperation (GIZ).

Barangay Kagawads urged to enrol their children in SUCs to avail of scholarships

bby Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 15 (PIA) -- Barangay officials here were challenged during the recent gathering Monday to make use of scholarship opportunities at state colleges and universities by virtue of their position as village leaders, in which up to four children were allowed to avail of this privilege. The moment their children can pass the college admission test as required by the state schools, they will be qualified to become scholars and exempted from paying the regular school fees like tuition, according to Jani Arnaiz, a Kagawad of barangay Mantahan here who is also a Correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) and President of the Associated Media of Southern Leyte (AMSL). In the weekly Media Forum program live over dyDM yesterday, Arnaiz called on his colleagues, especially those who have children due for tertiary education, to maximize the chance afforded by their being village leaders as duly discussed by National Vice President Crisanto Ramos during their Monday conference. In Southern Leyte province, the government-funded institution of learning is the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) which has four campuses in different locations. Monching Buyer, another local journalist who is also a Kagawad of barangay Mambajao, affirmed that many of their fellow village officials did take heed on this opportunity, adding that this was also the policy implemented by Mayor Maloney Samaco for Maasin City College (MCC), a city organized school. In prodding his co-councilors at the barangay to ponder on the scholarship, Arnaiz put emphasis on the courses on agriculture, agricultural entrepreneurship, or short-term vocational-technical studies that are in-demand these days, especially with a certificate from the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The forum tackled the growing economic boom now experienced by the city of Maasin, a situation others feared would not be sustained in the long run. The discussion, however, took into consideration the risk these investors underwent, and that they will not be doing so without accurate conduct of a feasibility study. Among the suggestions aired for the sustainability of the “Maasin boom” was the development in the field of agriculture, in which it was noted that many wealthy Maasinhons would rather kept their money in a bank rather than invest in agri-business, a circumstance the media practitioners dreamed of reversing. They called on the moneyed individuals to consider putting their money in agri-business ventures like cash crops, livestock, fisheries so rural folks can be employed and have income, and also to arrest the declining trend of farmers, whose children go to other places seeking jobs rather than tilling their farms. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

AFP conducts battery of tests for Soldier Course in Maasin City, Sogod

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 14 (PIA) -- Over a hundred applicants mostly criminology students and ROTC cadets from Maasin City and Sogod, Southern Leyte took the first battery of tests for Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) and Officer Candidate Course (OCC) held in the province. “ The said battery of tests were usually conducted in Manila and Cebu City. This is the first time ever held in the provinces, ” TSG Marcos Maquelabit, Operations Non-Commissioned Officer of 805 CDC, Reserve Command (ARESCOM) based in Maasin City said in an interview with PIA Southern Leyte. That the Army Recruitment Center (ARC) is located in Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Maquelabit said. Once the examinees passed the exams, it would qualify them to the CSC and OCC and eventually as an army officer, he added. Mostly of the criminology fourth year students and ROTC cadets from the Saint Joseph College (SJC) in Maasin City took the exams in the morning and the fourth year students of Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) in Sogod, Southern Leyte later in the afternoon of the same day, he added. While the said army reserve command were able to enlist 460 Enlisted Personnel (EP) with 16 reserve officers, with the highest rank of Major being given to Governor Damian Mercado and another Major rank to Vice Governor Miguel Maamo. Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco’s rank as Major is now on the process and the Municipal Mayors rank will be Captains, he added. The enlisted personnel also includes barangay officials where barangay captains and councilors were ranked as I Lt. and II Lt., respectively, Maquelabit added. He said these people are the military reserves based in the province that could be immediately pulled out in times of emergencies to include natural threats to the national security. ### (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

PNRC So Leyte has 200 blood bags deposited at SOYMPH Blood Bank

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 13 (PIA) - The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) has now in position 200 blood bags of 450 cubic centimetres which are deposited at the Salvacion Yniquez Oppus Memorial Provincial Hospital (SOYMPH) blood bank for all the needed blood purposes in the province. “For the first time in the history of PNRC Southern Leyte, this is the biggest collection of blood, so far.” PRNC Officer in Charge Noli Casas disclosed to PIA SoLeyte interview over the phone today. Casas said he intend to distribute the blood collected to other public hospitals within the province, namely the Sogod District Hospital and Anahawan District Hospital, so that the people need not to travel to Maasin City just to get blood. However, in Sogod Distrist Hospital the blood refrigerator is still undergoing repair while he need to know if the Anahawan District Hospital is licensed to stock blood in their hospital and if they have a medical technician trained for the blood banking processing yet, Casas added. He reported that last Saturday the religious group, Dating Daan, conducted (4) blood donation activities simultaneously in Hinundayan, Sogod, Maasin City and Hilongos that resulted to the collection of 55 blood bags of 450 cc. Casas further said that aggressive blood collection is not only intended for dengue patients needing blood but in preparation also for any disaster that might strike the province. He said, “It should be remembered that Southern Leyte is prone to disaster and one of the best way to be prepared is to increase the level of awareness of the community in donating blood especially in times of emergencies, disasters.” He remembered during the Guisaugon landslide disaster that there were those rescued from the disaster that were not given the needed blood due to the absence of blood donors despite the presence thousands of people in the area who refused to be taken blood inorder to save the lives of the survivors. Casas also disclosed that another of blood donation has been scheduled by the Liga nga Barangay this coming Sep- tember 17, 2011., however due to the present ample supply of blood, they only requires one blood donation from each of the seventy barangays in Maasin City.(PIA SoLeyte/esg)

So Leyte solon to DOST: Demonstrate anti-dengue traps

by Bong Pedalino

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- Representative Roger Mercado on Saturday requested the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provincial office through its staff, Daphne Santiago, to hold video showing and actual demonstration on how the DOST’s ovicidal trap will be used in households as a preventive measure against dengue. Mercado made the request during a block-time radio program “Serbisyo Publiko” live at dyDM with host Digo Credo and Santiago as guest. He said that during the anti-dengue clean-up drive last Friday at barangay Asuncion, the second in a series which the lone Southern Leyteno lawmaker initiated, DOST was ready to show and teach people about the mosquito trap in the brief ceremonies, but since it was still past 1 pm and the Asuncion gym was open, the showing was cancelled as it cannot be clearly seen in broad daylight. This week, the DOST was urged to catch up by doing a film showing in the evening in the two barangays where the cleanliness campaign was already undertaken, at barangays Combado and Asuncion, and be with the cleaning warriors in the next rounds of the activity so by the evening of that day the video showing and actual demonstration can be made immediately, Cong. Mercado appealed. Santiago said her office is very much willing to support the advocacy of Cong. Mercado in his efforts to spare the city and province from the dengue outbreak by holding a weekly volunteer clean-up drive in the city’s central barangays for a start, spreading later on to other barangays and other towns of the province. Last Friday’s clean-up activity at barangay Asuncion saw Cong. Mercado leading the pack of provincial and city hall employees numbering over a thousand let open a stagnant water choked by blocking sands with the help of a payloader, picking thrash and debris in the beach, and sweeping the highways and every nook and corner around the barangay. This coming Friday’s next stop will be barangay Abgao, the home barangay of the Mercado’s, it was learned. Santiago, who brought a sample of the DOST-invented mosquito trap, explained that any housewife can easily operate the ovitrap, which looks like a middle-sized black glass with a cardboard stick look-alike dipped in halfway water. The water will be diluted with a packaged pellet, stirred, then placed in specific points inside or just outside the house where mosquitoes are known to converge. After one week, the eggs of the mosquitoes will be trapped in the rugged cardboard surface, unable to propagate. The water will be replaced, another pellet added, and the contraption will be used again for another one week. Asked if the concoction would not be dangerous for babies or house pets to play around, Santiago said the trap was loaded with chemical that’s why it should be placed in inaccessible areas around the house to spare it from sight of small children and animals to avoid unexpected complications. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

St. Bernard MDRRMC vies for regional Gawad Kalasag award

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 8 (PIA) -- The St. Bernard Municipal Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) will undergo validation being one of the nominees in the Gawad Kalasag award for its best practices particularly in forewarning the local communities in times of disaster through the maximize use of Early Warning System (EWS). According to Cherelyn Lubang, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) representative during the Southern Leyte PDRRMC meeting held recently, announced that a team representing the national offices of OCD, DSWD and DILG will validate the St. Bernard MDRRMC this week. Lubang further said that St. Bernard MDRRMC has adopted effectively the early warning system with the recent heavy rains experienced in the municipality that induced flashfloods and floodings and saved the lives of the communities and eventually arrived with zero casualty. St. Bernard MDRRMC also has been identified by some foreign assisted non-government organizations (NGOs) such as CARE –ACCORD, among others for its effective use of early warning system which has saved lives and some properties of the victims since they were already evacuated before the any calamity strikes. CARE ACCORD Project, a pilot project on disaster preparedness and mitigation, covers only 5 out of the 30 barangays, to address concerns at disaster hazard areas in St. Bernard, it was learned. Gawad Kalasag promotes the Filipino inherent spirit of bayanihan, volunteerism and spontaneous cooperation in times of major problems like responding to disasters and emergencies. Meanwhile, PDRRMC wanted to include the purchase of rubber boats in the Disaster Annual Investment Plan for next year. The local disaster council also would like to purchase and install VHF radio repeaters for Limasawa Island and Pacific Towns areas in the said disaster investment plan.### (PIA SoLeyte/esg)

Cebuano news: So. Leyte DENR works double time to attain 2011 NGP target

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 7 (PIA) -- The provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is working double time to reach its target of reforesting 1,800 hectares of timberland areas in the province this year, according to Ricardo Tomol, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO). In a casual chat with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on the sidelines of a meeting held at Rep. Roger Mercado’s office Monday, PENRO Tomol said his office will be doing a double time in coordination with various government agencies as they are expected to cover all bases for the remaining months of the year. In July, Cong. Mercado led the launching of the National Greening Program (NGP) in the province, during which the sites to be planted, also called NGP sites, were duly identified, with the challenge that these areas should be planted based on the timeline specified under the nationwide reforestation program. Last month, the DENR coverage under CENRO-Maasin were able to plant 20 hectares of the NGP site at barangay Lonoy with the help of high school students, while at CENRO-San Juan, some 4o hectares were already accomplished. CENRO refers to Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, a subdivision of the provincial DENR, with CENRO-Maasin comprising the areas from Maasin to Sogod, while CENRO-San Juan comprising the rest of the towns in the pacific and Panaon island, including Libagon. For the NGP, CENRO-Maasin was assigned 800 hectares, and CENRO-San Juan, 1,000 hectares, Tomol said. He told the heads of offices present during the meeting at Congressman’s office that he will soon provide them with their respective schedules for the NGP-led tree-planting activity, as it was already understood that under NGP every employee was committed to plant ten trees per year until 2016. For the two CENROs, the strategy now would be to plant more than 300 hundred hectares per month until December to accomplish the goal of 1,800 hectares, Tomol said. Aside from closely coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd), Tomol said he will also go around to the various local government units in the province and the different People’s Organizations to step up the pace. The NGP will go on until 2016, with an expected increase in hectare coverage every year, it was learned. The national target was to plant 1.5 billion tree and fruit-tree seedlings in 1.5 million hectares. Whereas the reforestation programs in the past 25 years covered only some 200 hectares, the NGP, in a matter of six years raised it almost a thousand times, Tomol intimated. The other difference is that while past reforestation programs relied only on human monitoring, the NGP uses satellite technology in tracking planted sites, so everything has to be feed into the computer, the internet, Tomol added. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

“Takbo Laban sa Krimen” highlights Crime Prevention Week in Maasin City

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte Sep 6 (PIA) -- As the nation celebrates National Crime Prevention Week, September 1-7, 2011, a fun run dubbed as “Takbo Laban sa Krimen” is one of the highlights of the week-long activity. In a report sent by PSupt. Hector F. Enage to Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Maasin, the fun run to be conducted this afternoon at 3:00 will be participated by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) family such as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and oither uniformed personnel and identified non-government organizations. The “Takbo Laban saKrimen” is closely coordinated by the city government led by Mayor Maloney Samaco, the source informed. Earlier, the city ploice force participated in the blood letting activity organized by the PIA-Maasin staff last Friday, Sept. 2, which was also one of their activities lined-up for the nationwide celebration of crime prevention. Other activities prepared were the Crime Prevention Symposium held last 3rd of September that tackled topics like Rules of the Community in Criminal Justice System with CInsp. Euterio Ortiz of BJMP as the speaker and Crime Prevention discussed by PSupt. Enage. On September 4, the police authorities conducted a barangay visitation at Barangays Tawid and San Agustin, while September 5 was the destruction of handmade gas guns conducted in front of the city hall grounds and was followed by a motorcade around the city. The city PNP and the Southern Leyte Provincial Police Office will be also guesting at the” Action Center” Kapihan aired at Maasin Cable TV at Senior Citizens building here hosted by PIA Infocen Manager Erna Sy Gorne and Bong Pedalino. And to culminate the week-long celebration, a program will be held at the Maasin Police Station in the morning of September 7 with DILG City Local Government Operations Officer Elsa Tingcoy as the guest speaker. (rgc/PIA-SoLeyte)

8 barangays in Saint Bernard conduct simultaneous disaster drills

by Bong Pedalino


SAINT BERNARD, Southern Leyte, Sept. 5 (PIA) -- Residents in eight (8) calamity-prone villages in this municipality on Saturday held simultaneous community drills on various disaster scenarios to test the capacity of the people for quick response during bad weather, and to practice efficient coordination among disaster bodies in the barangays concerned, the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (BDRRMC) along with their town counterpart, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC). Barangays Nueva Esperanza, Ayahag, and Sug-angon, which are located along the foot of Mount Kan-abag like the ill-fated Guinsaugon (in fact, next to Sug-angon is the buried Guinsaugon) were given a landslide scenario with selected victims on fatalities and injuries, while the five other barangays -- Tambis 1, Tambis 2, Himbangan, Panian, and San Isidro -- were given flooding situations being high-risk flood areas, along with injured and dead victims as well. The activity, the third in a row since 2008, was organized and fully backed-up by a non-government organization that focused its advocacies on empowering localities that are vulnerable to disasters, in cooperation with the municipal and barangay local government units. The first two drills were held under ACCORD, or “Strengthening Assets and Capacities of Communities and Local Governments for Resilience to Disasters”, while the one on Saturday was under ASCEND, for “Advancing Safer Communities and Environments against Disasters.” According to its literature, ASCEND is a community-based disaster preparedness and mitigation project with activities in eleven (11) municipalities implemented in Jomalig (Quezon), Marinduque, Rapu-rapu (Albay), Calabanga (Camarines Sur), Maragusan (Compostela Valley), and in Saint Bernard. ASCEND was funded by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) for 2010-2011. A hand-held radio communication between the MDRRMC base and the eight Punong Barangays set the mood of the drill that began past eight in the morning until past lunch time. As soon as the “message” of bad weather following three days of incessant rains was heard on the two-way radio, the Punong Barangays called all the committees of the BDRRMC to mobilize their respective committees and prepare for a pre-empted evacuation to avert a tragedy, which was already “ongoing”. The “batingaw” was pounded, first in slow pounding, to alert people for a possible evacuation and another, much faster pounding was made later to signal that people go to designated pick-up points immediately. An exchange of calls between the village leaders and the MDRRMC base made possible the arrival of dump trucks to ferry people to the evacuation sites, Police personnel for crowd control, ambulances and rescue personnel from the Saint Bernard Emergency Rescue Unite (SBERO) to carry the “wounded” and the “dead” victims. At the relocation site, several scenarios had to be attended, like a complaining evacuee who wanted to transfer to another room, trouble inside the evacuation center, and another set of “wounded” and “dead” at the relocation site. Overall, the conduct of the drills was successful, even as during the assessment after lunch, there were some deficiencies noted, such as cranking communication system for lack of charged batteries, duplication of orders among the BDRRMC committee heads, and a lot of laughing participants as the activity itself was no laughing matter. The second community drill held last October 3, 2009 was more real as it was raining the whole day due to a low pressure area, while last Saturday it was sunny. Among the observers were residents of neighboring barangays and from Silago, including Marichu Tan of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), and the local media.

First blood-letting at PIA-So. Leyte nets 12 bags

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 4 (PIA) -- At the end of the day, the provincial chapter of the Red Cross here went home with 12 bags of fresh blood donated by donors in a blood-letting activity held at the provincial office of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Friday, this city. The activity represented a 50% increase from the expected donors of eight individuals. Among those who gave blood were three employees from the neighboring office of City Agriculture, five Policemen from the City Police Station, a walk-in student from Maasin City College (MCC), an employee from the city local government unit, Angie Book, correspondent of the local weekly Southern Leyte Times (SLT) and this writer. The city’s Police elements were informed on the spot, yet P/Supt. Hector Enage, the city’s police chief, responded immediately, sending his men and documenting the process as part of their celebration of Crime Prevention Week, it was learned. The blood-letting began 9 in the morning and ended at 3 in the afternoon. Actually, more than ten other prospective donors who were willing to donate blood were also denied for various reasons by the attending medical officers of the Red Cross. Some had high blood, asthma, and recent tooth extractions. The successful conduct of the activity was attended and supervised by Dr. Nadine Sy of the Salvacion Oppus Yniguez Memorial Provincial Hospital, along with her two nurses. Infocen Manager Gorne said the next round of the same event Friday next week will be held at the spacious function hall of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), although this has yet to be coordinated with District Engineer Carlos Veloso. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

Feature: PIA-So. Leyte office becomes 'blood-letting clinic

by Bong Pedalino


The Southern Leyte office of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) was transformed into a channel for blood donors to shed a fraction of the life-giving liquid so that others may live. On short notice, what was normally a routine office appearance was altered to become an eerie sight of three lined cots for the blood-letting process, the tables and chairs neatly arranged to resemble a functional albeit improvised medical facility. In a little while, as doctors and nurses from the Salvacion Oppus Yniguez Memorial Provincial Hospital (SOYMPH), along with volunteers from the local Red Cross arrive, the smell of alcohol together with the presence of other paraphernalia such as the one for measuring blood pressure, the office has transformed into PIA Clinic, at least for today. The activity was in line with the instruction from PIA Director-General Jose Fabia for the field offices to coordinate in their respective localities with the media, private groups, non-government organizations, health personnel, and local government units to conduct a simultaneous blood-letting every Friday until the need persists, so the collected blood be given to areas in other parts of the country that are still lingering from the dengue outbreak. On deck at the “PIA-So. Leyte Clinic” today to lay down in the prepared cots are at least eight volunteer blood donors whom Infocen Manager Erna Gorne approached to share their precious blood, including employees from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the Office of the City Agriculture Services (OCAS), PIA’s neighbor offices. Jani Arnaiz, President of the local media group Associated Media of Southern Leyte (AMSL) who is also a correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, had indicated also to give blood -- his very first attempt if ever this try would materialize. Marichu Tan, the lone personnel of the Office of Civil Defense here, also listed her name in the donors’ list.(PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

Southern Leyte media to join PIA in blood letting activities

by R.G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte Sep 1 (PIA) – The Associated Media of Southern Leyte will join the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in the blood letting activities to help dengue-stricken areas throughout the country to prevent the spread of virus. In a media forum aired regularly at radio station DyDM every Wednesday, media practitioners who faciliated the radio program such as the PIA, DyDM reporters, among other private correspondents here committed to join the blood donation activities as directed by PIA Director General Atty. Jose Fabia through Region 8 Director Olive P. Tiu . The AMSL has been regularly supporting in every program the PIA initiated. During the forum, Southern Leyte Provincial Information Center Manager Erna Gorne disclosed in a phone patch interview that “ PIA is asking your support and hopeful that the media will also be one of the donors of the voluntary blood donation.” The PIA is now coordinating with the Philippine National Red Cross- Southern Leyte Chapter to facilitate the blood letting activity, “we are suggesting to the PNRC that it will be held at the PIA Office at Barangay Combado here,” she added. On the other hand, one of the hosts, Ramon Buyser of DyDM, a Kagawad of Barangay Mambajao disclosed that “Barangay officials here initiated already the blood donation every 4 months, held at the barangay hall and conducted by the Red Cross,” adding that “the activity started last year yet, he added. The blood letting activity was in response to a memorandum from Atty. Fabia “to conduct a voluntary blood donation day as dengue cases in many parts of the country is increasing.” The bloodletting activity in Eastern Visayas started last August 26, Friday at the PIA 8 Regional Office in coordination with the AGIO-8, KBP Eastern Visayas, REAL and the Philippine National Red Cross Leyte Chapter to mobilize people in the blood letting activity. (rgc/PIA-SoLeyte)

700 Maasin seniors get medical, dental services thru LIDEF mission

by ES Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug. 30 (PIA) -- About 700 senior citizens in Maasin City got medical and dental services as the Office of the Senior Citizens Association (OSCA) thru the initiatives of Senior Citizens Federation President Willie J. Justimbaste in close coordination with the Limasawa Development Foundation (LIDEF) and Congressman Roger Mercado conducted a medical and dental mission today. The aging citizens needing medical and dental services swelled into 700 warm bodies as the organizers prepared for only 500 indigent senior citizens, Engr. Esperanza Samaco, LIDEF President disclosed to PIA Southern Leyte in an interview this morning. City Social Wefare and Development Officer Fe Sta Cruz noted that only 500 indigent senior citizens were listed for their preparations but it was found out that there are those barangays who were not able to submit their lists to CSWDO earlier. Most of those who went to the mission were suffering from cough, hyper tension, needing vitamins, problems with eye sight, diabetes, among others, while a number of the senior citizens were have their decaying teeth extracted, Engr. Samaco said. Samaco further said the foundation were preparing for the medicines both for medical and dental needs to include the honoraria of the medical doctors, dentists, nurses and dental aides who assisted during the conduct of the mission, preparations for the snacks and meals to include the senior citizens availing the services. Meanwhile, Congressman Mercado who turned to 60 years old today received his senior citizen’s card and purchase slips from the OSCA officers and witnessed by the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations in Maasin City and the CSWDO Fe Sta. Cruz. Later in the afternoon, Congressman Mercado also gave a birthday offering for the indigent children aging from four to seven years old exclusively from Barangay Abgao, his resident barangay, it was learned.### (PIA Southern Leyte/ esg)

'Sunken' roads in So. Leyte are the effects of 12 daily tremors - DPWH

by Bong Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug 29 (PIA) -- Citing a study done by a geologist, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) District Engineer Carlos Veloso disclosed that certain sections of the national highway in this province are always damaged due to a dozen daily movements of the ground. In an interaction with local media Tuesday, Veloso, head of the Southern Leyte Engineering District (SLED), identified these perennially destructed sections as the one along Bato, Leyte, to Bontoc road and the other at barangay Hindag-an, Saint Bernard. A technical explanation of these seemingly “sunk” sections was the presence of underground water that over time eventually loosened the soil coupled with the everyday dose of the natural earth-shaking move which is not strong enough to be noticed. The damaged road sections also fell along the fault line that traverses the province, Veloso said. Assistant District Engineer Manolo Rojas said they had installed gabions in these areas, saying this kind of structure was permeable, or allows the passage of water through piles of stones hitched with tie wires. Meanwhile, another problematic road portion which is the steep saddle road in Pintuyan, will be re-engineered to cut across a mountainside to lower its elevation. Veloso said his office has already complied with the program of works for an initial budget of P 50 Million asked by the DPWH Central office for a 700-meter alternate road to divert the saddle, adding that the instruction was the result of a resolution submitted by the provincial government to Malacanang. Several motorists suffered accidents in the past while negotiating this uphill, winding road, and its imminent change in design is timely considering that a new Ferry terminal in Benit, San Ricardo, was already in operation. Both Veloso and Rojas were optimistic the development of the much lower saddle road will be made part of the regular budget of the agency, saying that DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson’s timetable was that all primary roads would be paved by 2013. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

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