Difference between revisions of "Southern Leyte Province, Philippines"

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==[[Southern Leyte News]]==
==[[Southern Leyte News]]==
'''So Leyte solon leads planting mangroves at Silago'''
'''GIZ mulls giving direct financial aid for fisherfolk, farmers'''
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r08&id=60638
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r08&id=60808
*Monday, October 24, 2011
*Tuesday, October 25, 2011
:by  Bong Pedalino
: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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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)
He said the overall goal was to use the ECCT as an innovative scheme in poverty alleviation. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)


==Photo Gallery of Southern Leyte, Philippines==
==Photo Gallery of Southern Leyte, Philippines==