Southern Leyte News

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Southern Leyte - Archived News

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.

S. Leyte urged to conserve forests and biodiversity

by (ldl/Ms.Y Duarte, student OJT/PIA8-Southern Leyte)


SOUTHERN LEYTE, April 20 (PIA) -- With the discovery of the new species of frogs in Southern Leyte, Gordon Ignacio, senior adviser of the biodiversity assessment project, urges Governor Damian Mercado and local government units to conserve the forest and the biodiversity of the province.

According to Ignacio, the rich and unique bio-diversity wildlife is “Southern Leyte’s pride,” for this reason, it must be well-preserved and protected.

The joint project of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), a German government organization, Southern Leyte provincial government, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) yielded numerous significant results.

Aside from the new amphibians, the Mount Nacolod assessment also recorded 229 flora species, 31 of which are found only in the Philippines. The survey team recorded 212 vertebrates. These included 112 birds, 36 mammals, and 64 amphibians and reptiles. Flora and Fauna International, a British-based group, said most of these animals are endangered.

Dr. Bernd-Markus Liss, principal advisor for GIZ's forest policy, said the revelation of new species in Southern Leyte underscored the need to protect the forests of the Philippines, a key biodiversity center in the global map. At present, about 80% of the country's forests are degraded.

“By destroying forests, we are also destroying habitats. Who knows what's out there?” he said.

Liss also noted that new species could benefit the community greatly. To start, these species may help in developing new substances, medicines, and materials.

As stated by GIZ’s press release, “support from the government and greater involvement of LGUs are expected to ensure the success of protection and rehabilitation of natural forests and conservation of biodiversity.”

The said institution, together with DENR, plan to continue its field sampling in Mt. Nacolod, a mountain peak near Silago, as well as other areas of the province including the municipalities Hinunangan, Sogod, Maasin, Tomas Oppus, and Malitbog.






Frog species, size of a thumb, found in Southern Leyte forest

by Marcelo M. Pedalino


SOUTHERN LEYTE, April 19 (PIA) -- This province has carved a new impression as a haven for a rich bio-diversity wildlife in the wake of reports broadcast on nationwide television and online news outlets that two new species of frogs were discovered in the forests off the pacific area.

According to reports, the newly-found frogs species were a mottled brown frog with red eyes and a broad yellow stripe running down its back, and a yellow green frog the size not much bigger than a man’s thumb.

The finds were announced by personnel of the British-based Fauna and Flora International in a forum held at the National Museum, it was learned.

Reports said the new species, which have been labeled as endangered and on the brink of extinction and were yet to be named, were found at the Nacolod mountain range in the pacific area of Southern Leyte province.

This area has been part of a conservation-oriented undertaking initiated by the central office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in addition to an initiative of a German government organization GIZ, the Reducing Emission on Degradation and Deforestation Plus (REDD Plus) project.

The brown frog specimens measured 1.7 -- 2.2 inches, while the yellow-green ones were 0.8 -- 1.1 inches, an online report said.

The Philippines has been listed by US-based Conservation International as one among 17 countries that hold most of Earth’s plant and animals, but at the same time a bio-diversity hotspot due to massive kaingin and illegal logging operations on what was once heavily-forested areas.

The DENR, through its wildlife protection department, reported that aside from the frogs, 36 new plants and animal species were discovered in the country over the past ten years. (ldl/mmp-PIA 8, Southern Leyte)

2 new frog species discovered in Leyte

by Rhodina Villanueva


MANILA, Philippines - Two new species of frogs and 229 recorded flora species were discovered in Southern Leyte late last year.

Mundita Lim, head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (DENR-PAWB), said the frogs belong to the genus Platymantis.

“These species inhabit the montane and mossy forests of the Nacolod Mountain Range in Southern Leyte province,” she said. “Both species differ markedly from other known species of Philippine Platymantis frogs by their body size, coloration patterns, and advertisement calls. The two species are allied to two different species groups, the Platymantis guentheri group and Platymantis hazelae group.”

Lim said this is the first time that a Platymantis species belonging to the hazelae group has been discovered in Mindanao faunal region, to which the island of Leyte belongs.

“Herpetologists from the Philippines and the United States are now working on the formal taxonomic description of the species,” she said.

Lim said the month-long ground surveys in Southern Leyte – covering the municipalities of Silago, Hinunangan, Sogod, Maasin, Tomas Oppus and Malitbog – also recorded a total of 229 floral species (31 of which are unique to the Philippines) and 212 terrestrial vertebrates species comprising 112 species of birds (41 species are unique to Philippines; 11 of which are threatened to extinction), 36 species of mammals (17 species are unique to the Philippines) and 64 species of amphibians and reptiles (more than half of which are found only in the Philippines).

“It is anticipated that a significant number of species will be recorded from Southern Leyte with continued field sampling, especially if the surveys are conducted during the drier months of the year and if a wide range of habitat and elevation zones, from lowland Dipterocarp to mossy forests, are sampled in detail,” she said.

Lim said the assessment indicated the general preference of Southern Leyte’s fauna to forest and riverine environments.

“The information generated now provides a baseline that can be used to predict impacts of habitat change on species and to design measures to protect forest biodiversity. For local government units in Southern Leyte, the findings provide the scientific basis in designing appropriate management systems and monitoring protocols useful in protecting forest ecosystems, establishing local forest and

biodiversity areas as well as to steer the rehabilitation of forests towards an efficient and more ecologically sound path,” she said.

Lim said the assessment will spur forest protection and rehabilitation efforts under the Philippine National Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)-Plus Strategy as part of the National Climate Change Action Plan, and the National Greening Program.

Lim said the discovery of the new species on the fragmented forests of Mt. Nacolod intensifies the potential of REDD-Plus for effective protection and rehabilitation of natural forests and conservation of biodiversity, while benefiting local communities.

Greater involvement of LGUs in conserving the biodiversity of Nacolod is expected, she added.

The study was aimed at generating species inventories and practical information on key species-habitat associations as sound bases for forest and biodiversity management planning, Lim said.

Joining the PAWB in conducting the biodiversity assessments last November 2011 were the Fauna & Flora International, the National Museum of the Philippines, and DENR Eastern Visayas.






Reef restoration set in Southern Leyte

by (Leyte Samar Daily Express)


PALO, Leyte – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) will push through a one-year pilot technology demonstration on coral reef restoration in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte.

The coastal area situated within the Sogod Bay will get a P5-million budget out of the recently approved P35.35 million funding for nine coral reef rehabilitation projects nationwide.

DOST Regional Director Edgardo Esperancilla said they signed an agreement with SLSU based in Sogod town, which will be their partner in undertaking pilot technology demonstration.

“We prioritize the one hectare in Padre Burgos because it is where depleted coral reefs can be found. There are also nearby resort owners who are willing to sustain the project. The undertaking is to show how the private sector can implement coral reef reforestation,” Esperancilla said.

The project aims to promote science-based coral reef management practices through public-private sector partnership, establish technology pilot demonstration sites for coral nurseries to produce 30,000 coral nubbins, and establish one hectare of reef in Padre Burgos.

The science department is eyeing to complete the project on March 14, 2013.

“To make sure that corals will grow, we need the help of the private sector to maintain this, especially that damaging starfish are infesting the area,” he said.

Population outbreak of damaging crown-of-thorns starfish was spotted in 74 hectares of coral reefs in Southern Leyte with a population density of up to 420 pieces per square meter, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Of the 74 hectares infested, 60 hectares are in the municipality of Padre Burgos, nine hectares in Maasin City and five hectares in Macrohon town.

Crown-of-thorns starfish climbs over the corals, releases digestive enzymes to break down its food, and then absorbs the coral polyp, leaving only coral skeleton.

Other than the toxic starfish, the DOST believed that coral reefs in Southern Leyte are damaged by a variety of human activities such as household sewage, industrial wastage and agricultural chemicals from land that are washed off to the sea.

Dangerous fishing methods such as blast and dynamite fishing also contributed to coral reef destruction.

Coral reef reforestation will also be implemented in provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Zambales, Batangas, Masbate, Aklan, Bohol, and Tawi-Tawi.






Environmental office bares municipalities with highest collection of deadly starfish

by Rebecca S. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Apr 16 (PIA) -- The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office (PENRMO) has been continuously extracting the crown-of-thorns starfish throughout Southern Leyte since it reportedly increased in number, particularly in the waters of Sogod Bay and in Maasin City.

In a mitigation report by Coastal Fisheries Resources and Management Office Provincial Head Eva Abad the municipality with the highest COTS extracted was Padre Burgos with 80,145, followed by Maasin City that extracted around 34,000 and in Limasawa with 25,461 by the end of March 2012.

Abad added that other municipalities which conducted COTS extraction include Macrohon with 3,000 deadly starfish collected; Tomas Oppus – 2,192; Malitbog – 23,565; Lilioan – 1,056; San Francisco – 1,143; Pintuyan – 1,054; Hinundayan – 356; Hinunangan – 863; Bontoc – 18; Libagon – 10; and Sogod with only one reported.

Crown-of-thorns starfish are locally known of dap-marine invertebrates that feed on corals which are marine sanctuaries and kills corals.

In the mitigation report, Abad informed that there were municipalities in the province not included in the COTS outbreak such as San Ricardo, St. Bernard, San Juan, and Anahawan.

The total crown-of-thorns starfish extracted as of April 2012 numbered 170,165 pieces, initiated by the provincial government with the assistance of volunteers throughout the province, Abad disclosed. “This does not include the different Dive Shop Divers collection,” she said.

The local government units concerned has been coordinating with different agencies including non-government organizations to assist in the COTS outbreak and how to mitigate its existence, such as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Southern Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SLCCI), the GIZ, Provincial and Maasin City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, among other concerned agencies.

“We are proposing the production of IEC materials such as pamphlets and posters for public awareness which is now designed by PENRMO staff,” Abad said while other activities are properly coordinated with the other agencies. (ldl/rgc-PIA 8, Southern Leyte)

11 Eastern Visayas LGUs yet to comply with policy on disclosure

by Joey Gabieta

Inquirer Visayas


TACLOBAN CITY—Only 11 of the over 140 local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas have yet to comply with the national government’s policy on full disclosure of financial transactions, according to a Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) official. Pedro Noval Jr., DILG Eastern Visayas director, said the 11 LGUs were only missing one or two documents mandated to be posted under the full disclosure policy being implemented by the department. These LGUs were Pintuyan in Southern Leyte; Lapinig in Northern Samar; and the towns of Almagro, Gandara, Hinabangan, Jiabong, Matuginao, Motiong, Tagapul-an, Tarangnan and Zumarraga, all in Samar province. Eastern Visayas has about 149 LGUs constituting provinces, cities and municipalities. This means that 138 LGUs across the region have fully complied with the policy. The full disclosure policy program requires LGUs to post several documents, including their budgets and finances, and bids and public offerings in government websites, newspapers of general circulation and in other conspicuous and appropriate places. Full disclosure Based on the provisions of Republic Act No. 10147, or the General Appropriations Act of 2011, adherence to the full disclosure policy is now compulsory. Local governments without a website should also post the required information on the website of the DILG regional office concerned on www.dilg.gov.ph, the website of the DILG central office. Noval cited the document on items to bid as the most common instrument that the 11 LGUs have not yet posted so they could not be considered as having complied with the full disclosure policy. He said that based on their explanations, the LGUs said they lacked the time to prepare the said document. “But I expect within this month that all the 11 LGUs will be able to fully comply with the full disclosure policy,” said Noval who has been monitoring the LGUs’ compliance. He added that the failure of the LGUs to observe the full disclosure policy could mean the filing of administrative charges. “(Officials) should be held accountable and responsible with their actions to the people they serve,” Noval said. Earlier this year, DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo ordered the DILG field offices to send “show cause” orders to the executives of the LGUs concerned to explain or face sanctions for noncompliance with the provisions of the 2011 General Appropriations Act. The full disclosure of financial transactions aims to minimize, if not totally, eradicate corruption and misuse of public funds.

Military vows to keep Visayas insurgent-free

by Sarwell Q. Meniano


LIMASAWA, SOUTHERN LEYTE -- A military official vowed to block rebels’ efforts to retake insurgent-free Visayas provinces as they shift their thrust to implementation of development projects from counter-insurgency efforts. Col. John S. Bonafos, commander of 802nd brigade of the Philippine Army based in Camp Downes, Ormoc City, said they are stepping up efforts to coordinate with local government units and other government agencies in undertaking development projects. "We will continue our support operations particularly in the development aspects needed by people. After we have attained peace, we will move to development phase like construction of classrooms, road repair and road widening," Mr. Bonafos told BusinessWorld.

The brigade covers the insurgent-free provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran. It is the only Philippine Army headquarters in the entire country with all covered areas officially declared as rebel-cleared.

Among the five provinces, Biliran was the first to gain the insurgent-free status as jointly declared by the army and local government unit in December 2008. Cebu and Bohol were declared free of rebel activities in March 2010 while Southern Leyte and Leyte attained the same status in September 2011 and December 2011, respectively.

"The situation of these Visayas provinces exemplifies that we can attain the insurgent-free status through multi-stakeholders participation," Mr. Bonafos said.

For insurgent-free areas, the military turned over the lead role in maintaining the internal security to its local executives and police.

A province is categorized as insurgency-free when the threat posed by the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) is successfully downgraded into a mere law and order problem.

PRC-8 inks MOA with SoLeyte

by Rebecca S. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 12 (PIA) -- The Office of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)-8 through its Regional Director German Palayab signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Southern Leyte Governor Damian G. Mercado to bring their services closer to Southern Leyteños.

The MOA signing was held at the governor’s office here this morning, April 11.

“Both parties need to gain strength and joint benefits from its creative cooperation and collaboration towards extending frontline services such as 'one-stop shop' to be set up by the local government unit in order to serve the public more efficiently," the MOA stated.

Director Palayab disclosed that the office will open as soon as the assigned staff from the local government will be trained. “An office staff will be trained for two days,” the director said, referring to one of the counterparts of the provincial government, an office staff in addition to the office space, among other supports to PRC.

PRC’s service commitment to the said agreement would bring services closer to the constituents of Southern Leyte by extending its window services at the provincial capitol, and conducting “PRC on wheels” whenever requested in order to renew PRC professional IDs, issuance of certifications, authentications, and accept applications for PRC licensure examinations.

The source added that PRC will also conduct briefings on PRC services and Licensure Examinations upon request from the provincial government, manage the day-to-day operations of the PRC Service Kiosk at the local level, among other service commitments.

On the other hand, the provincial government likewise will extend assistance to PRC, such as to cooperate with the PRC desk officer to ensure that only qualified and licensed professionals are employed at positions in the municipalities that require such qualifications, cooperate with the PRC for the protection of the public by raising awareness among professionals in government service.

The MOA signing was witnessed by Vice Governor Mike Maamo, Sangguniang Panlalwigan Member Romeo Gomez, Provincial Administrator Crispin Arong, Jr., College of Maasin President Miguel Udtohan, and media personnel from Southern Leyte Balita and PIA-Maasin. (LDL/RGC-PIA 8 Southern Leyte)

Fathers help in breastfeeding babies

by (Leyte Samar Daily Express)


LIMASAWA, Southern Leyte – Mothers in this island town are not left alone in ensuring that children are well-nourished with fathers equipped with knowledge on good nutrition and proper breastfeeding.

The “Tatay Ko, Kaagapay sa Kalusogan Ko” campaign was launched three years ago by the local government, which regularly gathers all fathers in the island and orients them on their role to improve or maintain the nutritional status of children.

Jesrel Tiongco, a community health team member, said while men in other places usually make jokes on breastfeeding-related topics, fathers here are taking the support role seriously.

“We gather in barangay health center every quarter and discuss how fathers can support lactating women. We ensure exclusive breastfeeding during first six months of life. We also learn the proper position of breastfeeding so that we can help our wives,” said Tiongco, a father of a three-year-old child.

Remegilda Salomon, municipal nutrition action officer, said during a gathering with fathers, local nutrition workers gave updates on good nutrition and responsible parenthood aside from breastfeeding promotion.

“As practiced in Limasawa, the mother and the father jointly monitor the nutritional status of their children,” Salomon said.

In 2010, almost all the men in the municipality together with all municipal and barangay officials had undergone the training on Infant and Young Child Feeding and the Pabasa sa Nutrisyon.

In most areas in the region, these advocacies are centered on health and nutrition workers and mothers.

In this town, stores don’t sell infant formula since all mothers are exclusively feeding their babies with breast milk from birth to six months and provide nutritious complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding up to two years.

Limasawa’s performance in terms of breastfeeding is remarkable compared to the national figure, Salomon said.

The 7th National Nutrition Survey revealed that among infants 0-5 months old, only 36 out of every 100 were exclusively breastfed; only 37 of every 100 were breastfed at the same time given a complementary food and as many as 27 out of every 100 infants were given other milk and other foods.

Breastfeeding during the first six months of a child’s life is deemed crucial since it cuts the risk of chronic diseases and leads to overall better development.

P90-M Leyte-Mindanao power link unveiled

by tribuneonline.org


The government will be conducting the Leyte-Mindanao interconnection project study that would establish an integrated grid and allow reserve electricity generation capacity to be shared by the three regional grids — Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The study, which is estimated to cost P90 million, will be undertaken by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) for a period of one year and another year for assessment.

Energy Undersecretary Josephine Patricia Asirit said for the first time, the Aquino administration will implement the Luzon-Visayas-Mindanao interconnection grid to assure power stability in the country.

At present, Asirit said only the Luzon and Visayas — through the Leyte grid — have interconnectivity. It will only be in this administration that the entire Philippine grid would be interconnected.

She cited the current power situation in some parts of Mindanao where it experienced regular brownouts.

With the Leyte-Mindanao interconnection in place, Asirit said, the Luzon grid which has 200 MW excess and the Visayas which can also export another 200 MW, power shortage in Mindanao can easily be resolved.

The Leyte-Mindanao interconnection project was aimed at addressing the power shortage not only in Mindanao but the entire country as well.

It includes the installation of about 455-kilometer overhead line and 23-km submarine cable with a maximum depth of around 1,000 meters below sea level.

The interconnection project was originally designed for 250-kilovolt high-voltage density cable bipolar link with a total transfer capacity of 500 MW to 800 MW.

It will start from the existing Ormoc Converter Station in Leyte and terminates at Kirahon Converter station in Northcentral Mindanao via Southern Leyte and Northeastern Mindanao.

The Leyte-Mindanao interconnection is part of the long-term solution to resolve power shortage in the region.

DA-EU Program Benefits 40,000 Households

by PHOEBE JEN INDINO


SILAGO, Southern Leyte– A food security program sponsored by the European Union, Germany-based Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) has benefited over 40,000 poor households in Eastern Visayas.

The program, named Enhancement of Food Security in the Visayas (EFOS), which was implemented by the Deutsche Gessellschaft fur Internationale Zummenarbeit (GIZ), and which ended early this year, was designed to sustainably increase food security, and agricultural, fisheries and forestry productivity in the region, with special focus on Eastern Visayas.

GIZ operates in more than 130 countries worldwide with most of its work commissioned by the BMZ

EFOS was comprised of four project components, namely, natural resources governance, infrastructure through cash-for-work, productivity and production enhancement, and crop insurance.

EFOS Senior Adviser Alex Tabada said the program’s cash-for-work covered over 12,000 households in 24 towns, earning some P35 million in wages.

That particular program component paved way for the creation of 62-kilometers of farm-to-market roads and 40 kilometers of upland foot trails including 11.4 kilometers of communal irrigation canals supporting some 933 hectares of ricelands.

Communities extract 170,000 Crown Of Thorns Starfish in Limasawa, Padre Burgos and Maasin City

by Erna S. Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 6 (PIA) -- The bane of corals are finally being decimated. At least 170,000 Crown Of Thorns Starfish (COTS), locally known of dap-marine invertebrates that feed on corals which are marine sanctuaries, and also kill corals, were extracted particularly in Limasawa, Padre Burgos, and Maasin City, all of Southern Leyte in less than 10 days.

“We have found extreme population of COTS particularly in the municipalities of Limasawa and Padre Burgos and the city of Maasin where we estimated the presence of over a thousand COTS in one hectare compared to 12 COTS in normal condition, “ according to Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office (PENRMO) – Coastal Fisheries Resource Management Office (CFRMO) Chief Eva Abad.

She said that in less than 10 days of synchronized extraction of COTS in the mentioned three different areas, an estimated 170,000 of COTS were partially gathered by the communities including the owners of foreign-operated dive shops in the locality particularly in Padre Burgos.

Abad said the initial estimates of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Provincial Office reported last March 22 that in one 500 square-meter area of corals alone, there were an estimated of over a thousand COTS.

However, BFAR Provincial Office is now undertaking an actual underwater assessment of the presence of COTS to 500 square meters of corals and to determine the extent of the damaged coral areas had done in the province, she said.

She added that there will be more joint lined up activities by the local government units and by the GIZ, a German organization in order to prevent this impending coastal disaster in the province.

In Maasin City alone, the local government unit–initiated extraction got a total of 23,000 COTS collected March 27, 2012, she added.

She noted that extraction of COTS most of the times were stalled due to the lack of funds in order to mobilize the community to join in the extraction along their barangays. (ldl/esg/PIA8 SoLeyte)

Over a thousand slots await “summer jobbers” in So. Leyte

by Marcelo M. Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Apr. 4 (PIA) -- The Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) project of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provincial office here just got even more special this summer time, as more qualified youths will be gainfully employed.

In a list of 2012 SPES pledged by DOLE, some 1,031 posts are up for grabs, mainly through the labor agency’s partner institutions that include local government units (LGUs), a public school, and one national government office - the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Mario Tictic of DOLE-So. Leyte said that for this year, their office was given an allocation of 1,500 students for SPES placement, also popularly known as summer job, so there are still some 400 more slots to be filled, this time in cooperation with private schools which already signified their intention to join.

DOLE and their respective listed partners are presently finalizing the papers of students who had applied for this summer’s SPES, which will start on May 7 for a 20-day employment period, while educational institutions in the private sector like Saint Joseph College (SJC) and the College of Maasin (CM) will start in June, Tictic said.

The provincial government tops the list with 338 students up for hiring, followed by the city government at 150, and Malitbog LGU with 110, then Sogod LGU at 100. Malitbog has the distinction of hiring similar students for years in a row, even as it accepts new SPES applicants, 80 students for this summer.

The public school which participated in this program is the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU)-Bontoc Campus.

Other LGUs with SPES placements this year are Macrohon, Padre Burgos, Tomas Oppus, Libagon, Saint Bernard, Anahawan, Hinundayan, Silago, and Liloan.

Most summer jobbers have a daily rate of P 150 per day, except for SLSU-Bontoc at P 133 per day, Maasin City at P 180 per day, and DPWH at P 250 per day. Salaries, however, will be shared between DOLE and the sponsoring LGU/agency, with DOLE paying 40 percent of the rate, and the LGUs, 60 percent.

Based on the list, DOLE had set aside a budget of P 1,338,662.40 for 1,031 SPES, while the combined counterpart of all the LGUs was P 2,007,993.60.

Last year, there were only a little over 400 SPES slots reserved by DOLE for Southern Leyte.

The Special Program for Employment of Students is mandated under Republic Act No. 9547 which aims to help poor but deserving students pursue their education by providing income or augment their income through encouraging their employment during summer and/or Christmas vacations. The SPES is open to all qualified high school, college or vocational students or drop-outs and interested employers. (GTT/MMP-PIA8, Southern Leyte)

2 OWWA scholars garner Cum Laude recognitions

by Erna S. Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 3 (PIA) -- Together with 44 other honor students, two Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) scholars graduated Cum Laude during the Commencement Exercises of the Leyte Normal University on March 26 in Tacloban City.

“We take pride in the achievements of our scholars. This makes evident that the financial assistance extended to them as qualified beneficiaries of our OFW (overseas Filipino workers) clients is not put to waste,” says OWWA- RWO8 OIC-Director II Ma. Evangelina V. Filamor in a press release.

Filamor said after four years of struggle for academic excellence was worth the long wait for Ritzee Operio and Mark Geraldo when they graduated Cum Laude among 1,059 graduates.

The graduates are OWWA scholars under the OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFW-DSP) whereby an eligible dependent of an active OFW with a basic monthly salary of $400 and below receives financial assistance of P10,000 per semester, she said.

She further said Geraldo, with a grade of 1.55, and Operio, with 1.65, outstandingly earned a double degree in Bachelor of Science in Secondary and Elementary Education major in English. While in search for a private school to practice their profession, they plan to review for the September Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

“OWWA is part of our success and we are very much thankful for the assistance they have extended to us,” says Geraldo in an interview, Filamor quoted.

Another OWWA scholar grabbed first honor award in the Commencement Exercises of the Sto. Nino SPED Center, Tacloban City on March 31 - Danna Mheliza Mae D. Budano garnered 93.8 percent, topping the entire second grade level of the said school, Filamor further reported.

The achiever is an OWWA scholar under the education component of Education and Livelihood Assistance Program whereby an eligible dependent of deceased OFW who was an active OWWA member at the time of death receives financial scholarship grant until completion of a tertiary degree, Filamor said. (LDL/ESG-PIA 8, SoLeyte)

NSO to Visayans: Pls cooperate in the Consumer Expectations Survey in Region 8

by Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu


TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 2 (PIA) -- The National Statistics Office in Eastern Visayas under the leadership of Director Raul Dones called on the public to cooperate in the conduct of the April 2012 Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) in selected provinces in Eastern Visayas namely, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, and Eastern Samar.

Director Dones enjoined all sample household to actively support and cooperate in the said activity which will start on April 2 to 16. Likewise, the support and assistance of the local government units are solicited in order to ensure the success of this undertaking, the NSO Director said.

Dones said that just like any other surveys undertaken by NSO, the data that will be gathered shall be held strictly confidential and shall not be divulged to any person except to authorize NSO personnel. The data will not be used for taxation, investigation, or enforcement purposes.

Dones said that the Consumer Expectations Survey is actually conducted in selected provinces nationwide except except in Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) contracted the NSO to conduct CES in order to collect comprehensive information on the business conditions of the country in the household sector, Director Dones informed.

The NSO’s responsibility is to undertake the data collection and encoding of the questionnaires while BSP’s responsibility is the generation of tables and analysis of the results, the NSO Director added.

The CES is a household-based survey on the consumers’ assessment of their financial situation, the economic condition of the country and the overall performance of the government. This is a complementary survey to BSP’s Business Expectations Survey (BES).

The survey is administered on a sample basis at the household level drawn through a stratified multi-stage random sampling. The survey has a total sample of about 5,000 households nationwide. The total sample in Region VIII is 308 households.

The conduct of CES aims to provide a quick and regular assessment of the financial condition of consumers and economic condition of the country at present and in the near future, from the consumers’ own viewpoints; to generate forecasts in the direction of the country’s economic activity based on consumers’ outlook in the next 12 months; and to provide quick and regular assessment of consumers’ outlook in terms of their income and expenditures. (EOPT - PIA 8)

DSWD 8 releases cash grant to 2,550 "Pantawid Pamilya" beneficiaries in Maasin City

by Erna S. Gorne


MAASIN City, Southern Leyte, Apr. 1 (PIA) -- A total of 2,550 household beneficiaries here received their conditional cash grant under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Together with the two bank tellers from the Land Bank of the Philippines – Maasin Branch and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Office, the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries on Friday started to claim their conditional cash grants for the months of November 2011 – February 2012 at the maximum of P 1,400 per month for every beneficiary.

Instead of only two months, Maasin City beneficiaries are entitled to receive four – months worth of cash grant as decided by the DSWD Central Office, to fully utilize the previous year's Pantawid Pamilya funds throughout the region.

DSWD Region 8 Director Letecia T. Diokno admonished the beneficiaries to handle the financial assistance properly and reminded them that the money is not for the parents but for the education and health care of the children and the expectant mothers.

She cautioned them to comply with the conditions set by the program since if they lack in fulfilling the requirements they will be cut off in receiving the said monthly cash grant.

She further urged the parents to work hard instead of waiting for the monthly conditional cash grant as this serves only to supplement their needs for their children to pursue education and health of the children and pregnant mothers.

Diokno challenged the beneficiaries that as a 4Ps family, they should become model of a peaceful family with children going to school, healthy children and mothers, among other being socially developed family with the additional income of P15,000 every year for five years from now. (EOPT/ESG, PIA8 SoLeyte)

DOST-SoLeyte releases funds to support small, medium scale industries

by . (PIA8 SoLeyte)


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Mar. 30 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Southern Leyte has released funds for the equipment of business enterprises in the city.

The DOST Southern Leyte released P700,000 to Marte Technova shop for the production of needed equipment of Small Medium Scale (SMS) business enterprises.

Marte Technova produces food utensils and equipments for use by the small medium scale enterprises in the locality.

DOST provincial director Engr. Dominador Clavejo said most of the equipment needed by the local food industries such as stainless tables, machine parts like grater, among others, will be readily available in the community as Marte Technova shop is capable to undertake the production of such food utensils.

“Instead of purchasing the needed equipment of the local food industries from Cebu City, these will soon be locally available with lesser expenses will be involved,” Clavejo reported.

He said these equipment were usually purchased outside the province since these could not be bought in the locality.

The cost of these needed food utensils also became more costly since one has to spend additional expense for the transportation cost in order to get these mentioned equipment, he added.

Southern Leyte has a host of small medium scale food industries hence the demand to for such equipment has encouraged the Marte Technova to produce locally, he said.






Limasawa Run

by mb.com.ph


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) — The Maasin city government will hold the second "Run for Limasawa" today to support activities of the 491st Anniversary of the First Mass held in the Philippines. A registration fee of P30 for adults and P20 for children will be collected from participants.

Proceeds will be turned over to the Limasawa Catholic church, The route of the run which will start 4 p.m. will start from the city hall grounds to Barangay Mantahan, then to Barangay Combado. Interested participants are urged to visit the City Sports Council and the City Mayor's offices.





NSO to start updating list of establishments in S.Leyte

by Rebecca S. Cadavos


SOUTHERN LEYTE, March 28 (PIA) -– The National Statistics Office (NSO) – Southern Leyte will be updating the list of establishments (LE) in the province on May 2 by conducting a comprehensive door-to-door canvassing of establishments.

Provincial Statistical Officer Mae R. Almonte said the LE is a database of all establishments throughout the Philippines.

The updating will be conducted by trained NSO statistical coordination officers and hired statistical researchers.

Almonte reported that in updating the LE, it involves capture and listing of the characteristics of “new” establishments; updating of the status and characteristics of “old” establishments or those that have already been included in the database; de-listing of “closed” establishments; and identification of out-of-scope units.

She added that an updated database of establishments will provide the NSO a reliable sampling frame for its business and industry censuses and surveys. “The data that will be collected also serves as a guide to government planning, policy making and monitoring, bases of marketing plans, opportunities and prospects and gives input to evaluation , market research, and comparative studies,”.

"NSO looks forward to the full cooperation and support for the said undertaking not only from national and local government agencies but also from the private sector, particularly the business associations," Almonte expressed.

She added that three levels of training will be conducted to ensure that NSO field staff will be equipped with the knowledge and field operations strategies.

The said trainings include task force training held last March 6 to 9 at the NSO, Central Office, second-level training at the regional office for regional and provincial supervisors on April 11 to 13, and it will be cascaded to the provincial offices on April 24 to 27, this year. (EOPT/MRGC-PIA 8 Southern Leyte)






Big business pledges to discontinue selling cigarettes in Maasin City

by (EOPT/ESG-PIA 8)


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 27 (PIA) -- One of the superstores in Maasin City pledges to discontinue selling cigarettes especially when they are located within the 100-meters radius from an elementary school.

“I have talked with Dr. Edward Gaisano, the Maasin Hiper (Gaisano) owner and he agreed to stop selling cigarettes at the superstore," a Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco said.

The incessant campaign to prohibit smoking in public places had now reached newly established superstores in the city that are still selling cigarettes to those who live within the 100 meter–radius from schools, he disclosed.

The mayor even requested the Hiper owner to also put down the billboards of cigarettes set up inside the superstore.

“As long as I am still the mayor of Maasin City, I will not issue any business permits allowing any establishment to sell cigarettes particularly those that are located within the prohibited areas,” he further said.

He also gave instructions to the city employees to always wear the anti-smoking pins together with their ID cards in slings as the city government is expecting national evaluators to visit in the city by next week.

OCD-SoLeyte enhances LGUs’ knowledge on disaster preparedness

by Rebecca S. Cadavos


SOUTHERN LEYTE, March 26 (PIA) -- To strengthen the local government units’ knowledge on disaster preparedness, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) conducted a two-day community-based multi-hazard mapping at Silago, this province.

OCD-Southern Leyte Provincial Coordinator Marichu Tan reported that the training held at Silago Municipal Audtirorim, Thursday and Friday was attended by Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council members, barangay officials throughout the municipality, teaching staff and personnel and Silago Rescue Team.

It is aimed at strengthening the capacities of the local government unit, enhancement of knowledge in disaster preparedness – how to respond and how to identify multi-hazard situation in their areas, among others.

Tan disclosed that the topics discussed during the seminar-training were the Incident Command System, Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment and orientation on the DRRM policies and strategies, while the speakers include Epinfanio Pabilona and Ms. Tan.

“An actual identification of hazard-prone areas was made by each barangay-participants which was identified as Poblacion 1 and Poblacion 2, as pilot barangays which are considered as high-risk barangays in Silago town,” Tan revealed.

The participants were required to identify the problems within the area of concern such as the problem of drainage system and its proper construction, houses if properly elevated, among other possibilities for a 2-day heavy rainfall and the possibility of flooding, and the like.

OCD Southern Leyte had been conducting community-based hazard mapping, contingency planning, fire and earthquake drills, DRRM orientation, to name a few in municipalities throughout Southern Leyte, Tan said. Other municipalities are yet to be scheduled, she added. (PIA 8-Southern Leyte)

3 gov’t agencies forge agreement for rural dev’t

by (PNA)

scs/jmc


MANILA, March 24 (PNA) — Three government agencies have forged a landmark agreement that is expected to accelerate economic development in the countryside. Under the National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development, the Departments of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Agriculture (DA) and Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have agreed to jointly implement three programs geared towards uplifting the lives of farmers. “Through this convergence, government agencies can avoid duplication of programs and avoid wastage of resources, which is one of the major thrusts of the Aquino administration,” DAR Secretary Gil de los Reyes said. The first project is the implementation of the DAR’s Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS). ARCCESS aims to transform agrarian reform beneficiaries into entrepreneurs by providing support services that will increase their net income and farming capabilities. “Through ARCCESS, DAR will teach agricultural technology and business development to farmer organizations and provide farm equipment and machinery to improve and increase their yield. This will also help reduce inefficiencies in agri-production,” Delos Reyes said. The second project involves the agreement with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the University of the Philippines-Diliman to develop a master’s degree in rural development to enhance technical skills of government employees. He said the master’s degree — Master in Public Management, Major in Rural Development (MPM-MRD) — is a pioneering academic program that delivers a blended learning mode that has never been practiced in the country. Classes began on March 19, 2012. The third project is the pilot implementation of the Environmental Conditional Cash Transfer (eCCT) program in Southern Leyte. The eCCT program aims to “help the poorest of the poor alleviate their living conditions in the uplands and coastal areas, not just through cash transfers but also through environmental programs like reforestation and watershed protection.”

Women’s groups showcase livelihood products on Women’s Month culmination program

by Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Mar 23 (PIA) -- At least 11 women’s associations participated in the culmination program of the Women’s Month celebrated this month at the city’s gymnasium, showcasing their livelihood products through a competition.


Maasin City women showcased products such as handmade accessories like necklaces, rings, bracelets, and the like; candles of different shapes; coconut midrib vases and brooms; wooden ladles, among other industrial products; while food products consisted of banana chips, “suman;” vinegar; pancit canton made of malunggay and squash; banana products; vegetable salad made of papaya; ube jam; java chips with cheese flavor, among other products rich in the locality.


The products were presented through each women’s group in each barangay; these were the barangays of Manhilo, Bogo, Sta. Rosa, Dongon, Combado, Matin-ao, San Agustin, San Jose, Bilibol, Gawad Kalinga Women’s Group, and the federation of women – the Rural Improvement Club (RIC).


The criteria of the contest include quality and quantity-60%; booth appearance-20%; and booth management for 20%. PIA-Maasin Infocen Manager Erna Sy Gorne was one of the judges.


The women also showed off their skills in haircutting, massaging, manicure and pedicure, while other services like legal counseling and medical and dental consultation were also shared by city officials concerned.


The women’s month culmination activity started with a short program at 9:30 a.m. attended by women’s association throughout the city, and by day care workers, and the city social welfare office staff and personnel led by CSWD officer Febe Ma. Sta. Cruz. (EOPT/RSC-PIA 8, Southern Leyte)

Rehabilitated farm-to-market road boosts farmers’ income

by Marcelo M. Pedalino


ANAHAWAN, Southern Leyte, Mar. 22 (PIA) -- A six kilometer (km) farm-to-market road linking this town to its its interior and upland barangays can greatly help farmers save on costs in transporting their farm products and will inspire them to produce more.

“Each sack of copra costs P 80 to P 100 when ferried to the town, so for 10 sacks ,a farmer spends P 1,000 for transportation expenses alone; but with the opening of this road, such expenses can be saved and instead, be added to the farmer’s income,” said Mayor Roberto Loquinte in an interview shortly before the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the new infrastructure here yesterday.

The project, dubbed rehabilitation/improvement of Poblacion-Kagingkingan road, was part of the Enhancement of Food Security (EFOS) program of GIZ, a German government organization which extended funding in the amount of P 4,863,652.

Loquinte said the local government unit of Anahawan gave a counterpart of P 800,000, while the provincial government provided the heavy equipment during the construction.

Some 3,000 households will directly benefit in using the improved road, Loquinte added.

During the brief program at the town’s gym, Gov. Damian Mercado lauded Mayor Loquinte for the successful implementation of the cash-for-work program in the process of constructing the farm-to-market road.

He also thanked the GIZ, through its advisor, Dr. Andreas Lange, for supporting the project as well as other environment-related initiatives undertaken by GIZ in other areas of the province.

Among those attending the ribbon-cutting for opening the new road were provincial Board members Daisy Gamale, Abelardo Almario, Roberto Lagumbay, and the local officials of Anahawan.

Rev. Fr. Cruff Climaco led the blessing of the newly-opened road. (EOPT/MMP-PIA 8, Southern Leyte)

Leyte piloted for forest resource assessment

by (Leyte Samar Daily Express)


KANANGA, Leyte -- The province of Leyte has been piloted by the Deutsche Gesselschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit for the Forest Resource Assessment Plot Establishment for REDD Plus Project.

Several barangays in different towns of Leyte were identified for the forest resource assessment (FRA), which will be conducted by a team of foresters.

There are 50 plots in Leyte, 50 plots in Southern Leyte, 100 plots for REDD area.

Of the 200 identified plots, 138 have been assessed. Of the 100 plots of REDD, there are 42 local government units (LGUs) within Southern Leyte, 15 plots in Energy Development Corp. areas, and 17 LGUs in Northern Leyte.

These areas may vary in characteristics. It is either forested areas, open canopy, close canopy, sparsely forested and kaingin.

The locations include Barangays Lukay and Bacung in Babatngon; Villaconsuelo in Jaro; Ormoc City, the towns of La Paz, Dagami, Abuyog, Javier, Capoocan, Baybay, Merida, Inopacan, Albuera, Burauen, among other towns in Leyte.

The REDD-plus is a proposed incentive system for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Industrialized countries would provide financial incentives for forested, developing countries to manage and protect forests to reduce their GHG emissions and enhance carbon stocks.

The team will conduct Forest Resource & Biodiversity Assessment to the selected areas/plots. In case that the identified plot has no forest or not within a forested area, the FRA team will move to one kilometer northward.





Women occupy more top positions in Southern Leyte – NSO SOLeyte

by Erna S. Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 20 (PIA) -- Seven out of 10 women in Southern Leyte are professionals and occupied top positions, the National Statistics Office in Southern Leyte revealed in a special release entitled “Women in Southern Leyte.”

“To celebrate the 2012 National Women’s Month this Special Release provides a portrait of the situation of women in Southern Leyte based on data collected in the 2007 Census of Popultion (2007 POPCEN) excluding the Institutional Population,” Southern Leyte Provincial Statistics Officer Mae R. Almonte said.


The 2007 Census of Population (2007 POPCEN) results show that 70.14 percent of women’s usual occupation in the province were professionals compared to men with 29.86 percent. This major occupation group includes Engineering Science Professional, Teaching Professionals, Health Professional and Legal Professionals among others, Almonte said.

The sensus further reveal that more women (57.21 percent) occupied the top positions in the province like Officials of Government and Special – Interest Organizations, Corporate Executive, Managers, Managing Proprietors and Supervisors than men (42.79 percent), she added.

Moreover, higher proportion of women’s usual occupation were Clerks and Technicians and Associate Professionals with 63.59 percent and 60.42 percent, respectively, she said.

Larger proportion of women ( 56.23 percent) were academic degree holders than men (43.77 percent) and 54.62 percent of those who has taken post baccalaureate courses were women while 45.38 percent were men, she said.

She added that fewer women dependents (21 dependents) compared to men (22 dependents) were observed in 2007. However, a higher old age dependency was reported among women (4 old dependents) than among men (3 old dependents) due to the fact that women live longer than men. On the other hand, there was a higher young age dependency among men (19 young dependents) compared to women (17 young dependents).

With the results of the 2007 POPCEN, about 2 in 10 households are headed by women. It is obvious that men dominate in the household since 82.93 percent were regarded as head while only 17.01 percent were women, she said.

SSS offers new loan penalty condonation for individual members

by Marcelo M. Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Mar. 19 (PIA) -- The Social Security System (SSS) has launched another program that seeks to waive the penalty arising from unpaid loans incurred by its delinquent individual members.

Starting April 2 until September 30 this year, SSS, a government-owned-and-controlled corporation (GOCC) serving the pension and retirement needs, among others, of workers in the private sector, will be condoning penalties on loans of its members subject to four specific situations and certain conditions.

For beneficiaries of deceased members, deadline for availment of the special program will be until March 13, 2013, said Porferio Salidaga Jr., head of Accounts Management of SSS-Maasin Branch, during the cable TV program “Action Center” Thursday.

Last year, SSS also granted a loan condonation program for employers who were unable to remit the payments to the SSS, and many employers did make use of the opportunity, but this time the target recipients are the individual members themselves, Salidaga added.

Dr. Jerome Paler, Medical Specialist II of SSS-Maasin who was also guest of the cable TV program, said that under their area of coverage some P 11 million delinquent accounts were collectible, and some P 5 million of this amount will be condoned under the new program.

Paler advised those delinquent SSS borrowers to visit the SSS office beginning next month for details on this new initiative and fill-up an application form.

According to SSS Circular 2012-005 posted in its website, those who can avail under situation 1a are members whose employers deducted loan amortization from their salaries/separation pay but did not remit said loan amortization to SSS.

For situation 1b, this concerns beneficiaries of deceased members/borrowers with unpaid loans who shall file for death claim within the availment period.

In situation 2, this covers delinquent member-borrowers who have paid at least three monthly amortization since loan takeout.

Situation 3 is for delinquent member-borrowers who shall file for retirement or total disability claim during the availment period.

The circular, however, stressed that as a requirement for situation 1a and situation 2, the three monthly contributions within the last six months must have been paid prior to the month of application for the condonation program.

Salidaga also emphasized that what will be condoned are the overdue charges and penalties only, while the principal amount of the loan must still have to be repaid. (EOPT/MMP-PIA 8, Southern Leyte)

Synchronized extraction of harmful“crown-of-thorns” fish set on World Water Day

by Rebecca S. Cadavos


Southern Leyte, March 15 (PIA) -- The Coastal Fisheries and Resources Management (CFRM)Office in Southern Leyte set a synchronized extraction of crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) from the waters of Southern Leyte on World Water Day, March 22.

CFRM Officer Eva Abad disclosed in a launching ceremony of Sogod Bay Sustainable Marine Management Alliance held at San Roque, Macrohon recently that, “the deadly COTS can’t be eliminated with us alone; every community should be involved.”

It was learned that there is a systematic process on how to extract and eliminate these COTS, since if not properly extracted, it will result to more egg production of COTS. A large crown-of-thorns starfish measuring 40 cm., if not properly handled, can produce a million eggs and it is also dangerous for those who will be infected with its sharp thorns.

Abad said that, “we are encouraging to start extracting the starfishes before the World Water Day and thereafter, as long as they know the proper way on how to remove it from the corals.”

Early this year, thousands of crown-of-thorns starfish were already extracted along the seahores of Maasin City to Padre Burgos, among other municipalities.

The provincial government through Gov. Damian G. Mercado and Cong. Roger G. Mercado committed to support the COTS outbreak, and allocated funds for the purpose. (EOPT/RSC- PIA 8 Southern Leyte)

Southern Leyte enjoins full participation of LGUs in Earth Hour power switch off

by Erna S. Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 14 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Southern Leyte will closely coordinate with the 19 local government units in the province to assure full participation in the synchronized one hour electric power switch-off. Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENR) senior staff Eva Abad disclosed to PIA-Maasin about the switching off of electric power from 8:30 p.m. up to 9:30 p.m. of March 13, 2012 in observance of the Earth Hour simultaneously throughout the province. “The local chief executives were all advised formally through the issuance of a memorandum from Provincial Governor Damian Mercado’s office relative to the energy conservation measures which shall also be observed at the same time throughout the world,” Abad said. The memorandum further urged the provincial and city employees to participate as they were recommended to act as models in the community in the switch off of electricity during the designated schedule in their respective homes, she added. On the same day, the provincial government will also spearhead in the synchronized extraction of the crown of thorns starfish (COTS) throughout the province. Other simultaneous massive collection of COTS scheduled activities will be on March 15-22 during the World Water Way observation and the Earth Day celebration on April 22, she said. (PIA8 SoLeyte)

Leyte allocates P300K to combat crown of thorns starfish explosion

by Erna S. Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 13 (PIA) -- The Southern Leyte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) allocated P 300,000 for the acquisition of spear guns that would get rid of the crown of thorns starfish (COTS) multiplying out of control throughout the province.

“The provincial government considered the overpopulation of COTS as a natural disaster that threatens the marine life in the province,“ Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office (PENRMO) - Coastal Fisheries Resource Management Office (CFRMO) Eva Abad reported to PIA.

“These equipment are needed to inject sodium bisulfate into the COTS located in the deep seas, to kill them,” she said.

On the other hand, COTS found along the shallow waters can be manually extracted with the use of bamboo sticks; however, it should be done with technical guidance, Abad said.

Abad reported that COTS teem in Padre Burgos where a number of divers extracted some 60,000 COTs at one time, while along the shorelines of Barangay Mantahan, Maasin City thousands of COTS were also exterminated.

Meanwhile, the provincial government will spearheaded at least three major initiatives of COTS massive extraction: on March 15-22 in time for the World Water Day celebration, on March 31 during the Earth Hour observation, and another synchronized COTS collection on April 22 throughout the province, Abad disclosed.

The Sogod Bay Sustainable Marine Management Alliance (SBSMMA) will work together in the combat of excessive growth of COTS to include the provision of reading materials for wider information dissemination about the problem, Abad said. (PIA8 SoLeyte)





Mt. Nacolod needs protection

by Sarwell Q. Meniano


TACLOBAN CITY – Southern Leyte’s Mt. Nacolod is being pushed as one of the new conservation areas in the country and there’s a need to protect of its 14,000 hectares forested terrain, believed to be home of several endangered birds.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional chief of the protected areas and wildlife division George Guillermo revealed that there’s an ongoing assessment in the area since last year to find out the biological and physical characteristics of wildlife as well as areas in the terrain occupied by people.

“This mountain range is critical to biodiversity conservation. This is categorized as New Conservation Areas Project in the Philippines (NewCAPP). Although it’s lower in category compared to existing protected areas, but not in terms of quality,” Guillermo told Leyte Samar Daily Express.

The official said they are hoping to complete the assessment this year and it will be declared as conservation area next year. The study and consultation is being carried out by DENR, German Agency for International Cooperation and several local government units and non-government organizations.

Basic activity under the project is the biodiversity assessment, to determine the extent of plant and animal species in the area for conservation and protection. The flora and fauna survey is being done by the Fauna and Flora International (FFI) and will be completed June 2012.

At 1,007 meters above sea level, Mt. Nacolod straddles the municipalities of Silago, Saint Bernard, Libagon and Hinunangan all in Southern Leyte, has been picked as one of the nine pilot sites in the country for the New CAPP.

NewCAPP aims to expand and strengthen the terrestrial protected areas system in the Philippines by developing a new protected area conservation model and build capacity for effective management of the system supported by improved systematic and institutional capacities.

The result of the survey, Guillermo said, can properly guide authorities in planning for appropriate conservation strategies in the area.

According to the DENR, several threatened and restricted-range species of the Mindanao and Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Areas have been recorded in Southern Leyte, and are likely to occur in the remaining forests on Mt. Nacolod. These include the critically endangered Philippine Eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi, Mindanao Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba crinigera, Philippine Eagle-owl Bubo philippensis, Silvery Kingfisher Alcedo argentata, Samar hornbill Penelopides samarensis, among others. Mt. Nacolod is a municipal watershed supplying water to the surrounding towns. The two significant forests on the mountain are the Buac Watershed Forest Reserve and the Hinabian-Lawigan Watershed Reservation. The mountain range originally covered 18,688 ha of forestland. It was declared a Forest Reserve on 25 November 1966 by Proclamation No. 121.

Crown-of-thorns starfish damages coral reefs

by sunstar.com.ph


THE infestation of poisonous crown-of-thorns starfish damaging corals reefs in Southern Leyte’s diving sites has raised alarm among authorities who are blaming climate change and over-collection of the pest predators as the culprit.

The regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is now making assessment report after four divers inspected the area last week to check the extent of damage wrought by “noxious” starfish.

Justerie Granali, acting BFAR Eastern Visayas director, said the infestation has been noted in Maasin City, and in the towns of Padre Burgos and Macrohon.

“We will provide technical assistance to affected local government units. We have been meeting with local officials to discuss ways on how to eliminate this starfish,” Granali said.

She said there are only two ways to stop the infestation – manual removal of the starfish and underwater injection of sodium bisulfate to the pest.

The official lamented that the growing population of crown-of-thorns has been noted when people overexploited the collection of triton trumpet, the only known predator of adult starfish.

“The sudden change of temperature also attributed to the overpopulation of the number of crown-of-thorns starfish,” Granali said.

In Barangay Mantahan, Maasin City, villagers have removed in their two-day extraction at least 10,000 poisonous starfishes, barangay councilor Jani Arnaiz said.

During last week’s launching ceremony of the Sogod Bay Sustainable Marine Management Alliance, Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado said the Provincial Government has allocated P600,000 for the procurement of spear guns, chemicals and finance information drive.

“We plan to add more funding as soon as the detailed assessment is completed by BFAR. We are scheduled to launch the community removal of damaging starfish on March 23,” Mercado said.

The governor said the infestation is a threat to the local tourism industry.

“Each stakeholder should show concern about the crown of thorns starfish situation,” he said.

According to Provincial Administrator Crispin Arong Jr., the infestation has affected the tourism industry and livelihood activities of fisherfolk.

The Southern Leyte provincial tourism office reported that the Sogod Bay has been drawing local and foreign tourists. The bay has four existing dive shops with each shop attracting an average of 200 visitors every month mostly Europeans.

Sogod Bay covers the municipal water of Padre Burgos, Limasawa, Malitbog, Tomas Oppus, Bontoc, Sogod, Libagon, Liloan, San Francisco, San Ricardo, and Pintuyan.

The crown-of-thorns starfishes eat the coral through sucking. A single starfish can eat five to six square meters of coral per year.

This starfish breeds around December to April and each female is capable of producing 60 million eggs per season. It has an average size of about 10 to 20 arms.

CSWDO–Maasin City kicks off Women’s Month celebration

by Erna S. Gorne


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 7 (PIA) -- The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) – Maasin City will kickoff it’s two-day celebration with motorcade and seminar-orientations series on climate change tomorrow.

In line with this year's Women's Month theme, “Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability, Everyone’s Responsibility,” CSWDO has prepared seminar- orientations focused on Climate Change on the first day for some 300 women in the locality, CSWD Officer Febe Maria Sta. Cruz said.

Sta. Cruz said on the second day , which is scheduled on March 22, they have lined up several free services for the women such as medical consultation, pedicure, manicure, massage, legal consultations and women showcases on successful livelihood programs.

She said different women groups coming from the 70 - barangay women councils, Day Care workers, Local Women Council officers and other women organizations are expected to join the lined up activities.

On the second scheduled day, the same group of women will be exposed to gender sensitivity issues, Sta Cruz added. (ldl/esg/PIA-8)

5 bridges to be constructed in two So. Leyte towns

by Marcelo M. Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Mar. 6 (PIA) -- Five foreign-assisted bridges, Spanish-inspired structures, will be installed in three barangays in the municipality of Silago and two barangays for San Ricardo municipality within this year.

In a press conference with local media recently, Engr. Carlos Veloso, head of the Department of Public Works and Highways – Southern Leyte Engineering District (DPWH-SLED), identified the locations at barangays Hibatian, Lawa-an, and Bagacay in Silago, and barangays Pinut-an, and Bil-atan in San Ricardo.

But Veloso said implementation of these foreign-funded bridge projects will be undertaken by the DPWH central office, including the bidding procedures, which he reported as already in process.

Veloso cannot say how much was the overall costs of the five bridge projects, which were funded by Spain, saying only that as far as he knew, the Philippine government has put up a counterpart fund of around P 50 million.

Meanwhile, a groundbreaking ceremony has been scheduled on March 8, Thursday, for the four bridge projects funded out of the agency’s regular funds.

Starting last week, traffic in the city’s main road was re-routed as the widening of the said bridge was already in full blast, the project officially called “replacement of Tuburan Bridge” with an appropriation of P 10 million.

Widening of another old bridge in the city, in barangay Combado, will follow, as well as the one in barangay San Roque, Macrohon, while work for the completion of the Subang Daku bridge in Sogod is underway.

Replacement of Combado arch bridge has an outlay of P 8 million, while the construction of San Roque bridge, P 18.2 million. Subang Daku bridge in Sogod, which is expected to be finished within the year, was allotted P 48 million, and concreting on the approaches on both ends of the said bridge, P 40 million. (PIA8-Southern Leyte)

City trains reserve Army force for quick emergency response

by Marcelo M. Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Mar. 5 (PIA) -- As an integral part of its action plan for disaster preparedness, the local government unit here organized its choice personnel as Army reservists and subjected them to a 30-day para-military training starting Mar 3 and 4, and every weekend thereafter. Selected to compose one company of 50 individuals were mostly city ordinance enforcers and those coming from the office of general services, usually the same frontline personnel on call during potential calamity situations, such as inclement weather. They will undergo Special Basic Citizens Military Training (SBCMT) Class 01-12 every Saturday and Sunday for the equivalent of one month at the Army Reserve Command Headquarters in barangay Canturing, this city. The opening ceremony for this batch was held at the city gym Friday,Mar 2, which also coincided with the pinning of rank to city Mayor Maloney Samaco as Major in the Philippine Army Reserve. Samaco, speaker in the occasion, said that the organization of a ready reserve was primarily intended for easy mobilization during calamities. The army reserve company in the city, once established, will also be utilized in the conduct of various activities on disaster preparedness, along with other socio-civic undertaking, like serving as a support group during the conduct of free medical-dental services in the city, Samaco also said. (PIA8-Southern Leyte)





Four island LGUs in Region 8 due for rabies-free recognition

by Marcelo M. Pedalino


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Mar. 4 (PIA) -- Three island municipalities and an island province in Eastern Visayas are leading the race to be declared places where the virus on rabies from dogs is practically non-existent. These are Limasawa island in Southern Leyte, Almagro island in Samar, Maripipi Island in Biliran, and the entire island-province of Biliran itself, said Dr. Norietta Orsua, Regional Rabies Prevention and Control Program Manager of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional office. Speaking at the organizational meeting of the City Rabies Control Committee (CRCC) in this city last week, Orsua said the declaration as rabies-free places can be expected as soon as the central office shall have finished its final validation on the results of their assessment anytime soon. Orsua, who discussed the details of the law on the control and elimination of rabies, or Republic Act 9482, passed in 2007, said the four LGUs have actively complied with certain criteria for a place to be declared officially as rabies-free. Among these were a functional rabies control committee, a sustained information drive on caring of pets and to be responsible owners of these pets, and a high incidence of immunized dogs, with a minimum requirement of 70 percent compliance rate. For now, there is no problem on the availability of the vaccines for dogs as the Philippines was a recipient of a grant from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) for supplies until the year 2013, Orsua said. She added, however, that beyond 2013 it will be the challenge of the LGUs to maintain what was started and procure by themselves the vaccines for the dogs and for people accidentally bitten by dogs. She said RA 9482 specifically cited a penalty of P 7,000 for owners who refuse to have their dogs registered and immunized, and a separate penalty of P 10,000.00 for owners who refused to have their dogs, which had bitten someone, submit to a 14-day observation period. Still another penalty of P 25,000.00 will be slapped for non-complying owners for the 14-day mandatory observation period if they will refuse to shoulder expenses caused by their dog that had bitten a person, Orsua stressed. (PIA8-Southern Leyte)


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