TACLOBAN CITY – The classrooms that the family of Councilor Jerry “Sambo” Yaokasin donated to the education sector is of great help to address the needs of additional classroom in the city, this according to Tacloban city school division superintendent Marissa Magan.
The Yaokasin family through the help of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated and the Tacloban Federation of Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry selected the V&G de la Cruz Memorial School as recipients to some classroom buildings that the family donated and was turned over last week.
The building with two classrooms is equipped with ceiling fan and two comfort rooms per classroom built at a cost P400, 000.
According to Magan, a lot of public schools in the city have not yet meet the ideal ratio of students to classroom needs.
“The ideal ratio of students to the classroom is still a problem, which we in the agency can’t address,” said Magan.
“That is why we are tapping private and business sectors to help us in looking for solution to this problem,” Magan added.“This donation of the Yaokasin family will surely address the needs of this school, and I hope that the private sector continues to help us in finding solution to this problem,” Magan added.
Aside from the ideal ratio of students to classrooms, Magan added that ratio of teacher to students needs also to be address.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Flood control project to be implemented in Palo
PALO, Leyte – The municipal government here through the help of funds coming from the provincial government of Leyte, the Department of Public Works and Highways(DPWH) and the Department of Budget and Management(DBM) will soon implement flood control project in Bangon River, one of the major river in said municipality.
Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla in an interview revealed that the provincial government through Governor Jericho Petilla provided P25 million for said project.
Said amount was taken from the incentives that the provincial government received after being awarded with the Seal of Good Housekeeping and the Pamana ng Lahi Awards.
“My job was to determine the area where to put the project,” said Petilla.
Around two kilometers from Brgy. Purisima to some portion of Brgy. St. Michael were identified to be included in the project implementation that will include dredging and concreting of river embankment, said Petilla.
However, said amount is not enough, according to Petilla, as it needs a huge amount.
“We are doing it little by little because we can’t afford to provide the whole amount,” Petilla added.
Aside from the provincial government, the DPWH had also provided funds for the project as instructed by President Aquino amounting to P46 million, said Petilla.
“It was decided that the project for that amount be put in the area of Brgy. Purisima along that embankment to limit and reduce the erosion cause by the flow of water,” Petilla added.
After the flooding in March last year, the agency presented a survey of the river and proposed a plan of action, which aside from the dredging and rechanneling of Bangon River that traverses the town of Palo, also asked for the putting up of a river control system that would cease scouring of the river bed and consequently prevent further soil erosion.
It was estimated to cost P50 million as earlier proposed by the DPWH.
Aside from the DPWH, DBM had also allocated a total of P320 million for the same project which is to be give on staggered basis as instructed by Secretary Florencio Abad on orders by President Aquino, according to Petilla.
The populated area along the river bank is to be prioritize once the DBM releases portion of the budget.
“We will prioritize the populated area which is about one kilometer and those identified as critical points,” Petilla stressed.
To recall, after the March 17, 2011 flood Mayor Petilla immediately asked assistance from the national government for the construction of river control and maintain the condition of the Bernard Reed Bridge over the Bangon River.
On Dec. 27 of the same year, another flood hit the town forcing people residing along the river banks to evacuate to safer grounds.
Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla in an interview revealed that the provincial government through Governor Jericho Petilla provided P25 million for said project.
Said amount was taken from the incentives that the provincial government received after being awarded with the Seal of Good Housekeeping and the Pamana ng Lahi Awards.
“My job was to determine the area where to put the project,” said Petilla.
Around two kilometers from Brgy. Purisima to some portion of Brgy. St. Michael were identified to be included in the project implementation that will include dredging and concreting of river embankment, said Petilla.
However, said amount is not enough, according to Petilla, as it needs a huge amount.
“We are doing it little by little because we can’t afford to provide the whole amount,” Petilla added.
Aside from the provincial government, the DPWH had also provided funds for the project as instructed by President Aquino amounting to P46 million, said Petilla.
“It was decided that the project for that amount be put in the area of Brgy. Purisima along that embankment to limit and reduce the erosion cause by the flow of water,” Petilla added.
After the flooding in March last year, the agency presented a survey of the river and proposed a plan of action, which aside from the dredging and rechanneling of Bangon River that traverses the town of Palo, also asked for the putting up of a river control system that would cease scouring of the river bed and consequently prevent further soil erosion.
It was estimated to cost P50 million as earlier proposed by the DPWH.
Aside from the DPWH, DBM had also allocated a total of P320 million for the same project which is to be give on staggered basis as instructed by Secretary Florencio Abad on orders by President Aquino, according to Petilla.
The populated area along the river bank is to be prioritize once the DBM releases portion of the budget.
“We will prioritize the populated area which is about one kilometer and those identified as critical points,” Petilla stressed.
To recall, after the March 17, 2011 flood Mayor Petilla immediately asked assistance from the national government for the construction of river control and maintain the condition of the Bernard Reed Bridge over the Bangon River.
On Dec. 27 of the same year, another flood hit the town forcing people residing along the river banks to evacuate to safer grounds.
Leyte SP approves ordinance on cellular tower regulations
TACLOBAN CITY – Members of the Leyte provincial board approved on Tuesday Ordinance No. 2012-01 regulating the construction and maintenance of cellular towers across the province.
The proposed measure is authored by Board Member Roque Tiu,who chairs the committee on environment and natural resources.
The ordinance was borne out on the numerous complaints he recieved on the mushrooming of cell site towers in the province, Tiu said.
Although it was found out that cell site towers radiation do not poses any harm to humans, Tiu still pursued with the enactment of the ordinance after it was suggested by government agency officials who attended the public hearings his committee initiated to go on with the drafting of the ordinance for regulation purposes.
Tiu added that it was also noticed that some contractors who were hired to put up tower sites do not secure any permits from the local government units concerned.
“Some contractors and owners of these cell sites are not complying or follow what are mandated by our law like securing a mayor’s building permit and zoning ordinance of the municipality,” Tiu explained.
With the approval of the ordinance, Tiu expects for mobile phone signal providers to include their contractors to obey the provisions cited in the ordinance as per section 7 of the provincial ordinance the office of the building official will assess and evaluate the building plan, mechanical and electrical plan in accordance with the National Building Code and shall issue certificate of clearance while the Bureau of Fire Protection must issue fire safety evaluation clearance after the compliance with the fire and life safety requirements.
Once this documentary requirements are accomplished, the members of the sangguniang bayan shall conduct an initial review on the documents before passing a resolution endorsing to them for approval by issuing a resolution interposing no objection, Tiu said.
Violators of the ordinance faces a penalty of P5, 000 and imprisonment from four to six months.
The proposed measure is authored by Board Member Roque Tiu,who chairs the committee on environment and natural resources.
The ordinance was borne out on the numerous complaints he recieved on the mushrooming of cell site towers in the province, Tiu said.
Although it was found out that cell site towers radiation do not poses any harm to humans, Tiu still pursued with the enactment of the ordinance after it was suggested by government agency officials who attended the public hearings his committee initiated to go on with the drafting of the ordinance for regulation purposes.
Tiu added that it was also noticed that some contractors who were hired to put up tower sites do not secure any permits from the local government units concerned.
“Some contractors and owners of these cell sites are not complying or follow what are mandated by our law like securing a mayor’s building permit and zoning ordinance of the municipality,” Tiu explained.
With the approval of the ordinance, Tiu expects for mobile phone signal providers to include their contractors to obey the provisions cited in the ordinance as per section 7 of the provincial ordinance the office of the building official will assess and evaluate the building plan, mechanical and electrical plan in accordance with the National Building Code and shall issue certificate of clearance while the Bureau of Fire Protection must issue fire safety evaluation clearance after the compliance with the fire and life safety requirements.
Once this documentary requirements are accomplished, the members of the sangguniang bayan shall conduct an initial review on the documents before passing a resolution endorsing to them for approval by issuing a resolution interposing no objection, Tiu said.
Violators of the ordinance faces a penalty of P5, 000 and imprisonment from four to six months.
DPWH, SP both correct in filing cases versus illegal settlers
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways and the Sangguniang Panlungsod officials of this city are both correct on their respective stand with regards to the fillng of cases against illegal settlers in Tacloban.
This was according to Councilor Jerry Uy, the committee chair of laws, rules and privileges.
Uy, who is also a lawyer, stressed that the DPWH-Tacloban sub-district officials are supported by laws as their basis in implementing their program on road right of way (RROW) to take all illegal structure along the road.
“They are just implementing it to widen the road,” Uy said.
“But in our present law, informal settlers must be provided with relocation site before their houses can be subjected for demolition,” he added.
Based in the records of the City Social Welfare and Develoment Office, there are around5,000 informal settlers in Tacloban which needs to be given with proper attention by providing them their relocation or resettlement sites.
There are reports that some of the informal settlers who are affected with the RROW project had a dialogue with the Tacloban sub-district officials and were given a resettlement site located in the northern area of the city.
However, the identified relocation site of the city government was rejected by those who will be affected by the demolition, Uy said.
“What they should provide is a resettlement area which the people will approve,” he stressed.
Councilor Jerry Yaokasin said that this problem of relocating the informal settlers can be addressed properly if there is one office that will handle their problem.
The city council has earlier approved an ordinance creating the Urban Poor Affairs Office only to be vetoed by Mayor Alfred Romualdez.
Said odinance was authored by Councilor Niel Glova, charman of the committee on urban poor.
“If the mayor had just signed that ordinance, this problem will not exist because there is an office where these people will go and provide solution to their problem,” said Yaokasin.
“I don’t know and I don’t understand why this was vetoed by the mayor.I don’t know what’s in his mind and what kind of solution is he thinking of right to address this because this needs a long term program,” Yaokasin said.
“If they want to find solution to this problem, it should not stop in identifying resettlement sites as other basic needs of those to be affected must also be provided, such as their needs on education, livelihood and sanitation,” Yaokasin said.
This was according to Councilor Jerry Uy, the committee chair of laws, rules and privileges.
Uy, who is also a lawyer, stressed that the DPWH-Tacloban sub-district officials are supported by laws as their basis in implementing their program on road right of way (RROW) to take all illegal structure along the road.
“They are just implementing it to widen the road,” Uy said.
“But in our present law, informal settlers must be provided with relocation site before their houses can be subjected for demolition,” he added.
Based in the records of the City Social Welfare and Develoment Office, there are around5,000 informal settlers in Tacloban which needs to be given with proper attention by providing them their relocation or resettlement sites.
There are reports that some of the informal settlers who are affected with the RROW project had a dialogue with the Tacloban sub-district officials and were given a resettlement site located in the northern area of the city.
However, the identified relocation site of the city government was rejected by those who will be affected by the demolition, Uy said.
“What they should provide is a resettlement area which the people will approve,” he stressed.
Councilor Jerry Yaokasin said that this problem of relocating the informal settlers can be addressed properly if there is one office that will handle their problem.
The city council has earlier approved an ordinance creating the Urban Poor Affairs Office only to be vetoed by Mayor Alfred Romualdez.
Said odinance was authored by Councilor Niel Glova, charman of the committee on urban poor.
“If the mayor had just signed that ordinance, this problem will not exist because there is an office where these people will go and provide solution to their problem,” said Yaokasin.
“I don’t know and I don’t understand why this was vetoed by the mayor.I don’t know what’s in his mind and what kind of solution is he thinking of right to address this because this needs a long term program,” Yaokasin said.
“If they want to find solution to this problem, it should not stop in identifying resettlement sites as other basic needs of those to be affected must also be provided, such as their needs on education, livelihood and sanitation,” Yaokasin said.
Leyte SP passes resolution extending condolence to family of late ex-Gov. ‘Kokoy’ Romualdez
TACLOBAN CITY – A resolution extending their condolences to the family of the late former Leyte Governor Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez was unanimously passed by members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan this after majority floor leader Carlo Loreto announced the bad news to his fellow board members that the former governor has passed away.
Romualdez was the younger brother of former first lady Imelda Marcos, who is now a member of the House of Representatives representing the Ilocos province.
Kokoy, as he was fondly called, aside from being the former governor of Leyte was also the country’s ambassador to the Republic of China, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States.
The resolution of condolence was authored by Board Member Roque Tiu.
“It was just proper to extend our condolences and sympathies to the former governor who was an illustrious son of Leyte and had served the province for such a long time,” said Tiu in an interview.
“He was not just a governor of Leyte but he was also an ambassador of the country to the United States,” Tiu added.
“We will send this resolution to his family, and I am sure that the governor ( Jericho Petilla) will offer to lay the body of the former governor at the provincial capitol building to pay respect for him,” he added.
Loreto, meantime, said that provincial administrator Vincent “Vince” Emnas had already issued an order to all offices in the provincial capitol to put the Philippine flag at half-mast as due recognition to a former governor.Loreto added that the provincial government is also ready anytime when the family of the late governor decides to lie his remains at the provincial capitol building.
“We are ready for necrological mass and the province is always open for them,” Loreto stressed.
“The governor I’m sure is very willing to offer and to have the body of the late governor to be brought to the provincial capitol, so that those who are working in the province and our constituents will have the chance to see him for the last time and extend their sentiment to the family of the late governor,” Loreto added.
Both board members added that Romualdez was not just a public servant but had also set as example to others as he was one of those leaders in the province who was well loved and admired by the people.
Romualdez was the younger brother of former first lady Imelda Marcos, who is now a member of the House of Representatives representing the Ilocos province.
Kokoy, as he was fondly called, aside from being the former governor of Leyte was also the country’s ambassador to the Republic of China, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States.
The resolution of condolence was authored by Board Member Roque Tiu.
“It was just proper to extend our condolences and sympathies to the former governor who was an illustrious son of Leyte and had served the province for such a long time,” said Tiu in an interview.
“He was not just a governor of Leyte but he was also an ambassador of the country to the United States,” Tiu added.
“We will send this resolution to his family, and I am sure that the governor ( Jericho Petilla) will offer to lay the body of the former governor at the provincial capitol building to pay respect for him,” he added.
Loreto, meantime, said that provincial administrator Vincent “Vince” Emnas had already issued an order to all offices in the provincial capitol to put the Philippine flag at half-mast as due recognition to a former governor.Loreto added that the provincial government is also ready anytime when the family of the late governor decides to lie his remains at the provincial capitol building.
“We are ready for necrological mass and the province is always open for them,” Loreto stressed.
“The governor I’m sure is very willing to offer and to have the body of the late governor to be brought to the provincial capitol, so that those who are working in the province and our constituents will have the chance to see him for the last time and extend their sentiment to the family of the late governor,” Loreto added.
Both board members added that Romualdez was not just a public servant but had also set as example to others as he was one of those leaders in the province who was well loved and admired by the people.
BM Tiu welcomes city government’s decision not to hold lavish fiesta celeb
TACLOBAN CITY – Not having a lavish city celebration is a wise decision of the city government and it is welcome to them, according to Pintados founding chairman Roque Tiu when asked to comment on the earlier announcement of Tacloban City Councilor Cristina Romualdez.
“I hope that with this pronouncement and with her previous pronouncements in December last year that they want unity, we will have a more meaningful and peaceful fiesta celebration by allowing every group to contribute their activity in relation to the city fiesta,” Tiu said.
To recall, in the special session held last week, Romualdez announced that it was decided by the committee on tourism of which she chairs not to hold a lavish fiesta celebration to lessen expenses of the city government.
Although it is inevitable to spend during fiesta celebration, Romualdez said that the priority of the city government under Mayor Alfred Romualdez right now is to provide the needs of the people like those who are working in the city government.
Tiu said that ever since the Pintados Festival was organized in 1987, the city government did not spent any amount as it was their foundation that organized all activities related to the city fiesta.
“We never forced them to give us anything, the only thing we have asked from them is to allow us to handle all activities for the city fiesta,” Tiu said.
“We do really want help from the city government but they never gave us anything financially,” Tiu added.
Tiu also revealed that there are officials who always associate the celebration to politics, which cannot be avoided as one of the main
supporters of the Pintados Festival is the provincial government.
“Associating us with politics had been going on since the time of former mayors Uldarico Mate and Bejo Romualdez,” said Tiu.
“What we really want was help from both the province and city governments but when the provincial government lends uswith help the city government abandons us,” Tiu added.
Tiu said that they also solicit supports from the private sector.
He added that the good relation between the Pintados officials and the provincial government had also paved the way for the merging of Pintados to Kasadyaan Festival which is a creation of the provincial governent when now Palo Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla was the governor of the province.
“I hope that with this pronouncement and with her previous pronouncements in December last year that they want unity, we will have a more meaningful and peaceful fiesta celebration by allowing every group to contribute their activity in relation to the city fiesta,” Tiu said.
To recall, in the special session held last week, Romualdez announced that it was decided by the committee on tourism of which she chairs not to hold a lavish fiesta celebration to lessen expenses of the city government.
Although it is inevitable to spend during fiesta celebration, Romualdez said that the priority of the city government under Mayor Alfred Romualdez right now is to provide the needs of the people like those who are working in the city government.
Tiu said that ever since the Pintados Festival was organized in 1987, the city government did not spent any amount as it was their foundation that organized all activities related to the city fiesta.
“We never forced them to give us anything, the only thing we have asked from them is to allow us to handle all activities for the city fiesta,” Tiu said.
“We do really want help from the city government but they never gave us anything financially,” Tiu added.
Tiu also revealed that there are officials who always associate the celebration to politics, which cannot be avoided as one of the main
supporters of the Pintados Festival is the provincial government.
“Associating us with politics had been going on since the time of former mayors Uldarico Mate and Bejo Romualdez,” said Tiu.
“What we really want was help from both the province and city governments but when the provincial government lends uswith help the city government abandons us,” Tiu added.
Tiu said that they also solicit supports from the private sector.
He added that the good relation between the Pintados officials and the provincial government had also paved the way for the merging of Pintados to Kasadyaan Festival which is a creation of the provincial governent when now Palo Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla was the governor of the province.
Hilongos mayor elated over arrest of some drug suspects
TACLOBAN CITY – The municipal mayor of Hilongos, Leyte says he happy to learn about the eradication of illegal drug trade in his town this after the arrest of eight of the 13 most wanted drug pushers operating in Hilongos.
Mayor Jose Emery Robe in a brief interview expressed optimism that in due time all those listed in the most wanted list would be apprehended by law enforcers in his town.
To recall, early this year the Number 7 and Number 8 most wanted drug pusher namely Ricardo Naul and William Malbas were arrested by operatives of the Hilongos Philippine National Police in different buy-bust operations in said town.
With this achievement of the Hilongos law enforcers headed by Chief Inspector Ramil Amodia, Roble said that he is hopeful that all those listed in the most wanted list will be apprehended to achieve their goal in making their town as a drug-free municipality.
“We will continue our fight against illegal drugs, and we notice that when we started this campaign slowly those who are into said illegal trade are not seen in the municipality anymore,” Robe said.
“This only becomes a problem because the previous administration didn’t do anything to solve the problem,” Roble added.
Roble added that based on the information they gathered on the source of illegal drugs, they were informed that illegal drugs come from nearby towns and some are from the province of Cebu.
“But most of them don’t really tell if where and who are their sources,” Robe said.
Mayor Jose Emery Robe in a brief interview expressed optimism that in due time all those listed in the most wanted list would be apprehended by law enforcers in his town.
To recall, early this year the Number 7 and Number 8 most wanted drug pusher namely Ricardo Naul and William Malbas were arrested by operatives of the Hilongos Philippine National Police in different buy-bust operations in said town.
With this achievement of the Hilongos law enforcers headed by Chief Inspector Ramil Amodia, Roble said that he is hopeful that all those listed in the most wanted list will be apprehended to achieve their goal in making their town as a drug-free municipality.
“We will continue our fight against illegal drugs, and we notice that when we started this campaign slowly those who are into said illegal trade are not seen in the municipality anymore,” Robe said.
“This only becomes a problem because the previous administration didn’t do anything to solve the problem,” Roble added.
Roble added that based on the information they gathered on the source of illegal drugs, they were informed that illegal drugs come from nearby towns and some are from the province of Cebu.
“But most of them don’t really tell if where and who are their sources,” Robe said.
DoT to build 32 feet sculpture depicting First Mass in Limasawa, Southern Leyte
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Tourism (DoT) will implement this year the project to build a sculpture depicting the First Mass in Limasawa, Southern Leyte by commissioning the service of well-known architect Nemesio “Nemi” Miranda who was creator of the famous People Power monument at Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Manila.
Miranda was tasked by the DoT to make an image of the First Mass with a height of 32 feet at the public plaza located in Barangay Magallanes.
The perspective of the project was finished sometime last year.
The DoT set aside a budget of P7 million for this project which is expected to draw tourists who visit the historic island, especially every March 31.
Based on historical account, the First Mass in the Orient was held in March 31, 1521 when Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan under Spanish flag landed in the island celebrated he mass at Barangay Magallanes and planted a cross.
Based on the DoT tourist arrival records last year, the National Shrine in Limasawa was among the most visited tourism sites in the region last year.
Aside from the project to be implemented by the DoT, the provincial government of Southern Leyte, which included Limasawa under its tourism master plan, is also set to construct a 100-meter high cross in the island, equipped with elevator to reach the top portion where businesses like a coffee shop are to be put up.
The provincial government estimated that the project will cost about P80 million.
During last year’s 490th First Mass celebration, Bishop Precioso Cantillas of the diocese of Maasin launched the “Decade of Evangelization”
that will culminate on March 31, 2021, the 500th year anniversary of the historic event.
Miranda was tasked by the DoT to make an image of the First Mass with a height of 32 feet at the public plaza located in Barangay Magallanes.
The perspective of the project was finished sometime last year.
The DoT set aside a budget of P7 million for this project which is expected to draw tourists who visit the historic island, especially every March 31.
Based on historical account, the First Mass in the Orient was held in March 31, 1521 when Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan under Spanish flag landed in the island celebrated he mass at Barangay Magallanes and planted a cross.
Based on the DoT tourist arrival records last year, the National Shrine in Limasawa was among the most visited tourism sites in the region last year.
Aside from the project to be implemented by the DoT, the provincial government of Southern Leyte, which included Limasawa under its tourism master plan, is also set to construct a 100-meter high cross in the island, equipped with elevator to reach the top portion where businesses like a coffee shop are to be put up.
The provincial government estimated that the project will cost about P80 million.
During last year’s 490th First Mass celebration, Bishop Precioso Cantillas of the diocese of Maasin launched the “Decade of Evangelization”
that will culminate on March 31, 2021, the 500th year anniversary of the historic event.
BID collars 8 Chinese working without permit in E. Samar
TACLOBAN CITY – The Bureau of Immigration Intelligence Division Central Office collard eight Chinese nationals in two municipalities in Eastern Samar for working without permit in a mining company.
Marian Hazel Badillo, BID legal officer, said that the action of the agency was in response to a complaint filed by a citizen that there are Chinese nationals who are working in some mining company operating in the province without necessary permits.
After it was verified by personnel of the BID regional office, a team was sent to the region coming from the central office to conduct operation resulting for apprehending eight Chinese nationals working in Dinshang Mining Corporation in Hernani town and Yin Shu Mining Corporation in Salcedo town.
“Of the eight apprehended Chinese nationals, three have passports; however, when it was verified it was learned that they are already overstaying,” Badillo said.
“While the others are undocumented, and all of them are working without necessary documents,” she added.
With this violation, Badillo said that the eight suspects were all charged with violation of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.
Four of the Chinese nationals were already sent to Metro Manila while the other Chinese nationals identified as En Qing Xie, Xue Guang Hu, Honbing Yin and Lou Zheng Nan were detained at the National Bureau of Investigation after waiving for they asked preliminary investigation, Badillo said.
In relation to this, Badillo said that they are still conducting investigation to several reports that there are still foreign nationals working in the region without getting or acquiring necessary permits from their office and from the Department of Labor and Employment.
She added once they received complaints or report that there are foreign nationals working without necessary permits in the region, they immediately forwarded said complaints to their central office to make necessary action and verification if indeed said complaints are true.
Marian Hazel Badillo, BID legal officer, said that the action of the agency was in response to a complaint filed by a citizen that there are Chinese nationals who are working in some mining company operating in the province without necessary permits.
After it was verified by personnel of the BID regional office, a team was sent to the region coming from the central office to conduct operation resulting for apprehending eight Chinese nationals working in Dinshang Mining Corporation in Hernani town and Yin Shu Mining Corporation in Salcedo town.
“Of the eight apprehended Chinese nationals, three have passports; however, when it was verified it was learned that they are already overstaying,” Badillo said.
“While the others are undocumented, and all of them are working without necessary documents,” she added.
With this violation, Badillo said that the eight suspects were all charged with violation of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.
Four of the Chinese nationals were already sent to Metro Manila while the other Chinese nationals identified as En Qing Xie, Xue Guang Hu, Honbing Yin and Lou Zheng Nan were detained at the National Bureau of Investigation after waiving for they asked preliminary investigation, Badillo said.
In relation to this, Badillo said that they are still conducting investigation to several reports that there are still foreign nationals working in the region without getting or acquiring necessary permits from their office and from the Department of Labor and Employment.
She added once they received complaints or report that there are foreign nationals working without necessary permits in the region, they immediately forwarded said complaints to their central office to make necessary action and verification if indeed said complaints are true.
NorAsian to submit to Leyte SP what committee on energy wants
TACLOBAN CITY – The NorAsian Energy Limited will abide whatever the order to be issued by the members of the committee on energy og the provincial board of Leyte.
Thus assured Engr. Bert Garcia, engineering manager of NorAsian, when asked what they will do after Board Member Anlie Apostol motioned for the referral to her committee the supposed presentation that the company will do to the members of the provincial board.
NorAsian together with representatives from the Department of Energy through the letter of DOE –Visayas Field Office Director Antonio Labios seeks for an approval of a resolution to seismic survey to be conducted in some parts of Leyte province northwest portion.
“If she wanted us to appear in the committee hearing, we will do so,” said Garcia.
Apostol requested from her colleagues to defer the presentation as it needs to be studied first by her committee.
The seismic survey will be implemented in the municipalities of Tabango, San Isidro, Leyte town and Calubian, according to Garcia.
“This is much bigger than the previous on-shore seismic survey that we conducted in the municipality of San Isidro,” Garcia said.
The area will cover service contract 51, he added.
The Australian firm is aiming to discover possibility of oil and gas supply in those areas which had been subject of exploration in the 1950s.
However, it was stopped due to some problem, according to Garcia.
“We are hoping that we will find oil in the location,” Garcia added.
NorAsian, along with Trans-Asia, Alcorn Gold Resources Corp., and PetroEnergy Resources Corp. are the firms behind the off-shore oil exploration in service contract 51 last year and it encompasses around 332,000 hectares over the northwest Leyte basin and is estimated to produce two million to 18 million barrels of oil.
Thus assured Engr. Bert Garcia, engineering manager of NorAsian, when asked what they will do after Board Member Anlie Apostol motioned for the referral to her committee the supposed presentation that the company will do to the members of the provincial board.
NorAsian together with representatives from the Department of Energy through the letter of DOE –Visayas Field Office Director Antonio Labios seeks for an approval of a resolution to seismic survey to be conducted in some parts of Leyte province northwest portion.
“If she wanted us to appear in the committee hearing, we will do so,” said Garcia.
Apostol requested from her colleagues to defer the presentation as it needs to be studied first by her committee.
The seismic survey will be implemented in the municipalities of Tabango, San Isidro, Leyte town and Calubian, according to Garcia.
“This is much bigger than the previous on-shore seismic survey that we conducted in the municipality of San Isidro,” Garcia said.
The area will cover service contract 51, he added.
The Australian firm is aiming to discover possibility of oil and gas supply in those areas which had been subject of exploration in the 1950s.
However, it was stopped due to some problem, according to Garcia.
“We are hoping that we will find oil in the location,” Garcia added.
NorAsian, along with Trans-Asia, Alcorn Gold Resources Corp., and PetroEnergy Resources Corp. are the firms behind the off-shore oil exploration in service contract 51 last year and it encompasses around 332,000 hectares over the northwest Leyte basin and is estimated to produce two million to 18 million barrels of oil.
Person with Disability Act not yet fully implemented in Leyte
TACLOBAN CITY – Republic Act 9442 or the Person with Disability Act is not yet fully implemented in the province of Leyte, according to the result of the committee hearing that was conducted by the committee on social services headed by the Board Deborah Bertulfo.
In her committee report she made during their last session, Bertulfo divulged that based on the hearing they conducted, among the reasons why said law is not yet fully implemented is that most of the local government units in the province are not aware of the law.
“The focal person of person with disabilities of the Provincial Social Welfare Office Alma Mañosa said that RA 9442 is not fully implemented in the municipal level due to lack of advocacy,” Bertulfo said.
However, in the provincial level, RA 9442 is being undertaken in different fora and in different quarterly conferences, Bertulfo said.
Bertulfo also cited that based in their talked with Barta, most of the buildings in the entire province of Leyte are not yet acceptable to people with disabilities as there are some buildings that cannot provide access for exclusive use of persons with disabilities.
“This means that there are buildings that have not yet complied with the provisions of the law, that provies access ramps,” she said.
Bertulfo added Barta also informed them that in the implementation of providing discount privilege for senior citizens for medicine, only two pharmacies provide such privilege, the Mercury Drug and the Rose Pharmacy.
With this result, the comittee recommended for the province further dialogue should be conducted and to come up with a provincial ordinance for the enforcement of said law.
In her committee report she made during their last session, Bertulfo divulged that based on the hearing they conducted, among the reasons why said law is not yet fully implemented is that most of the local government units in the province are not aware of the law.
“The focal person of person with disabilities of the Provincial Social Welfare Office Alma Mañosa said that RA 9442 is not fully implemented in the municipal level due to lack of advocacy,” Bertulfo said.
However, in the provincial level, RA 9442 is being undertaken in different fora and in different quarterly conferences, Bertulfo said.
Bertulfo also cited that based in their talked with Barta, most of the buildings in the entire province of Leyte are not yet acceptable to people with disabilities as there are some buildings that cannot provide access for exclusive use of persons with disabilities.
“This means that there are buildings that have not yet complied with the provisions of the law, that provies access ramps,” she said.
Bertulfo added Barta also informed them that in the implementation of providing discount privilege for senior citizens for medicine, only two pharmacies provide such privilege, the Mercury Drug and the Rose Pharmacy.
With this result, the comittee recommended for the province further dialogue should be conducted and to come up with a provincial ordinance for the enforcement of said law.
Palo SB passes resolution granting authority to its mayor to enter into agreement with DAR
TACLOBAN CITY – Members of the municipal council of Palo recently passed a resolution granting Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla authority to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Agrarian Reform for the ARC project.
The memorandum of agreement will be a counter parting scheme which DAR will provide 60% of the total cost of project while the municipal government will shoulder the remaining 40%, said Palo town councilor Wilson Uy.
The project to be implemented is a farm-to-market road which is still to be determine by the municipal government if which barangay to be put, Uy added.
“We go to counter parting because we know that is the best option to implement a project if a local government unit lack fund for project implementation,” Uy explained.
Before they approve the resolution Uy revealed that they sent a letter to the DAR office informing them that the municipal government is willing to accept the project in a form of counter parting.
“That is the trend now in project implementation of the national government, what that local government responsibility after the implementation is we are task to maintain it,” Uy added.
Uy added that probably the FMR project to be implemented is a road opening from barangays that as not in full accessibility to the town center.
He added that last year, the same project was also implemented in the municipality of Palo with DAR.
The memorandum of agreement will be a counter parting scheme which DAR will provide 60% of the total cost of project while the municipal government will shoulder the remaining 40%, said Palo town councilor Wilson Uy.
The project to be implemented is a farm-to-market road which is still to be determine by the municipal government if which barangay to be put, Uy added.
“We go to counter parting because we know that is the best option to implement a project if a local government unit lack fund for project implementation,” Uy explained.
Before they approve the resolution Uy revealed that they sent a letter to the DAR office informing them that the municipal government is willing to accept the project in a form of counter parting.
“That is the trend now in project implementation of the national government, what that local government responsibility after the implementation is we are task to maintain it,” Uy added.
Uy added that probably the FMR project to be implemented is a road opening from barangays that as not in full accessibility to the town center.
He added that last year, the same project was also implemented in the municipality of Palo with DAR.
Tacloban fiesta celebration this year won’t be lavish – Councilor Romualdez
TACLOBAN CITY – Tacloban’s fiesta this year would not be lavish as the city government will implement an austerity measure, thus declared Councilor Cristina Romualdez.
Romualdez made this pronouncements during the special session held by the city council last Monday.
The council members conducted the special session to approve a supplemental budget for the giving of cash incentives to the city employees.
It was learned from Romualdez, that her commitee has discussed on measures to limit the city’s expenses which include the city fiesta celebration this June.
This pronouncement of Romualdez was an indirect admission that the city administration has been spending too much during the fiesta celebration, Councilor Jerry Yaokasin said.
“It is good to hear that because they must have been spending too much,” Yaokasin said.
The city government spend around P7 million to P10 million every city fiesta based on documents that they have obtained,Yaokasin said.
“If they had turned it over to the private sector or a private organization, the city government might not be spending anything as the private sector has more capability of handling it and they can get more advertisements,” Yaokasin added.“This will be a welcome move if they will really do it,” he added.
Furthermore, Yaokasin stressed that if the city government really intends to promote the tourism industry of the city, they must create a slogan or come up with a tourism infrastructure that will promote the city.
“City fiesta is held only once a year, what the city government needs is to make a program that will promote the city government the whole year, reason for tourists to visit us whole year round,” Yaokasin said.
Yaokasin added that the city government must learn to adopt the tourism promotion program of Cebu, Davao and Bohol, that are among the top tourism hubs in the Visayas and the Mindanao region.
Romualdez made this pronouncements during the special session held by the city council last Monday.
The council members conducted the special session to approve a supplemental budget for the giving of cash incentives to the city employees.
It was learned from Romualdez, that her commitee has discussed on measures to limit the city’s expenses which include the city fiesta celebration this June.
This pronouncement of Romualdez was an indirect admission that the city administration has been spending too much during the fiesta celebration, Councilor Jerry Yaokasin said.
“It is good to hear that because they must have been spending too much,” Yaokasin said.
The city government spend around P7 million to P10 million every city fiesta based on documents that they have obtained,Yaokasin said.
“If they had turned it over to the private sector or a private organization, the city government might not be spending anything as the private sector has more capability of handling it and they can get more advertisements,” Yaokasin added.“This will be a welcome move if they will really do it,” he added.
Furthermore, Yaokasin stressed that if the city government really intends to promote the tourism industry of the city, they must create a slogan or come up with a tourism infrastructure that will promote the city.
“City fiesta is held only once a year, what the city government needs is to make a program that will promote the city government the whole year, reason for tourists to visit us whole year round,” Yaokasin said.
Yaokasin added that the city government must learn to adopt the tourism promotion program of Cebu, Davao and Bohol, that are among the top tourism hubs in the Visayas and the Mindanao region.
Leyte SP passes resolution allowing NICUA mining to operate in MacArthur, Leyte
TACLOBAN CITY – A resolution interposing no objection was already passed by the members of the provincial board for the magnetite sand operation of the NICUA Mining operation in the municipality of MacArthur, Leyte.
This after the verification made by the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources headed by its chairman Leyte First District Board Roque Tiu on the documents transmitted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Director Roger De Dios in this region.
Based on the letter of Dir De Dios, the mining firm was able to secure the necessary documentary requirements including resolution interposing no objection from the respective Sangguniang Bayan of MacArthur, Leyte as well as from Barangays Pongon and San Pedro in same town.
NICUA was granted with two MPSA in the municipality of MacArthur under MPSA-290-2009-VIII of Vincent Tan Tiong and MPSA-317-2010-VIII of Edgar Lim
To recall, last December 10, 2011, the Director of MGB appeared before the members of the provincial board for the purpose of final consultation regarding the favorable endorsement to the Magnetite Sand Project of Tan Tiong and Lim under the Mines Operating Agreement with NICUA Corporation.
In the final consultation, the MGB Director assured that the mine rehabilitation program of NICUA Corporation at Barangays Pongon and San Pedro will be faithfully implemented by the company and as a safety net, a rehabilitation cash fund is already allocated.
A Multipartite Monitoring Team (MMT) was already organized, according to MGB, specifically to monitor the activities of NICUA Corporation until the time that the mined-out area is completely rehabilitated with representative from the National Irrigation Administration and Department of Agriculture and soon the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Department of Agrarian Reform will also be represented.
The chairman of the committee on environment of the provincial board was also included as one of the members of the monitoring team as ordered by the provincial government of Leyte and approved by the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The MGB also reaffirmed during the final consultation its commitment of its strict compliance to the requirement of consultation before any mining permit is issued at their level and for securing a resolution interposing no objection to any mining project or proposal pursuant to Section 21 of the Environmental code of the Province of Leyte and Sections 26 and 27 of the Local Government Code of the Philippines.
However, Tiu stressed that issuance of resolution interposing no objection is only for the municipality of MacArthur as the mining firm has yet to comply in securing the necessary documents for their mining project in the barangays of the municipalities of Javier, Mayorga and La Paz.
This after the verification made by the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources headed by its chairman Leyte First District Board Roque Tiu on the documents transmitted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Director Roger De Dios in this region.
Based on the letter of Dir De Dios, the mining firm was able to secure the necessary documentary requirements including resolution interposing no objection from the respective Sangguniang Bayan of MacArthur, Leyte as well as from Barangays Pongon and San Pedro in same town.
NICUA was granted with two MPSA in the municipality of MacArthur under MPSA-290-2009-VIII of Vincent Tan Tiong and MPSA-317-2010-VIII of Edgar Lim
To recall, last December 10, 2011, the Director of MGB appeared before the members of the provincial board for the purpose of final consultation regarding the favorable endorsement to the Magnetite Sand Project of Tan Tiong and Lim under the Mines Operating Agreement with NICUA Corporation.
In the final consultation, the MGB Director assured that the mine rehabilitation program of NICUA Corporation at Barangays Pongon and San Pedro will be faithfully implemented by the company and as a safety net, a rehabilitation cash fund is already allocated.
A Multipartite Monitoring Team (MMT) was already organized, according to MGB, specifically to monitor the activities of NICUA Corporation until the time that the mined-out area is completely rehabilitated with representative from the National Irrigation Administration and Department of Agriculture and soon the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Department of Agrarian Reform will also be represented.
The chairman of the committee on environment of the provincial board was also included as one of the members of the monitoring team as ordered by the provincial government of Leyte and approved by the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The MGB also reaffirmed during the final consultation its commitment of its strict compliance to the requirement of consultation before any mining permit is issued at their level and for securing a resolution interposing no objection to any mining project or proposal pursuant to Section 21 of the Environmental code of the Province of Leyte and Sections 26 and 27 of the Local Government Code of the Philippines.
However, Tiu stressed that issuance of resolution interposing no objection is only for the municipality of MacArthur as the mining firm has yet to comply in securing the necessary documents for their mining project in the barangays of the municipalities of Javier, Mayorga and La Paz.
Hilongos LGU plans to transfer sub-provincial jail to new location
TACLOBAN CITY – The municipal government of Hilongos, Leyte is planning to transfer the location of the sub-provincial jail located in the heart of their town, this was according to Hilongos Mayor Jose Emery Roble in an interview recently.
This plan was made last year said Roble, but it did not materialize immediately as there are process that needs to be done.
Among those are identifying the location where they will construct the new Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail and the preparation of papers for the swapping of properties between the municipal and the provincial governments.
A location about two kilometers away from the town proper was already pinpointed by the municipal government for the new site of the sub-provincial jail.
“Maybe by the end of this year we can implement the project,” Roble said.
Asked where they will get the funds in the construction of new facility for the sub-provincial jail, Roble said that there might be a counter parting scheme between the municipal government, provincial government and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
Roble added that it is just proper to transfer the location of the sub-provincial jail as it post danger to his constituents, this aside from the fact that the facility is now too crowded.
“Hindi magandang tingnan na ang sub-provincial jail ay nasa loob ng Hilongos, it is near our public market, the trial court and a Day Care Center, what if there’s a riot this will put people’s life in danger,” Roble said.
“This will create a bad impression for my town,” he added.
This plan was made last year said Roble, but it did not materialize immediately as there are process that needs to be done.
Among those are identifying the location where they will construct the new Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail and the preparation of papers for the swapping of properties between the municipal and the provincial governments.
A location about two kilometers away from the town proper was already pinpointed by the municipal government for the new site of the sub-provincial jail.
“Maybe by the end of this year we can implement the project,” Roble said.
Asked where they will get the funds in the construction of new facility for the sub-provincial jail, Roble said that there might be a counter parting scheme between the municipal government, provincial government and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
Roble added that it is just proper to transfer the location of the sub-provincial jail as it post danger to his constituents, this aside from the fact that the facility is now too crowded.
“Hindi magandang tingnan na ang sub-provincial jail ay nasa loob ng Hilongos, it is near our public market, the trial court and a Day Care Center, what if there’s a riot this will put people’s life in danger,” Roble said.
“This will create a bad impression for my town,” he added.
Completion of Simora bridge in Palapag town could bring economic benefits –town mayor Completion of Simora bridge in Palapag town could bring economi
TACLOBAN CITY – “Once the construction of Simora Bridge is done it will bring economic prosperity not just to my town’s people but to my neighboring town as well,” this was according to Mayor Florence Batula of Palapag town in Northern Samar.
Palapag is a 3rd class municipality and one of the four Pacific coastal municipalities that is reachable through water transportation via Rawis port in the municipality of Laoang.
Their main livelihood depends on farming and fishing, palay and copra are its main products.
The construction of Simora-Palapag road and bridge has been on-going and part of the Samar coastal municipality road network that is being implemented by a Korean firm with a budget of about P4 billion that involves concrete paving and widening of gravel roads as well as construction of flood control structures and rehabilitation or replacement of 20 bridges.
A budget of P195 million was allocated for the Simora-Palapag road and bridge construction as proposed by the Regional Development Council in this region.
“We are isolated from the car line that is why this construction of Simora Bridge is very helpful for us in transporting our goods to the center of the province,” Batula said. Hopefully the governor (Paul Daza) will be active in asking for funds and or the continuation of the project,” Batula added.
To recall, in September of 2010, the provincial board of Northern Samar together with the respective sangguanian bayan of Palapag, Gamay and Lapinig passed a joint resolution urging the President to favorably take action for the completion of Simora-Palapag road and Simora Bride project.
Based on their resolution, the construction of the Palapag-Simora road could provide economic progress in the local government units situated in the second district of Northern Samar, particularly the four municipalities located along the coastal area facing the Pacific.
The resolution also states that “in order to put forward the present economic condition of those municipalities held back by transportation intricacies, immediate completion of the project is yearned by the constituents of the areas affected thereby.”
“Ilang termino na ng gobernador at kongresista pero hindi pa natatapos ang tulay, but now the governor is doing something on that and we are hoping that this can be given action now,” Batula said.
“It is our only way to attain progress.It is the only gateway to my town and to other town as well in the second district,” Batula said, adding that it will also make easier for the travel going to Eastern Samar as it is part of the circumferential road project of the government.
Palapag is a 3rd class municipality and one of the four Pacific coastal municipalities that is reachable through water transportation via Rawis port in the municipality of Laoang.
Their main livelihood depends on farming and fishing, palay and copra are its main products.
The construction of Simora-Palapag road and bridge has been on-going and part of the Samar coastal municipality road network that is being implemented by a Korean firm with a budget of about P4 billion that involves concrete paving and widening of gravel roads as well as construction of flood control structures and rehabilitation or replacement of 20 bridges.
A budget of P195 million was allocated for the Simora-Palapag road and bridge construction as proposed by the Regional Development Council in this region.
“We are isolated from the car line that is why this construction of Simora Bridge is very helpful for us in transporting our goods to the center of the province,” Batula said. Hopefully the governor (Paul Daza) will be active in asking for funds and or the continuation of the project,” Batula added.
To recall, in September of 2010, the provincial board of Northern Samar together with the respective sangguanian bayan of Palapag, Gamay and Lapinig passed a joint resolution urging the President to favorably take action for the completion of Simora-Palapag road and Simora Bride project.
Based on their resolution, the construction of the Palapag-Simora road could provide economic progress in the local government units situated in the second district of Northern Samar, particularly the four municipalities located along the coastal area facing the Pacific.
The resolution also states that “in order to put forward the present economic condition of those municipalities held back by transportation intricacies, immediate completion of the project is yearned by the constituents of the areas affected thereby.”
“Ilang termino na ng gobernador at kongresista pero hindi pa natatapos ang tulay, but now the governor is doing something on that and we are hoping that this can be given action now,” Batula said.
“It is our only way to attain progress.It is the only gateway to my town and to other town as well in the second district,” Batula said, adding that it will also make easier for the travel going to Eastern Samar as it is part of the circumferential road project of the government.
Food with plastic, styropor containers ban in provincial gov’t offices starting March 1
TACLOBAN CITY – As an offset to the province-wide implementation of an anti-plastic ordinance in Leyte, the provincial board of this province through a resolution authored by first district Board Member Roque Tiu unanimously passed a resolution prohibiting entry of plastic and stryropor receptacles used as food containers in the offices and buildings of the provincial government and declaring them as plastic and styropor-free zone.
The resolution was approved during their regular session last Tuesday.
Tiu is the chairman of the committee on environment and the principal author of the anti-plastic ordinance of 2011 of the province.
“This resolution was passed after we had a consultation with the officers of the Provincial Association of Government Employees that gets a favorable acceptance,” Tiu said.
Tiu added that prior to the consultation with the PAGE officials, he consulted Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla regarding the passage of the resolution which the governor had told him to consult first the association of provincial employees.
“We hope that by this resolution we can help in reducing the use of plastic and styropor as non-biodegradable materials,” Tiu explained.
He added that it is also in relation to the memorandum circular issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources banning the usage and bringing of any food that uses plastic bags and styropor as their food container.
“We are hoping that other offices will also follow even if they are from the city of Tacloban that is politically separated now from the province of Leyte, because this will also be beneficial to the city as it will lessen the usage of non-biodegradable materials that causes floods when it clog the waterways,” Tiu added.
Tiu added that the resolution will be implemented immediately after it is done and forwarded to all offices and departments in the provincial government of Leyte.
“This is set to be implemented on March 1, which is less than a month from now,” Tiu added.
In the implementation of the resolution, Tiu said that officers of PAGE are the one who will inform their fellow employees regarding the resolution and even security personnel are also given the task to inform fastfood chain personnel who will enter the vicinity of the provincial government that plastic and styropor containers are already prohibited in the vicinity.
The resolution was approved during their regular session last Tuesday.
Tiu is the chairman of the committee on environment and the principal author of the anti-plastic ordinance of 2011 of the province.
“This resolution was passed after we had a consultation with the officers of the Provincial Association of Government Employees that gets a favorable acceptance,” Tiu said.
Tiu added that prior to the consultation with the PAGE officials, he consulted Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla regarding the passage of the resolution which the governor had told him to consult first the association of provincial employees.
“We hope that by this resolution we can help in reducing the use of plastic and styropor as non-biodegradable materials,” Tiu explained.
He added that it is also in relation to the memorandum circular issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources banning the usage and bringing of any food that uses plastic bags and styropor as their food container.
“We are hoping that other offices will also follow even if they are from the city of Tacloban that is politically separated now from the province of Leyte, because this will also be beneficial to the city as it will lessen the usage of non-biodegradable materials that causes floods when it clog the waterways,” Tiu added.
Tiu added that the resolution will be implemented immediately after it is done and forwarded to all offices and departments in the provincial government of Leyte.
“This is set to be implemented on March 1, which is less than a month from now,” Tiu added.
In the implementation of the resolution, Tiu said that officers of PAGE are the one who will inform their fellow employees regarding the resolution and even security personnel are also given the task to inform fastfood chain personnel who will enter the vicinity of the provincial government that plastic and styropor containers are already prohibited in the vicinity.
Senators Pia, Allan Cayetano declared adopted son, daughter of Leyte province
TACLOBAN CITY – The members of the provincial board of Leyte unanimously approved a resolution declaring Senators Pia and Allan Peter Cayetano as adopted son and daughter of the province.
The resolution was authored by Board Member and majority floor leader Carlo Loreto.
The sibling senators recently entered a memorandum of agreement with the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center for the financial assistance for indigent patients where they allotted P1 million fund from their priority development fund (PDAF).
The said amount will be replenished once it is depleted as stated by their representative in the Visayan region.
Aside from the medical assistance provided at the EVRMC, the two senators also provided fund for medical assistance at the Leyte Provincial Hospital located in Palo town.
To recall, the provincial board in their session a few weeks before their Christmas break had passed a resolution asking from the two senators if they can provide funds for medical assistance for indigent patients of the province who are confined at the EVRMC, of which the solons agreed.
Last year also, the two senators provided funds to several local government units here in Leyte particularly in the fifth district for the improvement of several rural health units.
Insuring better health for every Filipino is one of the priorities of the two senators, which Senator Pia Cayetano stressed in her visit last year at the EVRMC to check the condition of the maternity and pediatric ward of the hospital.
The two senators are strong supporters of Reproductive Health bill which is still in pending in Congress.
The resolution was authored by Board Member and majority floor leader Carlo Loreto.
The sibling senators recently entered a memorandum of agreement with the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center for the financial assistance for indigent patients where they allotted P1 million fund from their priority development fund (PDAF).
The said amount will be replenished once it is depleted as stated by their representative in the Visayan region.
Aside from the medical assistance provided at the EVRMC, the two senators also provided fund for medical assistance at the Leyte Provincial Hospital located in Palo town.
To recall, the provincial board in their session a few weeks before their Christmas break had passed a resolution asking from the two senators if they can provide funds for medical assistance for indigent patients of the province who are confined at the EVRMC, of which the solons agreed.
Last year also, the two senators provided funds to several local government units here in Leyte particularly in the fifth district for the improvement of several rural health units.
Insuring better health for every Filipino is one of the priorities of the two senators, which Senator Pia Cayetano stressed in her visit last year at the EVRMC to check the condition of the maternity and pediatric ward of the hospital.
The two senators are strong supporters of Reproductive Health bill which is still in pending in Congress.
Palo municipal public market to undergo facelift with the use of the LGSF
PALO, Leyte – The P1 million local government support fund (LGSF) for this town as awarded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) after it was given the seal of good housekeeping award, will be used for the improvement of its public market.
This was disclosed by Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla in an interview.
As the center of their local economy, Petilla said that they decided to use the assistance in the improvement of their market as it is one of the basis of their local economy, if it is improving or not.
“It will be used for the market improvement because we get and buy the foods that we eat from there, it would be a great health hazard for us if the source of foods is dirty,” Petilla explained.
LGSF is a support fund to LGUs to augment the internal revenue allotment (IRA) of local government units that decreased in 2011 due to the low revenue collections in 2009 and their reward for having fully complied with the full disclosure policy of their transactions which is being enforced by the DILG and the Commission on Audit.
The funding from the DILG is to be used by local government units for projects that should benefit their constituents.
Among those projects include rural electrification, local roads connecting to national roads, local economic enterprises, flood control and drainage and to priority projects of the national government like construction school rooms, birthing or health centers and water supply and sanitation system, among others.
Palo is one of the 35 local government units in the region that was included in the third batch of LGUs that qualified for the LGSF.
This was disclosed by Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla in an interview.
As the center of their local economy, Petilla said that they decided to use the assistance in the improvement of their market as it is one of the basis of their local economy, if it is improving or not.
“It will be used for the market improvement because we get and buy the foods that we eat from there, it would be a great health hazard for us if the source of foods is dirty,” Petilla explained.
LGSF is a support fund to LGUs to augment the internal revenue allotment (IRA) of local government units that decreased in 2011 due to the low revenue collections in 2009 and their reward for having fully complied with the full disclosure policy of their transactions which is being enforced by the DILG and the Commission on Audit.
The funding from the DILG is to be used by local government units for projects that should benefit their constituents.
Among those projects include rural electrification, local roads connecting to national roads, local economic enterprises, flood control and drainage and to priority projects of the national government like construction school rooms, birthing or health centers and water supply and sanitation system, among others.
Palo is one of the 35 local government units in the region that was included in the third batch of LGUs that qualified for the LGSF.
Financial assistance to indigent patients can be used in Cebu
TACLOBAN CITY – The form for availing financial assistance from siblings senators, Pia and Allan Peter Cayetano, can also be used at the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Hospital in Cebu City, according to Rey Martinez, the representative of the two senators during the signing of the memorandum of agreement and turn-over of funds held at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center(EVRMC) here.
The turn-over of fund was witnessed by Board Member Carlo Loreto, the majority floor leader of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Leyte, Mayor Jose Roble of Hilongos, Dr. Edgardo De Leon, EVRMC chief of hospitaland Dr. Aileen Espina, EVRMC chief of professional medical staff.
Indigent patient who wish to avail of the medical assistance fund from the two senators should first secure a form that is available at the office of Loreto, said Martinez.
A total of P1 million was allocated by the two senators for the EVRMC were each indigent patient is entitled to receive P1,000 worth of medical assistance, according to Martinez.
Martinez added that all indigent residents in the region can avail for the medical assistance.
The Cayetano siblings, according to Dr. Espina, are the fifth among senators that provided assistance for indigent patient in the hospital.
Other senators are Senators Franciz Escudero, Bongbong Marcos, Juan Ponce Enrile and Antonio Trillanes.
Aside from the EVRMC, the two senators also provided financial assistance from their pork barrel to the Leyte Provincial Hospital with the same amount of P1 million, according to Martinez.
The turn-over of fund was witnessed by Board Member Carlo Loreto, the majority floor leader of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Leyte, Mayor Jose Roble of Hilongos, Dr. Edgardo De Leon, EVRMC chief of hospitaland Dr. Aileen Espina, EVRMC chief of professional medical staff.
Indigent patient who wish to avail of the medical assistance fund from the two senators should first secure a form that is available at the office of Loreto, said Martinez.
A total of P1 million was allocated by the two senators for the EVRMC were each indigent patient is entitled to receive P1,000 worth of medical assistance, according to Martinez.
Martinez added that all indigent residents in the region can avail for the medical assistance.
The Cayetano siblings, according to Dr. Espina, are the fifth among senators that provided assistance for indigent patient in the hospital.
Other senators are Senators Franciz Escudero, Bongbong Marcos, Juan Ponce Enrile and Antonio Trillanes.
Aside from the EVRMC, the two senators also provided financial assistance from their pork barrel to the Leyte Provincial Hospital with the same amount of P1 million, according to Martinez.
Desalination plant to solve water problem in EVRMC Desalination plant to solve water problem in EVRMC
TACLOBAN CITY – The problem of water shortage experienced by staff and patients of Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center(EVMRC) will soon be over once the project to be implemented by the management is done.
This was according to EVRMC chief of hospital Dr Edgardo De Leon in an interview.
The chief of hospital revealed that the central office of the Department of Health had already downloaded the fund for the construction of a desalinization plant that will address the problem of scarcity of water supply in the hospital.
Desalinization refers to the process of removing salt and other minerals from the saline water, in order for it to be fit for human consumption and even for irrigation.
The need of ample water supply for the hospital was noted as in previous interview with EVRMC supervising nurse Dolly Casio stressed that water is one of the important components for the dialysis treatment machine that is available at the EVRMC to operate.
“The project will cost P15 million and the fund is already in our hand, by this week or next week the machine that are to be used for the process will arrive,” said De Leon, adding that the bidding process that took place last year at the EVRMC was participated in by five contractors.
“Once this is done, this would really help us a lot in terms of having ample water supply that our patients really needs,” De Leon said.
This was according to EVRMC chief of hospital Dr Edgardo De Leon in an interview.
The chief of hospital revealed that the central office of the Department of Health had already downloaded the fund for the construction of a desalinization plant that will address the problem of scarcity of water supply in the hospital.
Desalinization refers to the process of removing salt and other minerals from the saline water, in order for it to be fit for human consumption and even for irrigation.
The need of ample water supply for the hospital was noted as in previous interview with EVRMC supervising nurse Dolly Casio stressed that water is one of the important components for the dialysis treatment machine that is available at the EVRMC to operate.
“The project will cost P15 million and the fund is already in our hand, by this week or next week the machine that are to be used for the process will arrive,” said De Leon, adding that the bidding process that took place last year at the EVRMC was participated in by five contractors.
“Once this is done, this would really help us a lot in terms of having ample water supply that our patients really needs,” De Leon said.
E-Trike design contest launched in Tacloban City
TACLOBAN CITY – A national E-Trike design contest was set by the Department of Energy, aiming to reduce the country’s dependence on fuel and to showcase modern tricycle innovation that can be adopted in the implementation of the E-Trike Project of the government.
The contest is open to trike designers, manufacturers and even operators, said Chrisostomo Laplap of the Department of Energy Visayas Field Office.
Currently, there are four areas in the country where E-Trike are operational: the cities of Mandaluyung, Taguig, Puerto Princesa and in the province of Surigao.
“Aside from reducing dependency on fuel, other benefit is it is less noise and pollution that can contribute in fighting Climate Change,” Laplap, speaking during the Harampang ha PIA” media forum, said.
Laplap also noted that based in their study, the result said that electric trike consumes P50 a day per charging as compared to tricycle using fuel that will spend around P250 a day.
“This gives a bigger take home income for driver and bigger savings on fuel cost,” Laplap added.
As for it effect on decreasing fare on tricycle, the DOE official said that the only guarantee that they can give is to lessen fuel consumption and increase income of drivers.
“As far as fare rate is concern it should be address be the local government unit,” he stressed.
E-Trike design must be original, new and have not been used for commercial and demonstration purposes and can accommodate six passengers excluding the driver.
Individual or group can join the contest with form downloadable at the DOE website, www.doe.ov.ph or at www.pia.gov.ph.
Their design must be produce in 2D and 3D drawing using AutoCAD software with corresponding design description, and should be submitted before February 17, 2012.
The final judging will be on February 24, 2012 at the DOE-Manilawhere ten winners will be notified either through telephone, email or registered mail.
The top three winners will receive P200,000 each. The winning designs will automatically become an exclusive property of the DOE.
The contest is open to trike designers, manufacturers and even operators, said Chrisostomo Laplap of the Department of Energy Visayas Field Office.
Currently, there are four areas in the country where E-Trike are operational: the cities of Mandaluyung, Taguig, Puerto Princesa and in the province of Surigao.
“Aside from reducing dependency on fuel, other benefit is it is less noise and pollution that can contribute in fighting Climate Change,” Laplap, speaking during the Harampang ha PIA” media forum, said.
Laplap also noted that based in their study, the result said that electric trike consumes P50 a day per charging as compared to tricycle using fuel that will spend around P250 a day.
“This gives a bigger take home income for driver and bigger savings on fuel cost,” Laplap added.
As for it effect on decreasing fare on tricycle, the DOE official said that the only guarantee that they can give is to lessen fuel consumption and increase income of drivers.
“As far as fare rate is concern it should be address be the local government unit,” he stressed.
E-Trike design must be original, new and have not been used for commercial and demonstration purposes and can accommodate six passengers excluding the driver.
Individual or group can join the contest with form downloadable at the DOE website, www.doe.ov.ph or at www.pia.gov.ph.
Their design must be produce in 2D and 3D drawing using AutoCAD software with corresponding design description, and should be submitted before February 17, 2012.
The final judging will be on February 24, 2012 at the DOE-Manilawhere ten winners will be notified either through telephone, email or registered mail.
The top three winners will receive P200,000 each. The winning designs will automatically become an exclusive property of the DOE.
Economy is stable – Sec. Abad
TACLOBAN CITY – The country’s economy remains strong despite the ongoing impeachment process against Chief Justice Renato Corona, said Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad in a press conference yesterday.
“The basis why we can say that our country’s economy remains strong is because our stock market is stable,” said Sec. Abad.
This indication is a clear manifestation that the government is in control of the economy.
“Hindi totoong, napapabayan ang ating ekonomiya, although it (impeachment process) may affect our economy,” Abad stressed.
There were claims that the impeachment trial may affect the national economy as the main target of the impeachment trial is the Chief Justice of the country.
However, the government had already denied said speculation, citing that said process has nothing to do with the economy as it is a process that is mandated and guaranteed in our Constitution.
“But if people especially the business sectors sees that the government has stable governance, this will result for better economy,” he added.
“I just hope that once this is done, the Supreme Court and our legislators will go back to their functions,” Abad added.
Based on the time frame of the prosecution panel, they are hoping that by March or before the Lenten season the impeachment process will wrap up with a verdict on Corona.
“The basis why we can say that our country’s economy remains strong is because our stock market is stable,” said Sec. Abad.
This indication is a clear manifestation that the government is in control of the economy.
“Hindi totoong, napapabayan ang ating ekonomiya, although it (impeachment process) may affect our economy,” Abad stressed.
There were claims that the impeachment trial may affect the national economy as the main target of the impeachment trial is the Chief Justice of the country.
However, the government had already denied said speculation, citing that said process has nothing to do with the economy as it is a process that is mandated and guaranteed in our Constitution.
“But if people especially the business sectors sees that the government has stable governance, this will result for better economy,” he added.
“I just hope that once this is done, the Supreme Court and our legislators will go back to their functions,” Abad added.
Based on the time frame of the prosecution panel, they are hoping that by March or before the Lenten season the impeachment process will wrap up with a verdict on Corona.
City council okays ordinance extending anew real property tax condonation deadline
TACLOBAN CITY – The city council of Tacloban has once again approved an ordinance extending the tax condonation for real properties in this city.
The ordinance that was initiated by the Councilor Jerry Uy during the regular session last Wednesday was their answer to the clamor of the taxpayers for another extension for the tax condonation.
This tax condonation extension will be the third time that the city council granted since December of last year.
To recall, before the city council had their holiday recess last December, they approved an extension of tax condonation until December 31.
It was followed with an extension until January 31, then March 31 as approved in their recent session.
With the extension of the tax condonation, the city council hopes that it will help the city government in increasing the collected income as based on the December collection of the City Treasurers Office, they were only able to collect more than P4 million but based on the Commission on Audit the city has about P60 million account receivables.
Uy also explained that in the payment of real property taxes while under the tax condonation program, surcharges and penalties are not included but only the basic tax are to be paid.
Aside from the extension of tax condonation, Uy said that in their last week’s session, they passed and approved an ordinance extending the payment for renewal of business permits applications until February 15.
The ordinance that was initiated by the Councilor Jerry Uy during the regular session last Wednesday was their answer to the clamor of the taxpayers for another extension for the tax condonation.
This tax condonation extension will be the third time that the city council granted since December of last year.
To recall, before the city council had their holiday recess last December, they approved an extension of tax condonation until December 31.
It was followed with an extension until January 31, then March 31 as approved in their recent session.
With the extension of the tax condonation, the city council hopes that it will help the city government in increasing the collected income as based on the December collection of the City Treasurers Office, they were only able to collect more than P4 million but based on the Commission on Audit the city has about P60 million account receivables.
Uy also explained that in the payment of real property taxes while under the tax condonation program, surcharges and penalties are not included but only the basic tax are to be paid.
Aside from the extension of tax condonation, Uy said that in their last week’s session, they passed and approved an ordinance extending the payment for renewal of business permits applications until February 15.
Calbiga police files criminal raps vs 3 alleged NPA members
TACLOBAN CITY – Police authorities in the municipality of Calbiga, Samar have already filed criminal charges against three NPA members who were caught by government forces after a firefight between government troops and rebel forces in Brgy. Guibanga, Calbiga, Samar.
The suspects were identified as Maita Abadidano alias “Mytha/Jenny”, Jerry Sablan alias “Jerry”, and Delmar Dacdac alias “Archie”.
They were charged by the police authorities for violation of Presidential Decree 1866, as amended by Republic Act 8294 (illegal possession of firearms) and Republic Act 9516 (illegal possession of explosives).
It was also learned that a separate case is to be filed by the police authorities against the NPA including the three suspects for the killing of Luis Gacuma, a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary who was killed during the encounter and an additional case to be filed against the suspects as witness identified them as part of the NPA group who attacked the Hinabangan Police Station on September 12, 2011.
To recall last January 23 of this year at around 7:30 o’clock in the morning, government troops under 87th Infantry Division had an encounter with the rebel group that resulted for the death of Gacuma and to the seizure of an NPA camp, recovery some documents, equipments and laptop computer , and also a result for the three suspects to be captured after they were left by their withdrawing comrades.
Recovered in the possession of the three captured NPAs were four M26 fragmentation hand grenades, one M1911 calibre 45 pistol, one calibre 9mm berretta and 15 rounds of ammunitions.
“This is a good development to our soldiers. The respect of human rights they displayed at the height of the encounter showed their sincere commitment to the rule of law. This is a result of our continuing efforts to educate our soldiers in order to be disciplined and true advocates of human rights”, Major General Mario Chan, commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, said in a press statement.
The suspects were identified as Maita Abadidano alias “Mytha/Jenny”, Jerry Sablan alias “Jerry”, and Delmar Dacdac alias “Archie”.
They were charged by the police authorities for violation of Presidential Decree 1866, as amended by Republic Act 8294 (illegal possession of firearms) and Republic Act 9516 (illegal possession of explosives).
It was also learned that a separate case is to be filed by the police authorities against the NPA including the three suspects for the killing of Luis Gacuma, a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary who was killed during the encounter and an additional case to be filed against the suspects as witness identified them as part of the NPA group who attacked the Hinabangan Police Station on September 12, 2011.
To recall last January 23 of this year at around 7:30 o’clock in the morning, government troops under 87th Infantry Division had an encounter with the rebel group that resulted for the death of Gacuma and to the seizure of an NPA camp, recovery some documents, equipments and laptop computer , and also a result for the three suspects to be captured after they were left by their withdrawing comrades.
Recovered in the possession of the three captured NPAs were four M26 fragmentation hand grenades, one M1911 calibre 45 pistol, one calibre 9mm berretta and 15 rounds of ammunitions.
“This is a good development to our soldiers. The respect of human rights they displayed at the height of the encounter showed their sincere commitment to the rule of law. This is a result of our continuing efforts to educate our soldiers in order to be disciplined and true advocates of human rights”, Major General Mario Chan, commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, said in a press statement.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)