CAMP JORGE DOWNES, ORMOC CITY, LEYTE. The 802nd Bde, 8ID, PA under the command of Colonel John S Bonafos facilitated the signing of a Joint Declaration by the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army and the Province of Southern Leyte declaring the province of Southern Leyte “INSURGENT-FREE”.
The signing was conducted on 29 September 2011 at Ruperto K Kangleon Function House, Maasin City, the capital of Southern Leyte province which was attended by the members of the Provincial Peace & Order Council headed by Governor Damian Gaviola Mercado and Vice-Governor Miguel C. Maamo II and the Mayors of Southern Leyte; and the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines headed by Lieutenant General Ralph A Villanueva, Commander of the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Major General Mario F. Chan, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
Since the entry of communist insurgency in Southern Leyte in the early 1970s, insurgency steadily grew until it reached its peak in 2001. Due to the massive Peace and Development operations of the 802nd Infantry Brigade and the very active support of the LGU and other stakeholders of peace in the province of Southern Leyte, the Communist Terrorists (CTs) either surrendered, abandoned the Communist Movement or evacuated the province and moved elsewhere. By yearend 2006, the main bulk of the South Leyte Front, the insurgent’s armed group in the province has been greatly diminished so the NPA leadership declared it dissolved and its remnants scattered to the other NPA Groups in other areas. The succeeding years saw a tranquil and peaceful Southern Leyte, resisting the treachery and resurgence of the communist cause.
“The main factor which led to the declaration of Southern Leyte an insurgent-free province is the determination, commitment and sincerity of the stakeholders specially the local chief executives in solving insurgency problems”, General Villanueva told to the members of the Peace & Order Council and other guests.
“The military alone cannot sustain the clearing of an area without the sincere support of the local government as proven in the 8th Infantry Division’s area of responsibility”, General Chan, added.
The challenge that the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte and 802 Brigade will face is the re-entry or resurgence of the insurgents in the province. But with constant evaluation and strengthening of our established Barangay Intelligence Network and the Integrated Territorial Security System and the commitment of the stakeholders, the insurgents have no place and no business to transact in the province.
Internal Security Operations in the provinces of Biliran, Cebu and Bohol was handed over from the AFP to the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC); Province of Biliran in 2008 and the provinces of Cebu and Bohol in 2010. Thus, 4 of the 5 provinces in the 802nd Brigade area of responsibility were handed over to the respective Peace & Order Councils, the only brigade in the Philippine Army that successfully handed over Internal Peace Operations responsibility to the PPOC of four (4) provinces in a row.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Vice Gov. Bagulaya happy with the aid of Rep. Noel for rehab of legislative bldg
TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte Vice Governor Mimiette Bagulaya said that she is happy with An Waray Rep. Florencio “Bem” Noel’s effort to provide assistance for the repair of the city legislative building where she once held office when she was Tacloban’s vice mayor.
The legislative building of the city was constructed and inaugurated during her term with the help by then Mayor Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez with a budget of about P10 million.
“The (council) members at that time were grateful to former City Mayor Bejo Romualdez for giving assistance and providing funds for the construction of the building,” Bagulaya said.
Bagulaya added that the several visits she made at the building after she stepped down as vice mayor, she noticed that the physical condition of the building had become dilapidated which made her think that there was really no funds available to repair it.
“It’s really sad and difficult on my part being a former city vice mayor to see the building of the former institution where I worked looks really bad,” she added.
With the gesture of Noel in giving a share or donating fund for the repair of the city legislative building, Bagulaya said that she is happy for the repair had long been needed by the building.
The share or a contribution from the fund of Rep. Noel might not be enough for the repair, but it is of great help to rehabilitate the building where city legislators are crafting laws for the city, Bagulaya added.
To recall, Noel personally handed over the special allotment release order worth P2 million to City Vice Mayor Arvin Antoni intended for the repair of the city legislative building and witnessed by Councilors Jerry “Sambo” Yaokasin, Jerry Uy, and Neil Glova including some barangay officials of the city.
Moreover, Bagulaya added that even if the city is already a highly urbanized city and politically independent from the provincial government, there are also instances that the province can provide assistance to the city government.
Citing example to this, was when the city of Tacloban was greatly affected with flooding in the month of March this year, the provincial government aside from allocating funds for relief goods to affected constituents in the province had included residents of Tacloban in their relief operation.
The legislative building of the city was constructed and inaugurated during her term with the help by then Mayor Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez with a budget of about P10 million.
“The (council) members at that time were grateful to former City Mayor Bejo Romualdez for giving assistance and providing funds for the construction of the building,” Bagulaya said.
Bagulaya added that the several visits she made at the building after she stepped down as vice mayor, she noticed that the physical condition of the building had become dilapidated which made her think that there was really no funds available to repair it.
“It’s really sad and difficult on my part being a former city vice mayor to see the building of the former institution where I worked looks really bad,” she added.
With the gesture of Noel in giving a share or donating fund for the repair of the city legislative building, Bagulaya said that she is happy for the repair had long been needed by the building.
The share or a contribution from the fund of Rep. Noel might not be enough for the repair, but it is of great help to rehabilitate the building where city legislators are crafting laws for the city, Bagulaya added.
To recall, Noel personally handed over the special allotment release order worth P2 million to City Vice Mayor Arvin Antoni intended for the repair of the city legislative building and witnessed by Councilors Jerry “Sambo” Yaokasin, Jerry Uy, and Neil Glova including some barangay officials of the city.
Moreover, Bagulaya added that even if the city is already a highly urbanized city and politically independent from the provincial government, there are also instances that the province can provide assistance to the city government.
Citing example to this, was when the city of Tacloban was greatly affected with flooding in the month of March this year, the provincial government aside from allocating funds for relief goods to affected constituents in the province had included residents of Tacloban in their relief operation.
Baybay mayor supports move to amend RA 9344
BAYBAY CITY – The mayor of this city supports the move to amend Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006.
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, chairman of the committee on justice and human rights, is the main proponent for this move in the Senate, which is gathering support from various local chief executives and even from the hierarchy of the Philippine National Police.
Mayor Carmen Cari said that to amend RA 9344 is a good move as the number of youth involved in crimes had been increasing due to provisions of said law that 15 years old and below are not criminally liable of the crime they committed.
This, aside from the reason that there are criminal elements who are using children as their front on illegal activities.
“I’m glad that this problem is not that rampant in this city,” Cari said.
Although there are cases in Baybay where children are involved in various crimes, Cari said that they cannot do anything but follow the mandate of the law, which is to let go of the minors.
But before they let the youth offenders go, Cari stressed that they are referred to a social worker for interventions.
She added that in order to fully address that needs of Children in Conflict With Law in the city, they have identified a place where they will construct a rehabilitation or holding facility for youth offenders.
The rehabilitation facility provides intervention program like counseling to ensure that youth offenders will be molded into a better citizen before going back to society.
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, chairman of the committee on justice and human rights, is the main proponent for this move in the Senate, which is gathering support from various local chief executives and even from the hierarchy of the Philippine National Police.
Mayor Carmen Cari said that to amend RA 9344 is a good move as the number of youth involved in crimes had been increasing due to provisions of said law that 15 years old and below are not criminally liable of the crime they committed.
This, aside from the reason that there are criminal elements who are using children as their front on illegal activities.
“I’m glad that this problem is not that rampant in this city,” Cari said.
Although there are cases in Baybay where children are involved in various crimes, Cari said that they cannot do anything but follow the mandate of the law, which is to let go of the minors.
But before they let the youth offenders go, Cari stressed that they are referred to a social worker for interventions.
She added that in order to fully address that needs of Children in Conflict With Law in the city, they have identified a place where they will construct a rehabilitation or holding facility for youth offenders.
The rehabilitation facility provides intervention program like counseling to ensure that youth offenders will be molded into a better citizen before going back to society.
Tiu lauds Congress for filing bill seeking to ban use of plastic bags
TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte Board Member and chair of the committee on environment and natural resources Roque Tiu has lauded Congress for filing a bill that seeks to ban the usage of plastic bag in the country.
Tiu, who author of the anti-plastic bag ordinance, said that he is happy that there is already a national law that would soon to be implemented once passed by Congress that will strengthen the local ordinance that they crafted to protect the people and environment from the dreadful effect of plastic bag.
“If this law takes effect, it will be easier for the local government units to implement the local version as there is already a national law that supports the banning of the usage of plastic bags,” Tiu said.
The anti-plastic bag of the province of Leyte was passed early this year and will take effect a year after the posting and publication requirements set forth by law, and three years after its effectivity, the use of plastic bags and styrofoam/styrophor is prohibited to be used by all businesses and commercial establishments and houses within the province.
In the region, aside from Leyte, the city of Calbayog had already been implementing their anti-plastic bag ordinance wherein every weekend business establishments are to use alternative bags for packaging their goods.
Meantime, similar measure is also being drafted by the Tacloban city council.
The versions of the House of Representatives and Senate on banning usage of plastic bag was authored by Senator Loren Legarda and Caloocan Representative Oscar Malapitan.
While the provincial ordinance of Leyte promotes the usage of eco-friendly bags such as bayong, bags made of katsa, baskets, paper bags and other alternative bags, the bills both in the Senate and the Lower House requires operators of business establishments to provide bio-degradable plastic bags to costumers and to have a recovery program that will give costumers the opportunity to return used plastic bags.
While Congress had already passed and approved House Bill 4840 or the Plastic Bag Regulation Act of 2011 on the third and final reading, Senate Bill 2729 or the Total Plastic Bag Ban Act of 2011 was just tackled for first reading by members of Senate and was referred to the joint Senate committee on trade and commerce and the committee on environment and natural resources.
Violators of proposed Senate Bill 2729 will be fine of P10,000 for the first offense; P50,000 for the second offense; and P200,000 as well as one year suspension of business permit for the third offense while House Bill 4840 provides fine of not exceeding for P100, 000 for first offense; a fine not exceeding to P250, 000 for second offense; a fine not exceeding P500,000 for the third offense; and a fine of not exceeding P750,000 for the fourth offense as well as automatic revocation of business permits.
Tiu, who author of the anti-plastic bag ordinance, said that he is happy that there is already a national law that would soon to be implemented once passed by Congress that will strengthen the local ordinance that they crafted to protect the people and environment from the dreadful effect of plastic bag.
“If this law takes effect, it will be easier for the local government units to implement the local version as there is already a national law that supports the banning of the usage of plastic bags,” Tiu said.
The anti-plastic bag of the province of Leyte was passed early this year and will take effect a year after the posting and publication requirements set forth by law, and three years after its effectivity, the use of plastic bags and styrofoam/styrophor is prohibited to be used by all businesses and commercial establishments and houses within the province.
In the region, aside from Leyte, the city of Calbayog had already been implementing their anti-plastic bag ordinance wherein every weekend business establishments are to use alternative bags for packaging their goods.
Meantime, similar measure is also being drafted by the Tacloban city council.
The versions of the House of Representatives and Senate on banning usage of plastic bag was authored by Senator Loren Legarda and Caloocan Representative Oscar Malapitan.
While the provincial ordinance of Leyte promotes the usage of eco-friendly bags such as bayong, bags made of katsa, baskets, paper bags and other alternative bags, the bills both in the Senate and the Lower House requires operators of business establishments to provide bio-degradable plastic bags to costumers and to have a recovery program that will give costumers the opportunity to return used plastic bags.
While Congress had already passed and approved House Bill 4840 or the Plastic Bag Regulation Act of 2011 on the third and final reading, Senate Bill 2729 or the Total Plastic Bag Ban Act of 2011 was just tackled for first reading by members of Senate and was referred to the joint Senate committee on trade and commerce and the committee on environment and natural resources.
Violators of proposed Senate Bill 2729 will be fine of P10,000 for the first offense; P50,000 for the second offense; and P200,000 as well as one year suspension of business permit for the third offense while House Bill 4840 provides fine of not exceeding for P100, 000 for first offense; a fine not exceeding to P250, 000 for second offense; a fine not exceeding P500,000 for the third offense; and a fine of not exceeding P750,000 for the fourth offense as well as automatic revocation of business permits.
LTO-8 exec: Road safety is everybody’s concern
GOV’T CENTER, PALO,Leyte-– “Road safety is everybody’s concern,” said Region 8 Land Transportation Office Chief of Operation Division Rebecca Obenieta.
This was her reaction when asked on what LTO is doing to address the problem on commuters riding in the roof on public utility vehicles, which is so common here in the region.
The reason, according to her , why some hitchhikers and commuters choose to ride on top of passenger vehicles are the lack of transport facilities in some areas and the value of drivers and commuters.
Hitchhiking is rampant not just in the region and in the entire country but including on third world countries, according to Obenieta.
In the region, hitchhikers are rampant especially on passenger vehicles (jeepneys) with route going to nearby towns and provinces from Tacloban City.
This problem, according to Obenieta, poses a danger to vehicle passenger.
“Some passengers tend to chose to stay on top the passenger vehicles, and if you will notice it, when the vehicle is still at the terminal you will see few passengers on it but once the vehicle is outside the terminal, you will see passenger climbing to the roof of the vehicle,” Obenieta said.
This,according to Obenieta, is a violation of the anti-overloading law in the countr,y which some vehicles drivers are violating.
She added that most instances , vehicle operators are the ones who suffer from these violations as citation and violation tickets are issued to them and not the driver of the vehicle, up to the point that their permit to operate is being cancelled because of a vehicular accident due to irresponsibility of the drivers.
Although there are implementers of the law, Obenieta stressed that it is not important as some road users (drivers and passengers) are not aware of the law.
“First we should educate them, but if they continue doing it then we should fine them,” she stressed.
To recal, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Leyte had already called the attention of the Philippine National Police, Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board through a resolution to look into the matter after some board member noticed vehicle passenger riding on the roof of passenger jeepneys that puts their lives in danger.
This was her reaction when asked on what LTO is doing to address the problem on commuters riding in the roof on public utility vehicles, which is so common here in the region.
The reason, according to her , why some hitchhikers and commuters choose to ride on top of passenger vehicles are the lack of transport facilities in some areas and the value of drivers and commuters.
Hitchhiking is rampant not just in the region and in the entire country but including on third world countries, according to Obenieta.
In the region, hitchhikers are rampant especially on passenger vehicles (jeepneys) with route going to nearby towns and provinces from Tacloban City.
This problem, according to Obenieta, poses a danger to vehicle passenger.
“Some passengers tend to chose to stay on top the passenger vehicles, and if you will notice it, when the vehicle is still at the terminal you will see few passengers on it but once the vehicle is outside the terminal, you will see passenger climbing to the roof of the vehicle,” Obenieta said.
This,according to Obenieta, is a violation of the anti-overloading law in the countr,y which some vehicles drivers are violating.
She added that most instances , vehicle operators are the ones who suffer from these violations as citation and violation tickets are issued to them and not the driver of the vehicle, up to the point that their permit to operate is being cancelled because of a vehicular accident due to irresponsibility of the drivers.
Although there are implementers of the law, Obenieta stressed that it is not important as some road users (drivers and passengers) are not aware of the law.
“First we should educate them, but if they continue doing it then we should fine them,” she stressed.
To recal, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Leyte had already called the attention of the Philippine National Police, Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board through a resolution to look into the matter after some board member noticed vehicle passenger riding on the roof of passenger jeepneys that puts their lives in danger.
Law enforcers, others urged to comply with helmet law
GOV’T CENTER, PALO,Leyte- People in uniform especially law enforcers to include government officials and employees must comply with the law mandating for the proper usage of helmet at all times.
Tanauan Mayor Agapito Pagayanan shows to the local media some illegal fishing paraphernalia seized by the Bantay Daga of his town. LITO ABALA BAGUNAS
This was the reactions of the members of the technical working group for the Road Traffic Injury Prevention composed of different national government line-agencies in the region.
In the press conference held at the regional office of the Department of Health,one of the questions centered on the observation that some men in uniform particularly law enforcers are roaming around the city of Tacloban without wearing helmet.
Traffic Operations, Management, Enforcement and Control Office, for example, cited that in some operations they conduct in this city for the implementation of the local ordinance prescribing the use of helmet among road users, most of the violators they caught were law enforcers.
For their part,the Land Transportation Office, the Division chief for Operation Rebecca Obinieta stressed that law enforcers should not abuse their position.
“PNP personnel should not do this,” Obinieta stressed, adding that people in uniform should set as good example to ordinary citizen.
“Non-wearing of helmet corresponds with a huge penalty and much more if violators are working in the government, this might be heavier than the violation made by ordinary citizens who did not comply with the law,” Obinieta added.
She added as part of their effort to lessen riders who are not wearing helmets, they had deputized some TOMECO members who, aside from issuing citation tickets, are also auhtorized to confiscate drivers license.
On the part of Highway Patrol Group Director Police Senior Superintendent Romeo Campomanes, law enforcers in the region have no reason not to abide with the law as the national headquarters of the PNP is on the campaign to ensure that all law enforcers will abide with the law prescribing wearing of helmet.
Tanauan Mayor Agapito Pagayanan shows to the local media some illegal fishing paraphernalia seized by the Bantay Daga of his town. LITO ABALA BAGUNAS
This was the reactions of the members of the technical working group for the Road Traffic Injury Prevention composed of different national government line-agencies in the region.
In the press conference held at the regional office of the Department of Health,one of the questions centered on the observation that some men in uniform particularly law enforcers are roaming around the city of Tacloban without wearing helmet.
Traffic Operations, Management, Enforcement and Control Office, for example, cited that in some operations they conduct in this city for the implementation of the local ordinance prescribing the use of helmet among road users, most of the violators they caught were law enforcers.
For their part,the Land Transportation Office, the Division chief for Operation Rebecca Obinieta stressed that law enforcers should not abuse their position.
“PNP personnel should not do this,” Obinieta stressed, adding that people in uniform should set as good example to ordinary citizen.
“Non-wearing of helmet corresponds with a huge penalty and much more if violators are working in the government, this might be heavier than the violation made by ordinary citizens who did not comply with the law,” Obinieta added.
She added as part of their effort to lessen riders who are not wearing helmets, they had deputized some TOMECO members who, aside from issuing citation tickets, are also auhtorized to confiscate drivers license.
On the part of Highway Patrol Group Director Police Senior Superintendent Romeo Campomanes, law enforcers in the region have no reason not to abide with the law as the national headquarters of the PNP is on the campaign to ensure that all law enforcers will abide with the law prescribing wearing of helmet.
‘We need to act professionally’ Councilor Yaokasin comments on walkout incident
TACLOBAN CITY – “We need to act professionally,” so said Councilor Jerry “Sambo” Yaokasin, this after an incident in the city council of Tacloban, were members of the majority bloc left the session hall when Environmental Management Bureau Solid Waste Management Coordinator Maribel Munsayac was about to present the technical aspect on the construction of a sanitary landfill for the city.
It was learned from Yaokasin that through the motion he made in last week’s regular session, the members of the city council unanimously pass a resolution asking the presence of the EMB to clarify on the technical aspects of constructing a sanitary landfill which explained the presence of Munsayac and some EMB personnel during their regular session last Wednesday.
Yaokasin said that he had been checking regularly the control dump site of the city located in Barangay Santo Niño.
The dump site, according to Yaokasin, poses danger to residents in the area including students who are studying at the newly- constructed school campus allocated by the city government just a few meters away from the dump site.
He added that in his last visit in the area, residents, including students and teachers, had already raised concern that the present condition of the dump site had been affecting their health.
“Sad to say that for some other reasons my colleagues were (become) busy when EMB are about to present,” said Yaokasin.
“They went here prepared hoping that the city council is now serious to tackle and listen to what they have prepared. I just hope that this will not happen again when we invite other agencies,” he added.
Yaokasin added that he hopes that members of the legislative body would act and show professionalism being elected officials of this city the next time they invite representative of other agencies to appear at the city council.
It was learned from Yaokasin that through the motion he made in last week’s regular session, the members of the city council unanimously pass a resolution asking the presence of the EMB to clarify on the technical aspects of constructing a sanitary landfill which explained the presence of Munsayac and some EMB personnel during their regular session last Wednesday.
Yaokasin said that he had been checking regularly the control dump site of the city located in Barangay Santo Niño.
The dump site, according to Yaokasin, poses danger to residents in the area including students who are studying at the newly- constructed school campus allocated by the city government just a few meters away from the dump site.
He added that in his last visit in the area, residents, including students and teachers, had already raised concern that the present condition of the dump site had been affecting their health.
“Sad to say that for some other reasons my colleagues were (become) busy when EMB are about to present,” said Yaokasin.
“They went here prepared hoping that the city council is now serious to tackle and listen to what they have prepared. I just hope that this will not happen again when we invite other agencies,” he added.
Yaokasin added that he hopes that members of the legislative body would act and show professionalism being elected officials of this city the next time they invite representative of other agencies to appear at the city council.
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