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.
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