Monday, February 29, 2016

NGO turns over water reservoir to mountain village in Ormoc

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Feb. 29 (PNA) -- Residents of a mountain community here need not worry about their water supply anymore with the turnover of a newly-constructed reservoir to them last Friday. 

Non-government organization (NGO) Green Empowerment built the facility as part of its program called Building Climate Resilience in Water Stressed Communities.

The 30-cu.m. capacity water tank is located in the sub-village of Hampig, village of Danao, located 17 kilometers northeast from Ormoc City. 

The NGO also distributed toilet facilities to 38 households and installed hand-washing faucets at the elementary school, daycare center and pre-elementary school.

Moreover, 76 hygiene kits were given to daycare and kindergarten pupils during the program. Each kit contains a bath soap, face towel, toothbrush, toothpaste and comb. Green Empowerment spent PHP1.2 million for the project through funding from the US Agency for International Development. (PNA)
JBP/SQM/FELIX N. CODILLA

Senate wannabes vow to improve plight of Samar’s poor families

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Feb. 29 -- Senatorial candidates from different parties promised a better future for impoverished Samar province.

Samar, the country’s 10th poorest province with a poverty incidence of 43.5 percent, has 490,421 registered voters for the May 9, 2016 elections.

Former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, who chaired the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council during his term as Leyte governor said the government has been pouring more resources to Samar areas than in Leyte, but it is not enough.

“I will push for more development projects in Samar as your Waray-speaking senator. I am with you not just this campaign period, but after elections as well,” Petilla said.

His partymate, former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima vowed to work to bring justice to human rights victims in the province, specifically in Calbayog City where she provided legal services as lawyer.

Former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francisco Tolentino wooed Samar voters with a platform of empowering local government units to be able to respond to basic needs. 

Free tuition fee is Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian’s top priority once elected in the Senate.

Leyte first district Rep. Ferdinand Romualdez agreed with Petilla for a need to elect a senator from Eastern Visayas.

“We are the poorest region and we have a population of four million, representing four percent of the national total. That means, we need at least four percent share of the national budget,” Romualdez said.

Panfilo Lacson, the former post-Yolanda rehabilitation czar, promised to push for the creation an agency that will focus on post-disaster response in the country.

All of them spoke before hundreds of students of the Samar State University and the crowd in front of the provincial capitol. They were ushered by local officials through a motorcade after the press briefing.

National candidates visited Samar province as invited by Rep. Milagrosa Tan during the solon’s birthday on Feb. 25. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA

Sunday, February 28, 2016

DENR notes increasing wild ducks population in Leyte’s natural park

BURAUEN, Leyte, Feb. 28 (PNA) – The Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is stepping up their watch on the estimated 1,000 migratory and resident wild ducks within the Mahagnao Volcano and Natural Park.

The DENR has deployed a 14-man green brigade to lead the protection of rich biodiversity in Mahagnao, including the increasing population of wild ducks.

“We want to make these wild ducks feel that Mahagnao is their safe natural habitat, especially that they are included in our conservation list,” said Ingelina Lantajo, head of the DENR Eastern Visayas wildlife management unit.

Frequently sighted in the natural park are three species – Mallard Duck, Philippine Duck, and Wandering-Whistling Duck. Some of these have migrated to the country from Indonesia and Australia, according to Lantajo.

Mariano Donceras, a DENR forest guard and biodiversity monitoring system coordinator for Mahagnao said that wild ducks have been sighted in Mahagnao since 1990s, but it was only last year that their population has significantly increased.

“More ducks have been residents in this freshwater wetland because of rich biodiversity,” Donceras added.

The 14-man brigade ensures that nobody will harm these ducks and protect their natural habitats from destructive activities

Under Republic Act No. 9147, it is illegal to kill or destroy wildlife species except on these conditions: The animals are part of religious rituals, the animal is suffering from an “incurable communicable disease” when the killing is done to “prevent imminent danger to the life or limb of a human being,” and when the animal is killed after its use for “authorized” research or experiment.

These ducks have been wandering near the Malagsum Lake, a volcanic crater lake within the 635 hectares protected area.

Under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) of the DENR, the park was established through Proclamation no. 1157 on February 3, 1998.

Situated 1,200 meters above sea level and surrounded with Leyte’s natural wonders, the park is listed as one of the protected areas (category III) identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Category III consists of small protected areas with high visitor value. (PNA)
BNB/SARWELL Q. MENIANO


Escudero belies reports that he’s LP's alternative VP bet

TACLOBAN CITY, Feb. 26 (PNA) – Senator Francis Escudero on Friday denied reports that he is the Liberal Party (LP)'s alternative vice presidential candidate to Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo.

In a press briefing here, Escudero said he has not even communicating regularly with his friend, President Benigno Aquino III this election period.

“The rumor that I am their Plan B candidate is not true. The last time I texted the President was during his birthday when I greet him and he thanked me,” Escudero told reporters.

The President has been actively campaigning for the Mar Roxas and Robredo as the ruling party's presidential and vice presidential candidates.

“I respect President Aquino’s preference for vice president and I’m not in a position this time to change that,” Escudero said.

Escudero said he and his presidential running mate Sen. Grace Poe have been working together to win in the May 9 elections and not bothered with rumors that seek to break their political ties.

“No plan B for Sen. Grace and I because our plan A is for her to be able to run, be qualified and win,” he added.

On Thursday, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported about social media post of Robredo’s supporter Malou Tiquia, founder of campaigns management firm Publicus Asia that she got information from “credible sources” that LP might junk the Camarines Sur solon if her performance on surveys will not improve.

Since the news broke out, rumors have been spreading that Escudero is LP’s alternative vice presidential candidate. (PNA)
JFM/Sarwell Q. Meniano 

Solon hits Sen. Marcos for being unapologetic about Martial Law atrocities

TACLOBAN CITY, Feb. 26 (PNA) -– Voters should be skeptic of voting for Sen. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. as vice president if he would not apologize for the Marital Law atrocities done by his father, said Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colminares.

The militant solon, who was in this city on Friday for their campaign sortie said that issues here are not about the accountability of the son to the “sins of his father.”

“This is an issue on the position of the son on whether or not the father has sinned. If the son believes that the father has not sinned, I will not vote for him because for me, the father has sinned,” said 
Colminares, one of the senatorial candidates of Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Chiz Escudero tandem.

In a press briefing, Colminares recalled that he was just 18 when arrested for his plea to allow school papers to publish stories during Martial Law. The solon was active in the College Editors Guild of the Philippines and the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines.

“Who says that Martial Law was great? I suffered physical and mental torture when they imprisoned me for four years. How could it be great when I lined up to get corn as rationed by the government instead of rice?” Colminares asked.

“Anyone who will run for public and would say that Martial Law is great, I will not vote for that candidate,” he added.

The solon believed that some people see Martial Law as better years because there was no traffic congestion, but it did not reflect governance.

“Of course, there was no traffic jam during those years and even after the Marcos regime because there were only a few cars,” he said. (PNA)
LAP/Sarwell Q. Meniano


Only half of Tacloban candidates sign peace pact

TACLOBAN CITY, Feb. 26 (PNA) -- Only half of the total number of candidates from this city joined the peace covenant signing on Wednesday at the Sto. Niño Parish Church. 

Of the two candidates for mayor, only Councilor Neil Glova attended the signing. His rival, Councilor Cristina Romualdez, the mayor’s wife did not show up. Vice Mayor Jerry T. Yaokasin, who is running against an unknown candidate, was also present. 

Of the 18 candidates for councilors, only 12 signed the peace covenant. Among them are incumbent Councilors Jerry S. Uy, Evangeline Esperas, Dalisay Espe, Raissa Villasin, and Victor Domingo. 

New aspirants who signed the pact were Roman Becher, Elvira Casal, Roly Corpin, Ferdinand Lomuntad, Hilarion Menzon, Rodrigo Sabong and Aurora Aimee Grafil. 

All candidates signed the pledges of commitment “in the belief that suffrage is solemn sovereignty and binding themselves to the truth that the ballot an expression of sovereign is sacred.” 

“They all vowed to abide by all elections laws, rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission on Elections to conduct a high level campaign, explaining their respective programs of government and qualifications and reasons for seeking public office,” said Tacloban election officer Goretti Cañas. 

Through signing, candidates vowed to provide people accurate information that will help assess of their suitability to the public office. They are also committed to “promote a clean, safe and wholesome environment, as well as reverence and respect for life.” 

The signing of the peace covenant was witnessed by city prosecutor Ruperto B. Golong, city police chief Supt. Domingo Cabillan, Philippine Army commander Col. Francisco F. Mendoza, Jr., and Fr. Elmo Manching of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/Lizbeth Ann A. Abella/egr

Friday, February 26, 2016

Ormoc’s upland farmers get boost from local, int’l donors

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Feb. 26 (PNA) -- Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Jaroslav Olsa Jr. led the formal turnover of a protected cultivation project to Cabingtan Livelihood Association (Calcoa) on Thursday. 

The project is located on almost three hectares of land in the mountain Cabingtan village, 23.7 kilometers from the city center.

The project was originally initiated in 2012 by the Energy Development Corp. which built 24 units high type and 30 units low type protective tunnels. Calcoa plants different varieties of vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, etc.

Built from ultraviolet (UV) filtering plastic, a passable tunnel is a structure for crop protection by creating an optimal microclimate. Its main purpose is to protect the crops from direct rainfall to reduce weeds drastically.
It also shields the crops from wind and provides protection from harmful UV. 

The structures reduce costs and improve yields by avoiding leaching of fertilizers and enable the proper application of pesticides. The ample space of the tunnels allows farmers to work conveniently under the structures and the plants to reach their maximum height potential.

Another innovative technology that was introduced by is the drip system, considered as the most effective irrigation technique by providing the right dosage of water at correct intervals, thus conserving water. It allows the farmer to accurately control water quantities to irrigate as close as possible to the root zone. It also reduces the spread of plant disease as it is applied directly to the soil.

Overall, the combined technology of protective structures and drip system enable farmers to save time and labor on weeding and irrigation. It also maximizes the yields while reducing costs and makes it easier for farmers to attend to their fields regardless of weather conditions.

However, the structures were destroyed when super typhoon Yolanda battered the city on Nov. 8, 2013. 
Fortunately, these were also restored by Germany’s Afos Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development Cooperation which also added 50 structures.

IsraAid entered the picture on November 2014 through its Food Security and Agriculture Livelihood Program, a holistic approach to enhance farmers’ capacity from production to marketing by creating agri-business opportunities. It built 19 more structures which costs USD200 each. The structures have a lifespan of five years.

For the next 16 months, IsraAid provided support and capacity building to Calcoa by introducing technology and knowhow through hands-on training. It deployed an agronomist to guide farmers in cultivation complimented by post-harvest practices and marketing strategies.

The project is made even more successful with funding support from Czech Republic Development Cooperation and Australian Center for International Agricultural Research. Ormoc Chamber of Commerce and Industry will provide marketing support by linking the farmers to institutional buyers to include its members who are hotel and restaurant owners.

Based on the initial success of the project, IsraAid is interested on taking the project further by enhancing farmers’ production ability and connecting them to wider markets. It also plans to turn the site into a demonstration farm where farmers and students learn so they can replicate the model to their own communities. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/FELIX N. CODILLA

Thursday, February 25, 2016

World Bank-funded road project kicks off in Southern Leyte

SAINT BERNARD, Southern Leyte, Feb. 25 (PNA) – The government will embark on a PHP182.7 million farm-to-market road in this town to prop local economy.

The World Bank-funded project will enhance transport in nine villages between Mahayahay village in Saint Bernard town to Manalog village in Hinunangan town, known farming communities.

Southern Leyte Governor Roger Mercado said that “this is one dream made real. I thought we will never reach this far. At least, our sacrifices paid off. Of course, this will not be possible if not for the Department of Agriculture helping us all the way.”

He pointed out, “Now, we expect more areas to be developed because of the new road. In few years, along with the rise in economic activities here, we expect improvement also in the living condition of our farmers.”

For his part, Department of Agriculture (DA) Eastern Visayas Regional Executive Director and concurrent PRDP Regional Project Director Leo Cañeda said that “Southern Leyte has the biggest projects funded under the PRDP in the entire region and, perhaps even ranks among the highest PRDP funded projects throughout the country.”

This project, once completed, will link the municipalities of Saint Bernard and Hinunangan, the province’s top rice-producing areas. Apart from rice, other major agricultural products in these municipalities include coconut, banana, abaca, root crops and vegetables.

This is the region’s second PRDP funded road project to be implemented following a similar sub-project in Sogod, Southern Leyte, which started on August 2015.

This rural road network has a total length of 16.58 kilometers and will benefit 2,118 households.

Cañeda mentioned that the said road project would be very beneficial to the residents in transporting farm products to the town market. It will contribute to increasing the farmers’ income.

“Southern Leyte, once upon a time, ranks among those with highest poverty incidence but in just few years, it was able to turnaround the situation. This time, the province has the lowest poverty incidence in the region. This simply indicates how the local leadership works hard to address the situation,” he recalled.

In an interview, Evangeline Eguna, president of the Mahayag Women’s Association in Saint Bernard pointed out that the project will help particularly in terms of the marketing of their rootcrop products.

“The project will result in reduced travel time, lower transport cost and, will bring better marketing options for the farmers with the two municipalities that will be connected by a good road network,” Eguna said. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/DA-PR

Four pythons released back into the wild

BURAUEN, Leyte, Feb. 25 (PNA) –- Four captured pythons found their new home at the Mahagnao Volcano and National Park after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources released them back into the wild on Wednesday.

These snakes of different sizes were recently found in different areas in Tacloban City. Residents voluntarily brought these pythons to the DENR rescue center.

“We have to release them within a protected area like in Mahagnao because the biodiversity is still intact. They have lots of food to eat here so they won’t live near human beings,” said Ingelina Lantajo, head of the DENR Eastern Visayas wildlife management unit.

Of the four reptiles, three are known as reticulated pythons with a length of two meters, weighing four to six kilograms. The smallest is a one-meter long Burmese python, weighing one kilogram.

Lantajo noted that more snakes have been stuck in residential areas to hunt for food due to scarcity of prey in their natural habitat such as rodents, frogs, lizards, and chickens.

“Pythons are considered as endangered species. We have to protect them because they are part of the food chain. Their presence is significant to control the population of rodents and other domesticated animals,” she explained.

Pythons are one of the largest snakes commonly found in Asia and Africa. Though python is a non-venomous type, it still can squeeze a human being or an animal to death. (PNA)
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

Martial Law victims in Samar recall fateful days

MARABUT, Samar, Feb. 25 (PNA) – It’s been more than three decades since the Martial Law was lifted, but victims and survivors in Samar provinces vividly recalled the trauma they and their love ones suffered at the hands of law enforcers.

Dolphy Alumbro, 53, of San Roque village, Marabut town was heading to a church in Legazpi village for the christening of his fourth son when suddenly a group of soldiers arrested him for suspicions that he's a member of the New People’s Army (NPA).

“I was brought to a camp and beaten by four soldiers for several days to force me to admit that I was an NPA member,” the farmer said, recalling that 34 other men from their village suffered the same ordeal.

“I was badly injured and was restrained from work for 15 days," he added, showing scars from injuries in different parts of his body.

Men in their village were suspected as rebels after soldiers observed that they frequently hiked to upland areas to cultivate their farms.

In Quinapondan, Eastern Samar, Flaviana Gulferica, 59, has been a widow since 1985 when soldiers killed her husband, Dionesio.

Suspected as an NPA member, Flaviana's husband was tortured to death by armies camped in Quinapondan town. “He was brutally tortured and stabbed on the chest leading to his last breath,” Flaviana tearfully recalled.

A group of men already buried her husband's corpse before she learned of his death. She still has to dig her husband out from the ground to have a last glimpse of him and subject the body to an autopsy, which confirmed that her husband was brutally killed.

Their stories are just few of the many stories of torture during the regime of President Ferdinand Marcos, particularly after the signing of Proclamation No. 1081 on Sept. 21, 1972

Amnesty International has estimated that during Martial Law, 70,000 people were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured, and 3,240 were killed.

These years of atrocities lead up to the historical 1986 People Power Revolution that toppled the Marcos regime. (PNA)
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

BIR Eastern Visayas eyes PHP8.67-B tax collection this year

PALO, Leyte, Feb. 24 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Eastern Visayas is targeting a PHP8.67 billion collection in 2016 or nearly PHP2 billion higher than the actual earnings last year.

BIR Assistant Regional Director Edgar Tolentino admitted that the goal is high, but they will “try their best” to attain the target by strengthening the enforcement of tax laws.

Of the PHP8.67 billion target, PHP5.68 billion will be from income tax, PHP2.17 million from value added tax, PHP10.72 million from excise taxes, PHP316.74 million from percentage tax, and PHP483.58 million other taxes.

Among revenue district offices (RDO), Tacloban City RDO in northern Leyte has the highest target with PHP3.69 billion. It is followed by Ormoc City RDO in western Leyte with PHP1.59 billion and Catbalogan City RDO in Samar with PHP1.14 billion.

Other RDOs got higher collection goals this year -- Catarman RDO in Northern Samar with PHP838.95 million, Borongan City RDO in Eastern Samar with PHP705.58 million, and Maasin City RDO in Southern Leyte with PHP699.01 million.

During the 2016 tax campaign kickoff, BIR Deputy Commissioner Nelson Aspe said the target has increased in all field offices nationwide by 40 percent. 

“This is a full administration target set in 2010 and we have to stick with it regardless of the country’s economic situation. If the regional or district revenue office fail to hit the target, they just have to explain,” Aspe said.

The tax agency is also counting computerization projects such as online system for transfer tax transactions, electronic certificate registration, and electronic tax information system to enhance revenue generation.
BIR will step up compliance monitoring through existing programs such as the run against tax evaders and Oplan Kandado.

In 2015, tax generated by the BIR in Eastern Visayas has reached PHP6.52 billion, exceeding the PHP6.39 revenue target by PHP131.13 million.

The region achieved its target in 2015 primarily due to high collection of revenue district offices (RDOs) in Borongan City, which covers Eastern Samar province and Tacloban City, which generates taxes from northern Leyte and Biliran province.

Higher taxes generated in Yolanda-hit provinces are largely contributed by massive post-disaster reconstruction activities. (PNA)
JBP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

NHA skeptic to fully complete Tacloban housing projects within 2016

TACLOBAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PNA) -- The National Housing Authority reported that 5,767 houses have been completed in this city as of mid February, but the government has raised doubts that housing projects will be done within the time frame.

NHA Regional Manager Rizalde Mediavillo said the target -- 13,928 housing units -- will be substantially completed by December 2016, but some works could be extended until early 2017 due to some challenges.

“We address problems as they come. The most common issue is the process of securing development permits. Problems like logistics and shortage of construction materials is still there, but not as bad as early last year,” he added.

The NHA is currently building 8,161 houses in 19 sites located at the city’s northern villages.

According to NHA, their housing projects are complete with community facilities and water and power lines. 

For super typhoon Yolanda victims, the NHA has allocated space for school buildings, tricycle terminals, police outpost, Materials Recovery Facility, health center and covered basketball court cum multi-purpose center. 

Housing units will have individual septic tanks, and has a minimum lot size of 40 square meters, while loftable row house measures 22 square meters to follow the loftable resilient housing design.

Despite thousands of houses completed by NHA, only about 200 houses are occupied by families from high risk zones primarily due to absence of permanent water supply and electricity.

“Another concern of families is the distance of new houses from schools where their children are currently enrolled. By the end of school year, we will transfer 800 to 1,000 families,” Mediavillo said.

Department of Education Regional Director Luisa Bautista-Yu said they have to assess the need to build more classrooms, taking into account school children’s population and existing learning facilities in the areas.
“We have yet to come up with proposed budget for the construction of more school buildings,” Bautista-Yu said.

For the water project, the government currently provides temporary solution since it takes time for the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to revise the project plan.

The original funding requirement is PHP194 million, but after deciding to change the water source, the cost hiked to PHP600 million.

“The Department of Budget and Management has already downloaded PHP194 million funding to LWUA for implementation of the Leyte Metropolitan Water District. I think they will be able to start initial works by May this year,” said Mediavillo, who is tasked to coordinate efforts to set up the water project. (PNA)
JBP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

Leyte rice farmers gets loan for new cropping season

TACLOBAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PNA) -- Leyte rice farmers get fresh loans from the provincial government's More Income in the Countryside (MIC) rice program as a new planting season starts.

A total of 62 farmers from Babatngon, Tanauan and Sta. Fe towns received the new loans, which amount to a minimum of PHP15,000.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla said previous loans distributed to rice farmers have been successfully paid that the provincial government is able to roll over the amount for the next planting season and make whole program sustainable.

This time, more than PHP1.5 million was allotted by the province for these new rice loans.

The MIC rice program is a spin off the ICOT Rice Program of former governor and now senatorial candidate Carlos Jericho Petilla.

Mainly, the program is aimed at ensuring rice production for farmers and help in attaining rice self sufficiency in the province of Leyte.

The same mechanism for the loan has been in effect where farmers are allowed a minimum of PHP15,000 per hectare of rice farms. This would cover expenses for labor, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and insurance.

The farmers would pay back the loan amount through a good rice produce and would itself buy the rice direct from the farmers at a rate a peso higher than the prevailing price.

"The secret to the sustainability of the program is close monitoring of farmer beneficiaries to make sure that they are able to plant and produce good quality rice. If they are able to make the payments, this assures that there is a ready fund for another round of loan distribution needed for the next planting season," Petilla said.

Also, the governor added that under the program, planting climate resilient rice seeds has been encouraged to adapt to a changing climate which affects much the production.

Leyte has some 60,000 hectares of rice land. In 2007, the Department of Agriculture acknowledged Leyte as among the country's top rice producer. (PNA)
JBP/SQM/AHLETTE C. REYES

DAR provides trucks to Leyte’s sugar farmers

TACLOBAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PNA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has turned over on Tuesday two 10-wheeler heavy-duty dump trucks to two farmer organizations in Leyte’s sugarland area.

DAR Regional Director Sheila Enciso said the recipient organizations are the Boroc Agricultural Producers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BAP-MPC) in Ormoc City and the Libongao DAR Farmer Beneficiaries Association in Kananga.

Both groups are into sugar block farming, one of the agricultural-enterprise projects under DAR’s Agrarian Reform Communities Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS).

The dump trucks are among the recommended common service facilities by the state universities and colleges (SUCs) commissioned by DAR earlier to conduct the needs assessment and design assessment (NADA) for the different agri-enterprise projects under ARCCESS.

Enciso disclosed that the two dump trucks amounted to PHP5.7 million each.

Cesario Pulvera, manager of the BAP-MPC admitted that the dump truck is of great help to their cooperative, particularly in the hauling of sugarcanes.

With this truck, according to him, “we can save much money from rentals for we used to rent hauling trucks at PHP1,000 to PHP1,500 per trip depending on the distance and situation of the road.”

Besides, by offering hauling services too for a fee, “our cooperative will have another source of income,” Pulvera added.

As the lead agrarian reform beneficiary organization (ARBO) for sugar block farming, the BAP-MPC has also received from DAR two four-wheel drive tractors, a 90-horse power given in 2014 and a 120-horse power given in 2015.

Meanwhile, Enciso stressed that DAR will extend the necessary support services to its agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to make sure that lands awarded to them under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program’s (CARP’s) land transfer component become productive and eventually increase the farmers’ income leading towards a better quality life. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/DAR-PR

US-funded Kalahi-CIDSS empowers 1,232 poor communities in Eastern Visayas

PALO, Leyte, Feb. 23 (PNA) -– United States government-backed Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service (Kalahi-CIDSS) has already benefiting 215,117 poor families in Eastern Visayas, three months before the expiration of the project grant, designed to curb poverty.

The US government through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Philippine government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have poured PHP1.40 billion to 1,232 poor villages in 40 towns of the region since 2011.

During the learning forum Monday night, DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman lauded villagers for their effort to complete subprojects despite logistical hurdles and poor accessibility from trading centers.

“I was touched by stories of people that they don’t just benefit from tangible projects, but they were also empowered through their involvement in planning, decision-making and implementation,” Soliman said.

The DSWD reported that among the completed projects are 72.24-kilometer farm-to-market roads, 95.57-kilometer pathwalks, 169 classrooms, 3,052-meter seawall, 71 day care centers, 51 village health centers, among others.

The project has mobilized 82,790 community volunteers with women comprising 62 percent of the total number of participants.

Narra Jean Pacomo, resident of Poblacion 1, San Sebastian, Samar, one of the Kalahi-CIDDS recipient communitiy, shared that despite his physical deformity, she was asked to take part in the construction of drainage canal and breakwater project.

“The structure helped us feel safer during rainy days and rough seas, but more important, our involvement to carry out these projects empowered us,” Pacomo shared.

Marivic Añonuevo, managing director and chief executive officer Millennium Challenge Account–Philippines (MCA-P), the MCC’s central point of contact for compact implementation, lauded local government units and community volunteers for the successful implementation of 1,160 subprojects in the region.

“The past five years proved to be a fulfilling journey for us in the MCA-P. We are proud to be part of community-driven development. Over the past five years, the implementation was achieved not without any challenges, notably by super typhoon Yolanda and typhoon Ruby.”

“We have proved, however, that no typhoon can shake the strong partnership that we have established as we’re able to rehabilitate or replace damaged projects quickly,” she added.

Kalahi-CIDSS is a community-driven development project implemented by the DSWD. Under the project, communities and their local government units are trained to choose, design and implement sub-projects that address their most pressing need.

The project has total budget of PHP6.34 billion with bulk of the funding requirement is a grant from the US government. The remaining are counterparts of the national government and local government units.

The USD120-million grant from the US government is part of the USD434 million compact program signed by two countries in 2010 designed to fight poverty.

Other components are the Secondary National Road Development Project and the Revenue Administration Reform Project. The compact project will expire on May 2016. (PNA)
FFC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO


Leyte cop official denies transfer linked to politics

TACLOBAN CITY, Feb. 23 (PNA) –- A police official in this province has denied that his transfer to another town on Friday is politically-motivated.

Chief Insp. Ricky Reli broke his silence on the issue that his transfer from Carigara town to Kananga police station was requested by Carigara Mayor Eduardo Ong, after leading anti-drug operations.

“Never in my wildest dream that Ong will be accused of malicious allegations such as protecting drug lords or illegal drugs, considering that upon assumption, the marching order of the mayor was to conduct intensified illegal drugs operations,” Reli explained.

The local police chief found it “absurd” that his transfer is linked to politics since the reassignment order came from the police regional office, relayed through the provincial office.

“In fact, our organization would not be that successful in our effort to fight crimes without the all-out support of local government unit,” he added.

He recalled that the mayor even tried to request the regional office to retain him as chief of police.

In the past years, Reli was assigned to lead the Julita and Jaro town police stations. Prior to his assignment in Carigara, he was the operations officer for the papal visit early of 2015.

“One thing present wherever I am assigned, is my campaign against illegal drugs” said Reli.

“We have to understand that it is political season, and that propaganda or issues against certain politicians will come out, on my part as a government employee I am just doing my mandate,” he added.

“I strongly believe that no local chief executive will support illegal activities in their area especially when he himself is focused in the development of his place.” (PNA)
LAP/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR


Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Leyte town’s local candidates sign poll peace covenant

CARIGARA, Leyte, Feb. 23 (PNA) -- Local candidates here signed Monday for a peaceful conduct of elections this coming May.

Candidates who showed up to sign the treaty were from the two political families vying for the top position and local legislative spots. Incumbent Mayor Eduardo Ong led his slate in the signing, all of whom bannered their official green colors.

Meanwhile, candidate councilors from the opposing slate of mayoralty Anlie Apostol were also in attendance. However, Apostol herself was a ‘no-show’ during the whole event.

In his message, Fr. Ruel Cahido, parish priest of Holy Cross Parish, where the peace covenant signing was held, said that candidates should discipline their supporters as often, they are the cause if several troubles that mars the election process.

Army Major Arturo Dumalagan of the 19th Infantry Battalion, on the other hand, expressed their full support to the peaceful conduct of the elections.

Leyte police provincial office deputy for administration Supt. Marvin Marcos urged the local candidates to follow the rules and regulations set for the May 9 elections.

Municipal election officer Cesar Cabidog led the candidates in taking the integrity oath where they committed among others to follow the tenets of the Constitution, election laws, rules and regulation to ensure the peaceful conduct of the election.

Carigara town has been tagged as an “area of concern” for this year’s elections. The Commission on Election’s category for areas of concern is based on past and recent election-related violence, presence of private armed groups, intense political rivalry and insurgency problem.

Intense political rivalry has been noted among the running local candidates in the town. The incumbent mayor Ong is up against Leyte board member Anlie Apostol. Apostol formerly held the mayoralty post for three consecutive terms.

Ong’s brother Henry is running for the congressional seat in Leyte's second district against the elder Sergio Apostol. The latter’s family has been holding the position for more than 20 years now.

Mayor Ong meanwhile said that he is all for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the elections and that "no life should be sacrificed in the course of the election process" he added.

"Let us just work hard in our respective campaigns and let the people decide," Ong said.

The Philippine Army said that police counterparts in towns of Sta. Fe, Tolosa, Isabel, Pastrana, Alangalang, Leyte, Babatngon and Tacloban City have already scheduled to conduct peace covenant signing this week. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/AHLETTE C. REYES AND LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR

BIR-Eastern Visayas kicks off 2016 tax campaign

PALO, Leyte, Feb. 23 (PNA) -– The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has kicked off on Tuesday its 2016 tax campaign in Eastern Visayas with the aim to increase voluntary compliance to tax laws and sustain the momentum of higher tax earnings this year.

Hundreds of government officials, businessmen, academe officials, medical practitioners, media, professional groups, non-government organizations, certified public accountants, and lawyers have gathered to express support to the BIR tax campaign.

BIR Deputy Commissioner Nelson M. Aspe said the nationwide tax collection goal this year is 40 percent higher than in the previous year, which calls for intensified campaign and more cooperation of taxpayers.

In the case of the region, the 2016 collection goal is PHP8 billion, higher by PHP2 billion than the actual tax generated last year.

“Based on our assessment last year, the regional office in Eastern Visayas ranked number two out of 19 field offices in terms of collection performance. Our businessmen and tax payers in this region deserve credit,” Aspe said.

The BIR vowed to step up implementation of tax laws and facilitates voluntary compliance, noting that out of the 27 million registered payers, only 10 million are paying their taxes correctly.

“There are about 100 million Filipinos, but only 10 million of them are honestly paying their taxes. It goes to show that by ordinary estimates, of every 10 Filipinos, we have one taxpayer and nine dependents. That is very different to European counties where half of the population are taxpayers,” he explained.

Similar to previous years, the concept of love for the country is carried out in the BIR’s register file and pay (RFP) campaign, which advocates for the complete process of paying right taxes.

During the kick off drive, the BIR recognized 20 individuals, corporations, professionals and local government units for their contribution to the 2015 tax collection performance. (PNA)
LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

Education transforms lives of Badjao tribe members in Bato, Leyte

BATO, Leyte, Feb. 22 (PNA) -– Members of Badjao tribe dwelling in this coastal town are now reaping the benefits of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Alternative Learning System (ALS).

The 676 Badjaos living in 105 houses have been settling in a coastal community here for several for about five decades. They relocated to Leyte from Sulu to stay away from troubles hounding the south.
 
Tribe member Masijah Bansale, 45, one of the ALS program beneficiaries in Dolho village, shared how ALS program empowered her.

“I now know how to read and write. I won’t get lost now because I already know how to read directions,” she said.

Bansale shared that she was not able to complete elementary education because her family had no permanent dwelling place.

“I wanted to study nursing, but because of poverty was not able to pursue that dream,” she recalled.

Her relatives, Jesus Menjani Esmani and Salvador Lampingin were the first two tribe members based in this town who managed to earn a college degree.

Both of her relatives completed teacher’s education course, but only Esmani works as secondary school teacher at the Bato National High School. Lampingin has yet to take a licensure examination.

“College days were difficult for me especially during examination days, being a child of a poor fisherman,” Esmani recalled. “During examinations, I used promissory notes so that my instructor would allow me to take the exam.”

Esmani also endured racial discrimination at the campus as tribe member, but after landing a teaching job, he’s been respected by people.

“Badjao tribe has this strong family ties. We don’t want to be separate from each other. That is why my parents forced me to take education course instead of accountancy,” Esmani shared.

The decision of his family has proved them right since it did not only open the mind of people, but he also became an inspiration to the younger tribe members to seek formal education.

“Education is really important, like for us who belongs to minority tribe, people look down on us. But if they learn that you are a professional, they look up unto you and feel inspired of what you have achieved,” said Esmani, who used to be a volunteer ALS program worker.

The ALS program for Badjaos does not only aim to educate them, but also seeks to lessen the number of tribe members begging for food and cash, said ALS program coordinator for DepEd Leyte division Roberto Mangalinan.

“This is a good program to encourage them to study. This does not only cater to tribe members, but also to out-of-school youth and others who are willing to attain education,” Mangalinan said.

With the success of the program, the DepEd is hiring more volunteers for ALS as teachers.

“The ALS program does not only help teach Badjao to read and write, but this also raises their awareness of what’s happening in the society, said Camila Albani, a Badjao member and a village health worker.

The program teaches her fellow Badjao that mendicancy is unlawful and risky.

Albani noted that many Badjao parents send their children to school because of the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer Program. This helps them connect to the mainstream society, which they were not able to experience in Mindanao.

Before education was introduced to the tribe, proper sanitation was a major problem, recalled Llarita Salilit, Badjao ALS education coordinator.

But the local government unit of Bato was persistent on helping them. After building a common toilet for the Badjao community, they were also allowed to build their own houses and be registered voters of the town.

“They know now why it is important to use toilet and maintain personal hygiene,” Salilit said.

She added that if a Badjao family decides to stay in the community, they are asked not to indulge in begging. If one is found out that they are begging on the streets, they are asked to leave the community, according to Salilit.

“Before, people are either scared or ridiculed of Badjaos, but now that they are educated, people in the mainstream society have started accepting them,” she added. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR


Monday, February 22, 2016

Leyte farmers get corn mill facility through DOLE-Army partnership

CARIGARA, Leyte, Feb. 22 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has turned over on Friday two corn mill facilities for farmers of Tigbao and Baruguhay Sur villages in this town.

The two corn mill facilities worth PHP540,000 will benefit about 200 farmers of Tigbao Farmers Association and Baruguhay Sur Farmers Association, including the Municipal farmers Association (MUFAC) in this town.

In the turn-over ceremony, Bernardita Navarra, chief of the DOLE Northern Leyte field office said the establishment of the corn mill facilities is the result of the approved project proposal during DOLE and Philippine Army partnership in 2015.

It can also be recalled that the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion and Civil Military Operations Battalion’s achievement during the conduct of Bayanihan Team Activity (BTA), soldiers were proven active partners in bringing the basic and social services closer to the people.

Under this scheme, social issues are identified and are subsequently communicated to concerned government agencies for appropriate actions.

“I urged peace stakeholders to join us as we continue to organize and empower communities and indulge on long-term and sustainable solutions to the country’s perennial issue on poverty,” said Lt. Col. Roberto Sarmiento, commanding officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion.

Sarmiento thanked the DOLE for the immediate implementation of the project and urged the support of all stakeholders to sustain the peace and development as well as economic progress in Carigara town. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/PR

DPWH directs field offices to join Comelec in removal of illegal campaign materials

PALO, Leyte, Feb. 22 (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office here has directed district engineering offices in Eastern Visayas to assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the removal of illegal campaign paraphernalia.

DPWH Regional Director Rolando Asis said that DPWH teams will coordinate with the poll body and the Philippine National Police in the provision of personnel and equipment to remove unlawful campaign materials.

The Comelec is the lead ahgency in this drive since they know where the common poster areas are and specifications of lawful and unlawful materials. DPWH is tasked to provide manpower and equipment and the police will secure the activity.

“The DPWH team, by authority of Comelec, may immediately remove, confiscate and destroy any unlawful election propaganda posted in prohibited areas,” Asis said.

The DPWH will also remove illegal campaign materials posted outside the Comelec-designated common poster areas. Asis also ordered field offices to take photographs of campaign paraphernalia prior to removal.
“We will turnover removed campaign materials to the Comelec for safekeeping and proper disposal,” he added.

The poll body has allowed the following sizes for the materials in common poster areas: 12 x 16 feet (for political parties and partylist groups), 4 x 6 feet, (for independent candidates), and 2 x 3 feet (for individual posters).

During public rallies and meetings, considered as lawful are streamers not exceeding 3 feet by 8 feet in size displayed at the site and on the occasion of a public meeting or rally.

According to Comelec rules, said streamers maybe displayed five days before the date of the meeting or rally and should be removed within 24 hours after said meeting or rally.

The election period for candidates running for national positions has started on February 9. For local candidates, the campaign period will kick off on March 25. (PNA)
JBP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

Eastern Visayas unemployment rate slightly dips in 2015

TACLOBAN CITY, Feb. 22 (PNA) –- Unemployment rate in Eastern Visayas has dropped to 5.3 percent in 2015 from 5.6 percent a year ago, indicating a recovery of local business sectors after the destructive 2013 typhoon, an official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.

DOLE Assistant Regional Director Exequiel Ronie Guzman said that based on estimates of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), local economy and job generation activities has been improving as more people in the labor force found jobs last year.

“Even just a .1 percent increase has a very big impact especially that the region is still recovering from destruction of super typhoon Yolanda,” Guzman said.

The official believed that higher spending for reconstruction projects has created more job opportunities in the region, especially for retail and services establishments, which comprise 98 percent of the total number of businesses in the region.

In terms of underemployment, its rate dipped from 32.4 in 2014 to 26 percent last year, which means that more workers are getting extra jobs or getting higher pay.

“Our presumption is that there are more job opportunities, either in the formal or informal sector,” Guzman added.

By definition, employed persons who express the desire to have additional hours of work in their present job, or to have additional job, or to have a new job with longer working hours are considered underemployed. 

Between March and April this year, the DOLE is expecting an increase in the number of unemployed persons as more fresh graduates will join the region’s labor force.

“The adjustment is expected every after graduation, but the decline this year will be reduced with election campaign activities that require thousands of workers for temporary employment,” Guzman said. (PNA)
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO