DSWD says no holiday break in aid distribution for ‘Nona’ victims in Northern Samar

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 28 (PNA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has delivered relief goods to typhoon-hit families in four Northern Samar towns over the holidays.

The badly affected towns received rice, canned goods and tarpaulin, the DSWD said in a press statement on Monday.

The DSWD provided 721 sacks of 50 kilograms of rice, 1,001 boxes of canned goods, and 75 rolls of tarpaulin to affected families in Bobon town.

In San Roque town, DSWD also gave out 300 sacks of 50 kilograms rice, and 50 boxes corned beef.

Likewise, in Allen town, some 100 sacks of 50 kilograms of rice, 960 boxes of corned beef, and 50 rolls of tarpaulin were delivered while Lope de Vega was given 412 sacks of 50 kg of rice and 859 of boxes of corned beef.

DSWD disaster teams in the region are also continuously repacking goods and doing relief operations over the holidays.

As of December 27, a total of 1,447 families or 6,508 persons are still inside 97 evacuation centers managed by local government units in the affected areas in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions. (PNA)
FFC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

Region 8 police burns seized firecrackers

PALO, Leyte, Dec. 28 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas has burned on Monday the confiscated illegal firecrackers from various police field offices worth more than PHP209,000.

Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Cedrick Train led the disposal at the grandstand of police regional office in this town.

The burning of confiscated firecracker is in line with national government’s campaign to achieve zero firecracker related injuries in the country in relation to Christmas and New Year’s revelries.

Train said that the firecrackers had been confiscated through a search warrant served by Task Force “Paputok.” One of those with search warrant is businessman Frederick Fernandez Dy of Calbiga, Samar.

Among the firecrackers disposed were lolo thunder, super lolo, five star, sawa rambo special, plapla and piccolo.

“We don’t want anyone to get hurt while we celebrate a very happy occasion. We are appealing to the public, especially to children to avoid using firecrackers,” said Train.

He also directed all police units to operate against vendors of illegal firecrackers or fireworks and assured that they will work hand-in-hand with other government agencies to achieve their goal of zero-firecracker related injuries.

Operation against illegal firecracker vendors will go on until January 3, according to Train.

He also urged civilian gun owners to be responsible this Yuletide celebration by not using their gun to avoid accidents and loss of lives.

The police, army and other law enforcers in the region has conducted gun muzzle taping, in line with the efforts against illegal discharge of firearms this holiday season. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA

Baybay City to gather 2,100 kids for a post-Christmas party

BAYBAY CITY, Leyte, Dec. 28 (PNA) -- The city government here will bring holiday cheers to all day care learners in this city through a post-Christmas party on Jan. 2, 2016.

Mayor Carmen L. Cari said the 2,100 children from the different day care centers in 92 villages will join the party.

Cari said children will be treated with spaghetti, burger steak, and candies. They will also be entertained by a clown. They will also get a pair of flip flops and small gifts.

The Christmas treat, according to Cari, is the local government’s ways of letting the children know the real meaning of Christmas, through giving and sharing.

“Sometimes these children do not know what Christmas is all about,” said Cari. “We just hope that our activity is not too late to let children feel the real essence of Christmas.”

The mayor explained that the kid’s party came late since the city has been very busy for the activities intended for Christmas Day and fiesta celebration on Dec. 27.

Although the local government has already launched similar gift giving activity, this will be the first time that more than 2,000 children are recipients.

The city’s plaza is expected to transform into a huge playground for children on January 2. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR

Ormoc kicks off second round of shelter aid distribution

ORMOC City, Leyte, Dec. 28 (PNA) – The City Treasurer’s Office resumed this week the second release of the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) after receiving the funds from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

DSWD Regional Director Nestor Ramos personally handed over last Dec. 22 the check worth PHP414.08 million to city treasurer Delia Vilbar for distribution to at least 28,984 families under the category “totally damaged” homes.

Each family is entitled to receive PHP15,000 representing half of the assistance. The local government completed the distribution of the first tranche on October.

Mayor Edward C. Codilla would have wanted to conclude the ESA distribution before Christmas, but because of the long holidays, only beneficiaries from 18 villages will be given their share.

City Administrator Francis Pepito is confident though that the distribution will be concluded before the election ban on Jan. 29, 2016.

It may be recalled that last June 1, DSWD downloaded to Ormoc PHP689,369,934.25 which turned out to be insufficient as the number of families rose from 40,673 to 52,325 with the accommodation of more names in the master list, thus reducing the amount received by the beneficiaries.

With the concurrence of the city council, it was decided that families whose houses were destroyed will receive PHP15,000 instead of PHP30,000, while those whose homes were damaged will get PHP10,000 instead of PHP15,000 on the premise that the remaining amounts will be requested from the national government thereafter.

The ESA is being released by the DSWD as part of the rehabilitation efforts to help super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ survivors rebuild their homes. (PNA)
FFC/JFM/SQM/FNC/EGR

Holiday revelries hurt six kids in typhoon-hit Northern Samar

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 26 (PNA) -- Christmas revelry has wounded six children in typhoon-hit Northern Samar, the only province in Eastern Visayas with reported firecracker-related injuries as of Saturday morning.

“We don’t know why all reported injuries are in Northern Samar. Our appeal to all victims is to immediately seek medical attention because firecracker injury victims are very prone to tetanus infection,” said Roderick Boyd Cerro, chief of the Department of Health regional epidemiology and surveillance unit.

Five of the six victims suffered blast injury after igniting piccolo.

A lone victim sustained an eye injury after using lantaka (bamboo cannon), a popular alternative to firecrackers.

Young victims are from the towns of Pambujan, Lope de Vega, Mondragon, Catarman and Laoang, all in Northern Samar, which was battered by typhoon "Nona" on Dec. 14.

The government has launched its monitoring of Christmas and New Year revelries on Dec. 16, 2015 and will conclude on Jan. 5, 2016.

Operation centers have been activated in different provinces to monitor firecracker-related injuries.

The DOH encouraged the public to stop exploding firecrackers, but instead use other noisemakers such as party horns, car horns and loud music to celebrate the holidays. (PNA)

LDV/SQM

Military in Samar on alert for CPP anniversary

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 26 – The Philippine Army in Samar is on alert on Saturday as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) marks its 46th founding anniversary.

Capt. Isagani Viernes, Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division spokesman, said that although some soldiers were on holiday break, military camps, especially in Samar were on defensive mode for possible attacks of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of CPP.

After launching three attacks within a week before Christmas Day, Viernes said there were no reported antrocities committed by rebels on Friday, allowing soldiers on duty to celebrate Christmas with their families in camps.

The military has suspended combat operation in compliance to the 12-day unilateral ceasefire approved by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III. The holiday truce took effect 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 23, 2015 until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2016.

“But we are not complacent because we know that rebels traditionally mark their anniversary with atrocities, but we hope that they will respect the ceasefire,” Viernes added.

On Dec. 22, a soldier and a civilian were wounded in an attack launched by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) Tuesday night at a camp in San Jorge, Samar.

The attack occurred on the same day when an undetermined number of rebels ambushed a military truck used for post-Nona response, killing a soldier and wounded three others in Las Navas, Northern Samar.

On Dec. 18, a convoy of military trucks were attacked in Pinabacdao, Samar after the soldiers delivered relief goods for typhoon victims in Eastern Samar. Two soldiers were hurt during the ambush. (PNA)
RMA/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

Agrarian reform beneficiaries find treasure out of trash

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 26 (PNA) - Some agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) are now earning extra amount income by selling organic fertilizers they themselves manufactured out of waste materials.

Just five months into vermi composting, some ARBOs have already produced more than a thousand kilograms of vermicasts from the 30 kilograms of African night crawlers (ANCs) given away to them in July.

Vermicast is the manure excreted by ANCs considered as effective organic fertilizers.

Among the highest producers of vermicasts are the Nagkakaisang Magsasaka ng Caibiran (NAMACA) of Caibiran, Biliran having produced 6,954 kilograms; Hacienda Maria Cooperative (HAMACO) in San Isidro, Leyte (5,000 kilograms).

Other top producers are Merida Agricultural Diversified Services Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MADS-MPC) in Merida, Leyte (1,750 kilograms) and the SAPISA Irrigators Association, Inc. in Quinapondan, Eastern Samar (1,650 kilograms).

“Not bad for a beginner on this business,” said Dante Escarmoso on ARBO’s performance. Escarmoso of RU Foundry is an expert on this technology.

Based on the report, NAMACA has sold Php13,250 worth of vermicasts, while HAMACO has received orders worth Php17,500.

ARBOs said buyers include those engaged in cutflower industry, commercial farm owners, other farmers in the area and ARBO members.

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) regional director Sheila Enciso said the RU Foundry was the winning bidder to supply 100 shredders for the debris utilization and management for community-based organic fertilizer production project for Yolanda-affected areas in the region.

Early this year, DAR provided each of the 100 ARBOs chosen all over the region a shredder which they could use in producing substrates and 30 kilograms of ANCs and two vermi-tea brewers to each of the remaining 85 farmer groups.

The ARBOs can use such equipment to venture into vermi culture, vermi composting and organic crop production as alternative livelihood under this project. (PNA)
LDV/SQM/PR

Catbalogan City cites setbacks to achieve zero firecracker-related injuries

CATBALOGAN CITY, Dec. 26 (PNA) - The city government here has cited challenges in achieving zero firecracker-related injuries highly recommended by the Department of Health (DOH).

City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan said using firecrackers during Christmas and New Year festivities has become part of the country’s tradition.

“For the safety of the public we want to achieve zero-firecracker related injuries. The question now is how we can gradually ban this,” said Mayor Uy-Tan.

Although the city government always designate common firecracker areas, the local government has no capability to fully regulate firecrackers use.

Catbalogan allows selling firecrackers, but vendors must first comply all the requirements, including undergoing seminar for those who are planning to sell.

The mayor asked for the people in her city to avoid using illegal firecrackers and enjoy the happy and safe celebration with their families and love ones.

A week before Christmas, DOH Secretary Janette Garin announced the plan of her agency to give incentives to local government units with no firecracker related injuries this holiday season. (PNA)
RMA/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR

Gov’t pours Php320.6M for health facility upgrade in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 24 (PNA) – The Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will embark on a Php320.6-million Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), which seeks to build and upgrade barangay (village) health stations, rural health units, and local government hospitals in Eastern Visayas.

DOH Regional Director Minerva Molon said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) recently released the 2015 appropriations, which will be fully implemented next year.

“It took a while for the national government to disburse the budget since the secretaries of DPWH, DOH and DBM have to agree on some policies,” Molon explained.

“On our part, we also have to conduct assessment to ensure that there would be no duplication of assistance from the government and non-government organizations.”

The Php320.6 million is on top of the multi-million outlay for HFEP that will be constructed by the health department. The two government agencies agreed that projects worth Php1 million and above will be handled by DPWH.

The DOH official has no available data on DOH-implemented HFEP projects during the interview, but according to her, majority of the projects are under the watch of DPWH.

“Our district engineers have been coordinating with the DOH and local government units regarding the conduct of site visitation to check the actual buildable space for the preparation of detailed plans,” said DPWH Regional Director Rolando M. Asis.

Of the Php320.6 million, Php13.9 million are intended for 13 village health stations, Php62.9 million for 24 rural health units, and Php243.8 million for 13 hospitals managed by local government units.

Broken down to provinces, Northern Samar got the highest HFEP allocation at Php105.5 million, followed by Southern Leyte (Php67 million), Leyte (Php61.7 million), Eastern Samar (Php36.2 million), Samar (Php26.2 million), and Biliran (Php24 million).

Nationwide, the budget department has released Php3.3 billion for 2015 HFEP under the DOH-DPWH partnership. (PNA)
LAP/Sarwell Q. Meniano

BFAR sees weakening red tide in Eastern Visayas bays

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 24 (PNA) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has been seeing signs of weakening red tide that plagued several bays in Eastern Visayas this quarter.

BFAR Regional Director Juan D. Albaladejo said typhoon-induced rains and cooler weather in the past few weeks have contributed to lower water temperature and salinity, which is not anymore friendly to the toxic organisms.

“Toxicity level in both shellfish meat and seawater has been going down, but shellfish ban is still up in affected bays. Red tide should be consistently negative for three readings before we can declare that an area is red tide-free,” Albaladejo said in a mobile phone interview.

Since October this year, Eastern Visayas region has been threatened by what the BFAR described as the biggest red tide bloom that has not been seen in more than three decades.

The fisheries bureau blamed the prolonged dry season this year and sudden downpour as the major factors that triggered the bloom in eight bays and coastal waters, considered as the region’s major source of shellfish.

From late November until early December, the infestation was alarming since the color of water turned to copper red with a depth of six to nine meters, stretching up to a kilometer from the shoreline, according to Albaladejo.

The discoloration of seawater is triggered by massive population growth of few species of a type of algae that produce toxins.

BFAR has raised a shellfish ban over Carigara Bay in Carigara, Barugo, San Miguel, Capoocan, and Leyte towns in Leyte province; Biliran Strait in Naval, Caibiran, Cabucgayan, Culaba, Kawayan, and Almeria in Biliran province; and coastal waters of Leyte, Leyte.

Red tide alert is also up over Cambatutay Bay in Tarangnan, Samar; Irong Irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Samar; Villareal Bay in Villareal, Samar; and Maqueda Bay in Jiabong, Catbalogan City, Motiong, Paranas, Pinabacdao, Hinabangan, San Sebastian, and Calbiga, Samar.

In the past five weeks, paralytic shellfish poisoning had killed a seven-year-old boy in Carigara, Leyte and a 62-year-old man in Caibiran, Biliran, according to BFAR. At least 18 people were hospitalized after eating shellfish with red tide toxins.

BFAR hopes that red tide will completely dissipate early next year. (PNA)
LAP/SQM

Philippine Red Cross gives toys, shoes to Ormoc kids

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Dec. 24 (PNA) - The Philippine Red Cross brought cheers to school children in this city by giving out shoes and toys.

The PRC has turned over 2,000 pairs of Korean brand Skono shoes to children of Ormoc City National High School on Tuesday.

It is a fitting Christmas gift to the students of Ormoc City who lost their shoes at the height of typhoon "Yolanda" last Nov. 8, 2013.

PRC chairman Richard Gordon said the shoes were donated by his friend, Joshua Cho.

He added that Patrick Pesengco, another friend, donated Lego toys. The donations coursed through the PRC is a testament of how donors entrusted the biggest humanitarian organization in the country.

Earlier this year, Gordon also led the distribution of Lego toys and school bags in Tanauan, Leyte and other towns.

The giving of shoes and Lego toys is part of the continuing program of the PRC and its partners for the recovery and renewal of Ormoc City after the supertyphoon badly battered the city.

The sizes of the shoes were taken months ahead by the students themselves, before the actual gift-giving.

After the visit, Gordon proceeded to Catarman and Bobon towns of Northern Samar which were badly hit by typhoon Nona. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/Vicky C. Arnaiz

640 poor Leyte families get timber houses

CARIGARA, Leyte, Dec. 24 (PNA) - At least 640 families in this town received timber houses from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The 640 families from 44 villages, whose houses were totally wrecked by super typhoon Yolanda two years ago, formally received the new houses on Tuesday,

Among the recipients is the family of Aurea Dandan, 69. The couple and their youngest son have temporary stayed at their daughter’s house before receiving the shelter.

For two years, Dandan waited for the time to have a new house. They have prayed that somebody would come to them and offer help to build a new house.

Then came people from the DSWD and IOM who answered their prayer.

The house was specially designed for the old couple. Aside from stairs, a ramp was also installed for her easy access going in and out to their house. The old woman has walking disability due to her leg’s injury.

Her neighbor, Regina Lloren, 25, a mother of two is also thankful to the assistance given to them by the DSWD and IOM. Lloren’s common-law husband, Ryan has been supporting the family through fishing.

The DSWD, IOM, and the local government unit prioritized poor families in safe zones, whose houses have not been repaired after the 2013 catastrophe.

Aside from shelter, beneficiaries also received water sanitation and hygiene kits. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/Roel T Amazona

Two wounded in a fresh attack in Samar hours before holiday truce

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Dec. 23 (PNA) -- A soldier and a civilian were wounded in a fresh attack launched by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) Tuesday night at a camp in San Jorge, Samar.

Capt. Isagani Viernes, Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division spokesman, said that 10 rebels surprisingly attacked the headquarters of 43rd Infantry Battalion in Blanca Aurora village in San Jorge, Samar. The fire fight lasted for 25 minutes.

The attack occurred on the same day when an undetermined number of rebels ambushed a military truck used for post-Nona response, killing a soldier and wounded three others in Las Navas, Northern Samar.

The two incidents came hours before the implementation of a 12-day unilateral ceasefire approved by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III. The truce took effect 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 23, 2015 until 11:59 p.m. on January 3, 2016.

“This harassment on our military camp just several hours before their self-declared ceasefire, is a clear indication that the NPA is not all serious about their respect to the spirit of Christmas and peace,” Viernes said.

Despite the action of NPA members, Viernes said that as ordered from top officials, all military installation in the region will only be on defensive mode, in compliance to ceasefire.

"We will not conduct any military operation against them in respect to the ceasefire. The only military operation that we will do here is the humanitarian works for typhoon Nona victims," Viernes added.

The suspension of military operation will allow soldiers to spend Christmas and New Year holidays with their families and love ones.

Along with other government agencies, military personnel in the region are in the forefront of giving aide to typhoon Nona victims in Samar provinces.

Viernes reminded soldiers to be on alert even if they are only involved in humanitarian works since insurgents are taking advantage of disaster response operation.

On Dec. 18, a convoy of military trucks were attacked in Pinabacdao, Samar after the soldiers delivered of relief goods for typhoon victim in Eastern Samar. Two soldiers were hurt during the ambush.

“We know that rebels traditionally mark their anniversary with atrocities, but we hope that they will respect the ceasefire,” Viernes added.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA will celebrate its 47th founding anniversary on Dec. 26. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/Roel T. Amazona

Tacloban bankers assure public of ample cash in ATMs during holidays

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 23 (PNA) -- Bankers in this city assured the public that automated teller machines (ATMs) have enough cash this holiday season even on non-banking days.

Francisco Barredo, Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) Tacloban manager and banking sector representative to the Regional Development Council, said that banks here were able to prepare for the demand.

“The Bangko Sentra ng Pilipinas has been granting our request for cash to answer the need in the next few days,” Barredo said.

Banks will also implement measures to ensure that ATMs are fully functional during Yuletide season. “In the case of BPI, we have a ready team that are on the go.”

Banks will be closed during regular holidays on December 25 (Christmas Day), December 30 (Rizal Day), and January 1 (New Year’s Day); and special non-working days on December 24 (Christmas eve) and December 31 (New Year’s eve).

Regular banking days will resume on January 4, 2016. (PNA)
FFC/SQM

Leyte provincial gov’t workers get PHP20,000 Christmas bonus

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 23 (PNA) -– Capitol employees will be having a merrier Christmas as they are set to receive their PHP20,000 signing bonus.

The amount is being released as an additional incentive for the holidays, as the performance enhancement incentive (PEI) for state workers have already been released to them.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla in his announcement made during the Capitol Christmas Party said, the employees more than deserve their bonus this year for working hard in helping the provincial government build back and recover from the devastation of the typhoon two years ago.

Announcement of the amount of additional cash gift has become an awaited yearly tradition during the Christmas Party of the provincial government, which was held again at the Leyte Academic Center Gymnasium in Palo town.

Petilla said this year’s celebration can be totally felt as many have already brought their lives back into normalcy.

Meanwhile, the governor also lauded the employees in their effort in making sure the success of several projects initiated under his administration.

Capitol employees, on the other hand, welcomed the release of the signing bonus. Last year, the provincial government provided extra cash gift of PHP15,000 and PHP10,000 in 2013.

Job order employees will also receive PHP8,000 this year.

Capitol employees are also set to enjoy a salary increase next year pursuant to the approved Salary Standardization approved by President Benigno Aquino III.

The provincial capitol of Leyte employs more than 2,000 workers. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/Ahlette C. Reyes/egr

Ormoc’s most wanted person falls

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Dec. 23 (PNA) – While most people are on holiday mode, the City Public Safety Company (CPSC) of Ormoc City Police Office (OCPO) arrested on Tuesday evening the city’s most wanted, who was charged of murder.

Fugitive Gerald A. Villamor, 23, jobless and resident of Naungan village initially resisted when the cops nabbed him at his common law wife’s house in District 26. He was standing at the main door when the operatives arrived, leaving him no opportunity to escape.

Due to reports that Villamor is heavily armed, the cops used an “element of surprise” tactic, at the same time cautious since the suspect’s partner is seven-month pregnant, said team leader Chief Insp. Joel Camacho.

The operatives were equipped with arrest warrant issued by Presiding Judge Girlie M. Borrel-Yu of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 35. No bail was recommended to Villamor, who was charged for killing a student in 2011.

City Director Senior Supt. Ferdinand Garay lauded his men for arresting the city’s top wanted that offered this as a “gift to the people of Ormoc.”

Once again, he thanked the support of the community that led to the arrest of the fugitive. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/Elvie Roman Roa

Ormoc fixes sports facilities for Php10M, allots Php3M to host regional sports meet

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Dec. 23 (PNA) - The city government here has begun construction works on the Php10.37 million sports facilities in preparation for Ormoc’s hosting of the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Evraa) meet on Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, 2016.

Topping the list of projects is the rehabilitation of the grandstand which was severely damaged by super typhoon Yolanda at the cost of Php5.37 million.

The existing bleachers, a separate facility, will be improved for Php2.56 million. Both grandstand and bleachers are located at Ormoc City Central School.

On the other hand, bleachers will be constructed around the Olympic-size swimming pool at New Ormoc National High School at the cost of Php2,43 million.

The city government built the pool itself for Php21.9 million and was turned over to the Education Department early this year.

Meanwhile, the Local School Board chaired by Mayor Edward C. Codilla appropriated Php15 million for its priority projects in 2016. The amount will be taken from the 1 percent real property tax to be collected next year. Some Php3 million is allocated for expenses in hosting the regional sports meet.

In his speech at the opening of the City Division Athletic Meet last Sept. 24, regional sports coordinator Cesar Virunque said people of Ormocare are very lucky to have a generous and sports-oriented LGU for hosting the EVRAA during an election year.

“There is something different in Ormoc. Everytime we ask people in the region where they wanted to hold the EVRAA, many of [them] usually choose Ormoc as the host,” he said.

“This may be because of the ambiance of the place, considered as the gateway of the region from the west. Maybe because of the culture and values of the people here,” Virunque added. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/FNC/egr

DPWH-Southern Leyte completes Agas-Agas Bridge foundation protection project

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 23 (PNA) –- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO) has completed the Php67-million project designed to protect the foundation of Agas-Agas bridge, the country’s tallest.

The second and third phase of the project, which costs Php47 million and Php11 million, respectively is now complete. The bridge is located in Sogod town.

The first phase (Php9 million) was completed January this year while the second phase was finished October 16. The contractor completed the third phase (costing Php11 million) last week.

The project includes the installation of gabions and stone masonry near the bridge foundation, which will serve as scour protection during rainy days.

Gabions are cubes consisting of double twisted wire mesh container of variable sizes, uniformly partitioned into internal cells, interconnected with other similar units, and filled with stones to form flexible, permeable, monolithic structures.

“We have to define waterways to control flow of water from the mountains that caused erosions,” said District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia.

Timber poaching contributed to the abnormal flow of water under the 311 feet high bridge, according to DPWH.

“If we will not protect the foundations, the bridge will eventually collapse,” Junia said.

The field office is also pushing for additional works to further define waterways. Engineers have yet to come up with project cost estimates.

The 350-meter long bridge, inaugurated in 2009, was seen as a permanent solution to landslide and rockslides in the area, resulting in stranding of vehicles.

The Php1.024 billion bridge was funded through a loan under the Japan International Cooperation Agency – Official Development Assistance. The loan also funded more than a kilometer road concreting approaching the bridge, road slips, and drainage system.

The structure is a mix of steel and concrete materials supported by two long piers from the ground. The bridge area has a view deck, rest area, bituminous concrete surface course and bridge electrical provision.

In the past years, the bridge only got Php350,000 annual budget for maintenance, but for 2015, the DPWH-SLDEO has secured Php4-million special funds for the same purpose. (PR)
LAP/SQM/PR

Rebels attack disaster response truck in N. Samar; soldier killed, 3 comrades hurt

 TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 22 (PNA) -– A soldier was killed and three other government troopers were wounded when suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) attack a military disaster response truck in northern Samar early Tuesday morning, hours before the start of 12-day unilateral ceasefire.

The military cargo truck was heading to the town center of Las Navas, carrying six soldiers tasked to deliver equipment for Las Navas Agro-Industrial School, a training center run by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The ambuscade took place in the remote village of Bukid around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

The firefight with undetermined number of suspected communist rebels lasted for 15 minutes, said Capt. Isagani Viernes, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division, based in Catbalogan City, Samar.

Las Navas, a fourth class farming town, is about 317 kilometers north from the regional capital of Tacloban.

Equipment are supposed to be used for disaster response in the town after typhoon "Nona’s" devastation.

Viernes refused to name the victims since their families are not yet informed about the incident. The army troops belong to the 20th Infantry Battalion based in Opong village, Catubig, Northern Samar.

Wounded soldiers were brought to hospitals in Tacloban City and in a district hospital in Catubig town in Northern Samar for treatment.

“Since the aftermath of typhoon Nona, we don’t have military offensive since our focus is on disaster response. Rebels are taking advantage on our operation,” Viernes said.

The rebels launched the attack before the 12-day holiday truce and four days after the ambuscade of a disaster response military in Pinabacdao, Samar.

President Benigno S. Aquino III has approved the recommendation of the Department of National Defense for the unilateral declaration of the Suspension of Military Operations (SOMO) against the NPA for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The SOMO will commence at 12:01 a.m. of December 23, 2015 and would end at 11:59 p.m. of January 3, 2016.

“We will be on defensive mode even if there’s SOMO because rebels traditionally mark their anniversary with atrocities,” Viernes added.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army will celebrate its 47th founding anniversary on Dec. 26. (PNA)
JMC/Sarwell Q. Meniano

Red Cross completes building 2,698 houses in Leyte

ISABEL, Leyte, Dec. 22 (PNA) – The Philippine Red Cross has turned over on Monday a total of 2,698 houses to the beneficiaries in the towns of Isabel and Merida in Leyte.

The shelter is part of the continuing recovery and renewal program of the PRC and its partners in the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement second year after super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan) pummeled the province to the ground.

PRC Chairman Richard Gordon led the turnover held at the gymnasium across the town hall of Isabel town.

The core shelter is semi-concrete and has individual toilet, which their damaged former homes did not have. The beneficiaries shared sweat equity in constructing their homes.

“I am pleased with the progress of our shelter operation. After two years, we have built 66,800 homes across the Yolanda corridors. We are near our target of 88,800 homes in 2016,” Gordon said.

“We have health centers, livelihood programs, agricultural center, covered court among others,” he added.

In Leyte, the PRC, in support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (IFRC), has constructed almost 10,000 houses and 1,000 houses in Tacloban City.

There will be 10,000 more houses to be built in 2016 for Leyte towns and Tacloban City.

In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan affected 16 million people and damaged more than 1.21 million houses.

To date, more than four million people remain displaced from their homes.

The PRC, supported by the Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC), has been implementing a Movement-Wide Operational Framework which supports an integrated approach in covering several sectors - shelter, livelihood, health and water supply, disaster risk reduction, and PRC development.

This integrated sectoral program has been implemented in the 16 villages of Isabel and Merida towns.

Isabel Mayor Marcos Greg Cerillo thanked the PRC, its national society partners, private sponsors for the "Haiyan" recovery program they have for the municipality.

Merida Mayor Jesus Antonio Martinez also recognized the huge support from the Red Cross, the biggest humanitarian group in the country.

A photo exhibit of the interventions of Red Cross in the last two years was displayed at the gym.

The livelihood beneficiaries also showcased and sold their harvest of organic vegetables in the venue.

After the storm, the livelihood of the people were badly affected and Red Cross raise the bar by giving them livelihood through organic farming.

Also present to witness the turnover were Guineveine de Jesus, Netherlands Red Cross country representative; Paul Drossou, Canada Red Cross country representative; Alif Multaje, Swiss Red Cross country representative, Resty Lou Talamayan, PRC, chief Haiyan Operations. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/Vicky C. Arnaiz/egr

DSWD distributes 12,303 bags of rice to typhoon-hit Region 8 provinces

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 21 (PNA) -- Within a week after typhoon “Nona” pummeled Samar Island, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already distributed 12,303 bags of rice to victims.

Of the number, 8,481 bags are 25 kilograms and 3,822 bags are 50 kilograms. This is on top of the 1,275 family food packs delivered to Northern Samar province, said DSWD regional information officer Vina Aquino.

Other relief goods distributed in the past seven days are 650 boxes of sardines, 1,710 boxes of corned beef, 490 boxes of nutridel (for child feeding), five boxes of coffee, and five boxes of instant noodles.

“Local government units (LGUs) have been distributing relief goods as well. Our role is to augment the exhausted resources of LGUs,” Aquino told PNA.

In a statement, DSWD Regional Director Nestor Ramos said bringing relief goods to island towns of Biri, Capul, San Vicente, and San Antonio has been challenging.

“Relief distributions in these areas are being hampered due to unfavorable weather condition. The relief goods are being brought there through the military helicopter,” Ramos said.

Based on the DSWD’s Monday afternoon report, the typhoon has flattened 117,788 houses in three Samar provinces, with 39,006 classified as totally wrecked and 78,782 partially damaged.

Under the shelter assistance, the DSWD has shipped 3,600 galvanized iron sheets and 960 tarpaulins to Northern Samar.

These will be allocated and delivered to affected areas while waiting for other batches of shelter repair kits, according to Aquino.

Number of affected population in Eastern Visayas rose to 644,324 with 602,586 in Northern Samar; 23,554 in Eastern Samar; 16,569 in Samar; and 1,615 in Biliran.

Affected LGUs are encouraged to draft comprehensive rehabilitation plan, outlining the kind of assistance they need from the national government. (PNA)
FFC/Sarwell Q. Meniano

'Nona' death toll in Samar provinces climbs to 12

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 21 (PNA) –- The death toll in Samar provinces has climbed to 12 one week after typhoon "Nona's" devastation, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) reported on Monday.

Casualties have been reported in the towns of Allen, Lope de Vega, Mondragon, Catarman, San Roque, and Victoria in northern Samar and Matuguinao, Samar.

Of the 12 victims, four have died due to drowning, two due to hypothermia, two due to injuries, two due to trauma, one due to electrocution, and one due to loss of consciousness.

Nearly 900 persons in three Samar provinces were reportedly injured. At least 15 of them have been admitted in hospitals.

Typhoon "Nona’s" fierce winds has destroyed 94,857 houses in Samar island, with 14,439 categorized as totally wrecked and 80,418 are partially damaged.

The weather disturbance has affected 544,805 persons with 33,248 still in evacuation centers.

The agriculture and fishery sectors have suffered PHP129.64 million production loss, according to estimates of the Department of Agriculture.

The RDRRMC have deployed teams last week in different northern Samar towns to conduct rapid damage assessment and needs analysis.

National government agencies have set up operation centers in the badly-hit province to facilitate the delivery of assistance in communities pummelled by typhoon Nona last week. (PNA)
JMC/Sarwell Q. Meniano

NGCP partly restores power in typhoon-hit N. Samar

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, Dec. 21 (PNA) – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has re-energized on Saturday some transmission line sections in northern Samar following completion of repairs damaged by typhoon "Nona".

The NGCP is targeting to fully restore its transmission services to the typhoon-ravaged province before the year ends.

In its 5:31 p.m. advisory issued on Saturday, NGCP said that they are able to re-energize the 69 kilo Volts (kV) Palanas-Cara-Catarman and Bobon-Catarman sections.

“The line will transmit power to the Northern Samar Electric Cooperative’s (Norsamelco) Bobon station once this facility is ready,” the NGCP said.

NGCP Communication Officer for Visayas, Betty Rosette Martinez, in an interview said that at least 109 poles were toppled, 111 were left leaning, when typhoon "Nona" ravaged northern Samar.

The Catarman–Bobolosan line section sustained was heavily affected wherein 74 poles toppled and 78 poles leaning.

Martinez said that NGCP is doing all means to ready the power highway before Norsamelco finished the rehabilitation activities of their distribution lines.

According to the latest report from NDRRMC, power has been restored in the province except in the municipalities of Catubig, Gamay, Lao-ang, Pambujan, Palapag, Las Navas, Biri, Capul, San Antonio, San Vicente, Lapinig and Silvino Lobos.

In the meantime, NGCP asked the support and cooperation of the public, particularly private landowners in their restoration and rehabilitation activities. Martinez said that during such activities NGCP linemen need to enter or pass private properties.

“We would like to seek support and cooperation of private lot owners to allow our linemen enter or pass privately owned lots and do their work,” Martinez said.

“NGCP’s main objective is to restore our lines as early as possible, we just hope that there will be no strong resistance from land owners like what we experienced on our restoration activities during the past typhoons. What our linemen are doing is for them,” she explained.

Martinez, likewise appealed to village officials to help in securing NGCP’s men who are doing the restoration activities because they are troubleshooters in the occurrence of power service problem. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/Jennifer S. Allegado/egr

BFP urges public to observe fire safety tips for Holiday season

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, Dec. 21 (PNA) – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the city is stepping up its campaign against fire incidents in line with the Christmas season.

Fire officer Gladys Ann Lanuza said the initiative is in compliance with a memorandum for the “Iwas Paputok, Iwas Sunog sa Pasko at Bagong Taon” campaign issued by the BFP regional office.

The activity started on Dec. 15, 2015 until Jan. 1, 2016 wherein fire trucks will be roaming around the city with public address informing city residents safety tips for the holidays such as looking for the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) in buying Christmas lights, which is a proof that an item complies with safety standards.

“We should always consider the safety of individuals most especially our loved ones,” Lanuza said.

She added that their office will also distribute flyers containing fire safety information and emergency hotline numbers.

As stated in its flyers, the BFP has advised the public to observe the following fire safety tips:

Never burn wrapping paper, boxes or other trash in the fireplace;

Keep matches and lighters away from reach of children;

Unplug electrical appliances when not in use

Check holiday lights and replace cracked or broken bulbs, frayed wires and check loose plugs

Don’t use lights that are not safe and in case of fire and other emergencies, call the hotline 376.

The BFP in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) will inspect all firecrackers stores and will conduct safety training in handling firecrackers for vendors.

“Firecracker vendors need to undergo training on precautionary measure in case of an emergency, they also have to ask permit to sell firecrackers from the BFP.” Lanuza said.

Meanwhile, the city council is yet to issue an ordinance designating a specific area for selling of firecrackers. (PNA)
FFC/BNB/SQM/Jennifer S. Allegado/egr

Tacloban honors top taxpayers

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 21 (PNA) – The city government here awarded the top taxpayers in times for this year’s 7th anniversary of the city being the first and only highly-urbanized city in Eastern Visayas.

Leading the event was Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez along with his wife and city Councilor Cristina, department heads and city workers.

Following a thanksgiving mass on Saturday, the city government awarded top 10 outstanding business taxpayers from corporate, individual and real property taxpayers.

Also recognized by the city government were its retirees.

Leading the 2015 Outstanding Real Property tax payers of Tacloban are: Robinson’s Land Corp.; SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and HEVA Management Corp. for Commercial Land and Building corporations; Coca-Cola Bottler’s Phil., Inc. and Philippine National Oil Company for the Industrial Land and Building Corporation; Samuel Chu Ngo and Elsa Uy for the Individual Commercial Land & Building; Edwin Pfleider and Rommel Dy Chua et al. for the Individual Residential Land and Building and Ben Sin Ong for the Individual Agricultural Land.

Top 10 businesses of the city include Leyeco II Electric Cooperative Inc.; Fairlane Automotive Ventures Inc.; Hotel Alejandro Inc.; San Miguel Brewery Inc. and City Savings Bank, Inc.; Ocho Seafoods and Grills; Badminton Republic; Joebz Computer Sales and Services-Main; Dynasty Square Realty and Development and Renato Ramirez Meat Vendor.

“These companies, corporations and services of retirees were of great help to build back better the economy of our place,” said mayor Romualdez in a statement.

Two years after the typhoon Yolanda leveled the city, residents and observers claimed that the city “has slowly grown its economy with the aid and contribution of investors and business establishments.”

Accordingly, Tacloban, the 34th highly-urbanized city in the country competes with the likes of Makati City, Cebu City, Davao City and other HUC after it was converted into HUC through a plebiscite in 2008.

Known as the gateway to Eastern Visayas, Tacloban’s recovery after Yolanda was also boosted through the help of various humanitarian organizations and other government agencies.

Tacloban was converted into an HUC through Proclamation No. 1637 signed on Oct. 4, 2008 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/Ronald O. Reyes and Lizbeth Ann Abella/egr

Ormoc gov’t orders suspension of operation of mall’s unsafe escalator

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Dec. 21, (PNA) - Amid influx of shoppers this Yuletide season, the city building officials here ordered suspension of operation of a mall’s escalator on Saturday following an accident involving a 13-year-old girl.

City engineer Ranulfo Oliveros said they ordered Gaisano to stop the operation of its descending escalator from third to ground floor after finding out “obvious damages” for safety precautions.

It was ordered to undergo appropriate repairs and must secure certificate of operation from the local engineer’s office before it can be activated.

“The escalator of Gaisano Capital is already very unsafe and must undergo major repair,” said Mechanical Engineer Dixton Canezo, who inspected the equipment.

This happened days after Felix N. Codilla III, father of a 13-year old girl, lodged a complaint at the police against the shopping center for the management’s failure to properly respond to the accident recently.

Codilla said, at 7:13 p.m. of Dec. 15 while his wife Sheila and two kids were descending from third floor, the escalator made thumping mechanical noises. As they reached the ground floor, the child’s foot was caught at the escalator’s damaged comb protector.

Fortunately, the child, who was then in school uniform, able to quickly take off her foot from the shoe that was eaten by the machine. The shoe’s rear part was almost crushed.

The child wore flat school shoes that enabled her quickly slip off. Codilla dreaded the consequence had the child worn regular school shoes or rubber shoes that cannot be taken off easily.

What he complained more was what he said the apathy of the store personnel and security guards who merely looked and did not offer any help.

“My daughter was scared, shaking and crying but none of them asked if she was okay. My frantic wife was demanding for the manager but the sales clerks just told her to go to customer service. None of them moved to report the matter to the manager,” he said.

When Codilla arrived at the store at 7:30 p.m., he immediately seek the management’s help but still the manager failed to show up which prompted him to call for police assistance.

Cops from precinct 1 Sr. police officer Ruben Orsolino, investigator; and police officer Junar Caldoza, a member of the Quick Response Team arrived and arranged a conversation at the manager’s office.

Store manager Junrey Sacan admitted that the escalator wasn’t working well that day but he allowed it to run after applying remedial quick fix. He, however, denied knowledge on talks in his office that similar accidents happened before.

Codilla cited Gaisano’s lapses: first, the estimated 20-year-old escalator should have been decommissioned if the alleged accidents were true; second, the store doesn’t have a clinic and medical personnel; third, the employees and guards were untrained on dealing with accidents; fourth, GC doesn’t practice occupational safety on its workplace; and fifth is the long response time of the manager.

Codilla’s wife, Shiela for her part was afraid worse accidents might happen if the escalator continues operating.

Sacan asked apology and explained that the matter has been entrusted to their machineries’ contractor maintenance that sustains works to 26 store branches, adding he already reported the matter to the management in Cebu.

Their conversation ended with an assurance that vital repairs be made right away. The building officials inspected the equipment two days later and repairs were made the next day that Sacan does not have the idea how long it would take. (PNA) 

FFC/SQM/Elvie Roman Roa

Red Cross steps up aid delivery for ‘Nona’ victims in Northern Samar

ISABEL, Leyte, Dec. 20 (PNA) - Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard J. Gordon has vowed to help typhoon "Nona" victims the way they helped super typhoon "Yolanda" victims.

PRC is one of the first responders of typhoon "Nona" in Northern Samar and currently on the ground for assessment.

The assessment teams in Northern Samar are doing evaluation of the damages caused by typhoon "Nona" in 13 towns as well as the identification of beneficiaries, Gordon said during his visit to this town in Saturday.

“Our plan for Northern Samar is just like what we did in 'Yolanda', mobilize the people, bring the relief and give what the people they need, bring the equipment right away, enjoin the people to rebuild their lives, and do the things right away,” Gordon explained.

Since there are 2,000 families who lost their houses, Gordon has launched a national and international appeal to help them, for them to be able to assist the farmers and fishermen.

Gordon said that based on assessment, about 5,000 families need food packs and shelter repair kit in six towns.

PRC delivered 150 tarpaulins and one satellite phone in Northern Samar after the typhoon.

The Rec Cross recently visited Northern Samar and distributed food and non-food items to 575 beneficiaries in the villages of Hinatag and Daganas in Catarman town.

On Saturday, Gordon visited Leyte towns for the hand-over ceremony of several projects supported and donated by Red Cross for the victims of super typhoon "Yolanda." These include classrooms, water sanitation and hygiene, health facilities, shelter and livelihood programs.

The integrated sectoral program has been implemented in 16 villages of the Isabel and Merida towns in Leyte.

Gordon emphasized that despite the fact that it has been two years after "Yolanda," PRC has been on the ground and although so much has been done, the work continues. (PNA)
SCS/SQM/Lizbeth Ann A. Abella/egr

Rebels attack gov’t trucks used for post-'Nona' response in Samar

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 18 (PNA) –- Suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebel group ambushed on Friday morning government trucks being used to transport relief goods for victims of typhoon "Nona" in Samar provinces.

Initial reports said the ambush took place around 7:30 a.m. between Madalunot and Pahug villages in Pinabacdao town which is about 49 kilometers from this city. At least two soldiers were wounded from the attack.

Trucks were carrying 32 soldiers from 546 Engineering Battalion and 81st Division Reconnaisance Company based in this city. The troops were heading to Tacloban after delivering relief goods in eastern Samar on Thursday.

Capt. Isagani Viernes, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division said the three trucks are scheduled to pick up more relief goods in Tacloban on Friday.

The Philippine Army is still gathering more details on the incident.

The military has already sent a reinforcement team from the 87th Infantry Battalion based in Calbiga, Samar to the ambush site.

“The NPAs are continuously and deliberately conduct atrocities like ambuscades against our troops who are only doing their job to assist in Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Response (HADR) Operations, secure peace and share the Christmas spirit,” Viernes said.

The official, however, assured that the attack will not hamper the ongoing HADR operations to help typhoon "Nona" victims in Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar provinces. (PNA)
JMC/Sarwell Q. Meniano and Roel T. Amazona

DA initially places 'Nona' damage in E. Visayas at PHP92.57M

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 18 (PNA) – The farming sector in eastern Visayas suffered PHP92.57 million production losses due to typhoon "Nona", the Department of Agriculture regional office here reported.

Of the total, PHP3.57 million losses were recorded in Biliran province, PHP5.47 million in Samar, PHP29.99 million in Eastern Samar, PHP53.51 million in Northern Samar. The typhoon has affected 3,642 farmers in four provinces.

Rice farmers bore the brunt of Nona’s wrath suffering PHP52 million losses, based on initial estimates. Another badly affected commodity is banana with PHP16.39 output losses.

Other crops that sustained damages are cassava (PHP4.36 million), vegetables (PHP2.04 million), corn (PHP22,791), root crops (PHP10,938), fruit trees (PHP166,470). Fishery and livestock sectors suffered PHP4.15 million and PHP13.4 million losses, respectively.

The typhoon directly affected 2,679 hectares of farms. For rice alone, harvest losses are pegged at 3,060 metric tons.

“We are committed to assist farmers. The DA regional field offices have prepositioned seed stocks to cope up with damages wrought by calamities so that our farmers could easily recover their losses at the shortest possible time,” said DA Regional Executive Director Leo Cañeda.

The DA reminded affected farmers to get proper certifications from their respective local agriculture offices in order for them to avail of the free seeds. (PNA)
JMC/Sarwell Q. Meniano

DPWH-Southern Leyte to complete construction of new provincial hospital

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 18 (PNA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will complete the construction of Southern Leyte provincial through a PHP50-million budget from the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the Department of Health.

Specifically, the budget will be used to build a dialysis center, power house, morgue, and covered walk. The dialysis center will be the first of its kind in the province, operating through public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.

“For next year, we will build more facilities to help maximize the operation of the new hospital. These health facilities will allow more people here with health needs being served in an appropriate and timely manner,” said District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia during the project inspection on December 10.

The hospital can accommodate 200 patients, but its current manpower reduces its bed capacity to only 100 patients.

The provincial government through Governor Roger Mercado relocated the hospital to Barangay Dongon from its old location in Barangay Mambajao in December 2014.

The Level 4 hospital primarily funded through a PHP226-million loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines is equipped with CT-scan, a toxic waste disposal facility, and ample space for parking.

The local government decided to transfer the provincial hospital considering that the old facility was overcrowded, close to residential areas, and has very limited parking space.

The facility has been attending to the health needs of patients in the entire Southern Leyte province, and towns of Matalom, Bato, Hilongos in Leyte. (PNA)
LAP/BNB/SQM/PR/egr

DPWH rushes school building construction in Southern Leyte

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 18 (PNA) – Majority of school building projects in Southern Leyte are now ongoing as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) fast tracks classroom construction works ahead of the full implementation of K to 12 (Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education) next academic year.

As of Nov. 30, 2015, school building projects funded by the Department of Education (DepEd) in 49 out of 64 sites are now ongoing, with an accomplishment rate ranging from 5 percent to 90 percent.

At least 15 projects have not yet started due to cost adjustment, bidder filed motion for reconsideration, ongoing bidding process, and pending the result of the sub soil exploration survey.

“We are rushing these projects to make sure that all of these will be functional by June 2016,” said DPWH-Southern Leyte District Engineering Office chief Ma. Margarita Junia.

In the case of island town of Limasawa, the DPWH seeks additional funding for the PHP8.36 million project considering that the transhipment cost was not included in the approved allocation.

“The allocation for school building in the island and in the mainland is the same, that’s why no contractor is interested to join the bidding. We have requested for 15 percent additional funding for the cost of transport. This is subject to approval of the Bureau of Construction,” Junia explained.

Two sites failed the soil exploration study, prompting the DPWH to look for other options.

These campuses are the Lungso Daan National High School in Hinundayan town and Paku National High School in Bontoc town.

Officials of the DPWH and DepEd have been meeting weekly to tackle issues hounding the implementation of school building projects.

The national government has earmarked PHP213.15 million for the construction of 202 classrooms for public secondary schools in Southern Leyte province.

These projects are expected to boost the preparation of the province for next year’s full implementation of the Senior High School (SHS) under the K to 12 program of the national government.

Data from the DepEd shows that Maasin City and Southern Leyte towns need at least 242 classrooms by 2016 for new SHS enrollees.

At least 56 public schools in the province will offer the SHS program next academic year with 8,655 projected SHS enrolees. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/PR/egr

'Yolanda' survivors rush to aid 'Nona' victims

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 18 (PNA) –- Donations are now pouring in for victims of typhoon "Nona" in northern Samar as different organizations, government agencies and private groups are stepping up efforts to extend their helping hands.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes spearheaded a call for “bayanihan” as they leave on Thursday for Allen and Catarman towns in Northern Samar. She called on friends, colleagues and industry partners to donate for the distribution of Christmas packs.

The activity will be done along with DOT’s post-disaster assessment.

The Christmas packs, according to Tiopes, will include gift pack for kids with schools bags, learning supplies and goodies. Family packs with basic home items, which are not usually given during relief operations will be given to victims as well.

With the successful drive, Tiopes thanked donors for the “care and concern” given to the people in typhoon-ravaged province.

The group behind The Tacloban for Northern Samar Relief Operations also made the Rotary Club office as their drop off points for medicines, food, water and clothing.

Transport of relief goods is being coordinated by Tzu Chi Foundation and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Members of Tingog Sinirangan headed by Jude Acidre and the district office staff of Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez also started packing relief goods to be distributed to the victims of typhoon "Nona" in the northern part of the region.

It was learned from Acidre that on Dec. 15, two-first responder teams were quickly dispatched to distribute food items and conduct a rapid ground assessment in Northern Samar.

More people from Tacloban City are using social media networking sites in requesting help for the victims of typhoon, using the "Yolanda" experience as basis to share their blessings especially that Christmas is near.

Tacloban City Councilor Jerry Uy is also sending relief goods to Northern Samar soon.

Uy is personally supervising his staff in packing relief goods, composed of rice, noodles and canned goods.

“I also appeal to Tacloban residents is to help the people of Northern Samar since we are the ones who really know how it feels to be victims of calamity. It’s payback time,” Uy said.

The official recalled that people in Northern Samar, through their provincial government headed by Gov. Jose Ong, was one of the first to send help to Tacloban after supertyphoon "Yolanda" struck in 2013. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/Lizbeth Ann A. Abella/egr

‘Nona’ destroys 65,000 houses in Northern Samar

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 17 (PNA) - Typhoon “Nona” destroyed nearly 65,000 houses in Northern Samar when it unleashed its wrath early this week, the Regional Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) said in its initial report issued on Thursday.

Of the 64,972 damaged houses, 58,227 are partially destroyed and 6,745 were totally wrecked. These are located in 23 towns of Northern Samar, including Catarman, the provincial capital. Authorities have not yet received damage reports from the interior town of Silvino Lobos.

Towns with reports on damaged houses are Allen (3,106), Biri (938), Bobon (4,018), Capul (1,102), Catarman (15,119), Catubig (4,562), Gamay (4,608), Lavezares (4,371), Las Navas (6,635), Lapinig (2,440), Laoang (6,224), Lope de Vega (1,908).

Mapanas (1,958), Mondragon (6,647), Palapag (6,373), Pambujan (4,431), San Jose (795), Rosario (2,376), San Antonio (1,466), San Isidro (1,758), San Roque (2,287), San Vicente (708), and Victoria (938).

Northern Samar, with a population of 589,013 as of 2010, experienced the first landfall of typhoon Nona at noon on Monday, forcing the evacuation of about 10,000 people, according to RDRRMC.

The entire province is still experiencing power outages due to damages of the Catarman-Bobolosan 69-kilo Volts (kV) line, Palanas-Cara-Catarman-Allen 69-kV line, and Allen-Ormoc HVDC 350kV line.

The Office of the Civil Defense has been stepping up coordination with affected local government units through the RDRRMC management emergency center in this city. (PNA)
LAP/Sarwell Q. Meniano

Northern Samar under state of calamity

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 17 (PNA) – The extent of damage caused by typhoon Nona prompted the provincial government of Northern Samar to place the entire province under state of calamity.

The provincial board passed a resolution on Tuesday declaring a state of calamity. Provincial legislators made the declaration one day after the powerful typhoon made its first landfall in Batag Island, Laoang, Northern Samar.

The declaration will aid the mobilization of resources, ensure price control for basic necessities, granting of no interest loans, and appropriation of calamity funds.

Typhoon Nona has killed at least three persons and injured 147 persons in the province, according to Thursday noon report of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC)

The typhoon has destroyed 65,000 houses in 23 towns. Nearly 10,000 persons remained in evacuation centers three days after the typhoon rendered them homeless.

Initial estimate showed that damage to agriculture has reached PHP53.51 million, directly affecting 3,114 farmers.

Republic Act 10121 known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010,” defines a State of Calamity as “a condition involving mass casualty and/or major damages to property, disruption of means of livelihoods, roads and normal way of life of people in the affected areas as a result of the occurrence of natural or human-induced hazard.” (PNA)
FFC/SQM

2,349 Northern Samar families remain in evacuation centers

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 17 (PNA) – More than 2,000 families in Northern Samar remained in evacuation centers on Thursday after typhoon Nona’s violent winds rendered them homeless, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported.

“There are still some 2,349 families of 9,371 individuals temporarily staying at 28 evacuation centers of Northern Samar province. The DSWD’s Disaster Response Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) also bared some 80,405 houses from same province which were partially damaged,” said Vina Aquino, DSWD regional information officer in her update of the agency’s response.

A total of 7,414 houses were flattened by typhoon Nona in Northern Samar, according to the DSWD regional office.

“As of this reporting, the DROMIC reveals that reports coming in from the DSWD’s Social Welfare and Development Team (SWADT) of Northern Samar are a little delayed for the reason that communication lines are cut off yet. Also, power connection is still down,” Aquino added.

In Eastern Samar, DSWD reported about 1,000 partially damaged houses, while in Samar there were five totally and nine partially destroyed houses.

“However, the DROMIC said that the number of damaged houses is expected to increase considerably in the succeeding report,” Aquino said.

According to Aquino, their personnel on the ground have coordinated with the affected local government units “in gathering validated data as to the number of damaged houses.”

Resty Macuto, DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Operations, is leading the agency’s team in Northern Samar.

Earlier before Nona’s landfall, the DSWD said its field workers in six province in Eastern Visayas were “closely keeping in touch with local governments on their readiness against typhoon Nona.”

“I have already instructed for some 2,000 bags of rice to be delivered today to the three Samar provinces,“ said DSWD Nestor Ramos in an earlier statement, adding that “military trucks have been coordinated with the Office of Civil Defense for the transport of the commodities.”

In the same statement, Ramos has assured Secretary Corazon Soliman of “enough standby commodities and fund amounting to over PHP3 million.”

“Repacking of family food packs are ongoing, with 32 workers hired, via the ‘food-for-work’ scheme, for the purpose,” the DSWD said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council has said that eight people were confirmed dead while 12 others were injured around the country due to typhoon Nona. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/Ronald O. Reyes

DPWH says all Northern Samar nat’l roads now passable after ‘Nona’

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) – All national road networks in typhoon-ravaged Northern Samar province are now passable, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported on Wednesday.

DPWH regional information officer Antonieta Lim said that the two Northern Samar district engineering offices managed to clear the primary and secondary highway from toppled trees, electric posts, and landslide debris on Wednesday morning.

“All road networks are now passable to all types of vehicles, but the extent of damage is still subject to assessment of maintenance engineers,” Lim said.

The DPWH earlier reported that typhoon Nona’s impact has rendered some road sections in Northern Samar impassable.

These are roads linking the towns of Mapanas to Palapag Road, Allen to Catarman, and Lope De Vega to Catarman.

Lim said that nearby DPWH field offices within the typhoon’s path in Samar and Eastern Samar provinces have no reported typhoon-related damages to roads and bridges.

The entire Northern Samar province has been suffering power outages since Monday morning due to damaged transmission lines and electric posts, according to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. (PNA)
FFC/SQM

DOH reports 68 new HIV/AIDS cases in E. Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) regional office has recorded 68 new cases of Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection in eastern Visayas.

This figure is higher to the reported 54 HIV/AIDS transmittal, according to Roderick Boyd Cerro, chief of the DOH regional epidemiology and surveillance unit.

Of the 68 new HIV/AIDS victims 64 of them are male. Since 1984, eastern Visayas recorded more 2,000 cases of this sexually-transmitted infection.

Common means of transmittal is through male to male sexual intercourse. Cerro, however, clarified that they cannot classify if those infected with HIV/AIDS are sex workers or not.

The new reported cases prompted the DOH to establish satellite treatment hub in every province to ensure that those with infection will have access to the anti-retroviral drugs.

“Anti-retroviral drugs are given free to those positive of HIV/AIDS. They do not need special hospital to manage them. They can go to any hospital if they show any manifestation of the disease,” Cerro said.

He added that people should be aware that HIV/AIDS can only be transmitted through sexual intercourse with person infected with HIV, breastfeeding of mother with HIV, use of needle that was used by infected person, and blood transfusion.

Cerro encouraged those who have multiple sex partners to undergo HIV, test which could be done in hospitals throughout the region.

Result of the test will remain confidential and only a worker involved in the test is knowledgeable on the result. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA

Leyte day care workers receive yearly perks anew

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) – The Leyte provincial government shelled out anew PHP1.9 million in cash incentives for all day care workers from the 41 towns in the province.

Around 1,465 day care workers from all over the province recently received cash incentive – now a yearly perk started during the administration of former Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla. The program was continued under the helm of his brother, Leyte Governor Dominic Petilla.

The former energy chief and the governor led the distribution of the cash incentives at the Leyte Academic Center Gymnasium. Day care workers said the incentives came as an early Christmas gift with the merry season just around the corner.

"We know that your work as day care workers is such a hard job. The future of our children truly lies in your hand and we are just grateful for your hard work,” Petilla said in his message.

As the governor commended the day care workers, he reiterated the importance of Early Child Care Development and the role in which they play - in shaping children early in their years providing mental stimulation, cognitive skills development, physical development and values formation.

He said another program being pursued by the provincial government for child care development is the nutritional feeding program. He said this was meant to lessen the number of malnourished children in the province as studies have shown that the brain development of a child starts from 0 to 6 years old.

Home-based and public daycare center workers must have the proper skills, modules and training, Petilla said. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/AHLETTE C. REYES

DOH provides health apparatus to Leyte villages

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- Majority of the 1,503 villages in Leyte have received glucometer kits and blood pressure (BP) apparatus or sphygmomanometer from the Department of Health (DOH), a local official said.

Leyte Vice Governor Carlo P. Loreto, brother of DOH Secretary Janette L. Garin, said that about 1,000 BP apparatus and 2,000 glucometer kits were provided to village health workers in the province.

These apparatus, according to Loreto, have been provided to villages so that the people would immediately proceed to their health station when they need the services to save time, efforts and fare.

“People from far flung areas need not go to the town centers to avail these services since they can avail it in nearby village health stations,” he added.

On Dec. 10, officials held a ceremonial turn-over of glucometer kits and BP apparatus for Tacloban City and Ormoc City.

The initiative also covered several rural health units and village health stations in Biliran and Southern Leyte province.

The distribution, according to Loreto, is a way of bringing the government closer to people.

The glucometer kit distributed to the villages has 500 strips at PHP800 per 25 strips. The medical device is being used to determine the approximate concentration of glucose in the blood. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA

Typhoon’s death toll climbs to 4 in Samar provinces

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 15 (PNA) – Typhoon Nona has killed at least four people in Samar and Northern Samar provinces when it battered the region on Monday, the Regional Disaster and Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) reported.

Authorities confirmed that the typhoon’s violent winds and heavy downpour claimed the lives of the four.

The first identified casualty is Pascual Ancente, Jr., 31, of Allen, Northern Samar. The victim died due to multiple wounds and head trauma when a galvanized iron sheet hit him.

The second casualty is Tessie Villaneuva Baladad, 38, of Caguingay village, Lope de Vega, Northern Samar. She drowned in Catarman, the provincial capital.

Another casualty is Abundio Bello, 83, of San Jose village, Lope de Vega town. The old man collapsed while heading to the evacuation center. In the remote village of Maduroto, Matuguinao, Samar, flooding drowned Jason Blesario, 28.

Two teams from the Department of Health have been going around Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar provinces to check on deaths and injuries among the townsfolk.

The RDRRMC has yet to receive reports on the number of persons injured during the onslaught of typhoon Nona.

The weather disturbance has displaced nearly 8,000 families or 30,851 persons in the three Samar provinces. More than 20,000 remained in evacuation centers on Tuesday.

People remained in evacuation centers in Basey, Gandara, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Sta. Margarita, and Villareal in Samar; Arteche, Jipapad, Maslog, Oras, San Policarpo in Eastern Samar; Biri, Catarman, Catubig, Laoang, Lapinig, Lope de Vega, Rosario, San Antonio, and San Jose in Northern Samar.

Widespread brownout hit Northern Samar and Eastern Samar as the typhoon damaged power transmission lines and electric posts. (PNA)
LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

DSWD sends food packs for typhoon 'Nona' victims in Samar provinces

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 15 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is bringing more food packs to assist victims of typhoon “Nona” in Samar provinces.

In a report to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the DSWD said a winged van arrived in Northern Samar Tuesday morning, containing 200 bags of rice and canned goods.

Also on Tuesday, 400 bags of rice were delivered to Oras and Arteche town in Eastern Samar.

Up for delivery are 2,000 sacks of staple food to Catarman town, the provincial capital and 200 sacks for shipment to San Policarpio town in Eastern Samar.

The RDRRMC said the typhoon has displaced more than 5,000 families when it unleashed its wrath in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Samar on Monday.

Badly affected areas (based on the number of evacuees) are Biri, Catarman, Catubig, Laoang, Lapinig, Rosario, and San Jose in Northern Samar; Almagro, Panabacadao, Catbalogan City, and Sta. Margarita in Samar; San Policarpio, Oras and Arteche in Eastern Samar.

Local disaster risk reduction and management councils have yet to report the extent of typhoon Nona’s damage. (PNA)
JBP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

‘Nona’ kills man, leaves trail of destruction in Northern Samar

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 15 (PNA) – Typhoon Nona left Northern Samar with at least one dead, after it unleashed its wrath on Monday that caused widespread power outages and communication network paralysis.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) identified the casualty as Pascual Ancente Jr., 31, of Allen Northern Samar. The victim died due to multiple wounds and head trauma when a galvanized iron sheet hit him.

The typhoon has displaced more than 5,000 in Northern Samar where typhoon Nona made its first landfall in Laoang town Monday noon.

At least 2,171 have been stranded in various ports in Northern Samar, Leyte, and Southern Leyte as the state weather bureau raise typhoon warning signals in these provinces.

The government is struggling to assess the extent of damage of typhoon Nona in Northern Samar due to power interruptions and absence of mobile phone signals.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said that some transmission lines in the province have experienced tripping as early as 9:26 a.m. on Monday.

Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director Edgar L. Posadas described the impact as “not good” in his text message during an ocular inspection Tuesday morning.

The typhoon left trails of destruction in the province, toppling several trees, destroying some houses, and rendering some sections of national roads impassable, according to the official.

“We are still gathering data on the impact of Nona in Northern Samar. Local disaster risk reduction and management council officials could not be reached via mobile phone, landline and email,” Posadas said.

Citing initial reports from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), road sections along Mapanas to Palapag and Allen to the provincial capital of Catarman have been impassable since Monday night.

On Tuesday morning, the DPWH cleared the Lope De Vega-Catarman road sections, making the province accessible from Calbayog City in Samar. (PNA)
FPV/SARWELL Q. MENIANO