PhilHealth to end ‘all can avail policy’ for ‘Yolanda’ survivors

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 30 (PNA) -- The all can avail policy of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for super typhoon Yolanda survivors in Eastern Visayas will end on Dec. 31, 2016 after three years of implementation.

PhilHealth regional information officer Miramar Zabala said that all needed health insurance assistance has already been extended and it’s about time to lift the policy.

“We have been conducting massive information drive to notify the public about the culmination of this privilege,” Zabala told PNA.

The policy has benefited all typhoon survivors regardless of the PhilHealth membership status. Since 2013 until August this year, the program had refunded PHP5 billion worth of medical expenses to hospitals.

Meanwhile, the state health insurance firm encouraged self-employed members to pay the monthly premium of PHP200 or to continue the availment of benefits.

“The good thing about being a member is that you can avail compensations to all kind of illnesses that are reimbursable by PhilHealth,” she added.

Currently, the insurance firm has 4.1 million members, including the dependents such children below 21 years old and their parents who are more than 60 years old. (PNA)

LAP/SQM/Jushua Marga (OJT)

Tacloban native featured in Rupert Jacinto’s ‘fabulous' exhibit

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 30 (PNA) –- This year’s photo exhibit of world-renowned photographer Rupert Jacinto dubbed as "Faaabvlous VII" at the Gallery of the Peninsula Manila features one of this city’s beautiful women.

Minerva Mondejar-Steiner, 37, from Tacloban City, is a gallerist and a philanthropist. She studied Art History at Oxford University and Fashion Styling at Central St. Martins in London. She regularly travels between Tacloban City and Zurich, Switzerland, her second home.

She was one of the 15 Faaabvlous Women presented during the opening of the photo exhibit and a coffee-table book launch last weekend. The exhibit runs from Nov. 24 to Dec. 6, 2016

Guests of honor at the exhibit were the Faaabvlous Icons of 2016 – Betsy Westendorp de Brias, Monaco Consul General Fortune Ledesma, Guatemala Consul Mellie Ablaza and Angola Consul Helen Ong together with male icon of 2016 Ramon Orlina.

Jacinto annually tapped beautiful and fabulous people with elan, style and substance.

Mondejar-Steiner opened the Mondejar Gallery at the heart of Zurich, Switzerland in 2007, showcasing Philippine contemporary art.

She will put up the Rupert Jacinto’s 1st Fabulous Icons 2017 at her Mondejar Gallery in Zurich early next year, featuring Swiss expats in the Philippines and Filipino expats in Switzerland. The proceeds will be for another cause here in Tacloban City.

There was a black and tie Faaabvlous Ball followed in support of the Love A Parish program of the Sto. Niño de Paz chapel in Greenbelt, Makati City under its chaplain Rev. Fr. Jun Sescon.

The program aids more than 400 needy churches across the country including those destroyed during supertyphoon Haiyan on November 8, 2013.

Mondejar-Steiner’s humanitarian spirit led her to establish the M. Mondejar Steiner Foundation and provided immediate relief to Taclobanon residents after super typhoon Yolanda swept the area three years ago.

Her charity organization helped rebuild the damaged facilities of JE Mondejar Computer College and provided scholarships to support students’ uninterrupted education and the school faculty members.

In the aftermath of the typhoon, she invited kids in the neighborhood at Naga-Naga village, Tacloban City, numbering almost a hundred and enrolled them in the school’s day care learning center, 

providing them free meals and psychosocial therapy.

Her interest to promote cultural exchange led her to produce children’s cooking shows on cuisines from around the world. Other endeavors include the art-space and cinema club featuring independent films at Once-Upon-a-Time in Boracay.

She was crowned Miss An Maglipayon in 2007 – a charity ball in Tacloban City. She is the daughter of power couple Rene Bing Mondejar and Lucita Dublas and sister to Bernadette Schuelter who was named one of the 100 Most Influential Women 2016 by the Female Women’s Net.

Mondejar-Steiner is married to acclaimed Swiss movie director Michael Steiner and a mother to TvC models Dean and Jane.

The “Faaabvlous Fifteen Women of 2016” aside from Minerva Mondejar Steiner are Riza Asa, Yoli Ayson, Cathy Binag, Dr. Risa Caldoza, Gela Cornelissen, Crystal Jacinto, Michelle Lee, Vina Lelim Nacionales, Cory Navarro, Manila Rep. Sandy Ocampo, Margarita Palacios, Katrina Ponce-Enrile, Dr. Kaycee Reyes, and Shilpa Tolani.(PNA)
LAP/SQM/VICKY C. ARNAIZ/EGR

UNDP asks Samar town to prioritize waste management

BASEY, Samar, Nov. 30 (PNA) -- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) asked the local government here to step up waste segregation and recycling program in compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

UNDP Country Director Titon Mitra said that for their funded projects - sanitary landfill and water treatment facility - to work efficiently, the local government must cascade to the grassroots level the importance of proper waste management and segregation.

“Unless people understand solid waste management, the facility can actually become a white elephant.

 That is why I challenge the local government to direct people in villages to recycle their waste,” Mitra said.

With people doing recycling activities in the community, waste that will be dumped at the landfill would be minimal.

“The growing or increasing number of population has significant effects to environment especially if people will not observe proper waste disposal and just throw their garbages anywhere,” he added.

UNDP, together with Korea International Cooperation Agency funded the sanitary landfill project of Basey town worth PHP14 million. Under the agreement, the local government provides the land.

The sanitary landfill, material recovery facility and waste water treatment facility is located inside the Basey Ecological Park with a total land area of 46,000 square meters (sqm).

About 15,000 sqm are intended for the MRF, 6 sqm cell for landfill and 600 sqm for waste water treatment.

The UNDP approved the sanitary land fill and MRF for Basey since the town is still reeling from impacts of super typhoon Yolanda and its local budget cannot finance expensive projects.

The officials added that the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act is a good law, but only few areas can comply due to budget constraints.

“Maybe there is something to be taught out on the way the budget is allocated for the local government and in any assistance that can be provided, regulations are fine, legislation is fine but it application of the legislation is very important,” Mitra said. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR

Wage board pushes productivity-based pay scheme

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 30 (PNA) –- The wage board here will kick off its advocacy on productivity-based incentive scheme in the bid to motivate workers to perform well for the growth of small and medium enterprises.

The concept of the productivity-based incentive scheme is to give additional incentive either by cash or in-kind to diligent employees, according to Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) Eastern Visayas Secretary Reynaldo Soliveres.

The campaign will be rolled out next year after a series of studies being done by the wage body.

“The current wage system only encourages the employee to slack off because either they do well or not, they still receive the same salary amount,” Soliveres said.

The wage body pushed for the advocacy for establishments to realize that the system is a secret tool to raise their income.

This incentive scheme will urge employees to optimize their potential, according to the official. 

“Through this, the employees’ productivity will result to an increase in sales, gaining both the worker and the management. This will not be mandatory, but voluntary,” the board said.

The productivity improvement schemes may include good housekeeping; time and motion studies; quality circles; and labor and management cooperation.

The wage order also urges labor and management to adopt and implement gain sharing and other performance incentive programs. (PNA)

 LAP/SQM/Yazmin Ellen C. Espina (OJT)

DRRM, climate change considered in new Region 8 dev’t plan

PALO, Leyte, Nov. 29 (PNA) -– Disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and climate change adaptation have been tagged as priority areas in the formulation of the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan (RDP) under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

In a consultation with regional stakeholders here held Tuesday, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro said building back better remains a big challenge in the region.

“While the region shows resiliency, there’s a lot to be done in the context of rehabilitation and recovery as the region is becoming a showcase for building back better,” Navarro said.

Incorporating the two areas in the RDP is critical for the region considering the vulnerability of six provinces to multiple hazards, according to Navarro.

“Our experience with (super typhoon) Yolanda is still a lesson for us to make vulnerability reduction a top objective. The successor PDP (Philippine Development Plan) put emphasis on reinforcing resiliency not just defined by a physical dimension, but encompassing socio-economic resiliency of individuals and families,” she added.

The RDP 2017-2022 from all regions is needed as inputs for the PDP under the current administration.

The plan takes into account the AmBisyon Natin (our ambition) 2040, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the 10-point socio-economic agenda of Duterte administration.

“AmBisyon Natin 2040 represents the collective long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves and for the country for the next 25 years. It describes the kind of life that people want to live, as well as how the country will look like by 2040. As such, it will serve as an anchor for development planning across at least four administrations,” Navarro explained.

The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda defines priorities over the next 15 years, which are to eradicate poverty, hunger and inequality, take action on climate change and the environment, improve access to health and education, and build strong institutions and partnerships, among others.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 12 issued by the Office of the President on Oct. 24, 2016, national government agencies are given until January 2017 to draft the new PDP.

NEDA held various RDP sectoral meetings and thematic workshop in the region’s six provinces since September this year. The region is expected to complete the successor RDP within December. (PNA)

 LAP/Sarwell Q. Meniano with Yancy Marie Claridad & Ana Rose Cinco (OJTs)

Samar officials asked to curb insurgency

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Nov. 29 (PNA) -– Top government officials with authority over peace and order, asked local officials in Samar province to prioritize addressing the age-old insurgency problem in their area.

In a meeting with mayors here, Philippine Army Central Command Commander Brig. Gen. Raul Del Rosario and Department of the Interior and Local Government Eastern Visayas Regional Director Maribel Sacendoncillo both agreed that rebellion persists in the province due to poverty and corruption.

“It’s more than 40 years now that we are fighting insurgency. We will not prosper if insurgency remains to be our main concern. We need to address this to have peace that will lead us to development,” said Del Rosario.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to initiate peace talks with the National Democratic Front is a bold and first step to achieve the lasting peace that the government wants to achieve for the country, according to the military official.

“We are encouraging to also have peace talks in the local level while the top officials in the government and the NDF are also doing the same,” Del Rosario added.

Sacendoncillo asked local officials to address the root cause of insurgency by improving local governance.

Sacendoncillo cited Bohol province as an example when local government units curbed corruption, insurgency eventually ended, making the province as one of the popular tourist destinations in the country.

“It’s so attractive for people to join insurgency when they have issues against the government. Our mandate is to give proper services and better opportunity to its people. For ordinary Filipinos, they see that the government is good when they see the local governance as competent and honest, their perception of governance rest on us and not on Malacañang,” Sacendoncillo added.

“If we attack this on that point of view, there is no reason for us not to succeed,” she stressed.

Samar is one of the 10 poorest provinces in country with 43.5 poverty incidence based on the 2015 report of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Nearby provinces also posted high poverty incidence - Eastern Samar with 55.4 percent and Northern Samar with 43.5 percent. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR

Tacloban ‘Yolanda’ survivors get early Christmas gift; Mayor thanks President Duterte

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 28 (PNA) -– For construction worker Rogelio Delfin, 59, moving into their new house is an early Christmas gift to their family.

On Monday, Delfin carried their belongings and got on a military truck to transfer to a permanent concrete house at the North Hill Arbours relocation site in Sto. Niño village, this city built by the National Housing Authority.

“My wife and I had been separated even before super typhoon Yolanda. Now, I want to start a new life here with my two unmarried children. This is my first time to own a concrete house,” said Delfin, a fisherman, whose family has been living in a makeshift house in San Jose district.

The old man’s family is just one of the 280 families that moved to permanent resettlement sites on Monday. The government targets to transfer 200 families every week until January next year.

No less than Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino personally welcomed the relocated families.

Dino said that as mandated by President Rodrigo Duterte, the survivors should be transferred to the relocation sites next month.

The Chief Executive made the announcement when he attended the 3rd commemoration of super typhoon Yolanda in the city last November 8.

The President also sent five Ceres Liner buses to Tacloban to help in the relocation of the survivors.

The buses will also be used to shuttle the students and those working at the city center from their homes in the northern resettlement sites to the city for the next six months, a stop-gap solution until new public vehicle routes are established in the relocation sites.

City Mayor Cristina Gonzales Romualdez said the city is really grateful to the President for pushing for the transfer of the settlers to their new homes.

“President Duterte really cares about Yolanda survivors,” Romualdez said.

The mayor said that there was a ceremonial switch lighting by the Leyte Electric Cooperative of 48 houses on Sunday night. The linemen will work day and night to make sure all houses will be bright this Yuletide season.

The 53rd engineering brigade of the Philippine Army has been helping transport the settlers and their things, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, NHA, and Department of Trade and Industry to introduce sustainable livelihoods for the residents.

Romualdez further said that 2,500 settlers had transferred before last May national elections. More than a hundred were transferred last week of October in different relocation sites.

“We still have 12,500 settlers that need to transfer to their permanent homes. We hope by 2017, all will be settled in their new homes,” she added.

We see a good future for the northern villages. The city government will put-up wet markets and new development will be realized here, thanks to the Habitat for Humanity for the Urban Development designed for the city,” Romualdez said.

The mayor is an ambassador of the Habitat for Humanity since 2011. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/VICKY C. ARNAIZ WITH LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR

Gov’t moves 280 families to Tacloban relocation site

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 28 (PNA) –- The government has moved 280 families from danger zones to permanent relocation sites on Monday in an effort to beat the December 2016 timeline for mass transfer of super typhoon Yolanda-affected families.

Government trucks and buses moved hundreds of families from coastal San Jose District near the city’s airport to North Hills Arbour housing site in Sto. Niño village.

“We will try our best to fast track the transfer before the end of December. President Rodrigo Duterte felt so bad that after three years, many families are still living in shanties,” said Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino.

On Sunday night, the Leyte II Electric Cooperative initially completed the power supply project to the new relocation site with 1,100 units built by the National Housing Authority.

As “stop gap” measure for the water needs, Dino asked the Department of Public Works and Highways, Leyte Metropolitan Water District, and Bureau of Fire Protection to deliver water and set up tanks at relocation sites.

The Local Water Utilities Authority said it will complete the long term water supply project late next year. 

Hundreds of soldiers from the 53rd Engineering Brigade were also present to help families carry their things to their new homes.

Vallacar Transit, Inc., the largest public land transportation company in Negros Island has lent their six Ceres Liner buses to the government for the use of relocated families.

“The buses will stay for six months to ensure that the students can go to school and occupants whose job is in the city, can go to work,” Dino said.

The Department of Trade and Industry has asked distributors to deliver stocks to store owners in the new resettlement sites.

“Those who own stores in their old community can continue doing business here before the establishment of big retail shops and better transport system,” said Ma. Delia Corsiga, chief of the DTI regional business development division.

This is on top of the upcoming livelihood support program of PHP5,000 each for 1,102 identified families in the city.

City Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez said the city government targets to transfer at least 200 families every week to their respective relocation sites starting Nov. 28 until January next year.

During his visit to this city on November 8, President Duterte has expressed dissatisfaction over slow housing development project for super typhoon Yolanda survivors, prompting him to order concerned agencies to make significant improvement within a month.

The NHA reported that out of the 14,631 houses targeted for construction in this city alone, 7,148 have been completed so far, but only 2,101 units have been occupied as of last week.

Out of the 14,631 targeted units, 13,062 are NHA projects and 1,569 units by eight non-government organizations. These houses are meant for families badly hit by super typhoon Yolanda in 2013. (PNA)

LAP/SQM

DILG, local gov’t unveil good governance seal in Samar

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Nov. 28 (PNA) –- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the provincial government here unveiled Monday the 2016 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) received by Samar province.

DILG Eastern Visayas Regional Director Maribel Sacendoncillo and Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan-de los Santos led the unveiling of the seal at the provincial capitol’s lobby.

Samar is one of the 12 local government units in the region awarded with SGLG for passing the test of good governance in three core assessment areas—good financial housekeeping, social protection and disaster preparedness.

The LGU must also pass at least one from the essential assessment areas of business friendliness and competitiveness, peace and order or environmental management.

Philippine Army’s Central Command Commander Major General Raul Del Rosario and 8th Infantry Division Brigadier General Raul Farnacio and witnessed the unveiling.

In her message, Sacendoncillo emphasized the importance of good governance in running a province, city, and town.

“Good governance is the solution to the problem in the community such as poverty that may lead to insurgency, which Samar province experiences,” she said.

The official takes on to challenge the town mayors who witnessed the unveiling rites to improve the services they provide to the people and the address the needs of them to also receive the SGLG.

None of the 24 towns in Samar province received the SGLG award this year. Aside from the provincial government, the other SGLG recipient this year is Calbayog City.

Samar province will receive a performance challenge fund to finance social development, environmental, and disaster risk reduction management projects, according to Sacendoncillo.

Tan-de los Santos vowed to help all local government units in Samar province to address their deficiencies for them to qualify for the SGLG award.

In the region, other SGLG award recipient provinces are Eastern Samar, Leyte and Biliran. Awardees for the town category are General MacArthur and Salcedo, in Eastern Samar; Barugo, Javier, Tabango and Tolosa in Leyte; and St. Bernard in Southern Leyte.

Of the 306 SGLG awardees nationwide, there are 43 provinces, 51 cities and 212 towns. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR

Upland Leyte village to host first vegetable expo

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 25 (PNA) -- The first Leyte Vegetable Expo 2016 on November 28 will be held at Villaconzoilo village, an upland village in Jaro, Leyte, organized by the farmer-members of the Villaconzoilo Community Association.

Alex Aborita, village chief and president of the organization, said the expo will showcase the variety of harvests from daily vegetable fare to salad-type vegetables like lettuce, cherry tomatoes and sweet bell peppers.

They invited Senators Cynthia Villar, Loren Legarda, Francis Pangilinan and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.

It will be an event to introduce the new produce of the multi-awarded farmers-group. They just successfully experiment planting strawberry, asparagus and red onions. And now they are into tilapia and hog raising.

It won the Agriculture Initiative Category for championing the agriculture industry in the country in the TOFARM –The Outstanding Farmers Award by the Jaycees International.

The group is led by Arbonita, who is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the Visayas State University, Alang-Alang, Leyte campus.

The association started in 2010 when 18 farmers bonded together to start compact farming with an initial capital of PHP1,000 and two-hectare land.

They first grew native vegetables and later shifted to “salad-type” vegetables that are not normally grown in Leyte province and Eastern Visayas region.

The farmers now have PH P4 million cash in bank and PHP20 million assets, including the 28 hectares of land they are currently cultivating.

Seeing the potential of this farming village, the Provincial Agriculture’s Office conducted technical assistance to this upland village, which is seven kilometers from the town center, half of which is rough road.

The cooperative which was formally created and registered at the Cooperative Development Authority last Jan. 25, 2016 now boasts of 38 members.

“We maintain a wide support to our farmers, we always motivate them in pursuit of agriculture excellence under the More Income in the Countryside or MIC Program,” said Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominic Petilla.

The award-winning Aborita said their cooperative is community-based and their programs and projects aim to help the government solve poverty and hunger.

The farm produces high-value vegetables including lettuce, radish, Baguio beans, carrots, broccoli, cauliflowers, eggplants, onions, ginger, cucumber, turmeric, sweet bell peppers and cherry tomatoes.

Their distribution market included Robinson’s Place Tacloban, Save More Tacloban, Gaisano Main and Gaisano Central and the Max Group of companies.

They also allotted 11 hectares for root crops, jackfruit, rambutan, durian, banana, lanzones, papaya, seven hectares of land planted with the Queen watermelon of the sweetest variety and six hectares of land planted with cacao.

The TOFARM Awards was launched in 2012 to inspire and encourage farmers to remain true to their noble calling.

The Villaconzoilo Community Association received PHP100,000 cash award and a gold-plated trophy. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/VICKY C. ARNAIZ/EGR

Tacloban coastal dwellers back tide embankment project

TACLOBAN CITY Nov. 25 (PNA) -– Residents of coastal San Jose district here have expressed support to the national government’s tide embankment project designed to shield communities from big waves.

“For me, this is okay because it is for our protection during storm,” said Claressa Homeres, 46, whose makeshift house stands just a stone's throw away from the shore.

In the past, some residents expressed opposition to the project dubbed as “Tacloban’s Great Wall” as it will affect livelihood activities.

“What really worried me was my business. I don’t know where to relocate this, but it’s okay for as long as safety is ensured,” said Jenny Hayag, 48, who owns a small community store in San Jose district.

Recently, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the PHP7.9-billion tide embankment project designed to shield communities in this city and nearby towns from rising seas, will proceed within this year.

DPWH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Edgar Tabacon said the central government has already set aside PHP2.6 billion funds this year to commence the construction of the seawall. This will kick off in some parts of San Jose district in this city and Palo town under section 4.

In 2017, the project will get PHP700 million for construction activities in some coastal villages of Palo and Tanauan towns, covering section 5.

Last Nov. 8, President Rodrigo Duterte and DPWH Secretary Mark Villar were supposed to break the ground for section 4 of tide embankment project in Palo town, but it was cancelled after some groups threatened to hold a massive rally.

The 27.3-kilometer tide embankment project stretches from Diit village in Tacloban to Cabuynan village in Tanauan town.

The four-meter high structure is designed to protect coastal communities from storm surges similar to those of super typhoon Yolanda. (PNA)

LAP/SQM/Yancy Marie Claridad (OJT)

‘Black Friday’ protest gets mixed reactions from former First Lady’s hometown

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 25 (PNA) -– As thousands of Filipinos troop to the streets for the “Black Friday” protest against the burial of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, residents in this city, the bailiwick of former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, have expressed mixed reaction to the issue.

“Frankly, if I were to say my opinion, Marcos can be buried anywhere, but his family is expected his wishes in his will to come true so let us respect it,” said Bernadita Valenzuela, the information officer of the local government ruled for decades by the Romualdez clan.

The city’s current chief executive, former actress Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez, is the wife of former Mayor Alfred Romualdez, who led the city from 2007 to mid-2016.

Alfred’s father, Alfredo, Imelda Marcos’ younger brother, ruled the city from 1998 to 2007.

Valenzuela lauded the accomplishments of the late strongman. “His achievements outnumbered whatever abuses may have been committed in his name. It is not true that all Filipinos hate him.”

Valenzuela, who is now 87 years old, believes that the Marcos regime was the “best days of the country”, citing achievements in infrastructure development, safeguarding the country against communism and international diplomacy.

“It’s about time that we put a closure to these political differences and put our concentration to help our republic become progressive, safer and a better place to live in, but we cannot do that if Filipinos are divided,” she said.

In contrast, communication student Hannah Eder, 19, also from Tacloban, argued that the late strongman does not deserve a hero's burial considering the facts of martial law.

“Many Filipinos were killed during the martial law and justice was not served now that he was buried there,” she said.

“As a youth, I am affected with the Marcos burial at the heroes’ cemetery because children will have a different perception of what a real hero is,” Eder added.

Marcos was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) last Nov. 18 after the Supreme Court dismissed the petition against the burial.

On Friday, thousands of protesters joined the nationwide “Black Friday” protest against the private burial at the LNMB.

Marcos died in exile in Hawaii more than two decades ago, but his remains were brought back and kept under a glass at the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Ilocos Norte, his home province. LAP/SQM/Ana Rose D. Cinco (OJT)

TS 'Marce' strands passengers in Leyte, triggers landslides

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 25 (PNA) -- At least 1,067 passengers have been stranded in different seaports in Leyte Island Friday morning as state weather bureau has raised storm signal number 1 over Eastern Visayas provinces due to tropical storm Marce.

Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Eastern Visayas Regional Director Edgar Posadas said travellers have been affected by trip cancellation in the ports of San Ricardo and Liloan, Southern Leyte; Ormoc City, Bato, and Palompon in Leyte province.

These ports are the region’s exit point to Cebu and Mindanao.

Authorities prevented seven sea vessels from leaving the ports, which also stranded 169 rolling cargoes, according to Posadas.

Aside from stranding, the OCD also reported closures of national roads until early Friday due to mudslides in Olisihan village in Sogod, Southern Leyte and Villa village in Baybay City in Leyte. 

Both sections are within major highways that link the southern part of Leyte Island to the regional capital.

The Olisihan section was cleared around 5 a.m. while half of the road portion in Villa village was already passable by 8 a.m.

“The wind is not that destructive, but storm Marce dumped heavy rains in many areas in the region, which triggered landslides,” Posadas said.

The official presumed that the storm’s impact is manageable in the local government level since no single province, city, or town has asked for assistance from the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Since Thursday, classes have been suspended by the local governments in Leyte province, Tacloban City, and five towns in Biliran, according to OCD reports. (PNA)
PGL/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

Tacloban to unveil giant Christmas tree

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 24 (PNA)-- The city government here will unveil a 70-meter Christmas tree for public viewing on Nov. 28 at the city’s Rizal Park.

Ruby Bayalanto of the city tourism operations office said the tree’s design is inspired by classic cathedral windows, which depicts the country’s Christian origin. It is made of good quality materials, which signifies the people’s resiliency.

“It was built this way so that when people visit the park and see the tree, they would think of a church. This is to remind them that Christmas is about faith and love,” she told PNA.

Daniel Guarino, the draftsman and designer of the Christmas symbol is optimistic to complete all preparations before the launching.

“As of now, we are 70 percent finished, but we should not be overly confident because there are more things to do especially on the little details of the tree. To speed up the work, we are now working day and night,” he said.

The Christmas tree is part of the Tacloban City Christmas decoration project proposed by the city tourism operations office with a budget of PHP658,000.

The project also included street light parol decor, Astrodome entrance decor, Rizal Park entrance and stage decor, and Sta. Clause candy station at the park.

“Through these decorations, we will make everyone feel the Yuletide season. Also through these, we can show to world that Tacloban has already recovered and our dark days have already passed,” Guarino said.

Rizal Park, located just in front of Sto. Niño church, will be the center of Christmas celebrations in the city. (PNA)

 PGL/SQM/Jushua S. Marga (OJT)

DPWH Southern Leyte bids out Php 278-M flood control projects for Subangdaku River

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 24 (PNA) – Six flood control projects along Southern Leyte’s largest river worth Php 278 million were bid out by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), representing the first batch of 2017 projects ready for implementation.

All these flood control projects are along Subang Daku River in Sogod town in six sections – Hibod-Hibod (Php 47.61 million), Kanangkaan (Php 44.79 million), San Juan (Php 45.12 million), San Vicente (Php 45.15 million), Suba (Php 47.91 million), and Zone 3 (Php 47.63 million).

Assistant District Engineer Allan D. Eway said the river has been tagged as priority for flood control system considering its vulnerability to soil erosions.

“For next year, we will focus on critical sections. This is a permanent solution in eroded areas and prevent flooding during heavy downpour,” Eway said.

At least four flood control projects have been funded by the DPWH in Subangdaku in the past years and more sections will be covered in the future.

Subangdaku (big river) is the largest river in the province. From the mountains of San Juan and San Francisco town, it drains into Sogod Bay.

The DPWH Southern Leyte pushed for bidding of projects before the end of the year to speed up its construction ahead of the rainy season next year.

At least 47 infrastructure projects with a total funding of Php 1.74 billion are up for implementation by DPWH Southern Leyte next year.(PNA)
RMA/SQM/DPWH-PR/EGR

Baybay vice mayor pleased by Kerwin’s testimony

BAYBAY CITY, Leyte, Nov. 24 (PNA) -- Baybay City Vice mayor Michael Cari was glad that alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa cleared his name from the list of personalities who benefited from drug money.

Cari, who watched the live broadcast of Senate hearing on Tuesday, turned emotional after the younger Espinosa’s testimony.

“Now I can sleep soundly after wondering for weeks why my name was linked to the drug trade,” said Cari, a member of the biggest political clan in Leyte province.

Cari recalled that the only time he met Kerwin’s father, Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Sr. was during the oath taking of newly-elected officials after the May 2016 polls.

“Personally, I don’t know the Espinosas. It hurts me that I was linked to the Espinosa drug group,” said Cari, who is also a former mayor of this city.

“This vindication brings relief for me, my family, friends, and supporters who stood by me in this ordeal.”

The official called for thorough investigation as to who implicated his name in the affidavit of the slain mayor.

Other officials cleared by Espinosa were Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, Vice Governor Carlo Loreto, Leyte 3rd district Rep. Vicente Veloso, and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez. (PNA)
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Kerwin’s testimony elates Leyte governor

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 24 (PNA) -- Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla was elated after alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa cleared his name from the drugs payola list during Wednesday’s Senate probe.

“I feel victorious,” said Petilla in the interview with PNA at his office after watching the inquiry’s live broadcast Wednesday night.

“This is one of the victories on battle against illegal drugs because the truth was revealed about the questionable affidavit that was executed with our names on it,” Petilla said.

Petilla together with his cousins Leyte Vice-Governor Carlo Loreto and Baybay City Vice-Mayor Michael Cari, and their relative Leyte 3rd district Rep. Vicente Veloso were cleared from illegal drugs trade in Leyte province.

The name of Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez was also cleared during the hearing.

Petilla said that the statement of Kerwin clearing their name in the drug trade sets the fight against illegal drug on the right path.

Putting their names in the affidavit of Mayor Espinosa makes them the scapegoat of people who are really involved in the illicit activity.

“If the truth was not revealed, the innocent are the ones who are implicated while the people who are actually involved remains free,” Petilla said.

The governor added that it would be better if Mayor Espinosa were not killed because he could also shed light on who was behind producing the affidavit.

Petilla said that his legal team are now studying possible actions against those people who implicated his name in the affidavit, including Chief Insp. Jovie Espinido of Albuera, Leyte police station.

But he wanted to see first the report conducted by the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation before taking legal actions.

“A lot of our evidences will be based on the findings of their investigation. I would want to see that report first for our legal team to come up with recommendations,” said Petilla.

Loreto agreed that affidavit was made to divert public attention on the real issue and who are the real culprits of illegal drugs are.

“Today’s hearing at the Senate is a most welcome development concerning the illegal drug trade in the country. I am happy that I have been finally cleared from the issue. This has been a vindication of my name and we are glad that the truth has come out,” Loreto said.

Loreto added that clearing their names was just the beginning of the fight against illegal drugs and there is need to pursue actions against the criminals and big syndicates behind the drug menace. (PNA)

LAP/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR

Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez vindicated by Kerwin’s testimony

ORMOC CITY, Nov. 24 (PNA) –- Multi-awarded actor and now Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez has welcomed the testimony of alleged Eastern Visayas drug lord Kerwin Espinosa clearing his name from the list of officials linked to illegal drugs.

"I am happy that Kerwin finally testified that I am not linked to the drug trade," Gomez said in a video post on social media after the younger Espinosa cleared his name and other local officials during a Senate hearing on Wednesday.

Gomez and other government officials included in the affidavit of the late Mayor Espinosa, whose names were in the alleged blue and pink books of Espinosa were cleared by the drug kingpin himself.

“We will never be involved in drug trade. And what happened the past months are political handiworks by the Codillas, our political opponents,” Gomez said.

The Codilla family is an archrival of the Torres-Gomez husband and wife tandem in Ormoc and the 4th district of Leyte.

"You see, the drug lords moved heaven and earth a decade ago to prevent me from having a seat at the House of Representatives," said Gomez, who is known for anti-drug advocacy.

Gomez recalled that even at the height of his career as an actor and victory was within his reach, his partylist Mamamayan Ayaw Sa Droga (MAD) was disqualified when he ran in 2001.

Gomez filed raps last week at the National Police Commission against cops, including Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido, Chief Insp. Leo Laraga of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and another cop Heidi Yutrago, who accused him as drug protector.

Other officials cleared by Espinosa were Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, Vice Governor Carlo Loreto, Leyte 3rd district Rep. Vicente Veloso, and Baybay Vice Mayor Mike Cari.

These officials were allegedly included in the list of personalities implicated in illegal drugs trade in the affidavit of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Sr.

The elder Espinosa was killed in a raid at his detention in Baybay City sub-provincial jail. (PNA)
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DPWH to convert Southern Leyte farm-to-market road to national highway

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 24 (PNA) -– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will convert a farm-to-market road in San Ricardo, Southern Leyte into a national highway, as part of ongoing construction of Liloa-an-San Ricardo Circumferential Road.

With the inclusion of the road section built by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the proposed alternative highway, there’s a need for the project to upgrade, according to DPWH Southern Leyte District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia.

“Since it’s already impossible for DAR to upgrade the road, we will assume the task of redesigning the project. The road conversion requires widening of existing four-meter road to 10 meters. We will increase its thickness from six inches to nine inches,” Junia said.

The DAR has been implementing the 3.7-kilometer farm-to-market road project linking Pinut-an and Kinachawa villages under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project. The PHP25 million road is 88 percent complete, according to DAR’s latest report.

In a letter to DPWH, the DAR explained that it is impossible to consider proposals for modification considering the “time, financial, and contract status constraints.”

“While we understand the need to upgrade the standard to national road following the improvement of Liloan-San Ricardo Circumferential Road, it is no longer within the scope of the project and beyond the mandate of our office,” the DAR stated.

The infrastructure agency is currently implementing a P40-million opening of the alternative road. Civil works include roadway excavation of hard rocks, installation of drainage system, and slope protection works.

About PHP200 million is needed to finance the opening activities of an alternative Liloan-San Ricardo Road. The project is designed to cut travel time and skip road sections vulnerable to landslides and accidents.

The remaining funding requirement is expected for disbursement in the next two years – PHP100 million in 2017 and PHP72 million in 2018.

The construction of the circumferential road will reduce the distance from Liloan port to another exit point to Mindanao in San Ricardo town from more than 40 kilometers to only 20 kilometers.

The project will convert an existing provincial road into a primary highway, unlocking economic activities in rural communities of two towns in the southernmost part of the province.

Through the new road network, motorists can reach San Ricardo town from Liloan town without traversing the landslide-prone and accident-prone road sections in San Francisco and Pintuyan towns.(PNA)

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Leyte vice gov tags Espinosa narco list as ‘political demolition’

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 23 (PNA) -– A top official in Leyte province allegedly included in the drug payola list of slain Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. said the accusation hurled against him is a political demolition.

“The accusations are political demolition job handled by the most dangerous and biggest criminal syndicate we had to face in the recent years,” said Leyte Vice Governor Carlo P. Loreto.

Loreto said that while President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown against illegal drugs is serious and high level, the local government units becomes “a convenient smoke screen, scapegoat, and magic mirrors.”

“I am confident that the truth can still be found that we can still get to the bottom of all of this.”

The official welcomed the investigation of the National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, and the Philippine National Police.

“Despite the issues as presiding officer and leader of the provincial board, the board are more on their toes and they are more alert,” he added.

Loreto admitted that he is personally affected by the issue because he’s been through worse, however he was more concerned of the reaction of his family and the trauma his children may experience due to the issue.

The issue, according to Loreto, is a “man-made calamity.” Although he already knew who is behind the issue, he said he just hopes that authorities will reach their conclusion without him meddling the investigation.

The mayor, who was killed in raid at the Baybay City sub-provincial jail early this month, is the father of alleged Eastern Visayas’ top drug lord Kerwin Espinosa. (PNA)
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