DPWH Leyte to deploy skeletal force for 'Undas'

CARIGARA, Leyte, Oct. 30  – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in central Leyte is all set for its “Lakbay Alalay” to assist motorists and travellers for the All Saints and All Soul’s day observance.

Skeletal forces will be deployed in three strategic areas along Leyte’s second district starting at 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2017 up to 12:00 noon of Nov. 2, 2017.

These areas are particularly the 2nd LED office in Carigara town, the Lemon junction in Capoocan town, and along the Burauen-Julita junction in Dulag town.

“As directed by the central office, the teams to be deployed shall assist roadside concerns of motorists joining the All Saints’ Day rush,” DPWH district engineer Carlos Veloso said in a mobile phone interview Sunday.

Uniformed teams will provide prompt assistance on normal and emergency situations in strategic locations along major thoroughfares on a round-the-clock shift.

The agency added that the teams shall also coordinate with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP), and officials of local government units (LGUs).

DPWH added it has been in coordination with contractors to guarantee proper scheduling of road works and installation of necessary traffic advisory.

All national highways particularly those leading to public and private cemeteries are now being cleared of obstructions and potholes to ensure safety of huge volume of motorists expected to flock for the long weekend. (ACR/PNA)

Flower, candle prices remain stable in Tacloban

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 30  -- Shop owners in this city said prices of flowers and candles remain stable despite high demand for the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

Allan Cahingcoy, owner of AC flower shop in Burgos St. here, said that unlike Valentine’s Day, there will be no flower price adjustment this week.

“Even if our suppliers will raise their price, we cannot just adjust it because most of our customers are our friends and regular buyers,” said Cahingcoy, whose shop has been receiving orders since last week. He gets his supplies from Baguio City, Cebu City, Davao City, and Bohol.

Flower vendor Helen Flowas, 55, who has been operating a makeshift sidewalk store along Gomez St. for some three decades, said a possible increase would be minimal since a lot of people cannot afford to buy expensive flowers.

“Our objective is to sell all our stocks and we won’t take advantage of high demand,” Flowas told PNA.

Prevailing flower prices are the following: Roses (PHP35 per stem), Carnation (PHP50 per stem), Lilium (PHP250 per stem), Gerbera (PHP400 per dozen), Anthurium (PHP350 per dozen), Malaysian Mums (PHP350 per dozen, Asters (PHP200 per bundle), and Orchids (PHP500).

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has stepped up the monitoring of prices of candles as demand is expected this week.

DTI Consumer Welfare Division chief Araceli Larraga said Monday they have been checking candle trading since early October.

“Only one brand of candle has increased its suggested retail price due to high cost of imported wax,” Larraga said.

Based on the DTI’s suggested retail prices for candles, the cost per pack ranges from PHP29.75 to PHP136.50 depending on the brand.

Genevieve Homeres, 20, who owns a candle store near the city’s largest cemetery in El Reposo, said there is no increase in prices of their candles.

“We cannot set our own price because we have to follow the DTI’s suggested retail price,” Homeres said.

The trade department will continue its candle price monitoring until early November to check if traders follow the standard price.

During All Saints’ Day, people usually leave flowers and light up candles on the graves of their departed loved ones. (SQM/with Ali Krause Gamana & Mikaela Angelica Ramirez, OJT/PNA)

NGO aids in death declaration of ‘Yolanda’ missing victims

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 30  – A non-government organization (NGO) will launch a program assisting super typhoon Yolanda survivors to file the declaration of presumptive death for the missing victims of the 2013 catastrophe.

Under the Civil Code of the Philippines, a family member can file for the declaration four years after disappearance for the purpose of remarriage and claiming benefits.

“Under these rules on presumptive death, there is no need for a court decree. The mere running of the period raises the presumption of death,” said Mary Grace Lazarra, paralegal of Initiative for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services, (IDEALS) Inc.

During the program’s launch on Nov. 7, the NGO will discuss basic concepts of petition for declaration of presumptive death. IDEALS will also turn over documents to the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) filed by 20 petitioners.

The application for the declaration of presumptive death is not yet open to the public, but there are already 20 qualified petitioners, Lazarra said on Sunday.

The purpose of this initiative is to help families recover from the painful loss of their family members, remarry, and move on from the tragic experience.

The initiative is part of the NGO’s Access to Benefits and Claims During Disaster (ABCD) Program.

It reaches those affected by natural and man-made calamities and helps them thru providing legal services and assistance, reconstructing their damaged civil and legal documents, and in accessing social protection and welfare assistance.

The group launched the ABCD few weeks after the super typhoon pummeled the region on Nov. 8, 2013.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has reported 1,074 missing persons in Eastern Visayas region as of end 2015.

Super typhoon Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan), is the deadliest Philippine typhoon on record, killing at least 6,300 people in the central part of the country. (SQM/with Ali Krause Gamana & Christine Quimbo, OJT/PNA)

Yolanda survivors to visit nameless graves on Undas

TACLOBAN CITY -- Thousands of "Yolanda" survivors will visit nameless graves this All Saints' Day to remember their loved ones who perished when the monster typhoon ravaged central Philippines nearly four years ago.

Jocefine Fallier, 39, has been regularly visiting the mass grave at Holy Cross Memorial in Basper village here to remember five family members killed by Yolanda’s storm surges in 2013.

Fallier was at the mass grave site late Sunday afternoon offering flowers for her sister, grandfather, grandmother, aunt, and niece who all died when storm surges hit their community in San Jose district.

She is unsure if all her family members are buried there except for her sister, Jackelyn. The rest are still missing.

Fallier's loved ones are just few of the 2,273 bodies buried late 2013 at the mass grave in this city, considered as Yolanda’s ground zero. The site is dotted with white wooden crosses and some tombstones. Some people picked a cross and wrote the names of their family members on it.

Verona Opino, 36, just picked a cross at the center to write the name of her husband killed by huge waves in the city’s Magallanes district.

“Our village official just told me that my husband’s body was brought to the mass grave here. I’m not sure of the specific ground where he was buried,” Opino shared.

Mayor Cristina Romualdez said the city government has been funding the vegetation control at the mass grave site whole year round.

“We will also have a project next year. It is a sort of a memorial with statue of crying crucified Christ that will rise at the Holy Cross. This will be for local memorial tourism," Romualdez told reporters on Monday.

In the nearby town of Palo, the mass grave site is located in front of the Roman Catholic Church and along a major thoroughfare in Leyte. It is the final resting place of 378 residents of the village and some unknown casualties of the Yolanda tragedy.

A non-government organization converted the place into a flower garden and engraved the names of victims on a granite built near the garden’s gate.

Marilou Bidua, 44, who lost her husband when storm surges hit their village, said that during the commemoration of the All Souls' Day and super typhoon Yolanda anniversaries, she visits the site to light up candles, bring flowers and pray for the soul of her husband.

Bidua admitted that it is still hard for her to move on from the tragedy that happened almost four years ago. She said that whenever she visits the site, she does not feel like being there because the pain of remembering how her husband died keeps coming back.

"I saw how my husband helped our neighbors out of the strong water current. He was hit by a log and drowned. Everything is still on my mind," she said.

On the other side of the mass grave stood Corazon Pudadera, 50, from Babatngon, Leyte, who also lost her husband during the typhoon.

Pudadera's husband was working as caretaker of a fishpond in San Joaquin village when the typhoon hit central Philippines. She described him as a family-oriented man.

"Two days before Yolanda, he returned home in Babatngon and told me to ensure safety of our children since the typhoon was very strong," said Pudadera as she recalled her husband’s final words.

Pudadera still visits the site regularly although her husband's name is not engraved in the granite. It is her way of trying to move on from the tragedy.

After the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, families of Yolanda victims will revisit mass graves to commemorate the fourth year of the super typhoon on November 8. (SQM/With reports from Ali Krause Gamana & Christine Quimbo, OJT/PNA)

PCIC Eastern Visayas to build new office in Leyte

PALO, Leyte, Oct. 27  -- The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) regional office here will soon have its new office building at the Government Center here.

The state-run firm and the Leyte provincial government signed on Thursday the 50-year usufruct agreement for the use of the property.

PCIC president Jovy Bernabe thanked the provincial government for donating the 2,000-square meter lot.

“This is the second time that a local government donated land for PCIC office. The first one was in Tuguegarao in Cagayan,” Bernabe said.

The construction of the two-storey building will proceed next year with a PHP20-million budget.

Bernabe is hopeful that with the new office, the more than PHP100 million claims paid to farmers in Eastern Visayas last year will be doubled.

He vowed to intensify the implementation of various crop insurance programs with the new building.

In Leyte alone, PCIC programs have been benefitting more than 20,000 farmers.

Governor Dominico Petilla said that it’s good to welcome another office at the Government Center, a local government-owned 105-hectare site where several regional offices are located.

“Our vision is to make the Government Center a one-stop shop for more convenience to transacting public,” Petilla said.

PCIC, created during the Marcos regime, is a government-owned corporation tasked to implement the Department of Agriculture’s insurance program.

In the past few years, the state-run firm has been operating with PHP150-million annual budget.

The firm’s principal mandate is to provide insurance protection to farmers against losses arising from natural calamities, plant diseases and pest infestations of their palay and corn crops as well as other crops. (LAAA/PNA)

111 digital libraries up in Leyte schools

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 26  -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will set up 111 digital libraries in Leyte province this year as part of the central government’s post-Yolanda assistance.

John Glenn Ocaña, DOST Leyte provincial director said the project dubbed as Science and 

Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station (Starbooks), was designed to make valuable information available to learners in areas without internet connection and had poor access to latest science and technology materials.

Each Starbook unit has 11,000 library holdings, available to teachers, students, and even to the community.

Of the 111 digital libraries, 16 will be installed in Tacloban City; 13 in Ormoc City; seven in Palo; six each in Tanauan and Villaba; five each in Palompon and Abuyog; four each in Babatngon, Tolosa, and Burauen; three in Merida and Baybay City; and two units each in Barugo, Dulag, Isabel, 

Kananga, MacArthur, Mahaplag, Matag-ob, Mayorga, San Miguel, and Calubian; and one in Pastrana, Alang-alang, Albuera, Babay City, Carigara, Dagami, Jaro, Javier, Julita, and Santa Fe.

“The project is of great use to all students because it is regularly updated for future uses as well,” Ocaña said.

To ensure maintenance of the project, DOST will train school personnel on basic troubleshooting of digital libraries.

The DOST initially started the installation in some parts of Leyte’s 2nd legislative district. The target is to complete setting up all units within the year.

Starbooks is the country’s first digital science and technology library.

Developed by the DOST Science and Technology Information Institute, the kiosk contains full text journal and research materials, news and feature articles, videos, and publications on science and technology, and livelihood.

It also has Encyclopedia Britannica in its collection, its contents categorized into elementary, high school, and college levels. (SQM/with Mikaela Angelica Ramirez-OJT/PNA)

Eastern Samar town fears near extinction of PH tarsiers

LAWAAN, Eastern Samar, Oct. 25 -- People here have expressed concern over the looming extinction of the Philippine tarsiers inhabiting the town’s forest.

Tarsiers had become more endangered in this town after Supertyphoon Yolanda’s fierce winds killed many of them, South Eastern Samar People’s Organization Consortium (SeaSPOC) project coodination officer Brian Gacho said Tuesday.

With a height of 3.3 inches to 6.3 inches, the Philippine tarsier is known to be one of the smallest primates, categorized as an endangered species in Lawaan.

This nocturnal animal has been sighted at the Bolusao watershed and San Isidro village.

Since they are nocturnal and evasive by nature, tarsiers are rarely seen that some locals in the town center are not aware of their existence in the town’s forest.

"I haven’t seen any tarsier here. I haven’t even heard from my friends that there are tarsiers in our town," Myzablans de Paz, a resident, said.

However, folks from remote communities and farm owners confirm the existence of tarsiers.

"I have seen them twice already. My friend even caught one of them," said Mitz Carl Jimenez, resident of San Isidro village.

To preserve and help the endangered species, the Department of Agriculture, together with several offices, among them SeaSPOC and the Guiuan Development Foundation (GDF), are currently conducting public awareness, as well as monitoring and evaluation.

In particular, the GDF, headed by Margarita dela Cruz, a University of the Philippines (UP) professor, has adopted Lawaan as a research site where UP Tacloban conducts its environment-related projects.

"We encourage farmers’ groups and people’s organizations to help in the conservation efforts as well, because they are the ones who will benefit from potential eco-tourism activities," Gacho said.

The town of Lawaan, which is 72 km. east of Tacloban City, is also home to many endangered wildlife, such as the Philippine eagle, hornbill, Philippine bulbul, wildcat, squirrels and wild boars.

Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, protects and conserves wildlife resources and their habitats. (SQM/With Pearl M. Ecaldre, OJT/PNA)

Traditional healing thrives in Eastern Samar

ORAS, Eastern Samar, Oct. 25  – Even with the advent of the digital age and the establishment of modern medical facilities, traditional healing continues to thrive in this town.

Traditional healers, called faith healers or folk massage therapists, have their way of treating people who are suffering from illnesses. Their method is complicated.

“My way of healing is through massage and oration (reciting of prayers). I massage people with sprains, fractures and similar conditions, as well as babies with a bloated stomach due to ‘usog’,” said folk massager Meling Logon, 59, of Balocaue village.

“Usog” is believed to be a discomfort brought by a stranger or a visitor thought to have an evil eye, who brings an evil wind or a hex.

Learning the skills from her great-grandmother, Logon began healing in 1994 at the age of 35 when three of her children died.

Another faith healer, Nally Mejica Go, of Paypayon village, has been a quack doctor for 43 years. 

She has been treating people since 1993 at the age of 24. After her leg got amputated when she sustained a gunshot wound, she began seeing odd things in her dreams. It was then that she became a healer.

Nally keeps a record book of the names of people she treats. She believes that her skills are God-given, that she will not be helping all those sick people if not because of God.

“I have cured a lot of people with different kinds of illnesses. People who are not feeling well, who have swollen feet or hands, who have been possessed by devils, and even those who have unknown sicknesses that even doctors sometimes could not determine,” Go recalled.

“I just blow on the cowlick of their head and sometimes make the sign of the cross using my saliva, ask them to eat a small piece of paper with prayers written on it, and require them to drink holy water.

 I also use leaves in treating people. I put the leaf in my mouth, whisper Latin prayers and then put the leaves on their head like an ointment,” she added.

Mark Madeja, 20, also of Paypayon village and a believer in traditional healing, said he’s impressed by Go’s ability to heal.

“It’s not that I don’t trust doctors, but for several years, she managed to cure my illnesses, including the time when an evil spirit possessed me,” Madeja shared.

Members of Madeja’s family are also believers in traditional healing because they have all been ill and eventually cured by a faith healer.

“But if you consult a healer, there is one thing you must remember. If you are sick and you really want to get better, all you have to do is believe that you will get through it, that you will be healed, because if you don’t, it would really be an uphill climb or otherwise impossible,” he said.

The healers do not ask any specific amount of money or anything for payment. People who have been cured of their illnesses just put money or anything in their altar as a thanksgiving to the healers. (SQM/With Ma. Myrelle L. Montallana, OJT/PNA)

'Yolanda’ victims in Samar get cash aid

TACLOBAN CITY  Oct. 24 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development has started this week releasing PHP5,000 cash assistance meant for victims of super typhoon "Yolanda" who did not receive post-disaster emergency shelter assistance (ESA).

DSWD information officer for disaster Joshua Kempis said Tuesday the distribution was delayed due to lengthy validation process especially that some beneficiaries moved to other places.

The distribution had started in Basey, Samar, considering the town’s proximity to the regional office, he said.

The release of cash assistance at the regional office here is still ongoing for Basey town with 1,154 recipients.

For Samar province alone, there are 11,453 beneficiaries from the towns of Marabut, Basey, Calbiga, Daram, Paranas, Pinabacdao, Zummaraga, and Catbalogan City.

“In areas like Eastern Samar and Northern Samar, we will send some personnel from the DSWD to distribute the cash assistance since they are far from the regional capital,” Kempis said.

The cash aid is only intended for those who are qualified and submitted requirements before November 8, 2016. The government aims to complete the process before the year ends.

Linda Verbo, a mother of 11 from Balante village in Basey town, patiently waited for her turn to receive the aid at the DSWD regional office.

Her family has been staying in a makeshift house made of bamboo and tarpaulin after the monster typhoon flattened their village on November 8, 2013.

“Instead of using the money to fix our house, I will buy rice and school supplies for my children,” Verbo said.

The DSWD needs about PHP1 billion from the Office of the President for the distribution of across the board cash assistance.

Between 2013 to 2015, the government had distributed PHP30,000 ESA for families with totally damaged houses and PHP10,000 for those with partially damaged houses. (RTA/PNA)

Best coco wine featured in Tacloban’s 'Oktubafest'

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 23  -- The showcase of best local wine dubbed as "Oktubafest” will again take center stage in this city next week.

The festival, the local version of the German beer fiesta known as the Octoberfest, will be held at the Eastern Visayas State University Auditorium in this city on October 28.

An Waray Partylist Representative Victoria Noel said in an interview Monday the event is the biggest gathering of tuba producers in the region.

“This is synonymous to gaiety and merrymaking and has always been the center of every local festivity, both of the humble and of the grandiose in form,” Noel said.

An Waray Partylist-led Oktubafest aims to promote the cultural heritage and the tuba industry of Leyte and Samar provinces.

This year’s competition is categorized into three -- the local government unit category best bahal (old) and bahalina (aged), best kutil (special wine mixture), and best tuba-infused dish cooking.

For the open category, there is an on-the-spot kawit painting limited slot, monochromatic tuba painting contest and Oktuba photo contest.

Kawit is made of bamboo pole that is used by tuba harvesters. It is attached on the shoulders by a wooden hook and serves as a container of the freshly harvested juice.

Now on its 9th year, Noel vowed to continue the festival to show support to the coconut industry, which is the main source of livelihood in the region.

Tuba wine is an alcoholic beverage generated from the sap of coconut palms. In Leyte, the wine is matured for up to one to two years. (LAAA/PNA)

Marawi soldiers reunite with families in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 23  --  After five months of fighting terrorists in Marawi City, about 100 soldiers under the Army’s 82nd Reconnaissance Company finally returned to Eastern Visayas Sunday afternoon.

Joined by family members, Col. Alberto Desoyo and 8th Infantry Division staff led in welcoming the soldiers.

Desoyo personally lauded the soldiers for their contribution to free Marawi City from the clutches of the ISIS-inspired Maute group.

“Our debt to our soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country to preserve our security and freedom in Marawi can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. Eastern Visayas and the entire country will never forget their sacrifices,” Desoyo said.

The troops will undergo a debriefing process, he added.

Most of the family members went to the city’s airport hours before the scheduled troops' arrival.

Michelle Berongoy, wife of Private First Class Ronnie Berongoy, said there were many sleepless nights when her husband was in Marawi especially and communicating with him was very hard. All she did was to pray that her husband would return alive.

“I’m happy that he’s again with us and safe. I’m very thankful to God,” Michelle told reporters.

Berongoy said he is happy to see his family almost five months after being deployed to the frontline of the battleground.

“We will have to discuss it first with the troops what are we going to do, but if we will be given a break, I want to spend it with my family,” the soldier added.

Mary Joyce Balita, a 33-year-old teacher from Taft, Eastern Samar, took a video recording of the plane’s arrival where Corporal Jome Balita was on board.

“I cried every day, hoping and waiting for my husband to come home safely,” said Mary Joyce, who was accompanied by five of their children.

“We have this very nice picture of a very happy moment today, but I couldn’t stop thinking of some families that weren’t reunited because the head of their family perished during the war. We are very lucky,” she told reporters.

Before their deployment in Marawi City, the 82nd Reconnaissance Company was assigned to secure the area covered in Leyte province by the 19th Infantry Battalion (IB) earlier sent to fight the Abu Sayyaf group in Mindanao.

Aside from the 82nd Reconnaissance Company, the Army’s 62nd Infantry Batallion was also sent to Marawi to help retake the city from the hands of the Maute group.

The 62nd IB is also expected to return to Eastern Visayas to augment the remaining forces of the Philippine Army in securing the region from the influence of the New People’s Army. Desoyo is still unsure of the 62nd IB’s date of return to the region. (Roel Amazona and Jazmin Bonifacio/PNA)

Ormoc's congested jail negative for illegal drugs

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Oct. 23  - The intensified campaign against hard drugs under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte proved effective, following zero recoveries of prohibited drugs at the city jail during an operation on Sunday.

The “Operation Greyhound” at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Alta Vista village was conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) City Public Safety Company led by its chief, Supt. Joel Camacho, in coordination with the city jail.

Items confiscated were pointed objects, mobile phones, among others, at the jail's six cells, two isolation cells and a quarter for the elderly, were not considered illegal but these can be improved into deadly weapons, Camacho said.

"There is advance information to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for proper coordination once there are drugs recovered,” Camacho said.

The Sunday search is the second time under the new PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Gilberto Cruz, which again turned out negative for the substance.

Following the week-long one-time-big-time operations in September, some 19 wanted persons were arrested, which included the city’s two top fugitives, according to Camacho. 

With the intensified law enforcement, the jail has become overcrowded.

“It has become a challenge to us managing a much-congested facility that presently houses 469 prisoners for a 120-capacity,” according to jail warden Supt. Benjamin D. Catudio, Jr.

However, despite overcapacity, he was glad it came out negative of drugs.

Catudio was also overwhelmed sharing his observations of the improving physical looks of the inmates, which he considered partly played by the continuous greyhound.

Early next year, another building is planned to be built in addition to the current facility, which he hopes to be realized.(ERR/PNA)

‘Disabled’ Air Asia plane disrupts operations at Tacloban airport

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 20  -- The city airport here was temporarily closed Friday morning after an Air Asia plane malfunctioned and got stuck in the middle of the runway.

Air Asia flight Z2-320 just landed around 7:30 a.m. and heading towards the taxiway when the plane’s nose wheel steering stopped working, according to the airline’s official statement.

All the 164 passengers and four crew members are safe. Clearing operations were done around 10:40 a.m.

“We sincerely apologize to our guests for the inconvenience caused by the incident. Rest assured that the safety of our guests and crew is our utmost priority,” Air Asia said in the statement.

An arriving Cebu Pacific flight to Tacloban was unable to land as the stalled plane blocked a portion of the runway. A departing flight of another Cebu Pacific plane scheduled at 7:50 a.m. remained at the airport until Friday afternoon.

The incident has affected mid-day flights of Air Asia, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.

In a message sent to PNA by the Civil Aeronautics Board, the agency said the airport resumed its operations at 11:45 a.m.

Tacloban Airport is one of the country’s busiest with 14 daily flights from and to Manila and Cebu. It is classified as Class 1 major domestic airport. a main gateway from Manila and Cebu to the Eastern Visayas region. (SQM/PNA)

73rd Leyte Gulf Landing honors surviving WW II heroes

PALO, Leyte, Oct. 20  -- The courage and bravery of Filipino war veterans, who fought for peace and freedom during the Second World War, were brought to the fore in the 73rd Leyte Gulf Landing Commemoration on Friday at the MacArthur Shrine and National Park here.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, in his anniversary message, said the yearly commemoration had focused on many causes, but this year, the veterans, called “heroes of World War II” were given more prominence, especially since many of them are in their twilight years.

“In this year’s celebration, we take our veterans’ valor and bravery as an inspiration to work for a more lasting peace and sustainable progress for the people of Leyte and the rest of the country. We must have peace which brings economic and social justice, equality, and greater independence and freedom for all,” Petilla said.

Likewise, he called on the members of the allied countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States, present during the commemoration, to continue the partnerships forged over the years in working towards achieving lasting peace and sustainable progress.

“The presence of representatives of the allied nations is a fitting reflection of our shared interests, capabilities, and values. I call on their support and shared effort, for the achievement of real justice, economic well-being and social equality for all our people,” Petilla said in his message.

Canadian Ambassador John Holmes said a number of humanitarian groups from his country continue its presence in the province almost four years after super typhoon Yolanda struck the province. The groups are into various humanitarian projects.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in the Philippines Michael Klecheski assured a “coordinated assistance” to the Philippines in rebuilding Marawi in Mindanao after Filipino soldiers won it back from ISIS-backed Maute group.

“We are pleased that the Philippine government scored a great victory over in Mindanao. The US government is ready to help in whatever way according to plans being laid by the Philippine government,” Klecheski said.

On the other hand, Lt. Gen. Oscar Lactao, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Central Command, who was the guest of honor for this year’s commemoration acknowledged that the country is facing a different kind of war these days.

“We are facing threats of extremism and we need more heroes in fighting ideological lawlessness, apathy and poverty,” Lactao said.

He vowed the AFP is more committed to work for unequivocal peace and fight terrorism, violence and poverty in all fronts.

The 73rd Leyte Gulf Landing Commemoration was set in low-key this year as the province is gearing towards a bigger commemoration in 2019 to marks its 75th year after US General Douglas MacArthur came back and landed on Philippine shores to liberate the country.

Veterans of World War II, both Filipinos and from the allied forces were also honored during the Sunrise and Sunset ceremonies, marking their bravery and heroism for the years to come.

On Oct. 20, 1944, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, at the head of the largest US fleet of transport and warships, and accompanied by Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña and Gen. Carlos P. Romulo, landed at Red Beach of this town to reclaim the Philippines from the Japanese.

The Battle of Leyte Gulf is remembered as the largest naval battle ever fought in modern history. It was fought in four separate engagements near the islands of Leyte, Samar and Luzon from October 23 to 26 in 1944. (ACR/RTA/PNA)

Foreign envoys laud PH soldiers, ready to aid Marawi rehab

PALO, Leyte, Oct. 20  -- Foreign envoys lauded Filipino soldiers who fought to liberate Marawi from the hands of ISIS-inspired Maute members and expressed readiness to help rebuild the war-torn city.

Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines John Holmes, on the sidelines of the 73rd Leyte Gulf Landings on Friday, said that while he is saddened by the Marawi crisis, he “salutes the brave soldiers”.

“Our hearts go out to all of the victims of Marawi City and all of the brave soldiers who lost their lives and to all their families,” Holmes said.

The ambassador said his country is ready to assist in the recovery of Marawi if the government would ask for it and will continue to support the financial aid program for the Mindanao Trust Fund.

United States Embassy deputy chief of mission Michael Klecheski said that although American soldiers extended technical support to the war in Marawi, the credit goes to Filipino soldiers.

“It was your victory and we’re proud and glad for you,” he added.

Klecheski told reporters they have initial coordination with the Philippine government on the recovery program for Marawi.

“It’s too early to say what kind of recovery assistance we will extend since the government is still working on the plan,” he said.

On October 17, President Rodrigo Duterte declared the liberation of Marawi from the terrorists. He said the proclamation marks the beginning of rehabilitation after five months of fighting in the city. (RTA/PNA)

Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration to highlight bravery of veterans

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. !9  -- Leyte province will hold a simple celebration of the 73rd anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings on Friday with several foreign dignitaries coming to remember the historic event which ended the Japanese occupation in the country.

Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorezana will not make it to the celebration but he will be represented by Lt. Gen Oscar Lactao, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command, according to the provincial government.

To deliver solidarity messages are Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines John Holmes, Australian Embassy to the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission Mathieson Kimberley, and US Embassy in Manila Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Klecheski.

From the Japanese Embassy, joining the commemorative program are Deputy Chief of Mission and Head of Political Section Minister Takehiro Kano and First Secretary and Defense Attaché Mr. Kazunobu Akutsu.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla said several activities had been lined up to celebrate the country’s liberation from Japanese occupation during the World War II and recognize the heroism of war veterans.

“We have to remember the veterans’ bravery, their gallantry, and their love for the nation. We should learn from them. After these years, we still have many battles to win such as poverty, criminality and drugs, diseases, teenage pregnancy and human trafficking,” Petilla said on Thursday.

The Battle of Leyte Gulf is remembered as the largest naval battle ever fought in modern history. It was fought in four separate engagements near the islands of Leyte, Samar and Luzon from October 23 to 26 in 1944.

“This is one of the biggest events in Leyte province. In our tourism and our trade, we mainly promote Leyte with the theme of Leyte Gulf Landings, but beyond tourism what is more important is the message, of what had happened 73 years ago,” Petilla said.

On Oct. 20, 1944, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, as the head of the largest US fleet of transport and warships, and accompanied by Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña and Gen Carlos P. Romulo, landed at Red Beach of this town to reclaim the Philippines from the Japanese. (RTA/PNA)