SWE July 9 - 15, 2013

VOL. 10, NO. 49

JULY 9 - 15, 2013

CATBALOGAN CITY

IN CALBAYOG CITY

8 PAGES

Samar Weekly Forum tackles organic farming

EXPRESS Chronicling Events in Samar Island Since 2002

The Exponent of Samar’s Progress

CALBAYOG CITY – The Sta. Margarita Parish under the Diocese of Calbayog on Friday gathered farmers from this city for a whole day forum on organic farming.

The activity attended by farmers from 13 barangays, agriculturists, and local government units that support organ-

ic farming which anchored on the theme “Organic Farming: Towards Food Sufficiency and Healthy Environment” was held at the chapel of Napuro village in Sta. Margarita town.

Rev. Fr. Renato Piczon, parish priest, in his message said that organic farming not only emphasizes the use of

BFAR 8 steps up monitoring of Samar’s Maqueda Bay

Above photo shows SAMELCO 2 board directors and guest Calbiga mayor Nicasio Abaigar; one of the outstanding BAPA volunteer (left) being congratulated by the board and a load of appliances raffled to member-consumers during the 35th AGMA held at Calbiga town, July 13. (R. Bautista)

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)in Eastern Visayas is tightening its watch on the coastal waters of Samar’s Maqueda Bay as red tide toxins could possibly spread to mussel farms.

BFAR Regional Director Juan D. Albaladejo said although there has been no red tide occurrence in Maqueda Bay since 1983, it could be possible this year as red tide toxins were found in nearby Cambatutay and Irong-Irong bays.

“Our worry is the possible red tide bloom in Maqueda Bay because of the existence of mussel culture there. We have been examining coastal waters there twice a week so we can immediately warn farmers, consumers and traders if there are signs of a red tide bloom,” he said.

521 of 524 Samar villages 100% energized PAWB allots P5M for ecolodge in Calbiga Samar

THE Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) has set aside a budget of P5 million to build an eco-lodge in Calbiga, Samar to cater to the growing number of tourists.

The 50-bed eco-lodge will particularly accommodate explorers of Calbiga Caves, the country’s largest karst formation. It will rise within the national road in Barangay Bacyaran, Calbiga town.

“The project has already been bid out and construction will start soon. We really need an accommodation facility in the area as number of tourists in Calbiga steadily grows,” said Angelito Villanueva, Protected Area superintendent of the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP).

In 2012 alone, about 1,800 foreign and local spelunkers explored Calbiga Caves in Barangay Panayuran. With the absence of acSee PAWB p/7...

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By RICKY J. BAUTISTA SWE News & Feature

CALBIGA, Samar -- True to its mission to implement total electrification program in its service area, around 521 out of 524 villages in Samar are now 100 percent energized, according to the Samar II Electric Cooperative (SAMELCO II) Inc. This was disclosed dur- that as of Saturday, only three ing the 35th Annual Gen- villages from Catbalogan City eral Membership Assembly are not connected with elec(AGMA) of the electric co- tricity. Those villages, however, operative held at the Calbiga are all located in the island town Saturday afternoon. and have no possibility to be Board president Nicolas connected in an under head See SAMELCO p/8..

A. Mendova Mendova said

The official explained that red tide organisms have been inactive in coastal waters of Maqueda for three decades but the cyst survived in bottom sediments. The cysts, which also contain toxin, are the seeds for future blooms.

The bay’s coastal water is the second area in the country, next to Manila Bay that was hit by red tide toxins in early 1980s, according to BFAR. Although the bay is still negative with red tide, local government units of Jiabong and Villareal in Samar disallow traders to transport mussel outside Samar without permit.

“Local officials have imposed self-regulations to protect the industry,” Albaladejo added.

Jiabong town is one of

See BFAR p/7...

Northern Samar officials briefed on PAMANA projects CATARMAN, Northern Samar -- Provincial officials of Northern Samar were briefed on the Mainstreaming Peace and Development in Local Governance Program (MPDLG) component of “Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan” or PAMANA projects in the province on Tuesday.

Officials headed by the new Governor Jun L. Ong of Northern Samar has also been oriented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) about the previous and ongoing implementation of the OPAPP-funded projects in the province.

Imelda Bonifacio, Samar Area Manager of OPAPP, said the national government has earmarked a huge amount to See PAMANA p/3...

natural resources over artificial inputs, but also promotes its supplementing benefits which are environmental care, increased biodiversity, animal welfare and rural development.

It can be recalled that the practice and implementation of organic farming in the Philippines was further promoted when Republic Act No.10068 also known as the “Organic Agriculture Act of 2010” took effect year 2009.

The promotion of the law cumulatively conditions and enriches the fertility of the soil, increases farm productivity, reduces pollution and destruction of the environment, prevents the depletion of natural resources, protects the health of farmers, consumers, and the general public, and saves on imported farm inputs.

It also promotes community-based organic agriculture systems which include, among others, farmer-produced purely organic fertilizers such as compost, pesticides and other farm inputs.

Meanwhile, the newlyelected town Mayor Gemma P. Zosa commended the effort of the parish for initiating such activity and expressed her full support to organic farming as a vital component in sustainable agriculture while at the same time preserving the environment.

She said that this is a relevant move on the part of the parish to raise awareness and provide information on the benefits of organic farming in agriculture that work in a participatory way with her farmer-constituents considering the recent global trends and agenda, which are geared towards supporting sustainable agricultural solutions, like food security and sustainable livelihoods.

Moreover, this one-day farmers’ forum was also highlighted with the sharing of inputs about the “Agri-Pinoy” principles in sustainable agriculture.

Dr. Paul Cabahit, the center director of the Agricultural Technical Institute (ATI) of VISCA, Baybay, Leyte, said that “Agrikulturang Pinoy” (Agri-Pinoy) is national government’s program for 20112016 that has four guiding principles, namely, sustainable agriculture, food security and self-sufficiency, broad-based local partnerships, and supSee FORUM p/7..

Militia men overrun NPA camp in Samar Winners of CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar -- Troops of the Citizens’ Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) led

by Sgt. Charito Villamor of the Army’s 52nd Infantry Battalion clashed with members of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Friday in Barangay Mabini, Calbayog City, belated reports said.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, spokesman of the 8th Infantry Division, said the clash was with around 30 fully armed guerrillas headed by a certain

Dado Baldonado alias Totoy that operates in the hinterlands of Samar.

The military official said that while the 16 troops were doing regular security patrol in the area, a civilian tipped them off on the presence of the armed group demanding food and other stuff from the villagers.

“Our troops responded immediately and when they got near the area, they were fired at by the rebels,” Gutierrez said, adding that the reb-

els may have suffered major casualties as evidenced by bloodstains in the scene of encounter.

While there was no reported casualty from the government side, the troops recovered one home-made shotgun left by the fleeing rebels from the clash that lasted for 25 minutes.

At press time, the government troops are now pursuing the rebels in Samar.

In a related development, See MILITIA p/3...

the Huwarang Pamilya of 4Ps bared The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-8) conducted the regional search of the Huwarang Pamilya of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program(4Ps) last July 12 2013.

“This search aimed to recognize those families who See WINNER p/8...

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Samar Weekly Express

2

THE REGION

JULY 9 - 15, 2013

Website: www.issuu.com/samarweeklyexpress

‘HOT’ CARS. Regional Highway Patrol Group Unit 8 chief PSUPT Nolasco Bathan (center) answer queries from a reporter in line with an alleged carnapped motor vehicle that was spotted and flagged down near a rotunda in Tacloban City, July 11 by the Highway Patrol Group.

Also in photo is PSUPT Gene Lopez. (Raul S. Tiozon/PIA8)

HPG intercepts ‘hot’ car TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Superintendent Nolasco K. Bathan, chief of the Regional Highway Patrol Group Unit in Eastern Visayas on Tuesday said they have intercepted and seized a vehicle believed to have been stolen from Metro Manila.

He said the vehicle, a Gold Mica Metallic Toyota Fortuner with the plate number TID-256, was intercepted at Coca-Cola Junction, Fatima Village, Tacloban City last July 11.

Police Officer 3 Voltaire Gallaron spotted and flagged down the vehicle which later on found out to be having a stolen plate number.

“The vehicle was one of the many “hot cars” being chased by authorities for the past months,” Bathan said.

When the vehicle was inspected, the police also found out four (4) unlicensed firearms that includes one cal. 9mm pistol, one cal. 45 machine pistol; two caliber 45 pistols; three magazine

assembly for 9mm pistol; four magazine assembly for cal. 45 pistol; several ammunitions, two holsters for cal. 45 pistol, two bonnets and five mobile phones.

The two onboard unidentified suspects failed to present documents showing their authority to possess the firearms and ammos as well as documents of said car. Bathan said the vehicle is now under the custody of the Highway Patrol Group in Tacloban City.

Upon verification on the ownership and history of the impounded vehicle, the police found out that the vehicle was registered under the name of Ma. Josefina D. Dela Cruz of Salcedo Village, Makati City.

The PNP-HPG filed cases for violations of Republic Act 8294 or illegal possession of firearm, Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code and car theft against the two men onboard the vehicle the time it was seized. (Ricky Bautista)

Leyte schools teach sex education module

E. Visayas bares 3 entries to national Gawad Kalasag search

TACLOBAN CITY -- To help curb pre-marital sex and teenage pregnancy, various primary and secondary schools in Leyte province are teaching the Adolescent Responsible Sexuality Education (ARSE) module.

“ARSE emphasizes that early, exploitative and risky sexual activity may lead to health problems like sexually transmitted diseases and social problems like unintended pregnancies,” said Leyte provincial population officer Melchora Cawile.

She noted the youth must be guided accordingly so they can develop into healthy, productive and responsible citizens.

Authorities developed ARSE during the incumbency of former Leyte governor and now-energy chief Carlos Jericho Petilla who cited a study showing Leyte as having a “high” number of teenagers engaged in pre-marital sex.

“He also said pregnant mothers are getting younger and younger – the youngest he met was 12 years old only so that made him decide to develop the module,” Cawile recalled.

She said authorities pilot-tested ARSE at Palo Central School with fifth- and sixth-grade pupils as participants.

Cawile clarified sex education is still best taught by parents, however.

“Sex education is the parents’ responsibility - by supplementing what youngsters learn in school, parents can set the stage for a lifetime of healthy sexuality,” she said.

She acknowledged discussions on sex may be an awkward subject for parents and their children. ”The discussions are very necessary, however, particularly as children are learning about sex at younger ages through social media, TV, music and open conversations with their peers,” she said.

Such wasn’t the case a generation or two ago when sex education was generally provided at home during the early teen years, she noted.

Cawile further stressed need for parental guidance, noting youngsters may have head knowledge about sex but usually don’t possess the emotional maturity to be objective about it.

“Youngsters still need age-appropriate parental discussions in an environment where they don’t have to pretend being knowledgeable and that’s where parents must come in,” she added. (PNA)

TACLOBAN CITY -- The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) here has endorsed three entries for this year’s national search for Gawad Kalasag (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan).

Civil Defense operations officer Bhenlie Linde said Region 8 will be represented by the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) for the hospital category, Tacloban City for the highly urbanized city (HUC) and the town of St. Bernard for the fourth to sixth class municipality.

These three nominees were among the regional entries that were screened and have met the 85 percent minimum percentile score based on the validation conducted by the RDRRMC. Linde said that it is the first time that the region has nominees for the HUC and hospital categories while St. Bernard before has already garnered a place at the national search.

St. Bernard in Southern Leyte is where Ginsaugon village that was placed in the global map after the tragic incident that buried thousands of people living directly in the path of the landslide in 2006.

OCD regional director and RDRRMC executive di-

rector Rey Gozon said that St. Bernard was able to garner a national award since 2008 for its municipal category.

He added that a lot of interventions have already been undertaken by their local disaster risk reduction management council (LDRRMC) to fill in the gaps when it comes to disaster management.

These include relocation of residents who are staying in hazard prone areas, wider participation from the locales as they are already award of the risk in the area and conduct of simulation exercises.

He added that the municipality now has one of the best practices when it comes to disaster preparation. However, they don’t want to be complacent because there remain issues that should be addressed.

The Gawad Kalasag is a mechanism initiated by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) to highlight the best practices of DRRM and humanitarian response and assistance.

It seeks to recognize the heroism and sacrifices of individuals, groups and institutions in time of emergencies, whether natural of humaninduced.

Since its inception in 1998 the NDRRMC has already af-

See KALASAG p/7...

Minimum wage earners told to limit number of children

TACLOBAN CIT Y -Minimum wage earners in Eastern Visayas should limit their family size to four or remain poor, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) said.

Analyzing the first semester 2012 poverty statistics, NSCB Regional Head Evangeline M. Paran has said the current wage structure in Region 8, limits the number of children to two, for breadwinners to sustain households’ basic needs.

In 2012, the monthly poverty threshold is P7,491, up than the P6,760 minimum monthly pay of average workers. The threshold may be viewed as the minimum income required or the expenditure necessary to meet the food requirements and other non-food basic needs.

“A minimum wage earner in the region can support a family of at most four members in first part of 2012, to be classified as non-poor,” Paran said.

A couple with three children should have P288 everyday to stay out of poverty but the daily current minimum wage is only P260.

Commission on Population Acting Regional Director Elnora R. Pulma supported NSCB’s conclusion as she emphasized the need to strengthen responsible parenthood.

“If a family has five or more members, they have to share very limited resources.

Children suffer the consequence such as malnutrition and lack of education,” Ms. Pulma added.

The PopCom official said they have been stepping up responsible parenting advocacy among poor couples in the re-

gion. Last year, about 120,000 couples were reached out by the program. The target for 2013 is 80,000 poor couples.

According to NSCB, the poor refers to individuals and families whose income fall below the official poverty threshold.

Aside from food, classified as basic needs are clothing and footwear; fuel, light and water; housing maintenance and other minor repairs; rental or occupied dwelling units; medical care; education; transportation and communications; nondurable furnishing; and household operations and personal care and effects.

Po v e r t y i n c i d e n c e among families in the region slightly increased from 36.2 percent in 2009 to 37.2 percent in 2012. Those living in extreme poverty increased from 16.9 percent to 17.3 percent in the same period.

From the fifth poorest region in 2009, Eastern Visayas is the third poorest in 2012. Nearly half or 45.4 percent of the people in the region are living in poverty in the first semester last year, a slight increase from 43.8 percent in 2009.

The region has 1.86 million workers with an employment rate of 94.8.

However, 25 percent of employed persons have low income, according to a performance report released by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

In 2012, Eastern Visayas ranked fourth with the highest number low income workers among regions nationwide. (PNA)

LNU installs new prexy

TACLOBAN CITY -- The Leyte Normal University (LNU), the premier teacher training institution of Eastern Visayas — formally installed its new president in investiture ceremonies held Thursday at the LNU Gymnasium.

The 49-year-old Dr. Jude Alteveros Duarte considered as a thoroughbred leader and manager was formally installed as the first male and third president of LNU reputed to be the Center of Excellence of Teacher Education in Eastern Visayas succeeding Dr. Evelyn C. Cruzada.

Early this year, Duarte bested four other contenders for the presidency of the state university by garnering six votes out of 10 from the LNU Board of Regents represented by various stakeholders from the private sector, faculty, students, alumni, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Congress, and the Senate.

Duarte used to be vice president for Administration and Finance of the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU). He also held various positions in SLSU, among them as Campus Administrator of the University’s Bontoc and Tomas Oppus campuses, and as dean of its Graduate School.

The new LNU chief executive finished his Doctor in Public Administration degree from Cebu Normal University and his Master of Management in Public Management from the University of the Philippines in the Visayas-Tacloban College.

He finished two baccalaureate degrees--Accounting from St. Joseph’s College in Maasin City and Marketing from Colegio de San Jose Recoletos in Cebu City.

In his investiture speech Duarte shared that he is bent on leading the Leyte Normal University to a “higher level.” He likewise envisions the university to be one of the recognized higher education institutions in the South East Asia by 2015.

See LNU p/8...

Samar Weekly Express

JULY 9 - 15, 2013

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY For alerts and feedback, e-mail at mysolotrek@gmail.com Website: www.issuu.com/samarweeklyexpress

DOST steps up distributions of mosqueto trap THE central government will beef up the distribution of mosquito Ovicidal Larvicidal (OL) trap in all classrooms this month to check mosquito population in campuses and reduce dengue incidence.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced that 54,662 OL traps were allocated for Eastern Visayas or two OL traps for every classroom in public elementary and secondary schools.

“The target is to complete the deployment of OL traps within this month. This will not really result to significant reduction of dengue cases but rather help us identify the magnitude of mosquito population in a campus,” said Mae Ann Reyes, regional OL trap coordinator of DOST in Eastern Visayas.

The region has 21,169 classrooms in elementary schools and 6,162 classrooms in secondary schools. The OL trap has been rolled out in schools since 2010 but only this year that all of the region’s six provinces are covered by the project.

Last year, the DOST has distributed more than 53,000 OL traps in public schools in Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar. The allocation was four traps for every classroom. The project is in partnership with the Department of Health and Department of Education.

“The number of mosquitoes trapped in one school will help us recommend actions for schools in order for them to conduct activities that would reduce dengue cases,” she said.

The health department reported that from January to June, 2013, the region has 1,740 dengue cases despite dry weather phenomenon. The ailment has killed three children during the first four months.

The development of the DOST OL trap was a project component under the research program that addresses dengue vector control. The locally-developed technology intends to control the Aedes mosquito population.

Home-made mosquito trap The mosquito trap curbs the reproduction of the pesky insect through lure-and-catch. It can wipe out the mosquito eggs and larva as shown in laboratory tests done by the Industrial Technology Development Institute.

The trap is made of ordinary tin can (regular-sized evaporated milk) painted black and a strip of lawanit board measuring 1 x 6.5 x one-half inches. An all-natural mosquito attractant solution poured in the can moistens the lawanit through capillary action.

The moist lawanit becomes an attractive nest for the mosquito.

The OL trap lasts up to two months, outliving a generation of mosquitoes which has a lifespan of only one month. A female mosquito can lay as many as 400 eggs four times in its life, 80 percent of which will turn out to be female. (PNA)

MILITIA from page 1 ...

two NPA camps were discovered by operating troops of the 20th Infantry Battalion in Northern Samar towns.

The first camp was discovered on July 11, 2013 at the outskirts of Barangay Toog, Lavasares town while the second NPA camp was discovered the next day after in the vicinity of Barangay Luisita, Victoria town.

Gutierrez said the first camp can accommodate 50 people and has 40 sleeping bunkers, three guard posts, two kitchens, and two comfort rooms. The second camp, on the other hand, can accommodate seven people. Used military uniforms and civilian clothing were also recovered in the area.

The Army official assessed the camps to have been vacated by the NPAs a couple of days before it was discovered owing to the fresh signs of habitation in the camp’s periphery. (Ricky Bautista)

Leyte governor Leopoldo Dominico “Mic” Petilla (standing) expressed his full support to the Pintados Kasadyaan activities during the post event meeting held at the Governor’s hall, Capitol Building, Tacloban City, July 10. Also in photo are (l-r) Rory Villarente, Alang-alang mayor Loreto Yu, Palo mayor Remedios Petilla, PIA 8 regional director Olive Tiu and Pintados Foundation president Eugene Tan. (Raul S. Tiozon/PIA8)

NFA rice stock in EV enough for five months

EASTERN Visayas’ total rice inventory reached about 424,008 bags as of Thursday and is good for 168 days, according to the state-run National Food Authority (NFA) in the region.

Mary Agnes Militante, NFA-8 information officer, said that based on the 2,519 daily average purchases in the region, the total rice stocks would last for about five months even during the lean season.

Meanwhile, the NFA in the region has assured the public of stable prices of rice in the market given the sufficient supply in stock.

“Ample stock is due to the good harvest as no major calamity has hit the province,” Militante said.

NFA well-milled rice is sold at P27 per kilogram or P1,350 per bag.

“NFA does not need to increase its prices because it will put additional burden to the masses who are actually buying NFA rice because of its low price,” Militante added.

Early this month, reports turned up that NFA would adjust to P1 per kilogram.

“That is not true. Our price is still the same and that’s uniform all over the country,” Militante said.

Last year, the NFA road map, which was part of

the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Food Staple SelfSufficiency Program aimed at achieving no rice imports by 2013, has recommended that the retail price of rice be adjusted upwards each year to conform to market realities.

The NFA management, however, shelved the plan given the volatile prices of other commodities.

Meanwhile, the buying price of palay at NFA warehouses remains at P17 with P.70 as incentive to farmers.

“Even with the lesser buying price against commercial traders, we encourage farmers to sell their palay to NFA because we offer incentives,” Militante said.

These incentives include reimbursing the farmers’ fare and the opportunity to buy 25 percent of the rice equivalent of rice sold to NFA during lean months.

Meanwhile, the NFA in the region has urged people to eat iron-fortified rice, marketed as i-rice, developed by the agency to combat malnutrition and anemia.

Rice fortification is the mixing of white milled rice with iron rice premix at a ratio of 1:100. Iron-fortified rice are sold P27-28 per kilogram and may serve as an alternative for consumers.

PAMANA from page 1 ...

help address the root causes of insurgency in Samar provinces particularly those conflict-affected areas.

Bonifacio added that Samar Island, to include Ong’s province, which is considered by the government as among the most vulnerable to the rebels, is one of the seven zones covered by the PAMANA program of OPAPP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In Northern Samar, there were four municipalities covered by the programs – the towns of Las Navas, San Roque, Silvino Lobos and Lope de Vega.

At the moment, Bonifacio informed that OPAPP has already downloaded around P424.5 million worth of infrastructure projects in Northern Samar under Pillar 3.

The OPAPP official in Samar reported that several million

3

‘Tekwa Uy’ in hot water for alleged meddling in police operations CATBALOGAN CITY -- Police authorities are conducting thorough investigation and validation on the alleged link of a former local chief executive to illegal gambling in the province of Samar following reports of his meddling with an anti-illegal gambling operations conducted recently.

Former three-term Catbalogan City Mayor Coefredo “Tekwa” Uy, who topped the Sangguniang Panglungsod race in the recent midterm polls, is in hot waters after he uttered threatening words and leveled accusations to members of the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) that arrested four persons engaged in illegal gambling activities on Thursday night in Catbalogan City.

Uy is the father of incumbent Catbalogan City Mayor Stephanie Uy-Tan and half-brother of one alias Syote Uy, a known illegal gambling financier operating in the city and neighboring municipalities.

Reports reaching Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) disclosed that RSOG led by PINSP Constantino Jabonete, Jr. conducted anti-illegal gambling operations at around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday in Brgy. Silanga leading to the arrest of three persons – “swetres” coordinator Elisio Caber and collectors Alicia Villacortes and Marissa Tamor – and the confiscation of gambling paraphernalia that include three bundles “swertres” stubs with different number combinations for the July 11, 2013 9:00 p.m. draw, “swertres” daily tips, Cherry mobile phone and cash bet amounting to P551.00.

At around 7:00 p.m., RSOG proceeded to nearby Brgy.

San Roque and conducted anti-illegal gambling operation that resulted to the arrest of one Diosdado Braga, 56, and the confiscation of one bundle “swetres” stub with different number combinations for the July 11, 2013 9:00 p.m. draw, one white Honda XRM motorcycle bearing plate number 90803HL and cash bet amounting to P265.00.

The arrested persons were brought to Catbalogan City Police Station for proper disposition.

But at around 11:45 p.m., the former mayor with several companions arrived at the police station and confronted the RSOG about the arrests made.

Uy reportedly leveled threatening words and accused the RSOG of harassment before cooler heads prevailed.

Cases for violation of Presidential Decree No. 1602 as amended by Section 3 of Republic Act 9287 (Illegal Numbers Game) were filed by the police under NPS Docket Numbers VIII-08-INQ-13G-00390 to 00393 against the arrested suspects.

They were released from police custody as per order of release issued by Judge Odelon S. Mabutin of Municipal Trial Court in the Cities dated July 12, 2013 after posting the required bailbond in the amount of P24,000.00 for Caber and P20,000.00 each for the three other accused.

Meanwhile, police authorities are validating reports that the former mayor is the alleged protector of his younger brother whose illegal gambling operations reportedly covers the entire Samar province. (PR) worth of road projects under the 2011 and 2012 PAMANAOPAPP-DILG funded projects has already been completed and now being utilized by the community folks.

Ongoing road projects, according to Bonifacio, include the construction of 50-meter span bridge in Barangay Cagpanit-an and concreting of a section of the road stretch from Cagpanit-an to Silvino Lobos town.

The worth of the project is said to be around P195.5 million, she said.

Other ongoing projects are the concreting of a section of the Mondragon-Silvino Lubos road network worth P15 million, road network construction of Mondragon-Silvino roads worth P100 million and the P84-M rehabilitation/improvement of Silvino Lubos – Lope de Vega roads.

Started in Northern Samar and Samar in 2011, PAMANA is the national government’s peace and development program framework that seeks to build peaceful and resilient communities, by improving their lives by ensuring that the people benefit from better delivery of basic services.

Bonifacio explained further that a project agreed upon by the provinces’ respective development councils as well as peace and order councils, with participation of civil society groups would be submitted to DILG in the form of Project Proposals for evaluation.

“LGUs with Good Housekeeping Seals are given priority,” Bonifacio added.

When asked on how they will check if funds are spent for their intended purpose, the OPAPP official said: “A project monitoring team set up by the LGU and DILG regularly checks the projects.”

(Ricky Bautista)

OPINION Samar Weekly Express

DALMACIO C. GRAFIL Publisher

JULY 9 - 15, 2013

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Leyte - Samar Daily Express (Tacloban City) and Eastern Samar Bulletin (Borongan City)

EDITORIAL Inconsistent patriotism It’s quite patriotic of our country’s militants to boisterously take to the streets their vehement disapproval against what they claim is fresh American and Japanese intrusions into the nation’s internal affairs in which these countries are allowed access to our military bases as part of likely military war games.

Lest they ignore why these military exercises, militants however should not just focus on this present development. They should take into account what had prompted these, and why these countries are seeking such access to our bases. First thing that explains it is that, these countries are our allies. Another is that, there are untoward current events that necessitate attention from such allies.

China’s bullying stance at claiming the islands and islets found within the country’s territory at West Philippine Sea all the way to our immediate shorelines had, as everybody knows, prompted this flexing of combined military might. Without this, American and Japanese armed forces would not have hovered above us in an attempt to come to our rescue, nor would they seek access to our military bases.

Instead of addressing the effect, then, which is an expected gesture from responsible allies, our heroic militants must try to address the cause, which is China’s provocative claims of territories that are lying close to our shores. They should demand that China leave these territories in respect to the international law of the seas. By doing so, and their protest is heeded, there will be no need for the presence of allies in our soil, and no need for mass actions against the latter.

What happens however is that, militants are too quick to drive away the American and Japanese forces, which are just to be temporarily deployed for our rescue, yet as regards China’s permanent grabbing of our oil-rich territories to our western sea, they are as silent and lifeless as the moss-covered stones. What kind of patriotism is that when their voices are supposed to be heard?

Hints and Traces

By Fr. Roy Cimagala There’s always a happy ending WE need to be reassured of this promise, given by no less than Christ himself. “In the world you shall have distress. But have confidence, I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16,32) These words should be indelible in our consciousness.

We have to learn to look beyond the present trials and challenges with the accompanying ups and downs, so that we can go through them, not escape from them, without being swallowed up by their logic that would simply pass away anyway.

What matters is what remains in the heart after going through these experiences. Are we still with God through them and after them? Is our faith strengthened? Our hope and charity as well? For as long as we are with God, our life will always have a happy ending regardless of what we may go through.

Christ has more than amply warned us about what to expect in the world if we are to follow him faithfully. “Behold I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves,” he said, already giving us a vivid idea of the contrast between a Christian life consistently lived and the world environment that still needs to be redeemed.

Let’s remember that our freedom either can catapult us to the acme of goodness or plunge us into the depth of evil and malice. We should try to be ready to face the possible worst scenario even as we strive to achieve the best of what we can be.

We should not make a big issue about the trials and challenges that will surely come our way in this life. Without denying their seriousness, of course, let us also realize more deeply that these trials and challenges cannot actually destroy our soul if we don’t allow them.

In fact, the proper attitude to have and to cultivate is that of fearlessness. Christ himself said so many times. “Be not afraid,” was a constant reassurance he told his disciples. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul,” (Mt 10,28) he said once, practically telling us that we can always shield the soul from anything that can happen in our body, if we want to.

And so, together with fearlessness, another trait we should try to develop is that of sportsmanship in the many and even formidable and complicated struggles we have to wage in our

See HINTS page 5...

Samar Weekly Express JULY 9 - 15, 2013

OPINION

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‘Totally baseless, scurrilous’ LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…`Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you’…” (Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, in Matthew 7:1-2, the Holy Bible).

-ooo“TOTALLY BASELESS, SCURILLOUS”: “Totally without basis, and aimed solely to besmirch and vilify the reputation of Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco”, is to me an apt description of the accusations against Velasco which were made in a press conference by Regina Ongsiako Reyes, a congressional bet in the lone district of Marinduque who was not allowed both by the Commission on Elections and the Supreme Court to assume her seat in the House of Representatives on the ground that she is an American citizen.

Why am I saying this? Simply because it is clear that Reyes failed to give any iota of proof or any substantial evidentiary detail that would prove, as she charged in her press conference, that Justice Velasco exerted influence among his colleagues in the high court to get a favorable ruling from them for his son, Lord Allan Jay, to enable him to replace Reyes as the winning congressional candidate in Marinduque during the May 2013 elections.

It would appear, even to the most ordinary man on the street, that all that Reyes purveyed to the press were mere accusations, innuendoes and speculations, totally unsubstantiated and sorely lacking in facts that would prove that Justice Velasco approached any Supreme Court justice to vote to confirm a Comelec ruling disqualifying her as a candidate.

-oooREYES MUST APOLOGIZE TO SC: Considering the

HINTS from page 4 ...

present life. And I would add, also a certain degree of elegance and poise, if we can still manage it especially when the going gets rough.

It’s faith and trust in God, it’s hope and a burning love for God that would enable us to do all this. It’s these theological virtues that would enable us to transcend the limits of human endurance.

If we would just rely on our common sense, our human cleverness and our sciences and arts without the support of faith, hope and charity, then for sure we would not go the distance. We would fail to share in the victory of Christ expressed in his very resurrection after a painful death of crucifixion.

Of course, neither should we abandon our common sense and all the other human powers and faculties in living out our human condition in the world. Doing so would be tantamount to tempting God and to falling into mere fideism that can assume many forms such as superstition, quietism, idealism, etc.

Christ told us very clearly that we need to be shrewd, clever and astute like serpents but simple, harmless and innocent like doves. It’s quite a combination, possible only when one is truly with Christ. Otherwise, we open ourselves to the possibility of some psychological disorder.

We should never be naïve in the things of the world, but neither should we become cynical and skeptical, overly worried or too concerned. A certain sense of detachment and abandonment is always healthy. God’s providence never fails.

In the story of Joseph and his brothers, we can learn how the evil intended by Joseph’s brothers resulted in some good in the sense that Joseph came out saving his brothers and the whole clan from hunger. Much more than that, the evil inflicted on him occasioned many virtues like forgiveness and magnanimity.

Joseph finally brought about reconciliation and unity in the whole family, making his father, Jacob, who was grieving for so long after the loss of Joseph, extremely happy at the end of his life.

There’s always hope no matter how ugly things may appear now. There’s always a happy ending, if not now, then later.

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seriousness of her allegations, Reyes had the burden to show that indeed, the Supreme Court ruling which not only favored Lord Allan Jay but also upheld an earlier decision by the Commission on Elections disqualifying her as a candidate on account of her being an American citizen, was the result of Justice Velasco’s lobbying with his fellow justices.

Otherwise, if she cannot prove this, she must apologize posthaste not only to Justice Velasco and Lord Allan Jay, but to the other justices of the high court as well who signed the ruling affirming her lack of qualification to be a candidate during the last election, because she is a citizen of the United States who cannot run in any election in the Philippines.

If we come down right to it, it cannot be denied that Reyes’ charge---that the decision saying she is an American citizen was the product of manipulation---unfairly tainted not only Justice Velasco, but more so the other justices who voted against her to uphold the decision of the Comelec.

-oooRESPECTING SC DECISIONS: The fact is that, the case of Reyes could not have even reached the Supreme Court if she herself did not file a petition with the tribunal, to question the Comelec decision against her candidacy. Clearly, it was Reyes who sought the intervention of the highest court of the land in the hope of seeking a reversal of the earlier Comelec decision against her.

Reyes was, therefore, in duty bound to respect whatever decision the Supreme Court will issue in her case. In the first place, she knew beforehand that the father of her political opponent, her rival for the lone congressional seat of Marinduque, is a magistrate in that court, so she has no right to be using this family relationship between Lord Allan Jay and Justice Velasco as a ground for discrediting the Supreme Court ruling against her.

Then, again, Reyes knew, or ought to have known, that any case brought to the high court is subjected to a collegial scrutiny, with each justice participating in the deliberations and in the voting, and it is totally foolish for anyone to be presuming that one justice could impose on another for a particular vote. What is more, Velasco did not even participate in the case of Reyes, precisely because his own son was involved, so how could he have pressured anyone?

-oooREACTIONS? Please call me at 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0922 833 43 96. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com, mmauriciojr111@gmail.com.

DISCLAIMER: Views expressed in the opinion and commentary sections do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The Samar Weekly Express. The SWE does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression.

The publication, however, reserves the right to edit contributions for clarity, as it sees fit.

--- Ed.

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FFFJ: One more delay in a long list of delays

5

THE deferment of the arraignment of two of the principal accused in the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan town massacre adds to the already long list of delays in the judicial process that for four years have thrown one obstacle after another in the path of credibly concluding the trial of those accused. Justice for the victims is the only sign that would demonstrate to the killers of journalists and other citizens of this country that they cannot keep killing with impunity.

Sajid Islam and Akmad “Tato” of the Ampatuan clan are charged with 58 counts of murder. Sajid Islam is the son of Ampatuan patriarch Andal Sr. and was the Officer-in-Charge of the province of Maguindanao at the time of the massacre.

Akmad “Tato” is the son-in-law of Andal Sr., who is also among the principal accused.

Sajid Islam and Akmad “Tato” were originally scheduled for arraignment on June 26, 2013. This was moved to July 3, 2013 when their defense counsel filed a motion seeking the deferment of their arraignment until their separate petitions before the Court of Appeals (CA) and the Supreme Court (SC) are resolved.

On July 2, 2013, the trial court denied the motion on the ground that the pendency of such petitions before the higher courts is not a ground for deferring arraignment.

Despite its own written order denying the motion, the trial court nevertheless granted the oral motion of the defense counsel of the two accused to have their arraignment postponed for another month. Their arraignment has been reset to August 7, 2013.

The defense counsel of Sajid Islam and Akmad “Tato” argued that for the two to be arraigned despite the pendency of their CA and SC petitions would violate their right to due process. He also claimed that the postponement will not damage or injure the People of the Philippines, the plaintiff in the 58 consolidated murder cases.

Sajid Islam and Akmad “Tato” were arrested early December 2009 right after then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo placed Maguindanao under Martial Law. They were indicted on February 2010 for 56 counts of murder. On May 2010, they were also indicted in the 57th murder case, that involving the killing of Victor Nunez, and on June 2012 in the 58th case for the murder of Reynaldo Momay.

Like their fellow accused, both have availed of every possible legal remedy allowed under the law and the Rules of Court. They have repeatedly cited the pendency of their various petitions, motions and appeals to delay their arraignment.

Arraignment marks the completion of a court’s jurisdiction over the accused, and is an important stage in the criminal proceedings. It is that part of the judicial process in which charges are read to the accused followed by his plea of guilty or not guilty. The arraignment of the accused would finally, after nearly four years, begin the equally tedious and lengthy process of presenting evidence to establish guilt.

The deferment—for the third time—of the arraignment of Sajid Islam and Akmad “Tato” will continue to delay the trial, despite the urgency of concluding it not only for the sake of justice for the families of the 58 murdered victims, but also for the People of the Philippines, for the press, and for the democracy that supposedly reigns in this land.

It is part of a pattern that since 2010 has delayed the trial and is threatening to prolong it beyond the bounds of human endurance.

Zaldy Ampatuan, for example, was arraigned only in December 2012, three years after his arrest. As in the case of his other accused kin, the delay was due to the argument that he had pending petitions before the CA and the SC. Of the eight members of the Ampatuan clan among the principal accused, only four have been arraigned. No date has been set for the arraignment of Anwar Jr. and Anwar Sajid, the grandsons of Andal Ampatuan Sr. Members of the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists, a network of press freedom advocates, have long argued that the credible conclusion of the Ampatuan Massacre trial is crucial to the dismantling of the culture of impunity, and the pattern of violence in that culture that makes victims not only of journalists, but of other citizens.

For that to happen, everyone involved, most particularly the presiding judge, the prosecution, and the rest of the judicial system, must be focused on concluding the trial before long, as justice demands.

We are disturbed by the trial court’s decision, as we have been distressed by its and other courts’ past rulings that have delayed the trial. They are indications that the judicial system has not fully appreciated the significance of the massacre trial to the press, to democracy, and to the rest of the Filipino people.

SIGNATORIES: Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists: Center for Community Journalism and Development Center for Media Freedom & Responsibility Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Philippine Press Institute

Samar Weekly Express

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LEGAL NOTICES Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region BRANCH 23 Allen, Northern Samar IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR THE JUDICIAL DETERMINATION OF FILIATION OF DANHILL CASTILLO DONOGA, JOVY CASTILLO DONOGA, DAN CASTILLO DONOGA AND MIRIAM CASTILLO DONOGA, represented

by NORMA S. CASTILLO-DONOGA, Spl. Proc. Case No. A-255 DANHILL CASTILLO DONOGA, JOVY CASTILLO DONOGA, DAN CASTILLO DONOGA AND MIRIAM CASTILLO DONOGA represented by NORMA S. Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region BRANCH 31 Calbayog City IN RE: PETITION CANCELLATION OF THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF JOY PAULA REYES ABOY JOY PAULA REYES ABOY Petitioner, -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF CALBAYOG CITY, ADMINISTRATOR, NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, Respondents SPECIAL PROC. NO. 500 x- - - - - - - - - - - x ORDER

A verified petition has been filed by the Petitioner JOY PAULA REYES ABOY, praying that an order granting the petition and ordering the cancellation of the first registration (Annex “A”), Directing the National Statistics Office to admit the delayed registration as the official birth certificate of the petitioner.

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LEGAL NOTICES

CASTILLO-DONOGA, Petitioners, -versus DANTE F. DONOGA, THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF LAVEZARES, NORTHERN SAMAR AND THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL, Respondents x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x AMENDED ORDER

Civil Registrar of Lavezares, Northern Samar and the Office of the Civil Registrar General, National Statistics Office, Manila, to cause the cancellation of the first Certificates of Live Birth of the four Petitioners and to declare the second Certificates of Live Birth of the Four Petitioners as valid and binding, and to delete the annotations in the second Certificates of Live Birth of Danhill and Dan that they were legitimated by the subsequent marriage of their parents.

The Petition sets forth the following material allegations: Petitioners are of legal ages, except Miriam Castillo Donoga who is 17 years of age, and is being represented by her mother, Norma S. Castillo-Donoga, Filipinos, single and residents of Brgy.

Caburihan, Lavezares, Northern Samar, where they may

be served with the notices, orders and other processes of the Honorable Court.

Respondent Dante F. Donoga, the father of the Petitioners, is of legal age, Filipino and married to Norma S. Castillo-Donoga; and together with the Petitioners, representative Norma S. Castillo-Donoga live together as a family in Brgy. Caburihan, Lavezares, Northern Samar, where he may be served with notices, orders and other processes of the Honorable Court.

Petitioners seek for the judicial determination of their filation because while they have been using the surname Castillo-Donoga in their private and public dealings and recognized by Dante Flores Donoga as his children, their respective Certificates of Live Birth reflect a different surname which is Castillo-Orsolino and name of their father is Gregorio Laure Orsolino,

The Petition reads: 1. That the petitioner is a Filipino citizen, of legal age, single and a resident of Brgy. 09, Boao District, Catbalogan City, Samar, where she can be served with court processes; 2. That public respondent civil registrar of Calbayog City can be served with summons at his/her office at City Hall, Calbayog City, while public respondent NSO administrator can be served with summons and court processes in the NSO, East Ave., Quezon City; 3. That petitioner is an illegitimate child of Alfredo Tabones Aboy, Jr. and Rhoda Fe Arcales Reyes, having been born to them last February 28, 1985 in Catbalogan, Samar and was born out of wedlock as her parents were not legally married when she was born; 4. That unfortunately last March 29, 1985, his father, who was then a resident of Calbayog City, submitted to the Local Civil Registrar of Calbayog City a Certificate of Live Birth purportedly pertaining to her, copy of the said certificate is hereto attached as Annex “A”; 5. That however said Annex “A” contains errone-

ous entries as it does not reflect her true place of birth which is in said certificate “Calbayog City”, her first name is RECHELLE”, and her parents were declared to be “legally married in Pinabacdao, Eastern Samar last September 16, 1983”; 6. That when she was about to graduate in high school, she went to the NSO to obtain a copy of her certificate of live birth from said Office, but she did not obtain a certificate of birth which reflects the true facts of her birth; 7. That her mother caused for the delayed registration of petitioner’s birth with the acknowledgment of her father, at the local civil registrar of Catbalogan, Samar, copy of it is hereto attached as annex “B”; 8. That the data above delayed registration of her birth reflect the truth and that they had been habitually, continuously and officially used in her official records, copy of said official documents are hereto attached as annex “C” and series; and 9. That she has been publicly known as JOY PAULA R. ABOY and not RECHELLE R. ABOY; Finding the Petition to be sufficient in form and in sub-

stance, notice is hereby given that this case be set for hearing on AUGUST 23, 2013 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning before this Court, at which date, time and place, all persons who have an objection thereto may file any opposition and show cause why the same should not be granted.

Let this Order be published at the expense of the Petitioner once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the above-setting in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Samar and in Calbayog City.

Let copies of this Order be furnished the Solicitor General, Makati City, the Civil Registrar General of National Census and Statistics Office, Quezon City, the Local Civil Registrar of Calbayog City, the City Prosecutor, the Office of the Clerk of Court, RTC, Calbayog City and the Petitioner and her counsel for their information and guidance.

SO ORDERED. Calbayog City, Philippines, June 21, 2013.

This is a verified Petition for the Judicial Determination of Filiation of Danhill Castillo Donoga, Jovy Castillo Donoga, Dan Castillo Donoga and Miriam Castillo Donoga represented by Norma S. Castillo-Donoga filed on December 27, 2012 by Petitioners and thru counsel, praying among others, that after due notice and hearing, judgment be rendered declaring the four Petitioners as children of Dante Flores Donoga and directing the Office of the Local

LEGAL NOTICES the first husband of Norma Saludaga Castillo.

In July 1986, Norma and Dante Flores Donoga cohabited without the benefit of marriage and begot five children, May-Ann, Danhill, Jovy, Dan and Miriam.

In the birth certificate of May-Ann Castillo Donoga, her father was correctly indicated as Dante Flores Donoga and her surname is CastilloDonoga. However, Norma registered her other children, the petitioners herein under the surname of Gregorio Orsolino and naming the latter as the petitioner’s father in their respective Certificate of Live Birth because at the time of the birth of the Petitioners Norma and Gregorio were still legally married.

On January 24, 1996, Norma filed a petition to declare the presumptive death of Gregorio Orsolino before this Honorable Court which was subsequently granted on March 14, 1997.

Norma and Dante were married on May 21, 1997 and for the second time Norma registered the births of the four petitioners naming Dante as their father on the honest assumption that she is now allowed to do so because they were already married.

With regard to Danhill and Dan, Norma registered them for the second time under the surname CastilloDonoga and entered Dante Flores Donoga as their father.

Further, the Municipal Civil Registrar of Lavezares, Northern Samar indicated in the Certificate of Live Birth of the two that they were legitimated by the subsequent marriage of

their parents which is erroneous because at the time of the conception and birth of the two Petitioners, Norma has a legal impediment to marry.

Jovy and Miriam were registered for the second time under the surname SaludagaCastillo and naming Dante Flores Donoga as their father.

Hence, the existence of the two Certificates of Live Birth of each of the four Petitioners.

This Petition is filed to determine and prove the filiation of the four Petitioners to Dante Flores Donoga; to cancel the first Certificates of Live Birth of the four Petitioners; the entries therein being false and erroneous; to declare the second Certificates of Live Birth of the four Petitioners as valid and binding; and to delete the annotation in the second Certificates of Live Birth of Danhill and Dan that they were legitimated by the subsequent marriage of their parents, to avoid confusion, to set the records straight, and to make it reflect in the four Petitioners’ records of birth in the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Lavezares, Northern Samar and the Civil Registrar General, National Statistics Office Manila, the correct entries regarding the four Petitioners’ filiation and true and correct surnames.

WHEREFORE, premises considered, let the Petition be set for initial hearing on August 15, 2013, at 8:30 o’clock in the morning before this Court at the Hall of Justice, Allen, Northern Samar, on which date, time and place, any and all persons opposed thereto may file their opposition citing the ground

therefore. The Local Civil Registrar of Lavezares, Northern Samar is hereby given a period of fifteen (15) days from receipt hereof or from the last date of publication of this Amended Order to file its opposition or comment thereto.

Let a copy of this Amended Order be published at the expense of the Petitioners, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Northern Samar to be selected through a raffle to be conducted by this Court prior to the date of hearing.

Furthermore, let copies of this Amended Order together with a copy of the Petition and its annexes, be served to the Office of the Solicitor General at 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City; Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, Allen, Northern Samar; Local Civil Registrar of Lavezares, Northern Samar and the Civil Registrar General, National Statistics Office, Manila. For their information and comment.

Finally, let a copy of this Amended Order be furnished to the Petitioners and their counsel at their given addresses.

SO ORDERED. July 4, 2013, Allen, Northern Samar.

(Sgd.) DECOROSO M. TURLA Acting President Judge

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DPWH 8 ranks highest in project accomplishment

TACLOBAN CITY -- The Dept. of Public Works and Highways in Eastern Visayas ranked highest in terms of project accomplishments both for the current year and combined with carryover projects.

This region has posted a 61.46 percent actual accomplishment with a negative 3.24 percent slippage when it comes to implementation of 963 projects amounting to P7.711 billion, both for the current year and carryover projects as of end of June this year.

This was based on the status review undertaken by the regional and project monitoring offices for the said period.

Region 10 came second with a positive slippage of 5.86 percent for its P11.153 billion fund for 822 projects.

Third was Region 11 that obtained a negative one slippage with 595 projects being implemented amounting to P8.243 billion.

Meantime, of the 963 projects Eastern Visayas has already completed 295 projects, 606 are ongoing while 62 have not yet started.

On the other hand, DPWH 8 obtained a 61.42 percent accomplishment in terms of project implementation using the agency’s 2013 infrastructure fund.

It is also the highest accomplishment among all regional offices of the department for the first semester of the year.

DPWH 8 has P6.162 billion fund for 720 projects identified this year. As of end of June 160 projects are already completed, 534 are ongoing and 26 have not yet started.

PAWB from page 1 ... commodation facilities in the town, visitors just avail of homestay program or stay overnight in Tacloban City, which is 52 kilometers away.

Calbiga Caves is the largest cave system in the Philippines, reputed to be the second largest in Asia and the world’s third largest karst formation. It is seven kilometers long with an area of 900 square kilometers.

A favorite destination of cavers, the Calbiga Caves could be reached by a one-and-a-half hour hike on a foot trail from the Calbiga town center.

A protected area, the caves complex is also the habitat of rare species of blind crabs and the sevencentimeter long hypogean blind fish. At dusk, hundreds of thousands of bats could be seen hovering over the cave entrance.

Another attraction in the town is the Lulugayan Falls and Rapids in Barangay Literon formed by hundreds of waterfalls cascading down the 14-kilometer rapids from the source at Lake Kalidongan to the Calbiga River. It is approximately 50 meters wide. The SINP has no data on number of visitors to the falls.

Calbiga will be the host of the first eco-lodge project with funding support from the national government. The same facility was built out of confiscated logs few years back at the SINP office in Barangay Tenani, Paranas, Samar.

The PAWB also initially approved P10-million funding for an eco-lodge in Basey, Samar, the host of Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge.

The SINP also sent a proposal to construct a similar facility in Maydolong, Eastern Samar for Canopy Forest visitors.

Eco-lodge facilities are built to enhance natural environment and monitor visitor movement or activity. The facilitiy is characterized by its design and materials blending with the natural or cultural value of the tourism site. (PNA)

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KALASAG from page 2 ... forded recognition to 77 LDRRMCs, 23 non-government organizations and 76 groups/institutions through its Gawad Kalasag.

Linde said that the national awarding is slated either September or October this year.

Meantime, the national nominees automatically are regional winners in their respective categories. (PNA)

FORUM from page 1 ...

port services from farm to table.

This program, if given enough support and impetus, according to Dr. Cabahit, is expected to boost government as well as private sector efforts to attain food security and self-sufficiency for the nation.

Aside from farming, the forum also injected inputs on fishery and its development options for this part of Samar as Sta. Margarita is also known for its rich municipal waters and abundant marine resources.

Said forum culminated with a planning on what they will do next especially with regard to the potential “agri-developments” for Sta. Margarita and the establishment of Organic Seed Adaptation Farm (OSAF) or a “trial farm” as entry point towards concrete application of the organic farming system. (Aimee Querubin/PNA)

BFAR from page 1 ...

the major suppliers of mussels for the country’s markets.

It also serves as a central trading center from where mussels are shipped to Metro Manila, Davao City, Bicol, Cebu City and other parts of the country.

Municipal waters of Daram, Pinabacdao, Talalora, San Sebastian, Villareal, and Calbiga encompasses Maqueda Bay. The entire bay has 1,500 hectares mussel culture maintained by 800 farmers. Average monthly production is 5,000 metric tons. BFAR is hoping for heavy downpour this week to prevent red tide bloom.

The official also advised fish catchers in Cambatutay and Irong-Irong Bays not to discharge water in Maqueda Bay as this will activate organisms.

Red tide toxins have now spread to more coastal waters of Samar province last week after paralytic shellfish poisoning killed two people and hospitalized 22 others. The victims consumed mussel collected in Cambatutay Bay in Tarangnan town.

Two weeks ago, two people died in Barangay Gallego, Taranganan, Samar and 22 others were hospitalized due to paralytic shellfish poisoning, after eating green mussel gathered in Cambatutay Bay. (PNA)

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Trainer Roach says Pacquiao will retire if ...

AFTER back-to-back losses to Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley, Manny Pacquiao is finally gearing up to get back into the ring in November, in a bout against Brandon Rios.

But, will it be his last?

According to his trainer Freddie Roach, if he loses, he will retire.

When Roach and Pacquiao grew closer over the years, the boxer promised Roach that he’d walk away from the sport when his trainer told him it was time. In a recent interview, Freddie said he would would recommend retirement if his fighter were knocked out by Rios in their upcoming, pay-per-view bout.

“It’s over, 100 percent [if Pacquiao is knocked out by Rios],” Roach said. “We have a deal. When I tell him it’s over, he’ll say it’s over and that’s it. He’s pretty loyal with his words and if that happens, it will be the end.”

Despite that promise, Roach says the Filipino boxing star isn’t showing the signs of decline that would lead him to making that call just yet.

When Pac-Man steps into the ring on November 24th in Macau, China, he will just weeks shy of his 35th birthday, an age that fighters usually been to slip.

“None whatsoever, and I’d tell you if I did,” Roach said of any signs of decline in Pacquiao. “The thing is, people look at the losses and they think the reason is that he’s getting old. That’s not the case, not from what I see. Look, we all thought he beat Bradley, so throw that out. And in the Marquez fight, I thought he was doing well and was looking like he was going to win by knockout when he made a mistake and ran into a shot.

“That happens. That’s boxing. It didn’t happen because his skills aren’t the same as they used to be. It happened because he made a mistake. It doesn’t matter what age you are, you can make a mistake.”

While talk of a dream fighter between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather has faded, Roach says it is still a possibility.

“I’ve told Manny, ‘Knock this guy [Rios] out in good fashion and the Mayweather fight comes back real quick,” the trainer explained. “Manny still wants the fight. We know that Mayweather turned it down, but the truth is this: Mayweather has four fights left after this next one [on Sept. 14 against Canelo Alvarez] and I’m not sure there are four guys in the world left for him to fight without Manny Pacquiao being one of them.” (From the wires)

SAMELCO from page 1 ... connections, the official said.

It was also learned during the AGMA, which carried a theme “Building Brighter Future for Samarnons through Rural Electrification,” that SAMELCO II served an additional 2, 994 meter connections in 2012 and subsequently increased its membership by 2,458 in first quarter of 2013.

“It brings to mind a feeling of pride and fulfillment that in the past 35 years, it has been a strong and effective partner in bringing progress to the province,” he stressed.

On the other hand, acting general manager Joey L. Talon reported that in 2012, the electric cooperative has brought electric power to 31 sitios through the government’s Sitio Energization Program (SEP) being implemented by President Benigno C. Aquino III and the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

These sitios, he said, are located in the different municipalities across the Samar’s second district and benefited some 915 households; each of them availed of free house wiring service (materials and labor of a SAMELCO II accredited electrician), free electric meter and free service drop wires.

“For this year (2013), 81 more sitios have been scheduled to be energized,” Talon said.

These Samarnon households are expected to get a chance to improve their quality of life with the availability of electric service afforded in their respective communities, the cooperative officials said.

Meanwhile, top performing Barangay Power Associations (BAPAs) categorizeattd in three groups according to the number of consumers were given plaque of recognition and P1,000 cash award during the 35th AGMA in Calbiga town.

The BAPA is an organization in a community which assists SAMELCO II in meter reading, collection of payment of electric bills, line clearing, information dissemination as well as apprehension of illegal connections.

The Member Services Department of SAMELCO II organized some 345 functional BAPAs in 2012 “to make them competent in performing their tasks, we regularly conduct capabilitybuilding seminars,” according to Dickson Bernales, Education and Development Supervisor of the cooperative.

Meantime, plaques of appreciations were also awarded to outgoing District VII Director Mansueto M. Delovino and out OIC-General Manager Engr. Gervacio C. Chavez, Jr. After the open-forum, which queries and complaints had been addressed by the cooperative directors and management, the 35th assembly ended with a raffle of appliances to around 1,500 member-consumers from 15 towns and a city that registered in the assembly.

JULY 9 - 15, 2013

8 Pages

AKSYON NA, AGA NA!

Hosted by AKSYON GILBERT ‘Gibo’ ARTECHE 5:30 - 6:30 A.M., Mon.-Fri. Simulcast with MSFM 102.5 khz Station Manager: Jhonny Bogart Filamor

Sports Academy encourages youth to be athlete scholars THE Leyte Sports Academy (LSA) encourages youth in the province to become athlete scholars who will undergo comprehensive sports and education program.

“Starting July 24, we will visit towns and cities in the province to recruit those elementary and high school students who will be interested to join the sports academy,” said LSA Consultant Lucresio Calo, in an interview.

The LSA, which was established by former Leyte governor and now Department of Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, aims to help the youth in obtaining free education; to develop and improve their skills to be excellent in whatever sports events they choose; and to be competitive in any national competition.

Moreover, the LSA provide student athletes with high caliber trainings in swimming, boxing, and athletics under professional trainers and coaches in this field with the support of all necessary equipments, accommodations and lodgings.

The said academy is open to elementary pupils, aged 8 to 12 and at least 4’5” in height. In addition, high school students must be at least 5 ft. in height and ages from 13 to 16.

On the other hand, based on the result of latest national sports competition, the LSA athletes earned 11 gold, 16 silver, and 18 bronze medals.

As of press time, there will be 90 athlete-scholars who will be recruited to be added to the 54 students presently enrolled at LSA. (Janine Faith Tiempo, LNU INTERN)

WINNER from page 1 ... really comply and follow the program conditionalities,” said Michelle Calzado, information officer of program.

The conditionalities include an 85% attendance rate of the children in school, a visit of the family in a health center, attendance of a monthly development session and among others.

The top 6 winners of the said search are as follows: Rico Villacino of Brgy. Sta. Cruz Javier Leyte;Wilma Manuel of Brgy. Calbani Maripipi Biliran;Erlinda Jabelo of Brgy. Danao I Calbayog City,Samar;Nelida UNDENIABLY, EastDamiar of Brgy. Tarnate San ern Visayas is a rich pool Vicente Northern Samar; Rene of dancers evident in the Buenafe of Brgy. Can-ato Llorprevious year’s proud numente Eastern Samar and Susith ber of national dance comGaviola of Brgy. Dakit San petitions participated and Francisco Southern Leyte. even topped by Region VIII The criteria for judging folocals. Robinsons Place cused on the compliance to the Tacloban’s THE BATTLE conditionalities, the practice Dance Showdown prides of a healthy living, the love in itself to have been part of the community including the the career of these young environment and the actively dancers such as Zero Gravparticipation in community ity, (THE BATTLE Dance and environmental endeavors.

Showdown’s grand winner) The panels of judges were as seen in Showtime and Regional Driector Olive Tiu of Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT), the Regional Director of PhilJ29’11 and Jive Dancers also ippine Information Agency, in PGT, The Temptations in Virginia Edano,DSWD asShowtime and the list can sistant regional director, Lolit go on.

Dadap,DSWD focal person for This July, the dance Family Welfare Program and floor is all set for THE BATBetty Garido, a representative TLE Dance Showdown 5. of the civil society organizaForm a dance group with a tion. maximum of 10 members “The family of Rico Viland dance it out to HIP lacino will be the official reHOP, MODERN or URBAN gional entry to the National MUSIC and leave it all on Huwarang Pamilya of the 4Ps,” the dance floor. Application Calzado said. (Janice V. Tapil, forms are available at the LNU Intern) Marketing Communica-

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LNU from page 2 ...

According to him, this will entail upgrading the research capabilities of the university, faculty development program, upgrading the competencies of the personnel, and upholding academic excellence.

Among the officials that attended the investiture to express their felicitations to the new LNU president was former LNU presidents Cruzada, Dr. Crecencia V. Chan-Gonzaga, PASUC 8 chairperson and University of Eastern Philippines president Atty.

Mar P. De Asis, Tacloban City Executive Assistant Bernardita B. Valenzuela who represented Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez, Leyte Governor Dominic L. Petilla, Palo Mayor Remedios L. Petilla and LNU BOR member Nona S. Ricafort.

LNU was twice awarded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as Center of Excellence for Teacher Education in Region VIII in 1996 and 2008. (PNA)

Battle Dance Showdon 5 opens July tions Department at Level 2, Robinsons Place Tacloban.

Winners of THE BATTLE Dance Showdown 5 shall take home 1st Prize of P 12, 000.00 cash plus trophies and gift packs, 2nd Prize of P 9, 000.00 and 3rd Prize of P 6, 000.00 plus trophies and gift packs.

Fun never stops at your favorite Mall, Robinsons Place Tacloban! [PR]