Master Drainage Plan to solve flooding in the city, says CEO

Some of the participants, including some board directors and guests, pose for posterity during the 30th Annual General Membership assembly of Leyte II Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Babatngon, Leyte last Sunday, March 27, 2011. MELCHOR CASPE

TACLOBAN CITY – The City Government formed an immediate solution regarding the serious flooding problem in the city by implementing the Master Drainage Plan.
 
The Master Drainage Plan is the move to reconstruct damaged drainages and waterways in the city. Dionisio de Paz, officer-in-charge of the City Engineers Office, said in an exclusive interview with the Leyte Samar Daily Express that the reconstruction of the drainages and waterways would really help in answering the flooding problem in the city.

Senate Bill No. 3483 prohibits the building of any establishments and houses 30 meter away from the waterways or creek. De Paz revealed that there are residential and business establishments in the city that were constructed within the perimeters of the waterways. These illegal constructions led to the ruin of some waterways.

With this, he further said that they have to clean first the area that covers the waterways in order to determine its damages so that they could formulate appropriate solution.

“This is the reason why the City Government through the City Engineers Office is conducting demolition in the Sampaguita, Utap and Picas areas,” he explained.

 He also stressed that the drainage connects the waterways from Mahayahay, Linang, Mangonbangon and other waterways going to Burayan and Cancabato Bay which is the main outlet to the sea.

This project has a collaborative action of the Department of Public Works and Highways, City Assessor, City Engineers office, City Legal Office and the office of the City Administrator. (Noel Sevillano Talacay)

Binay: Series of medical mission in the country soon

TACLOBAN CITY – Medical mission is one of the programs of the Office of Vice President Jejomar Binay, thus said Chelito Martinez, assistant chief of staff of the Vice President.

In an exclusive interview with Leyte Samar Daily Express, Martinez said the said medical mission is part of the social service of Vice President Binay.

Martinez revealed that the office of the Vice President will roam around the country in order to give free medical assistance to Filipinos.

“It was stared last January this year,” Martinez added.

He also said the medical mission was officially started in Rizal, Laguna and Nueva Ecija. He also added that there will be a series of medical missions to be done until the entire country will be served.

Now in its 4th time, here in Tacloban, he said that in partnership with the Eye Referral Center in Metro Manila owned by former Mayor Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez, the city government through Mayor Alfred Romualdez and with the cooperation of different agencies such as Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC), Bethany Hospital, RTR Hospital, Department of Health, Divine World Hospital and Alpha Phi Omega (APO).

“The services given during the medical mission were medical, dental, ophthalmology services and Electrocardiograph (ECG) consultation,” as he enumerated.

Aside from the free consultation, he said some patients were given for free pairs of reading eyeglass while others patients received free medicines.

It was learned that a total of 1,172 Taclobanons were able to avail on the medical mission. It composed of 343 availed ophthalmology service, 786 for the medical services and 43 patients for dental services.

However, prior to the said mission, Martinez articulated that they were able also to distribute relief goods to some affected barangays by floods in the city.

Earlier, the staff of the Vice President conducted medical mission last March 8 (Sunday) held at the Balyuan Convention Center.

Martinez said that Vice President Binay would like to inform the public that the medical mission is really intended for the less fortunate Filipino people who need medical assistance because health is very important. (NOEL SEVILLANO TALACAY)

2,566 evacuees in Tacloban, says CDRRMC

TACLOBAN CITY – The disastrous and heavy downpour last week resulted to a total of 2,566 evacuees in the city of Tacloban, according to the progress report by the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC).

Based on the report of CDRRMC, the 2,566 evacuees were composed of 413 families and 2,111 individuals.

As enumerated in the report, the number of evacuees is as follows: In Brgy. 110 Health Center – 2 families and 10 individuals, Brgy. 110 Barangay Hall – 1 family and 38 individuals, Brgy. Flores Billiards – 4 families and 20 individuals;

Brgy.  110 Negros Battery Center Bldg. – 20 families and 100 individuals, Brgy. 59 – A (stage) – 10 families and 65 individuals, Brgy. 91, Abucay Terminal – 5 families and 25 individuals;

Astrodome – 55 families and 275 individuals, Brgy. 59 Picas Brgy. Hall – 6 families and 30 individuals, Brgy. 91 Abucay (JARMESES Elem. School) – 2 families and 10 individuals, Brgy. 110 Utap Brgy. Hall – 9 families and 39 individuals, Brgy. 103 Palanog Mini Gym – 45 families;

And 217 individuals, Brgy. 3 (Church) – 86 – families and 419 individuals, Brgy. 74 Brgy. Hall 5 families and 13 individuals and Brgy. 3 (Brgy. 74 Basketball Court) – 163 families and 889 individuals.

Salvador Estudillo, CDRRMC chief, said that through the efforts of City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, they were able to serve the needs of all the evacuees.

He also emphasized that Mayor Romualdez was on top of rescue and evacuation operations just to ensure that the concerns of the evacuees were immediately responded to. 

As of yesterday, Estudillo pronounced that there are still two evacuation centers that are still being monitored such as those in Nula-Tula and Palanog.  The rest of the evacuees in other sites were able to go back to their respected houses and barangays to start rebuilding homes.

“The CDRRMC decided not to allow the evacuees from Nula-tula and Palanog to go back to their barangays unless we will be assured that they are safe”, Estudillo explained.

He added that they are still distributing relief goods to the remaining evacuees and have set up coordinating units to supervise them.

Estudillo, however, said that the city government through the CDRRMC will soon start disaster rehabilitation which is part of their primary concern and program at the moment. (Noel Sevillano Talacay)

CHO ready for follow-up check-up of patients in medical mission

TACLOBAN CITY – Following the medical mission, the City Health Office (CHO) would make follow up consultations for the patients who were advised to do so, according to Dr. Jaime Opinion, city health officer.

In an interview, Opinion said that the CHO is open for patients who need follow-up consultations especially those with serious illnesses.

“The patients will merely present their referral note from the doctors”, Opinion added.

He further said that the medical mission was very timely because  Tacloban was placed under a state of calamity.

However, he said that the said activity did not only cater to the victims of flood and landslides but also for all Taclobanons especially the children and senior citizens.

He said that the medical mission was a big help to the city because we were devastated by heavy, incessant rains, flooding and landslides, so there were a lot of people in Tacloban who needed medical assistance.

With this, Opinion extended his sincerest gratitude to the people behind the recently concluded medical mission led by the Office of the Vice President held at the Balyuan Convention Center with partnership with the city government through Mayor Alfred Romualdez, Eye Referral Center by Former City Mayor Bejo Romualdez, Alpha Phi Omega (APO), EVRMC, Bethany Hospital, RTR Hospital and Department of Health (DOH). (Noel Sevillano Talacay)

Former city chief executive advocates eye care

Mayor Alfred Romualdez together with former Mayor Bejo Romualdez and retired General Bobby Romero reservist, Armed Forces of the Philippines, in a light moment during the medical mission conducted by the city government in cooperation with the Office of Vice President Jejomar Binay. (Melchor Caspe)

TACLOBAN CITY – Former city mayor Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez brought eye specialists during the recently concluded medical mission held at the Balyuan Convention Center.

In an interview with the Leyte Samar Daily Express, former Mayor Romualdez said the incumbent Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Vice President Jejomar Binay had requested for support from his eye referral center for the said medical mission.

“Without hesitation, I say yes to it,” Romualdez said.

Aside from the eye doctors, the former mayor brought also a number of high-tech eye equipment, medicine for the eyes and pairs of reading eyeglass.

After the consultation of the doctors, he said that the patients were given proper medication, at the same time the patients were also given assessments about the condition of their eyes – grade of the eye and other eye illnesses.

He also stressed that if the patients have a very serious eyes case or illness, Dr.Alfredo Lim, an eye specialist at the Bethany Hospital, this city, can give referral to the Eye Referral Center located at Metro Manila.

“The patients must bring barangay and mayor’s certificate”, Romualdez said.

He clarified that if the patients have certification coming from the barangay and the mayor, they will be able to avail of any services from the “Eye Referral Center” for free.

“We should not ignore our sight, at the age of 30 we must consult an ophtalmologist even once a year,” he said.

The medical mission held last Sunday was also done in cooperation with the office of Vice President Jejomar Binay with the city government of Tacloban under Mayor Alfred Romualdez and the Alpha Phi Omega (APO). (Noel Sevillano Talacay)

LNU: A GK institution in the region

TACLOBAN CITY – The Gawad Kalinga (GK) was recently launched in Leyte Normal University as official partner educational institution in the region in pursuing its goals and mission.

Brian Gapasin, GK director for the Visayas, said that GK in Tacloban started in LNU last March 10, 2010 and eventually GK orientation was conducted which was attended by the LNU Management headed by the Dr. Evelyn Cruzada, university president, and the LNU student council year 2010.

Prior to the launching, Gapasin said that there was a signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the GK and LNU.

“It was included in the MOA where the school will help the mobilization of the students to the community and the school will provide extensive trainings and seminars for learning development of its GK beneficiaries,” Gapasin said.

He also said that the LNU will serve as the institution for GK for the children and youths development and it will create programs that will augment the skills GK’s young ones.

With this, the first GK builders camp was conducted at Brgy. San Agustin, Palo, Leyte, wherein the builder action team leaders was formed, according to Gapasin.

“Bawat Normalista Bayani”, Gapasin quipped.

Meanwhile, in an opening remarks given by Dr. Evelyn Aguirre, LNU director for extension program said, GK is also known as Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, which is a Philippine-based poverty alleviation and nation building movement.

“It has a great vision of building communities empowered by people with faith and patriotism, driven by a culture of caring and sharing, dedicated to eradicate and restore human dignity”, Dr. Aguirre said.

It was also stated in her speech that last September 2010, the LNU and GK entered into collaborative agreement by signing the MOA which had a manifestation of its community extension service component to be “Gawad Kalinga Builders Institute” – an institute for nation building through patriotic education, research and extension.

The said launching was graced by Dr. Evelyn Cruzada, LNU president, LNU vice presidents, LNU deans, LNU directors, LNU students, GK volunteers, Boboy Egot – GK head, Leyte, Napoleon Cairo – GK coordinator, Palanog, Tacloban City, Jun Arca, GK coordinator Libertad, Palo Leyte. (Noel Sevillano Talacay)

City of Tacloban declares State of Calamity

These young women take a rubber floater to pass a flooded street in Barangay Apitong, Tacloban City. MELCHOR CASPE

TACLOBAN CITY – Due to the incessant rains, the city government declared Tacloban under state of calamity, according to Salvador Estudillo, chief of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).

In an interview with the Leyte Samar Daily Express, Estudillo said that the CDRRMC has been monitoring almost all of the barangays in the city since the heavy rains started early this week where areas has been flooded and some had landslides.
With this development, he said that Mayor Alfred Romualdez endorsed his recommendation to the city council to declare Tacloban under state of calamity.

Estudillo said that declaring Tacloban under a state of calamity will enable them to address properly the needs of the constituents, especially those extremely affected barangays.

It will also provide opportunities for government employees to avail of calamity loan, so they can repair their damaged houses, he added.

He said that the 138 barangays were heavily affected by the continuous and heavy rains that resulted to flooding and landslides where more properties and houses were destroyed.

Meanwhile, Vicente Dy III, city budget officer, said in a separate interview, that the city government has already used P10.5 million since January of the annual calamity fund amounting to P39.8 million.

“This P10.5 million is 26.3% from this year’s calamity fund,” Dy added.

Dy explained that the money was released to cover expenses on relief operations and rehabilitation. (NOEL SEVILLANO TALACAY)

Mayor Romualdez weds 15 couples

TACLOBAN CITY – Mayor Alfred Romualdez tied the knot of 15 couples during a mass wedding held recently at the Mayor Alfred Social Action (MASA) Center.

During the wedding ceremony, Mayor Romualdez gave pieces of advice to the newlywed couples, as he said that as parents their primary role is to take good care of their children so that they will become good members of society.

“You must cherish and take care of your children and make sure that they will not become potential problem in the city when they grow up,” Romualdez said.

He also stressed to the couples to develop spirituality in the family just like the Holy Family, which typifies a model family.

“During misunderstandings and quarrels, it is better for the couple to calm down and pray; ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” Romualdez added.

He further said that when the couple fights, the children are affected and it is them who suffer.

Mayor Romualdez advised everyone to keep away from any vices like smoking or drinking too much of liquor because these are the roots of quarrels in the family that could be imitated by the children..

After the wedding ceremony, the mayor took the chance to congratulate the couples. (Noel Sevillano TalacaY)

CLO plans to conduct seminar for City’s Brgy. Officials

TACLOBAN CITY – The City Licensing Office (CLO) plans of giving seminar to the barangay officials of the city soon.

In an interview with the Leyte Samar Daily Express, Girlie Jadloc, city licensing officer, said this is to educate the barangay officials on what they can do to help her office.

Jadloc also said the seminar will focus on the City Ordinance No. 2009-10-162 or also known as “An ordinance regulating the establishment, operation and maintenance of the internet cafes, video games house/center and providing rules therefore”.  It will also tackle on the preparation of barangay resolutions in relation to said ordinance.

She said that section 5-a of the said ordinance states that the barangay officials are deputized to supervise any amusement places established within their jurisdiction as stated also in the Local Government Code.

“With this, within the barangay level they can solve or give appropriate action already in case of problems and legal complaints” Jadloc said.

Jadloc meanwhile admitted that there are some barangay officials who are not aware of this ordinance especially the newly- elected officials.

“With the activity we will indeed empower barangay officials in the city”, Jadloc said.

She is also positive that this move will be helpful in solving and addressing small problems occurring in the barangays.

Jadloc revealed that there are a lot of related complaints addressed to their office almost every day.

If the said program will be realized, she said that aside from the City Licensing Office other offices will also be involved such as the Tacloban City Fire Department; City Health Office and City Treasurer’s Office.(Noel Sevillano Talacay)

Five establishments in the city facing possible closure this month

TACLOBAN CITY – Pursuant to City Ordinance No. 99 – 58, the city government is set to issue a closure order on five establishments this month.

Milo Berinda, head of the inspectorate team, revealed that the five establishments to be closed are located at the market area due to their failure in renewing and getting business permits.

Before closure was serve, Berinda explained, they sent three successive notices; their failure to comply resulted to the order, he added.

In the previous year, Berinda disclosed that there were 79 business establishments in the city that were closed on the same grounds.

Meanwhile, Girlie Jadloc, city permits and licensing officer, in a separate interview, said that closing some business establishments do not affect the economic activities of the city.

Jadloc added that there would be no negative effect of the closures of these establishments.

“In fact, it was one of the factors for the increase of revenues in the city”, Jadloc strongly said.

At present, she revealed that the City Mayor’s Office authorized their office to implement any closure order to fast track action.

Both Berinda and Jadloc advised the businessmen and proprietors in the city to renew and get their business permits on or before the given deadline to avoid penalties and closure. (Noel Sevillano Talacay)

City Councilor Romualdez plans to have Women Shelter extension

TACLOBAN CITY – City Councilor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez affirmed the plan of expanding the building that houses the “Women Shelter” in the city.

The first lady councilor sounded this off during the first anniversary of the facility yesterday.

Aside from making the center bigger, Councilor Romualdez said that it is also within the plan to put additional facilities in the said center.

“The facilities to be added will support the livelihood program intended for the women clients,” Romualdez uttered.

She also said that this livelihood program will also serve as the training ground of the women and girls, so that they will have earning capacity while in the center.

One of the livelihood programs that will be introduced is the Cristina’s Learn and Earn Program, Councilor Romualdez said.

Meanwhile, Councilor Romualdez stressed that the livelihood program will not only make them earn a living; more importantly, they will also develop or regain back their self-esteem.

She added that the programs that will be introduced will also boost their self confidence, develop their skills and hone their talents so that they will ultimately have the courage to face society later on.

In her speech, Councilor Romualdez thanked the people who contributed a lot to the realization of the “Women’s Shelter”, specially the city government through her husband, City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, other officials, LGUs and agencies.

The lady councilor encouraged women and children in the city who are abused not to be afraid to come out in the open so that their rights will be protected. (Noel Sevillano Talacay)

“Women’s Fair” opens today

TACLOBAN CITY – The city government -sponsored “Women’s Fair” will open today at the Balyuan Convention Center as part of the Women’s Month celebration.

Felisa Cagara, officer-in-charge of the City Cooperative Office, said in an interview that the purpose of the activity is to give the beneficiaries of Cristina’s Earn and Learn Program the opportunities to earn income and to help promote the products and services of the small -scale entrepreneurs of the city.

The “Women Fair” will include the following products: processed foods/ native delicacies, garments (used clothing), beddings, pillow cases, curtains, NFA rice, vegetables and crops, souvenir T-shirts, caps, mugs, face towels, key chains, detergents, scents and other products.

Services such as manicure, foot spa, haircut, reflexology/massage will also be offered during the activity, Cagara said.

Aside from the city government, the fair is also being organized by the beneficiaries of Cristina’s Earn and Learn Program; Zonta International; Tacloban Pinoy Tour Club; Tacloban Native Delicacies Consumers Coop and Women’s Association of Tacloban.

For the record, Cagara revealed that the “Women’s Fair” is now on its 3rd year since it was established in 2008 with the effort of City Councilor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez which is being supported by City Mayor Alfred Romualdez.

“This is spearheaded by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in order to implement strategies that will promote entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood in the city”, Cagara said. (Noel Sevillano Talacay)

City to step up campaign on mendicancy

TACLOBAN CITY – The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is serious in addressing the mendicancy problem of the city.

This was assured by city social welfare officer Liliosa Baltazar who said that her office will coordinate with the barangay officials and other government agencies to address this social problem.

“The office of the CSWD will strengthen the skills of the barangay officials on how they are going to handle certain problems so that they are properly trained to handle complaints,” Baltazar said.

She said that her office is also fully implementing Presidential Decree 1563 also known as the Anti-Mendicancy Law. This is to control and later eradicate mendicancy in the city by enforcing the law, Baltazar added. 

She stressed that this applies to minors who are in the streets using solvent; pedicabs (pot-pot/padyak) driven by minors and beggars going around the city.

Baltazar said that there will be a city- wide implementation of the said program, but it will start in San Jose and Marasbaras districts.

“We are having right now social preparation for this advocacy”, Baltazar added.

She explained that mendicancy breeds crimes, creates traffic hazards, endangers health, and exposes people to indignities and degradation.

“With the program, we will be promoting social justice and protection of life among our constituents.  Later we will provide counseling and rehabilitation of minors found sniffing rugby and begging in the streets” she articulated.  She further said the program is a tie up of the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO), barangay officials and TOMECO,” the city social welfare officer said. NOEL SEVILLANO TALACAY

Cancabato Bay negative of red tide, FLET official says

TACLOBAN CITY – The Fishery Law Enforcement Team (FLET) continues to monitor the situation at the Cancabato Bay to determine if it is free from any red tide toxin.

And based on their monitoring, the Cancabato Bay remains to be “red tide free,” Noel Ligtas, officer-in-charge of FLET, said.

In an interview with the Leyte Samara Daily Express, Ligtas said that the purpose of their monitoring of the Cancabato Bay area is to determine if it is positive of red tide toxin so that the public will immediately be warned against eating shellfish gathered from the said bay.

“With this monitoring we can tell if Cancabato Bay area is safe of red tide toxin or not,” Ligtas said.

Ligtas said they are conducting twice a month regular monitoring at the Cancabato Bay- twice a week if they detect presence of red algae and once a week if it is in bloom.

He said that this is more effective because it is already included in the FLET calendar of activities.

Ligtas emphasized that they monitor the Cancabato Bay in the three sub-stations, namely; San Fernando, Coca Cola and Fisherman’s Village.

“It is in these areas where we get water samples, meat samples and shell meat samples for laboratory analysis,” Ligtas further explained.

He revealed that the samples are submitted to the Leyte Marine Bio Toxin Testing Center in Palo, a laboratory where the testing of the samples are conducted.

He said that Mayor Alfred Romualdez has been very supportive of their programs and projects. NOEL SEVILLANO TALACAY

Clean Technology pushes by the DoE says Usec. Asirit

TACLOBAN CITY –The Department of Energy (DoE) has its program that protects the environment in order to address the problem of global warming, according to Atty. Ina Magpale – Asirit, DoE Undersecretary.

In an interview with the Leyte Samar Daily Express, Usec.Asirit said that all the power projects of the DoE always undergo requirements by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) just to comply the environmental laws.

“Environmental safety is always the primary concern of the DoE”, Asirit said.

She said that the DoE religiously follow the laws of the DENR which their office could not supersede.

“The DoE is certainly pushing for clean technology”, Asirit emphasized.

She said that all energy projects of the DoE complies Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) form the DENR.

Usec.Asirit specified DoE program concerning for global warming such as Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program with the purpose of lowering carbon emission which comprises Efficient Lighting, Electric Vehicle Program Proponent, Green Building Management, government Energy Monitoring and Energy Service Company.

She said that those energy projects are still ongoing and for the coming month they are going to launch officially tag line with it, however, at present the DoE is concentrating on information education campaign.

“This is to tell to the public about the existing projects in terms of energy conservation that the DoE has”, Usec. Asirit said. (Noel Sevillano Talacay)

TCPO strengthens anti-criminality campaign in the city

TACLOBAN CITY – Even after the killing incident that happened at the V & G subdivision,  the city of Tacloban is still safe and peaceful to live in, according to Police Senior Superintendent Wilson Caubat, police director of Tacloban City Police Office.

In an interview, Caubat said that he instructed his men to strengthen the anti-criminality campaign and gave orders to keep the mobile patrol on an alert status all the time.

“There is no breakdown of peace and order or random violence in the city,” Caubat said.

Caubat said that they are treating the incident at V&G as an isolated one because it was intentionally done and it was planned.

“The angle that we are looking into and considering in this case is work related activity,” Caubat explained.

It may be noted that Pierre Gillo, 52, personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) assigned as the community environment and natural resources officer (CENRO) of Santa Rita, Samar was shot dead outside his home at V & G last Friday.

In a separate interview, City Mayor Alfred Romualdez also concluded that the incident was an isolated case.

At present, Caubat revealed that the PNP Regional Office 8 has extended assistance to the city by deploying the Regional Public Safety Battalion at the Maharlika Highway in the city, and their presence in the national highway will deter the criminals from carrying out thier illegal acts.

Caubat further said that the TCPO has also its own Public Safety Battalion assigned within the city.

Meanwhile, Mayor Romualdez provided six additional motorcycles to the police office that will enable police personnel to immediately respond to calls for public assistance in case of crimes and violence committed in the city, according to Caubat.

Caubat assured the public that the TCPO is doing its best to ensure public safety both to locals and visitors.

He added that there are police officers on call for 24 hours aside from those on duty.(NOEL SEVILLANO TALACAY)

Mayor Romualdez asks B-Meg, villagers to come to a ‘win-win’ solution on their dispute

TACLOBAN CITY – Mayor Alfred Romualdez has urged both the residents of Barangay 79 and the management of B-MEG Corporation to come up with a “win-win” solution and try to settle their differences out of court.

The city mayor made this appeal during a recent dialogue attended both by the officials and residents of Brgy.79 and B-MEG Corp.

Barangay Councilor Virginia Malate said that she appreciates the appeal of the city mayor for them to settle the issue between them and the management of the B-MEG Corp. which employs several residents of Brgy.79.

Malate said that she is confident that with the intervention by no less than the city mayor himself, the problem could be resolve without resorting to a legal battle.

Joey Avila of the San Miguel Corp. said that he could feel the sincerity of Mayor Romualdez in ending the matter.

He could sense that the city mayor is willing to help and is open to both parties, Avila said.

The B-MEG Corp. produces animal feeds with the San Miguel Corp. providing the raw materials.

Earlier, the city government has issued a closure order against the B-MEG Corp. on the strength of the complaints filed by the villagers.

The residents have alleged that the plant owned by B-MEG Corp. is causing noise pollution, foul smell and dust to their detriment.

Meanwhile, during the said dialogue, Mayor Romualdez suggested to the company to allow the residents and officials of the barangays to visit their plant for them to see the improvements that they have undertaken in addressing the complaints raised by the villagers.(NOEL SEVILLANO TALACAY) 
  

CPO clarifies issues on EVRAA uniform, substandard sports material

TACLOBAN CITY – The City Procurement Office of the city government has clarified issues relating to the EVRAA athlete uniforms and the so-called substandard sport materials.

Eduardo Manadong, supervising administrative officer of the general services and in charged of the city mayor’s procurement office, raised some points on the failure of some legislators to get the EVRAA uniforms.

Manadong said that based on the purchase request of the DepEd City Division there was no mention of councilors being recipients of the uniform because the 600 uniforms were intended for the athletes and coaches.

However, Manadong explained that he was not aware of the distribution arrangement of the city schools division as they were responsible in the distribution.

He also belied the claims that said uniforms were sub-standard.  In fact, the Tacloban delegation won in the “Best in Uniform” category during the EVRAA 2011.

“If the distribution of the EVRAA Uniform was done in the city, the City Procurement Office would have controlled its distribution and would have monitored who received said uniforms but due to lack of time, distribution was done on site,” Manadong explained.

City Mayor Alfred Romualdez also confirmed that he did not also receive any EVRAA uniform.

“I was also not given any uniform, but I did not complain. The uniforms were for the athletes and officials,” Mayor Romualdez said.

Another issue that Manadong wanted to make clear is about the quality of sports materials purchased.

He said that based on R.A. 9184 also known as Government Procurement Reform Act, requisitioning offices are prohibited to put particular “brands” on the procurement request.

“This is to give chance to other suppliers to participate in the bidding process,” Manadong further explained.

Moreover, he also said that if there were complaints it should have been forwarded to the City Procurement Office as the proper office to address complaints.  If we received the complaint earlier, we could have stop the processing of payment to the dealer.

He also said that the end user or the inspectors should have submitted the complaints when they found the items to be of lesser quality.

“The complaint is very important because this is our bases to take the necessary action,” he said.

Manadong also wondered why the complaint reached the City Legislative Council and not their office.

 “Mayor Alfred Romualdez already gave instructions to look deeper into the matter  and conduct investigation on how true the allegations were.  He also advised the end-users to have advanced planning next time so mistakes will not be repeated,”  Manadong quipped. (NOEL SEVILLANO TALACAY)

CNO promotes “Pink Lady Juice”, Mayor’s wife plans to include in livelihood program

TACLOBAN CITY – To promote wellness in the city, the Tacloban City Government through the City Nutrition office (CNO) introduced camote tap juice also called “Pink Lady Juice”.

This juice is an alternative drink for everyone because it has many healthy benefits compared to other juices that are sold in the market. It is healthier than commercial juice drinks, according to Dr. Gloria Fabrigas, City Nutrition Officer.

“The camote taps is boiled with water and mixed with calamansi and honey”, Dr. Fabrigas said.

She said in a recent interview with the Leyte Samar daily Express, it protects the public from anemia and it helps add more red blood cells to the human body, so this will help those who are anemic.

“It is because camote taps juice or “Pink Lady Juice” is very high in Iron” she explained.

To promote the pink lady juice, Dr. Fabrigas said that the City Nutrition Office will conduct seminars in the villages to educate people on how to prepare it.

“The CNO is also planning to make the Pink Lady Juice part of the livelihood programs in the barangays in the city so it is always available.

Meanwhile, in a separate interview, the Tacloban City First Lady and City Councilor Cristina Gonzales – Romualdez has the same opinion with the CNO about “Pink Lady Juice”.

Councilor Romualdez said that she will tap other sectors to study on how to prolong shelf life of this product.

The CNO and Councilor Romualdez appeal to the public to start using the “Pink Lady Juice” as it is easy to prepare and has lots of nutritional benefits. (Noel Sevillano Talacay)

UPVTC 5th Largabista Film Festival winners proclaimed

TACLOBAN CITY – Best of the Best local film makers sublime after the recently concluded success of 5th Largabista Film Festival held at the of University of Philippines Visayas Campus with the Theme: “Society and Technology”.

The winners that emerged in Short Film Category were 2nd Runner-UP- Pagtuo (Leyte Normal University), 1st Runner-UP- Sada (Leyte Normal University) and the Best Film bagged by the – (Bahandi Films), entitled Ang Kamot nga Nagluwas.

Moreover, other awards were also given during the awards night such as Best in Storyline- Ang Kamot nga Nagluwas and Nominee were Ang Kamot nga Nagluwas, Sada and Hulagway), Best in Cinematography- Ang Kamot nga Nagluwas with the Nominees were Ang Kamot nga Nagluwas, Sada and Yabi by ADFC, Best in Editing- Sada and the Nominees were Pagtuo, Ang Kamot nga Nagluwas and Sada and Audience Choice Award was awarded to the Short Film entitled Stalker by Asian Development Foundation (ADFC).

Meanwhile, for Music Video Category Winners: Best Music Video- Skate by Mojica Lukban  Best in Cinematography- Skate (Nominees: Sino nga ba siya by ADFC, Skate), Best in Editing- Skate, (Nominess: Sino nga ba siya, Skate), Best in Original Music- Unta by Emanon Band ,(Nominees: Skate, Unta) and Audience Choice Award – Sino nga ba siya by ADFC.

The winners were determined with the help by well renounced personalities in the field of film making namely: Aaron Almadro (Editor in chief 8 magazine), Trox Salazar (Fashion TV Editor, studied at international academy of film and television, and Jun Encina (LNU AV studio), Jerry Jumawan from Quezon City, teacher in theatre arts, indie film maker, Noriel Jarito indie film maker and organizer of Pambujan film Festival and Division Chair of Humanities UPVTC- Dr. Victor N. Sugbo.

This year’s Largabista Film Festival was chaired by Thomas fitzgerald and CA 106 class, Public Relation and Advertising as the Organizer with Prof. Dulce Cuna Anacion, Adviser.

The Largabista means telescope. Larga means motion and bista means pictures, this was started last 2007. This was made in support of local talents interested in film-making and music video production.

Mr. Thomas Fitzgerald said in an interview that this year’s entries were very different because the quality of films and music videos were improving compared to the previous year. (NOEL SEVILLANO TALACAY)

Church dismayed by divorce legalization

TACLOBAN CITY – The spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Palo expressed his dismay over the plan of some legislators legalizing divorce in the country.

Fr. Amadeo Alvero, spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Palo, said that the government’s plan in the enactment of divorce is a way of destroying the family and likewise the society.

“I believe that this (divorce) won’t give any good advantge to us since this is a way of destroying the families and will eventually lead to destroy the society since family is a major component in the society” he added. 

A bill is now pending at the Senate for a possible legalization of divorce in the country.

Alvero further believes that the legalization of divorce is not the answer to the alarming corruption in the country which involves problem in the family.

“The government should rather deal on the problems of corruption instead of focusing several bills, that includes the RH bill, which does not help in improving our country at all,” he said.

Meanwhile, Alvero remains to be optimistic that the legislators will be soon enlightened about their move of legalizing divorce.

“We hope and pray that our legislators would be enlightened” and would not approved the proposed bill on divorce, he added.

On the other hand, Alvero called the attention of the parents who were responsible in the series of abortions recorded a few weeks ago, to show themselves in order to give justice to the unlawful killings of fetus.

“The children deserve to have justice, since they are innocent about what happened to them,” he added.

He, however, cleared that the parents responsible for abortion will undergo a series of counseling so that they would never commit the same act. 

“Our Church is open for counseling, because we really cannot deny that there are days that we deemed to decide unlawfully,” he said. (Noel Sevillano Talacay)