Feature: Even dreams of farmers’ children do come true
by Jose Alsmith Soria
Tacloban City (July 31) — Anabel Montes and Cesar Espinosa are now just an inch away from the realization of their dreams.
Thru the said scholarship program, Anabel and Cesar earned a degree in education at the Naval Institute of Technology, now Naval State University, and were among the more than 11 thousand lucky passers of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) held on April 18 this year.
Both Anabel and Cesar are children of farmers from Biliran province, with ricefields serving as their playgrounds during their childhood days.
Children of agrarian reform beneficiaries, the two were qualified to avail of the scholarship program extended by the DAR.
Anabel, 22 years old, from Barangay Larrazabal in Naval, dreamt of becoming a teacher. Her father, Antonio Montes, is a recipient of the government’s land transfer program under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
The youngest among three siblings with parents financially hard up, she was able to pursue college education thru the then PDMASP taking up Bachelor in Elementary Education, major in Pilipino.
On the other hand, Cesar, 22 years old, is the son of Santos Espinosa, also a CARP beneficiary from Barangay Burabod in Biliran town.
For Cesar who is also the youngest in a brood of three, to become a policeman was his childhood fantasy. Poverty forced him to shift interest and take up a course in college that was less expensive.
Though he qualified to avail of the scholarship program offered by the DAR, Cesar said that the budget was limited and not sufficient to finance the numerous school requirements, thus, he enrolled and was able to graduate from a degree in Bachelor of Science in Education, major in Math.
The next step for Anabel and Cesar now is to apply for a slot at the Department of Education in order to serve in public schools.
Although Cesar now earns on a commission basis as provincial coordinator of Rasti Review Institute, he still continues to look for a regular job is much better, according to him. He hopes that very soon he will get hired as a teacher in one of the public schools in Biliran.
With this development, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Elisea Orapa beams with pride saying that the government’s effort was not put in vain.
According to her, in the conceptualization of this scholarship program, DAR believed that there are jewels in the farm that just need to be polished like diamonds in order to shine.
Orapa further said that these scholars could also be of big help in the smooth implementation of the CARP by simply assisting their illiterate co-villagers understand the laws on agrarian reform as well as in the values formation for a successful implementation of the program.
For Anabel, Cesar and their parents, dreams do come true even to those who have less in life. It is just a matter of grabbing opportunities at the perfect time and use the same to make their dreams come true.
By doing so, they are show how thankful they are to the people who provided them the opportunity at the time when they needed it most, to make a difference in the lives of their families. (PIA-8)
PNP 8 recruits more police officers
Tacloban City (July 28) — The Philippine National Police through the PNP Regional Office 8 informed that it is now accepting applications for Police Officer 1 for calendar year 2010.
In order to qualify, interested applicants must possess the minimum qualifications to wit, must possess a Formal Baccalaureate Degree; must be at least one meter and sixty-two centimeters (1.62 m.) in height for male and one meter and fifty-seven centimeters (1.57 m.) for female.
Also included among the minimum qualifications is that the applicant must not be less than twenty-one (21) nor more than thirty (30) years of age; must be eligible in accordance with the standards set by NAPOLCOM; and must have no pending case in any court.
The initial requirements to be submitted include the following: duly filled up personal data sheet (Revised 2005); Xerox copy of Live Birth certificate from NSO; Xerox copy of Transcript of Records and Diploma duly authenticated by school Registrar; Xerox copy of report rating of eligibility duly authenticated by the issuing agency.
Among the initial requirements are the Clearances from barangay, police provincial office, mayor, MTC, RTC, Provincial Prosecutors and NBI; 1 piece 2×2 black and white ID picture indicating applicants’ name; medical certificate from City or Municipal Health Office.
The applicants must duly submit their application folders to Police Regional Office 8 not leater than August 20, 2010 as the screening will start on September 13, 2010.
For more information, interest persons may call up Tacloban City Police Office via telephone number 321-2021 or 325-8808. (PIA 
BIR Eastern Visayas ranks 3rd in 2009 revenue collections, 5th for 2010
Tacloban City (July 28) — BIR Eastern Visayas under the leadership of Regional Director Alert Alocilja, has all the reasons to celebrate the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s 106th Anniversary on August 1.
Director Alocilja attributed this remarkable accomplishment which indeed calls for a meaningful celebration, to the good people of Region 8 who pay their taxes correctly and on time. He also cited the six Revenue District Officers of BIR Eastern Visayas who are responsible for the Region’s top ranking for the first semester of the current Tax Year.
To honor the top taxpayers and Revenue District Officers responsible in making BIR Eastern Visayas a top ranking BIR Region, Director Alocilja led in presenting citations to the Top Taxpayers, individual, corporate and government agencies, and the six Revenue District Officers, in an awarding ceremony which was held at the activity area of Robison’s Mall Tacloban after the 8:30 morning motorcade on July 27.
Director Alocilja said that because all the officials of BIR all over the country are expected to attend the Bureau’s Anniversary on August 1, the BIR Regional Office decided to schedule anniversary activities starting July 26 with the conduct of the Regional Tax Quiz.
Aside from the motorcade and Awarding Ceremonies, June 27 also marked the opening of the BIR Eastern Visayas Tax Exhibits at the Robinsons Place Lobby. The exhibit will run until July 30, 2010.
On August 4 and 5, 2010, the athletic prowess of the staff of BIR Eastern Visayas will be put to test in a Mini-Sports fest within the Regional Office Grounds, Director Alocilja said. (PIA
Capiz cops donate blood
by A. Lumaque
Roxas City (27 July) — About 43 policemen in the province have donated their blood during the mass blood letting activity sponsored by the Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) last July 26 at Camp Teodorico C. Apil in Barangay Loctugan here.
“This is our contribution to the community especially that there is an increase of dengue cases in the province,” said Capiz Police director Senior Supt. Josepheus Angan over dyVR RMN ? Roxas City’s “Targetanay sa Udto” program.
The province’s top cop was the first to donate his blood among the policemen after the CPPO’s flag raising rites. It was the second blood letting activity since Angan assumed as the provincial director of Capiz PNP in July 2008.
Angan replaced outgoing Capiz Police director Senior Supt. Roberto Villanueva.
The CPPO initiative was in time with the observance of Blood Donor’s Month every July pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No.1021 dated June 9, 1997 and the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National Blood Service Act of 1994.
The month-long observance aims to raise awareness of the need for quality and safe blood, thank and honor blood donors and encourage regular blood donation.
Donating blood is a healthy practice to keep healthy blood cells in the body produced by bone marrow. It also contributes in the steady supply of safe blood for use wherever and whenever it is needed to save lives. (PIA)
PNP brass visits Bacolod, calls city “very progressive and peaceful”
Bacolod City (26 July) — Philippine National Police Region 6 Director, P/CSupt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr. recently visited Bacolod City in a briefing with the Bacolod and Negros Occidental Police as their new regional director.
In a courtesy call with Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Pagdilao was impressed by Bacolod City saying it is “very progressive and lot more peaceful than Iloilo”.
Pagdilao, at the same time, suggested to Leonardia that a CCTV system, similar to those set up by big establishments in Manila, could very well fit in Bacolod City to discourage criminal elements who would disturb the peace and order in the city, while noting that the community has a vital role to play in the fight against robbery and similar incidents.
The mayor welcomed the suggestion saying that the city government has long been considering the idea of setting up CCTV in key areas of the city.
Pagdilao also assured the city officials that Bacolod policemen presently assigned in Iloilo City will be recalled to Bacolod upon the end of their tour of duty.
The PNP regional director was formerly the Northern Police District director prior to his present post. Pagdilao, who is also a lawyer, was born in Ilocos Norte but was raised in General Santos City. (CMO/PIA/EAD)
Health expert says herbal supplements not cure for diseases
Cebu City (26 July) — Herbal supplements do not cure diseases as they are not medications as the public is urged to adhere to the complete drug regimen as recommended by the doctor.
Dr. Renan S. Dungog of the Diabetes Philippines – Cebu Chapter (DPCC) bared he is not against herbal supplements but that such products should not mislead patients who are optimistic that taking herbal supplements is the answer to the cure of their illness.
Dungog cited herbal products commercially sold in the market that advertises a cure for certain diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis and others.
“If you look at the label, there is a written text that states ?No Therapeutic Claim?,” the medical practitioner stressed.
“Perhaps some herbal supplements are good because of some testimonies by patients. But it should not take to mean that the herbal supplements should take the place of drugs prescribed by the doctor,” according to Dungog.
Dungog also talked about some diabetes herbal supplements that have the ingredient cromium which has a role in diabetes prevention but not as a diabetes remedy.
Taking the herbal supplements should be more on disease prevention because when one has the disease, such supplements are not the medical treatment as only the doctor specializing in such a field can prescribe the appropriate drugs, Dungog said.
Also, taking herbal supplements to combat the disease may have interactions with the other prescribed drugs causing serious complications, this is emphasized.
But a bigger problem poses when a patient would no longer take his or her medications thinking that herbal supplements are better and natural, Dungog disclosed.
The diabetes expert said that diabetes patients take five to 10 medications for the disease depending on the severity.
Dungog also brushed notions that diabetes patients should lessen the intake of carbohydrates.
“Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are the main basic fuel of the body so we really need the three major diets in our body because diabetes is actually a disease of malnutriton. But of course, everything should be eaten in moderation,” Dungog emphasized.
In Cebu, there are four hospital-based diabetes centers where these offer free sugar screening namely the government-run Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Sacred Heart Hospital, Cebu City Medical Center and Perpetual Soccour Hospital as Dungog urged the public to avail of the free blood sugar screening.
“It is better to detect diabetes early so that immediate interventions can be made because serious complications will be more difficult to treat,” Dungog ended. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)
PNP 8 concludes successful PCR Month celebration
Tacloban City (July 26) — The Philippine National Police Region 8 marked on July 26, the culmination of the successful celebration of the 15th Police Community Relations Month.
Police Region 8 Director Rey L. Lanada said that the culmination program was conducted during the traditional Monday Flag-raising ceremony this morning at the PRO8 Parade and Grandstand, Camp Ruperto K Kangleon, Palo Leyte.
The program was highlighted with the presentation of citations to outstanding police officers for their significant achievements, by no less than Director Lanada.
Topping the awardees was PSSupt. Manuel Cubillo, chief of the Regional Police Community Relations Division for being the keynote speaker and for contributing to the success of said celebration.
The other awardees include PSI Jose Ong Chan III, Information Technology Officer – PRO8, for his dedication and commitment in maintaining the PRO 8 website and updating the information and communication technology that carries all the PNP programs and accomplishments for the information of external stakeholders.
Another awardee was SPO4 Rodolfo D. Silvia, City Executive Senior Police Officer, Tacloban City Police Office for his commendable display of PNP Best Practice in pushing the clean and green program of the PNP which provides livelihood benefits to the community.
Also cited was the PNP Moral and Spiritual Team represented by Pastor Gamaliel Aliposo, for its dedication and commitment in strengthening the moral and spiritual fiber of PNP personnel which immeasurably promoted the value transformation program of Police Regional Office. (PIA 8/PRO8)
PNoy fine tunes speech for first SONA
Tacloban City (July 25) — President Benigno Aquino III has been going over and fine-tuning his speech for his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the opening of the 15th Congress on July 26.
President Aquino is reported to stick with his laid-back, no frills style and will speak from the heart using simple language.
The speech is already on its fourth draft and undergoing double fact-checking by some Cabinet members as well as a review by the President himself, according to a Palace source.
While his inaugural speech sought to inspire, the SONA will be dealing with the “harsh realities” facing the country, and will be more “down to earth,” the source said.
President Aquino will be reporting on the state of the government coffers’ finances, and will spell out the programs he plans to undertake to stamp out corruption and ease poverty, Malacañang officials said.
The 30-minute speech will be delivered mostly in Filipino, interspersed with English.
“While he’s in the Batasang Pambansa, he’ll be addressing the people. So he must use a language understandable to a greater number of people for better understanding,” Secretary Sonny Coloma of the Communications Group said.
As the President pronounced during his Inaugural Address, the true bosses are the Filipino people who chose their leaders, hence it is but fitting that his speech be addressed to them in a language that is understood by all.
President Aquino has been very “methodical” in his preparations for the SONA, the Palace source said.
To help prepare for the SONA, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) conducted a survey among different sectors in all the regions to find out what issues people wanted the President to address in the SONA, according to Secretary Coloma. (PIA
DOLE 8 brings services closer to people thru its new website
Tacloban City (July 24) — In order to reach out and to bring its services closer to the public, the Department of Labor and Employment in the region has formally launched its new website www.ro8.dole.gov.ph during the DOLE RO8 2010 Nutrition Month Celebration and Launching of the Breastfeeding Room on July 19, 2010.
DOLE 8 Director Forter Puguon said this is in line with the “Ready Tech Go! Project Deliverable” of then DOLE Secretary Marianito D. Roque where he wanted the DOLE Regional Offices to come up with a standard regional websites to reach out to the people and bring the services closer to them. The new Secretary of Labor Rosalinda Baldoz shares the same view as her predecessor, thus, she wants the DOLE regional websites to be in full place.
Director Puguon explained that the public can now easily access to the programs and services of DOLE with the new website.
In going on- line, the DOLE hopes to effectively communicate to the people what the Department is doing to fulfill its mandate to promote gainful employment opportunities, to develop human resources, to protect workers and promote their welfare, and to maintain industrial peace.
DOLE RO8 Information Systems Analyst Demmie Jose Uyvico and Labor Information Officer Virgilio A. Doroja, Jr. serving as web administrator and web manager, respectively, said that by just by clicking and browsing, the public can have information on the regular Programs, Services and Projects that the DOLE offers, the News Releases on all the activities of the Department, the latest minimum wage, and downloadable forms to make it easier for the clients to transact official business, the invitation to bid, and others.
A copy of the Labor Code and DOLE Citizen Charter is also posted on line to help researchers, lawyers, labor organization, employers and students.
Director Puguon encourages valued clients and stakeholders in the region to visit the new website and enjoy surfing for information about labor and employment. (PIA 8/DOLE
Samar GSP honors differently-abled Girl Scouts
By Ninfa B Quirante
Catbalogan City (25 July) — The Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Samar chapter treated their differently abled peers in a day of fun, games and food treats on Friday.
The activity dubbed as “A Day for Differently Abled Girl Scouts” had them singing, dancing and just having fun through interaction with other girl scouts.
At least some 32 differently abled students from all over Catbalogan city joined the fun with their parents, teachers, guardians and nannies at the GSP Heaquarters in Catbalogan, Samar.
Ms Trinidad Escobar, GSP Council President told PIA that this is their contribution to the nation’s observance of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDSPR) Week from July 13-23, 2010.
She said that NDSPR aims to stimulate public awareness of disability issues and concerns and also to promote the inherent rights of persons with disabilities.
In a message done by Ms Florfina Daradal, a GSP council board member, she urged the girls scouts not to lose hope for being differently abled.
She told the story of one woman stricken by polio, but was able to study being a teacher and ended up teaching home economics to children.
She then urged the parents, nannies and guardian to continue nurturing them despite the challenge.
To show their talents, visually impaired Mary Jane Cabornay sang a Christian song which she claimed was composed by the blind singer and composer Art Ramasasa. Ronalyn, another visually impaired lass sang Jessa Saragoza’s “Bakit Pa”. Bernard Longasa another visually impaired lad of 12 played on the organ and sang Willie Revillame’s “Ikaw na Nga” the later song had the differently abled kids singing with Bernard.
For the deaf and mute kids, dancing with Jollibee mascot proved to be so enjoyable, it was almost a non-stop dancing showdown.
The kids were also treated to a spaghetti snack given for free by Jolibee Manager Shaun Paul Pondiong.
Gift packs were also distributed to all differently abled girl scouts.
After the dance showdown, kids started taking turns in photo ops with the mascot Jolibee until the batteries of their cameras bleed dry. (PIA-Samar)
