PNP Southern Leyte holds report writing contest for police investigators
By Erna S. Gorne
Among the police investigators joining the first ever report writing contest held at Camp Governor Alfredo K. Bantug in Maasin City last Tuesday, SPO3 Rodrigo C. Amper, who is currently the police investigator of Pintuyan Police Station, was adjudged as the best investigation report writer in the province. The winner will represent SLPPO in the next level of competition.
Barely a month in Southern Leyte, Provincial Director Police Senior Superintendent Pepito M. Pacada highly recommended to the regional police office for the enhancement of investigation reporting skills among the investigating police officers even in the province.
Consequently, the a regional level competition has been scheduled on October 19, 2009 to be held at Camp Ruperto K. Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, Provincial Director Pacada disclosed.
The contest is aimed to improve the report writing skills which pertains to investigation reporting of individual PNP member, PD Pacada added. (PIA)
PGMA boosts fight vs poverty, orders KALAHI-CIDSS expansion
KALAHI-CIDSS stands for Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, which is one of the flagship poverty alleviation projects of the government. It is spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The project employs a community-driven development approach and people participation to reduce poverty, improve local governance, and empower people.
President Arroyo said the government will add 16 more municipalities this year to the existing 184 areas (in 42 provinces) covered by KALAHI-CIDSS.
In Western Visayas, the project now covers 12 municipalities in Iloilo and 4 each in Capiz and Negros Occidental.
DSWD Regional Director Teresita S. Rosales revealed that the region has the most number of sub-projects implemented among the regions of the country with 712 for KALAHI-CIDSS and 169 for Makamasang Tugon.
Makamasang Tugon is a pilot test of the local governments’ readiness to harmonize the KALAHI-CIDSS approach into the local planning process.
Rosales said DSWD has poured in P721.3 million to these projects that include 283 roads, 118 health stations, 107 school buildings, 101 common service facilities, 94 day care centers, and 84 water systems.
The World Bank (WB), which is providing funding support to the project, said at a review of KALAHI-CIDSS that “overall project implementation progress is satisfactory” and KALAHI-CIDSS “continues to make progress in achieving its overall development objectives…”
DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral welcomed the positive reports from the KALAHI-CIDSS’s Seventh Implementation Review and was assured of Project expansion support during a management meeting with the World Bank.
Discussions of proposals for additional financing of $104 million from the World Bank and $140 million from the Millennium Challenge Corporation are ongoing. (PIA 6-JSC/DSWD)
GSP raises funds for Ondoy victims
By Rachelle M. Nessia
The partial donors are, namely: Dumaguete City High School (P1,012.45); Antonio B. Alejado Memorial High School in Dauin (P358.50); Tanjay City National High School (P2,916.55); Mabinay National High School (P1,100); and San Jose Elem. School, San Jose District (P253). The following schools from Valencia District also contributed, namely: Palinpinon Elementary School (P470); Bong-ao Elem. School (P410); Malaunay Elem. School (P600); Puhagan Elem. School (P224); Liptong Elem. School (P425); and Valencia Central School (P1,050.75).
The total amount is the collection as of October 7, 2009.
Local GSP Council Executive Rosario Rosales said that donations in kind were also given by Glenda Duran, council trainer, in the form of bed covers and blankets.
Rosales said the amount collected was deposited at the GSP’s Banco de Oro account while donations in kind will be sent to GSP’s national headquarters. (PIA/rmn)
NSO conducts survey on domestic visitors
The 2009 Household Survey on Domestic Visitors (HSDV), the 3rd Quarter Labor Force Survey (LFS) and the 2009 Survey on Overseas Filipinos (SOF).
NSO personnel will interview a total sample of 1,396 households all over the province. About 700 households from the total sample households will be asked on HSDV. Household members aged 15 years and over will be asked about labor force and their employment characteristics. Details about household members who left for abroad for the last five years will also be asked. On the other hand, all members aged 15 years old and over of the 700 households will be asked about the travels they had made from April to September 2009.
Provincial Statistics Officer Fred Sollesta of the NSO is encouraging the sample respondents of the households that will be visited, to be cooperative and patient and give the necessary information to the questions asked by the NSO personnel. The credibility, accuracy and reliability of data and information being produced by the NSO are highly dependent on the responses given by the sample respondents.
The 2009 HSDV is being undertaken jointly with the Department of Tourism. This survey aims to collect data on the travel characteristics and volume of domestic tourism in the country. The data to be gathered from this survey would be vital to the effective and efficient development and implementation of tourism plans and programs.
Specifically, the survey aims to provide baseline data to measure the volume of domestic tourism, determine the profile and travel characteristics of domestic visitors, identify the travel patterns of the Filipino households and estimate the extent and economic contribution of domestic tourism in the country.
On the other hand, the 2009 SOF is a nationwide survey that seeks to gather information on Filipino citizens who left for abroad during the last five years that is for the period October 2004 to September 2009. The 2009 SOF is geared towards obtaining the national estimates on the number of overseas Filipinos including overseas workers and their socio-economic characteristics and to provide estimates on the amount of cash and in kind transfer received by the families and mode of remittances.
The Labor Force Survey is a regular undertaking by the NSO. It is being conducted quarterly to have estimates on the levels of employment and unemployment in the country. *(NSO/PIA/EAD)
Gov orders 3-month rice buffer for Capiz
by Jemin B. Guillermo
Tanco made the directive amidst public fear of possible rice shortage in the Capiz if the farm produce here will be shipped out to other provinces that were greatly affected by typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng.
Tanco said that he had directed the NFA Capiz to have a 3-month rice reservation to ensure sufficient supply for Capiceños.
He said that after typhoon Frank devastated the rice fields in Capiz last year, farmers have begun to recover abundant farm produce.
Tanco said that monitoring of rice and other agricultural products in Capiz should be done in order to share excess products to other areas that were hit by said typhoons.
Earlier, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed concerned government agencies to ensure adequate supply of goods in the coming months.
According to Deputy Spokesperson Anthony Golez, the initial damages to the farm sector reached P5.5 billion and still rising.
He said that Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has already assured the Cabinet and the public that there is enough stock of agriculture products for the whole year, however, added that the effects of typhoons in agriculture stocks can be felt by the first half of next year.
Yap, he said, will import rice the earliest possible time to meet the demand of Filipino consumers next year. (PIA)
Southern Leyte LGUs avail of DA-funded Bagsakan outlets
By Bong Pedalino
Southern Leyte (7 October) — At least four local government units (LGUs) from this province, including the city of Maasin, had opened their respective Barangay Bagsakan, a designated market place in a village where farmers can directly sell their produce at a competitive price, and consumers can buy various farm products at lesser costs.
In a related development, three LGUs from Panaon Island — San Ricardo, Pintuyan, and San Francisco — were able to access a muncipal-wide Bagsakan Center, according to Marina Gardor, the Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Provincial Agriculturist.
In a phone interview with PIA this morning, Gador said her office launched a Barangay Bagsakan in Hinundayan yesterday, October 6, together with municipal officials led by Mayor Evelyn Lee, and attended by provincial Board Member Dr. Roberto Lagumbay in behalf of Gov. Damian Mercado.
The first Barangay Bagsakan in the province was in Maasin City, which opened and became operational since last year. The others were in Libagon and Limasawa, said Gador.
Maasin City can qualify for a Bagsakan Center, but this was deferred for lack of proper venue and structure, she added. It was learned that the city’s Barangay Bagsakan was housed in the LGU-owned building at the port area when it opened last year, but this was moved to the terminal area when GSIS transferred to the said port building.
Gador said the Barangay Bagsakan has a corresponding funding for its operational existence given by the central office of the Department of Agriculture, through the Regional DA office, in the amount of over P 240,000.00, where the LGU concerned would take care of the personnel complement for management and site as the counterpart.
The allocation for a Bagsakan Center — to differentiate it from the Barangay Bagsakan, aside from its much wider scope — was P 1 Million, Gador disclosed.
The three Panaon island towns which had availed of the Bagsakan Center project had already received their initial capital of P 500,000.00 each, except San Ricardo, which is still in the process of completing the needed paperworks, Gador said.
But whether big or small in coverage and scope, the basic concept of a bagsakan as envisioned by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been to put nutritious food on the table of every family, while at the same time provide a secure market for the harvested crops of local farmers and vegetable growers, Gador explained.
The capital outlay for a Bagsakan, be it a Barangay or a Center, required that farmers/sellers be paid directly in cash by management, mostly designated Agriculture office employees, and that some assets be bought like a weighing scale and thresher, among others.
Gador said that during yesterday’s Barangay Bagsakan launching in Hinundayan, which was also attended by personnel from DA Regional and Central Office, a farmer asked if he would have a surplus of produce, in which case Board Member Lagumbay relayed the pledge of Gov. Mercado to provide free transport so the excess output can be brought to other areas of the province. (PIA-Southern Leyte)
DTI closely monitor prices of basic commodities
San Jose, Antique (7 October) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the province is regularly monitoring the prices of basic and prime commodities in compliance with the national declaration of the state of calamity due to typhoon Ondoy and Peping that hit the country.
Jose Divinagracia, Provincial Director of DTI in an interview emphasized that storeowners should comply with the order (in which copies were already sent to them) of not increasing the prices of basic and prime commodities especially now that the country is slowly recovering from the devastation.
Inspite the fact that we are not directly hit by the typhoon, control in prices of goods can help avoid panic buying particularly those who fear that commodities will be out of stock and also to avoid pulling out stocks from other regions if the prices are high especially in calamity affected areas. Prices will be based on the prevailing price per municipality, said the source.
Price control will also ensure that traders will not take advantage of the situation where affected families are in dire need of such commodities.
Meanwhile, DTI also is reminding the public to be careful in buying Christmas lights and electrical devices for Christmas. They should always see to it that it pass the product standards set by the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS). For imported products it should have the seal/sticker bearing the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark and for locally produce devices it should have the PS mark.
Divinagracia said that they have already sent notices to storeowners to order products only which pass the standards of BPS or else products who failed to comply with this directive will be confiscated and store owners will be subjected to corresponding charges and penalties.
DTI encouraged the consumers to be vigilant with their rights and obligations to ensure they will not be taken advantage of by unscrupulous traders. They can report to DTI or any other agencies in cases where they are not satisfied with the products and services. (PSM/PIA) [
Quality Ilonggo bamboo products on 7-day display
by T. Villavert
Iloilo City (6 October) — A showcase of the best and newest items and designs of bamboo furniture and furnishings kicked-off yesterday in Iloilo City as the Department of Trade and Industry and Iloilo’s prominent bamboo manufacturers and exporters conduct a seven-day exhibit dubbed Kawayan Market Week.
DTI-Iloilo Director Wilhelm Malones said in a PIA interview that Iloilo is home to hundreds of small, medium and large manufacturers and exporters and our bamboo industry has contributed to the government’s job generation program.
Malones said the seven-day economic and trade fair currently being held at the SM City Mandurriao activity center is participated in by 20 members of the Iloilo Bamboo Producers Development, Inc. with the theme “Bamboo for the Millennium”.
He explained that the event advocates the use of bamboo as raw material- alternative for wood, and bamboo plants are good in preventing soil erosion.
The Kawayan Market Week has helped open Iloilo bamboo to the outside world, and “we are considered by other regions in the counry as the center of the bamboo industry”.
Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in one of her visits in various areas in the country urged to plant bamboos in riverbanks to help mitigate the effects of climate change and serve as a source of livelihood.
The President said the bamboo contributes both for environmental improvement and socio-economic growth. (PIA6)
PNP orders full probe of killing of Northern Samar governor’s brother
Tacloban City (October 6) — Police Region 8 Director Mario Rupinta Sandiego has ordered his men to thoroughly investigate the killing of the brother of Northern Samar governor who was shot to death at about 4:30 in the afternoon on October 2, inside the Cockpit of Rosario town, about 20 kilometers west of Catarman.
This was learned from PSSupt. Manuel Cubillo, chief of Regional Police Community Relations, who said that the order was given by Director Sandiego upon learning about the killing on Friday afternoon.
Based on the spot report submitted by Police Senior Superintendent Eusebio Mejos, Northern Samar Provincial Director, on or about 4:30 in the afternoon of October 2, the victim identified as Manuel Daza y Aguila alias Manolo, 64 years old, businessman and co-owner of Rosario Cockpit Arena, a resident of Barangay San Agustin, Lavezares, Northern Samar, and a brother of Northern Samar Governor Raul A. Daza, was shot to death at Rosario Cockpit Arena at Barangay 3, San Lorenzo, Rosario, Northern, Samar.
The victim was allegedly sitting at the “Bidder Stand” when he was shot to death by unidentified suspects with the use of Caliber 45 and 9MM pistols inflicting fatal wounds on the back portion of his body and nape that caused his instantaneous death.
The suspects fled using the back door of the arena towards the hilly area of the municipality.
Immediately, elements of Rosario Police Station led by PSI Joy Leanza, chief of police, arrived at the crime scene, secured the area and coordinated with the Engineering company of the Philippine Army located at Barangay Guindautan to conduct hot pursuit operations.
Thereafter, one team from the Rosario CAA Detachment led by Sgt. Arnold Miranda arrived at the area and helped in the conduct of hot pursuit operation to track down the suspects.
Upon receipt of the information, PSSupt Mejos immediately directed the chief of police of San Jose Police Station, Police inspector Gilbert Lee Mendova to proceed to the area and conduct a checkpoint operation with the Regional Mobile Group personnel.
PSSupt. Mejos also dispatched the 807th Provincial Police Mobile Group personnel led by PCI Menandro Hayag, group director, as augmentation force together with the investigator of NSPPO to the crime scene; and called up the chief of Police of Levezares, PSI Gemmer Rubiera to immediately conduct checkpoints including the police chiefs of Allen, Bobon, Victoria and San Isidro for possible arrest of the suspects.
HE also informed the Provincial SOCO team led by PSI Gerardo Hermossila to proceed to the area, and called up higher office to inform the Regional Director about the incident.
Recovered from the crime scene by the SOCO team were three pieces empty shell of caliber pistol, two pieces empty shell of caliber 9MM and two pieces of slug for caliber 45 pistol.
It was learned that the victim was about to go home after a cockfight when a group of armed men wearing bonnets fired several gunshots at him.
The killing of Daza came about, barely 27 days when the younger brother of Vice Governor Antonio Lucero, Fr. Cecilio Lucero was ambushed by still unidentified armed described by witnesses as wearing bonnets. (PIA 
CSC spearheads free medical-dental mission
By Alice Nicart
Tacloban City (6 September) — Throngs of indigents flocked today to the Eastern Samar Capitol Lobby as the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Provincial Field Office here, initiated a free Medical/Dental/Optical/ Legal Mission.
Mr. Emmanuel Fuentes, CSC Provincial Director said that the activity is in line with the Commission’s 109th year Anniversary with the theme: “Honoring our Heroes in Republic Service, Responsive, Ethical Public Servant with visions, integrity, commitment and excellence.”
“We envisioned to reach out to the poor through a medical mission but having no funds for the purpose, we sought the assistance and support of the Provincial Government which readily gave in to our request,” Fuentes said.
In effect, four service package were made available to the teeming indigents and not so indigents alike.
Mr. Caloy Capito, DYES Senior Broadcaster expressed his elation for the poor at the free dental service given by the team of Dr. Gil Maximo Bejar.
“Just imagine, extraction of a single tooth would cost one, some P200.00,” Caloy taunted. “This program of the Provincial LGU is indeed a big help to many of our Kababayan,” he added.
Moreover, there was also a long line of people wanting reading eyeglasses. Hon. Thelma U. Nicart, President of the Provincial Councilors League (PCL) sponsored the hundreds of reading eyeglasses which were awarded to the poor while a team of optometrists examined their eye needs.
Atty. Byron Suyot, Chief of Staff of Governor Ben Evardone with his team, on the other hand, extended free legal assistance. Some high school students who had problems in their birth certificates were given free legal advice.
But most of the customers flocked to the table of the medical team of Dr. Buddy Evardone, Provincial Chief of Hospitals. Very common complaints were high blood pressure and high glucose count.
Atty. Suyot, who spoke in behalf of Gov. Evardone was glad at the positive response of the public; he said they are even contemplating to integrate the said program in the project Barangay Empowerment Network (BEN) which has recently won f
