100-millionth baby in Southern Leyte celebrates 1st b-day

100-millionth baby in Southern Leyte celebrates 1st b-day
By Rebecca Cadavos
The Population Commission
(PopCom) conducted a symbolic celebration of the identified 100
millionth baby in Southern Leyte.
The baby is from the municipality of
San Juan.
Provincial Population Officer Velma Kangleon said that the symbolic
celebration held Thursday handed
P15,000 worth of gift package and lots
(to page 4)
August 1-15 2015
Media Center, 2nd Flr., Capitol Bldg.
Vol. III, No. 3
PDRP to start soon
By Rebecca Cadavos
The Province of Southern Leyte
will soon start the Rehabilitation/
Improvement of Mahayahay-Manalog Farm-to-Market Road under
the Philippine Rural Development
Project, Gov. Roger G. Mercado
informed in a procurement conference held August 12 at the Provincial
Capitol here.
The said project, coursed through
the Department of Agriculture (DA),
was one of the most priority projects
of the province, Gov. Mercado said
in his opening message to the participants composed of the Bids and
Awards committee members, the DA
team and the Philippine Information
Agency, among other observers.
“The project will support the
Provincial Bids and Awards Committee - Procurement Conference Re-PRDP
project implementation with Gov. Roger Mercado, DA-FO 8 team led by
Onesimo Paduano, BAC Members and some observers held at the Provincial
(to page 4) Capitol, August 12, 2015.
Rep. Villar to push
modified scholarship
Las Piñas Lone District Representative Mark Villar will push for a
House Bill he authored which seeks
to provide students willing to finish
college courses but short on academic
scholarship requirements.
Villar, who was in the city as keynote speaker for the 15th Charter Day
rites August 10, told local newsmen in
a press conference at Kinamot sa Abgao
that his bill will not necessarily require
maintaining a high rating average unlike in mainstream scholarship qualifications, but will be contented with a
simple passing grade, at least no failures.
“Pipilitin po natin i-push yan within this administration,” the Las Pinas
lawmaker said when pressed how soon
his initiative can possibly see the light
of day.
In his speech at the city gym for the
anniversary program, Villar mentioned
this kind of scholarship program to
the wild, approving cheers of the jampacked audience who were mostly students.
Later in a text message, he disclosed
that “House bill 4591 providing for a
comprehensive and unified student financial assistance system for higher
and technical education, rationalizing
access thereto, and approving funds
(also known as UNIfast) was already
approved by both Houses” in Congress.
As of now the proposed law is
“awaiting signature of President Aquino,” the text message added.
DPWH embarks
P67M Agas-Agas
bridge protection
By Rebecca Cadavos
The Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH)-Southern Leyte Engineering District has embarked
on a P67 million project to
protect abutments and pier of
Agas-Agas Bridge in the municipality of Sogod.
DPWH District Engineer
Margarita C. Junia informed
that the first phase worth P9
million was already completed
last January, this year while the
2nd phase that cost P47 million
(to page 4)
Medical Mission Matters (MMM) a newly-organized non-government organization
conducted another free surgery starting
August 6, 2015 at the Southern Leyte Provincial Hospital in Dongon.
The MMM had their first cleft palate surgery in Southern Leyte last April, 2015 with
some 95 kids, mostly infants who were treated
for surgery in cooperation with the local governments, among other sectors.
The team led by founder Lawrence Mally,
a retired American Deputy Sheriff will be at the
By Erna Sy Gorne
Young blood donors fearlessly came
and joined the voluntary blood donation
to highlight the launching of the Provincial Voluntary Blood Services Council
(PVBSC) in the province of Southern Leyte
last Saturday, August 1, 2015 at Southern
Leyte Coliseum.
Provincial Governor Roger G. Mercado,who is also the chairman of the newly created PVBSC, led in the mass blood donation
with the extraction of his (1) bag of 450 cc
blood together with some provincial employees and students of the NSTP from the College of Maasin (CM), Saint Joseph College
(SJC) and the Maasin City College (MCC).
The mass blood donation was facilitated with the technical assistance of the PRC
Southern Leyte staff and volunteers and medical doctors from the Southern Leyte Provincial Hospital.
According to Philippine Red Cross (PRC)
Southern Leyte Administrator Jonas Maco,
(to page 2)
Mayors sign pact for Tech 4Ed
By Bong Pedalino
Several local chief executives of this province affixed their signatures
to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in which they will provide
space in their respective municipalities to house a learning system that
harnesses the power of internet
technology.
The other signatory of the MOU
document was the Department of
Science and Technology – Information Communications Technology
Office (DOST-ICTO), which will
provide the software and hardware,
including a one-year free wifi access,
to enable the constituents of the partner LGUs to make full, productive
use of the Tech4Ed project.
The signing ceremony was held
Wednesday, August 5, during the
First Provincial ICT Forum at the
provincial Coliseum.
In its very basic concept, Tech4Ed
extends access for individuals and
communities, especially in far-flung
areas of the country, to link with latest trends in online, digital, and social media technology, in the process
opening doors for grassroots development, inclusive growth, and poverty reduction.
(to page 2)
provincial hospital caring for patients mostly
children with cleft palate and tied tongue abnormalities free of charge including the patients’ and their accompany free of food and
transportation.
“We have around 77 patients to be operated here at the provincial hospital, including patients as far from Cebu and Bohol,” Mally said
in a short interview. Another surgery will be
conducted at Sogod District Hospital with 48
patients on August 11-15, 2015, Mally added.
He further said that another surgery is
scheduled on September 21-24, this year in
the municipality of Anahawan with around 21
patients to be operated.
Medical Mission Matters medical team,
include two doctors composed of 1 surgeon
and 1 anesthesiologist, four nurses and four
administrative staff.
“All doctors from MMM are Philhealth-accredted,” Mally revealed but those patients
who are not Philhealth members will be automatically Philhealth member charged to the
provincial government, he said.
He has been grateful with the support of
the provincial government through Gov. Roger
G. Mercado, among other provincial officials
who showed their support to the medical mission.
The said organization has been sponsored by Smile Train, an International Organization with the same advocacy as theirs.
Medical Mission Matters
holds free operations again
By Rebecca Cadavos
RGM leads
voluntary
blood donation
Vol. III, No.3
FEATURE:
Maasinhons, netizens greet,
praise victories Pagara
By Bong Pedalino
The slight drizzle on Saturday, fiesta day, nearly spoiled a parade meant to celebrate
the coming home here of a rising star in professional boxing many had hoped to be the
next Manny Pacquiao.
But the rain droplets fizzled out, and so the grand hero’s welcome for International Boxing
Federation (IBF) Champion Prince Albert Pagara pushed through, adding yet another festive
color for this year’s fiesta celebration and Ajonay festival.
Riding atop a blue pick-up with City Mayor Maloney Samaco by his side, the native from
barangay Lib-og, this city, gamely smiled and waved to adoring fans, his championship belt in
gold and red prominently displayed by a young aide up front while the vehicle inched its way
on the street behind the last ajonay dancing contingent.
Teen-agers swooned, shouted, shrieked to the top of their voices on seeing the 21-yearold boxing sensation in person, who can easily pass as a showbiz star than a boxer by his
looks.
Many could not contain their excitement as they struggled to take selfies in handy mo-
bile phones, and sophisticated cameras
clicked non-stop as the vehicle barely
moved on, the crowd simply enjoyed,
relished the moment at hand, obviously
with a mixed feeling of pride and awe.
The sense of euphoria overflowed
into the cyberworld seconds after PIA
posted photos of the motorcade in its
facebook page (Timeline Pia Southern
Leyte) -- the very first photos uploaded
-- with facebook user Atom Zyper apparently realizing that “aw Southern Leyte
diay na cija?” (So he is from Southern
Leyte?)
“So proud of him for putting Maasin City in the international arena,” commented Almira
Leonor Miras, a feeling evidently shared by everyone.
“Proud jod ta ani nija kay Maasin City ang gidala nga lugar sa iyang international fight,”
said Tabada Lee Yu. (We are proud of him because he carried Maasin City in his international
fight.)
That fight happened in Dubai on August 7, 2015, Dubai time, where Prince Albert Pagara
demolished Mexican Jesus Rios before the first round was over with a solid left upper cut,
sending Rios to the floor.
The win improved Albert’s record at 24 wins, zero defeat, 17 victories by knockout.
Also on the same fight, dubbed Duel in Dubai 2, Albert’s elder brother, Jason Pagara,
also won by a technical unanimous decision in the eighth round of his match against Ramon
Alcaraz, another Mexican, and the victory improved Jason’s record to 37 wins, 2 defeats, 22
victories by knockout.
“A technical unanimous decision means the referee stopped the fight because of an accidental injury, so the judges’ scorecards were read,” Mayor Maloney Samaco, himself a sports
buff, explained when PIA sought clarification.
So it was not just one but two Pagaras who should have been in the street limelight?
“Jason was still nursing his wound caused by the accidental head butt so he was not able to
come,” announcer Zaldy Olita blurted in Bisaya through the public address unit perched on top
of the blue pick-up vehicle, answering the puzzled faces of onlookers who expected to see not
one but two Pagaras.
“Ang next Manny Pacquiao kay taga Maasin,” wrote facebook user Denver Che. (The
next Manny Pacquiao is from Maasin,) The experts and the street smarts in boxing also have
that same vision.
The next question is, who among the two Pagaras will fill in the Pacman’s shoes?
For now, they will still be wearing their own shoes in their next bout on October 17 in California, USA, reportedly the last rung of the ladder to catapult them in more international fights
for their professional boxing careers should lady luck be on their side.
Will there be another hero’s welcome? Only lady luck, fate, and faith can answer that, too.
Or is it destiny waiting to happen?
Page 2
ESTORYAHI!
Willie Justimbaste
POE’s Amazing Grace
Poe’s amazing Grace has infuriated several political camps
they are throwing every brickbats and wild charges targeted at the
“foundling” or abandoned child. Their attempts have so far been
desperately frustrating with the counter remarks from the lady senator. For her comparative inexperience in governance, she says
this is a lot better than experience in corruption and misuse of government resources. For the citizenship issue labeled against her,
she says this will afford her and the people the proper venue for
the truth to come out and the motivation behind. She also thanked
her detractors and accusers for the opportunity to author a bill designed to protect abandoned children who are also as much the
victims as those of abuse, violence and conflict with the law. For
every stone hurled, Grace Poe has bread to throwback. So, how
do the PR handlers of professed wannabe’s solve a problem like
Grace Poe?
So the dominant Liberal Party apparently failing to get Grace
Poe to team up with Mar in 2016 is scouting for another tandem,
preferably a lady? The lady governor Vi from Batangas has the star
appeal with a track record to boot plus resources and winnability.
But the other lady widow of a great man and legend may just have
only the memory.
And the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) is hoping Grace
Poe- Chiz Escudero becomes the NPC dream team for 2016.
Should the Poe-Escudero tandem be ensnared into joining NPC,
the youthful duo who pride and strut around as independents will
be in the snakepit of trapos, businessmen, power peddlers and
discredited has-been’s waiting in the wings for such opportunity to
seize. The NPC is not known to breed presidentiables in the political history of this country. Although there is always a first time for
everything! Consistency and compatibility in words and actions are
also what we expect from our political leaders, not saying one thing
and doing another.
It’s quite obvious that the Binay Camp or UNA is very nervous
and sleepless about possible Grace Poe presidential candidacy
with or without Chiz Escudero. The very reasons why their mouthpieces take turns in lambasting Lady Grace but to no avail because
people look at the source or messenger and weighs in integrity,
credibility and factuality. Just like VP Binay assailing the Aquino
administration especially PNoy who the Filipinos would prefer, to
be on the side of history. They should point their heavy artillery at
the presidential annointee Mar Roxas. The trades against PNoy
are cheapshots like barking up the moon.
Mayors sign pact... (from page 1)
Faster communication, access to
information, government services,
skills training, job markets, and business opportunities can easily be done
with just a click of the computer
mouse once learners can be familiarized with the processes, said Beatrice
Quimson, Deputy Executive Director
of DOST-ICTO who showed a video
presentation of Tech4Ed, assisted by
Engr. Royden Rusiana.
Gov. Roger Mercado was in Manila on official business, and so he
was represented by Provincial Board
Member Atty. Abelardo Almar-
io, who stressed the importance of
tapping today’s high technology in
practically every aspect of life and
discipline, including the procedural
matters affecting the judiciary branch
of government.
Also present in the ICT Forum
was Jose Bagulaya, Director II of
DOST-ICTO Visayas Cluster 2 based
in Cebu City.
Incidentally, in his closing remarks, Bagulaya said his first assignment was in Southern Leyte during
the time when ICTO was named Bureau of Telecommunications then.
August 1-15, 2015
Vol. III, No.3
15TH CHARTER DAY GUESTS: Former Cong. Aniceto Saludo, Jr. was the lone
honorie as the Father of Maasin City for the passage of RA 8796. Other guests include former DOE Sec. Jericho Petilla (below left) and Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar TAKE 2: A medical team of expert Doctors gets down to work on patients, mostly
children, with cleft palate defects, at the provincial hospital. The free surgical op(below right).
eration was inititated by Medical Mission Matters, a non-government organization, and fully supported by the city and provincial governmets. This is the second
operation, the first was in April this year.
CLOSED: City Mayor Maloney Samaco personally tied the closure notice for
GI Store in barangay Tagnipa for violation of a local ordinance on anti-smoking.
The store has since re-opened after paying the required penalties.
CHANDELIER OF FRUITS wow visitors during the Pabulhon Festival (above photos)
AJONAY FESTIVAL contingents in full, colorfull costumes during the Maasin Fiesta Celebration August 15.
BLOOD DONATION: Gov. Roger G. Mercado takes the lead in being bleed with his blood in a voluntary blood letting event held at the provincial Coliseum. At far
right, Gov. Mercado holds the 450 cc bag containing blood freshly taken from him.
August 1-15, 2015
Page 3
Vol. III, No.3
TANOD CONGRESS GILUNSAD SA PROBENSYA
Padre Burgos, So. Leyte - Sa milabayng semana gipangunahan ni
Gobernador Roger G. Mercado, ug Ex-opisyo board member Nikko Verano Mercado, kauban ang mga local opisyal sa lungsod, sa Macrohon,
Padre Burgos, Malitbog, Limasawa og Tomas Oppus, ang Tanod Congress. Ang naasoy nga panagtigum nagtumbok sa ka importante sa
obligasyon sa mga tanod, ilabina sa panahon sa kagabihon nga biyaan
niya ang pamilya aron pagtuman sa gipanumpaan nga responsibilidad
sakop sa iyang hurisdiksyon.
Samtang nagpadayon ang programa didto sa Padre Burgos Gymnasium, gitumol usab sa Gobernador ang bag-o nga mga uniporme niini
ang gituyo paghimo sa usa ka tailoring shop sa dakbayan sa sugbo.
Giabayan usab sa batan-ong Mercado ang iyang amahan sa paghatag
og tanod insurance coverage sulod sa usa ka tuig. Sa habig sa mga barangay tanod ialng gipasalamatan ang provincial government, sa pagrekognesa sa ilang pundok.
Gidalitan usab sila sa goberno og snacks ug paniudto, ubos sa pakigtinabangay sa mga kawani sa provincial governor’s office.
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MAGAHATAG OG SERBISYO SA TAGA SO. LEYTE
Provincial Capitol, Maasin City - Hiniusang kalihukan aron pag-alagad
sa mga katawhan sa atong lalawigan ang ipahigayun gikan sa buhatan
sa Regional Development Council Office nga nakabasi sa Tacloban City.
Kini maoy gitog-an ni Maam Ida Sy Monson, Provincial Planning Officer
sa lalawigan diha sa dihang nakig-atubang siya sa pipila ka mga sakop
sa media, niadtong milabay nga semana. Dugang pa niya nga karong
September 18, 2015 moanhi sa atong dapit ang mga kawani gikan sa
National Bureau of Investigation, aron pagdawat sa mga katawhan nga
gustong mokuha ug NBI clearance Renewal ug new applicant. Moanhi
usab ang taga Foreign Affairs aron pagdawat usab sa mga applikante
PRDP to start... (from page 1)
province’ vision, that is self-reliance and empowerment of our people,” Mercado
said adding that the said project will fully support the agriculture development of
the province.
He further said that “as a coconut province the said project will support our
coconut industry through delivering the products, among other planting materials
to processing plants, will be convenient and with better time management in terms
of travel using the new farm-to-market roads.”
The PRDP farm-to-market road project under the Government of the Philippines Loan #PRDP-1B-R008-SOL-002 through World Bank cost P188,390,000.00
or $ 501,250.00. It is a partnership with the DA and the local government of
Southern Leyte as the implementing partner.
The whole amount will be counter-parted by the DA with 10% share and another 10% from the provincial government unit and the 80% will be funded by the
World Bank.
For the province of Southern Leyte, the 10% contribution or P18.390-M will
be sourced from the 20% Economic Development Fund (EDF), Provincial Accountant Crispin Arong Jr., a BAC member revealed.
The Provincial BAC is setting a pre-bid conference on September 18, 2015 at
the Jose Rizal Hall, Provincial Capitol and as part of the transparency measures
being instituted by the agriculture department.
The DA team led by Executive Secretary to Regional Director Leo Cañeda,
Onisimo Paduano informed that bidders for the said project can visit their office
or website at www.daprdp.net for the requirements of BAC.
nga buot magparenew sa ilang mga pasaporte, apil na usab kadtong mga
bag-o nga aplikante.
lain pang serbisyo:
a) Motabang sa mga beterano
b) Senior Citizens
c) mga tawo nga adunay disability problem
d) problema sa yuta
e) PRC Card Renewal
Kining maong kalihukan gipaluyuhan sa Goberno probensyal pinaagi sa kasibot ni Gov. Roger G. Mercado, aron paghatag og tinuoray
nga pag-pangalagad sa taga Southern Leyte.
100th-million baby... (from page 1)
of benefits from participating partner agencies as an overall assistance to Baby
Blair Balabis.
The partner agencies include PhilHealth for the baby’s lifetime health insurance, San Juan Rural Health Unit for her complete immunization, among
other health benefits, Social Welfare Office for the supplemental feeding,
among other social services, Department of Health for the baby’s health concerns and the overall growth monitoring and evaluation of the baby to be done
by the Popcom, Kangleon revealed.
She added that LGU-San Juan also committed an educational assistance
for Baby Blair.
The symbolic celebration, which was supposed to be done last July when
the baby was born on the 27th, was attended by Popcom Regional Director
Nora Pulma and Regional Coordinator Socorro Paz Cordova, together with a
PhilHealth representative, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer
Luzviminda Rosete, San Juan vice Mayor, among other local officials and RHU
staff.
The identification of the 100 millionth baby last year highlights the significance of the Philippine Population Management Plan in pursuing national and
local development, it was learned.
The 100 millionth Pinoys were based on the 2010 National Census by the
Philippine Statistics Authority when the country reached its 100-million population projection on July 27, 2014 at exactly 12:06 am.
DPWH embarks P67M... (from page 1)
is now 60% complete.
She added that another P11 million was allocated for Phase III to be
implemented within this quarter.
The whole project includes the installation of gabions and stone masonry near the bridge foundation which will serve as scour protection
during rainy days.
“We have to define waterways to control flow of water from the mountains that cause erosions,” DE Junia said.
The protection of the foundations is important to prevent the bridge
to collapse, she added, saying that when DPWH completed the project
in 2014, scouring near the bridge pier was unexpected and the timber
poaching contributed to the abnormal flow of water under the 311 feet
high bridge, Junia added.
The 350-meter long bridge which was inaugurated in 2009 was seen
as the permanent solution to landslide and rockslides in the said area.
It was funded through a loan worth P1.024 billion under the Japan International Cooperation Agency – Official Development Assistance. The
amount also include the more than a kilometer road concreting approaching the bridge, road slips and drainage system.
In the past years, the bridge had a P350,000 budget for its maintenance, but for 2015, DPWH-SLED secured a P4-M special funds for its
maintenance works.
RGM leads voluntary...(from page 1)
the PRC has been designated as the collection unit of the mentioned provincial blood council,
the Philippine Red Cross and the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte will actively embark the 100% Voluntary and Non-Renumerated Blood Donation program.
Maco further said, “ that thru the dynamic partnership with all the members of PVBSC in
the province, PRC is committted to get the 10% of the targeted population which is estimated
at 40,000 probable blood donors .” He further said that if the figures will start to count down
from the first month of January 2015, then the target is possibly attainable.
It is based with the nearly 400,000 total population of the province, he added.
Maco also disclosed that the provincial blood council is planning to campaign for more
blood donors across the province by municipality to include the City of Maasin.
Governor Roger Mercado was delighted to be a blood donor as a manifestation of his
desire to serve humanity and fellow countrymen thru this notable cause.
Mercado also reported that the provincial government will continue to subsidize financial
assistance to the indigents' need for the processing of screened blood with the appropriated
funds from the provincial coffers in the amount of P600,000.00. He said that after the indigents
will get a barangay certificate of indingency, they can readily avail the said financial subsidy
from the provincial government.
Page 4
August 1-15, 2015