Bigger Cruise ship to visit Limasawa

DOE to LGUs:
Train Technicians
By Rebecca Cadavos
August 16-31 2015
Media Center, 2nd Flr., Capitol Bldg.
Vol. III, No. 4
Bigger Cruise ship to visit Limasawa
DILG to award Seal of
Good LocalGovernance
to Limasawa
By Rebecca G. Cadavos
The Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG) is
set to award the island municipality of Limasawa with the Seal of
Good Local Governance (SGLG) in
a conferment ceremony scheduled
next month at the town’s gym.
Local government operations officer V Loren Abrau-Aniciete reported
that DILG regional director Pedro A.
Noval, Jr. will confer the SGLG Medal
to Mayor Melchor P. Petracorta and
unveil the SGLG Marker before municipal officials, employees and barangay officials.
She said that Limasawa is the
lone SGLG awardee for Southern
Leyte and one of only 5 municipalities
in Region 8 that have garnered the
award.
The SGLG Award entitles Limasawa with 3 million pesos Performance
Challenge Fund (PCF) as incentive.
Aniciete further reported that the
Seal of Good Local Governance is a
performance-based incentive for local governments that promote good
financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, social protection, business-friendliness and competitiveness, environmental management,
and peace and order.
The Department of Energy (DOE)
in their recent visit here in the province urged the local government units
through the city/municipal treasurers to train technicians who will be
responsible in calibrating gas dispensing pumps and LPG cylinders.
In a coordination meeting held by
the DOE officials with the coordinating members such as the Department
of Trade and Industry, Department of
(to page 2)
By Bong Pedalino
Inspired by the positive feedback
of the first cruise ship that docked in
Limasawa in February this year, another one will be coming, this time
a bigger one, and it will be in midMarch next year.
This was announced by Nedgar
Garvez, Provincial Tourism Officer,
during the Action Center cable TV
program Tuesday.
The upcoming tour will have another set of passengers, mostly moneyed, retired foreigners, males and
females, who enjoy travelling by ship
to select tourism sites in many parts
of the world.
On February 23, a cruise ship with
around 100 passengers landed in Limasawa island, virtually recreating a
scene nearly 500 years ago when the
natives first made contacts with travelling Europeans led by Ferdinand
Magellan, a Portuguese navigator under the services of Spain.
But while Magellan and his men
were looking for famed islands in the
orient that were rich in spices -- and
introduced a new faith in the process
-- the visiting foreigners on February
23 simply relished every moment of
their fleeting stay in the island.
Garvez recalled that the guests
broke agreed guidelines for their interaction with the townfolks of Limasawa, preferring instead a free-wheeling
mingle, such as eating the prepared
meals by hand, strolling around freely, dancing the beat of the Sinugdan
tune, and stayed longer than the allowed time.
(to page 2)
AT DPWH -SLEDO
P1.4B for 2016
By Rebecca Cadavos
Preparations on the detailed engineering design is now on-going for the
Php1.45 billion worth of infrastructure
projects in Southern Leyte next year.
The Department of Public Works and
Highways-Southern Leyte Engineering
District (DPWH-SLED) office has started the activity and will be completed on
November in time for the kick-off bidding
process for the 2016 projects.
DPWH-SLED Chief of Planning Section Engr. Vincent Sy III said that the design takes into account the defects of infrastructure, traffic volume and results of
the 2014 road and bridges inventory.
He added that the engineering department is looking at various considerations in coming up with designs that will
be the blueprint in the implementation of
identified projects.
Detailed engineering activities cov(to page 3)
23 personnel
hooked on drugs
By Rebecca Cadavos
An office-wide surprise random
drug test was conducted to all budgetary and Job Order field and office
personnel of the Department of Public
Works and Highways-Southern Leyte
Engineering Office (DPWH-SLEO),
Monday August 24.
DPWH-SLEO District Engineer Margarita Junia said that the activity was
planned and organized in coordination
with the National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) and administered by a Department
of Health (DOH)-accredited laboratory.
“The purpose of the random drug
testing is to cleanse the organization,” Junia said. She believes that healthy-bodied and healthy-minded personnel can
satisfactorily perform their duties and
responsibilities which forms an integral
(to page 3)
MILESTONES
MOVING ON: From left, new Provincial PNP Director P/Sr.Supt. Nicerio Obaob during a courtesy call to Gov. Roger Mercado; Jessica Escano-Pano signs his oath as new
Provincial Board Member to serve the unexpired term of the late Felicula Escano; New Silago Mayor Pacita Almine, formerly Vice-Mayor, serving the unexpired term of the
late Mayor Manuel Labrador.
Vol. III, No.4
TEXTBLAST NEWS
DTI gives Timbangan
The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
distributed 36 units of Timbangan ng Bayan weighing scales with complete housing to the 18 municipalities and the city of Maasin. These
Timbangans will be placed in the identified public markets easily seen
and accessible for consumers’ use and benefits. Consumers can now
check if the goods they bought have exact and correct weights. (esg)
Social Work passers
Nineteen (19) out of 24 BS in Social Work graduates from Maasin
City College (MCC) passed the recent Social Work Licensure Board
Exam last July 29-30, 2015, a 79.1% passing rate. City Mayor Maloney
Samaco presented the new registered Social Workers during the 15th
Charter Day anniversary program. MCC is subsidized by the city government for its commitment to poverty reduction. (esg)
Irrigation projects
Provincial Agricultural Services Office Engineering In-Charge Engr.
Feliciano Malaki said two irrigation facilities construction located in barangay Cantutang, Padre Burgos, and San Jose, Malitbog, were all
completed. These were funded from the provincial coffers, he said.
Another irrigation facility in the amount of P 1 million in barangays
Cogon and Biasong, Hinundayan, is already approved by Gov. Roger
Mercado. (esg)
Surgical Mission
The Department of Health (DOH) and the provincial government of
Southern Leyte announce the conduct of Surgical Mission on October
19-23, 2015, at the Provincial Hospital in barangay Dongon, Maasin
City. Doctors from Manila will conduct the operations on thyroidectomy,
cataract, cleft palate and lip, hermiography, pterigium, hydroccoelectomy, myoma, and renal stones. (rgc)
Disaster training for barangays
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to conduct barangay disaster risk reduction management trainings to educate barangay people on their local risks, hazards, and to identify local
capacities. PDRRMO Danilo Atienza said barangay folks are the first
responders in their communities in times of disasters. Gov. Mercado
approved the conduct of such training to 500 barangays all over the
province. (esg)
Midwives assembly
Around 90 midwives throughout Southern Leyte participated the
Maternal and Neonatal Child Health and Nutrition Assembly held in
Maasin City August 26, 2015. The activity aimed at giving updates on
the MNCHN program of DOH and foster strong camaraderie among
themselves, PHO I Dr. Noel Lumen informed. The event was held in
coordination with the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (rgc)
BUB road projects
DILG-Southern Leyte reported more local access road projects are
newly-completed under the Bottoms Up Budgeting (BUB) program in
barangay Matin-ao, Maasin City, in the amount of P 1.2 million and
Anahawan, Tomas Oppos, amounting to P 1.8 million. The same project in Sta. Cruz, Saint Bernard appropriated with P 1.65 million funds
is 80% complete now. Citizens are given the chance to propose programs in the BUB process. (esg)
ESTORYAHI!
Willie Justimbaste
Laws of God and Men
While the other block like VP Jojo Binay and Sen. Art Trillanes
have voiced their intentions to run for higher positions in 2016, the
Bisaya block like Sec. Mar Roxas of Iloilo, Sen. Grace Poe of Negros, Davao Mayor Rudy Duterte of Laboon, Maasin City and Sen.
Bongbong Marcos of Tolosa,Leyte have been mum, coy or enigmatic about confirming or denying. This is what maybe makes Visayan politicians surer, more calculating and careful about their moves
especially finances. “Para di dak-an sa gasto ug sajo modeklarar”.
Except for Duterte whose campaign ads splurge is very obvious and
expensive and his sorties clearly in the guise of federalism advocacy, the others are not saying just showing interest. We hope it’s not
the “helehele bago quiere” Pinoy way of secretly coveting something.
The enigmatic Duterte emphatically stresses on a nation-wide
television interview that he is not running unless there is no other
viable alternative. For which he will be morally bound to run. Scanning the political horizon however with a touch of history, there will
be no dearth or lack of contenders. Right now, a multi-cornered fight
for No. 1 and No.2 looms. There might even be a local version of
Donald Trump who does not have to pretend he could be the richest
US president. No use posing as poor man from Lubao or Makati, just
be honest when others are not!
There’s nothing to wonder at the Opposition criticizing the Administration, whether national or local, as long as the “attacks” are credible and not just politically convenient, being on the other side as of
the moment. Timing is also quite relevant for logical reason. For how
can one be a vital cog in any government machinery, enjoying the
perks and privileges of officialdom for almost half a decade, hearing
none but praise and also earning “pogi” points for oneself suddenly
backtrack for partisan motivation or worse money consideration. But
again, this is how it works in an environment of free choices. The
problem is almost always credibility and proximity to facts contrary
to allegations. Plus the personality of the source whose fame and
notoriety may precede him. Like, how can one preach against graft
and corruption if he himself has still to untangle himself from a web
of charges or from investigations he should answer and extricate
himself or his family and cohorts.
*****
Same sex marriage advocates have declared victory and its exponents the world over proclaimed a Round One TKO after the US
Supreme Court decided so. But again, this is USA not the Christian
especially Catholic universe. Whether this will succeed in the Philippines and other known bastions of the faith is a 64-dollar question.
What we are trying to avert is another contentious issue between
State and Church, not with the coming partisan election that is already very divisive. Who was it who said “We can change the laws
of Men anytime anywhere but not the laws of God ever!”
*****
We think there’s nothing definitive about rumored political alliances in Maasin City and Southern Leyte. The incumbents being
seasoned politicians as they are don’t telegraph their punches. It’s
still a long way to go and speculating or guessing is just a daydreamer’s preoccupation. To recall, veteran political leaders and perennial
winners in the political contest swear they would never give on a
silver platter their turfs to election perennial losers. They owe this to
their loyal constituents. People first, with or without political party!
Bigger Cruise ship... (from page 1
The Department of Tourism (DOT) was the agency arranging with cruise
ship travels in their destinations anywhere in the Philippines, in coordination
with the concerned local government units of towns and provinces where the
Star rating
tourists are expected to land.
Next year’s schedule, March 12, barring unforeseen obstacles, is timed on
DPWH Secretary Rogeio Singson has conferred a one star rating
the month in which Magellan’s fleet celebrated Mass in the shore of Limasawa,
certification for the District Materials Testing Laboratory of Southern
the day being an Easter Sunday, on March 31, 1521, and accounts in history
Leyte Engineering District (SLED). The said laboratory is the second
books said it was the First Mass ever celebrated on land in the Philippines.
facility in the region that got the star rating from the DPWH Central
Garvez said it was just fine that the second cruise ship visit was set weeks
Office. The first was the 2nd Leyte Engineering District, the field office
headed by District Engineer Margarita Junia before she came to SLED. earlier than the First Mass anniversary so as not to disturb the religious significance of the event.
(esg)
Page 2
August 16-31, 2015
Vol. III, No.4
Southern Leyte joins Nationwide Broadcastreeing Tree-planting August 21, 2015
The event doubles as the 64th birthday celebration of Governor Roger Mercado.
23 personnel... (from page 1)
part of achieving the department mandates, she added.
The activity was conducted right after the flag raising ceremony. The employees
were directed to proceed to the function hall where the drug testing took place. More
than 300 personnel went through the drug test, the source said.
Earlier, the lady district engineer pushed for a mandatory drug testing after
agents of the Philippine Drug enforcement Agency (PDEA) caught a DPWH-SLED
regular employee for illegal drugs trade last March this year. The suspect alleged
that drugs he traded were intended for government engineers.
“The suspect’s claim is alarming because it brought shame to the whole organization,” Junia said.
The surprise drug test found out to have 23 DPWH employees positive of drugs.
Though, a confirmatory test is still sought and what action to take with the said employees who were found positive. Junia revealed.
The mandatory drug test is part of DPWH-SLED’s drive to increase awareness
on the harmful effects and dangers of drug use/abuse in workplaces
P1.4B for 2016... (from page 1)
ered the setting of design standards, conduct of field surveys and investigations,
preparation of design plans and design report, preparation of contract plans and the
determination of contract packages.
Technical specifications, quantity estimates, cost estimates and the approved budget for the contract are also included in the preparation, Sy added.
Under the proposed 2016 Infrastructure projects based on the National Expenditure Program, the district office is tasked to implement Php1.45 billion of projects, it
was learned.
The said projects include Php160.6 million rehabilitation, upgrading and construction of national highways; Php209.21 million improvements and widening of national
roads, construction of missing gaps, off-carriageway improvement; and the P596.97
million for the construction and maintenance of bridges along national highways.
Also listed are P27.19 million for the construction and maintenance of flood mitigation structures and drainage systems, P320 million for improvement of access road
leading to tourist destinations and another P90 million for the construction and repair of
various infra including local projects.
August 16-31, 2015
Page 3
Vol. III, No.4
By: DANIEL C. MATURAN
NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION NAGPATABANG
SA SOCIAL MEDIA
MGA PROGRAMA NI MAYOR MALONEY SAMACO –
HUGTANUNG IPATUMAN SA HCI
NGCP, Banilad, Cebu City - Niadtong milabay nga mga adlaw ang National Grid Corporation of the Phil. NGCP mi-imbitar sa mga mediamen/
women nga nakabase sa Region 8, aron ilang ipakita ang ilang klasi sa paghatag og mga serbisyo sa mga katawhan sa natad sa sugang dagitab. Ang
maong panagtigum ginahimo didto sa Brgy. Banilad, Cebu City nga diin
atoa nahimutang ang ilang power plant. Gipasabot sa mga opisyal sa NGCP,
nga ang ilang negosyo sa mga opisyal sa NGCP, nga ang ilang negosyo mao
ang pagpahilona sa mga wire nga maoy latayan sa kuryente aron ipadangat
sa mga “power supplier” padulong sa atong mga balay. Dugang pa nila nga
ang atong kuryente sa pagkakaron moabot sa nagkalain-laing dapit susama sa Bohol, Cebu province, sa Negros og hangtod pa sa pipila ka lugar sa
Luzon. May higayon usab nga sa panahon nga nipis ang atong reserba sa
kuryente, mokuha sila og supply gikan sa Luzon power supplier sa pagkakaron ang NGCP naghimo og lain nga linya sa kuryente gikan sa Ormoc nga
planta padulong sa atong lalawigan isip ikaduhang linya, engkaso og adunay
mga imerhensya nga dili kapugngan. Sobra og otsenta ka mga journalists
gikan sa Region 8 ang naminaw sa pagpasabot sa taga NGCP didto sa Mark
Hotel, Cebu City. Mikabat ug duha ka adlaw ang naasoy nga kalihukan nga
nag-ulohan “Power Briefing for Local Media (Power 102).
Ubay – ubay sa mga programa ni Mayor Maloney Samaco kabahin sa maayong
panglawas ug pag – amuma sa palibot aron sa pagmentinar sa kahinlo sa kinaiyahan
sa Maasin ang hugtanong tutukan karon sa Healthy Cities initiative (HCI) pinanguluhan
ni Christopher Plateros, ang team leader sa naasoyng buhatan. Gibutyag ni Plateros
nga apil sa ilang tutokan mao ang no smoking ordinance sa dakbayan diin gipasabot
niini nga sirad – an ug dili na paga – abrihan pa hangtud sa hangtud ang mga tindahang katulo na nasakpang namaligya ug sigarilyo. Lakip usab nga pagasikopon ug
ibalhog sa karsil ang si bisan kinsang masakpan nga nanigarilyo sa pangpublikong
dapit human kini kahatagi ug warning.
Gipasabot usab ni Ardin Markines nga apil sa ilang hugtanung ipatuman mao ang
anti – lettering ordinance, diin pagasikopon ug pahamtangan ug multa ang si bisan
kinsa nga masapang maglabay sa ilang sagbot o basura diha sa kadalanan sigun sa
gilatid sa ordinansa. Tumong niini mao ang pagmintinar sa kahinlo sa atong dakbayan
ug aron usab malikay ang tanan nga makahanggap sa hugaw nga hangin gikan sa
mga basurang gipataka ug labay nga nagdala ug sakit. Kini ang mga panglantaw ni
Mayor Maloney Samaco isip amahan sa dakbayan nga nagtan –aw alang sa kaayuhan
sa iyang katawhan.
PDRRMO NAGPAHIGAYON OG DISASTER
TRAINING SA MGA BARANGAY
Brgy. Abgao, Maasin City - Climate Change is the no. 1 enemy of the
environment”. Gumikan niining maong mga gumonhap sa atong kalibutan
nga bisan gani ang mga sayantipeko nga nagtuon sa pagohemok sa mga gagmay’ng orbeto nga naglibot sa kalibutan dili makatombok sa aktwal nga mga
panghitabo nga mokalit lang og hasmag sa dili damhon nga oras og adlaw.
Hinungdan nga ang atong lalawigan sa pagdumala ni Gob. Roger G. Mercado nagahimo karon og mga depensa aron makonhuran ang dili maayo nga
mga kaswalidad ilabina sa pagkawala sa kinabuhi og mga kabtangan.
Sa milabay nga semana gilunsad usab sa PDRRMO ubos sa pagdumala ni Bro. Danilo Atienza ang programa aron etraining ang mga barangay
opisyal sa disaster preparedness. Mga barangay nga unang naka-angkon sa
maong kahibalo, mao ang barangay Hinapu Daku, Hinapu Gamay, Cabadiangan, San Agustin, Nonok Norte og Pinaskohan. Gihimo ang bansay-bansay sa Ampil Function House solud sa tulo ka adlaw.
Ang pondo niini aprubado sa Provincial Budget og sa Commission on
Audit.
DOE to LGUs... (from page 1)
Science and Technology, the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National
Police; and local government unit representatives, particularly the local treasurers, they were encouraged to help and assist their department in monitoring
local oil industries such as the gasoline stations and LPG retailers.
“Dispensing pumps and LPG cylinders must be properly calibrated and after calibration it must be sealed to avoid illegal activities,” DOE Engr. Jose Ray
Maleza in his message said during the meeting held at Maasin Country Lodge.
DOE’s mandate is to regularly monitor all downstream oil industry players
to the compliance of quantity and quality standards petroleum products sold
in the market, Maleza said, adding that the DOE in Visayas region is based in
Cebu and with only little manpower, “maybe four years from now will be our
next visit in this province.”
Illegal activities in LPG-retailing business are scrapped and dilapidated
cylinders, underrefilling, rusty tank, to name some, Maleza said. “An LPG
tank has a net weight of 11.0 kilograms and gross weight of 23.0 kg., already
refilled. “
A gas dispensing pump, meanwhile, needs to be calibrated as often as necessary and after calibration it should be sealed immediately by an authorized
calibrating entity or authorized technician, Maleza added.
Calibration shall be performed to correct any deviation from the appropriate delivered quantity as measured by a calibrating bucket certified and sealed
by the authorized entity.
Page 4
MGA ILLIGAL VENDORS SA SYUDAD – HIPUSON
Pinaagi sa pagtugot sa buhatan sa planung hipuson sa kasamtangang nagdumala
sa market operation ning dakbayan ang mga illigal vendors nga anaa nagpahigayon
sa pagpamaligya sa bisan asang kanto ning syudad aron sa ingun niana mahiusa ang
tanang mga baligya didto sa public market ug mamonitor usab ang mga baligyang
isda, gulay ug uban pa kon kini presko o dili na angayan nga ibaligya. Kahibaloan nga
kasamtangang dunay mokabat sa 13 ka mga stolls ang bakanti karon samtang 41 ka
mga lamesa sa isdaan area ang duna nay mga tag – iya.
Gibutyag nga ang naasoyng mga illigal vendors magbayad kini sa lamesa sulod sa
mercado publiko sa inadlaw nga paagi.
EMPLEYADO SA DPWH – SLDEO, GIPAGAWAS NA SA KARSIL
Himan sa unom ka bulan nga pagkabilanggo kasamtangang gawasnun na karon
ang usa ka suspitsado sa pagpayuhot sa ginadiling druga kinsa usa ka empliyado sa
DPWH – SLDEO. Mahinumduman nga gisikop sa mga ginsakpan sa philippine drug
enforcement agency (pdea) niadtong pebrero 22, 2015 didto sa mahayahay sakop ning
dakbayan ang usa ka “osman cadano gamohay” 32 anyos sa dihang aktong nasakpan
sa mga personahi sa pdea sa nga matud pa namaligya sa ginadiling druga.
Human sa makuting pagtimbang – timbang husgado gipakanaug ni city prosecutor
elpedio quejada ang kamanduan sa pagpagawas ni osman cadano gamohay tungod sa
kapakyas sa mga reklamanti sa paghatag ug tubag sa mga pahayag sa mga witness
batok sa mga reklamanti ingun man sa pagpresenta ug dugang lig – ong mga ebidensya
batok sa akosado.
Gibutyag ni district engineer maria margarita junia, iyang ipadayon ang iyang adbokasiya sa usa ka buhatan nga walay mga empliyado nga nag gamit sa ginadiling druga
piinaagi sa pagpahigayun ug mga surprise drug test. Mahinumduman nga mikabat sa 23
ka mga empliyado sa dpwh – sldo ang nakit – ang positibo sa pag gamit sa ginadiling
druga sa gipahigayung drug test sa 200 ka mga empliyado sa naasoyng buhatan.
CITY JAIL – GIDUGANGAN UG SILDA
Tungod sa hangyo ni Jail Warden Jennifer Joyce Abar nga kadugangan ug silda
ang city jail gumikan sa kahuot niini tungod sa nagkadaghang mga inmates, gihatagan
kini ug katumanan ni City Mayor Maloney Samaco diin kasamtangan karong gigamit
na ang bag – ong selda nga musulod ug 60 ka mga individual. Ang naasoyng dugang
selda dunay gahin nga mokabat ngadto sa Php300,000 kapin kon kulang nga gisugdan pagtrabaho niadtong Mayo 29, 2015 ug natapos kini niadtong bulan sa Agosto
ning tuiga. Sulod niini sa mao ang 3 ka toilets ug washing area. Lakip usab sa gihatag
sa lokal nga kagamhanan sa syudad ngadto sa city jail mao ang 3,000 square meters
nga luna sa yuta nga maoy pagatukuran sa basketball court aron magamit sa mga
inmates alang sa ilang paugnat sa kusug, apil usab niini ang perimeter fence nga
gisaad sa Mayor. Gilauman sa Warden nga mapagawas na ang pundo niini sa dili pa
matapus ang tuig 2015.
August 16-31, 2015