11th May 2013

DSWD fears deluge of 'beneficiaries', appeals Pols not to use 4Ps in election Posted by Jani Arnaiz, Chief Editor on May 11, 2013, 3:58 am   By Jani Arnaiz May 11, 2013 MAASIN CITY – The provincial link of the 4Ps program (Pantawid Pilipino Pamilya program) of the DSWD expresses fear that a deluge of “beneficiaries” will come to their office after the elections saying the program was used reportedly by Liberal Party to get votes for their local candidates. Manneth Catina, provincial link of the 4Ps program said, “We are afraid that after the election those who are being listed even if not qualified to be a member would come to our office and would blame us if they will be turned down.” She said the evaluation for new members has been suspended at the start of the election period “so that the program to alleviate the poor will not be politicized.” She stressed, “We did not receive any order from the national office to continue the evaluation. If ever there is one we have nothing to do with it.” She admitted in an interview that they received report that a certain Rico Cajife, who claimed that he is the NAPCI coordinator in Southern Leyte, is coordinating with the local Liberal party in listing possible beneficiaries of the 4Ps. She also said that the form they used is different from what we are using. “We are appealing to the politicians not use the 4Ps for political ends,” Catina said. Cahipe is reportedly using a form with the picture of Pres. Aquino with markings of Liberal Party and yellow ribbon. The report also alleged that leaders of local LP are facilitating the listing with the promise that they will become members of 4Ps. “There is no ongoing National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), the arm of the 4Ps for indentifying poor families,” said Catina adding that those who will qualify are only those who have 0-14 aged children. “Even if they are poor but they have no children with 0-14 age requirement they will not become a member.” Catina pointed out that no one can delist the beneficiaries as long as they follow the conditionalities. She said that among the conditionalities are pre and post natal check-up for pregnant mothers, 0-2 years old should have monthly check-up and in every two months for 3-5 years. Six to 14 years old should undergo deworming and attend monthly family development session and should attend school for at least 85 percent. The beneficiaries received P500 per household monthly as health grant, P300 per child per month for education and P1,400 for those who have three children enroled in school. Cajife in an interview with local radio station, he said that the on-going listing is a special project for Southern Leyte from the National Anti Poverty Commission (NAPCi) which will end on May 30. He said did not get cooperation from the local officials so he coordinated with the local LP. Several calls and text messages were made but Cahipe never returned the calls and answered text messages.  Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

10th May 2013

Mammoth crowd in LP miting de avance Posted by Jani Arnaiz, Chief Editor on May 10, 2013, 12:04 am   By Jani Arnaiz May 10, 2013  MAASIN CITY -- Hundredsof people mostly wearing yellow shirts flocked at an open space at the wet market area on Thursday for the miting de avance of former Gov. Rosettte Lerias and her LP candidates. Lerias faces mayor Malone Samaco and her daughter Marisa against gov. Damian Mercado for a seat in congress. This would be their third face-off against Samaco and Mercado respectively. Liberal party gubernatorial bet Robert Castanares would be up against Rep. Roger Mercado, who is running for governor after his term ended as Rep. of the lone district of Southern Leyte. This is the second face-off between the two. They fought it out for a seat in the House in 2007. The LP bets took turns in lambasting the incumbent officials of alleged corruption. Their supporters lapped it up when one of their speakers, Engr. Anggo Astorga, enumerated the alleged corruption at the Capitol and the city hall. Just days ago, Astorga was a job order employee of the province and a mouthpiece of Gov. Mercado’s two blocktime programs at a local radio station DYDM. The flip-flopping Astorga as anchor of the provincial government’s program castigated former Gov. Lerias administration for graft and corrupt practices. At the public plaza fronting the city hall, St. Bernard mayor Rico Rentuza, who is running as congressman, presented his platform of stand up for a change in his own miting de avance. He is supporting the candidacy of Robert Canstanares and Sogod mayor Sheffered Tan who is up against Board Member Roberto Lagumbay for vice governor. Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

26th April 2013

Solon denies 4PS beneficiaries threatened not to attend LP proc rally Posted by Jani Arnaiz, Chief Editor on April 26, 2013, 7:00 pm By Jani Arnaiz MAASIN CITY -- Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado vehemently denied the accusation of local LP leaders that they threatened 4PS beneficiaries that if they will attend the LP proclamation rally with Pres. Pinoy, conditional cash transfer (CCT) will be stopped. "It's their words not ours. In fact we were campaigning hard that we should support the senatorial candidates of Pres. Aquino so that this 4PS will continue and we are even admonishing the DSWD to enlist those deserving for this program," said Rep. Mercado who is running for governor. He added that "the LP candidates are feeding wrong information to Pres. Aquino against us because they wanted to look better than us." “It's election time and they are the opposition in the local scene they resort to mudslinging.” Mercado also said they are not offended with the speech of Pres. Aquino but for the three senatoriables particularly Riza Hontiveros, Bam Aquino and Ramon Magsaysay who were personally present and endorsed their opponent, "We could not control our supporters if they will not vote for them." "Since we’re on coalition with Team Pinoy being with NUP we are batting for 12-0 but with their endorsement of our opponents, things will change." He did not elaborate. The three termer Congressman is running for governor. In an interview with Inquirer reporter Norman Bordadora, former Gov. Rosette Lerias has accused the incumbent officials of threatening 4ps beneficiaries that if they will attend the proclamation of local LP bets by the Pres. Aquino, the 4PS will be stopped. "The local administration officials have used (the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps) as a tool to threaten the... poor people among 4Ps beneficiaries," former Southern Leyte Gov. Rosette Lerias told reporters at her residence here. "They were told not to come because if they will come, they will no longer have the privilege of being members of the 4Ps," Lerias added. Lerias, who's running for mayor of Maasin, was among the organizers of Team Pnoy's campaign rally in the city on Friday. No less than President Aquino and a few of his chosen senatorial bets attended the administration's campaign sortie at a park in this city. Lerias' daughter and the LP's candidate for the lone district of Southern Leyte, Marissa, said there are 16,000 4Ps beneficiary households in the province out of its 90,000 households. The incumbent Southern Leyte governor is Damian Mercado while its incumbent representative in the House of Representatives is his brother Roger. "When the number of beneficiaries is that big, they also get afraid. We have sixth, fifth and fourth class municipalities here," Marissa Lerias said. "If that kind of benefit is removed, they easily get afraid because they have no other source of income in a place like this," Marissa Lerias added. Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

21st April 2013

Training on WHO Child Growth Standard on SF for LGU social workers Posted by Jani Arnaiz, Chief Editor on April 21, 2013, 11:04 pm   There are two more batches of local government unit social workers who will undergo a four – day training on the newly – introduced World Health Organization – Child Growth Standards (WHO-CGS) on April of this year, revealed DSWD Field Office Eight Regional Director Remia Tapispisan. The series of trainings conducted by province and city started November of last year, and will be continued this year, so as to complete the remaining 155 of the total 453 program implementers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Supplemental Feeding Program (SFP). Director Tapispisan bared that the Day Care Officer, Municipal Day Care Federation President, and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer of each of the recipient 137 local government units (LGU),  form part of the participants.  On April 16 to 19,   the fourth batch of trainees will come from Ormoc City,  to be followed by the Eastern Samar group on April 23 to 26. “These people who are directly engaged in the Supplemental Feeding Program need said training for them to acquire the knowledge and skills in assessing the nutritional status of children enrolled in the SFP of the Department,” said the DSWD Regional Director.  Previously, the DSWD uses the old method of weight assessment which is now obsolete.  The SFP is the DSWD’s contribution to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program of the government.  It aims to provide augmentation support for the feeding program for children in LGU – managed day care centers by using indigenous food;  improve knowledge attitude and practices of children, parents, and caregivers through intensified nutrition and health education;  and improve and sustain the nutritional status of target children – beneficiaries. Under the program,  parents of the beneficiaries are organized by the Day Care Worker to obtain their support and commitment to the program, and build them as a team and develop in them the spirit of volunteerism.   Also part of program implementation is the weighing of children before and after the 120 – day feeding period, deworming of children, as well as attendance of parents to the nine sessions on Parent Effectiveness. Meanwhile, Pauline Nadera,  the SFP Focal Person, revealed that the target number of beneficiaries for the program sums up to 110, 768 children in 4, 083 day care centers regionwide. On the other hand, the DSWD Field Office Eight will be launching an Information, Education and Communication Campaign come Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 10 : 30 in the morning at the Activity Center of  Robinson’s Place in Tacloban.  The purpose is to build a strong coalition of partners, especially from among local government units,  in the implementation of the Supplemental Feeding Program and; seek cooperation from the parents of young children such that they will give importance to the health/nutrition of their kids in their formative years.  Also, the office hopes to get full media support in the program in order to gain more positive stories. Media representatives from all over the region and Municipal Administrators from nearby municipalities are invited. Read more... Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

18th March 2013

News feature: Gearing up for the 492nd anniversary of 1st mass in the Philippines at Limasawa Posted by Jani Arnaiz, Chief Editor on March 18, 2013, 6:49 am   By Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Monday 18th of March 2013 MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 18 (PIA) -- Preparations are being set for the commemoration of the 492nd Anniversary of the First Mass in the Philippines in the island town of Limasawa, Southern Leyte on March 31, 2013.  History books have it that on a Saturday, March 16, 1521, the ship of Portuguese circumnavigator Ferdinand Magellan,reached Homonhon, Eastern Samar. “The natives seemed to be friendly. Unlike other people who were fearful of white men, the Visayans approached them on their own accord.”  “The natives took their leave and came back with provisions which the Spaniards purchased.”  “After the encounter, Magellan sailed to another island – Limasawa. Through an interpreter, Magellan made known his intention. The Spaniards were welcomed by Rajah Awi, chief of the island. On the island of Limasawa, on March 31, 1521, the first mass was celebrated on Philippine soil.”  “After the mass, from Limasawa the Spaniards sailed to the harbor of Cebu. They were accompanied by Rajah Awi.”  This same story is the storyline of the Sinugdan Festival in Limasawa, which will be presented as soon as the image of Santo Niño de Cebu arrives from Cebu.  The activity, which is a joint undertaking of Southern Leyte and the diocese of Maasin, falls on an Easter Sunday just like 492 years ago, thus, more guest and believers are expected to take part in the celebration, Nedgar Garvez, province' Tourism officer of Southern Leyte, said.  Both Governor Damian Mercado and Bishop Precioso Cantilla chose to adapt the theme, “Duaw Sto. Niño sa Limasawa: Ang Sinugdan sa Kristiyanismo,” Garvez said.  “We are promoting the importance of the observance of the First Mass in Limasawa especially to the younger generation, the tourism officer said.  For the second year, the Santo Niño de Cebu will make its historic return to the island where Fr. Pedro Valderrama officiated the First Mass.  The Santo Niño de Cebu is said to be the same image given by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana, the wife of King Humabon during his baptism on April 14, 1521 in Cebu City.  The Santo Niño de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Foundation Inc., under the leadership of Augustinian priest Fr.Tito Soquiño, the caretaker of the Holy Image kept in the parish convent of the Santo Niño Basilica, Cebu City.  The image will board the Philippine Navy ship in Cebu City and is expected to arrive at 7 a.m. of Easter Sunday in Barangay Triana, Limasawa. Augustinian priests, and religious and civic groups from Cebu will join the journey.  Meanwhile, the faithful from Maasin diocese will join the fluvial procession going to Limasawa, will depart Maasin port at 5 a.m. and will arrive Triana port at 7 a.m.  From Triana, A foot procession will be conducted towards Barangay Magallanes, the site of the First Mass that marked the first Catholicism of the Philippines.  A festive welcome awaits the Santo Niño and guests. The Sinugdan Festival contingent will perform and a six-gun salute will signal the start of the holy mass to be celebrated by Bishop Precioso Cantillas of the diocese of Maasin.  The commemorative program will follow after the mass with Department of Energy Secretary Jericho “Icot” Petilla as guest speaker.  The Santo Niño de Cebu will be brought to Maasin at 1 p.m. The naval ship will be accompanied by the Maasin delegation in a fluvial parade, Nervez said.  In Maasin City, there will be a procession with the Santo Nino image as the main feature up to the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral.  On April 1, a Holy Mass will be conducted in the different vicariates of the diocese of Maasin. At 5 p.m. a Pontifical Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Cantillas. The image of the Santo Niño and the Cebu delegation will leave for Cebu at 9 p.m. (PIA 8) Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

28th February 2013

Repair, strengthening of four bridges in So. Leyte ongoing Posted by Jani Arnaiz, Chief Editor on February 28, 2013, 6:04 pm By Marcelo M. Pedalino SOUTHERN LEYTE, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- Work on the rehabilitation of four bridges along the Daang Maharlika highway in this province have begun in earnest, their cumulative cost of P30 million sourced from the regular funds of the Department of Public Highways (DPWH) local office for the current year 2013.  These include the Nailong bridge in Liloan town with a project cost of P3.7 million, Cawayan bridge in Libagon for P10 million, Bogasong bridge also in Libagon for P3 million, and the Divisoria bridge in Bontoc, P13.6 million.  The four national highway links were singled out for priority attention because each one of them were already showing signs of advanced deterioration due to more than two decades of wear and tear, Cong. Roger Mercado said during the series of groundbreaking rites Tuesday, Feb. 26.  Local chief executives under whose territories the projects fall, such as Mayor Shirley Chong for Liloan, Mayor Oliver Ranque of Libagon, and Mervin Ruales in Bontoc, were one in saying the bridge projects were long cherished by their respective constituents.  The three local leaders were also one in expressing gratitude, stressing that continued inaction would have subjected motorists to danger, a recipe for a disaster waiting to happen.  Carlos Veloso, engineer, of the Southern Leyte engineering district said in an interview all of the four bridge projects are expected to be finished before the month of June this year.  He dismissed rumors the projects were timed for the election period, saying this was done as the DPWH central office already released the budget for 2013 in January, just like what happened last year, so all infrastructure projects were already implemented early on.  Also on Tuesday, the groundbreaking for a two-storey, six-classroom school building for Sogod National High School worth P6.7 million was held, as well as the extension of a multi-purpose building in Poblacion, Tomas Oppus worth P2 million.  Inaugurated was the improvement of a multi-purpose building in barangay Taliwa, Malitbog, for P1 million. (mmp-PIA8, Southern Leyte) - See more at: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R08&article=1301361951396#sthash.vWfDy7CX.dpuf Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

16th February 2013

Infra projects to connect island towns in Southern Leyte Posted by Jani Arnaiz, Chief Editor on February 16, 2013, 8:23 pm By Erna S. Gorne Sunday 17th of February 2013 SAN RICARDO, Southern Leyte, Feb 17 (PIA) -- More infrastructure projects that will connect the island towns of Pana-on Island in the province are in the offing.  The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Southern Leyte Engineering District (SLED) together with Representative Roger Mercado and provincial officials led the groundbreaking ceremonies of various infrastructure projects in Pana-on Island Friday.  “ The 2.0 kilometer road upgrading of Barangays Kamang and Bil-atan roads down to Brgy. Esperanza in San Ricardo will spell out changes of lives of the constituents here in the benefiting barangays, “ Representative Roger Mercado said during the groundbreaking ceremony of San Ricardo Bil-atan road.  “ More economic activities will follow and re shape the people’s lives in the remotest municipality of the four-towns in the Pana-on Island such as more transportation vehicles will be willing to fetch them with lower fare due to convenient roads,” he said.  San Ricardo is the last town of four – municipalities of the Pana-on Island. However, when connected with good roads, San Ricardo will be nearest to Lilo-an municipality, which is the first town upon entering the Pana-on Island, it was learned.  Meanwhile, Governor Damian Mercado noted that the provincial government will continue to work together and appropriate more funds for the development of the circumferential road of the island municipalities.(PIA8, SoLeyte) Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 1

23rd January 2013

In face of shady election deals, media leaders issue covenant against corruption Posted by Jani Arnaiz, Chief Editor on January 23, 2013, 5:08 am Just prior to signing a historic covenant against media corruption, senatorial candidate Teddy Casiño, who is currently a congressman, vented his frustration. "Before I used to be interviewed for free, now I'm being asked to pay," he told an audience of media leaders and political party representatives on Tuesday, without citing which news organizations were billing him. "They told me now that I'm running the rules are different." "That's why we're doing this!" newspaper publisher Vergel Santos exclaimed. "We need to hear stories that will expose corruption in media. With this covenant, lines will be drawn." After further discussion about "interview packages" and other shady deals that some media agencies offer candidates, the covenant was signed by a diverse group that included representatives of the three major TV networks and political parties Liberal Party, Nationalista, LDP, and the coalition UNA, who all pledged to "reject the corruption in media, in its varied forms, that has always marred Philippine elections." Read more... Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0 Police, radio station criticized over accident involving governor's son Posted by Jani Arnaiz, Chief Editor on January 23, 2013, 4:03 am By Jani Arnaiz January 23, 2013 MAASIN CITY – Politics turned ugly as it gets in the way in a tragic road accident involving a grandson of the late former city councilor and a son of a top official of the province that led to the death of the victim, a jolly four years old boy. The accident happened last Sunday afternoon when everybody was crossing the Tomas Oppus street in Mantahan, a fishing village in the poblacion of this city to watch the annual fluvial parade of Senior Sto. Nino in the seas along the city’s coastal villages. The parade coincided with the Cebu grand Sinulog mardigras Witnesses said that a boy aged between 4-5 ran across the street alone towards the seashore just in time when a Hammer type jeep was cruising on the same street, hitting the boy on the head. The victim died hours after he was brought to the Salvacion Oppus Yniguez Memorial Provincial Hospital. Read more... Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

22nd January 2013

DOH-funded projects in So. Leyte almost complete Posted by Jani Arnaiz, Chief Editor on January 22, 2013, 6:17 pm By Marcelo M. Pedalino Tuesday 22nd of January 2013 MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 22 (PIA) -- Several health-related projects funded by the Department of Health (DOH) under its facility enhancement program here in the city and other areas of the province are almost complete, according to Dr. Joselito Trumata, the Provincial Health Officer. In a recent phone interview with Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Trumata said the status of these projects was the subject of his report during the Health Summit scheduled in Manila January 17.  Some P148 million was allocated by the health department for Southern Leyte province to cover construction or upgrading of wellness centers such as rural health units and hospitals, and the provision for some needed equipment, Trumata said.  He added that the amount was good for three years - from 2010 , 2011, and 2012.  It was learned that among the infra projects were construction of rural health units I and II for Maasin City, and Pintuyan hospital, and Trumata said that P8-million worth of equipment are due for delivery. The only remaining task at hand is the P8-million allocated for Limasawa hospital, but this was already decided that P 4 million will be used for upgrading the Limasawa hospital which would be converted into a rural health unit.  The other P4 million will be for the health facility at Padre Burgos, Trumata further said. (mmp-PIA8, Southern Leyte) Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0