TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Biliran has expressed its desire to advance the fundamental rights of same-sex couples in the province, particularly in securing equal access to medical and asset sharing.

To attain this, Governor Gerard Roger Espina has called a meeting with the Biliran Bisexual and Gay Society JJC Naval Warrior and other officials of the province.

“Maraming pangyayari sa ating LGBT community na kung naospital ang kanilang long-time partner, hindi makadesisyon ang partner nila sa mga emergency health situation dahil hindi kasal. Ito po ang bibigyan natin ng linaw at solusyon bago matapos ang taon,” Gov Espina told the group during his meeting with them.

Espina added that he also proposed to provide a program that will give long-time same-sex partners in their province an option to represent his or her partners on medical urgent decisions through a signed agreement.

“Once implemented, this will be another innovation from Biliran that will give additional options to our long-standing LGBTQIA couples in our communities,” he said.

This plan of the provincial government was welcomed by the group.

“By advocating for equal rights and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, you are paving the way for a more inclusive and accepting society,” the group said in a statement.

“Your efforts are instrumental in ensuring that every member of the LGBTQ+ community in Biliran feels valued and respected. We are grateful for your leadership and support in promoting equality and inclusion,” the group added.

The group said that they hope this plan of the provincial government will result for a more accepting environment to same-sex couples “where everyone can love and live freely, without fear and discrimination or prejudice.”
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Former rebels who have returned to the fold of the law could now be assured of their new and permanent homes.

On Thursday (August 18), the construction of the ‘Saad nga Balay ha mga Peacebuilders han San Jose de Buan” in San Jose de Buan, Samar took place with officials of different government agencies vowing to provide the beneficiaries with needed assistance.
The groundbreaking was led by Mayor Joaquin Elizalde and Vice Governor Arnold Tan, representing Gov. Sharee Ann Tan.

It was also graced by Regional Peace and Order Council 8 Chairman Alfred Romualdez, 801st Brigade Commander Leinart Lelina, 87th Infantry Battalion Commander Luzelito Betinol, LtCol. Francis Rugayan, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity Samar area manager Emilda Bonifacio, and Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Grace Subong.

The semi-concrete housing project is funded by the provincial government amounting to P2.5 million and the local government amounting to P1.5 million situated near the town center and will initially benefit 17 former rebels who were prioritized during the selection process.

These priority beneficiaries are former rebels who are residents of San Jose de Buan and have families but are homeless and do not want to return to their former communities.
There are 39 former rebels currently staying now in San Jose de Buan who are being supervised and assisted by the local government.

Prior to the groundbreaking, a memorandum of agreement was also signed by officials from the OPAPRU, DSWD, Office of Civil Defense, Technical Education Skills Development Authority, Bureau of Fire, Philippine National Police, Department of Science and Technology, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Interior and Local Government, Provincial Government of Samar, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 543rd and 546th Engineer Construction Battalion, and Uswag Sinirangan Bisayas.

The DSWD also distributed cash assistance worth P5, 000 each for the 39 former rebels including food packs.

Before the groundbreaking was held, the former rebels were trained by the TESDA on carpentry, masonry, electrical wiring, and plumbing so that they can assist the army engineers, BFP, and PNP, in the construction of their house.

Prior to the groundbreaking ceremony, the Poverty Reduction Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) headed by the OPAPRU and the Department of Agriculture distributed 13 hogs to the former rebels in the town who were earlier trained on hog raising at the 801st headquarters in Hinabangan town.

“This will be a big help to us former NPA members who have returned to the fold of the law and as try to live a normal life,” alias Milo, one of the beneficiaries, said.

He expressed his gratitude to the government, particularly the Army officials in Samar for providing them with their new homes.

Milo then urged his former comrades who are still fighting against the government to surrender and avail all benefits given to surrenderees like him.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY– At least 200 surfers from all over the country are expected to troop to Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar next month.

These surfers will compete for the Calicoan Odyssey Wave 2023, the second leg of NextGen Pilipinas Surfing Nationals 2023 sanctioned by the United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA), according to Kinna Kwan, Guiuan town municipal administrator.

UPSA is the national sports body for surfing in the Philippines and is recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee regular member.
This event is organized by the local government unit of Guiuan, UPSA, and the local surfing organizations of Calicoan Island and Eastern Samar; ABCD Surf Calicoan Local Surfers Samrayan Surfboards, The Backyard SURF CO., and the Surfriders Club of Eastern Samar Inc.

The competition is scheduled from September 15 to 21 at the ABCD Beach, the best surfing site in Calicoan known for its left-handed and right-handed reef breaks.

Kwan said that the Calicoan Odyssey Wave 2023 will start with the orientation and beach clean-up activity on Sept.14 and will be followed by the opening of the surfing competition on the 15th and awarding ceremony on the 20th, then a beach clean-up the following day.
Kwan added that more than P600,000 cash prizes are stakes for winners of the four categories in the competition.

Winners in the male and female categories will be receiving the same cash amount.
For the men’s and women’s open shortboard categories, winners will be receiving P130,000 cash prize; in the open longboard for both male and female categories, winners will also receive P130,000 cash prize.

In the junior category, the boy’s shortboard winner will receive P43,000, the same amount will also be received by the winner in the girl category.

For the master’s division, the winner will receive P30,500 cash prize.

Prior to Calicoan, the first leg of NextGen Pilipinas Surfing Nationals 2023 is scheduled in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte from Sept 1 to 7. The other leg of the surfing competition is in Baler, Borongan City, and Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)