TACLOBAN CITY-Senator Risa Hontiveros called on the national government to provide assistance to farmers and fisherfolks who were affected when Northern Samar was hit by a massive flooding incident last month.

Hontiveros made this call during his visit to Catarman, the provincial capital, on Friday (Dec.9) where she distributed food assistance to more than 1,500 flood victims.

According to the senator, during a disaster like typhoon, more often than not, it is the farmers and the fishermen who bore the brunt, displacing their livelihood in the process.
“Kulang sa suporta ang mga magsasaka, idagdag pa natin ang natural disasters tulad ng baha, lalong importante na (matulungan ang) agrikultura para sumigla ulit ang hanap-buhay ng mga magsasaka hanggat sa mga mangigisda,” she said in a brief interview with the local media.

Based on the record of the provincial disaster risk reduction management office headed by Rei Josiah Echano, the massive flooding that struck the province last month destroyed agricultural products worth at P245.06 million, affecting 11,321 farmers.

The fishery sector was also affected by the flooding with damage cost placed at P40.40 million. There was no data as to how many fishermen across the province were affected due to the calamity.

But in a media interview, the regional director of the Department of Agriculture, Andrew Orais, said that they have extended assistance to the affected farmers, in particular, in the province.

Orais said that they are to provide rice seeds to the farmers to help them replace their destroyed crops. (JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY -The provincial government of Samar received its first Gawad Kalasag seal for the local disaster risk reduction management councils and offices category in the recently concluded 23rd Gawad Kalasag seal and special awards for excellence in disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian assistance.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has recognized Samar, through its Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Office, as fully compliant.

Thus, it has passed the various stages of assessment from the regional selection, national desk evaluation, national field validation to the final deliberation, the Samar provincial information office said.

Gawad Kalasag (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan) is an annual recognition given by the Office of Civil Defense for various stakeholders like LGUs who promote and implement disaster risk reduction management, climate change adaptation, and humanitarian assistance programs ‘to protect high-risk communities against extreme hazards, and capacitate them to address their vulnerabilities.”

“We are beyond grateful for this recognition. We have long acknowledged the role of disaster preparedness in community building. While our geographical location makes us susceptible to the hazards of natural disasters, we took it upon ourselves on how we can prevent disasters,” Governor Sharee Ann Tan said in a statement.

“The local government has intensified its disaster preparedness efforts and we ask the public to do the same,” the governor added.

Manuel Van Torrevillas, provincial disaster risk reduction management officer expressed his gratitude to the governor for her total support.

“I am hoping that we will be able to sustain this prestigious recognition and be soon awarded as beyond compliant LGU. I also hope that more local government units in Samar will be awardees of the Gawad Kalasag seal, and that more LGUs and DRRM practitioners will accept the Gawad Kalasag Challenge,” Torrevillas said.

Aside from the province of Samar, the municipalities of Tarangnan and Marabut were likewise recognized as fully compliant and were awarded with the Gawad Kalasag seal.
As a Gawad Kalasag awardee, LGUs are prioritized for NDRRM fund assistance for DRRM projects in their respective localities, subject to existing policies and procedures.
(LIZBETH ANN A ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Acknowledging that surfing is a seasonal sport, the city government of Borongan plans to offer other activities to tourists for them to enjoy their visit to the capital of Eastern Samar province during months when waves are not suitable for ride.

Rupert Ambil, head of the city information office, said that during the off-season, tourists can visit their neighboring towns where they can ride the waves and do surf.

Other surfing spots in Eastern Samar are found in Llorente and Guiuan, among others.
Ambil said that they will soon offer scuba diving after one of the travel and tour operators in the city received the certification to operate a dive center.

The city has identified two dive spots located in two of its island villages, Ando and Divinubo.

“The good thing about this is, this will be offered by the private sector, one of the tour operators in the city,” Ambil said.

Aside from diving, Ambil said that inviting national events also helps attract more tourists to regularly visit the city making its tourism activities lively whole year round and increase their tourist arrivals.

Among the national events planned to be held in Borongan is the national kiteboarding competition and the swimjunkie nationals, an open water swimming competition.
Ambil added that they are also talking with organizers of a triathlon event to have it held in the city.

“Not all other places are doing the same thing that we are doing but we have to create opportunities for ourselves and for the people,” he said.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

GCash makes insurance for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) more accessible

Committed to making financial solutions more accessible to Filipinos wherever they may be, the #1 Finance Super App GCash, partners with Pioneer Insurance to launch its product for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) available through GInsure.

The Balik-Manggagawa or Direct-Hired Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Insurance provides financial security in case of accidents, disabilities, medical evacuations, repatriation of mortal remains, and other unexpected events.

Filipinos aged 18 to 63 years old who have a direct valid employment contract and employer abroad can enjoy coverage worth $32,000 (approximately PHP 1.76 million) when they buy the insurance through the GCash app for as low as $18 (approximately PHP 990).

The user-friendly interface of GInsure makes the purchase fast and easy. All they have to do is open the GInsure Marketplace in the GCash app, choose the insurance product offered by Pioneer Insurance, provide the necessary details, and receive their policy and official receipt real-time. The end-to-end process of issuance does not have any waiting period.

Since current Philippine policies require OFWs to be physically present to be able to purchase life protection products from local-based companies, this recent tie-up offers a practical and convenient way of getting insurance. This minimizes the worries of Filipinos who wish to have a financial safety net but are currently working and residing outside the country. The immediate family members of OFWs may also avail of this insurance product for their loved ones abroad.

“We remain committed to improving the daily lives of Filipinos through our suite of financial products wherever they may be. By partnering with Pioneer Insurance, we make it easier for Filipinos to stay protected even when they are abroad as they work tirelessly for their families back home,” said Winsley Bangit, GCash VP for New Businesses.

The partnership between GCash and Pioneer Insurance was solidified through a ceremonial MOA signing held on November 24. Signatories included from GCash: VP for New Businesses, Winsley Bangit and GInsure Head, Joseph Nino Young; and from Pioneer Insurance: Pioneer Group Head, Lorenzo Chan Jr. and Leslie Chua, Migrant Workers Head.
“This partnership will enable Pioneer to expand its reach to our kababayans around the world as it provides them with affordable reliable insurance that can respond to their emergencies abroad,” Pioneer Group Head Lorenzo Chan Jr. revealed.

GCash continues to expand its services that cater to the 10 million Filipinos who are earning a living abroad. The fintech company allows GCash users to enjoy the features of the app using international SIMs with the beta launch of GCash Overseas in Australia, Canada, Japan, Italy, United States of America, and United Kingdom.

Additionally, OFWs can send remittances to their loved ones back home with the 40+ remittance partners of GCash all over the world such as MoneyGram, Remitly, Wise, Sendwave, and Western Union.

GCash is available for free on Google Play, App Store, and Huawei App Gallery. OFWs can register an account through an active and roaming Philippine SIM or an international SIM. (PR)