NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, Northern Samar-– Motorists traversing the PAMAGALA Road along Barangay Nipa in Palapag town are now benefiting from the newly-asphalted road section implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (NSSDEO) that provides a smooth and safe travel experience.
The road improvement project started last March 06, 2023 under contract of ANLE Construction and was completed on April 05, 2023. Its scope of work covers asphalting of 480.00 meters roadway with thickness of 50mm and 6.70m wide. The project was funded under CY 2023 General Appropriation Act (GAA), DPWH Regular Infrastructures.
The P5.885 million asphalt overlaying of the said road section provides reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings as directional signages for the safety of the motorists.
The implementation of preventive maintenance projects helps prolong the service life of roads by minimizing premature deterioration of pavement brought by the passage of heavy vehicles as well as wear and tear implications.
Economic development and progress are also triggered and enhanced as farm and commercial products and other manpower services are easily delivered to the business center. (RHODORA R. PUJANTE, PIO STAFF/PR)
ORMOC CITY-A boy who was swimming in a river with his elder brother was found lifeless under a bridge in Barugo, Leyte Friday (May 19).
The victim, Diego Aruta, 6, and his brother Denver were last seen swimming in a river in their village at about 1 pm on May 18, police said.
However, Denver returned home without his younger brother prompting their father to search for him.
Romeo Cator, a village police of Pikas, also in Barugo, saw the dead body of the boy under a bridge in the said village at about 9:30 am on Friday (May 19).
The boy was suspected to have been drowned.
The cadaver of the victim was immediately brought to a local funeral parlor for post-mortem examination by the municipal health officer. (ROBERT DEJON)
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go delivered a co-sponsorship speech on the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act during the Senate plenary session on Monday, May 22. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers.
In his speech, Go, as one of the authors of the bill, emphasized the importance of passing the legislation to safeguard the rights and welfare of Filipino seafarers, who he referred to as the “unsung heroes” of the maritime industry.
“Ang ating mga seafarers ang isa sa pinakamalaking numero na bumubuo sa industriya ng mga marino. Of the 1.5 million seafarers worldwide, 25% are Filipino sea-based workers, making them the single biggest nationality bloc in the maritime industry,” cited Go.
“Nararapat lamang po na pangalagaan natin ang ating mga Pilipinong manggagawa na handang magsakripisyo para sa kanilang pamilya,” he added.
One of the key concerns raised by Go was the long working hours and limited rest periods experienced by seafarers.
To address this issue, the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act includes clear guidelines on maximum working hours and adequate rest periods.
“With this, we can address the issue of fatigue and enhance the safety and well-being of our seafarers,” he said.
Additionally, the proposed legislation recognizes the importance of seafarers’ medical care and access to healthcare services, including mental health support.
“As the chairperson of the committee on health, importante sa akin na mabigyan ng maayos na health services ang ating mga marino, sa gitna ng paglalayag at pati na rin sa kanilang pagdaong sa mga pier,” Go remarked.
The Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act also places emphasis on training and skills development. The bill promotes quality training programs that enable seafarers to acquire essential expertise and skills, thereby enhancing their competence and effectiveness in their profession.
This provision, according to Go, not only benefits individual seafarers but also raises the global competence of the country’s maritime workforce.
Go then emphasized that Filipino seafarers have long been in need of comprehensive protection and support.
“It is high time that we pass this bill to establish a framework that guarantees their rights, improves their working conditions, and upholds their dignity,” said Go.
Go said that the passage of the measure will be a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Senate in pursuing the interests and welfare of Filipino seafarers, similar to the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers in the previous Congress.
Finally, Go hopes that the passage of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act would send “a strong and substantial message to the men and women of the maritime industry – a message of gratitude, appreciation, and firm validation of their contribution in this country.”
“Let us stand together united in guaranteeing that our seafarers are protected, their sacrifices are recognized, and that their rights are upheld,” concluded Go. (PR)
The president of the Pintados Foundation Eugene Tan, together with the official candidates for Miss Teen Pintados and Miss Pintados 2023, paid a courtesy call for the sashing of these lovely young ladies with Leyte Governor Jericho `Icot’ Petilla on Monday(May 22).
The president of the Pintados Foundation Eugene Tan, together with the official candidates for Miss Teen Pintados and Miss Pintados 2023, paid a courtesy call for the sashing of these lovely young ladies with Leyte Governor Jericho `Icot’ Petilla on Monday(May 22).
TACLOBAN CITY – The Pintados Foundation Inc., has formally announced the 30 official candidates for this year’s Miss Teen Pintados and Miss Pintados search.
The announcement was made after candidates who come from various municipalities and cities of the region made a courtesy visit to Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla on Monday (May 22) for their official sashing.
The candidates were joined by Pintados Foundation Inc. president Eugene Tan during the courtesy call at the Leyte Provincial Capitol Complex in Palo town.
The official candidates for the Miss Teen Pintados 2023 are Victoria Boesen (Tanauan), Alyazia Yvonne Flores (Sta. Fe,Leyte), Angel Huang (Bato, Leyte), Julianne Veronica Elorcha (Palo, Leyte), Shimeah Rhiz Monge (Tunga, Leyte), Cstar Estelle Capon (Alangalang, Leyte), Phoiene Arriana Torita (Tabango, Leyte), Eloida Shane Garcia (Leyte, Leyte), Jalynna Rich Padilla (Calbayog City), Czarynna Kwen Cascayan (Paranas, Samar), Catherine Wardle (Catbalogan City), Zandrae de Leon (Silago, Southern Leyte) Chariz Jane Jayma (Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte), Frincess Samaentha Ysabel Biong (Guiuan, Eastern Samar), Janelle Peca (Naval, Biliran).
For the Miss Pintados 2023, the candidates are Kathreen Kaye Dacanay (Borongan City), Alyanna Kristel Bustamante (Maydolong, Eastern Samar), Marie Jean Baquilod (Llorente, Eastern Samar), Karmela Faye dela Torre (Kananga,Leyte), Justine Casinillo (Bato,Leyte), Jessa May Duavis (Tunga, Leyte), Karen Janario (Palo, Leyte), Shane Antoinette Pigar (Carigara, Leyte), Kareyl May Cabahug (Javier, Leyte), Bianca Cassandra Devora (Tacloban City), Jamby Belegorio (Villareal, Samar), Shaira Jubelle Torbeles (Marabut, Samar), Jhyry-Ross Yboa (Catbalogan City), Jacel Mae Doris Salinas (Sogod, Southern Leyte), and Rica Mae Patual (San Juan, Southern Leyte).
The coronation is scheduled this June 23 at the Leyte Academic Center.
Aside from winning the crown, winners of Miss Teen and Miss Pintados will represent the region at the Miss World Philippines competition.
“This partnership will be launched officially during this year’s staging of Miss Pintados and Miss Teen Pintados where Miss World Philippines National Director, Mr. Arnold Vegafria is set to attend together with other beauty queens and artists under his talent management company,” Pintados Foundation, Inc.said in a statement.
“This partnership will surely be a game changer and expect that this year’s search will be extra special as we bring Miss Pintados and Miss Teen Pintados to the world,” the statement added.
Among the notable winners of Miss Pintados who made it big in the national pageant is Cynthia Thomalla, Miss Pintados 2013, who joined the Miss World Philippines in 2018 and represented the country at the Miss Eco International where she bagged the international crown.
Chelsea Fernandez, who was the Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2022 and finished as Top 15 in the Miss Globe competition was the Miss Teen Pintados 2015 titleholder.
Recently, Miss Pintados 2021 1st runner-up Airissh Ramos of Eastern Samar also joined the Miss Universe Philippines and won the best in national costume and landed at the Top 10.
The twin-bill beauty and brain search is among the activities relative to the annual fiesta of Tacloban City. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
MANILA POST OFFICE Building. A massive fire gutted down the iconic and historical Manila Post Office building Sunday, reaching to general alarm. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire that completely burned down the 97-year old neoclassical edifice that survived the World War II onslaught. Story on Page 3.
(Photo Courtesy)
MANILA POST OFFICE Building. A massive fire gutted down the iconic and historical Manila Post Office building Sunday, reaching to general alarm. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire that completely burned down the 97-year old neoclassical edifice that survived the World War II onslaught. Story on Page 3. (Photo Courtesy)
Fund is on top of NTA share
TACLOBAN CITY– The declaration made by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., to put up special funding for the least developed local government units in the country was roundly welcomed by both Governors Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar and Edwin Ongchuan of Northern Samar.
Gov. Evardone said that the promise of the President to provide special funding to poor local government units like Eastern Samar is a ‘very welcomed’ move.
Evardone, whose province is considered to be among the poor provinces in the country, said that with this promise of the President, poor LGUS will have additional funding to help them ‘accelerate’ their development.
“PBBM (has) committed to establish a special fund to help the poor LGUs accelerate their development. This is on top of the national tax allocation that LGUs receive annually for our share from national taxes,” Evardone said in a text message on Saturday (May 20).
“I believe that this additional fund will enable poor LGUs to accelerate their development and ensure that we can deliver more essential social services to our people,” he said.
Eastern Samar, which has a P1.77 billion internal revenue allotment (IRA) share now known as national tax allocation (NTA), has a poverty incidence of 29.4 percent based on the 2021 PSA poverty incidence report. This means, there are 29 poor families out 100 families in the province.
For his part, Northern Samar Gov. Ongchuan also welcomed the pronouncement of the President to provide special funding to the least developed LGUs.
“As governor of Northern Samar, we thank President Marcos for expressing his intent to support less developed LGUs in the country through additional funding,” he said in a statement released from the provincial information office Sunday, said.
“With our limited resources, this will greatly help finance our development programs in the province as we try to keep our economic growth going,” he added.
Northern Samar, while considered a second-class province with a P2.4 billion total income of which P1.82 billion sourced from its NTA share, continues to grapple with poverty. Its poverty incidence is at 11.9 percent covering the 2021 period based on the PSA records.
Mayor Aran Boller of Matuguinao, Samar, also expressed his support on this plan of the President.
“This will greatly help LGUs like Matuguinao that are dependent on IRA. This will give us additional funds to address the needs of our people, including the fight against insurgency,” he said.
Matuguinao, a fifth class town, is also facing insurgency problem aside from its problem on poverty.
In his speech during the 4th general assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines held at Clark, Pampanga Friday (May 19), the President said that he is committing to put up a special funding for poor LGUs or those classified under third to sixth classes to help them defray other projects and programs other than mandated under the law or the Local Government Code.
“After identifying the functions that we feel belong to the national government, identifying the function that we feel belong to the local governments, again go back to the original concept was that mabigyan natin ng extra funding ang mga local governments,” he said in his speech.
The President said that following the mandated allocations like personnel services, MOEE, and calamity funds, poor LGUs which solely depend on their NTA, have almost nothing to use for their other programs or projects.
“So what we were trying to do and what we are continuing to try to do is to allow our local government officials na mayroon namang pondo para magkaroon..yung mga initiative ninyo na mayroon kayong pondo para gagawin ninyo kung ano yung naisip ninyo. Hindi lang yung mga mandated, hindi lamang yung mga kailangang gawin na wala tayong discretion, walang discretion ang governor,” the President added.
He, however, did not any details on this proposed plan of his administration.
In the same occasion, Mr. Marcos also disclosed on the suspension up to one year the implementation of Executive Order 138 which mandates for the devolution of some programs and projects which are to be funded by the LGUs as mandated under the using their NTA based on the Mandanas vs. Garcia ruling.
The said ruling was also criticized by LGUs, especially the least developed ones, saying it will be another burden to those who are dependent on the national government’s assistance.
PERSEVERANCE. Despite of the hardships and his physical condition, Jay-ar Abuda of Quinapondan, Eastern Samar is to graduate on June 1, hoping his college diploma will help him a better life. He uses his bicycle to go to school located in Guiuan town or a 49-kms distance. (JAY-AR ABUDA FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY-June 1 of this year is the much-awaited date for Jay-ar Abuda who will finally receive his college diploma after four years of literally pedaling his way to college.
The 31-year old man native of Quinapondan, Eastern Samar is taking Bachelor of Science in Information Technology major in food technology at the Eastern Samar State University-Guiuan campus in Guiuan town.
PERSEVERANCE. Despite of the hardships and his physical condition, Jay-ar Abuda of Quinapondan, Eastern Samar is to graduate on June 1, hoping his college diploma will help him a better life. He uses his bicycle to go to school located in Guiuan town or a 49-kms distance. (JAY-AR ABUDA FACEBOOK)
For the past four years, Abuda, a polio survivor, using a bicycle has been traveling from their home in Barangay 5 to Guiuan, or with a distance of 49 kms.
Abuda do this ritual every week, leaving their home at 6 am using his bicycle and arriving in Guiuan three or four hours later, depending on weather condition.
“My ambition to get a college diploma is for me to have a decent job. It is the driving force why I made all these sacrifices. I want to help my mother who sacrificed so much for our family,” he said in a phone interview.
“And finally, I will have the diploma on June 1, our graduation day,” Abuda added.
Abuda travel to Guiuan every weekend where he lived in a boarding house for free, thanks to the generosity of the owner, whom he called ‘Lola Telding,’ and in turn, he acts as the housekeeper.
His 70-year old mother, whose been widowed since he was two years old, worked as a market vendor which she used to put foods for the family consisting of seven children.
Abuda is the second to the youngest among the siblings.
All have their own families now except Abuda and their youngest, Blendy,25 whom he sent to school and just finished a tourism course in a private school in Tacloban City.
According to Abuda, he helped her youngest sister and their mother by driving a pedicab, earning him at least P300 a day. He’s been driving a pedicab since he was 14 but on the side, continue his studies until he graduated his Senior High in 2017.
“My sister finished her college in 2014 and now works in Manila. She also helped me in my studies by sending money to me every now and then,” he said.
Abuda said he never demanded from Blendy to give him financial help or any of his siblings, much more to their mother.
It took him a two-year hiatus before he started to attend his college in 2019.
“I earn by driving a pedicab around town here in Quinapondan if I don’t have a class. And by Saturday or Sunday, I travel for Guiuan using my bicycle. It takes me sometimes three or four hours, depending the weather,” he said.
If the weather is fine, he could make it to Guiuan in three hours and additional one hour, if it’s raining or hot.
“I am proud of myself. That despite of the hardships and my physical condition, I was able to complete my studies and looking forward to practice it, perhaps work in one of the hotels in Guiuan,” Abuda said.
And help his mother, too, he said. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
