Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda led in the celebration of the city’s annual fiesta in honor of its patroness, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Friday (Sept. 8).
TACLOBAN CITY– -” Tribu Rayhak of Sta Fe National High School was adjudged as the top winner for the 29th Padul-ong Festival 2023.
Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda led in the celebration of the city’s annual fiesta in honor of its patroness, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Friday (Sept. 8).
The awarding was headed by Mayor Jose Dayan Agda and Vice Mayor Emman Tiu Sonco.
Tribu Rayhak bested two other contingents and won P 300,000 cash prize. They also bagged the Best in Festival Queen.
Meanwhile, Tribu Sagtik of Maypangdan National High School bagged the 1st runner-up and won P250,000, and Tribu Magkasikasi of Eastern Samar National Comprehensive High School bagged 2nd place and won P200,000.
Winners were announced after the ritual dance competition that followed after the street dance parade in early morning of September 7, a day before the city fiesta.
Prior to the ritual and street dance parade, a fluvial procession of the image of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary,the patron saint of the city, was first held starting at the Punta Maria to the Rawis Port.
The Padul-ong is the official festival of Borongan City in honor of its patroness celebrated every September 8.
Padul-ong,which originates from Winaray word “dul-ong” means to deliver or transport, recalls thru a ritual dance presentation the miraculous journey of how the Nuestra Señora dela Natividad or the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary became the patroness of Borongan during the Spanish rule.
The festival competition is just one of the several activities that the city government organized for their city fiesta.
Among these activities are the football competition, fishing tournament, e-sports competition, badminton, motorcross, kayak, mixed martial arts and chess tournament. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY –Candidates for the Miss Universe Philippines – Leyte were formally announced during the sashing ceremony held Saturday (Sept.9) at the Robinsons North Tacloban.
The sashing was headed by accredited partners of the Miss Universe Philippines in Leyte province headed by Clarito Logronio who was assisted by the tourism consultant of the provincial government, former Palo Mayor Frances Ann Petilla.
The candidates are Ma Crizeth Cazar of Abuyog;Crista Jewel Quiambao of Alangalang; Marianne Neil Insigne of Barugo; Rio Ann Ronato of Baybay City;Czarmy Alcober of Burauen; Stephanie Grace Regalado of Calubian; and Paula Bianca Oledan of Carigara.
Also on the official list of candidates are Gabrille Glenn Caidic of Dulag; Abba Gardanella Tizon of Jaro; Misty Myles Zaragoza of Kananga; Angel Rose Tambal of La Paz; Nesylvie Dupal of Mahaplag; Flordalinr Donayre of Matag-ob, and Mari Cleofr Acodesin of Ormoc City.
Completing the 21 official candidates of Miss Universe Philippines Leyte are Fhayrei Vianne Valeriano of San Miguel; April Anne Villones of Sta. Fe; Jamby Belegrio of Tacloban City; Trisha Gabrielle Moreto of Tanauan; Joanna Andrea Advincula of Tolosa; Dorothy Florence Caballero of Tunga; and Elgie Pobadora of Villaba.
Winning candidate for the inaugural Miss Universe Philippines – Leyte is going to be the official representative of the province to the national search where she will have the chance to represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant.
Preliminary events of the official candidates will start this October 1 in Baybay City for the cultural costume, swimsuit, and evening gown competitions on October 2. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, N. Samar– The residents and passersby along Bantayan Bay, San Roque, Northern Samar, will be safeguarded by the on-going construction of a 320.00 meters seawall against potential sea-level surge.
This project was implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways – Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSSDEO), led by OIC District Engineer Charlito S. Carlobos and OIC Assistant District Engineer Atty. Arthur Eric L. Sabong, funded under General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2023 with an appropriation of P52.25 million.
Furthermore, CDU Construction undertakes the construction work with Contract ID 23II0017 and has contract amount of P 5,0411,055.55.
As of July 31, 2023, it had an actual accomplishment status of 81.05% and a positive slippage result of 54.65%. The project used RC Piles to increase the bearing capacity and to reduce settlement at the site, which are weak compressible soils. Hence, this project may be accomplished earlier than its planned date of completion.
To ensure the quality standard coastal protection project, the DPWH-NSSDEO management assigned, Project Engineer Filoteo T. Delorino to supervise along with Project Inspector Engr. Ma. Luzyl P. Castillo and Resident Engineer Florando Emilio O. Moscare while Engr. Justino E. Serafin, Jr., for the materials quality assurance of the project.
The impact of this project is to provide protection from soil erosion and damage to roads brought on by continuous heavy rains. Since the area has the potential for promoting local tourism, the completion of the seawall project would benefit the town, as well as the province’s economy.(ZYRA JOY J. CHING, PIO STAFF)
Like any other developing nation heavily reliant on imported oil, our country is constantly affected by fluctuations in global oil prices. The recent surge in oil prices has become a pressing concern for the Philippine economy, impacting various sectors and the overall cost of living.
The recent oil price increases in the Philippines can be primarily attributed to global macroeconomic factors. Rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly in major oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran, have disrupted oil supply chains and spurred fears of oil shortages. Additionally, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global energy demand, leading to market volatility due to reduced economic activity and travel restrictions. These factors have heightened uncertainties in the global oil market, consequently driving up oil prices around the world, including the Philippines.
The implications of increasing oil prices in the Philippines are multifaceted. First and foremost, a surge in oil prices directly affects consumer spending and the overall cost of living. As oil prices soar, transportation costs rise, squeezing disposable income and adversely affecting the purchasing power of Filipinos. Furthermore, the entire supply chain, including logistics and distribution, incurs higher expenses, eventually trickling down to consumers through elevated prices of goods and services. This inflationary pressure compounds the challenges faced by the Filipino populace, exacerbating poverty and hindering economic growth.
The government must adopt a multi-faceted approach. Enhancing energy conservation and efficiency is paramount, as it reduces the dependence on oil imports and mitigates the impact of price fluctuations. Moreover, investing in alternative energy sources, such as renewable energy, can provide a more sustainable and long-term solution to the country’s energy needs. Additionally, efficient and transparent fuel pricing mechanisms should be implemented, aiming to provide appropriate safeguards for both consumers and oil companies, ensuring fair and competitive pricing.
In conclusion, the recent oil price increases in the Philippines are a consequence of global macroeconomic factors and have far-reaching effects on the economy and the overall cost of living. But by promoting energy conservation, diversifying energy sources, and implementing transparent pricing mechanisms, the Philippines can navigate the challenges posed by oil price increases, ensuring a more resilient and sustainable energy sector.
The management of bodily illnesses often reflects a myopic approach towards health, with individuals prioritizing immediate relief and comfort rather than addressing the underlying causes. Pampering bodily illnesses, a prevalent yet misguided approach, demonstrates a lack of foresight and a failure to comprehend the complexities of holistic wellness.
The act of pampering bodily illnesses involves giving precedence to the temporary alleviation of symptoms rather than eliminating the root causes. This approach not only fails to consider the negative consequences but also dismisses the potential long-term effects of neglected health issues. By forgoing comprehensive treatment and opting for mere symptom relief, individuals perpetuate a cycle of dependency on short-term solutions that may exacerbate the initial ailment.
One of the major pitfalls of pampering bodily illnesses is that it engenders a recurring pattern of dependence on treatments that solely focus on transient relief. By embracing this mentality, individuals inadvertently allow illnesses to persist, while neglecting the pursuit of thorough and sustainable remedies. Consequently, this vicious cycle perpetuates chronic health problems, diminishing overall wellness and hampering the path to recovery.
Pampering bodily illnesses often stems from the prevalent belief that the alleviation of symptoms equates to a cure. However, this erroneously narrow perspective overlooks the crucial aspect of preemptive intervention. By merely managing symptoms, individuals forfeit the opportunity to address the underlying causes of their illnesses and prevent future complications, perpetuating a state of unending illness management.
This can inadvertently lead to the neglect of essential healthcare practices and preventative measures. This neglect may extend to routines like regular exercise, a nutrient-rich diet, routine check-ups, and early detection of potential health concerns. Failure to actively engage in holistic wellness practices often exacerbates the impact of bodily illnesses and restrains individuals from achieving sustainable health and well-being.
To overcome the fallacy of pampering illnesses, a shift towards a proactive approach to bodily health is essential. With a proactive mindset, individuals can embrace comprehensive strategies, including preventative measures and addressing the root causes of ailments, rather than seeking temporary relief. Proactive engagement empowers individuals to actively work towards sustainable health, breaking free from the cycle of illness pampering.
The foolishness of pampering bodily illnesses lies in its failure to acknowledge the interconnectedness of physical well-being and long-term health. By focusing solely on the temporary alleviation of symptoms, individuals overlook the importance of addressing underlying causes, potentially derailing their journey toward lasting wellness.
Acknowledging the dangers of this approach, it becomes crucial to shift towards proactive measures and a comprehensive view of health, which encompasses preventive care, early intervention, and holistic wellness practices. In this country of ours where people are mostly avoiding costly hospitalizations, individuals should break free from the vicious cycle of illness pampering and achieve a state of improved overall health and well-being.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), speaking on behalf of the government, has assured the Filipino people that P21.5 billion is available as stand-by calamity fund. The fund can be used for various disaster relief operations for the current year (2023).
The DBM announced that only P1.68 billion has been released from the calamity fund better known as the national disaster and reduction and management fund (NDRRMF) from January to April 2023. Following the post -conflict needs assessment in Marawi City showed that for April 2023, the entire allocation was released to the Department of National Defense (DND) – thus P21.5 billion plus the P2.8 billion carry over from the 2022 budget, stand as the remaining calamity fund available for the current year.
It must be recalled that in 2022, a total of P18 billion in calamity fund were dispensed through other government agencies for disaster response purposes.
NDRRMF (calamity fund) funds are mostly used to cover the construction and rehabilitation of various infrastructure affected by natural disasters like typhoons and other man-made and/or other natural calamities. Also, the same funds are also used to replenish government agencies’ quick response funds (QRFs) as stated in the Law covering the NDRRMF operations. In some instances, the same funds are being used to provide relief to affected Filipinos, including distressed OFWs.
MY COMMENT:
Personally, I would support moves to increase the amount of appropriation for the NDRRMF or calamity funds, considering the regularity and volume of natural, mostly destructive calamities visiting the country such as typhoons.
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