TACLOBAN CITY– Larry Portillo, one of this city’s veteran broadcasters, succumbed to a lingering illness on Sunday (July 9) while confined in a hospital.
Portillo, 37, was the station manager of Brigada before his death.
The death of Portillo, who ran during the 2019 elections for councilor of Tacloban, shocked his media colleagues and friends alike.
“Usa ka han pinakaboutan nga sikat nga media ha Region 8, nga akon nakilala, salit idol ko ikaw. Happy ako nga nakilala ko ikaw, ngan diri ko hinangangalimtan an imo ka humble,” Rene Castino, a radio broadcaster at MSFM 105.3 in Catbalogan City, said on his post.
“Today, the Eastern Visayas media mourns the demise of one of its best media personalities, Larry Portillo. He was my college instructor, a friend, and my tatay. My heartfelt sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the whole Portillo family,” said RMN Tacloban broadcaster Justine Traya.
Liza Baoy, the former regional information officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Eastern Visayas, recalled her professional and personal friendship with Portillo.
“Those were the days when all you needed was a call and I’d be the guest you didn’t have but will rush up wherever and whenever…Rest easy, Larry. Thank you for the assistance you gave me and Regional Office 8 during those early days,” Baoy wrote online.
Portillo was also elected as councilor in Barangay 76 Fatima and was previously employed at Bombo Radyo and PRTV Tacloban.
His remains now lie at St. Peter Funeral Home with his internment scheduled on July 16. (RONALD O. REYES)
CATARACT PATIENTS. At least 70 individuals, mostly poor and elderly, who are suffering from eye cataracts were served during a medical mission conducted by the An Taclobanon Association of Southern California Surgical Team at the Tacloban City Hospital on July 3-4. The said medical mission was in cooperation with the Tacloban city government. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
CATARACT PATIENTS. At least 70 individuals, mostly poor and elderly, who are suffering from eye cataracts were served during a medical mission conducted by the An Taclobanon Association of Southern California Surgical Team at the Tacloban City Hospital on July 3-4. The said medical mission was in cooperation with the Tacloban city government. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
Solon claims Onate violates environmental laws
TACLOBAN CITY– Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez continues his criticisms against a town mayor for his alleged disregard of the environmental laws.
Gomez, representing Leyte’s fourth district, said that Mayor Ramon Oñate appears not to heed the appeal of his people for an environment and healthy-friendly operations of his poultry in Palompon town.
According to the solon, this is the reason why he called for a congressional investigation on the alleged environmental violations being committed by Oñate due to the operations of his poultry farm.
He said that the poultry farm of the town mayor has been in operation for the past 20 years now where its wastes go directly to a protected watershed.
“I only learned about these environmental violations of Mayor Oñate when I became a congressman because I received numerous complaints from the people of Palompon,” Gomez said on Wednesday.
He said that he immediately took a probe on this alleged violation of the mayor for the sake of the people of Palompon and other municipalities of the district, including Ormoc City which shares the watershed.
“I am very passionate about this environmental problem in our district because if this violation will not be acted accordingly, what will happen to our environment, especially in the fourth district of Leyte?’ Gomez said.
“That is why, I am here, standing up against this environmental violator,” he added.
He also accused the town mayor of ‘adjusting’ their comprehensive land use plan to ensure that the location of his poultry farm will not be included in the area identified as protected like the watershed.
Violeta Gumbang, a resident of Barangay San Joaquin, where the breeding farm in question is located, said that they are affected due to the operation of the said facility.
“Flies are all over. We cannot eat properly because of these flies. Our health is also affected due to the bad odor emitting from the plant,” she said.
Gomez clarified that he has nothing against Oñate and even said that if he will make the necessary measures not to harm the watershed due to the operations of his poultry farm, he will not question it.
The Leyte solon has earlier sought a congressional inquiry on this matter.
Oñate had earlier insisted that he did not commit any environmental violations as a result of the operation of his poultry farm located in Barangay San Joaquin.
He had said that he has all the documents secured from concerned government agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showing that it following environmental protection and laws.
The town mayor also said that contrary to the claim of the solon, the watershed is not affected due to the operation of their breeding farm as it is located over a kilometer away from their designated soil conditioner containment area.
Ana Morillo, 73, is all smiles in her graduation photo, as she is to march on July 11 for finishing her senior high education at the Don Juan F. Avalon National High School, San Roque town in Northern Samar. (Photo Courtesy,Rodnie Morillo)
TACLOBAN CITY– At 73-years old, Ana Morillo is all set to graduate from her senior high or Grade 12 at the Don Juan F. Avalon National High School (DJFANHS) in San Roque town, Northern Samar this July 11.
Ana Morillo, 73, is all smiles in her graduation photo, as she is to march on July 11 for finishing her senior high education at the Don Juan F. Avalon National High School, San Roque town in Northern Samar. (Photo Courtesy,Rodnie Morillo)
It took her 58 long years since she graduated her elementary and for her to continue her studies via the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Morillo is a widow for three years now with three children and seven grandchildren. She is also the eldest of her eight siblings, of which only one managed to finish college.
“I am happy that slowly, my dream to finish my studies and earn a college degree is now being realized,” she said in a phone interview on Wednesday (June 28).
She said she wants to take accountancy in college at the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) in Catarman, about 28 kms away from their town of San Roque.
Morillo took the ALS at the age of 71 which she finished in 2021, the height of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and finished it this year, with the impacts of pandemic is receding.
ALS is a program of the DepEd that provides opportunities for out-of-school youth and adult learners for them to complete the basic education.
According to Morillo, while she was able to graduate her elementary in 1963, she was not able to continue her studies due to sheer poverty.
“We were so poor. Both my parents were farmers and at that time, education was not being considered as a priority, especially for women like me,” she said.
Her parents, both deceased, only reached elementary levels.
And while Morillo was out of school, she busied herself attending the household chores and tended the needs of her younger siblings.
And when she got married in 1974 at the age of 24, her dream to earn education took a backseat as she was preoccupied attending to the needs of her children and later, even some of her grandchildren.
“But all this time, I never gave up on my dream to earn an education,” she said.
And in 2021, her dream to finish at least secondary education was realized as she enrolled under the ALS in an elementary school located in their village of Ginagdan.
She took accountancy, business and management (ABM) strand, saying she find math subject ‘easy.’
“At that time, I felt it was the right time for me to continue my studies and enrolled under the ALS. In fact, I even encouraged some seniors in our village to return to school but no one listened to me saying they are old already,” she said.
She admitted that when she returned to school, she found herself ‘rusty’ and had to adjust to the demands of being a student.
“I was out of school for so long, 1963 to be exact, and since then, there were several changes in our education system. I was also preoccupied attending to my family and tending our small sari-sari store,” she said.
She also did not mind that her classmates were much younger than her. And out of the 11 ALS students enrolled, only three of them managed to finish it, Morillo said.
And it was her youngest son, Rodnie, 32, who helped her in her studies and some of her school works.
Rodnie is now on his second year taking up Bachelor of Science in community development at UEP. He himself has to stop several times due to health reason.
“I am proud of my mother. She is really serious in earning an education despite of the challenges, hardships, and even bullying due to her old age,” he said.
It was Rodnie who submitted the school works and modules of his mother to the school during the pandemic as she was not allowed to go out at that time, being already a senior.
His two siblings have their own families now.
Morillo’s school adviser, Jigs Roncesvalles, said that he is proud of her perseverance to acquire education at her ripe age.
“Just proud of her, given her age, she pursued her studies, proving to everyone that age is never a barrier in continuing one’s education,” he said.
Roncesvalles described Morillo as ‘very diligent, hands-on, and she takes responsibility of her own learning.’
According to him, since the DJFANHS was founded 55 years ago, Morillo is the oldest to graduate from the said school.
She is among the 528 students of the school that will take their diplomas and finish senior high in this year’s school term.
Morillo said that while she is determined to finish her college degree, she is realistic enough that she could not land a job either in the government or private company due to her old age.
“That’s how our country treats our seniors, which is so sad. Still, I am determined to fulfill my lifelong dream which is to earn a degree. That despite my age, I can proudly say that I was able to earn an education,” Morillo said. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
TACLOBAN CITY– As part of its development program for the youth sector of the city, the Tacloban City local government deployed on Tuesday, July 4, 8 beneficiaries for the second semester of the Government Internship Program (GIP) to different city government offices.
According to the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), which facilitated the deployment, the grantees will work for six months until December of this year and will receive a remuneration equal to the job order workers of the city government, or about P 375 per day.
For the first semester of this year, covering the months of January to June, 10 grantees availed of the program and were “absorbed” into the workforce of the local government.
The GIP is a special employment program that aims to provide young workers, particularly poor or indigent young workers ages 18–30, with an opportunity to work in the government service.
For those interested in applying to the program, the PESO enumerated the following requirements: High school applicants must provide a copy of their Form 137 or report card, live birth, and employment clearance from their Barangay, while college-level or graduate applicants must present a copy of their TOR, live birth, and barangay employment clearance.
Applications are accepted at the PESO, located on the ground floor of the USAID Building at Kanhuraw Hill. The next deployment under the program will be held next year.
Meanwhile, the PESO updated that slots for the TUPAD and Jobstart programs have already been filled out and will start deployment soon. The TUPAD has 257 beneficiaries, while Jobstart has 100. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
ORMOC CITY-The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) and Leyte 2nd DEO, together forming Cluster 4, bagged the 3rd runner-up trophy in the overall standing of the prestigious DPWH 125th Anniversary: “Makasaysayang Daan Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan” held on June 22-23, 2023 at the DPWH Region 8 grounds.
During the sportsfest championship games, Cluster 4 athletes demonstrated their skills, prowess and competitive spirit, achieving 1st runner-up position in badminton as well as table tennis. The highlight of the cluster’s accomplishment came in the basketball tournament where the team showcased their strategic play and dominance on the court, earning them the coveted championship title.
In addition to the sporting events, the DEO also participated in the Dance Fusion competition. Furthermore, the much-anticipated Mr. and Ms. DPWH pageant witnessed the elegance and charisma of Leyte 4th DEO representatives from Planning and Design Section, Kyle Miguel Pore and Engr. Dixie Jell Romo wherein the latter secured the 1st runner-up position of Ms. DPWH on top of the Ms. Congeniality title.
The success of the DEO during this event highlights the talent and dedication present within the organization and reflects on the commitment of DPWH in promoting a culture of excellence. (PR)
Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda and B/Gen. Noel Vestuir, the commanding officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, extended their congratulations to the 88 newly-hired Cafgu members. (802nd IB)
Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda and B/Gen. Noel Vestuir, the commanding officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, extended their congratulations to the 88 newly-hired Cafgu members. (802nd IB)
Barangay Campesao, Borongan City, Eastern Samar – The 78th Infantry (WARRIOR) Battalion, 8ID, PA conducted the Joint Closing Ceremony of the CAA-II Basic Military Training (BMT) Classes 4 and 5 composed of 88 civilian volunteers (CVs) coming from Borongan City and adjacent municipalities.
The activity was held at the Headquarters of 78IB in Barangay Lalawigan, Borongan City, Eastern Samar on July 04, 2023 which was graced by Hon. Jose Ivan Dayan C. Agda, City Mayor of Borongan, who served as the guest of honor and speaker.
Present also in the event were Brigadier General Noel A. Vestuir, commander of 802nd Infantry (PEERLESS) Brigade; Col Rico O. Amaro, deputy commander of 802nd Brigade; Lieutenant Colonel Allan T. Tria, commanding officer of 78IB; Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto R. Dela Rosa Jr., commandant of the 8th Division Training School; and families and friends of the graduating Cafgus.
The CAA Basic Military Training is aimed to physically and mentally prepare the CAFGUs to perform their duties as auxiliary force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Upon graduation, they will report to their respective CAA patrol bases and use their knowledge and skills as defenders of their communities which were once influenced by communist terrorists. They will form part of the Integrated Territorial Defence System (ITDS) in the cleared areas.
The ITDS serves as a physical and psychological barrier against the expansion and recovery efforts of the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorists.
According to Brig. Gen. Vestuir, 802nd Infantry Brigade Commander, “With the completion of the training of these 88 young and able-bodied men, we have additional warm bodies that could be deployed to support our campaign of ending the local communist armed conflict.
With additional CAAs, we can now expand our operational reach, we can now secure more communities, and more development projects will be implemented in the areas that were already cleared of CPP-NPA-NDF terrorists’ influence.
Vestuir also expressed his confidence that the new CAFGUs will significantly contribute in finally ending the local communist armed conflict that has been tormenting the region for more than half a century.
He also reminded the fresh graduates to use their “warrior” mentality and skills that they acquired during the rigorous training to deliver a huge blow to the peace spoilers. He also added the imperatives in the military service which is to uphold the highest level of discipline while respecting the people’s rights as they serve our communities.
“Your courage, love of country, and patriotism are investments that the people of Borongan and Eastern Samar rely on in order to accelerate the elusive sustainable development and lasting peace that they desire for their communities” Vestuir added.
Meanwhile, Mayor Agda assured his full support to the CAFGUs as they perform their duties of securing the people and communities. He said he will increase their pay and provide other incentives as gratitude for their sacrifices and dedication of serving the people of Borongan City.
With this, he expects that they will be able to fulfill their duties to help the local government in maintaining peace and order for them to deliver the needed services to their constituents especially in communities formerly infiltrated by the NPA. (PR)
