CAMP JORGES DOWNES, ORMOC CITY– On December 26, 2022, 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army celebrated Christmas with 34 former rebels or Friends Rescued (FRs) with their loved ones and families of still active Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) at Camp Downes, Ormoc City, Leyte.

The activity was graced by Colonel Noel A Vestuir, brigade commander with deputy brigade commander, Colonel Rico O Amaro; provincial director of TESDA-Leyte, Director Rolando Bade; and battalion commanders of 14th and 93rd Infantry Battalions.

Significant parts of the program were parlor games, fellowship lunch, gift-giving, stakeholders’ message of commitment, FR’s message of thanks, and Christmas message of Commander, 802nd Infantry Brigade.

The FRs are thankful and happy celebrating Christmas while their former colleagues especially their families and children are still suffering hardship in the hands of the terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF. The FRs denounced the 54-years of CPP futile ideology and terrorism that agonizes the lives of every Filipino.

Noticeable among FRs’ messages of thanks, encouragement and calling include that of Elmer Anota, former CPP party member and MAKABAYAN organizer who encouraged fellow urban area operators to stop deceiving and recruiting those from the vulnerable and indigent sectors.

Rufa Correa was thankful in her testimony for having availed the Alternative Leaning System (ALS) with her sister fellow FR, Realyn Correa Lombog. The Correa sisters also expressed their gratitude for the rescue from CTG detention of their ailing mother, FR Pacita Correa and her subsequent treatment of her blurring eyesight that could have led to her permanent blindness.

Pacita also gave thanked the military for the good treatment afforded to her rescued daughters and treatment of her damaged eyes. She further appealed for the surrender of her CNTs husband and sons to complete their family and live normal lives.

Jevelyn Aloba also called for surrender of her CNT husband Resty Opo assist her in raising their son and daughter together.

Couple Zaldy and Clarita Centino discouraged the public from enticement to CPP-NPA-NDF deceptions.

Jessica Darantinao also called for the surrender of her sister CNT Janeth Darantinao as her children suffer hardship with the recent death of their father that left them under the care of their ageing grandmother.

Gina De Veyra, a former organizer-recruiter for the GABRIELA Party List conveyed awareness on terrorists allied and/or supportive progressive organizations.

Helen Fuentes expressed happiness for the rescue of her son, Jannel Fuentes and called for the surrender of her daughter Realyn. In his message, Jannel Fuentes was also thankful for his safe rescue and called for the surrender of his sister, Realyn. Librado Tarong apologized to fellow FRs for deceiving and recruiting them that tormented their life while in CPP-NPA terrorist organization.

TESDA Provincial Director Rolando Bade committed to attend to the needs of all FRs by conducting skills training including the members of the Brigade-organized thirteen (13) Municipal/City Integrated Peace and Development Workers Associations (IPDWAs) in the Province of Leyte.

The activity was aimed to make our FRs happy and for them to feel that they are being cared for by the government especially that they are actively supporting the every Filipino’s desire of pursuing a just and lasting peace”. Colonel Vestuir said.

“We will continue this noble advocacy to save more victims of CPP-NPA-NDF and make them realize that despite of all wrong that has transpired when they joined the CTGs, – MARAMI PA RING NAGMAMAHAL SA KANILA!” Colonel Vestuir ended. (PR)

In Northern Samar, workers receive gratuity pay of P5,000

TACLOBAN CITY – Few days before New Year fireworks vendors and “torotot” or party horns sellers are now displaying their products in the city streets here.
As of this time, sellers said that their products are now selling briskly unlike in previous years.

However, they are expecting that their sales will pick up beginning today (Dec.31) as Taclobanons set to welcome the New Year this midnight.

The Philippine National Police in the region issued an advisory to residents to buy firecrackers and fireworks only to authorized dealers and retailers.

The region had three authorized dealers all are located in Tacloban and 105 retailers.
Torotot sellers had mushroomed in the city’s downtown area in the hope that the public will heed the advisory from the police to only use safe firecrackers and other ‘noise makers’ during the New Year’s eve celebration.

Torotot costs P35 each or three for P100.

But be mindful of the fact that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to be a threat buyers are prohibited to try the torotot before they buy the item.
Torotot seller Sittie Ainnah Disumangcop said that it is a precautionary measure against possible spread of COVID-19.

“Ginagamit namin ito para ma prevent sa pag spread ng virus,” she said.

Moreover, the PNP in the region also deployed over 2,500 policemen assigned in places of convergence to ensure peace and order and security during holiday celebration.

Meantime, the more than 2,400 job order and contractual employees of the provincial government of Northern Samar have extra money to spend as they welcome the New Year.
This after the provincial board, upon the request of Governor Edwin Ongchuan, appropriated P12 million to give to the workers as their gratuity pay during their special session on Tuesday (Dec. 27).

The workers are to receive P5,000 each. Entitled to receive are those who have been in service for four months now.

The workers started to receive their gratuity pay beginning Wednesday (Dec. 28).
The granting of the gratuity pay is based on Administrative Order Number 3 issued by Pres. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. on Dec.23.(ROEL T.AMAZONA/JOEY A. GABIETA)

CATARMAN,Northern Samar– The Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar 1st District Engineering Office recently turned over the newly completed 2-storey Rural Health Unit Facility to the Local Government of Catarman Northern Samar on December 13, 2022.

District Engineer Mario D. Villena turned-over the facility to Municipal Health Officer Dra. Myrna C. Trongcoso. The ceremonial turn-over was also attended by the Municipal Administrator Renato Esidera, Municipal Engineer Carlito Danque, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator (MPDC) Engr. Norman Camposano and Municipal Health Office personnel.

DE Villena disclosed that P14.8 million was earmarked by Department of Health (DOH) for the construction of the said health facility.

“The construction of this facility is part of DPWH commitment to build necessary infrastructure to improve the precision of health care services in Catarman,” said District Engineer Mario D. Villena.

The Rural Health Unit building with a total area of 460.17 square meter includes provisions of 24-hour birthing facility and a function hall sufficiently ventilated for patient consultation and other basic health services.

MHO Trongcoso expressed her excitement that they can now occupy to a bigger and sturdier building.

This newly built facility will augment efficient and upgraded health services in the municipality with 55 barangays catering more than 100,000 population.
(ANALIZA A. PABIA /PR)