TACLOBAN CITY – Around 1,118 tourism workers here in the region are now fully vaccinated while 663 had already received their first dose of virus against the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19).
These vaccinated workers are employed to the 389 hotels and resorts across the region that have already resumed their operations during this time of pandemic.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) in the region says that there are still 2,104 tourism workers who are still waiting to be vaccinated with 272 are still undecided.
Karina Rosa Tiopes, DOT regional director, said that part of their strategy to encourage those who remain hesitant to get the jab is to talk to them and encourage them to be vaccinated for their own good, in particular.
“Having them vaccinated is also a way of protecting ourselves,” she said.
To increase the number of tourism workers that gets the vaccine, Tiopes said that they are asking local government units to allocate a certain portion of their vaccines for tourism workers.
Tiopes added that Secretary Bernadette Puyat had also promised to provide an allocation of Covid-19 vaccines for all tourism workers in the country.
According to Tiopes, having more tourism workers getting vaccines would boost confidence for tourists to resume travels and visit to tourist destinations thereby helping the circulation of money that helps in improving the local economy.
In Samar province, 26% of the 350 tourism workers in the province are already fully or partially vaccinated.
The province, during the celebration of World Tourism Day 2021 on Tuesday(Sept.28) inoculated 61 individuals who are members of people’s organizations running community-based tourism in the towns of Paranas and Basey, and tourism facility workers in Catbalogan City.
The inoculation drive was also graced by Samar Governor Reynolds Michael Tan, Rep.Sharee Ann Tan (2nd district), and Catbalogan City Mayor Dexter Uy.
The vaccination of tourism workers in the province gives signal that Samar is already ready to welcome the arrival of tourist, according to Gov.Tan.
“Hopefully with this, we can now fully resume the operation of tourism activities in Samar,” he said.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
DOT says that over 1,100 tourism workers been administered with anti-COVID-19 vaccine
Balangiga Encounter marked in a low-key ceremony
120th year
TACLOBAN CITY- The 120th anniversary of the Balangiga Encounter was remembered on Tuesday (Sept.28) without much fanfare with its main guest, Senator Cynthia Villar delivering her message virtually.
The very low key commemoration of America’s greatest defeat in the hands of Filipinos during the Filipino-American War was mainly due to the continuing scourge of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“The simplest so far because all of our visitors are from Eastern Samar. No national figures,” Fe Campanero, information officer of the municipal government, said.
The commemoration started with a Mass held at the St. Lawrence the Martyr followed with the blessing of the three bells enshrined at the grounds of the said church presided by parish priest Fr.Manny Lunario.
A wreath-laying ceremony led by Mayor Randy Graza was held at the monument of local hero Capt. Valeriano Abanador who led the uprising on Sept.28,1901.
A short program was held at the town’s gymnasium with its main guest, Sen. Villar delivering her message online. Several of mayors of the province were around with both Governor Ben Evardone and Rep. Ma. Fe Abunda, sending their respective representatives.
In her message, Villar paid tribute to the heroism and valour displayed by the Balangiganons 120 years ago.
Meantime, this year’s celebration of the Balangiga Encounter was also covered with sadness with the death of Donald “Bob” Couttie, a British national who helped in the campaign for the return of the bells from the possession of the Americans by writing books and articles regarding the bells and their return to the town of Balangiga.
The 71-year old died last September due to prostrate and lung cancers and was buried last Saturday (Sept.25) at the town’s public Catholic cemetery.
Couttie, who chose to live in Balangiga, married last year to widower Nita Mesa.
The bells of Balangiga were returned by the US government last December 11, 2018, 117 years after these artifacts were brought by the American forces.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
Mayor Romualdez vows more facilities to be constructed at the Tacloban north
TACLOBAN CITY- More facilities in line for Tacloban North.
This was assured by City Mayor Alfred Romualdez as he told the more than 200 beneficiaries of housing projects for families displaced by Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ eight years ago.
“Housing is not enough. We need more facilities here,” Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez told the 222 Yolanda Pabahay beneficiaries who received their titles last September 23, 2021, pointing out that living condition improvement does not end in getting their own houses.
Moreover, Mayor Romualdez mentioned about putting up more facilities in Tacloban North, including a P20 million worth dry market, the budget of which was made possible by Sen. Imee Marcos.
He also talked about how the newly launched modern PUVs have been helping the commuters from the northern barangays, and how he has been pushing for 24/7 availability of water to be realized in the area.
Happy to see the 222 beneficiaries from St. Francis Village 1 & 2, North Hill Arbours 1 & 2, and Villa Diana going home to their respective houses as official property owners, the city mayor told them about how he has been working on saving them from the needed fees that the national agencies will charge them upon processing the documents, aside from the free notarization that the LGU is giving them.
He further stated his hopes for the release of the remaining 9,000 Yolanda Pabahay titles before 2021 ends, urging the concerned offices to fast track the needed processes.
Comelec says peaceful first day of COCs filing
Filing until Oct. 8
TACLOBAN CITY- The first day of the filing of the certificates of candidacy (COCs) across the region was declared ‘peaceful’ by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Lawyer Felicisimo Embalsado, assistant Comelec regional director, said that their office has not received any feedbacks from their local offices of any untoward incident related to the first of the one-week filing of the COCs for those running in next year’s elections.
“So far, we have not received any information of any untoward incident during the first day of the COC filing here in the region,” he said.
Embalsado said that aside from ensuring peaceful and orderly manner during the proceeding, marshals were also provided inside the polling offices to see to it that all the mandatory health protocols are observed by the candidates who are filing their COCs.
They are to use face mask and face shield as well observe social distancing.
“As candidates, we expect that they will be the first ones to strictly observe all the mandatory health protocols and we have police marshals to see that health protocols are being observed,” Embalsado said.
The Comelec official also said that prospective candidates who are in quarantine or isolation, they can still file their COCs through an authorized representatives carrying a special power of attorney (SPA).
Next year’s polls will also see the elections of two congressional representatives in Southern Leyte for the first time with incumbent congressman, Roger Mercado, set to file his COC for the province’ first district.
Several candidates have filed their COCs during the first day of the filing which is to end on October 8.
Among them was outgoing Tacloban city vice mayor Jerry Yaokasin who is to challenge reelectionist Mayor Alfred Romualdez who is yet to file his COCs.
Reelectionist Reps. Lolita Javier (NP) and Vicente Veloso (NPC) also filed their COCs for Leyte’s 2nd and 3rd congressional districts respectively.
Also, Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado also filed his COC together with his sister Emily as his running mate under the PDP-Laban.
Embalsado said that they see more candidates filing their COCs on Oct.8, the last day of filing.
“That’s usually happens,” he said.
The country is to hold a general balloting on May 9, 2022 which include the elections of President and Vice President.
NSSDEO employees organize send-off party for Engr. Montubig
NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, Northern Samar- As gratitude and honor for the retiring chief of the Construction Section, the Northern Samar Second District Engineer Office (NSSDEO) employees led by District Engineer David P. Adongay, Jr. prepared a send-off party for Engr. Nilo B. Montubig on September 13, 2021 at the NSSDEO Multipurpose Hall.
Engr. Montubig rendered government service thru the Department of Public Works and Highways for 42 years. He started working at the then Ministry of Public Highways on October 1, 1979 as Junior Civil Engineer with a starting salary of P24.00 per day.
He also became Geodetic Engineer, Senior Civil Engineer, Supv. Civil Engineer, Engineer II and Engineer III. And later, he became the chief of Construction Section.
Together with DE Adongay and Assistant DE Charlito Carlobos, all DEO section chiefs and unit heads delivered their complimentary messages for Engr. Montubig. Then, a plaque of recognition was presented to him in acknowledgement of his meritorious service to the Department for a period of 42 years.
In his message, Engr. Montubig expressed his thanks for the teamwork and support shown to him during his time as the chief of the Construction Section. He likewise conveyed his gratitude to the NSSDEO management for the trust and support extended to him in his whole stint with the agency.
“During my time, noong bago palang ako, naexperience ko din na mapagalitan ng boss ko. Kaya ang advice ko kung sino man ang pumalit sa posisyon ko, gawin ng mabuti ang trabaho at sundin ang mga proseso at ang mandato ng departamento,” Engr. Montubig said.
The affair winded-up with the employees accolades and well wishes for the retiring official.(REY M.ORSUA,INFORMATION OFFICER/PR)