TACLOBAN CITY- Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla is calling on the farmers to design and practice farming activities that will lessen methane and other greenhouse gases emission to the atmosphere and help in climate change mitigation.
Petilla, in an interview, said that farmers should design and practice farming systems that will lessen methane emission and other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
He pointed that methane gas is one of the primary greenhouse gases along with water vapor, nitrous oxide, ozone and carbon compounds which causes greenhouse effect and eventually warming the Earth resulting to climate change.
The governor said that the deadly super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ that pummeled the province and the rest of Eastern Visayas six years ago was a product of climate change.
Petilla suggested that the farmers should not burn farm wastes because in the process, carbon dioxide is emitted to the atmosphere or let them decay in the open as the decaying matter produces and emits methane gas to the atmosphere.
These farm wastes should rather be made into compost and be made as fertilizers to lessen farm production costs, the governor said.
Petilla claimed that under his agricultural program, dubbed as “More Income in the Countryside,” farmers were being taught to practice farming systems and activities that lessen the emission of methane gas and other carbon compounds.
He said that the livestock program of his administration is designed to lessen methane gas emission in the process like the “babuyan walang amoy.”
Petilla added that the program is also teaching the farmers for composting of the farm wastes and make them organic fertilizers to lessen the methane emission to the atmosphere.
It was learned that methane gas which is flammable and being used as a fuel by several countries producing greenhouse gas.
It was further learned that the major sources of methane gas include the decomposition in natural wetlands, decay in landfills and leakage from the oil and gas industry.
But most sources of the methane gas are from human activities like in livestock production, farming systems and biomass burning.
(RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT)
Gov. Petilla calls on the farmers to help in climate change mitigation
East Samar officials condemn NPA attack
(Photo Courtesy)
With six soldiers killed, 20 others wounded
BY: ROEL T. AMAZONA, JOEY A. GABIETA
TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Samar officials led by Rep. Maria Fe Abunda issued their strong condemnation on the killing of six soldiers and the wounding of 20 others by the members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Borongan City on Monday (Nov.11).
The officials said that the deadly attack staged by the rebels against government forces would only further erode to any efforts to achieve peace in Eastern Samar, in particular.
The soldiers, all belonging to the 14th Infantry Battalion based in Oras, Eastern Samar, were ambushed by around 50 rebel members in sitio Bangin of Barangay Pinana-an, a remote coastal village of Borongan City, at past 5 pm.
While the government troops were able to engage the rebel members to a 36-minute firefight, they were still overwhelmed by their enemies who simultaneously detonated six improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
This resulted to the death of six soldiers and injured 20 others.One rebel member was confirmed to have been killed in the gun battle.
Rep. Abunda, in a statement, lamented that while making the province a peaceful and orderly one, this could not be achieved if atrocities will continue.
The congresswoman said that her office is open for a dialogue between the two warring groups that could lead to ending the armed struggle that has often been cited as among the reasons why Eastern Samar remain to be economically depressed.
Abunda expressed her condolences to the families of the six soldiers who died in the gunfight.
Killed during the firefight were Sgt.Rex Jadulco; Corporal Ronaldo Go; Cpl.Limar Banug; Private First Class Kent Loyd Agullo; Private Charlie del Rosario and Private First Class Junmar Buranday.
Injured were Sgt. Kenneth John Arcina; Sgt. Cyril Baja; Sgt. Rando Soria;Pfc Albert Abegonia;Pfc Denmark Gonsaza;Pfc Dandreb Gealon;Pfc Reil Bilason;Pfc Gilbert Renegado;Pfc Rex Batis;Pfc Jerwin Omrob;Pvt Darwin Aborquez;Pvt Joshua Pacuan;Pvt Roger Moore Ditche; Sgt Marlon Orsal;Cpl Dominador Antonio; Cpl Aljon Aguillos; Cpl Linlito Donayre; Pfc Mark Geric De Leon; Pfc Rene Abuda; and Pvt Jayson Beros.
Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda said that he is personally condemning the treacherous attack staged by the rebels who used the prohibited IEDs against the soldiers.
“I am personally condemning this incident, especially so that they used IEDs against the soldiers some of them could be young being just privates,” Agda said.
The city mayor, however, insisted that while the deadly encounter happened within the city, Borongan remain to be peaceful and orderly.
“It’s an isolated case. The area of incident occurred 30 kms away from the city proper and which could only be reached by a six-hour sea travel,” Agda said.
Also expressing his grief on the incident was Mayor Roland Boie Evardone of Arteche town, where one of the killed soldiers, Private First Class Agullo, was a resident.
Mayor Evardone, in a brief statement, shared that it was a ‘sad news’ for the whole town of Arteche to learn that one of its sons perished in a battle.
“Kent Lloyd is a son, a brother, a friend, a hero and a proud Artechehanon. Until his last breath, he made us proud to be an Artechehanon,” Mayor Evardone said.
“The LGU and the residents of our town are in grief with the news and we express our condolences with the family of soldiers who perished and praying for the speedy recovery of those who are wounded,” he added.
Mayor Evardone said that his administration will stand firm with their decision to declare the NPA as persona non grata in their town.
The municipal government passed a resolution on August 16 of this year condemning the relentless atrocities of the communist group and declaring them persona non grata.
And in a statement, the 8th Infantry Division, based in Catbalogan City and under the command of Major Gen. Pio Diñoso III, also condemned the attack as they honored the dead soldiers, calling them heroes for their gallantry and bravery.
”The heroes fought gallantly and bravely until the last breath and last drop of their blood,” it said.
The division will provide assistance to the families of the soldiers who were killed and wounded during the attack as they are now conducting their pursuit operations against the rebel members.
The division said that the soldiers were in the area to provide security to families who were said to have been victims of extortion in the form of money and food stuff by the NPA.
Major Gen. Diñoso earlier said that they are determined to end Eastern Visayas’ insurgency problem by 2020 as mandated by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Rice Awareness Month
Not many people know that November, the month we are in now, was declared National Rice Awareness Month, that’s by virtue of Proclamation No. 524 signed on Jan. 5, 2004, by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
This observation coincides with the anniversary of the Philippine Rice Research Institute created under Executive Order No. 1061 dated Nov. 5, 1985. Tasked as the lead agency for this observation is the Department of Agriculture itself, with the participation of other agencies concerned, be they public or private.
The observance draws its relevance from the fact that rice, among Filipinos, is the staple food on the table. Families gather for major meals every day, but these are not complete without rice on their plates. It seems that Filipinos cannot survive without rice for even when they go overseas where rice is hardly available, this is the food stuff that they look for.
Part of this awareness campaign is to let the Filipino people see the value of rice in their lives in particular, and in their families in general. We cannot afford to waste it; instead, we should make full use of it by converting it into other delicacies when, for instance, oversupply makes consumption impossible. Better yet, share it with the hungry if such situation occurs rather than allowing rice stocks to rot in corners.
As a symbol of life, or life itself, for Filipinos, rice ought to be valued and treasured, its production prioritized. Support our local farmers that produce it. Save every grain of it for the survival of hungry Filipinos.
Giant Christmas tree lighting set at Robinsons North Tacloban
Robinsons North Tacloban finally opens the merry months of the Holidays with the Giant Christmas Tree Grand Lighting event on November 5, 5pm!
The world-class and breathtaking Christmas attraction will definitely be a perfect backdrop for your selfies and shopping, this generation’s favorite indomitable duo. During the launch, there will be a gift-giving activity for the selected students of Anibong Elementary School. Adding to the good Yuletide vibe are performances from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) band, Guadalupe Youth Choir, Kusog Performing Arts Group, and Mascots appearances. (PR)
Airstrike in Las Navas in accordance with International Humanitarian Law
TACLOBAN CITY-The airstrike in Las Navas, Northern Samar is in accordance with the International Humanitarian Law, contrary to allegations of groups associated with the CPP-NPA, Major General Pio Q. Diñoso III, commander of the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Catbalogan City, told the Philippine Information Agency.
M/Gen. Diñoso underscored that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and will never put the lives of Filipinos in danger.
“The operation was planned meticulously and executed precisely to ensure that only the terrorist camp is destroyed in order to stop the bomb making activities of the NPA and also to stop them from further terrorizing helpless civilians,” Diñoso added.
The NPA encampment, Diñoso explained, was a bomb-making camp of the terrorists. Bomb components such as anti-tank mines, blasting caps, wires, etc., were found at the site.
The lair was a hiding place of rebel terrorists after attacks on military bases and soldiers doing community protection patrols.
The place was laced with booby traps of explosives not only fatal to foot soldiers but also to civilians.
Moreover, Diñoso disclosed that the site was in an uninhabited part of the town, about 2 kilometers away from the nearest community of Brgy. Caputoan. Civilians were prevented by the rebels to go near.
Besides, the precision bombs were released by pilots who have visuals of their targets to ensure no collateral damage is inflicted.
Information about the NPA lair have been provided by nearby residents themselves who have been victims of extortion, threats and intimidation by these NPA terrorists, Diñoso said. (OPT/PIA-8)
35 houses gutted down in a fire in Seawall District
At least 14 people were hurt in the incident
TACLOBAN CITY- A big fire hit in one of this city’s slum areas on November 2 that injured 14 people as fire authorities have yet to determine the cause of the blaze that gutted down 35 houses.
The more than an hour fire hit Barangay 37, Seawall area, at around 11:10 am with fire authorities declaring a fire out at 12:15 noon.
FO3 Jonald Lace, fire investigator of the City Fire Office, said that they have yet to know the cause of the fire that gutted down 35 houses which were mostly made of light materials.
He said that based on their initial investigation, the fire started at two-storey boarding house owned by Regina Orgena who was not around at the time of the incident.
“Our investigation is still ongoing so we cannot categorically say what was the cause of the fire incident. The fire spread quickly because the houses were mostly made of light materials and aided with strong winds,” Lace said.
The area is located within the city’s port area.
Damage to the fire incident has yet to be determine.
Village councilor Cris Abadines said that based on the information she gathered from the residents, the fire could have been ignited by an unattended rice cooker left by boarders identified as Rez Abuya and Marvin Lucas.
Lace, however, said that based on his investigation to both Abuya and Lucas, they denied that they left the rice cooker when they leave the boarding at around 6 am.
The fire incident resulted to the injury of 14 people, mostly lacerations. But one of them, Aldren Ocado,25, suffered a first-degree burn who was immediately received treatment from a medical staff from the City Health Office.
Rosanna Galangue, 45, said that she was cleaning their house when she heard loud of screams that a fire engulfed their village.
“I immediately ran away from our house, bringing nothing as I grabbed my daughter Riza Mae,” she said.
Olive Solayao, meanwhile, said that she was preparing to visit their departed loved ones at the city public cemetery when the fire broke out.
“We hurriedly left our house with just our clothes on,” the 41-year old mother said.
At that time, she was with her mother, Marina, 65; siblings Emilyn, 38 and Erwin, 42; and her daughter Lyka Mae, 7.
The affected residents, for the meantime, will be accommodated at the barangay hall.
The City Social and Development Office immediately provided food packs to fire victims.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)