MAASIN CITY- Several enlisted men in uniform of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from different stations of the province of Southern Leyte literally poured their blood out so that others, the dengue victims especially, can live longer.
On Monday, September 9, at least 50 policemen joined the mass bloodletting at the Southern Leyte Provincial Police Office (SLPPO) through nurses and medics of the local health station and the Red Cross.
“The activity was in line with the call from the regional office. But instead of bringing our officers there, I suggested we do it here, and it was approved,” said P/Col. Nelson Eucogco, provincial PNP director.
Among those who donated blood were elements from the SLPPO, the mobile group, and two volunteers each from the municipal and city police stations, including non-uniformed personnel.
The accumulated blood will be donated to patients suffering from dengue anywhere in the province, this is the police way of sharing and contributing something to cushion the ill effects of the epidemic, Eucogco added.
A member of the local media, Dahlia Orit of Radio Filipinas-DYSL, donated blood herself, her second donation.
Meanwhile, the number of dengue cases province-wide rose to 711 as of September 5, up from 437 last month, data from the Provincial Health Services Office showed.
(LDL/MMP/PIA-8, Southern Leyte)

PALO, Leyte – Philippine National Police Deputy Chief for Operations Police Brigadier General Archie Gamboa lead in the awarding of policemen and partners of the Police Regional Office 8 during the celebration of the 118th Police Service Anniversary at the Leyte Academic Center on Tuesday(Sept.10).
Gamboa was assisted by police regional director B/Gen. Dionardo Carlos in giving recognitions to the awardees.
Gamboa, in his message, lauded the PRO8 in its contributions to the program of the national government in the campaign against criminality, illegal logging, illegal fishing, campaign against illegal drugs and anti-insurgency.
“These and all other achievements that may not have been mention speak well of PRO8 capability and commitment to service. But more than anything, those you serve will inspire you to achieve even more, to lead as example to other region,” Gamboa said.
He also urged PRO8 personnel to continue in strengthening their fight against criminality, not only to serve as job of policemen but also as “a collective matter of national interest.”
Among the individuals awardees were Police Colonel Bowenn Joey Masauding as best senior PCO for administration; PCol Rolando Miranda, best senior PCO for operations; PLtCol Rodolfo Castro Jr,best junior PCO for administrations; PLt. Eladio Alo,best junior PCO for operations; Chief Master Sergeant Alma Colibao, best senior PNCO for administration;PMSg Arnold Cabacang,best Senior PNCO for operations; Patrolwoman Marianne Gale Gacho, best Junior PNCO for administration;PMSg Ramil Ramosa,best Junior PNCO for operations.
Geraldine Ong was awarded as Best Non-Uniform Personnel-Supervisory level while John Mark Pogoy was named as the Best Non-Uniform Personnel-Non-supervisory level.
PNP8 Regional Pastor Office, PLtCol Joselito Borja, received a special award. Borja is set to vacate his post and will be re-assigned as the police chaplain in the Cordillera region.
Under unit awardees, Leyte Provincial Police Office was recognized as the Best Police Provincial Office of the Year, Tacloban City Police Office (Best City Police Station of the Year), Catbalogan City Police Station (Best Police Station of the Year), Sogod Municipal Police Station (Best Municipal Police Station of the Year), Tacloban City Police Station 2 (Best Police Station of the Year), 1st Northern Samar Police Mobile Force Company (Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Year), Ormoc City Mobile Force Company (City Mobile Force Company of the Year), 803rd Maneuver Company (Best Maneuver Company), Regional Legal Service 8 (Best Regional Administrative Support Unit), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Regional Field Unit 8 (Best Regional Operation Support Unit), Saint Bernard Municipal Police Station-Women and Children Protection Desks (Best WCPD CPS/MPS level) and Leyte PPO, PPSMU (Best PSMU PPO/CPO level).
The PRO8 also handed over recognition to their stakeholders which included Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, Leyte former governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez, Department of Health Regional Director Minerva Molon, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippine Tacloban area manager Danilo Abareta, Sta. Cruz Elementary School principal Menchiel Macaso, Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center Chief Dr. Salvador Evardone, Manila Bulletin correspondent Marie Tonette Grace Marticio and Junior Chamber International member Ma. Luisa Ignacio.
BGen Gamboa, in his message, lauded the PRO8 in its contributions to the program of the national government in the campaign against criminality, illegal logging, illegal fishing, campaign against illegal drugs and anti-insurgency.
Former PRO8 regional director and now PRO13 Regional Director BGen Gilberto Dela Cruz Cruz, 8th Infantry Division Commander Major General Pio Diñoso III were also present during the anniversary celebration held at the Leyte Academic Center. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY- The local government of Tacloban through the Traffic Operations, Management, Enforcement, and Control Office (TOMECO) started on Thursday, September 12, the two-week-long dry-run activity for odd-even traffic scheme to curb traffic congestion in the city.
Officer-in-Charge of TOMECO, Engr. Dionisio De Paz, said that upon their observation earlier, they have noticed that the conduct of the odd-even scheme on Old Road Sagkahan and Real Street was effective for roads were less congested.
“Kanina han aga so far, nakita naton nga an along Magallanes ngan Real tikang ha Astrodome kay talaga humiluag na. Okay na ngan durudiretso an biyahe ngan mayda kita nakita nga kabag-ohan,” he stressed.
In a flyer given by TOMECO, it was stated that public utility vehicles (PUVs) whose plates ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) are advised to ply in Old Road Sagkahan on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Meanwhile, during Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays they are allowed to pass in Real Street.
PUVs with even plate numbers (ending with 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8), on the other hand, are permitted to travel in Old Road Sagkahan during Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays they are only allowed to ply in Real Street.
The city’s odd-even scheme will span for two weeks and will undergo proper monitoring and observation.
“Kinahanglan man kita mag-observe anay bag-o ine ig-fully implement kay may mga proseso pa ine nga ginsusunod. Ine nga mga panahon, kutob ha mga masunod nga semana in talaga dry-run la anay ine,” said De Paz when asked if the said traffic scheme is already for implementation.
As the dry-run continues, the official is looking forward to having a dialogue with the PUV drivers and operators on Saturday, September 21 to review and assess the effectiveness of the said scheme.
(C. MERIN/CIO)

TACLOBAN CITY-The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has opened its OWWA Rebate Portal on September 1, 2019 as part of the launching of the OWWA Rebate Program.
The OWWA Rebate Program is in compliance with the provision of the OWWA Act which is to implement the grant of rebate to long-time members of OWWA.
The OWWA Rebate Portal will aid the distribution of the OWWA Rebate Program and functions as a database for qualified OFW-members.
This online system, developed by OWWA, is where member-OFWs can easily verify if they are eligible to the rebate program. It also serves as an appointment system where the qualified beneficiaries can set an appointment to the nearest OWWA office.
Qualified to the rebate program are OFWs who have been members of OWWA for at least 10 years with at least five or more contributions made as of December 31, 2017 and OFW-member or his/her family has not availed of any program or benefit from OWWA.
Qualified beneficiaries will present the appointment code that will be sent via SMS after setting an appointment, to their chosen OWWA Regional Welfare Offices including other documentary requirements for verification.
After the verification process, the beneficiaries will provide his/her bank details where OWWA will deposit the amount of his/her rebate.
The amount of the rebate can also be donated by the beneficiaries to the Tuloy-Aral Project (TAP) of OWWA to help send kids of less fortunate OFWs to school. It can also be used as payment for the renewal of OWWA membership for OFWs who still have active employment contract abroad.
Qualified OFWs may be able to claim P941.25 up to P13,177.50 based on the number of their contributions.
The computation for the Rebate Program is based on an actuarial study commissioned by OWWA which determined the capability of the OWWA Fund to implement the rebate program without negatively affecting the regular programs and services of the agency.
Based on the actuarial study, P1 billion was earmarked for the rebate program to be distributed to the 556,000 beneficiaries of the rebate per OWWA database.
OFW-members will be able to access the OWWA Rebate Portal via the OWWA website owwa.gov.ph. For further questions about the OWWA Rebate Program, visit the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office in your area or call OWWA Hotline 1348. (PR)

BORONGAN CITY- The successful implementation of the supplemental feeding program (SFP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in this city has tremendously help reduced the malnutrition problem among children.
Thus said city social welfare officer Thelma Banal who said that since 2011 up to 2018, the program has benefited 11,400 children from the 61 day care centers of the city.
Of the same period, about P20.32 million has been spent for the implementation of the said program.
Banal reported that all parents in all of the 61 day care centers across the city have participated in the implementation of the program.
“Parents take charge in the food preparation and assist the DCWs in ensuring that children are all able to eat during meal time. And since the budget is very limited considering the prices of commodities at present, most often parents have their share in providing other ingredients contained on the menu for each day,” she said.
Banal claims that the successful implementation of SFP in the city has contributed a lot in solving the malnutrition problem as it has resulted to nearly 100 percent improvement of the day care children beneficiaries on their nutritional and health status.
“The supplemental feeding program is vital in minimizing the malnutrition program among 3-4 years old children in the city. Our records will show that there is almost 100 percent improvement of our day care children beneficiaries on their nutritional and health status, from being malnourished to normal weight,” she said.
(RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT)