TACLOBAN CITY- The National Rabies Awareness Month Celebration in the city government of Tacloban was capped with the awarding ceremony of the winners of the “Search for Astray and Rabies Free Barangay” held at the USAID Training Center on March 29, 2019.
The team leaders of the 5 evaluating teams together with Dr. Eunice Alcantara, Dr. Rogiel Mahait and Dr. Johdel Ty of the City Veterinary Office after thorough deliberations unanimously selected Barangays 36-A Imelda Village, 44 Sta. Cruz St./Quarry District and 43-A Quarry District as the grand winners of the Contest.
Each of the barangay received a plaque of recognition and a cash prize worth P10,000.
Chairmen Rebecca Obenieta (Brgy. 36-A), Marilou Tiu (Brgy. 44) and Evelyn Magalona (Brgy. 43-A) each gave their impressions of the event.
Tiu committed to continuing the campaign against rabies in her barangay through a barangay-based search for Astray/Rabies Free Households and regular film-showing event about the dreaded disease in her barangay.
Consolation prizes were also given to seven barangays, namely Brgys. 71 Naga-Naga, 81 Marasbaras, 109 V&G, 92 Apitong and 17 Gomez St; each received plaque of participation and a cash prizes of P7,000.
Brgy. 83-A Burayan and Brgy. 39 Siren District both received plaque and cash prizes worth P5,000.
The barangays were rated using the following criteria: record of dog population survey (10 points), adoption of the barangay of the city ordinance (15 points), record of barangay blotter of animal bite cases (10 points), record of negative results of samples submitted to RADDL (Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory) (10 points), rabies awareness posters in strategic places in the barangay (10 points), negative human/animal cases for the past five years (15 points), record of dog registration/vaccination (10 points) and on-site evaluation/enumeration of stray dogs (20 points).
According to City Veterinary Officer Dr. Eunice Alcantara, the contest was the first ever held in the entire Country.
Alcantara likewise disclosed that for almost 15 years there was no human transmission of rabies recorded in Tacloban City.
The last recorded case was in 2004, and she hopes that Tacloban City will finally be declared nationally as a “rabies-free city.”
The success of the anti-rabies campaign in Tacloban is due to the unwavering support of Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez to the Veterinary Office.
Mayor Romualdez was represented by Executive Assistant Dr. Teofila Brosas who was one of the Award presenters.
Last year, the CVO was awarded by the Department of Health Regional Office 8 as the Best Performing local government unit in the region for the Rabies Awareness and Control Program.
(R.CALIPARA/CIO)

Now a candidate for Samar governor

TACLOBAN CITY- Samar Rep. Milagrosa ‘Mila’ Tan was acquitted by the Sandiganbayan on a complaint filed against her over alleged irregular purchase of medical and dental supplies while she was still the governor.
In a decision released on March 29, the anti-graft court said that the prosecution failed to establish that Tan committed graft and malversation of public funds involving P69 million.
The said act happened in 2007 while she was the governor of the province.
“There is no evidence that the drugs and medicines purchased were overvalued nor was there any showing of the accepted, appropriate or standard prices for the items. The court cannot merely speculate,” the Sandiganbayan said on its 67-page decision.
Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg penned the decision concurred by Associate Justices Efren dela Cruz and Edgardo Caldona.
The decision of the Second Division of the Sandiganbayan came out as Tan was gearing for her campaign on her bid to replace her daughter, Sharee Ann Tan, as governor of the province.
The younger Tan is running for the congressional post to be vacated by her mother.
Aside from Tan, also cleared by the Sandiganbayan were her co-defendants, namely, Roselyn Larce, Bienvenido Sabenecio Jr., Francasio Detosil, Ariel Yboa, Rolando Montejo, and George Abrina.
The Sandiganbayan has also ordered the release of their respective bail bonds and directed the Bureau of Immigration to remove them from the hold departure list.
Tan allegedly took advantage of her position as governor when she purchased various drugs, medicines, and dental supplies from Zybermed Medi Pharma owned by private respondent Larce between March 28 and August 21, 2007.
The Sandiganbayan, on its ruling, said that the questioned supplies were delivered and distributed to the people and a regular bidding was conducted.
Tan was earlier found guilty by the Fourth Division of Sandiganbayan on the alleged anomalous procurement of emergency supplies worth P16 million in 2001 when she was the governor of the province.
She posted bail for this case. (JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY- A total of 100 Jobstarter program trainees successfully graduated from the six-month full cycle training in this city last March 29.
The graduates represented the first batch of the partnership program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the local government of Tacloban which aims to increase the employability of the youth through technical and skills training.
Present during the graduation held at the Fatima Parish Hall in Tacloban was Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Emilia Cruz, Cooperation Embassy of Canada Head Stephen Weaver, DOLE North Leyte Field Office Head Bernardita Navarra and Bureau of Local Employment Representative Roanna Kyra Querijero.
Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez was represented by Executive Assistant Atty. Marie Ronette Salve Barreda who read the message of the mayor exhorting the Jobstart trainees to use their full potential and not take the opportunity for granted.
“We hope that you will not take this opportunity for granted. Paniguro kita ngan ayaw naton sayanga ine nga oportunidad. Hinaot unta Nga makabulig a Jobstart para makabiling kamo hin trabaho ngan makabulig han iyo pamilya,” the message read.
The Chief Executive likewise lauded the generous partners of the local government in the program which is being implemented for the first time in the City.
The jobstarter completers started their training last September 2018 until March 20, 2019.
Before their 3-month internship on food and beverage in a partner business establishment, the trainees first underwent a 55-day Life Skills and Technical Training.
The life skills training is an essential component of the full-cycle employment facilitation service which offers one-on-one career guidance among the beneficiaries.
At the end of the training, the completers received their National Competency (NC) II Accreditation from the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The jobstart partner establishments are McCarol Ventures, Pinutos Express Kuisin, Taytay Sa Kauswagan, Stephanie Smoke Haus, Mang Inasal and McDonalds. (HENRY JAMES ROCA with a report from D. ABARQUE)