TACLOBAN CITY – Newly-elected Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza said that he will prioritize in protecting and preserving the environment not only within his congressional area but the entire province.
Daza, who also served as governor of Northern Samar from 2010 to 2013, said that timber poaching continue to exist in his district which could cause flooding and landslides.
The newly-elected solon explained that his advocacy in the environmental protection and conservation is to protect the constituents in his district from damage or destruction brought about by calamities like flooding, landslides and other incidents brought about by natural disasters.
To recall, the House of Representatives conducted an inquiry on January 29 of this year on existence of rampant illegal logging activities in Northern Samar and Samar province, reason why the two provinces suffered extensive flooding spawned by typhoon ‘Usman’ last December 28, 2018.
The inquiry was initiated by Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento and supported by outgoing Northern Samar Rep. Raul Daza, father of the newly-elected congressman.
(RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT)
N. Samar newly-elected congressman to prioritize environment protection
City gov’t intensifies campaign on stray dogs
In the wake of 10 stray dogs killing a boy in Mindanao
TACLOBAN CITY- The Veterinary Office (VCO) of this city has further intensified their campaign against stray dogs in the wake of an incident where a five-year old boy was mauled and killed by at least 10 stray dogs in Isabela City, Basilan.
Dr. Eunice Alcantara, city veterinary officer, said that while there is no case of a person killed by a dog in the city for the past 10 years now, they remain not complacent on their campaign against stray dogs roaming in the streets.
Alcantara said that since Tuesday (June 18), two teams from their office have been roaming around the city to impound, using nets, stray dogs.
These dogs, in turn, are placed at their impounding area where their owners are given three days to claim them with a charge of P2,000.
“That was alarming. That is why we have further step up in our campaign against stray dogs in the city though for the past 10 years or so, we have not recorded of a human case(who died due to a dog bite),” Alcantara said.
It was learned that last year, their office was able to impound 2,400 stray dogs. However, only one percent of these dogs were retrieved by their owners.
What they do, she said, is they killed them through euthanasia and buried in a pit.
“We really have to eliminate these stray dogs because, aside from causing vehicular accident, they bite those in the streets, mostly children,” Alcantara said.
These stray dogs could also transmit diseases like tapeworms.
Based on their estimates, there are more than 24,000 dogs in the city. Their office, however, could not determine as to how many of these dogs are in the streets.
Alcantara issued an appeal to dog owners to be responsible owners and keep their pets inside their houses or put them on a leash or in a cage.
Tacloban has introduced an animal code in 2006 wherein it enumerated the responsibilities of dog owners and their liabilities like shouldering medical expenses once their dogs have bitten someone.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
‘Parade of Lights’ on June 29 to have 22 competing floats, dance contingents
TACLOBAN CITY- Eleven creatively-made floats decorated and illuminated with multicolored lights and 11 brightly costumed dance contingents will parade along the main streets of Tacloban as part of the Sangyaw Parade of Lights on Saturday, June 29.
The City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) said that this year’s Parade of Lights will be participated in by eleven schools, barangay and community-based contingents and 11 floats which will include three from Catbalogan City, Samar, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat.
Comprising the Dance Contingents are Tribu Danhani of Eastern Visayas State University, Tribu Tarakloban of San Jose National High School, Manarabo Festival of Hinabangan, Samar, Tribu Manhuhurip of Brgy. 84 Manlurip San Jose, Tribu San Jose of the San Jose Central School, Tribu Bakhawan of Brgy. 83 Paraiso, Tribu Mandaragat of Barangay 2 Jones, Kasirangan Tribe of Brgy. 42 Quarry District, Tribu Maglalara of Basey, Samar, Tribu Kalusayan of Brgy. 35-A Pampango and Tribu Nagkaurusa of Brgy. 49 Hillside, Young field.
The competing floats are Danhani (EVSU), Celebrate Fiesta (Catbalogan City), Finding of Sto. Nino de Tacloban (Tacloban Angelicum Learning Center), L’MBA (Maguindanao), Balanghay (SJCS), Bahandi (Brgy. 83 Paraiso), Mandaragat (Brgy. 2 Jones), Fiesta Bayanihan (Brgy. 42-A Quarry District), Kumpit Sa Sultan Kudarat (Sultan Kudarat), Fiesta Sarimanok (Brgy. 35-A Pampango) and Fluvial Procession in Kankabatok (Brgy. 49 Hillside Young field).
Each float will have its individual designs interpreting this year’s Festival theme: “Happiest Fiesta,” while the competing dance groups will be composed of 60 to 100 dancers with lighted costumes and ornamentations.
Festival entries will be judged for its theme, lighting effects, performance, creativity choreography, and musicality during the parade and performance at the Balyu-an Amphitheater.
Five Hundred Thousand Pesos and trophies await the grand champions of the festival float and dance competitions. The 2nd placer will receive 300,000 and trophy, 3rd placer- P200,000 and trophy, and consolation prizes of P10,000 will be given each to the non-winning entries.
Also taking part in the parade are officials and employees of the city government led by Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez and incoming Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez, outgoing Leyte 1st District Congresswoman and incoming Tingog party-list Representative Yedda K. Romualdez, and Congressman-elect FM Romualdez.
Celebrity endorser and ABS-CBN Talent Claudia Barretto and a number of dignitaries have also confirmed attendance during the fiesta spectacle.
A civic parade which will be participated by 20 groups of merrymakers will be held at 3:00 PM on June 29 before the Parade of Lights.
The parade will pass through the following streets: Justice Romualdez, Rizal Avenue, Imelda Veteranos, Real Street and end at Magsaysay Boulevard. The Sangyaw Festival is the official Festival of Tacloban, revived in 2008 by former Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez after Tacloban was declared a Highly Urbanized City. – (HENRY ROCA/CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
MacArthur National Shrine undergoes P158 million facelift for the 75th Leyte Gulf Landings anniversary
TACLOBAN CITY- As part of the 75th anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings this October 20, the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park is now undergoing major repairs.
For this major repairs, a first in 25 years, the national government has allocated P158 million, said Palo town Mayor Remedios Petilla.
The national park, where the legendary American general Douglas MacArthur made his iconic ‘I shall return’ promise which resulted to the liberation of the country from the Japanese invaders on October 20,1944, is located in Barangay Candahug, Palo town.
Mayor Petilla said that among to be refurbished are the bronze-painted statutes of MacArthur, President Sergio Osmeña, General Carlos Garcia and four others, located in a man-made pool depicting their arrivals, the centerpiece of the 6.78 hectare national park.
The scraping and repainting of the larger-than-life statutes are to be undertaken by the National Historical Commission.
The statues were first unveiled in 1981 during the 37th anniversary and made by sculptor Anastacio Caedo who was also behind the Bonifacio Monument in Balintawak.
“We are now 80 percent of the physical preparations and we can finished it on time,” the mayor said.
The repair works at the national shrine, among Leyte’s top tourist attractions, started in December last year and expected to be finished before the 75th anniversary on October 20, this year.
The P158 million funding of the repair of the national park came from Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority(TIEZA) of the Department of Tourism,P104 million; and P54 million from the Yolanda Repair and Rehabilitation Project.
The national park suffered damages when Leyte was pummeled by Super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in November 8,2013.
Aside from statutes, the works at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park includes the construction of a viewing deck; an amphitheater that has a 700-setting capacity; landscaping; and installation of lights, among others.
The last time the national park underwent major repairs were in 1994 during the 50th anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
Repair works of the Guiuan Church to be completed this month
(Photo: National Museum of the Philippines)
Destroyed by super typhoon ‘Yolanda’
TACLOBAN CITY – The restoration works of the centuries old La Immaculada Concepcion Church in Guiuan, Eastern Samar will be completed this month.
This was announced by the National Mauseum of the Philippines(NMP) which supervised the restoration works of the 18th century church which sustained major damages when Guiuan was pummeled by super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in November 8,2013.
The NMP allocated P111.99 million for the repair work while the United States through its embassy in the country donated $300,000.
The Baroque-style Guiuan Church is famous for its extensive shell ornamentation.
The NMP said that the La Immaculada Concepcion Church will be turned over to the local parish after they conduct their inspection to the church which is considered to be a national cultural treasure.
The said church was earlier nominated as national heritage along with other churches in the country like the Baclayon Church in Bohol but was dropped in the roster after it was destroyed by Yolanda.
“We also collaborated with the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation of the University of Melbourne to help us form decisions regarding treatment of some of the moveable heritage,” NMP said.
It was learned that local artisans led by Guy Custodio was also commissioned by NMP to help them on this restoration works like the wood fabrication, painting and gold leafing of the church’s ceiling and its main and side altars.
Prior to the restoration work, the team from NMP had carefully documented the church original altar, ceiling, elaborate carvings especially the door and building.
They also conducted a 3D scanning for reverse engineering to study the construction and the fabric weaknesses of the church even before Yolanda.
La Immaculada Church in Guiuan was built by the Jesuit Missionaries in 18th century and was later taken over by the Franciscan Friars.
The church complex is a fortress that is usual design of old church built during Spanish Era that serves as protection and haven during raid of Moro pirates.
Numerous parts of the church interior are decorated with seashells. It is unique in the country. The church still has its original front door, retablos, statues, and other church artifacts. The walls are made of coral stone.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
Pres. Duterte sees end of insurgency problem in EV
Praised soldiers for their gallantry and heroism
BY: JOEY A. GABIETA
TACLOBAN CITY- President Rodrigo Duterte sees that the insurgency problem that has been plaguing the region for decades will soon come to its end.
As he made this projection, the President issued an appeal to the members of the rebel group, the New People’s Army (NPA), for them to surrender and return to the folds of the law.
Mr. Duterte made a quick visit at the headquarters of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City on Wednesday (June 19) night.
And part of his visit was the giving of medal of valor and posthumous awards to soldiers who were injured and killed during ambuscades against NPA members.
In his talks with the soldiers, led by their commanding general, Major Gen. Raul Farnacio, the President said that he sees the end of the insurgency in the region as he praised the soldiers for their continued effort to quell the insurgency problem.
“With such valiant troops in the service of flag and country, I am confident that we can end the communist-terrorist scourge here in Region 8 sooner than later,” the President said in his speech.
“This is why, I encourage the remaining rebels to repudiate your outdated ideology, abandon your extremist activities, and return to the fold of the law,” he added.
Region 8, among the country’s poorest regions, continue to battle with insurgency problem with former commanders of the 8th ID making a promise to end the problem cited to be one of the reasons why investors shy away in coming to the region.
Mr. Duterte, in his speech, said that the soldiers could count on him as he vowed to support them and even promised to provide them more incentives and benefits as they continue to defend the country’s security against the insurgents and other rebel groups.
“This administration will work hard to meet all of your needs and that of your families, and all I ask is that you perform your responsibilities to the best of your abilities. It is now, more than ever, that we need to work hard and work together, if we are to bring the real, lasting, and meaningful change for the country,” the President said.
The second visit of the President to the 8th ID camp, was closed to the media. He first visited the military camp on August 9, 2016.
Captain Raul Aragones, spokesperson of the 8th ID, said that the President arrived at the camp at about 6:30 pm and stayed until 7:45 pm.
He was accompanied by Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana and former close aide and now Senator-elect Christopher “Bong” Go.
The President immediately proceeded to the Camp Lukban Station Hospital to posthumously award the Order of Lapu-Lapu to five soldiers who died due to arm clashes against members of the rebel group, the New People’s Army.
The award were received by the relatives of the killed soldiers.
Mr. Duterte also pinned the rank of Kampilan medals to nine soldiers who were wounded in armed battle against the rebels.
Aragones declined to provide the names of the soldiers killed and wounded who were recognized by the President.
But the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), on its website, identified the recipients of the Order of Lapu-Lapu as Corporal Roberto Bueno; Corporal Alix Saliwan; Private First Class Danilo Constantino, Jr; Private First Class Arthur Garcia; and Private Elben Lagrimas.
Those who received the Kampilan medals were Corporal Eduardo Vigilia, Jr.; Cpl. Mark Lester Amparo; Private First Class Joseph Salinga; PFC Mark Louie Lantecsi; PFC Mark Kevin Frigillana; PFC Joemar Glenn Seligbon; Private Delio Amaro; Pvt Joseph Renel Gentalian and Pvt Rex Español.
The Order of Lapu-Lapu is given to persons in government or private sector who have rendered extraordinary service or have made exceptional contributions to the success of the President’s campaign of advocacy.
The Kampilan medal, meanwhile, is bestowed to persons who were seriously wounded or suffered great loss of property as a direct result of their participation in such action.