TACLOBAN CITY-Pamela Eyre Victoria Lira, a 20-year-old Geology student from Alangalang town in Leyte, represented the Philippines as a special youth panelist during the “International Conference on a Decade of Progress after Fukushima-Daiichi: Building on the Lessons Learned to Further Strengthen Nuclear Safety” at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna, Austria on November 8 to 12, 2021.
“I was the youngest not only among the youth panelists but in the entire conference too,” said Lira, a member of the University of the Philippines (UP)-Geological Society in Diliman, Quezon City.
Lira said that out of almost 300 entries across the globe, only 30 young professionals up to age 30 were invited to join the conference, citing the “high-quality work” of the participants.
“Together we had an intense discussion on what important point we should include in the conference’s Call of Action report, and my arguments on incorporating nuclear energy in inclusive education plus trust in nuclear authorities were agreed on together,” said Lira, while thanking the support from her family, friends, university, and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology.
During the conference, Lira also had the opportunity to speak in front of global leaders and high-level experts.
She was able to join the conference after her essay entitled “Decontaminate, Transmutate, Irradiate: Challenges in Refining the Public’s Image of Nuclear Energy” was selected by IAEA in September 2021.
In a statement, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said that “involving the youth in today’s discussions is important to reinforce that this is not a retrospective conversation on nuclear safety but on planning for the future and ensuring that nuclear safety continues to be a critical component of the nuclear dialogue.”
“You are the ones who are going to be taking charge of international and national safety operations. The way to best support that effort is to give you an opportunity to express your ideas, and that is why we organized this competition — to give you an opportunity to reflect and put your ideas and vision on paper,” Grossi told the participants during the conference.
(RONALD O. REYES)
Leyte geology student represents PH in international conference on nuclear safety in Austria
Leyte police to create tourist cops, SWAT teams next year says official
TACLOBAN CITY – Tourism police unit will be among the priorities of the Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) for next year.
This was disclosed by Lt. Co. Ricky Reli, LLPO’s deputy provincial director for operations, adding that they will also prioritize the creation of special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams across the province.
Reli said that creating the tourist-oriented police for community order and protection (Topcop) and SWAT teams is part of the organization’s local anti-criminality action plan for next year.
In particular, the police official said that a tourist police unit that will be created will be in partnership with the municipal government of Palo.
These police personnel will be deployed at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, one of the top tourist destinations not only in Palo town but the rest of Leyte.
Meanwhile, the SWAT team that will be organized by the First Mobile Force Company and Second Mobile Force Company.
The SWAT Team under the First Mobile Force Company in Baybay City will cater local government units under the fourth and fifth district of the province, while the SWAT Team under the Second Mobile Force Company based in Calubian town will serve areas under the first, second, and third district.
Of the three police offices in Leyte province, Ormoc and Tacloban has already created their respective SWAT teams according to PLtCol Reli. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
Biliran Governor Espina withdraws reelection bid
Gov’s son Gerard substituted for the post
TACLOBAN CITY- In a surprising move, Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina withdrew his certificate of candidacy (CoC) on his reelection bid on Monday (Nov. 15).
Espina, who is a doctor by profession, was replaced by his son, Gerard, who is the incumbent mayor of the provincial capital of Naval.
In turn, Gerard, who withdrew his CoC for mayor, is to be substituted by his younger sister, Gretchen who was originally to run for councilor.
The elder Espina, who once served as a congressman for the lone district of Biliran for nine years, is supposed to seek for a second term in next year elections.
The outgoing 60-year old governor formally withdrew his CoC at the provincial office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at around 10:51 am accompanied by his anointed successor.
The Comelec has earlier set Nov.15 as the last day for those candidates who want to withdraw their COCs and for substitution.
As of press time, Espina has yet to give a statement why he decided to withdraw his candidacy for governor but multiple sources told Leyte Samar Daily Express that he want to ‘retire from politics’ as he is assured that his son would continue all his programs and projects.
Gerard, who is on his 30s, is assured to have his third term as he was running unopposed.
Meantime, this is Gretchen’s first foray to politics though she serves as the chief of staff of her father.
The Espinas has long dominated the political affairs of Biliran beginning with election of their late father, Gerardo, Sr. as the lone congressional representative of the province in 1995.
The congressional post is now being held by Rep. Gerardo ‘Gerryboy’ Espina, Jr. who is running unopposed.
The Espinas are members of the Nacionalista Party.
EducationUSA announces International Education Week Events for Filipinos
Manila- The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and EducationUSA, the U.S. government’s official source of information on U.S. higher education, invite all Filipinos interested in studying in the United States to join International Education Week (IEW) events from November 15 to 19.
On Monday, November 15, EducationUSA will host a virtual college essay workshop and financial aid walkthrough for high school students interested in studying in an accredited U.S. higher education institution.
Working professionals and those interested in graduate studies in the United States can tune in to the Embassy’s “Road to International Education” episode on Facebook at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17. Participants of this event can also join EducationUSA’s free advising session for prospective graduate students on Friday, November 19, for any follow-up concerns on their college plans.
On November 18, EducationUSA and the Commission on Higher Education are holding the eighth session of the Pathways to Opportunity series that will outline best practices on signing MOUs for higher education institutions.
Registration details for these and all EducationUSA events can be found at https://educationusaph.org/
Since 2019, EducationUSA advisees have received more than P115 million in financial aid from accredited U.S. higher education institutions.
EducationUSA provides free advising services to prospective international students in more than 170 countries and offers students resources and tools to help navigate the five steps to U.S. study: researching schools, identifying financial aid opportunities, completing applications, obtaining a student visa, and preparing for departure.
There are more than 4,700 accredited higher education institutions in the United States, and an EducationUSA adviser can help students narrow their options, define their priorities, and plan their college careers.
EducationUSA does not offer scholarships but can assist students in identifying scholarship and financial assistance opportunities. (PR)
Palo school to welcome 2 kids for the face-to-face classes
PALO, Leyte- The biggest public elementary school of this town will pilot the face-to-face classes on Monday (Nov.15) involving two kids of special needs.
The Palo I Central School, which has a current enrollment of 2,042 students with 64 teachers, has been selected as one of the 10 public schools in Eastern Visayas selected by the Department of Education(DepEd) as pilot schools for a limited face-to-face classes since the pandemic started almost two years now.
School principal Onesima Dacillo said that while they will only welcome two students, they are still upbeat for the ‘start’ of the face-to-face classes on their school this Monday.
“We are ready for the opening of the face-to-face classes in our school and we will have a festive opening with all the teachers in attendance and other officials of the DepEd and local government present,” she said.
According to her, their school was selected by the DepEd as one of the pilot schools for the face-to-face classes as Barangay Cavite West, the area where the school is located, has zero case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
It was learned from Dacillo that the school’s Speed (special education) class has 12 students enrolled but only two parents acceded for a face-to-face classes instead of the current modular learning method.
The students are both boys and 11 years of age.
Kya Demecillo, who will handle pilot face-to-face, said that considering of the nature of her students, she will not teach them at the same time.
“It will be a one-on-one teaching because of their behavioral differences. For sure, it will be very challenging as there will be some adjustments to be made due to different set up,” Demecillo, who will be wearing personal protective equipment all throughout her classes, said.
The first student will attend the class from 8 am until 9 am with a 15-minute interval to be used for the disinfection of the classroom. It will only then the other student will be allowed to enter.
As part of the protocol, the two will undergo body temperature check and to sanitize their hands using alcohol.
Ma.Cherry Cabrigas, village chairwoman of Cavite West, said that they are aware that the Palo I Central School has been selected as a pilot school for the face-to-face classes.
“It will be very limited as only two students are involved. Hopefully, this will eventually result for more students attending a face-to-face method of classes,” she said.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)